Legend of Ransera

6 Ash 121

Franky had a strange aura about him as they walked the street, one Yeva could sense but didn't understand. He looked deep in thought and it felt oddly personal to go pestering him now. She let him be, and before she knew it, they were standing in front of their destination. His mood seemed to shift, as quick as the wind. Franky moved first, knocking on the door. She shuffled behind the man, unsure what to expect, but shrank back when an imposing figure shadowed the doorway. Peeking from behind the tavern owner's back, Yeva spotted an orc who looked as if he had just rolled out of bed greeted the hobgoblin with clear familiarity. They spoke for a moment.

Franky stepped aside, exposing the petite elf hidden behind him, "This is my friend, Yeva. Yeva, this is Korvik, neighbor to the Gobbler."

Her eyes lifted from the exposed torso of the man to his bold smile, tusks on full display. He extended a hand that engulfed hers, so much so, the redhead couldn't even manage to fully wrap her hands around his palm, the size difference too great, "Hello," she greeted politely, embarrassed by her lackluster grip, but the orc didn't seem to mind. Likely used to it.

The men began to talk, and both Yeva and Korvik were surprised by Franky's suggestion. He was buying this place? She took a step back and seemed to look at the building with new eyes, watching with a shell-shocked expression as Korvik grabbed his outerwear and preparations were underway.

"After you, Miss Yeva."

"Just like that?" she asked, tiptoeing to the entryway and leaning forward to take a glance around. She looked back at the street, still unsure about the idea. Someone lived here and now she was suddenly barging in for a little self-guided tour. Korvik had been open to the idea, perhaps it wasn't her place to question it? As if sensing her apprehension, Franky made sure to ease her nerves.

"I think it might be best if you had a landlord that actually wants you as a tenet and appreciates you for what you are. I do have an idea of a few other uses for this space, but I would happily carve out some of it for you." She followed after him, his steps slow and purposeful. It allowed her ample time to look around, although she was careful not to touch anything, "Mystics must be helped by the community, for all that they give back."

She was silent as she tried to imagine herself here. Take away the orcish decor, get a fresh coat of paint, maybe refinish the floors. Of course, there were more pressing concerns than just aesthetic touches. Korvik said the property needed work and she looked up at the ceiling and windows to inspect for any signs of structural damage. Franky continued his pitch, "We'll get plumbing installed in here, and you'd be next door to the tavern, so there'd be plenty of opportunities for you to find more customers, if you'd like that."

She furrowed her brow, unsure what to think as they made their way towards a breakfast table. It was simple, but as the goblin cleared the surface and motioned for her to take a seat, she "It just feels like... a lot," she was far from unappreciative at the gesture, but no one had ever offered her anything like it, "I don't know, Franky."

"This is not charity though. I wouldn't insult you like that," he was smiling and she tried to return the expression, admittedly interested in the idea of having a decent landlord. Franky had always treated her well, respected her work, supported it even, "So let us come to terms, if you're amenable."

She finally nodded and slipped into the chair, finding the accommodation too large for her. The toes of her boots barely touched the ground when she sat, making her feel rather childish, to say the least. Franky, however, didn't seem to notice. If he did, he certainly didn't comment on it.

"Please make me an offer, Mystic Yeva."

"Well...." she mulled over what she had to offer. He knew she was a mystic, she could offer her services as such on call, but that certainly wasn't enough to pay a debt like this. She wasn't sure how people discussed topics like this and began to rummage in her bag for a scrap of paper and a pencil, "I could pay you, of course. Um," she scribbled a number on the strip of paper, folding it and slid it across the table, "That's about what I was paying before... This place is bigger so..." she tried to imagine setting up shop, permanently here. Franky seemed confident she would find more clientele, although Yeva had reservations about Reconcilators. She wasn't a mage, but a permanent location could mean trouble, "I could also offer my services in mysticism... on call, free of charge for you and yours. And... " The idea of plumbing was quite nice and rather generous, but she wondered how much that would cost in a building like this, "If repairs are needed, maybe I could work a few shifts at the tavern to offset the costs? I... well, I don't really know how to cook very well... But I could always run drinks or clean, if needed. And, if I did get business here, I could cut you a percentage if you'd like... And, maybe slip in some advertising to the customers if you'd be willing to do the same."

Franky could see that the offer was a bit overwhelming for Yeva, and he could understand it. To those without much, something like a home seems like too much to have, certainly so if given as a gift. But Franky was beginning to get a good read on the waves moving through Zaichaer, and soon, he'd be working them in his favor. And a house, this building, to him, was not some grand gesture no. Nor was it merely a way to increase his horde to be large enough that a dragon tries to seize it.

No, this was not an investment in Franky's eyes. Franky was providing the place for one like Yeva to grow and flourish, to become whatever it was she would be. And that was something Franky could enjoy seeing. He'd seen enough lives, enough young men and women with endless potential get snuffed out. Friends. Family. Subordinates in his command. It was time to foster a different type of growth. One outside the reach of a military hierarchy.

One outside the reach of the Imperium.

He picked up the paper upon which Yeva wrote her rent. It was a gouging for where she had been, it was a modest price for here. Franky listened closely to all that she offered, seeing that she was certainly seizing the opportunity, but seemed to be trying to give away the kitchen sink in her gratitude. But he wasn't here to take advantage of her, by any means. He smiled when she finished, "The price you were paying is a fair price for here. I'll accept it. As landlord, I'll pay the costs of renovating it, and as my first tenant, you can design your space however you'd like. I've got a few carpenters I can bring in."

Franky's hands parted, moving a bit as he spoke, looking her directly in the eye, "As for your mysticism, I appreciate your offer of being on call. However, my wife would have my hide if I treated a mystic like that, plus there's better ways. I can certainly spread your name among the clientele and staff, and would happily exchange that for you to do the same. But rather than a percentage of your profits, I make but two simple requests. The first, I'd like a full reading every season, as your schedule and energies allow for, on your terms. The second, if the cards or any of your media indicate a danger to me, mine, or yourself, I would like to know, immediately. I will never hold back the truth from you, so I simple ask for the same."

His face was serious before sliding mercurially into a grin, "If you'd like to run tables or clean, by all means. But I'll pay you for that. Doesn't need to be part of this deal."

Franky let his hand reach out across the table, "Is this an agreement you find works for you?"

At Yeva's compliment, Franky returned a friendly smile. It was something he knew, it was evident in the books that he ran each morning and in how many people were showing up to his bar each night, but still, it was nice to hear. A small nod in thanks was given to Yeva. And at her agreement on the readings and warnings, "I figured, but it is nice to hear it out loud. Thank you."

Franky leaned back in his chair, his eyes following Yeva as she went about her tour of the building. He could see that mind of hers working, threatening to set her fiery hair ablaze. She was planning, visualizing a future, one that wasn't in the divining of cards, but rather one that would be created by her own hand. She moved with an ease and grace, flowing with the natural aesthetic of whatever it was she was imagining in this space.

Yes, this was a good choice, the right choice. Yeva might be able to divine the future, but Franky could read it too, in a way. She would leave a lasting mark on this world, this much he knew, absolutely knew. He didn't care if his 'investing' in here didn't pay off toward him. This was to help her do whatever good or great things to the world. Franky's wife had told him something interesting, something that had stuck with him for a long time. Diviners and Mystics are not mere tools, conduits, or vessels of the future, of fate. No. They are the wildcards, the agents of change on a massive scale. They can topple kingdoms with a word, inspire armies with a turn of the cards, and create a future in the shape of the fates, or entirely separate from them.

Mystics broke the mould, every single time.

Yeva was back over, a bounding in her step, a new pleasantness in her demeanor, and Franky shook her hand firmly, smiling. "Then it's agreed. I'll have a contract drafted up and get that to you soon, after I get this building in my name. I'll get some Goblins I know to gather your things from the old place, and bring them to your room in the tavern, you needn't go back there, never again. We'll discuss the designs for the renovations over a meal and drinks later if you'd like, and I'll get my contractors in here as soon as possible."

Franky was considering if he should sometime return back to those leaseholders and give them a piece of his mind. But maybe he would let that one wait. Wait for him to amass more power and influence. After all, they were the outsiders here in the Knob, not Yeva, not himself. They'd be among the first to go if his goals were met.

Franky
8 EXP

Spycraft: Recognizing that state controlled newspapers rarely have useful information
Detection: Noticing swift movement in a window above one's sightline
Etiquette: Bringing tea for someone who is upset
Leadership: Giving a helping hand to those in need
Leadership: Taking charge over a situation where someone is being exploited
Leadership: Speaking frankly
Leadership: Taking someone on a walk to help clear their mind and calm them
Leadership: Taking in the big picture
Finance: Investing in real estate
Finance: Investing in people
Finance: Seeing an opportunity for investing in a newspaper
Negotiation: Not taking more than necessary from someone

Yeva
8 EXP

Meditation: Venting out one's anger and frustration
Etiquette: Maintaining decorum even at a low point
Etiquette: Wisdom can be achieved through listening instead of speaking
Etiquette: Accepting an offering despite not enjoying it
Investigation: Connecting temperatures to travel times and distances
Divination: Connecting stress with work through the cards
Divination: Recognizing patterns of work and rest through the cards
Divination: Looking past the surface level obvious symbolism
Business: Making an overly generous offer
Business: Not being afraid to do work separate from one's aspirations
Business - Deal: The Rental Agreement with Franky
Business: Fully evaluating before finalizing an agreement