11 Ash 123
With nearly a seasons worth of effort to get the refugees acclimated to Kalzasi and, to get comfortable with the idea that the Chisuo's interest is in helping them as well, the Chisuo finally garnered enough interest for some of the refugees to get themselves settled in to the city with their assistance. That is to say that was not all they had to do. It was not that easy even if it sounded like it should be. There was still a vetting process. Interviews. Studies. References. Samples. All these would have definitely been easier to obtain and use had this been the refugees own home city, and said home city is not a smoldering mess of what it was although that too was putting it simply. They could lie there just as they could have their peers lie here in Kalzasi. There was no way for the Chisuo to actually verify all the details they were given. Nothing except trusting that 'pillar of the community' amongst the refugees. There was no doubt his interests lie with his own, his people, but hopefully constantly reminding him of the long term benefits and how the refugees could be cut off just like that if they all fall short on their part would be enough to maintain a positive relationship which would work out well in the end for all parties. But maybe, just maybe... "Maybe we should bring out that other contract as an option? You know the one. I mean the only difference is that the locals understand the implications better and are already used to the idea but its not like the refugees are children. They're adults who fully know what they want and can appreciate what they are getting into if we ju-"
No?
Well taking into account their city of origin, that they may as well be children in the subject of magic, is the reasonable assumption "it doesn't change the fact that they are still adults who can understand if we ju-" Nope again. Well what did Shuai know anyway. That much is true. Which is one of the reasons why he was assigned this task by the Chisuo. So he could learn and being under the supervision of someone else who knew better, unless he really went out of his way to make it so, he would not fuck it up. That was why he would have to get it authorized with his immediate superior, "I mean we could try it with one person first. See how it goe-" No again. Actually it was fair. The effects of such a contract would not even be apparent, even for a study, at least for years which was besides the point. "We could just bring it up so we could gauge the refugees receptiveness towards the ide-" Which would eventually get spread out. Which would have the refugees having ideas. Which would set the Chisuo's efforts back a few seasons, at best and years at worse. "But we don't know how long the refugees would be stuck here right? What if it takes seasons. Years. You know what I mean? And they will find out eventually."
Yes eventually. "Fine. That's a good point. Start them out small like with those lodestones and talismans and see where it goes from there." It was a good point and even if it went against what Shuai wanted it was still something he would have to agree with based on its merits; that and it was not like he has any power to make any decisions anyway. Just facilitate them. And on that task of facilitating, "do we already have the numbers? The dates? Any other documents they could have submitted?" Wait. That was all on Shuai to do? "But I thought I only had to propose it. Oh. I see. Fine. Who do I have? Yeah they work but are they enough? Fine but when are they free? Already? Me?" To Shuai, finding out all that at this point especially was not ideal but he would have to make do. "I'll meet with Jam, Bo and Ree tomorrow then. Why not today? Aren't they doing something else? Oh, right. That's me. Right, do you know where I can find them then? You mean they have? For weeks now? And why didn't they tell me? You? And why didn't you tell me? Oh. Haha. That's very funny, no it isn't. Well fuck you too uncle." Why was Shuai even surprised with his uncle's sick sense of humor. At the very least as Shuai would find out in the later days, it was not like the man was actively sabotaging him since he already did as much as he could to minimize the effects of whatever Shuai had neglected to do already and ease on the transition to the main task.
Which began quite promptly, surprisingly enough. On that first day, well that very first refugee already it was not as easy as Shuai believed it should be although to everyone else that was to be expected. Was it timidness or hostility which Shuai perceived of the man the moment he stepped through the door but either way, Shuai had his script already which began with a smile. Was that not enough? Shuai would have thought it would be enough. Maybe this man was someone planted by his uncle as a test? While Shuai had already went through the provided documents the night before, he made another quick sift through it with that idea in mind, just in case his uncle was trying to pull another fast one over him but with nothing he could actually find he continued with a "well Mr. Goneson, I appreciate you coming to us for taking that next step for getting settled in with your life in Kalzasi. How has it been so far?" Oh, yeah. Definitely not the response he was looking for. He would have to keep a mental note to never ask that question again when he interviews the other refugees because why else would they be in Kalzasi instead of their home in Zaichaer?
But things did get better of course, "we're only here to help so don't worry about it too much, miss." More interviews got Shuai more comfortable and he knew better what he had to ask. Even if the refugees had provided him the information long before it seemed to comfort them a little that he constantly confirmed with them the details like "I understand you used to run a bakery in Zaichaer? Do you have anymore information about that? Nah, nothing that boring. We can check up on that later and if you were able to run it long obviously it has been making enough of a profit. What we need to know are things like where was it located and what did you sell. What was your best sellers? Oh you have a sample now? Yeah you can bring it over here and I'll try it later. And while I can try it myself I still have to ask, how confident are you that it will fit the palette of the locals here in Kalzasi? I don't think you'd only be supplying your countryfolk only right? That'd be a rather limited market I'm afraid." It was all in the details and it was Shuai's job to find out as much as possible and then give some of his own information to start like "I heard that the market east of here, just a few minutes walk is bustling every four days. Maybe you can try making some of your food there and get some feedback? If nothing else you would know another location you probably should not open yoru bakery at and then we can try one of the... higher spots? I think I know a place with nobles willing to try exotic new things we could test our luck at."
And sometimes there was things that Shuai did not want to find out if he could help it. "Mr Trask, I understand you have a family to feed but..." how was that even relevant in trying to get a loan? Actually no. He did remember there were some which took those into account but a business loan? "No its fine. All I'm here to do is to just find a way to get you back on your feet and if it helps the both of us, hell, if it helps Kalsazi, then Chisuo has your back." These refugees were depressing. Not that they were displaced from their homes and somewhat desperate but how some of them could miss the clues Shuai was giving them, he had no idea. It was not like there was some language barrier in play here he had to consider. They were all speaking Common and being in the same region even meant their slangs would not even be too far apart. Not that he could express his own misgivings and just continued "lets find some solutions then shall we? Do you have anything which could make it easier to give you this loan and not stress you out in repayments? How about assets? Did you bring anything as collateral?" Ah yes, the waterworks again but that was one of those things he had to ask in the handbook even if he knew the likely outcome- even if someone might have something them looking for a loan meant the outcome was not favorable as "that's not going to work. I think you better keep it. How about references? Anyone local or had become established here in Kalzasi willing to vouch for you?" This is one of those people perfect for that but knowing his uncle is watching closely through the reports everyday, its not something Shuai even had a chance to attempt to do.
Fortunately there were still the gems, those that Shuai was told to look out for so the house could have first dibs because "I assure you ma'am, here in Kalzasi there is no such persecution of mages as you have experienced in Zaichaer. I mean... have you heard of House Chisuo? We specialize in necromancy which a few people still dislike the idea of, let me tell you that, but we still have been able to maintain our position in the nobility for generations. I mean how bad can it be that you prac-" Right maybe that was a little bad and, maybe that would be someone to keep tabs on so "have you ever considered taking a position with the nobility? It would legitimize you better and help you get some contacts; a much more secure route for you to take if you really want to establish your practice here in Kalsazi and we can revisit the topic of the loan later in say... a few seasons when your marks are more in favor for you working on that in the city?" That option seemed a lot better and made them more favorable to Shuai's suggestions because most of the time, actually all the time, they would follow up with the same question that it was no surprise "I thought you'd never ask. We could introduce you to one of the other houses but we feel that your skills and abilities could be better utilized by Chisuo. If you are interested you could go to our main offices in the city. I'll draw you a map. Just ask for Ike. He'll give you a proper interview and get you settled in."
While Zaichaer probably would not miss their mages and actually be glad that they are now Kalzasi's problem especially if it were those mages with the more problematic magics, there were also those refugees of skill Shuai was sure was going to make a their loss our gain type of a situation. Craftsmen, no matter the discipline and location, were always going to be high in demand. Although as a person who normally ends up with the end product and knew nothing of the manufacturing process, Shuai could only take their word for it that "so you say you were halfway making this when you left Zaichaer and you only lack the materials and facilities to complete it?" for most of the time but as someone who loved a good fight and followed them, sometimes with him right at the center of it he was more than qualified that "mind if I give this one a test?" did not seem like a mere suggestion. A quick trip out to meet one of his bodyguards, who was not too fond of the idea even if "come on, you don't feel anyway" was a conclusion quickly made as Shuai made a few whacks at Skammak, the brutish ape fending off the blows with his large arms who to his credit did not complain, much, anymore except to add to Shuai's own evaluation that "for a half made product, it sure is sturdy. i don't think my own could compare without the enhancements it was given. So you think?" Right Skammak thought it too.
Maybe it was catering to Shuai's whims, but such were the perks of his current job that he could do what he wanted and he did truly believe that losing this smith would be a loss for the Chisuo. "How would you like to work for us actually? I don't believe most of your regular clients are here from Zaichaer and you'd need to compete with the other more established forges here. Work with us, you get to prove your skills, use us as a referral in the future and you don't have to bother with this loan business until its a lot less trouble for you. How about it?" No? At least this smith was quite the confident one with his craft so Shuai was going to have to push more. "...I get what you mean. I wouldn't want to start off working for nobles myself without proving myself already and giving it to mercs would be one of the best ways to prove yourself to them if the bulk of them actually become returning regulars" no reason for letting the man know Shuai was sort of the guy making decisions here and he would rather he feel indebted to the suggestion "so how about this. We'll look into your loan and establishing your forge but I'll get you into one of our forges, complete that weapon of yours, make a few more, and we'll leave it there for some of the house guards and swords to try and use. If it is as good as it should be we'll bring you back in for more and maybe a more permanent position. You will be fairly compensated of course" which was probably the limits of Shuai's discretion but if it was enough, "wonderful! I'll give you a time and date for your attempt. Nice to be working with you Mr. Geer."
Very nice actually since there are some advantages to the job for Shuai too. The smith Geer may not know it but one of his works is definitely going to be claimed by someone which could influence the result of this attempt in Chisuo- Shuai, yes, he already called dibs. Maybe this job was not as bad as Shuai initially thought after all but once the novelty has run out he will definitely be passing it off to someone else.