[Maruem]

Maruem sat alone in the room he had rented out for the last couple of days. It wasn't quite personal enough to be considered his, but it was the closest he had had to owning something tangible in a while. He was hoping to change that today, and was thinking over his options on how to achieve his goal as he counted over the coin he had managed to collect over the last week.

He didn't have enough gold for a for a guild hall, but he was close at the very least. He was more than half way there and that sudden rise to some relative measure of wealth almost scared him. Gaia was a very different world, fortunes could seemingly be made overnight if you had the strength and will to pursue them.

His first week had been, objectively speaking, awful, exhausting, and at times, overwhelming. But it had also been surprisingly bountiful, and he knew that as long as he worked just as hard in the coming weeks he would be able to pay off his home very quickly. He didn't question if he was up to the task, if this week had taught him anything, he was, but he did question if the Gaians would even consider letting him buy a home.

He hadn't heard any news of Adventurers buying property yet, though admittedly it was still early to be receiving news like that. He doubted many have the capital to be able to afford such luxuries right now. Every night it was clear just how many adventurers had no place to stay, how many had tried their best and been cast down too many times, how many had their fortitude broken early, or had no strength of will to begin with.

After the fight Maruem had, he could not, or would not save those who did not at least try to fight for themselves. He had sympathy for those who gave up from the start, but he couldn't save them if the whole world was the threat. He could however, still show them that their loss of hope was misguided, that Adventurers could rise up in the new world, make a name for themselves, and overcome the admittedly atrocious hand they had been dealt.

By now, rumor had spread of the consequences of death for Adventurers. The gift of infinite respawning in the cathedrals seemingly hidden behind the cost of the gradual loss of ones memories, losing what linked them to who they once were. Some would argue it was a fate far worse than the death of Gaians, because for them it was truly over when it ended. Adventurers would slowly be whittled down to a husk of who they were. Maruem was in this camp. What good was immortality if eventually all that was left was a shell.

"There's a long road ahead of us if we ever hope to get out of this with our sanity." Maruem thought to himself as he placed one golden coin after another into a pouch. "The price is too high. No one deserves to be footing a bill like that in a situation they never asked for to begin with. I have the means to change that. If I make this guild, and I use the Baronling's resources right, no one has to pay it under my watch. Death is no less an acceptable outcome than it was before. If I can keep that in mind, things should work out alright for us." he considered rather optimistically.

Some days, actually most days recently, that optimism was tested. He had felt it strained more in the last week than he had in many long years prior, and he knew going forward that there would be a situation where it was not so cut and dry as just making sure no one died, but he had to believe he could overcome those situations. Otherwise, what was the point in defending people to begin with. The last coin jingled down into the pouch and he tied it off on his belt, securely knotted in place.

He stood from his desk and yawned silently, his maw gapping without a sound. His arms reached high up and brushed the ceiling as he stretched into the yawn, and with its end he brought them back down to his sides. He was worn out. He had worked late into the night most of this week, and it was almost becoming his routine now. He'd woken up early to accomplish set up for the Caeser's flaggon meeting. His wide stretching surprised him with the discovery of something unfamiliar on the side of his head.

"That... wasn't there before... was it?" He thought as a seed of panic began to plant itself in his mind and he reached up with his hand. Running his fingers along his longer and pointier ear. He looked in the mirror and did not recognize the log protrusions on the sides of his head. "Am I a... no, I couldn't be" He worried as he swiped his user interface open and looked at his personal details. There it was... clear as day. Directly in front of him to the right of the "Race:" section. It read "Alv".

Maruem sat back down onto the bed, his head spinning. He was not sure what had happened. He had only laid down for a few minutes after the meeting at Caesar's Flaggon and then when he opened his eyes he immediately got to counting his coin. When could it have happened. How had his helix cartilage piercings transferred over and ended up looking so much more badass. He stared at the user interface display for a while, lying on his back with one arm bent and playing with one of his piercings, and the other scrolling through the interface to read up on his new race more closely.

"Fungal Alv huh..? So I can regenerate better now outside of combat, that would have been helpful on that second night." He remembered, still feeling the guilt of his criminal act. "Well I can't say I'm disappointed with the changes, but how did this happen anyway? I ate poutine, it's not like there was anything special in it other than savory deliciousness."

Gaia had never been known for it's glitches when it was a video game, and here it was as his reality and it had acted up all of a sudden? That just did not make sense. Some witch had probably spiked his poutine with some crazy potion as a sick joke, but if that was the case, that was some powerful potion to be wasting on strangers. Certainly there was another explanation, but he wouldn't know for certain regardless. Whatever the case, he was in the body he was in. He felt just as comfortable in his skin, and a quick cursory inspection indicated that everything was as he remembered it being.

He thought back to the meeting he had just had, and the Alven Noble had given no indication that he was speaking to a fellow of the same race, though then again Lord Baron Parcis of Tivoli was not the type to acknowledge anyone if they were not exceedingly interesting at first glance. Still though, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was something new. His new discovery sufficiently considered, Maruem got up off the bed. He had business to attend to after all, he needed to stay focused. He reached down to grab for a cloak that wasn't there, and hadn't been there since the beginning, back when he first covered Kat with it. He had never gotten that cloak back, but he hoped it was serving his old friend well.

There was a feeling that took him. An impulse to message Kat and check in, update his friend about what had happened, see how the lad in the bunny girl body was holding up, but they had gone their separate ways to find themselves, perhaps it was improper to message him, especially with the motive not being fully just concern. Was it fair for him to message his friend when he knew he would end up asking for advice and support around this crazy scenario? Was it fair to put an unnecessary burden on him? A mountain needs to be its own foundation, or so Maruem told himself.

He had set his goals. He had to rise up to protect those around him. Could he really do that if he could not make these simpler decisions on his own? It was one thing to rely on others to support and fill in for a man's weaknesses, but such fundamental things as deciding to become a leader or not were not ones that could be delegated to people around him, even those he was close to, even those he loved.

He was going to be a guild leader if he went forward with this. To lead is to decide, and he steeled himself as his hand hovered over Kat's profile, ready to tap the 'Message' prompt. All the words he could have sent him then fell short. His hand fell back to his side, and the menu was dismissed. As it fell, it brushed the coin purse on his belt and he knew he had to do this on his own. He could not be held back by weird race changes or any other glitches today would throw at him, he would just have to roll with the punches. He ran a hand through his long hair to try to style it even a little, and stepped out the door of his room, the heavy wooden door behind him squeaking shut on its old hinges.

The stairs of the old inn creaked as he made his way down to the first floor. The building had two stories, but both stories had low ceilings, so from the outside it did not seem particularly tall. On his way down the stairs he almost bumped his head on the low ceiling corner at their base, but he had already done so earlier. Having learned his lesson the hard way, he knew to duck this time around. The clerk at the front counter smiled at him with a tip of the hat of acknowledgement as he stepped out the front door, into the bustling streets of Romalia.

Word Count: 1733 (claimed at 1401)

[Maruem]

The cobbled stone roads rumbled with activity as many a cart or wagon were pulled along in the pedestrian traffic of a medieval fantasy city.
"Excuse me sir." Maruem said with arm outstretched to tap a passing man on the arm.

"What is it?" the man replied in a hurried tone.

"I was hoping you could direct me to where I may find the offices for purchasing real estate."

"Ah, that'd be in the Forum, good luck!" And he was gone. very quickly disappearing into the crowd.

It hadn't given him the picture he needed of where he was going. The Forum was a big place, with a lot of buildings, but it was a start, even if the Forum was the obvious place to look for such bureaucratic buildings. Maruem stepped out into the traffic and from an onlookers perspective, was swallowed up in a tidal wave of bodies as the surprisingly crowded street bustled with movement. Maruem walked steady and strong, unbendingly making his way deeper into the city. He was far from the forum and the walk would take some time, but he knew roughly the direction he needed to take, and so long as he followed the main roads they would eventually lead to his destination anyway, probably.

After quite a while of marching in toe with the rest of the morning traffic, Maruem could now see the inner wall of the city, which separated the administrative buildings of the forum from the rest of the city. It was the core of the cities government and housed many of the cities oldest landmarks. The tall stone walls stood not only as a testament to it's importance in the city, but also as a symbol of the value they placed in defending their beliefs and governance. Those stones were not quarried locally after all, but rather had been painstakingly transported all the way from the Apennine Mountains on the other side of Tivoli. Rumor has it the first Baron of Tivoli was nothing more than a stone mason who's efficiency, hard work, and aid to the Romalian efforts earned him much respect among the people. The camp his workers had used midway between the city and the quarry was converted into the town he governed not long after the construction in Romalia had ended.

Maruem took a right turn at a larger intersection, and could see the proud gates of the Forum off in the distance. He passed by many grand homes and inns and taverns, the Housing District of the city a mix of many comforts for the people. He would soon be leaving all that behind though, as the gates drew ever nearer, until he was standing right beneath them and with just another few steps, was standing in the Forum at last.

He immediately stepped off of the main road and into a side alley. He needed to find someone to give him a location for the housing and guild registry. However, before he could step out to find someone he could ask, he felt a tug at his belt. He immediately grabbed for his pouch and turned to face the failed pickpocket. He looked at the diminutive woman before him bent low and keeping her face obscured with her cloak.
"Yes?" He said with a surprising softness for the crime she had failed to commit against him. "Can I help you?" He was not friendly to her immediately, nor oblivious to what she had attempted, but he knew the struggles of the first week. knew the pains of hunger that had taken him, knew the desperation it could bring out. And he was an example of a resilient optimist, he could hardly expect others to have taken to the changes as well.

"Pardon me, I'm sorry, must have made a mistake there, I'll be going then"

"I don't believe it was." He said, not accusing her outright, but rather hinting that she was not in and immediate danger of repercussion from him, as he placed a gentle hand on the thief's shoulder. "Why don't you and I have a talk. Please?"

"..."

"Don't worry, I'm no foe of yours, I just wanted to know what you hoped to gain by taking my coin?"

"...Money...? Obviously?"

"Ah yes, that would make sense wouldn't it?" Maruem laughed heartily. "But I meant beyond the obvious. Are you hungry? Are you cold? Do you need new clothes or a warm bed? What are you after?"

"Oh, I'm so hungry, haven't eaten in days, if only I had a daddy who gave me a fat coin purse and a big ego so I could look down on the homeless newbies who came to my world against their will while pretending I'm ok with them committing crimes and I'm their friend, because I definitely won't betray their trust." She said with disgust and mockery, embellishing her sarcasm with an over the top display of her hunger but hugging her stomach with exaggerated motions.

"So that's how you see me as, is it? Unfortunately for you, you'll be sorely disappointed to learn the truth of me. I spawned in just like you, a week ago today. I had no intention of looking down upon you, so I'd ask you please forgive me that I came off at all like that. I'm no 'daddy' either, however you meant it. Lest we forget, it was you who reached out to me, not the other way around, even of it w-"

"I was NOT reaching out to you, jerk!" She spat the words out at him hurriedly as she stood a bit taller, if much more flustered than she had been, shaking his hand off her shoulder as she straightened up.

"Please, let me finish, I was going to say; even if it was directed at my coin purse. There's no reason for you to get flustered."

"Yeah.... whatever." She signed, slumping down to the stone paced road of the alley.

"Can I ask your name?" Maruem inquired, sliding down against the wall until he was sitting next to her.

"Can't you read? It's on the display!" She pointed at the little ui interface. "You know, the one that shows everyone your details."

"Certainly, I can read, I just thought it would be rude to call you by your first name. Did you ever work retail?"

"Y...yeah? What's that got to do with anything?"

"You know how it always feels weird when a customer comes through and reads your name tag and greets you like they know you or something? Like they haven't earned the familiarity? Or like they know something you didn't give them?"

"Yeah, so what?"

"So I just feel like it's similar with this. It feels weird when people know my name even though I haven't introduced myself, so I like to ask them their name even if I can read it, because then they give me the permission to know them I guess, if that makes any sense? Here, I'll start. Hi there, I'm Maruem Dragmire." He reached out a hand to shake and gave an inviting smile.

"I'm Julie. Just Julie. Dragmire is a weird fuckin' name you know?"

"Yeah, sins of the father and all. We don't pick the name we're given, only what it means, what others can define it by."

"That's kinda deep for a weirdo who almost got pickpocketed."

"Ehh, I don't think I was in any real danger, you seem pretty alright."

"Are you sure about that? I could have shiv'ed you and taken it if I really wanted to." She said, pulling a long, rust speckled, sharp stick of metal from her belt.

"You could have, but then the Royal Guards would have come, beat you up, and I would have gotten my gold back, there'd be no point in you doing that. And I would regenerate from the wound in a bit because mushroom Alv. But you already knew all that, and even without the threat of Royal Guards I don't think you wanted to resort to violence."

"Maybe, maybe not. You're too trusting either way."

"It's pretty freeing to let yourself trust in the good of people though, even when you do get betrayed there's many more who want what's best for each other."

"How do you have all that money? How have you not gotten robbed and dumped in an alley somewhere?"

"I don't usually make friends with the people who are gonna use and hurt me. I may not look it, but I'm pretty good at telling a lie when I see one, though I'm no match for a legate or anything. Some would say I'm just lucky. As for the gold though, I didn't get it by underhanded means if that's what you're asking. I just got it by working. There's a lot of work to be had if you look for it."

"Yeah, maybe for a buff dude, but no one wants a skinny sorcerer with no stamina because they chose the wrong flaw on character creation. That Inefficient Metabolism shit really messed my character up."

"There has to be work out there for a caster though, surely. You're a Carpenter, Exorcist, and a Sorcerer, right? I could help you if you wanted. If you want to learn to fight I can protect you while we go and train. We can even go to the catacombs so you can train both as an Exorcist and as a Sorcerer. If you want to learn how to craft, I'm a carpenter too. I can teach you how to build and repair. If you won't have me, there's plenty of others who would love an extra sorcerer alongside them. Just ask. Just try."

"Yeah, no thanks. I don't need to be slowing everyone down by getting tired while we're running from a mob of enemies. I don't want to burden everyone by needing protection all the time."

"You wouldn't b-"

"Yes. I would. And even if I wasn't, I still don't need your help, and I definitely don't want to be in debt to you or anyone else. I'll figure something out on my own."

"Alright, but don't let yourself be too alone. It's good to have friends you know."

"I have one or two I can call up."

"And as for figuring things out, I hope that won't involve this type of encounter with other people?"

"I... well if they're all gonna be as annoying as you I guess not."

"Can I keep you to that? Do you promise you wont be stealing anymore?"

"Dude. You suck. Fine! Whatever. I promise not to steal anymore or whatever, I'll get rich like you, and when someone tries to rob me I'll Uncle Iroh them." She mocked.

"I'm no Iroh and you know it."

"That's for sure, he's actually cool, you give lame advice and won't even pour me some tea."

"Haha, that's true, though maybe instead of tea you'll accept this. Please, use it well." He said, dropping 150 gold into her hand and standing up to walk away.

"I hope I don't have to meet you again jerk!" She shouted in his direction, though there was a hint of playfulness in her tone. A gasp followed shortly after.

As Maruem existed the alley, a hand still resting over the coin purse, he was approached by a small group of guards who had been standing before a tall important looking building.

"Sir, good day, we would like to ask if you saw any suspicious activity in that alley."

"Not particularly, a woman and I talked after she stumbled upon me, but no harm done."

"Understood, well then we'll just let you go." He said with a nod before turning to a lower ranking guard and telling him to check it out.

Maruem saw the guards off with a feeling of worry creeping in. A few moments later he heard a some shouts in the alley as one of the guards yelled "Halt!" and other indecipherable shouts made their way into the streets. He sped over to the entrance to check it out just in time to hear one of them shout that she had escaped. "Good." he thought. "Be free, be better."

With the commotion in the area from the woman's failed arrest, Maruem made his way deeper into the forum and away from the ruckus. He stepped off of the main road and down some long stone steps into a lower elevation side road, stepping up a single stone step to the door of a building that seemed approachable in this new, lightly shaded alley. The area did not seem threatening by any means, but it was clearly a less commonly accessed area. The tall arches invited him in under the balcony and he stepped inside with a nod to an androgynous gentleman in a short, sleeveless, white toga, who was leaning on a marble counter inside. Where his soft pale skin was exposed, Maruem could see a number of beautifully crafted pink flower petals.

Word Count: 2176
Total Word Count: 2176 + 1401 = 3572

[Maruem]

"How can I help you today sir? Something tells me you're a bit out of your element." He said with a gentle voice and a kind nod towards the lost adventurer who'd wandered into his shop. His long wavy brown hair in a ponytail over his right shoulder.

"In a way I suppose. I've not been up to the forum in some time, so I'm still trying to catch my bearings." Maruem responded with a sheepish smile.

"Well then, where is it you're trying to go to? Or are you one of those sorts who don't have a destination in mind and just want to stumble upon what it is they're looking for."

"In this case friend, the former. You see, I'm looking for where it is I can find the place I'd purchase property at. I've recently found something of a reason to settle down and I was hoping I'd have the option to do so in this fine city."

"Perhaps not as fine as she once was, but Romalia will serve you well friend. The Offices of Housing and Guildhall Registry are down the main road you turned off of to reach here. You'll see a tall 4 story building with large arches before the first floor. The upper levels will be about half as tall and the whole building will have a light pink hew to the stone, though around the base of the first story the walls will have a band of red up to about a meter off the ground. It'll be hard to miss as there's a
large lot of open road before it."

"Thank you very much. I suppose I'll be taking my leave then."

"Oh? You're not even going to implore about my business before you go?"

"Business? With all due respect, your shop seems a bit barren of wares, at least to the naked eye. I though maybe you were just settling in yourself?"

"My business is not in wares per say, and most of the objects I do deal with are simply ones that don't like being out in the open for too long, but I have been settled for quite some time. Come, follow me."

He stepped out from behind the counter and led Maruem down a set of stairs. Down and down they went, and the air became heavier with moisture and mildew. The man lit no light and Maruem did not ask. It seemed that wherever they may be headed, this man was an interesting specimen to be certain. The two men continued on in silence and growing dark for a bit longer before Maruem began to see a glow off in the distance. "Beautiful." he thought to himself, though he was thrown off then he heard his though said aloud by his companion at the same time. "Beautiful ...isn't it?"

"Where is it all coming from?" Maruem asked the shop keeper as they stepped closer.

"You'll see." said the shop keep. Maruem could almost hear the smile form on his face as he replied.
A few steps later they reached flat ground, and Maruem turned to face the doorway with the light. To his amazement the room was filled with bioluminescent plants of all kinds. "Welcome, to my tattoo parlor." Said the shop keep with a wave of his hand showing off the selection of plants, and ending by indicating to a chair in the middle of the room.

Maruem thought for a moment. He had not started the day with any plans to get a tattoo. Then again, he had not started the day with any plans of starting a guild either. He had just wanted a peaceful meeting with fellow adventurers and instead his whole world got turned around by a noble who tried to shame him for not doing his part for the Gaians of the world. This was a day of unpredictable paths coming to light, of the predictable falling away, and of the world presenting its entropy to s man on a whim.

"I definitely did not have plans to get a tattoo today, but I don't think I can say no. I have something to fear and celebrate today, so I suppose this can be a start to how I do so."

"Then please, sit. I would be pleased to take part in your celebration. I don't suppose you have an idea of what it is you'd like?"

Maruem took his time in careful silent consideration. "I didn't think I would, but yes, I do."

So Maruem described the tattoo to the man in great detail, painting a gorgeous image with his words, and yet leaving so much for the artist to interpret himself in the design. He removed his shirt and allowed the artists cool fingers to dance over his skin, pushing and stretching the canvas to explore what he was working with. With the tattoo he desired it made more sense for him to lie down than be sitting up, so the tattoo artist removed a large rod from the base of the chair, and the back rest lowered down to form a flat surface. He then bent down and lifted the leg rest of the seat and inserted the rod at the joint of the leg rest, forming something of a bed. The headrest of the chair came out easily and Maruem rested his chin on the top of the seat-bed thing.

"May I ask your name, Mr. Artist?" He asked as he lie face down.

"My friends call me Celeste, but no Mr. please. I don't feel that suits me" the artist said from behind, continuing his probe of Maruem's skin.

"Of course, my apologies."

"Not at all. Happens all the time." said Celeste, their slender fingers dancing over Maruem's back unperturbed. "You know... you've got a good figure, keep taking care of yourself like this and I doubt there will be a countess in the city who won't have her eyes on you in one way or another."

"I appreciate the flattery, thank you very much." Maruem laughed along with Celeste at the complement, thankful that he was face down and his red cheeks were hidden from the flatterer's view.

"Let's begin, shall we." Celeste said, taking their delicate cool fingers from his back and lifting a tool that looked somewhat like a hypericum flower, except without the petals and with many many pointy needles instead of stamen.

The process took quite some time, with celeste applying various inks and luminous compounds and wiping them away after some needling and switching to more and more precise tools and yet then back to less precise ones. They were a very sweet person, and Maruem found them easy to talk to. He explained about his guild and his goals, and what had led him to that point, and Celeste listened intently as they worked, interrupting sparingly for either clarification or more details. Somehow though, despite the primitive method, Celeste painted the canvas of Maruem's back with impressive adeptness and haste. Before he knew it, the process was over, and the whole thing had not been very painful at all.

Celeste leaned back and sighed a deep breath. "Please, take a look. I've a special room with mirrors at all sorts of angles, you'll be able to see your body like never before, but I think you'll like what you find on your back, I'd say this is one of my better works. I think you should be quite proud to wear it if I can be so bold."

Maruem had already gotten up as she was talking to him, and as he stepped through the curtain and into the pitch dark room of mirrors, he gasped, his breath taken away by the gorgeous night sky he saw in the mirrors. His back had a gorgeous black sky painted over it. Yet in the dark, the whole of the dark sky glowed with a faint but beautiful purple light, and a long band of white, blue, and even some pink light from a the far off arms of a galaxy cut across the sky just below his right shoulder blade. The stars glowed as well with white and faintly orange hues. Celeste opened the blinds and even in the light it looked incredible, though the non-luminous version definitely did not do as much justice to Celeste's incredible craftsmanship.

Word Count: 1400
Total Word Count: 1400 + 3572 = 4972
Celeste's Color: da62d5

[Maruem]

"It's better than I could have possibly imagined Celeste. Thank you, truly."

"The perfect visage to watch the back of Astra's Eclipse no?" They said with a hand stifling their chuckle.

"Astra's Eclipse?" Maruem inquired.

"Seems to fit a guild called Astra, with your back it's apparent you already considered making it a star themed guild, don't you agree? 'The Eclipse' seems to sell its leader as a figure worth knowing."

"Doesn't it seem... I don't know, a bit over the top? Does 'The Eclipse' really fit me?"

"You don't have to use it if you don't want to, I like it though." Celeste said, leaning on their palm with their elbow on the chair, enjoying the sight of their customer in awe over his tattoo and flustered over his new title. "You're lucky you know, in many folk a tattoo like that one would fade over time, but you Fungal Alvs are tailor made to supply a foreign body with nutrients, that glowing tattoo may just outlast you."

"Well... I hadn't even considered that. With it being foreign fungi you used for this, I wasn't sure if my body would accept that. That's incredible! I suppose I have to thank you even more then."

"Oh for sure. The Fungal Alvs of Canzaro do all kinds of interesting body modifications by toying with the fungi they introduce to themselves. You're from a lucky stock if stuff like that is to your liking."

"You're right, I suppose I am pretty lucky. Even if only for this" He said pointing to his dark back.

They took their time down in the tattoo parlor, Maruem still in awe over his dark back, and Celeste cleaning up their space. Once Celeste finished up being a busy body, Maruem put his shirt back on and the two of them went back up to the store front, where Maruem was quick to ask how much he owed the artist for their incredible work. It would have come out to only 50 gold for the whole thing, but Maruem insisted on a very generous tip for the haste, conversation, and size. With 75 pieces counted out from his pouch and lying on the counter, Celeste grabbed them up elegantly and slid the majority into a bag they had pulled out from under the counter.

"You know Maruem, a good merchant negotiates for a price to be lowered, not raised." Celeste smirked at him.

"A good merchant also appreciated a truly mastered craft, and in so doing, makes it his duty to either promote such mastery or bring it under his own control. Since I have no intention keeping such wonders to myself, I'd like to help you grow and spread your craft as much as you will. By the by, how long were we down there?"

"A couple of hours probably? Why?"

Maruem began to sweat a little. "Well, it was a wonderful and worthwhile detour, but I still need to purchase my home and I'm burning daylight. I don't know how long the process takes so I'd like to be there sooner than later."

"That being said then, I gave you directions when you entered and were quick to leave, but if you'd like a shortcut, I may know of one or two in the area."

"Please, do tell"

"If you head down the road in the other direction, on you're left you'll pass a bit of the stone wall lining the alley that seems to be missing bricks. One path in the recess, can't recall off the top of my head if it's the left or the right but you'll see it when you see it, will lead down to a sturdy old stone door, don't go down that way, and definitely don't touch the door. The other way will have stone stairs leading up in a spiral. You take those and they'll lead you to a tunnel. Take the tunnel down to it's mouth and you'll find yourself much closer to your goal."

"Sounds adventurous, and a bit mysterious if I'm being honest. But very well, a secret spiral staircase in the recess of a wall of a shaded alley seems just like the kind of path that would interest me. I'll take you up on your shortcut."

"Enjoy, and please..." Celeste winked toward Maruem as they danced a few of the coins they'd been given through their fingers. "Stop by again once you've settled in, Master Eclipse."

"I most certainly will Celeste, thank you for your time. Please, have an excellent rest of your day." And with that, he bowed out of the building and back onto the side road.

He made his way deeper into the alley, further away from the main road. After a while, he saw a gap in the wall ahead which grew as he drew closer. Sure enough, there was the recess that Celeste had mentioned to him, with a stone spiral staircase on the left, and a dark tunnel on the right which presumably led to the stone door they had warned him not to touch. Not one to doubt a new friends kindness or push against their cautions, he followed their directions and began his ascent up the stairs, his boots clicking and echoing up the staircase shaft.



He went in three rings around as far as he could tell, before reaching the aforementioned tunnel. A hole in the ceiling of the tunnel made for some nice natural lighting as Maruem progressed further, with the occasional windowless hole in the side of the tunnel lined with an arch of flat stones. The view was quite pleasant, looking down upon the city with the occasional tall building in the way of part of the view, and yet as the same time a part of that same view itself. The city was bright and gorgeous from up here, and a pleasant breeze blew through the tunnel, ensuring it never felt stagnant in there.



Maruem wondered where it was that he had found himself inside of. Surely this was not just some random tunnel in the sky just randomly built through and over the forum. That seemed an unreasonable expense, especially for it's state of disuse. However, he could not think of the answer to his query. And so it was that he marched on. The slightly orange and brown hued stone of the tunnel led on and on for hundreds of meters, and at last, Maruem saw an exit far ahead. As he reached it, he saw water cascading down into a pool toward the end of the tunnel. The tunnel itself became very low for a moment, and beyond that Maruem could see what looked like stone teeth at the end of the tunnel.

Celeste had not been kidding when they called it the 'mouth' of the tunnel. Maruem had to assume that he was on the inside of the great maw of some beastly statue, but if there was water then that was a fountain, but where was the water coming through? It hit him in a moment, and he knew he had to test his theory immediately. He found the nearest window hole and slid out with his back facing down. There was a lip to the roof a bit further above him, too far to reach while sitting down in the window.

He slowly and carefully climbed out of the tunnel and stood on the edge of the window sill. He held tightly onto a stone brick which stood out a little from the wall of the tunnel and balanced on his toes beneath him. With his left arm outstretched, he reached high above and grabbed the lip of the roof top. He pulled himself up and at the same time, kicked off the edge of the window to give himself more lift. He managed to land with his right elbow side ways on the roof. Before him, water.

Word Count: 1324
Total Word Count 1324 + 4972 = 6296

[Maruem]

Maruem pulled himself up, a stronger breeze blowing against his back and through the tall arch he was under. There he stood, under the arch of a grand and ancient aqueduct, a steady stream of crystal clear and cool water pouring down the middle of the grand stone structure. It all made sense now. Of course the tunnel he had been in was inside of an aqueduct, there could be no other structure that snaked around the city like so. How had he not surmised it sooner?

He stepped forward to the hole that fell down into the pool in the tunnel. The aqueduct continued from there, so only a small portion of this stream actually ended up falling into that fountain below, but it was good that he had climbed up here. There was no way he could justify swimming out of a fountains mouth in an unknown location when he was trying to go and buy a house. Walking into an official government building soaking wet would not look good for him.

He looked over the edge, and saw that the lions maw fountain led into a lush garden on an upper level balcony of some big building. He hoped they would not be too upset over his trespassing as he turned and began climbing down the wall and into the garden. Hanging with his arms fully outstretched, Maruem released his grip and dropped about a meter and a half to the soft ground below.

The fountain bubbled happily as part of the aqueducts stream fell from the lions mouth and into the garden pool. There was a man made stone lined stream that snaked its way through the roof top garden into little pools and ponds here and there, eventually all passing out of sight into what Maruem presumed would be drainage pipes. It was very peaceful up here, the sound of the water soothing and pleasant for the soul. A light breeze blew through and the leaved of the hedges rustled softly while the flowers all swayed in unity.

"I don't recall ever seeing you up here before stranger. What's your name and business then?"

Maruem was startled at the strangers voice breathing through the peaceful sounds of wind and water. "Sincerest apologies Madame. If I'm being perfectly honest I believe I'm trespassing but I mean no harm nor have I any other malicious intent. I came from the aqueduct as a shortcut to get to The Offices of Housing and Guildhall Registry, but I've no idea where I've ended up and so here I am."

"You... The Offices of Housing and Guildhall Registry you say? Well I'll be, you're a lucky one aren't you? Come with me." Said the older woman.

She had long blonde hair with thin individual strands of sliver scarily mingled in. Her skin was rich and brown, and her eyes were likewise a beautiful brown color. Her long ears indicating Alven heritage, though something, possibly newly awakened racial instincts? told Maruem she was not a fungal Alv. A Hardy Alv then? It was fitting from what his first impression told him. She spoke without much care for volume control, her voice carrying with confidence and will power as her command for him to come wit her rang out from her powerful bosom.

Maruem could not reject her command, such was her force of will. Here was a woman to be reckoned with. He obediently followed her through the garden and into the building through an archway. "You're lucky it was me who found you and not one of my friends. They're feisty ones, and I doubt they'd let you off so easily. That garden is for public use by the way, so don't you go saying any more about trespassing or anything of that sort." They walked side by side as she led him down a hall way. Maruem could see that it's left wall ended up ahead, merging with a railing that overlooked the floor below.

Shortly before they reached the railing, his lively companion spoke up again. "Welcome..." she said as they reached the view downward. "...to The Offices of Housing and Guildhall Registry." Below, the building was bustling with busy looking people of all sorts, many with paperwork in hand. Maruem was incredulous at his good fortune. When Celeste had mentioned a short cut he expected he would still need to walk quite a distance, not that he would be led directly to his goal.

"Come with me young man, let's get you situated with one of the nicer clerks down there." The woman said helpfully.

"Certainly, Thank you very much."

They walked across the balcony toward a long set of dark wooden stairs which led to the first floor. Even with his light steps, the wooden stairs creaked beneath Maruem's feet as they made their way down. No one seemed to turn their attention to him or his guide though, and all the busy government people just kept doing their busy government people things, while also looking pretty unenthusiastic about life. "Seems like this is the Gaian's equivalent of the DMV. Guess even fantasy worlds can't escape the soul sucking reality of necessary documentation and paperwork." He thought as they walked down.

"Thank you for the help by the way. I'm Maruem." He said cordially.

"Name's Tara F... Just Tara. First name basis seems reasonable for now. And don't you worry about it. I'm glad to help. Now why don't we go to that pretty brunette with the glasses." Tara said to Maruem while pointing to one of the clerks at the long and vast front desk.

They waited for a while, the person before them slowly going through their needs with their paperwork and asked too many questions over and over. Maruem was unbothered, but Tara was beginning to get impatient. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of toe tapping from her, the man before them finished and walked away, making himself as small as possible as he passed her. Tara smiled brightly at the clerk and dragged Maruem forward by the hand. "Hello again there Hersilia." She said with a bright smile, flashing her pearly white teeth at the Zarian lady with strange tri-lensed eye-glasses.

The Zarian woman named Hersilia lowered her glasses with her left hand and peered over them at Tara and her new companion.

"Ah, I see you've noted my companion." Tara winked at Hersilia. "He's here on some official business, probably. Why don't you join us and we can have a chat." She offered the clerk.

"Tar, you literally just left for the garden, how do you already have a stud in toe, Besides, I just had my lunch because of your surprise visit, you really think they'll let me take another break already?" Hersilia said seemingly a bit intrigued but also genuinely exasperated with Tara's thought process, or rather lack there of.

"Oh come now, you're a busy women, and busy women have meetings with clients. There's nothing unusual about you taking to one of the side rooms to discuss housing negotiations in private." Tara said slyly.

Hersilia may have been doubting here though process, but Maruem began to see clearly that this woman did not miss a beat.

Hersilia cleared her throat abruptly. "Be that as it may, that only applies in situations where a client is actually looking to buy property, you don't even know this man's intentions."

"Oh, you're right, but Tara's right too. I am here with intent to buy a house."

"Wait really?!?" Both of them exclaimed for different reasons. Tara's surprise more out of joy while Hersilia's out of judgement and inquisition as to if he could actually afford any property.

"W..well then I suppose I'll go get us a room, shall I?" Hersilia said, pushing up her glasses and changing back to a more professional tone as she folded her arms around some paperwork, all the while Tara giving her a triumphant smile.

"Let's go, Hersi will lead the way."

Word Count: 1338
Total Word Count: 1338 + 6296 = 7634
Tara's Color: dd8a20
Hersilia's Color: 2e9175

[Maruem]

And so, Maruem followed Tara and Hersilia to a room down a hall under the staircase they had descended together. On their way they passed a Faunri woman with long ears like that of a rabbit, and a white ball which Maruem presumed to be her tail sticking out of a slit in her clothes.

Tara grabbed her tail and said "Cass, come join us. You don't mind do you Maruem?"

"I suppose not, I can't imagine it would hurt with the negotiations at all to have another pair of eyes and ears in the room?"

Hersilia rolled her eyes and said "Not hurting perhaps, but it may not help your chances either. Even still, if you say so, than sure Cassi, why don't you come along as well. Your talents may be of use here, and either way Tar won't have me refusing now that her pet said yes."

"Ooh, is Tar finally showing off a boy-toy? I thought you were still committed to that 'oaf' of yours."

"He's no pet, and most definitely not a boy-toy Cassia, I'm just taking care of him for now. Of course I'm still committed to my oaf. I have to be since none of you managed to snag a man yet." She said, chastising her friends playfully.

"I have to agree, I'm neither a boy-toy nor a pet. But I am thankful for your help in getting my foot in the door for this meeting Tara. Hersilia, I hope you'll look at me as a proper individual and not some pet wasting your time going forward, I was not kidding when I said I'm serious about purchasing property today. I may even have a property in mind."

"Don't you worry Mr. Maruem. We may push Tar's buttons sometimes, but that's just because we made the mistake of missing her while she was away for the past week and now it seems she's intent on making up for lost time by being as big a headache as she possibly can." Hersilia said with a professional smile toward her client.

They reached the reserved room and Hersilia opened the door, stepping right into an active negotiation. Her coworker glared at her and her cheeks went bright red. "Wrong room." she said stiff with embarrassment, and led them to the next room, knocking this time just to be sure it was empty. As soon as they were all inside her friends burst out laughing while she burned holes into the floor with her eyes. All three middle aged women completely distracted from the task at hand.

"Alright then, let's begin." Maruem said with a professional authority none of the ladies were expecting from him. "I'm looking to purchase medium guild housing and registering a guild under my leadership. From what I read up on while we waited in line, I believe the cost of such a purchase and registration as well as any additional associated fees will cost 5000 gold pieces?"

All three ladies were stunned in silence. This wasn't the first time Maruem had shocked a room of older women, but the last time was when he was a toddler and accidentally said a swear. Something told him this situation was a bit different. Cassia was the first to speak. From her tone it was clear she was about to make a joke but half way through her third word she was cut off by Hersilia, who glared at Maruem with a stone cold seriousness.

"5000 gold is a lot of money young man, will you really able to pay up?"

"I will." Asserted Maruem with a frim tone of voice. He emphasized his honest truth by reaching into his magic bag and pulling out a much larger pouch than the one at his belt. He dropping the stuffed sack of gold coins on the table between them.

"Were are you from?"

"A far away land."

"You're one of the otherworlders then. An Adventurer?" She emphasized Adventurer as if it were a curse word.

"Indeed, that's what it seems we're called." Tara and Cassia scooted away from him a bit as Hersilia thought deeply for a moment.

"Give me a reason not to call the guards this instant." She glared at him.

"Because I've done nothing wrong?"

"Oh you haven't have you? Nobody makes 5000 gold in a week, nobody save for thieves and killers."

"I never claimed I made 5000. I never said how much the bag contains, but it isn't the full 5000. That's why I'm in here with you, to negotiate. I told Tara when I met
her up in that garden on the balcony. I mean no harm nor have I any other malicious intent."

Tara leaned less away from him and spoke up. "It's true Hersi, he did say that to me. He seemed so harmless up there, and even after this short while, does he really seem like a bad guy?"

"I still don't know anything about him yet, we just met in the hall if you don't recall." Said Cassia, while Hersilia continued to think.

"She's right you know, Tar. We don't know anything about him."

"Then let's learn. Tell us about yourself Maruem."

"Yes, please. Explain how it is that you made so much money in only a week. Even if it isn't the full 5000 gold, it has to be more than half."

"It's three thousand, eight hundred, and ninety eight gold pieces. I kept 100 for myself and spent a small amount of that earlier today for a most excellent commission from a gorgeous artist living in the forum. But it wouldn't be enough to convince you that I got all of this money legitimately just by saying 'I worked hard', so I'll tell you my story. I hope that you ladies can go back to looking at me with the same kindness you were before you learned my reality. Because I'm not a bad man, and I am someone you can feel safe trusting as you had just moments ago."

"Unfortunately that's not for you to decide Mr. Maruem." said Hersilia. "But I am hopeful that you're right about that. That you can prove it to us beyond a reasonable doubt. And if you can't. I'm afraid we will be calling the guards and confiscating your coin."

"Understood. Then I suppose I'd better start at the beginning." Maruem said with a smile.

In spite of the tense situation. Tara was still in his corner, and Cassia had moved back a bit closer to him, though her body language still said she was unsure of how to be around him. He wished he had a better way to put her at ease, but anything he did would just put her more on the defensive. The only tool at his disposal was the truth, and it had to be enough.

Word Count: 1146
Total Word Count: 1146 + 7634 = 8780
Cassia's Color: 960e4f

[Maruem]

"I appeared in this avatar exactly 7 days ago. Or a different form of this one at least." He almost squirmed, remembering that he was still strangely in the same body, but with a new race. He had steeled himself to move on though, and besides, changing races was not that big of an issue. He'd be fine if he just breathed and remembered what Celeste had said, he was lucky. And he was.

"I awoke in this world a week ago, finding myself suddenly standing at the edge of the forum with dozens of others like me. I found one of them overwhelmed by their new Faunri senses, and later discovered that by coincidence that Faunri was actually a dear friend of mine. We met several others who joined the Faunri companion and myself to discuss our theories on what had happened to us and together we explored some ruins in the vicinity before we broke off from them to explore on our own.

We spent our first night here in this new world huddled together in a ruined old building on the edge of town. Rumor has it there were many among our kind who were rather rowdy that night, to say the least. Some of your kind have even came up with clever nicknames for the night. The Royal Guards had their work cut out for them, but we were oblivious to it all. Huddled together in our own corner of the world, we were lost as we admired the clearest night sky I think either of us had ever seen. We stayed like that for the night, and the next morning we decided to split off and explore on our own for a while.

The second day was... well truly speaking it was a lot harder. It started out well enough. After separating from my Faunri friend I was in an exploratory mood, and ventured out into the woods. It was reckless honestly. I still wasn't completely familiar with how this new body moved or what I was capable of. But that was kind of why I ventured out to begin with.
I started practicing some of my abilities, and after a while of training, a pair consisting of a Monk and a Cleric stumbled upon me. I'm still not sure whether they were Adventurers or Gaians, but they seemed more capable than I was, and we got to training together. They gave me tips from their combat experiences on the first day, and I tried to give them tips from my experience with martial arts in the past.
It was going well, and we were all seemingly making some improvement under each other's scrutiny. But it all took a turn for the worst when we were ambushed by a horde of goblins. We all fought valiantly, I was impressed with how well my body could really move when the need took me, and I was gaining stacks of forma quickly, but I missed a skill in the middle of a combo and my damage output was reduced to a fraction. The Cleric and Monk were still fighting undaunted though and it seemed like despite my blunder, we would still be victorious, We had successfully slain more than half of the goblins. That was, until the second horde arrived.
This group, led by a hobgoblin, reinforced the first and they began to overwhelm us. Despite my best efforts to buy time before my skills were available again, the Monk was overwhelmed first. He was by far the most skilled fighter of our trio, but he had been caught off guard when a goblin sacrificed itself to hold him down long enough for another to club him. My anguish didn't hold a candle the the infernal fury that came from the Cleric.
We fought together for a while longer, the Cleric and I, but I could only be in so many places at once, and she was fighting far less defensively in her fury. Needless to say, she wasn't far behind her companion. She managed to get off one last spell before they overwhelmed her, healing me for a substantial amount, but still I could do nothing to save her. In a cruel twist of fate, just moments after she was gone, my skills were ready again.
I don't know how exactly, but I managed to slaughter the remaining horde, but as I stood in my little battlefield overwhelmed and victorious in name only. My mana had long since been burned away and my health which was both being decimated by goblin attacks and drained by my abilities was, for lack of a better word, wanting. As I stood there staggering, emotionally and physically drained, a boar one of the goblins had been riding stumbled up and rushed me, goring my leg and thus ended my excursion into the woods. I limped back into the city like a beaten dog and stole cloth to bandage my wounds.
Eventually I settled back into those ruins where I had spent the first night. Though this time it was to feel some connection to the safety of the day before and to escape the downpour of that night. I was awakened by some of the town guard who were seemingly under orders to handle the new homeless population, and after that rude awakening I wandered the streets aimlessly in the rain for some time before deciding the only option I had left was to work, There wasn't much lower I could sink at that point.

I worked through the night, sleeping for a short bit in the predawn hours. The following day, I got myself a job as a guard for a group of farmers who were kind enough at first but grew to fear my ruthless efficiency in dispatching the goblins that threatened to attack them. After that it was just a repeat cycle of finding work and living as frugally as I could. I spent some of my gold in the market on the fifth day with the hopes of finding the time to practice my craft but never actually sat down to work on that and then on the sixth day I detoured down the road toward Tivoli, meeting some strangers along the way, though I never made it into the town proper.

Most of my time up until this morning was spent working though. It was all I could do. When I wasn't saving money by sleeping in the woods or foraging my meals, I was working, night and day. I even managed to pay back the family I robbed for the cloth I stole.
At the end of the day, that's all my first week was really. A very long week of hard work wherever I could find it. I know I said that it wouldn't be enough to convince you that I got all of this money legitimately just by saying 'I worked hard', but that's all it really was, and I had intended to spend today working as well, but for a meeting I decided to offer on a whim to meet some new fellows. In so doing I was introduced to 'The Honourable Parcis Mediatrium, son of The Right Honourable Baron Mediatrium of Tivoli', or so he had introduced himself. He was the catalyst in my coming here today. He's an arrogant brat, but he did his part, and pushed me to do mine. I feel I can do that more effectively by bringing together like minded people and having a more easily reachable place for the people of the city to give us odd jobs, give us a way to protect each other."

There was a long silence as everyone took in his story. Maruem hadn't realized but at some point he'd stopped looking at his audience and had instead lowered his head, he was staring at his hands and his eyes felt wet. He looked up to see three faces frozen and unsure how to respond. Cassia and Hersilia both had tears streaking down the sides of their faces, and Tara looked like she had some similar memories, but hadn't filled them out on her bingo card for Maruem.

"I'm sorry, I've said too much, I won't take up any more of your time." Maruem sighed as he hung his head and began to rise from the table.

"Oh no you don't, not so fast son." Tara said to him in a commanding, matriarchal voice as planted a hand firmly yet kindly on his shoulder, lowering him back into his seat.

"O...of course, He's telling the truth, though I'd say that was a lot more than just hard work." Cassia spoke up quickly.

"Well obviously Cassi, any person with a soul could tell you that." Hersilia erupted sarcastically between eye dabs with her handkerchief.

"Well you know... I was just expecting my talents to be more useful, and for a less... Anyway, I though it would be a simple 'I got this money by working hard and didn't hurt or kill anyone to get it'. That would have sufficed." Despite her obvious statements, it seemed Cassia was feeling the story harder than any of the others. It may have been a consequence of her Legate ability, forcing her to feel the very truth of each of Maruem's words. Or maybe, she was just the most sensitive of the three.

For a split second Maruem thought to clarify that he had actually killed several someones, just that they had been goblins and other greenskins, but it wasn't worth it.

"I appreciate the tip Cassia, from the way she spoke I had assumed Hersilia wanted the full story, my apologies."

"Well..." She cleared her throat and adjusted her glasses, seemingly a bit put off by the sudden attention on her. "I wasn't expecting all of that, but the full story definitely helped your case. I'm so sorry dear."

"Agreed, no one deserves a week like that, Maruem." Tara said with another reassuring squeeze.

"Maybe you could tell us more about the people you met though, we may be able to help you find any of them. We just want to help." Hersilia offered.

"Liar. You know I can see through lies Hersi." interjected Cassia.

Flustered by the sudden accusation, Hersilia adjusted her glasses as her cheeks started to turn bright red.

"I... well..." She pouted at her friends teasing.

Tara burst out laughing at her and Cassia joined in after the obvious confirmation that Hersilia had some ulterior motives, as if her cherry red face was not enough to tell them that.

"She means no harm of course." Cassia looked to Maruem with a smile still lining her lips.

The atmosphere in the room felt much lighter now, the tension released quickly with the laughter. Eventually the one to get back into business was Hersilia.

"Alright, alright. This endless hilarity at your friend's expense aside, we have business to do. While it's truly admirable that you managed to raise these kinds of funds while going through a week like that, they're still not enough to pay off the housing you're looking to buy."

"Yeah... I understood that coming in. I know I'd be able to buy it with gold to spare if I waited until next week, but I don't believe I can afford to wait. The sooner I get this guild started, the sooner I can get established and make paying off future projects even easier. So instead, I'd like to request that you take what I have now, and I can pay off the remaining thousand or so by a week from today. If I fail to pay you the remaining gold, please take everything I pay today and split it between the three of you, and then evict me."

"Bold deal. High risks for you with very little to lose for us. But who's to say we won't just take your money and leave you to rot?"

"No one can say that but you, but I have little fear of it. After what you've heard and how you reacted, I feel like there's little chance any one of you is secretly that evil. All three of you seem to me to be good and honest women, not the greedy backstabbing type. If you weren't, you'd have had little reason to be so worried about me when I was an unknown to you."

"Well said. Very well. I'll consider your offer. While I do, Cassi and Tar will be going to fetch a coin counter for me." She glared at the two. "...as payment for their teasing earlier."

The two ladies begrudgingly shuffled out of the room, and Tara sent Maruem an encouraging wink on her way out the door. It looked like she was about to say something but Hersilia kicked the door shut. He was a bit nervous for a moment, not sure what direction things may go, but Hersilia was not nearly as red as before, and she sat back down and started to make small talk. They chatted about her work, how business had been a bit hectic recently with some businesses moving out of town with the influx of adventurers while others monopolized on the opportunity by buying up larger properties to be able to house or employ more of the new work force. It was a pleasant break from the topics of expenses and especially from talking about himself, and other such stuff. It also gave Maruem more of an insight into the events of the world. Eventually though, she brought the conversation back to him.

"Maruem, everything else aside, it really is admirable how far you came in just a week. Your fellows have much to catch up to if this is the bar you plan to set with your guild."

Maruem blushed a bit at the sudden praise. "Please, there's many others who are doing just fine for themselves."

"Don't kid yourself. Few would have the will to get up out of bed after one of your days. Even fewer would get to a point where they feel equipped enough to be purchasing guild housing. And even fewer still who could do so while carrying the baggage you do with such a warm presence."

"You think too highly of me, I failed a lot, all I really did was work in the end. Still though, are you saying you're considering the deal, Hersilia?"

"I just may be, and please, just Hersi is fine. Hersilia is too formal for friends."

Maruem was about to respond, but before he could, the door slammed open. Tara and Cassia were carrying a large wooden contraption with two long cylinders on it.

"What are you two talking about?!" Tara immediately teased.

"Just making conversation. Please set that down right here." Indicated Hersilia with a much more professional air about her all of a sudden. She turned to Maruem and explained. "This is the coin counter I mentioned. The large cylinder counts up to fifty coins, the smaller one counts in tens. These levels here release the bottom so we can fill pouches. With your permission I'll get started on counting your coins."

"Certainly, please."

Hersilia grabbed up the large sack of coin and poured it into the funnel at the top of the fifty coin cylinder with deft hands. She used the back of her pen to push any coins that filled the cylinder sideways through a vertical slit in the side, which also acted as a window to see the coins and ensure they were all legitimate. One set of fifty after another, she made her way through the bag until she had 3750 gold in her own, more official looking bag from The Offices of Housing and Guildhall Registry. "That's enough for a down payment with your deal. I prefer nice and even numbers anyway to be honest. You keep hold of the remaining coin for now. It'll be back here next week either way, right?"

"Thank you Hersi. And thank you both from going to grab the coin counter." He said turning to the other two ladies.

"We're not done yet, we still have to discuss this property you're after, and fill out the contracts around that to register you as a guild leader."

"Oh yeah, I suppose that would be important to discuss wouldn't it?" Maruem conceded a bit embarrassed at his haste.

"So then, what property were you interested in?" Hersilia asked, ignoring her friends awe and jabs at Maruem calling her 'Hersi'.

"There's an old barrack complex right outside the north-east gate of the city. I passed it yesterday on my way to Tivoli. It seems like the perfect place to make my start."

"Y...you want Balthazar's Watch? That's a bold move."

"Is it? My apologies if it's insensitive to ask for it. As you well know, I haven't had much opportunity to learn the history around the city as of yet, so if 'Balthazar's Watch' as you called it is off limits, then I can search elsewhere, I'm sure you have many fine listings here."

"No, you misunderstand. It isn't off limits or anything. That place has just has a bit of a tumultuous history, and has been abandoned for a long time. It'll need some love to get it cleaned up and ready to be lived in. Are you sure that's what you want?"

"I am. It stands as a guard against the monsters outside the city, and I won't deny that it is in the perfect spot for travelers to hire us on as guards for their travels if need be."

"Very well. Then Balthazar's watch shall be yours, for the agreed upon total of 5000 gold. 3750 payed now, and 1250 to be delivered by the 14th of the month, lest you be evicted and we get all of your gold. It's written more formally in this contract I've filled out, but the idea is the same. Are these terms agreeable?"

"They are."

"Very well. If you would please then, fill out the hall's new name, your name, title, the guild's name, and your signature here, here, and here." She indicated across a few different sheets.

Maruem read over the document, and when all seemed in order, he filled out the requested fields. "Alright, should be complete now."

"Good. And rest assured, if you are evicted, I'll find you a place to stay for a much lower price." Hersilia added with a unexpectedly friendly wink.

"I... Thank you Hersi." Maruem blushed.

Hersilia, realizing they still had two spectators, quickly cleared her throat and continued with the formal business. "Now, as for the matter of moving companies. I would personally recommend the Boravius brothers. They'll need some time to set up, but they should be able to get most of the old furniture back into the house before you even wake up tomorrow."

"I trust you. I'm sure the Boravius brothers will be a fine choice then. How do I contract them for this?"

"They're subcontracted through the Offices, so I'll take care of that for you, don't worry about it."

"I really can't thank you enough, any of you. You've been such a help."

With the meeting adjourned. They stepped out of the room. Cassia split off and got back to her other duties down an employee only hall. They returned to the front desks and Hersilia took her old place behind her name plate. After handing the papers off to another clerk, she bid Maruem and Tara farewell. "Don't be a stranger Maruem." She said as they left.

Tara was in very high spirits as they left. "I'm glad that went so well for you! Hersi can be so rigid but you broke right through to her."

"Oh, I didn't do anything special. I just told her the truth."

"Just the truth does not get her to flirt about letting you stay with her if you're evicted. It's been a long time since we've gotten to talk about something more light hearted like this. Most of my visit has been current events and worries and fears and other serious stuff like that, I think you gave my friends a chance to loosen up a bit."

"I'm glad I could help relieve some worries then." Maruem smiled at her.

"You're a good man, far beyond what your youth should allow. Say, would you be interested in joining me for a nice cup of tea? It's a bit late in the day for coffee and there's this new café Cassi was telling me about that has a special deal with a nice discount for groups."

"I would love that. It'll be my treat as thanks for all of your help today."

"Who am I to reject a gentleman paying for my tea. Let's go already!"


Word Count 3477 (claimed at 2423)
Total Word Count 2423 + 8777 = 11200