Dockside Aedile's Office

[O'Brien]

From the docks, one could easily see the humble Aedile's office building standing to the left, right by the shoreline. A sun-lightened wooden sign in the sand identified the office. It was most certainly small, and it looked even smaller once inside. Not unique to Arios, it was both home and building. About three quarters of it, in fact, were dedicated to a bed, chimney and stove, and a few cabinets for personal effects. In the close corner to the door saw a gnome, sporting a pair of very thick spectacles, sits at a very simple desk.

While most Aediles keep busy with copious amounts of paperwork to constantly work on, Arios has lax rules governing buildings which does enough to keep the gnome's workload light, and that's not even counting the fact that almost no one ever came to the island. The chubby little gnome would pass the hours away in strange ways.

Tabri Jabun spent many of the hours growling. It was hard to say exactly what he growled at, much less why he would be doing this, but he growled nonetheless. When not growling, he would pace around his house impatiently, constantly peeking out a window to see if it was dark yet and he could go party. Life on Arios could be so dreadfully boring, and it wasn't like an Aedile's life was an exciting one to begin with!

So it was only natural that Tabri would spin around in surprise whenever his door opened. He would hop on over and sit down in his chair if he was not there already, clap on the desk a few times, and clasp his hands together to try and look official, though it really only looked comical.

"Ahh, Serale, you must be new in town," he would greet at a thoroughly rapid pace, "how may I help you? Are you staying long, will you need lodging? Did you come by way of your own boat? I have the appropriate forms for you to fill out for renting dock space." He stopped for a moment to catch his breath, seemingly quite a bit nervous. One could guess that he did not have to do this often. Yet this unnaturally fast-paced fluent stream of questions was followed by a sentence with chunked up links of words.

"Oh... I...I... I.... m...mm...usss...s.. st sound rooo...rrrrude, why d..d....d..on't you t..t...t..t..teeeell m..m..m..m..meee what you ne...ne...ne...need?"

[Paul Tyndal]

Paul walked into the building at a quick pace, eager to be off. At the torrent of questions from the man sitting at the desk, he backed off, physically taking a step back. He replied by asking a question of his own. "Can you please give me directions to the forge?" The man behind the desk assumed a crestfallen look on his face, but he reluctantly answered Paul. With a simple thank you, Paul left, on his way.

[O'Brien]

The gnome was indeed surprised to see a visitor to Arios, which was a rare sight indeed. "Th...th...fer....for, forge. Yes. I...i...it tis a...a...a sm......smam...small, small hut i...iii...in town. Yes, in t...t...town." He turned all shades of crimson red, thoroughly embarassed at how inarticulate he was. He gulped and nodded when Paul thanked him, rather relieved that he was able to do something.

Tabri began growling again after the half-elf left the premisses. He began growling fiercely at his bed, which was covered in thick layers of dust.

[Necazo Zheunnhin]

Necazo walked through the front doors of the Aedile's office, and walked up to where the gnome was.

"Serale, I would like to buy a home on Arios. I plan to settle down and make a life here, and I think that I would need a home for that. I would also like to know if you know of anyone that might be needing an assistant or apprentice. I need to get a steady flow of income."

Necazo said as her tail wafted back and forth behind her...

[O'Brien]

Tabri looked fondly at Necazo as she walked in, and was reminded of his growling habit. At the Lionoid's words, though, his eyes grew wide in surprise. "Y....y...you wa...a...ant t...t...t...to m-make a h...ome...in...Ar...i...i...ios?" It would have been easy to mistake the punctuated speech for mere surprise, though of course it was due to the gnome's impediment. He proffered a palm in apology, saying no more. He reached over for a piece of parchment and a quill, which he dipped in its inkwell and began writing. In stark contrast to his speech, his writing was fluid and rapid.

Forgive me for my inarticulate speech, madam. It has been many eras since one came to live on Arios, but I am sure you will find our island to be most enchanting in so many ways. For 4,000 Crowns you can buy a house here as big as any that you would pay 5,000 for in other cities.

As for work, you may check the local shops or perhaps the Thanal Mansion for a government job.

With his offer already on paper, the gnome nodded with a large smile on his face, content that he would not have to speak again, at least for a little while.

[Gareth Gruven]

Gareth Gruven, the high-spirited plaitnum haired Sprite, glided into the Aedile's Office. He came seeking employment, and prayed to Carmelya that he would receive it. His green almond-like eyes quickly spotted the gnome, and a brief flicker of a smile crossed his features. At least the man would be in the same stature as Gareth, a Gnome wasn't even as tall as a dwarf! His foresty green wings glided him over to the Gnome with ease.

"Serale Sir," he spoke in a humble voice, keeping his eyes on the Gnome's spectacles, which behind rested the eyes. He wrapped his pine-green cloak closer around him, but continued to stare at the gnome while he fluttered in midair. "I've come to seek employment...to be your assistant in fact. I'm well with paperwork, and I'm a nice smooth talker, I think I would be great with customers! The Guardian of Arios told me to seek you here, and said it was up to you if I would receive the job..." he spoke in a happy persuasive tone, that had a casual reference inside it. "I'll help you with anything you need, say the word and I'll be there, tell me what to do and I'll be your man," he said with a smile. He decided to let the dwarf get at least one word in edgewise, all the meanwhile he prayed that he would receive the job.

[O'Brien]

The gnome smiled as the sprite rambled on about his virtues. "V...v...very g...g...go...well, sir. I...it's g...nice t...t...t...to ha...ve s...s...some...one, someone of m...my si...si...stature around." Tabri laughed weakly at his weak joke as he pushed his spectacles up. Fortunately, he had rehearsed speaking to a prospective assistant before, and listening to the Aedile this time would not be so tedious for Gareth this time around.

"Yes, as you can see I am no master of words," he squeaked rapidly with an opened palm, "and I should think an Assistant would certainly help me out. Do you have any experience, reccomendations, or other qualificaitions for the job, sir, and why do you wish to be an Aedile's assistant?" As much as Tabri wanted to say more, he was thoroughly embarassed by his speech and therefore suppressed his comments, trapping himself in the figurative dungeon so few knew of, not being able to even communicate one's feeling to others.

[Gareth Gruven]

The Sprite looked down on the Gnome with pity, but did not show it on the outisde, in fear of offending the man. Instead, he played a cheerful demeanor that might help the Gnome talk more casually. "Well Sir, I am afraid to say I do not have any previous experience in this sort of field...I'm new to the city and have recently become an adult, as my own people would recognize me. This would be my first job. However, I assure you I can read and write as well as anyone else. I have a standard education, and I'm quite fluent in common and Elvish. In truth, I have always thought being an Aedile was important. Without an Aedile, how would one pay for land, or find room to create a shop? It is people like you that keep the economy up sir, not just the farmers and the Thane, or in our case, Guardian. I want to become your assistant because I see it as a stepping stone to do great things for other creatures. I will help you to the best of my abilities if you grant me this job, and I will perform to your highest standards..." he spoke quietly, dropping down form cheerful to determined in his tone of voice. The Sprite's eyes continued to stare at the Gnome with compassion and hope.

[O'Brien]

This time Tabri pulled out a piece of parchment, which he often resorted to doing rather that stuttering his way through a lengthy bit of speech. He was very fortunate that the Guardian was so understanding in allowing the gnome large amounts of paper with which to work, probably in part because the Guardian himself had a speech impediment of his own, though nowhere near as drastic as Tabri's. After jotting some things down quickly, the Aedile slid the sheet, now looking like an application, over to the sprite.

That's very admirable of you, sir. Most folks just don't tend to appreciate the job of an Aedile. If you'll just answer a few more questions you'll probably be just fine.

What is your name?

When and where were you born?

What do you think would be fair pay for your position?

What is the proper way to address an Aedile?

The last question verily seemed strange, and may have been a veiled attempt at criticizing Gareth for being familiar with the gnome, but that was a difficult call to make.

[Gareth Gruven]

Gareth smiled and took the piece of paper fondly, glanced over it, and then began writing down the answers to the questions as best as he was able to answer them.

What is your name?

My name is Gareth Gruven.

When and where were you born?

I am 156 patterns old and was born in the Primus Countryside.

What do you think would be fair pay for your position?

Fair pay for the position of Assistant Aedile might be anywhere from 25 to 30 crowns.

What is the proper way to address an Aedile?

I am truthfully unsure of this question. Other than the one back in Prime, this is the only Aedile's office I've ever been to. I would have to say Sir, or Madam, depending on whether they were male or female.

Smilign cheerfully at the Gnome, he pushed the piece of paper back towards the man. Looking down at his fingers, he twiddled his thumbs and prayed he had answered the questions correctly, espicially the last one.

[O'Brien]

Tabri returned the polite smile before scanning over the paper, generally nodding at the answers. When he had finished, he produced a previously unnoticed inkwell with red ink. After dipping the quill in this new well, he began making a few changes to the paper.

What is your name?

My name is Gareth Gruven.

When and where were you born?

I am 156 patterns old and was born in the Primus Countryside.

What do you think would be fair pay for your position?

Fair pay for the position of Assistant Aedile might be anywhere from 25 to 30 crowns. The gnome had circled the 30, apparently indicating the pay Gareth was to receive.

What is the proper way to address an Aedile?

I am truthfully unsure of this question. Other than the one back in Prime, this is the only Aedile's office I've ever been to. I would have to say Sir, or Madam, depending on whether they were male or female. The gnome had added "Your Excellency" here.

There was some more added on, with black ink again.

Welcome to the team, Mister Gruven. Well, actually the team is just you and I, but I think we'll get along just fine. Come back here next brightening and I will have the Guardian send someone who can more efficiently teach you. It would take far too long to write out everything.

Crimson flesh betrayed the Aedile's seemingly neutral words.

[Gareth Gruven]

The Sprite beamed as he took the parchment back and read the letter. He would have his job! "Thank you Si- Your Excellency," he spoke in a friendly tone, clearly pleased on the fact that he had received the job. Standing up, he silently hovered upwards and made an elegant bow in mid-air. The very Gnome would be his employer, so he might as well get used to respecting the man. "I shall every tommorow darkening," he said with a polite tone of finality in his voice, before bowing once more and excusing himself from the office.

~~~

The next Darkening the platinum haired Sprite, known as Gareth Gruven, was up high in the air flying at a reckless speed towards the Aedile. He didn't want to be late. He wanted to be on time. Heck, he even wanted to be early. As long as he was there when he was expected, whenever he arrived would be fine. He had neatly bathed himself and had prepared himself for his first day on a real job. His hair, though usually messy, was still messy, but not as much as usual. He wore his piny green cloak, which sailed after him as he flew towards the Aedile's Office.

Once he arrived at the docks, he headed straight for the building, slowing down and checking himself in the hut's windows as he passed them. He swiftly made sure nobody was waiting outside the door. If there wasn't, he would swiftly appease his distinction of style, and knock three times on the Aedile's door, then wait a few seconds before quietly entering, speaking in a polite and cheerful tone, "I'm here your Excellency!"

[O'Brien]

When Gareth entered the Aedile's, however, the gnome was not around. Well, he might have been, but if he was, then he had been transformed into a hobbit. Slightly tanned and with wild blonde hair, the hobbit stood about 2'10" and also saw eye-to-eye with Gareth. "I think that's a bit more than you'll want to be calling me, Mister Gruven," he joked, with hardly a trace of a hobbit's accent, "I'm pleased to meet you, Gareth. My name is Azha Sparfoot." The hobbit reached a hand out to shake the sprite's, ever fond of the race because of the general story between the evolution of sprites (and gnolls, less famously) from hobbits.

"I served as Assistant Aedile in Primus Gaudeo," he explained, "and the Guardian and Aedile have appointed me to help you take up that very position here on Arios. Shall we begin?" The hobbit walked around the small building slowly as he spoke.

[Gareth Gruven]

The sprite smiled and bobbed his head, a silent chuckle escaping from his lips as he heard the Hobbit speak. He was suprised, to say the least, at coming face to face with such a blonde person. "It's a pleasure to meet you Azha," the Sprite spoke in a cheerful voice as Gareth brushed a hand through his platinum silver hair. He quickly nodded his head and shook the Hobbit's hand, before following the Hobbit in his small paced walk. "Primus Guadeo huh? I've never been there," Gareth admitted openly and honestly, but shrugged off the matter. "Yes please, where do we start?"

[O'Brien]

"Haven't been to Primus Gaudeo, eh," Azha said, as if describing a favorite food, "you should definitely try it. Wonderful place, second biggest city in the Empire, lots o' things to do there, aye. But anyway, I'm goin' off topic." The hobbit walked behind Tabri's desk and sat in his seat, and gestures for Gareth to sit in the chair across from him.

"Now then," he began after clearing his throat, "Tabri tells me you don't know anything about the job, Gareth, but that won't be much of a problem. In Primus, being Assistant Aedile was a hassle because I was always running errands for Tytesea, but here on Arios it'll be easy. When someone wants to sell their house, you see their deed and give 'em money, when they want to buy a house, you help 'em out with that. You'll just be worrying about small- and medium-sized houses for now, Tabri will be doing the rest. Prove yourself there and you'll have more work to do and better pay. Any questions?"