[Location] The Final Tower (Government Offices)

[Aqua]

The Final Tower dominated the other buildings of Ethgan'tor in the same way that a hawk would dominate an assembly of flies. It was made of pure white marble, punctuated at intervals by glittering windows, and it soared five hundred meters in the air, at least twice the height of anything else in the city. The simple fact that it existed represented an astounding architectural feat, and the beauty of its serene, classic lines simply redoubled this impression.

The current Throne Room was high up in the tower, the official seat of Queen Laroa. Several of the more powerful nobles had offices here as well, and there were some meeting rooms as well. All the way at the top, on a rooftop balcony, a small contingent of three guards reviewed the horizon, always watchful for any sign of an impending threat to Ethgan'tor or its people.

Visitors, however, would enter at the bottom, through a truly massive set of doors carved out of marble. They should have been impossible to open, but somehow, they swung apart at a mere touch, allowing access to the interior.

Once through the doors, visitors were confronted with an enormous atrium, the roof of which was several stories overhead. A sweeping staircase began at the far end of the room, and followed the contours of the walls until it disappeared from view. A large fountain in the atrium's center threw water high in the air; it cascaded down in hypnotizing patterns.

Two guards were posted at the staircase. In front of them was a desk, which was occupied by an older male Esh'lahier whose silver hair was pulled back in a ponytail. He had an unusually severe expression on his face for one of this city, though when he spoke to any visitor who approached, it was in neutral tones.

"Welcome to the Final Tower. What is the nature of your business here?"

Without a proper answer to that question, no one was admitted through the guards to the staircase.

[Malkaer Andares]

1st brightening of Kalendryas, Winter of Era XV PF.

After a lengthy conversation with Queen Laroa about the troubles and future of Ethgan’tor the imperial politician was finally dismissed. He was brought down in the same manner as his swift ride up to the throne room: an elevating platform which evidently worked through some sort of sorcery enchantment. During the descent the pensive Malkaer suddenly addressed the guard whom escorted him. “Can you bring me to the floor where real estate matters are arranged? An Aedile’s office, it is called in Aelyria. I would like to purchase a house here in Ethgan’tor.”

[Aqua]

The guard, who had waited politely, nodded to Malkaer. "The offices that were formerly in Tel' Fenda have been relocated to the fourth floor." He went back to the arcanic lift -- there really wasn't any other good way to get around the Final Tower -- and quickly, he and Malkaer were transported down to floor number four.

The office into which Malkaer was ushered was a generic-looking one, in all honesty. Little property changed hands in Ethgan'tor, and the office existed at least partially as a formality. Nonetheless, it was staffed, and the middle-aged Esh'lahier at the desk greeted Malkaer with a polite nod.

"Vedui. A house, you say?" he asked once that portion of Malkaer's purpose was made clear. "I do have a few properties available. What size of house were you seeking?"

[Malkaer Andares]

“Thank you.” He nodded to his escort as he stepped of the platform. A low intensity of real estate transactions in Ethgan’tor surprised him not. Above all, the White City was a static society in which everyone knew their place, thus there was little cause to change residencies. For this reason Malkaer was somewhat at unease about purchasing a house in the city. Everyone would know he had purchased if he had purchased a house and which one. It was never pleasant to sleep if potential enemies knew where that was.

“Not too big, but in a good part of the city.” The nobleman did not name a price range. This time not because it was supposedly beneath his station to talk prices (though it was a small factor), but because he had absolutely no idea about real estate prices in Ethgan’tor. “It must also possess a sturdy construction.” In other words, it had to be defendable.

[Aqua]

The attendant nodded. "This might suit you. It's a five-bedroom manse only a few blocks from here. It's a stone building, quite old, but in excellent repair, and it sits on a half-acre lot. It's been empty since the previous owner died in an accident and no relatives could be found. I could give it to you for perhaps...10,000 crowns."

He looked to see if this interested Malkaer. If it did not, he had a few other options, but this seemed to match the request the best.

[Malkaer Andares]

Malkaer nodded slowly. A place that size for 10000 crowns would be a bargain in Taralon or any other larger city in the Empire, but the esh’lahier knew better than to accept before hearing any alternatives. “Sounds good, but perhaps there is something smaller as well?” He asked, figuring a house in Ethgan’tor would be no more than a pied-à-terre. The Andares had outgrown the White City after all.

[Aqua]

"There's a three-bedroom in the oldest quarter of the city. Heavy stone construction, excellent condition. 9,000 crowns is the asking price -- it's a little higher per room than the other because the building is somewhat historical. It was one of the original houses in that neighborhood. The family scion has moved to a larger estate farther out, and is willing to sell it."

The Esh'lahier waited to see if this one piqued Malkaer's interest, or whether he would settle for the first one that he had described.

[Malkaer Andares]

“I think I will take the first one then.” Malkaer did not think that the prestige gained by owning a historical building outweighed the advantage of having more space. “I can have the funds transferred from Taralon in a few brightenings, but would it be possible to inspect the place this evening?” Rest assured the Imperial politician was credit worthy.

[Aqua]

The other Esh'lahier indicated his agreement. "Yes, that would be suitable." He handed Malkaer a key; attached to it was a card that indicated the appropriate address.

OOC: Within the admittedly vague description I gave above, feel free to describe your new house as you wish.