[Location] The Aedile's Office

[Dragon]

The eastern side of the city of Vortex had a air of luxury to it. As well it may, because most of the affleunt citizens of the town lived there. This was also where the Aediles office was to be found, tucked in among all the large fronted houses and shady gardens. It didn't quiet fit in with the surroundings, having just two stories, but for the Aedile of the city it was home as well as a place of work.

Its small, square windows were constantly covered with curtains, meaning the inside was a twilight haunted place, with a brass lamp lighting the Aediles work desk. Aside from this rather plain lamp, the usual trappings of an officials office graced the room- paper and book stuffed shelves, a worn writing desk and three leather covered chairs. One item, however, didn't fit in with the business-like interior. In one corner, planted in a vat and left behind by some previous Aedile, was a small red flowered bush. It's unusual aroma filled the room, and sometimes irritated the present Aedile.

She was new to the title Aedile and all the responsibilities it entailed but she had been assistant to Raphael for the longest time. She had been around durring the seige and had aided the wounded soldiers and magi. Her parents had migrated from Trelore to the northern coast when Minhiriath was a young child and she often boasted of her pure Trelorian heritage.

Two guards had been placed at the door which usually remained unguarded, one could assume it was because of the increased amount of tense feelings felt not only in Vortex, but across the continent of Alleria. The guards did not stop anyone who entered but remained at the door, able to enter with a hurry upon the single ring of a bell which Minhiriath kept near to her.

Upon your entry the elf was sitting at her desk looking over some paper work which had to do with pricing plans. She grimaced, the old aedile had left her with a heavy work load. She looked up with a rehersed smile. "Serale welcome to the Office of the Aedile, how may I help you?"


OOC: Originally posted by Polina, edited by File, Orchid and me.

[Raevenn Lathorin]

OoC: I'm going to self-moderate, but if this is not allowed just edit my post and we can continue Thanks.

Continued from here..

The walk into the eastern side of the dark city proved to be an annoying long walk for the already-tired Initiate. The streets in the Southern Quarter were mud compared to the polished cobblestone pavement here. Rae found it disgusting how the rich got to live in beautiful homes while the rest of the population had to murder and steal for a loaf of bread.

Finding the odd-looking structure that was the Aedile's office, Rae paused for a moment before entering. He almost hesitated in selling his abode...but found it much more convenient if he had enough crowns to further his education in the dark art rather than live in the home in which his family were slaughtered one by one...

And finding a lightborn elf did not help much either. Raevenn had just finished torturing and killing an elf much like this one a few cycles ago...and, my, it was joyous. Just the thought of it brought a sideways grin onto the youth's countenance as he approached the elfmaid. Her skin, hair, eyes, ears; everything about her reminded Raevenn of that brightening. Perhaps she will have her share of torture as well...later.

Slipping his deed towards her, Rae simply nodded towards the document wordlessly. He was not in the mood to converse with further prey at the moment...but maybe they'll have a much more exciting conversation while he ripped her clothes off and cut every inch of her naked body...

"One thousand crowns then", she replied somewhat uncomfortably. "You wanted that in banknotes, I assume?" she added quickly after.

Rae nodded and smiled. She had no idea what he had in store for his own entertainment...and no amount of banknotes could buy that sort of pleasure...

[Urck]

Hour7 of Solaria, Brightening 1 of the First Cycle
The Month of Optia in the Season of Summer
Era II of the Celestine Mandate
Era XI Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening
The Mageocracy of Julos the Mad
Paradigm Shift: Schism in the Church of the Faith!

Urck strode through the eastern side of the dark city of Vortex, his gaze observing the many large buildings that seemed so out of place in the cities general atmosphere that made the entire city seem as if danger was around every corner. The orc loved it. Walking between the houses in the obviously wealthier side of the dangerous city, Urck felt odd. It felt as though he had entered a different city all together. As if he had left the welcoming (though to most it would probably feel far from welcoming) streets of Vortex all together and instead travelled to some foreign city where nobles carried their purses without fear of being robbed and bought large abodes without fear of being targeted. Sure, the clouds still hung thick in the sky, blocking out the hot summer sun and giving the place an overall gloomy atmosphere even though it was nearly midday. This side of the city seemed to almost be the exact opposite of the slums that the orc had seen in this city and many more. As his black orbs cast their gaze upon the door to the Aedile though, a smile crossed his face revealing a set of sharpened canine teeth embedded in a powerful jaw that could crush bone. He gazed upon the sight of the pair of guards, standing attent and alert at the doorway ready to react to even the slightest hint of trouble. Yes, this was still very much the dark city that he had already begun to love.

Urck stepped up to the door, his long winter wolf cloak teasing the dusty ground, hanging just a few inches above it, remaining clean while the leather boots on the orcs feet collected the dirt. He brought a gloved hand up and tipped the brim of his triangular cloth hat at the guards as he stepped by, not dismissing any frowns that they might offer him, but rather welcoming them. After all he was an orc dressed completely in the blackest leather armour, the decoratively adorned hilt and golden pommel with miniature skeletal hand gripping it poking out of a decorative sheath, and the pair of elven steel bladed bracers that were strapped across his back, why shouldn't the guards be aware of him? Why shouldn't they fear him? The fact that three similarly dressed men following closely behind him did nothing to help any idea that Urck should not be made special note of.

He placed a gloved hand upon the wood, easily swinging the wooden portal open and moving his feet to step within the confines of the dimly lit room, his black eyes with their superior night vision easily pierced through all shadows of the room and took in every detail. Immediately his sensitive sense of smell was assaulted by the hanging aroma of the red plant that sat off to the side, his black eyes brushing over he plant with more then slight curiosity, noticing the irritated look that happened to come across the elves face at that moment. He could not help but wonder why, if the plant truly bothered to Aedile, then why did she keep it within her presence in the building rather then simply throwing it out or offering it up for sale. Perhaps he would find out later, but for now he was much too distracted by the fact that he had noticed that look on the face of an elf. A surface elf within the walls of Vortex, and in a government position. It was no secret to him that a vysstichi settlement was located within the caverns below the city, it was even less of a secret that vysstichi tended to do rather nasty things to surface elves and vice-versa. He had to wonder just how long this elf had been here, or even better how long she would remain here, either leaving by force or by will. It would be interesting to see just that, and Urck promised himself that he would listen to the word on the street for word of the elf's murder.

As he slowly made his way to the paper cluttered desk, the orcs eyes darted about, taking in every detail of the smaller building, silently committing to memory the location of every tome, any interesting words found on any loose slips of parchment were stored away, ready to be called upon for any reason in the future. The shortest human that accompanied him veered off of the straight path to the cluttered desk, his feet carrying him to one of the packed bookshelves where he began to quickly read over the title of any and every book that he saw, searching for anything that would catch his interest as his orcish accomplice and the other humans began their conversation with the Aedile.

"Serale" Urck greeted out of habit, the words flowing from his tongue clear and sharp. "I am interested in purchasing a building. One floor, preferably with one large, open room with a ceiling at least eight feet high but no more then twelve. I don't care of location, just as long as it is sturdy." Urck said to the elf. He really did need a place for him and his companions to sleep, but most of the time with Urck's homes he ended up fighting and training in them more then actually relaxing. No point in having annoying walls separating the rooms.

[Kalinda]

„Uh ... oh ... ah ...“ The young lightborn aedile of Vortex let out a loud sneeze as the orc entered her office. Of course he was not the reason for it – even though it seemed as if the elf was allergic against orcs at the moment. Minhiriath had spent too much time outside the past evening – and forgotten to take a cloak with her. She was getting a cold. “Serale, Sir ...” the blonde, brown eyed woman murmurred and rubbed her eyes before she looked at Urck, really looked at him for the first time. Those chocolate colored orbs suddenly were as big as saucers.

An orc. Orcs were a common sight in Vortex – and most of them were rather civilized – but Minhiriath was an elf. Her family had come from Trelore. She had spent a long time in Silrosia where people such as Urck were shot the moment they approached the city – no questions asked. She had been in Vortex for a while now, but she had never fully gotten over her prejudice for those greenskinned creatures. The fact that they usually did not know the meaning of the word “hygiene” and had no appreciation for art only made things worse. She frowned as she looked at his cloak. What was that? Dog fur? Wolf fur? Barbarian!

She had not failed to notice his companions. They were human. What were humans doing in the company of the orc? Were they his business partners or slaves? She had heard stories of orcs enslaving humans and torturing them, but these humans here did not look as if they were suffering. “One floor, one large room with a heigh ceiling ...” she repeated. The frown was replaced by a light smile. She did not like orcs, but she never made a negative comment about a customer’s race. Such a thing was bad for business. As long as she was working, the elf was utterly polite and professional.

“I think I have something for you ...” She opened a thick book that was lying on her desk. “There is a building on the edge of the Southern Quarter. It has about one hundred and fifty square metres. It used to be a war house. It is in excellent condition. The walls only need new paint. There is nothing in it though. It costs a mere 3.000 crowns. Is this building something that interests you or are you looking for something bigger? It might help if you could tell me what you need the building for ...”

[Urck]

The loud sneeze echoed within the orcs ears as soon as he took his first step through the door and into the office. A slight glimmer of amusement ran through Urck's mind as he quickly located the source of the sneeze, the lightborn elf that sat at the desk, now rubbing her eyes. Pretty little elf gets a cold. That's what the little thing gets for being to good to venture outside without furs. Urck thought, the memories of many elves that he had seen on his travels popping into his mind. It was not uncommon to see an elf walking down the cold road with nothing but a fine tunic on, being much to considerate of their personal appearance to have the sense to dress themselves in something that actually kept them warm rather then pretty. It was always like them to choose what other people thought over efficiency. Just looking at their lean features Urck realized that. Small bones and scrawny muscles, sure they may look good but one opponent garbed in armour that a tiny blade cannot pierce and they are dead.

As he spoke his greeting, he listened carefully to how the elven female returned it, looking down at her, his eyes staring intently at where her hands now covered her own eyes. He waited for that initial reaction, that single moment when she saw him that would tell him more about what she thought of him then any small amounts of interrogation ever would. A mocking joy found him as he watched the eyes of the woman enlarge at his mere presence. Other people may hate those stares of discrimination, those rude gawking eyes, but Urck loved them. They kept everybody nervous around him, they kept everybody respectful and afraid. Where humans or elves may work hard for those looks of surprise, he only had to let the colour of his skin and the tusks on his face poke out to greet them. Even though the look had immediately been covered up, the ever-observant orc had seen it and taken note of it, his black eyes now staring down upon the polite face of an elf just doing her job. Of course, he did have to credit the woman for her excellent job in recovering from her initial surprise, for now it almost seemed as if she was not bothered by his race at all. As if she thought that he was just another customer coming in to purchase a home. That of course was something that the orc would be more then to bet was not true at all. Still, most individuals got nervous after letting the look of initial surprise seep through, and although the tried to ignore it, their speech always seemed forced and stuttering. The words that escaped the elves thin lips however, were smooth and perfect. A good act.

The orcs head nodded along as the elf repeated the details that he had asked for when she selected a home that would fit his requirements, confirming that she had heard the words correctly. Even though there were some certain things that he had asked for that may be harder to find, the single large room for example, the price that may come with the building did not bother him as much as it would a normal citizen. After his meeting with the Skull Hammer Clan and his acquiring of half a tavern for nothing, crowns had never been a problem. "No no, the hundred and fifty square meters will be more then enough." Urck replied, feeling quite happy at the price he was getting it for as well. Those 3,000 crowns were nothing, just a small dent in exchange for something that would keep him warm and safe for many, many cold nights. A fair deal indeed. "In fact, you don't need to worry about knowing what I will be using it for. I think that I will just buy this one. Bring your money over men." the orc spoke quietly but loud enough for everybody to hear. Gathering up the required amount in banknotes, Urck set them neatly upon the desk in front of the elven lady.

"As well, to satisfy my curiosity, would there happen to be any businesses up for sale?" Urck asked as he waited patiently for any papers that he would have to sign. No harm in knowing just what was happening in the new city. And as always if anything caught his interest, Urck would not hesitate to pounce on it.

[Kalinda]

A frown marred Minhiriath’s perfect elven face for the briefest of moments as the orc stated that she did not need to worry about knowing what he would be using the house for. What did that mean? Did he want to use it for something illegal, to store drugs and other illegal things or hide his slaves – or did he want to turn it into a headquarter for a band of mercenaries and bandits? She sighed as she realized that it would not be good if she asked him about it, if she voiced her concerns. The Thane was a man that expected all races and all faiths, that thought that necromancers and orcs were useful citizens that were to be respected. She would lose her job if she only mentioned the orc and his human companions that wanted to buy a big house to him. The Thane was a mean who would preach tolerance and acceptance even if a vysstichi was about to drive a dagger into his heart.

„Alright,“ she finally said and nodded before she gave him a soft, almost friendly smile. „It does not really matter what you will be using the building for as long as you pay for it. I assume your …“ She cast a glance at Urck’s companions. „… will be involved in this here as well?“ She arched an eyebrow before she turned her attention to the money the orc had put on the desk. She counted the banknotes and looked at them carefully. Having made sure that they were not fake – she was always especially careful when she was dealing with dark elves and orcs – she put them into a small silver chest that stood on the desk and looked at the orc again.

„Business for sale?“ She took another book and flipped through it. „I’m afraid there are none at the moment, but I’ve heard that the owner of the Firegem Stables considers selling his establishment and moving to another city …“ She shrugged her slender shoulders. „Could I see your visa please, Mister … ah … orc? I’m afraid I can’t give you the house deed as long as I don’t know who you are. Unless you want your identity to stay a secret?“

[Johan Riketz]

Walking into the office off the streets, his cloak laid over an arm. He didn't need to wear the hood in Vortex, his home city though uninviting as it was, welcomed those of his vile race. Just the thought of how things were between Vysstichi and other Eleven kin rose bile in his stomach. Thoughts that would clearly only bring about depression and these days, he was up and down. With no cause to commit to, he was most definitely taking it hard wherever he went.

Looking to the desk-clerk, he took the deed to his hovel in Vortex from his pocket and handed it to the slender woman, his features solemn as he shook his head at her pathetic attempts at small-talk. He closed his shimmering lavender eyes, handing her his visa and the papers to the house as he awaited her response.

After a few moments, Minhiriath smiled, handing Johan his visa along with 1000 crowns. He gave no wave, offering a weak-smile as he walked from the office, whipping the cloak around nimself as an obsidian hand lifted to push the cowl of the hood over his mythril-silver mane.

[Amber Brightwing]

Noon, Brightening 8 of the Fifth Cycle of The Month of Aperitus in the Season of Summer
Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XI Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening, The Mageocracy of Julos the Mad

Amber had been thinking about what she would do next. She was new to the city so she would need a place to stay, and a way to support herself. Once those things would be taken care of she would see if she could find some training. As she would be around for a while, owning her own house would be the best solution. In the forest, an abandoned woodpecker nest had served her well for this need. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a forest, so chances on finding such a thing would be small. An empty attic or so would serve her just as well. She could add some flowers and such to brighten things up, and with some paint any dull looking room could become colourful and vivid.

The Aedile's would be the best place to find any home, so that is where her little wings took her. When she arrived in front of the building, with the help of some directions, she noticed two guards. She wondered why anyone would want to harm a simple Aedile. The guards however proved to be very convenient. Doors were always a problem to one of her statue and these guards were friendly enough to help her out, opening the doors for her. With a word of thanks she flew inside the office.

As she entered the room, she immediately noticed the aroma hanging in the air. The source of it was quickly discovered as she saw a beautiful, small red flowered bush standing in the corner of the room.

Serale welcome to the Office of the Aedile, how may I help you?

Turning her head away from the flower she saw another reason why there could be guards placed in front of an Aedile's office. The Aedile proved to be a lightborn elf. In a city of dark elves they probably weren’t the most liked creatures. She flew forward and landed on the back of one of the chairs.

Serale, my name is Amber Brightwing, and I would like to purchase a place to live. Would you have any small things available? Maybe an attic or so?

[Kalinda]

Amber was greeted by a loud sneeze. The elven woman that sat behind the aedile’s desk cleared her nose and smiled apologetically. Minhiriath had a mild allergy against the plant that had been left behind by the previous aedile, but she could not bring herself to removing it from her office. Doing so seemed like removing part of the old man to her. It was an entirely dishonorable deed. “I’m sorry,” she murmurred to her newest customer and let her silken handkerchief disappear. She straightened herself and took a closer look at the person in front of her.

Her eyes widened instantly. Since she had come to Vortex Minhiriath had mostly dealt with humans, vysstichi, rodenti, hobbits and dracons, but she could count the occasions on which she had met fae on the fingers of one hand. Fae were even rarer that her own race in these parts. There had been a few dark fae, odd little things with black hair and purple wings that had embraced the dark arts, when the Collegium was still standing, but they had left after the war. The last time she had seen a fae that was not a bloodthirsty little monster – at least at first glance – had been when she had been a girl in Silrosia. She still missed her old home sometimes, but this job was simply too good to give it up.

“Something for a fae?” she asked and furrowed her brow. “I’m not sure if I have anything for somebody of your race. But there are several houses that have been owned by hobbits and rodenti available. Do you have problems with living in a place that used to belong to such a person? I have also heard that Amalthea the tailor is selling a tiny appartment on the second floor of her house ...”

[Amber Brightwing]

The aedile was clearly surprised to see her, but who wouldn’t be? She would be surprised to see another of her kind as well. Vortex didn’t seem to be the best city for one so fragile. It showed in the offer of the houses as well. Even houses of hobbits and rodenti would be very large for her. The houses would probably be a problem. It’s not that she didn’t want to live in a place previously owned by one of those races, but doors always seemed to be so heavy. And she would always have to carry around one of those heavy keys. When she heard about the apartment her wings fluttered for a moment showing her excitement.

The apartment sounds perfect. It probably won't be tiny at all for me and I could use the window as and alternative entrance to avoid those large doors.

[Kalinda]

Minhiriath smiled brightly as she heard Amber’s reply. She had been worried that even the apartment in the hobbit’s house would not be the right thing for the fae, but now she was certain that it could work. “Perfect”, the elf said. “Yes, I suppose the window could be used as an entrance. There are trees surrounding the house. It’s situated near the Government District. You won’t find any sign of the problems our city is facing there. It’s safe, even for people like us ...”

She paused for a moment and opened a large book that was lying on her desk. The book was bound in brown leather and looked rather expensive. “This book contains a list of all the houses and appartments that are for sale or for rent. I need to look up the exact adress and the price ...” she explained as she flipped through it. After a few moments she put it aside again. “Ah ... the apartment costs a mere 800 crowns due to its size. It has two rooms, a bigger room for you to live in and a small storage room. There is one window ...”

“Are you interested?”

[Urck]

Urck's sensitive black eyes caught that quick frown, registering a single thought in his sharp mind. Typical. What concern of hers was it even if Urck had voiced his intentions with the building. The simple truth was that t was none of her business and those light-skinned elves just never seemed to realize that. Meddling in affairs when clearly not wanted, like all of the times that an elven army had been close to being beaten but then another one suddenly decided it involved them and turned an entire fight around. To the elves credit, she did seem to fight what Urck considered to be an elves natural instinct well and she was not foolish enough to press the point more reassuringly. However that initial reaction that she had given him when he even planted a slight suspicion of wrong doing in her head had been enough to tell Urck that no matter where you went, elves were elves. Same beauty on the outside with nothing on the inside. No brains to realize the power that was doing things for yourself rather then others. No heart to stop them from slaughtering poor orcish children. Children died at their thin blades. At least orcs took slaves to give some of those elves a chance of survival, but it almost seemed as if elves thought themselves above taking orc slaves. Yes, no matter how different this lady in front of him may think that she was, in truth he knew her to be just another stereotype elf who will never accomplish anything that will set her apart from the rest of her life. How she could be so blind to not see that, Urck did not know. How she could even live once she did find out the truth was another mystery in the self-cantered mind of the orc.

"Do you truly think that I would be stupid enough to pay somebody as important and smart as yourself with false money? This is mere pocket change girl, it would not be worth the work to produce counterfeits." Urck said to the elf as he noted the amount of care she was taking to ensure that it was real money. Perhaps she took that kind of care with money from any customer she received. Perhaps she had singled out Urck and silently named him a suspect because of his race. Either way he did not care and, surprisingly enough, proffered the latter. At least that way people would notice him. It was because of that preference that Urck had stated that the amount of money he spent was merely pocket change, even if it had taken a fair chunk from his amount of crowns. Maybe some thief would overhear him speaking of his wealth and attempt in attack. With Urck, attacks that were made either by him or towards him usually ended up turning into a profit.

As he spoke those words, he watched with even more interest as he watched his money go into the silver chest. He quickly made a mental note of the location of the chest as he studied every movement that the elf made while she put the money away, seeking anyway he could turn those movements into an advantage. Of course he felt that he could probably just get one of his men to kill the miserable elf and carry it straight out themselves, but three men carrying a silver chest down the street was usually not hard to miss. If only he could find away to get away without being noticed. How he wished at that moment he had enlisted into his ranks somebody capable of teleportation. How much easier his robberies would be.

"My visa? Yes, you could see that." Urck said, fetching out his visa and placing it lightly upon the elf’s desk as his lips formed even more words and questions for the elf to answer. "While were on the subject of businesses, would you happen to know anything of the owner of one of the weapons stores around here?" Urck asked, allowing false curiosity creep thick into his voice. He was definitely not asking simply because he was curious. Rather he was asking because he wanted to get to know his targets. He needed a weapon supplier and a main front in Vortex and though he doubted that anybody working in an Aedile's office would be able to tell him anything useful, he thought it at least worth a try. Even if he only got a name out of her he would be happy.

[Amber Brightwing]

There were threes surrounding the house! That meant she would have a little bit of nature around her. And in was the Government District, without signs of the problems in this city. That would be convenient as well. Until she would have some training, she was going to be unable to defend herself. Sure, she could fly away and try to avoid trouble, but it was certainly a good thing to live in a more peaceful area.

As the elf opened the large book, Amber stretched her neck a little to see if she could read what was in it. Not that it would give her any useful information, but she was just curious. With the angle she was seeing the book, she couldn't read anything anyway. She could only see a blur of where there was something written.

800 crowns? I'll take it!

She flew over towards the table and started taking banknotes out of her bag until she had 800 crowns lying before her. Only 800 crowns. And that for an apartment with two rooms, in the good part of town. She didn't know much about the price of houses, but it sounded very little. It sure must be a small place. Not that she minded. With her size she would have plenty of space, and a smaller place would be much easier to keep clean. And all the money she saved, she could use for other things.

[Arten]

Brightening 17, of the Month of Apertius in the Season of Summer, of Era II of the Celestine Mandate (Current Pattern) Era XI Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening, the Mageocracy of Julos the Mad.


Striding up to the front gates of the aedile's office Arten looked at the two guards that stood on either side of the door. After a few seconds of looking at them he walked between them, trying to keep his... cautious nature to himself. Past the guards Arten looked down the hall and saw the aedile, hurrying his step to what a normal walk would be for a human Arten reached into his tunic and felt around for his deed.

Stopping in front of the desk he listened as the elf greeted him. "Serale, I would like to sell my hovel. How much could you give me for it?" Pulling it out in a clenched paw, he held it up for the elf to see. But for reasons kept to himself he did not yet hand it over.

The elf looked across the desk and examined the deed for a moment before pulling open a drawer. "I can give you 1000 cowns for it, deal?" She asked and counted banknotes from the drawer.

Without hesitation Arten agreed to the deal, handing the deed over he carefully counter out the banknotes before sliping them into his tunic. "Thank you." With those final words Arten departed back into the heart of the city.

[Taran Kamari]

Before even entering the city, Taran knew that he would sell the small hovel left to him by his deseaced grandfather, and rent a room at a inn.As he walked into the office he noticed the flower bush in the corner.The aroma was nice but he knew if he stayed long enough,it would drive him crazy.Taran then walked up the the front desk.
"Serale my name is Taran Kamari and I am interested in selling my small one room hovel located in this city."Taran said with a smile."I would say it's worth about 1000 crowns correct?"

"Precisely, now would like that in notes or crowns? Also I need to see the deed and your visa."

"Certanily."Taran said as he pulled out the deed and h