“Be careful! That is an authentic replica of a Behemoth’s head!â€
One of the two Elezens standing on either side of the beastly wall mount gave a dubious look at the richly dressed Midlander who was directing them.
“If it is a replica, then how is it authentic?†the Wildwood asked as he paused with a grunt, resting his shoulder against the wall for support.
Reese Templeton stared back at him, his hands held frozen in mid-air, palms toward the two Elezen laborers. The Hyur was standing in front of his desk to supervise, while the two Wildwoods stood on step ladders set against the opposing wall. The velvet-cushioned chairs were pushed out of the way while a thick bear rug lay across the well polished floor. The daylight had already begun to recede from the windows, but the hearth crackled with a warm fire that chased away the night’s chill. Reese minded all these details as he continued to watch the two hirelings arrange his new furnitures, although one eye was now squinted in thought. He lowered a hand to rub at his chin and his well trimmed beard. “I suppose you have a point, good man. It was rendered by an artist who worked with a hunter that swore that this was an almost lifelike representation…â€
When the Wildwood gave him a wry expression in turn, Reese just shrugged it off with a good-natured grin. “It looked frightening enough to send a child running back to his mother in tears, so it was good enough for me!†The Midlander sighed in relief when the two returned to their task of securing the heavy sculpture. It was true, he had no proof that this thing he purchased on the streets of Jeweled Crozier was as authentic as the merchant proclaimed, yet he bought it anyway, since she then took his card readily and repeated his name twice to commit to memory. In his mind, the more denizens of Ishgard that knew his name the better. He also hoped that mounting such a thing--as boorish as it was--in his new office in The Pillars, would impress some of his new clients. Being a newly opened business owned by outsiders, even a well-known company like Ganathain & Templeton Gridanian Arbitration Enterprise could use all the help they can get in building a reputation in this city. And what better to do that with than a trophy of an infamous beast that prowls the Coerthas mountain side?
As the enormous bust was hooked onto its final nail and the wall almost quivered with its full weight, Reese leaned back against the edge of his desk to admire the view. But rather than being obviously overcome with pride, the Midlander watched as the flickering light from the candelabra behind him gave life to the shadows upon the horns, the eyes, and the teeth of the demon.
“You are looking a bit pale, Mister Templeton. Does it look alright?†One of the Elezens stepped away from the wall, curiously studying his employer.
“Yes, yes. I am quite alright.†Reese withdrew a handkerchief from his breast pocket to lightly dab over his brows. Surely, it will look better in the morning. As long as it helps to reassure our clients that we take pride in all things Ishgard… He could already imagine the scowl of disapproval upon the face of his partner, Jeulerand, and mentally listed the reasons why this purchase was absolutely necessary. But he also found himself making a conscious effort to ignore the lengthening of the silhouette that grew from the horns of Behemoth.
Or perhaps I will take it down tomorrow. Reese pushed himself off the desk, his boots shuffling lightly over the soft rug that lay beneath his feet. At least, this purchase was a must! He quickly turned his thoughts around to congratulated himself. The floor decor said wealth, warmth, and welcome all in one package. He believed that all noble homes in this cold city must have it, and if they did, then so should he.
“Anything else, Mister Templeton?†The two Wildwood laborers looked to him once they were done replacing the chairs back beneath the wall mount.
“No, that will be all.†Reese shooed them out, carefully eyeing that they did not leave any dirt on the plush couch that faced his desk or the thick oaken bookcases that adorned two opposite sides of his office.
The Midlander leaned against the door once the movers had left, eyeing his new property. He smiled at the receptionist counter that immediately greeted his view from the entrance, and imagined a proper Elezen sitting there, welcoming his potential clients. A bottle of wine on one side perhaps, he thought. What better way to immediately relax them and warm them from the cold? Perhaps a vase with flowers. Or maybe a statue of Halone? Would a religious symbol sway potential new patrons?
But before he could let his imagination run wild with the possibilities, a quiet knock broke him from his reverie.
“I tipped you handsomely already--†Reese protested, annoyed, as he swung open the door, only to find that it was not his movers but a younger Elezen youth.
The youth was dressed in well tailored coat and pants, and although his garb did not say ‘nobility’, he was certainly employed by a well-to-do house. A squire perhaps? Such was the attention that Reese gave without thought, always assessing any new company. “Well, what can I do for you, lad?†he asked politely.
“Pardon the interruption, Mister Templeton,†the young Elezen bowed at the waist. “I was told to deliver this to you, courtesy of Lord Jeaumis. It is to congratulate you on your new abode and office.†He extended both hands, offering of a wrapped box.
“It is a tea set,†the youth said even before Reese had a chance to open it.
Setting the box on the receptionist counter, Reese bestowed upon the boy a generous smile. “Tell Lord Jeaumis that he is most kind and generous to remember his friend!†The Hyur did his best to hide his astonishment that the Elezen noble was thoughtful enough to remember him, and to deliver such a tiding on the first sun that he had gained access to his new office.
But that is Launce after all, generous to a fault, Reese mused. The Elezen noble with distant ties to the House Durendaire, was the only true friend and acquaintance that Reese had when he first came to Ishgard with nothing but hopes and ambitions. Since then, due to the generosity of his friend, he had obtained lodging at one of the deluxe Pilllars apartments and been introduced to a few notable persons within the city. The Hyur smiled suddenly at the prospect of making good on his first business arrangement with Lady Dufresne, and reminded himself to comb through the trade route arrangements that he had been working on since.
When the Elezen youth reminded him of his presence with a quiet clearing of his throat, Reese blinked and patted his pockets. “Ah. Well, let me get you something for your troubles lad…â€
The courier arched both brows then shook his head. “No need, Mister Templeton. I am well provided for by my lord. I was just wondering if there was anything else you needed before I go.â€
Reese humphed through his nose, impressed that an extra padding of a wanted hand was not what was expected. Does Launce treat his servants that fairly? “That will be all. Thank you.†When the boy left after another polite bow, the Hyur clicked his door closed with gusto. He had a good feeling about this.
“I will show Jeulerand that my bid to open an office here was not a mistake,†the Hyur said with a flare toward the empty receptionist chair. “He thinks of me as a lesser partner. He will eat his words when my clientele list balloons in this city.†The Midlander minded not the political tension that hung like a heavy cloud over the entire city. Surely there were needs of services that an Arbitration Enterprise like his could provide in such changing times. Reese rubbed his hands in anticipation.
“After all, these Ishgardian nobles cannot be as bad as dealing with Shroud elementals." His smile was ever hopeful. "Let’s see what this city has to offer!â€
One of the two Elezens standing on either side of the beastly wall mount gave a dubious look at the richly dressed Midlander who was directing them.
“If it is a replica, then how is it authentic?†the Wildwood asked as he paused with a grunt, resting his shoulder against the wall for support.
Reese Templeton stared back at him, his hands held frozen in mid-air, palms toward the two Elezen laborers. The Hyur was standing in front of his desk to supervise, while the two Wildwoods stood on step ladders set against the opposing wall. The velvet-cushioned chairs were pushed out of the way while a thick bear rug lay across the well polished floor. The daylight had already begun to recede from the windows, but the hearth crackled with a warm fire that chased away the night’s chill. Reese minded all these details as he continued to watch the two hirelings arrange his new furnitures, although one eye was now squinted in thought. He lowered a hand to rub at his chin and his well trimmed beard. “I suppose you have a point, good man. It was rendered by an artist who worked with a hunter that swore that this was an almost lifelike representation…â€
When the Wildwood gave him a wry expression in turn, Reese just shrugged it off with a good-natured grin. “It looked frightening enough to send a child running back to his mother in tears, so it was good enough for me!†The Midlander sighed in relief when the two returned to their task of securing the heavy sculpture. It was true, he had no proof that this thing he purchased on the streets of Jeweled Crozier was as authentic as the merchant proclaimed, yet he bought it anyway, since she then took his card readily and repeated his name twice to commit to memory. In his mind, the more denizens of Ishgard that knew his name the better. He also hoped that mounting such a thing--as boorish as it was--in his new office in The Pillars, would impress some of his new clients. Being a newly opened business owned by outsiders, even a well-known company like Ganathain & Templeton Gridanian Arbitration Enterprise could use all the help they can get in building a reputation in this city. And what better to do that with than a trophy of an infamous beast that prowls the Coerthas mountain side?
As the enormous bust was hooked onto its final nail and the wall almost quivered with its full weight, Reese leaned back against the edge of his desk to admire the view. But rather than being obviously overcome with pride, the Midlander watched as the flickering light from the candelabra behind him gave life to the shadows upon the horns, the eyes, and the teeth of the demon.
“You are looking a bit pale, Mister Templeton. Does it look alright?†One of the Elezens stepped away from the wall, curiously studying his employer.
“Yes, yes. I am quite alright.†Reese withdrew a handkerchief from his breast pocket to lightly dab over his brows. Surely, it will look better in the morning. As long as it helps to reassure our clients that we take pride in all things Ishgard… He could already imagine the scowl of disapproval upon the face of his partner, Jeulerand, and mentally listed the reasons why this purchase was absolutely necessary. But he also found himself making a conscious effort to ignore the lengthening of the silhouette that grew from the horns of Behemoth.
Or perhaps I will take it down tomorrow. Reese pushed himself off the desk, his boots shuffling lightly over the soft rug that lay beneath his feet. At least, this purchase was a must! He quickly turned his thoughts around to congratulated himself. The floor decor said wealth, warmth, and welcome all in one package. He believed that all noble homes in this cold city must have it, and if they did, then so should he.
“Anything else, Mister Templeton?†The two Wildwood laborers looked to him once they were done replacing the chairs back beneath the wall mount.
“No, that will be all.†Reese shooed them out, carefully eyeing that they did not leave any dirt on the plush couch that faced his desk or the thick oaken bookcases that adorned two opposite sides of his office.
The Midlander leaned against the door once the movers had left, eyeing his new property. He smiled at the receptionist counter that immediately greeted his view from the entrance, and imagined a proper Elezen sitting there, welcoming his potential clients. A bottle of wine on one side perhaps, he thought. What better way to immediately relax them and warm them from the cold? Perhaps a vase with flowers. Or maybe a statue of Halone? Would a religious symbol sway potential new patrons?
But before he could let his imagination run wild with the possibilities, a quiet knock broke him from his reverie.
“I tipped you handsomely already--†Reese protested, annoyed, as he swung open the door, only to find that it was not his movers but a younger Elezen youth.
The youth was dressed in well tailored coat and pants, and although his garb did not say ‘nobility’, he was certainly employed by a well-to-do house. A squire perhaps? Such was the attention that Reese gave without thought, always assessing any new company. “Well, what can I do for you, lad?†he asked politely.
“Pardon the interruption, Mister Templeton,†the young Elezen bowed at the waist. “I was told to deliver this to you, courtesy of Lord Jeaumis. It is to congratulate you on your new abode and office.†He extended both hands, offering of a wrapped box.
“It is a tea set,†the youth said even before Reese had a chance to open it.
Setting the box on the receptionist counter, Reese bestowed upon the boy a generous smile. “Tell Lord Jeaumis that he is most kind and generous to remember his friend!†The Hyur did his best to hide his astonishment that the Elezen noble was thoughtful enough to remember him, and to deliver such a tiding on the first sun that he had gained access to his new office.
But that is Launce after all, generous to a fault, Reese mused. The Elezen noble with distant ties to the House Durendaire, was the only true friend and acquaintance that Reese had when he first came to Ishgard with nothing but hopes and ambitions. Since then, due to the generosity of his friend, he had obtained lodging at one of the deluxe Pilllars apartments and been introduced to a few notable persons within the city. The Hyur smiled suddenly at the prospect of making good on his first business arrangement with Lady Dufresne, and reminded himself to comb through the trade route arrangements that he had been working on since.
When the Elezen youth reminded him of his presence with a quiet clearing of his throat, Reese blinked and patted his pockets. “Ah. Well, let me get you something for your troubles lad…â€
The courier arched both brows then shook his head. “No need, Mister Templeton. I am well provided for by my lord. I was just wondering if there was anything else you needed before I go.â€
Reese humphed through his nose, impressed that an extra padding of a wanted hand was not what was expected. Does Launce treat his servants that fairly? “That will be all. Thank you.†When the boy left after another polite bow, the Hyur clicked his door closed with gusto. He had a good feeling about this.
“I will show Jeulerand that my bid to open an office here was not a mistake,†the Hyur said with a flare toward the empty receptionist chair. “He thinks of me as a lesser partner. He will eat his words when my clientele list balloons in this city.†The Midlander minded not the political tension that hung like a heavy cloud over the entire city. Surely there were needs of services that an Arbitration Enterprise like his could provide in such changing times. Reese rubbed his hands in anticipation.
“After all, these Ishgardian nobles cannot be as bad as dealing with Shroud elementals." His smile was ever hopeful. "Let’s see what this city has to offer!â€
