Prince of The Bloodsands [open]

[PrinceKlari]

Prince Klari awoke in his Emerald Avenue office with a stiff neck, enveloped by his Manor style high-back chair. 

 

"More padding next time, Beatin." he said as he stretched his long arms over his head. Trying to loosen the tightness in his shoulders.  

 

He let out a sigh as he glanced at his desk. Countless order forms, countless meeting notes, countless tasting cards. He smirked. Klari loved his life now, it was a far cry from the Bloodsands. He never enjoyed fighting in the Pits, but he understood his talents. Now, knowing he'll never have to fight again, he developed other ones. Trade came as naturally as fighting to Klari. He taught himself his letters and sums, and reading people and their movements was a necessity in the Pits. All Hydaelyn's blessings he used to create his company, The Bloodsands Consortium. Now he sat in his main office, along the busiest street in all of Ul'dah and thought "more". Just then, he was interrupted by loud footsteps.

 

"Whatever are you still doing here, ser!? Still working into the night?" he heard a woman say just outside his office door.

 

"Ahem. Yes, Arianne....and do not lecture me about it." he said dryly.

 

Arianne was his assistant for more moons than he could count. A stunningly attractive Highlander, which he thought was oxymoronic, that was educated in Sharlayan hence her absurdly posh accent. She walked over to his desk carrying a large bottle of Wineport's newest Merlot. She sat it on the desk, and furrowed her brow.

 

"These chairs, for as lovely as they may be, are not for sleeping, ser." she walked behind the desk and motioned for him to turn in the chair sideways. He did so.

 

"Always working.." Arianne said as she began to massage his upper back and shoulders.

 

"This is quite inappropriate, Ari" he said half smiling. A few moons ago, on a routine visit to Aleport, the two fell into their cups and shared a bed. The memory of the night remains hazy at best to Klari. Arianne felt it best to not remind him. 

 

"Enough.." he waved her to stop and stood, leaning on his desk. "Another review I assume?" he said picking up the bottle. 

 

The major Eorzean ale and wine makers often contacted Klari to taste their new products. He often preferred to do so for the smaller, more creative vineyards but he would humor Wineport today. He popped open the bottle and walked over to an ornate cabinet that housed various glasses. He grabbed two wide bowled glasses by the stem and poured the wine into them. 

 

Klari shook his head as he lifted the glass to the light. "Muted, murky, boring." He said with little enthusiam. He then brought the glass to his nose, sniffed and took a small taste. "Earthy, Oak, hint of pepper, clove, boring." 

 

"And what should I tell Wineport of their muted, earthy, boring wine, ser?" Arianne chuckled as she sipped.

 

"Wait a fortnight longer for the rest of the barrels, and stop cramming so many plants on one plot." he said.

 

"I shall, ser. I'm off to Horizon to make sure our shipment to Limsa gets to Vesper Bay on time." Arianne took the bottle and sat her glass on the desk. She smiled at Klari, bowed and walked out.

 

Klari smiled back and watched her as she left, her loam brown Uraeus coat barely hiding her curvaceous frame. 

 

"Gods, be good." he muttered.

 

Klari got back to work mulling over orders to every far flung corner of Eorzea, and realized it was almost time for the flagship location to open down the street. He liked having his office away from the day-to-day operations of the Consortium's storefront. He'd get bogged down by his love for people and thrill of reading them. Today, he figured he'd tend the location himself and give the shopkeep the day off. 

 

Walking down Emerald Avenue reminded him of everything he loved about Ul'dah. The smell of Pelican steaks being grilled, the constant hum of the markets and the Sandsea, the Thanalan sun beating down on Hall of Flames, its flags fluttering in the wind. He'd not trade Ul'dah for anywhere else in the world. 

 

He arrived at his shop, not a stones throw from where he'd stand in preparation for a fight in the Pits. His shopkeep was unlocking the door and was surprised, almost in awe, to see his employer.

 

"My good man! I'll be tending our wares today, here tis your daughters nameday, correct?" he said.

 

"Y-ye-Yes, m'lord. Erm..ah Sir." the shopkeep stammered.

 

"Here.." Klari handed over a small satchel containing a moderate amount of gil. "Give her a good one!" He said.

 

The shopkeep bowed, and feverishly thanked him and walked off in elation.

 

Klari flipped around his "open" sign and walked in and began taking inventory of the meads and wines. Arianne, as attentive as ever, had already completed the herbs, spices and teas.

 

Klari filled a mug with a weak cider from Gridania and sat behind the counter and scribbled the day's starting inventory in his small notepad. 

 

"Hope today's busy..." he said with excitement in his heart.