Ambitious Proposal (Aesha please)

[Agaenos Phidion]

OOC: Thanks, dear! *huggles*

IC:

Timestamp:
Mid-Morning, Ioannolia, 3rd of Ioannes,
Early Summer, Telath is in the Age of Darkening,
Era I of the Celestine Mandate,
Era III in the Tyrannical Mageocracy of Julos "The Mad",
Ten Eras Post-Fractum.
Paradigm: The Truce of Demios and the Merfolk.
Location: The Academy of Trade, Synesi Plateia, South-Western Abestat.

He took a deep breath. This was, perhaps, nothing to be most established and skilled of entrepreneurs in the Empire - though it was a great leap for this particualr Human who had not had that sort of experience. What he had, it was a huge sum - something he could not afford to lose, and something he could not afford to allow it to go to waste - as if it did, he was financiallyl doomed.

Which was why his strides were vivient, strong, and he was particularly careful and protective at this particular Brighening. The brown orbs of his eyes alert, the large form of his body was swift to move. Unlike any previous times he would leave his barracks and walk the streets of Abestat, however, he did not enjoy the breeze of the Summer this time. He could not enjoy it, and he had no time to - he had business to attend to. A very important business.

And business it was. He had never made such a venture before, though if he was to set himself out from the others within the military, living a plain, uneventful life and probably just "getting-by", then he had to do this. It was especially true, seeing as he still need to set up his faction. Two Brightenings ago, merely it was... That the Commander of the army had declared martial law upon the City of the Abe River. Soon, he will have to speak to him - but not about the martial law.

His eyes set upon the familiar structure of the Academy of Trade. About a month ago, he entered this place, and sought training in the fields of Politics. This time, he shall enter once more - but with a different purpose. A much different purpose.

"Serale," he greeted the Dorin clerk once he entered, and, unsurprisingly, remembered her rather canine-looking smile. "Erm, this brightening... I have an... Investment proposal for this particular Academy which I'd wish to make. Who would be appropriate person to speak to?"

He anxiously waited. His heart, unsurprisingly, was beating, and fast. Stowed with him was, what could be aptly said, his future life...

[Aesha]

The Academy of Trade wasn't exactly bustling, but busy none the less when Agaenos arrived on the campus. Even though the main administration building didn't seem to be attracting the attention of too many people, various students of the Collegio were either hurrying to classes, or milling around in the cobbled square talking about various things, some clutching books or equipment, and passing the time until their lessons finally started.

Entering the administration building in the centre of all the others revealed that there were only two other people in line to sign up for classes or make inquiries that the desk clerk might or might not be able to handle, and the queue went down fairly quickly. Within five minutes of his arrival, Agaenos was standing in front of the desk the Dorin clerk was seated behind.

The female Dorin gave him a polite smile, but it was obvious she didn't remember him from the time the soldier had visited previously, to sign up for the class in Politics. Not surprising, considering the amount of students the three clerks of each academy saw every day. She listened to his request, her eyes widening a little, since it wasn't exactly an ordinary, every day thing that Agaenos was requesting. She was still able to help though, and gave him a nod of her furred head before replying.

"Well, ideally you would have to see the owners of the Academy, either Miss Lastra, or the headmaster of the Collegio, however, I'm not entirely sure when they're available. I'll... have to direct you to the Head of Faculty for Trade, sir, if that's okay? She should be able to tell you when and where you could meet with them."

[Agaenos Phidion]

OOC: Sorry about the late and short post - trying to catch up as best as I can...

IC:

Only two other people was in the queue. Good - he should be able to advance rather quickly, and then, as some people might say, "get down to business" - and such an important business it was... He knew how significant this was for him, sure enough - but he could only craft a blind guess in his mind of the importance (or, maybe, the lack thereof) of this meeting. Besides, carrying four-thousand Crowns was bad enough - carrying twenty-four thousand Crowns was rather nerve wrecking. Sure, he was a military personnel up to Apprentice Elementalism, but still...

The Dorin, it seemed, had became slightly amnesiac after his visit on the Academy - he obviously did not remember him. But with her amount of workload, how could anyone expect her to empty out a confined space of her memory for him? Especially a Corporal that, admittedly, did not stand out from anybody else within the city - at all.

She even seemed somewhat surprised at his request too - whilst he himself as surprised at the Dorin's look of surprise. What a nice surprise for both of them...

The owners of the academy. Of course, he had heard of them - briefly, anyway. The Head of the Faculty for Trade - that should be good enough.

"Sure," he gave a nod, before continuing, "If you could direct me to her, it woudl be great."

As soon as possible, actually - he did not really feel like lugging a gargantuan amount of Crowns upon his body whilst walking so liberally within the building. It just seemed too much like a magnet for unscrupulous thieves and pick-pockets...

[Aesha]

The Dorin nodded, confirming again that she could indeed direct Agaenos to the Head of Trade, though she made a broad and expansive gesture to the surrounding room before saying anything again.

"I can give you directions, but I can't take you there myself. Can't really leave the desk at the moment."

If Agaenos looked back, he would be able to see that a queue of three people had formed behind him already, even in the short time that he had been talking to the Dorin secretary.

"It's not hard to find though. Just go out the door again, and turn left, past the halls of healing. You should then see a building smaller than most, and that looks a bit, well... officy. That's the Faculty Head's office. She should be able to tell you how to get an appointment with the owners... if it's possible at all."

Glancing behind the Corporal at the ever growing queue, she then gave Agaenos a look that suggested she wouldn't mind if he decided to go and get out of her way.

"Did you get that? You don't need me to explain it again, do you?"

[Agaenos Phidion]

The nod which signified her acknowledgement to provide him to the direction to the Head of the Academy of Trade relieved him, if anything, by a significant amount - there was no time to be wasted now, especially when he had twenty thousand Crowns worth of debts upon his person - losing it would mean complete, utter disaster, something which he will not allow to happen nor tolerate. His face and speech never showed it, but in fact, he was rather nervous - nervous that he might completely wreck his life with what he was doing this Brightening...

"No problem," the Corporal nodded, and began listening intently to her, though not before adding the last sentence, "Please tell me the direction, and I could head towards there."

He did not look back at this stage - not yet. His full attention was onto the clerk, and his face did its best to try and not to bestow the Dorin anymore compounded pressure - if anything, he knew, it was one thing she did not need at the moment. Mentally, he began plotting the directions, forcing them into the confines of his memory - sometimes, it functioned properly, yet other times it did not hesitate to fail him. Out the door, left, past healing halls... And a building smaller than most. One which should be easily recognisable. "Great... Remember it, boy."

"Right, thanks -"

He turned around to look at the queue. By Aslan...

"Erm, thanks. I'll be on my way then."

Whatever her look conveyed, he complied with her. Out of the door he went, and immediately, Agaenos turned left, just as he was instructed to do. His paces swift, strong, resolute, his face and hand guarding the precious Crowns stowed within his garments, he wasted no time peeking within the halls of healing. Soon, he arrived in front of his anticipated destination - the office of the Head of Trade. It was small, yes - but it will suffice. He did not need a grand hall on this occasion.

Breathing deeply, he thought through whether he desired to strike this deal again -

"You wanted it, Agaenos. You had the idea for the Hoplites, you wanted the Crowns. You had better not regret now..."

And so, his mind was set. Raising one tentative hand, he rapped his knuckles on the door of the office thrice. By Aslan, there had better be someone within...

[Aesha]

The journey of Agaenos took him, as the clerk had said, past the Halls of Healing, through the campus of the Academy of Trade. The halls were a large, blocky type building that looked menacing yet mundane, in contrast to the caring profession that it housed. Around the building small patches of garden could be seen, which did lift the sombre feeling a little, but they all had a very square, man-made feeling to them, as did the various trees that had been planted at strategic locations throughout campus.

The Synesi Platiea was very much a pedestrian zone, and hence Agaenos saw no moving traffic on his short journey, though he did pass a couple of book and equipment laiden students on their way to class. Around mid morning however, most classes were already in session and there was little in the way of life out and about around the Academy.

The office of the Head of Trade, which the Corporal soon reached, was again, a rather mediocre looking box-like building made of stone, and not the dark granite that a lot of the more upscale homes and building of Abestat had been constructed out of. The front door was varnished oak, and didn't look particularly old. Screwed into the stone on the left side of the door was a brass plaque, with the words 'Shaleesa Fioran, Head of Trade' simply etched into them in a basic font.

The rap on the door was shortly answered by a muffled 'come in!' from inside the office, but it was a little hard to tell what the voice sounded like, due to the layers of stone and wood it had just travelled through. In any case, whoever had invited Agaenos in, it was clear they weren't going to get up and answer the door.

[Agaenos Phidion]

The halls flitted past him. They were blocky and rather substantial in stature, looking slghtly, in a sense, menacing - that was probably the simplicity designed from the architect who ordered the construction of these halls. It was also rather mundane, and he had to wonder, for a very brief moment, whether these halls were indeed fit for teaching the art of healing. At least, though, even if these halls semeed a bit spartan, it was practical, and served its purpose perfectly. Just as long as they served their intended usage, it would not be such a large problem after all, perhaps. Small patches of garden only alleviated the rather artifical, sombre and mundane feeling around. He was rather sure, whoever ordered the construction did not get paid the largest sum of Crowns an architect could possibly receive. It had its merit, though - at least, the building seemed sturdy.

No traffic passed about whilst he paced towards his destnination. Along the way, a couple of students bearing the essential equipment needed for lessons. Very little activity was about him, however, as most lessons were already progressing to their midst upon this Brightening. He found his way relatively clear and unhindered - that was good. He would have been slightly more worried if more people rushed about within the complex.

Everything here seemed rather mediocre...

He reached the varnished-oaken front door of another box-like stone building. Even if it was more upscale and academic, no one had paid any particular attention to beautifying this district, or at least giving it a less mundane atmosphere to the entire surrounding. That had not been really bothering the Corporal, however, as enjoying the surroundings and admiring the aesthetics of buildings within the Synesi Plateia was not the first thing upon his agenda this Brightening. He had a business proposal to make. A brass plaque bearing the legend, 'Shaleesa Fioran, Head of Trade' informed him of the correct destination, as well as the person actually dwelling workin within.

"Come in!"

The voice was so muffled that he was could not even discern what it would have been like if he was within the office. However, that would soon be discovered...

Opening the door, he introduced himself.

"Serale, Miss Fioran," he commenced upon the doorway, "I am Agaenos Phidion, a Corporal within the Abestatian Military. I have came here with a business proposal in mind... And the clerk has directed me to you about meeting with the owners of the academy?"

[Aesha]

Upon opening the door, Agaenos found himself in a modest sort of study. The floor was carpeted with a thin... carpet, and the stone walls had been painted a light cream colour that made the room seem airy and bigger that it really was. Other than that, it had the usual office type set up, with cabinets in the background that probably contained numerous files on various things that made up Academy life, and in the foreground, a desk shackled by three chairs, two on the side Agaenos was standing, and one on the other.

Unsurprisingly, it was occupied.

In the wooden, ladder backed chair sat a human female, her eyes already on the Corporal, since she had been expecting his presence due to his knock at the door. Shaleesa seemed to be in her late twenties, with a cascade of honey-coloured hair that she wore loose about her shoulders. Her eyes were a darkish green colour, and quite unusual to look at. A friendly look was on her face and her thin, slightly pale lips were turned up into a slight smile at the new arrival in the room. When she spoke, she sounded very soft voiced and almost angelic in nature.

"Serale. I could possibly make you an appointment with Candance Lastra, or Jeremiah Carter, though depending on what your purpose is will decide which one you will ultimately see. Can I ask you what sort of errand you are on?"

[Agaenos Phidion]

The door swung open gently, giving way to the gentle force of the Corporal's arm, revealing an office beyond - one which was very much to be expected, as the Dorin clerk did say an office laid beyond. The carpet was nothing of the spectacular sort, yet it served its function beautifully. The room, which had a slightly scholarly feel as well, seemed rather spacious to the man's eyes - though he wondered whether that was just the trick of the white paint upon the stone walls of the office. Parchments lined the documents, which in turn were placed neatly and orderly upon the cabinets, which in turn, stood in the background against the walls. Three chairs metaphorically held the table in place, two of them facing the remaining one - the remaining one which was occupied, by no less than the person whom had her name depicted clearly upon the brass plaque outside - Shaleesa Fioran.

His eyes instantly fell upon the sole woman who occupied the room just a moment before. Her face was no less than fair, although the deep emerald tone of her eyes were somewhat queer to stare upon. Her voice, soft and Aetheriac - almost as if it emanated from an Allerian - was soothing to hear upon, although the Corporal managed to prevent himself from being distracted too much by the voice. His mind was firmly set on the purpose of him coming to this office at this moment in the space-time continuum.

Inwardly, he did not mind whoever he woudl ultimately see, as long as he would meet either one of them. He had heard of many people investing and came out richer, living a better life, revelling in success - yet that only belonged to the minority, it seemed, since many more failed and had their lives ruined. He was not doing this only for himself... He had other goals, righteous ones at that. He could only hope the former would come through, not the latter.

"I came here with a business proposal," he said simply, his tone tuned as if he was announcing something important in a somewhat quieted voice, before resuming. "I have a rather large sum of Crowns, which I am inclined to invest into this Academy. If the deal is struck, then my Crowns could provide an instant influx of new resources to the Academy of Trade. In return, I would then take a part of the profit which this Academy makes each Cycle."

His speech concluded there. Waiting with bated breath, he hoped for one last time that this decision was blessed by the Aetherians... Not cursed by the Aeternians...

[Aesha]

Sheelesa nodded at thew Corporal as he made his statement as to what his purpose with the owners of the Collegio was. No emotion pertaining to it showed on her face. Sheleesa wasn't really concerned with such matters, provided she still had a job at the end of they. It was her concern to hire new staff should Candance or Jebediah inform her that such teachers were needed, but she didn't really look after anything financial, since Candance was so scrupulous about the accounts of the entire institution.

She gave Agaenos a small, subtle yet friendly smile before she spoke to him in reply to his explanation, her voice as soft and fey-like as it had been moments before. Since she was head of trade, she, presumbly, had training in something, and most people would have been quite interested to know what it was.

"In that case, then, you'll need to see Candance." Her smile took on a slightly rueful tone. "In some ways, she's the hardest of the pair to get ahold of. I'll have to make you an appointment of course. It might very well not being for today, or the next few brightenings. If you'll excuse me a moment..."

Without further ado, Sheleesa picked up a thin, leather-bound book that, as she opened it, Agaenos could see had been devided into days of the cycle, some dates with various pieces of writing scribbled into the spaces beyond. After tapping the paper with her short but shaped nails for a moment, the Head of Trade looked back up at the Corporal.

"There a space two brightenings from now, if that's conveniant.. First thing in the morning. Can I mark you in as her first meeting on the 5th?"

[Agaenos Phidion]

He could not discern any emotions from the face of the woman within the office; either that, or there indeed was not any emotions upon it at all. By the looks of this person here, the Corporal could discern that she did not dabble her mind within these sort of businesses - it had to be left for Jeremiah or Candance, although secretly, he mused, whether either of them would be easy enough to get along with - he certainly did not want someone who would swallow his Crowns in one massive gulp and spit out very little in return. That was definitely not what he had in mind.

The Head of Trade's smile was as Allerian as ever, though that certainly failed to detrack him from his purpose of coming here. Her voice, subtle yet soft, carried with it a tinge of something female-fae-like in quality. Those could be left to be contemplated later, however - he still had a rather large amount of Crowns upon him, and he had no intentions whatsoever to lose it, even to a freak accident. The result managed to worry him slightly, however, as he definitely had not anticipated a smile of the more rueful type from her face. If the one he had to see was the Lastra, a member of the renowned family with Enamere as the Thane of this city, then so be it - in fact, for some people, so much the better, because Candance might have more influence upon the financial aspects of the entire Academy too - although he never really knew. He could only pray to Aetheria that this particular Lastra was not too hard a person to get along with...

He wondered, whether Candance was actually more generous than Jeremiah... Perhaps that would work in his favour.

But then, at this particular moment, he was wondering far too much - he had the Head of the Academy of Trade here to converse with. She never saw he was losing his attention to her, since he snapped it back to its rightful place quickly enough.

Looking at the black leather-bound book, he could see the brightenings of the cycles arranged neatly upon the piece of parchment beyond, though exactly what legend those empty spaces bore, it was beyond him, as his sight was not refined enough to see tiny scribbles of words, and that went to say without endeavouring to read upside-down as well. It was, quite simply, an impossible job to read the book from there. Though that bore no concern to him, as he only wanted a date to meet with him.

And there it was. Two brightenings from now, on the 5th, he will meet Candance. He could only hope she would be happy with this deal.

"No problems at all," he replied, "Thank you indeed. Where should I meet her upon that brightening?"

If there was one thing he did not wish to happen, it was to somehow miss the meeting just because he was in the wrong room...

[Aesha]

Shaleesa merely nodded at Agaenos' confirmation of the arranged time of the meeting, and dipping a quill into a small pot of black ink, began to write the name 'Agaenos Phidion' down in the assigned slot before answered said person's question. Carefully waiting for the ink to dry before she shut the appointment book, the Head of Trade then replaced the quill in its stand, and only then did she look up at Agaenos again.

"You need to go to the administration building. I had an office there myself... but I prefer to be within my area of domain... as if were." She laughed, creating a light and breezy sound. "This actually used to be a storage facility, amazingly, enough. Anyway, you can't miss it. It's Right in the center, where all three Academies meet. It's quite big, and houses all the staff who make things tick over nicely. Both Candance and Jeremiah have offices there. The receptionist will show you the way up to hers."

She blinked down at the closed book on her desk. "Speaking of which, I'll need to confirm your appointment with her..." Shaleesa was really talking half to herself, not paying heed to whether Agaenos was listening or not. She then addressed the Corporal directly again. "Did you need anything else?"

[Agaenos Phidion]

Staring with anticipation as his full name was scribbled down upon one of the slots which had the correct date, the fifth of Ioannes, next to it, his lips stretched into a slight smile. Whilst a definite deal had not been struck yet, at least the opportunity was there, and he would have a good - great - chance of making a fortune of Crowns, as well as truly furthering what he wanted to do with that faction of his. Little did he know that Mizushin, upon some piece of land of Telath, had already been busy gathering people to join his cause. He truly hoped that Candance, being one of the renowned Lastras in Abestat, would truly understand his cause... And hopefully, by Aetheria, strike him a good deal. He would not go without bargaining on his part, of course.

Replacing the quill into its rightful stand, where it belonged when not in the hand of Shaleesa, the woman looked up at him again. Her voice sounded like a soft breeze... In fact, maybe she would make a brilliant singer here in Abestat, having such an angelic voice...

"I see. Thank you, Miss Fioran - the centre should hardly be able for one to miss, I suppose," he in turn wore a more amiable smile upoon his face, and gave a small nod to her too. "I shall be there on Aslanica then." After replying, he noticed she started to half-talk to herself whilst writing down the details upon the other, presumably larger, slot, he wondered whether there were any more administration on her part, before she actually directed the question. "There's nothing else for now. Thank you, and serale!"

Concluding with a final slight nod and a smile, his prescence within the room was soon removed by his own will - and his own legs.

Timestamp:
Brightening, Aslanica, 5th of Ioannes
Early Summer, Same Era, Ruler and Pattern

And with the Crowns stowed safely within his garments again, his pace was just as quick as those he willed himself to walk two brightenings ago - if not, then even faster. 'Important' could only be an understatement for him this brightening - he simply had to see Candance to arrange that investment deal. Silently praying to the Gods of Aetheria, he hoped he could barter out a brilliant deal for him. Besides, and instant boost of twenty-thousand Crowns for the Academy of Trade was no less than significant, no?

With that in mind, the Corporal strode towards where the Academies of Combat, Lore and Trade met - the very centre of the three buildings, laid the main Administration Building of the Academies. He could only hope the staff there was as friendly and hospitable as the one he met two brightening earlier...

[Aesha]

OOC: Not to nitpick, but that blue text is really hard to read without my glasses on

IC: The Main Adminstration building of the College wasn't hard to find. It did, as Shaleesa had said, lie in the exact middle of the campus, and despite it's status was a drab looking buildng. It had not been constructed out of the granite that Abestatians, particularly the richer ones, prefered, but rather out of boring, ordinary stone, and it had a rather blocky, rough look to it. The shape of it was of a polygon with many jutting out sides, suggesting that bits and pieces had been added to it as the college had grown bigger, in order to fit all the administrative staff for the different departments inside.

The entrance to the building was lined with pleasent looking potplants, the dark terracota pots making a pleasing contrast to the bright green leaves and many coloured flowers of the plants the contained. The wide oak double doors of the building had been left open, evidently because the building recieved many visitors each day, for business persons like Agaenos himself, or merely irrate students trying to get their money back for some reason.

Behind a desk in the small reception area that the doors led too was yet another clerk that Agaenos had to deal with before finally getting to meet Candance herself. The clerk was a human girl, probably no older than Agaenos himself. She was very plain looking, and her hair was loose, and blonde, and looked inexpertly cut. She looked all the world from the poorer side of the city, and when she opened her mouth to speak the suspicion could be confirmed. Agaenos was lucky in that currently, he was the only person in the room, and did not have to wait in line.

"Serale. Can I 'elp ye with something, sir?"