I didn’t invite him over to test my cooking, or to move Riedra’s furniture.

"Why are we bothering to talk about anything else?"

The small talk and how fucking happy he seemed were more than I could take. I invited him back, to try and win him back.

"I wanted sex. You provided. No big deal, Chasz. I’m sorry for using you, but it’s what I do. I’m not really a relationship kind of guy, after all."

That’s what he’d said the last time he stood in this kitchen. And I believed him. I believed every word and felt stupid for thinking we were more. Stupid for thinking maybe I really cared about him. Maybe I-

"I can see it was a mistake coming here. I’m just making things worse."

Light he was. Just looking at him. Seeing that smile. Those hands, as they nervously rolled that worn coin down the knuckles. Those are my hands. Those are my lips, telling me it was a mistake to come here.

I let him leave. I dumped the attempted breakfast into the sink and poured myself several drinks. I cursed myself for letting him walk out. Again.

~

Something in the conversation since Braeden woke and joined us at the table seemed to have upset Commander Steeldawn. Though not enough that he left without finishing his eggs. As he yanked his helm back into place, he fixed his unreadable gaze on me at the door.

"I don’t know why everyone says you’re such a bad cook."

I look for the admin controls because i am a guild leader. :>

'Watcher' flew on wings of pitch black; the missive was highly warded that he carried. It's words would only be revealed as the intended's fingers brushed the parchment and only linger for a brief time before once more disappearing from sight.

Commander,

I would like to meet with you if you are available and interested in a contract of services. If so, I would ask that you and perhaps one or two others at most, assist me in this matter. It will require travel. I will give more details should you be interested.

Unlike her other letters, this missive was simple and penned on her tinted yellow parchment. It was carried by a young lad that worked for her from time to time and upon his return, he would with wide eyes, recant the tale of delivering a letter to a giant to his friends.

Commander Steeldawn,

I wanted to thank you for taking the time to meet and speak with me the other day. The words you uttered at the end of them meeting had more impact on my recent days and truly, on my life, than you will ever know. Hearing them from you, a man I've glimpsed but, not had the pleasure of spending too much time with and yet respect, somehow reached me in a way no others have been able to.

Thank you. While these two simple words I offer in return are in no way measurable against the ones you offered me, they are given from my heart. I don't forget kindness's paid me, Bron.

Sincerely, 

Lady Amari   

Winging it's way across the skies, a crow of blackest night carried her missive to it's intended. The letter was enchanted, warded against all others except it's intended. A wax seal placed along the rolled seam barring the initial 'R' it's only indication of the sender.

Sir Bloodreaver,

The matter of you came to me about has been handled. It was dealt with in a discreet manner of course. I remind you, in fifteen days you will need to come in for the final signature. Again, you have my sympathies.

As to the second part of our business, I am very much looking forward to it. I'd like to purpose a tentative meeting for this Wednesday. I should be free for the majority of the day. If this is acceptable, please let me know a time that would be good for you as well as a secure location. I will, of course, be warding any discussions we have, at least in the beginning, and trust this is acceptable to you?

If you need to meet sooner, please let me know and I will see if accommodations can be made. The Registry crew and I will be moving a shipment of tomes to our off-sight facility for containment today or tomorrow so, I will be in and out of the office. The sooner these books are secured, the better. Between you and I, several crates of books were 'given' to us by way of dropping them off on my back dock. Morei, one of our most trusted, began to log and inventory the books when she discovered that a few of them were 'flesh-bound' and appeared to date back to the time of the battle for the Undercity. Morei's a warrior monk and these tomes made her feel uncomfortable. That alone gave me reason to want them secured as soon as possible. Ana, our Head Librarian, refuses to sleep in her quarters while the tomes are on the property, even though I have them triply contained.

Secondly in regards to them, a man came in to the Registry, quite force ably I might add, seeking to purchase the books. When I refused, he became insistent, seeking to 'bully' me into doing his bidding. He soon found that to be a mistake. Refusing to leave, spouting off words of veiled threats and his thinly disguised 'lust' for the books caused the crew to become rather protective of me which he tried to twist and use against us. I will not take the chance of him trying to breach our security to remove that which he covets.

You should know, I am considering contacting someone I know, Bronvys, to hire one or two of his people in order to provide more protection. While some may frown at the use of mercenaries, I consider it a wise use of my gold. It saves the Magistrates from doling out any funds as I take it upon myself to pay for all Registry matters. They tend to crane their necks in another direction when their pockets are left untouched. As a member of the council myself, I do have some discretion in these matters. If you feel uncomfortable with this, please let me know and I'll be sure that none of the contractors is present during our endeavors.

I look forward to hearing from you. Until then, my the stars guide you.

Dear Bronvys,

ur a little shithead jkjk