Chiuin sat at the chair looking across the desk. The knight had being trying to build up a reputation but however had trouble even get a steady supply of work. Still he thought the best course would be approaching a company for work and now he in full armor still was sitting at the desk, the job offer on the table, work in clearing out new trade routes, Chiuin's journal next to it a pen in his hand as he writes out. 'Sorry for the inconvenience, however I am interested in this job offer.'
Across from Chiuin, the roguish proprietor sat with steepled fingers and half lidded eyes. Electric lamps buzzed in the silence behind her, casting the Seraph in shadows before the illuminated knight. Her auric gaze lingered, unwavering, upon his argent irises. Each slow blink was spaced and deliberate before a deep breath signaled a shift in her posture and an end to her thoughts.
“There are no need for apologies, dear sir.” Her voice was equally measured, somewhere between mild interest and aloofness. “The conditions of life are happenstance. What isn’t is one’s ability to meet them, one’s effort to reclaim control in their lives if not the world. Keep your journal, I can read as you write. It may save us some time and frustration, no?”
The woman leans over her desk to return the notepad to its proper orientation facing Chiuin before reclining leisurely against the back of her chair. Her fingers thrummed rhythmically against each other as she looked between the man’s concealed visage to the journal that served as his voice.
Here was a man, a knight by all appearance, that showed no alleigance save for his desire for work. It was additionally amusing to be in discussion with someone more heavily concealed than her. Even his form was obscured by the shape of his armor whereas her clothes accentuated every curve of her own with due purpose. Their choices in attire were functional in particular scenarios and cumbersome in others, she mused.
Still, who was she to deny potential talent? The road from Zaun to Noxus was not one she had traversed personally nor was equipped to defend properly. Though her visitor was encased in metal, it did not possess the telltale designs of Noxian fashion. A knight was honor bound to a lord by definition. Without one, they were mercenary as she was. What story marred his flesh and robbed him of his allegiance she wondered, for what could drive a knight to this den of shadows?
The length of her thoughts was vast but served only to fill the space of a few breaths between them before she spoke again, assessing his offer. “You wish to serve as apart of a defensive retinue for my company as we chart out new paths of service? I am sure you are aware of the typical dangers plaguing merchants. Though we at the Sable Sails are armed, we would appreciate your knowledge of the land in addition to the heft of your sword.
“The duration of your contract will be indeterminate but rest assured that it will be establish in regular intervals by month or season. If all proceeds accordingly, then there will be many return trips to establish our foothold on these routes and many opportunities for work alongside. Yes, there are the occasional caravans already in the expanse between here and there, but I am looking for something grander: swift and efficient travel. You and other potential workers will be tasked with carving out this path for no nominal fee.
“Along the way, you will be compensated for your time through meals and equipment for travel. A portion of your contract fee for this job will be awarded at the outset and the rest upon your return as incentive to survive. Depending on your preferences and performance, we may also negotiate your future employment with the Sails outside of this task alongside your pay.
“If you are ready to begin negotiations, might I ask you what you expect to receive as ‘fair’ compensation be it material or otherwise?”
