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Emperium Blacksmith
Emperium
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Post by Skinar Timaseth on Oct 22, 2018 14:51:38 GMT
The night's approaching in Yerev's workplace. The old man finished his job before he packed his personal belongings; he couldn't wait to see his son for the first time in 3 months. Even though he planned to have dinner, it didn't let him skip his lunch and ate a lot more since one of the coworkers gave him extra food and drink to celebrate his 20th anniversary at his current job.
"I can't wait. I know he's already an independent adult, but he's still my son." he thought while packing.
When passing on stairs he usually took when going out of his office, however, the floor was unusually fragile that it made him fall from the 4th floor. Many people came to help, but it was too late. He got a severe head trauma his head hit the edge of stairs below. His son, Skinar, who was 17, was immedately called by one of his father's coworkers and immediately went to the hospital to see his father for the last time. He was devastated to see his only parent died in a terrible way.
"I'm sorry dad."
Skinar cried for the very first time since 10 years ago. He lost someone who has raised him for a long time. He blindly believed the cause of his father's death was accidental. However, the more he grew up, the more skeptical he became. He had a gut feeling that his father's death was not accidental, it was planned. Then, the thought of investigating his father's death came across his mind, which was considered "accidental" by many people.
Now, he works as a blacksmith. He also has handled several clients, even though he's still green. One day, an unusual order came; a set of cutlery. His client this time is called Anya Romanov. He had a feeling that there is something "unusual" about her when he interacted with her on email. This evening, he's going to meet Anya at a restaurant. He's sit on a chair for aroung 30 minutes before the appointment. He knows it'll be better for him to show up early to impress his customers. Then, a woman who appears to be in her early thirties enters the restaurant.
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Area 42 Leader
Orb Corporation
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Post by Anya Romanov on Oct 24, 2018 12:41:11 GMT
The preparations of the Grand Gala were on their way. Anya tapped her tablet and checked some items off her list. Her to-do app had thousands of entries, and she still somehow managed to stay on top of it.
The businesswoman applied a transparent coat of chapstick, a fruity protection against the environment's harsh air. She wore her usual suit, her usual haircut and just made way for the company's vehicle. The driver nodded while inputting the location of the restaurant, and drove in silence through the area borders.
Most people in the neighboring areas knew of Anya. She was not only Area 42's leader, but also a very prominent social presence. The Emperium didn't see eye to eye with her faction, but she had some privileges and was thus allowed in certain areas without much trouble.
The fancy car pulled up right in front of the restaurant. Anya thanked the driver politely, crossed the sidewalk and approached the receptionist waiter, which checked her ID and pointed her to the reserved table. Her business partner was already there. A man in a much more common getup, contrasting the ambiance of the place and clearly not in his natural comfort zone.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Timaseth," Anya extended her hand to shake his. She didn't apologize for being on time. "I'm glad you could meet me today." |
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Emperium Blacksmith
Emperium
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Post by Skinar Timaseth on Oct 26, 2018 13:41:01 GMT
Skinar knows that Anya was a respectable woman, however, he didn't know she's more than what he expected her to be. His eyes couldn't stop looking at hers, but it didn't make him lose his composure. Impressing his clients was one of young man's unwritten rules of being a blacksmith.
The blacksmith then extended his arm and gave the dignified women a firm handshake.
"Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you too," Skinar then smiled at her. "Please, have a seat."
Right after shanking her hand, a gut feeling came across Skinar's mind and made him thought "Why do I have a feeling that this woman has something more?"
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Area 42 Leader
Orb Corporation
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Post by Anya Romanov on Oct 27, 2018 14:12:39 GMT
Anya flipped gently through the menu, memorizing her order before closing the pages and leaving it to the side.
"I know this might be an unusual request given your type of work," the woman started, straight to the point. "This is a large order, nonetheless." The implications of a large profit echoed in the room. A waiter silently took their requests and re-appeared briefly with their drinks. He served Anya a sobering fizzy beverage in a fancy tall glass, pouring it elegantly from a shiny colored bottle. "To a successful deal" she raised the glass to the blacksmith, before taking a sip.
She summarized her request again. A huge set of cutlery, including dessert spoons, fish forks, butter knives and other accessories you would normally find only in books. The Grand Gala was going to be a seriously epic event. From a pocket in her suit she produced a paper file, a printed version of the design requested that she had already sent him via email. The handles had intricate details that would require a lot of patience and precision to carve.
"We hope to receive the final batch in no longer than a month. What do you think?" |
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Emperium Blacksmith
Emperium
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Post by Skinar Timaseth on Oct 29, 2018 1:12:45 GMT
Skinar knew that Anya's request was rather unusual. He also noticed that some of the customers were interested in their conversation. Nonetheless, he accepted it since a large profit awaited him.
The blacksmith than took a look at the design shown by the young lady. The cutlery design looked rather stylish and gorgeous. Even though the design required him to make extra effort, he was confident that he would succeed.
"I must say, this is an interesting opportunity that might not come twice," the young man took a sip of his sobering fizzy beverage while maintaining eye contact. "I'll make sure to make you get the best possible result in less than a month."
He then smiled at the young lady.
"Your choice of cutleries is surely fascinating, would you mind telling me more about the event you're going to use the cutleries in?"
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Area 42 Leader
Orb Corporation
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Post by Anya Romanov on Oct 30, 2018 18:22:43 GMT
Anya mixed the vegetables in the bowl in front of her. "The Grand Gala is a luxurious ball in honor of all the hard work Orb Corporation does." She was cautious to avoid words like "charity" and "red plague", especially during dinner. "Invitations are extended to members of our society, but other factions can participate as well behind the scenes," she nodded at the cutlery file next to the man, implying such as yourself.
Ms. Romanov was not one to boost or show off at all. She would simply describe the event as best as she could, from an almost neutral point of view. The ball would be accompanied by a luxurious dinner served on long tables dressed in white and gold accessories. Each section was lightly explained between small bites of her meal. "We're hoping to raise funds to continue our research," she ended her monologue in a bittersweet tone.
The woman patted her lips with a white linen napkin cloth, which she returned on the table with a soft sigh under her closed eyes. She looked at the man, which had eagerly agreed to the partnership. She knew the next bit wasn't going to flow as smoothly. "There is one more thing I'd like to ask you, for that matter." She placed her fork and knife together on the plate, at a 3'o clock position, but didn't rush the man to finish his portion, and instead waited patiently with the softest of smiles. "Shall we order dessert?" |
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Emperium Blacksmith
Emperium
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Post by Skinar Timaseth on Nov 2, 2018 12:57:06 GMT
Some of the customers at the restaurant were still eavesdropping Skinar and Anya. However, the young man didn't seem to be bothered or threatened by that since the chance of outsiders to meddle in the business was really low and he was aware of that.
"Sure, what would you like to ask, Ms. Romanov?" Skinar responded Anya right after swallowing the last piece of grilled beef."And yes, we can order dessert. What would you like to have?"
However, the gut feeling suddenly came across Skinar's mind again. However, he felt a bit reluctant to ask Anya about it since they just met and that meeting was a chance to impress his client. Then, he decided to ask about it later since it might not be the right time. He then decided to wipe his mouth with napkin cloth right after he swallowed the juicy beef. After that, he smiled back at the refined woman while looking at her eyes, waiting for her question.
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Area 42 Leader
Orb Corporation
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Post by Anya Romanov on Nov 7, 2018 4:13:01 GMT
Anya signaled for the waiter in a determined but polite manner. She informed him of her choice of dessert and waited for him to clear the rest of the plates off of the table.
"I have a second order for you." Her voice remained kind but her smile left her face in favour of a more serious expression. She dropped the "we" subject in her sentences, making it clear that the following request was far more personal. She passed a neatly folded note to the man, without spoilering the contents out loud. Too many ears were present around them.
The note listed a series of even more precise instruments and parts. They were too incomplete to determine what the final product would be, but it was clear that they were part of machines, most likely related to the research on the Red Plague. This work was going to be even more precise and heavy, especially combined with an already busy month. The deadline was slightly more lenient, but it was a long list. Not only that, but accepting this job would have meant helping a rival faction with their research before his own. A cure would have helped everyone no matter what, right? Anya cleared her throat to regain his attention.
"I'm sure you are aware that the Emperium authorities keep a record of all their investigations." Anya looked at the blacksmith straight in the eyes, knowing he would understand the reference. "They each have a number and a password, which are not decipherable from the outside." Skinar would have surely come across the file regarding the death of his father before, but such sites were not hackable and he would have been simply locked out if he had tried.
Anya didn't add a word. She simply took a smaller card out of her purse, and placed it face down on the table in front of her, pressing its white end with her index. |
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Emperium Blacksmith
Emperium
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Post by Skinar Timaseth on Nov 12, 2018 13:25:15 GMT
What Skinar just heard really shocked him. He was right, after all. The elegant, confident lady had something more.
The confident persona that Skinar usually showed to his clients was starting to crumble. His breath was becoming irregular, and his chest was felt really tight, as if something was about to explode inside his body. He remembered how his father was sent to his house, lying dead with severe head trauma. It was enough to make his young self bursting into tears. It was one of the most devastating moments in his life.
Skinar then took the note and the card Anya gave hesitantly, indicating his disbelief and distrust.
"Why are you doing this?" a drop of sweat was running down Skinar's temple while he was looking at Anya's eyes. "And how did you get this intel?"
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Area 42 Leader
Orb Corporation
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Post by Anya Romanov on Nov 14, 2018 6:49:56 GMT
Anya let the man take her card from under her fingers. There was no need to complicate things, and she took this as his confirmation on the additional deal. The password was written neatly on that paper. Not printed, but clearly marked by hand. She was not one to break rules, but this time she had to bend them a little for a greater good. Orb Corporation would have noticed a large transaction to an unnamed rival business, so this was the only way. After all the research she had done, she trusted that this piece of information was a sufficient payment for her request. Skinar would have had to work twice as hard now, but at least he possessed the key to finding more about his father.
The earpiece of Anya buzzed lightly and flashed red for a second. She tapped it gently and smiled at her new business partner. "I apologize, but I must go. My contact information is in the file I gave you, feel free to use it." She got up after excusing herself. "I look forward to seeing you again soon."
A polite salute and she was gone outside, disappearing in the same vehicle she had came in. The waiter placed a covered plat in front of Skinar. He removed the cap and announced dessert. Next to his actual sweet item, a receipt of the meal with the print paid in full at the bottom. |
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Emperium Blacksmith
Emperium
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Post by Skinar Timaseth on Nov 16, 2018 0:53:17 GMT
Right after Skinar get home, he immediately went to his room and laid on his bed. His eyes were looking at the ceiling blankly, reliving what happened at the restaurant.
At first, he agreed to prepare the first order since it would bring him a sizable amount of profit. He was elated. However, right after that, the possibility he never considered came true. Anya totally caught him off guard when she hinted that she might knew something that could lead him to the truth about his father's death. He then took the note that he kept at his pocket.
"Can I really trust her?" he thought in anguish and confusion. "She's just someone you just met!"
After holding the note for several seconds, he sighed and decided to put it on his table, worried that he might lose some sleep. He then tried to sleep, even if it's difficult after what just happened. He wanted to think about the note later.
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