Time passes, and a satisfactory outcome for both parties...is not reached.
Instead, we come to a compromise of sorts. Truthseekers gets priority over Sober Morning for two drops, and whatever comes of the first clear bonus. In exchange, we will be providing their melee combatants with Empire Footsoldier equipment with a 50/50 split on materials used, a quarter of any Carcasses that would have gone to us, and a 67 Stone Silver death compensation, or a max of 1 Stone Gold total in the event of a party wipe. Naturally, they won't be allowed to deliberately kill themselves or each other to extract these bonus fees.
They were offended by that stipulation when it eventually became clear that they weren't going to budge on the death compensation, but I already made a large concession in agreeing to their extortionate demand in the first place. Furthermore, I have the responsibility of covering our bases, just as they do.
I'd also be appraising their small stockpile of equipment drops for 'free' as well as the next 30 they bring me, so long as it's within the capabilities of The Failed Mage's Monocle. Effectively saving them a minimum of 15 Stone Gold in appraisal costs if they were to utilise my services normally, and an even larger saving if they were to go that foul-smelling old Appraiser instead - not that I told them that.
Assuming that everything goes perfectly, or near enough, they've also promised to consider a more formal alliance with Truthseekers going forward. Like as not, that will be another round of negotiations to argue our way through, but if an accord can be reached, we'll have a little more stability in our early growth - particularly in my absence.
"...if that's settled, all that's left is to sign the System Contract," Windy exhales, exhausted. While initially quiet, as the argument - sorry, 'friendly debate' escalated, she stepped in more and more before eventually my role as chief negotiator was supplanted, reduced to voicing approval or disapproval at the appropriate timings.
"Not ideal, but yes. Let's," Mr Rent nods reluctantly, "Just remind me, what time would be best to pick up the equipment?"
"I can get a few sets completed tomorrow, but they'll be split between you and Wolf Hunt, so send your three best to pick them up," I lean back, "They may have to wait a bit, so it might conflict with your joint hunting expedition plans. There's simply not enough time left in the day for me to get much work done now."
"That's fine," Ms Jacie concedes, something of a rarity from her after taking an incredibly stubborn stance in the negotiations, "You're only human, after all, we won't expect the impossible. Elf, technically, but..."
"Silva," I correct half-heartedly, "If you're back around sundown, I should have a few extra sets to hand off."
I had considered asking Henna to contribute, but her time is better spent restocking Stone Arsenal and working her way through our small mountain of Terrorstone, so I'll be forced to do it all by my lonesome. If Jade is free tomorrow, I might ask her to try and chip in by borrowing a station at the Pioneers' Alliance, but I don't believe she is.
Honestly, the sooner Truthseekers becomes a profitable enough venture that those who need paying can be paid, the better. 'Those' being myself, Olrica and Generous Morning for obvious reasons, Jade so her schedule can be freed up and Windy as per our earlier agreement with her uncle. Angelus is probably the most financially stable out of all of us by contrast, and Jupiter is still technically a minor.
As for Horizon and Grand, they're on the backburner until it's confirmed that they're going to stick around.
We're close, though. Very, very close. With the 'Ujax Alliance' assembled, all that's left is to get our mansion and make preparations for patch day. Our money woes, in-game and out, will be a thing of the past shortly after. So goes the expectation.
I know it won't be that simple, but one should strive to be optimistic. To quote one of Lady Jannis' favoured aphorisms.
"Read through one last time, aaaand signed~!" Ms Jacie smiles sardonically, "Hoo. You drive a hard bargain, y'know?"
"Likewise," Windy smiles back in much the same manner, grudging respect having since formed between them, "I had to channel my uncle pretty hard there."
"You not in business?" Ms Jacie looks surprised.
"He is, I'm just a recent medical graduate," she snorts a self-deprecating laugh, "He used to take me to his office rather than hire a babysitter. Perks of being in charge, I guess."
"Hey, if you're ever in Lisbon, hit me up, I might have a job for you," she offers, half-joking, "Or, well, Eren might, but I'll put a good word in."
Windy looks to seriously consider it, "I'll remember you offered. Trade contact info?"
"Oh! Sure," Ms Jacie evidently didn't expect genuine interest, and they exchange their contacts quickly. Speaking as Windy's current employer, I can't help but feel a little complicated about the scene, but as an art student out on the lam without a paying job, I can't hold it against her.
"Well," I clasp my hands together, "We'd best be parting ways, then, if there's nothing else to talk about."
Please be nothing else. From how it looks out the window, I'm seriously pushing against the limits of my playtime for the day.
"No, we should be heading off too," Mr Rent shuffles around and stands up from the bench, then turns back and smiles pleasantly, "We'll send someone around tomorrow with the unidentified equipment and the material funds."
"Right. If I'm not there, feel free to leave it with Henna, the proprietor, and she'll pass it to me when I arrive," I remind them, standing up myself.
"Mhm," he taps his head to signify his remembering the instructions.
"Toodles," Ms Jacie winks and waves, before ambling off towards the stairs, Mr Rent close behind.
Once out of earshot, Windy collapses forward onto the table, groaning, "Ugggghhhh...."
"I feel you in spirit," Angelus offers his sympathy, stretching out his back and arms, "You talked enough for the three of us, so I'm not sure why I feel so tired myself."
Grateful as I am for her assistance, we need to be going. Patting her back, I attempt to goad her into moving, "Come on, get up. You can rest when we're back at the sanctuary."
"Fuck offff..." Windy is obviously not feeling very cooperative. I share a look with Angelus, and set about scraping my second-in-command off the table.
Olrica
Olrica's Room, Kings & Queens Ltd Virtual Reality Performer Dorm #3, Berlin
Swaddled up in a blanket, I stare blankly at my phone as the auto-generated playlist ticks by with vid after vid of junk food content. Memes that aren't funny even in a vacuum, footage of unfortunate, inexplicable events that just so 'coincidentally' got caught on camera, and some deep-fried anime garbage that isn't even tangentially related but snuck in anyway like it always seems to.
There are three truths in online vidcree: forced memes, animal & baby videos, and badly made AMVs trying way too hard.
Such as it has always been, such as it always will be. Always evolving but never really changing at the core.
I grit my teeth, lock my phone and toss it over onto my bed in a fit of pique. I really could do without my subconscious repeatedly bringing me back to the initial point. Just let me forget about again, and get these memories that don't even belong to me out of my FUCKING HEAD!
I seethe, exhaling through the gaps in my teeth, "God damn it to hell."
Knock. Knock. Knock. Evenly spaced.
There's somebody at the door. Even though I made it pretty clear I don't want to be bothered right now. I put up a sign and everything.
"Fuck off!" I growl, loud enough to be heard.
"No," the unruffled voice of Jessica responds back, surprising me a little. Figured if it was gonna be anyone it'd be maybe Jack or Phyllis.
Not bothering to say anything even resembling asking for permission to enter, the code lock on my door squeaks twice, and she walks in like she owns the place. I don't know how she got ahold of my passcode, but I recall that the Officers have a universal code for emergencies.
"This is a blatant abuse of authority," I point out gruffly, squinting as the artificial light pours in from the corridor on my dark room.
"Which I wouldn't need to bother with if you just answered your phone," Jessica quirks an eyebrow, "And I don't just mean my calls."
I bite my lip, "You've been talking to Silver, I take it."
"Yes," she doesn't bother hiding it, "Although someone would have done this eventually. Lest you forget, you're still slacking off on company time. We can only cover for you for so long before Mr King notices."
I roll my eyes. Ever the professional, this one.
"Fine. What do you want?" I clutch my blanket cocoon tighter, the warmth of the room leaking out.
"For you to remember your responsibilities, and act upon them," Jessica states bluntly, "I don't know what provoked this change in behaviours, but it isn't any of my concern. Your commitment to this company, and the promise you made to Silver, on the other hand, are."
"Wow, way to be supportive~" I reply sarcastically.
"I'm not your friend, Ulrica, but I can't say it feels good to see a colleague neglect their life in favour of stewing in a pitch-black room," she offers little in the way of sympathy or empathy, drawing a clear line in our relationship, "Or do you find something I've said to be objectively incorrect?"
Sighing, I understand consciously that she's right, but if it's all the same, I think I'd prefer to stew for a little longer, I'm feeling pretty undercooked all things considered. Y'know?
"You suck at being comforting," I roll my eyes, "Are you even trying?"
"That wasn't the intent," she looks down disdainfully, "Sort yourself out, Ulrica. You're an adult, not a mopey child, act like it."
Jessica sniffs, her nose wrinkling, and abruptly turns heel to leave, like she's fulfilled some sort of quota, "And take a damn shower!"
Snorting, I consider extricating from my cozy prison of fabric to shut the door she rudely left open. I dither on whether or not I want to actually move, intermittently cursing Jessica's complete lack of delicacy. Oddly, though, I feel a little better for it, even if it's definitely not something she planned for. That girl is seriously not a people person.
Reminds me a little of Silver, actually, but without the sense of humour.
Right. Silver.
Who I've been ignoring. Avoiding. Same difference. I don't want anything that reminds me of what happened, and what that memory then leads to recalling. I feel my breath quicken at the thought, and burrow myself deeper into the blankets. This hunched over, with the contrast of the wafting breeze from outside my room, I can smell something musty. Dried tears and sweat, mostly the latter.
I flop over onto my side, freeing my legs into the chill and immediately regret moving. Stiff, creaky, pins and needles for the triple threat. Ow. Ow. Fuck. Shit. Ow.
Rolling over, I kick my deadened legs erratically in a vain attempt to force some bloodflow back into them faster to get rid of the discomfort and end up throwing the blanket off entirely in the process. Splayed out like a starfish, I grumble incoherently then force myself to get up and limp to the door controls. Part of the way there, the vibration of my phone interrupts me midstride.
"Oh come oooonnn..." I groan, rubbing my eyes, "Fuck off Silver..."
It's too conveniently timed for it to be anyone else. But, well, I'm already stood up, so with great reluctance, I retrieve my phone, nudge the 'close' button with my toe and answer.
"Don'tcha know it's seriously unattractive if you spam a girl's inbox with messages?" I complain.
"...Well, hello to you too, Olrica," his voice comes across as less tired than usual.
"Seriously, dude, take a hint," I grouse, sitting on the edge of my bed, "If I didn't answer the first three times, why would I answer after the twentieth?"
"I normally wouldn't be so persistent, but considering that encounter put me and Jade in the hospital because of an inadequate capsule failsafe, and Jupiter is still not looking at his messages," Silver drones on, "You'll have to forgive me for being a little...concerned. Even putting aside the wager you made me agree to."
I blink, shocked, "Wa-wait, hospital? What the fuck?! Seriously?!"
Forget my problems, what the hell happened there?!
"Yes, seriously," Silver admits like he's confirming the weather report, "The consequences of a cheap facility. Even should something of that magnitude occur a second time - which it won't or I will actually just give up entirely - it shouldn't pose the same level of danger. They were forced to replace the older capsules with a new, more recent model by the federal authorities. It's actually quite a bit more comfortable."
I can't help but frown, "You're taking this awfully lightly. What if you died?"
"Then it would be a tragic shame, but I'm honestly rather numb to the possibility of death," he yawns, so completely unconcerned it feels creepy, "I've 'died' too many times under too many different circumstances to find much meaning in it happening. Life goes on, even if I don't get another chance at life, though don't misunderstand me. I do still value and prefer living."
"You don't sound like you do," I squeeze my eyes shut, pushing the bile back into memory, "Like, at all."
"Believe me or don't, that you are alive and hale is as far as I care for the moment," he shrugs it off, "Which just leaves one person unaccounted for, but that's not something either of us has any influence over."
It's disconcerting how blasé he is, but it's true that there's nothing I can do about his missing friend, so far as I know.
"In any case, that just leaves us with your decision," he continues, "About whether or not you're interested in joining Truthseekers."
I bite my lip, "You got my money yet?"
"Working on it," he sighs, "We're due to embark on the second-largest hurdle towards that end. So, I need your answer tonight. That way we can get both you and Generous Morning up to speed at the same time."
"She actually joined?" I mutter, half to myself. I don't understand what's going through her head at all. I thought I did, but I suppose first impressions aren't everything. Everyone's got stuff going on beneath the surface. Even me.
"After an interview, yes. I'd insist on the same with you, to put aside any possible claims of nepotism, but we just don't have the time to spare," Silver shuffles around on the other end of the call, "And besides which, I have a much better grasp of the kind of person you are than I do for Generous Morning."
"Charming, sexy and one-of-a-kind?" I joke, smirking in spite of my mood.
He breathes deeply, probably rolling his eyes, "Sure. If it helps you sleep at night."
"It does," I snort a laugh, "Nice to know I'm appreciated."
"Quite," Silver responds ambivalently, "Banter aside, I'm still waiting for your decision, and I'm not getting any younger."
He chuckles for some mysterious reason. Right, he actually did get younger apparently. That's still so weird, if it's real. I feel like it's real. Then that damn memory flashes through my head again. I grunt from consternation.
"Olrica?" his concerned voice snaps me back quickly. Right, it didn't happen again. Thanks to him. I was too weak, but because of him, history didn't repeat. I didn't fail again. Just...the once. This time.
Sucking in air through my front teeth, I stare off into the abyss beyond my room's ceiling. Metaphorically speaking. Mind blank, head empty of thought, I respond from the heart, sappy as that sounds.
"Yeah. I owe you for saving my friend."
"Welcome aboard, Olrica. We'll make sure things stay that way," Silver speaks with a smile rounding the edges of his words.
Hopefully Jupiter is okay too
Thanks for the chapter, have a nice break and holidays ta