[Syliras]Footholds[Open]

[Maya]

"Do you want me to leave?"

Maya moaned internally, but stayed silent. Why can't he choose himself! For once, she was tired of the bluntness - she got more than her fair share of that in Wind Reach. She longed for the peculiarities and intricacies of normal human interaction. Sighing, she decided to show her disdain, and let him do what he thought was best.

"Whether you stay or leave makes no difference to me, it's up to you." She left it at that, swinging around and opening the doors to the glass smithy. Avoiding customers, she maneuvered her way to the counter, attempting to speak with the clerk. She decided to use a forwardness which she was just earlier getting tired of;

"Excuse me. My name is Maya, and I am a rather talented glassblower. I seek employment here. Are you hiring?"

[Kane Roth]

"Whether you stay or leave makes no difference to me, it's up to you."

Finishing the exchange by putting the choice back into Kane's hands Maya departed, leaving Kane to think over the matter on his own, which without having to mention caused Kane irritation. Should he stay? Obviously he was getting on her nerves, though whether he should or not? He couldn't answer, watching as she vanished inside the shop, a clear decision eluding him as he pondered. He was here on her behalf, and she had said that it made no difference to her... though many times people could be fickle in that respect, speaking one thing and thinking another. Of course, he didn't want to over-impose himself, doing such would make him no better than the man she'd previously mentioned. So he thought on the matters, finding a small bench nearby to take a rest on as he debated mentally whether to stay or to go, the stone bench allowing for a rigid if not cool seat. She probably has better things to do than have you over her shoulder all day. Kane allowed his head to rest in his left hand, his elbow propped on the armrest, Of course, what if that fellow she'd mentioned before manages to reappear? What good would she be against such an adversary? Recalling easily enough how her lack of experience with a blade had showed itself the night prior, Kane's mind provided a quick rebuttal, Don't want to stalk the poor girl, honestly, she's barely 20, if not that! You're almost a decade her senior, shouldn't be carousing around with such girls. But what of the moral side of things, what was the 'good' thing to do? Was there a good thing to do in this scenario? I mean you are doing good aren't you? Helping others, isn't that why you came here? Technically it was true, all of it really, the 'black and white' perspective having been expected in his new life being quite far from the truth, all of the canvas seeming to have been woven in a vast swath of gray.

Perhaps it's for the better that I go. Kane looked about, watching many of the plebeians of the city go about their daily quest, whatever it might've been, Kane almost envying them. Such simple lives, untouched by the evils forbidden at the gates of Syliras by the will of the Knights, it was quite tempting, really, to just slip into the crowd, disappear, and lead a simple life. Not bothering anyone, keeping to himself, perhaps raising a family... all of it very nice, though his sins had forbidden such, their cries demanding retribution, the scales of justice needed to be leveled--if not tipped--before he could just... live. But then again, perhaps she didn't want him to go, what if she wanted him to stay? Such was possible, Kane could not deny, the whims of a great many people were beyond his understanding, for he couldn't read her mind. Still, he needed to do something, and if he didn't do this just what would he do today? Oil more leather or sharpen a blade? He couldn't afford to throw around money at the tavern, no matter how tempting that might sound. So he decided to sit, blade in the scabbard beside him, waiting for Maya to conclude her business in the glassworks.

[Leviathan]

Leena Holbrad, possibly the single best Glassblower in Mizahar, watched apathetically as the red haired woman, Maya, stepped into her shop, and without so much as offering her name, began boasting about her talent and inquired for a job. Deep brown eyes glared at Maya from underneath her own fiery red hair, which was perfectly matched by Maya's own color, but the look given by her eyes said something along the lines of 'say one more thing and I'll replace your eyes with glass balls'. Perhaps it was Maya's tone, or her demanding presence, or maybe even just the appearance of bragging towards the owner and sole maker of glass in Syliras. She had with her some young man, perhaps seventeen, maybe a little older. He had deep dark brown eyes and a patchy scruffy beard, who looked more like a young man trying o grow a beard, rather than somebody that lacked resources to keep himself clean shaven. Finally, after a good chime of examining Maya, Leena snapped her fingers and the boy, pointing for him to leave the store, who sighed and left without question, and she spoke. "Rather talented are we?" Deep dark irises continued to watch over Maya as a Hawk watched an unsuspecting rodent, waiting to strike. "So talented that you could assist me in my work then? I suppose that means you don't think my production is up to par with the products that fall forth from Wind Reach? Tell me, girl, what is it you can do to benefit me? You are rather talented, right? Surely you can explain as to why your 'rather' talented hands will assist my 'perfectly practiced' abilities, right?" Leena's hand rested on the counter that separated to two women, Leena's fingernails were, underneath, noted to have powdered glass and grains of sand underneath, and her hands slim and beautiful in their own calloused ways silently drummed the wooden surface as the owner of Inner Fire Glassworks. To those long-time citizens of Syliras would know that Leena was a firm believer in doing just about every ounce of her own work herself, and very rarely did she require help, and less than that did she ask for it. Convincing this woman would be, without doubt, a complicated and difficult task.

[Maya]

Alright, perhaps terseness was not the way to go. Maya was completely put off by this womans' harsh, sarcastic answer. She realized that this may be more difficult than it seemed, and more likely than not she would leave without a job.

"Well, I don't claim to be perfect, but I am open to learning, and I do believe that I can assist you. By the looks of your work-" Maya looks around the room, having not noticed the quality of her wares when she first came in. "-You have much reason to boast. I have seen worse craftsmanship in Wind Reach." I've seen better, too, She adds silently, not voicing this particular opinion. "Even if I'm not as good as you are, or as fast as you are, I could still be an asset. Think about what it would mean if you could put out front a sign, 'Inartan Gaffer Inside!', you would attract so many more customers - Ah... Not to say you don't have many already." I can't help but feel that I'll end up getting a job somewhere else... Maya places her own hands on the counter, leaning against it. Her hands are somewhat softer due to all her time travelling, away from the tools of the trade, but the evidence of hard work is still there.

Sighing, she leaves her fate to the Gods, hoping one of them has taken a shine to her.

[Leviathan]

Leena held this smirk, a vicious smile that said 'impress me' the whole time Maya spoke, and by the way the smile seemed to stand strong meant Leena probably was not impressed. By the time Maya finished speaking, Leena sighed heavily, oddly enough, exactly at the time Maya had. "Almost all of Syliras comes to me for their glassware. I am the one that set up most of the windows, what relatively few there are, in the entire city. I have supplied the highest of knights and made a very profitable business by my own hands. Teaching another to master this does not appeal me. Should you become as good as I have, which has taken years and years of my life, your title as "The Inartan Glassmaker" would likely pull some number of customers out from under me." Leena's eyes jerked away to the front door as the same young man poked his head in. A little too curious on what was going on. It was certain he heard Leena lecturing somebody, but as to why, he wanted to know. With a single fierce glare, the man retreated back outdoors, and Leena then decided he was not to return. "Can you write in common?" Leena spoke as she turned her staring once more to Maya. An unnatural shift in expression flooded over the woman as she smiled, not smirked, not a sly deceitful grin, but smiled. However, one had to wonder why such a skill was needed to make glassware.

[Maya]

"Almost all of Syliras comes to me for their glassware. I am the one that set up most of the windows, what relatively few there are, in the entire city. I have supplied the highest of knights and made a very profitable business by my own hands. Teaching another to master this does not appeal me. Should you become as good as I have, which has taken years and years of my life, your title as "The Inartan Glassmaker" would likely pull some number of customers out from under me." Maya sighs. Told you should would bring that up. No doubt it's true, too.

"I assure you, I would be loyal. Getting a new building would be hard enough, eh? In all seriousness, I would stay here until fate calls me elsewhere." She said, trying to get on her good side. She saw a small man poke his head in, and Leena glare at him, making him go away. What was that all about?

"Can you write in common?" The question startled Maya, not sure how it could be useful in her craft, but she saw the smile on Leena's face was genuine, and her hopes lifted. Maybe I can get this job after all

"Well... Not as well as I can speak it, but I have a basic understanding of it." She answers, fearing her response would not be adequate, she adds, "But I could always learn more..."

[Leviathan]

Leena pondered a moment in silence, the sort of silence that was infectious and thick, much like you'd expect to see a large wall of smoke arise from nowhere from said silence. She pondered, yet stared at Maya for a long moment. "You might be able to assure me of your loyalty, but that only depends on my willingness to trust you, which I don't, nor do I have reason to. However, that boy out there is more trouble than he's worth. If you can write in common, or well enough to read your own writing off to me, then I suppose I can have you take orders for me." Leena knew this would not stand with Maya, it was not a glassblowing job, this was more of a secretary, or perhaps even less so. However, before Maya could speak up, Leena lifted her hand, expecting an argument or conflict of words. "However, if you work under me which such a simple task, I might find a few uses for you after all. There are those, you know, that are Inartan, and will accept nothing other than their own people's work. Once I have developed a significant amount of trust in you, I will allow you to make glass. Just know that you will not get in my way, and any expenses that fall upon me because of your actions, will be paid directly to me from your pocket." Leena continued to stare at Maya, it was obvious by now, assuming it wasn't before, that Leena was completely serious about her business, and she was careful not to risk what she had.

[Maya]

"Y-Yes, of course," Said Maya. She was brimming with joy, overflowing in fact, but she would not - perhaps could not - let Leena see that. Perhaps she should be offended that she would be forced to do nothing but take orders, not getting in the Hot House, not getting near the pipes, the jacks, the Marver, or even the molds, while they were so close, yet tantalizing beyond her grasp... It would be difficult, but she could do it.

"I will do this. When do I begin?"

[Leviathan]

Leena's smile slowly became crooked as she once again got that deceiving look she'd been flashing fairly often towards Maya. "Tomorrow. You come in before the Sun is high, you will sit behind this counter, and you will take orders and requests from everyone that comes in. Depending on how well you can write, how easy you make it to understand the orders, and how little to disrupt me and my work, as well as the less you anger me, than the more I may pay you. Don't expect much though, paperwork is simple, for a writer that is." Leena nodded before her smile faded. "Khurin!" Leena shouted just then, ignoring the fact that her voice had the capacity to topple towers and create craters within the earth's crust, much less startle people in the room. With his name shouted, the young man, stubbly-bearded kid, ran inside. "Boy, you're fired. You annoy me. Maya here is taking your place. Now leave, both of you. I need to clean this place up for the night." Leena waved her hand at Maya and the boy, who stormed out, not even caring that he was now jobless. It was clear that he didn't particularly favor or require the job.

[Maya]

Maya bowed slightly, grinning, and turned to leave, feeling perhaps a slight twinge of regret for the boy being jobless now, but she was feeling to glad to pay much attention to that. She stepped outside into the mid-afternoon sun, and looked around, looking for a landmark to find her way back to Traveler's Rowe. As she looked, she saw Kane, and she felt... happy? He had waited for her, and that said a lot about him, at least from her point of view. She walked over to him and stood in front of him, her hands on her hips.

"So, where to now?" I'm glad you stayed, She thought. Being alone now was perhaps too much, for her giddiness might cause her to do something she would regret later.