Fall, Day 32, 514AV
They stood there, Isur and Human, side by side in the newly reorganized kitchens. Every inch had been scrubbed, stacked, swept, and dusted by a hoard of unwilling but nevertheless industrious orphans.
"Be nice," came Jillene's calm but no less authoritative voice. "It's been a tough season and we need the help."
Noven gave a half shrug in response. Which was his way of saying, 'whatever you say boss lady.' Nothing she'd just stated was new to the cook. The much anticipated shipment Sunberth had been expecting had been found earlier this day on the side of the road, empty and sabotaged. It caused outrage amongst the citizens, and also much alarm. Someone was attacking caravans. And that meant the streets had become significantly more dangerous, if not from whoever had destroyed the shipment, then from hungry, desperate people who would literally kill for food.
For Sunset, that meant they needed more protection. Jillene had been considering this long before the ransacked caravan was discovered. Things were growing steadily more unstable within the Berth; first snake people walking out of the water, then violence springing up in the streets, and not to mention Daggerhands openly roaming the city to recruit new blood. By the time Caela had come along and raised concerns of her own safety, the Isur was already making plans to increase security.
Nov knew better than anyone that whoever their new staff member was, he or she would be able to fight. Jillene never killed two birds when she could kill three. And since she only hired one new worker, it had to mean this person was skilled at more than just one thing. Just like Noven, just like Florence, just like pretty much everyone who worked at Sunset.
The iron-spined proprietress of Sunberth's largest orphanage was as cunning as she was ruthless. Nothing went to waste inside of her walls. Not even talent or skill. Her staff may be small, but the fact that it managed to keep things running relatively smooth with so few in numbers spoke volumes of their efficiency. Quality over quantity, as some liked to say. Though, for the locals of the City of Slums, it was more like necessity above all else.
So it was with a rare amount of decorum and willingness that the cook waited for their newest member to arrive. The goal for today was to get them familiar with the building and its various rooms, then move on to making introductions with the orphans themselves.
Nov's ears perked as they heard footsteps. "I think they're coming."