10, Spring, 517 AV
Today was Maria's first new day on the job at the jewelry store in Riverfall known as Beautiful Things. It was early in the morning and the town was just starting to properly wake for the coming day. With the sun still rising and casting its golden rays across the landscape, there were some people who were already out and about. Yet given an hour or so this would pick up considerably. It was the same every morning, the early risers often preceded the flood of people that would follow in the morning, then things would die down as everyone got settled in for another day in the life. Maria was no exception in this regard.
Beautiful Things was a small building, the domed roof easily recognizable as were the two stone pillars on either side of a large metal door. The hinges were well oiled so the door didn't creak as Maria walked in, the bell above making a small dingling to announce her entrance. The round room where the jewelry was on display was quite lovely to look at, the glass cases enticing customers to part with their hard earned coin for some shiny bauble. As he had been the first day Maria came here, Arikamiss had deposited himself in the corner and was reading something, but still ever vigilant for any sign of trouble.
The Akalak looked like a professional body builder in height and width, and wasn't someone most people would likely want to tangle with, though that was no doubt the point of having him guard the store. The large man glanced up at Maria and the two exchanged a small nod, then she walked into the back of the store to speak with Sumithal, her new employer. Like most jewelry stores there was a small metal working shop in the back for melting and recasting gold, but there were also other tools there as well. These were meant for etching and other fine works, though Maria wasn't familiar with them or how they worked.
Sumithal was in the back sitting at a table looking over a number of rings, and judging from both the heat and how new they looked, they were likely pieces he'd just made. The two small gold bars sitting by the small furnace were also a good clue. Trying to fall back on her etiquette Maria pulled up a chair opposite him at the table and sat, but didn't say anything. At the moment the Akalak had a jeweler's loupe in one eye and was looking over a ring. He'd glanced up at her approach, but didn't say anything, so she waited, and soon after he removed the loupe.
“Good morning Ms. Talwa,” Sumithal said, looking up from his work
“You can call me Maria, don't really care,” Maria said. “What's up boss man?”
“Not sales, that's for sure,” Sumithal said.
“That sucks, any particular reason?” Maria said. While talking with Sumithal she picked up one of the rings set with a quarter karat ruby and began to look it over. Still gently warm to the touch, now she knew for sure these were literally fresh out of the oven.
“No, it happens with every business from time to time,” Sumithal said. “Just a sales blah as it were.”
“Right, so now that I'm officially on the payroll, let's talk duties and expectations,” Maria said. “If I'm going to work here, I need to know exactly what I am allowed to do, what I'm not, and what's expected of me.”