After tracking down slaves who were or had been employed by the two, Mell had learned quite a few things about their reputation as masters. Edmund seemed to be a private person, but a fair and reasonable employer who gave slaves the treatment they deserved. He also had a knack for placing specific skills, abilities and personalities exactly where they were needed the most, a rare kind of organizational talent. Estrellir guessed that was why he was more or less running the Blacksugar household, only answering to Dimitri himself.
As for Adelaide, she occupied a similar position, but seemed to focus more on micro-managing slaves, day-to-day activities and the occasional social gathering at Bloodflower. Where Edmund was correct from head to toe, she was known as slightly eccentric and seemed to have a taste for experiments. She’d often deliberately place slaves out of their comfort zone to gauge how they coped or to bring out hidden talents. Her taste for the fine arts, especially the theatre and poetry, came out in everything she did. Her ability to come up with concepts for parties and soirees was unrivaled. Remembering the last of her events, Estrellir couldn’t help but smile. Adelaide truly had a gift for entertaining bored Dynasty brats. Contrary to expectations, however, she had experience working with all kinds of slaves and was known as one of the ‘good’ masters.
During Mell’s report, Estrellir took copious notes that she’d later compile and add to the official report. After ordering the girl to get some rest, she went over her notes one last time before retiring to the couch in the kitchen. She’d only catch a few bells of sleep at best, but it couldn’t be helped. When she had customers, business came first.
Mell knew about and accepted her mistress’ mentality. Thus Estrellir wasn’t surprised when she woke and found a can of fresh coffee on the stove, no Mell. The girl must’ve gone on to interview Lynint slaves, the only category she had missed the day before.
In the meantime, Estrellir worked through the remainder of her list, last of which was a glimpse into the past. Clearing her desk and climbing onto the surface, she sat down cross-legged, closed her eyes and waited for her breathing to calm her down. Tydus had left a lasting impression, so finding his Chavi was easy. Brow furrowed in concentration, she tried to follow it back into the past and catch glimpses of his time with Edmund, Adelaide and Adrenna. Where had he first met them? What had they experienced or discussed together?
Focusing on Adrienna got her a few confusing impressions, apparently disjointed puzzle pieces of the same scene. Closeness and hushed voices. Interesting, very interesting. She lost her focus trying not to laugh out loud and had to start again from scratch.
No matter how hard she concentrated, searching for Edmund and Adelaide didn’t amount to much. Pieces of conversation was all she got. Tydus was likely considering expanding his business relationships with them and, by extension, their Dynasties. While it didn’t tell Estrellir as much as she’d hoped to learn, she could work with it.
Time was almost up. As soon as Mell returned from the field trip, she’d add those findings to her notes and write up a report complete with comments and personal afterword. It had been one hell of a job, but Estrellir was confident she’d fulfilled it to the best of her ability. Moreover, thanks to Avalis’ gift she had something to hold over Tydus now. Another secret gathered and filed away for later use.
As for Adelaide, she occupied a similar position, but seemed to focus more on micro-managing slaves, day-to-day activities and the occasional social gathering at Bloodflower. Where Edmund was correct from head to toe, she was known as slightly eccentric and seemed to have a taste for experiments. She’d often deliberately place slaves out of their comfort zone to gauge how they coped or to bring out hidden talents. Her taste for the fine arts, especially the theatre and poetry, came out in everything she did. Her ability to come up with concepts for parties and soirees was unrivaled. Remembering the last of her events, Estrellir couldn’t help but smile. Adelaide truly had a gift for entertaining bored Dynasty brats. Contrary to expectations, however, she had experience working with all kinds of slaves and was known as one of the ‘good’ masters.
During Mell’s report, Estrellir took copious notes that she’d later compile and add to the official report. After ordering the girl to get some rest, she went over her notes one last time before retiring to the couch in the kitchen. She’d only catch a few bells of sleep at best, but it couldn’t be helped. When she had customers, business came first.
Mell knew about and accepted her mistress’ mentality. Thus Estrellir wasn’t surprised when she woke and found a can of fresh coffee on the stove, no Mell. The girl must’ve gone on to interview Lynint slaves, the only category she had missed the day before.
In the meantime, Estrellir worked through the remainder of her list, last of which was a glimpse into the past. Clearing her desk and climbing onto the surface, she sat down cross-legged, closed her eyes and waited for her breathing to calm her down. Tydus had left a lasting impression, so finding his Chavi was easy. Brow furrowed in concentration, she tried to follow it back into the past and catch glimpses of his time with Edmund, Adelaide and Adrenna. Where had he first met them? What had they experienced or discussed together?
Focusing on Adrienna got her a few confusing impressions, apparently disjointed puzzle pieces of the same scene. Closeness and hushed voices. Interesting, very interesting. She lost her focus trying not to laugh out loud and had to start again from scratch.
No matter how hard she concentrated, searching for Edmund and Adelaide didn’t amount to much. Pieces of conversation was all she got. Tydus was likely considering expanding his business relationships with them and, by extension, their Dynasties. While it didn’t tell Estrellir as much as she’d hoped to learn, she could work with it.
Time was almost up. As soon as Mell returned from the field trip, she’d add those findings to her notes and write up a report complete with comments and personal afterword. It had been one hell of a job, but Estrellir was confident she’d fulfilled it to the best of her ability. Moreover, thanks to Avalis’ gift she had something to hold over Tydus now. Another secret gathered and filed away for later use.
Boxcode by Lenz
