by Aura 21st February 2016, 3:35 pm
A woman in her mid-thirties carefully opened the door and stared upon the silver-haired mess standing in her doorstep. Only after being shown the make-shift tattoo Cain had given her in anticipation of her actual Rune Knight tattoo, the woman had allowed her to enter the residence, where she was lead towards a fancy parlour and given something to drink. Ageha'd wisely opted to keep the drinking to a glass of water, and when finally seated, let out an appeasing sigh, which was frowned upon by her hostess, Ms. Pendlar. She shook her head and gestured her client to start the conversation as she nipped from her water. Ugh. Tasteless... Refreshing, but tasteless.
"So you're Sir Cain's daughter? He did say you were capable, but I didn't expect you to be so-..."
"Small? Yes, most people tend to say that. But mind you that I already passed the threshold of adulthood for several a year, ma'am. I am more potent than my constitution would give..."
"I-is that so? Well, good to know, but I sincerely hope these aren't just words of bravado, young miss. My husband tends to get, how should I put this," The woman tapped the arm rest of the chair for a few moments as she searched for the right words. "Quite absorbed in his doings, if so to speak. You see, he never really appreciated the more modern means of transport, and developed a fear for one in particular, which is quite ironic when compared to our youngest son, who simply adores tr-"
As if summoned by the unknown, a five year-old boy ran towards its mother from the other side of the room, a small toy clenched within his little fist. "Mommy, mommy, look! I found it!" The child smiled, proudly showing a miniature locomotive of the newest Fiore Express. Ms. Pendlar smiled and patted her son's head. "Well done, my dear... Now be a good boy and say hello to young Miss Relrye, will you?"
The kid turned towards Ageha and flashed the biggest of smiles, one so cheerful and innocent that it even melted Ageha's foul mood. She returned the smile as the kid trotted over to her side. "Hello miss! Look!" The kid held up his hands. "I like trains!" The steel mage couldn't help but chuckle. "Haha, yes you do." She said, ruffling the boy's hair, who on his turn giggled and trotted back to the corner to resume playing.
"Nice kid. Anyway, as you were saying...?" The Rune Knight recruit said as she turned her attention back to Ms. Pendlar, who nodded and took a sip of her tea. "Yes, my husband. Well... unlike my son, he has a great dislike for trains. In other words, hate them from the bottom of his heart, and thus refuses to set foot upon them. Although I'm quite certain it's rather fear than hatred keeping him from boarding trains, his pride prevents him from being truthful."
"If I may speak freely, I don't really see the problem at hand here, Ms Pendlar. If he doesn't like trains, then he can take many other means of transport, no?"
"Yes... Unless he gets last-minute calls that force him to travel by train. This one in particular has been handed down this morning, so I'm quite thankful you could come here so quickly. He needs to get to Hargeon by 10am tomorrow, or he will lose his job and destroy his career. Since there aren't any carriages that'd get him there on time, going by train is the only option to secure his career."
"Oh, like that... I see. That indeed is a grave situation. But why hire someone? I mean, you should've been able to persuade him in some way, right? Or hire some muscles to drag him along?"
"Persuading has no use, as he quit his last job when they forced him to travel by train. Hiring a bulky powerhouse wouldn't allow him to get to his destination in one piece, hence why I hoped Sir Cain would be able to aid us, and the very reason you are here right now."
The silver-haired youth nodded in understanding and stood up. "Then don't you worry any further, madam. Upon my honor as Rune Knight and that of my father's, I'll bring your husband to his destination. Unscathed." Ageha smiled for a moment before returning to the usual composure she had when on the job and turning on the back of her heels, ready to let herself out. "I'll be waiting outside. May I entrust you with the preparations of your husband's journey? Tell him you've found means to travel to Hargeon without the use of trains and I'm sure he'll get by." With that said, the young woman marched out of the parlour and left the residence, awaiting the arrival of her true client on the pavement in front of the Pendlar Residence.
Total Word Count: 1695 + 820 -> 2515 out of 1250