Time for some practice - Halure [OPEN]

[Finas//Alvin [Blaze001]]

It's a quiet and lazy afternoon in the peaceful town of Halure. The birds are singing and there is a gentle breeze blowing blossom everywhere, the tree being in bloom.

However, there is the sound of steel on steel beneath all of that.

In a secluded area of the town, far from the main centre where they cannot disturb anyone, is a training area set up. This is for the Imperial Knights to hone their skills, as well as anyone else who wants to.

Among the knights training is Lord Alvin Reyne, one of the lords and nobles of Halure. He's decked out in steel armour, unadorned, and is busy hacking away at a dummy.

[Kaufman]

[Kaufman is meanwhile in town, having spent the morning ironing out a trade violation. The guildsman that managed it hadn't received the updated legal code regarding restricted items--or more likely, she suspected, he'd misplaced it in his incompetence--and had sold weapons-grade hoplon to a man without a permit. Of course there'd been a small legal escapade when the knights had found out, and she'd had to spend a while trying to convince them that her guildsmen were not supplying a private militia or whatever the heck they'd thought this time.

At least it's all worked out now. She is free to relax for a while, so she grabs some lunch and then decides to take a walk to work off her lingering frustration. As she comes upon the training ground, she pauses on the sidelines, watching. Hm, a few faces there look familiar...]

[Finas//Alvin [Blaze001]]

Managing to finally decimate the poor straw dummy, Alvin sees fit to take a rest, moving to sit against a tree, wiping his forehead with a rag and drinking some water from a flask.

Taking the time to note the occupants of the field, his green eyes light on a familiar figure nearby. The lord frowns slightly, axe across his knees, as he tries to remember who she is...

[Kaufman]

[Ah, she's definitely seen that man before. It takes a moment for her to recall his name, but when she does she approaches him, figuring she might as well have a chat]

Been practicing for a while, Lord Reyne?

[Finas//Alvin [Blaze001]]

And suddenly, she approaches!

"Lady...Kaufman, correct?" Alvin asks, looking up from his seat on the ground.

"Yes, For 2 hours, I would estimate. Forgive me, I would offer you a seat, but there is only the ground."

Polite, he regards the Fortune's Market leader with a bright smile.

"Otherwise, how are you faring? I heard about the trouble with the Hoplon. I hope everything is alright?"

[Kaufman]

[The title of 'lady' makes her smirk a bit in amusement. She's gotten that before from noblemen, probably through force of habit on their part.]

Not a problem. [She sits down beside him, crossing her legs] Everything's fixed now. The authorities just get so worked up over these kinds of misunderstandings...

[Finas//Alvin [Blaze001]]

"Can you blame them?" Alvin smirks lightly to himself.

"Unfortunately, any infringement of law, the knights take it a tad too serious. I apologise for any inconvenience."

He then stifles a yawn with his hand.

"Is there anything else that brings you to this fine city?"

[Kaufman]

I can understand why. Any other guild doing business here would probably be breaking the law half a dozen times over. It's difficult for them to grasp that mine's an exception to the rule. Well, when my managers have their act together, at least.

[shrugs] I came here to clear that up. I suppose that I should make the rounds later to my other stores and make sure they're not doing anything illegal, now that I'm in the area. Don't have any vacation time to spend here, unfortunately.

[Finas//Alvin [Blaze001]]

"Apart from that one slip-up, I haven't noticed anything wrong with the branch here in Halure." Alvin comments.

"But then my eyes are for combat and finance, not Marketing, so I leave that decision up to you."

The man then sighs. "The Reynes are one of the oldest and richest families. Who better to have as Master of the Coin? It's tedious. I am wishing I had some holiday time, too."

[Kaufman]

Hm. Good to know. I'd better check anyway, though. I get the feeling that my letters to management frequently get lost somewhere after crossing the border.

So the council's keeping you busy these days?

[Finas//Alvin [Blaze001]]

"Moderately, although I do not envy you." Alvin grins, moving to stand up. "While you are here, Lady Kaufman, you are my guest. If you encounter any difficulties, please, let me know."

He turns that grin on the Guild Leader. "I do not think there is a point to furthering hostilities. Plus, your guild is a godsend."

[Kaufman]

I will. Better you than me when it comes to reasoning with the knights.

[smiles] You think so? That's great to hear.

[Finas//Alvin [Blaze001]]

"There's no point in fighting over trivial things. We both want stuff to get done, no?"

Alvin smirks a tad.

"This way things will."

[Kaufman]

I like your attitude. There's certainly a lot of misconceptions and trivialities between the guilds and the knights, and I think there's plenty of mutual benefit to be had if we overcome them. I have no problem playing by imperial rules, so long as the knights don't take all my guild's missteps as major threats.

Our societies really aren't that different. Structurally, yes. But when it comes down to it, most people are just trying to work and support their families, regardless of where they're from. That's all.

[Finas//Alvin [Blaze001]]

"I agree." Alvin says, smiling. "I try to help the people of this town as much as I can, considering most of my family is gone."

Looking back to Kaufman, the lord's smile fades slighty, but it's still present. "If you need anything from the Council, I may be able to support it."