Bureaucracy

Tenebrae - Tuesday, December 03, 2013, 4:59 PM

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-=--=--=--=--=--=<* A07: Local Alexandria Market District *>-=--=--=--=--=--=-

Just west of the Northern Highbridge and east of the arena, commerce blooms. Noisy and bustling, most anything may be purchased here for a price. Vendors from all cultures sell their wares from exotically colored carts, and the smells of different nations and far-off city-states mix with local ones from Alexandria and its riverbanks.

For all its commerce, visitors are advised to keep hold of their purses. Even the merchants possess a certain, cunning look. Most are positioned at carts or stalls as opposed to a formal storefront, with trade here being mobile, and visiting from all parts of the world.

Though the quality of goods suffers here compared to Upper Alexandria, the options are more diverse. Too, the oversight of the Watch is slightly less, and during times events are held at the Arena, chaos abounds. After dark, the square becomes a hangout for bards and other entrepreneurs whose business is best conducted by night; the shadows at the edges of the square often contain furtive figures engaging in their own brand of business.

Elessa has arrived.

Renfrey has arrived.

The sky is grey-black, moonless and starless. Human eyes can distinguish the snow from everything else, and not much more: every shape that isn't snow-covered is a black shadow. The air is damp and cold. There is little wind.

Mikilos humms absently to himself, dipping a long handeled brush into a bucket of watery glue, then pasting up a flyer for his enchanting busniess. The damp paper more freezes to the wall than truely sticks, but it stays up, regardless. A trio of small arcane lights flit around the elfs shoulders, offering illumination.

A head suddenly appears over the eve of the roof, with slightly pointed ears and black hair. "Oh, something new!" Renfrey says with excitement as he reads the flyer upside down. "You know maybe I should open a shop too... not enchanting of course." he offers the elf with a toothy grin before summersaulting down to the ground.

Mikilos blinks at the sudden apperance, and snorts softly. "You know, there's typically two sorts who run around rooftops after dark. And though tis the season, you're too skinny for Saint Nicoli."

Elessa wasn't on the roof, but she was with Renfrey, really. She nods at his suggestion. "An actual shop would be nice to work out of," she smiles at him. "Hi Mikilos," she offers to him with a smile to him as well.

Renfrey nods to Elessa "Yeah it would. Consider it added to my list." he then turns to Mikilos "I can't help it that a roof is a faster way to get around. Fewer people too... although not as empty as I would like it..." he says scratching his chin. "Either way not everything that goes about in the dark is bad."

Mikilos shrugs, and nods. "I said typically. Little in Alexandros is typical." Setting his brush back into the bucket, the wizard frowns at the forming ice, and sighs, setting the whole mess onto a small cart. "What sort of shop are you considering? I've been trying to obtain some permits for a long time now, finally starting to make some progress."

"Permits?" Elessa asks, not sure about the process of getting it all. "We have to get permits from the city? I guess that makes sense, so that they could actually know who has shops in the city."

Renfrey furrows his brow "Hrm suppose we should start getting those permits in order soon then!" he says with a firm nod "I want to open a Locksmiths workshop, nothing too fancy but a quiet place to work and to rcieve customers. Also somehwere I can showcase some of my best work."

Mikilos nods. "All sorts of permits might end up needing, but the three important ones are a deed of ownership to the land, a building permit for the shop itself, and a license from the Merchant Guild to run it. Of course it all depends on the details, renting a shop can avoid the first two, or having a shop that's not a perminant structure. And a license isn't strictly required, but helps to avoid some troubles."

Elessa listens to Mikilos on the initial lists of permits that Renfrey would need. "Do you want me to help you work on these? I just sank some of my money into some new enchantments so I can't offer money for getting things processed."

Renfrey shrugs "I will have to look into it, if I need help I will let you know." he says with a smile "Shouldn't be too hard... I hope."

Mikilos nods. "Again, all depends on the deatils, but the fees typically aren't too bad. Is just time. Meet with an underling to fill out the basic forms to know exactly what you're talking about. Meet with a mid level worker to get all the details in order. Meet with a high level offical who actually has the authority to sign off on the whole thing. Then start again for the next permit you need. Each person is either overworked and doesn't have time to meet you this week, or they want to look busy so their pay isn't cut. Though there's been some restructureing lately that's helped things run a lot smoother. Seems some of the bigger time wasters were injured during the Ritual, and the underlings stepping into their shoes are willing to actually get things accomplished."

Elessa chuckles as she hears Mikilos go through the process of dealing with the beuacracy of the city. "Sounds like you have been at this for some time..."

Renfrey takes a seat on an upturned grabage can and listens to Mikilos' description with rapt attention. "So... hrm. In other words it helps to know how to grease some wheels. That.. I might be able to do." he says with a rather ponderous look on his face.

Mikilos nods. "I've been at it for a while, yes. Was actually several years ago that I started, though that was just learning the process for when I was ready to open a place of my own. But there's been enough changes along the way it's been difficult to keep up. But yes, it does help to know where is truely busy, and thus honestly slow, and where is merely delaying to try and look important."

Elessa looks to Renfrey, "And people get mad at us for stealing from them... They're just saying it's legal..." She rolls her eyes at all of this. "Hypocrits, all of them."

Renfrey narrows his eyes and smiles "Oh I think we can do this. All we need to do is convince these beaurocrats that locksmiths are needed more than ever and what does that better than a little home invasion. Nothing serious, just to spook some folks." he then looks at Mikilos and caughs "I mean... nothing too malicious of course, just rearanging some furniture and the like."

Mikilos snorts, but grins. "Try glueing everything to the ceiling. Blame it on the Tarien followers. They'll likely be honored." The elf shrugs. "Anyway, paperwork is what sticks a civilization together, though it certainly has its downsides. Sorta gives 'paper demons' a diffrent meaning."

Elessa smiles at the suggestion from Renfrey, "Oh I can help with that. I'm getting really good with the locks, and sneaking around. You mentioned that before after the Exorcism. Who finds glue that's strong enough to glue furniture to the ceiling?"

Renfrey snaps his fingers as he's trying to recall a name "Sov... soveriegn glue? Yeah I think that what its called. Plus what it would make me more popular at the temple when I visit."

Mikilos blinks at Elessa. "Wizards." Duh. "Quite sure the Artificers have their own version, though seem predisposed to nuts and bolts." He nods to Renfrey. "Soveriegn glue is the most extreme version, yes. Though can likely find something a little less potent but still perfectly servicible."

Elessa chuckles, "You realize you are among the few I actually know, Mikilos." She nods to Refrey, "That sounds pretty strong, though. Might look around to try and buy some if anyone actually has it."

Renfrey grins and stands up on his seat "Well that settles it, I will see about the paperwork and pass along some adresses once I find out who is involved." he says to Elessa before reaching up for the edge of the roof and pulling himself up. "Have a good evening!" he calls out before bounding off.

Renfrey has left.

Mikilos tsks mildly, watching Renfrey's departure. "That still seems like a good way to end up visiting a healer."

Elessa chuckles, "Oh I've done it plenty of times, especially when I first got into the city. It's easy when you know what you are doing. And have to be able to be aware of your surroundings, as well as where you are going."

Mikilos ahs. "Yes, that would be my downfall. Though with the proper spells, a slow and hopefully graceful fall. Though my luck, I'd drift gently into a midden heap."

Elessa laughs, "True, and that's the soft landing. If you're really unlucky, then you land on the hard cobble streets and break something."

Mikilos shkaes his head. "No no, that's what the spells are for. A soft landing is assured. A clean landing is not."

Elessa smiles, "Well you have your spells, and I have my skills, so I will take that for as long as I am able to."

Mikilos nods, and shrugs. "Sadly, I think it's a lot easier for you to aquire my spells than for me to aquire your skills. But I suppose it all works out in the end."

Elessa shrugs, "Give me a wand or a scroll, sure," she smirks. "But yeah, though if you ever want any tips and training, I'll gladly give you some."

Mikilos grins. "I was actually thinking a Featherfall Ring. Wands and scrolls have their moments, but a bit slow of use when plummeting towards your doom."

Elessa gives a nod, "That is very true. I don't have one of those, but I do have this," she lifts up her hand showing a simple golden band. "Makes it a bit harder for enemies to hit me."

Mikilos nods, frowning thoughtfully. "Wonder if it would be possible to make a scroll that activates automatically when you fall? Hrmmm, no, not a scroll, reading them is a firm requirement. But might be able to make some sort of token with a similar effect. Would burn out after the one use, but likely be a great deal cheaper than a ring. Something to bring up when the next round of research proposals come up, I suppose."

Elessa chuckles, "You magic folk and your research into new things you can make. And all the stuff the artificers are making. It is always curious to find out the next thing one of you come up with your magic and imagination." She looks up at the sky and gives a slight nod, "Though speaking of research, there are some things I need to take care of. It was a pleasure seeing you again Mikilos."

Mikilos nods, and waves. "Everyone is comming up with new things. The magical ones are just a little more dramatic. Anyway, be seeing you."

Elessa has left.