| Velox Fluvius Imports, Renovation - moved; Valia's office construction | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: May 16 2014, 02:44 AM (88 Views) | |
| Valia | May 16 2014, 02:44 AM Post #1 |
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Deaths Lady
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(05/15/14 19:12:49 ) [.One of Many.] V A L I A VOLSTAGG'S WOMAN |.MERCHANT OF SULPORT.| [-VELOX FLUVIUS IMPORTS-] Near or within the rock-faced building that houses the headquarters of Velox Fluvius Imports, seated just a stone's throw from the docks of Sulport. says to ALL: I stood within the center of the mostly hollowed out building where renovations were full speed ahead. It had surprised me that the builder had worked so quickly. And when I arrived, I realized that it was not just him but his sons and brothers functioning as a crew, that made the work go so fast. I was, for the most part, ignored by them as they continued to pull down the old planks of wood. I stalked slowly across the flooring, stopping just short of the hole that had remained untouched. Staring down into the pitt, images flashed before my eyes. - The three, Volstagg, falling and then...darkness-. A cool breeze lifted from that hole, rustling the length of dark work skirts that shifted against the leather of tall boots. It was a long moment before I realized the builder stood beside me, staring down into that dark abyss. When I realized that he stood there, my face turned towards him and his towards mine, almost in unison. The horrors of that day would not show in the soft expression upon my face. Eyes of jade reflected serenely as a smile dared to touch my lips. I could see the unspoken questions in his gaze but he'd find no answers today. "I've decided on the pattern for the floor. The wood should be laid out in a herringbone design. But I want a trapdoor left here, giving access to what lays beneath, but it should be hidden in the design of the floor. There are some warehouses being renovated, scavenge the wood and salvage what you can. I do not want the floor to look new. I want it to appear as though it was and always has been...this way. Are you capable of such a thing?" He listened as I gave instructions, turning towards a makeshift desk fashioned from the planks they had already torn down. Quickly he began to mark out yhe pattern. I smiled as he showed me how the door would conceal itself. Deft fingers gathered around the thickness of a single braid, absently guiding its weight back over my shoulder as he continued to sketch out the floor. "I love it, start it quickly, then the walls can go up. I want units of shelving built on the interior walls, leave the floor space open, entirely. The more room the better." I took in the full expanse of the building from front to back and noted there was a rear entrance as well. An old wardrobe stood against one of the interior walls. I stepped towards it, drawing open the ornately carved doors only to realize they concealed stairs. Slender brows lifted dubiously as I realized there was more to the space. (05/15/14 19:44:13 ) [.One of Many.] V A L I A VOLSTAGG'S WOMAN |.MERCHANT OF SULPORT.| [-VELOX FLUVIUS IMPORTS-] Near or within the rock-faced building that houses the headquarters of Velox Fluvius Imports, seated just a stone's throw from the docks of Sulport. says to ALL: I motioned towards one of the small torches that lit the interior of the building with the flickering glow of dancing flame. "I did not know this was here...let us see what work needs done upstairs." The builder, whom had already discovered the stairs, retrieved one of the smaller torches and led the way up the stairs. The steps were old, the wood groaned with every step taken. I realized he was sweeping back the cobwebs as we climbed higher. The walls were raw stone and it appeared, it had been quite some time since anyone had dared to climb the staircase. At the top of the landing, the builder moved further lifting the light so that I could see. The upstairs was all open space. Turned towards the front of the building, admiring the archways of old stone. As I walked towards them, I realized they opened up onto an enclosed balcony that overlook the docks. The open windows were covered with panels of lattice work, leaving the balcony to privacy. Slender fingers curled through one of the holes as I peered through and watched the movement of men over the docks. The crates of goods that were being transported on and off the various ships moored there. I could see the roving of guards along the docks, their exchanges seemed jovial and full of cheer as I watched one slap another on the shoulder. "Leave this untouched for now. I should like to see it by the late of day. Focus downstairs, that must be finished in less than a hand. You will recieve extra if done earlier." I turned then to see him, watching me. He swept the torch towards the door, indicating we should go. "Very well, I should return to work if I'm to earn...extra." The gruffness of his voice echoed in the empty space. I had the feeling he was in hurry to be rid of me. I might have been offended if I didn't have other things that required my attention. "You have my grattitude Builder. I will return on the morrow to see how you've progressed." With those spoken words, I followed him back down the stairs. He bid me farewell then, returning his to his crew and explaining the need to salvage wood. As they discussed this, I left them. Noting that the day had departed and night had fallen over the port city. |
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| Valia | May 20 2014, 01:46 AM Post #2 |
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Deaths Lady
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(05/19/14 17:35:22 ) [.One of Many.] V A L I A VOLSTAGG'S WOMAN |.MERCHANT OF SULPORT.| [-VELOX FLUVIUS IMPORTS-] Near or within the rock-faced building that houses the headquarters of Velox Fluvius Imports, seated just a stone's throw from the docks of Sulport. says to ALL: The journey from the marshes back to Sulport had been a long one. I had been lucky enough to sleep, curled in a ball, even though soaked through by the rains that had seemed to pelt us most of the night. Upon return to Sulport, my first stop had been the bathhouse. Even at that ungodly hour, I had an attendant summoned to ensure the waters sufficiently heated and then proceeded to take a nice long bath. And after that, I had taken a power nap, simply to aid in the recovery of my sore limbs. Sleeping in the bottom of a skiff, tucked into a tight ball, was not good on the bones. I managed to rise by mid-day and make my way to the office building. Dark curls were drawn drawn back elegantly, pinned neatly up revealing the artful curve of exquisite bone structure. A porcelain complexion glowed brightly this day and a smile was quick to bloom upon the curve of pink lips. Eyes of palest green shifted among the faces in passing and though a smile was given and returned many times over, words were never given life. Instead I revelled in the silence, choosing simply to beam happily. My mood though seemed infectious as many were quick to return a warm smile. And those that might not were ignored completely. I chose happiness this day and would allow no one to take that from me. An elegant stride was revealed, despite the quick stride of my steps. The soft soled boots of black leather were silent in their path, bleeding up slender legs only to blend near seamlessly with the darkness of work-skirts that ended some 6-inches shy of the ground. Easier to work in, less cumbersome than the many layers of robing. A linen blouse of cream draped gracefully from the perch of narrow shoulders, tucked neatly into the waist of the skirts and yet hidden by the wide leather wrap that hugged gently the slender circle of my waist. The sleeves of my blouse had been rolled up, the cuffs riding high on the curve of my forearm. The outfit chosen for its comfort and coolness because I had known I was likely to be very busy. The kiss of the sun was warm overhead, the blue of the sky spread as far as I could see. There wasn't a single cloud to marr its perfection. A cool breeze would kiss the port city every now and again, billowing the length of skirts back and against my legs as I walked. From my fingers dangled the ring of keys, three to be exact. And as I walked, there was the metallic clink of one against the other as my hung swung gently in tandem to the easy sway of my step. I had come to know the alley's that lined the warehouse district and cut through to quickly find the office building. As I walked the lumber planking that faced the dock, curious eyes roamed over the ships that were moored within the closest proximity to my office. These spaces were perhaps given to those who were more favored and it was with them, that I had a special interest. After all, with my contacts to Cos severed, I had contracts to replace. Deft fingers drew a single curl from my face, tucking it gentle around the bend of my ear. The door to the office building stood wide open and I stepped over that threshold praying the builder had been able to maintain his work pace. (05/19/14 18:16:45 ) [.One of Many.] V A L I A VOLSTAGG'S WOMAN |.MERCHANT OF SULPORT.| [-VELOX FLUVIUS IMPORTS-] Near or within the rock-faced building that houses the headquarters of Velox Fluvius Imports, seated just a stone's throw from the docks of Sulport. says to ALL: Stepping over that threshold was like crossing an invisible barrier into another world. The floor was now enlaid with salvaged wood, arranged in a beautiful herringbone pattern. The builder had even painstakenly arranged the wood by color so that it nearly a work of art. The natural grain and color of aged wood displayed with such prominence that as I walked across the floor, I marveled at his technique. My gaze swept up the raw wood of the walls and the open beams of the ceiling that made the room seem cathedral like and grand. Open shelving units had been built along the flanking walls, they could and would eventually house a variety of imported goods. Towards the back of the building stood a high counter, a nest of sorts, where I would likely tend most of the buisiness. Behind the counter, in the left corner stood that ornate wardrobe. It had been sanded down to reveal the natural grain and was breathtakingly goregeous. The doors had been fitted with new iron pulls that matched the other drawers and doors on the cabinetry. I gasped softly as I turned to admire what a building of nightmares had become. I turned then, walking towards a specific area of the floor, where I had known "the hole" had been. A frown did crease my lips as I had given the builder specific instructions. As I walked that small area, I felt the presence of another and my gaze lifted from its careful study of the floor to the door. The builder stood in the frame of the front door, watching me, his mouth curved into a smug grin. I was not happy and he was too happy it seemed, at the sight of my displeasure. "Is there some joke I am not privy too?" I blurted abruptly, delicate hands fell to the perch of my hips. I was not the slightest amused and it angered me more that he was...stealing my cheerful mood... without even much effort. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other impatiently and the line of slender brows rose upwards, climbing higher with every passing breath. He chuckled, the sound of his laugh was deep, the baritone echoing in the empty space of the building around me. There was the ripple of muscle, the thickness of his bicep curled with the motion of his hand waving towards the exact spot upon the floor where I stood. And I could not help but to look down. When finally he spoke, the deep timber of his voice seemed to resonate within the vastness of the space. "I believe, Lady Valia, that you are standing on....the door, if that was what you were looking for. Or was there some other issue that has escaped my attention?" His voice was rich, filled with contrite as he spoke to me. I could not keep my eyes from narrowing as my gaze lifted from the floor and too him. The anger bled away from pretty features and though the smile did not return at that moment, the animosity of my own eyes was lessened greatly. I took several steps away from that spot and him, as he came towards me. And where I had stood, he dropped down to one knee and began to press on the blondest pieces of wood that were grooved together. With the same concept as a puzzle box, I watched as the pieces moved, allowing a trap door to slowly rise when he applied pressure to the corners. He drew back the door and flung it open. His weathered features were then revealed as he looked up to me, a smart gleam shone in the darkness of his eyes. I stepped forward to look within just a cold breeze wafted up from the caverns below, it's embrace chilled me to the bone. I said nothing but gave a simple nod of approvement, motioning with my hand for him to close it. I remained where I stood, watching the precise alignment of the grooves as he locked the door in place. "You have done well, worked faster than expected. And I could not be happier with the work...Your work... I'm sorry, I was never given your name, Sir." I spoke politely, almost apologetically that he had witnessed my brief lapse into anger. He stood then, pride shining in his eyes as he looked around the interior of the building once more. "Samos...I am Samos the builder...of Sulport...of course. It was quite a project and one I can admit I did not enjoy...in the beginning." I gave a nod of understanding. How often did a woman ask a man to renovate a building and dispose of three rotting corpses....and lets not forget the lovely business of boiling the flesh from the skulls. I laughed, the same whimsical laugh that had in the beginning, left Samos uneasy in my presence. There was some dark amusement to be had then as I thought back on it. There was a long, drawn out pause as I recalled that day. When finally I did break the silence, my chosen words were lowly spoken "yes, there is that...isn't there? But I must say, once cleaned the bones were the purest shade of ivory I have ever seen." The smile that had bent upon his mouth slowly drifted into a frown as he considered my words. I walked behind the counter, my fingers drawn over the smooth bend of temwood that served as the surface. "You will find letters of credit at the bank of Sulport, I will have them drawn and ready for you by tomorrow. Unless there is something more you have to show me?" Once more he seemed eager to leave my presence so I lifted my hand to bid him farewell, a smile flashed briefly as he exited. (05/19/14 18:45:22 ) [.One of Many.] V A L I A VOLSTAGG'S WOMAN |.MERCHANT OF SULPORT.| [-VELOX FLUVIUS IMPORTS-] Near or within the rock-faced building that houses the headquarters of Velox Fluvius Imports, seated just a stone's throw from the docks of Sulport. says to ALL: As Samos left, he closed the door behind him. Once the door was closed, the interior of the building was surprisingly quiet. Eyes of pure jade gazed in open admiration of the space. The wood of the counter had been sanded smooth, polished to a high shine and left in its pure and natural form. I could hardly believe that it was....mine. I closed my eyes for a moment and inhaled deeply the scent of raw wood. After that moment of basking, I turned towards the doors of the wardrobe and pulled them open. The interior of the wardrobe was hollow and the opened doors now revealed the narrow staircase that led upstairs. I stepped within and pulled the doors closed behind me. I waited there a moment, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness. I turned then to walk the narrow stairs, my left hand posed to press along the wall for extra balance. The stairs, now did not groan as I climbed them. A silent smile drifted upon my lips....Samos. He must have reinforced the braces. The man deserved a nice bonus. Once I reached the landing of the stairs the room opened up. The light of day filtered in broken beams through the lattice work that hid the balcony from the eyes of the docks, a pattern of diamonds shadowed the floor. I crossed the floor towards the stone arches that opened up onto the balcony and peered through the openings to watch the docks. I watched the scurry of activity for a long moment before my eyes lifted to the many ships. I counted the masts, noting the colors that decorated the sails, the insignia's of those that bore them and which ships were loading cargo and which were unloading. And too I watched the crews of various ships, their style of uniform and manners. It was easy to spot those who had naval training and those that were more of the pirate variety. And the way in which they interacted, that competitive edge was sharp as a blade as one crew eyed the other. But peace was maintained on the docks, at least. Many knew better than to bring their personal wars to the docks of Sulport. As I watched, all of these things were filed away in my memory. This balcony would be well used in time to come. I turned my back to the lattice, decorating the space in my mind. These upper floors would be kept private. And perhaps for storage, but with two warehouses already secured, I doubted I'd need that much space. I would see that my personal furnishings that had arrived previously would be moved here and the space made habitable. Once more silent steps carried me back to the steps as I considered what still needed to be done. |
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7:16 PM Jul 11