Heading over to the central desk, Alburet greeted the clerk facing him. “Greetings, sir. We are looking to register a guild.”
The man sighed, “Just before closing time, too. It costs one hundred gold to register a guild, along with assigning a name and crest. Can you afford the fee and do you have a name and crest ready?”
Alburet sighed, “The coin and name yes. Let me confer with my friends to see if we have an emblem for the crest.” He turned to the women with a raised brow, “Any of you got something in mind?”
Fluffball nodded, “I can make one while you deal with the paperwork.”
“Way to go, Fluff,” Alburet grinned. Turning back to the clerk he smiled, “We have everything ready.”
The clerk pointed to a desk in the back right corner of the hall. “That desk will help you, and have a pleasant night.”
The group thanked the clerk before heading for the desk indicated. Behind the desk, they found a portly bald man signing paperwork. As he seemed engrossed with his job Alburet gave a polite cough. “Excuse us sir, we are here to register our guild.”
The man sighed, looking up, “Do you have...”
Alburet interrupted, “We have the coin, name and if you give us the paperwork we can get the emblem drawn quickly as well.”
“Well then,” the portly man mumbled. “That would be a first for today.” He picked up a stack of paperwork, placing it before Alburet. “One hundred gold, please,” he asked with a professional smile.
Dropping the gold on the desk, Alburet picked up the paperwork, “Where can I fill this out?”
“The side boards have pens,” the man pointed before picking up the gold. “Bring it back as quickly as you can, please.”
The group wandered over to the side of the room to find a long counter with pens on it. Alburet handed off the emblem paperwork to Fluff as he quickly filled out the rest of it. Ten minutes later he was done and Fluff had the emblem finished.
“Here you go, Al,” Fluffball said, handing over the art.
It showed a stylized A and C interlocked with each other with flames coming off the top while shadows pooled around the base. “Wow,” he said, showing the others. “That is awesome, Fluff.”
Fluff blushed, looking away, “It's nothing big.”
“No, he’s right. That is great work, more so for only ten minutes of work, Fluffball,” Karen enthused and gave the Lunari a hug. “I’m going to have to ask you to design my next tattoo for me now.”
Fluff went still when she got hugged but a smile crept over her face as Karen spoke. “Okay,” the single word was soft but filled with happiness.
“Well, we have it, so let's go see the clerk again,” Alburet said, leading them back to the desk. Once there he smiled as the portly man looked up, “Here you go, sir.”
The man leafed through the paperwork, a smile growing on his face, “Very well done. First time today someone actually did what they were supposed to, on the first try.” He placed the paperwork onto a stack of others before handing Alburet a large bronze disk. “Take that to the information desk and you are ready to go.”
Thanking him, the group went back to the main desk. “We are back, sir,” Alburet said placing the bronze disk on the desk.
“Very well,” the clerk said. “How many are in your guild currently?”
“Us four,” Alburet replied.
The clerk pulled out four stones, setting them on the desk. “These are Guildstones. They work a lot like Mindstones. Once you pick one up it will ask you to bind to it. Your paperwork should be processed in an hour, at which point they will begin to work. If you want to add anyone else to your guild, just give them a letter and send them to us.”
They each picked one up, agreeing to Soul Bind it to them. “Many thanks sir, I hope the rest of your night is pleasant.” The women echoed Alburet as they turned and left the building.
“So how does the crest thing work?” Karen asked. “Is it going to appear with our names or something?”
Alburet shrugged, as did Stacia. Fluff spoke up a moment later. “Once the guild is formed you will be given the option to have the crest appear on the left breast of whatever clothing or armor you have equipped. You can turn it off or on via the options menu.”
Alburet opened up his menu, finding the toggle switched on by default and left it there. “Well then ladies, shall we go celebrate our new guild?”
Karen whooped, “Party. Where do we want to go?”
Alburet chuckled, “I know a place that Fluff showed me a bit ago. It isn't so much a party place but I loved the atmosphere.”
Fluff went crimson, her eyes wide as she tried to protest, but no words came from her mouth. Karen upon seeing Fluff like that chuckled, “That sounds perfect. Let's do that.” Karen linked her arm in Fluff's, “I shall escort her, if you escort Stacia.”
Alburet nodded, taking Stacia's arm, “Let us away then, to celebrate.”
Fluff was still stammering and red as she let herself be towed along by Karen. “But... but...”
Karen stroked Fluff's arm where it came through hers. “Shh, it will be fine. I won't let anything happen to you, Fluffball. Can I call you Fluff by the way?”
Fluff seemed in a state of mild confusion as she nodded, grooming her ear with her free hand, “Okay.”
A few minutes later they arrived at Heaven Maid. Alburet opened the door for the women before following them in. The women all paused just inside, being greeted by two maids and three butlers.
Alburet grinned and signaled the elven butler, “If you can take care us while we are here?”
The butler replied easily as he stood up from his bow, his words like silk as he spoke. “It would be my great honor, Master. Welcome home Mistresses and Master. If you will follow me, please.”
Alburet motioned the women to follow as he brought up the rear. Once they were seated, the butler left them with menus. As he looked over the menu he noticed Karen staring at him with a raised brow, “Yes?”
“Seriously, an anime cafe? How is this even here?” Karen asked, her voice filled with incredulity.
Alburet chuckled, “I like it myself. I always had a good laugh with maid cafes in anime.”
“I like it as well, master, though it be odd being called mistress.” Stacia said as she snuggled up to his side in the booth. “What do ya think I should get?”
Fluff spoke slowly, her words soft, “You don't like it, Karen?”
Shaking her head Karen replied, “No, no, it’s fine actually. I’m just thrown for a loop. I mean, who would have thought this would be here? As soon as news of this hits the web this place is going to get swamped by anime lovers I’m sure, am I right?”
A small smile crept onto Alburet's face as he studied the menu. He was sure Karen was right. “I had a crepe last time. I'm thinking I’ll go for the omelet this time.”
“I am going to get a chocolate crepe,” Stacia supplied.
“Just like Alburet did,” Fluff mumbled, glancing at the duo across from her and Karen.
“Oh, he got a crepe eh?” Karen smirked at Alburet. “Did he happen to get some on his cheek?”
Fluff went crimson as she looked away, “Not really.” She quickly groomer her ear.
Karen glanced at her and giggled, “Oh, you did eh?”
Fluff turned her face away as the blush spread down her neck. Fluffball didn't answer and Alburet caught Karen's eye and shook his head slightly. Karen sighed slightly and gently touched Fluff's shoulder. “Hey, Fluff. I'm sorry, okay? Sometimes I get a little carried away with my jokes.”
Fluff looked over at Karen. Seeing the honesty, she nodded. “I forgive you. I'm just not used to people and sometimes it is hard.”
Karen smiled gently and put her arm around Fluff, “I understand. When I was younger, I was awkward and nervous around people. It can get better. I do like you and want to be able to keep calling you a friend, okay?”