Alburet let out a silent sigh before he put on a professional smile. “The guild hall is the door behind you, but no one is there at the moment.”
“A pity, but if they can’t have clear signs showing which door is theirs you are going to have a busy day I think. Do you know if anyone will be in today?”
“I believe the guild leader mentioned being busy today, but I’m sure he will be back tomorrow,” Alburet hoped she would leave soon.
The woman let out a disappointed tsk, “How upsetting. Ah well, a guild run by two-souled, it was bound to be this way.” She turned to leave just as another person stepped into the archway to look at both doors.
Alburet spoke up quickly, “They aren’t in today.”
The newcomer nodded then followed after the woman. Alburet quickly shut the door, turning to Stacia. “I am sorry Kitten, but it looks like today is going to be busy. I need to get two signs made up and fast, as well as finding someone to play receptionist. Can you dress up and go next door, leave the door open and deal with this until I get back? I promise to make it up to you.”
Stacia frowned as he started speaking. When he finished she locked eyes with him. “Anything I be wantin’?”
Alburet nodded after a moment, hoping she wouldn’t take it too far, “It will be the least I can do to make it up to you.”
Stacia beamed at him before she sprinted for the bedroom. She came back out a moment later in her fancy dress. “See ya soon then, master,” she gave him a kiss in passing as she left the house, shutting the door behind her.
“I will be paying for this later,” Alburet sighed once, shaking his head ruefully.
He got his gear together and headed out himself, his first stop was going to be the sign shop. He arrived a few minutes later, having jogged all the way there. Stepping into the shop, he found the owner behind the counter. Smith grinned as Alburet approached.
“Here for a private residence sign and one stating your guild name or emblem to hang on the respective doors?” Smith asked.
Alburet gave a chagrined nod, “Yes. It seems I didn’t fully understand what was to come.”
Laughing, Smith put the two signs on the counter, “Thought you might be coming by for them. One gold for both, if you don’t mind.”
Alburet looked over the signs. The one for the guild house displayed the emblem along with the words ‘Alpha Company Guild House’. He put two gold on the counter, “Next time I would appreciate it if you would give me a hint ahead of time.”
Grinning, Smith shook his head, “It isn’t often I get to see something like this. But you’ve been decent about it, taken the joke in stride, so next time I will.”
Alburet took the two signs and headed back out. Once he was on the street he stopped to think. Where could he even find a quality receptionist that would work for him? He chewed his lip as he considered seeing if one of Stacia’s sisters wanted the job. As he started for the inn he smiled and changed course as another possibility occurred to him. It took a while, even at a jog but he soon found himself outside the portal guild.
He entered the building. Kim was sitting behind the desk, obviously bored. He walked up to the desk with a huge smile on his face. “Kim, just the person I wanted to see.”
Kim looked up and gave him a smile in return, “What can I do for you, Alburet?”
“Actually, it’s horrible form for me to do this, but needs must. Do you have a minute to spare off the clock, like on a break?” Alburet asked.
Kim raised a brow at him for a moment. She pushed a button on the desk and Rolland came down the stairs a minute later. Rolland nodded to Alburet, before he turned to Kim, “What’s up?”
“I need a five-minute break,” Kim replied. She led Rolland’s eyes to Alburet, who stood there with a fixed grin on his face.
Rolland raised a brow at Alburet then nodded, taking Kim’s chair, “Five minutes.”
Kim led Alburet off to the side away from the desk and waiting area, “So what is it?”
“Alpha Company, my guild, finds itself in need of an experienced receptionist as of a couple of hours ago. I am praying you’d be interested in taking the job.” Alburet quickly blurted out, “We can pay you well for your work.”
Kim blinked, obviously not expecting what he’d said, “Wait, you’re offering me a job working for your guild?”
“Yes,” Alburet replied bluntly.
Kim shook her head, “You can’t mean that. I make close to fifty gold a year working here.”
“A hundred gold a year,” Alburet said bluntly and dug a hundred gold out of his coin purse. “Paid in advance, as I need you now.”
Pursing her lips, Kim licked them then looked back at Rolland, “Give me a moment.”
Alburet stayed where he was as Kim went back to talk to Rolland. He looked over at Alburet then back to Kim. He nodded, frowned as she talked, then nodded again. He got up and walked over to Alburet.
“You are trying to hire Kim?” Rolland asked.
“I need a receptionist who can handle difficult people. Kim is the best I’ve seen in the city, so yes, I am.”
Rolland laughed, “I know you can afford the hundred gold a year as an adventurer. She has been upset with the guild since they introduced accounts. That ate into the tips we used to get and took away most of her fun talking to people. What hours will she be keeping and will you back her in a dispute?”
“Daylight hours,” Alburet replied. “If need be we can see about hiring a second receptionist if I can find one. I will back her over anyone who comes in, I will even let her sign on with the guild if she wants.”
“Don’t have any need for a portal mage, do you?” Rolland asked with a grin.
“I don’t think we’re large enough for something like that right now, but if we get there I’ll look you up first.”
“Be right back,” Rolland said, and headed back to Kim.
The pair talked for a minute before Rolland took her seat. Kim came over with a big smile, “So I can join your guild?”
Tapping his interface until a scroll appeared in his hand, Alburet held it out, “Just take that to city hall. You ready to go?”
“I believe you said I would be paid in advance?” Kim replied.
Alburet handed over the hundred gold, “Done.”
Kim nodded, “I’ll be over to your guild house in a few minutes then. Just want to go drop this off at city hall first.”
He agreed with her and asked a question, “Would you be amenable to training an assistant?”
“Sure, they made me do that here,” Kim replied as they headed for the door.
“One more question, what was with Rolland asking questions about you hiring on with us?”
Kim paused on the street, “He’s my husband, so of course he wanted to make sure it wasn’t a scam of some kind.”
“Makes sense. See you soon. Let me invite you to a party so you can find the place easier when you’re done.” He sent her the invite then waved goodbye before he jogged off to the Dead Man Inn.
He made it there in a few minutes and went inside. The place was empty except for Alistern behind the bar. “Alistern, good to see you,” Alburet greeted him. “Question, which daughter of yours is the best at dealing with people and money?”
The cloth he was using to polish a mug stopped as Alistern looked at Alburet. “What be ya thinkin’?” The words were calm but clipped.
Rubbing his chin for a moment Alburet explained. “I want to hire one of them as a receptionist. She will be training under an experienced professional. She’ll be working the first few weeks the same hours as her trainer, until we can see if we need to adjust the hours. I can offer thirty gold a year in pay, with the chance at a raise if she does well.”
Alistern put down the mug, shaking his head as he snorted. “Ya keep doin’ this kind of thin’. Ya thinkin’ of tryin’ to get all me daughters?”
Facepalming, Alburet sighed, “No. I truly am asking if one of them would like to make good money and learn a trade is all.”