River of Flowers Part 1: Financial Fantasies [Solo]

[Aila]

anyone's any
was all to her

"Haaaghh..."

Aila looked down at the cup of peach, green tea before her, staring into the melancholic eyes of her reflection, and couldn't help but let out a long, drawn out sigh. Her exasperated breath pressed on the tiny, ceramic cup and created ripples in the clear green surface of the beverage. Slowly raising the pottery to her lips, she took a petit, lady-like sip. The scent of peach, or at least some fruit that tasted like it, filled her nostrils while the combined bitter yet comforting flavor of the tea rushed down her throat, healing her troubled mind. The beverage was just right, packing a perfect punch of fragrance without too much strength, allowing the natural aroma of the fruit to shine through. With every passing second, her taste buds were gently massaged. The tension in her shoulders faded and the grim sigh she released only seconds ago melted into a warm breath of relief.

"What's wrong, little lady? Drink not to your tastes?"

A burly, middle aged man slid down the counter and greeted Aila with a short wave before his hand returned to busily wiping a wet glass, probably filled with some sort of beverage only moments ago.

"Hm? Oh no, not at all. The tea is wonderful, sir."

Flustered by the sudden question and accusation, Aila turned to the man, shaking her head, gently though.

She, or they, was currently in an adventurer run cafe, nestled in the back-back streets of Londinium. It rose as an aftermath of the Industrial Revolution along with many other adventurer run establishments. Though adventurer-run, many of the workers were landers that were hired by the owner. Due to its posh interior and cheap but delicious drinks, it soon became a favorite stop for the young Druid.

The burly, middle aged man was, as one may guess, the owner and manager of the business. He served as a sort of bartender, dishing out numerous drinks with his brewer subclass. The brewer gave a hefty first impression, with an almost intimidating appearance that frightened many first time customers. However, he had a unknown way of getting to know his customers. Before you know it, you're happily chatting with the fellow as he pours you another cup of barley tea. Turns out loosening a customer's heart strings also loosens his purse. Overall all, he was a jolly good fellow that was a pleasure for both customers and even his workers. If asked why he decided to run a cafe/bar, he would throw his arms up, grin and bellow, declaring that he just wanted an excuse to buy as much alcohol as he could. Seeing the regularly full beer cabinet, Aila believed him.

---

Notes:
WC: 449


[Italics= English; Underline = German, Bold = Italian, Nothing = Japanese)

by sixsmith.

[Aila]

anyone's any
was all to her

"If it's not my drinks, what's keeping you down, miss? You don't look like your usual cheery self. Did your boyfriend dump you or something?"

The brewer, still wiping dirty glasses, leaned on the bar counter, an indication that he would stay there until he was answered.

"Sir, you know that's not why."

Aila looked up at the man and conversed as she took small sips of her tea. Her tone was light, jovial even, but held a bit more of a solemn nature than usual.

"Good. A man would be making a big mistake if he left a pretty lady such as yourself."

"Oh, stop that."

Aila was flattered by the man's compliments but couldn't help but feel awkward talking about relationship, considering her background. Nevertheless, she blushed and waved the thought away.

"So? What is bothering you, miss? Mind telling this balding bartender here?"

He grinned at her, adding in some self-deprecating humor probably to lighten the mood and make Aila talk more easily. Looking at the man taking a few lengths to hear her out, the Druid was more than happy to oblige.

"Well... I suppose you could say..." Mid-sentence, Aila pressed her lips on her cup of tea and took a quick sip, as if to lengthen the time before her answer. "... Work issues."

---

Notes:
WC: 219


[Italics= English; Underline = German, Bold = Italian, Nothing = Japanese)

by sixsmith.

[Aila]

anyone's any
was all to her

"Work issues!?" The bartender raised a brow at the unexpected answer." Why, I didn't expect that from a young girl as yourself. What's wrong, your boss not treating ya well?"



"No, the opposite. I'm unemployed." Aila admitted, sighing once again. "It saddens me to say but I haven't been able to get any work since we’ve entered this world.”


“I see…” The bartender nodded in acknowledgement. He finished wiping the glass he had in his hands, so he put it down to reach for another one. “I wouldn’t let that get you down. We’ve only been in Londinium for a short period of time. I’m sure you’ll find something soon.”


“Hopefully. Otherwise, I’ll be fighting slimes for the rest of my life.” Just thinking of the slimy mess that those monsters could cause gave Aila shivers. The first time she battled one, she returned to the city covered in green goo. The attention that her disheveled, miserable state brought her made the whole experience extremely low on her to do again list.


"I'm guessing you've already been job hunting?" The bartender continued to inquire. Whether it was out of curiosity or simply trying to give out advice, the middle aged man seemed set on talking the whole thing through with Aila. Faced with his nonchalant resolve, the young maiden couldn't help but comply.


"That's correct, sir. I've looked through all the job openings I could find, but I've had no luck being hired." Aila confessed. She'd been at the old job hunt for the past two days, but nothing good had come out of her endeavors. Every place either turned her down straight out or said they'd consider her. Even someone like her knew that the latter meant the same as the former.

"Because of my low level and even lower amount of work experience, I seem like an incapable candidate."


"Have you checked the guilds yet? They'd probably be the easiest to get into. Also, they're extremely useful for resources and contacts." The hulk suggested, with professional aura. Of course, large guilds had access to mass resources and communications that a single player wouldn't ever possibly believe they could own. Not only that, they also were more likely to recruit new members, since a single new member doesn't matter as much to them as it would to a small business. However, the idea didn't sit well with the girl.


"That's my last option. For now, I'd prefer to not be in a guild." Of course, Aila quietly mumbled, just loud enough for the brewer to hear. If there was one thing she desired at the moment, it had to be freedom. Freedom to do anything, freedom to be anything, freedom to like anything. In her past life, she had been chained by the shackles of society and the judgement that it brought. However, here it was different. She could be what she wanted, and she was definitely not letting the shackles of being in a guild stop her. Usually, large guilds had guild guidelines that restricted what members did. This was especially true for specific combat or merchant guilds that had quotas for their members to fulfill. "I'm not too fond of being in large organizations. Just not really my cup of tea."


Speaking of cup of tea, Aila gulped down the remnants of hers in a swift large gulp, which prompted the bartender to reach for the pitcher again.

---

Notes:
WC: 571


[Italics= English; Underline = German, Bold = Italian, Nothing = Japanese)

by sixsmith.

[Aila]

anyone's any
was all to her

"Alright. If you're not into regulations, how about joining a smaller guild. They're more personal and would probably be more flexible as well." He held out the pitcher with a silent offer.


"Unfortunately, I doubt that they'd be willing to allow me to join." Aila responded, raising her cup in acceptance. "As you said, smaller guilds are more personal. This probably means they're comprised of closer friends, something that would be hard for a new member to interrupt in. For example, would you allow a random stranger into your group of best friends. It's not a probable circumstance.”


"Hmmm.... You've got your work cut out for you, haven't you." The man could only nod in acknowledgement as he tipped the pitcher and deposited more green liquid into the pottery. "I suppose that's the problem with looking for work."


"Yes, it truly is a nightmare." Aila nodded in agreement, elegantly taking a sip from her tea- “Ah! Hot hot hot…” She quickly retracted her body from the cup in a moment of panicked pain and surprised shock. Instinctively, she slightly stuck out her burnt tongue, only to retract it immediately after remembering her manners. While she was distracted by her painful moment, the bartender, not noticing her situation, stared out the shop windows with eyes filled with contemplation.


“Well… if you can’t find a job, why don’t you just start your own business…” He muttered nonchalantly. Only an instant later, a straggling client entered through the shop door, alerting the pondering shopkeeper. “Oh! Welcome! Can I get you something to drink, sir? … Oi, sir, don’t you think it’s a little too early to be drinking? But who am I to talk, I’m already on my third beer of the day. Hahaha.”


The bartender greeted the new customer with open arms and a big laugh. Seconds later, he was already pouring the poor fellow a cup of expensive brew and slapping the guy on the back, timed to hit with each echo of his bellow.


However, the bartender’s comment hadn’t fallen on deaf ears. Recovering from the damage that the tea dealt to her, Aila began turning the idea in her head.


“Start my own business huh…”

---

Notes:
WC: 366


[Italics= English; Underline = German, Bold = Italian, Nothing = Japanese)

by sixsmith.