Taylor pulled out the crinkled list on he waistcoat pocket.
He scanned the entry one last time.
"Mhmm… should be easy enough."
He said.
After several minutes of walking he had arrived at his destination.
It was a bar… The Velvet anchor.
…A famous one at that.
*I wonder why?*
He thought.
Taylor opened the door.
The air there was thick with the rich scent of polished mahogany and expensive tobacco.
A refined boisterous crowed of merchants and civilians filled the room, laughing loudly and clinking there elegant crtystal glasses together.
Taylor kept his head down.
Weaving through the crowded tables.
He made his way directly toward a long marble counter at the back.
Before he could even reach a stool.
A woman called him.
"Sorry, kids aren't allowed here."
She said.
Her expression softening for just a fraction into a polite, professional frown.
"Are you perhaps… looking for your parents?"
The woman was stunningly mature.
With long cascading silver hair.
She carried herself more like a duchess than a typical Tarven employee.
-Tak!
She staped closer,
-Tak!
She kneeled down.
Looking at him with her emerald green eyes.
Taylor shook his head firmly.
Preparing to explain his errand.
But before he could utter a word.
A smooth melodic voice cut through, from behind her.
"Come now, Gloria this young man is a guest of ours."
He tilted his head looking at him with an amused glint.
"Did Lennie send you here?
He looked up at him, maintaining his serious composure.
Then he nodded.
"Yes, she did."
Reaching into his pocket he took out the list.
Then proceeded to hand it to the black haired man.
The man snapped parchment open.
Running his eyes over Lennie's messy handwriting.
With a knowing chuckle.
"Ah, the expensive glasses. Don't worry kid—we'll have those customised and ready for you in just a moment."
The sliver-haired woman.
Gloria gave a crisp nod to the black haired man.
Before turning smoothly her heel to the back room.
With her gone a brief silence settled over.
The man leaned his chin on his palm.
His dark eyes scanning his clothes.
With a hint of curiosity and amusement.
"So, you're the little helper Lennie took in, huh?"
"Yes, I am my name is Taylor."
He answered politely.
"What a lovely name."
"You may call me, Caster.
Just like that the conversation died off instantly.
Taylor could only smile a fake smile.
Almost faker than the man's even.
After seven excruciating minutes of dead silence,
Gloria had returned, carrying a securely strapped,wooden crate.
She walked over and placed it on the polished counter.
-Click!
-Click!
The costumised glassware inside was clicking softly.
She then turned and lowered her head respectfully towards the man.
Taylor was able to decern that the man.
Despite having a playful demeanour, clearly held a higher position of high authority despite only looking to be in his late twenties.
The man casually raised his hand.
Giving her a silent dismissal.
Gloria bowed slightly once more.
Before stepping back to resume her work managing the busy floor.
The man tapped the top of the box.
Shifting his gaze down to him.
"Are you going to carry it… or?"
He leaned on the counter sliding his small arms underneath the heavy wooden crate.
"Oof."
It was undeniably heavy for his undeveloped frame, but at the same time, it was entirely manageable.
Bracing the weight against his chest.
Careful not to crush the slime hidden on his waist coat.
He turned and marched toward the exit.
Taylor wanted to give a polite wave, but his hands were full.
So he firmly nodded his head instead.
The man gave a wave as well.
Gloria walked ahead of him,
Elegantly, holding a heavy oak door.
-Clank!
The door shout behind him.
Cutting off the warmth and laughter of the bar.
***
Reaching the entrance.
He carefully set the heavy box down.
On the wooden steps for a moment to catch his breath.
His arms were trembling from the strain.
"Haaa…"
Taking a deep breath.
He opened it.
He adjusted his grip.
Then he lifted it and entered before it closed.
-Clank!
The tarven was even beasier than usual.
Lennie was in the absolute thick of it.
Moving between tables like a whirlwind.
Balancing a massive tray of food.
Seeing Taylor standing there dazed with the box.
Her costumer service smile faltered for a fraction of a second.
Replaced by a wave of relief.
She quickly set her tray down at the table and made a bee line toward him.
"Finally you're back!"
She said, her voice dropping, into it's final blunt tone.
"I was just about to go looking for you, what took you so long?"
"I ran into a few… unexpected complications."
He replied tiredly.
Rubbing his sore arms.
"We'll younmade it and that's what matters."
Lennie said carrying the box behind the bar with ease.
"Go take a seat in the back kitchen and rest. I've just warmed up your lunch for you. You've earned it today."
The day continued its hepatic pace.
But eventually the sun fell more and more.
One by one costumers began to flock out of the front doors one by one.
"Thanks come again!"
Lennie shouted towards the last few departing patrons.
"Whew!"
She groaned, stretching her arms high above the air.
Until her shoulders popped.
"What an absolutely long day."
Lennie walked over.
Leaning against the wall and looking down at him with a trance of sympathy.
"You must be exhausted. You can go ahead hit the bath. I'll handle the rest."
"I will in doe time. But first I'll help clean up."
Lennie was visibly taken aback.
Her eyes widened slightly.
As she wondered how on earth she had managed to find such a disciplined, reliable little helper.
A soft smile spread across her face.
"Aren't you a sweat one?"
***
A/N:
[Character illustration.]