"Wow! Look at this place! It looks like a five-star vacation getaway!" Wain exclaimed in amazement as he turned his entire body in wide circles taking in the full majesty of the building.
Polished.
That was the single word that best described the look and feel of the empty building. The front doors were thick and heavy revolving doors that opened-up into a majestic lobby. The marble floors and chandelier gave the lobby a "freshly unwrapped" present feel…untouched, unblemished, and polished.
"How many rooms does this building have?" Arthos asked in disbelief…this was perhaps the most elegant building he had ever been inside.
"There is a large conference room behind the lobby here on the first floor. In addition, there is a large kitchen and a supply room. The second, third, and fourth floors each hold 15 bedrooms…each with their own restrooms and baths. The fifth floor is special. It only has six master rooms…but they are a beauty. Come, let's take a look." The shopkeeper said as he climbed up the stairs with the same enthusiasm as a child showing off a precious toy.
Twin spiral staircases wrapped around the giant lobby leading into the bedrooms. The master rooms were spacious and decorated in good taste. The air felt new and was filled with the scent of fresh paint, clean linens, polished stone, and subtle wooden accents. Each room had a marble stone fireplace set into the center wall. Large windows showered the rooms with light and a sense of cleanliness and warmth.
"Wow!" The group exclaimed together as they walked through the master rooms.
"I'm not going to lie…the building is beautiful…far nicer than anything we have seen today…but there is no way we can ever afford this." Arthos said politely.
"Don't be so hasty. You haven't heard my offer yet. 10,000 Nanocoins a month. No deposit. Move in today. How does that sound?"
GASP!!!
Arthos turned to look at his party for their consent. They immediately nodded in unison.
"You got a deal…thank you! Thank you so much! I don't know what else to say…thank you!" Arthos said with excitement.
"It's settled then. Please come by the shop in a few hours…I will have the contract ready."
[…]
[THE GOLDEN PARLOR]
[3 Hours Later]
"10,000 Nanocoins…you are basically giving the building away." Pompy complained as he read over the contract…as a savvy businessman he was hoping to lease it for 120,000 coins a month with a 1.5 million deposit.
"Come now…don't be so narrowminded. We both know this…all of this…the entire city and all the land will belong to him someday soon."
"Yeah…maybe so. Do you really think he will be able to wield her? He is just a kid…and he doesn't even know who he is…who he REALLY is." Pompy said.
"You may have a point. He will need to meet HIM first. For now, all we can do is clear away the obstacles in his path."
[…]
[SCAVENGERS GUILD HALL]
[The Same Evening]
"Oh my god! I feel like I'm lying on a cloud! This pillow feels like a giant marshmallow!" Wain yelled (more like girly squealed) in excitement as he jumped on top of the bed in one of the master bedrooms…like a kid in a trampoline park.
"I love it! I love it! I love it!" Kristan screamed as she dove onto her bed. She hugged and snuggled her pillow tight. The bed felt like a cloud materialized into linens.
The group quickly called out rooms and decided who would take which room. Arthos, Wain, Kristan, and Hector all picked master bedrooms on the fifth floor. Percy went into each room, one by one, on all the floors examining the feeling of each. He stopped in a corner room on the fourth floor.
"This one….this one is mine." Percy said with satisfaction.
"This one? Really? There are two empty master rooms upstairs." Arthos pointed out.
"This one is perfect." Percy said as he made himself at home.