The small, independently refurbished cottage—or the workshop's roof, intermittently dripped with water.
It had enough room to accommodate 2 people, be it barely. It wasn't a lively place, but it was home for the man who worked on his merchandise.
But currently, he was focused on putting a halt to the leak that had robbed him of a peaceful night's sleep. With a hammer and nails in his hand, he climbed up the ladder to the roof where he had previously placed the self-crafted wooden shingles. The ladder's position was on top of a pool of mud, which made it more unstable, but it was the only way to reach the roof accurately.
He hammered the boards with caution, ensuring not to damage the roof. As he hammered further, a person approached him from behind.
"Ruben! What are you doing up there? Could you get down here for a second? I need to speak with you."
It was Alkeid who had approached him.
"Could ya wait? Someone's gotta fix this old beauty up, don't ya think mate?"
"Still as intimate as ever with that old shack, aren't you? And where's Daphne? Haven't seen her in a while". Alkeid responded with playfulness.
"Welp, someone's gotta take care of it, and I'd rather it be me than some random cradlehead, poor Daph was gonna take care of it ya' know but family problems, aye."
Finishing up, Ruben had intended to head down slowly, but he took a rather inauspicious turn after hearing Alekid's words.
"Oh, and I got a new recruit; they will be coming here in a short while."
"YA WHAT?!" As soon as the words exited Alkeid's mouth, Ruben made a spontaneous, almost instinctive spin to face Alkeid. He would not be fond of such a joke.
But apparently, he was very fond of being plunged to the ground halfway down the ladder and landing on his face straight into the mud, he even felt some clods of mud enter his mouth.
"Oh, that had to have hurt."
"AND WHOSE FAULT DO YOU THINK THAT WAS? AND DON'T YA JUST STAND THERE!" His lash out was quite understandably reasonable.
Back in the workshop, Ruben settled down on the couch after wiping the mud off his torso. The workshop or 'Fab Woodsy' as Ruben called it was a small shack that had been transformed into a cozy living quarter.
Half of it was dedicated to the cloth that was distributed and bought by Ruben, one of the corners had a couch and alongside it a small table with a radio placed on it. The couch was old and grimy hinting at its long years of service towards him. A single lightbulb illuminated the entire shack.
Alkeid never understood the workshop's appeal that made it appear so captivating to Ruben. To him all it was, was a claustrophobic crib that stood for longer than the combined existence of Ruben and Alkeid.
He wondered how something so unappealing was treated as if it national treasure by this rigid plutomaniac.
It was certainly not the most spacious, but it provided Ruben the tranquility for him to call it a home. It has his home, his home that had been the catalyst for his memories.
His family that had raised him here. His father that had spent his time tirelessly toiling away the days in the workshop and eventually had provided him with the fruit of his labors before passing on. He found it endearing and reassuring and would continue to do so.
Ruben finally sat upright and asked Alkeid for further clarification on his unforeseen statement.
"Yes, I found someone who could be of great help to us. I'm sure they would approach us at any moment."
"Oi, what do ya mean approach us at any moment? Do ya think I got the money to have another person let alone a random newbie working here? Have ya lost all sense of self there or somethin?"
"Listen, both of us are well aware you needed more people to assist you and it's about time for it."
"Are ya insane? Weren't ya arse and handling all the other things correctly? Besides missy has been working quite well if ya ask me, why the sudden need huh?" Ruben clicked his tongue as he closed the distance between them without a second to waste, glaring slightly downwards into Alkeid's resolute and unwavering eyes.
"Listen, I had been handling it for as long as I could, but it was about time someone else took up the work. It would be better for both you and Daphne." Alkeid calmly declared with a smile.
Ruben's mind was a haze, he could not read the intention behind Alkeid's actions. He could only glare at him, his eyes filled a silent remorse. Did he do something wrong again?
"Cmon Reid, is this a joke to ya? What are ya tryna do man? Why aren't ya telling me?"
"Oh, it's really nothing to be this concerned over. It'll cost more but I assure you it'll be better."
"Reid listen to me mate, that didn't answer my question, did it? Why the hel' are ya being so secretive? Is it about that damn cretin from outside of town?"
"No, and as I said Ruben, it is just a personal choice I sought fit, so please don't think this deep into it."
Ruben grabbed him by the shoulder and persisted on an answer; his tone was emphatic and hefty.
"I feel as if ya are getting more distant each day mate, yesterday ya didn't answer me when I asked about that accursed dam site for god's sake! What is happenin to ya? You've been spending too much time than necessary outside of the damn town too! I wanna hear ya out man, I can help ya."
Alkeid felt the wistful glare with which Ruben demanded an answer, until Alkeid finally decided to move. He stepped forward as he grabbed Ruben by the collar.
"Listen to me Ruben there is nothing wrong going on. Stop assuming as if I'm suddenly growing distant. You don't know anything."
Ruben was flabbergasted but he replied, his tone filled with skepticism, "Then tell me damnit! Why does everyone gotta hide things from me? Tell me about the new recruits at least dammit! Ever since that new Mayor got into time ya arse has been actin different!"
Alkeid looked at Ruben as his emotions shifted to one of regret and indecisiveness.
"-That is nothing...of concern. I just wanted to hel-"
The heated confrontation came to an abrupt stall as a knock could be heard on the door.
"Hey, is anyone there! We were told about a job offering! Though I would really wish it were anything but hard labor!" A sharp voice seemingly piercing through the walls, reached their ears.
Alkeid retreated, then reached for the door.
Opening it, he was met with a young man that had a comically unnerving large smile on his face, he noticed his unkempt brown hair that clashed with his sharp features. He was the type of forgettable young man you'd meet at a marketplace than forget about, except his eyes, they were strangely scary to peer into.
Following him was a young woman, with black hair and her face held the expression of mild frustration, but she buried it well. She was the same woman he'd met at the bazaar, and he was quick to recognize her.
"Well, this is quite a surprise. I never expected you to bring a friend." Alkeid wore a pleasant smile as he looked at Caia then to Ethan, his smile unwavering.
Ethan returned a forceful smile as he peered back at Alkeid, similar to an unsuspecting worker that regards their superior with pseudo admiration, but 2 days under his wing that reverence shatters without a trace of regret.
Oddly enough, he was turned off by his overly calm demeanor, not to mention his attractive face just rubbed him the wrong way.
Setting Alkeid aside, he curiously turned to the side and noticed the muscular man behind him. He had a rigid and astounded expression on his face.
"Wait, don't tell me we are about to get robbed." Ethan's uncaring tone contrasted with the urgency of his words. Caia turned her face in embarrassment as she hit Ethan's stomach with her elbow.
"Good evening, sorry to disturb you but, I was given a job offering, uhh Alkeid right?I know it seems a bit abrupt, but would it be possible for you to accept 2 people?"
"We would be really grateful if you did you know! You don't know how much time it took getting here amidst the heat. Half the damn townsfolk weren't even answering us when we asked them about this place."
"Oh, is that so? That is unusual as they are often pretty amiable."
"I don't know about that, they really weren't responding to me you know? They wer-"
"Ethan, you were yelling at them demanding for an answer. Just.... step aside"
Caia took the lead as she faced Alkeid who was now joined closely by Ruben. The air reeked of wet mud and rusted iron. They were seated as Alkeid informed them about the work they would be doing. Both of them listen their capabilities and hovering over them, Ruben watched from the corner occasionally clarifying details. His eyes constantly monitored the both of them as to remind them of his presence.
He had a spare apartment a small walk from here and that would serve as their home for the time being.
Ethan was intrigued not by the constant gawks that he received, but by the singular jagged scar that ran across from his jaw to the base of his neck. The rough mark served as a testament to his menacing features, he thought.
"Alright so, after all the specifics regarding the handling of the textiles along with the procuring procedures and inventory management. All that is left is...loading duties, manual stock rotation and warehouse upkeep."
Ethan's glum expression could not get worse as he internally regretted his life choices. Manual labor it is, I suppose.
He turned sideways only to be met with a Caia holding back her laughter which only infuriated him further. Would they really employ him just as a laborer? Did they really not see any other value in him?
He thought to himself. What could he do in such a predicament? Should he voice it up? It seemed natural to him to bring this subject up as he would be working and acquainted with them for a while, or so he believed.
"Hey, why did I get such a crappy position? It seems I've been backed into a pretty terrible corner don't you think? I mean she got a much more preferable tasks and I'm here supposed to be lifting up boxes and keep checks of warehouses?"
Caia's eyes lit with up baffled outrage at Ethan's retaliation. Surely, he wasn't clueless to the point where he'd raise his voice against the ones who had generously provided him with work. What was he thinking?
"ETHAN!" Caia's failed attempt at a whisper was neglected as all of them had their eyes on Ethan.
"Would ya listen here mat'e, who do you think ya are asking for s-"
Alkeid gave a soft laugh, "I believed you would bring that up. Well for the time being I hope you would adjust to it. Don't worry though, I would be bringing some changes."
After Alkeid's words, the room fell silent. Both Ethan and Alkeid felt a stare lingering on them, for Ethan it was of the woman sitting on the couch, bewildered by his callous actions and for Alkeid, it was the rigid man who was now questioning the authenticity of his words.
Feigning ignorance for the time being, Ethan stood up and thanked Alkeid for his consideration. He agreed to be guided to the living quarters and would discuss further details the following day.