User:Arrow Quivershaft/Meeting the Clients

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It was about a week later, setting the date to be July 17th, 2020. I was sitting on Dawn’s couch snuggled up with her, watching some television. It wasn’t really very GOOD television, but it was a good excuse to spend time with Dawn. I think we were probably paying more attention to each other than we were to the show, anyways.

I was wearing a polo and slacks and carrying my cell; I was on reserve right now so I could be called in anytime, so it was best I looked presentable. Which was a good thing, given it wasn’t even an hour after I got over there that the phone rang. I pulled it out with my free arm and checked the number. Administrative Operations, read the caller ID. Great, a job. Not that I dislike my work, just... it was a bad time. Guess that’s how it always works.

“Excuse me, Dawn. Work.” I put the TV on pause as Dawn snugged me with her wing a bit tighter. She kept quiet, though. “Hello, Nathan Renfrew.”

“Nate, it’s Adminops. Up for a job in two days? Corinth run, weeklong babysit.” It was a voice I didn’t recognize. That’s not surprising; adminops shuffles lots of employees and temps in and out, especially for the phones.

“That doesn’t sound too bad. Nothing better to do; any more details before I sign on?”

There was a long pause on the other end of the line. “It’s... a little different. Standard procedure; come on down to the admin building and you’ll get briefed and meet the client.”

“Sure thing, how soon do you need me? Now?” My suspicion was raised slightly. A little different, how?

“Client's asking to meet her guide, buddy, you know the drill. Are you available, or you wanna put it off to tomorrow?"

I sighed. So much for an afternoon with Dawn. "I can be there in 10 minutes. See you then."

I waited for them to hang up, and put my phone back once they did. I didn’t wanna get a rep for putting things off while I was trying to break into the big leagues, so unfortunately that meant less time with Dawn today.

Dawn looked over. “Go ahead.”

"Corinth run. One week. Leaves in two days, I agreed." I paused. “Sorry.”

Dawn shrugged a bit. “Go on then. Maybe see if they don't mind a tagalong."

"Ok. I'll try and make it back here later today, but you know how that sometimes turns out. I'll check about the tagalong." I smiled weakly, and let myself out.

It was a quick jog to the Operations building from the flat, so I made good time. After a year in realm, I’m probably in the upper quartile of human fitness, and definitely can keep a good pace at most aerobic activities. I slowed down as I approached the building to prevent being out of breath, and headed in. I got waved into one of the offices by a secretary who was on his phone, and headed inside.

When I entered, the ops coordinator was at his usual desk...along with a short fox anthro sitting in a chair nearby. Hey...wasn’t that...? No, it couldn’t be, could it? I shook my head and nodded to her as she waved a bit shyly, and looked to the admin. “Afternoon, sir. Where’s my client?”

“She’s right there, Nate. Blossom, Nathan. Nathan, Blossom.”

I looked over and walked over, offering her a hand. I hope she hadn’t caught my gaffe there. “Nathan Renfrew. Pleased to meet you; you’ll be my client?”

The fox giggled a bit as she shook my hand. “Yes...just call me Blossom, and yes we’ll be working together.

It wasn’t the worst name I’d ever heard, but my shock was probably apparent on my face. I quickly tried to mask it. “Alright then, Blossom; will this be your first time realmwalking?”

Blossom nodded. "Yesss... is it dangerous?"

Oh god. She was green. Or worse, one of those romantics who ignored the danger. Green would be better, though... still a weeklong trip to with a greenie? This would be fun. “Moderately, yes. Very exciting, though...my job will be to keep you out of danger.”

“That’s very nice of you," Blossom said as she stood. "I will try not to get in your way."

I smiled, trying to mask my worry. She was NAIVE. "Sure. You want to have lunch, or take a tour of our facilities?"

"Sounds like fun." Blossom nodded.

"Ok, then. How about a tour, and then supper?"

Blossom paused. "Do you mind if i pick up a friend first?"

"No, not at all." Probably sent a party member to get rooms or such. "I can wait here, or we can go get him together."

“Well, you'll be working with him too, so we might as well go together." She smiled at me. She was cute, I won’t argue that. The thing is that cute doesn’t get you too far in the realms.

"Ok. How many people are in your group?" Standard boilerplate. I nodded thanks to the ops coordinator as we left his office.

She turned and started heading outside. "Just me and Alex.”

"Will it be his first time as well?" As we got outside, she turned and headed towards the train station.

She nodded at the question. "Yes.”

“Alright. I'll wait on the questions until we catch up with him.

Blossom smiled again. "Alright."

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We arrived at the train station a bit later, and Blossom headed over towards a guy who was about my height, blond hair, blue eyes. He was looking around lazily, like he was a bit bored...probably been there awhile. I followed Blossom, figuring she knew who she was looking for.

As she approached him, she called out his name. “Alex, find anything?"

Alex nodded to Blossom. "Yeah, I'll show you later."

Blossom motioned to me. "This is Nathan; he's going to show us around and guide us to Luna."

"Nathan Renfrew. I'll be your realm guide." I offered Alex my hand. Luna? That’s the Roman term for Selene; it’s seldom used except by romantics, but she was green enough that I guess it fit.

Alex took my hand and shook with a firm grip. "Alex, pleased to meet you."

I smiled at him. He seemed a bit more sensible. "Same. I heard this'll be your first time in the Realms?"

Alex nodded. "More or less."

OK. Both new, but still, guy seemed to have a better head. "Just looking for a brief vacation then, given your destination?"

Alex glanced to Blossom, like he was expecting her to answer... which she did. "”We’re just looking to see Luna about something."

Ok, still a babysit run. "Sure, sure. I understand."

I looked back to Alex. "As I was telling Blossom, I can take you on a tour of the facilities, and then we can have dinner."

Alex nodded. "That sounds like a plan."

Blossom took Alex’s hand. "Let’s go, then."

I started off, leading them. "If you have any questions, feel free to ask at any time."

Blossom nodded "Alright.” She definitely was rubbernecking already, so I figured I’d have a lot of questions to answer.

I wasn’t disappointed. Blossom was absolutely FULL of questions about things, keeping me talking all the way to our first stop, which was the general supply store.

"This is where we keep most of our more basic gear. Tents, ropes, light sources, oil, other things. It's all available here, if you didn't bring it yourself." Yeah, I was pitching. I’m half expected to do so. I made sure to pay extra attention to Blossom and accommodating for her short stature, which was... easier to do these days, admittedly. She seemed a bit put off by the attention for some reason, so I tried to stop after a while.

Alex eyed a few of the tents. “Hmm. Mever been camping with a tent before ..." Wonderful.

Blossom one-upped him. "I've never been camping." I suddenly got a bad feeling about this whole run.

"Slept on Chuck's back a couple of times. That was interesting." Alex said to Blossom. Maybe Chuck was a centaur they knew or something. They exchanged some other banter I didn’t understand. Maybe some inside jokes. I didn’t inquire further.

Blossom turned back to me. “So, have you been to all the realms?"

I shook my head. "No, I've only worked in the Greek realm so far."

"So it will be your first time in Selene’s realm?"

"No, I've been there a few other times. It's a popular destination."

"Oh, really?" She seemed curious.

I nodded. "Popular getaway spot, yep."

"I could see why," she smiled.

Alex piped up. "Ah, that's good, we weren't looking for any excitement."

"Well, that'll be on the trip there,” I explained. I try not to keep any secrets from my customers.

Alex looked at me curiously. "Hmm?'

"It's more dangerous getting to Selene's realm than it is actually being there."

Blossom spoke up. “But you know how to get there safely, right?"

I smiled slightly. Shouldn’t be too hard. "That's my job."

“Good, I don’t want anyone hurt." Blossom stated.

Alex nodded, and eyed my mark. I glanced back at him, but I didn’t bring it up if he didn’t.

I took them next show them the weapons and armor areas. I had them wait briefly while I checked in on the status of my Heltan, making sure it could be ready in a few days for me. The armorsmith assured me it’d be ready and so I went back to my clients.

Blossom asked before I even got back. "What was that about?"

“I was just checking if they could get my new armor done by the time we leave," I explained.

Blossom nodded and set down a staff she’d been fiddling with. "I’m going to get some new clothes before we leave... some people seem... uneasy with me around."

I nodded to that. Might help hide her from the media, too. “It happens sometimes. Shouldn’t be a problem around the campus, though.”

"Only real men can handle a foxy lady," Alex joked.

Blossom rolled her eyes a bit at that, and then we headed out again. I took them out to a nice restaurant on the campus for dinner and conversation, so we could talk a bit more.