Foundations...

 
Ciara finds a man that just might be capable of helping her upgrade Fortress Cuchlia and assist with the Mining Operation.

It's early afternoon, and Olumus, like many others, has stopped by for a bit of coffee. There's a pot in the center of the table, from which the big man refills his cup over and over again. Today, his focus is on what seems to be a future piece of jewelry. Using tools, he bends thin pieces of silver so they loop together into an elegant chain.

 

        Ciara, is very much someone that does not, for any stretch of the imagination, seem to be a person normally seen in a small coffeehouse. Seeing as the doors to this place are open to air, it's easy for anyone paying any attention to any of the arches to not only notice her enter, but to notice her being flanked by several well armed and armored guards. A few of which, travel inside to the cofeehouse with her and no doubt cause a little bit of a stir. It's more than likely not so often that someone who actually rules a distant land, however small, steps in with his or her guards on tow.

 

        Ciara, to her credit though, is all smiles, and warmth, and waves to anyone looking as she looks to find a place to sit. An empty table with enough room for two of her guards and her, is spotted and just the right size and location. She moves in, and sits down and motions for the two Knights to do the same. They, both female, blush and then nod and finally follow her order and sit with their ward.

 

        "Order for you and the others girls, all of it on me. Please be sure everyone outside gets something hot to drink" says Ciara."

 

        The two knights both nod and reply simply, "Of course your grace." When the waitress shows up, they do just that, and order several dozen coffees. Which Ciara, pays for.

 

Olumus is completely engrossed in his task of slowly constructing his chain and misses quite a bit of Ciara's entrance. It's only when he takes a break to drain his cup of coffee and refill it once more that he finally looks up and notices the newest additions to the coffeehouse. He stares for a moment at the guards, and then his eyes settle on Ciara before focusing on her crown, which seems to hold his attention the longest. Whether he's appraising it for value, craftsmanship, or significance, however, is hard to tell.

 

Ciara, herself, sits patiently and waits for the single Coffee that she ordered to arrive. She waves her guards off, making sure they get the point to get all the coffee that was ordered out to the rest of her detachment of guards. As she sips on said Cofee, she can't help but to notice Olumus looking at her and focusing on her Diadem. She looks up at it a moment, and the looks back to him and it catches her eye that he might be a jeweler. So, she slides out of her table and strides over to the man.

 

        Once at his table, she extends a gently hand, the other holding on to her coffee and with a warm and friendly smile, introduces herself, partially. "Evening.." she says at first, pausing a moment as she looks down at what he was working on and then back up. "Might you be a jeweler?" she asks of him.

 

Olumus continues his staring a moment longer, eyes wide for a moment at her approach, and then clears his throat, eyes flicking down to his current project in front of him. "It's, er,just a hobby," he mumbles as he covers his work with one huge hand. The other goes up to meet and engulf her own offered hand in a shake that, while gentle, hints at restrained power. "Olumus Gozar," he offers as introduction.

 

        Ciara nods at first and retracts her hand and smiles warmly. "Countess Ciara Anette Chantris-Solaris of Cuchlia" she replies fully using her entire title. "So, just a hobby then?" she asks, looking confused. "What is it you do them Mister Gozar?" she asks plainly."

 

Olumus blinks and stares as Ciara gives her full name, and his staring continues with an almost confused look on his face. Finally, he snaps out of it and clears his throat. "Er, I'm a mason," he explains, "and I manage the Vr'Ralia Mines."

 

 

        "Oh? A mason and a Mine foreman?" she asks, looking rather surprised to hear that. "You are just the sort of person that I'm looking for actually" she replies pausing a moment. "I Just so happen to be building a new mine in my homeland. I've reached out to a few other people in regards to engineering and mining operations, but a mason to help with the restoration of my castle would be most welcome. Can you tell me more about yourself?" she asks. Then it dawns on her, that she did hear something about Gozar before. "Wait, are you actually of House Gozar?"

 

Olumus nods in response to her question, and he slides his half-finished chain and the tools he was using to construct it not so subtly into one of his side bags rather than keep covering it with his hand. "I am." He refills his cup of coffee from the pot and then nods to invite Ciara to do the same, should she want some. "Um, I'm not that good at talking about myself. Is there something you wanted to know?"

 

        "Hmmm, well, honestly, I need a mason and a master mason at that. I've heard word that your house is quite capable with stone, and well, that.." she replies plainly. "I already know what your skill set is, so it's just a matter of asking if you're willing to join a new project."

 

"We've gotten a lot of work recently," Olumus says, fidgeting with his cup, "but I suppose I could find the time. A castle, you said? It would be an honor to work on such a structure." He flashes a faint smile.

 

        Ciara nods plainly, "Then I would ask to have a meeting with you at Fortress Cuchlia at your earliest ability. One of my Knights will be in shortly to speak with you, please give them any relevant information they may need to see that we have proper accommodations ready for you when you arrive."

 

Olumus nods in response. "I'll finish up my current project and then make plans to head to Cuchlia. But, uh, for now, I need to get back to work." he says. He drains his cup of coffee and leaves payment upon the table. "But it was good to meet you, your grace." And with that, he walks toward one of the walls, melds into it, and vanishes.