Traveller's Solace Inn - Common Room
This is a dark, crowded common room to the inn. To one side, there is predictably enough a long bar, tended by a brawny middle aged centaur stallion. The establishment draws mixed clientelle, representatives of tens of different species can be seen here, but most tend to have in common the fact that they are oxygen breathing mammals, which is unsurprising as the bar has nothing to serve other varieties of creatures. There are tables of various sizes, and along the back wall an area where one can sit or lie on a rug to talk or drink. Serving is a young centaur filly, perhaps the daughter of the tender, and two bipedal felines, a male and a female. All scurry adeptly among the various creatures populating this bizarre place. A hallway leads off to one side of the inn, leading to the rooms that are let out by the hour, and conference areas for more 'distinguished' business types to converse in additional privacy. All kind of business and trade takes place here, and the room is constantly abuzz with dozens of voices.
Kaymar wanders in, an over-sized pouch at his side and two map cases slung over his shoulder. He looks around and is unsure of who is the individual he is supposed to be meeting with, so he makes his way to the bar and asks the person behind it for a Ms. Y'lyandra Emrys politely.
The older centauress at the bar look around, then points to the booth in the back, where the centauress in question is sitting, giving the dragon a quick once-over. "She's back there, the one with all the books 'n papers about her."
Y'lyandra is at a corner booth, legs folded on a bench beneath her as she sits at the table. She's far enough back, so that she doesn't hear anyone asking for her. Luckily, the barkeep points out her location, and she continues with her drawing, oblivious to her surroundings. There are several map tubes on the table, but she's paying more attention to the sketch pad, it seems.
Kaymar looks around, clueless at first and then ahs, nodding his head. "I see her, thank you madam." He then walks over to said centauress in question and stops a discreet distance away and bows low, "Ms. Y'lyandra Emrys, I presume?" He holds himself with proud dignity and respect.
Y'lyandra looks up, a bit startled at someone breaking her reverie. "Yes?" She looks a little confused, but only for a moment as recognition dawns in her eyes. "You must be the envoy from Argalia." She holds out her hand, and smiles.
Kaymar grins, trying to not show as much teeth, knowing how it frightens other races some times. He extends his hand in a friendly shake. He half-bows and answers, "My name is Kaymar Swooper, I am one of the two Head Engineers on the latest project. You must be Ms. Emrys, the Architect."
Y'lyandra nods her head, and smiles. "That's right. But please. Call me Lan." She shakes your hand, then gestures toward the bench opposite her. "Please. Sit down." She moves a pile of papers away from that side of the table with a grin.
Kaymar looks over at the proferred seat and smiles and nods. He takes off his own pouches and whatnots to make sitting down easier. He gives a curious glance at the paperwork spread on the table as he sits himself down, placing his things on the floor at his feet for now.
Y'lyandra tries to move some more of her mess out of the way, and grins apologetically. Her system of order makes no sense to anyone else, but to her it does. "I'm sorry. I was killing some time while waiting." She gestures at the open sketch pad now to the side, a rather well-drawn image of a young filly standing by a table. "I hope your trip was uneventful?"
Kaymar idly nods, looking at the drawing on the sketch pad. "It was a quiet flight up to Menari, the pyramid city." He looks up. "It was actually harder finding this location at first. So much to see and do around here that I almost missed it." He shakes his head in amazement, "A truly remarkable place, this Core is."
Y'lyandra nods her head, and grins, taking a moment to look around. "I do a lot of business here, even with folks from Mythrayel. 'tis why they recognize me, I think." She looks around for a bit, then motions for the serving filly. "Would you like something to eat or drink, while we talk?" She asks as the young centauress approaches.
Kaymar hmms and looks up at the approaching server and nods, asking quietly if they have any Fireberry wine please. He explains to Lan, "It's a wonderful drink, but not for the weak of constitution, it's been said."
Y'lyandra smile at the filly, and places her order. With a perky nod, the filly moves off to the bar to fill the order. Y'lyandra watches her go for a moment, then turns back toward the dragon in front of her. "They should have it, I think.. they try to have something from all the spheres, I think."
Kaymar thinks and shrugs after a while and says, "I don't see why not, really. Trademaster Burkaar brings goods here all the time. And not many are stout enough to survive Fireberry wine." He allows himself a proud grin on this little fact. He decides to get down to buisness and ask, "Since you and I are here, I do assume you are interested in the request for your services on some architecture plans?"
Y'lyandra nods her head, smiling as she makes to respond, but is interrupted by the return of the serving filly, two glasses on a tray. Setting them both down on the table in front of their respective consumers, the filly beams a smile, and asks if there will be anythign else. Lan glances at the dragon, then shakes her head. The filly beams another overly-perky smile, and trots off. With a grin, she turns her attention back. "Yes, I am interested in it. although I do admit to being a bit surprised that you contacted me."
Kaymar reaches up to scrath at the base of one horn and says sheepishly, "Well, we haven't exactly done anything on this scale in centuries and we also would quite frankly like a fresh approach to something like this. After scouting out other potential acritects, you came up the best and first choice in the matter. And the job has increased since the last message you recieved. It's going to be two major buildings, not just the one now." He reaches into one mapcase and pulls out a sheet of paper. He looks at it to make sure he grabbed the right one and then nods, handing it over. It's a rough draft contract, listing the various buildings and such for not only a full palace/castle, but a major temple as well. It lists what is available so far and what starting payments are to be, unless haggled over. It's a rough draft, meant to be changed, of course.
Y'lyandra takes the paper, and gives it a cursory glance. "That should be fine." She reaches for her mug and takes a sip as she glances at the description of buildings.
Y'lyandra points to the listing of the temple. "I'll need some sort of requirements for design specifications.. any sort of required ornamentation, and the like, as well." She sets the paper down, and takes another sip of her mead. "Tell me what you would like to see."
Kaymar nods and pulls out his own notepad and writing tool from a vest pocket and starts jotting down his own notes, assured you'll probably do the same. "First, let me give you a better understanding of what all has been going on, so you know where some of these ideas come from." He clears his throat, setting down pad and tool first. "The dragons of Argalia are separated into two subraces, the Tal'Aldani and the Tal'Vehrakt. The way to tell us apart are our spines." He tilts his head forward to show the ones starting on his head. "The Tal'Aldani have black spines, while the Tal'Vehrakt have red." He looks back up. "We have, to put it bluntly, been at war with each other for way too long. We, the Aldani, used to have full control over Menari. The palace of the Queen and the Main Temple were both located there. But times have brought change and we are now forced to share the city with the Vehrakt. So, for safety reasons, bot the palace and the Temple are being relocated to a much safer location and are being redesigned with precautions so we don't lose these at all."
Y'lyandra nods her head again, having reached for a pencil and pad of paper. She jots a few notes as you talk, but seems to spend most of the time making a rough sketch of your profile. Her eyes barely look at the page in front of her, and she watches you, nodding her head. "So.. something that can be easily defended, as well as being functional?"
Kaymar nods, "Precisely. We've begun excavations into the mountainside in the southeastern section of the sphere and in roughly the center of our remaining territory. We want to use the mountain as both defense and building materials." He leans over and grabs up one mapcase and pulls out a few drawings. He spreads them out on the table after making sure the cups won't be in the way. They are of the mountains being dug and of the progress made as of this drawing. "I had a couple artists work these out for me before I left so you can have an idea of what the site looks like so far..."
Y'lyandra nods in response, moving her glass out of the way, as well as several sheets of paper. Turning her attention to the drawing of the landscape, she gives a low whistle. "What sort of rock are these mountains?" The pencil that had been sketching, now begins drawing straight lines on the paper, copying the line of the mountain itself.
Kaymar thinks about it for a moment, "It varies a little, but mostly granite with pockets of marble here and there I'm told. We also have access to some sandstone from elsewhere. We're saving the stone being cut out for use in building later. They started the outer curtain wall for protective measures already when I left.
Y'lyandra studies the drawing of the site, her pencil automatically making a number of rough sketches on her paper. "Tell me something of your people.. what sort of things are you passionate about?" She looks up on occasion, but mostly concentrates on the tablet in front of her where a rough outline is taking shape.
Kaymar hmms as he thinks, never been asked that before... "Well, we try to be a friendly, peaceful people. We want to enjoy life and the wonders it brings. We love to challenge ourselves to be better, to do better...in many things. We don't worship gods, so much as the elements and life itself. Terra, Flamma, Aeris, Aqua and Spiritus provide our guiding principles in life. We have the potential for better technology, but all dragons forgo it (with very few execptions) for want of doing it themselves. We believe that if you can't do it yourself, then you are probably not meant to do it. Only in the mines of Light's Gate, do we do any sort of technology and it's very basic, I'm told." He looks over between his drawings and what you're drawing if he can see it.
Y'lyandra's pencil pauses for a moment as she considers that, then she tilts the pad toward you slightly as she continues drawing. The features of the mountain from the design sketch you brought blending into a shield wall. Above that, a face of a building is built into the mountain behind it.. The sketch is rough still, and gives a vague idea of what's going on in her head. "Something like this, perhaps?"
Kaymar looks between the two drawings and nods, "Yes, that is precisely what we had in mind." He looks up and adds, "They've already begun digging into the mountain and have been saving most of the stone cleared for reuse. They also want to put in various landing points that can still be defended from the ground as well as the air if possible, while not detracting from the looks. And that's just the palace. Then there's the Temple." He reaches down for the other map tube and pulls out more drawings, this time of a side section of the mountain, to the right of the face of the palace. He also pulls out conceptual drawings of what the priests would like. One central building with four buildings attached to it at the four cardinal compass points. He explains how the four wings are for the four elements and the central one is for Spiritus, but says that it is just a concept, that other plans are welcome.
Y'lyandra nods her head, and points to the new drawing. "Is this something you also would like in the mountain, or separate from the rock?
Kaymar waves his hand side to side, "Sort of, sort of both actually. Staring inside the mountain and forming it's way out, finishing in the front to look like it's built on the mountain. A blending of both natural and worked stone." He looks closely at you and asks seriously, "Do you think you are capable of taking on a job like this? We do have the workers and stonemasons who can do it, we just need someone to come up with the designs and blueprints for them to follow."
Y'lyandra studies the two drawings for a moment, her glance looking from side to side at the two pieces of paper. "It won't be simple, that's for sure.. to integrate the lines of the mountain in with the buildings..." Her voice trails off as she just.. smiles to herself. "To be honest, it will be a challenge for me." A pause, and she looks up at you and shrugs, her eyes frank. "I also don't think anyone else here could even attempt it."
Kaymar sits back to think about this and then comes to a decision and then looks at you and says, "Well then, it's settled. Will you be our Architect in this endeavor? We will make it well worth your while, I assure you." He looks hopefully at you, not begging, but hopeful. Both hands are clasped together on the table before him.
Y'lyandra thinks about it for a moment, then reaches into her satchel and pulls out a small handheld electronic device. She taps at the surface with a stylus for a few moments before nodding her head. "I would be delighted.." She puts down the device, and smiles, extending her hand. "It would be my pleasure to assist you with this."
Kaymar smiles widely this time, forgetting accidently, to hide his teeth as he reaches out to shake hands, sealing the bargain. "And it will be my pleasure, I'm sure, to work with you on this as well." He looks down at the drawings and says, "You are welcome to these now so you may continue thinking up ideas until we can meet in Argalia soon." He looks back up, "Which reminds me, do you know the way to Argalia from your homesphere?"
Y'lyandra smiles, and nods, considering the sketches for a moment, then at the next question, she looks up, and the affirmative nod changes to a negative one. "I'm afraid I don't. I haven't been that much out of Mythrayel since I arrived.."
Kaymar looks concerned for a moment and asks casually, "Well, we have safe access to the gryphons and the felines of Rolarii." He looks up, "I'm under the impression that your home is near theirs? We had some gryphons come visit us recently, inviting us to a festival of theirs..." He thinks fast about how to get the architect to worksite safely...but doesn't leave Argalia much himself and has no clue really...
Y'lyandra nods her head. "I go through the Rolarii interface quite frequently, with the new warehouses being built up there.. " She considers something for a moment, then nods her head. "We have groups going to the winter festival. I could always go along, and meet you there?
Kaymar nods, "That will work. I will talk to her highness personally and see if she will allow me to tag along with her caravan to meet you there." He smiles again, quite pleased how thinngs will turn out. He then thinks of something else, "Oh, I don't mean to intrude, but how well do you like camping out in a tent? You see, we have a sort of tent city just outside the construction since many feel unsafe living in Menari and most are helping out. I can arrange for you to have a private tent set up if you wish...?"
Y'lyandra thinks for a moment, then grins. "I haven't been camping in a long time.." She laughs, and nods her head. "A private tent would be very much appreciated." She thinks for a moment, "Would you be adverse to my bringing along an assistant?"
Kaymar shakes his head, "Of course not, another centaur, I assume?" He starts writing notes about this on his notepad. "And will you share the tent with them, or will they require their own? Any special requests while I'm thinking of it? We are mostly carnivores, but we have a few who eat greenery, so we have that. We can provide other assistants as needed too."
Y'lyandra nods her head. "I'm not sure who I'll be bringing, so I can't give you a name right now.. as for the tents.." She looks down the length of her equine torso, and grins. "How large are they?"
Kaymar leans over to get a better size estimate of the centauress and then smiles. "Oh, they're big enough. Take me for example." He holds his arms out to give just a hint of how big and tall a dragon can be. "The gryphons used huge pillows for bedding, will that be satisfactory for you?"
Y'lyandra nods her head, "That would be perfect. I normally sleep on a futon, myself.." She tosses her hair back over one shoulder, and nods. "My assistant and I should be able to share one tent, I believe." She thinks for a moment, flipping open her handheld device. "Approximately how long do you expect this project to take?" She looks up at you, and grins. "So I can plan accordingly.
Kaymar opens his mouth to answer and then realizes...he doesn't know. He shuts up to think and still can't answer it, so he just tells her so. "You know what, I honestly do not know. I mean, it also depends on how long through the process you wish to stay, but I'm sure that once you finish the blueprints that would be all you want to do with it, unless you wish to stay to help us oversee everything. My partner and I will be in charge of the actual construction once we have your plans to start with. It could take upwards of a year or two, maybe three." He looks concerned at you. "I don't think you'd care to stay that long though." He thinks. "You culd arrange to come visit once every few months once we get going if you wanted too..."
Y'lyandra chuckles at that, and nods her head. "I've usually spent most of the time on site, when dealing with a local project," she admits with a grin, "But locally, I tend to be more of a "general foreman" as well as the desinger of the blueprints." A shrug, and another smile. "When it's your name on the company logo, you tend to do what you need to do to make sure everything is done well, right?"
Kaymar chuckles and nods, "That is true. How about this: Plan to stay a few months, what you think is a generous time to finish the plans and to oversee the start of it, then decide from there. If need be, you can send messengers home, or return yourself through our pyramid and then we can find a way to bring you back if the situation calls for it. How's that?"
Y'lyandra nods her head in agreement. "That would be fine, I think." She grins, and shrugs one shoulder. "I'm really not that picky...." Her voice trails off a moment as her mind moves onto some other tangent. "A drafting table.."
Kaymar smiles, "I hope you like them big, we have one already set up in the engineer's tent. Nigel has been drafting plans for smaller buildings but doesn't have a clue for the palace or temple..." He looks at the drawings and asks, "Would you like me to go ahead and put these up for you, or shall I just leave the mapcases for you for when you are ready?"
Y'lyandra gives a tiny "ooh" at the mention of "big" in conjunction with "drafting table." "That would be perfect.." She grins, "I was not wanting to bring mine along." She looks down at the maps, and smiles, waving one hand in their direction. "Feel free to put them up. I'll have to study them again tonight, I'm sure."
Kaymar starts carefully rolling up the drawings and putting each in their respective mapcases. "I had best be going, so I can make the arrangements and such." He stands up from the table and gives a full bow from the waist, his wings spreading out a little to either side. "I look forward to meeting you again and showing you the wonders of Argalia."
Y'lyandra nods her head, unfolding her legs out from under her and standing. She gives a hindleg a slight stamp, then offers a slight bow of her own, her forelegs bending down as her human torso bends from the waist. "I look forward to it." She grins. "I look forward to seeing you again at the festival.
Kaymar smiles, a glint in his eye, happy that things are going so well. "Until then, my Lady, I bid you good day." He turns and heads out the door, leaving behind the two mapcases he brought with him, a light bounce almost to his step and a song on his lips.