07.26.3013: An Offer on the Table
Summary: A chance meeting with Balius, Demos puts an offer to view the vitae of Balius, willing to consider the man for an internship
Date: 26th July 2013
Related: Precedes An Offer Accepted
Balius Demos 


The Heartwood
This is perhaps one of the largest promenades of the tree city. It spans between the large trunks of three elderwoods, branches used to support the heavy circular plaza. Residing in this promenade are dozens of stores and shops, as well as access to the lower levels of the city. Peddlers of goods move easily through the plaza, trapping visitors and natives with a hopeful sale of their unique and usually handmade goods. At the center of the promenade is a large, sprawling basin where rain water has been collected for generations creating a natural and yet manmade pool. This is a popular place to cross paths with other residents of Arborenin and maneuver through the tiered city.
07.26.3013

Mid-day in the Heartwood. The sun is high in the sky as the promenade features a number of citizens walking to and fro. The gargantuan trees loom high around the many paths that wind endlessly through the forest of homes and businesses. The feel is definitely one of calm and ease. Few people seem in a particular rush, and the place feels comfortably full but not crowded. Standing by the large pool of rainwater in the middle of the crossroads, Balius looks around, as if expecting someone. Though an air of alertness and expectation definitely emanates from him, he seems at ease and fits in his surroundings. Wearing his "good" green tunic and brown leather vest, he's standing with a bow and quiver over his shoulder.

One of those walking, not rushing, but with some destination in mind, Demos makes his way from the Ways down to the Heartwood and near the pool. His eyes are mostly on the trees, as if placing himself within the unmoving giants. Yet, he looks at the people two when he doesn't seem to be triangulating his location. Almost missing the familiar face, he pauses and heads for the man near the pool. "Mr. Balius …" he calls, making sure he has the name right, "Balius Quellton, what a coincidence. Its good to see a familiar face." Along with his usual attire, he's the one toting a satchel today, it seems to cary something heavy as both hands favor the strap over his shoulder and there is a shift of weight, sporadic but enough to be noticeable.

After a brief double-take, Bey will give a surprised grin. "Demos?" He'll offer his hand and give a hearty shake if it's accepted. "Of all the places - it's good to see you again

After a brief double-take, Bey will give a surprised grin. "Demos?" He'll offer his hand and give a hearty shake if it's accepted. "Of all the places - it's good to see you again!" He'll give him a questioning look. "So, what brings a geologist and mason to the towns of trees?"

Demos takes the hand, but briefly, so he can keep the satchel in place and from falling down. "An old friend from the Academ, someone I trust in a pinch when I want a second opinion on some of my findings. But he's hardly ever around." A chuckle, "I'm not keeping you am I, I was trying to remember where the taphouse was, so I could go wait for him, but then saw you here …" As if that explains everything.

Balius will reply first with a small grumble from his stomach. "You'll have to let me treat you to the Taphouse for lunch, least I can do to return the favor." He smiles, as if that settles that. "And you're just keeping me from daydreaming is all. Something the Heartwood always gets me thinkin." He'll move to start heading to the Taphouse. "And who wants to wait for a friend on an empty stomach, right?"

"I couldn't agree more," grins Demos, moving along with Balius to the Taphouse. "Good food makes for good friends. Daydreaming is a past time no one should pass up, in this day and age at least. How are the stables doing, hopefully all is well and the last visit to Gregor's has helped for a time at least?" He'll move to hold the door open if given the chance.

Balius leaves, heading towards the The Mott Taphouse [TH].

You head towards The Mott Taphouse

The Mott Taphouse
The taphouse is burrowed out from the heart of one of the various elder trees that surround the Heartwood. It is dark, warm, and inviting no matter the time of day. There are not a lot of hard corners, and it feels as though the walls blend in with the ceilings that curve high above. The interior wood has been stained a honey gold, which is offset by the rosewood bar and tables. There are a couple of circular windows that have been carved from the tree trunk, though the glass is stained a soft green to continue to maintain a particular atmosphere no matter the time of day. Scattered throughout the room are tables of various size and chair arrangement, and the aforementioned bar runs along the left-hand wall.

The taphouse only provides ale. Order a whiskey, you get ale. Order a martini, you get ale. The menu is also very simple with a set series of meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — that change from day to day. It is common knowledge that special orders or requests are always ignored.

07.26.3013

Balius will go in the held-open door, noticing the sparsely populated Taphouse. "Good food does make everything better," he'll chuckle slightly. "The stables go as well as they can. I'm sure demand for horses will continue to go up, which should be good for business." He'll nod at a small, round table in the corner before settling down. "There's usually a stew or two here that's good. Everything's always fresh too."

Following to the table in the corner, Demos settles into a chair then lays the satchel on the table. He seems relieved for the moment. "Stew it shall be, I can't pass up such an offer to be honest." A pause, he looks to the table. "I'm curious, so long as business increases with demand of horses, perhaps you'll have more resources to bring in help, you'll have more time for other pursuits?" As he says it, he looks up at the other, its a serious question, perhaps leading into something, but not jumping to conclusions yet at least.

Ordering the stews, he'll ponder the question, seeing where the conversation was going. "It's hard to say to when that might be though. Even with the stables being profitable, it's never been an easy proposition. For starters, Da is the world's worst budgeter." He'll smile slightly as the stews arrive, consisting of some small rabbit-like animal with vegetables. It is warm and, true to form, fresh. The waiter will also bring two ales. "And, honestly, even if we had the resources for upkeep, there's the whole question of how to fund such pursuits."

Listening to the other speak, Demos understands the concerns, being a citizen himself from a working family. Then a hint of light to his eyes, a smile, when it seems the avenue of pursuits seems intuitive to the man across from him. He blows at his stew when it arrives, shoveling some in, which is hot but he downs the same. "Funding is the question, indeed. However, I think if you show an interest in the academic, prove your desire, that could lead to a sponsoship or even a Crown Scholarship, if you have that desire?"

Balius will take hearty bites from his stew, nodding at the conversation. It seems like the topic is bittersweet for him to talk about. There's an obvious passion is his eyes, with the conflicted sense. He seems hesitant, like he knows talking about it will make his long-hidden desires more real if said aloud. "Well, there is always that route. But how does one go about such a thing? Drop an application for a sponsor at House Arboren?" He'll smile and look at Demos. "What do you think of our humble fare?"

"Well, well indeed," grins Demos. Conversationally he offers, "Not the sort of thing that is usual on Detritus, nothing warm and stewed is good in that environment, but it fits well amongst the trees here." A grin, then a procession, "As for the sponsorship, certainly, that is one approach. It would require some rhetoric, convincing of aptitude, recommandations …" He lets that hang open, seeing if the other jumps to a conclusion there.

Seeming lost in a sea of the unknown, Bey will ponder the words carefully. He'd had highest marks all throughout schooling, especially in anything remotely related to science and math. Was sponsorship even possible for Quellton? Sure, his brother was going to be squired soon but. He'll pause. "Are you suggesting? Would you be able to recommend me?!" His face will light up just momentarily, trying to keep a control of his still very strong childish tendencies. "But, but you don't even know if I have the required intelligence."

Grinning warmly, but shaking his head slightly in disimilar disagreement, Demos returns. "I could recommend you yes, but it would be contingent on your academic understandings. Perhaps, if you had time, you'd be willing to write a detailed description of your knowledge and experience in the world of the Academ. From there, considering that, I could offer you experience helping me with some research, like an internship. If that went well, I'd not only recommend, but plead your cause, if it came to that." He lifts the spoon, lets soup fall to air cool it while he talks. As an aside, "Paid internship, what little I could muster."

Balius looks altogether overwhelmed and perplexed. An internship? Leave the stables? And what of his sister…he thinks over the budgeting, running a list of numbers, of the costs of his father's secret gambling debts - the cause behind the stables' struggles. His Da had never been able to plan appropriately, and for the past two years he'd nearly lost everything from his lack of planning. Could he trust the family alone? Perhaps he could do both…somehow. Perform the internship and keep the stables some days too. He

Balius looks altogether overwhelmed and perplexed. An internship? Leave the stables? And what of his sister…he thinks over the budgeting, running a list of numbers, of the costs of his father's secret gambling debts - the cause behind the stables' struggles. His Da had never been able to plan appropriately, and for the past two years he'd nearly lost everything from his lack of planning. Could he trust the family alone? Perhaps he could do both…somehow. Perform the internship and keep the stables some days too. He'll pause briefly when he's realized he hasn't said anything for a few moments. "Thanks…I could definitely work on that. An internship? Well…" He's struggling to plan in his mind. "What if I spent most of the week with you working on the research and spent the rest at home. They really need me for the bookkeeping at home, and…but I need to get you a description first - yeah!"

Letting the man deduce what he will of the situation, Demos blows more and then downs some, warming his stomach. There is a slow nod after Bey finishes, "Of course, more time could be arranged for you and your family. It would be, at most, 20 hours within a standard week. We could establish a routine of tests and reading of results to align with a schedule to optimize times you need to be with your families stables, for the care of the animals and your family. Following the vitae of course. There is such a spark of interest in this pursuit, it is perhaps the least I can do. As much was done for myself."

Letting the pieces fall in place in his mind, he allows the gears to start cranking. He smiles, seeming satisfied. He'll have almost finished his ale and his stew. "This is above and beyond any opportunity that has been afforded me. I will discuss it over with my family, but twenty hours is extremely reasonable…Naturally, I need to prove myself to you first, but thanks!!" He's fidgeting in his seat, the adrenaline pumping through him as he ponders his old reports and his novice studying of biology.

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