Luther signs and stamps probably what is the umpteenth hundred set of paperwork on leads that require his attention. Just another dead list..., he thinks to himself. He sets the paper aside, and folds his gloved hands on the desk. Twiddling his thumbs absentmindedly, he contemplates what his next move will be. He needs the city permits to build his newfangled museum in New Brighton, just 30 miles away from his current location in Haven City. He has seen the architect, and procured a copy of the blueprints for the structure, but time is of the essence, and all he can do is wait for further permits from the city. He then gets an idea, and feels he must call on Miss Pennington to aide him. He leans to the side, grabbing a hold of the comm tube, and clearing his throat, he announces, "Miss Pennington, are you there?"

A chipper southern voice answers from the other end. "As surely as Summer Sunday! What can I do for ya Mr. Luther?"

"Any word on those permits from the city yet? And have any new applicants showed their faces recently?"

"I got 'em fresh from the postmail automaton not but five minutes ago! Was just brewin' ya some tea before bringin' em up to your office."

"Aaaah! Goodness me, then! Well, erm, bring them on up, and make yourself some tea as well." He smiles as he terminates the pipeline comm tube.

Ruby chuckles good naturedly, picking up the steaming pot of tea and the papers. She sets a small card on the table saying "Away for 15, Please Be Seated" before she turns to head to her bosses' office.

Once Ruby arrives into his office, Luther leans back in his office chair and rests his hands behind his head. "You're a sight for sore eyes, you know, Miss Pennington? But don't let me bother you," he smiles jovially. "I've been staring down parchments all day today, and I wouldn't be opposed to some company." As she makes her way to seat herself, Luther sighs a deep sigh. "So what's the big news on those permits? Anything? Or are the pencil pushers playing tiddlywinks with their pencils again?"

Meanwhile down at the docks, Konrad Oakhart had just finished arguing with the dock master who was trying to extort him for more than double the normal docking rates. Walking off rubbing his temples, muttering under his breath.

"Ignorant ass of a man... keep that behavior up and we may have more than words in the future!" The hulking mass of a man steps into the market, the busy ebb and flow of people setting his mind at ease. The busy environment reminded him of home. Home! The thought slammed into him like a hammer. "I had better check for messages at the post station..." he says to Chloe, who had just caught up to him.

Chloe: "That's a good idea. Let's start there! This place is really busy for a quaint little suburb of the of the big port city, don'tcha think?"

Konrad shrugs. "I've learned in our travels not to judge these little areas of the larger cities. Sometimes I find more information and honest people here than I do anywhere else."

He pulls his cloak up tighter against the breeze coming in off the sea and begins walking down the street, heading towards the main crossroads of the dock district, looking for the post office.

Not hard to find, it stands at the center of the administrative district, an unassuming building of simple make and honest construction. It's only defining feature is the tall flagpole baring the spangled black and orange flag of the Alwyn Free Cantonry.

Konrad shuffles through the line, waiting his turn. Once at the front, he bends down and pulls his scarf down from in front of his face. (not wearing his armor, since he's not fighting anyone... lol)

"Hello. I was wondering if I have any mail. I had people who knew I would be stopping here. My name is Konrad Oakhart."

The honest postman hands Konrad just a few small envelopes worth of mail. For the most part, the post is just mundane stuff. One letter is from home, and another with a name he doesn't recognize on the label.

Both have his name written.

Konrad furrows his brow at the strange letter, turning it for Chloe to see. "No idea what this could be... a job, maybe?" He ducks underneath a low beam on his way out the door and finds a nearby park bench, sitting down to read them.

(Is his family still around at this point? Mother? Father? Siblings?)
(Both parents, Chloe is his younger sister... lol... and they have an set of twins, Sonya and Lucas.)
(Twins are older siblings to Konrad)

It's a letter written in the soft handwriting of his mother. She details home life and tells him of the exploits of his older twin siblings. She misses him, and hopes that one day, his path will lead him home again.

The other letter....

Is an invitation for work at a prestigious acquisitions and adventuring company. It has a job description:

"To Mr. Konrad Oakhart:

Find yourself bored with the mundane? Want some thrill and adventure in your career? You have no further to look than Number 67 Halo Ct., Office # 3. With a position open for a heavy weapons acquisitioner, we are looking for some serious talent. Here you will find your keys to unlimited adventure!"

"Signed,
Briar Octavius Luther, Chief Executive Officer"

Konrad chuckles as he reads it, then hands it to Chloe. "Apparently this man isn't quite sure what it is we do... I guess to the outside observer, we are just adventuring."
Chloe snorts loudly, her hand over her mouth. "Yeah, you've got that right!"

"What do you think we should do, Rad? Should we go pay this frilly guy a visit, then?"

"Well, I'll leave you in charge of The Fury. After all, she's yours to steer..." he pulls out a list from his jacket pocket, along with a sack of coins. "Get the necessary supplies. I'll go see this Mr. Luther... Da always did teach us it's not polite to turn down an invitation..."

With that, Konrad ruffles Chloe's bright red hair and stands up, walking toward the office district

Chloe grumbles good-naturedly as he ruffles her hair, but smiles and heads back toward The Fury.

After asking a guard for directions, Konrad finally locates the office designated by the letter. Upon entering and seeing the card, he gingerly sits on one of the nearby chairs, it creaking under his immense weight. "Please for the love of Tyr don't break..." he mumbles to himself.

Ruby finishes up her pleasantries with Mr. Luther in good time, providing him all the details he needs on the permits. Soon they'll be able to start work on a building, but bureaucratic tape is always the hardest to cut. A few more snips and they'll be home free.

"Soon now, Mr. Luther, you just need the frostin' on that pound cake of a museum o' yours!" She waves as she excuses herself from her seat, her break nearly up. "A good theme and some eye-catchin' exhibits, then people'll be on it like flies on honey."

As she returns to her desk, she shakes her head. "What a wonder that man don't have enough brickabrack as it is, got nothin' but a warehouse o'--" She stops short, blinking, as she sees the massive fellow waiting patiently nearby.

"Thank ya so kindly for your patience, sir! What can I help ya with today?" She beams at him with buckets of charm, but all the while, takes in every little detail she can. She's certain she's never met someone quite like this before, and it's surprised her a bit.

Konrad stands up as Ruby enters the room, smiling and straightening his cloak and tucking the scarf into a pocket. "Hello, Miss. I believe I am in the right spot. I received a letter from a Mr. Luther? It directed me to this office. I am Konrad Oakhart, by the way." He bows his head to show his respect.

She blinks again, almost forgetting her manners... Or mannerisms, she's not sure which. "Yes! Yes of course! You're most definitely in the right spot, right as rain. Why don't you follow me, Mr. Oakhart? I'll show you in."

Ruby walks briskly down the hall and through the building, glancing at their guest. She chances a few questions on the way. "An adventurer are ya? Or lookin' for it?"
Konrad makes an amused face before answering. "I'm not quite sure I'd call myself an adventurer... nor am I sure if I'm looking for an adventure. I am, however, sure that my Da taught me respect, and it would be disrespectful to ignore Mr. Luther's invitation... so here I am!" He chuckles.

"I see! Well, perhaps we have somethin' in common. I'm mighty fond of respectable manners, and you can probably tell I'm as far from the adventurin' type as a mouse is ta kiss a rattler. But Mr. Luther is a good man, and he sees all the right talent in all the right folk. I'm sure he called ya here for a good reason o' his own. Here we are..."

She raps at the door with a sharp knock.

"Come on in," replies Luther from his study. He sits up and quickly brushes himself off before the door is opened and probably the biggest man he'd ever seen walks in. "Well, well, well! I see you got my invitation, there, sir!" He stands up briskly and extends a hand to Konrad. "Briar Octavius Luther, at your service, my good man!"

"Let's have a seat and chat for a bit, shall we?"

Ruby gladly lets the man pass by, then closes the door behind him for privacy. She shakes her head again as she waits. Only... slightly eavesdropping.

"A pleasure to meet you. I am Konrad Oakhart." He takes Luther's hand in a firm handshake, careful not to squeeze too tightly as he knows his own strength.

Glancing around the room, he spies a fairly sturdy looking large oak chair tucked under a nearby table. Pulling it out and easily walking back to the desk with it, he sets it down before taking a seat.

"Sooooo, tell me, Konrad Oakhart, what is the meaning of risk to you?" Luther folds his hands in front of him, interlocking his fingers. He sits poised and straight, sharp and scrutinizing. There is a gleam in his eye.

Konrad lifts one foot up to his knee, leaning on his leg and meeting Luther's gaze. "Risk is part of life. Part of my journey."

"Risk is part of the journey..." Luther trails off a little and focuses back on Konrad. "To live is to risk, then?"

Konrad grins, his grey-blue eyes almost sparkling in the sunlight. "Simply put, yes."

Luther smiles back, a gleam in his eye. "We've all heard the term 'live within your means,' and know exactly what it's saying, but there is a phrase I tend to live by, and that is 'live within your risks!' You see, Konrad, it's not so much about how much risk you take, but about why you take it in the first place. Why do you think it is more important we 'live within our risks,' as opposed to 'living within our means'?"

Konrad leans back, reaching down to his satchel under his cloak. "I live not within my risks or my means, but rather within the will of my God, Tyr."

He lifts a large, very old book into his lap. "You see Mr. Luther, I am the last prophet of The Judge God. This is his ancient scripture. Long have I studied it, and nearly 6 years ago my younger sister Chloe and I left our home on a crusade to bring balance and justice to the world."

"Is that so, then? You've found a purpose higher than any I can think of. Though, I've never heard of this Tyr before. I am intrigued however. Would you be willing to allow me to direct your worldly affairs, while you crusade righteously for your god? I can," he pulls out a satchel and it jangles with the sound of coin, "compensate you now, and we can strike a bargain as time goes on?"

Konrad smiles, but holds up a hand. "I truly do appreciate the kind offer, Mr. Luther... but I'm afraid that's not something I can commit to at this time. Not to mention Chloe would tan my hide if I made such a deal without first talking to her about it." He grins and then chuckles.

Luther shrugs and takes the satchel back. "Well, it was worth it, even if just to meet you briefly. I figured I could recruit someone with your strength and zeal, and stay in the background, you know? Financing your worldly affairs while you went galavanting (sp?) off in the name of your god. I would be but a pawn to you, and would keep our relationship brief." Luther smiles back again, a genuine smile. "Well, my friend, I do hope we meet again." With that, Luther stands up, and offers his hand once more to the titan of a man. "By the way," he says in a more hushed tone, inquisitive, "would you happen to have a copy of that book of your god's?"

Konrad follows suit and stands up as well, taking Luther's hand again. "Unfortunately at this time, I do not. To my knowledge, this is the only copy in existence. I will ask Chloe to make a copy and the next time I see you, it will be yours."

The large man takes a half step backward, tucking one arm behind his back and bowing. "Until we meet again, Briar Luther."

Luther bows back, clicking his heals smartly. "Until we meet again, Konrad Oakhart."

Ruby stands politely waiting against the far wall when the door opens, a friendly smile on her face. "All done, Mr. Oakhart? I'll be happy to see ya back to the front now."

As they walk, she gives him a rather peachy smile. "Mighty kind of ya to meet with Mr. Luther today." She hands him a card, smartly printed with a gold filigree. "We are lookin' for artifacts for some of the new museum exhibits in the spring. Artifacts of... Cultural and historical import. If you so happen ta find any out there on your...." she gets a twinkle in her eye, "non-adventurous travels... Please give us a call. We are mighty rewardin'. And you'd be doin' the city a great service ta boot."

Konrad takes the card with a smile. "I'll be sure to do that, Miss... thank you again for your hospitality. As for this," he holds up the card. "I'll return the offer. If you ever find yourself a witness to injustice or severe wrongdoing, write with as much detail as possible to my brother Lucas. He will make sure I hear about it."

There's a slight change in her eyes at that, but it's gone almost as soon as it's there. "Mighty fine offer, I'll be sure to keep that in mind! Bless your heart, you sound like a right ol' angel of a lawyer. Justice is a big hit here in Alwyn, ya know..." She takes a seat, jotting the name down in a little gray book of hers.

She gives a pleasant farewell wave. "Safe travels, Mr. Oakhart. Perhaps we'll do business someday."

Konrad pauses at the door, turning and looking once more at Ruby.

"May Tyr bless your future with justice, purpose, and knowledge..." he bows.

"And if you happen to see an airship with a battle angel figurehead, stop by and say hi." He smiles at her as he walks out the door.