The Girl and Her Machine

Chapter 2~ Final Part

Zacharias finished his tea and shook his head with a hearty chuckle, " They're struggling to keep up but the Lariat family are a close second currently with preference of weapon. Maybe you should expand into other items besides rifles and pistols my dear. While they are top of the line, not everyone can align themselves to those groups." She nodded, settling in a bit more, " Yes...Yes... I have thought of that, though only briefly. I'll look into it. I'm surprised they were able to over take the Marksmen Rifles. They were in the second lead for a little while now." She mumbled to herself. " What happened there?"
Zacharias heaved a sigh and sipped another drink, " The Marksmen rifles had a bit of problem with jamming out in the battlefield during one of the smaller skirmishes in the Northern country close to the Onyx mountains. Though they had the high ground they ultimately failed because of inferior weapons due to the jamming problem. I feel sorry for them, they had to choose either surrender or die...the platoon was split into two, those that survived went home and the Marksmen had almost been blacklisted by public and private consumers since."
Her brows furrowed in concern of the men that chose to die. She felt guilty, though it wasn't her fault that they had. If she recalled correctly, them having the Marksmen rifles might have been the cause of the Princess Vye, she had been purchasing their entire inventory multiple times. Maybe that was just one of the battles. She knew the Leathersby's were a steady choice for military contracts normally. However theirs are hand crafted and their shop is smaller than most, having people that have proven trustworthy to know the secrets to a premium performance weapon and not to sell it off elsewhere. She muttered to herself. " Maybe expanding would be a wise idea." She knew Zacharias's ear would itch. She could, if she paid him, have him be a screen for applicants. It would prove mutually beneficial. Note for later.
Zacharias cleared his throat and smiled. " Ah Dani, full of ideas. I wish I had your youth and energy." She couldn't help but roll her eyes and scoff a little, despite it being rather unladylike. " Yes but you're only in your thirties Zacharias, you're still climbing the hill not running down it." She teased. Her cup was running low, their time to chat running out.
"The last thing that you normally ask is about the Tower." He started his eyes frozen in a corner piece of carpet, deep in thought. " Dani, they have been receiving, or creating new recruits and weapons. From what I have heard and know, those that fail are usually taken to the dump grounds south of here close to the river of Caleeds. You should be able to find a few broken but still intriguing pieces there. Who knows you might be able to find a bit of inspiration for your next design."
Both Zacharias and Dani finished their tea cups, Dani set hers onto the saucer quietly. Getting up she patted herself down and smiled, " Thank you Zacharias the tea was delicious. I hope to be in company with you again soon, hmm?" She asked playfully.
" Anytime my dear, anytime it's always a pleasure to have you." He winked. " To make it more worthwhile, I'll send an extra shipment of materials to you. I know you like tinkering in your free time." Dani, now grinning ear to ear, " Thank you Zacharias. It's much appreciated dear friend." She stood up and took her leave, walking out the door with only one more look back and a wave before she escorted herself out of the shop. Zacharias, cleaned with a final deep sigh and another shake of his head. " So young, but so much of an adult. I hope that girl will have some time to play before her childhood is over." With that he finished cleaning and quickly returned to the front of the store to tend to his 'regular' business.