Shapeless Hero

27 - Uniform

Clint complied eventually, but if his looks could kill, I'd be dead a dozen times over.

Rev helps Clint get up on his feet, while Kella begins composing two new contracts. Having nothing else to do, I wait in silence, observing her hands, as they produce paragraphs on the parchment. The writing utensils look comically small in her fingers.

Kella got herself two new, inexpensive employees in one short sitting. I'd be more upset, if it didn't somewhat align with our plan to integrate me into society (and Karl's experiments). I'm more worried about my new colleague's adversity instead. I want to believe, that Clint is a good person with bad luck, just like Kella does, but I certainly don't want to work my shift, while he's staring daggers at me or even plotting my downfall for a crime not committed.

Rev and Clint make it back to the counter. I can tell that Clint keeps me in his vision. Trying to keep the mood light, I turn to Rev. "Say, how often does that kind of thing happen?"

"You mean a conflict resolution with the guild master?"

"That... too, but I was thinking more about that testing of newcomers when they enter the guild."

Rev opens his mouth to respond, but to my surprise, Clint beats him to it. "Often. Every new face will get tested. Whether it is by tripping them, or attacking them non-lethally. Newbies fall for it all the time, but learn a valuable lesson in awareness."

"...usually it's a harmless rite of passage.", Rev adds.

"Usually." Clint repeats, glaring at me.

"Got it. Thanks!", I say with a smile. Rev smiles back, while Clint turns his head away from me with a stuttered scoff.

Twenty minutes later, Clint and I receive our freshly crafted employment contracts. Thankfully, not much has changed, except for what roles I am to perform. For Clint, something big must have been added to the contract. His hands tremble, as he reads the terms and conditions. Occasionally a tear or two escape his watered eyes and travels down his cheeks. 

Kella chuckles. She crosses her arms and looks down at Clint, who's smaller by several heads. "Well? How's that for your custody program?"

Clint raises his head to meet her eyes. "Th-thank you.", his trembling words come out. He looks... relieved.

Kella averts her eyes with a click if her tongue. "Don't look at me like that."

Rev laughs gently in the background at Kella's visible embarrassment, but quickly stops when her glare targets him. I try to mind my own business, because any reaction I'd show would probably be an act of mockery to Clint. Thus, I pretend to read the new contract and sip my tea from a mug meant for ale, three seats away from Clint and Kella.

As I mentioned, the contract is pretty much the same, except I'm now primarily meant to deal with adventurers returning from quests. I imagine Kella is betting on my mana vision to help with the appraisal of loot. Oh yeah, I'm also not allowed to leave the premises without the explicit permission by Kella. Figures.

But that stipulation has a silver lining: I have now a better reason to give than "Sorry, but I have to pretend to be Alya at a moment's notice." or whatever lie I would have to come up with. People can't drag me away without the guild master's blessing. Before I sign anything, I need to know one last thing.

"Guildmaster?", I call out.

Kella puts down a mug, she was in the middle of cleaning. "You can still call me Kella, you know."

"Right." I clear my throat. "There are occasionally times, I'll be needed by the commander and the doctor."

"We're understaffed, so people are used to vacant counters. Just make sure to put up the sign, when you have to leave. I'm not gonna stick my nose into your imperial matters."