"Did you go to the Academy this morning?"
"No. After hearing the announcement, I'm still debating if I even need magic. I'm only going to be working at the Inn for the rest of my life anyway. It's not like I really need it."
"You should check it out. They have spells for everyday chores that you would probably find useful. There's waste disposal, grime remover and deodorizer. Honestly, you'd be quite shocked."
"They have a spell for smell removal? That's got to be advanced magic, right?"
"No. In fact, the Headmaster said that general cleaning spells were all in the novice tier. She recommends that everyone should at least train that far."
"Wait a minute. You spoke to the Headmaster?"
"No. There was a short lecture for new students once enrollment had finally finished. She spoke there. That's why I asked if you'd been. I didn't see you in the hall."
"Obviously. I didn't go... Wait a minute. The Headmaster's a woman?"
"Yeah. I was kinda shocked too. Her hair is also the same colour as yours."
"No way. That's actually quite progressive. Now that I think about it, women are quite dominant in this town, aren't they?"
"Yeah. Most of the businesses are run by women. Majority of the men that came to Varona with us joined the guard and even that's run by two women."
"They must hate that."
"What? Being bossed around by attractive ladies all day? I doubt it. I reckon that's the reason my Donald joined up."
"Don't be silly. Donald loves you and you know it. He joined because the job is a lot easier than it sounds. This is by far the most peaceful city I've ever been to, let alone lived in."
"You can say that again. Even though it had its bad spots, I used to think that nowhere could be safer than Crowley. This place is unreal though."
"I know. I went for a walk the other night and, even though I was still a bit scared because it was dark and I was alone, it was dreamy. I ended up just sitting in the park gazing at the stars."
"Why would you do that? Everyone knows it's dangerous for a lady to be walking around unattended at night. Even in a city as safe as this one."
"Well yes, but I wasn't alone."
"What!? What do you mean you weren't alone? You sneaky mare. Who were you with?"
"Technically no one. When I left my house I bumped into two guards and they asked what I was doing. I told them and they said they'd patrol behind me, at a distance where they wouldn't interrupt my stroll. Not that I'd have minded. If you know what I mean."
"Mary! How very crass of you."
"What can I say? Ever since Allen passed it's been rather lonely. We never had children and other than our tea mornings, life as a receptionist is quite lonely."
"Still, you didn't need to be so blunt about it."
"Sorry, Helen. I'm just being silly in my old age."
"Now you are being silly. You're only 41. You have many years left in those middle-aged bones of yours."
"Maybe those good-looking, young men can help energise them."
"Mary! Have you been adding something you shouldn't to your tea? You're being rather forward today."
"I can't help but notice how good everyone looks recently. I'm not just talking about the Varonians that were here before us. Surely, you must have noticed."
"Noticed what? That everyone looks attractive? People tend to look better when they're living well. It's when life gets you down that you begin to show the strain of your burden."
"That's not what I meant. You must have noticed a change in Donald? Or yourself?"
"Hmm... Well now that you mention, I did get a new cream from Lucinda's. It erased the crows feet that were starting to set in. Look. My skin is smoother than it ever has been before. It's absolutely amazing. Now that I think about it, you look pretty good too. It's almost like you've lost ten years somewhere. Did you buy some of Abi's Anti-Aging Cream as well? That Lucinda drove a hard bargain, but I managed to walk away with five tubs in the end. And who's this Abi her products are named after?"
"No. That's what I'm trying to tell you. I haven't bought, or used, any products since we arrived and I look better than you do."
"Well, I wouldn't go that far. Joking aside though, you do look very good, Mary."
"Thank you, Helen. I don't know whether it's because of what you said or just because of this city, but either way I love it. I don't just look good. I feel good as well."
"I know what you mean. It's almost as though I'm more motivated in the morning to get out of bed and get on with my day."
"Strange isn't it? Not that I'm complaining. I'm extremely grateful we were allowed to live here and don't think that I could ever find the words to express my gratitude."
"I know what you mean. It really is something else... As I was saying though, you should check out the magic school. I really think you'll appreciate what you can learn there."
"I'll have a quick peek tomorrow. Danielle's working and I'm off for the day. I suppose there's no harm in checking it out."
"You should, Mary. You don't want to be overlooked by these dashing young men just because you can't clean with magic."
"Perish the thought!"
Conversations from Varona
Mary and Helen
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Not only is the Academy in full swing, but I've also put an education system in place for our illiterate citizens inside City Hall. One of the rooms downstairs has been reserved indefinitely so that we can teach reading, writing and numeracy, to anyone who might be interested. Which is more people than I thought it would be.
Other than having to start a few more basic courses, there's also a room for calculus and another for further education. Since they're both advanced courses however, there aren't don't have many students in yet. Just a few merchants trying to better themselves to make sure they aren't swindled whilst performing their trade.
Honestly, it's surprising that u haven't unlocked an actual feature for this type of thing yet. Educating people will surely help keep them out of trouble. At the least, it should help them make informed decisions as opposed to stupid ones.
After realising I already had the teacher sub-class, it only makes sense to get the most use out of it as possible. Plus, everything betters Varona so I'd foolish not to take advantage of my classes.
Children have lessons during the day, joined by no-job-bums and adults too old to work. The general workforce attend classes in the evening, once their shifts are over and are even joined by some of those from the Academy. Even shopkeepers can be found inside scribbling away on pieces of parchment. Although, I suppose it's always good to stay on top of your numbers.
City hall is becoming quite a popular place as the building is always teeming with people coming and going. Whether it learning, working, visiting, or they're just there to grab a contract, the feature guarantees a heavy footfall on a daily basis.
Inside the feature known only to a few as The Hall of Inquiries, is the office of contracts. The room itself is almost-completely autonomous, but Deputy Mayor Sacha still keeps a watchful eye out regardless of whether it runs on its own or not. Within, many filing cabinets fill the rectangular room from wall to wall on three sides. The only other feature is a small desk in the middle of the office which Sacha uses for reading.
The missions undertaken by my family members all get filed away inside after successful completion. The process of filing happens twice. When a contract is accepted, the contractor stamps the parchment with Magic Stamp A before placing it in the, in-process, cabinet. Upon completion, they slap the same parchment with Magic Stamp B before filing it away in the completed section.
Simple really. Or it was until this room made itself known. It was easier when they were able to accept directly from the contract giver, which they still can. Provided the time's right and it's not rush hour in any of the establishments they would pick them up from. All my family are generally busy these days running their features to the best of their abilities. They don't need pestering by Dum trying to see what they've got to offer.
In that sense, it's much easier that they can now come here as contracts are automatically added whenever they become available. No one needs to stop work to hand out a mission and the city is starting to run smoothly.
Funnily, the cabinets lining the wall inside the Office of Contracts all have four drawers and look identical. The drawers themselves are as strange as the room because of the space magic inside them. They open out much further than their frame would suggest they can and, due to this, all my completed contracts are still being stored in the first drawer of the filing cabinet.
Feeling the urge to throw some shade at The System, I realise there isn't any blame to be found since nothing has actually happened. For a moment, I get slightly frustrated but don't know why. I put it down to things usually going to shit, even though they haven't, and move on.
It's been a few weeks since Wheeler and Aaron left my city for the second time. The large-than-life Merchant said he had affairs to deal with back home before he could fully commit to Varona full time. It also turns out he has a family in the capital and will be bringing them back with him. Aaron's still just a hired guard so he went with the stodgy merchant. He was, however, hesitant to leave. Life in my little piece of heaven must really be to the young guard's liking.
Speaking of people hesitant to leave, I wonder how Noir and the others are doing. It's been less than 24 hours since they left and I really want their missions to succeed. Not only will I obtain the credibility I need to call myself a legitimate city, but Lord Aldor also agreed to let me establish trade routes with the cities.
I'm not an expert on trade relations, or item pricing, or deliveries and order fulfillment for that matter. Luckily, Deputy Mayor Sacha and another capable council member are on hand to deal with this should my Assassins succeed in their missions.
Varona isn't anything to scoff at these days, but unlike Ishda, our city doesn't have a rich heritage, or an established line of nobles that have a say in their ruler's ear. Instead, we operate on an 'everyone is equal policy' and if you don't like it you're free to fuck off. Absolutely no one will beg your ass to stay. Unless course-correction of the soul is needed, however. Then they aren't going anywhere.
What started out with The Cramped Coop, The Forgotten Forge, The Stark Stable and the Fucking-Useless Hay Bale, is now a fully-functioning factory, dedicated to the production of a super important resource.
DP.
The citizens are the cogs and my features the gears. So long as I keep them well lubricated, they'll keep pumping that juicy goodness into me. Day after day, night after night and in ridiculously-large quantities too.
The thought of tonight's deposit is already making me shiver in excitement.
The Cramped Coop is now the Chick Shack and unlike its name would suggest, it's actually a rather large tin building capable of housing hundreds of chickens. Three of these features run alongside the Fields of Fertility of the outskirts of town. The fields themselves are in the dozens now and more than a hundred subclass farmers tend to them and the coops in turn.
There's also the Pretty Pugly Pigs, the Cow Pits and the Golly Gosh Goats, but they're some of the more recent features. Either way, it's nice that food is now supplied to my city without me constantly having to foot the bill. Not to mention the citizens can't complain about not knowing where their dinner comes from.
The Forgotten Forge, once a crappy broken down feature as like the rest, became the Forge of Finalising and is the main hot-spot for humans visiting the artisan district in the west. Not that the Blacksmith inside every endulges anyone's request. Instead, eccentricity runs hand-in-hand with some of these awkward features and the Assassin-Smith is no different.
He won't sell a single thing to anyone who visits his shop. That's after a threatened to dismantle him aswell. I didn't in the because the next one might be even worse that the current. At least the Assassin-Smith is willing to sell his wares through Cloak and Dagger. Even then, it's still only the subpar versions he's willing to let go of and I can't help but attribute him as a hoarder.
Which isn't the best feature for a Blacksmith, even if he is part Assassin. He can't possibly use all those weapons at the same time, let alone the armour, so why's he keeping them all to himself?
Whatever. It's not the biggest issue I suppose. Tier-three human summons all come with a personalised weapon and it's not like we're expecting the regular humans who buy these subpar items to protect us. At least Tara and Lara make a nice bit of coin on what they do sell. Sales like these are slowly starting to fill my coffers, I think.
Do I even have coffers?
If I did, would Colin turn them into Mimics?
Hmm. Maybe I should store my money elsewhere.
Aside from the Coop thats ran by farmers, the Forge with its hoarding owner and the Stark Stables becoming the Shimmering Stables, the Hay Bale is still no different now to when I very first created it. Except for the cost of the upgrade that is. 2560DP is just appalling, especially when I'm 99.9% certain that nothing will be achieved from dumping points into it. Other than an increase to the cost of the next upgrade that is.
It's proper bullshit this feature! It's a good job we have an abundance of fields to feed the animals with. It was all on Ali's shoulders when Wheeler's procession arrived and I felt terrible about it. That's why there are a dozen of Fields of Fertility. Even though they only take a few days to sew, sprout, grow and crop, with the help of a magical cultivator, nothing is placed in reserve as we go through all that and more in days.
The amount of food a fully-functioning city goes through on a daily basis is just ridiculous. Like, astronomically ridiculous. The only bright side is that we don't have a bunch of nobles here wasting a shit-ton of what's produced due to their own over-inflated appitites.
I mean, why lace a table with more food than you need? No wonder the world's going to shit and people are eating out of waste reserves. Funnily, those desperate people would be punished for doing just that by those who couldn't eat their fill.
At least The System isn't piping up about theft though. Their souls may be safe after eating rotting waste, but their lives won't be. Not due to the poor standard of waste control, but because nobles are just dicks. They'd take the act as a transgression against them and punish the starving people gorging on their waste.
This fucking world.
There are so many problems out there that dungeon objective A seems like a fruitless endeavor. How can I help people better themselves, when corruption runs deep across the continent? It's even harder when the problems of my own are forever at the forefront of my mind.
The cost of the Bale is still quite high, even when compared to what I retain overnight, but I still can't bring myself to stay near the useless feature for too long. Arriving next to the unchanged feature, I barely have time to consider one more try before a rush of power appears inside my dungeon.
It would appear that my family have returned.