Livia was still in recovery from the massive failure that the Salcret auction turned out to be for the [Guild].

Recovery as in getting her shit together.

She knew what a big deal economics was for success, she had just been so focused on making sure they had the tools for the future that it somehow ended up neglecting the present.

It had never been her strong suit anyway, even back home. It was not to the point of her being irresponsible about money, more that she was a bit of an optimist and would rather work hard at getting some extra funding for a project than compromise her ambition.

It was not bad per se, but it certainly meant she needed a strong wingwoman. Today she was hoping that Elin, the [Accountant], was up for the task of being that wingwoman.

It just turned out she was a tougher negotiator than anticipated.

“50 silver weekly is my rate, why would I budge on that for a job that also requires moving?” Her dark blonde hair was made up in a braid and she was looking a lot sterner now than when they had caught her at home in the kitchen.

Which felt like a weird impression to be getting, Elin was only seventeen after all, and slight to boot. That was a whole four years younger. The difference between people here and the same bracket from back in school was just stark. Very stark.

But the amount did not add up for Livia. “You can’t possibly be getting paid that much, I’ve seen you working at five different places, you guys would be rich by now,”

That made Elin smile. “I’m not working at those places full time, now am I?”

Livia had her. “Exactly, and you will only be working at one place, doing one pair of books, right?” Elin was looking at her funny for some reason, but she stubbornly went on. “So, why then would I need to pay five times as much, if you’re really not just taking advantage?”

Mr Beard was starting to catch on to the miscommunication happening.

[Livia, you’re getting things confused from home again.]

He said no more than that–he knew she could not really respond–and would not want him going on in her ear.

All that the words earned him was a second of annoyance flashing across Livia’s expression, which he couldn’t even see.

Elin started explaining. “Because you would be getting me full time, and I know I’m worth it when you’re getting all my Skills to yourself. If your being short of funds at the moment is an issue I don’t know why you’re not just going for my second suggestion?” Elin was looking honestly perplexed.

But the answer was simple. Because I’m an American damn it. I will not be taken for a damned sucker.

Of course Livia could not exactly say that. “Because 1% of the [Guild] earnings while you remain working is outrageous,” She couldn’t help but raise her voice at having to explain herself. Dress it up however, that’s just insulting. “You would just be doing the books, giving financial advice and stuff, even if you are a math wizard I don’t see how you’ll be able to justify 50 silver a week of added expense, and certainly not a share of all our collective efforts!” She almost wanted to slam the table between them for emphasis.

“You said you know my Class, are you really sure? I mean yeah, I look over the books and make sure everything adds up and all, but that’s like one task in twenty–I told you, I’m an [Accountant].” Livia was still looking lost.

“Oh for apple bottom’s sake, do I seriously have to spell it out? I hold people accountable.”

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That finally turned on the lights for Livia, not in terms of the apparently dynamic Class, but what she had been getting wrong. “For apple's what... You do what!?”

“I manage people’s businesses, I sit them down and plan things out, set goals and then follow up–are the financial goals being met, the development goals–is the market or the clientele reacting to our actions the way we predicted and hoped for–do we need to adjust?”

That sounded more like almost a [Business Manager] to Livia. Although apparently Elin held no stakes or actual position in the business, not when working part time.

For full time work, she evidently wanted that to change. “I use Skills like [Dead End Return] and [Market Palate] to perk you up if you are in a slump or to know when a project needs to pivot in a changing market,” She was in full on lecture mode, it obviously was not the first time she needed to explain her Class in the form of a sales-pitch. “If you are slacking, I hold you [Accountable]. If you are ignoring the facts and trying to continue a failing strategy, I hold you [Accountable] and if the pressure is getting to you and you start ignoring your [Guild] member’s needs or treating them like crap, I will hold you [Accountable]!”

She had emphasized the word each time and was actually striking a pose by the end.

Livia almost felt an echo of being star-struck. “Alright, uhm, this is a lot to take… Well, into account. Hah. But I am starting to get it, this is pretty far from what I pictured... I will need to consider things some more before we sign anything,”

Livia was impressed, but she was also thinking she should have heard of this Class before. ”Could we finish up tomorrow maybe and I’ll have a chance to run all this by the rest of the fellows as well?” Not to mention find out what the hell Mr Beard knows.

“Yes sure, that’s fine, we still have more than a week for proper spring anyway. Shouldn’t be until then that we consider going. So sure, tell me later, I don’t care really,” By the end of that burst of words she was looking at the upper corner of the room.

Yeah, real convincing Elin. Livia actually had to stifle a chuckle. Elin had been doing so well acting above her age too.

As Livia led Elin out to the yard and shared a final few minutes of small talk and getting updates on her two brothers–who would also be coming along; she was suddenly distracted by a strange looking pair coming up the road to their orchard.

It was Albert and his old [Brewmaster], but Albert was wearing a terribly bright and loud yellow–only slightly dimmed by a blue vest–that made Livia want to put on sunglasses.

Then again, Livia was not wearing anything special herself. She had never been much into fashion, besides stuff from choice fandoms–that she loved having an excuse to wear more than anything–but since coming to Salcret she had gotten a wardrobe that mostly just made her fit in, although she had still went through the bother of adding splashes of color in places so they still felt like her own clothes she was wearing.

All that to say that despite a certain indifference; if all Salcret had had to offer was what Albert was currently wearing then Livia would literally still be stubbornly clinging to the remaining rags of her clothes from home.

Of course they show up when I’m basically here alone, where’s Oscar and Kalle when you need them. Even Hyde would be welcome. Eh, I suppose Roldy I could take for the moral support, but unless I’m dealing with an animal then he’s on the bench, with those he can be very useful; but even then it’s a fifty-fifty he just rubs them the wrong way.

She noticed she was trying to distract herself. Okay let’s go see what Mr Big Shot and Dolomite want to say. Hopefully they’re just here to reserve some apples.

Fat chance with those outfits on.