JANETTE JONER
Looking up from my small desk, well, small in comparison to the elephant in the room, I look at his mask again. It was made from exotic snakewood, which was a warm reddish brown with a tight pattern in a darker shade that well, imitated snake skin. It was encrusted with delicate swirls of platinum. Over his brow were nine multicoloured labradorite stones. I had always loved how the platinum around his big eye made it look like a sun blazing. Smiling fondly behind my pine mask I’m interrupted by a notification.
{… The System will now hibernate while its reserves are being filled. It will still serve passive functions such as keeping track of events and upgrades. This does not include translations and other passive benefits of the System. However, those upgrades will be delayed until further notice and you will be unable to open status screens for now. This message has been broadcast to all users.}
What? No, no this can’t be right. Did something get into my coffee? I hope not that was expensive. Guan’ll know what to do, he always does.
Blushing a bit, I turn towards the Guildmaster waiting for him to finish figuring it out himself.
“… I’m surprised it took this long with the mages using all of this energy and not killing any monsters. Heh, serves ‘em right…”
Lifting his head all the way and looks at me with his cool grey eye.
“Get some messengers ready for dispatch, I’m going to write some letters for the Branch leaders and supervisors. We’ll need… oh probably twenty-four in all?”
“Should we send any to The White North?”
“Nope, we may have people there, but no actual buildings.”
Grinning in satisfaction I head down the hall and see who’s free at the moment. A little while later I leave them behind the door to his office and grab the letters from him.
You suckers don’t have a shot at the Guildmaster. I’m his secretary and I’m the one in his office all the time. All of you guys are losers in comparison. You don’t even know his favourite foods and the way he likes his coffee.
I give myself a devilish grin before I’m broken out of my musings by his deep voice.
“The letters are just to inform them that we need to pick up our speed. We’ll have a bonus reward if the bounty is completed early. I wouldn’t normally want to do this and risk people being reckless, but here we are.” Taking the elegantly written papers in hand with their gorgeous black wax seal I close the door behind me.
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A man with silver engravings on his wolf mask leers down at me, “Why would a copper like you be able to order me around? Why don’t you deliver it? I’m busy you know.”
Looking him up and down in an exaggerated manner I hand him the letter, “You’re right, you're busy delivering this letter. I’ll let you get to it!”
Spinning on my heel I head back into the office despite his protests.
Heh, Sucker.
Closing the door delicately behind me to avoid any noise from disturbing Guildmaster Grimwald I head back over to my desk.
I wish I had his last name…
“Come over here.”
Snapping to attention once again receive another letter.
“Bring this to Dempsey Slicker.”
Paling at the name of the recipient I voice, “Are you sure? You know about his uhm… unsavoury characteristics right?”
“I’m well aware. You’ll be fine. You have an opal on your mask right? Besides, You’re always wearing black rags and well…”
Squinting his only eye her waves the thought off.
What’s that supposed to mean? Is he saying that I don’t look nice? No, no, that can’t be the case. This antique goth style just must not be his thing. Maybe I’ll try something else, I’ll find his type eventually.
Without saying a word I bow and head towards the window, jump out and summon my raven wings to get over to Dempsey’s place.
I can’t believe I get to do a personal mission for the Guildmaster! I’ve got the best job! … usually.
Smiling happily I eventually spot my towering destination and regain my calm.
Landing I take the mandatory kneel at the Emperor's ugly statue and head down the hall leading to his throne room. However, Instead of being let in like usual, I’m met by a guardsman’s hand.
“Halt! The Great Emperor is not allowing visitors at the moment. He is attending to some issues right now.”
“Please reconsider,” I hold the letter in front of me, “This is directly from the Guildmaster Guan Grimwald himself.”
Leaning forward with interest the guard plucks the letter from my grasp and observes the stamp. He didn’t send many messages himself especially not to the Mages. So it was going to get some attention.
“Proceed.”
Walking confidently into the room I pause in the middle to give a deep curtsy with my stylishly ragged skirt. After a few minutes, my legs were starting to feel a bit stiff.
Chuckling a slimy voice calls out, “You may rise.”
That can’t be the Emperor, right? I haven’t met him in person but-
Looking up again I find myself quite wrong. It was, in fact, Dempsey Slicker in all his… grandeur. He was a large man Dressed in a giant crimson-red robe with fur trimming. He had a thin come-over on his head and his damp shiny skin was all a pink hue with circles in varying colours of pink and purple covering him thanks to his merge with a Kraken.
Lifting an eyebrow and gesturing lazily with one of his hands he asks, “What did you come in for?”
I’m so glad he can’t see my expression with this mask.
“I have a Letter from the Guildmaster.”
“How about you come over here and read it to me?” Making just enough room for me to fit on his throne-lounge-thing he scoots over.
“Ah well-”
Before I can say anything else I feel something wet and gelatinous push me from behind.
“I insist.”
With another light shove to my back, the tentacle caresses the side of my face on its way back into the ground making me involuntarily shiver.
Just get it over with, and then I can be back with Guan.
Stepping forward mechanically I stop in front of his throne without sitting next to him.
If he does something to me then there’ll be political consequences I don’t think he’ll want to risk. It’ll be fine.
“You know… you remind me of Desdemona. If only she would just agree. I would be in control of two continents then, and so much more…”
Ignoring the little talk he was having with himself I cleared my throat and read the letter aloud for him to hear.
“Emperor Slicker,
“I Believe you have seen the notification regarding the System hibernating. I recognize that mages and bounty hunters have had our differences regarding the use of dungeons. However, I believe that it is currently necessary for us to kill as many monsters and immigrants as possible in the meantime before you can return to your peaceable ways. If you can’t bring yourself to do this then please allow my guild unrestricted access to dungeons in the meantime to allow things to go back to normal and you and yours to be able to use the System as you have before.
“-Guildmaster Grimwald”
Unsure what to do with the letter I bow again and hand it directly to him. Getting up without waiting for him to say I walk steadily towards the large metal doors guarding the entrance. After passing them I scamper away as quickly as possible while still being professional.
Phew!