Stirring from a deep and restful sleep Nilo is awakened to the smell of . Coffee? Could these brute laborers truly have access to such a delight? Tossing on his travel clothes he hurries down the stair case.
The scene is as it should be for a transport garage. Already the engineers and mechanics are hard as work making modifications and repairs to the various vehicles used in the job. But sights are not what have awakened Nilo from his deep healing slumber, "Where was that coffee smell coming from?" he asked himself as he wound his way through the workers. Spying the huge kettle in the corner of the shop seemingly guarded by a huge brute of a man, covered in tattoos and looking rather ominous. But then again, what man didn't look huge to Nilo, being but 4'2" was a burden. As he approached he was delighted not to be bitten but rather greeted, albeit rather surly from the loafing giant. This must be one the the slavering idiots that run to and fro gathering materials for the shop workers, he thought. Friendly enough though, the giant, did he say his name was Clyde or Lie?, not important, motioned to where Nilo could find a cup.
Over the coffee Nilo learned that this brute was not a "gopher" for the mechanics but rather a driver, and not just any driver but HIS driver. Well, if he was going to have to work with this brute it would best serve his interests to befriend him. Clyde mumbled something resembling a need for breakfast. Answering the call Nilo guided them through the crowds to a breakfast nook on the street side that he often attending while attending Academy. The Nookery, as it was called, was home to some of the best fare for the lowest price in town. Aireal, a friend of Nilo's, worked there and quickly made room for the little man and his odd friend. As Clyde, which isn't his name but at this point it would be rude to ask what his real name was, began to remove cutlery from his pouch Nilo attempted to show the brute that to truly understand and enjoy a meal one must use their fingers. The tactile sensation along with the sight, smell and taste add for a more flavorful meal. Alas, it was a lost cause as the giant shoveled the meal into it's gullet by the spoon and forkful. Sometimes making friends can be daunting.
Once they returned to the garage, Clyde showed Nilo the carriage which would be theirs to operate. Sharing with Nilo the harrowing tale of how a creature had damaged the carriage on the last trip. Of course what was frightening to Nilo's ears came out as commonplace from Clyde. This would be the first sign that Nilo had made a mistake as to an opening career. In any case, he made sure that his repeating crossbow was properly stowed and made a mounting bracket on top of the carriage to place it upon should trouble happen when they departed.
With time to spare, Nilo thought about the thugs who had accosted him in the alleyway. Such men, already intimidated by his fighting prowess, might come to some use. Even though Nilo knew them to be dullards with no attention to plan, he realized that they might become tools to be used later for jobs unfitting for Nilo himself.
Nilo began to scour the city for a clue as to the ruffians' hideaway. All his normal social channels seemed to bring him naught, when after 9 hours of searching he thought to change tact. Of course, he though, he could not find them; He was looking in the wrong places, and immediately began spending more money on some of the seedier contacts which he had in place from acquiring wanted objects from other students. As his time for his search drew near, he ran into a savory figure named, Boaden.
Boaden seemed to be in touch with many of the local shady dealings and with but a little prodding Nilo quickly found the two he sought, or at least the information of their location. Toll, the thug, and Danner, the mage, were a couple of "Salt Arms", sailors of an disreputable sort. And they frequented a hole in the wall down on the docks that even Nilo's teamster father would have steered clear of. It was too late to visit such a place and still make it back for rest so Nilo talked to Boaden and made an attempt to befriend the man with some well placed silver as a tip. With hope in his heart, Nilo made his way back to the garage.
After a quick nap and a rude awakening, as there was no coffee this next morning, Nilo was about his business in the garage. The mechanics had made adjustments to his tripod, which he quickly checked over and found that all was in order.
As Nilo and Clyde rolled to the stop to pick up the nobles for the trip, Clyde laid out the rules for the trip. There would be no talking to the passengers, not even to look at them. Contact was forbidden. This was not what I planned, thought Nilo as he went over in his mind his delusion of making marketable contacts from this job. Alas, he signed up for it so he hauled the luggage and diligently stood watch for the quick uneventful trip, there and back.
So another day comes to close with Nilo frustrated about his initial onset of occupation. He was wrong to try and make contacts in the travel industry, at least for now. He would contact the civil authorities and avail himself to them as a detective. or at least a constable to work his way in. Dealing with both city officials and criminals would certainly open new doors for this young small man.
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