[o] [PQ] in it for keeps

NOE

'Cause, baby, I could build a castle
Out of all the bricks they threw at me

Noe had been searching for the perfect base of operations for her new engineering firm, and the perfect location had just opened up on Pacifist Plaza. The first few she'd looked at had been off the side streets, away from the heaviest foot traffic, but this place... this place was on the main square.

If it needed a little TLC, well, what of it?

The young engineer stood out in front of the building, which looked quite nice from the street. It was the inside that needed to be completely redone. She'd accepted the deliveries of various materials and tools just this morning, so now she leaned over a table amongst piles of wood and stone, poring over the meticulous plans she'd drawn up to change the one-time tea shop into a first-rate engineering firm.

Now she just needed the physical labor to make it happen. She'd posted notices around Stormbreak advertising a fair wage for the day's labor, and she hoped that someone would answer her call soon. If she wanted to get this done in a day, they needed to get started soon.

---

Open PQ to establish the base of operations for Noe's engineering business!

1. Noe
2. Brokkrid
3. Lena

And every day is like a battle
But every night with us is like a dream

Brokkrid might not be beautiful, she might not be smart, she might not be talented in magic, but she could lift a load and be a mule for a day, especially for a paid day's wages. She had signed up and found the address, arriving shortly after another woman had arrived there. She wondered whether or not the short woman, a full foot and a half almost, shorter than she was the person who had put out the advertisement.

She decided that it would be better to ask, than to stand around waiting and let the chance slip by, and have it stolen from under her.

"Hello!" Brokkrid called across the space between her and Noe, waving a large hand in greeting, then showing the flyer she had picked up in her other hand, with the rune that she used to sign contracts at the bottom, "Are you the one who posted that you needed help?" She had brought her smithing supplies, which she would set aside for the day's work. Since she didn't have a room to stay in yet for the night, she was forced to carry it around with her. She looked at the building with envy. A permanent place to set up shop, it was something that Brokkrid could only dream at for now.

"I'm available to help in any way that you want, boss." Brokkrid jumped to the conclusion that this was, perhaps, the person that she was supposed to meet.

Lena

Lena didn’t so much have the time to assist, but wanted to regardless; figuring Noe had helped them multiple times throughout past seasons, and the Caretaker always wanted to pay kindness, generosity, and compassion forward. Getting home a little later was nothing, really, in the grand scheme of things.

So she came towards Noe’s new, and pending, base of operations with a cheery smile and disposition, accompanied by her companion (much less kind; given its scowl). “Hello!” She greeted, waving to Noe and the stranger, greeting and advancing with her usual residual politeness. “I’m Lena, nice to meet you.” Mittens stared with its standard frown, hovering over her shoulder.

Then the Caretaker turned back to Noe, full of brightness and fervency. “Where do we start?”

The universe listens to brave

NOE

'Cause, baby, I could build a castle
Out of all the bricks they threw at me

The first to arrive was a stranger, who seemed to come to the conclusion that Noe was in charge. To be honest, the girl was a little surprised. She didn't really think anyone saw her as in charge, so to be referred to as 'boss' took her aback. "Yes, that's me," she chirped, shaking off the momentary shock. "I'm Noe. Thanks for coming."

The next to arrive was a familiar face, and though Noe didn't know Lena particularly well, she still offered the woman a chipper smile. "Hey, Lena. It's good to see you." Less good, perhaps, to see the abominable snowball that followed the Caretaker around, but hey, Noe will take what she can get.

With introductions made, Noe turned her attention to the tasks at hand. "Okay, first off, we need to clear out the old restaurant stuff," she said, waving towards the building behind her. "Once we do that, we can redesign it based on some plans I've drawn up."

---

Round 1! Clean out the shop.

1. Tables and chairs need to be removed.
2. A checkout counter needs to be demolished.
3. Old decorations need to be taken down.

And every day is like a battle
But every night with us is like a dream

Lena

Mittens remained wholly indifferent to not being invited or welcomed at this shindig; glaring at anyone nearby until allotted directions were granted and given. Lena listened to introductions, and then the rest, eyes flickering back and forth over potentials. She wasn’t big into demolishing – so she glanced at the décor that was now unsuitable. “Mittens and I can take care of the old decorations,” she offered with a polite grin – figuring her companion would love to snag at ancient pieces and destroy –

The Caretaker didn’t do that, but calmly opted to grab and snag at things that clearly weren’t or couldn’t match, while the snowball companion’s mouth went for some food advertisements.

--

Lena and Mittens go to take down the old decorations.

The universe listens to brave

"I guess," said Brokkrid rolling her shoulders and taking out a Smith hammer from her pack, "I can break the counter so we can remove it. It'll move easier when it doesn't weigh a ton and a half." She hefted the hammer onto her shoulder and gave the two women are bright smile, "Girl power, right?"

Brokkrid took the hammer to the counter's corner, and with a sound like thunder the outside wall came crashing to the floor. "I feel like I could have leaned on this thing and demolished it." She gave it a cursory wiggle and it moved like a drunk Latin dance partner. "Yeah, good thing you're getting rid of this. she has loose bones."

NOE

'Cause, baby, I could build a castle
Out of all the bricks they threw at me

Lena and Brokkrid made their selections, leaving Noe with the goal of removing old tables and chairs. Fortunately, she'd gotten permission from the city to start a burn pile in the back of the shop, and so she dragged the furniture piece by piece to the designated spot. Luckily, it was primarily made of wood, so burning it should be easy; unfortunately, it also made it heavy, and Noe was sweating even in the cool temperatures as she rejoined the others out front.

”Okay, great job!” she said, trying not to pant with exertion. ”Now that we have a blank slate, we can get it built like I want it.” She led the way over to the plans she’d drawn, pointing out a few things that would make the most logical sense to do next. 

—-

Round 2!

Take your pick of the following tasks and Noe will do whatever is left!

1. Remove the debris from the counter demolition
2. Frame out the new spaces (Noe’s office, a bathroom, a gallery, and a waiting area)
3. Remove old light fixtures and install new ones

And every day is like a battle
But every night with us is like a dream

Lena

Pleased with the progress, Lena glanced over to her cohorts, ensuring everyone seemed to be welling too. Other than tired from the exertion in Noe’s case, most of her constituents seemed to be doing just fine. She smiled at the praise, and then glanced over the next particulars.

Had she not been honed in experience of framing in King’s End, especially over new houses and stores, she might not have taken the job. However, with that newfound confidence, the Caretaker readily volunteered. “I can go frame out the new spaces for you,” and taking the coordinated designs, began to go over portions and pieces readily necessary for such a business, making, marking, and mapping out where offices, bathrooms, galleries, and waiting areas could be contained.

--

Lena helps frame out new spaces!

The universe listens to brave

NOE

'Cause, baby, I could build a castle
Out of all the bricks they threw at me

Work continued at a steady pace, and Noe was pleased to have helpers. Many hands made light work, or some such thing, and it was proving to be true as the three of them put their all into forming the space into something that Noe could use.

Suddenly, a messenger appeared and approached, stopping Noe in her tracks. She listened to his message and then thanked him. ”Hey, guys?” she called to Lena and Brokkrid. ”I’m so sorry, but something’s come up. I really appreciate your help, but I’m going to have to shut this down early. Thank you so much for coming!” After thanking them profusely and seeing them on their way with an abundance of apologies, Noe locked up the half-finished shop and went on her way.

fin

And every day is like a battle
But every night with us is like a dream