Who: Merkan, S'dric
What: A discussion with regards to a very nice piece of leather.
Where: Living Cavern, Benden Weyr
When: 11:28am on day 13, month 13, turn 2
Living Cavern Huge, still mostly the natural shape of the bubble cavern that formed it though embellished with intricate columns, the living cavern is large enough to seat over two thousand people at any given time. Gleamingly clean, the space is clearly well-kept by the hard work of the lower caverns staff. High in the eastern walls, narrow windows allow slants of light to dapple the room during the day, a plethora of glowbaskets in well-spaced niches around the cavern provide a warm, ambient glow after sunset. Many long tables are placed around the room, providing plentiful seating, some boasting chairs around them, others sturdy benches that seat ten at a time. The walls are decorated with a set of simple color-block tapestries and one that's more ornate, recently restored, depicting the settling of Benden during Torene's time. The cavern has a welcoming, homey feel to it in spite of its size.
The exits from here are pretty clear-cut: A set of handsomely carved stone steps lead up to the balcony-style kitchen that wraps around the cavern; a tunnel on the eastern wall slopes upward just slightly on its way out to the bowl; the southern tunnel slopes downward steadily as it dips into the Weyr's inner caverns.
It's about to start gearing up for lunchtime on a cloudy (but so far not blustery) winter's day. Merkan, smelling of harsh chemicals, enters the living caverns and is immediately beset upon by a worker. With comments as acidic as he is fragrant he informs her that no, he's not dripping anything. Then he goes over and gets himself a mug of klah, which he takes to a table where crafters tend to sit.
Though his paces is casual as he ducks in from the chilly Bowl, S'dric's steps do have a purpose and it's towards the crafters that he steers his steps. "Good day gentlemen," he greets pleasantly, smile ready on his face.
Merkan glances up from his klah. "Ah, hello, Weyrleader. How are you and Gedreth on this fine Benden day?"
"Very well thank you, Journeyman," S'dric replies and starts to unhook the fastenings on his jacket. "In fact you're just the man I was looking for, I've a potential commission to offer." Beat. A meaningful look. "For the Weyrwoman."
Merkan ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhs expansively. "Sit down, please. I would be very happy to assist you in that endeavor!"
Nodding, S'dric pulls out the chair beside the tanner's and settles into it. "Merkan is your name, right?" the Weyrleader asks casually, regarding the tall crafter. "What I've in mind is a very soft, but weather-proofed hide to make into a jacket."
"Merkan, yes", he says, almost dismissively. "Ah, that sounds like something I can do. Buttery soft, I imagine? And do you want it dyed any particular color? Is this a surprise or can I measure her to make sure the hide is sufficiently sized for the tailor?"
"Quite, with a sueded feel," S'dric continues and pulls a little swatch out of his pocket. "Shaded to complement but not match this." It's a little square of ice blue sisal. "It /is/ supposed to be a surprise," the Weyrleader states with a little smile. "But I can get you the measurements quite easily."
Merkan grins. "I just bet you could." He looks at the square for a few moments, murmuring different shades of blue. Finally, he says "I believe a nice, cook azure would fit the bill. May I keep the patch, just in case?"
S'dric cocks one eyebrow at that remark then grins lopsidedly and waits until the tanner settles on a shade. "If I might see a test swatch myself before committing to the whole length of hide, that would be appreciated and indeed, this is for your use." The Weyrleader nods towards the little piece of fabric graciously.
Merkan says, "Oh yes, of course, of course. And a pre-dye sample so you can feel the texture as well, before I commit the whole thing." He pauses, his expression briefly greedy before he gains control of it. "And will we be negotiating price before or after, sir?"
"That depends, Journeyman, do you have fees for the swatches? Otherwise, I would like to feel the quality of the product before engaging in a full on dicker," the Weyrleader answers with a still-pleasant smile.
Merkan shakes his head. "No, swatches are necessarily free to ensure the satisfaction of the customer. I was mostly wondering if you believed in paying, for instance, half before and half after -- a retainer fee, if you will. But given your rank and my esteem, I'll be happy to work with your payment considerations."
"Excellent, then I'll look forward to receiving a first swatch in five days?" S'dric suggests mildly and his smile is warm as ever as he inclines his head. "I'm aware of such customs and thank you kindly for the show of trust. I would be happy to make a small down-payment however, towards the production of the right shade of dye and the swatch. Perhaps an eighth of final?"
Merkan nods. "That sounds fair, sir. I shall begin work on it immediately after lunch. While the measurements will help, I believe I can make a fairly reasonable guess of the final size from the times I've met her."
"I'll bring the measurements by in a little bit, I do need to get my lunch," S'dric answers, rising to his feet with a nod. "And no need to start the full work until you have those, swatch first," he says with a little chuckle. "Thank you kindly for your time, Journeyman. I'll speak with you this afternoon when I b ring the measures by. Work cavern?"
Merkan nods. "Yes, that's where I'll be. Of course I misspoke; I need to pay attention to my Weyr duties during the day and work on commissions in my spare time."
"Until then," S'dric says simply, another smile and he's turning towards the Weyrleaders' table, to set down his jacket and ask for a plate from one of the serving staff as he settles down with a hide drawn out of an inner pocket of his jacket.
..
