The Apprentice [Open]

[Alexandrea]

Alexandrea was sitting at her private workbench with her head down, long blonde hair tucked back behind her ears. Her hand held a fine point needle which pulled a golden thread along a hat brim and it was moving faster than the human eye could follow. Only 10 more hats that were needing the stitching of their trimmings still waited in the backroom. But Alex tried not to think about them. Or the 3 bowling shirts that needed Flamethrowing Harpies embroidered on the pickets.

She was grateful that business was good. But keeping up with the average ordinary demand was getting more challenging. It was rare that Alex's own ‘art‘ actually sold and the sad fact of reality was that the books stayed in the black because of the boring work. Or the more cheaply made and less original (read: mainly identical) pieces.

Most of the more creative work usually would also be the more costly pieces. And then there were just the few loyal regulars that seemed to like what Alex created. And very few of them that actually bought those small masterpieces of jewelry that had been the inspiration behind the business to start with. But mainly... those kinds of pieces didn’t sell. Aside from the holidays, the odd special events, and one particular wealthy patron of the arts who seemed to get in trouble with his wife a lot.


Unfortunately, at least in Alexandrea's opinion, not all her customers were like Doc.

Most were either idle shoppers that did not really want to buy anything to begin with or your average gift giver with a budget. It was the custom orders that made the business break even, but most of those would always be multiples of identical items for teams or clubs, like the little old ladies with the hats. The red cap club or something like that. The odd part was, they hadn't even ordered all red hats. There were some purple ones and a few pink too.

At least having her childe as her manager had left Alex free to power out the production, even if the monotony of the work was often as dull as watching paint dry. Sometimes quite literally. The blonde's heart sank as she thought about how that time would be drawing to a close sooner rather than later and her frown deepened further after being a nosy sire and taking a peek at her childe with telepathic abilities. Meara was ready to leave the nest anytime now. And Alex had no clue what she was going to do without her.

Before her childe had taken over as the manager, Alexandrea had always done those duties herself and was hesitant to hire anyone else to replace Meara. Not that anyone actually ever COULD replace Meara. Which meant replacing herself…. with another artist or craftsperson. Or better yet, someone who was both.

The Allurist wrote up the advert for help in her head but before Alex actually logged into the crownet to post it, she reconsidered. The last few help wanted ads had flopped. The blonde quickly covered up all the hats with a new dropcloth, and got out the paints.


A short while later a freshly painted sign was in the window of Quartermaine Custom Creations.

Apprentice Sought.
Inquire Within.

[Patrick]

It was a pretty average day thus far for Patrick. As usual he went about searching for the odd parts and pieces of machinery, weapons, or anything he could use to craft something with. He loved crafting, he invested almost all his time into it. It was so much more peaceful to make something than to go around stealing and killing like some others did. He didn't blame them exactly, but he didn't really have any respect for the ones who were violent either. Their skills maybe, but not their minds or morals.

Right now, he was simply walking around in brown kahki pants, a green and white striped polo shirt, and blue boat shoes. Sometimes it was nice to go for a stroll, even if he didn't do it too often. As he did however he came across a sign at the window of Quartermine Custom Creations. He shrugged, he needed money to continue his work which he loved so much. And this might even teach him something.

He opened the door and heard the usual sound when a new customer would arrive. The first employee he would see he would go up to too inquire about the sign, with a kind and genuine smile on his face that usually was there, "Hello, I noticed the sign on the outside. It said to inquire, so here I am, inquiring. I hope the jobs still open right?"

[Alexandrea]

After placing the sign for help wanted up, Alex had gotten back to work. The hats were soon all completed and wrapped up to go. She was down to one bowling shirt left to wrap up when Kitty called up to Alex on the intercom that Mrs. Robinson was on line two.

"Alexandrea!" Sang out the slightly husky voice; "Wonderful news, Darling! Mitzi found us a fourth for our team! So we will need another shirt. And I have decided we should go ahead with the personalization. That is not a problem, is it Darling?"

"Not at all, Mrs. Robinson. Happy to do it. What are the names you would like on the shirts and where would you like them to be embroidered?"

A tittering laugh came over the line before the Widow replied; "But of course! Silly me. I better call Mitzi back to ask how her sister spells her name. It wouldn't do for it to be incorrect, now would it?"

"No, I certainly agree. But why don't you give me the names of the others for now? So I can at least get started. You did still want to pick up your order later today... or?"

"Quite so. There's myself, Mitzi and Elle. And sew our names on in the usual place, of course Darling."

A few minutes passed as Alexandrea got the spellings of Mitzi and Elle. Then reminded her client that she had not yet given Alexandrea her own first name. And that the flame throwing Harpy was 'in the usual place'. More laughter followed before Mrs. Robinson shared that it was, 'Lolita', with 'the usual spelling'.

"L, O, L, I, T, A?"

Well of course! Is there any other way?" More tittering laughter. "And Alex, Darling? If I am happy with the work? I will be commissioning my costume for this year's Mardi Gras from you as well."

"Thank you, Mrs. Robinson. I appreciate that. Now where shall I add your team member's names on the shirts?"

"Well of course you do, dear. I suppose it is too late to put our Harpy on the back with the team name, like you suggested to begin with? But larger, of course!"

And again with the laughing before the older woman continued... "Nevermind, let's just keep it how we decided. Except to add the names, of course! Just sew those on the opposite breast from our cute little mini harpies, alright? Now you run along and get to work. I will have Mitzi call your shop with her sister's name. And my chauffeur will be there at 7pm to pick up everything. We can arrange a time for you to take my measurements next week. My bridge club voted on a feline theme this year and I want to be the most gorgeous cougar at the ball!"

A cougar. Really? Alex wanted to ask if the woman was serious but decided against it. The Allurist held out her phone and looked at it oddly for a moment before moving it back to her ear and replying.

"Of course….. thank you. That will all be fine and today’s order shall be ready for pick up tonight by nine. Provided Mitzi gets me that name. Have a lovely afternoon."

After the phone was hung up gently and safely, rather than bitten in half like Alex had really wanted to do to it, she gave her deck a few good shift head bumps with her forehead before starting to unwrap the shirts she had just finished wrapping.


It was less than an hour later when the blonde was done, or as done as she could be. All the shirts had been finished rewrapped again excepting for the newest one, that still needed the name added, when her thrall Kitty's voice once again called out to Alex over the intercom. This time to let her know that there was someone here to see her.

With a glance at the time, Alexandrea groaned. It wasn't nine yet but that didn't mean anything. Even if Mrs. Robinson's driver wasn't who was waiting downstairs, odds were that whomever was there had more work for her… work that would all needed to be done yesterday.


Kitty looked back at the younger man who waiting waiting on her boss and smiled. "Ms. Quartermaine will be with you momentarily. Now if you'll excuse me please?" The brunette didn't wait for Patrick to reply but went directly back to work, greeting an elderly couple who had just arrived. She looked up as the blonde came down the stairs and pointed out Patrick to Alex. With a nod, the Allurist headed over to the counter where the man was waiting and held out her hand in greeting.

"Welcome to Quartermaine Custom Creations. I'm Alexandrea Quartermaine. How may I help you this evening?"

[Patrick]

Despite Kitty departing Patrick said, "Thank you very much." as she did, even if she didn't hear him.

He smiled as Alexandrea came by and introduced herself, "Pleasure to meet you. My name is Patrick McPeterson. Actually, I was looking for a job, I noticed the sign." He didn't bother to gesture in the direction of the sign, he assumed she would be aware naturally as she must have put it up.

I do hope this works out. I would enjoy getting some pay. Plus, maybe I'll get to do something I like. But don't go hoping to much. It may be possible, but get your hopes dashed would be kind of sad. He thought waiting eagerly for a responds. He kept calm, but with his usual contented and kind smile that almost always accompanied his face.

[Alexandrea]

"Patrick McPeterson." Alex repeated back to him while smiling and nodding. To herself she was thinking, that was quick. But she did not smile overly much. She would not want to come off too desperate for help and risk sending an applicant screaming for the door. That would happen soon enough once they got the job.

"Thank you for your interest. I have the applications upstairs. You may either wait down here for me and take it with you to return to us later, or if you wish you may follow me upstairs to my office and fill it in right now. Did you bring your Resume?"

[Patrick]

He shook his head, "No ma'am. I only just saw the sign. So I suppose I'll just wait, and fill them in when I get it." He admitted.

Gosh, I completely forgot I need to get my resume for this sort of thing. I should maybe make copies and bring it around? Of course, that might seem kind of weird. In any case, if I get this job, I won't have to do that. So it may not matter anyway. He thought.

[Alexandrea]

With a grin, Alexandrea passed over a business card to the nervous young man. "Or you can email me a copy later, perhaps? At any rate... let me get you that application."

The Allurist hurried up the stairs and down again with a copy of the paperwork. She was a bit disappointed that Patrick wouldn't turn out to be a valid distraction from working but gave over the form to him with a warm grin. "Just drop this off when you have it completed and I will call if you seem qualified."

Alexandrea did not hurry away, hoping to see a bit of self promotion from the potential employee. Even if he never worked the sales floor, he should at least know how to sell himself.

[Patrick]

He smiled, "Thank you very much." He said as he looked over the paperwork carefully,"I promise to get it in soon even if I don't have it with me, I will work hard. I like work so that won't be a problem. I do have a bit of experience with mechanics, but you'll see all that once I get my resume to you. Course I like to get the money to do my own stuff too." He added the last sentence half jokingly saying he liked to work, but also to get something from if if he could. However apart from that, he didn't offer anything more that would sell his own talents. He wasn't fond of trickery, and would be quite honest about his own skills for sure.

He would write down what he needed to on the papers as he started to leave, but turned back and said again, "Thanks again! Hopefully, I'll be back soon. Pleasure meeting you."

[Alexandrea]

"Pleased to have meet you as well, Mr. McPeterson. Have a lovely evening." Alexandrea said kindly, then watched the young man leave. She went over to say hello to the couple with Kitty before heading back upstairs to her office.

Once Alex sat back at her desk, she opened an email from Mitzi with the missing name and got to work on the last shirt while looking up "Patrick McPeterson" through the web with her mind. She hoped there would be something scandalous to read.

[Patrick]

Patrick went on his way home to prepare his Resume and send it in around morning the next day. It revealed he had indeed had training in mechanics, though not as a job, but he also had a bit in metal working as well, more in fact. He had had a job previously in a restaurant but aside from that he had no other official experience in actual work. Once Patrick had compiled it all and sent it in he sat down on his bed crosslegged looking at the ceiling and thinking about what to do.


If she was really hoping for something scandalous she would be disappointed. Patrick had seemed almost a perfect person, never failing to be kind it seemed, even once being a human shield for someone. It was clear he didn't like violence but was very forgiving to those who used it, although he accepted it when it was used to protect someones life or something. A few times it would be noted he sided with the idea of having blood donations for vampires so they didn't have to take blood. Much of his activity was in fact on the internet as, he said, it meant there was less a chance of getting someone hurt.