At a time that is convenient for Alexis, Zariya will make an appointment with Paula to see her.

Paula is efficient, and the appointment would be fairly prompt. At the right time, (ooc, this is a dorm complex on the university campus that was taken over for short term office/residence use by family and city government) "Your Highness? This way..." and Zariya will be led up to the fifth floor end office....the door has a sign saying "Princess Alexis, De Facto City Planning" nicely done, and in pencil someone has added 'KNOCK'

Zariya will thank Paula politely, knock, then step inside.

Paula knocks FOR Zariya, then withdraws...

After she is let inside Alexis' offic, Zariya will smile a greeting, "Hello again, Alexis. It is pleasant to see you again.

This area is divided by some high cubicle sides....just to the right of the door is a large desk with chair behind it and a few in front, to the farthest right a tiny alcove holds a sink, to the left of the desk over towards the dividers, a large table with large rolls of paper spread out and weighed down. Alexis stands up and smiles when Zariya enters. "Good morning. I'm glad you stopped by..."

"Good morning to you as well," she replies politely. Then...

Alexis remains standing.

"I have come to listen to your 'spiel', and perhaps make an offer or two."

Alexis chuckles and gestures to take a seat. "Other than the City of Amber City is flat busted broke, and I'm looking for financing?"

Zariya gives Alexis a tight smile as she takes the proffered seat, "I can understand how that would be frustrating. I have come to speak with you about that...in a way...and about Ardor."

Alexis nods. "Can I offer you something to drink?" she says politely.

Without much further ado, she will go on to say, "On the first issue, I have imported many teachers of crafts, from armor and weapon crafting, blacksmithing, and the like, to weavers and tailors, soapmakers...about anything one can think of. Some of my people in the Vale will be taken on as apprentices, and learn these crafts and skills. I would like to offer you the opportunity to take advantage of this as well, and give some of the people of Amber an opportunity to learn, if you would be interested in such a thing."

Alexis considers this for a long moment. "Most of the people here have professions, it's just financing the restarting of the economy..." she muses. "..and rebuilding the city."

"How are you planning on rebuilding, and with what?" Zariya asks, curiously. "It is a big task, and I can see how you would be lacking in materials."

"The what is what I'm about." Alexis replies. "Looking for financial capital. Hence...the Bond drive. Instead of the city issuing them, I am. Payoff guaranteed. Which means you invest $100, I guarantee you will get dividend payments to a total of $250; over a period of time not to exceed twenty years. I the issuer can pay off earlier as long as I cough up the guaranteed payback amount." Alexis sighs. "So it means I have to go on out there, even deal with Rory..." she makes a face, "..and come home with some funds to pay off the bonds." she pauses. "But it gives working capital to fund the public works needed and get the city back to safe, sanitary and habitable." Alexis sits back. "That's what the spiel is about. Buy Bonds...please..." she shifts in her seat. "It's needed to fix the roads, put in the sewers, fix the water supply...rebuild the bombed out parts."

Zariya listens impassively. After Alexis is done, she frowns thoughtfully for a few moments. "I will in the future, most likely, but however I believe all of us are in a period of rebuilding. Until the Shire's treasury is rebuilt to my satisfaction, I will donate materials instead when and where I can."

Alexis nods. "That would help as well. I am planning on a welfare dole, with training and placement. Your recent offer to help train people would dovetail with that nicely. The idea is they register, can qualify for training, and have to take their classes and go to set up job interview referrals, or lose their dole. And when they show up for the dole, check in, commodity disburse and all..." Alexis sighs, "..beer or wine and free hot sausages." she rolls her eyes. "Something to get them to show."

Zariya nods as well, "Half the crafted materials from the apprentice program, then, will be donated to Amber. Once I get the mines working again in the Shire, I can supplement that with tin, copper, and iron."

"Thank you, that would be most appreciated." Alexis says with grateful tones.

"You are welcome," Zariya replies.

Zariya shrugs and gives a slight smile, "In a month or a week or however long I may start buying these bonds--I have no way of knowing when revenues will start coming in."

Alexis nods. "I have my place to run, plus my military unit, plus all this." she nods again. "Just don't shortchange your grant. Get them and keep them going, by all means."

Alexis receives a sunny smile from Zariya, "I am glad we are in understanding."

Alexis smiles back.

She pauses, then changes the subject abruptly, "How goes the Ardor business for you? Rory has been...busy."

Alexis shrugs. "I have as little to do with Rory as possible. I do not get along with him and I detest most of his methods." she says simply.

"You are not alone in this, I think. Dunstree and I seem to have the same aversion to Rory that you have." Zariya pauses for a moment, "I am simply not sure on what to do about it, however. Grandfather said 'by any means necessary' to paraphrase...and it seems Rory is at the least taking steps in Ardor, while most of us are apparantly standing still."

Alexis sighs heavily. "I just don't have the heart to stomp in with a heavy boot and subjugate and terrorize, and turn the thing into two centuries ago 'colonies' or puppet states. I'm broke but." Alexis sighs again. "I want to slap Rory into next month but Grandfather would send me downstairs for doing it. I don't have the means to get ahead of Rory, or to shut him down or shut him out." Alexis makes a face. "I think the whole Ardor thing stinks."

Zariya nods slightly, "I would have to agree. It stinks, as you put it. But, he is not alone in that. Lazlo and Jada have their hands in it as well, Lazlo more than Jada I am led to believe."

Alexis sighs and nods in agreement.

She shakes her head slightly, "I believe we should talk more upon this matter, with Dunstree perhaps." Zariya gives Alexis a slight smile as she stands, "But, what I have come here to do is done. It was a pleasure speaking with you. Perhaps we can speak again, soon."

"Sure, and let me know when you intend on cornering my brother." Alexis rises also.

"Soon, I think," Zariya replies. "Be sure to have a place cleared for the donations."

Alexis nods. "Dunstree has hired some good constabulary so I worry less about the redheaded redfingered discounter cousin of ours."

This text is copyright © Lana Gjovig and Deb Rebel; "Amber" is copyright © Roger Zelazny; "Amber" the diceless RPG is copyright © Phage Press. No copyright infringement is intended.

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