Blood and Cupcakes
Page 49
“Princess Storage Company?” Really…??? Is everything gonna be Princess with me?
“Well you are a Princess, correct? So, I took the liberty of naming the company after you. I also assume you’ll be making new merchant acquaintances who would like to acquire this tech. So, in addition to your cut as a forming partner, you’ll also be paid as head of sales for any units you contract.”
“Paid what?”
“A 15% commission on any purchases made by that party in perpetuity. Mind you, our sales force won’t get the same deal as you. Our profits will be split 65-35 my way since I have to make the initial investment and supply the knowledge but I think that’s rather fair. Initial cost of the units will be about 300 platinum. So, our first unit will net you the 35% and your 15% of all sales cost, a total of 50% percent for any units that you sell. All percentages are based on the profit after the company’s production costs and wages are paid.
“Right now, that doesn’t amount to much. The biggest expense is getting the control boxes made. I’ve sourced that for around 3 platinum each. Bottom line is, you’ll make roughly 150 platinum for each unit you sell, and 105 platinum for every unit that you don’t.”
“Have you thought about any anti-tampering devices to keep the secrets, ya know secret? I would hate for the tech to get around even if they can’t sell it on open market.”
Cloutus scratched his chin. “I hadn’t thought about it. I’ll admit, that is a good idea. I’ll look into it. I’m not sure about the cost, though.”
“Better to pay to keep it secret than to lose it for nothing. Oooh… what if there is a recall or destruction rune in the device? If it’s tampered with the unit will come back to a storage facility or will be destroyed and we’ll be able to fine the user and sell them another one?”
“That’s a good idea. I’ll get on it.”
“Other than that, this sounds good.” She signed the papers and handed them back to Cloutus.
Ding!!!
You have formed a Company in Majesta
Princess Storage Company
Level: 1
+2 to Skinflint
+10% to presence (You are the face of a company, after all.)
Business presence: 0 - business presence will rise and fall with the amount of sales, quality of goods, and level of customer service. Your zero level reflects the fact that you have sold no items as of yet.
“Well that’s awesome. Cloutus did you…?”
“Yes, I just got the notification as well,” he said with a large smile. “Since the first unit is scheduled for delivery today, I have a few gifts for you.”
OOOOOoooooohhh…. I like gifts.
“The first is your cut for this sale. After the heavy discount, I offered Hollister for his information, your cut is 123 platinum 79 gold.”
Mayah’s mind was blown. Even with the currency exchange, she now had close to $43,000 real world dollars. If this kept up, she would be able to take care of her family indefinitely. Holy…. She accepted the heavy coin purse and put it into her inventory.
“The second gift is two control boxes. One is in pieces so you don’t have to take it apart. The second one is in full working order.” He pulled out another package with finality. “This is a second switch mechanism. I’m positive you’ll find some way to use it in your travels.”
Mayah’s inner gears were spinning. She would be able to figure out the mechanisms which allowed anyone to trigger runes with their mana.
Don’t study it right now, we’re headed to a dungeon and there’s no time. But soon, my precious...
She added them to her inventory and gave Cloutus a giant hug. He smiled at her and said, “If you have any other good ideas let me know. We should have capital to ramp up the marketing within the month. Also, I’m thinking a small factory to help lower our prices.”
She gave him another hug. “Thanks, Cloutus. Once I get my bank account set up I’ll send you the information so you can deposit it there. Sounds like it’ll be safer there anyway.”
“The banks are a very safe way of keeping your valuables. Maybe I should talk to them about this technology?”
“Yes! Yes, you should. Imagine the space they could save with it. All that they would really need would be a way to encrypt the summoning to make it so that it can only be activated at a bank facility.”
“Hmmmm… that is a good idea. I don’t know how I would do that, but I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”
“Yes, we will.”
She looked around and saw Majestans and paladins pouring into the stadium. “Looks like it’s time to defeat a dungeon. C’mon, gang.”
Jensen leaning back against the wall outside the waiting room, arms crossed. He perked up when he saw them.
“Well hello, Royal Death Claws. I just wanted to say safe journeys to ye.”
Mayah continued walking up to him and embraced him in a hug, burying her face in his midsection. She was really going to miss him, secrets and all.
“Thank you, Jensen, I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Ah, goosle...” He sniffed trying to hold back a tear. “Make sure ye stay in touch, and call me if ye need me for anything… ANYTHING at all.”
Grax and Margaret piled onto Jensen, causing him to stumble back a step. After a moment, he extricated himself and straightened his clothes hiding his face.
“Well you should probably get going,” he sniffed, looking to the side.
“One last thing Jensen, can you mail a letter to my brother for me?”
“Consider it done.” He smiled down at her.
Mayah took a moment to pen a letter and put the letter and some money in Jensen’s hand. She then took the opportunity to hug Jensen again.
“Safe journeys,” she said, with a curtsey.
“Safe journeys,” he said nodding with a smile.
She turned towards the doors and led her team into the waiting room where the other contestants were already waiting for the ceremony to begin. In one corner was the knight she wanted as her tank. She told Grax and Margaret that she was going to see him. She walked across the room and put her hand out.
“PythonC++, right?”
“Yeah?” he said looking at her hand but making no move to shake it.
She let her arm awkwardly fall back to her side. “Saw you fighting that archer yesterday. Good match. I didn’t know taunts would work on other players.”
“Technically it wasn’t a taunt,” he said looking at her and saying nothing else.
“So, you’re not big on words, huh?”
“Not really.”
“Then let me cut to the chase. I need a tank and you’re built for the job.”
“I saw your matches yesterday. You were lucky you won with your sloppy technique.”
“You don’t pull any punches, do you?” Mayah cocked her head and put a fist on her hip.
“Not my job to pull punches. I want’a be the best tank in the game and the only way I’m goin’ta get there is to play with the best players. You need more work before you can say that about yourself.”
“Arrogant much?” Her face twisted at him.
“Not arrogant—observant.”
“Well, what would you have done different if you were me?”
“One, I would increase your damage output with a lighter weapon. That hammer is great when it hits, but you miss a lot. Second, I noticed that you’re weak in close combat so you need to get some practice with that.”
Everything he said was spot on. “So, you’re not mean, you’re just driven?”
“Pretty much.”
“How about this, since I’m not afraid of your criticism, and I really like your name, let’s be friends and then you can criticize me all you want and I’ll get better in the meantime.”
She extended her hand again.
This time he looked at her and said, “You don’t give up, do you?”
“Never in my entire life. Plus, I hate being coddled.”
Wi
th that he almost smiled and took her hand. “I’m Python.”
“And I’m Fluff. It’s been a minute since I’ve coded in Python or C++.”
“You code?” He raised an eyebrow at her.
“Yep, gonna be doing some runic coding in game as well.”
“Wait, they have that?” His eyebrows almost flew off of his face.
“Not so much, but I’m gonna revolutionize this world. Wait till you see what I make.”
“Okay, I’m more impressed by that than your fights. Maybe we could work together.”
“Nothing like giving it a shot,” she shrugged.
Friend Request
PythonC++ would like to add you as a friend.
Do you accept
Y/N?
Mayah accepted and said, “How about we meet up on the outside and party up? For a bit.”
“I’m not averse to that. Where are you thinking of going?”
“Probably Techros. I need to find out what kind of tech is already available in this world and start making mods.”
“Wow, you’re really not wasting any time, are ya?”
“Waste not want not.”
He chuckled, “Well I guess eggheads should stick together.”
“Two heads are always better than one.”
“I was starting to think these stupid game jockeys were gonna chafe my soul, but you’re quickly changing my opinion.”
“Glad I could be of service. You can return the favor by critiquing fighting styles and training together with us.”
“Sounds like a good deal.”
“Okay, I can’t leave that cat alone for too long or he’ll cause problems.”
“That’s why I’m a fish person.”
“Hah…!!! So, I’ll message you whenever we get to our next city and see if we can work together.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
They shook again and Mayah went back to her team. “I may have just found us a tank.”
“That guy??? He’s a jerk.”
“No, he just doesn’t suffer fools gladly. So as long as you’re not a fool, you’ll be fine.” She gave Grax a sassy look, “Wait, that’s not gonna happen, is it?”
“Did you just call me a fool?”
“If the shoe fits…” she shrugged.
“Sometimes I really hate you.”
“Sometimes you should keep your stupid to yourself.”
“God…. little sisters!!!” He threw his paws up in irritation.
Mayah laughed and fluffed his hair. “You mad bro?”
“Get off’a me.” He pushed her hands out of his face.
“Cut it out, you two! This is no time to argue between ourselves. We should be getting ready for the dungeon.”
“Yes mother,” they both said in unison. Margaret sighed in exasperation.
A few minutes later they were called to the arena floor. Thunderous applause rolled across the open. They were led before the announcer’s stage where the mayor stood at a podium. There was an empty arch covered with runes behind him. It was the very same arch from the town square. The eight paladins lined up in front of him.
“Welcome, victorious paladins! The time for your rewards has come. Let the world know that you aspire to be the best of the best through your continuing actions. We will be watching.”
The audience applauded again.
“First, we have the unclassed paladin division. Winners, please step forward.”
The four unclassed paladins made their way to the front and stood in a line in front of the mayor. As they did so, four mages took places in front of each of them, holding a glowing sphere of light.
The mayor spoke again. “Place your hands onto the sphere and receive your prizes.”
There were multiple flashes of light. When they receded, the paladins held new weapons in their hands. The new mace, bow, sword, and shield glowed in the bright sunlight.
“Paladins, we hope these weapons will serve you well in your fight against Ba'alquion.”
The audience roared its approval.
After a moment, the mayor raised his hands to quiet down the audience.
“PythonC++, please step forward.”
He did as was asked.
“You have proven yourself to be a steadfast fighter, smart and powerful. Place your hand on the sphere and receive your prize.”
After the bright flash faded, he was holding a new, gleaming sword and shield.
“We feel that these items will be able to help you defend Majesta from the onslaught of Ba'alquion. We ask that you be a shield for us to protect our families. And a sword to strike fear into the hearts of the enemy.”
PythonC++ raised the sword and shield above his head and ROARED!!!
The crowd quickly followed suit and the stadium was swallowed by the sound.
When the applause died down, he moved over to where the other paladins stood and took his place next to them.
The mayor finally turned to the Royal Death Claws. “Royal Death Claws, please come to the stage.”
They walked up the stairs to the platform and turned to face the audience.
“You have proven yourself to be a force worth reckoning. As such, we offer you a chance to gain unknown riches in a dungeon suitable for your level. This dungeon will be open only for you until completed or as long as one member of your team stays inside the dungeon or at the safe zone at the entrance.”
“We wish you all the best of luck. May you fight the good fight!”
The audience applauded once more with more ferocity than they had so far. When the portal flared into existence, the volume from the crowd rose another notch. A sheet of what looked to be fluorescent purple water ripple inside the archway.
“Step through and claim your prize, champions.”
The audience stood and the applause increased again. The Royal Death Claws bowed and waved at the crowd with proud smiles and turned to the portal.
“You guys ready to do this?”
“I was born ready.”
“I don’t have much of a choice now do I?” Margaret laughed and they entered the portal.
The world swam violently. Mayah’s body was ripped in multiple directions at once, pain tearing her mind to ribbons. She was forcefully ejected from the portal and landed painfully on her hands and knees. Her head was spinning and she thought she was going to throw up.
Well, that wasn’t fun.
“Everybody okay?” Mayah asked.
“Yeah….” Grax groaned.
“I’m mostly okay. You?” Margaret asked.
Mayah brushed herself off, “Yeah, I’m good.”
“Where are we?” Grax asked.
Mayah looked around. It looked like an old 2D game environment that wanted to give the impression of being 3D. The ground was grey with intersecting white lines that formed a grid, the sky was black with the same white lines. It seemed to stretch on featurelessly forever in every direction she looked.
“I have to say this doesn’t look like any dungeon I’ve ever seen before. Looks more like an empty construct,” Mayah hypothesized.
Three lights descended from the sky and began to coalesce into human forms. Mayah’s heart began to race and she equipped Happiness. It took a few moments before the lights solidified into actual people. Happiness dropped from her hands as she recognized the forms.
“Mom… ? Dad....?”
End Book One
But please read on…
Stupid Flarfing Cliffhangers!!!
Sorry about the cliffhanger. As I wrote the story it seemed like the natural progression. I am well aware of some people’s hatred of cliffhangers but this is the linear progression of the story. As a consolation prize, I’ve added a preview of the next book after Mayah’s Final character sheet and the resource guide that follows it.
My intent is to share my joy of reading and writing with the younger generation. I will be partnering with youth reading and writing groups in the future to enhance the literacy of these bril
liant minds.
If you know of any groups in your area, please send me their information or have them contact me.
http://Info@Majestaweb.com
https://majestaweb.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Ruins.of.Majesta/
https://www.facebook.com/RoyalDeathClaws/
Name:
Pretty Princess Cuddle Fluff
Title(s)
High Empress of the Pie Mountains
Enchanted Seamstress
Enchanted Grenadier
Race: Princess
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Level: 10XP: 491/745
HP: 633 Regen: 1.28HP per minute
Stats
Strength: 18 +10%Max lift:134 lbs. +13
Mana: 30Mana pool 900MP
Regen:5.83MP per sec.
Stamina: 32
Depletion rate at max effort:
.18SP per sec.
Regen: 3SP per minute.
Attributes
Constitution:12 +15%
Endurance:12 +21%
Intelligence:16 +28%
Agility:11 +22%
Perception:7 +23%
Presence:13 +21%
Abilities
Enchanted Grenadier Level 5
Awareness Level: 5 (+13% to Perception)
Iron will Level: 4 (+11% to Endurance +8% to Intelligence)
Whack-A-Vole Level: 4
Crushing Blow Level: 4
Shadow Eye Level: 3
Enchanted seamstress Level: 2
Achilles Heel Level: 2 (+7% to Agility)
Skinflint Level: 4 (+11% to Presence)
Survivalist Level: 1 (+5% to Constitution)
Adamant Level: 1 (+10% to all Attributes)
Wellspring Level: 1
Flesh of The Magii Level: 1
Marathoner Level: 1 (Stat bonuses)
Dynamo Level: 1 (Stat bonuses)
Skills
EnchantmentLevel: 5
RunesLevel: 2
Rage of Pyrmos Level: 1
Trades
SewinLevel: 4
HerbalistLevel: 1
MinerLevel: 1
BlacksmithingLevel: 1