" I see," Ivory replied seriously. "Paperwork is a menace! Evil cretens," she added with a deadpan expression.

This was refreshing. I had been such a long time since she had found someone engaging with a warm heart and open personality. Zack was excitable which could be slightly distracting but he was intelligent and sharp. Ivory knew that Zack was no fool and most likely wouldn't suffer them either.

Every so often Ivy would steal glances at Zack. The dark haired handsome young man was endearing and very attractive. She knew she liked him not long after meeting but now she wondered whether she liked him more than she was supposed to. He was a client after all and hopefully a friend. Good friends were hard to find and Zack seemed like he'd be a good one.

Although Ivory liked being alone, truthfully she was now a little lonely. Traverse Town was a such a dark dismal place that optimism became tarnished and rusty. Light shone like a beacon but would always become swallowed in the perpectual black. Shadows lurking around every corner, shady characters, back alleys, hidden nooks; it was a dangerous place. Still, it seemed at times, to be full of bustling life. If only she had managed to get a location in the First District.

Ivory was pleased to see that Zack wasn't too bored and hoped that he just wasn't hiding it efficiently. She wondered briefly what he would say if he found out about her praying but lack of a set faith.

Ivory managed to shift the giant sword - with difficulty - to a position where she could sharpen the blade and immediately began doing so. Her movements were slow and careful to avoid injury or error. Every so often she would stop and wiggle the fingers of the hand that had been injured, the palm still slightly tender.