Back before Gnomeregan was invaded, there used to be a small building on the corner of Whistle Street and Geartonk Lane. The building was completely covered with gears and other whirring contraptions. On the building there was a sign that read...
Eaji "Fix It" Ardsov's Engineering Emporium and Repair Shop
Just outside, a gnome was crossing the street with a box near the size of him being carried by his hands, or rather, his torso. The gnome's pink hair shot out wildly in every direction like a explosion. However, the gnome's hair was the only thing that was wild. A tailored and steam pressed suit fit closely to the gnome's three foot two form. The coat had specks of dirt on it, most likely due to the gnome's labors with a box nearly the size of him. The gnome moved into the store, having difficulty negotiating the doorway with his load in hand, but eventually successfully getting inside.
Inside, the room was full of gogs, gears, whirling gizmos, gyrochronatoms, harm prevention belts, tonks, gnomish universal remotes and various metal frames. Toward the back of the untidy mess was a large white counter cleared of clutter, with a gnome sitting on a high stool behind it. The gnome had a full head of bright green hair that fell around his head in a bowl except for over his face, where he had pushed it back. He also had an extremely long mustache that was singed on the tips from some ill-fated engineering venture and a furry goatee.
The pink-haired gnome struggled with his luggage through the winding paths of the store, and after several moments managed to get the large box on the table. "Eaji, I need you to fix this. I had to dismantle it to get it here, so some assembly is required."
The green haired gnome, apparently named Eaji, looked into the box and whistled. "You do realize that assembly costs a few extra silver, correct Mr. Kobbins?"
Mr. Kobbins rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes, of course! I couldn't ever imagine you just doing something kind once in your life for a fellow gnome and cutting a few charges from a frequent customer's bill. Of course not, because then you wouldn't make enough to run this dump of an engineering shop." It was quite clear that Mr. Kobbins wasn't fond of Eaji or his housekeeping abilities.
"Every little copper helps," Eaji replied with a wide smile that failed to seem warm.
"Fine. How much do I owe you?" Mr. Kobbins managed to grumble between gritted teeth.
"Let's see...looks like you practically fried this baby." Eaji shook his head and made a tsking sound. "Let's run through the list here. One silver, fifty copper for the assembly, one gold for a new arm, forty silver for a new power core, two silver for a few new gears, and an additional one silver if you want me to shine him up and make him look good as new for you."
As each cost was added to the bill, Mr. Kobbins's face began to slowly glow a brighter and brighter red. By the time Eaji looked up, Mr. Kobbins's face was as red as the fireworks behind him.
Eaji's eyebrows raised. "What? I'm giving you a discount here."
"Th-th-this is highway ROBBERY!!!" Mr. Kobbins finally blurted out.
"Look...I'm only making ten silver off of this." Eaji somehow managed to move from his seated position to stand on his stool and put his hands irritably on his hip. "If anything, I'm the one being robbed. If you don't like it, you could always lug your mechanical yeti back home."
Mr. Kobbins calmed down, sighing and resigning himself to Eaji's fee. "Fine, fine! What's the total?"
Eaji started counting on his fingers, but after a few moments, stopped the suspense and just stated the sum. "One gold, foty-four silver, and fifty copper."
Mr. Kobbins groaned, but handed over the cash. Eaji bobbed his head a little and smiled. "Thank you for you business. He'll be ready in three days."
Mr. Kobbins stood and moved his way out of the building, having half the mind to pocket a small cog from off of a rack just to spite the other gnome. However, he decided against it and moved out of the building without incident.
After Mr. Kobbins had left, Eaji chuckled to himself and grinned at the gnome's foolishness. Instead of making only ten silver, he was indeed making fifty. A robbery indeed.