"We're glad you could make it, Leo." Corrin smiles as she lets the man in. He is wearing a black suit, pants, dress shoes, and a red tie. He also has a messenger bag slung over his shoulder and his favorite book carried under one arm. Even when he isn't working, he looks intense and ready to go.
"As I said before, I'm happy to help you out." He gently grabs her hand and kisses her hand, Corrin flushes in response. "Even if I would rather you all to stay here."
"Believe us, Leo, we would love to stay, but…" Forrest starts off, "We simply can't afford it." The two shake hands. "Please, take a seat." The three gather around the dining/meeting table.
Leo takes off his messenger bag and pulls out no less than a stack of papers, then places his book beside him. "I understand." He grabs a few specific sheets. "And as much as I understand you and yours opinions on Selena and Xander, I brought some recent information on their businesses." He pushes them towards the crossdresser, "Both positive and negative." He looks at Forrest, "The reason she has been, ahem, 'harassing' you lately is that her output is dropping."
"Perhaps if she would lay off on the strictness, then people wouldn't be so privy to leaving." Forrest responds with a frown. "She has some of the best tools I have ever seen, the tidiest building, excellent working conditions, but she is one of the harshest people I have ever met. Unreasonably so"
Leo nods, then smiles, "Then you have never been on the opposite side of me when I am in a court case."
Corrin giggles, "Or being the one overseeing it. But the difference is that you are approachable outside of your job."
The lawyer nods again and pushes another set of papers at Corrin, "These are for Xander's position, he is… not as intense as you think he is."
"Really? From the way he displays himself in the public…" She starts looking over the papers.
"True, he does have an image to maintain. But, if you are in his work area, he is quite fair… assuming you are doing what you are supposed to, anyway. He is only harsh if you slack off, which I know you don't do."
Corrin hums, "Well, then that just leaves me with missing a lot of time with my family…" She frowns, "But, if it means Forrest doesn't have to work for Selena, then I would take it."
"Love…" Forrest starts, "No, you're right. That would only be fair, I would do the same if the situation was reversed."
"I had a feeling this would go this way," Leo pulls out another few sheets, "This would be roughly be your budget if Corrin would take Xander's position, but Forrest doesn't take Selena's."
"Always one step ahead, right?" The Dragon Girl smiles and looks and the new pieces of information, "We would be slightly above our typical monthly utility bills… but Kana's expenses and other necessities will still be cutting into our savings."
"And this is also assuming no emergencies happen." Leo adds. "Or if the prices don't rise… again."
"Xander wouldn't call for another raise, would he? The price already jumped twice the last month alone." Forrest pauses, "Nohr can't be that starved for money, could it?"
"It isn't so much for Nohr itself, but rather to mend the damage done by the late Garon. Things like compensating losses of family members, repairing buildings, and covering for supplies being sent to Hoshido and Valla."
Corrin nods, "And what better way to get money faster than to indirectly discourage having children? Then Nohr wouldn't need to use as much of its resources for making the necessities for raising children."
"That is one way to attend to the problem, yes. Which is why the price keeps rising and will be the first thing to keep rising until Nohr's finances balance out."
"Gods, but what about other families who already have had children? The ones who don't have a chance to make enough money?" Forrest asks.
"My guess? They will either move… or send them to orphanages." Leo replies. "Which is one of the reasons why I encourage you two to stay, Corrin could easily bring Nohr to the stability it needs."
Corrin looks from Leo to Forrest, then to the spot Kana would be playing in if he wasn't in school right now, "What if…" She returns her gaze to Leo, "I take Xander's position and…" A lump forms in her throat, why is she even considering this? "Nevermind."
"And see if having a home for one in Nohr and paying for a spot in Valla would be cheaper?" Leo smirks while Corrin gapes, "Yes, it would. It would give you a much better difference with your expenses."
"Corrin, you, but…" Forrest tries to form a proper sentence, "Kana would be devastated."
"It wouldn't be permanent, right Leo?"
"...I cannot say. While I have information on the living expenses in Valla right now, I don't have much on income, since it is still in the early rebuilding stages. Both of those factors a liable to change easily."
A silence hangs over, "We will think this over, thank you, Leo." Corrin nods.
"Of course." He gets up from the chair. As expected, Leo's insight was phenomenal. By the time he left, Corrin and Forrest had nearly no less than a mountain of information piled up. He also offered the best of luck… before pulling Corrin into an emotional hug. It was shocking, because since losing his sister, he closed himself off to the prospect of closeness and happiness. But as always, Corrin found a way to worm her way into his heart. With a proper amount of information on hand, all that was left is to pack, well that, and let Kana know of the life-changing move when he returns from school.
Several hours pass as the lovers look over the papers, then the doorbell rings, and the two lovers shared a look, they typically don't get unannounced visitors, unless Forrest has declared to the public that he is ready for another set of projects, which he hasn't. She gets up off the couch and looks through the small glass in their door. "Selena?" She asks out loud, then opens the door, and sure enough, the frowning master tailor is there. "May I help you, Selena?"
Her red hair is done in pigtails that reach down to her thighs. She is wearing a mix of reinforced leather and casual cloth, both in the color of a dim purple and glossy red. "Came to talk to your husband." Ah, right to business, just like she is known for.
If Corrin were the rude type, she would remind her that Forrest told her no several times already, but she isn't, "Come on in." She offers. "Would you like some tea? Maybe some coffee?" She steps aside to let her in, "Love! Selena is here."
"Tea." She answers. "Nice place." Her frown never left even as she sends out compliments. Corrin leaves for the kitchen while Selena takes a seat on the chair next to their couch. "Forrest." She greets.
"I must say, I was not expecting you to visit our home." Forrest smiles in an effort to calm his nerves, his eyes are on her, and yet he can still sew without a single mistake. "To what do we owe the honor of having you here?"
Corrin gives Selena a fresh cup of tea, "Thanks." She simply says, "I came to offer you the position one last time." She sips the tea and hums in approval.
The wording caught Forrest off-guard and he squeaks as the needle pokes his hand, thankfully he wears gloves. "One last time?" He echoes.
"Heard you're moving." The husband and wife share a look, both with the question of how? Only Leo should know.
But asking such questions is a fool's errand whenever Selena is involved. "That is right." Corrin nods, "We are planning to move to Valla."
"Selena, I appreciate the offer from a business as reputable as yours, but as I said before, I truly have no desire to work for you." Forrest says.
A short silence follows as she sips some more tea, before placing it down on the table next to them, "...even if I double your pay?"
Another highly unexpected statement, and this time the grip on his needle slips and ends up going through his glove. "Ow!" He hisses in pain. He quickly looks it over and sighs in relief, "Just some pain, no punctures." He assures Corrin, then returns his full attention to Selena, even going so far as to putting his current work aside, the last project, a sweater to a long-time customer, Laslow. "Pardon? You truly mean that?" The offer suddenly became tempting, double the pay? If he went through with that, and Corrin accepted Xander's position, they just might be able to make it through all of this.
"You know I don't joke." Right, she doesn't. She has an image of no-nonsense to uphold, which bleeds into her everyday life. "If you stay in Nohr, I will not only guarantee you a position, but also double your pay and let you take home my spare set of sewing equipment."
Forrest heart skips a beat, he has seen her equipment, during the one time she let him tour her business. It was without a doubt, the highest quality set of tools he has ever seen, it had to have been custom-made, since no other store offers such high-end equipment. Those two amendments just might make up for her excessively harsh attitude. "I… um." He loses his grip on coherency.
Thankfully, his ever-perceptive wife picks up on his uncertainty, "Miss Selena, we still have a week before anything actually happens. Would it be too much to ask for some time to think it over?"
The tailor nods, "I expect a response in a few days, then. Take care." And just like that, she is gone.
"Double pay and use of her equipment?" Forrest finally gains his wording. "That…"
Corrin grips his hands and squeezes them, "Shh, love." She coos, "Relax and think it over."
He slowly nods, "I will… and I suppose this means we will be holding off on telling Kana of the move?"
She also nods, "Yes, we won't break the news unless we are certain it is going to happen." The two share a kiss.
Another day with Kana at school, while Corrin and Forrest go over the pro's and con's of the prodigal tailor working for Selena. Then the door rings. "That can't be her again." Forrest comments, "If she says a few days, she means a few days."
"I'll be right back, love." Corrin gets up and looks through the hole to see. "Gods, Xander?" She opens the door to see the Governor himself standing on her front door mat. There is also a young boy next to him, sharing the same hair color and same type of high-dollar suit. "Welcome to our house, Governor Xander and…?" She does a quick bow.
"It is good to see you." He notions towards the boy, "He is Siegbert, miss Corrin, my son. Siegbert, this is miss Corrin, the renowned peacekeeper." He praises her.
His son bows, graceful and with a rigid sternness she would expect from Xander being the father. "Good evening, miss Corrin. Father speaks highly of you." She has the distinct feeling he only brought his son to butter her up, considering she is also fond of children.
"Please, come in. Would you care for some tea? Coffee?" The Dragon Girl goes through the same courtesies as Selena… or any guest, really.
"I am fine, but thank you, Corrin." Xander nods.
"I would like some tea, if it isn't a hassle." Siegbert smiles.
Corrin briefly leaves for the kitchen, "Governor Xander?" Forrest notices him, "It is an honor to have you visiting our small house." He smiles, "And this is your son? I must say, you look quite handsome." The prodigal tailor smiles.
That causes the boy to choke on his words, "Um… th-thank you, mister Forrest." He clears his throat, "Excuse that. It is an honor to be considered handsome by such a renowned tailor."
"It is good to see you in such good health, Forrest." Xander nods.
Forrest guides them to the couch and chairs, "Please, take a seat." He takes his spot on the couch, then picks his sewing supplies up, and resumes his work, while looking over their… "If I may ask, I believe your son's suit is of my needlework?"
Xander beams, "You would be correct, this is the suit I had requested for him. Your talent is honestly understated, the gods themselves work through you." More high praises.
He flushes, "You humble me, Governor Xander. Tailoring is just my passion, a hobby I have started since I was just a child, probably several years younger than your own boy."
Corrin returns with Siegbert's teacup, who accepts it with thanks. "To what do we owe the special occasion?"
Then the events of yesterday seem to loop, "I came to offer you the position of chief negotiator for the final time."
Forrest was not as shocked to hear it this time, and as such continued sewing without a hitch. "The final time? I'm not sure I understand." Corrin states.
He frowns, "I understand that you plan to move out of Nohr? Excuse me if that is incorrect, I should have confirmed such a claim before approaching you."
She giggles, "It is alright, Governor Xander. The claim is, in fact, correct. My husband and I plan to move to Valla by the end of this month." Her expression turns serious, "But I regret to say that my stance has not changed. I am humbled to have such an offer from a man as well respected as you, but I am still going to politely decline." Sure, it is a lie, but she doesn't want to start tipping him off.
He seems prepared for that and pulls out some paper from his inner suit pocket, "Perhaps these terms would give you thought for reconsideration?"
Corrin accepts the papers and begins reading, it is hand-written by Xander, his penmanship is exquisite. She begins reading out several notable points, "Higher than average pay for this position… more available vacation days…" Leo's advice is the first thing that pops in her mind, and if the pay is higher… maybe, just maybe it would be worth it. "If you don't mind, Governor Xander. I would like some time to think this over. My husband and I still have six days before anything actually happens."
He nods, "Understandable, though I must admit, I do hope you accept." Xander and his son get up and they both bow, "Have a wonderful rest of your day, miss Corrin, mister Forrest."
"May the gods bless your day, miss Corrin and mister Forrest." Siegbert adds.
Should they stay? With offers like these it would be foolish not to, but even so… the Dragon Girl shakes her head, no, not now. Relax and think it over, just like she advised Forrest. "I'll see if I can pester Leo one more time…" She finally decides. "I hate to be a bother to him, but…"
"His insight is always welcome." Forrest finishes in his own words. Corrin smiles and hugs him. "We'll get through this, love."
"There isn't anything we can't accomplish together." She breathes in his perfume, and lets out a relaxed breath. "Despite all the hardships, I'm thankful you are the one I am sharing them with."
"As am I. I wouldn't want anyone else to get through the hard times with."
