It's a rather awkward situation. Kasaanda stands still as stone as both the blacksmith, Balimund, and his apprentice, Asbjorn, look over her. Now whether they were examining her current armor or her is a mystery.
"It needs to be light armor. My friend here has to have the ability to move quick as lightning and be almost as flexible as water." Freydis explains. Really with her tone it comes off as a more of a demand. "She'll also need a satchel or bag of some sort..make that two bags along with a belt with slots or something to hold potion bottles or a way to attach smaller purses."
"And my grimoire! I need a spot on the belt to put it."
Freydis raises a brow, glancing to the tome that rested against Kasaanda's hip. "Ah. Yes. That too. The most important things are mobility and that it'll keep her warm, even if she's not completely covered up."
Balimund makes a hum of understanding yet remains silent even after Freydis has finished speaking. Arms are crossed as he shifts his weight from one foot to another. "You realize you're asking for a completely custom order, right? The only thing I might not have to craft is pauldrons. I have some of those that would fit just fine." He says finally. "I can make everything else out of leather and line it all in thick fur. It'll cost you a fair bit of coin. I don't even think I've got any boots or bracers already made that would fit your friend so I'll have to completely make everything."
"That is not a concern." Freydis responds. "We'll pay whatever price is required."
Kasaanda frowns at that and a pit of guilt settles within her stomach. "It doesn't need to have fur if it's going to cost more..."
Freydis shoots her a mild glare. "But it needs to be. For warmth and comfort. I won't be traveling across Skyrim listening to you complain about chaffing or being cold or anything else."
The Qunari opens her mouth to object, or rather, ask what she means. No question comes out as the cogs in her mind begin to turn. Boots nor belts would cause such a thing usually. Bracers might. But that only left - Oh. Almost instinctively she looks down at her chest and grimaces. Right. How could she forget. In fact she remembers Meraad having the same issue once with a beautiful leather breastplate made of fish scales she had bought. After a day full of Meraad complaining Shokrakar had basically said 'I told you so. Either suck it up and make it work or don't wear it.' Needless to say Meraad didn't wear it, or any top piece, until she got a hold of some fabric to pair with the leather.
"Okay. Point taken. Well then it's whatever you think would be best."
Freydis instantly perks up, grinning from ear to ear like a cat that caught the canary. Her attention turns back to Balimund. "Then it's settled. A set of fur-lined leather armor with all the things we talked about. With the top just keep in mind my friend can't slip anything over her head. Because...well you know..." She makes a gesture towards Kasaanda's horns. Just when it seems like she's done, she snaps her fingers which catches everyone's attention. "Dagger! We'll need to get you a dagger as well. Unless you're better with a bow, short sword or mace?"
"No, no. Dagger's probably the best option. I never learned sword fighting or archery." Kasaanda admits sheepishly. Most mages tended to stick with just magic. Granted most mage staves had a blade at the end for what she had always assumed was for close range attacking should an enemy get within an uncomfortable proximity. at least thats what she had always used hers for. Then again her mother had also briefly taught her the basics techniques of fighting with a dagger or knife.
There's the briefest look of judgment on Freydis' face. It doesn't last long as she shrugs off her companion's statement. "No worries. We may remedy that in the future."
The smithy nods as he takes note of all that they've asked for. "Well if there's nothing else, I'll write down the order and take the measurements." When neither woman makes anymore interjections or speaks further, he turns to his apprentice. "Go inside and get the measuring tools along with some paper and ink." The young man does as he's told and not even a minute after he returns do the two get to work. The process took just barely under an hour. Balimund would take the measurements, call them out and double check his work. With that done he then took down the list of specific requests that were made for the set. The whole ordeal is familiar. Kasaanda remembers her father doing the same when he would get armor commissions. It makes her homesick not just to be back in Thedas back in a time when everything was better.
"Well with everything considered, price is going to be around fifteen-hundred gold. That includes your armor set, dagger, and the bags. Shouldn't take longer than a week."
Freydis appears unbothered by the price tag of everything. "Fine. I'll give you half now and the rest when we come to pick everything up." With patience and care she counts out the coin, handing it off to the smith. He counts it himself and makes a note of it on the same sheet of parchment as their order.
"A pleasure doing business with you. Like I said, check back in a few days." Balimund says as he moves towards the door of his shop.
"Of course. By the way, where would Honorhall Orphanage be?"
"Next building over on the dryside. It's not far from the South gate." he points in direction of which he spoke of.
They thank him and move out. Kasaanda can't help but feel a little bit worry nag at her. It's a simple task. Get rid of the headmistress in charge of the orphanage. But she's learned simple tasks are not always as simple as they seem. However she can't help but hold onto some shred of hope that things would go smoothly.
To no one's surprise things did not go smoothly at the orphanage. Then again they hadn't really had a plan to begin with. When they had walked into the building they had caught the tail-end of what seemed to be a lecture to the children about how none of them would be adopted, no one would love them and they would never amount to anything. Kasaanda was appalled at the sight, stunned into silence. Freydis on the other hand was downright angry. Kasaanda had picked up on the fact that the shorter woman had a temper, though still unsure of what all set it off. This was, very understandably, one of the things.
The old bat had snapped something at the two of them but neither had really the mind to listen. Kasaanda has no time to pull Freydis aside to ask what they were going to do. No, the redhead merely tells her to watch the children as she followed the hag into her office. The door is shut, leaving her standing among the children. The young woman working there stutters out how they really should just leave. The kids however stare at the mage in wonder. Before she knows it they're asking all sorts of questions, including asking to touch her horns. So she indulges their inquiries and forgets what they're really there to do. It surprises her when Freydis stomps out of the office, grabs her by the forearm and practically drags her out of the establishment.
While they sit and eat their lunch back at the Bee and Barb, neither speaks of what just happened. In truth Kasaanda wouldn't know what to say, if anything at all. Not only that, but she's not quite sure how she feels about it. The woman obviously deserved it, and in the long run it's what's best for the children both in there currently and those that would find their way there in the future. What's done is done no matter. She doesn't have long to contemplate it all.
Freydis loudly sets down her tankard and speaks up. "We're going down into the ratways to the join the Thieves Guild." It's said without room for debate or even thought.
Kasaanda's brows knit as she watches her companion stand up, observing the hardened expression on her face. "We are? Why is that?" she asks slowly, setting down her utensils.
"Because we need money before we head out to Windhelm and beyond. We get our feet in the door with the Guild and we can get jobs to earn a bit of gold."
"I'm all for earning money but I'm not too keen on joining the Guild. Not that there's anything wrong if you want to! It's just...I'm not a rogue. I mean, I can do mercenary work but..." She braces herself for whatever harsh reply she'd get from the other woman. To her surprise, Freydis just waves it off.
"That is fine. So long as you pull your weight somehow. I'm sure there will be jobs you can help me with then."
The conversation ends at that. Kasaanda follows Freydis out of the inn and down the steps that led to the canal area. The entrance to the Ratway is not inviting at all. Then again why should it be? The name obviously implies it's not going to be some pleasant tea party. It's a dark, dank maze of a sewer system.
Freydis is unbothered by it. She's not a fan of crawling through sewer ways but at this point she's been through worse. The random stowaways are no match for either of them. It's humorous however when a pair of skeevers crawl out from the shadows and give the mage a fright. There's no hiding her snorts of laughter as Kasaanda lets out a loud, blood curdling scream all while smacking them back with her staff and setting the vermin ablaze.
A few more twists and turns and through another door finally brings them to their destination: The Ragged Flagon. Or at least they presume it to be. The area is large and open with water in the center of it all. Voices are carried throughout the area along with jovial laughs. As they draw closer they can see what indeed looks like to be a very small tavern area. No more than three tables are setup. Chairs are scattered about; some are with the tables, a few are pulled up to the bar. Some of said bar chairs were already occupied. They only recognize what they assume to be Brynjolf sitting leisurely at a table with another man.
"I have a good feeling about 'em, Delvin. " he says.
The man named Delvin nodded along. "Sure. If that's what you say. I still think there's some sorta curse." he replies. He glances up at Brynjolf to the two out place and approaching figures. "That them? An interesting lot that's for sure."
Brynjolf turns to look, and as he spots them a grin breaks out across his face. "Well look who it is. What perfect timing! Couldn't resist the call of coin, could you lasses?" he laughs.
"Can never have enough coin. And we're in need of it. Besides, I've always been interested in joining one of the branches of the Guild. May as well take the opportunity now." Freydis is offers a nonchalant shrug coupled with a charming grin.
"Is that so? And what about you, lass? " Brynjolf turns his gaze upwards to the mage.
Kasaanda straightens her posture, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "Oh! Uh...I'm all for taking jobs. I don't think I'd join though. I'm case you haven't noticed I'm not exactly subtle...or built for sneaking." She gestures to herself. Coordination in battle was one thing. But deft hands and skulking through shadows were not in her repertoire. Slinging fireballs and general mercenary shenanigans were more of her specialty. "I do however possess a number of other useful abilities."
Devin has a rather unimpressed and bored expression on his face while Brynjolf never lets his composure slip.
"Well I'm sure I can work with that. In fact," the redhead leans back in his seat with arms folded across his chest. "I actually have a little something you could do for me."