Unfortuantely, I'm Not A Hero 86: Tanis

Unfortunately, I’m Not A Hero 86: Interlude: Tanis

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Commissioned by Arksoul

Wordcount: 2500

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My subordinates waited for me to address them.

Though I came from a tribe, though during my schooling, I was looked down upon by the children of nobility, I found myself looking upon dozens of subordinates. Managers, assistant managers, and basic clerks looked at me with worry and fear. Not because I was larger than them, or had more magic, but because they did not wish for me to leave Ylstu’s administration to them alone as I assisted Lord Hachiman abroad.

Though a part of me wondered if I was dreaming, and I feared that I would awaken an isolated student in Lady Roseanne’s academy once more, I cleared my throat to give my staff their orders.

“Tabitha, you and your staff have seniority. All new and developing issues will fall upon you and I expect you to assist the other departments.” I felt like a general advising her officers on the eve of battle. In a way, it was a battle. However, ours was not with fangs and claws, but with ink and parchment. “If needed, as Lady Henri for help. Though she is busy with her Necropolis, she is a very capable administrator, and she will be more than willing to provide aid.”

“Understood, Lady Tanis.” Tabitha stood and gave a bow in concert with all her employees. She was a Harpy, but most of her subordinates were not. Nevertheless, I found that they all looked to her with respect and worry about the responsibility on her shoulders. When her assistant manager tugged on her sleeve, she frowned slightly before nodding once. “I will be sure to arrange regular meetings with Lady Henri that can fit her schedule.”

I gave her a nod.

She rose to her current rank through sheer hard work and grit, which earned her the respect of her department. However, she overworked herself to meet her department’s goals when she felt that they were falling behind. Thankfully, my decision to pair her with one of my older employees, who had children and had experience caring for younger Kindred, was lending itself towards lessening her burden.

I was content with the most senior department’s ability to take up a leadership role and handle the most important of projects. She led a team with established connections with the neighboring regions, as well as close friendships with the Royal Guard and the Scholars under Lady Roseanne’s retinue. They will ensure that the trade lines will be built to specification and that information will flow properly from Ylstu and its neighbors. Atop those responsibilities, they will be looking over the work of the rest of the administration.

An arduous duty, but they were all very capable and had the funds necessary to hire assistants.

So, I turned to the second-most senior staff.

“Lina.” The Elf led the specialists who couldn’t afford to help the newcomers and those settling into their roles. The group was composed of individuals who worked better alone, rarely interacting with one another, and closed themselves off in their offices to finish projects and made inquiries personally with the heads of projects. They often worked with the law enforcement to handle certain situations in which funds were being misallocated or misused. “After you are all done with your current projects, begin investigating and auditing all others according to your specialties. Make sure to be… rough… only when necessary.”

“As you will it, Lady Tanis.” The slightest smile played across the Elf’s face and those of her subordinates. I checked time and time again if she was actually a Drow, but there was no evidence that she was. The Elf simply found great joy in using law and contracts to beat others senseless with logic. Surprisingly, outside of work, she was a well-known socialite in Ylstu’s various bars and had many friends. She simply chose to be merciless while working. “We will ensure that Lord Hikigaya and the people of Ylstu are not cheated and that all projects will be finished according to specification.”

I nodded at Lina’s answer, as I knew no reason to doubt her. She and her people rarely made a mistake, and those mistakes tended to be due to their overzealousness scaring away contractors who could otherwise be redeemed. I worked extensively to establish a line between those they can threaten into leaving Ylstu and those who they should give a chance at redemption. The list I established was thorough enough, and they had many eyes on them, so I was sure that they will adhere to what I demanded.

With that settled, I turned towards my regular staff.

“Vivian.” The Werewolf started when I addressed her and she looked upon me with wide, moist eyes with her ears tucked against her skull. She and those under her command only just finished their training and began properly working. I assisted extensively in their training, and I could still remember dressing Vivian down as she came bumbling into the office wearing only tribal wear. Now she was as neat and tidy as all the others in the office and looked every bit the professional that she was supposed to be… besides for her obvious sorrow at my temporary leaving. “You and your staff will be taking up daily duties required by the department and training the new staff. I am confident that you will succeed.”

“I-I am of the understanding, L-Lady Tanis!” The Werewolf stuttered as she spoke, but stood a little higher at my praise. I resisted the urge to put her head and stood straighter. She unconsciously mimicked my movement and met my gaze with a far more serious expression. “We will not be failing you!”

Their primary duties were to survey Ylstu, touch base with the various officials on the field, and gather information pertinent to running the city. Smaller problems, such as potholes, garbage pile ups, or destroyed property were all under their umbrella of responsibility and they were expected to address those issues with their budget, municipal workers, and gain experience while connecting with the citizenry.

Lord Hikigaya advised that they be primarily sourced from Ylstu’s citizenry themselves, of people who had been present for at least a year within the city. While he allowed for the specialists and management to be from abroad, as long as they passed the required tests, he explained that the “face” of the department needed to be composed of people that everyone knew and who’d lived in the city for a longer period of time.

I hadn’t understood why at first. I’d thought that he was trying to show favoritism to the people of Ylstu, but the results spoke for themselves.

The newcomers came with problems that they wanted to fix, social networks that they could use to their advantage, and they all knew what the people of Ylstu wanted.

Thus, they were perfect for their job, and could even make a mistake or two and be forgiven by their neighbors and friends.

“I know that you won’t. Have confidence in yourself, Vivian.” I offered the Werewolf a smile and she took that as a signal to nod fervently. Her tail shook and her ears popped up as she did. Her speech needed a little more work, but she was very capable, a street - level official of Ylstu. “Now… for our rookies.”

The rookies had temporary jobs, or as Lord Hikigaya called them, “temporary, paid internships.” They handled the bulk of the paperwork by sorting them, aggregating reports from sections of the city together, and gathering information requested by the regulars. Some were fresh graduates from Ylstu’s schools, others clerks from other lands, and I suspected a few were former nobility. However, in the end, they all worked beneath the rest of the office to see where they suited for in the future… whether that meant staying with us or finding another vocation to pursue.

They were of various species of the Kindred, but each and every single one of them were nervous about their new responsibilities.

Though a part of me wished to urge them to be confident, I knew better than to do so.

“I want you all to do your best, to work together, and find your limits. I implore each of you to try to overcome those limits, but if you cannot… there are other vocations in Ylstu that will be happy to have you.” Many wished to join our ranks, to be part of Ylstu’s administrative body, as it promised a vibrant future to all who joined it. Roseanne and many other nobles offered stately sums for our employees, and Lord Hikigaya encouraged those offers to be taken so that all Kindred could benefit from our techniques and strategies. Those who manage to become permanent fixtures in our staff, and who spend a few seasons with us, are likely to reach a noble’s court should they leave… if they wish to. “All of us here are willing to acknowledge the work you’ve done for the sake of Ylstu and will speak on your behalf to any employer within this city. Work hard, commit yourself, and you will all be rewarded some way or another.”

The fresh recruits exchanged looks and murmured.

They had no cohesion or leader, but soon enough they all began to give me and the rest office their thanks.

Though I knew the importance of my mission with Lord Hikigaya, a part of me wished to stay behind and remain with my staff to see them grown.

But I knew that if I stayed that they wouldn’t… so I smiled, accepted the thanks and goodbyes sent my way, and prepared myself for the journey ahead.

I was confident that they will succeed,

…

Lady Kurama greeted me with a smile at the tailor’s shop.

Lady Kurama was mindful of the cultural difference between us and the Pharoahs, so she commissioned a few outfits for everyone coming along. Most of it was suitable for the heat of the region, but a few were attempts to mimic the styles of the Pharoahs by Ylstu’s most esteemed Drider in partnership with the Dwarves.

The resulting outfit was stunning upon the many-tailed Kitsune.

Golden bands bound nearly-silk silk to her curvaceous form. The backless dress allowed for her tails to flourish and flowing, detached sleeves fluttered in her wake like white clouds. A band of gold around her waist showed off her slimness, but also proclaimed the fecundity of her figure. The narrowness of her trim waist wonderfully accentuated the curves of her breasts and hips. A few rubies the color of her hair and fur, upon bracelets and anklets completed the garment, and she looked incredibly natural in the foreign dress.

Meanwhile, I could barely stand to look at myself in the mirror.

My pale skin and scales were nearly the same color as the silk garment, while my form wasn’t nearly as appealing as Kurama’s. I had a slender frame that was suited to be covered instead of revealed. While she has a form suitable for seduction, I was the runt of the litter, and even with all the food available to me now… I grew only slightly in the places which draw a man’s eye.

I much preferred my uniform as I administrated over Ylstu, and I was about to suggest that I wear only that, when the Drider tailor finished looking upon me and my reflection.

“You will need extra work.” The masterful tailor stated and my heart sank. More work meant more funds. “This common dress is not suitable for you. You cannot be plain. You must let your true beauty shine.”

Her words confused me, but before I could ask any questions, Kurama spoke up with a smile.

“Then, I will leave her to you, Iris. Forward me the bill. Use our lovely Tanis to tell the Pharoahs to look to our tailors and jewelers instead of their own.” The words that left Kurama’s mouth made fear course through my heart, but I found myself suddenly surrounded by the Drider and her assistants with many measuring tapes. Through the pile of bodies surrounding me, I met Kurama’s amused gaze. “Hmmm… if you can… make them think that Hachiman has an Apophis at his beck and call.”

Lady Kurama’s words made my eyes widen as the Drider descended upon me with a glint in her eye.

“Wait, no! My heart isn’t ready—

Lady Kurama laughed at my smothered claims.

“My dear, your heart and Hachiman’s will never be ready if we leave you both to your devices.” The Kitsune’s voice lingered inside my mind the tailor and her assistants took control of my body. Their hands drifted all over my form as they looked upon my every nook a cranny to create the most perfect of dresses for my form at Kurama’s behest. “Oh, my dear tailor, be sure to make it just provocative enough! If it’s too lewd my dear husband will only be able to look away… so make sure to make our lovely Lamia a wonderful tease of a princess for him to feast his eyes upon!”

The Drider gave a noise of affirmation, and I heard the opening and close of a door, before darkness consumed me.

Ah, no.

That was an exaggeration.

The Tailor and her assistants were quite professional after overcoming their surge of passion, spoke to me thoroughly of my likes and disliked, and presented to me various sketches and ideas over tea.

It was a lovely time… though the loveliness of the moment faded as soon as I looked at myself in the mirror with the first, finished dress.

Taut, black silk tinted with royal purple covered my chest and my modesty. Their edges were lined with gold and accentuated my body with an easy elegance. A cape of the same material was draped over by back and it flowed over my entire tail. It was a marked improvement over the dress I previously wore, but it was a mere frame for the denotations of wealth and power that the Lamia layered upon me.

A necklace inlaid with amethysts travelled across my neck.

Coils of thin gold wound around my arms that linked bracelets composed of the precious material.

My pale, taut stomach was carefully painted with an elegant design of shimmering gold… and I barely recognized the Lamia in the mirror when everything was upon my body.

Instead of a colorless, pale runt, I instead looked upon living marble covered and streaked with gold wreathed ebony and purple. The insides of the cape faintly glittered with the slightest of light and those looking upon the Lamia from the front would see her framed be a night sky.

I could scarcely believe that I looked upon myself… until the Drider smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Lady Kurama instructed me to give you a cloak to shield you from the sun. I worried that I wouldn’t be able to make it look amazing… but now I’m glad I went through all the effort.” The Drider’s pride at her work was infectious and a stood a little taller after she spoke. “You look amazing, Lady Tanis.”

Though I nodded at the words, my thoughts lingered on Lady Kurama.

My friend had not only wished to dress me extravagantly, but also sought to care for me.

I don’t know what I did to deserve her… but I was going to do everything in my power to ensure that she and I will never part ways.