All the new hires were expectantly waiting outside of the auction house. Today was the first day of work for them. The new hires had three days to make themselves familiar with the systems and floors. The only exceptions were management and security trained, who had been given a tour and started training since yesterday. And that of the cooking personnel who were let into the building very early that same morning.

Management (supervisors or department heads), was already waiting inside to sort the new personnel and assign them to their positions. Chefs and all cooking personnel were finishing prepping the food to be served at the feast in celebration of their hiring. (Unfortunately, the cooking staff would not be participating as they were cooking. But the owner had hired out a nearby restaurant for the evening so that the cooking department could join in the celebration.) The security was already prepped and ready with some very cheerful heroes who were finally fully employed including great benefits such as an excellent insurance plan capable of covering newbie heroes’ injuries.

The hires gape at the magnificent building that gleams and rises into the sky. The gleaming wooden carved doors swing open as the workers flow into the building. The employees gasp at the large elegant lounge that includes expensive artwork to comfy chairs. Elegant desks and transaction posts are positioned carefully to create breathable space.

A sharply dressed male vampire and a petite woman with goat horns stand before them. The vampire claps his hands gathering the employee’s attention. With a nod of thanks, the petite woman moves forward. “Welcome everyone to the Marchen Auction House. I am Miss Flora the guild manager and this is Mr. Vladimir, our current talent manager and my second in command. Should you have any questions in the future either direct them to us or the Human Resources department head, Mr. Slade. Now then, Mrs. Outlander, please raise your hand,” Miss Flora firmly said. From behind Miss Flora, there is a group of lined individuals representing the head of departments. A motherly middle-aged woman wearing a short sleeve white blouse. However, from her waist down is a well brushed, chocolate colored mare’s body. A pretty black skirt circles her waist covering her lower body to her knees. The only exception is a small button-sized hold for her tail to emerge from.

Mrs. Outlander smiles genuinely at the employees. “Not to worry dearies, should you have any questions I’ll be able to tackle them. And should things become to riled up, I can also manage that as well,” Mrs. Outlander firmly said as her four legs shuffled pointedly clicking against the floor. The employees eye the neatly polished, but sharp hooves that could easily trample anyone to death. The employees rather quietly nod and vow to not anger Human Resources. Because in this case, HR could literally trample one to death.

“Now then, as you are aware Marchen Auction House is in association and directly affiliated with Marchen Inc. Before we begin our tour and separate into groups. Everyone, please present your badges to be checked by our two heads of security, Mr. McLoughlin, and Mr. Smith.” Mr. McLoughlin, a short grim looking leprechaun takes a step forward with Mr. Smith, a pleasant looking man who also happened to be a retired villain of a certain C-class rank.

The duo takes out two scanners that detect shapeshifting or identify forgeries. Swiftly everyone is checked and with relief, everyone’s identity turns out to be true. Miss Flora glances down at her list and says, “Thank you, everyone, for your cooperation. Now then, tech employees please head over to Mrs. Lyzee, our I.T. department head,” Miss Flora pointed to a curly-haired gremlin. The blue-skinned female gremlin marches away without even waiting for the new employees. Tech employees hastily rush after her making the group smaller.

“Finance department, head over to Miss Kora, the lovely bunny eared women,” Miss Flora said pointing to a medium sized woman with cute fluffy brown ears and tail matching her human hair.

The employees happily gather in front of Miss Kora. “I am a firm believer in the Code of Hammurabi, an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth. I absolutely hate sly tanuki’s and would hate for an act of violence to be enacted because of theft. But I’m sure no one here will do, so right?” The sweet rabbit-eared women said in a cheerful voice that caused shivers of cold sweat to gather down the employee’s backs. With a cheerful smile, Miss Kora leads her group away.

“Customer Service to Mr. Cutthroat, our lovely green goblin,” Miss Flora firmly stated pointing to a short bald goblin in a proper suit wearing round spectacles.

The green figure of Mr. Cutthroat waits for the employees to line up before him. Sniffing and in a loud voice, he declares, “Because I’m a goblin, please do not assume that I am like my barbaric cousins. I can assure you, I have an excellent education and I am by no means a fool. Precisely because I am a goblin I wish for customers to be treated as guests nothing less and nothing more. I expect nothing but the best ladies and gentlemen.” Without further ado, Mr. Cutthroat leads the next group away.

Flora continues to call out group leaders until none are left. Thomas stares with fascination at the mosaic ceiling and says, “We’re the only ones who haven’t taken a tour, shall we take a peek?”

Before Flora can answer a calm voice from behind him says, “There is no need for that Mr. Vladimir, I will personally be giving the two of you a tour.” Thomas slowly turns his head to see the figure of that fearful all too thin woman, Miss Reed, their employer, and owner of Marchen Inc. and auction house. Who and when did she get there? But more importantly, why didn’t he hear her approach?

Flora excitedly says, “Of course, it would be our honor and pleasure to have Miss Reed personally give us a tour. Miss Reed, Thomas also has something he wants to say.”

A pointed glare from Flora, Thomas politely says, “Thank you for your vote of confidence Miss Reed in my new promotion.”

Miss Reed’s cold fish eyes don’t react to the sentence. “Well, shall we start with upper levels?” Miss Reed asked over her shoulder making her way to the elevator.

Flora and Thomas follow her with Flora answering, “Yes, that will be fine, Miss Reed.” Thomas hides his grimace as he steps into the elevator and heads towards the second floor.

The doors open to reveal the large showcase room on the second floor. The entire room was spotless giving a feeling of impeccable treasures held within. Hundreds of items were housed behind anti-theft magical glass on stands or against the walls in shelves. The rest of the items for sale such as potions or ingredients were stored in a storage room that is behind the checkout counters.

On the upper walls of the floor, large glass plasma screens flashed items for sale and showcased their price. Quite a few caught Flora’s eye especially the beauty potions. With interest, Flora asks, “Miss Reed, do employees have a discount on items?”

“10% on items, but for potions, there is a 15% discount,” Miss Reed swiftly replied. Thomas sniffs but takes note of the beauty potions prices as well. It was in the lull of thinking about his women and not anything else. Most definitely not for his own personal use.

The third floor is by the far the largest. Their shoes don’t make sounds against the elegant carpeted floor. To their left is a large and expensively furnished restaurant. Glass windows leave the sunlight entering the 3rd floor and allowing for a view out below. Past the first-rate restaurant full of cooking smells are large golden doors that swing open. Upon closer review, a theater enfolds before them. The richly red cushioned seats are lined on the floor with private balcony seats hanging from above for a better view of the stage floor. Large auction buying would be done in these quarters with the ability to purchase a VIP balcony for an event or for personal privacy.

Flora and Thomas look impressed and reluctantly turn away to see the next floor. The next floor holds several eating lounges and breaks rooms including a spa and gym for employees use. Thomas eyes the gym, while Flora reviews the spa treatments that the employees have access too. Swiftly hiding their eagerness to try out the facilities, they head off to the next floor.

The next seven floors house administration departments: HR, Finance, and Logistics, Law Department, General Administration, Inventory, the Tech department with the last floor holding the mainframe computers for Marchen. Flora and Thomas were surprised to find that an entire floor was devoted to Marchen Inc. attorneys. Before they could ask, why, Miss Reed solemnly responded, “We’re going to need them.” Leaving Thomas and Flora utterly silent in thought until they reached the 10th floor.

The 12th, 13th, and 14th floors housed laboratories for mages, alchemists, and so forth. They weren’t allowed the past elevator as secure products were located within already. They only glimpsed that items were prepped and ready to be tested beyond the single window that allowed a tiny glimpse inside.

The 15th floor to the 24th floor housed craftsmen, mages, blacksmiths including forges, alchemists, weavers, etc. With the roof being converted into a large greenhouse that housed an innumerable amount of rare plants that caused Flora’s mouth to water with hunger and disbelief.

Thomas works hard to hide his astonishment and fails when Floor Zero is revealed. The first level houses security along with training grounds and sleeping accommodations for any overnight working company employee. Flora and Thomas marveled at the size of the 1st underground level. Floor Zero easily housed the first three levels above ground.

The second level of Floor Zero just as large as the 1st held captured beasts. Very few, creatures were currently held in fortified cages as such the floor was rather quiet. But there was a large and carefully recorded stock of monster compasses. Upon reading the tags, they were impressed to spot rare creatures within. A familiar ogre in a black uniform suddenly pops out followed by a giant, soundless monster wolf. The wolf whines and eagerly approaches them. Flora and Thomas stiffen with Thomas instinctively stepping in front of Flora to protect her. The wolf rushes past them and eagerly begins to lick Miss Reed’s face.

Miss Reed grimaces and pushes the happy wolf away. The ogre’s identification tag reads, “Crush.” “Sorry, Miss Reed, but Wolfe thinks you’re his boss. And please don’t worry Mrs. Flora and Mr. Vladimir, Wolfe here is a bright boy, he knows not to harm employees. I’ve properly trained him to recognize every employee's scent,” Crush proudly said as Flora and Thomas marginally relax their guard.

Miss Reed grumbles, “Yes, but shouldn’t he be doing his job?” Wolfe’s ears and tail droop down low. Suddenly the wolf monster looks like a depressed dog.

Crush hastily says in Wolfe's defense, “Yes, Miss Reed, but since it isn’t nighttime and as there aren’t any customers yet, Wolfe wanted to accompany on my rounds.”

“Fine,” Miss Reed crisply muttered as Wolfe’s ears perk back up. With a happy growl, he trots back to Crush the Beast Tamer. Miss Reed swiftly leads Flora and Thomas away lest the blasted Wolfe change his mind.

When the trio arrives at the last floor, a giant metal door is before them. Taking out two enchanted black metal keys, Miss Reed turns and hands one key to them. “These keys are strictly bounded to you and only you. Only your presence, DNA, and mana signature will open the vault. Any other attempts even forced ones will fail. The keys are not to leave your presence and must be returned to the vault located in each of your offices at the end of the day. And should anything ever be robbed, I am certain, you understand who I will hunt down first, are we clear?” Miss Reed coldly stated. Flora and Thomas nod in understanding as they carefully place the key on their person. Miss Reed glances at her watch and says, “Well, it’s time for lunch. What do you say, we get up there and have ourselves a good time?”

Flora happily agrees as does Thomas, who is glad to get away from Miss Reed. The trio returns to the elevator that only moves if clearance is authorized. Steps had been taken so that unless one was authorized the elevator would not go up or down to the said floor. That might cause some minor problems but the janitorial service would be fine since the janitorial services were contracted magical beings, brownies, were very useful in that manner.