Style Quest: Retirement

As the desk drawer slid open, it rattled a little bit. Over the last few days, Varick had emptied most of the items from his desk. Only a few things remained behind to collect. A pair of reading glasses the tailor needed for up-close work now sat in the drawer. Varick fought hard against the need for glasses, but ultimately, he had to relent and start wearing them. Next to the spectacles sat the Clydesdale’s talisman sewing kit. It had become covered in dust ever since he had retired from adventuring. It was now just a reminder of his glory days. 

 

After gathering these last two items, Varick used his cane to stand. Age had turned the horse’s mane white, his fur grey-brown, and robbed him of his balance. Looking around the empty tailoring store, Varick fondly smiled as he remembered his memories in this place. He didn’t bother locking the door as he left. It would disappear entirely from the inn in a few days, just like Raine’s studio did. They retired last year to spend more time with the grandkids and had begged Varick to do the same, but he had insisted on keeping the shop open just long enough to help the next set of new adventurers. Now, his fingers shook too badly to hold a needle long enough to put in stitches. Sure, he could use one of those magitech sewing machines, but it wasn’t the same.

 

Slowly, Varick made his way through the guild halls with the steady tap of his cane with each step. One last walk down the familiar passages, and then he’d say goodbye to it forever. He stopped momentarily at the memorial wall to look at all the names of past adventurers who had moved on. There were names of friends, allies, and a few enemies amongst the plaques adorned the wall. One day, his name would also be up there, but Varick was too stubborn in his old age to die anytime soon. Memories flood from tee plaques as the Clydesdale touched a few dedicated to his friends. A tear started to fall, but Varick quickly wiped it away before continuing down the hall.

 

Inside the guild hall, adventurers assembled as they always did. New faces mixed old familiar ones around bars and tables as lively chatter filled the air. Not one person in there wasn’t wearing something that Varick had made them over the years. Long gone were his days of blowing open the doors with song and magic shows. It was becoming more and more challenging to remember all the old melodies. The Clydesdale waved at a few friends as he went to the bar and reached into the back to grab the last known bottle of Requinest Wine. Varick had known it was here all these years but wanted to save it for his last day. Prize in hand, the horse left without drawing any extra attention.

 

“After all these years, I still can’t believe you managed somehow to turn your little lie into a real job,” the retired tailor laughed as he walked into the office of Guild Liason to New Worlds Kaytlyn. The fennec stood from her chair to greet her brother as he walked in. 

 

“Sometimes I’m not sure how I got away with it as well,” Kaytlyn smiled as she offered her brother a chair. He waved off the offer as he put his keys and badge on her desk.

 

“Just came to turn these in before I head out,” Varick told her as he started to leave but stopped. “You still coming by for dinner tonight? Raine said they’re making a special surprise for everyone.”

 

“I’ll be there, and you know you didn’t need to turn these in,” Kaytlyn took the badge and keys and tried to return them. “Once a guild member, always a guild member.”

 

“You earned your fame after stealing that badge,” Varick laughed as he turned and walked to the door. “I think it’s about time they were rightfully yours. I don’t think I’ll be needing them anymore.” With that, he walked out of the guild for the last time.

 

Retirement didn’t quite sit well with Varick at first. It took a long time for him to accept that he could relax. Once the truth finally set in, the former tailor enjoyed his retirement. Family trips to the different portals Varick had visited over the years became an almost monthly occurrence. Sometimes, Raine and Varick would go for a walk and disappear for days before reappearing again. It was a long love, love-filled retirement until that warm summer night. Varick passed quietly in his sleep after a long, well-lived life. Raine lived a few days longer but also passed in their sleep. Now, their plaques hang side by side in the guild hall for all time.