Chapter 4: Family Ties

Lumi

Ryker smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Alright, Lumi," he said. "Welcome to the team."

I beamed at them, my heart swelling with gratitude and excitement. I had a job, a place in this new town, and a chance to get to know these intriguing twins. I couldn't wait to see where this adventure would take me.

Roman led me to a small office tucked away in the corner of the mill. The room was cozy, with a desk piled high with papers and a chair that looked like it had seen better days. A window overlooked the mill floor, the machinery humming and whirring below. I could see the workers moving about, their movements fluid and practiced, like a well-oiled machine.

"This is where you'll be working," Roman said, his voice gruff. "Just start with organizing the invoices and taking the messages off the phone. I'm sure you'll manage. If you have any questions, just holler at Holly."

I nodded, taking in the chaos of the office. Roman handed me a stack of papers, the edges worn, and the ink faded. "And once you get that done, these are the orders that need to be processed," he said. He gestured to another stack of papers; the pile even higher than the first.

I took the stacks from him, my mind already racing with ideas and plans. I could see the system that needed to be put in place, the organization that was lacking. I was ready to dive in, to make this office my own, to bring a touch of my elf magic to the timber mill.

Roman left me to my work, the wooden floor creaking under his heavy boots. I sat down at the desk, the chair squealing under my insubstantial weight. I took a deep breath, the scent of wood and ink filling my lungs, and got to work.

The day passed in a flurry of paperwork and phone calls. I sorted through the orders, processing them with a speed and efficiency that surprised even me. I filed the invoices, creating a system that was both logical and easy to navigate. I answered the phones, my voice cheerful and friendly, putting the callers at ease and making them feel valued and appreciated.

As I worked, I could feel the magic of the mill seeping into my bones. There was a rhythm here, a pulse that beat in time with the machinery, a heartbeat that echoed the lifeblood of Frostpeak. I could feel the history of the place, the generations of workers who had come before me, the legacy that Roman and Ryker were carrying on. My heart swelled to be a part of that now, a small cog in the machine, but a vital one nonetheless.

As the day wore on, I couldn't help but notice some changes around the mill. The machinery seemed to be running more smoothly, their usual hum sounding almost melodic. The workers seemed more at ease, their steps lighter, their smiles wider. I wondered if anyone else noticed the subtle shift.

"Hey, Lumi," one of the workers, a friendly man named Tom I had met during our lunch break, approached me. "Is it just me, or does the mill feel different today?"

I smiled, trying to be casual. "Different how?"

Tom shrugged, looking around. "I don't know, just... lighter, maybe? Like the air is buzzing with something good."

I chuckled, feeling a warm glow inside. "Maybe it's just the spirit of the season," I suggested.

Just then, Ryker walked by, pausing to observe the mill. He turned to me, his brow furrowed slightly. "Something feels different today," he commented.

"Different good or different bad?" I asked, trying to gauge his reaction.

Ryker scratched as the scruff of the beard that dusted his square jaw. "Just different. The machines seem to be running better, and the atmosphere feels... happier." He shook his head. "That sounded dumb. A building can't be happy but...something is different."

I shrugged, feeling a sense of pride but also caution. "I understand but maybe it's just a good day," I said, not wanting to reveal too much.

Roman joined us, his stern expression softening a bit as he looked around. "Whatever it is, it's not disrupting the work. In fact, it seems to be helping. That's all I care about."

I smiled, relieved. "I'm glad to hear that. You have a wonderful business here. Everyone seems like family."

Ryker gave me a nod of approval. "We try. It's a small town. Many of our families have been here for generations. Glad you can feel it."

As they walked away, I let out a small sigh of relief. I knew my magic was at work, it seeped from every pore whether I willed it or not, but I also knew I had to be careful. I didn't want to overwhelm the mill or the people in it. I wanted to enhance their experience, not control it.

I turned back to my work, determined to keep my magic in check while still allowing it to bring a touch of Christmas cheer to the timber mill. It was a delicate balance, but I was ready to embrace the challenge.

Before I knew it, a loud whistle blew and my first day on the job was over. As I walked back to the Inn, the snow crunching under my boots, the lights of the town twinkling around me, I knew that I was exactly where I was meant to be. I was home.