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video | un: degurechaff

[ A young girl sits at a table in an otherwise nondescript room, her hands folded in front of her in a picture of perfect professionalism. Her white button-down shirt is similarly perfect, not a wrinkle in sight, and tailored to her thin frame. Her gaze into her omni is expressionless — some might call it cold — and her high, childish voice is tempered with the assured enunciation of an adult. ]

Good evening. My name is Tanya von Degurechaff. I'm new here, so I have a couple questions for anyone willing to answer.

First, what kind of job do you currently have? If you don't have one, then I'm also interested in hearing what you did before you arrived here.

Second, are there any jobs or businesses you'd like to see here? I recognize that this is a broad question, but since we come from a broad range of backgrounds, any feedback is welcome.

[ A pause, a stray thought seeming to flicker through her head before she continues. ]

As for myself, I have experience with personnel management, various air-based operations, tactical field research, and administrative work. More broadly, I'm an aerial mage. The business I'd like to see is a coffee shop.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

About a month, yes. There are far worse ways to pass the time in Trench than an extended seaside vacation, so I'm glad to hear that you've been taking things easy and doing well too. Welcome back, in any case~!

[They're very good at this politeness thing, though Ciel does also seem notably more chipper and well put together than their introduction by the shores. The advantages of having had the time and chance to better get used to things, maybe?]

Aha, do I? One of the tips I got for living here was to socialize, do I perhaps look more personable now?

[She's joking, probably?

...Probably. Winking's GOT to be joking, right??]

[ It's nice when the people around you are quick on the uptake and know how to roll with your humor. She's mostly come to expect it of battle-hardened veterans who have to laugh to prove they're still functioning, but it's a pleasant trait in normal people as well. ]

So it was a PR move? I admire your flexibility... but I'll leave the analysis to the experts. Unfortunately, I'm told I don't have a very good grip on what's cute or appealing to most people.

[ A weakness she's happy to have... and she isn't a shameless brown-noser eager to heap compliments on people for no reason. ]

Since you responded, let's have it: your occupation and what you'd like to see in the future, please.

Edited 2022-02-07 20:02 (UTC)

[Squid people town is absolutely chock full of normal everyday joes and janes, yah]

You have to look the part for what you want to do, right? I think you'll be okay, as long as you don't take interest in modelling for children's clothing or becoming a door-to-door salesperson. [Which they both know Tanya won't, unless she's had a sudden change of heart about her coveted desk job.]

I'm doing a little bit of everything, as I said I would. The Koz Orphanage in Crenshaw, the residential district, doesn't turn away help. You can always get a little something for your troubles in Willful Machine, the market district, where there's plenty of odd jobs like errands and deliveries to pick up. The same goes for Darcmouth, the fishing district, and while it doesn't smell nice and is understandably not very popular, I'd recommend looking for work there if seafood is what you're craving! As for what I would like to see, hmm... Maybe a restaurant or food stall that specializes in spicy dishes and snacks?

[...There may or may not be a pattern, here,]

[ Most people are normal, that's the definition of normalcy! Even if the people here are whackjobs compared to the average citizen on Earth, it's a statistical fact that over 50% are "normal". Language is really a beautiful and bewildering thing. ]

Yes, you're absolutely right — every person to his or her trade! I'm glad you understand that basic principle.

[ She finds it extremely offensive that she's ever expected to wear anything other than her work clothes, a.k.a. her uniform. Some people are really too stubborn about their narrow worldviews. ]

So there's a lot of work to go around? I suppose that's a good thing for hungry newcomers. I'm a little surprised there's an orphanage too... What's it like there?

[ She more than notices the pattern in Ciel's interests and files that information away, but politely chooses not to comment. People are allowed to like food. It would be weirder if someone didn't like food. ]

[Yes exactly, so who are they to judge if someone sounds like a fattydingdong? Or seems to have a marked preference for official military-grade wear despite looking like an elementary grade schoolgirl? Glad we're all on the same page, the variance of "normalcy" is truly a magical thing.]

Yes and no, I suppose. Like I mentioned before, there doesn't appear to be any form of standard currency here, so the type, stability, and payout of work all vary greatly depending on everyone's individual perception of worth. It does encourage freelancing, jobs can be as simple as basic errands to complex and dangerous affairs like what the Hunters and Blood Ministers do. As for the orphanage, it's well maintained and organized. The entity who oversees it is caring and reasonable, it also sees decent traffic from newly found orphans and actual adoptions made by the locals alike.

It's a little concerning that children are being orphaned at a regular rate, but I suppose it's good that the adults are charitable enough to take them in... Orphanages can be pretty interesting places, you know. The ways they're run can tell you a lot about the health of a society.

[ She scoffs and shrugs with light humor. ]

I'm destined to remain personally ignorant of how our local orphanage is run, however. I plan to steer free and clear of it, or else some overly conscientious citizen might try to put me up for adoption.

Given the abundance of monsters and other supernatural phenomena, I can see how it happens. The locals don't expect to live old, and it's another factor that plays into the ruling ideologies of practicality versus pleasure.

[Said rather clinically, though Tanya's next comment (joke, but still) has her blink and eye her curiously through the feed.]

Come to think of it, I wonder how often it happens that the locals mistake a Sleeper for one of theirs. You don't carry yourself like a regular child or talk like one, so the possibility may be lower than you think?

[ She's already fully committed to being independent, but she'd be lying if she said she hadn't considered the pros and cons of actually getting adopted into a family. If she could get into a good one, of course it would be great: room and board without bills, a chance to study whatever she wanted, and plenty of leisure time. But if it were a bad family, her life could become hell and she would have obligations to grin and bear it for a great many years. The risk was really higher that she would have liked... and she wouldn't have had much say in it if any prospective parents really had turned their eyes on her.

If she could preapprove the parents, though? She smiles in amusement, though it can't be said to be a very nice smile. ]

So natives would have to adopt natives, and Sleepers adopt Sleepers? How about it, Ciel? Are you in the market for a promising child of your very own? I happen to come with good credentials.

[If you got physical benefits just run with them, makes sense. Very practical, as expected of a capitalistic free thinker!]

Ah, not quite. There's an almost alarmingly high number of children Sleepers here, it was even worse last month due to people undergoing physical changes, which included instances of de-aging adults back to being kids. You can see for yourself scrolling through the Omni's public broadcast history, but from what I can note, they seem to live their lives here as normally as anyone else can in Trench. Taking in account of their access to blood magic, Omen familiar, and potential powers they previously had from their home world, I suppose a case can be made on why they wouldn't need constant adult supervision, but I also haven't spoken to many of them personally. Maybe you could ask around, how other Sleepers who look like children have been getting by here since their arrival?

[All that explained without batting an eyelash, because "Sleepers adopt Sleepers" wasn't an accurate assessment, so of course she had to correct it! ...Within the scope of her own knowledge, at least, which she thinks she's been quite clear about.]

[And just as abruptly, as if it was the perfectly natural transition to make:]

--Eh? I'm not sure how to take that, Tanya... Is that like saying you think I may be a helpful roommate who wouldn't get in your way? [She'd be worried/self-conscious about her qualifications as an adoptive guardian being put into question if it was from someone else, but since this is Tanya, she's spared, right? ...Probably? Probably.]

[ What a thorough report. If she were in the military, Ciel would make a useful adjutant. Though her final exam would have to be the brewing of a cup of coffee. If it wasn't excellent or better, she'd be disqualified. The standards under Tanya's command are just that tough.

Also, she thoroughly dislikes the mention of adults being de-aged to children. If that's even remotely possible, then does she have to worry about one day being de-aged to a toddler? The very thought is hell; that phase of her life was pure, hot hell. One of her modest goals in life is to crack five feet someday. If even that much might be stolen from under her feet, she'd like to know who to file a complaint to. ]

I prefer living alone, so you wouldn't have to be my roommate... but you'd be on the hook for financial support and legal liability. Once you're elderly, however, I'd be obligated to ensure your personal care and suitable living conditions. A fair investment, don't you think?

[And they say God is demanding... Well good (??) thing neither of them really knows what the other actually used to do for a living, ignorance is truly bliss.]

...

[Haha, elderly. She can't help but laugh a bit, once she's taken a few seconds to recover staring vacantly back at the video feed.]

That's very kind and fair of you to offer! [She's starting to expect as much of Tanya, wonder why 🤔] Would you get suspicious and retract it though, if I said I wouldn't mind assuming responsibility now, but you don't have to uphold the other end later?

[ That does manage to take Tanya by surprise. It doesn't seem like a joke — or at least not a very good one — so she ponders for a moment what Ciel meant by that. She'd be willing to be a sponsor, basically? A vote of confidence in Tanya's ability to contribute to the good of Trench, and a first foot in the door to access those potential benefits?

It seems Ciel is surprisingly wily and farsighted behind that sweet exterior. Tanya doesn't hate it, though. A stupid ally is just about one of the worst things you could have, so she welcomes even an overly clever one with open arms.

She doesn't plan on relying on anyone to the extent of becoming a dependent, though, so she decides to play it off. ]

That eager to become a mother? Or don't you trust that I'd take good care of you? I'll have you know that I take my contracts very seriously.

Oh no, that's not what I mean. I am a little curious now, if I can financially support a spirited young lady like you and hear what sort of request you may make of me. [Call it a hunch, but she's got a feeling Tanya isn't really the type that'd ask for a teddy bear on Christmas.] I've been doing okay by myself so far, so helping out that way could be an interesting challenge! As for the other end...

[She glances up at the feed, looking back at Tanya directly. Her demeanor still appears to be relaxed and easy, but...]

It's just more complicated, when we don't know if our bodies still behave the way we were used to. I haven't found any records detailing Sleepers aging, and with concepts like corruption and beasthood running abound, it sounded like we'll have much messier things to worry about than growing old. I didn't mean to question your sense of responsibility, I'm just wondering about the logistics. [Or rather, being skeptical of whether 'growing old' was even possible here. After all, if death of all things is apparently supposed to be just some minor setback to their new race, then where DOES that leave them? She hasn't really asked around about that particular topic, granted, but from what she's gleamed off of the Omni simply reading other people's entries and responses, death did not sound permanent. Hm...]

[ Curiosity?? The challenge?? Surely those can't be the only reasons why Ciel would entertain financing Tanya into adulthood for nothing in return. It sounds more like a thinly disguised form of masochism. The mystery that is Ciel deepens. ]

Now, Ciel. Not being able to predict the future isn't a reason to abandon all attempts at preparation. If you really were my mother, I'd feel motivated to double-check your retirement plan and investments right about now.

[ Sometimes you sign up for a kid and get a financial advisor... ]

[Yeah well what if it's just Trench's weird moon phase mooding shenanigans, making Warmbloods wanting to be extra helpful for no discernible reason? Or maybe she is a masochist, who's anyone to criticize her over a questionable personal trait that benefits others?]

Hm... I guess that's true. You can still prepare for a possibility, no matter how low the odds of it actually coming to pass may be. [Not trying to be defiant or contrarian or sassy, nah. Just stating things as they are!] But that brings us back to the economy: how do you plan to make investment plans, if trade here functions off bartering?

[ She sees nothing wrong with excessive preparation in anticipation of a slim risk, so she detects no sass or defiance in Ciel's statement. They really get along so well. ]

It's true that any investments or accumulation of currency would look different here, but they aren't impossible. Like most people in history, the locals place value in certain goods: shiny things, unusual things, raw materials, and practical goods. As long as they're non-perishable, any of those can be stored as de facto currency or speculated upon.

I understand that it's easier said than done, but it must still be done. You have to have basic security before you have the freedom for more civilized pursuits.

["More civilized pursuit", she says.

...]

Is that what you're thinking of doing next? Starting a collection of non-perishable goods?

[Less complicated to put it that way, and after thinking on it for a beat, Ciel's really not that curious to find out what Tanya's idea of civilized pursuits may be anyway.]

Building up your reserves should be a consistent habit, no matter the time or place. That way, you minimize the risk of escaped opportunities.

[ In other words, yes. The hoarding starts now. It helps that she happens to have highly valued, highly practical, highly harvestable coldblood.

She doesn't think she's insane for thinking this way, though? All responsible adults should be thinking in the long term. Expecting to die young sounds much crazier. ]

You should always plan on living. Your attitude can make all the difference.

That does make sense. I'm not sure what I could try stocking up on myself, and I am interested to hear your opinion if you're willing to share. May I ask? If not, I'll figure something out.

[Guess she could go for weapons, like darts or firearms... She does favor the latter, and with blood corruption being a concern, blades aren't an attractive option anymore as they could cause larger wounds that bleed too much. Gotta be practical and practice safe hunting, mmhm.

"Plan on living", Tanya says. True, a very human take! Ciel shall refrain from commenting. Economy takes priority over philosophy, right?]

[ If Tanya just up and shares what she's personally planning to hoard, then that's just more competition for her?? Yes, it will be better to diversify. ]

It's hard to name anything concrete at the moment, but a good rule of thumb is to play to your strengths. Are there any particular talents you have or interests you're knowledgeable about that might give you an edge?

[She figures, thus the "no hard feelings" part. She's starting to get used to how this capitalistism-championing ~~gremlin~~ girl thinks...

"What are you good at", she asks. ...Wouldn't it be crude to answer "shanking"? But at the same time...]

Um... I guess the most valuable thing I can think of is... [...] procuring beast parts, maybe?

[That's a delicate way to put it without fully spelling out that she may be something of a brute, right...]

...Those are perishable, though.

[Anyway, back to the important detail,]

[ She's some kind of hunter? Tanya wouldn't have guessed, but you really can't judge people based on appearances... ]

Furs might make a good investment, especially with how deep winter seems to get here. Beasts also come in such a wide variety that there might be good value in unusually shaped horns and the like. Or you could trade the carcasses wholesale for whatever non-perishables you can get.

[ There are a lot of options if you're willing to risk the danger... Though it isn't a negligible amount of danger for most people. ]

... Do you have experience fighting animals?

Normally, yes. The beasts around Trench are more monster than animal, however, and their blood is dangerous to us and the environment. [Ciel wouldn't call herself environmentally conscious, but since blood pollution IS a thing here...] They're far riskier to handle, but some places do take their blood. I guess there's the fangs and claws, too...

[She rattles off clinically, might as well be upfront about it especially as the beast blood's dangers applied to them all.]

...Somewhat.

[Vampires are bat-like in many stories, right,]

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