video | un: degurechaff

[verrostet]

[ 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.

Comments

[verrostet]

[ 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?

[expiera]

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,]

[verrostet]

I don't blame you for being reluctant. It would be a dangerous job.

[ High risk, high reward? That's fine for thrill-seekers, but most sane people would have reservations. ]

Well, there are plenty of other options. As long as you have power over what rewards you can receive for your work, it should be easy to form a stockpile over time. Even things as innocent as salt can be quite valuable.

[expiera]

Yes. Please be careful out there, too.

[It wouldn't surprise her the least bit if Tanya was combat capable, they HAVE been talking about this very calmly from the very beginning. Not immediately relevant to their conversation at hand though, so motoring right on.]

I think I have a few ideas now, thank you. [Gonna stock up some guns and enchanted weapons, can't go wrong with that!] How about you? Have you been managing by with the bartering system and getting what you want, for both the long and short term?

[verrostet]

I've been managing, yes. Bartering isn't very efficient, but fortunately I have a skillset that's simple to get by with.

[ Less fortunately, she still hasn't been able to get a handle on a long-term job that would allow her to peacefully marry a desk and humble assortment of stationery. The bartering system actively discourages such underappreciated occupations that bigger organizations require yet are hard to put a price tag on.

... Damn that Being X. He really likes to hit her where it hurts. But if he thinks she'll just roll over and suffer until she breaks, then he's got another thing coming. The best revenge is success. ]

... I've been thinking it might be nice to get into business. I'm not decided on what kind of business yet, but it would be easier if people came to me to barter rather than the other way around.

[expiera]

[It checks out with what tidbits Tanya's told her since their very first meeting. She's certainly determined...]

I'm afraid I can't help you there, I've never been much of a businesswoman myself. If you need field work of any sort done though, that may be a different story. [Procure raw materials? Run errands? Chase down people trying to back their way out of an already done deal? It'd be interesting, helping Tanya, but knowing how hardcore capitalistic the young woman is, she'd never allow free labor under her watch, would she?]

Back to networking for you, then?

[verrostet]

It's normal for a girl my age to want to make friends. The power of friendship is a wonderful thing.

[ Networking, friendship, what's the difference? Friendship should be a mutually beneficial experience, and so should your business relations. Tanya isn't one of those shameless crooks who would try to swindle a business partner. She's a fine, upstanding model citizen who values honesty and reliability. ]

I'll keep your offer in mind. Every workplace benefits from a diverse staff, so it might even be better if we have our differences. I'll keep you updated on any projects I end up starting.

[ Ever since they met, she had a feeling Ciel would be handy to have around. It's a nice mental cushion knowing that you have an extra pair of hands ready to help. ]

[expiera]

[Ciel does it for FREE, that's the difference... Blame (?) it on the religious ("religious") upbringing (?????), but she's not about to argue with Tanya being coy a normal girl her age.]

Yes, of course. I'll leave you to making friends, then. Speaking of diversify, I know you generally have a very open mind, but please at least try to not get close to too many shady old men, okay? [There's been a spike of those recently, or at least it FEELS like there's been...] A girl your age should mind her image, too.

Take care and have a good day, Tanya. Until next time!

[And without giving the smaller girl an opportunity to quip back at whatever that last part was, the feed cuts on a friendly wave. It's always valid to warn about sus old men, alright,]

[verrostet]

[ ...........

Hello? Who said anything about shady old men?? Ciel??? Also most of Tanya's associates in her past life were older men (as she was in the military and all), but she doesn't feel like she had any image problems... Being that she is extremely normal and self-aware, she should know.

Oh well. Tanya tucks Ciel's parting advice away for consideration at another time. If she can't figure it out, she can always just ask for elaboration later... ]