001

[under_the_wire]

Especially with winter upon us so suddenly, I find myself with little to keep me busy. The people here are kind enough, especially now that they seem content with the flowers I give them and aren't trying to poke me in the eye or pull my hair anymore, but playing the kind benefactor isn't exactly a role I'm suited to.

Has anyone given any thought to running a business? Ruling a town? Anything that might require a clerk or a secretary? There is no paper on my desk save for that I've chosen to put there myself and I'm quite out of my element.

Comments

[lil_sunspot]

[Interest peaked... But, skeptical. Maybe a few questions before he posits this to Elle.]

Depends. What's the going rate for a clerk or secretary?

[under_the_wire]

I will not require payment. I produce enough on my own to pay for whatever I might need.

[And he means that literally. He's been hesitant to comb his hair in the mornings for fear of how many gems will fall out.]

[lil_sunspot]

[This is too good to be true... But, Kiri isn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. A simple map is doodled with directions to L&F Tailoring.]

That is great! We own a small business. Could use some help crunching numbers if you are interested.

[under_the_wire]

I'm fielding another offer as well, but I'm sure I can find a way to help you out. So you're a tailor, then? Have you taken on much work yet?

[unaccepted]

What tasks are you suited for?

[under_the_wire]

I'm confident that I could be successful at any task I might be set. My duties back home primarily concern the national budget and trade, but as chief official, I take on whatever my king needs.

[Which is a diplomatic way of saying that he shoulders most of said king's paperwork as well.]

[unaccepted]

A noble job. [ A joke, but it is a little disappointing how poorly his jokes end up in text. ]

I am a prince here, though I have always been illustrious sort. I hold no real office at the moment but I would allow you to do for me as you did for your king. [ Really just trying to see if it will work. ]

[under_the_wire]

[He would allow it, would he?]

What do you mean by not holding a real office? Did they leave it up to you to establish a kingdom for yourself?

[He has experience with that as well.]

[unaccepted]

Something of the sort. [ He is not really sure, actually. ] My kingdom does not seem to be in existence here. That leaves me as a wandering prince.

[under_the_wire]

As a servant of a king who frequently wanders off I think I could find a way to be of service to a wandering prince. It was some time before my king found his country, as well.

[unaccepted]

How might a king lose his country? [ There is a pause of about two seconds before the context catches up with him and he adds: ] Then you have decided to find work with me?

[under_the_wire]

I do have another offer as well, but I don't see any reason save distance why I can't help the tailors out while working for you. What exactly do you plan on doing, seeing as you don't have a country to rule?

[unaccepted]

You say you have experience with budget and trade? Then I could use financial assistance of that sort. I do not seem to have enough gold to sustain my usual activities.

[under_the_wire]

And what would your usual activities be?

[That part is important. He can supply funds himself, but those gems are staying right in his hair if the "usual activities" in question are anything like the "usual activities" of the king he's used to serving. Sin can at least pay for his own bad ideas without it coming out of the national budget. Most of the time.]

[unaccepted]

[ Time to think of an elaborate way of saying that he usually just gets drunk. So, writing in a stream of consciousness: ]

An excellent question! So far, I awake in the late morning to the sounds of birds singing a rousing tune. I find them to be troublesome, but truly in this land of what one might call magic I am appreciative that they are in no way Stymphalian. That only tells us we are not near the Euxine Sea. Where might we be, then? I ponder that as I make my rounds about the town. It is up to a prince, I feel, to make good relations with those around him. It is also true, though, that Pylades is not a man of many words, and when he speaks it is mostly to Orestes. We shall not think of Orestes. This is an issue that causes me to become reclusive. How would Pylades address the people? Could he act as prince when he gives up his crown to sail unknown waters with Orestes? I do not care for people in the first place! Distraught, I stumble. This generally occurs in the area of the shopping district, and in the corner of my eye I see the sign of The Frog Prince. What is the impression one receives of a frog? Mindless creatures, all of them. They can do nothing but stare into the sky awaiting a king, and when their king comes he devours them all without a thought. So what is a frog prince, I ask. The men in there cannot answer but they offer me a glass—and I take it! For you see, the answer to my question is at the bottom of that glass. Or perhaps another glass. I search where I can for it. At the end of the day, I amble back to the loft I have taken up. I am worn out, and my feet are sore. Soon I will have to find new shoes. You can see my concern. I fall into bed and as my mind enters into a state of unconsciousness I realize: I have forgotten the answer to my question.

[under_the_wire]

So you go out, pal around with everyone you meet, get drunk, and come home to pass out.

[He should just say no and back out now, but he wanted something familiar and this is about as familiar as it gets...]

[unaccepted]

All under a troubled mind, I assure you. A royal has many worries, which is why I ask for assistance.

[under_the_wire]

I will offer you assistance and advice regarding your finances and your status as a prince, but I'm not funding drinking binges or cleaning up whatever messes you get yourself into.

[unaccepted]

[ But that's the most important part. After some hesitance, ] I will take it. What shall I call you?

[under_the_wire]

My name is Ja'far. And yours?

[unaccepted]

I am called Grantaire, but most preferably R. Whatever you feel appropriate to call your employer.

[under_the_wire]

[That seems to be a letter, not a name.]

I think Grantaire will suffice. When will you need me to begin work?

[unaccepted]

Whenever is suitable, I suppose. My pockets become emptier by the day.

[under_the_wire]

I suppose we should meet in person. Until then, I think you'd best start thinking of ways to bring in revenue.

[He has a few ideas of his own, but it seems wise to keep them to himself for now.]

[unaccepted]

I will consider it. Would you like to meet at, say, my usual establishment? [ The Frog Prince, he means. ]

[under_the_wire]

I suppose it can't be helped. I'm not paying for your drinks.

[unaccepted]

[ Damn. ] I would not think of it. I am free tomorrow and the next day and the next.

[under_the_wire]

I see you have nothing but free time. I'll find you tomorrow to see what can be done about that.

[kutanagi]

Ruling a town requires a clerk now?

[under_the_wire]

Generally, someone is needed to handle incoming paperwork, keep existing files in order, draft any necessary documents, keep daily records and so on. Depending on the size of the town, it may take more than one person, but I have experience training assistants as well.

[kutanagi]

Ah, a bureaucrat then. Can't say I have much to offer despite my role though.

[under_the_wire]

Your role meaning the one you were put into in this place? I'm not sure what anyone was thinking when they assigned me mine.

[kutanagi]

Yes. I don't think my predecessor was of the ruling sort.

Biancabella, you mean?

[under_the_wire]

Yes, that. I think I can see certain parallels here and there, but I'm not exactly some fair maiden who dispenses jewels and waits for a king to marry her.

[kutanagi]

That does sound a bit uncomfortable. ( she isn't really too familiar with the story but still ... having to marry someone. ) I'm not sure if they assign roles to reflect ourselves though. At least, it doesn't look that way.

[under_the_wire]

From what I've seen, there seems to be some sort of connection, even if it's just an ironic one, between the role and the person who ends up with it. I'm just not quite sure what anyone expects me to do.

[kutanagi]

( she ... didn't really notice any connection with her fairy tale role. other than she's japanese. )

Have you tried asking Father Time about it? When I asked him about what I'm supposed to do, he told me to

( ... long pause. )

find suitors. I suppose that's as straightforward as it gets.

[under_the_wire]

If that's what he told you, perhaps I'm better off not asking.

[Considering the part of the story where Biancabella gets her eyes plucked out and her hands chopped off.]

[kutanagi]

( ... that's a sad fate, ja'far. )

It's part of Kaguya's story though so it makes sense. I think. I guess at least they didn't tell me to go back inside a bamboo.

[under_the_wire]

You begin to wonder what sort of person writes these stories...

[When you come from a world where magic is commonplace, you don't end up with fairy tales quite this unbelievable.]

[kutanagi]

People with very creative imaginations?

[under_the_wire]

There's a slight different between "creative" and "bloodthirsty" or "twisted."

[And some of the things he's been hearing fall right into those latter two categories.]

[kutanagi]

I don't think they meant it in such a way. I think they wrote it more to serve as lessons to children.

[under_the_wire]

[As lessons to children?! His childhood wasn't at all normal, so it isn't something he knows about from experience, but it does make a twisted sort of sense.]

Are these sort of stories common where you're from?

[kutanagi]

Kind of. They're pretty old stories though, written a long time ago.