savetheearth | Entry #A-7: "Artisan" [Text, Action]

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Entry #A-7: "Artisan" [Text, Action]

[There is a lot going on right now. Murders in Vegas, police trials staggering to shameful conclusions, and L's own latest case- which he's technically no longer supposed to be investigating, but is- are all very distracting.

It's not like he needs sleep or anything, though; the coffee shop's construction is right on schedule. It just finished, in fact. As promised, he's taking a break from perusing Greek newspapers to make an announcement... and to remind the people who said they'd help a couple weeks ago about their commitment.]

Construction's done on the coffee shop and these are the open temporary positions I need filled immediately. Movers: Basically just move objects from point A to point B. Some of them are heavy. Painters: Solid colors and also a mural. Promoters: Hang out at Urban Outfitters and craft bars to hand out posters and spread the word. These are the permanent positions I'm taking interviews for starting this evening. Experience is a plus, but not necessary unless otherwise noted. Manager: Experience required. Job entails scheduling workers and running the shop. Assistant Managers: Hiring two. Need to be equally comfortable behind the counter and dealing with paperwork. Baristas: Hiring up to 8 for now. Duties include making coffee and food, running the cash register, and keeping the bathroom really clean. Bartenders: Hiring up to three. Must be over 21; we have a full bar that opens at 2:00 each day. Vendors: Sell your handcrafted items and help us support our boarded employees. A fantastic accountant: Lots of experience mandatory A fantastic lawyer: See above. Numbered individuals get priority, obviously. As I mentioned before, if your living situation is complicated, there is an apartment upstairs with six cots, two showers, and lockers for personal belongings. Just mention it during your interview and we can put you up as soon as the cots are upstairs. Respond here or drop by in person. I'll be at the shop all day today, and... honestly for the next week I'll be there almost constantly.

[And, in fact, he will. He's been neglecting his sleep, though, so when you stop by the newly constructed Espresso Yourself, you're likely to find him dozing on the lone sofa in the empty expanse of the shop, practically buried in paperwork.]

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I don't, normally. I live in an apartment like most people. But the schedule for opening hasn't left a lot of time, even with efficient delegation of tasks.

[He doesn't say so outright but this basically means he works until he collapses on the sofa in a haze of exhaustion.]

Oh. Oh, right! You being on site would make things easier and quicker, I guess. Okay, I'll be around tomorrow then, and we'll see how things go.

[The next day, a little more is moved in and set up, but the shop is still largely bare. Unfortunately, L's not doing so hot. He's been up for too long and skipped too many meals, and the result is a spacey, stricken-looking man who would probably blow over in a stiff breeze.

He's there, though, as he said he'd be, even if he hasn't changed his shirt in awhile and it's wrinkled to heck. He's surrounded by papers and forms and his laptop's fan is on overdrive. He's also popping a pair of advils and downing them with cheap, store-brand coffee.]

[Solana pauses, checking the right address before knocking, straightening her bag of paints and paintbrushes at her shoulder. Hoping she hasn't woken him or would do so if she enters. She's quiet, opening the door and looking around. It still seems pretty bare. But she understands that, when he has yet to paint the place. Easier to move everything in after that potential mess.

When she sees him, her green eyes widen slightly, frowning a little in concern. He really doesn't seem to be doing well. But perhaps that is just the chaos and stress of this new business being set up. Solana greets him with a small smile.]

Hey. I hope the paint fumes wouldn't make you worse. You okay?

[Her knock is unheard, more because L is spacing out hardcore. He's pretty sure he's hallucinating by this point, which makes him far from reassuring as a potential employer on top of his haggard appearance, but he recognizes the voice, glancing over at the young woman.]

A lot of people have been asking that. It must be bad.

[He laughs wryly.]

Doing the work of 6 men, but I'm fine, and so are paint fumes. We'll crack the windows. So... I was thinking this wall, in the dining area.

[He indicates it with a crooked gesture, since his hand can't seem to close enough to point conventionally. It's a large, bare expanse, and it's basically ideal for painting a mural.]

It's just....pretty obvious you've been busy. And sick. I just don't want to make you worse, but if you're sure.

[She bites her lip, following his gesture to the dining wall, eyeing it, figuring how much space that would make. It's a decent size. She is admittedly more used to painting smaller, on canvases. But she's willing to give the mural a go, stepping over to the wall and putting down her paints and brushes.]

All right. You mentioned wanting lanterns painted?

Busy... not sick, really...

[But now he seems concerned about it. Maybe he should see a doctor.]

Yeah. The more I think about them, the more I like the idea. It seems sappy, but if this place is built on hopes and wishes it seems pretty appropriate, wouldn't you say?

Oh. Well....okay then. If you say so.

[It's not really her responsibility to care for him, after all. If he says he's fine and not sick, that's his call. Either way she just hopes he's all right, looking to the wall from him as she considers his idea. Hopes and dreams. Everyone has them.]

Built on hopes and dreams....yeah. I like it! Was there any particular layout you wanted for it? I mean, the lanterns in one particular corner or up higher or? I can sketch some ideas first if that helps? I'm not sure how similar you might want the wall to what I did earlier from my echo.

[He seems anemically encouraged by her assertion that she likes the theme, but he comes up short when she asks, in more detail, what he thinks he wants.]

Make sketches if you think it'd help you, but... I really don't know anything about art. But I liked what you came up with from your echo, if that helps.

Oh. Well. If you're sure. I just figured I'd offer but if you don't mind too much, I could just do something similar to my echo then.

[It'd save time, and to be honest, she already has some idea on what she wants to do, leaning down and opening the paints, gathering her brushes and deciding which ones to use. Blue.]

Just. Let me know if I get in the way.

[She's sure if she gets too distracted with this he would let her know. But so long as he remains over at that desk she should be fine. There's a scraping as she shifts a chair over to the wall. Using it to stand on and reach up higher.

Solana basically half pours some blue paint at the wall, smearing it around with a thick brush to begin. Blue is a better, brighter colour than to use black, even if black is the usual colour for conveying the night sky. Even now as she starts, it's evident why she dresses in older clothes. T-shirt and coveralls and sneakers getting fresh blue paint added to the older paint, some at her cheek.]

[L is heartened that she seems to know what she's doing, because he certainly doesn't.]

You have complete creative control over the project. Please let me know if there's anything you need; there's coffee and coke, so please help yourself if you get thirsty.

[After opening the windows, he returns to his desk and pulls his knees to his chest, hugging them as he watches her begin the mural, deciding that it's probably very good and returning his eyes to his work until she speaks to him, or reaches a point where she can cease painting for the day.

Oh. Right. Thanks!

[Solana grins down at him, smearing some paint at her cheek more when she brushes her arm against it to give him a thumbs up. She's initially a bit nervous, but when he seems content to just sit back and watch, she almost forgets he is there, so focused on the painting. Making sure it doesn't drip to the ground. Adding the shading and details of the stars with her smallest brush. The lanterns floating up in the sky above the trees. Above a lake, showing their reflections. Lining the lanterns with a brighter yellow.

She's there a while. Finishing the sky at the least before she climbs down from the chair to look at it, smearing paint at her forehead as she wipes it with a grin.]

Not too bad so far. Reckon I could go for a drink now.

[L is very quiet, going busily about his work as Solana does the same. Others might have tried to chat during the process, but he's not really the talkative type.

When she's reached the point where she wants to stop for a drink, though, he's impressed and pleased with what he sees, and there's an expression of atypical gentleness softening his, sharp, harsh features.]

Yeah, of course. It looks amazing, Solana.

[She stands back, turning slightly to him with a smile and nod.]

Thanks. I'm glad you're liking it so far. That's the half of it done at least.

[And no, she isn't quite realizing the lighting change. The later it gets, so absorbed in the painting as she gets. But she retreats to the kitchen to get herself a drink, returning with some soda.]

Just the ground, the bottom half to go now....you sure there isn't anything in particular you want there?

[When she comes back, he's got another cup of coffee in front of him.

He squints at the lower half, the shadows around his eyes almost swallowing them entirely.]

You know, if... I mean if it's stupid or wouldn't look right, feel free to disregard this. But if it's all the same, to you... maybe a chessboard.

[He glances away, tugging at the strands of hair at the back of his neck as if self-conscious of the request.]

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Entry #A-7: "Artisan" [Text, Action]

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