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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[ Alexi takes the stack from him carefully, doing his best to avoid that elbow because after what he's seen so far, he isn't too sure L won't actually bruise if he jostles him. His smile is slightly nervous, given the general atmosphere. ]

That's okay. I probably should stay away from anything that's going to make me hyped up.

What made you decide to open a coffee shop?

[L really does look as brittle as it's possible to look while still being a living, breathing person. His sleeve catches slightly despite Alexi's care, slipping up to reveal a couple inches of deep, ugly scar tissue. He tugs it down again in a gesture that looks to be a very practiced habit.]

A few months ago I got mugged by a couple of Blood Keys. I had some change, a broken iPhone, and a pair of handcuffs that I echoed back. When my attacker looked me in the eyes and told me that I was the saddest motherfucker he'd ever met, punched me twice because he had to at least look like he was working me over in front of his companion, and then gave me directions to the nearest clinic, it was kind of a reality check, I guess. Like, if I'm going to change the world in any kind of positive way, it won't be by punching it into excellence. I figured a stable business like the one I started working at on the edge of homelessness would be a good beginning.

Edited 2014-05-05 00:41 (UTC)

[ Alexi only half-catches some of that as his attention remains focused on the recently covered-up scars. But he does key into the mentions of mugging and echoing back... handcuffs. Who echoes back handcuffs? His tone is still slightly distracted when he answers L: ]

So you can offer jobs to people here?

[L has a bad habit of delivering a lot of information in a short amount of time in his typical blase monotone. He notes Alexi's seeming fixation on his wrists, and he crosses his arms to further remove them from easy view.]

Yes, I can. I have a business, and I need workers, so the plan is to hire as many numbered as I can. I know that we're all going through a lot of really drastic changes, and finding work can be difficult...

[ Alexi self-consciously shifts his eyes at that, realizing he got caught looking. ]

Why are so many of them homeless?

[Conversely, L does not look away. The art of breaking eye contact and looking away is a dance he's no good at.]

There are a lot of reasons and none of them are simple or concise. Homelessness is like that, whether a person's numbered or not... but some numbered people have been turned out by their own families, or no one will hire them because of the way they look so they can't afford rent. There are cots and showers upstairs so that my employees can show up to work every day clean and well-rested while they save for their own place.

The way they look? Our appearance can change?

[ He is very unsure how he feels about that. Though, the him in his memories didn't seem that different from how he looks now. Also, that part about families... ]

I haven't really talked with Mom and Dad about what I remembered since the first time. And that one was normal enough that I think they think they actually forgot somethin' from when I was younger.

I haven't thought about what might happen if I were to change... But Mom and Dad have already stuck with me through a lot.

[ He just can't imagine them turning him out for being Numbered... Not when they already put up with his episodes and everything else. ]

Definitely. It's not so extreme for me, even if developing scoliosis suddenly is very inconvenient, but I know a guy who's turning into an alien, and another who's turning into a bird, and another who's turning into some kind of walking corpse. It can get kind of crazy.

It's a parent's job to stick with their children through things, right...?

[If he sounds uncertain, it's because he never knew his parents.]

Yeah, but... not all of 'em do.

Did you say walking corpse? How does that even work?

I guess... I like to think that if a parent isn't strong enough in some capacity it's probably not their fault. Every situation is different... obviously, I don't know yours, but I'd assume that it just means your parents are pretty strong.

[He pauses, tugging at the strands of hair on the back of his neck.]

I'm not sure how it "works." From what I can tell he deteriorates a little more with every echo. It's really unfortunate.

Huh. I never thought about it like that. I've just always tried to do whatever I could to help 'em in return.

[ At L's explanation, he brings the papers he's holding closer to himself. He's suddenly feeling a little queasy, as he swallow. ]

Deteriorates... ?

It sounds like everyone in your family is doing their best. You'll probably all get through this even if things get much worse.

[He sounds like he's pretty sure they will.]

Um... yeah. I thought that was a sensitive way to put it. Like... decomposing? That's another way.

[His stare is already pretty unnerving, but it glazes over into something thousand-yard worthy as he looks past Alexi, seeming deep in thought.]

I think about what's going to happen to him a lot. If things... progress. Naturally.

[ Alexi is looking increasing uncomfortable about this conversation, and L's stare has just spiked that tenfold. He takes a step back. ]

There's nothing anyone can do?

[L's shoulders tense slightly at the step back Alexi takes, and he blinks, an action that's relatively rare for him.]

Well... there's a lady who's like a mortician, and she helped him with upkeep for awhile, but I'm pretty sure it's gotten bad enough that he has to stay inside most of the time. He even lost his vision.

What about stopping his echoes? Has anyone ever tried that?

I think a lot of people would stop their echoes if they could, but that's not really something that they really have a choice in. Sometimes even leaving the city doesn't completely work.

This really bothers you, doesn't it? For what it's worth, he's pretty much made his peace with the whole situation...

[ Alexi hangs his head, his tone going very soft and small. This is reminding him too much of his conversation with that girl who didn't believe being a hero even mattered. He'd wanted to show her otherwise and now, he's not even sure himself. ]

I just think it really sucks that there's nothing we can do, even with all the special abilities we have. What good is it all if we can't even help someone like that?

What good is anything if we think any of it happens for a reason? Honestly, it's a distinct possibility that everything happening is pretty random, with no higher purpose or direction. As disturbing as that is to consider... I think it's more likely, and that the best we can do is merely that.

In my case, it's opening a coffee shop and offering beds, meals, showers and jobs to anyone who's fallen on harder than average times.

I want to be able to do more...

It's possible that you'll be able to, someday. Hell, tomorrow you might echo back godlike abilities. For now... it's enough to help me out with the posters, in all seriousness. Thank you.

[ At L's comment, Alexi's mind goes back to some of his recent echoes. They had called him "savior" back then and he had saved that guy in his heart. Maybe really can do something once he gets more things back. Maybe he can heal things like this.

But for now, he was supposed to be helping here. ]

Oh right, the posters. Where should I go to hand them out?

[He slips his hands into his pockets. For all his surreptitious scouting for doctors and healers, he has cultivated a lot of techniques for keeping his scars out of view, even if people are aware of them. It just seems simpler, that way. Out of sight. Out of mind.]

Our target demographic is hipsters, so... Urban Outfitters is a good place. So is American Apparel. Starbucks, for the wayward who need their fix but would rather patronize a locally owned business. The bus station, the farmer's market and organic foods store, the announcements bulletin at the park. I'm sure you can think of other places, as well...

[ He nods, making no further attempts to follow L's hand movements. ]

I think I have the basic idea now.

Thanks again for your help, Alexi. Come back when you've gotten rid of them and I'll have your check.

[ He forces enthusiasm back into his voice, despite all the other thing's he's feeling right now. Time to be helpful! ]

No problem. You can count of me!

[ He is probably going to practically accost any passersby to make sure they take a flier once he gets to the stores. Except he's going to do so in his half-nervous way, which means it's probably going to be a pretty embarrassing sight for everyone. But hey, all the fliers will go into potential customer hands. ]

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dead_black_eyes - 2014-05-19 04:54 (UTC) - Expand

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

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