ic contact;

[psycholawgy]

You've reached Athena Cykes. I'm currently unavailable, but leave a message and I'll get back to you pronto. Danke! (voice/call → text → video → action)

Comments

[moribound]

[Minato returns the bow with a grin, clearly amused to see Athena wearing such a showy outfit while working as a waitress. ]

You really like yellow, don't you? That dress looks good on you though- anyway, I really appreciate the recommendation and will do my best. [Famous last words, Minato.]

[psycholawgy]

Can you start tomorrow?

[ oh, but wait-- ]

What made you want to look for a job, anyway?

[moribound]

Sure. And it's nothing special, I was just running out of credits and I can't go to school. [And those other jobs weren't all that good...this one seems like it'd be more interesting.]

[psycholawgy]

Can't go to school?

[ somehow, she imagined minato to be younger than she is. ]

How old are you, anyway?

[moribound]

[It must be his small size.]

I'm eighteen too. It's really too bad...I would have preferred going to school too. [Not because he's studious, but because he isn't about to refuse free money at CERES' expense if it comes with no strings attached.]

[psycholawgy]

Well, at least waitering doesn't require a lot of hard work.

Just get ready for very needy customers.

[moribound]

[That gets a curious look- it sounds like Athena has some interesting stories to share about the job, and he prefers knowing what he's getting into before signing up for it whenever he has a choice.]

Needy in what sense?

[psycholawgy]

[ she moves closer to whisper in his ear. ]

You know, like they need you. Literally.

[moribound]

Isn't there some kind of rule against that kind of attention? [At least he hopes so. Being more comfortable with people now doesn't mean Minato's the friendliest guy around.]

[psycholawgy]

[ she just winces. ]

There should be, but... they're kind of discreet about it, you know? And unless you show any proof that they're harassing you, then you can't kick them out.

Or hurt them. Don't try, by the way. I did that once, and I had to pay for the damages.

[moribound]

Sounds troublesome. [Minato winces sympathetically, recalling that Athena worked a lot of jobs to stay afloat and could hardly afford to pay for any damages she caused.] Shouldn't be a problem for me, though...I'll take it.

[psycholawgy]

There's just a form you have to sign. Take a seat, I'll get the documents for you.

[ she pulls out a chair for him in one of the tables and waits for him to sit down before heading to the back. ]

[moribound]

[There's not much for Minato to do but nod, sitting down and leaning back on the chair's back with his hands in his pockets and staring vacantly at the ceiling.

...he's still sitting like that when Athena gets back, but he does acknowledge her return by tilting his head in her direction.] Anything else I should know before I sign?

[psycholawgy]

Nah, you should be good!

[ she hands him a folder with some forms, like an application form with some questions like "why do you want to work here", "what are your strengths", etc. it seems like something used by the head of the HR. ]

The other colonists who work here are Ai and Inaba, but I'm trying to get Merlin to join the crew, too. We need more guys here.

[moribound]

[Minato's halfway through the question about his strengths when Merlin is mentioned again, and he looks up with a curious frown on his face.]

That's the second time you've mentioned him...Merlin, like the legendary wizard?

[psycholawgy]

[ oh... she's heard of merlin the "legendary wizard", but it's never occurred to her that this could be him. weird. ]

I guess so? [ hm, wait. it's not her secret to tell that merlin do magic, so-- ] But I'll let you find that out on your own.

He's really nice. I hope the two of you will get along well.

[moribound]

Yeah, I hope so too. [If it's Athena saying that he's nice, I'm sure he's nice too... That distraction almost leads to him misspelling a letter and Minato just avoids it in time, finally signing off with his name and handing the forms back to Athena.]

Here you go.

[psycholawgy]

Thanks, Minato!

I look forward to working with you. [ with the forms in one hand, she holds out the other for a handshake. ]

[moribound]

You're welcome, and I'm looking forward to it too. [He holds her hand with his right hand and shakes it firmly before letting, tucking it back into his pocket.]

It's close to dinner so I should go. See you tomorrow.