• Location • The Office of the Citizen's Committee

[Maltruism]

KULBRECK (Employment)

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Mr. Mead's face transformed into a beaming smile. "Excellent! Truly, you are just what we are needing! A Blacksmith you say? Tell me..." the man said, still shaking the prospect's hand, "are you by any chance skilled in the more specialized fields of, say, weaponsmithing or armorsmithing?"

Without even really giving the man a chance to respond, he waved off his query as if it was unimportant. "Never mind, never mind. It really doesn't matter. It's just that with the war being declared against Rhakros, we are needing smiths of all kinds. I'm sure there are many moving both up and down the scales into whichever position is feeling the crush. I mean we need axles for the wagons as much as we need the armor IN the wagons, eh?" he laughed.

"Excuse me just a moment. I will be right back." he said, as he rose from his seat to make a hasty exit. He returned no more than a tick later, grabbed a fairly thick pamphlet from a shelf behind him, and retook his seat, asking the gentlemen before him to speak his piece.

He heard the mature fellow out, asking more shop-related questions of him than Nashaki-endorsement types. The questions were read partially from the pamphlet he had in front of him that apparently had prerequisite questionnaires for most of the vocations in town. It was likely that he had gone to the masters of these vocations to find what sorts of things they would want to know and hear from likely prospects. He was quickly satisfied that the middle-aged gent in front of him would not disappoint.

"You can either go ask at 'Losten Foundry' in the Commercial Circle, or 'Sauncraft' in the Outer perimeter. Normally, Sauncraft would not be hiring, as Mr. Porter already has a capable apprentice in Mr...uh...Narric...whatever his name is, I can't recall. But I know for a fact that he's working around the clock, and can use a hireling for the night breaks. I can't make promises about what sort of work you'd be asked to do. I mean, if it would be anything more than maintaining the forge, and organizing stock and tools. But he's definitely hiring."

His smile waned somewhat as he recounted details of the other forge in town. "Losten Foundry is hiring as well, and is a more reputable and prestigious start for a newcomer. They would be focusing more on the weapons and armor smithing normally, but as I said, with everything being in need, they are filling whatever is demanded of them by The Tower. It's my understanding they are none too happy about having about having to...lower...themselves to mundane smithing contracts, but they will do it. But I can tell you, the brothers can be rude taskmasters, and if they form a dislike for you, you'd end up back at Sauncraft anyway."

KULBRECK (Housing)

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"Ge...dain..." she said slowly as she wrote it down in the new ledger. She smiled suddenly, awkwardly, as if it was not a frequent occurrence. "Mora, Mr. Gedain. Please relax. I know there's a considerably...martial...attitude in town, and I suppose it can be somewhat intimidating. But we have just had one of our time-cherished festival events torn asunder by invasion and violence, and it is still fresh on our collective minds."

She then turned the ledger up in front of her, showing her customer that it read 'Commercial Circle'. She set it back down and flipped it open. "But there is a plus side for a man of your profession in these troubled times. Mr. Mead came in here a short while ago - you undoubtedly noticed - to let me know that you're a blacksmith. As such, you are currently entitled to be ensured of housing close to wherever you gain employment. I was just checking to be sure that there is an available unit inside the walls, in case you should be employed by 'Losten Foundry'. There is little doubt that there will be a unit in close proximity to 'Sauncraft', as it is outside the walls."

She sat back with a thoughtful look. "It may seem obvious that inner housing and employment at Losten would be preferable. But I can tell you, there is a more open and friendly community outside the walls than inside. Don't get me wrong. It's not that we are all snobs here on the inside, but we have worked our way into these walls, and are, admittedly, a bit askance towards those who are awarded them out-of-hand simply for being skilled in this or that vocation. Not all newcomers feel inclined to..."pay their dues"...by putting up with this. At any rate, when your employment is secured, so too will be your housing location."

She folded her hands with satisfaction, indicating that there was little else to be accomplished by further discussion. She finished with a sigh of something resembling relief, "At least you're human."

[Limbo]

29th Zi'da, 716

Kovic’s surprise was major once he was informed that there existed actual individuals that could aid him in finding work, a place to stay, or a use to his talents. Having already wasted nine days in tedious lumberjacking, in sleeping in bunkbeds and smelling feet of strangers, Kovic was given an opportunity to finally soar to new heights. His first task would be to secure himself a job, and after discreetly asking a fellow citizen for guidance, the three doors and the mysterious letters above them were finally deciphered.

First came the job.

Kovic – or Paplo Ynush, if one wished to be truthful to the played part – patiently waited for his turn with a kind smile. His plans were already made, and so he found no problem in delaying the incoming comfort of a trouble-free life. Unlike Ne’haer’s conflicts, Etzos was far more peaceful than the chaotic city he had previously visit, and the war they waged stretched to the south. Furthermore, his act had improved lately, and so he was finally ready for a bigger challenge: building a character from the ground up. He was obviously excited.

His turn came, and so the old man approached him, offering a handshake as a greeting. Paplo returned it, and with a smile, he approached the chair waiting before the desk whilst the clerk circled around him. The chair was warm, and Paplo appreciated the free warmth.

"Welcome, welcome. I am Peter Mead, Employment Coordinator, and if you are looking for work, it is my pleasure to assist you." He straightens a note pad as he speaks and prepares a quill as he examines a list of available positions. "If you could give me a basic idea of what skills you could offer this city, I have no doubt I can find you a place where they can be put to gainful use. So, what sort of employment are you hoping to find?"

“My name is Paplo Ynush, and indeed, I am looking for employment. I was wondering if you have any sort of employment opportunities for a teacher like myself. You see, after a tragic turn of events in my previous employment as a woodcutter, which I believe rendered my back useless, I found myself raising children by sharing the knowledge they need to mentally develop themselves. Although I loathed it at first, I must admit that, with time, I began to actually stand children!” Kovic snickered. "Eventually, I found myself without work, for those children I had educated realized our village was soon to be dust. Thus, here I am! Quite ironic, is it not? At any rate, I wish to continue with the trade, and so I came to you. ”

-----

After his employment had been discussed, Kovic headed into the opposite office, which was conveniently empty and ready for Kovic to defile it. Closing the door behind him, he was once again guided towards the chair opposite of the desk. As she did not look at him just yet, Kovic remained quiet, politely waiting for her full attention. At last, her eyes rose, and they planted themselves upon Kovic.

"Welcome to the Housing office. My name is Kelleen Mora. May I have your name? I trust you are here to find a place to stay. Are we speaking of temporary or permanent residence?" said the female, calmly. Kovic could swear that her eyes were looking past him, past the door, and past the door of the office opposite of the one they were in, almost as if trying to intimidate Peter Mead into getting her a new position.

“Uhm… It’s Paplo, Paplo Ynush. My stay is temporary, madam. I’m looking for something basic for the time being, just until I can get on my feet and be able to afford myself something better.”

[Aerlan]

27th Zi'da, 716

The guard at the Great Pahrn Great had mentioned the Office of the Citizen's Committee as the location many newcomers to the city should visit first. Aerlan had already made it his first priority to procure employment and lodging once he'd gained entrance to the city. Following the guard's directions, he headed to the office moments after entering the city. It didn't take him long before he stood before the wooden doors of the office. Aerlan quickly opened them and stepped through, making note of the small chamber within that led to three more doors. With a glance at the plaques above each door, Aerlan turned to the left and entered the Housing office.

Before him sat a black-haired woman pouring over paperwork. Without looking at him, she gestured for the door to be closed. Nudging it closed with his heel, Aerlan stepped forward and waited silently for the woman to finish her work. That's the polite thing to do, right? A few moments later the woman put her pen down and leaned back in her chair.

"Welcome to the Housing office. My name is Kelleen Mora. May I have your name? I trust you are here to find a place to stay. Are we speaking of temporary or permanent residence?" Her piercing gaze glanced over the young Eidisi before reaching up to grab a ledger book off of her shelf and pull a book of street plans from the desk.

"Aerlan Mavarium. I'm seeking temporary residence for the moment." He kept his voice light and as friendly as he could. It would be in his best interest to make a good impression. This woman would be deciding his current living situation after all. Last thing he wanted was to annoy her and be given less than pleasant accommodations. "I appreciate your help as well. It is nice to have such assistance on my first stay in your city." He gave the best smile he could fake, which came out looking slightly awkward. Aerlan attempted to retain the friendly act while he waited for her reply.

*****

Immediately after leaving the Housing office, Aerlan walked straight across the small chamber and to the Employment office. Entering quietly, the Eidisi looked at a very similar layout to the previous room. At the desk sat a well-groomed gentleman working on the paperwork in front of him. Aerlan adopted the same demeanor he had with Ms. Mora. He waited quietly and plastered a pleasant smile upon his face. It wasn't too long before the older man looked up and smiled. "Welcome, welcome. I am Peter Mead, Employment Coordinator, and if you are looking for work, it is my pleasure to assist you."

Aerlan nodded and tried to mimic the same pleasant smile. "Greetings, Mr. Mead. I am Aerlan Mavarium, of Viden. Thank you for your assistance, sir."

"If you could give me a basic idea of what skills you could offer this city, I have no doubt I can find you a place where they can be put to gainful use. So, what sort of employment are you hoping to find?"

The Eidisi nodded and stepped forward to stand in front of Mead's desk. "Well, sir. I've worked as a research assistant in Viden's Academy in the past. I've also begun studies into linguistics and psychology, being far more competent at the former. I greatly appreciate any help you could provide in placing me in a position that fits my skill base, sir." Aerlan copied the same smile from earlier and nodded his head respectfully as he waited for Mr. Mead's assistance.

[Maltruism]

KOVIC (Employment)

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The smile that lit Mr. Mead's face was born as much from relief as happiness. "Oh, sir! That would be a wonderful vocation to pursue at this time. With the recent hostilities, there have been a number of children made homeless and orphaned. We have arranged the clearing out of a chain of storerooms in the levels just below the Prime Sanitarium for their care and temporary housing."

His eyes lifted to ceiling as he mentioned the Sanitarium, confirming its location in this same tower just a few levels above this ground level office. He went on, "We are, of course, offering perks for any that agree to adopt one of these poor children. Mostly this extends to the new frontier towns being raised south of the city.

"In the meantime, another teacher would take pressure off the few we have for this need, giving you all just a normal work trial. Excuse me just a moment. I will be right back." he said, as he rose from his seat to head out the door. He returned no more than a tick later, carrying a small notepad, displaying hand-scribbled information. He tore off one of the sheets and did some scribbling of his own; than handed the impromptu document to "Mr. Ynush".

"I do not actually have purview of this branch of employment, but I am fully qualified to step in when necessary to secure a new teacher. Technically, as this falls under the property of the Sanitarium, it is kept in their records, and that falls under the umbrella of our esteemed Mr. Tagley, next door. You do not need to see him, though, in fact, I do not believe he is in his office this trial. Instead, just take this two levels up and ask at the big "Incoming" desk for 'Lead Surgeon' Aderell. He'll be the one to arrange your acceptance. Thank you so much, and welcome aboard, sir."

KOVIC (Housing)

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"Temporary, then..." she said slowly as she wrote it down in the new ledger. She smiled suddenly, awkwardly, as if it was not a frequent occurrence. "Mr. Ynush, if I may say, your name is unique enough that I have little doubt you are the one that Peter came through here a few bits ago, going on about. I need to be sure you understand; normally, jobs in the Sanitarium come with domestic units on those premises. But I'm afraid, as a teacher, you are in a category that is not actually considered Sanitarium staff, so you won't qualify. That being said, I can assure you there is no shortage of temporary housing."

She turned to grab a ledger from behind her, leafing through it for a few moments. She pointed to a spot one of the circles in the center of the city, "We are here..." she confirmed, tracking out from the indicated tower to two locations. The first was basically due west of the Citizen's Tower, on the inside curve of the fourth wall in, just a bit north of the main gate. She referred to this as the "Inn for Dinner". For the second she indicted a much larger area, an entire one-eighth segment of the encircling outer perimeter; the one lying south of the main road to the main gate.

"The Second Story Inn, is located somewhere in this section, I think in the northern half, but I'm honestly not sure. For those of more modest means, its location is superb, as it is very near the Citizen's Market. You can get most anything there that you can get at our more pricey shops inside the walls. I frankly find better quality inside, but function is often preferable to fashion to those outside." She said this as though she did not realize that it could be offensive to some, or that she would really care is any did take offense.

"Now, of course, there is also the option of renting a housing unit. Newcomers to Etzos are restricted to only outer units for the first arc of residency. One must pay their dues to qualify for an inner unit. It often takes them this long to secure the kind of pay scale to be able to afford one." She leaned and almost whispered this last comment, as if it was some gossip-worthy comment. She went on to cite the costs of 40gn a season for a wooden housing unit in the perimeter, and 60gn a season for the adobe or stone version. Both were availabe, as were rooms in the inn on a more-night-by-night basis. It was now up to 'Mr. Ynush' to make his choice. Whatever he chose would be accommodated.

[Neronin]

714th Arc, 40th of Zi'da

Neronin was nervous as he entered the Office of the Citizen's Committee. Such close proximity to government officials made him uneasy. But the necromancer needed a job, and this was the place to come for that. He smoothed the front of his shirt and glared around at the other occupants milling about. Neronin's eyes lit upon the right-hand door. It read 'Employment'. He moved towards it with purpose, falling in behind a pair of younger women. They seemed to move as if they had all the time in the world. Neronin loathed such people.

when they reached the door they stopped and looked again up at the sign. Both women turned simultaneously towards each other and clasped hands, grinning excitedly. "This is it! We're going to finally get-" One began to say. But Neronin had already unceremoniously shoved each of them back. He had no patience for such sentimentality in public places, it was indecent.

He stepped past them, sighing icily as he did so. "I'd save the waterworks for afterwards, girls." He said as he opened the door to the Employment Office. "Though I doubt they'll be as happy as...all of this." He gestured at their sickly sweet exchange. Neronin made a pointedly disgusted face and closed the door behind himself before either could respond. The looks of outrage etched across both faces gave him a deep sense of satisfaction. Hopefully they wouldn't subject the public to their idiocies again.

There was a stout man sitting with his back to Neronin facing an older, silver-haired official who must be the Employment Coordinator. Neronin gave another silent sigh and stood motionless in front of the door. But there was no need to be agitated. The stout man soon stood and shook the Employment Coordinator's hand before turning to leave. The man made his way briskly to the exit without another word.

Neronin stepped aside and inclined his head as the man passed out of the room. See, now there was a decent man. No wasted sentiment, no useless social interaction. Neronin turned back to the Coordinator and approached.

"Welcome. Welcome. I am Peter Mead, Employment Coordinator, and if you are looking for work, it is my pleasure to assist you." The old man said as he shook Neronin's hand and gestured for him to sit.

"Yes, pleased to meet you, Mr. Mead." Neronin said with a respectful smile. He had crafted that smile for just these occasions. It pulled at his face wrong. When Mead looked down at his notepad Neronin relaxed the expression back to the usual neutrality. "I was indeed looking for work today."

Without looking up Mead nodded and said "If you could give me a basic idea of what skills you could offer this city, I have no doubt I can find you a place where they can be put to gainful use. So, what sort of employment are you hoping to find?" Mead said as he set pen first in the inkwell and then to the sheet of parchment in front of him.

Neronin watched the tip of the pen apprehensively. This, he knew, was a pivotal point in his young life. Much was hitched on this meeting. He remembered the sappy girls grasping hands and shook the thoughts from his head. "Well I have some political knowledge. Growing up in Etzos I have learned how the system works. I'm also... somewhat versed in unconventional methods of acquiring knowledge." Neronin gave Mead a loaded look. The man said nothing but scribbled something on his sheet of paper. "I have leadership experience as well." Neronin did not mention that those he lead were mindless undead minions with no will of their own. It was hardly pertinent information after all.

[Maltruism]

AERLAN (Housing)

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"Very well then, temporary..." she said as she reached for her ledger. She leafed through it for a few moments. She pointed to a spot in one of the central circles comprising the area designated as 'the Citadel'. "We are here..." she said, tracing her finger out from the indicated tower to two locations. The first was basically due west of the Citizen's Tower, on the inside curve of the fourth wall in, just a bit north of the main gate. She referred to this as the "Inn for Dinner". For the second she indicted a much larger area, an entire one-eighth segment of the encircling outer perimeter; the one lying south of the main road to the main gate.

"The Second Story Inn, is located, I believe, in the northern part of this section. You'll probably need to go there and ask, to be sure. It is near the Citizen's Market I hear, so goods should be available for those of a limited income. I obtain my supplies from the shops on the inside, so I cannot confirm its exact location. As an eidisi, I imagine you'll be gainfully employed sooner than many members of...other races. So you can probably afford inner housing fairly soon." She said this as though she'd meant to say "lesser' races, and as if that in no way suggested that she included humans under that label.

"I mean that in regard to renting a housing unit. As a newcomer to Etzos, you will not be allowed to have an inner unit for an arc or so. One must pay their social dues, after all. It always takes those of other races at least this long to secure the kind of pay scale to be able to afford one. You will surely do better than that." She went on to cite the costs of 40gn a season for a wooden housing unit in the perimeter, and 60gn a season for the adobe or stone version, choosing to leave out the detail that fire threats from hostile Aukari were the reason for the two options. Both were available, as were rooms in either inn. Whatever Mr. Mavarium chose would be provided.

AERLAN (Employment)

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The smile that lit Mr. Mead's face at the mention of Viden waned curiously at the description of the employment he was looking for. "I..see..." he said as he sat back down slowly. He took a key and unlocked one of the drawers on his left. He did not lift it up to rest on top of the desk, but his eyes flitted repeatedly to his eidisi guest as he turned pages.

"We do, of course, have such job opportunities here, but they are not generally advertised. If you have a recommendation, or a letter of approval from...someone...it would help expedite this process. Such skills are usually put to the best use in The Tower." He did not elaborate on who exactly 'someone' might be, but he said the last two words as if they were a death sentence.

"I do not actually have the authority to grant you employment with that sphere of our city, but I am fully qualified to provide you an interview with the proper person. Technically, this falls under the umbrella of our esteemed Mr. Tagley, next door. Just go ahead and retake your seat in the lobby and either he or I will let you know when he will see you. Good luck, sir."

With that, he went to the door, motioned Mr. Mavarium to one of the empty seats, and disappeared into the "Guidance" office. He came out several bits later, a smile manufactured for public consumption as he gave a reverse nod to the doorway left open behind him. "You're in luck...I guess." He returned to his own office without another word.

AERLAN (guidance)

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The Guidance Office was exceedingly cluttered, but the elderly man behind the desk gave off a curious aura of absolute organized competence. One might have concluded that the cluttered state of the room was a part of a facade deliberately presented to throw people off, like the initial stage of some sort of test. He stood and introduced himself as Marlin Tagley.

"So, I understand you are looking to be an investigator, with emphasis on linguistics and psychology." he did not wait for denial or confirmation, apparently trusting that Mr. Mead had conveyed the visitor's request accurately."This generally speaks to some dicey encounters, Mr. Mavarium. You are not going to be able to disguise your race as effectively as the last couple of...employees...I had in this capacity. You'll be checking out newcomers of possibly hostile racial or ideological make-up, listening in to conversations in foreign languages, following them, making notes of who they meet and what they say, if they continue speaking in languages you know.

"You should know that the last two...employees...I had in this capacity are...well...one of them is confirmed dead, the other has not been seen for a couple of arcs now and is presumed dead. You will have powerful friends if you accept this job, but they will rarely be in a position to offer any quick support, or rescue, should things turn sour on you."

He sat back down and steepled his hands beneath his chin, his eyes penetrating, "So, I want you to do two things. First, tell me what languages your emphasis on Linguistics has provided you. And then, I want you to sit for a few bits and think of the most horrible way a man can die; and then, imagine yourself in that situation and decide of you really want this job."

[Adam Michaels]

70th of Zidah 716th

Adam had taken time to weigh out his options, on one hand he could continue his easy breezy journey through life as a courtesan by sleeping with hot girls and pilfering them of there money like some sort of inverted gold digging play boy. But it would only take his skill in Empathy so far, what Adam needed to do was take his magic to the next level and use his skill set as a seducer to his advantage.

He found himself strolling the hall until he happened across a sign that read employment, hoping to be introduced with a woman with sensual curves he was greeted by an elderly looking Mr Mead. He wanted to keep his interaction with this fellow brief, but rumors that were in circulation about mages and Vuda were appealing despite some haunting connotations that might be read between the lines. Better to live life above the peasants secured in bountiful woman, booze, and coin then living in the horse stalls trying to nab a couple coins off a fair maiden for plowing her field. Yeah Adam had his morals, and living in shit was not one of them.

"I'd like to make this brief, I've heard that there is a place for mages within this city and that those who choose to align themselves with the city often live lavished lives. I am a wandering seducer and in my travels for romance I stumbled across a particular magic, what I acquired was a sphere of domain magic that allows me to subtly use feelings to warp thoughts. It's known as Empathy.

It pains me to see this city fighting, it's a beautiful place I'd love to put my services to the task of aiding the city and the men and women that defend these walls.

I think if I put my mind to it, I could make people give me information. Say you got a female scout or soldier maybe an officer that was captured, I'm certain I could make her talk with unconventional means. But that's the trick of it, it has to be a woman for me to truly work my magic. I'd love to break the minds and hearts of this cities enemies, all I ask in return is preferential treatment.

You know a luxury home, wenches, wine and some coins for when I grow bored with the wenches in my service. I'm not greedy the luxury home, and coins would suffice as I have no problems getting out there and getting laid you know."

Adam knew he was taking a tremendous risk exposing himself as a sorcerer but there must have also been an equally tantalizing reward on the other end of the scale. Just to waltz into the city whip it out and flail it infront of the governing body of there social system and then boldly asking if they wanted a taste. Having magic was alot like having manhood, it was ok to have it and use it occasionally. Its when you start rubbing it in peoples faces that you truly run into problems. But what he did was no different then being asked if he wanted to go inside after a first date, only this was more like knowing what the girl wanted skipping the drinks and formalities diving right in the sheets getting her pregnant finding out her name is Vuda than being roped into a marriage at sword point with an emphasis on till death do us part.

There was some honor in the notion that it was himself of his own accord offering the city his services rather then hiding like a rat and once found out grovel for the job like an insignificant roach. Adam was trustable you could trust on him to do what needed to be done so long as his back was being scratched and he got to get his beak wet so to speak.

He was either terribly courageous or bereft of sanity as madness usually swallows Empaths whole. Perhaps hunting tail out in taverns like he was on safari was his way of handling this, perhaps Adam the personification of hot man beast he was had slowly been coming apart at the seam from the start.

[Maltruism]

NERONIN (Employment)

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The smile that lit Mr. Mead's face had a somewhat forced look to it. "Well, let me see what I can find..." he said as he took several bits perusing numerous ledgers of employment requests. His expression, if anything, grew more troubled as he set one after another aside. He continued to make optimistic comments, but his tone of voice fell short of matching them.

"We are, of course, always needing aides or servitors for our ministers. They could have a call for someone able to provide...unconventional means, did you say? Unconventional means of acquiring knowledge. However, they will not be requiring the political knowledge of which you speak. They have plenty of their own, and generally do not care for input from newcomers. I fear, however, that if some detail is acquired through a means recognized as unconventional, it may color the public view against it. And these politicians are ever concerned about public image."

He adopted a somewhat apologetic look, which froze oddly after a few ticks, with a furrowing of his brow. "Wait...a moment...if you please..." he said distractedly, reaching back and rifling through several previously-discarded volumes of his record books. "Yes...here...Ummm...I don't know if this would appeal to you at all. But our lead Curator at the museum is looking for an assistant. You'd come in contact with numerous odd and fantastic relics or things of interest, that often need verifying regarding their authenticity or origins. Sometimes someone will come with claim of ownership, and records have to be tracked down to confirm or deny the claim. And I can promise you that unconventional means are the MOST desired ones needed with such things, as it raises public intrigue.

"If this interests you, the Pillar of Society houses the museum. You will need to speak to the Lead Curator. He sometimes is found at the Academy, as he is often called to give counsel on matters of history, but he is not employed there." He stood as if the matter was now closed. In truth, it was; as there was nothing else that suited the visitor's skill set and vocational request. Peter Mead wished Neronin good luck as he held the door for him.

[Maltruism]

ADAM MICHAELS (Employment)

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Had Mr. Michaels not been so cavalier in his flamboyance, eyes flitting around everywhere but in contact with his interviewer as he verbally glorified himself, his approach, his successes, and the assumed importance he would embody in this city, he might have seen Mr. Mead's eyebrows rise as his hands froze in mid stroke.

The Employment Director calmly set down his quill and sat back as the man rambled on before him, knowing that there would be no conventional "employment" for this one. He doubted very much that the course of this "Mr. Michael's" fate would travel the free-wheeling, love-'em-and-leave-'em hayride he was envisioning. Good looks and useful abilities notwithstanding, Chief Adviser Vuda would see to it that this fellow learned to keep quiet about his talent for Empathy.

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The Director sat for a few moments, gauging his feelings and sensibilities, as they applied to his interests and priorities in life. Finding nothing out of what seemed like proper balance, he could only assume that the fellow before him had not used his craft on him. Not yet anyway. He picked the quill back up, took a new book from a drawer in his desk, and opened it in his lap. This position prevented Mr. Michaels from seeing that this "book' always opened to the same page, a page that was always blank when first opened.

He scribbled a single word, "Empath" on the page, and replaced the book in the drawer. He then offered the story that such a vocation as his visitor was suggesting would require the services of Mr. Tagley next door. He excused himself, and stepped out, saying he was going to see if Mr. Tagley could see him right away. As he closed the door behind him, Mr. Michaels would possibly hear a quiet click as the door was locked. If he then listened through the closed door, he may very well have heard some murmuring and scraping of chairs as Mr. Mead instructed everyone in the waiting room to vacate immediately.

It would be very likely that Mr. Michaels would be feeling that he'd been treated rather rudely as the handle on the door finally jiggled and announced the arrival of someone to whom he might offer a complaint. But the steely eyes shadowed in the hood of the man before him, challenged him to dare attempt such truculence, or use of his tricks as he stood there.

Were it not for the restrained implication of violence embodied in the presence of the two guards flanking this man, Mr. Michaels might have felt uniquely honored. It was exceedingly rare that a newcomer to Etzos met Chief Adviser Karnos Vuda on their first trial in town. "Mr...Michaels, was it?" Regardless of the structure of the comment, it was not a question. Nor was the next comment a request. "Come with me...now, please."

[Gangui]

Zi'da 55

Gangui's wounds went deeper than a mere arrow to his leg. For the last ten years, he had been battling and surviving in the wilderness without respite. Nature had drained him down to the last fiber of his energy. Comprehension of this fact was no truth in the mind of the barbarian. Hobbling towards the door of the Citizen's Committee brought with it thoughts of slumber. Even a madman's indomitable will could not be sustained for long in such a weakened state.

Dragging behind him were the severed heads of several Aukari soldier's he had decapitated on his journey through the wilderness. The fur cloak that adorned his shoulders, along with his beard, had a thin layer of frost on it. Clattering of teeth and the shivering of his body was a testament to the freezing temperatures. Otherwise bright, piercing eyes were sullen and dull.

The awful creak of the wooden door swinging open, revealed an antechamber that was equally as cold and lifeless. The details of the surroundings didn't even register in his mind. Dragging forward, he opened the door saying "Guidance" without reading it. Inside was a disheveled man shivering at a desk full of papers. Gangui's dropsy eyes stared onward completely devoid of observation or care.

"I am Red-Hair and I have descended from the wilderness with the heads of Aukari Occultist," the barbarian announced rudely interrupting Marlin Tagley by swinging the decapitated faces around, "I was wounded by them as a tesitment to my actions and I am weakened because of it. I have a witness. I need the gold for these heads. I also brought back five horses whom Aukari riders been slain. They were given to the guards. I seek recognition for my acts and gold..."

A bright light filled his vision for a moment. Deep breathes followed by momentary drive heaving caused the wild-man to take a seat opposite to the guidance counselor.

"I am so very tired," he mumbled while hanging his head, "But I also need mercenary work once I am able bodied again," Thoughts of getting revenge against his enemies filled his mind now. He wouldn't allow any obstacle to stop him, not even this pesky wound.