27 Lage 4385: Didn't Have to Ask Nightbloom

[delight-in.livejournal.com]

Mirhandrax returned Wazey to his mother, who looked like an ordinary if tired Cani. There must have been something pretty wrong with her, though, or she wouldn't've had to ask a Gormorror to watch her son. I wondered if whatever had crippled her son had killed her family. But even then, her clans ought to have been helping her. Very strange! I didn't ask her or Mirhandrax about it at the time though.

Mirhandrax had to go get his adventuring supplies from his room and when he said that I remembered that oh! so did I. And I still had to find another warrior just in case Mirhandrax was somehow not enough. Which I guess he might not be. Size isn't everything after all.

We agreed to meet back at the Post Office and split up for now. I went back to my place to get my things before I forgot again. As I went in, I was thinking so hard about where to check next for another adventurer that I didn't even notice there was someone in the front room when I rushed in and headed for my bedroom.

"Greetings, Delight."

I squeaked and pivoted around. But I didn't fall over even though nobody caught me this time! Of course, Nightbloom's not exactly as scary as a house-sized roaring Gormorror even when she does take me by surprise. "Oh Nightbloom you startled me what are you doing here I thought you and Void-Dancer had work to do?"

Nightbloom rose from the couch she'd been sitting on. She wasn't wearing her acolyte's robes which also surprised me. She was just wearing tights and a four-armed tunic. One antenna kinked at me. "As it happens. I no longer have work to do at the temple. Are you still looking for help on your assignment?"

"I am but what why don't you have work at the temple?"

"I am no longer an acolyte."

"You quit? Why would you quit?"

Her antenna curled. "In fact. His Presence Mask of Infinity has. Relieved me of my duties."

I blinked at her. "What?"

"I was fired," she said quietly.

"What why would Mask of Infinity fire you do you want me to talk to him?"

Nightbloom shook her head. "No. Please. Do not. Your brother has already tried. And Mask of Infinity was right." She raised her hand to forestall me as I sputtered some more. "Please. I would rather not. Speak of it."

I made an unhappy face at her. "... all right."

"Thank you. Now. I came here to ask: may I join your adventure?"

"... I didn't know you were an adventurer?"

"I am not the mightiest of warriors. But I was in the militia for my village. I have accompanied Priest Void-Dancer on a few tasks. To dangerous places, in the service of our god. I own armor. Albeit leather. And a metal sword."

I looked at her. Nightbloom has worked for the temple as long as I've known her, years now. She's tall even for a Herethroy. She's willowy and graceful, deft with all four of her hands and surefooted. Like all Herethroy, she has a thick hard carapace over most of her body which acts as good natural armor. Hers is a very pretty deep blue with swirls of grey. I tried to imagine her armed and armored with staff and sword and shield and armor. "Are you sure you want to come?"

She nodded, her mandibles twisting as she waited for my answer.

I jumped forward and hugged her. "Thank you Nightbloom I'd love to have you join us now we've got enough people to go oh this is going to be so much fun!"

See I can't see why anyone would pay someone just to get a few people together to do something. It's easy.

Comments

[zeeth_kyrah]

It's easy for you... and that's why people would pay. Some have no ability at all to do what you just did, or no time for it. Some, like perhaps Trust, could even inadvertently set would-be allies against them.

And yet, because you were looking by the means of your heart, you found all you needed and more.

[delight-in.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure that translated quite right I wasn't even looking for Nightbloom she found me! How hard can it be when people come looking for you?

[zeeth_kyrah]

She went looking for you because she needed aid from a friend. You just happened to have something available to keep her occupied and bring in a little cash while she works out for herself what she should do.

[delight-in.livejournal.com]

Yes! That's exactly what I mean! It's not *work* to get people to agree to what they wanted to do *anyway*.

[zeeth_kyrah]

But knowing the people who are likely to agree, or being able to find or attract them? That is a bankable ability.

Ah, well. Have fun storming the.. whatever you'll be storming. :)

[terrycloth.livejournal.com]

Eep! What did she do? Did she fail to scare small children? Stand in the same place too long? Accidentally pronounce a locador angle's name with too many Xs?

[tuftears.livejournal.com]

Maybe it was the way she speaks in ominous tones!

[terrycloth.livejournal.com]

Even when she's not on duty! Maybe misuse of the secret priestly vocalization techniques?

[tuftears.livejournal.com]

Or maybe she just bugged them.

[delight-in.livejournal.com]

Eeee, the puns get translated too! *hides*

[tuftears.livejournal.com]

Well, she seems like a nice enough person, it's difficult to see why she'd be let go from the temple!

[delight-in.livejournal.com]

Ohhh I never thought of that!

.... nooo I don't think so I've never heard any of the other priests talk like she does.

[delight-in.livejournal.com]

... I don't *think* they're that shallow although I guess it might be a problem if she had to do public speaking. But priests of "Here" don't do much of that.

[delight-in.livejournal.com]

Scaring small children isn't part of her job why would they want her to do that? I don't know how well she speaks the God Tongue though maybe that's the problem but it's so strange I didn't even know she was doing badly there! I thought she was going to be an initiate soon.

[terrycloth.livejournal.com]

I thought here was supposed to be a scary god? Maybe she's just no good at the technical aspects with magic and stuff, that wouldn't be obvious if you weren't working there but could make it impossible to do the job.

[gavinfox.livejournal.com]

People WOULD definitely pay for you to do what you just did. be it to find an adventuring party, find employees for their new business, or find anything involving PEOPLE. That is because you have a gift, and this is something that is easy for you and NOT for other folk! Seriously, look up what brokers in your city do, or did, and try to become one officially! Boomsy even implied that you would be able to make good money doing this!

[delight-in.livejournal.com]

But I've never even heard of that job I don't even know where I'd start and I don't know it seems wrong somehow. Taking people's money when I haven't really *done* anything for them.

[gavinfox.livejournal.com]

You have provided a service that they are willing to pay for and that is therefore valuable to them, saving them things that are MORE valuable to them -- time, so they can get what they need done WITHOUT having to worry about what they came to you about! Don't discount how important that is!

[gavinfox.livejournal.com]

Here are a few definitions of the term 'Broker' from my world, and a related term (when used in this context), 'Agent':

1. One that acts as an agent for others, as in negotiating contracts, purchases, or sales in return for a fee or commission.

2. An individual or firm which acts as an intermediary between a buyer and seller, usually charging a commission.

3. A mediator between a buyer and seller; An agent involved in the exchange of messages or transactions; To act as a broker; to mediate in a sale or transaction

agent
1. a businessman who buys or sells for another in exchange for a commission

2. a representative who acts on behalf of other persons or organizations

And remember, you don't have to just connect buyers and sellers, you can connect INFORMATION, commodities, people (like with marriages...)

The idea is that there are always going to be things where someone will pay for someone with skill and expertise and natural ability to CONNECT things that they want connected!

[terrycloth.livejournal.com]

For a job that might already exist, you could try asking hotels if they were looking for a conceirge? That job is basically 'taking random requests from guests and then frantically running all over to fulfil them'.

[gavinfox.livejournal.com]

That's a good idea!

[delight-in.livejournal.com]

... I guess that happens sometimes? Maybe enchanters like Sythyrs hire people to sell big expensive enchantments for them? But I don't know the kind of people who buy big expensive stuff. I only even know one person who sells it. Well maybe Purrzhon buys expensive stuff I dunno he does seem to have lots of lozens for a Sleeth especially.

[sythyry.livejournal.com]

Nightbloom got fired? That's awful. Why? ... but of course you already explained that you weren't explaining.

Still, it makes little sense to me. I am halfway suspicious that Mask of Infinity is sending her secretly to observe and assist you, or some such. But if that were the case, surely Nightbloom would have a much better cover story.

Send her my sympathy!

[delight-in.livejournal.com]

I know I don't understand why she'd get fired AT ALL and if Mask of Infinity wanted her to come and assist me he could've just SAID SO I'd've been happy to have her. Even if the Temple was really sending her to spy on me though I can't think why they'd spy on ME I don't have any secrets!

I'll tell her you're sorry too. Maybe Mask of Infinity will come to his senses it's just weird.