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Chapter 203 : Got the job
🕑 Added 2025-01-31 19:28:19 +0000 UTCHardcored - Chatroom
Saray: So, what did everyone think of yesterday's underwater hockey match?
KillLaKrill: The Octos were good, but man, their goalie really dropped the goal. It's no wonder the Water Wombats decimated them.
TechnoGogo: Funny.
KillLaKrill: I know, I am the pinnacle of comedy.
JamesIsInTheDark: I still have no idea how any of you enjoy this sport. I mean, I'm not much of a sports guy in the first place, but I really don't get it this time.
(Mod)Seagullag: It takes some getting used to, I'll admit. But let me tell you, as a fellow foreigner, once you give it a good try, it's really fun.
MagicIsTragic: Eh, I wouldn't blame the goalie too much. It was the formation that was whack. Their new coach is bad.
JamesIsInTheDark: I don't know how you could call any of what I saw a formation.
MagicIsTragic: Exactly.
JamesIsInTheDark: That concerns both teams.
KillLaKrill: Yeah, the Wombats play like animals. In a good way. They fight more like pods and packs than a team of sapients, and it's a working strategy.
TechnoGogo: Well, it only works so far. They're top of the middle league, but they never last long in the high league.
The Silence: Brute force is a mighty power, able to overwhelm most. But true champions can ignore such raw force, and cut it apart with pure skill.
MagicIsTragic: Like the edgelord said. Just punching good isn't enough if the other guy can just evade.
JamesIsInTheDark: I expected a more magical analogy.
MagicIsTragic: People get the punching example better. But yeah, same idea: you can launch a fireball hotter than the sun, if the other guy teleports or redirects it it's pointless.
(Mod)Seagullag: Meh, enough pure power can overwhelm any amount of skill. Granted, there's a point where it's almost impossible to reach that kind of strength, or those who do reach it are already masters.
KillLaKrill: Anyone in mind?
(Mod)Seagullag: Sunburn. He's a Villain, but you can't ignore his prowess. He's more than just raw fire, there's training, experience, and expertise that goes into every attack.
TechnoGogo: Supporting your fellow countryman, uh?
(Mod)Seagullag: I want to see him imprisoned as much as anyone else. I just want to remind folks he isn't the strongest Villain in Zalcien just because he makes the most destructive fire.
TechnoGogo: I don't know if I would call him the strongest.
KillLaKrill: Nah, I'm with the bird on that one. Sunburn's whole shtick is having the biggest stick in the city. Like, I'm pretty sure he'd beat the rest of the big guys in solo fights.
TechnoGogo: The Empress is a commander, removing her support is unfair.
MagicIsTragic: Eh, that's sorta the point. She needs armies to match the others. Besides, Abrakaboom is the only other Villain with as much firepower as Sunburn.
TechnoGogo: Meh, I don't think Abrak is as good a fighter. He's a runner with a bag filled with bombs, not a warrior.
JamesIsInTheDark: Isn't he still MIA?
MagicIsTragic: Not MIA, he didn't disappear on a run, but it has been much longer than usual since his last showing.
Saray: Could we stop talking about Villains like they're movie characters or celebrities?
KillLaKrill: Well, they are celebrities, just more about infamy than fame.
JamesIsInTheDark: Sure, we can drop the subject. What else does everyone want to talk about?
KillLaKrill: Magic, you're still aiming for that Silhouette job, right?
MagicIsTragic: My application is still being processed. They specified they would call me when they're done, even if it's to say I don't fit the bill.
KillLaKrill: Uh, cool. Better than the usual silence. Anyway, it's not too far from the slums, right? When get the gig, maybe you could ask your colleagues or even the boss if they saw weird stuff there. A friend of mine has a friend who says folks are spotting Patchees again, but rather than being violent monsters they look... Lost.
MagicIsTragic: Dude, I can't ask this sort of thing on my first day, let alone to the boss.
Saray: Did that friend report the issue to the police and the Union?
KillLaKrill: I dunno, but here's the kicker: the Patchees are actively non-violent. Like, people threw stuff at them and they fled rather than try to tear their faces off.
TechnoGogo: That is strange...
JamesIsInTheDark: Maybe without the Patcher around to abuse and starve them they're recovering? Does anyone know if the Union has something planned for that?
Saray: I think they're taking a wait-and-see approach. The fact the Patchees all disappeared in the first place is strange.
MagicIsTeagic: Probably went into hiding. As James said, surviving on their own must have been better than whatever they had going on before.
TechnoGogo: Do you... Do you guys think they could, like, heal?
The Silence: I believe we had a similar conversation in the past. Fleshcrafting is a rare discipline, and whatever the Patcher did was well outside the norm of even that. This sort of thing is on a case-by-case basis, but in all likelihood, most of his victims will never become what they were again, especially not those who were forcefully combined.
JamesIsInTheDark: Even if the bodies could be healed completely, what they went through would have been traumatizing. But maybe they could still recover? Like people who have non-lethal brain tumors and mental illnesses. They're no longer the same and can have trouble with violent outbursts, but they're still people. Or like machines that become sapient and struggle with that. Or how elementals can grow into sapience under the right circumstances.
Saray: That... I'm not an expert, but maybe it could be possible. I think. Maybe.
TechnoGogo: I suppose there could be something similar to the Institute put in place.
MagicIsTagic: I don't think we have a structure in Zalcien for elementals, but yeah, I get what you mean. They're not ready to integrate into society right away, there's a period of adaptation once they grow intelligent enough.
(Mod)Seagullag: The problem, then, is identifying who they used to be, and seeing if people they know would be willing to take them in. Some folks would rather think their kid is dead than accept they became a fleshy abomination that can and possibly did kill people. Even if their families took them in, you still have the rest of the city to manage. Robophobia is still an issue, and as a Draskian people aren't too kind to me either.
JamesIsInTheDark: That's what Heroes are for, no? Helping the people.
Saray: Yeah, James' right! I'm sure the Union could figure something out!
KillLaKrill: If these people can be saved in the first place.
MagicIsTragic: I suppose we'll have to wait and see if they show up, and how they are when they do.
The Silence: I just hope the Union will not make the wrong choice.
MagicIsTragic: Ah, sorry guys, I'm getting a call. I'll come back in a second.
Maggie left her usual chat to look at the unknown number calling her. She considered ignoring it, unknown numbers like this tended to be scams, but she was waiting for a call in particular. The call that would decide her future.
The girl took in a deep breath to steel herself. In her bedroom, surrounded by her magical mess - papers, books, reagents, a few gadgets - she knew getting this job would be a game changer. Sure, not getting it wouldn't be the end of the world, but she'd be hard-pressed to find such an amazing opportunity again. Most of the magical business in Zalcien had been taken over by Wicked Witchcraft, and the view legitimate and legal ones didn't need one more apprentice girl.
"Hello?"
"Greetings. Am I speaking to Maggie Thespian?"
The girl gulped. She recognized that voice. An eery sound, almost unnatural. Despite how nonchalant and even pleasant it tried to be, there was still an edge beneath the surface.
"Yes, it's me."
"Good. This is Silhouette, and I'm calling about your application."
"I didn't expect you to call personally, sir."
"I am not calling every candidate, only those who stood out from the rest."
Those who stood out from the rest. It didn't necessarily mean those who got the job, but...
"Does that mean...?"
When the living shadow on the other end of the phone continued to speak, she could almost picture the metaphorical smile on his nonexistent face.
"Yes, you passed. Truth be told, you were one of the best projects presented from the beginning. We just wanted to wait for more applications, to see what our options were. We do not have the means of recruiting every inventor in the city."
"Oh, thank you, sir!"
Yes! YES! This was everything she had hoped for! She got the position that would hopefully let her one day get the job of her dreams! This was-
"One moment, please. I have more to say."
Maggie could almost feel her heart skip a bit before dropping.
"Before I invite you to come to the Penumbral Palace to officially join the team, we have matters to address. These last few days have seen our facilities throughout the city attacked by small-time Villains. While all attackers were dealt with swiftly and with no casualty or damage, I believe it is only fair to inform all potential recruits of the risks you face. This wasn't the first time criminals tried coming after us. Joining us poses a tangible risk to your safety. You will be freely equipped with our technology, protected by our guards, and your contract will include clauses to account for that risk, including bonuses, but I believe it is your right to refuse to join us out of fear of these threats."
She had to take a second to process all that. She had known there was a risk of a growing business like Silhouette's gathering the wrong kind of attention, but hearing the big man himself confirm people did try to attack his business... Was she really ready to put her life in danger for that job? She had her entire life before her. And yet...
"Thank you for warning me, sir. But I want this job. Besides, it's not like your business would be the only targetted by Villains. Labs and workshops are some of the most frequently targeted places, right alongside banks and museums. At least working under you means I'm safer than anywhere else in the city, right?"
She hoped he didn't take her attempt at humor at the end the wrong way. Maggie was at her best when socializing online, actually using her voice was... Well, her brain didn't like it as much. The safety of the screen protected her from her usual anxiety.
"I see. Well then, I am happy to welcome you to Shades Of Penumbra. Come to our offices tomorrow to sign your contract and officially join. We'll be open from nine to five, feel free to come at any time. We'll also use this opportunity to talk about your hours. I like to keep schedules flexible to account for different lifestyles."
"Oh, a nine to five sounds good to me. Uh... Do we have Unions?"
"No one stepped up to take care of things on that front, but they are allowed, yes. I'd like to think of it as the working conditions and salaries I offer mean unions aren't needed, but I also have to acknowledge most of my current workers are workaholics. I think we'll see more push for it when we reach the recruitment wave for new administrative staff. If you wish we could specify the contract you'll sign is a temporary version until union negotiations are completed."
"I, uh, sure! That sounds great sir."
"Excellent. I am happy to see such promising talent joining our team."
"Oh, I wanted to ask, can I recommend or vouch for people? Give them a better chance to get a job for you?"
"I don't see why not. Feel free to make a list to give us tomorrow. We can't promise we'll take those you recommend and who do apply if they do not fit our standards or needs, but knowing they'll mesh well with part of our existing workforce is a plus."
"Thank you, sir."
"No problem. Have a good rest of your day, Miss Thespian."
"You too, sir."
She hung up the call before taking a deep breath.
"YESSS!"
KillLaKrill: And that's why you should always be careful around dolphins.
TechnoGogo: Whoa.
JamesIsInTheDark: Ouch, I knew they were far from the cuddly friends the media depicted them as, but that...
Saray: I think I'm going to puke.
(Mod)Seagullag: Yeah, a more touchy moderator would have deleted that and given you a strike.
KillLaKrill: Hey, it's the sort of stuff that shows up in documentaries on TV!
(Mod)Seagullag: Yes. That was my point. Perfectly fine to post in my opinion, but more sensible folks wouldn't agree.
TechnoGogo: Wait, what about sharks?
KillLaKrill: Well, I wouldn't approach a wild one I didn't know, but they can be very friendly puppers. Just gotta keep in mind their only means of interacting with the world is their mouth, and that thing's full of teeth.
MagicIsTragic: GUYS! I GOT THE JOB!
Saray: Congratulations!
JamesIsInTheDark: I'm very happy for you, Magic.
KillLaKrill: Yooo! Good for you girl! Does that mean you'll get fancy guns for free?
(Mod)Seagullag: Krill.
MagicIsTragic: Actually, Silhouette said I'd get free products to protect myself, so maybe?
KillLaKrill: I need that job.
TechnoGogo: I hope you'll have fun.
MagicIsTragic: I will! And hey, Silence, mind DMing me your real name? Silhouette said I could vouch for people to boost their chances.
The Silence: Your aid is appreciated and welcome.
KillLaKrill: Wait, do you mean the big guy himself called you to tell you you got the job?
MagicIsTragic: Yup! Said he only called those who stood out from the rest. Your girl is going places.
Saray: Whoa, that must feel stressful.
MagicIsTragic: Bah, I'm awesome like that.
JamesIsInTheDark: I'm sure everything will be okay.
