two ✩ video

[boobwindow]

[ ID reads Karen Starr.

Long time no see, network. This time Karen's post is not coming from the small comfort of her government housing, but from a brightly lit office. Situated against one of the walls is a dark red couch, a pillow propped up against the edge. The windows, though not quite large but neither small, reveal De Chima in the background for anyone who might recognize it immediately.

Though she's been living in her office for a couple of months now, the room doesn't look as lived in as one would expect it to. That's because Karen made sure to tidy up and make the office look as professional and presentable as she could before she dared to turn on the feed. However, her cat can be seen sitting in her office chair, peering over the edge of the desk and reaching for an elastic that's been left on the surface.

Karen, with her hair tied away from her face, smiles into the camera. ]

Hi there. It's been ages, I know.

Since there are many of you who don't know me: I'm Karen Starr. I'm co-CEO of Starrware Industries, located in De Chima, Virgina. We're an R&D company primarily focused in coming up with solutions to the planet's environmental issues. We've been trying to get approval on studying even a small sample of nanotech, but we haven't heard back aside from a "request pending" notif. So, at the moment my team is mainly working with artificial technology and semi-organics.

Anyway, we've been up and running since about September now. We're a pretty small firm, but recently business has picked up so we can afford a few new employees. I won't lie: the wages aren't really high, though if you're interested in doing some good for the planet and working alongside people with a similar passion and vision then you're more than welcome to drop off a resume at my office or contact me privately. There's a lot of bright and talented imPorts here, so I'd love to work with you if you're interested.

[ There's suddenly a light crash as pens and some papers are pulled off the table courtesy the cat. Karen gives a hapless shrug and then adds: ]

Annnd that brings me to a random question: anyone know any good real estate agents around here?

[ Seriously, it's time to stop living in an office. ]

Comments

video;

[friendshiprocks]

[ kitty. ]

I don't know a thing about semi-organics and artificial technology...buuuuut I am willing to cat-sit for you if you want.

[ because seriously. That's a cute kitty. ]

video

[boobwindow]

[ She's picking up the small mess of papers on the floor.

A sheepish smile. ]

I don't know if my budget can afford a cat-sitter right now. He's just agitated because he needs space.

video

[friendshiprocks]

Then I'll take him for walks! I'll even do it for free! [ Hime, cats don't go on walks... ]

Video

[runout]

Can't tell you much about real estate agents, but I can tell you getting a building permit is a pain in the neck.

And how low are we talking pay wise?

[ Because "not high" is still better than "no wage at all". ]

video

[boobwindow]

[ There's a definitive pause when she notes Minho's young appearance. ]

Slightly below minimum wage. The raises aren't much either since you're bumped to minimum wage after a couple of months.

video

[runout]

[ Don't count him out yet, Karen! He might be a full eighteen! He just doesn't know. ]

Below? Is that legal?

[ He doesn't know how these things work, he lived in a maze and ate chickens that other kids his age slaughtered for him. What is functioning in a normal society? ]

But hey, helping the planet. That is a good cause.

[ Bullshit, he doesn't actually care that much. It's just that he's technically unsettled, and doesn't have a whole lot in the way of paperwork, so he hasn't had a great time getting a job. ]

video;

[ironbuttmonkey]

[Unfortunately, he has nothing of use to add to this. Sanageyama's about as (book)smart as he appears on the surface.

Still, he does give a low, impressed sounding whistle.]

Damn. I'd no idea you were such a big-shot.

video; that icon is so cute!!

[boobwindow]

[ She almost laughs. ]

I don't know about "big-shot"... big-shots don't normally do work for roomba manufacturers. I think.

he really has no right having such cute fanart and yet here we are

[ironbuttmonkey]

...what does that have to do with environmental issues?

[acclimatized]

[ pinged like you wouldn't believe. ]

You haven't found a place yet?

[boobwindow]

I didn't have time initially and I didn't really have the finances. I've had to take a personal cut.

But I'm good now.

[acclimatized]

You should've said, I could have lend you some.

Well, I guess it's too late now. Seen anything you fancy?

[glowsferatu]

The only imPort I've known in real estate didn't keep the job for long, and isn't around any longer, anyway. Which isn't to say there aren't plenty of real estate agents in the area.

You haven't seriously been hosting the cat in your office, have you?

[boobwindow]

ImPort or not, I could use a hand in the search for an apartment. I miss my Manhattan place. Great view.

Where else am I going to put him?

[glowsferatu]

So, not only the cat is living there, but you're doing the same?

[enigmaestro]

Endeavoring in real estate certainly exhibits a confidence in some sort of permanence.

[boobwindow]

[ A notable pause on her end. She may "just" be Karen Starr right now, but luckily Eddie's reputation precedes him that it isn't all that suspicious. ]

It would mainly be nice to have a living room again.

VOICE/PRIVATE.

[osreborn]

[ ... Ah. When opportunity knocks. ]

Co-CEO? And who's the other one? [ But that's just an aside, an ice-breaker. ] I'm Norman Osborn. My own company specialized in R&D as well, not to mention electrical engineering -- we may be able to work well together.

VOICE/PRIVATE.

[boobwindow]

[ Why is this name familiar? Wait, didn't that cyborg namedrop him once? She's not really sure who is he beyond that. There's a pause before she speaks up. ]

Osborn, huh? Weren't you in the City before... well, you know.

My co-CEO is Seth Goldstein, a local from De Chima. [ She sounds pleased. ] I won't turn down the opportunity to work with another imPort. Future work will hopefully help this world and boost the imPort community's image.

voice

[paintjobs]

Semi-organics, what does that mean?

voice

[boobwindow]

A compound constituted by organic and inorganic?

[ Did he want the textbook definition...

She pauses. ]

Are you familiar with biotechnology?

voice;

[waiting]

So what are you looking for exactly? Scientists?

audio

[boobwindow]

Scientists or engineers.

private;

[symbionic]

[ The ID reads: Agent Venom. Flash Thompson can't be seen asking these questions about anybody. ]

What qualifies as "semi-organic"?

[ He should ask Peter, or Val. But it feels awkward to bring them into what he may need from someone. He needs to know what his options are. ]

private

[boobwindow]

[ There's a half-second pause on her end, which could be taken as surprise over the ID printed. Truthfully, she is surprised: that's a name she hasn't encountered in a long time.

And of course with secret identities, she can't exactly remind him they have met before. ]

Technically any compound that consists of organic and inorganic material. Instead, think of biotech, which is what we are working with at the moment. Small projects, but they can go a long way.

[ And now it's her turn to ask: ]

Who's exactly asking and why?