maskormenace | two ✩ video

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two ✩ video

[ 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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ She somehow forgets this is the first they're speaking of it. A sheepish smile. ]

He's... not directly related. It's kind of confusing no thanks to alternate universes, but he's always treated me like family.

And yeah, he arrived in October.

Well, I certainly feel behind now. But I suppose it's only right, October was a busy month.

So, which one is he?

I didn't exactly announce it either. I've been out of touch with some people for too long.

[ A beat. The question is does she introduce him as Clark or Superman? Probably better to keep his identity a secret out of respect. If he wants to out himself to Kanaya, it's up to him. ]

Superman. Not sure if you've run into him yet.

Edited 2014-12-17 08:25 (UTC)

Doesn't sound familiar. Unless it's a Power Girl sort of name.

But yes, it's been some time since we last spoke. Too long, probably. I could stop by, see if we can get this apartment hunt underway.

It's his mantle. If you ever see a blue and red streak in the sky, that's him.

You don't have to do that, Kanaya.

I'll keep an eye out, if I think to look upward.

But no, I think I do. And even if it isn't something I have to do, it's a task I think would be best not left undone. You shouldn't have to spend the holidays living out of an office!

It could always be worse.

[ But she does miss having a place to laze around in her underwear if she's feeling really lazy. An office is not afforded that sort of privacy. ]

You've done house hunting before?

Not in three years, sure, and that was the City, but an extra pair of very savvy hands couldn't do any harm. Besides, I can move us about more openly, given that only one of us doesn't make her powers secret.

That, and having a Registered co-signer might work in your favor.

[ Lifting a brow. ]

That's awfully generous, but I can't ask that of you. Anyway, I'd rather assert my independence without any of the Registered benefits.

Starrware's had a slow start, but it's chugging along. My co-CEO and I managed that without me having to register.

You didn't ask, I offered. It's very likely that it won't even be necessary, your company should be enough to vouch for your responsibility as a tenant.

But if it edges you over, if even slightly, it's a help. Is your colleague unsettled, as well?

He's a local, actually. We were going to be Goldstarrware, though it didn't have quite the ring.

Our presence here is still unstable as it was in the City. If I ever get ported out, the company won't need to scramble or fail without its CEO.

Smart move. That would probably be an even better vouching than simply from a Registrant.

[ A grin. ]

Working with someone who's actually not undermining my intelligence or ability to conduct business? It's a miracle, seriously.

It's sadly no exaggeration. Hang on to that one as long as possible.

I'll do my best.

[ Before she decides to punt someone. ]

You're still in Heropa, aren't you? When are you available for apartment hunting?

I am, yes. But I have more free time than I care for recently, with one source of employment having dried up. I'm free most afternoons and evenings.

Business went under?

I'd offer you a position at Starrware if you had any science of tech background. I didn't want to scare anyone off since we could use extra hands, but we have to be thorough with our potential interviewees.

Every other employee has either been arrested or exported. Running a bar on my own would certainly be easier than keeping a magazine afloat, but I felt it wiser to let it rest this time. I'll give Greed a month to return before I look into selling off the business as a whole.

Unfortunately, I doubt I would fit your company comfortably, I know medicine and am well-versed in biology, but engineering is well outside of my skillset.

But if you hire Minho, then his income will hopefully contribute to the household. Though you may need to invest in a gag. [ she's such a good friend and reference. he should definitely list her on the application. ]

Should I be concerned about the company you're keeping? Or that's keeping you? I mean, bars alone can be shady places.

[ ImPort-run bars might differ, but it all depends on the type of person.

A guy named Greed doesn't sound promising. ]

Oh, that one's your roommate? Soo... how much does he know about R&D?

[ there has never been a time where she didn't think greed's name was weird and on the nose. she still isn't sure which came first, the name or the nature. ]

I'm a big girl, Karen. You don't need to concern yourself with whether or not I'm capable of taking care of myself.

But yes, he...lives in my house. [ which is to say he squats on her roommate's floor with three other boys who shouldn't be there either. they're just hoping no one ever actually counts how many people live in heropa 001. ] I couldn't actually say how well he knows R&D, hopefully better than he knows hygiene. I'm sure he'll be able to pick up what he lacks already.

[ please be a quick learner, minho. ]

I know you are, but I think you could do better than a bar. No woman should have to put up with the creeps that go there.

[ AWKWARD PAUSE. ]

... please tell me he showers. Regularly.

[ she chuckles lightly. ] Well, better me than someone else. Perhaps we shouldn't have to, but if it's going to happen, at least I get to see the looks on their faces when I snarl back. If you go to a bar to harass the server, it's your own fault if you choose the den of monsters.

And I would not let him stay under my roof if he wasn't acceptably clean. He learned that the first time he crossed the threshold.

Is he from one of those worlds where they don't have modern day amenities?

[ And he's going to try and land a job at her place? She should let Minho speak for himself, but she would like to avoid any potential half-truths or flat out lies that could happen. ]

A bit. Though, as I understand it, not because the developmental stage of their civilization is prior to the discovery of those amenities, so much as that their civilization just... [ she balls her fists together before dramatically fanning out her fingers, mimicking an explosion. ]

As one does. [ not even sarcastically, karen and kanaya know how that goes. ] But he certainly knew what a smartphone was the first time he saw it.

Oh.

[ A touch awkward now. ]

So the technology's advanced far enough. That's... a bit strange if that's what happened to his home world, though.

[ She shakes her head. ]

But I have to be fair. If he's interested, he can drop a resume off and I'll interview him.