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

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.

To be perfectly honest, I couldn't say what applicable knowledge he really has. [ but he has to be good at something, right? please be good for something, minho. ]

But, in fairness to him, if you're offering that much below the industry standard pay, you aren't likely to get the most qualified applicants, either.

I have to try. [ And she got one interested in working alongside her, it seems.

HAS ANYONE TOLD HER ABOUT NORMAN OSBORN... ] If he's a quick learner, I can always keep him around, but he has to know something about technology. Or learn research skills?

[ norman's gotta go private, if not kanaya would tell her about so much. ]

You'll have to ask him, really. The best I can offer is a hope and a guess. It's understandable if that won't be enough.

It does mean a lot for him to take an interest at all. I know research and marketing bores most people.

Hell, I get bored during meetings.

[ Perhaps a day out with Kanaya is sorely needed. She's been cooped up in her office far too long when she's not out in costume. ]

I don't know, I always rather liked them back when I worked in an office. Like a coordinated effort to determine our best route to progress.

[ but she's a neat freak, overinvested in order, efficiency, and a harmonious community. she'd make a great accountant one day, if her interests didn't put her very far from it. ]

But you have probably spent too much time in that office to begin with. Once you aren't stuck there after hours, I'm sure your enthusiasm will be easier to find.

At least most of my employees aren't the type to panic at the slightest issue. My assistant back home probably has given himself an ulcer.

[ She runs a hand through her hair and nods, conceding to that point. ]

I really do need to do something. House hunting and then maybe lunch? Or dinner.

It should either be lunch before or dinner after, either would be perfectly acceptable to me.

[ it's not like she even eats much anyway. ]

So, is it a house you'll be after, then? Seems like a lot of room for just yourself and the cat.

How about lunch? There's some great places here.

[ She hums thoughtfully. ]

I should have said apartment. There's no way I can afford a house and I don't really need anything that big, like you've said. I just need a place for a TV and bed again.

And a cat, but only one at that. Lunch sounds splendid, if tomorrow's alright. I've an appointment with a reporter this afternoon. But whatever venue you'd prefer, it won't matter to me.

Though I do insist on it being my treat.

Edited (i just realized she met with clark on the 15th, whoops) 2014-12-28 10:28 (UTC)

I don't think I can share my love for him with another cat. He might take personal offense to that.

[ A soft chuckle. ]

Alright, deal. The address for my office is [ who actually creates addresses for RP NOT NITA!! ]

You must be careful with a monocatist, they're sure to be vicious when jealous. That's a disaster in waiting.

But I'll see you then. By that time I should have a good list of places for us to look.

Have you considered going into the real estate business?

Just make sure there's no catches to anything that's actually affordable.

I'll just be collecting listings, and I suppose I'll need to set appointments beforehand. I'm sure any catch won't be easily discernible until we're on site.

But I'm a woman of many trades, Karen. Somehow I think real estate would be a misuse of my abilities. Helping a friend, on the other hand, that I can always do.

You've gotta let me repay you one of these days. Seriously.