Thank you for your interest in our new Mentor Program! We are delighted to inform you that you have been accepted as our official Program Pilot. With your help, we will be able to ensure we offer high-quality vocational training to the residents of Little Hades.
You will take 1-2 mentees into your workplace twice a week for the next month. Each hour dedicated to teaching will be an hour deducted from your mandatory community service, with a maximum deduction of 6 hours per week.
Your generosity and willingness to share your valuable skills is appreciated, and we look forward to collaborating with you in order to create a successful program.
[ You. BASTARD. You know what? Fine. Fine. Jefferson will just take advantage of this. Free labor. And it's not like Josh can make him teach these stupid demons anything except for a lesson in retail. ]
that won't be necessary i'll make due with my shop thank you for this opportunity :)
[While Josh's request hadn't been a job assignment, Oboro understood the logic behind it. The more he knew how to do, the more versatile he'd be for employment. That much would have been enough to get him to Jefferson's shop, but knowing how much Josh was willing to help him, Oboro couldn't help but return the sentiment.
So he'd show up promptly at eight in the morning, to knock at the shop's door.]
[ Jefferson is less than pleased by this arrangement Josh set up. He'd only been messing with the angel before, when he suggested he get free labor under the guise of 'job training'! It's not as if he even gets enough business to warrant extra bodies around his shop. But now he's trapped in this arrangement, so he might as well seize the opportunity to somehow profit from it.
How he'll do that... Well. Depends on who the Reform Branch sends to him.
Luckily for his new 'mentee,' Jefferson's already in his workshop when the boy comes knocking. (His upstairs apartment has some sort of curse on it that leads to him getting lost every time he tries to leave. It tends to take a while to find his way down to the shop, most days.) He opens the door with a dramatic flourish, then looks at the kid with a little frown. A little young to be dead and in Hell, this one. ]
[Jefferson's performance would be met with a blank stare. Oboro wasn't exactly sure how to react to it - so he didn't. Instead he gave a slight nod of his head as formal greetings.]
Hello. My name is Oboro, I've been sent to study under the owner of this shop. [Which he assumed was this guy, but he didn't want to appear rude by saying as much.] Thank you for having me. [Maybe he should have extended his hand, but the boy still hadn't quite grasped the timing of that gesture.
I see. It's nice to meet you. [Oboro expected his youth to be a concern for many, but he dealt with the issue by never prompting it himself. If he didn't act like a child, no one would treat him like one - or that was the idea.
On the occasions his age did come up, he'd spend as little time on the subject as possible.]
I'm in limbo. [He corrected Jefferson as he walked inside. Taking a look around, absolutely nothing was familiar. He'd seen this style of clothing on some residents around town, but that was the extent of his experience.] Where would you like me to start?
Ah! Limbo. Well, that's not so bad. [ Somehow, that makes Jefferson feel better. Apparently, the shreds of decency in him were unsettled by the idea that a kid would be damned for all eternity. Who knew he had it in him?
He walks a few paces into his shop, then pauses in his steps. The boy wants to get right to work? Jefferson has no idea where to begin. He was hoping to stall as long as he could. ]
Whyyyy don't we start wiiithhh... [ As if drawing words out will help him out here. ] ...what you know already. What skills do you have?
Mmn. ['Not so bad' was one way of putting 'actually pretty nice', Oboro supposed.
He was told to come here and work, so that was what he intended to do. Even if the request hadn't come from Josh - a man he was dedicated to - Oboro wasn't one to shirk or stall when it came to labor.
Jefferson's question was a sensible place to start, though, so Oboro would curb his assertiveness. He looked around again, trying to spot anything he recognized. He found nothing - he'd have to start with more general skills.]
I know the basics of cooking, I've been practicing with a knife, I'm adept with housekeeping, I can tend to animals, and I have fairly good aim. [He rattled off the list with confidence, though he wasn't sure how any of that would help in a workshop like this.]
I've used a needle, but not on clothes. [And that was all the detail he needed to give, wasn't it?
There was no point in delving into his time as a hospital orderly, working as an assistant to sew wounds shut. Though, he'd completed most of his assignments there without complaint.] I have a very steady hand, so I'm confident that I can learn. [Oboro added the assurance with confidence. He'd always taken care to be precise, and if he could sew skin, surely clothes wouldn't be too difficult.]
[Let's be honest, you're probably still trapped in your house somewhere, Jefferson, but Bucky has taken to your private account for a very important reason. It's almost directly after this conversation piece.]
Do you have feelings for Kenzi? Or are you just having casual sex with her?
I haven't courted anyone in seventy years. Do you think I know what to do?
[That's a rhetorical question because he obviously does know what he's doing to get the ball rolling in the first place.]
Be honest. Be charming. And just ask her to dinner, take her somewhere that is least likely to kill her with food poisoning and tell her how you feel about her.
In her land, it seems to be a slap on the ass, a thumbs up to a shady corner and then a shotgun wedding with a man named Elvis. Best to do it from our traditions.
[ He's good at laying it on thick when he wants to ~seduce~ a farmer's daughter or whatever. But telling a girl he REALLY cares for how much she means to him? Who knows how that's done. ]
you know i was never much of a romantic but even that sounds like too much to me
OK i was trying to be cool before and not care but now im legit starting to get worried and like i dont wanna be clingy and needy but what if you got blown up or hurt or someone cut off your hands because you did too many weird gestures and you're in some weird city that isn't as chill as hades and just
When the phone's shoved at him and he actually manages to understand what he's reading, Jefferson's first thought is that it's a trick. A test of obedience. And though the thought of telling Kenzi what happened crosses his mind, it's quickly stamped down. He'd never be able to get the message out before the phone's taken away and he's punished for even being stupid enough to try. The realization-- that he's so close to possible salvation, but he can't reach for it-- causes him to laugh, sharply and hysterically, before it bleeds into a short sob.
He'll just take this for what it is: some small comfort he's been allowed for good behavior. He hasn't, after all, been defiant since his head was taken off and put back right. So he should be grateful for this.
It takes a while to put a response together, given how difficult it is to type with his fingers shaking so much. ]
my hands are still attached :) i miss you more than i can say if i were a poet i'd put it in verse
[A REPLY! From ACTUALLY JEFFERSON and not accidentally Bucky! Kenzi sits up on her bed and reads it with a huge grin, actually standing up to jump on her bed before replying!
No one saw her do it, it's fine. Her rep is intact.]
[|:)
you freaked me out, dude. i was about to send LHPD after you with Tupac sniffing you out. Are you coming home soon? ARE YOU BRINGING ME SOMETHING?
[ SHE REMEMBERED HIS INFURIATING HAT SMILIE. This is the first time he's smiled since he was snatched up and taken to this place. But perhaps he was too blatant with his happiness, since it earns him a swift kick to his side, as if he were a misbehaving dog. He drops the phone, apologizing, though he doesn't even know what he should be apologizing for.
Once he's given permission, he sends her a response. ]
lmao, yeah, its perf! totally looks like me. cant even tell the difference
its cool. i figured you just couldnt find a phone charger or lost your phone or... the other worst case scenarios i listed
[The fact that he doesn't say if he's coming home soon or not is not lost on her. She chews her bottom lip, frowning down at the phone. Should she press the issue? Or just let it go. Maybe it's nothing. Maybe she's just overreacting and turning into one of those crazy girlfriends.]
[ He sniffs, blinking rapidly, trying not to cry from such a simple conversation. But he meant what he said about missing Kenzi more than he could say, and it hurts, having this limited contact with her and knowing that it's going to be taken away on a whim. ]
he likes to chase scarves hes very gooda t klling them
Scarf murdering, check. I will definitely help him brush up on his silk slaying skills until you come back.
It really sucks around here without you. I'm legit dying a second time from boredom and there's no one to get mad at or make fun of or makeout with.
[She debates with herself for a while about sending this last part. It feels right. It feels like something that might be true. Actually, she knows it's true but she doesn't want to scare him away, so she's gotta word it properly.]
I think I L-word you? But I'm not sure. So I need you to hurry up with your adventure and come back.
[ HE L-WORDS YOU, TOO, KENZI. Unfortunately, his captor doesn't even let him know about that part. Just keeps the phone out of reach and reads half of the message back to him, not even allowing Jefferson to type his own response. ]
thank you bring him some mice to kill too please
you have my permission to put a hat on chase and make fun of/kiss him until i return :)
[Ouch. Her heart sinks just a little when he doesn't even acknowledge it, but maybe text isn't exactly the best platform for this kind of thing. It's fine. It's ...probably fine...]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
royalpassport) wrote2016-09-04 01:14 pm
OFFICIAL REFORM BRANCH COMMUNICATION
Thank you for your interest in our new Mentor Program! We are delighted to inform you that you have been accepted as our official Program Pilot. With your help, we will be able to ensure we offer high-quality vocational training to the residents of Little Hades.
You will take 1-2 mentees into your workplace twice a week for the next month. Each hour dedicated to teaching will be an hour deducted from your mandatory community service, with a maximum deduction of 6 hours per week.
Your generosity and willingness to share your valuable skills is appreciated, and we look forward to collaborating with you in order to create a successful program.
Sincerely,
Joshua Lyman
Reform Consultant
The Reform Branch
no subject
NO
HE DIDN'T EXPECT JOSH TO ACTUALLY CALL HIS BLUFF ]
no thank you
i don't have the space for mentees anyway
no subject
We have allocated classroom space for you at Red Horn Academy. Feel free to use the room as needed.
Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Joshua Lyman
Reform Consultant
The Reform Branch
no subject
that won't be necessary
i'll make due with my shop
thank you for this opportunity
:)
[ action ]
So he'd show up promptly at eight in the morning, to knock at the shop's door.]
no subject
How he'll do that... Well. Depends on who the Reform Branch sends to him.
Luckily for his new 'mentee,' Jefferson's already in his workshop when the boy comes knocking. (His upstairs apartment has some sort of curse on it that leads to him getting lost every time he tries to leave. It tends to take a while to find his way down to the shop, most days.) He opens the door with a dramatic flourish, then looks at the kid with a little frown. A little young to be dead and in Hell, this one. ]
Oh. Hello.
no subject
Hello. My name is Oboro, I've been sent to study under the owner of this shop. [Which he assumed was this guy, but he didn't want to appear rude by saying as much.] Thank you for having me. [Maybe he should have extended his hand, but the boy still hadn't quite grasped the timing of that gesture.
So he simply waited for direction.]
no subject
[ Then, he moves out of the way to usher Oboro into the shop. ]
You're awfully young for Hell.
no subject
On the occasions his age did come up, he'd spend as little time on the subject as possible.]
I'm in limbo. [He corrected Jefferson as he walked inside. Taking a look around, absolutely nothing was familiar. He'd seen this style of clothing on some residents around town, but that was the extent of his experience.] Where would you like me to start?
no subject
He walks a few paces into his shop, then pauses in his steps. The boy wants to get right to work? Jefferson has no idea where to begin. He was hoping to stall as long as he could. ]
Whyyyy don't we start wiiithhh... [ As if drawing words out will help him out here. ] ...what you know already. What skills do you have?
no subject
He was told to come here and work, so that was what he intended to do. Even if the request hadn't come from Josh - a man he was dedicated to - Oboro wasn't one to shirk or stall when it came to labor.
Jefferson's question was a sensible place to start, though, so Oboro would curb his assertiveness. He looked around again, trying to spot anything he recognized. He found nothing - he'd have to start with more general skills.]
I know the basics of cooking, I've been practicing with a knife, I'm adept with housekeeping, I can tend to animals, and I have fairly good aim. [He rattled off the list with confidence, though he wasn't sure how any of that would help in a workshop like this.]
APOLOGIES. This tag got lost in the shuffle
...
But he suspects that if he uses the kid as a glorified housekeeper, Josh will hear of it and then pester him some more.
Jefferson truly is the victim here. ]
Oh. All right. So... have you ever used a needle and thread?
its all good ;u;
There was no point in delving into his time as a hospital orderly, working as an assistant to sew wounds shut. Though, he'd completed most of his assignments there without complaint.] I have a very steady hand, so I'm confident that I can learn. [Oboro added the assurance with confidence. He'd always taken care to be precise, and if he could sew skin, surely clothes wouldn't be too difficult.]
[Text]
Do you have feelings for Kenzi? Or are you just having casual sex with her?
no subject
why do you ask?
no subject
no subject
[ And this is. The first time he's actually gone and admitted it to anyone. ]
but i thought she wasn't interested in anything else
no subject
Good, I'm satisfied to hear that.
She is, but she's been hurt many times. Ask her out if you're inclined to keep those feelings of her. I think you both are good for each other.
[And he knows this because he spies on you two. So nyah.]
no subject
oh
all right
once i'm free i'll put on some fresh clothes and court her
[ A few minutes pass, then he sends another message: ]
i haven't courted anyone seriously since i was a boy
do you have any pointers?
no subject
[That's a rhetorical question because he obviously does know what he's doing to get the ball rolling in the first place.]
Be honest. Be charming. And just ask her to dinner, take her somewhere that is least likely to kill her with food poisoning and tell her how you feel about her.
no subject
well i've got all of THAT covered
;)
no subject
In her land, it seems to be a slap on the ass, a thumbs up to a shady corner and then a shotgun wedding with a man named Elvis. Best to do it from our traditions.
no subject
no
that part
that's more difficult
[ He's good at laying it on thick when he wants to ~seduce~ a farmer's daughter or whatever. But telling a girl he REALLY cares for how much she means to him? Who knows how that's done. ]
you know
i was never much of a romantic
but even that sounds like too much to me
no subject
Her world is very strange. Stick with my advice on the matter.
no subject
thanks for the push
no subject
And remember me for goat baby-sitting.
no subject
i'm loyal to the people i care about
[ It's just. The list of people he cares about is VERY SHORT. ]
no subject
no subject
i'm glad you're looking after her
no subject
TEXT; un: shadowthief
I miss you <3
no subject
When the phone's shoved at him and he actually manages to understand what he's reading, Jefferson's first thought is that it's a trick. A test of obedience. And though the thought of telling Kenzi what happened crosses his mind, it's quickly stamped down. He'd never be able to get the message out before the phone's taken away and he's punished for even being stupid enough to try. The realization-- that he's so close to possible salvation, but he can't reach for it-- causes him to laugh, sharply and hysterically, before it bleeds into a short sob.
He'll just take this for what it is: some small comfort he's been allowed for good behavior. He hasn't, after all, been defiant since his head was taken off and put back right. So he should be grateful for this.
It takes a while to put a response together, given how difficult it is to type with his fingers shaking so much. ]
my hands are still attached
:)
i miss you more than i can say
if i were a poet i'd put it in verse
no subject
No one saw her do it, it's fine. Her rep is intact.]
[|:)
you freaked me out, dude. i was about to send LHPD after you with Tupac sniffing you out.
Are you coming home soon? ARE YOU BRINGING ME SOMETHING?
no subject
Once he's given permission, he sends her a response. ]
/\(o_o)/\~~>
wings and a tail
does it work?
i'm sorry i frighteneddyou
no subject
its cool. i figured you just couldnt find a phone charger or lost your phone or... the other worst case scenarios i listed
[The fact that he doesn't say if he's coming home soon or not is not lost on her. She chews her bottom lip, frowning down at the phone. Should she press the issue? Or just let it go. Maybe it's nothing. Maybe she's just overreacting and turning into one of those crazy girlfriends.]
no subject
i miss you
[ Oh wait he already said that. ]
have you seen the cat?
he mst be lonely
no subject
Miss you too, Jeff. A lot.
I can go hang out with him if you want! Sit with him and junk. Bring him... toys. And stuff. What does he like to play with?
no subject
he likes to chase scarves
hes very gooda t klling them
no subject
It really sucks around here without you. I'm legit dying a second time from boredom and there's no one to get mad at or make fun of or makeout with.
[She debates with herself for a while about sending this last part. It feels right. It feels like something that might be true. Actually, she knows it's true but she doesn't want to scare him away, so she's gotta word it properly.]
I think I L-word you? But I'm not sure. So I need you to hurry up with your adventure and come back.
no subject
thank you
bring him some mice to kill too please
you have my permission to put a hat on chase and make fun of/kiss him until i return
:)
i have to go now
no subject
K. Talk to you later?
<3<3<3<3<3
Bye