Reluctantly Hiring [open]

[Shizuno]

Shizu sighed inwardly as she opened the door to her house. Living alone had never really bothered her until now, after living with someone. She used to revel in the alone time, but now, so much of it often threw her into a state of loneliness - something she still was not used to.

 

She yawned. It was late, and she was tired. Shedding her rain-soaked clothes, she hung them up to dry and headed toward her bed. With yet another sigh, she slid into the bed, pulling the covers up. 

 

"Damn rain..." she muttered, shivering under the blankets.

 

Tossing and turning before sleep was also a new experience for her. She never realized just how different living alone would be after having someone else always there. 

 

She rubbed her eyes, staring up at the ceiling. There were even more minor annoyances now, too. Constantly being asked if she was taking care of herself and eating and sleeping right...She yawned. Of course she was! Even if her cooking was terrible, it was...usually...edible. And she always got somewhere between 6 and 8 hours of sleep! ...assuming a book didn't capture her attention....

 

She scratched her head. Maybe she did need someone to watch out for her. Cook and such. She hated to admit it, but...she couldn't deny the evidence in the end - no matter how much she wanted to.

 

But, find another man? No. She didn't want to deal with guys right now. Trying to find a suitable man was more trouble than it was worth.

 

She thought silently a moment.

 

What about a girl? The thought tickled her interest. Maybe a girl would make a better companion. One that could cook...clean...Yeah. That could work. 

 

____________________________________________________________________

 

 

The next day, a poster would be found in each of the main cities, and several towns:

 

 

Help Wanted 

 

 

Looking for a Live-in Maid. Expenditures for food stuffs, cleaning supplies, etc, are all covered. You will also be paid each week, as well as given allowances for most things you require. 

 

 

If you are interested, please, contact Shizu Ayana. I can be found at the Hungry Wolf HQ in Gridania often or around Limsa where my home is. 

 

Thank you.

 

 

(If you are replying to the job request, you can also find me in game ^^)

[LandStander]

((Someone feel free to chime in as well as I don't think Shizu is going to get what she is looking for from my character ))

 

The pig-tailed brunette Lalafell looked up on the wall where she saw a bill posted, squinting to try to make it out, but unable to. 

 

"These bill posters never take in to consideration people with smaller statures." Turning around to a large Roegadyn she screams out at her, "Hey, you. Yeah, you. Come over here and read this for me, it's out of my view."

 

The Roegadyn glanced around before she finally realized that the small woman was speaking with her. She walked over to the poster and read it to herself before conveying the message.

 

"It seem's here like a live-in maid who cooks, cleans, and does all the maid stuff to come along with it is wanting employment."

 

"Perfect! Hand it over."

 

"You mean the poster?"

 

"Of course, now hand it over so I may track down the source."

 

The Roegadyn ripped the poster from the wall and handed it over to her. She walked away mumbling something along the lines of, "bossy lady". The Lalafell gave the poster a quick over before rolling it up and making her way to the place listed. 

 

It did not take the woman too long to find the address listed in Limsa. Once she located it, she balled up the paper, no longer needing it, and threw it away before walking up to the door and banging on it.

[Shizuno]

Shizu was sitting at her desk, reading (go figure) when she heard the knock. With a yawn, she stood, dusted herself off, and stretched. She had been reading for a few hours now. She sighed.

 

Her long hair was down, and not undyed, completely white. She hadn't taken care of her hair in a while - she made a mental note to do so. 

 

Putting her glasses back on after rubbing her eyes, she walked toward the door. Just as she reached the door there was another knock. 

 

"Yeah, yeah." She unlocked the deadbolt and opened the door, welcoming the guest with a smile.

[LandStander]

As the door open the woman smiled at the Miqo'te who stood before her before taking her glasses out of her pocket, and placing them on to get a better look at her. With a friendly wave she greeted her, "hello", but that is where the friendliness ended. The lalafell then began examining the woman in front of her, tapping on her chin and making both approving and disapproving noises as she looked her up and down for a few moments before finally snapping back to reality. She then reached out her small hand in greeting.

 

"You may call me Professor Ozma, or Doctor, whichever you prefer. I'm a woman here on business so excuse me if I'm too direct. You were the one who posted the job about the live-in maid, correct?"

[Shizuno]

Shizu looked down at the Lalafel incredulously. "I am, yes." She gave the woman a quick once over, then nodded. "Are you here about the job?" She asked. Shizu stepped to the the side to allow the Lalafel inside. 

 

"If you'd like a drink, I can make some tea."

[LandStander]

She nodded to the woman before crossing her arms across her chest and walking into the Miqo'te's home. 

 

"Yes, please fetch me some tea. It will be a good start to see if we will enjoy each other's company." 

 

The professor started wandering around the living area of the house, examining the Miqo'tes belongings as she tried to get a feel for the things she was interested in. She then picked up a nearby book and began looking through the pages, not lifting her head to speak to her host.

 

"If I come up with a nickname for you, you only have yourself to blame. I have introduced myself, but I still do not know your name."

[Shizuno]

Shizu set the tea up to steep as Ozma looked aorund. The house was filled with books - in fact, just about all the wall space was taken up with bookshelves. The furniture in the room was also very well matched. All oak. The place had a strange air of cleanliness, but it was messy. Nothing really had dust or left over food on it, but the room was not tidy. 

 

The books themselves covered just about every possible genre and topic one can imagine. Many of them were focused on magic craft and medicine, but even the topic that held the majority were roughly 4% of the total books. Noticeably, the second largest section next to those were sailing books. Following those, the bookcases were no longer organized by topic, but by title, alphabetically. 

 

A few other things that would stick out in the room: A cartographer's map on a side table detailing the oceans - not the land. A small hanging perch, like for a bird, but it was a seated swing. There was a corner of the room with a barrel filled with numerous staves. 

 

"Ah, pardon me. I thought you would've seen my name on the poster. It's Shizu. Shi is fine, if you'd like."  

 

After a 5 minute period to let the tea steep, she would return with the tea kettle and two cups on a tray.

[LandStander]

Ozma watched her carefully as she poured the tea, as if she was studying how well she was doing. She then jumped up into a seat and interlocked her hands together, placing them on her lap in front of her. 

 

"Let's get down to business, shall we? I see that you are interested in books and the sea, but what exactly can you do for me...besides pour tea?"

 

She smirked at Shizu as her eyes narrowed in on her as she prepared herself for the negotiations. 

 

"You see, I am no ordinary Lalafell. I'm currently researching the ultimate spell. Cooking and cleaning is nice, but those two skills alone will not suffice. If I had to take a guess, with all the staves I have seen it must mean that some sort of magic skill you possess. Am I correct?"

 

She stuck one hand in her coat pocket, while the other grabbed the cup of tea. Her hand twitched for a second as the cup froze very slightly, but quickly thawed, bringing the liquid inside slightly above room temperature. Removing her hand from her pocket, she took a sip and returned her eyes back to Shizu.

[Shizuno]

Shizu smiled at the Lalafel as she tried the tea. "Yes, I study magic, predominantly. Scholarly magic, mostly. I'm also a general scholar..." Shizu studies the Lalafel for a moment before continuing, "I also am a capable healer and surgeon, a good sailor, and a meticulous bookkeeper and tactician."

 

She shifts her weight, holding her own tea cup to her mouth. "But...what does that have to do with me hiring a maid?"

[LandStander]

Ozmama Ozma took another sip of her tea before placing it back down. 

 

"Hmm...I think you are confused about the job. It is you who will be using the bucket, the broom, and the swab. You were looking for a job as a maid, but consider it your lucky day because I prefer to hire you for something more of the magic trade. You seem to have some wit so I will permit you to study an apprenticeship; under me of course."

 

The Lalafell grins at her as if she was offering Shizu a dream job that she could not refuse. She continued on, confident that no one would ever refuse a once in a lifetime offer. 

 

"But I only hire the best, so I hope you do mind a few simple test."

[Shizuno]

Shizu rubs her forehead, chuckling. "I-I'm sorry, you see, I was looking for a maid. Not a job as a maid, but a maid to work for me." She motions to the room. "I spend all of my time reading and such, so I was hoping to find someone that would be willing to cook and clean."

 

She takes a sip of her tea with a smile. "Ultimately, I was hoping to find someone who could make sure I sleep and eat as is necessary."

[Aya]

Aya stands before the bulletin board, hands on her hips.  Blinking a few times at the parchment she leans forward to take a closer look, squinting.

 

"That Shizu..." she lets out a soft, amused laugh, while shaking her head.  "And she says that I am the one who wants to be taken care of!"

[LandStander]

Her small brown eyes narrow in on Shizu as she reveals the mistake that Ozma made. 

 

"Me? Work for you?...."

 

Suddenly she cocked her head back as she placed the back of her hand near mouth and let out a hearty laugh.

 

"O~hohohohohoho! That is the worse thing I have ever heard. For a loser like you to suggest something like that of me is completely absurd."

 

Ozma placed her tea cup down and hopped out of her seat onto the floor. Her pig tails quickly following behind her. She stuck her hand in her coat pocket and began making her way to the front door. 

 

"Because your tea was acceptable I will allow you to remain unharmed after your little gibe. I'll simply leave you to your dusty old books, you plebeian scribe."

[Shizuno]

Shizu nearly laughs in response. Instead, she scratches the back of her head. "Right. Well, then, it was nice talking to you in any case. Take care." She walks over to the door and opens it politely for Ozma.

 

Once she is gone, Shizu returns to her seat, and has a good laugh about it to herself, returning to her study of invasive surgery. 

 

She sighs, and makes a small toast to herself. "Well, here's hoping someone will be willing to take care of me!" She performs a mock raising-of-the-glass, and sips down what's left of her tea.