(Untitled)

[a_lioness]

*Alanna walks in the front door and pushes the brim of her cap up as she scans the room. Her eyes linger on the infirmary. Shaking herself, she sighs and walks up to the bar, slowly shedding layers of clothing. She orders dinner, pulling a scroll out of her pack to read while she eats.*

Comments

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There's a Max sliding up ont a stool nearby. "Hey, bosslady."

[a_lioness]

Hello, Max. How are you? *Alanna's initial smile fades and is replaced by a hint of wariness.* Please tell me you aren't here to quit.

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Blink. Blink. Stare. "...I wasn't planning on it."

[a_lioness]

*Alanna beams.* In that case, would you like a drink?

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"Sure. Been a while since I've topped up my caffeine stream." She tilts her head to one side, frowning slightly. "How many people have quit?"

[a_lioness]

*Alanna orders more coffee and sighs, running her hand over her hair.*

Quit? Faith and Barry, though Barry's resignation is not effective for another month. As for otherwise incapacitated or soon to be fired due to lack of face time, Peter and Nick. Raph and Mel have been injured off and on. Jack had issues at home, but I really wish he'd been able to delay them given our staff problems.

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Max blinks once, then again. "So that's, what, five people who are definitely here and capable of working? Six?"

[a_lioness]

Myself, Svava, you, Arithon and Archie. Mel and Raph are working, but I'd prefer they take it easy. Raph was badly injured, and Mel... also.

*Alanna doesn't even know how to begin explaining the Phoenix force. Or that she doesn't yet know how Mel fares.*

Of course, she'd likely hit me for this attitude.

*She sighs.*

I'm going to hold interviews this week.

[transgenic_max]

"During the rescue?" She hasn't seen Mel since, she realises. And worries, suddenly, because that place...she doesn't want to imagine what had happened.

"Open call for conscientious citizens?"

[a_lioness]

Before that. *Alanna feels a little silly for worrying about Mel.* I haven't seen her since the return, but Goldy said she was back.

*She nods.*

Something like that. Now, if I can just figure out a way to keep people from signing up who aren't serious about it...

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"Get them to sign their employment contracts in blood?" Max quips.

And then sobers, puzzling over the problem for a moment. "...Any way to use magic to tell if they'd be reliable?"

[a_lioness]

*Alanna snorts.* Believe me, the thought had crossed my mind.

None that I can think of. Circumstances change, and people do the unexpected. I suppose intuition is the best tool I have.

You proved reliable, so it can't be that bad. *She winks.*

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Max laughs quietly. "Yeah, you'd probably have to work at getting rid of me. Even if I died, I'd probably still show back up."

"Got any promising prospects in mind?"

[a_lioness]

*Alanna snickers.* Now that's dedication.

Just one, right now. He's a very old friend, and died protecting my King. I trust him with my life. *She tilts her head.* Any suggestions?

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"This place is home. More so than my world, definitely." She grins. "And just being plain old dead would be boring."

There's a moment's pause as she considers the people she knows in the bar. "...Possibly."

[a_lioness]

It's home to many, and home is important.

Oh? Who? *Alanna leans forward.*