The Search, Chapter 1.5 (inspired by Hatman's post)

The Search Chapter 1.5

    "So...?" Hatman tried to prod the blond sitting across the desk from him to speak. Her name was Lara Night, and while she wasn't quite a fixture around the Lair Mansion she had become somewhat familiar to him.

    "What?" Lara shrugged in response. She seemed confused by his attempts.

    A moment earlier she came strolling into his office and sat down after being invited in by CrazySugarFreakBoy!. CSFB!, of course, left the room as soon as Lara sat down, using some excuse about having to check on his kid.

    "It's customary, when applying for a position, to say something about yourself," Jay pointed out, trying to do so calmly without sounding impatient.

    "Are you coming on to me?" Lara asked him. She smiled slightly when he seemed frustrated by her response. "No, seriously...what position? Dream told me you wanted to talk to me."

    Jay slapped his pencil down on the desk and jammed his fingers through his hair, sighing in frustration. "I've been trying...unsuccessfully so far, all day...to find an administrative assistant."

    "You mean a secretary," Lara corrected him.

    Jay nodded reluctantly, but didn't contradict her. "Look, you're very nice, Lara...you're great to work with in the field and to talk to. I wish I could give you the job because I think I'd get along well with you but I don't know your qualifications."

    "I don't need a job, I have one at home." she told him. "There's a lot you don't know about me." Lara gave him a sly smile and added, "Besides, you don't want me as your secretary. Can you just imagine the jokes about you working long hours with me?"

    Jay shrugged, looking frustrated again, as well as tired. "They'll make the jokes no matter who I pick," he said.

    "Nah, the secret is to pick someone they're afraid to joke about. See, I'm much too nice, I don't care if people joke about me."

    "But Hagatha already said no. And Yuki already has a job," Jay pointed out. "And she would probably fight me every time I ask for something."

    "How about Chiaki?" Lara suggested.

    "I...don't think this kind of job is well-suited to Chiaki," Jay noted.

    "Oh, I got it." Lara smiled slyly as she spoke her next suggestion. "Kerry. She won't put up with any of the jokes."

    "Visionary doesn't want me to give Lair Legion jobs to Juniors yet."

    Lara shrugged at that. "I guess Liu Xi could help you. If you can put up with a lot of attitude."

    "She is always bringing me food while I work," Jay mused to himself.

    And just as if his words were a prediction, Liu Xi knocked on the doorway. She was carrying a cup of 'special' hot cocoa. It tasted better than the cocoa Jay made for himself. She either added cinnamon or vanilla, maybe both, he wasn't sure.

    "I guess I'll make some room for legitimate interviews." Lara slid out of the chair and stood. "See you around, Jay."

    "Thanks for stopping by and talking to me," Jay thanked her just as she was about to leave. "I really needed the break."

    Lara nodded and smiled at him, and quietly left the room just as Liu Xi placed a coaster and then the steaming mug of cocoa, on the desk next to Jay.

    "Thanks," he said quickly. "Please, have a seat."

    "Huh?" Liu Xi was already headed to the door when she turned around, confused. "Why?"

    "I just want to talk to you about something." Jay stood and pulled out one of the chairs to offer her a seat.

    Liu Xi nodded and sat down, looking at Jay. She seemed a little pale, like she was afraid he was upset about something and was about to give her a lecture.

    "I'm looking for an administrative assistant," Jay began.

    "A secretary?" Liu Xi asked.

    "Yeah." He sighed, sounding a little frustrated.

    Liu Xi sat up and gave him a concerned look. "What's wrong?" she asked.

    "There's just...a lot going on," he admitted, "and this is much more difficult and time consuming than I thought."

    "Jay--" She stood and walked around to the other side of the desk, where she leaned gently against the left side drawers and folded her arms gently. Jay noticed that her long black hair fell part-way over her face when she looked at him. "If you need help I am always willing."

    "I don't want to impose--"

    "Don't say that," Liu Xi interrupted him with a warm smile. "You are not imposing. I'm not exactly very busy."

    "No, no." Jay shook his head quickly. "I meant to say I can't impose this on you because it's a paying job. I'd feel like I'm stealing from you if you did it for free."

    Liu Xi leaned away from the desk and paced a bit, looking at the floor as she did. "I would rather not be paid," she whispered. "It would feel like an obligation rather than a kindness."

    Jay smiled at that - he could see an attribute in her that he hoped others saw in him. "That's very sweet, Liu Xi. But in this case, it would not only be unfair to you, but to the others I've interviewed as well. How do you think they would feel if they knew they weren't hired because you offered to do the work for free?"

    She thought about that for a moment before nodding slowly. "You're right," she finally agreed. "I will have to think about it, though. I'm still unsure whether I want an obligation."

    "The work isn't difficult," Jay noted.

    "I know." Liu Xi shrugged. "But you're a friend, and I would rather not disappoint you. I don't want to force you to be angry with me, or force you to fire me, if I don't do well."

    Jay thought about saying something reassuring, but the truth was, Liu Xi was right. It would be difficult if she couldn't handle the job. He nodded in agreement, but then added, "I wish you'd give it a chance anyway."

    "If you can't find anyone else, ask me again," Liu Xi reassured him. "I don't want to disappoint you, but I want even less for you to be so stressed."

    "Thanks, Liu Xi." Jay smiled and took a sip of the cocoa. "For the cocoa too," he added, as he watched her leave his office.

-- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2006 by Jason Froikin, and may not be
-- reprinted without permission.
-- Yuki Shiro designed by Jason Froikin, based on designs by Masamune Shirow
-- Liu Xi Xian and the Psychic Samurai are original design by Jason Froikin
-- Lara Night is an original creation by Jason Froikin

Post By Anime Jason Sun Apr 23, 2006 at 02:01:10 am EDT	Subject The Search, Chapter 1.5 (inspired by Hatman's post)

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