melodiesoflife | Slices of Life before the Looping...

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Slices of Life before the Looping...

Characters: Vincent Valentine, Open, one section locked (will be specified).
Where: Library, House A02
When: Septemper 16-18th-ish
Summary: Vincent is adapting to his new part-time job in the library. Come bother him, or be scared by his sudden appearance in the quiet. Also another session of Story-time, with Ophelia inviting some others now...
Warning: Potentially grumpy gunslingers?

Working in the Library

It wasn't hard work, so far. Organizing books and putting them away, and occasionally answering a question. Vincent found he kind of enjoyed the routine of it, as it required enough of his focus to not be mind-numbing, but not so much that it was taxing or a strain. It was almost zen, in terms of the calm he found. His height was an advantage in moving things around on the taller shelves, too.

He'd adapted well, aside from at least one complication so far. The flutter of wings coming around a corner as he was re-shelving, and a small voice "Excuse me kupo I was wondering if you could EEEEEEKUPO!!!" The younger moogle who'd come around the corner, obviously had gotten a look at him now. Dressed in black, even with his long-hair pulled back in a loose tail, Vincent's silhouette was still striking and creepy. His gauntlet at home( even if he felt the loss) so that his entire left arm was in black due to a glove over the ruined-arm, didn't help.

The poor little moogle, bearing a bag and a set of glasses and a bow around her pompom was shaking where she fluttered. Vincent sighed, and was careful to move slowly and as he looked at her. "What were you looking for?" Summoning up her courage, the moogle stuttered noiselessly before managing to get out her question. "His..hishistorical biographies of the first researchers kupo!" Wringing her hands, holding up her bag as if it were a shield almost.

"Down the hall past 3 stacks to non-fiction and biographies, it's next to the door."

The moogle bobbed a quick thanks and bow, and was off fast.

This type of encounter was becoming disturbingly commonplace.

Story time with guests

Ophelia was hoping Vincent wouldn't be too mad. She'd made sure to get his promise to resume his reading to her, and she'd grabbed her book about sea-legends and folk-stories. She'd also sent letters to Mogdelina and Annie, inviting them along. (Provided they didn't tease or make fun of Vincent, and respected his privacy by not sharing with their heroes.) Yuffie of course, was also informed.

The little moogle was humming happily to herself as she made tea, waiting for Vincent to get home from his part-time job, as she'd set things up so far. Making it easy for him, as she considered the debt paid and repaid. Not that she'd let him know it, just yet.

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A hollow 'THUMP' echoed through the library, a telltale sign of someone dropping a heavy stack of books onto one of the finely crafted wooden tables. It sounded like quite a sizable stack indeed. Even Rukia, who had herself put down the load before her arms snapped out of her sockets, was eyeing the tower of books somewhat dubiously. The titles made it clear what she'd come to study:

Mastering the Beasts and Not in That Way
Black Magic and You, Lighting Pants on Fire with Reckless Abandon
Scholarly Pursuits (Not Just for Nerds)
How to Land the Perfect Job in a Tough Economy: Get Mad Loot From Your Enemies!
Gunblades: Compensating For Something?

And there were many, many others. One looked to be a comprehensive volume, newly updated, including a few new jobs Rukia hadn't heard of. Ultimately, she had to choose ten to maximize and unlock her potential. But she scarcely knew where to start.

Sigh.

Walking away from the massive literary tower, Rukia scouted through the aisles before she saw yet another vampire. Or, at least, a man with some similar characteristics to D, her sparring partner a few days ago. He was shelving books, so it seemed clear to her that he worked here.

"I beg your pardon." She opted for formal instead of squawking 'Oi!' at him, as she might with someone she already knew. "What do you know about jobs?" She could ask him for a book, and she planned to if he claimed to be too busy to talk, but she'd rather discuss it with someone in person to get their honest opinion. Besides, some of those book titles sounded a little...less than reliable, as far as source material went.

Vincent was a little surprised by the polite greeting, considering most people avoided him or stammered. It was a refreshing change as he turned, crimson eyes moving to find whoever had called. "Did you mean the regular employment kind, or the ones that allow people to have skills they might not otherwise have?" Unlike those with the 'Vampire' Job, Vincent possessed a shadow and, while quiet, was not unnaturally silent the way those with the Vampire Job were.

"Hmmm..." Rukia knuckled her lip in thought. She was mostly interested in plotting out her schedule of jobs, hoping to maximize as many as she could in the shortest amount of time possible.

But she also needed a way to earn more gil, as grocery shopping had proved to be far more expensive than she anticipated.

~~Maybe if she stopped letting herself get ripped off, her pockets would be much more full.~~

Finally she lifted her head, and arched her brows faintly. "...Both?" In truth, his appearance did not intimidate her, nor did the color of his eyes. He seemed calm and reserved, and therefore easily approached. Rukia was far from shy anyhow.

Vincent shelved another book as he pondered where to start with his responses. Glad that the other was taking this so calmly. "Regular employment, I suggest asking at different establishments, depending on where your interests lie." Easy enough to answer, and he'd noticed he was not the only new employee of the Library.

"As for the other kind of job, what specifically did you want to know?"

Rukia nodded. So far, joining the military had the most appeal, if only because it was the most similar to what she was accustomed to. But this was also a chance for her to explore some different paths. As frustrating as it was to be denied her previous capabilities, it did open up several avenues she might never have otherwise considered possible.

What was she interested in other than slaying Hollows, which didn't even exist in this world? That, she couldn't expect an answer from anyone else but herself.

"Hmmm," she tucked her head in thought. "I was hoping to discuss strategy. I am unsure if I should pursue skills most similar to my previous form's capabilities, or expand beyond. One does not necessarily need to be previously experienced in a job to undertake it, correct?"

Vincent raised an eyebrow, intrigued now. "Are you one of the new arrivals?" Hadn't her moogle explained all of this? Then again, he well-remembered how it was a lot to absorb once he'd first arrived.

Rukia inclined her head. "Rukia Kuchiki," she introduced herself. And certainly her Moogle had told her the basics, but she wanted to hear the opinion of someone who had worked through several jobs to get their take on the matter. Whether he was a veteran or a newbie, she couldn't really say. If he was new, he'd probably show her a few books. But if he was knowledgeable, then she hoped to speak with him about that knowledge.

"Vincent Valentine." He responded automatically, taking it to mean his assumption was correct. "I believe it's a matter of personal preference if one does not wake up automatically placed in a new job. In addition, those of us brought here as supposed-Heroes of Light are unique. We can hold multiples jobs, although only whichever one we hold as our primary allows us access to all its skills easily."

Polite, moving to place his pile to be shelved neatly aside. He could come back to it, as this probably needed his attention more. "I arrived with no such Jobs equipped, and thus looked into what might be most suited for what I wanted." Which, considering their situation, he wanted what he could get that was similar to his old abilities. Creature of habit, he supposed.

"Oh?" Rukia blinked. She had assumed that everyone arrived with a pair of jobs automatically assigned to them. Yet he'd shown up with none? How curious.

"Ninja and Red Mage," she answered in return. "I hadn't chosen them. But they best reflected what I was able to do before." She took a step back, as it looked like he wished to pass her, and held her hands comfortably behind her back.

"What did you choose after that?"

It was more he was giving her his full attention, waiting to see where she lead. "Gunner, as I am familiar with firearms of all types, is my primary. After that, I tried Red Mage before settling on Ninja, as my secondary." Part of why he actually wanted a job. He suspected he might be able to get a better price, or if he were really inclined--ask Yuffie. But Vincent wanted both the Thanatos bullets and that invisibility shard.

"In adapting and getting used to this world, I felt it best to start off with what I was most familiar with."

"Is that so! An impressive skill. I've heard it requires a great deal of patience to master long range attacks." She was finding it easier and easier to speak with him. Hopefully she wasn't interrupting his work too severely, as she had no desire to get him into trouble. But any information she could glean was of enormous benefit to her, and as such, it was appreciated.

Rukia nodded in agreement. "This is true. Had I started out in one of the armored classes, it would have required much more extensive training to be of any use on the battlefield. So perhaps if I were to select five jobs that best suited my previous self, and dedicated five others to a wider variety of abilities, I could be a more effective Hero."

"I don't think one can start with ten though." At least, that was what he'd recalled hearing from Ophelia, when he'd asked for more details. "In any case, the best person, currently, to ask about Jobs is Cid of Roalie. He was looking into what Professor Palitutu, who we knew as Jessie, was doing. She was the lead Crystal Researcher. Beyond that, I believe several others among us have started to do our own research into Jobs and our crystals."

"True," she said. "I've heard that one must acquire the job of...Onion Knight." There was a strong distaste clearly evident in her tone as she spoke the accursed title. If only they had named it something different. She wasn't keen on being a knight named after a vegetable that made people cry when they cut into it. Who gave it such a foolish name to begin with?

As for Cid, she nodded faintly. She did want to talk to him and ask him questions, but given that he was the de facto ruler of the city, and possibly the kingdom for all she knew, she had no desire to bother him if she could find the information she desired through other means.

"How many do you have, currently?"

He hadn't actually given it much attention beyond a basic glance and assessment. "I believe I came to the limit of the Gunner job shortly after we all came out of stasis in Aquares Tosf's ruins. I have not paid as much attention otherwise, beyond noting that I had obtained Onion Knight as a potential job." Not entirely what she asked, but hopefully it would help.

Her head tipped faintly to the side. He was present at that event? She'd read a brief summary during her studies, but had yet to talk to anyone who had actually been there.

She opened her mouth to ask...but realized with a glance at the clock, that she was definitely taking up far more of his time than she should have.

"You've been very helpful, Vincent. Thank you." She started to turn, then paused, and glanced back. Maybe just one more question... "Can you recommend a frightening novel?" She kind of liked those.

He'd been here for a few months now, although hardly as long as some. Nodding his head in acknowledgement of her thanks, although not speaking as he turned back to his task. Then pausing, as she asked one more question. "I'm sure my companion moogle, Ophelia, could. I'll ask her for her recommendations, Ms. Kuchiki."

She smiled, and bobbed her head in gratitude. "I'd appreciate that. But please call me Rukia." He'd been nice enough to earn at least that much. "It was nice meeting you. Thank you for your time."

With that, she wove her way through the aisles to return to her table and start sorting through the books. Now where to start...?

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Slices of Life before the Looping...

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