Scene #3854: Hiring Housekeeping

Owner	Pose
Guest Psyber	Psyber has FINALLY gotten around to reading, vetting, and following up on the resume for Gensokyo's most famous Maid and Demon Hunter. You can't really blame him for it taking so long, since most of her references were dead and people she'd slain, save for the Scarlet Manor that Psyber refuses to visit as a matter of principle. Thus, combined with his busy work docket and waiting for tax season to change over, it had taken him a while to fully get back to her. Today, though, he had moved forward to the next stage of the hiring process: An in-person interview. He'd brought along a Gensokyo Culture Specialist and arranged an initial meeting at a pretty low-key seafood restaurant near the Boston Harbor. That is where he's waiting with his Cultural Interpreter when he says the fateful words: "Order what you want. It's on me."
Fujiwara no Mokou	"Huh... seafood? I haven't had that in a long time." Mokou glances at the menu, and finally settles on a basket of clams. She wonders if it really comes in a basket or if that's just an expression. Guess she'll find out. Not dressed any different than her usual, a fault Psyber is doubtlessly going to correct sooner or later, the white-haired girl nervously says, as they wait for their meeting to arrive, "Say, I, did mention she killed me a couple of times, right? Not... you know, for fun or anything, Kaguya tricked them into it, but she's pretty scary. Her boss doesn't scare me half as much, at least Remilia's... honest, and actually kind of friendly, the maid is just... this straight-faced professional you can never tell what she's thinking. And sometimes that could be 'killing you'."
Sakuya	Approaching the agreed-upon time for meeting, the maid in question is nowhere in sight. Could she be demonstrating some previously unstated disguise ability? The clock ticks down. In the precise second that time rolls over to the first minute of the official meet-up, there's a quick, soft 'shh' sound. In the blink of an eye, a silver-haired woman simply materializes in an empty seat. She holds up a pocketwatch, examining it as it ticks over, "Apologies for my tardiness." The face is closed, and she tucks it into a pocket of her pinstriped dress. Calmly, she leans forward and places both hands on the tabletop, fingers laced neatly together. Unreadable blue eyes fix on Mokou for an uncomfortably long moment before they travel to the taller half-angel, "As you no doubt are aware, Izayoi Sakuya. No longer affiliated with the Scarlet Devil Mansion."
Guest Psyber	"I thought most people in Gensokyo had killed you once or twice. Or I always operated under that assumption," Psyber admits to Mokou, "Or at least mortally wounded you. It's kind of how we regenerators work. We meet people through maiming as a networking tool," He notes as he rubs the back of his head, sighing a little as he looks over Mokou's somewhat ratty outfit. He does mentally resolve to update her wardrobe a bit. Sakuya's arrival would startle most people. Most people are not, however, the father of one Homura Akemi, who uses that exact same trick almost daily. So while he's surprised to see someone else do it, he's not quite awe-struck, "Hardly. Rather an impressive way to make an entrance. Having Cirno as a referrer is also quite impressive." "So I'll be honest. I'm looking for a skilled professional to serve as a maid. I'm also looking for professionals who know how to deal with monsters. And when that monster handling will or won't require violence. You happen to be skilled in both." He looks sideways, "You can ask Mokou here, I'm a very laid back boss. And I pay well."
Fujiwara no Mokou	"Gah!" is Mokou's reaction, because she had completely forgotten that she does THAT, too. Without a doubt it was the maid's most unsettling trait, her ability to just... appear. Messing with time, as she understood it, but that's honestly beyond her either way. A quick look over to the completely unfazed Psyber, and the immortal sighs, resigning herself that this is her life now. "Not... everyone. I don't make it my business to go pick fights, unlike the miko and the witch. I'd be happy enough never to have to fight anyone again, except the NEET." She turns to look at Sakuya, giving as relaxed a wave of greeting as she can manage. Especially under the intense stare of the maid. The intense, straight faced, emotionless stare. "Yeah, those things he said. Erm. Yo." Eventually someone will have to explain this isn't her Sakuya, but it won't really help much.
Sakuya	"Yes," the maid states evenly, "Looking for fights is often pointless-- Those who want to pick a fight will often find fights picked for them." Her eyes close briefly, "In my recollection, I have killed Fujiwara a total of 13 times, if that is a concern." One eye opens, fixed sharply on the uncomfortable immortal, "It was quite an energetic evening." Returning her gaze to Psyber, she adds, "It is somewhat more literal death than you might be assuming." "If it is a maid you seek, than look elsewhere." It's a simple, blunt statement, and Sakuya lets it hang in the air for an awkwardly long moment before speaking again. "If it is a maid with extensive experience in the handling and extermination of youkai, then we can have a conversation."
Guest Psyber	"I think you two are from separate iterations of Gensokyo," Psyber says to both of them, "Since it's Cirno who knows her, but I know YOUR Cirno is different," He says pointing to Mokou, "Than HER Cirno." He points to Sakuya. "In any event, if you're okay with working with her, then I'm okay with it," He seems to look to Mokou, letting her decide her comfort level about Sakuya at the office. After all, he doesn't want another situation like Nathan and Elliana, where he takes flak for months on end. He looks back towards Sakuya. "I am looking for a maid with problem solving skills and a knowledge of when to use them," Psyber says bluntly, sitting back in his seat as he adjusts his positioning, "So if you're a maid who will simply exterminate ALL youkai, I will be as discrimatory as you in my decision making," He smiles coolly. "I do also have a dress requirement. I want most of my employees to be able to dress business casual, at least." He looks sidelong at Mokou, "I really need to take you shopping at some point.
Fujiwara no Mokou	"To be totally honest I stop counting after... three or four. It all kind of becomes this blurry mess of pain and rage at that point. Thirteen sounds like my luck, yeah..." Mokou answers, trying not to make a bigger deal of it than it is. Maybe to someone else, 'getting killed' might be the subject of a great grudge, but for her it's the social equivalent of a rough punch on the shoulder. Except it hurts a lot more. Then to Psyber, Mokou recalls the 'smart' Cirno. She's interacted with her once or twice. Radio, though. The dumb one, well, it's not rare Cirno gets lost in the forest and needs an out, and Mokou's not the sort to leave someone to die. Even if they're a fairy. "I... sure? I mean, as long as she's not going to start stabbing me for fun. And why does everyone keep saying that?" She glances down at her clothing. Sure there's some wear and tear from cuts and flames, but it's really not that bad. "Oh, do I get to ask questions too? Why'd you leave Remilia's employ, anyway? When I met the you from my world you seemed pretty glued to her every word."
Sakuya	Sakuya's hands remain laced together, though she lifts her thumbs slightly and touches them together, "I see. No. I am not the shrine maiden. I do not actively hunt and exterminate all youkai. Merely the troublesome ones." A thumb gestures towards Mokou, "As you are no doubt aware, I have spent quite a lot of time in the service to youkai and hold no grudge towards monsters simply for being monsters." "My attire is appropriate," is all she says in regards to clothes. And really, a pinstriped black dress is pretty classy compared to the train wreck across the table from her. "Fujiwara's undergoes substantial wear and tear, however, and so a certain degree of 'shabbiness' is to be expected. Flames are the enemy of clothing." Eyes travel to the white-haired Immortal, "It is a personal reason, but if you must know it is not rooted in strife. My obligation simply ended and I have chosen to take up my previous work." Returning her gaze to Psyber, she adds, "I served the Scarlets for one lifetime. One hundred years is more than most humans live. They got a good deal out of it, I believe."
Guest Psyber	"Because if we went somewhere professional, you'd look terrible. You basically look like a hobo. We'll get you some jeans and a t-shirt. And then some business casual. And maybe a suit." He lists off, looking over the white-haired 'phoenix' hanging out next to him. He furrows his brow a bit, "And yes. Ask questions as you see fit. Of my employees, I consider you the most experted in Gensokyan culture." He looks back towards Sakuya, "So then. That explains why you left. Interesting," He rubs his chin as he looks at the woman. She hardly looks a hundred in terms of age, but neither does he, so he knows that is not the most accurate metric of age. He asks her point blank, "What are your salary requirements?"
Fujiwara no Mokou	"So it's more like you got your freedom back and decided to go do something else? I can get that. I've gone through that phase a few times. I always end back up in the forest though, go figure. Maybe I'm a forest hermit by nature at this point and can't change it." A shrug, before she looks back towards Psyber as the maid agrees with her. Or, at least, explains her clothes' state. "I AM a hobo! And yeah, people play rough with me so my clothes wear down pretty fast anyway. Plus the whole... fire thing. You know, I get fire gushing out of my injuries, a suit I didn't cram full of fireproofing charms would last me maybe a day. I'm just lucky I figured out how to make my clothes reform with me."
Sakuya	"She has a point," Sakuya unfolds her hands to gesture, "She is a hobo." Absolute agreement on all three sides! That hand refolds, "However tailoring is simply one facet in the gemstone of skills that create the Perfect and Elegant Maid before you. Something can and will be done if that is a task you wish me to tackle." Like tailoring a suit with fire charms worked into the liners. Though those ratty pants may need to be sacrificed. Hands unfolding them again, Sakuya touches thumb and forefinger to her chin in a thoughtful gesture, eyes fixed on Mokou more intently. "Yes. These measurements shouldn't be too difficult." Attention returns to Psyber and her hand lowers to the tabletop, "If I am expected to perform maidly duties, then I will already be provided food and lodging-- as a proper maid must live on the grounds to provide accordingly. I require only a closet for my personal space, and so that should not be an issue." Her head tilts slightly, "In that sense, a modest salary is all that is needed for personal use."
Guest Psyber	"Very well. You will be given a modest single-bedroom and access to the common areas of the kitchen and other things. Your room will have a private bathroom and a closet and come pre-furnished unless you have your own," Psyber mulls over the numbers in his head, "Counting out room and lodging and food, you'll make about thirty thousand dollars a year. Above average for a maid. Plus bonuses for combat deployments as if you were a hired combatant." He adds, "So the number can be much higher." He does agree with Mokou on something else, "I'm glad you learned to make your clothing reform with you. It would create far too many comedic hishaps and shenanigans were you to reform from destruction while naked." He notes blandly, "So yes. It's very fortunate."
Fujiwara no Mokou	"You're a tailor too?" In retrospect... "Of course you're a tailor too. I don't know why I didn't expect that." Mokou sighs, slumping into her chair and rubbing one of her temples while she lets this soak in. New wardrobe, what a drag. And then Sakuya says something that makes her uneasy instead of annoyed. "Whoa, wait, hang on! You didn't just take my measurements, did you? No! Don't do that, that's creepy! If we're taking my measurements we're doing it without your-- magic. Which is unsettling." DID Sakuya just do just that? She has no idea, but you can never be too careful, so might as well set the ground rules down right now before the next thing she knows is that full measurements were taken and five outfits are already done. "And no dresses. I don't do skirts very well."
Sakuya	"Of course," Sakuya states simply to Mokou's realization. "And no." She gestures, "I have not moved since I sat down." Eyes closing, her outline flickers slightly-- an she quite suddenly has herself a cup of tea and a saucer, which she lifts to sip meaningfully, eyes still closed. Only after her drink is lowered do they open. "I can see plainly that your figure is not different from the Mokou that I fought during the Stolen Moon incident." Eyes closing again, she gestures, "I took /her/ measurements somewhere around her tenth demise." She's so casual about it. Attention returns to Psyber, "Your offer is generous. More than I asked for, acceptable."