Scene #4507: A Job Interview

Owner	Pose
Guest Psyber	Psyber is in his office, as one would expect. The building IS open seven days a week, though it observes national holidays in terms of normal business hours. Thus, the half-angel is currently seated in the lobby of his building with a newspaper in front of him behind a reception desk. It's a lazy Saturday, plus Labor Day weekend, so the office has had very little foot traffic and most people are taking it easy. Thus, the half-angel and owner of the building is just taking a lazy day to work the desk rather than pay a receptionist and rob someone of a day off.
Sigrun Stem	It being Labor Day weekend, Sigrún has managed to justify taking a day off from making money and has polished up her resume. With that in hand, the monster exterminator enters the office. She's gotten to be more comfortable with the kind of towers that more usual cities have, and thus she's not really worried about it collapsing on top of her like she may have been before. She's still wearing her mask when she heads to the front desk. "Hello sir, didn't expect you to be manning the front. I thought I'd try to get some more experience with the monsters of the multiverse, and what better way than work part time for the specialists?" She explains her presence, handing over the wrapped up and tied parchment scroll that is her resume.
Guest Psyber	Psyber takes the parchment and inspects it, "I like working the desk on slow days. Shows people I still care about the business, no matter how big it gets. It's important to never become a boss that's disconnected from the purpose of your business." He looks over the resume briefly, "Monsters of the Multiverse, huh? That's an interesting reason to join up. I used to be a Hunter, but now I do more investigating than anything," Psyber muses as he puts the resume down on the desk, "Okay, so I'll ask you a few questions." He looks across at her, waving towards a nearby chair, "Take a seat. Question one: How do you define a monster?"
Sigrun Stem	Sigrun removes her bow and quiver before sitting down. "Makes sense. My business isn't nearly as big as yours so I hadn't thought about things like that." That's an understatement, her business has one employee, herself. The question comes, and she smiles, "Well the layman would say a monster is a powerful magical creature, and that's not entirely incorrect." Then, she goes on to explain what she means by that. "Under US law, well... US law on Antichthon, there are three classes of creature that are fairly considered to be monsters. Mythological beasts, these are creatures with a lot of magic, usually capable of communicating with mankind, but with either no capacity or desire for magical innovation. They're only rarely humaniform." "The second group, the one that I am specialized in, is magical wildlife. These are subsapient creatures with unusual magical capabilities. Your wolfweres, psychic rats, chupacabras, and so on. They vary a lot but in general, they cause trouble wherever they appear and can be big problem to deal with for unprepared humans. A common cause of death even in modern society." "The final group, and since Texas vs Draculesti the most well-protected group, are the monstrous humans. These are former humans who have become monsters through some kind of infectation, but have retained their sapience. These include creatures like Vampires, Werewolves, and so on. They're considered as human as any other and afforded all the rights and protections of them, including citizenship." Then she asides, "I believe there's a town in California with a vampire major."
Guest Psyber	Psyber seems to listen to her, elbows on his desk and his chin resting on his hands as he listens to the woman. Occasionally, throughout her explanation, he politely nods and considers each of her definitions, "That's a very academic answer, Miss Stem. And it's one that would definitely be true from any perspective. But I didn't ask you how the law defines a monster..." He smiles a bit, "I asked you how YOU would define a Monster. From your own experience, from your own perspective. From the life you have lived, what makes a living creature a monster?" He tilts his head a bit, "It's a particular question that is very, speaking honestly, important to me to know about a person before I hire them. Because while my office does hunt, it also functions as a staffing agency for some. A residence for others. An avenue for unique skills for others. People many would consider monsters." His smile softens, "So I tend to ask applicants the philosophical and introspective question of what they believe a monster is. Can a human be a monster? Are all supernatural creatures monsters? How does one define 'humanity'? It's a complex topic. I wish to hear your thoughts on it."
Sigrun Stem	"I've never heard that way of phrasing it before. Referring to humans as potential monsters? I suppose I can see where you're coming from with that." She considers the question, thinking it over as though this is a brand new one for her. "I'd have to ask, what makes a creature supernatural? If it's the mere inclusion of magical capabilities, I am supernatural. My magic is innate. Focused and strengthened with experience and tools but no less innate for it." Then, she thinks a little more, considering it. "I would thus not call all supernatural creatures monsters, not that I find the term supernatural particularly meaningful. Leaving aside the definition of humanity as a synonym of mankind, I would probably define humanity as the behavior most humans expect from other humans. Compassion for the suffering of a fellow being, a desire to work with others and to be part of a greater whole, things like that. Certainly no traits that require someone to be strictly human in the biological or spiritual sense."
Guest Psyber	"I see," Psyber taps his fingers together, gazing at Sigrun as she speaks to him, considering her carefully and then replying, "It's a strong definition you have there. It inherently includes the idea that a monster is not an entity, but rather a series of behaviors and philosophies. Because it is often men themselves who eschew humanity and become some of the greatest monsters history can bear witness to." "I believe you could fit in well at my company with that philosophy, Miss Stem. I have a lot of unique individuals, like yourself, who did not choose the gifts they were born with. However, they're choosing now how to apply them. A monster is someone who makes the choice to apply their gifts, whether they're human or born special, for the pointless or needless harm of others. And who refuse to compromise." He extends a hand towards her, "Welcome aboard, Miss Stem." He smiles, "I hope you can learn a great deal about monsters from my offices."
Sigrun Stem	"I'm familiar enough with history to know that the greatest atrocities have been committed by those who could be considered human." Sigrun responds to that, "And I'm fine with labelling them a monster." She stands up to shake Psyber's hand, "Thank you for giving me this opportunity, sir."