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I need advice!

( Hello network, here's your friendly neighbourhood Stampede about to fully launch into something with no forewarning and no introductions. It's how he makes friends ... and also enemies, don't worry. ) So, we have to get jobs, right? But I'm not exactly sure what I'd be good at. I usually just do whatever people need around the towns I'm visiting, which means I know a little of most things. But I figured this place was new and people might be a little more cautious about that. So I made flyers!

( In one hand - metal, blue sometimes sea green - Vash holds up a stack of leaflets. )

Only when I was trying to give them out I got a lot of dirty looks so can someone tell me what I've done wrong! I really want to be useful while I'm here.

( Turning the flyer around so that his ( unfortunate ) captive audience can see. The design is obviously home made, and probably in a rush. On the paper it proudly proclaims

VASH THE STAMPEDE
RENT BOY
WILL DO WHATEVER YOU NEED
COST: ???
Below that is a crude drawing of the man himself - a stick figure with a triangle body ( his coat, sadly missing ) and a mass of spiky hair. It has a crude beaming smile on the circle of a face. )

Is it the drawing? I could have done better I guess, but I was in a hurry. ( A pause, a slow dawning realisation. ) Aw, shoot. It's the name, right? I didn't use my civilian name! Crap, that's probably a no-no.

( Nothing else could be the issue.

... Right? )

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[ boy, THIS TAKES HER BACK to her teenager days ]

The drawing isn't the problem. [ not the biggest one, anyway.] Or the name, I think. Most people might think it's a scam or a joke when they read something like this, um. Instead of "Rent Boy" [ she's avoiding eye contact with the network as she says this........ ] You could use something like "Professional Jack of All Trades" and list things you're particularly comfortable helping with or are good at.

... A flat rate cost would help too. Not question marks. "Open to discussion" works just as well.

( Oh, those youthful good looks, fooling everyone into believing a man of 150 shouldn't know any better! )

Oh! Yeah, you're probably right. Everyone's been explaining where I went wrong and I totally get it now. Don't listen to people in shady alleys when they try explaining things to you! But uh, the flat rate's the problem. I don't know what to charge, I don't want to make it too high that people can't ask for my help, you know? Money's scarce.

( Or it is in Gunsmoke. Neo Tokyo's far fancier than Vash has ever seen - even brighter than Julai even. ) But open to discussion seems a fair thing to put. The next flyer will definitely be better.

[ (unsure)!!!

hiyori laughs nervously at "don't listen to people in shady alleys when they try explaining things to you" this is too much DEJA VU for her right now. like a car is going to come drifting around a corner......... ]

I'm sure it will. [ she manages a heartening smile at him. if only for the pure nostalgia of this entire exchange. ]

By the way, is there a reason you can't - you know - try working at a normal job? There are some opportunities out there for everybody. [ ... ] I think...

Oh! No, I can do a normal job. I just don't know what kind to try and get. I've sort of always just worked what's available and needed, you know? And usually you have to tell people you're around for that kind of work, so the flyer!

( He's a blow in, he's used to making friends fast, doing whatever he can, and then bouncing. If LILITH is telling the truth this will be different for him. )

I guess there are just so many options!

Ah-! [ well, THAT she can understand - a directionless meandering through life. doing what other people expect of you, what people want you to do, or what's needed. no clear goal of your own in sight. been there. ]

Hmmmm. [ she hums, thoughtful, tapping a finger. ] Then I have to ask: what do you like to do?

[ they're going to find the perfect job for you, son. ]

Helping people?

( It's framed as a question, tentative, hesitant, Vash's shoulders rising a little like he might hide. He knows it sounds stupid, he's been told more than enough times. But he can't think of anything else. It's been like this for a century. )

Back home I just do whatever I can. I've been a bodyguard, and a bartender, and a delivery guy. I've worked in diners, and casinos, and one time a hospital for a month. I've done all sorts. So picking one feels really hard, you know?

[ against vash's expectations, hiyori's expression softens at his answer. everyone else might say it sounds stupid, but it says a lot that his first thought - the thing he likes - is to help people. must be the reason LILITH chose him.

there's a small giggle she can't catch in time at "delivery guy". IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK. it's just

so very nostalgic. switch the 'u' and 'y' in guy with 'o' and 'd', respectively. ]

I-it's okay. We've all been indecisive in our lives. [ it's quiet as hiyori mulls. ] Did you like working at the hospital? I feel like, out of all of those, you can always find someone to help at a hospital.

You know what, I did. It was useful, and I knew a bunch of first aid already so as long as it wasn't too complicated I could help take some pressure off of the actual doctors and nurses. And I liked talking to the patients! A lot of the time that's just what people need, a listening ear?

( A hum, thoughtful. )

But I don't have any qualifications and my knowledge is kind of more ... how do we stop ourselves from dying before we find an actual doctor, so that's probably not as useful as they'd need here.

I'm sure the doctors and nurses appreciated that, Vash-san. The patients, too! About the listening ear. [ she knows she would. things get hectic in a hospital. quickly.

seems like it would be a good fit, regardless. ]

Mm. Typically, there are a handful of positions to choose from. Receptionists and custodial staff are just as important as doctors and nurses. But... I'm not sure how hospitals work now. Everything is automated and integrated. The medical bay at the base itself was- [ a bit out of her league to start but she doesn't finish that thought. there's a new one. ]

Hey! You said you were a bodyguard before? With how things are, a hospital could probably - no, definitely use a bodyguard! Two targets, one punch!

( She is absolutely right and it shows. Vash visibly perks up at that, his interest piqued. ) You're right! A lot of the hospitals I've seen usually have a tough guy around in case anyone comes in acting belligerent. Not that I think anyone here would because everyone seems so nice but just in case. Or if there's kaiju about, right? So a security guard would probably work out really well. And then I can be around to do orderly work too if they're short staffed.

( He's probably not going to stick around to just one job either way. Vash's need to keep busy will far outweigh anything else. But it's something useful. It helps people. )

Thanks! You've really helped. Now I absolutely need to go and track down the hospital to impress whoever's in charge.

[ THEY DID IT!!! hiyori is not only happy they found that potential perfect job, but that he seems in a better mood for it as well. even if he doesn't stick around... it's a starting point to dig his heels in. ]

Sounds like it'll work out nicely for you. Maybe I'll see you around at a hospital. I'm in the medical field myself, so if you ever need anything else just let me know. Just ask for Hi- ah, I guess I would go by Shion Fujisaki, actually.

A-anyway! Good luck tracking and impressing, Vash-san! You can do it.

Oh, shoot yeah codenames. Well, if an Eriks Stryfe asks to see you then it's me and not someone shady. Though I guess some people might think I'm shady. I'm not though!

( Maybe protesting is not the best way to dissuade people of that but oh well. )

But thank you! Again. And if you ever need anything fetched or carried I'll do it for free!

[ smiles... in concern... sir??? why do they think he's shady? sure, he's a bit eccentric but also harmless. nice. helpful!! nothing wrong here. ]

Eriks Stryfe. I-I believe you. Not shady at all. [ hiyori laughs, amused at least and waving a hand. ]

It's no problem. I like helping people, too. I'll keep you in mind for the deliveries too, but you might be going up against a Delivery God now and then. Maybe I'll have you fetch some paperwork for me at some point.

[ teasing!! just teasing!

probably. ]

Absolutely!

( Don't tease! Put him to work. He needs it! )

I'll be your personal paperboy, no problem! You know where to find me!

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