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Organized Small Talk
When Inigo was told that she was going to be temporarily assigned to the Outskirts and Phenomena Department, she sort of expected a trip that was going to cost her life. What little she had heard about the department proved enough that the employees there were asking for a death wish.
She found herself in front of the office door. She had seen some employees from here come out before, but this was her first time meeting the actual Manager. Holding onto her weapon in case something changes, Inigo knocks three times.
It opens immediately, as if Lucan had been waiting this whole time. He was quite the tall man, and his head appeared to be a prosthetic. Strange, but not unlike Manager Dante.
Lucan
LCOPD Manager
Ah, you must be Inigo!
Inigo
MONTERO
Hello, Mr. Lucan.
Lucan
LCOPD Manager
Come in, come in. You're quite early. The sooner we get this done, the better!
She nods and enters to find that the office of the department...was not an office at all.
Lucan
LCOPD Manager
You must excuse the mess. I did my best to clean up before your arrival.
A bar was not something she ever thought the company would have. Apart from a few scattered chests, it was clean. From there she can assume that the chests were part of her task.
Inigo
MONTERO
I was afraid I would have to fight some monsters beyond what I'm capable of.
Lucan
LCOPD Manager
Oh, no! We don't send sinners to expeditions unless ordered by our directors. I simply needed someone to sort these artifacts, and...Well, I hope you understand that everyone else was busy.
He made a formal request for aid to sort things...? Inigo notes the Manager's polite nature. Her grip on her weapon loosens a little, but not completely.
Inigo
MONTERO
I don't mind helping. There isn't much for me to do today.
The two of them get to work. Lucan quickly notices that Inigo is more of a listener, and he has no problem talking about different things as they sort artifacts under certain categories.
A pocket watch that constantly spins, an idol plated in gold. Just what did the company need these for?
Inigo
MONTERO
These are quite strange to me. I'm curious as to why these are collected.
Lucan
LCOPD Manager
See, many of us aren't quite sure ourselves. We only know bits of what happens out in the Outskirts.
Lucan
LCOPD Manager
The Head Office loves finding data. When we deem something to be safe, however...
Lucan points towards a shelf, full of trinkets.
Lucan
SERVITUDE
We like to put them there for visitors to gawk out. Aha!
Inigo
MONTERO
I see. Do people visit often? I notice this place seems...popular.
Lucan
LCOPD Manager
Only within the LCC. You're free to come around for a drink now that we've met, though!
Inigo can only nod. None of these items appear dangerous, just interesting to look over. Every now and then, she would write some information down. It's always good to be careful. She listens as Lucan makes conversation, every now and then checking on her to see how she's doing.
This wasn't so boring, she thinks. With how many stories he has to tell, it's almost as if he's just another coworker.
Inigo
MONTERO
I think I'm finished with my part.
Lucan
LCOPD Manager
Ah, so you are. This appears all good to me.
Lucan
LCOPD Manager
Say, Inigo. Would you like to keep this?
The Manager raises a bracelet, with different gems used as material. It's quite pretty, Inigo notes.
Lucan
LCOPD Manager
You are quite the listener, I must say. And this bracelet was scavenged from a town with nobody left.
Inigo
MONTERO
Oh...Oh, you don't have to—
All she did was sort and write. Listening was in no way a chore, and it was fun learning about new things. But a gift?
Lucan
LCOPD Manager
Haha! I'm sure one artifact can be given away. I insist, really.
Lucan
LCOPD Manager
Truth is, I only really called for someone so I could have some company.
Ah, that would explain it. A Manager who works alone more often than not. That was who Lucan is. Inigo wonders what it means to have such a positon if your subordinates are often away for their own reasons. Maybe she pitied him a little.
Inigo
MONTERO
Well. I will take this gift with open arms, then.
Inigo
MONTERO
And...I did mention that I'm not doing anything else today. So, I can listen a little longer.
She couldn't tell the expression on his face, but there was an aura of sudden joy emitting from the Manager.
Lucan
LCOPD Manager
Do you mean it? Ah! I should make you a drink as well, if you'll stay.
Inigo
MONTERO
That is good to hear. I would love to relax, if it's alright.
Lucan
LCOPD Manager
Certainly! Come then. I have a menu right here...
Was this because she felt sorry for him? No, a conversation like this wouldn't come from pity. Inigo smiles and follows the Manager towards the bar stand. All she did was what she was assigned to, yet her reward was a drink and some stories to hear. At that point, pay didn't matter too much.
This one just might be a new friend.