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[enthraller]

[This is a fairly new face on the network. A very pretty one. One could be forgiven for mistaking him for a girl before he speaks – and even after that, your milage may vary. He holds the tablet with the awkwardness of someone unfamiliar with this kind of technology, but his smile is perfectly pleasant.]

Hello. For those I haven't had the opportunity to meet yet, my name is Saralegui. I find myself in need of...advice, I suppose. On how I might support myself while here. I don't want to portray myself as completely helpless, but my experience and skillset don't seem very applicable to basic self-sufficiency.

[His smile goes a bit self-deprecating and he shrugs.]

That said, if there's ever a need for a politician, I'd be happy to volunteer.

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[enthraller]

[Honestly, this is the most appealing suggestion he's heard so far.]

Your logic is sound, but doesn't one generally need capital to start a business? I can hardly dream so big when already worrying about just feeding myself.

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[conflictresolution]

You do indeed require capital to either start or buy a business already established.

[Silco made a point of looking like he was considering, stroking his chin with his fingers before nodding.]

I'll give you one or two months to run one of my businesses. I will give you seven percent of the daily earnings for those months. That should provide you enough to find a place of your own and begin negotiations with one of the natives for their business. Your skill set should work for negotiations of that vein.

[There's a catch, of course. But he'd gauge interest first.]

[enthraller]

[His brows arch slightly, undeniably interested. Still, this is someone who described himself as a bad person. Saralegui's smile doesn't slip, but his head tilts as his eyes narrow just a bit in an almost calculating way.]

That's an incredibly generous offer. Though, I do have to wonder what you get out of it.

[conflictresolution]

At first, helping a fellow Chosen in need.

[He wasn't in the business of being altruistic, and that wasn't going to change any time soon.]

A contract. When you take over or start your own business, I receive five percent daily earnings for six months. If the business fails, you leave or you don't want it anymore, I have the right of first refusal. [And Silco never refused.]

[enthraller]

[Saralegui mulls it over with a thoughtful expression. Speaking in terms of months grates a little – it feels a bit too much like putting down roots and settling in when he plans to get home as soon as possible.]

Interesting. And what if I somehow make it home before those two months are up? That would leave you down a chunk of your earnings with nothing to show for it. You only benefit if I'm also here long-term.

[conflictresolution]

Like I said, if you leave, I have the right of first refusal and will take over the business and invest in it enough to make the sad burden of your early departure endurable.

[He was being partially sarcastic there. He would not be sad nor need to mourn; there was only one he would be upset over leaving.]

And, in the unlikely event I disappear, the debt is over.

[enthraller]

That's if I've secured a business for myself before then. It's entirely possible that I'll disappear before that point, along with seven percent of your profits up until then.

[conflictresolution]

Oh I wouldn't concern yourself with the profits. I am doing well enough to eat the cost of investment.

If you aren't interested, there is no skin off my back.

[enthraller]

[He flashes a smile, sweet as can be.]

I didn't say I'm not interested. I just wouldn't want to take advantage if you were banking on this definitively being a long-term arrangement.

[conflictresolution]

[That's an award winning political smile. He knew there was something worth investing in.]

You would be the first considering my stakes based on an investments. I don't invest to lose, so don't concern yourself with that.

[enthraller]

You said "one of my businesses". What did you have in mind? I'm not familiar with any besides the bar.

[conflictresolution]

I own two restaurants, a flower shop and the bar who are familiar with.

[There is a fifth, but he wasn't about to make it obvious public knowledge yet.]

The bar would be the most rowdy. The restaurants ebb and flow, and the flower shop is fairly continual business but quieter. How are you with managing staff and finances?

[enthraller]

I generally handled matters of finance and personage on a much larger scale, so while I can't claim it's necessarily business experience, I imagine it's still applicable.

[Even as he speaks, he's considering the options. Given the larger scale he's used to working with, he's not exactly familiar with the normal prices and profit margins of things like flowers and food, but he can make educated guesses.]

[conflictresolution]

So I assume a business with three to seven employees would allow you to settle into your skills. I will have one of my senior staff answer any questions you may have.

[He wouldn't want a business to go off the rails. His trust would have to be earned in that regard.]

[enthraller]

And which business is that?

[conflictresolution]

That would be the restaurant. Flower shop only has two employees per shift. It sounds like you want to handle more people, given your experience.

[enthraller]

[Probably a smaller profit margin, but it's true that he most excels at dealing with people. Saralegui nods, adopting a thoughtful expression.]

I'm hardly going to be picky about what is essentially a gift.

[conflictresolution]

That is a wise choice. I require three days to make preparations and change staffing schedules.

[He sends the name and address of the Seafood Shack.]