VIDEO | UN: claude von riegan

[feintofhart]

Good evening, everyone! After the month we've all had, it feels a little bit foolish to get straight back to the dreary mundanity of businesses and job opportunities, doesn't it? But life goes on, and so do we.

[ Even on camera, his smile gleams. On camera is a handsome young man, curls tamed and gelled back with tan skin and startlingly green eyes -- and dripping with more easy confidence than anyone really ought to. Behind him is a familiar sight to anyone who's been here for some time: an apothecary, stuffed to the gills with hanging bundles of plants and herbs, jars and concoctions and tins lining the the walls. Claude himself is dressed casually, in a plain white linen shirt that he nonetheless seems to wear like it's the same as his fineries. ]

For those who haven't yet had the pleasure of making my acquaintance, the name's Claude von Riegan, and I am the humble proprietor of the local Apothecary. Some of you might be aware that we suffered something of a setback a couple months ago, but I've never been one to sneeze at that sort of thing. We've rebuilt things bigger and better than ever!

And to that end... I'm hiring! I'm in need of more hands to tend to my greenhouse, to embark out into the wilderness to continue investigating the local flora and, of course, an apprentice or two to learn the tricks of the trade to keep things going even if I'm not here to do it.

[ If he dies or disappears, he means, but he has no interest in addressing something so terribly dreary. ]

I have only one caveat: if you're working in the fields or the greenhouse, I don't much care what you think of the people here. But if you're to work at the Apothecary proper, I'm firm on one rule: no matter how much we may debate about the, uh... nature of those around us who aren't us Chosen, as far as I'm concerned, they're people. Regardless of their attitudes towards us, your job as Apothecarist is to help them, no ifs, ands, or buts. We help those in need. No exceptions, even if you regard them as nothing more than bits of code. [ A beat. ] Unless I personally dislike you.

Kidding, kidding! And for the rest of you who aren't interested in work, I hope to see you at my establishment soon. These expansions won't pay for themselves!

[ He gives a little wave to the camera before swiftly cutting the feed. Toodles! ]

Comments

[sinningtree]

[Kurama's conversation with Ethlyn had been through text, so Claude's apparent fondness is insightful.]

She also said you make excellent tea.

[This is said with a hint of amusement before returning to the business at hand.]

Indeed, plants are my specialty. I believe I may be able to speed up productivity if you'd be interested.

[feintofhart]

And she's correct! I'm very proud of my tea blends, I'll have you know. That's much more of a hobby than it is my main source of business, but there's no accounting for taste.

[ There's a hint of humour in his voice, a gentle, joking lilt. ]

But now you've got my curiosity piqued. You've got some sort of plant-related abilities at your disposal?

[sinningtree]

I see, in that case I would certainly like to try them, sometime.

[As for his question-]

Indeed, I do. I can manipulate the growth of plants using my own energy, quite useful for gardens and greenhouses. I am also experienced with creating potions and antidotes, if that may be of use.

[he'll leave out poisons for now, that's not First Impressions talk.]

[feintofhart]

You know, the more I hear about the skills people from other worlds have, the more envious I become. I can only imagine how incredibly useful that sort of thing would be -- use it smartly enough, and you're every farmer's best friend.

[ People are going hungry back home. It's hard for Claude not to think of them. ]

And in this case... my best friend! I'd absolutely like to take on your services. And learn more about the potions and antidotes you might now of while we're at it. I like to think of myself as an expert in this world's potions, but there's worlds of knowledge I still have yet to learn about.

[sinningtree]

It seems abilities are far more common among the humans brought here than the world I arrived from. I've learned quite a lot in only a few months.

[It is impressive, even by his standards. Humans with powers were rare and very limited in what they could do in his experience.]

Perhaps in some worlds. Farming where I come from is a rather large industry these days, I only have so much energy to go around. More than enough for a place as small as this, I imagine.

[Not that he seems in the least bothered by those limits, still plainly amused.]

In that case, it would seem there is much that we can learn from each other.

[feintofhart]

What I lack in abilities, I make up for in knowledge. [ Claude has a few abilities up his sleeve, sure, but they mean very little in comparison to those here with true powers. The ability to heal a wound on the battlefield, or to provide a cutting gust of wind to help turn the tides may be invaluable, but...

Well, he's no Toph, that's for damn sure. ]

I have plenty of abilities, mind. Just no abilities worth noting, if you know what I mean. [ He grins. ] I look forward to doing business with you. And if you're half as good as you say, I won't monopolize too much of your time. I run just the single humble apothecary, after all.