06. [Video] New Business

[conflictresolution]

[There is a new business in town, and yes, it was timed perfectly for when the silly matchmaking app launched its usual invasion posting for people to set their sights on. Maybe some will pair off, but even if they don't, Silco cannot claim to not be willing to provide options.

All are welcome to Shimmer & Shine, and yes, it has a massive big gaudy sign. Thankfully, there are also flyers around town advertising it, address and block party date plastered all over it too.

Silco was in his usual garb, lighting a cigar and snapping the lighter closed. He owns enough in the city that announcements like these require less and less effort on his part.]

Okcindr may advertise the opportunity to slog through the adventures of pairing off, but one can pay for that companionship for an hour or the whole night if they choose. Otherwise, one can simply come and admire the view and relax for the night of dancing and drinking.

[He flicked ash off of his cigar tip and tilted his head as if considering.]

Everyone is welcome to the front of the house. The back of the house has an age restriction.

[Does Silco know the age of consent in Aldrip? No. Does he care? Also no.]

Oh and as always, I'm hiring for my many ventures if someone is looking for coin.

Comments

voice; un: grimreaper666

[rebellions]

[ Ragna might never understand why anyone would like to waste their nights in company of other people, let alone pay for the, uh, "privilege". He has no investment in what other people do, however, so he's not gonna make too big of a fuss about it. ]

You're, uh, branching out, Papa Smurf.

[ ... Wait a minute. Don't tell him he'll have to accompany the old man there? Ugh. ]

voice

[conflictresolution]

[He isn't surprised that Ragna was going to make things awkward. Honestly, he should give the man a raise for that purpose alone.]

You're welcome to partake in any of my ventures whenever you like.

[A small pause as he takes a drag from his cigar.]

Though, what is that nickname you've given me mean?

voice

[melnik]

[ Wow, Silco. Dirty the place up a bit and it's almost going to start reminding Miller of home. He chuckles briefly, indicative mostly of surprise. ]

How long have you been cooking up this one?

voice

[conflictresolution]

[His reason for doing this was multilayered, but mostly, it was to stick it to the Council and prove he could do it.]

Hmm, two months of thinking of it and then two months of investing in its creation.

I could use a man on the door, if you have the time.

[rebellions]

Thanks, but no thanks.

[ He figures Silco knows him well enough to know that would his answer, but it doesn't hurt to make his stance on the subject clear once more. ]

You're Smurfette's old man, no? So it fits.

[ Ah yes, that explains everything. ]

[conflictresolution]

I provide more than entertainment, I will remind you.

[Perhaps he would send Ragna a nice potted plant at some point. Or a tailored outfit, not that the man would let him that close as to make any measurements.]

I don't know what a smurfette is.

[rebellions]

What, you've invented a cure for people's stupidity and are keeping it all to yourself?

[ Now that might actually get his heart racing. ]

A cartoon character. She's blue. Like Jinx.

[ Which may be slightly inaccurate, but come on, you can't expect him to know every little detail of some really old show. ]

[conflictresolution]

Hardly, I have you as the cure for that.

[If Ragna needed a list of dumb people Silco didn't like, he'd provide and let the guy go to town on them over and over.]

A blue haired cartoon character. Does this character act like my daughter too?

[rebellions]

Guess killing them cures everything, yeah.

[ He'll take that as compliment! ]

Fuck if I know, do I look like someone who watches cartoons?

[conflictresolution]

Stupidity is definitely one issue solved by it. Some would argue differently I am certain.

[He didn't know Ragna that well but cartoons might not be a far stretch.]

I wouldn't presume your lives and dislikes. However it occurs that watching cartoons is an activity that can be done alone.

[rebellions]

Don't let your HR department hear that. [ A beat. ] Wait, you don't have one, do you?

[ While still not convinced this is something he'd have an interest in, he figures Jinx might enjoy some of those. ]

Fair point. Maybe that's what you should invest in next?

[ Owner of a brothel and producer of cartoons... a weird combo, but probably not unheard of in the show business. ]

[conflictresolution]

I do not. Would you like a promotion to HR?

[That would be laughable. Though Ragna may either be excellent at it or horrible. He considered it an worthwhile risk, not that he expected the man to want such a position.]

I don't believe being a judge of such types of entertainment. It's not something I was exposed to at a young age.

[rebellions]

And deal with idiots all day? There ain't enough money in the world for me to agree to that shit.

[ It would be comedy gold for everyone else, but he'd also quit within an hour or so. He doesn't have the patience to listen to people's whining any more than absolutely necessary, even if he's being paid for it. ]

Dunno, it's probably like any other fairy tales or stories and crap like that? Just with moving pictures.

[ It's safe to say Ragna isn't an expert either, since he's missed out on that sort of luxuries in his childhood, too. ]

voice; un:curtaincall

[endcaller]

Ah, finally! Exactly what our lovely simulation needed: The chance to while away otherwise lonesome hours with AI-generated individuals of our choosing.

[conflictresolution]

Don't you already deal with idiots all day?

[It would be worth its weight in gold to watch Ragna put up with whining. He wondered if the man would punch someone out if he had to even feign interest for thirty minutes.]

I suppose. I have little interest in such things.

voice;

[conflictresolution]

Considering we also are AI-generated copies from our old lives, it seems fitting.

[endcaller]

Our bodies, perhaps! But us? I rather doubt it.

We have souls.

Would a soul with a warm body not prefer another soul with a warm body?

...Ah. Though, I suppose if pleasures are all that one is after any warm body will do, mmm?

[conflictresolution]

And what is a soul but the unique connections of someone's mind?

It depends what someone's expectations are for intimacy. Some may simply want a no-strings-attached show.

[endcaller]

A soul is aether and memories. Or, you could say, life energy and memories.

And it makes even a no-strings-attached show much more alluring.

[conflictresolution]

I haven't heard the term aether connected with a soul or life before.

You are welcome to partake, though you've never given me the impression such base carnal pleasures interest you.

[endcaller]

They do not!

But I have been around for a long time as they say and know what piques the interest of the common man. Automachina are a poor replacement for the spark that forms between two souls. Heat, lust, passion...

[conflictresolution]

Careful as you look down your nose at the plebs, someone may take offense. It almost sounds like you desire connection regardless of physical intimacy.

[endcaller]

I think most do, do they not? Physical intimacy can be so much more ...mmm... intimate and pleasurable when there is a connection.

It needn't be as deep as love, only as deep as one individual fully recognizing another in the moment.

Or, if I may put this another way, having a soul makes a person better at the line of work you are describing! Alas, there is naught you can do about that short of hiring from among the Chosen and I fear few will take you up on that offer. So your business must always be substandard at best. What a shame.

[conflictresolution]

Where I am from, the connection is less important than the vice itself. Certainly, some have favourites, but the flesh is easily satisfied.

I have no issue hiring Chosen to fill that role if they desire. It takes all kinds who choose their line of work. If it is with me, their safety will be paramount. Or, I suppose I simply pay some man of science to manufacture a soul.

[endcaller]

Why, Silco, my dear, is that a request?