childrenofbahamutlogs | OTA: Cloud Strife- Merc for Hire

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ffxiv: elidibus

OTA: Cloud Strife- Merc for Hire

WHO:Cloud and the various denizens of Town
WHAT: Cloud is open for odd jobs!
WHERE: In and around Town
WHEN: End of October onward

SUMMARY: From UN @Bstrswrd:

Hey. Putting this up to let folks know I am open for work. I'm a merc for hire. Need something done? Heads bashed? Come get me. Payment is accepted in favors, trade, whatever you got, I know this place set everyone back. Just don't think I will do things for free.

[Cloud is accepting requests for odd jobs. Doesn't all have to be violent stuff, either. Need a fence fixed? A delivery made? Come get this absolute dork trying his best to be cool. It can be a basic request, or if you need a companion for battle, or errands...The world is your oyster. Feel free to put this man in silly situations too if you wish, it can be anything.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

How do you feel about landscaping work, Strife?

Perfectly capable. What are you trying to put me up to?

[This is Genesis. There HAS to be a catch, Cloud thinks.]

I've gotten permission from our dear Charlie to spruce up the orchard on the edge of town. And while I am a visionary of unprecedented caliber, toiling in the dirt is not precisely my forte. That's where you come in.

That's a whole lot of words and no clear answer of what you want me to do. Trying to make it suspenseful or some useless dramatic crap? Of course you probably think dirt is going to eat you or somethin' too.

[There goes Cloud's slight twang again. He really needs to stop being reminded of home as much as he is, this is detrimental.]

So go on. What do you want me to do once I get there? Are we meeting there? Details. Payment offer. Get to the good stuff.

Goddess above, you are dense. Yes, meet me there. Clearly I have to demonstrate because words above -whatever poor grade Nibelheim schools went to- is beyond you.

[ At least Genesis is prompt. That, or he's been at the edge of the orchard the entire time he's been texting Cloud. He doesn't say, but he is looking expectantly for a particular blond to arrive. Hopefully with a shovel.]

Wait there.

[Cloud is pretty quick when he's given a task to focus on, and this time it's two: some good old fashioned work with the earth, and shutting Genesis Rhapsodos' smug mouth. He shows up at the orchard (yes, with a shovel) looking clearly aggrivated. But would he really be here if he didn't want to do the job? He could opt out of being exposed to the verbose bastard. But works work, Cloud would insist. If Genesis can pay, Cloud will put up with it. That's it, and nothing more.

When Genesis comes into view, he grumbles, closing the distance between them to stand with the shovel stuck in the ground, one arm atop the handle.]

"Alright. Get the wordy stuff over with then. You want me prepping soil, don't you?" Farm boy's first thought. "Better have good payment for me, Rhapsodos."

Genesis is surveying the empty orchard like a king overlooking his kingdom from the faint slope leading back into Town. His gaze is a fond thing, warm with the ideas that play out in his mind. Of the beautiful boughs of white and silver, of the violet fruits that will bear from pale blooms with the whims and wants of nature. How lovely the shade will feel when the sun is high, and the sweet scent of-

Ah, Cloud is here.

Genesis exhales a fond sigh, and turns away from his grand vision to flash the blond a smirk that belies all that tender musing.

"I do, in fact. The trees I wish to plant can be quite particular about their soil conditions. So everything must be weeded, turned and tilled to perfection. As for payment," Genesis sets a hand on his hip, and shrugs with the opposite shoulder. "The place I was swept from didn't have physical currency. I'm afraid I have no gil to hand over, but I'm doubtful they'd accept it here anyway. So what is it you want in return for your labor?"

Ugh. Genesis looking at Cloud like that sure does something to him, and he isn't entirely certain he can call it causing anger. His cheeks heat up vaguely, and he scowls. "Right. So you want to make this orchard an actual orchard again instead of a dirt plot." His eyes move to survey just how bad things are. And to look away from that smirking, redheaded bastard.

The soil looks stagnant, overtaken by countless weeds. There's going to need to be a lot more than just a little TLC given here, but Cloud thinks himself more than capable...For the right price. Problem is, he isn't wanting for much just yet, not with how he is still adjusting to life here. "This is a hell of a mess. It might take a while of work- and any extra hands would help speed that up at least a little. Otherwise I can manage it alone, if you are afraid of a little dirt." He huffs, then finally turns his gaze back onto Genesis. "What about an owed favor, that I can call in whenever I need? There's no money here, but I have things in the works that may require other people's expertise."

He just has no clue what to ask right now, don't mind him.

Genesis makes note of the way pale skin flushes with color. He hasn't said or done anything particular of note, yet still he earns such a reaction. How curious. Cloud might want to be careful of giving Genesis that sort of reaction before he's so much as tried to rile the blond. It'll just be too easy when he actually does.

"I could likely recruit others to assist with the task. It shouldn't be terribly difficult to bring in some semblance of a crew if you need assistance. But my task will be in controlled burning. Returning carbon and nutrients to the soil to establish new life. Yours is the dirt, as you say."

Payment though.

Genesis doesn't particularly like owing people anything, let alone a blank check. But this work is far too important to him to consider those ramifications. Besides, he's know... multiple Clouds now. He doesn't think the call to collect will be something he cannot afford when it does come. Or if it comes. Soft-hearted fool that he pretends not to be.

"Very well. So long as the request is something within my power, I'll oblige. Though, I put a stop to anything humiliating. Is that clear?"

"So you wanna burn the old stuff down and feed the new soil. Fair plan. Almost like you know a thing or two about farming." Cloud raises a brow, his expression otherwise settling back into that vaguely disdainful look. For him, that's genuinely surprising- at least until he remembers this is the same Genesis who made strides in agricultural tech at a young age. Something about apples. Things he ran into whilst keeping up with the-Not something to think about right now.

He shrugs his shoulders with a vaguely displeased huff at the final comment. "You humiliate yourself enough, Rhapsodos. I am not about to ask for anything stupid for payment." The translation is probably clear to Genesis, who knows Cloud more than he could even imagine: Yes, he is a softie.

"It's a deal. You got supplies, or are we needing to take a run for em?"

Genesis laughs, turning back to the weedy fields, and sparking a flame in his palm. He dances the light over his knuckles, like a living beast scampering between the digits and over the back of his palm.

"Now, why would a metropolitan man like myself know anything of the sort? Don't confuse me for my husband, Strife." His voice comes in such a languid drawl, teasing the blond for catching on.

"As for supplies, no, I haven't much besides a few shovels and a tiller Charlie loaned me for the project. But I suppose for now, they will do. Machinery doesn't seem so common here." He sighs. Even Banora had a community tractor the locals shared (and that Genesis routinely repaired). Somehow they've ended up even more backwater.

The same hand that holds the flame points towards the fence line where some tools lean against the dilapidated boards. The spark curls around his wrist obediently, instead of flying off in the same direction. "The patches towards the entrance have been trodden enough to need to be shoveled first before I burn out the roots."

gave me a lot of grief about the coffin when it shouldn't have surprised you, cloud

[What the fuck.

Great, another person who knows his name. Is this another of his alleged memory issues? How many people are going to claim to know Cloud's life more than he does before he gets a break?]

Gonna stop you right there. Don't know who the hell you are, but if you know who I am then we should take this off a public space.

[Cloud isn't about to allow any of his private business (that he is likely unaware of) to be aired out here in front of potential clientele.]

[oh. hm. this is awkward.

nope he leaves cloud on read this time... sorry man. vincent isn't sure how to handle this lmao]

[Cloud will remember this :)]

What sort of offerings do you have? In my experience a 'merc for hire' can branch into many different specialties.

[Huh. Who's this?]

Whatever you need that I can do within reason. I can kill things first and foremost. Decent with my hands. Errands. Deliveries. Whatever. Got something?

I see, so you specialize in tasks of a more physical nature rather than those of the magical sort.

Much of what you have listed I am capable of completing on my own with little issue. There is, however, but one of myself.

How quickly are you able to gather a variety of wood from the surrounding areas? It will be used both for firewood as well as other purposes. I am able to provide examples for your viewing of what it is I am searching for.

[Cloud, having come from the freezing mountains of Nibelheim, is no stranger to gathering firewood.]

Wood? Easy. Where do you want it put, and do you need me in person to look at samples? Gimme a location and a time if you think so. Need to know your plan for payment, too. Nothing's free.

Ah, yes. Let us settle the terms of payment prior to discussing further details, they are rather simple answers that may be provided once we have finished our barter.

I would not assume such services come freely, do not worry. Only, I do not know what it is you seek. We all have not much use for currency at present - nor have access to gain much.

That being said, what are you looking for in terms of payment?

[Cloud has no idea exactly what this guy is capable of, or if he would be trustworthy enough to ask for an owed favor from...But at least he is able to learn about some of the other folks in town.]

How about this. If we have to meet in person, we can talk more on payment there. I got a few ideas- maybe I'll have you owe me a favor, or figure out supplies you have. But you better make good on it.

I am amenable to discussing both terms and payment in person. It will also give me a chance to show you the specific samples of wood I require beyond the usual fare of firewood.

Do not worry of my word. I am Elidibus, Emissary of the Convocation of Fourteen, and I always see things through.

[The what of the what now? Sounds like some kind of government thing or something ridiculous. Cloud thinks that means just about nothing to him about trustworthiness.].

Cloud. Let me know where to go and I'll be there.

[Elidibus describes the path to get to his home from the center of town.]

I shall be out front with the samples of wood upon my person. My robes are unmistakable - they are entirely white.

[Cloud makes his way to the designated place right away. He still has the Buster Sword on his back, and moves around with eyes constantly darting around to take in the unfamiliar surroundings. He stops right in front of Elidibus without so much as a gesture of greeting. Just a crossing of arms and a stare.]

"Hey. Got the samples?"

[Entirely unphased, Elidibus brings a few lengths of wood to Cloud. The first is roughly a foot and a half in length, while the other is closer to a few feet.]

I would like roughly half a dozen to a dozen pieces of these lengths. They may be of whatever type of wood you first find, I am not picky as to which species of tree they come from. The rest may be of any size or width, as it will be traditional firewood.

[He smiles.]

I am capable of many things, would you like to hear some examples? For payment.

If you are still seeking out work, I may have a job for you.

How do you feel about shovels?
I've a rather large digging project in the works, but my back isn't what it used to be.

Edited 2024-11-14 17:45 (UTC)

Always looking for work.

Seems shovels and digging are a running theme.

How large are we talking?

The resulting hole will need to be large enough to accomodate a medium-sized room, deep enough to stand in comfortably without banging one's head once supports and a ceiling are constructed.

I'm looking to install a wine cellar beneath my home, you see. Nothing terribly fancy.

Right. Easy enough. Might take a week or so. You able to show me the layout in person? We can talk payment there.

An acceptable timeline. Better to do a job well than to rush through it, after all.

If you would care to meet with me outside mine abode, I'll provide you with the blueprints I've drafted thus far. And yes, we will discuss payment as well. I'd hardly expect such services to be granted out of the goodness of your heart.

[And directions are listed below which will lead Cloud to a small cottage on the southwestern side of town with a blue door and a prominent shade tree in the side yard. Or, to put it simply: he lives in a house adjacent to Elidibus. (And no, it wasn't his idea.)]

At least the guy knows what it takes to do a good job, and why payment is important. Cloud can appreciate that. Even if he starts typing eerily like one of his other employers.

The suspicion simply compounds, when he makes it to Emet's home. Right next to Elidibus'. Hm. Do they know one another? The merc makes mental note before making the approach, posture casual, the massive Buster Sword fastened on his back.

"Hey. Here for the details."

Brusque and to the point. No, he doesn't even offer his name.

Well, those suspicions are like to be confirmed even further once he discovers that his newest would-be employer is donned in similar robes, a red lacquer mask hanging from his neck. Really, the similarities are far too uncanny to be coincidence at this point.

Nevertheless, that is about where the likeness ends. This individual is much taller than Elidibus, his seriousness far more dour. His brows do lift - if slightly - once he's had a moment to take his visitor in. A fighter, no doubt. Pity there aren't any monsters in need of squashing, but if this man has no complaints about the sort of work he takes on, well then, neither does Emet-Selch.

"Ah yes, you must be the merc for hire. Here about the wine cellar."

With a crisp snap of his fingers, Emet-Selch summons the rolled-up scroll from his desk and offers it to Cloud for his review.

"The plans should be straight-forward enough, though naturally we may need to do some mathematical conversions. The dimensions are presently listed in fulms."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

OTA: Cloud Strife- Merc for Hire

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[Text] @redeemer;

[Text] @BSTRSWRD

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