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Cam is dipping a grilled cheese sandwich into a bowl of tomato soup when he feels the summons. He goes ahead and grabs it. Doesn't even drop the sandwich.
Steel summons Demon Cam
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sturdycoldsteel
The rim of the breadcup tastes like salty crackers.
Even more shops and restaurants are dark by now, and the lighting on some of the side streets is shutting off. Slightly chanty-sounding songs spill out of the bars. It turns out that one of the nightclubs does triple business as a brothel and a casino (they give him a job offer).
A few police patrols seem to pay extra attention to him. It's probably just the wings. Someone offers him a 'silver circle' to repair their magic stove. "If ya know how, of course. I just don't want to wait for the utility company to get to me."
Even more shops and restaurants are dark by now, and the lighting on some of the side streets is shutting off. Slightly chanty-sounding songs spill out of the bars. It turns out that one of the nightclubs does triple business as a brothel and a casino (they give him a job offer).
A few police patrols seem to pay extra attention to him. It's probably just the wings. Someone offers him a 'silver circle' to repair their magic stove. "If ya know how, of course. I just don't want to wait for the utility company to get to me."
from_scratch
Cam declines both offers of employment. While he is a very pretty demon he does not think the line of work is for him in any quantity. For the stove: "I don't really specialize in kitchen equipment, sorry."
sturdycoldsteel
"It was worth asking. Thanks anyway."
At some point, it stops raining. It's past midnight by then.
At some point, it stops raining. It's past midnight by then.
from_scratch
Cam finds a place to sit, sits on it, and resumes surreptitious reading. When nobody's looking he dries out his hair and clothes with puffs of hot dry air.
sturdycoldsteel
There is a different receptionist this morning. "Hello sir, what business do you have with the Civil Service today?"
sturdycoldsteel
"I'm sorry, sir, but she hasn't come in yet this morning. You can wait in the lobby if you like, or I can take a message for her."
from_scratch
"I'll wait."
He waits. He reads. He brushes up on his electrician stuff.
He waits. He reads. He brushes up on his electrician stuff.
sturdycoldsteel
Steel comes in about an hour later. "You're already here, good. Let's go into my office and discuss that surveying plan."
sturdycoldsteel
"I should probably introduce you to Grind before making any major changes. She's the big boss of civil services. Were you going to fly over the canyon and check for inhabitants?"
from_scratch
"Inhabitants, structures, suspicious geological features that might not benefit from being underwater, yes."
sturdycoldsteel
"Alright. What do you-"
"STEEL!" Someone shouts through the door, "I need you to tell me all about the stranger you've been showing around so I know exactly who or what to go after if he breaks something!"
"Ah. Perfect time to introduce you to my boss." She opens the door to reveal someone who might be completely non-descript compared to the rest of the population if not for the tattoo of a circular saw-blade on one cheek.
"He's right here, actually. Cam, meet Grind, the Opri Overall Civil Service Administrator. Grind, this is Cam. I'll let him choose how much to tell you. His trust is worth more than you pay me."
"Really? Well, at least you're honest about it. Cam. How do you like my city?"
"STEEL!" Someone shouts through the door, "I need you to tell me all about the stranger you've been showing around so I know exactly who or what to go after if he breaks something!"
"Ah. Perfect time to introduce you to my boss." She opens the door to reveal someone who might be completely non-descript compared to the rest of the population if not for the tattoo of a circular saw-blade on one cheek.
"He's right here, actually. Cam, meet Grind, the Opri Overall Civil Service Administrator. Grind, this is Cam. I'll let him choose how much to tell you. His trust is worth more than you pay me."
"Really? Well, at least you're honest about it. Cam. How do you like my city?"
from_scratch
Cam blinks at the... tone of this interaction. "Uh, hi. I was really impressed with the farm I saw," he says. He also liked the vertical layout and the bread cups but maybe those are everywhere in the world.
sturdycoldsteel
"She's always like that," Steel says, "Doesn't see the point of being polite. That's half of why I like her."
"Exactly so. You like the farms, huh? How about Steel's water pumps? The new lighting system that lets only half a dozen people light up the whole city's public spaces? What about our nice, wide roads and elevated parks. I'll have you know that Nel has a terrible messy layout."
"Exactly so. You like the farms, huh? How about Steel's water pumps? The new lighting system that lets only half a dozen people light up the whole city's public spaces? What about our nice, wide roads and elevated parks. I'll have you know that Nel has a terrible messy layout."
sturdycoldsteel
"So why are you here? What's got Steel so interested in you she gives a damn personal tour? You're not her boyfriend, I can tell that much."
from_scratch
"I am not her boyfriend. Uh, your ostensible motivation was to know who to go after if I break something. I'm not planning to break anything and now you know who I am, why do you care so much about my opinions and personal life?"
sturdycoldsteel
Steel starts, "He suggested building a-"
Grind holds up a hand. "When you have a specific, detailed plan written out, give me a copy. If I don't hate it, you can do it. Don't expect money from me unless it's a really great idea." And she walks out.
Grind holds up a hand. "When you have a specific, detailed plan written out, give me a copy. If I don't hate it, you can do it. Don't expect money from me unless it's a really great idea." And she walks out.