"Well, first off, for this kind of conversation I usually want to ask- Where do you want to be and what do you want to be doing in five years, ten years? That's a huge informer for the best path now. Without worrying about money, imagine money's not an issue for a moment."

"Oh, god, this question. Uh, to be frank five years feels like forever to me, but ideally I'd like to be doing work that uses my Skills and no small amount of my own abilities, helping people, probably in my own space with a girlfriend, and ideally all of that without doing anything too stupid and impulsive along the way. Do you know what attention deficit disorder is? Because I'm fairly sure I've got it, and Anesidora is super bad for being full of distractions so far. Some gambling parlor sent me junk mail on my first day here, it's ridiculous."

"Was it the lucky cat? Lucky cat's not actually a gambling parlor as such- I think it's the stupidest thing, it's an arcade? With an entry fee and concessions, or they wouldn't be allowed within a thousand feet of intake. They just advertise exactly like a casino 'cause it gets boots in the door. Anyway. Okay, that makes sense. So, the education requirement means that we'll actually pay you to go to school, if it's not an exclusive school that demands tuition. There's a lot of shapes of possible options there, even up to remote courses while you do other work. Though I do think traditional schooling is for the best for most people, especially ones coming in younger than you are. You can test out before twenty-one, technically. Your first step will be to attend a placement test day at Franklin High. They run two every week, Monday and Friday. That might let you skip a lot of the mandatory schooling straight off, depending on how you do. I can sort out a study guide for you if you like. As far as attention deficit disorder, well... Being uncomfortable with drugs, hmm. I haven't helped people with that much myself. Mental health is one area where the Artonans can't quite just wave a magic wand and poof the problem away..."

Juniper frowns. 

"Based on your skills, you might get summoned fairly often. That could be a problem for you, one we'll have to come up with strategies for. They both sound like the kinds of things the Artonans love to summon Rabbits for. It makes me wonder if the 'Wright' designation is even correct, but the System itself put it there, so... It probably is."

"Yeah, it was the Lucky Cat. Glad to hear the place is more on top of things than I thought."

Hazel taps her fingers against her arm. "Getting paid to go to school sounds like it might work out, it'll depend on the details. The placement test sounds like a really smart idea, and I would love a study guide."

She tilts her head. "I'm comfortable with medications being used for their intended purposes, mostly. I don't know if any of ADD's psych meds are allowed on Anesidora given the stricter drug laws though."

"As for getting summoned... Probably it'd be good to sort out some strategies up front about that, just so if it happens I'm prepared." Hazel nods to herself. 

Summoning offer from First Professor of Contracts, Ermol Gal-Fair, LeafSong University, Artona III

[View Details]

"You'll want to avoid multi-day summons. And emergency or combat type summons. Sleeping and waking pills are standard because the planets have different day lengths but single day summons avoid that. And insisting to your summoner that something is part of your morality tends to go a long way. You can also argue that you'll complete the task just as effectively without medication. I'd advise against requesting arbitration officially unless it's something dire, that puts you in front of an Artonan judge and can go either way, and it's rare. Problem summoners tend to be vain and proud, so acting dumb or using flattery can make them more cooperative. Sometimes."

She doesn't quite catch her startled reaction to the summoning offer. Wow, that was fast. 

"It's a good thing we're talking about this because I just got my first offer. Give me a second to read this please."

She opens the message and reads it.

"Oh! Wait, Offer?"

Task: Cooking

Notes from summoner: I was checking something on your profile and saw something very interesting! Same offer as before more or less!

Ingredients will be provided.

Duration: 8 hours, beginning in 2 days 16 hours 12 minutes.

Pay: 800 argold

Nice one, Hazel. Very smooth. 

"Whatever it is when you get a summon, I guess it's not really an offer if you have to go. Someone wants me to use my cooking skill for them. 8 hour summon in two days sixteen hours."

"Most people I'd be congratulating. Hardly anyone gets summonses right away. Okay... Oof, eight? Wright summons typically last either hours or days. Probably they want someone to cook up a feast, I guess? They have some sort of backend readout for what your Skills do. It's not an overnight, and it's not anything emergency, I think you'll probably be good on your biggest worry. Two days sixteen hours... That's Saturday morning at about six thirty in the morning. But it's weird since you're not an actual chef... Or are you? Okay, I can help you prep. Read up on Artonan cooking and ingredients, maybe a basic ettiquite cheat sheet..."

"I had a job as a prep cook over all last summer - I'm not a chef but I have basic kitchen training and an applicable skill, so hopefully I won't disappoint them totally. Getting training in Artonan ingredients and dishes would be very useful though."

"Yeah, I know someone, a Rabbit, I'll call in a favor. He'll understand, for helping newbies. It's a bit much, though, isn't it!"

Hazel nods and ducks her head. "Yeah, but if I've got to be summoned I want to do my best to impress. I really appreciate you calling in your Rabbit friend."

"That's one of the best parts of Anesidora- We can build networks and get help when we need it. Okay, let me make this call?"

"Okay." Hazel sits carefully, piling her clothes in her lap, and waits.

"<Hello Olaf. No, not a social call. I can get you to pay me back for tuning up your knife?>

"Mmhm. Yes. <I have a new Avowed here who is being summoned for cooking. No, a U type.>"

"<No, I don't know either.>"

"<She says she did a bit of line cook work. No serious training I think. I was going to ask for a> primer <on Artonan ingredients.>"

"<Two days. Saturday morning.>"

"<Name of> Bluebell Gardenia. <Here or->"

She laughs. "<Yes, of course. I understand. That's why I asked.>"

"<Excellent! Yes, I'll call it even for this. I know the boss doesn't like it. Okay, let me ask.>"

"Bluebell? How does doing some prep work with my cooking Rabbit friend Olaf sound? Early morning tomorrow or Friday, two or three hours. You won't get paid, you'll actually be slowing him down some, but you'll be working with Artonan ingredients at a nice restaurant, and getting good advice."

"Sounds like a super wise investment, and thank you so much."

"<She's interested, Olaf. You two work out when yourselves? Okay, good. Yes, yes, I promise! Some time soon! I'll show you what I've been working on. Bye for now.>"

"He's going to text you and arrange a time. The placement tests might have to wait, eh? But I'll send over a practice quiz in the System to give you an idea of what might need studying, at least. The place is Alpine Peak Lodge, fancy restaurant up in Apex- The System's instructions for using mass transit can be confusing the first time you try it, I can walk you through if you like."

Hazel smiles softly. "I'd really appreciate that."

"It is, in fact, my literal actual job. But you're welcome."

Beaming smile!

And then after a moment, a lesson on Anesidoran public transit. Like most of the rest of the place, a lot of effort has been put into making it pleasant to interact with. It's also completely free. Her two options for getting to the restaurant are a 25 or 30-minute trip with three line changes (bus, subway, switch subway lines, bus), or a 40-minute trip with only one (bus, switch bus lines).

Probably smarter to get up way early and take the simpler route. She can check it out tomorrow morning.

"Thanks a lot, Juniper, you've been a huge help."

"You're welcome, and good luck with everything. We can definitely have another meeting whenever you need one, once you take the placement test we can talk specific options for schools and nonschool programs. Bye for now!"