[He. Looks a little awkward when she says that. It's one of those things that's really awkward to explain.]
No, master never does exorcisms. He says it's part of my training, to do them, and also his powers are so powerful they would melt the clients' faces off if he used them.
Oh, my. [and if shigeo is a savant, what does that make his master???] So he's able to do all the same things as you, I assume? That's some incredible power.
I'm sure that they have! [Anyway he didn't ever say 'his powers are extremely strong' he said 'he says his powers are extremely strong.
But. Also, he doesn't want Elsa to get the wrong idea?]
. . . There are a lot of people who believe their problems are caused by spirits, or that psychic powers will solve their problems, but most of the time, that isn't true. Those kind of people. . . I would never know how to help someone like that. But he is always able to.
this is really starting to sound like an adult man with the schmoozing charisma of a used sled salesman and a talent for saying just the right thing grifting a child??
she's not. outwardly showing it. but her emotions, as close as they are, are slowly shifting to something much more... carefully inquisitive.]
I... see. So, in a way, you could say that his... powers compliment yours very well.
[carefully...]
But perhaps... his strongest powers aren't actually... related to spiritual capabilities at all...?
[Does he seem aware of it? Does his face show there's an understanding? It's hard to say. He obviously feels uncomfortable, and also a little defensive.
It's not so much understanding as it is suspecting something but not wanting to think about it.]
. . . As I said, training with master has helped me a lot. Before I met him, there wasn't anyone I could talk to about my powers, even though accidents were happening. But it's easy to talk to him, and he gives good advice, and things go better when he's around.
[like most bruises she's discovered lately, it seems best not to prod at it. besides, it's not as if she could confirm it for herself or anything. and if he likes his master, and he's not hurting him... well, what was the harm?]
In that case, it sounds perfect—for both of you.
I'm not really interested in doing exorcisms. [Everyone seems fascinated by that, but it's boring to him.] And he can be inconsiderate sometimes. He calls me into work on short notice even when I ask him not to. So working there isn't really. . . [Fun. It's kind of annoying. Normally he might only complain, not because he actually dislikes Reigen, but because he's a teenager and there's a certain point in relationships with the adults in your life where the good parts go without saying, they just are what they are. But he's been here for three weeks now, and feels sort of lonely without those adults around.]
We go out to get takoyaki or ramen when I do a good job, and that part is fun. And he lets me talk to him about school and my problems, and I always feel better when I talk to him. He is a kind person.
[for a solid beat, elsa is truly stymied. she's not his mom. she's not even related. she has no real business telling him not to hang out with this weird con-artist adult who's basically using him and his incredible abilities as free labor for cash. heck, he even likes hanging out with the guy.
she's really in no position to lecture him on this—and in her experience, teens, when pushed, tend to rebel precisely against it, anyway. but... maybe she could plant a few... ideas?
she smiles encouragingly.]
So it's like an... after-school job. Right? It's good to have a boss that you like, isn't it? It's very nice of him to treat you to food, as well as pay you for all your hard work!
You belong to a school club, too? Wow. That must be really busy.
[okay, so
here's the problem: whatever he's getting paid in, she's not going to understand. it's probably some weird, different currency. but there has to be an... an equivalent, right? it's just a matter of working around to it.]
So... how much do your clients pay for the services you and your master provie?
[Getting nervous because he's trying to remember the prices? He has to do the pitch right?]
The full course is 12,000 yen, and with that there's a 99% spirit reduction guarantee. And the bargain course is 5,000 yen, but master usually does those himself.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[it is hospitable! it's lovely!! all jobs should do that.]
You mentioned your master before. Does he usually take care of the exorcisms for you?
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[He. Looks a little awkward when she says that. It's one of those things that's really awkward to explain.]
No, master never does exorcisms. He says it's part of my training, to do them, and also his powers are so powerful they would melt the clients' faces off if he used them.
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To be fair, he's intentionally explaining this vaguely because he's not ready to have this conversation with someone.]
No. . . the type of abilities master has are very different.
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[she's really all ears for this.]
What kind of thing does he do?
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[He likes Elsa, a lot.]
I have actually never seen master use his powers, so I couldn't say.
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[...???
that's. something.]
But others have, right? You said his powers were extremely strong. After all, he's a master.
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I'm sure that they have! [Anyway he didn't ever say 'his powers are extremely strong' he said 'he says his powers are extremely strong.
But. Also, he doesn't want Elsa to get the wrong idea?]
. . . There are a lot of people who believe their problems are caused by spirits, or that psychic powers will solve their problems, but most of the time, that isn't true. Those kind of people. . . I would never know how to help someone like that. But he is always able to.
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this is really starting to sound like an adult man with the schmoozing charisma of a used sled salesman and a talent for saying just the right thing grifting a child??
she's not. outwardly showing it. but her emotions, as close as they are, are slowly shifting to something much more... carefully inquisitive.]
I... see. So, in a way, you could say that his... powers compliment yours very well.
[carefully...]
But perhaps... his strongest powers aren't actually... related to spiritual capabilities at all...?
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I mean. She does understand. It is pretty much exactly like that.]
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IT ABSOLUTELY IS AN ADULT GRIFTING A CHILD???
BUT HE SEEMS AT LEAST? AWARE OF IT? AAAAA]
I see. Well... as long as the two of you have an... an understanding... I suppose it... works?
[she's searching shigeo's face. DO THEY???]
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It's not so much understanding as it is suspecting something but not wanting to think about it.]
. . . As I said, training with master has helped me a lot. Before I met him, there wasn't anyone I could talk to about my powers, even though accidents were happening. But it's easy to talk to him, and he gives good advice, and things go better when he's around.
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In that case, it sounds perfect—for both of you.
Do you have fun? The two of you?
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[Hmm. It's a hard question, because. . . ]
I'm not really interested in doing exorcisms. [Everyone seems fascinated by that, but it's boring to him.] And he can be inconsiderate sometimes. He calls me into work on short notice even when I ask him not to. So working there isn't really. . . [Fun. It's kind of annoying. Normally he might only complain, not because he actually dislikes Reigen, but because he's a teenager and there's a certain point in relationships with the adults in your life where the good parts go without saying, they just are what they are. But he's been here for three weeks now, and feels sort of lonely without those adults around.]
We go out to get takoyaki or ramen when I do a good job, and that part is fun. And he lets me talk to him about school and my problems, and I always feel better when I talk to him. He is a kind person.
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she's really in no position to lecture him on this—and in her experience, teens, when pushed, tend to rebel precisely against it, anyway. but... maybe she could plant a few... ideas?
she smiles encouragingly.]
So it's like an... after-school job. Right? It's good to have a boss that you like, isn't it? It's very nice of him to treat you to food, as well as pay you for all your hard work!
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[He doesn't get what Elsa is driving at, because he does get paid. Just. . . not much.]
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[okay, so
here's the problem: whatever he's getting paid in, she's not going to understand. it's probably some weird, different currency. but there has to be an... an equivalent, right? it's just a matter of working around to it.]
So... how much do your clients pay for the services you and your master provie?
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[Getting nervous because he's trying to remember the prices? He has to do the pitch right?]
The full course is 12,000 yen, and with that there's a 99% spirit reduction guarantee. And the bargain course is 5,000 yen, but master usually does those himself.
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Um... and just for price context, how much would a, uh... loaf of bread cost, in your world?
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About 200?
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elsa is doing some quick mental math. she smiles.]
Thank you, that's very helpful.
And what's your wages like?
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I see! [MOTHER F-WORD ONE AND A HALF BREADS AN HOUR?? FROM A 60-BREAD JOB?????? CHILD LABOR DRIVING MONSTER--
no, no no. relax, relax. he likes his boss! he likes the takoyaki! you're not his mom.
...]
You must be looking forward to your next raise, huh?
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[Look, it's fine, Elsa. It's fine. I mean, he's being taken advantage of, but it's fine.]
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[IT'S NOT FINE? IT'S NOT FINE!]
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