[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.
[Gladly! He gladly will! He'll just list off a bunch of things right now.]
Psychic powers do not make you special. They are like any other trait a person can have. [Didn't he tell Elsa that when they first met? He must really like that one.] Also, they're like knives - they're a useful tool, but they're dangerous if you point them at other people. So if you don't want them to be dangerous, don't use them on people.
[Please don't laugh at this wisdom that Reigen just kind of made up on the spot to appease a sad child and then became the core of his identity, Elsa.
He doesn't think she's laughing, so he'll just continue, but don't.]
Mm. . . he's always saying it's important to get along with others, but you don't have to change yourself in order to do that. Because you are the protagonist of your own life.
[she's not!! it's actually all very sweet. maybe the guy isn't totally a lost cause. just the... child labor exploitation thing? and the weird no-magic hustle lie??]
Your master says a lot of good things, it sounds like.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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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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[So, no. He's sweating a little. Please don't make him negotiate with Reigen.]
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--I'd love to meet your master, Shigeo.
He sounds very... interesting.
[she's going to freeze him into a fetching reigen ice sculpture.]
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Mm. He's very wise.
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Psychic powers do not make you special. They are like any other trait a person can have. [Didn't he tell Elsa that when they first met? He must really like that one.] Also, they're like knives - they're a useful tool, but they're dangerous if you point them at other people. So if you don't want them to be dangerous, don't use them on people.
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[she's nodding along.]
Any other gems?
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He doesn't think she's laughing, so he'll just continue, but don't.]
Mm. . . he's always saying it's important to get along with others, but you don't have to change yourself in order to do that. Because you are the protagonist of your own life.
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Your master says a lot of good things, it sounds like.
No wonder you like working with him so much.
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Yes, exactly.
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[AND ASK HIM SOME VERY! POINTED! QUESTIONS!!]
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Oh, right. . . also "when things go south, it's okay to run away and hide."
[Adding that in like he nearly forgot to mention it.]
He would like to meet you too, I'm sure!
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