Chapter 2 Two of Wands

After the introductions, Folken kept his word. He took me under his wing. I don't think I would be able to find another Senior Editor like him. Van, by this time, had already gone back to his desk and was typing something…his new manuscript I suppose. Yukari tagged along since she too was an Editor. They both taught me so much. It's my first day but it felt like I have been already working there for a long time. They made me feel at ease…truly one of them. Yukari, I can understand, do I even have to explain it? Folken, he's more like a big brother than a Senior Editor. He's a big brother but at the same time professional Senior Editor who showed a rookie like me how it was done there.

Yukari showed me my desk. It was in front of hers. We could easily talk with that setup. I honestly expected something like that. Anyway, since Yukari had to start working, one of her writer's book was nearing its deadline so she had to go, I was left with Folken.

He made me sit next to him at his station. "Here," He handed me a couple of pages of paper.

I took it and said nothing. I looked up at him. He knew what I was going to ask so he beat me to it, "Let's see how you work. I've edited this file already. It's my brother's. You work on that and we will compare notes. You may work at your desk if it makes you more comfortable." He smiled at me.

"Can I write on this paper?" I asked.

He nodded at me and said, "You can mark anything you think should be changed or modified."

I smiled back and headed off to my table. Wow. My first real assignment. It was a test, I know, but I couldn't complain. I was learning from the best, in my opinion, and the material in my hands was made by one of the most talented men in all of Japan…really…who could complain? It was a privilege. I was glad it was my job.

Since I already read some of Van's work, more or less I knew his style of writing. I didn't know his real personality but I was confident enough to work with what I had. I wasn't overly excited or confident…I mean I still had to prove myself. I tried to keep my idea of his style and personality in mind while trying to keep the rest open.

I sat down and started reading. "The Forgotten" Hmm…just with the title, I could tell that it was going to be a deep piece of literature. I wondered if that was the reason why Folken had chosen it as my test. I shrugged off the idea, keeping my mind focused on the task at hand. I told myself I could think about that later when I've done.

My style of editing was reading through the paper first and it is in the second reading do I start editing, from grammar, to spelling to the structure of the composition. I don't know but with me, I always want to understand what the author is trying to say first so that when I edit, it will be in accord to his main message and also it's my way of making sure that I don't change any message or hidden things the author is trying to say.

As I was reading through the pages, I suddenly remembered how powerful his words were. I was reminded that he wasn't being acknowledged for nothing. His essay was about simple things that we easily take for granted. He talked about how we see things from a distance…how we always look ahead and not noticing what we already have. He kept it simple to drive home the point. But somehow…I don't know…

I took out my highlighters and pencil. I don't like scribbling down on red ink on things I edit except on my own. I highlighted parts that I believed could be better left unsaid or omitted to really have an impact on the readers. He basically wanted people to think to realize what he was saying so I'm helping him on that department. I placed my notes on areas that needed it.

Pretty soon, I was able to finish with the piece. I headed back to Folken's side. He watched me with, I cannot be certain, anxious eyes as well as amusement. He made me sit beside him as I handed him the piece. He said nothing at first as he scanned through my work. I was feeling nervous naturally but I did my best to keep myself composed.

After reading through the final page, he set it down on his desk and looked at me. I bit my lower lip to keep myself from gulping. I couldn't read his expression.

"So," Folken started. "You highlighted stuff in different colors, plus you made some notes. Let's go through them." I nodded and started to explain my method of editing. I told him that the yellow ones were the parts that I thought could be omitted, the green ones could be changed or rephrased, the blue ones were a little bit too much, the pink ones could be placed somewhere else on the piece, and the orange ones were what I understood as the main things he was pointing out. It was already understood what my notes meant so of course I didn't feel the need to explain them.

"You have a unique way of editing but from all the first timers I've encountered, yours is the most logical." He commented. I don't know if I should take that as a compliment or a criticism so I remained silent. I already knew that he was going to say something else so I waited for him patiently.

Folken took out a pile of papers from his drawer and set it next to the ones I edited. "This is what I did." He said as he pushed both papers towards me so that I could see. "I've read through yours and I can honestly say we have almost the same points with his work. Tell me something, Hitomi."

I looked up at him and met his eyes. I saw gentleness in them but also a deep sense of seriousness that would be enough to send a chill on anyone's spine. "What else have you noticed upon reading his work?" His question took my by surprise. I wasn't expecting that.

I was dumbfounded…putting my expression into words. I immediately started to reflect on what I was thinking while I first read through his work and also when I was doing the actual editing. He watched me and waited patiently for my answer.

I took a deep breath. I decided to tell him the truth. He was Van's brother and it was hard for me to say things like that so blatantly about someone I just met. It was as bad as telling the person right out. But then again, it was better than lying. I would take that any day. I wasn't going to pretend.

"Honestly, Folken, I believe he has this way with words that simply has a powerful effect on readers." I said.

"But…?" He continued, as if reading my mind.

I took a deep breath. I made myself think that he was my Senior Editor rather than Van's elder brother. "…I somehow…get the impression that it lacks something…"

His eyes showed more amusement than it did only a while back. "What do you mean, Hitomi?"

I shifted rather uncomfortably in my chair. How am I supposed to put in words? I though about how to better explain it, not misleading Folken or making have the wrong impression. "I'm not so sure…no…actually I am…well…I get the impression that it lacks emotions. I mean, this essay is well written and well thought of but it was more on the intellect and the message he was trying to express was more on how people feel about things that are around us and we take for granted. His words, like I said, are powerful but it's tamed…like it was held back."

Folken watched me, not breaking his gaze from my eyes the entire time I was speaking. I saw his eyes grow more amused and satisfied the more I explained. "You are ready." Was all he told me.

I was taken aback. I didn't expect that answer from him. I wish I could understand it but I honestly didn't. He seemed to understand the confusion as it was written all over my face. He smiled at me and said, "Don't worry about it, Hitomi. All I'm saying is that I am confident that you will be able to handle my brother." Then he added in a lower voice, "Just don't let him intimidate you." He grinned and I couldn't help but laugh. I gave him a nod and that was it. I guess you can say I passed his test. I was somewhat relieved but at the same time suddenly afraid of what was ahead. I was treading unknown waters plus I think that was Folken's way of warning me. But I was already there…there was no way I would be running back.

"Now, let me endorse everything." Folken then said. He handed me a paper and all Van's deadlines were written there. He explained to me that those were all the things that Van was working on. I quickly scanned the paper. He had a novel due in a couple of months, while the others were short essays and still others were about the next deadline of new novel, which was a year away. Folken then gave me a CD. He told me that it contained all the latest, raw, unedited files of Van. It was now my job to edit them and work with Van for any revisions that may arise.

I headed back to my desk. From the looks of it, it was going to be extra hard trying to edit all the files. The deadlines were already near so I better get started. I knew the pressure but I didn't mind. I thanked my background for that. Being a nursing student was part of it but what made it more tolerable was that, even if I am a graduating nursing student, I was also the Editor-in-Chief of our College paper. So I knew the pressure of meeting the deadline while doing a vast array of things. I smiled at the challenge that was now in front of me. I'm not going to let it daunt me, rather, I would take it one stride at a time and see where it gets me.

I opened the CD and was surprised that Folken had made my life a whole lot easier. He organized each file into dates, based on their importance. In each folder, Folken subdivided it according to chapter and in others, by essay. This was a life-saver. Perhaps it was a welcoming gift from Folken but of course I won't allow myself to indulge in that fact. This is work. This isn't like something in school. This was the real deal.

I clicked on the most pressing file and started reading it. I was surprised when I found it to be my 'test' piece. I blinked a couple of times. I thought my mind was playing games on me. But no matter how I tried to convince myself that I must have been hallucinating, the title and the content really was The Forgotten. I looked up at Folken's direction. He was working with something else. He had his full attention at his computer.

I looked back down. I shifted through all the papers Folken had given me. I was again surprised to find the paper I worked with earlier and the copy Folken edited along with it. There was a post-it in it too, "Good job," It said. I guess I was too absorbed trying to get every instruction and endorsement that he was saying that I failed to notice that he mixed the papers in the pile he handed me.

Honestly, it somehow made me a little apprehensive. I told myself that I should be more alert than that. But of course, I forgave myself for it since it was my first day. I told myself that it's ok that it happened but make sure it doesn't happen again.

Ok, since it was the most pressing deadline, I knew that I had to confront Van about it. It was my job to not only edit it but also to work closely with the writer to improve it before I could give a go signal for publishing. I don't know but I suddenly felt so apprehensive. I remember Folken's words to not let him intimidate me but right like that was easy. I'm not scared of him but I've dealt with people almost like him in their most sensitive moments being a nurse and all but I don't know…how exactly do you approach a writer and tell him that his work somewhat lacked a heart?

I knew I had to take care of it tactfully. I knew I really had to be smart about it. As I walked over to where Van was busy typing whatever it was he was working on, I decided to not go on the 'no heart' thing. I will eventually tell him that when we have a couple of works under our belt…or when I've already got to know him better.

Remember what I said earlier? About me being not so easily intimidated? Hmm…I was afraid that this man here was going to make me eat my words. But I won't allow that. I reminded myself on why I needed this job so badly. It seemed to do the job. It was enough to psych me up again.

"Hey, you've got a minute?" I said as I stood near his desk. I couldn't help it but as usual, my smile never faded. Practice of nursing can do that to you. You approach everyone, including the most difficult patients and doctors, with a smile like nothing is wrong or even when everything is going so wrong.

He looked up at me, his cool expression not betraying anything. He leaned back at his chair and waited for me to say what it was I needed. I gave him the papers that I worked on earlier. I spared him the part of his brother's critique on the paper. He took it and looked at it. He then looked up at me, still not saying anything.

I explained it the way I explained it to Folken…except the something missing part. Still, Van refused to express anything. I found it odd. I couldn't help but wonder if he was actually normal. Oh scratch that – he's normal alright he's just so mysterious for my taste. At that moment, he struck me as a person who doesn't easily give his trust to anyone. If Allen was a play boy and indulging it, Van was the complete opposite. He was so reserved and I get the feeling that it was that sense of mystery that girls are having trouble resisting.

"Do you actually know what you are doing?" He finally said, addressing my existence.

I smiled at him and replied, "Of course. The question is, do you know what you are doing?" The words rolled out of my mouth so naturally that when I uttered them, I inwardly cursed. I knew what it implied. I knew that I just unleashed Pandora's box.

As expected, Van narrowed his eyes to me and answered, "I have been in this business for a long time. I've had a lot of my works published. Don't you think that says something?"

"So what? Have you read what you wrote? Or did you simply write and pass it?"

"Have you read it?"

"No I just highlighted it." I answered sarcastically, still not removing my smile. It was sort of fun antagonizing him. What better way to understand how he works by shaking him out of his comfort zone. "Of course I read it. It's my job after all." I finally added.

"Have you seen this paper? I can point to you which ones aren't highlighted at all. Are you trying to tell me to start from scratch?"

"You are the one telling yourself that you have to start from scratch. I am telling you that it's ok but you can still improve it. I've already made the first step. It's up to you to re-write it." I answered him. It was the truth after all. I wasn't one to beat around the bush. I could tell that he wasn't used to being corrected at all. He was used on getting his way. But in order for him to get better, he needed to take some constructive criticism. I knew he was in denial.

He smirked. Van must be thinking that I was joking or something but of course I wouldn't acknowledge that. "You do know that I have a lot of other things to finish, right?"

"Yeah so?"

"So, I thought your job was to make it easier. Like edit my work and give it a go signal and move on."

"I am your Editor, Van, not your secretary. You must have those two job descriptions all confused." I answered coolly. I could tell the tension between me and Van had aroused the interest of every one that made up the seventh floor. I could tell that they were listening to our exchange as I could have sworn I heard snickers from somewhere in the room.

Van's eyes narrowed a little bit more. I knew that he was angry at me. The thought made me smile a little more. "Then why don't you go to your desk and start editing the others I've worked on." He replied. He was seething and he didn't try to cover it up.

"I would but how can I when you are being so stubborn as to not accept the fact that you are not perfect therefore you have to re-think about what you have written here. I know you are in denial right now, judging by your demeanor. You don't take criticism all to well. So, if you don't know, the first step is admitting it already and getting on with it. Hopefully, we could both move on with our jobs." I said as I placed the paper on his desk. More snickers came.

Van grinned and said, "I get it."

"Excuse me," I answered, confused.

He crossed his arms and eyed me. I looked back at him. "You're doing this so that you can get my attention."

My jaw fell open. Can you believe the nerve of this guy? I started laughing. I then said, "Oh get over yourself. Please, like you actually think that? How low can you get? Well, news flash. You're not the hottest guy in my book. I don't even find you attractive. Now that that's all cleared up, might we get back to business here instead of remaining in that delusional realm of yours I call, wishful thinking."

"Alright. I'll work on it," Van replied, crossing his arms across his chest again with that smug air of his. "Would you care to wager?"

"Wager on what?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. Although my smile never fades, I really was curious on what he was thinking.

"Prove to me that you are worthy to be my Editor and in return, I will work on this essay and all the others without questioning in return." He said.

I looked at him and quickly said, "What's the catch?"

"Oh nothing you can't handle I presume."

"Like I said, what's the catch?" I answered as I leaned on the post by his desk.

"Organize all the literary pieces I have and uncover this hidden message I will put. If you get it, I'll be convinced. If not, you find yourself another writer." He said.

I smiled and extended my hand. He shook it. "It's a deal then." Van replied.

"Bring it, Van. I'll make you regret it." I answered.

Van snickered. I knew what he was thinking. As I strode back to my desk, I knew that eyes were following me. I told you it was going to be interesting. I just knew it that this experience was going to be so interesting. I couldn't help but smile.

(to be continued…)

Tarot card – Two of Wands (Two of Fire)

Keyword: Dominion

Significator: Setting sail on a new adventure

Hmm…I'm reserving my comment for this chapter. Please do send in what you think. As of now, it still is a trial thing. Thanks.

Michiko