Heyo, it's me again. I've been doing some thinking about how I want this story to go and it's been a little difficult. Things like a job interview seem boring to do on the regular, but I also don't want each Shepherd to pop out of nowhere. I want to make people laugh with what I'm putting down here, but also like when the comedy winds down for a moment that has weight or other situations. Lastly, I'm not super familiar with how (American) business offices work and don't quite know how to handle so many characters in so many different positions. Thus, I've decided to just assign a fictional position if I truly can't find a perfect real-life equivalent of what an Awakening character would do IRL.
I've now had a normal chapter and a mostly humorous chapter, and now comes the time to try to combine both elements. One thing that presents a challenge as well is Awakening's translated supports and scripts: the writing is often hard to take seriously, so I feel like I must reign in the characters, what they say/do and how they do/say it.
Anyway, enough ranting. Thanks for the reviews: I hope you keep them coming. I'm a bit of a perfectionist but I'll do my best to provide you guys with new content. Suggestions for any typical office divisions are also welcome!
"Are you guys really sure about this? I mean, it's an honor, but… I don't know, I don't want any pity and I don't want to disappoint you either. What if I screw up big time?"
The young woman said, a worried expression on her face as she looked to the three siblings sitting around the circular table.
"From what we can gather, your eye for detail will be precisely what we need in this company, Ms. Drake." Emmeryn said.
"We'll offer you as much assistance and training as you need. We can bring out the best in you!" Lissa chirped with a smile.
"And… Well, forgive me for such a non-professional reason, but… You radiate trustworthyness and skill, madam. You'll be fine, and so will we." Chrom said warmly.
"Well… It's all fine and good, but… I still feel like I'm getting special treatment here."
"And how could we help in remedying that?" Lissa asked.
"I suppose I just need to be treated the same way as your other employees, to start. And try not to compliment me and my abilities too much, I know I did well on my tests and amnesia recovery, but it makes me feel awkward to be praised so much."
"Very well. Anything else?"
"Yes: try not to give me too important of a position right away."
"Okay then. So…?" Chrom asked, raising his eyebrow.
"I'm in. Thank you all for this opportunity. Oh, and feel free to just call me Robin."
"Then call us by our first names as well, Robin." Emmeryn said with a gentle smile as Robin signed her contract.
To: Shepherds Inc. Staff
From: Emmeryn von Ylisse
Sent: 01/08/2021 8:30
Subject: New hires
Greetings everyone,
As discussed, we have new hires! The departments at which they are hired will get to know them earlier, and the rest can see them during lunch. However, two words of advice for anyone going down to the cafeteria. Ricken, our new IT hire, is a lot older than he looks. Please treat him as an equal. As for Robin, our new Finances hire: try not to ask too many questions about her and her life. She will explain her situation only if she wishes to do so. Lastly, we actually have four hires instead of three, but that shouldn't change too much other than a new face and more people to work with.
Have a good workday,
Emmeryn Von Ylisse
To: Miriel Kingston, Ricken Klein
From: Vaike McClark
Sent: 04/10/2021 8:40
Subject: You're just in time
Hey,
The printer's busted again. Please go fix it or else I'm dead.
Vaike
To: Cordelia O'Connor
From: Sumia Brooke
Sent: 04/10/2021 8:45
Subject: Sneaky
Cordy, why on earth didn't you tell me you were going to apply here? Had I known, I would've decorated the reception a little to celebrate!
To: Sumia Brooke
From: Cordelia O'Connor
Sent: 04/10/2021 8:46
Subject: RE: Sneaky
Sorry, Sumia, I kinda thought I didn't need to. Though… Literally why are you mailing me? I know we're busy, but we can talk normally if we don't have anything to do. You don't even have to risk falling by standing up, we can hear each other perfectly if we just talk out loud here.
To: Maribelle du Themis
From: Lissa von Ylisse
Sent: 04/10/2021 8:50
Subject: Bitch
Maribelle I love you but you didn't consider telling me about your position at Finances ONCE? We're going to have lunch together and it'll be your treat.
To: Lissa von Ylisse
From: Maribelle du Themis
Sent: 04/10/2021 8:55
Subject: RE: Bitch
Good morning to you too, my darling. I was going to treat you to lunch anyway. I suppose I should've counted on my attempt to pleasantly surprise you to backfire.
To: Stahl Smith
From: Chrom von Ylisse
Sent: 04/10/2021 10:00
Subject: Umm
Stahl,
I can't help but notice Vaike, Lissa AND Sumia look strange today. What's going on today?
RSVP,
Chrom
To: Chrom von Ylisse
From: Stahl Smith
Sent: 04/10/2021 10:30
Subject: RE:Umm
To be frank, I've got no clue. I've spent the last half hour trying to deduce what it could be, but neither ladies are very clear about it. I think they're working fine, but I agree there's something strange about them and I don't feel right asking them directly right now.
Vaike is just being Vaike. The printer refused to work with him and IT isn't having his shit right now. It looks like Miriel is letting Ricken know just how often stuff "is broken" around Vaike.
Stahl
To: Miriel Kingston, Ricken Klein
From: Vaike McClark
Sent: 04/10/2021 10:35
Subject: HELP
gUYS I NEED SOMETHING PRINTE FUUKING HELP
To: Vaike McClark
From: Ricken Klein
Sent: 04/10/10:36
Subject: RE:HELP
Hi Vaike,
Coming over right now.
Ricken
To: Chrom von Ylisse
From: Stahl Smith
Sent: 04/10/2021 12:30
Subject: About their behaviour
Well, I finally found out what the issues were.
A benefit of taking so long at the food court was overhearing what was bothering Sumia and Lissa, or at least the gist of it. Both of them were upset that their friends (Maribelle for Lissa and Cordelia for Sumia) had not informed them they would begin working at Shepherds Inc. But that's not why they acted weirdly: both of their friends reacted to their upset reaction in a way that humbled/embarrassed both of the complainers for snapping at their friends. In any case, all's well that ends well between them and I could complete my meal in peace.
Also, Ricken finally caved into Vaike's demands to fix the printer and Vaike was grateful. Ricken passed along a message from Miriel and Vaike looked very nervous to hear it. I couldn't hear what was being said over my chewing, though.
Stahl
To: Stahl Smith
From: Chrom von Ylisse
Sent: 04/10/2021 12:40
Subject: RE: About their behaviour
Thanks Stahl. I'm glad all was resolved, although something tells me nobody learned anything from this day. People here are good at overreacting to stuff in the heat of the moment.
Chrom
To: Robin Drake
From: Lissa von Ylisse
Sent: 04/10/2021 13:30
Subject: You good?
Hi Robin,
How were the training sessions this morning? I know I tend to get glassy-eyed whenever I attend one and I was wondering how you were fairing in them.
Love, Lissa
To: Miriel Brooke, Ricken Klein
From: Sully Jacobs
Sent: 04/10/2021 13:30
Subject: Details
I want to know what you said to Vaike. I've never seen him this quiet before. If it was Ricken's idea, that boy needs a promotion.
To: Sully Jacobs, Ricken Klein
From: Miriel Brooke
Sent: 04/10/2021 13:31
Subject: RE: Details
I concede with your suggestion, Sully. Ricken's delivery was excellently done.
To: Lissa von Ylisse, Kellam Hughes
From: Ricken Klein
Sent: 04/10/2021 13:35
Subject: Guilty
Miriel and Sully insist that I take credit for Miriel's idea of teaching Vaike a lesson about his poor understanding of the technical equipment around here. I'm getting way too much credit here and I don't like it…
To: Ricken Klein, Kellam Hughes
From: Lissa von Ylisse
Sent: 04/10/2021 13:37
Subject: RE: Guilty
I'm glad you told me, Ricken. Both ladies are don't do this stuff regularly - the insisting you take credit part, I mean. You must have impressed them. That's an achievement I thought only Emmeryn had until now. Wanna discuss this with me and Miriel this week? I'll schedule it. Also, just FYI, it's a good idea to mail Stahl as well instead of just me.
To: Lissa von Ylisse
From: Ricken Klein
Sent: 04/10/2021 13:40
Subject: RE: RE: Guilty
No problem. Here's a link to fully synchronize the schedules of me and the other new guys around here, just click it and you'll have access.
To: Ricken Klein
From: Kellam Hughes
Sent: 04/10/2021 13:45
Subject: RE: Guilty
Hey, I noticed that you messaged me instead of Stahl. It's no bother, though I'd like to know what your secret is? Normally Miriel's only impressed by a new scientific article she stumbles across.
To: Miriel Kingston
From: Ricken Klein
Sent: 04/10/2021 13:50
Subject: Stranger
Miriel, this strange man emailed me and says he wants to know my secrets… Did our email addresses leak somehow?
To: Lissa von Ylisse
From: Robin Drake
Sent: 04/10/2021 14:40
Subject: RE: You good?
Sorry, Lissa, I was rather busy taking in everything!
So far, I feel pretty at home in my activities. Though your friend Maribelle is honestly terrifying, I wanted to talk to you in person but she denied me any chance to do so. You're not unwell or anything, are you?
From Robin
To: Robin Drake
From: Lissa von Ylisse
Sent: 04/10/2021 14:55
Subject: RE: RE: You good?
Maribelle's a very protective best friend. I'll have a chat with her and you'll be free to chat with me all you want.
To: Lissa von Ylisse
From: Robin Drake
Sent: 04/10/2021 15:00
Subject: RE: RE: RE: You good?
Even when you're busy and conducting the most important business meeting of your life? ;)
To: Robin Drake
From: Lissa von Ylisse
Sent: 04/10/2021 15:10
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: You good?
I trust your analytical mind will be able to detect whether those kind of interruptions will have consequences or not~
Robin looked at her latest response from Lissa. Raising an eyebrow and staring at the screen, only one thought crossed her mind.
"What's with that weird squiggle she put in there?"