insurance must be having a time

[saynotobugs]

⭐ Who: Maki, you
⭐ When: The aftermath of the crystal hailstorm on the 16th
⭐ Where: The DU office
⭐ What: Regular office stuff... and a public art project?

[1) the front desk]

At this time of year, the biggest worries would normally be cleanup after the DU anniversary celebration and kids coming in complaining about their midterm results. Unfortunately this is not, in fact, the case.

Maki can be found at the front desk, dealing with not an IT problem but a stack of emails and running a hand through her own hair. She looks up.

"Anyone got any tips for office insurance claims for rocks falling from the sky? Asking for a friend."

[2) still the lobby, but???]

Well, as long as all that sky crystal has been littering the ground for a few days and the adjusters have finally come to look at it, they can't just leave the mess outside, can they?

Maki's got work gloves on and has trucked in a bunch of the weird crystal and fallen debris, and she's... working it into a large wire sculpture? It's hard to tell what it's supposed to be, but maybe it doesn't really matter. She looks up at anyone passing.

"Hey. The emails died down, so I thought I'd do some cleanup. You wanna help, there's more gloves over there. Careful of the broken glass."

Comments

2.

[i_peace]

Oh...! [Keiwa wanders over to pick up a pair of gloves and... Looks curiously at the project that Maki is working on]

What are you making?

[saynotobugs]

No clue. Right now, just a way to get this crap out of the front entryway. I figure it'll be one of those abstract art pieces.

[i_peace]

Ooh, that sounds fun. Maybe I should hold onto some of these for community events for the kids...

[he puts on his gloves, seems like it's one of his free days today or he's between volunteer opportunities]

How can I help?

[saynotobugs]

Just pick something up and tie it on with the wires. Don't let 'em stick too far out, try and tie it back into the centre if you have to.

[Maki demonstrates by wrapping a crystal in wire and pulling it back towards the pieces of broken glass and chipped-off stone at the base.]

[i_peace]

Mmm... [he watches attentively before following Maki's instructions carefully. He mumbles to himself;] Maybe it would be safer to use string for the kids... Like a little wind chime...

[pause]

Where did Maki-san get all the materials for this?

[saynotobugs]

Outside.

[Can you feel her tiredness. Can you.]

Except the flower wire and foam, that just came from the craft store. And I got duct tape from one of the supply closets for stability.

[i_peace]

[he smiles sheepishly at the tired answer]

Sorry, not the crystals, I meant... [he points to the base of their little art project before turning his attention back to the wire he was fiddling with] One of those nearly broke my apartment window. I've been helping some of my neighbors patch holes in their exterior walls and windows where I can but...

[there's only so much a young graduate student could do]

[saynotobugs]

Same thing -- outside. Stuff that came off the building, once the insurance adjusters were gone. Hey, if you need something, ask. Not like we really need this.

[i_peace]

[he looks at Maki]

[then looks at the debris(?) that they were working on]

[then back to Maki]

[then he drops the part he was working on in surprise]

Huh?! Why are we- [well, Maki's doing this so it's probably been okay'd, right?] I don't know if there's anything here that that repairmen can use for our building.

2

[predecir]

[Bruno, being technically on the janitorial staff here, is also working to clean up! He'd been bringing things to one of the dumpsters outside, but once he sees Maki gathering things up, he pauses and comes over see what's going on.]

Ooh, what're you making?

[saynotobugs]

I have no idea. Monument to the situation we're in, let's call it that. [Maki shakes her head.] I thought it'd be better than just sitting here and taking it. Not that we have much choice in that.

[predecir]

...well, you want more of that stuff? It's just going to the curb otherwise.

[Bruno's a habitual scavenger himself, but he doesn't personally put much stock in crystals.]

[saynotobugs]

Sure, why not? Add stuff yourself if you want, too. Call it a communal art project.

[predecir]

Oh, really? That might be kinda fun. Kinda, uh, therapeutic, even...

[He darts a worried glance up at the sky.]

This one seems like it's gonna be bad. Whatever it is.

[saynotobugs]

You've got that right. The tremors were bad enough, but at least those are things that can happen normally. Now we're getting stuff that shouldn't exist outside a dream.

[predecir]

I've never heard of anything like it before.

[Not in all his years!]

Wonder if something really is broken this time, somehow...

[saynotobugs]

What, like fundamentally? In the Dream Sphere?

2

[darcangel]

Oui!

[ Oh boy more French. A sure tell Jeannette is responding on reflex, with something else on her mind....

But the contents of her mind pale in comparison to what's befallen the building! Jeannette has already helped the Domremy Apartments weather (what's a pun...? she doesn't know) this issue, so she is an old hand. On go the gloves. ]

A pile next to you is fine, non?

[saynotobugs]

Sure. Thanks, kid. I know the students just got their midterm results back, but I don't blame anyone for being distracted right now.

[darcangel]

We shall cover for those with other things on their minds.

[ She is an industrious worker, with sharp eyes - a pile accumulates quickly, but then she slows. ]

....Um. May I please ask a question? It is about...not being a student.

[saynotobugs]

Sure, what is it? HR isn't my department, if that's where you're going, but I can pass it on.

[darcangel]

Thank you very much....You are right.

[ She puts down her latest crystal haul to look right at Maki. ]

I understand that I cannot be a general until I prove myself, but if there is other work that needs doing, I should like to apply. To give back for all the Dreamer Union has given me, and to be less of a burden on my dear parents.

[ Homegirl doesn't have rent to pay but that doesn't mean she isn't still going to pay it, because beautiful cinnamon roll too pure. ]

Please, do you know what is open? I will work anywhere and any time I am needed. I am unskilled with paperwork, but I can learn....

[ Love the confidence, Joanie, but your kanji tutor is Illya. ]

[saynotobugs]

...Heh.

[Maki winds wire around a chunk of crystal.]

I'll pass it on. We do have a hiring section, you can always find a place here. They hired me, after all, and you'll have an easier time since you're an active Dreamer.

[darcangel]

Merci-- Ah, thank you, Maki!

[ Relief and gratitude floods Jeannette's face. ]

I shall not forget this great favor. Anything you wish of me, you need but ask!

[ Wait no ]

--If it should not displease God.

[ There is no chance of someone as good as Maki asking for anything that would go against the Lord, but one must be clear about such things, for one's own conscience. ]

[saynotobugs]

Heh. Pretty sure God isn't gonna get mad if I ask if you wanna help with this communal art project.