Help Wanted – Inquire inside

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

“I’ve had it, Deleuze. She didn’t show up yesterday, and this morning, she’s more late than she should be. That’s not trustworthy staff, and I’m tired of scrambling to do two jobs.”

My mentor looked at me, sighed. “Alright, Siegfried. Put that add up, if you will, see who turns up. We’ll give her two week’s notice, give her time to turn around and find something else.”

I nodded, glad to have his support.

In the receiving room, Joelle was… I didn’t know what she was doing, and I didn’t care. Thankfully, there were no patients, and so I bade her to meet me in my office.

“Joelle, I think we need to let you go,” I said bluntly. Her cheeks colored, her eyes watered – I ached to see her cry, but I didn’t waver. “You’ve been inconsistent, flaky, disorganized. We can no longer count on you, and I’ve had it. Personally, I’ve had it. You have two weeks to find work elsewhere.”

She whimpered some protestations, and I ignored them, waving her away, then put up an add in the window.

“HELP WANTED – Inquire inside.”

Thankfully, there were no patients today, and mercifully, I shooed her out, taking a nonchalant seat at the reception. I’d act her part today, and Deleuze would see the patients. If help came our way, I’d see them.

[Selwyn nó Balm]

I was walking in Mont Nuit when I saw the "Help Wanted" sign in the clinic's window. Violette had mentioned working there briefly, and I wondered that he would need help. Still, I opened the door and walked into the front room. "Hello?" I called.

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

The door to the clinic opened, making a nice clickety-clic, and I straigthned my self at the ready. Gods, but I hated being at the reception. Those poems Joelle kept (were they the ones Caine read to Odette?) I found to be sappy and without content. Give me a good treaty on bone-mending any day, I decided.

A man entered, young and graceful. An adept, perhaps? “Come in,” I said, standing. “Can I help you?”

[Selwyn nó Balm]

"I think so," I replied. "I'm Selwyn no Balm. I saw your help wanted sign, Doctor..."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

An amused smile quirked my lips. A Balm adept. Of course. He might even know Violette – that was one talented girl. I hoped she was well.

“Well met, Selwyn,” I replied as I extended a handshake his way. “Siegfried de Strasbourg.”

[Selwyn nó Balm]

Accepting his hand, I shook it. "A pleasure, my lord," I replied warmly.

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

“Likewise,” I replied. “Well, have a seat,” I said with a gesture as I sat back myself. One I’d gotten my bearings, I gave him an assessing look. There had been no judgement in his eyes for my heritage – bonus points.

“Well, Selwyn,” I said after a quiet moment had passed. “The position is a combination of tasks. To start, it is mostly a clerical job, in truth. In fact, you would be sitting here if you were to join our team,” I added with a derisive chuckle. “A subject with aptitude, though…” I let myself finish it in my head. Too early to tell.

[Selwyn nó Balm]

I could feel my initial excitement at a new job dimming as he told me that it was mostly clerical. I was skilled at the healing arts, and it would be a shame for them to be squandered. Still, he may find need of a nurse, especially for the more nervous clients, but it was not my place yet to suggest such a thing. Noncommittally, but politely, I said, "I am trained in clerical skills, among other things, sir."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

Balm. Poor man must have been sourly disappointed. He opened a door, subtly, and I willingly stepped in. “That is well,” I replied. “I met one of your housemates, and she had fascinating skills in the matter of herbs. What is your specialty at Balm?” I asked point blank.

I leaned in the chair, and crossed my arms. Davet had not liked Violette’s attempt at volunteering her, but I couldn’t blame him. If he was as promising as he seemed he could be, I would have to follow up on the matter of his marque, though he seemed a bit older. Perhaps he was free.

[Selwyn nó Balm]

"The growing and use of healing herbs are my specialties," I said. "I am also a masseur." I grinned privately, then set my face straight. "I'm good with my hands, not to be crude, sir."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

I nodded. I liked that he was good with the herbs - and thought he might be interested in meeting Joie, if he wanted to pursue the art of massage. I had no intention of competing with my friend's business. As I saw it, we were complimentary, and had an agreement of sorts on the matter.

"We don't have a massage component here," I said thinking, "but if you are skilled with potions... that is something I am interested in. I have myself a large interest in research. Are you free to do as you wish?" I cocked my head to the side, and considered him, adding, "I can't afford to have ill relations with Davet."

[Selwyn nó Balm]

"My marque is a complete one," I said. "I may do as I wish, provided I tithe a portion of my earnings to the House."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

"Congratulations," I said. "So tell me, what potion techniques are you familiar with?"

[Selwyn nó Balm]

"Potion-making is much the same as cooking, I've found," I said. "You must prepare your ingredients, by chopping, crushing, mincing, juicing, what have you, and then of course you boil, mix, simmer, distill, or strain. The combinations of the various techniques vary by what you are preparing, of course, but the analogy is still the same." I continued briefly, telling him about a tincture of poppy that I had prepared, before stopping. I could have gone on, but I felt I had given a thorough overview of my skills.

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

I listened, reclining in my chair, taking in his demeanor and what he had to say on the matter. “Well done,” I concluded when he was finished. He obviously had a great deal of passion for potion making, and that was well, though I saw it as something more intricate than ordinary kitchen activities. Perhaps it was the point of view of a chirurgeon who was engrossed in his research, though.

I smiled, and added, “Tell me, what have you to tell me on the mysteries of Echinacea?” It was my current pet - the plant was full of properties, and well observed, well known, it could help a lot of my patients. An idea was forming, but I wanted to hear more about him first.

[Selwyn nó Balm]

"Echinacea," I repeated, reaching back through my memory. "As I recall, it is the root that holds the most potency. When taken at the first sign of a cold, it can reduce the duration of illness. It can also be used to treat cancer, but not alone. It can also prevent illness in healthy people, though before taking regularly, a person must make sure he or she will experience no adverse effects. Either the dried herb or a tincture can be used, though a tincture stores better."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

“That is all correct, though injected extracts can be more immediate in their effect than a diluted tincture,” I completed with a satisfied smile. I pondered him a moment, and asked another question. “Well, Selwyn, I am curious. What makes you seek employment out of your House? Do you intend to leave Balm eventually? This is a full time position which we are recruiting, you see…” I let the sentence’s implications settle with my silence. I needed someone every day, not just on occasion, and that meant he would not have time for his other duties, likely so.

[Selwyn nó Balm]

I thought carefully about my response before answering. "I saw your sign and entered on a whim, sir," I said, "though it was not entirely thoughtless. At Balm house, I have an assignation once every two weeks or so, sometimes even less frequently. Presumably, if I come to work here, I will have an opportunity to be a in a place where my skills are not squandered. However, the fact that this is a full time job is a concern. If it's not too presumptuous, the matter of salary and hours might need to be discussed before I can give you a full answer to that question. But nonetheless, I am a free adept, and any employment I take is my own business and my right."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

I nodded, pondering. Violette had had problems, and without wanting to air her own laundry, I had a strong desire to avoid problems with Davet no Balm.

“There are many ways to make sure that your skills aren’t squandered,” I said as I stroked my beard. “And I should like to have assurance that your Dowayne isn’t displeased with this arrangement.” An idea was taking root in my mind, but I wanted a moment to dwell on the matter.

“The remuneration isn’t anything to make a Bryony leave their house,” I added. “It is decent, but not a means of riches. The girl who held this position was living modestly from her earnings.” I made a helpless gesture. I didn’t charge everyone – and Deleuze was sometimes getting on my case in that respect. I couldn’t help it, though.

[Selwyn nó Balm]

"My lord Davet cannot prevent me from taking another job," I said practically. "However, it would probably be unwise to take a full-time job that pays a lot less in two weeks than an assignation does." I asked, "What is the salary, if it's not inappropriate to ask?"

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

“Seventy gold ducats a fortnight,” I replied. It wasn’t a bad salary, I knew, it wasn’t overly thrifty, but it wasn’t exaggerated either. I couldn’t afford to pay more, in truth. “What you have to take into account is the fact that leaving your House, if it is something you are considering, would create additional expenses,” I added. “This position does not include lodgings.”

[Selwyn nó Balm]

Seventy ducats? Perhaps a new job wasn't such a good idea after all. I wanted the job, but I could not afford to take it on full time. "I understand," I said slowly.

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

He visibly cooled his heels at the mention of the thrifty salary. It was more than a bar maid would make, but it didn’t quite equal the income of a peer, that was true.

“Think about it,” I said slowly. “One of your talents would not be lost at the practice.”

He was the first candidate, and he was strong. It was likely, though, that I couldn’t afford him.

[Selwyn nó Balm]

"I will think about it," I said, "though I am sorry to tell you that I simply cannot afford a full time job at that salary."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

The adept had a mind for money, then, I observed. It was entirely up to him, and I nodded. “I understand. I will keep you informed of the developments, seeing as the practice is constantly moving.”

I put down a note for remembrance, and added, “did you have another question?”

[Selwyn nó Balm]

"No question, merely a request that you keep Balm in mind should you ever think to hire a nurse or part time worker," I said carefully. Gratefully, I added, "Thank you for your time."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

“You are very welcome,” I said as I stood up, ready to see him out. I extended my hand for a handshake, and said, “We’ll keep in touch.”

I had a hunch that we might, but I didn’t want to make any promises. If all went well, though, it was likely I’d see Selwyn again.

[Selwyn nó Balm]

Reaching out to shake his hand, I said, "I would be very glad to be be in touch with you, sir, and thank you again for your time."

[Siegfried de Strasbourg(D)]

I nodded, shaking his hand firmly. "Have a good rest of your day, then," I said amiably.

[Selwyn nó Balm]

"And you as well," I said, smiling before making a gracious exit.