one;

[originallutece]

Hello, all.

[Has she ever used the network before? Not for herself. What a day of firsts. She's in a shop, leaning on a counter. Next to her, a vial seems to be glowing.]

Quite a fun little few months we've had, hasn't it? Riots, pyres, torture, terrorists . . . and while I'm sure the next few months will be a bit of a lull, I hardly trust this planet to stay quiet.

Thanks in no small part to Dr. Watson, I've finally got the funds to open up a shop. Lutece Labs. And to commemorate our opening, I'm offering a sale on a protective shield. They're electromagnetic, and will-- well, shield you, frankly, from a great deal of damage in any form. Bullets, fists, knives, magic . . . the only thing it can't keep you safe from is electricity, but beyond that, they'll last a fair bit. Long enough to stop those first few bullets from sinking into your back, or that first stab of a knife.

Now, it shan't last forever. If nothing happens to you, it'll fade out after six months. If they're put under stress, obviously, it'll take less time. After a few rounds of assault, it will shatter, and you'll need to find cover while it regenerates, an act that takes a few seconds.

Useful, no?

For the moment, I'm selling them only to refugees. Seventy-five silver per shield for the next month; a hundred after that. They're based on the individual person's height, weight, and other small factors, so if you buy one, don't share.

The results if things go wrong aren't pretty, I assure you.

[She pulls a little face.]

In any case: on to the second part of my announcement. I need people to work here. Shop keeps, mostly, so you'll have to be somewhat good with people. Even part-timers will be appreciated. The pay will be decent, and quite possibly you'll learn something if you hang around long enough.

Hmm . . . we'll be selling any number of other useful concoctions. Dirt repellent-- and I do mean repellent, it'll quite literally jump off-- energizers that actually work instead of simply pumping one full of sugar and cocaine, sleep enhancements, and anything else you can think of, as I work on commission.

Comments

private, video. un: j.watson

[enarms]

Well done. How's it feel?

[ John's on Thesa by the look of it, but he's seen the shop and he'll doubtless be by again soon. that doesn't mean he's about to miss commemorating her first official advertisement. ]

private;

[originallutece]

Decent enough. I suppose there's nothing more to do but wait to see if it actually takes off, but either way . . .

Thank you. I don't believe I've said that yet. I truly appreciate this.

[enarms]

No need. You're a sound investment.

un: holistic_guardian

[micromania]

I'd be interested in buying a shield, and possibly getting a few other people to buy one too. [ Like Todd. And Dirk. ]

What are the planned hours for the shop? That you need people, I mean.

[originallutece]

Monday through Friday, 2 PM to 10 PM. If you and yours are truly interested in buying them, come by later today. I'll take what measurements I need. Weight and height, mostly, but if you know your blood type, that will help.

. . . you're all human, aren't you?

[micromania]

I'll come by today. I have the information on the other two I'm thinking of, and I do know all of our blood types.

[ Because she is that kind of person. ]

I am. [ Unfortunately, as that may be. ]

in person, across the room

[flashystyle]

You're finally marketing that long term barrier spell?

[Dorian hums, his back turned to her so she can't see the smirk across his face.]

I was wondering when you'd get it done.

[originallutece]

Perhaps you'd best sheathe that butter-knife sharp wit of yours.

[Why are you the way that you are, Dorian Pavus.]

It was less the shield and more the shop, frankly. Science I can do in my sleep; business is more difficult.

[flashystyle]

You would have stop doing science in order to do it in your sleep, my friend. I should get all your products for free for being kept up all evening.

[He hums, picking up the glowing vial beside her.]

You know, back home, these are... potions. With magic. The easier thing.

private video | un: eggsy

[tailorable]

Well done, Madam! This is brilliant.

[ a beat. then, a very innocent smile. ]

Do I get the friends and family discount?

[originallutece]

74, then. Don’t tell me you can’t afford this, I know you can.

YOU TEASE

[tailorable]

C'mon, [ drawling ] Rosalind. Don't tell me our friendship is only worth one silver.

voice : un: priorly

[priorly]

'Other small factors?'

[originallutece]

Blood type, cholesterol level, iron deficiencies, so on and so forth. If I have to compensate for anything, basically-- or, in the case of nonhumans, what I need to reduce.

In your case . . . no, I do believe I wouldn't need to change much.

[priorly]

[There's a soft clearing of his throat and, as casual as possible.]

I have an iron deficiency. And I'm - immune suppressed. I take anti-retrovirals but they do a number on my bone marrow. I have osteonecrosis in one of my hips and my weight... fluctuates. Mostly down.

Does a lot of it have to do with blood?

video; un: ROCKET

[beatupgrass]

[he looks so delighted] Man, Rhys is missing out on all the silver you're about to be rollin' in.

[a beat] We're about to be rollin' in. I did promise him some specialty things, so I guess that's all for you now, Ros'. Congratulations.

[originallutece]

This may be the easiest promotion I've ever gotten. Actually, Rocket, I'd like to confer with you the next time you smuggle your way in-- or I can simply meet you on the station. But I think technology like the type you're talking about is best gone over where I can get my hands on it.

[beatupgrass]

Yeah, yeah, sure sure. This is definitely a first dibs thing though, right? I can respect that.

[His tech is great and also he's an egomaniac.]

video, un: ANoble

[rosebyanyother]

Congratulations on your new endeavor.

[Peter smiles, politely but with a look of curiosity.]

It's certainly an interesting offer. How do they function, if I might ask

[Like, say, how does it go from a vial to a shield? Peter's semi-familiar with shielding but it tends to come from a mechanical source.]

[originallutece]

Hmm. How much do you know about science? Give me a general idea as to where your world left off.

[rosebyanyother]

Well, I can't claim to have any specialized knowledge, but interplanetary space travel had been commonplace for, oh, several millenia already. Terraforming, shields large enough to encompass entire cities, cities that defied gravity themselves. Those sorts of things.

[It's a hi-tech world.]

un: masterofmagic

[chaostic]

What sort of skills do you need for the work? Perhaps I can lend a hand.

[ Seeing as the necessity for money has become apparent. ]

Science with a touch of magic is my strong point.

[originallutece]

Someone who knows what they're doing, frankly. But you'd be working up front more than assisting me.

Still: what kind of experience do you have? Give me a few examples.

text | un: holmes

[cluing]

I've never known Dr. Watson to keep enough money to buy himself a loaf of bread let alone support someone else's business.

It must be a different Dr. Watson

[originallutece]

Yes, that's the reasonable explanation here.

John II, perhaps? Or Joan?