Welcome to Gaia! ::

The warlock blinked a few times and put some thought into a method to repay the helpers. It was true, they didn't do much for items or gold or even GC (thank Ra). They merely did things on a volunteer basis. Hey, there's an idea. . .

He looked to Gera, who was looking over ways past him. Black turned to see what was going on out of curiosity. Ah, it was the cap. Funny that she wasn't in her usual swing of things but it seemed that she was busy for the most part with PQ. The warlock turned back to Gera, trying to reclaim the train of thought. "Well, they're always looking for more volunteers to help out. I'm sure that you can help them with their work load, right? Besides, you would earn orbs and gold on the side from knocking animated around in the first place."

A muffled buzz turned audible in one of his pockets. The source of the noise was a vibrating PDA. For someone who was usually known to be on the flashier side of items, the device was rather plain looking. Grey, rectangular, a touchscreen and a built in camera. Not much cover to protect the thing but what's to say that he didn't throw magic on it in the first place?

The warlock pulled out the PDA and scrolled through the notices. His expression turned from indifference, interest, excitement, wide-eyed shock and then to disappointment. He put the device away back into his pocket and crossed his arms again. "I should've seen that coming a mile away, considering who's running the new business that just showed up."

((Wait, Black - are you referring to OMNI there? I thought this was all some indeterminate time after OMNI since you weren't male until after they came to town. I just want to know if this even relates to OMNI at all, haha))

As she slid onto one of the stools set up at the counter, X put one of her hands up and nodded to Gera, whose greeting she'd noticed. "Hold the beer, but that burger sounds fantastic," she said as she turned back to PQ. She only drank on rare occasions, and this was not likely to be one of them.

Catching bits of the conversation next to her, she shrugged and remarked to no one in particular, "As long as they don't start mining us for parts, Team Shady can do whatever the hell they want as far as I'm concerned. Bigger fish to think about and all that..." Her plate was full of glitching droids, manic scientists looking for that big breakthrough, and Liam as it was. As far as outside threats were concerned, Cresento was not on her list. For now.

Gera's fluff lessened up as reason and proper thought came back back to her. Now that she thought about it, she did wonder just how Nicolae managed to put things together with whatever he told customers to give him. As far as the GRS went, Nicolae probably had a plan or two up and running to keep the likes of Ivan at bay, a facade or fraudulent report or otherwise....Not that she particularly thought the infamous GRS agent was any better. Not after what he did with her donated gold. Gera clearly wasn't an individual to forgive easily, being one to bear lengthy grudges....

Gera's mind then went back to the items she saw. Some of those items did look very nice to her, even making her want some of them for herself or as gifts for others. She may hate the alchemists behind this offer, but she damn well liked the alchemy they promised....

Things were getting kind of grim now. Quite the opposite of why they were here and what they came here for.

Perhaps this was a good time to change the subject....

"Neow....Hakobe's gonna be attending Clockwork High soon...."

The revelation of Paku going to the same school as her adopted daughter wasn't very surprsing to Gera, either. She was well aware of the school's status, know that it was the only high school in all of Aekea. Not that it was a bad thing, really.

"Well, I discussed her school schedule and electives with her. She seems to be interested in workshop."

Gera didn't seem very surprised about this. In fact, it was as if she had seen it coming miles away. But, she probably wasn't the only one to come to that conclusion. It was nigh inevitable, given Hakobe's daily routine and regular dwelling within Aekea. Hakobe's three uncles were likely to have influenced her into their type of trade....

"She's thinking of joining the school chorus, too. Either that or public speaking, neow."

X nodded casually to PQ as thanks for the food. She opened up her burger, covering it in ketchup while following the conversation next to her. After setting the bottle back down and piling her burger high with anything she could find, she took a bite. They were talking school, something she had little to say about, and it wasn't until the word "freelance" popped up that she quickly swallowed part of the huge mouthful she'd taken. Through her food, she shrugged and said, "Merc work, eh Black? Can't say I entirely blame you in this economy."

Mercenaries as she'd known them come in every odd flavor, but she'd also known plenty of good men for hire. Then, of course, there were slippery bastards like Nicholae.

Gera laughed along with Black. PQ was also another influential figure in Hakobe's life. Though, despite it all, Hakobe had a lot of major influences surrounding her, thus making the outcomes still very much up in the air....

"Hee hee....Well, as long as Porter-chan wouldn't mind it!"

Gera was a bit confused by this talk of "freelance" work. She could've sworn that Black got a lot of business at his....parlor? Was that the right term for it? After all, it was a place for beauty and health products, with splicing on the side....Did he have another business on the side that she wasn't aware of? Whatever the case, she'd do her best to fit in with the conversation....

"I think there are some good business opportunities available in the Zen Gardens, neow...."

This talk of Animated attacks all over Gaia made Gera think about the Animated situation here in Aekea. She honestly hasn't seen that much trouble from the Animated here. Sure, some attacked the hospital now and then, but staff and volunteers could usually send them packing. She especially could, thanks to all the training Black gave her....

The mentioning of Farmer Bill's "gloomy-looking neighbor" made Gera remember the time Black helped her there....

"By the way, thanks again for helping me get over my fear of the OMGs, OMFGS, and even OMGWTFs, Rara! Looks like they aren't so scary after all! Especially your pet OMG! Neow!"