for Derek; backdated to end of February

[sidestepdestiny]

I was able to return some of the gifts I bought Simon for Valentine's Day, but not enough for my comfort. My bank account is suffering, and the only solution I can think of is to get a job, at least temporarily. Another option would be to give up my apartment and move into Simon's so we can share rent, but there's the question of the missing wall, and the fact that both beds have melded together, and I don't know if we can magic an entire wall and a bed from nothing. I'd have to pay this month's rent, anyway.

It's all very frustrating. I've never had a job, I don't have a college degree, I have no idea what I'm qualified for.

I decide on a restaurant or bar. I don't think you need much experience to be a waiter, or bartender. I think I'm competent enough to mix drinks, for snakes sake. Tintern is my first choice, but they're only hiring night shift, and I need that open right now for the warehouse. There's another place up ahead; Semele's. I've been here once or twice, so I decide to give it a try. I duck inside and head right up to the bar.

"Excuse me," I ask the working bartender. "Is the manager in today?"

Comments

[triskehale]

Derek is in the back when he hears Kira call out for him, and he sets his clipboard down before coming around the corner. He quirks a brow when he sees Baz at the bar, because he has no idea what the guy could possibly want from him.

"Guy's asking for you, boss," Kira says, flicking her teal hair over one shoulder before moving to the other end of the bar. Derek comes around to the front of the bar and stops in front of Baz, head tilted the slightest bit.

"Baz," he say easily. "What can I do for you?"

[sidestepdestiny]

I smile in surprise when I see who it is. "Derek, I knew you worked here, I didn't know the place was yours," I say, looking impressed. Derek seems young to own his own business. I don't know if werewolves age differently, but he doesn't look like he could be over thirty.

"Actually, I'm looking for a job. Do you have any openings?"

[triskehale]

"Yeah, has been for awhile now," Derek says, shrugging one shoulder. It isn't like he worked hard to get the place off the ground or anything. It was literally handed to him, and Derek is just glad that he seems to be doing a pretty good job of running it.

Derek isn't expecting Baz to ask for a job, and he doesn't necessarily need another person right now, but he supposes that there are some holes in the schedule that he could fill. "Are you asking to work here because of this place's reputation?"

[sidestepdestiny]

"The reputation of having the best burgers, or the reputation of all kinds welcome?" I ask, smirking faintly, assuming the second. Though I'm sure the burgers are great as well, I can smell them now.

"Apologies. I don't eat out much," I tell him, leaning in a bit so as not to be overheard. Though, I realize belatedly that won't matter to him. He could probably hear me whispering from across the room. "My fangs pop when I eat, and I don't like to advertise what I am."

[triskehale]

"Both, I guess," Derek says with a small smile. He tilts his head a little and then nods in understanding. Baz isn't really like any vampire that Derek has ever met, and it throws him slightly. He's used to arrogance or hostility, or even a feral sort of rage.

"My fangs pop all the time," Derek says easily, curling his lip back as his fangs extend. He retracts them quickly and shrugs a shoulder, wanting Baz to feel comfortable. "You wouldn't have to worry about anything like that here."

He realizes that he's already planning on hiring the kid, and he nearly rolls his eyes at himself. "Do you have any experience?"

[sidestepdestiny]

My eyes are drawn to Derek's fangs in morbid curiosity. I've never really seen a werewolf in any state other than human-looking or purely wold. His fangs seem thicker than mine, but not as long. I return my gaze upward when they retract, and smile almost nervously. "I'll try not to," I say, more open than I allow with most people. "I don't even like my family or boyfriend to see them."

"I...don't," I admit. I know I could easily lie, with any potential references an entire world away, but I'd rather not start things off on the wrong foot. "I was still in school back home. I'm eighteen, nineteen in September. But I'm a fast learner? I was the top of my class back at Watford. I'm fluent in three languages besides English, and I'm a mage. My magic can be handy in a pinch."

[triskehale]

"I'll just have to tempt you with a big bloody steak," Derek says lightly. "I know I can't resist one of those."

It's good that Baz doesn't even try to lie. So many people do when doing job interviews, he's found. It just doesn't really work when Derek can hear a lie from a mile away. If anything, Baz might be a little overqualified, but he seems eager enough.

"I'm sure I can find something for you, but you'll have to start at the bottom of the totem pole, so to speak, and work your way up," Derek tells him, and then eyes him curiously. "Tu hablas español?"

[sidestepdestiny]

"Me neither," I admit, a little wistful. And not even because of the blood.

I nod in agreement to starting at the bottom. I'm not sure what the bottom is at a place like this, but I'd just like some income at a place where, if they find out what I am, I won't be run out. "That's no problem," I tell him. I quirk an eyebrow at his sudden phrase of Spanish.

"Mm, yo hablo muy poco español," I say, waving a hand to indicate my Spanish being very basic at best. "I'm fluent in French, Latin, and Greek. And before you tell me Latin and Greek are useless, it's to do with the way our spells work back home. You can do all sorts of different magic if you know other languages."

[triskehale]

Derek smiles for the brief bit of Spanish. He never really gets a chance to speak it here. He quirks an impressed brow and then huffs out a laugh. "Hey, I was a history major. You won't hear me say they're useless."

He grabs the clipboard that holds the schedule and starts copying dates and times down on a slip for Baz. "Okay then, you're hired. I'll have you shadow Thomas for awhile and then we can work out something for you."

Once he's done, he slides the paper across the bar to Baz and looks at him curiously. "Sure you don't want something to eat? Break room's empty."

[sidestepdestiny]

"Oh. Say, was there a school for your kind back home? A magic school," I amend, in case he doesn't understand what I mean. Somewhere like Watford, for those who are less than human can go and learn in a protected environment.

"Thank you," I add, taking the slip with a grateful smile. I'm not sure who Thomas is, but I'm sure whatever's required of me won't be difficult. Derek asks about a meal, and I pause to consider his offer. "What do you have?"