[Console - Video]

[valevectorian]

[The feed opens up with a headshot of a guy at the console. Moppy white hair that barely touches his shoulders, red eyes, pale skin. An expression that seems to embody a mixture of boredom and annoyance. A black choker encircles his neck, with a black box connected to it and wires that go from the box to somewhere behind his ears. A person who doesn't know any better would likely mistake it for a fancy, if unusually designed MP3 player. He takes a moment to glare daggers at the screen before proceeding to speak.]

To start off, I'm only going to bother with three questions.

[The rest could always wait.

Accelerator holds up the pointer finger of one hand.]

One- I don't care whether you're someone I'd hate or tolerate; does the name 'Academy City' mean anything to anyone else here?

[He holds up the middle finger now.]

Two- I need to know if anyone's come across a girl named Misaka who speaks in the third person. She was with me right before I woke up in this weird-ass place.

[He holds up a third finger.]

And three...

[Deliberate pause. His eyes narrow, brow furrowing. He hates to bring this up in case it brings too much attention to the topic he plans to ask about, but it's too important to ignore for the time being.]

Three. What's the norm for supernatural abilities when you're not from here?

[He's felt drained since he woke up. No matter what the truth of the nature of this place was, his connection to the Misaka Network doesn't seem to be compromised. His power, on the other hand, seems to be barely functional, based on the few testing attempts he made when he first woke up. Something was up.]

Comments

[valevectorian]

Software, machinery design and assembly, anything with math...

[gistful]

[Anton already has a number of engineers working on his utilities. The math, however ...]

I believe there is something with which you may help me. Have you performed accounting services in the past?

[valevectorian]

[What starts off as a look of confusion devolves into a closed-eyed sigh. Damn. What if this is his only option?]

I'm a high school student. Do you think most of those have done accounting?

[Open-eyed again, he goes back to his preferred expression of neutrality and boredom.]

I'm going to drop by later today. When I do, show me the formats and formulas used for it. I doubt it'd be difficult to learn.

[gistful]

There is always housekeeping; washing dishes and changing beds, and the like.

[Blandly. Anton is the kind of guy where it's difficult to tell if he's joking or not. Already, the boy's attitude is making him doubt the wisdom of hiring him for that work ... perhaps a face-to-face meeting will help him decide.]

I believe Master Iroh has already given you directions, but here is a map.

[Text: Addresses for all the Hotel's entrances. In Japanese, even.]

[valevectorian]

[Well, he does have one heck of an attitude. It's known to be off-putting. But c'est la vie.

At the beginning of this part of the video transmission he is visible taking a good clear look at the map and jotting a few things down on scrap paper. As he finishes, he faces the screen:]

Those are last resorts since those require a lot of walking and standing. I use a cane. Math, on the other hand... anything math-related is my bitch.

[gistful]

[That is, also, useful to know, and Anton abandons the teasing for looking thoughtful.]

The Hotel has no elevator. However, if you have trouble with stairs I shall ensure they can double as escalators.

[It's only a few changes in the sigils and a button to push on Accelerator's behalf. In any case, the boy is confident in his ability to perform the math, and in Anton's experience this sort of casual confidence is usually accompanied by an inability to make only half an effort. Attitude or no, chances are the teen can be trusted to do the work correctly, and that is all Anton really needs.]

I shall see you later this afternoon, then.

[valevectorian]

Stairs are probably fine.

[If all else fails, he can cheat by using his power. The mention of changing the stairs into escalators gets a weird look from him, but he doesn't bother commenting on it. Probably something supernaturally powered or assisted, then.]

Later.