Audio:

[reluctantaccessory]

 So, um, wow...

This is going sound incredibly stupid on both counts, but would anyone mind lending me some advice on a couple of things? It's nothing really personal, it's just I'm having a little trouble with a couple of small things. (A breath, calm yourself, calm yourself.) Okay, so for starters... I need to look for a job. I used to work at the cat cafe, but that's gone now I think. So, I was thinking of something that I would like to do. And I kind of think I wanted to start a business again. I used to do that. A scooter rental shop in my own world and in another place I was at I ran a consignment shop...

I think if I was going to do that again, I would want to start a bakery or something like that...

(She might even be smiling based on her tone of voice now.)

What kinds of things would you want to see sold? How much do you think I should charge? Should I think about doing something else? What's setting up something like that going to take? What am I missing here...

(Oh, right. She has to ask about this other thing too.)

And now for the second part...

Does anyone know how to build those really cool, big pillow forts? I thought it would be something fun, but I'm having trouble even keeping this little tiny fort upright. 

Comments

audio;

[upshore]

Well, on the second count, I think you need a zoning permit first.

[Miles, you ass.]

Re: audio;

[reluctantaccessory]

(What.)

Okay, stranger... let me get this right. You're saying that I need a zoning permit for a pillow fort in the middle of a living room?

(So much eyebrow raise for you, too bad you can't see it.)

That's incredibly pointless, you know. Besides, what they don't know isn't going to hurt them in this case.

audio;

[upshore]

Okay, well, don't come crying to me when you get slapped with a big ol' fine from the Keeliai Zoning Board.

[His tone is teasing, at this point.]

Re: audio;

[reluctantaccessory]

Thanks for the concern...

(Her tone changes into an equally teasing one.)

...I think you're safe from that. It's not like I can exactly come crying to someone who as far as I know is only a disembodied voice.

[highprofilerichkid]

A bakery would be awesome.

[It's not like there's any shortage of bakeries in Keeliai, but one run by his roommate has several advantages: 1. recipe testing 2. friends and family discount 3. someone who actually knows what the hell he's talking about when he requests specific Earth pastries.]

And I've still got that liquid nitrogen generator sitting around, if you want to throw some ice cream in there.

Also, pillow forts? You remember I'm an engineer, right? [Yes, that includes structural engineering. Tony builds the best pillow forts.]

[reluctantaccessory]

You think so?

(Right. Marie would let him taste test. Right. He most likely would be able to pick out whatever he wants for free. And the most right. Sure, she may have to experiment with the traditional recipes, but it's a sure fire way to get certain types of pastries, right?)

Wait, wait, you have something that can let us have ice cream too?

(She's never made ice cream, but that would be such a good idea. Waffles go well in sundaes, same with cookies and brownies.)

Yeah, I kind of...got a little bored and it seemed like a good idea and I thought it would cheer everyone up... (!!!!) That's right, you are. Um, do you mind giving me a hand when you can. I wanted to make a huge fort.

[highprofilerichkid]

Sure. Just mix up some cream and sugar, pour in the liquid nitrogen, and you've got instant ice cream. Or pour the ice cream soup into the nitrogen, and then it makes Dippin' Dots. [SCIENCE!] The generator only produces about a liter of liquid nitrogen a day, but if you actually want to sell ice cream I could scale it up. [And he keeps meaning to throw that ice cream party he and Pepper talked about.]

And yeah, I am so on for blanket forts. I'll be home right after work. There's extra blankets in the linen closet. And pillows. And we'll need at least two more lamps, a few extra chairs, some rope, and a bunch of clothespins.

audio

[unetrustworthy]

...a pillow fort?

That...doesn't sound very secure.

Re: audio

[reluctantaccessory]

(Ah. A slight nod.) Yeah, but it's...it's not really to protect myself with or anything. It definitely wouldn't be good for something like that.

(Honest.)

I just thought it would be fun to build one to hang out in for a little while. Maybe the housemates would want to too.

audio

[unetrustworthy]

[Well, fun was a decent motivator for doing something.]

Tape. Or glue.

Aren't those the best way to keep a structure from falling apart?

[audio]

[edgeoftheknife]

[The voice on the other end is very recognizably Irish.]

If you decide to start a business, I... could probably help with dealing with the Merchant's Guild, if you like. And a bakery sounds like a great idea.

Re: [audio]

[reluctantaccessory]

Yeah, I was really thinking about it, honestly I will when I ask myself what I want to do. Besides, I can't go back to my old job here and I kind of miss having my own shop.

(A pause.) You would? Really? I...I really could use the help.

You think it's a great idea? I kind of thought that if I'm already baking constantly for my housemates, I might as well try to see what I can do with it and it's not as if I can rent scooters out here.

[edgeoftheknife]

I do think it's a good idea. I can't remember if I've heard of any other Foreigners running a bakery... but who doesn't love baked things, either way?

Sure, I don't mind. I have to deal with them anyway, and I've done all this before. I assume you'll need to rent a shop, rather than buy?

[lasergrenades]

Okay, one: neither of those things are stupid. Two: if you start a bakery does that mean the house gets to be the test kitchen and can I please help taste test things?

[Pepper is obviously excited about these ideas.]

I know a bunch of the cafes and bakeries in the city, I might be able to help with, like, price comparison and stuff. They try to imitate Foreigner food sometimes, but maybe if you focused on Foreigner favorites?

[reluctantaccessory]

(Cue an eyebrow raise.) I thought the answer to that question was obvious?

(Of course the house gets to be the test kitchen. Also of course, she can help taste test if she would like.)

Yeah, that would be really helpful. I didn't get to visiting as many places as I would have liked when I was here last...

(A pause. Yes, Pepper. Good idea.) No, that's a really good idea. I should do that. I'm sure there's a lot of things that aren't being made here that people miss.

[lasergrenades]

Awesome.

[Pepper may not quite have the bottomless metabolism that Tony does, but she will happily be a guinea pig for baked goods.]

Cool. I'll start taking notes when I go out. Plus there's the whole ingredient substitution thing. Sometimes it's easy to find something that works, and sometimes it isn't. But seriously, who wouldn't love a classic chocolate chip cookie? There aren't enough around here.

Radio

[ten_zero]

I'm sorry, I'm not familiar. What's a 'pillow fort'?

[ Is she talking about like... the head cushion? A fort made of pillowy material would be unsuitable for any purpose she could think of. ]

Re: Radio

[reluctantaccessory]

A pillow fort?

Um, well, it's kind of like a mini building? No, wait...it's smaller than a building but... you're supposed to able to sit inside of it...

Basically you take a bunch of pillows and blankets and things and try to make a little room?

[ten_zero]

Why?

[ And where do you get so many pillows? ]

[lostundercover]

Why not start with a decent cup of coffee?

[Because bakeries are just venues for coffee right]

[reluctantaccessory]

Coffee? (A nod.) Well, sure. I guess I can try to see what I can do there.

...Wait, is the coffee elsewhere that bad? (She's not someone who is picky about that sort of thing.)

[lostundercover]

It's alright at the places I've been. No Dunks, but it's alright.

audio;

[denyamenti]

There's been a few other businesses of the same type. You might want to check if any of those might be available for re-opening.

[ The benefits of having been in Keeliai for over three years. ]

Re: audio;

[reluctantaccessory]

There have been? (Slight disappointment.) I suppose I'll have to look and see what I might be able to do then.

Re: audio;

[denyamenti]

Is that a problem? I'd think that just proves it's likely to be successful.