Work Text:
Glitch City, Valhalla
207X, December 22 (Day 10)
It had been almost 2 weeks since the incident with Kim had happened, and Dana was able to help her out a great deal.
Kim was busy ever since, dealing with quitting the Augmented Eye reporter job plus her new mental health priorities.
She was meaning to update Dana on what had been happening, but said events left her no time. And with Dana unable to provide her phone number due to BTC laws, the only option was to just arrive at the Valhalla bar where possible.
But she was in the bar now, and that's what mattered. But before going to see Dana, she'd at least talk with Jill a bit.
"I'll have a Sunshine Cloud, please."
"Sure." Jill complied, mixing the different ingredients together as needed. 2 Adelhyde and 2 Bronson Extract. Optional Karmotrine wasn't included however, for Kim's sake.
After adding ice to the mix, all that needed to be done was a blended shake, taking around 5 seconds to do so as usual.
With that done, the Sunshine Cloud was poured into a relevant glass and served, the payment already being given with Kim's card on the CALICOMP interface.
"Thanks!"
Jill sighed, hesitantly questioning Kim. "So, how've you been doing? Ever since..."
Kim started drinking her Sunshine Cloud with a slight slip, it quickly helped her mood. "Well, I quit my job first of all. What happened back then made me realize that I had to stop putting up with that hell. I may be out of a job currently, but it's better than almost dying."
Jill wasn't really surprised, but still glad the reporter job was moved on from. "Are you looking for a new reporter job, or are you done with that?"
"I'll need to think about it. But most of all, I feel free being away from that job. Like, it feels good that I can now possibly go to a job I actually want."
"What did your family think, quitting the reporter job and all?" Jill inquired.
Kim had to look away for a second, during more of her Sunshine cloud in the process. "I ended up lashing out at them accidentally when their complaints got too much, and now they know how that job almost made me..."
Jill quickly leaned forward, trying to help with the distress. "Do you need a moment?"
"*sigh* It's fine."
However before Jill could offer another drink to Kim to help calm down, the door to Dana's office suddenly opened, a busy looking Dana quickly noticing Kim at one of the stools.
"Ah, Kim. Good to see you. Do you mind coming into my office for a bit? I want to talk to you."
"Sure, sure." Kim nodded, turning her attention back to Jill. "Thanks for listening to me today, Jill. I appreciate it." Kim quickly finished her Sunshine Cloud to not waste it.
"No problem."
And with that, Kim followed Dana into her office. Meanwhile, Jill cleaned the now empty glass preparing for the next client to show.
The two sat down in their respective places. Kim at the nearest set and Dana at the desk seat, breaking the ice with a throat clear firstmost.
"It's good to see you, Kim. Did you do okay after I left you at the hospital?"
Kim nodded, it took her a few seconds to answer as she recalled everything from that day. "Mostly, it was just... hard to process everything. But they took care of me until I was able to go home."
Dana crossed her arms, acknowledging the information and wishing to make sure something she did on that day stuck. "Good, good. And did you use that list I gave you at all?"
Kim leaned back, trying to relax as to recall those specific events easier. "One of the numbers landed me into a therapy session, and even though I've only been there once due to scheduling issues, it's helped. I made sure to bring up your name too."
"I'm glad, really. I was happy to help." Dana smiled without doubt. "And I heard some stuff from when you were talking to Jill. Do you need advice regarding your parents at all?"
"Well..." Kim was hesitant to bring this next part up, but Dana deserved to know. "They calmed down ever since they found out about everything. Both my incident and the job thing was a lot to take in as a parent, I assume."
"Got it. I'm always here if you need advice on anything, of course." Dana decided to switch the topic somewhat, to focus on a more important matter to make sure Kim was safe financially, given Glitch City's constant troubles. "Speaking of, I also heard what you said about your job situation."
Kim nodded again. "I will admit, meeting Jill has given me an interest in bartending, so maybe when I get the chance to think about what to do, I could perhaps explore that."
"I had a feeling. When you were first here, you were really interested in Jill's position. I respect it." For a few seconds, Dana thought back to some of what Kim said in their previous meeting, seemingly making a decision on something. "And to help you out if you really wish, I'll remind you that I could try offering you a job at Valhalla. Part time or otherwise."
Kim was pulled off her slight trance of thinking and looked right at Dana, eyes wide while sitting straight up. "Are you still sure about that?"
"Positive. It's not like we have too many employees, and I'm sure you can be as reliable as Jill and Gil." Dana gave a confident look with a smile. "Hell, we've had other people working here in the past, for better or worse."
"W-Well, thank you. It genuinely means a lot." Kim couldn't help but blush, she was taken aback by such generosity all of a sudden, even if it was from someone she trusted with her life.
"I thought it was a good opportunity to offer this, so why not?"
Kim felt much more confident thanks to Dana's offer and was glad she remembered said offer, the lightened mood being noticed in an instant. "If I don't find any other good jobs, I'll take you up on that. It'll give me time to just think about what I should be doing next."
"Just be mindful of all the BTC's benefits when you're an employee. Discounts, point cards for their alcohol, and so on." Dana made sure to slide a holo-card across the desk for Kim to see, an advertisement of sorts for the BTC listing benefits for certain roles. "Plus, some benefits for their housing program. And if you really need it, a BTC-issued liver implant for more lenient alcohol intake."
Kim took a few seconds to process all of the card's information, and became quite intrigued. "Huh, is the housing program any good? I'm just worried the situation with my parents might get bad again in the future."
Dana took the card back, it being deposited into the desk's drawer, making sure some important things were made clear. "It's a last resort, so don't get your hopes up. You have to sign off on a contract for five years of work in a BTC bar at minimum, with your pay and whatever tips you get being cut."
"Oh, fuck that. Sounds worse than the Augmented Eye's benefits." Kim recoiled slightly, having not expected the strictness of said contract. No way would anyone take that, right?
"Exactly, so only consider their housing program *if* you really have to. Makes me angry that Realty Nua has an unspoken monopoly on real estate too.
A stray Realty Nua card was noticed in the nearby trash can, prompting Kim to question. "Huh, I used to think these apartments were made by the BTC themselves, not Realty Nua."
"It's complicated, especially when talking about Realty Nua. Trust me, there's a whole history behind them which is a headache to talk about."
"I get it, I remember how my parents used to complain about how they've barely done any work over the years or something, apparently."
"That's part of the issue." A throat clear by Dana led to a new question. "By the way since you're here, anything specific you need to talk about with me, or vent?"
"Some things, but it's probably better said to my therapist."
Dana easily understood. A therapist would be better for heavy topic discussion, even compared to someone like Dana.
"Anyway, I need to pass you off to Jill, I'm sorry. It's just the BTC can come down hard on bar managers who can look slacking to the higher-ups." This was probably a reason why Dana's office always looked so clean. Either that, or doing it to make herself look good for her reputation as the bar's manager.
"Oh, sure! I understand." With that acknowledgement, Kim didn't wish to waste anymore of Dana's precious time and got out of the occupied chair.
"Thanks, thanks. I appreciate you showing up today, and I'm of course glad to see you safe. You know where I am if you need me."
"Sure, and thanks for talking with me. I'm forever in your debt." Kim quickly gave a hug to the now stood up Dana who wished to see her off. The hug was returned in a short time.
After a few seconds, the hug was broken off as the office door was opened by Dana. "Don't mention it. Take care, alright? Make use of this second chance you've been given by life."
"You too! And Happy New Year!"
And with that, Kim left the office to return in Jill's presence, closing the door behind herself.
Dana sat back down in her chair and contemplated with a smile, feeling somewhat proud of herself for helping Kim out to this extent where she could.
"Heh, she's got a good path ahead of her."