1 The First Job
The sun was beginning to set in the horizon.
The majestic wooden double doors of Inkstone were opened by its doorman. A girl exuding a youthful aura entered through the doors. She had a petite frame with fair skin, and her long, black hair was tied into twin pigtails with yellow ribbons. She wore a white blouse with frilled sleeves and a red, checkered miniskirt supported by black jumper straps.
"…"
The girl dragged a knitted brown teddy bear by one of its arms as she looked around the lobby.
"Good day, Ms. Coby! Will you be staying with us today?" greeted a bald, black man wearing frameless glasses. He didn't have broad shoulders and was a bit thin, giving off a somewhat weak countenance.
"Not today, Jarvis! I'm here to see your poor excuse for a boss!" Coby replied, pursing her lips to show her dislike.
"Now, now, Ms. Coby. I believe you know the rules here at Inkstone?" asked Jarvis.
"Uggghh… Rules! Rules! Rules! I'm so tired of these rules! ARGH!!!" screamed Coby as she hugged her teddy bear for comfort.
"Ms. Coby, if you won't behave, I will be compelled to call Mr. Miller!" warned Jarvis as he prepared to press a hidden button under his desk.
"Miller? Go ahead and call him out! I'm not afraid." goaded Coby
Jarvis pressed the silent alarm and a tall muscular man with a crew cut, suit and sunglasses waltzed into the lobby. He stood in front of Coby, towering over her with an intimidating glare.
"Is this lady causing problems?" Coby had to turn her head to the ceiling to see the man's face looking down at her.
"Ahem, there are no problems. Right?!" Ms Coby panicked as sweat formed above her brows. Her teddy bear slipped out of her hand.
*Boom!* *Crack!*
A loud boom echoed inside the lobby as cracks formed on one of the floor tiles.
"Ms Coby, please be more careful with your mace!" Jarvis bowed his head in displeasure, checked the damage. "We will have to deduct repairs from your bond deposit." Jarvis held his forehead, wincing from a headache caused by Coby's carelessness.
"Sorry…" Ms Coby picked up her bear (mace) and pulled a lollipop out. Her hand speed was a sight to behold, too quick for any normal observer.
Jarvis raised his hand, stopping her from doing as she pleases. "Ms Coby, if you will not stop with your games, I will be forced to Mr Miller here to escort you out! My patience is wearing thin." threatened Jarvis.
Coby stomped her foot in a final act of defiance and stuck her her tongue out. "Bleh! Take me to Amro!" She hid the poisoned lollipop back in her blouse.
"It's Master Amro to you, Ms Coby!" Jarvis gave Mr Miller a glance. Mr Miller went to escort Coby. "Watch her Miller. We don't know what tricks she could pull!"
The three walked in, to the back office. Jarvis knocked on the Hotel Manager's Door thrice.
"It's open!" said the voice inside the room.
The three entered the room as Jarvis left made the introductions. "Ms Coby is here to see you, Master Amro."
The high back leather chair turned around, revealing a wrinkled man in his 50s with slowly greying hair. He had bright blue eyes and a clef in his chin. "Oh! Coby dear! To what do I owe this pleasure?" Amro said in a mildly annoyed tone.
"I'm here for a job!" declared Ms Coby, brushing off Amro's condescension.
Amro waved to Miller and Jarvis. "You may leave us!"
The two left and closed the door behind them. Amro stood up and moved to sit on his desk, positioning himself in front of Coby. "What's the job, pray tell? You do understand it all comes with a price."
"I have money!" Ms Coby pulled out a number of golden stars from her hidden pockets, dropping them to the floor. There were around 30 stars scattered on the floor. "If that's not enough, I have more!"
Amro smiled as he picked up a picture of his two adopted daughters, Yoshie and Shizuka. "It seems the task is not a simple one. Do tell this old man your woes!" Amro smiled devilishly at Coby.
"I need a new identity! A new name!"
"Moving my dear?" wondered Amro.
"No! I just need a new public official profile! My old papers were flagged and the government is after me! Argh! Such a pain! Chased by cops all day, hiding in the sewers! I can't take it! I need a new identity! Make it quick!" raged Coby.
Amro tapped his chin in amusement of Coby's suffering. But, he still had a job to do. "I have a guy in mind…" Amro picked up a conch shell from his table. It turns out to be a phone in the shape of a shell! "Can you come for a minute? I have a job for you!" Amro sat in silence for a minute. "Yes! It is Coby! I knew you'd be delighted!"
Amro put the phone down and smiled mischievously at Coby. "He'll be here shortly. I believe you're acquainted already."
"Really?!" Coby wondered who among those of Inkstone would have that specific skill set to hack government systems and alter data.
A knock was heard from the door.
"Ah! Come in! Come in! Don't keep Coby waiting."
Coby's lips curved upwards in glee. She turned to look at her benefactor. Regret suddenly filled her face, turning her smile upside down. "YOU???!!!" she voiced her frustration with the man in question.
"Ah! Ms Coby! I hear you are in need of my services?" teased Jarvis.
"Five Stars!" said Amro.
"What?!"
"Five Stars, Coby! Or have you suddenly turned deaf?!" mocked Amro as he held up five fingers.
"Can he really do it?!" Coby doubted Jarvis' abilities but picked up five stars from the ground and handed it to Amro.
"Do you have any preference in mind? Surname? First name?" Amro asked for some specifics.
"I don't care! Just get it done!" Coby screamed as she threw another golden star towards Amro.
Amro caught the new star and tossed five stars to Jarvis. "You may proceed!"
"Ms Coby, your documentation will be ready in 12 hours. I'd advice for you to check-in to Inkstone, for your own safety!" Warned Jarvis while he bowed to the two.
Coby shook her head in frustration. "I get it! I get it! I'll stay the night!"
"One star!"
"What now?!" Coby screamed in anger!
"Payment for the room, Ms Coby! A standard of Inkstone! Any order must be paid for before receiving the service or goods!" reminded Jarvis.
"Don't worry Jarvis! Our Coby here has generously scattered my floor with stars! I don't think she has any intention of running out on us! Thank you, Jarvis!" said Amro.
"Very well, sir!" Jarvis bowed and left the room.
"Now, if there is nothing more I can help you with. I believe my job here is done! You may leave now!" Amro stood from his desk and walked up to a wall mounted blade with an engraving that meant "Sakura" in a foreign language. He stared at the fine craftsmanship of the blade, admiring its beauty like always.
"Thank you, Master Amro!" Coby pulled out a lollipop from her blouse.
"If you really want me to take the lollipop, I'll be taking that hand with it!" Amro glared at Coby with burning fury in his eyes. His hands were tucked behind him, ready to pull "Sakura" from the wall.
"Ekkk!!! I'm going! I'm going!" Coby ran out the office in panic.
"Sigh… Kids these days! Jokes have their limits!"
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