Hire me? (Antonio)

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we are wild...

Word Count: 563 | Tags: Antonio F. Carriedo | Notes: boops

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o far, job hunting had been frustratingly fruitless. He had enough money to live off of for a few months, but that wasn't going to last if he managed to buy his brother out of the Underground. Then there was not only rent and living expenses to be concerned about, but also funds for two people to eat. In short, Kári really needed to start working and putting funds back into his savings. He had lucked out with travel fares and the apartment he found, but they had taken a large chunk out of his supply. Not to mention he still needed to eventually get some more furniture for his apartment. The previous owners had left some decent essentials and Kári had shipped all his belongings ahead of him, but he still needed a desk and bookshelves and pots and pans and- Kári hadn't realized how much he took for granted until it suddenly wasn't on hand. 

Unfortunately, no one really wanted to hire some kid fresh from Iceland. It wasn't like he was being picky either. He was applying everywhere/ no matter how menial the job. It wasn't like he was lacking in experience, either. In just two years he managed to work at three different establishments. But, apparently employers in Arkadiya weren't looking to hire anyone at the time, much less a foreigner. It was strange, being considered an outside in the city he was born in, but he would never try to argue it. Arkadiya wasn't his home, not after it betrayed him. He felt just as out of place as others viewed him. Mr. Puffin lectured him that people could sense his distaste for the city and that was why they weren't considering hiring him. Kári argued that was stupid because how could all of them get a read of his emotions from an initial meeting. He won that argument.

]The job hunt was getting desperate enough that Kári was extending outside of his area of knowledge. A local flower shop apparently recently reopened and was in need of a full time assistant. Kári knew nothing about floristry, but the owner seemed fine with that on the phone and was near begging Kári to come in for an in person interview. Which was how Kári found himself standing in front of The Little Florist, questioning his decision. He knew nothing about flowers! How could he possibly get hired as an assistant for the whole shop with no experience whatsoever. There was no possible way the owner was so desperate he'd hire someone ignorant of all things flower related. He was just going to make a fool of himself at this rate.

"Don't back out now like some pathetic child," Mr Puffin said in his ear gruffly. "You have nothing to lose by just trying to get hired."

Kári scowled and shrugged his shoulders, jostling the animal's perch. "I know that. I wasn't about to leave without going inside." He huffed and opened the door before Mr. Puffin could provide any more unhelpful commentary. A bell rang across the store front, but there was no one in sight. Kári nibbled on the inside of his lip as he looked around. It was a beautiful store, no doubt about that, but could he really work here? "Hello?" He called uncertainly while checking the time on his phone. He wasn't that early.

we are like young volcanoes

by worldie for jem

[Antonio F. Carriedo]

Following both the bell and the hesitant call inside there was still more of a pause of silence before another voice rang, “one second, be right there!” Moments later there were some footsteps and the opening of a door behind the counter at the back. Setting his yellow apron on the countertop as he passed it – this was just an interview anyway, and he always did have a tendency to be more informal – Antonio smiled brightly in greeting.

“Hi, you must be Käri,” more friendly than proper, the Spaniard held out his hand, “I’m Antonio.” While this darker skinned individual seemed a bit out of place in the winter less than wonder-wonderland that was outside his door, amongst the light and various brightly colored flowers that decorated his ship he seemed a bit more at home and natural. If met anywhere else he may seem rather misplaced in the environment.

It was only up close and after he’d spoken that Antonio noticed the presence of the bird on Käri’s shoulder. Don’t call him any kind of zoological expert, but that kind of bird wasn’t… normally had as a pet, or even natural to this region, was it? He could be wrong though. Lord knows he had been his entire life to an exponentially large number. “Hello to you too, Sir. I can’t say I’ve seen any of you outside of nature photos.” Antonio greeted the bird as well, laughing shortly. He wondered at the care of such an animal, but decided those curiosities could wait to be answered. Often he would have instantly, obliviously, launched right into his probing. But he’d been so harried to find an employee that even he kept that in mind enough to swallow down his brimming questions for later.

Sliding his hands into his pockets with ease, Antonio smiled at the boy. He appeared rather young, probably not even in his twenties. But Antonio would be hard pressed to hold that against him. As the owner of his own brand of baby face that could only be worsened by his childish nature, he more than knew what kind of reactions one could get in his situation. Besides, in something as sunny as a flower ship people may like being helped by such a young cute face! Although… he didn’t seem all too cheery. And Antonio could be getting a bit ahead of himself thinking of how Käri would fit in the shop… details!

“Come on, talking is more fun and easy when you’re comfortable,” he said, waving shortly to follow him to the back towards the counter. There he pushed a stool around the corner to the front, seating himself on the one that remained behind the register. He gestured to the empty seat, “do you want anything to drink?”

Words: 478

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[Deleted]

we are wild...

Word Count: 620 | Tags: Antonio F. Carriedo | Notes: awkward shuffle

S

The owner responded from the back, settling Kári's nerves that he had made a mistake. While it was safe to assume a man named Antonio Carriedo wasn't going to be the average Arkaydian citizen, it was still slightly surprising to see such a tan man in the middle of this Russian winter. His bright smile and casual attitude fit this colorful shop, though. "Hi, you must be Kári, I'm Antonio." Kári shook his offered hand with a small, polite smile, then started freeing himself from his layers. He was working his scarf off when Antonio address Mr. Puffin. "Hello to you too, Sir. I can't say I've seen any of you outside of nature photos." Crap. Mr. Puffin started to open his beak to respond. He was usually good about keeping his mouth shut around new people, but could never pass up responding when some spoke directly to him. Kári's hand shot up and held Mr. Puffin's beak shut. They exchanged a silent conversation, and Kári only let go until Mr. Puffin conceded with keeping quiet. That had been their deal, after all. Kári hadn't taken the bird in with him to past interviews (for obvious reasons) but Mr. Puffin had insisted on being allowed inside for this one.

"He's a peculiar case," Kári offered as some sort of explanation to the unspoken inquiries about the odd pet. He draped his scarf over his arm as he unbutton his coat, unsure how he felt about Antonio looking him over. The man was more than likely wondering how old he was, as everyone did. Being bundled up in his winter clothes only dwarfed him all the more. He was about to take a preemptive strike and stress his age, but Antonio just smiled and gestured for him to the counter.

"Come on, talking is more fun and easy when you're comfortable." Kári nodded and peeled his thick coat off. He gingerly set coat and scarf on the counter as he sat. At the offer of a drink, he shook his head with his service smile. "No thank you, sir."

He felt a tad out of place with Antonio's casual approach to this interview. Normally employers went straight to business, asking for experience and references and whatnot. Was it too forward of him to present his resume to Antonio right now? Should he wait for him to ask for it? He wondered if this cheery man even cared about that and rathered someone that would be a good addition to the shop personality wise. Kári wasn't good on the personality front. He could put on a good service persona and interacted well with customers, but he would never claim to have a welcoming personality. He was so out of his comfort zone with this job, this was not going to work out in the least. He was just going to make a fool out of himself and leave with empty hands and- Mr. Puffin pecked lightly at his cheek, bringing him back into reality. His steely gaze said, 'stop panicking, idiot, just try your best.' Right, okay.

Kári fumbled with his jacket and pulled out his folder of references and experience. "I-" He coughed, his nerves and sudden speaking making him inhale wrong. With a deep breath he held the folder up, unable to make eye contact in his embarrassment. "I don't have any experience with floristry, but I'm a quick study and I can also do research on my own. I've worked several service jobs, so I'm experience with dealing with customers. I'm also really good with online things, if you ever want to consider setting up a site for people to order flowers ahead of time through the Internet, maybe."

we are like young volcanoes

by worldie for jem

[Antonio F. Carriedo]

Upon the polite rejection of a drink Antonio nodded, leaning forward on the counter enough to rest an elbow and hold his cheek in his hand. Like this he watched the boy across from him, about to speak when he noticed his obvious internal debate. He would have asked if he was alright, tell him there was no need to be nervous, honestly, but at seeing the odd bird peck at Kári’s cheek he smiled. That was… incredibly cute wow. Would he be able to ask that he bring the bird to work, if only on occasion? Antonio had to hide his happy snort behind his palm, turning his head into it before he could look back at the speaking boy.

In the offering of the folder Antonio took it. He opened it up and glanced through it shortly, eyes darting up to Kári periodically as he spoke. Casual as he was, Antonio was also a salesman who had been heavily trained to enter into business and sales. To be of an even higher standing than he ended up being, in fact. It was difficult for even him not to have that sort of outlook as a result – easily taking in the list and figuring it. Young, yes, but he did definitely have a fair list of jobs in customer service. While he wasn’t any kind of picky Antonio would appreciate someone with that kind of experience.

As the short introduction was finished, Antonio set the folder down once more and smiled. Without much noticing he’d fallen into a more business-like mode while reading and listening. “I won’t lie and say I wasn’t hoping to find someone with some kind of knowledge for the job, but,” he gestured around the shop, “I can’t really do this by myself. I have another job – and I wouldn’t call either more important than the other, but I can’t easily take off time from the other for this. I’m in a bit of a bind not being able to find help for this long, in fact.” He sighed, more from dramatics than anything. Fortunately he hadn’t had to cancel any meetings - yet – just had to keep the shop at some… infrequent hours.

“That said,” he began again, “you’re really not that bad of a choice. All bouquets are made beforehand, and any specific requests I can handle myself. Unless you want to try to learn, of course! Other than that some basic facts about flower meanings, a pleasant smile, that’s all you need.” That may have been a bit optimistic for even Antonio, but… there was something about this kid. He couldn’t quite place it yet. The odd mix of a bird, his features, and his nervousness.

And honestly, he was just too darn cute!

Words: 476

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[Deleted]

we are wild...

Word Count: 450 | Tags: Antonio F. Carriedo | Notes: hahaaa exactly 450

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As Antonio flipped through the file, Kári's gaze wandered to follow each page he looked at. Was he really reading it or just pretending to be looking at it? Every time Antonio glanced up at him, Kári was quick to be looking elsewhere. Somehow, this structureless interview was way more nerve wracking than the last few he had been to. He felt a shred of hope as Antonio set the folder down with a smile. Smiles were good, right? It didn't seem like a polite 'about to reject' smile, at least he hoped it wasn't. "I won’t lie and say I wasn’t hoping to find someone with some kind of knowledge for the job, but-” Kári's heart dropped. Mr. Puffin pecked him to pay attention to the but. “I can’t really do this by myself. I have another job – and I wouldn’t call either more important than the other, but I can’t easily take off time from the other for this. I’m in a bit of a bind not being able to find help for this long, in fact.” He looked up with widened eyes, with slight disbelief and a lot of hope. This had to be a prologue to hiring him, right? That wasn't too hopeful a thing for him to thing at this point, right? “That said, you’re really not that bad of a choice. All bouquets are made beforehand, and any specific requests I can handle myself. Unless you want to try to learn, of course! Other than that some basic facts about flower meanings, a pleasant smile, that’s all you need.”

Kári mentally sighed in relief. This guy was desperate and Kári was a better choice than no choice. Somehow this was working out. He put on his waiter smile, small but noticeable on his usually straight face. "I've already started researching flower meanings online and I was planning on stopping by a bookstore after this, if I got the job I mean-" Pink tinted his cheeks and he clasped his hands in his lap to stay focused. "I am more than willing to learn making bouquets to help you out. You won't regret hiring me."

Mr. Puffin pecked at Kári’s cheek again, reminding him there was an important matter to establish before really getting hired. He scooped the bird from his shoulder to hold in his lap. “Um, this is Mr. Puffin. He doesn’t do so well sitting at home all day, well he can if he has to, but I was wondering if it would be okay with you if he accompanied me to work? He’s very well behaved and will just nap on my shoulder or counter for the most part.”

we are like young volcanoes

by worldie for jem

[Antonio F. Carriedo]

While the nervous actions were rather cute on such a baby face, a part of Antonio did wish that the kid would relax a little. Was he really that scary of a prospective employer? He certainly hoped not, he had trained for a position even above this near his entire childhood! All of that would have been for naught in more ways than one if he couldn’t properly keep a shop like this with only one assistant. What a disgrace that would be.

Plus, what kind of boss would he be to a kid like this? Damn, he was already doing some reading and planning to do more, for a job he wasn’t sure he had yet? That was dedication. Or responsibility, maturity. Something of the like, whatever it was it impressed Antonio. He doubted he would have had that much forethought when applying for a job at the fresh age of eighteen. Course, he had been in a rather different situation than Kári appeared to be in.

One that had-Mr.Puffin. Wow, Mr. Puffin. Now that was beyond cute. Antonio crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat a hint, looking away to hide the goofy grin that manifested instead of the held back snorts. No-No, have to be professional at least a little longer. Even if all he wanted to do was call this kid cute, his bird cute, ask about the bird, and how cute he was-

“I don’t see any problem with-ah-Mr. Puffin coming with you to work. It’s not exactly a company with a huge packet of a code of conduct.” Thank God, Antonio hated those. Didn’t matter that his teachers had warned him that his affectionate ways could more than easily be counted as sexual harassment when he got to the top and could be used against him in his position to topple the family company. He just… preferred a far more laid-back manner of doing things. Which was probably already becoming apparent to this potential employee before him. There went all of those lectures and instructions right out the window. Wouldn’t his instructors be proud.

Right, casual. Antonio smiled and brought himself forward again. “Which brings me to another point. You could really do to relax, you know? You don’t have to be so nervous. So far you’re looking more than capable for the job. I still have my questions, like when would be best for you to work or when you could start, but that’s nothing scary! Can’t say I’ve had a whole lot of experience managing a business,” extensive training, yes, actual experience, no. “But I don’t think I’m terrible or scary or anything. The best thing you can bring to the table for anything, job interview or whatever, is a nice smile and some ease.” He said, smiling brightly himself.

Words: 485

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we are wild...

Word Count: 512 | Tags: Antonio F. Carriedo | Notes:

W

as he- yes there was definitely no doubt that Antonio was trying to hide his reaction to being introduced to Mr. Puffin, no doubt finding his name immensely amusing. Yeah, yeah it was a childish name, no reason to have such a stupid smile and be struggling to fight back laughter. Pink brushed his cheeks, amusing Mr. Puffin greatly as he sent a smug look up at Kári. No doubt the bird liked Antonio now more than ever. The sadist love anyone that got Kári embarrassed. “I don’t see any problem with-ah-Mr. Puffin coming with you to work. It’s not exactly a company with a huge packet of a code of conduct.” Yeah, Kári did not miss the falter before saying Mr. Puffin, but he gave up with a sigh. Despite having to deal with someone like this if he was hired, Kári would be pressed to find another job, let alone one that would allow him to keep Mr. Puffin around. Well, he could deal with a laid back boss that took amusement in silly names given to birds.

“Which brings me to another point. You could really do to relax, you know? You don’t have to be so nervous. So far you’re looking more than capable for the job. I still have my questions, like when would be best for you to work or when you could start, but that’s nothing scary! Can’t say I’ve had a whole lot of experience managing a business, but I don’t think I’m terrible or scary or anything. The best thing you can bring to the table for anything, job interview or whatever, is a nice smile and some ease.” Crap, right, relax. Kári did not even realize how stiff he was until Antonio commented on it, despite his calm facial facade, his clenched hands and painfully straight back gave away how nervous he was.

Kári unclenched his hands and started to pet the puffin in his lap to get himself to calm down. Gosh, he had no reason to be so concerned, Antonio was not turning him down or criticizing his capabilities for the job. He put his soft service smile on again as he nodded and tried to explain his nerves. "Sorry, I haven't had much luck with the rest of the interviews I've gone to since coming to the city. I've been feeling a little desperate..." He rubbed his thumb under Mr. Puffin's beak as he gathered his thoughts. "So, I can start whenever you would want me to. I have no other responsibilities to conflict with schedule building." He paused, unsure how much he should elaborate on his preferences for work hours... But Antonio really did not seem to be debating whether or not he would hire him, just wanted to iron out details. So expressing his preferences could not hurt him, right? "I can work in the mornings, but I really do function better in the afternoon. If it's not possible, that's no problem, but it would be nice..." He trailed off, hoping he had not overstepped any lines.

we are like young volcanoes

by worldie for jem

[Antonio F. Carriedo]

Seeing the teen relax, if only to a degree, made Antonio smile and nod in approval. So he could seem at least a little less nervous. That was a good sign. Although, when Kári explained, Antonio thought that he couldn’t fully blame him for being so tense either. Moving to a city and having a hard time finding a job, that was definitely rough. Hope can take a downturn rather easily with a string of failed interviews. Not many were willing to hire someone so young without any sort of connections, especially not someone from outside the city without much experience in whatever the business was geared for. In that regard Antonio wasn’t entirely surprised that Kári was having a rough time of it, although he still felt sympathetic towards him.

While Antonio had pretty much been groomed for one job his entire life, and then gone straight into the same business only at a different level when things took a sudden turn, he had been ‘interviewed’ himself in a way before. As he’d travelled about for years he had on and off taken small jobs or done projects, both out of boredom and the occasional need for money. If something came up that he was interested in, he went for it. If he saw a for hire sign at an establishment that seemed like it would be a fun experience, that would give him some new growth or knowledge, he jumped at it. This of course didn’t always end in his hiring, since not everyone was in fact willing to hire such an oddly energetic teen with no actual work experience to speak of, just a lot of education. Granted with the few that did accept him he did start to build a resume slowly, but hoping between jobs with such short terms of working between different countries and area of work – that wasn’t exactly all that appealing to potential employers either.

Even with his shining personality Antonio didn’t always get the job. That said, it wasn’t quite the end of the world if he didn’t get one right off, since he could just move on with what money he had. He was fairly certain Kári wasn’t in the position he had been in, so he knew it would be quite a bit more detrimental to his welfare if he didn’t land a job sometime, if not sometime soon. Perhaps his anxiety wasn’t quite as misplaced as Antonio had originally thought. With that in mind, he spoke next in a bit more of an easy and gentle manner. Although it was tinted a bit with a brightening at hearing that afternoons would be preferred.

“That works perfectly, actually. Most of my meetings for my sales rep job – oh, did I mention that’s what it was? – those are in the afternoon or evening, so that’s when I most need someone here. I like mornings anyway, so working then is no problem for me.” He nodded.

And, since it seemed to be working out so well, he thought he could give the kid some more definite hope. Antonio held out a hand, “well, does that mean we have a deal?”

Words: 529

Tags: @iceicebaby

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