What, Are You Typing A Novel?
Kankri had his sights on joining this club long before he even settled into his boarding room. He knew that being a contributing part of the paper here would look especially good on his college application, and had plenty of experience writing both longer and shorter works. Generally nonfiction, but thatās what news delivers. News. Facts. Notes on how to improve oneās self and society, bit by bit. Or thatās what he hoped to contribute to the paper, if the Snow Cat Times didnāt already have a column on such a topic.
Kankri had a folder stuffed full with his proudest moments as an avid blogger, and other personal notes heād made to himself that he felt would assure him a spot in the paper. He had no doubts in his mind that theyād be eager to welcome him into their ranks. However, he knew better than to saunter in and let them know he expected the position to fall into his lap. A good dose of humility would be the key to his acceptance.Ā
He strode up to the room the newspaper club was supposed to meet up in, at the time they were supposed to meet up and knocked on the door, thinking over his introduction.Ā āHello, Iām Kankri Vantas. Iād like to apply to be a writer for your paper.ā Yes, a-
Oh no. Well, Kankri knew what he wanted to write about. And he knew what subjects he could address immediately, but he suddenly realized that he had no substantial title for the column he had ready. Nothing snappy or succinct.Ā āA Column People Should Read So They Can Be More Aware Of Their Harmful Behavior And Languageā probably wouldnāt cut it. Oh, dear. Think fast, Kankri. This could be what would tie his interview together. Why did he have to go and knock before he was completely prepared?
Rose paused, her fingers freezing over the keys of her computer as she heard a knock at the door. She looked over with a raised, shapely eyebrow. She hadnāt been expecting anyone, and did a quick save of her work before standing to make her way over to the door.Ā
She took a small breath to calm herself from the surprise she would never admit came from the knock, and look somewhat dignified in fear it was a teacher alerting her to a lateness in the day she had not yet realized. However, when she opened the door, she was surprised to see another student, who looked prepared for an interview of sorts.
āHello? May I help you?ā She inquired, her pink eyes looking over the male standing in the doorway with curiosity. She noticed his folder and wondered if he was here for the newspaper. If that was so, he had already come across as promising, coming as prepared as he appeared to have. It would definitely be nice to have an extra set of hands on the team besides herself and Vriska, and especially a male for a less feminine point of view.Ā
Kankri chewed his lip, unsightly as the habit was, trying to think up something catchy that people would remember easily. He knew it was there he just had to think. But then the door opened and his time had obviously run out. He refused to let his shoulders sag with the defeat he was feeling as he pushed past himself.Ā āYes, if you are in fact Rose Lalonde.ā
He presented the folder heād prepared proudly, though not for her to take. If he was mistaken, he didnāt want to appear too foolish. Though, this person seemed like theyād be understanding, even if he did.Ā āIām looking to join the school newspaper, hopefully as a writer. Iāve taken the time to assemble a portfolio of sorts as well, showcasing my growth from two years back to now. Whatās most noticeable is an increase in eloquence, length, and vocabulary, though the ideas do manage to gain more depth and substance, if I may toot my own horn for a minute.ā
Of course, he knew that people were expected to toot their horns at interviews. To preen and make themselves the most desirable employee, to the employer. It just took a lot of consideration and rethinking to make sure that kind of advertisement didnāt come off as snobbish or anything of the sort.
āYes, I am Rose.ā She responded, softly at first. He definitely seemed like an organized student, and no matter his reason to be here, she had to admire that considering how few people were prepared for anything nowadays.Ā
Her eyes widened in slight surprised as she heard his reason though, before a smile spread across her dark-tinted lips.Ā āOh, thatās wonderful. Please, come in, and we can discuss everything while I look through your work. Your preparedness is promising though, as well as your vocabulary simply in conversation.ā she commented. She held the door open for him slightly, revealing the desk she was working at and the various chairs surrounding it.Ā
Hearing his intentions, her anticipation to see what he brought with him only grew. His first impression was definitely a positively lasting one, as well as his visible confidence in himself and his work. Though she would not outright say so, doubled with the slowly dwindling need for more writers and editors, he was more than likely to get the position.
Kankri felt his pride bolster at her approval, and could barely manage to keep his pace even as he took her invitation and entered the room. He eyed the number of chairs subtly, hoping that they would give him a sense of how much competition he was up against. Not much, but their crew seemed of reasonable size. Even if none of them seemed to be here at the moment, he couldnāt tell that Roseās team was lacking. āThank you very much for agreeing to speak with me, Rose. Is it alright if I call you Rose?ā After all, she would be playing a role similar to an employer. So, he was going to pay the same respects to her as he would to a person of authority. He set his portfolio on the table, upside right in the direction of the computer. He could hardly contain his excitement, if he was to be at all honest with himself. āI hope nothing in my portfolio contains any content that could upset you. Some of my racier subjects from when I was younger are in there, and are not really well worded. Theyāre dated to avoid confusion. And if youād prefer to steer clear of anything too controversial, pages five through nine and eleven have the pieces youād want to avoid,ā he warned her, folding his hands in his lap as he watched her evaluation of him.
āYes, by all means call me Rose. I am nothing more than a fellow student in retrospect, and I am not a cruel boss. Just a friendly club runner trying her best.ā She responded, offering him one of the chairs so he would not feel too inclined to stand, as she sat at her previous spot and began looking over his portfolio and his works. āAs well, I doubt anything you have written would bother me. I am quite the iron lassā¦ā
She had to admit, he was quite talented. Her pink eyes scanned through every line, checking every word and sentence for grammar, spelling, tone, style, and most importantly ideas and how he conveys them. She paused every now and again, checking if he had either succeeded or failed in achieving such a conveying statement, as well as having to double check on any repeats she believed he may have had.
After a good while, she closed up his portfolio and placed it back down on the desk, facing him and taking another moment of silence, a slight, thoughtful frown making its way across her darker lips as she thought through the easy decision as carefully as possible. Or at least made it took as such. Then she took a breath, and spoke.
āAfter reading your past pieces of critical written work, and a tough few moments of thought, I have decided to offer you a position as a writer on the Snowcat Times. Be aware though, this would require a meeting at least once, even twice a week to discuss stories and editing. You are required to write as well or better than your previous work, and smile, because this is hopefully a place to have some fun outside of classes.ā She added, offering him a small smile and hoping he can handle the commitment after reading his work.
āAlright, Rose. It never hurts to give a heads up, though.ā He watched her eagerly as she scanned his portfolio, surprisingly taking the time to read from cover to cover. It felt good to see someone pore over his words, though he expected there to be something in his work that would incite a conversation or at least push her to ask himā¦ something. If it werenāt for her body language, heād assume that this was all just a formality. Of course, it very well could be. Whether it was in his favor or not was yet to be seen. Then she put aside the portfolio and gave him the answer heād been waiting for.Ā Kankri blinked owlishly at her before letting out a short, surprised laugh. Well, that was certainly easier than heād expected it to be. He at least though heād have to share his name verbally, if not any other more personal information. Yes, his voice and personality shone through his portfolio, and it could be said that oneās writing was a reflection of oneās soul, but this all seemed a little lax for an interview. Could he really have made such a positive impression?Ā āReally?ā This was a rare moment in history. āThank you so much, Rose. You wonāt regret adding me to your cavalry, Iām a very dedicated student, and my work ethic will mirror itself here as well,ā he promised. Then he held his breath as his thoughts settled.Ā āDo you mind if I ask you a few questions, though?ā
āPlease, ask away.ā She replied, folding her hands on her lap and giving him her full attention. In truth, she was not looking for much, and he had far surpassed her expectations. She simply wanted someone who could write, offer commitment, and showed real interest in the club. It was simply a club after all, not a job, and the writing did not even have to be good because she could offer any necessary lessons or tips if others needed it.
However, seeing this student prepared for what could easily be confused with a job interview or am internship, she was immediately impressed, and his work was brilliant. She had nothing to say in fear of praising him too much or too highly.
She was curious however to what his questions were, and waited eagerly for him to ask.
Alternia Academy was driving all of Kankriās expectations into the ground. He wasnāt sure how to feel about that. On the one hand, he felt way over-prepared for anything thrown at him, which was always a positive note. But the one thing he was unprepared for was people simply handing him what he sought after.Ā Well, itād still look good on his college applications, right? They didnāt have to know how easy it was to get in. āWell, to start off, just how many people are in this club? And, on that note, should I seek them out to introduce myself to them prior to the next meeting? What days and at what time does this club meet, anyway?ā Kankri caught himself and cleared his throat before asking too many questions for her to answer at once. Something to work on.Ā
āWellā¦ There are a few people here besides myselfā¦ only about 3 or 4 though, with your addition. Weāre unfortunately quite small still, but that doesnāt meanĀ we donāt produce high quality content. It might be nice for you to find them, though the one Iād recommend meeting most would be one Vriska Serket. She has a bit more of a harsher exterior, but I think thereās a part of her underneath that would be a good person to get to know. Especially in this industry.ā she explained, thinking for a moment every now and again before firmly saying anything.
āAs for meetingsā¦ Currently one will be held every monday so that columns and stories can be decided, as well as assigning editing duty. Sometimes impromptu meetings will happen if thereās something that needs to be discussed immediately, and I was also thinking about a second weekly meeting for Fridays beginning for easier editing and any last minute stories so the newspaper is ready for the following week. Also, at each meeting, input will be taken in by anyone who has suggestions about anything. That can mean both with the newspaper, as well the club itself.ā
āOh, I had no reservations about the quality of the paper. Iāve read and heard a lot of wonderful things,ā he assures. Yes, the club was... smaller, than heād expected to hear it was, but perhaps thatās for the best. Less butting heads, easier discussion, and less people to have to pretend to like for the sake of professionalism. Not that he expected to dislike anyone, but the percentage of people who disliked himĀ on sight was far higher than those who he got along with easily, at the very least near the beginning.Ā āIāll be sure to seek her out, thank you.ā āA second meeting would absolutely be a good idea, I say go for it. Not only would it be convenient for time management and a good place to get in touch with people who are harder to get in touch with, but having that second day in place would also probably lessen the number of impromptu meetings, since thereās a day after Monday that students will definitely have their conflicts cleared for.ā But thatās just your two cents. Wait, did that come off as arrogant? āYou definitely donāt have to take my word into account, though, seeing as Iām a notably recent addition, heh.ā
