Open The Docks Elara Mosswhisker's Introduction, Lost!

[Aramaeus Lemon]

Aramaeus nodded along with the femmes' introductions, though he did blush a little bit at the details of the skink's work. Well, such things happened, he reminded himself; one couldn't blame someone for supplying (at least legally) what was demanded. "If your licenses are all up-to-date," he addressed the hedgehog, "then finding work in the city should be quite easy. Any one of the ministries will not only pay for your work, but will outright pay for or reimburse you for any additional training that may be necessary to maintain your qualifications. You can also seek private employment or go into private practice yourself; there are some in the Insanely Rich Area who would pay and provide board for you to live as in-house staff, especially if they have an ailing relative. Make sure to negotiate that time carefully," he noted; "while it is legal for them to make any payment arrangements you both deem necessary, a frequent source of labor disputes is terms for payment of time 'on-call'. I am not a labor lawyer myself," he allowed, "but there are several solicitors who have offices in the Slups and Trenches and specialize in such cases."

His gaze slid to Izakis, and his blush returned again, his eyes not quite meeting hers. "As regards your, ah, profession," he allowed, "as long as you are engaging in it in a clean and well-maintained environment, and keep any public advertising for your more, ah, select services discreet and in good taste, you shouldn't run into any trouble with the law. I do believe that Niceties expects such workers to undergo regular health examinations with a, ah, 'lady doctor'," he termed euphemistically, "but admittedly I am not aware of any enforcement action being taken in that regard. It certainly remains good practice, though, and I would imagine it would be reassuring to your clients. As for you, Seabeast..."

His gaze slid to the rat, and he looked at her pensively. "Maritime and naval law is an area in which I am not the most well-versed," he allowed, "though I have read cover-to-cover 'The Imperial Navee Handbooke, Third Edition, with Annotations and Commentary by Captain Anithias A. Freedom of The Golden Hide'." There was more than a little pride in his voice at this small and perhaps somewhat pathetic boast regarding a book which most regarded as an overpriced source of emergency sanitary paper. "The navy makes its own regulations regarding discipline and conduct, and, while at sea even in Imperial waters, those rules and regulations can be modified or suspended by the captain at their whim. Most tend to take a lax regard toward such matters," he allowed, "and The Golden Hide in particular is somewhat noteworthy for captains lacking this sense of discipline, but it still does well to be aware of the standards to which you will be held. I do have a pocket copy of that volume if you need it," he offered, patting over his coat in search of the dog-eared handbook.

 

[LightSeeker]

Elara listened as Aramaeus spoke, his voice regaining a measure of confidence, though still edged with self-consciousness, especially when addressing Izakis and Credence. Licensing. Reimbursement. On-call terms. Health examinations. The nuances of maritime regulation. It was all useful, dry, bureaucratic, but real. The kind of information that kept a beast from being exploited, even if delivered awkwardly. When he mentioned in-house staff positions for nurses, Elara gave a small nod, not in agreement, not in aspiration, but acknowledgment. She had no interest in serving the wealthy in their gilded homes. But she understood the option existed. And for some, it was a matter of survival. When he addressed Izakis’s work, Elara didn’t flinch. Didn’t look away. She simply noted his discomfort and the effort that went into it. He was trying to be professional. To apply the law without judgment. That mattered. And when he turned to Credence, citing a naval handbook most sailors used as toilet paper, she smiled. “You’re right about one thing,” she said, her voice calm, level. “A sailor should know what rules they’re under. Even if those rules change at a captain’s whim. The Ministry might pay for my training,” she continued. “But only if I qualify under their standards. And only if I agree to go where they send me.”

 

[Izakis]

Izakis took in the words with interest. While what was meant for the nurse and the seabeast alike were very interesting, the words meant for her made her chuckle. She knew it all really. After all, despite doing that for most of her life, she had no diseases at all to speak of. If anything of hers was harmed through all those years, it would be her dignity. No doctor she ever visited would however fix that. It was nice to hear that this bureaucrat did care at least some, even if he was blushing enough to put red in that fox. As a thank you, she blew him a kiss. "Cheers love, I know it all, but I find it cute that you care." She added with a warm smile.

Then after the nurse spoke about the ministry and agreed with the ruleset for sailors, something that Izakis was not to keen on considering how harsh those could be, there was a momentary silence before Izakis decided to softly chip in once more. "I do believe that goes for all professions dear. If you want to work them, better to not sssstep past rules and what's more, they all should work on mutual consent. I don't lift my tail for anyone who desires so, evaluating clients is a huge part of my work... too often one can hear sssstories about hookers being murdered brutally." She finished sombrely. Knowing well the fear that came from knowing the fate of some cases, often only thanks to an accidental find and reveal in the smelt.

 

[Aramaeus Lemon]

Aramaeus nodded in acknowledgement of both femmes' points. "There's trade-offs to ministry service," he acknowledged. "Any contract trades benefits for burdens. It's simply a matter of finding what is more bearable for yourself." His gaze slid to Izakis again, blushing at the blown kiss. He wasn't into lizards that way, sure, but that didn't mean he was blind to her attractiveness. At least, that was what he told himself. His face fell at the mention of the fate that befell many in her line of work. "Honestly, the dereliction of duty by the Fogeys in protecting those engaged in such work is inexcusable," he stated adamantly. "The promise of the Imperium is the protection of the Empress and her servants extended to all beneath her gaze. Each such death that public servants turn their backs to is spitting in the eye of our beloved Empress." He realized just how passionate his voice and tone had gotten, and he moderated it slightly. "Sorry," he apologized. "I should state that is my personal, subjective opinion, and not an official statement made on behalf of the Ministry of Justice."