maskormenacelogs | Let's Get Down To Business

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Let's Get Down To Business

WHO: Kang and Iris West
WHERE: A cafe in Heropa
WHEN: Tuesday evening, 6pm
WHAT: A business meeting
WARNINGS: Shouldn't be any, will add if needed

It's a nice evening in Heropa. It's still hot, but the humidity's dropped to something tolerable and there's a nice breeze coming off the water as the day starts winding down. A much younger than usual Kang is sitting at one of the tables outside with a strong cup of coffee and a messenger bag at his feet. He's working on some schoolwork while he waits, looking up every now and then to scan the area.

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Right on time, Iris arrives, glancing around for any sign of her future business associate. While she hasn’t met him in person, she did a cursory search online (for pictures, you see), and well – no one fitting his description seems to be around.

She pauses, reaching into her pocket for her phone. Maybe if she calls, then –

Then she wouldn’t have noticed the kid looking right at her. She blinks back surprise. “Hey, um...” she laughs, nervously. “Have we met before?”

He does look quite different as a child than he does as an adult, with brighter scales and no horns, so he can't fault her for not recognizing him. He smiles wryly and sets his work to the side. The accent, at least, is recognizable.

"Iris. We've spoken before. I apologize for my current appearance. I seem to have been affected by the latest nonsense."

"Oh." That's about all she can say without completely losing her cool, and her cheeks turn a faint red as she slides into the seat across from him. "I feel like I should be apologizing for the assumption. Everything okay, appearance aside?"

She may not entirely have the authority to ask, being a relative stranger, but given the weirdness that regularly happens in their universe - she wants to help, however she can.

"It could be worse. I was lucky enough to retain my memories," he shrugs, smiling. "Others were not. All I can do is wait for the situation to be resolved.

"But that is not why I asked to speak with you. I'd like to know more about your clinic, and possibly offer a partnership."

"Of course." Iris leans forward, resting her hands on the table and wondering where she should begin. "The clinic was initially founded by Dr. George O'Malley - hence the name, and Dr. John Watson. At the time, I was mainly a volunteer and administrator, but when they were ported out, they left the place to me."

In the end, maybe it's best to ask him what he's most interested in learning...

"What would you like to know? I can go into its services, or how we help imPorts, or even the nitty-gritty business side of things if that's more your speed."

He politely accepts when the server comes by to ask if he wants a refill on his drink and to take Iris's order.

"I'm mostly interested in the first two, particularly what is available for those of us that aren't human. This world isn't exactly designed to accommodate our needs."

"I can imagine." Her Earth was the same way. Save for Killer Shark and Grodd, everyone was predominantly human - and she couldn't fathom jumping from that world to one where she would be the minority.

Iris gives her order - an Americano with an extra shot of espresso - before turning her attention back to Kang.

"So, the Clinic hires imPort healers as well as your traditional nurses, doctors, PAs, and other medical staff. The traditional staff is trained to deal with natives, but imPorts bring in their experience and expertise, and the two teams collaborate pretty often." She pauses, "I also try to keep medicine stoked for imPorts, particularly for those who may have different illnesses or experiences. I let others handle that side of things, given that I think more about the broad picture... but I can give you a tour later, and introduce you to everyone I work with."

"I would love a tour, on another day. I have a class project that needs finished tonight," Kang said. "Currently, SELF is partnered with two doctors-turned-veterinarians. They do what they can, but nothing beats real experience. How many of your medical staff worked with non-humans back on their worlds?"

A class project...? Oh, right, he looks like a small child. Maybe the truant officer dragged him back in? Iris pushes that idle thought aside, instead thinking back to her imPort staff members.

"Will, for sure. He's told me about some of his experiences, and Lester and Angela have experience from the stories they've shared..." Though she'll omit the part about Lester being kind of annoying. "I haven't stopped to ask the others, admittedly, but three is still better than none?"

Whatever he was working on earlier certainly isn't grade-school level, from the complex equations and mechanical drawings scribbled on the pages.

"Three? In one clinic? That's more than I expected." He's impressed. And, curiously: "How did a journalist like you end up volunteering for a clinic?"

"Initially, because the founders were my friends and they were willing to teach me first aid."

Iris knows, deep down, that she's not really meant to run a hospital forever. She has had zero passion for medicine beyond knowing its utility, and she also knows that there are others in this world who would do it proud. That said, she can't help growing wistful at the memories.

"I don't know how long you've been here, but um - the clinic was initially founded by George O'Malley, and when he was ported out, he left the place to me and Dr. John Watson. Watson and I figured we'd be a tag-team: he would handle the science, and I would handle the admin stuff, the marketing, the things he couldn't. Then Dr. Watson was ported out, and I've been running it mostly by myself ever since."

"A very long time." He pauses. "I do remember hearing those names before. Maybe one, two years ago."

"It sounds much like my own situation. I never meant to become the Director, but after Miss Dearing left, there was no one else to do it."

"God, I think that's the same for a lot of us." Iris sighs, "I love helping people, and what we're doing is really important... but I get that feeling. If you don't step up to the plate, who will?"

She definitely didn't want the clinic to fall by the wayside, even if medicine had been more Caitlin Snow's passion than hers.

"That said, I'll be transparent - I want to help. Whatever you think we can do, within reason, I'll automatically sign onto."

Kang nods, although altruism wasn't the basis of his decision. He can relate to the feeling of needing to step up, though.

"It's entirely reasonable. We'll help to promote your clinic by including it in our list of resources, and you return the favor. Perhaps on occasion, you become a drop-off point for our clothing drives. Of course, if there are any fundraisers or events you hold, we would be happy to assist."

"That would be perfect." Iris pauses upon hearing about the clothing drives. "Actually, I think we might have space to be a permanent drop-off point. If you could tell me what you'd like that box or storage space to look like, we'll make it happen by the end of this week."

Maybe it's because of her bleeding heart (and desire to truly do good), but she knows it's an easy enough goal to accomplish.

"Thanks, Kang. I'll let you know when those events happen, because I'm pretty sure it will be a when rather than an if."

"Excellent," Kang smiles. "We have no preference for how the drop-off points are set up, as long as the clothing we receive is clean and serviceable."

He nods. "You have my contact information. And, I have yours for scheduling a tour of the facilities. You are always welcome to stop by SELF headquarters here in Heropa, as well."

"I'd love that, if it wouldn't be much extra trouble." She's read up on SELF - any journalist worth their salt would have - but it's different to visit the place in person and get a feel for what they do.

"I think we'll work well together, anyway." There is a pause, since she is curious, but not about SELF. "Can I ask... it's not related to this meeting at all, but what kind of class project are you working on?"

"Yes, I think we will."

"Oh, this?" He picks up one of the sheets of calculations. "Thermodynamics. Specifically, I'm trying to maximize the efficiency of thermoacoustic engines. These use sound waves to transmit heat, without all of the moving parts that can need repairing or replaced. They can also do the inverse, using heat to produce sound waves."

Sudden regret fills Iris to the core as she gives him a blank stare. That sounded like English. That must've been English. After hundreds of hours listening to Barry and Cisco rambling about thermodynamics, especially as how it affects super-speed and teleportation - she should've understood this.

Yet her confusion written all over her face is probably betraying her and all she can do is say, "Oh."

Come on, Iris, say something else! Something a little more eloquent!

"That... sounds really neat?"

He laughs, "Don't worry, I'm used to that reaction. I was an engineer back home for forty years, building siege engines and fortifications. I saw the opportunity to learn more than I ever thought possible when I was brought here and took it. Things might change, allowing us to remember our time here when we return."

"Sorry," she finally manages to say, her expression apologetic. "That sounds amazing, though. I really hope you remember what you've learned when you return... I'd never thought about how I'd take my own experiences back."

Mostly because, well, part of her had stopped thinking that she would get the chance to go home, but that's another conversation for another time.

"We're still on the level of crossbows. I'd heard that some gnomes were experimenting with steam-powered devices, but there's no way anything of theirs could be trusted to not blow up or maim you in some other fashion. Irrigation systems and indoor plumbing alone would drastically change the course of our world's history," Kang leans forward, his eyes bright. "My nation's main export is information, and with how the most recent war ended, we no longer have our sources. With this, my people could solidify their place in the world, as a center of learning and knowledge that rivals even the Great Library in Palanthas!"

Whoa, crossbows and steam power. Iris hasn't heard those terms since she studied about the Industrial Revolution, and that was what - in high school?

She nods, giving him an equally bright and hopeful smile.

"I really hope that's the case. Even here, we forever remember the library in Alexandria - so I don't see why it wouldn't be the same back home." She pauses, "Where's Palanthas, exactly?"

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Let's Get Down To Business

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Oops I didn't clarify which form my bad

you're fine friend, i should be eternally apologizing here

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