The streets were busy with people, most of them blissfully unaware of the disaster that was creeping ever closer. And amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, Alvin Bencio strolled casually, hands in his pockets, with three small children trailing behind him like a little parade.
Leo, ever curious, was practically bouncing with energy, his eyes darting from one thing to the next as if the world was full of wonders he couldn't wait to explore. Lily clutched his hand, her big brown eyes wide with excitement, while Ash, the quiet and timid one, stuck close to Alvin's other side, occasionally casting shy glances at the city around them.
As they made their way down the street, Alvin checked his list of tasks for the day. Find a good place to live. Simple enough. He needed somewhere with a decent level of comfort, minimal population, and enough facilities to sustain the little monsters—or, rather, the children—he'd somehow adopted. He glanced down at his phone, making a mental note of possible locations.
But then something clicked in his mind, and a mischievous grin spread across his face.
"You know," Alvin said, almost to himself, "there were always... useful people in my old world. Talented folk who excel at serving others. I'm sure this place has its own version."
Leo, ever the curious one, tilted his head. "What kind of people, Father?"
Alvin smirked. "Oh, you'll see. But first..." He glanced down at their hands, which were streaked with dirt from playing earlier. "Let's get something sweet for you lot. But, please, wash your filthy little hands before touching anything. We're not barbarians, even if we live in an orphanage."
The kids laughed, and Lily held out her hands. "We washed them this morning, Father!"
"Oh, did you now?" Alvin raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with mock disbelief. "Then tell me, Lily, what's this? Artistic finger-painting? Or perhaps an attempt to grow a small garden under your nails?"
Lily giggled, hiding her hands behind her back, while Ash stayed quiet but smiled slightly.
After a quick stop at a nearby sink to get the kids somewhat presentable, Alvin led them into a quaint ice cream shop. The bright colors and the sweet scent of freshly made ice cream immediately grabbed the children's attention.
"Alright, pick your flavors," Alvin said, leaning casually against the counter. "And try not to take all day."
Lily was quick to decide. "Strawberry! And... and chocolate!"
Leo, of course, had to be different. "I want the... the green one!"
"That's mint, Leo. Not some exotic jungle flavor," Alvin said with a smirk. "But sure, get it if you want to smell like toothpaste for the rest of the day."
Leo pouted. "I like mint."
Ash, always quiet, glanced at the options nervously. "Vanilla, please."
"Bold choice, Ash," Alvin said, his sarcasm gentle. "Going for the classics. You could've picked something daring, like bubblegum or cookie dough, but no, you stick with the tried-and-true. Admirable."
After getting their ice cream, they settled down on a bench just outside the shop. The children eagerly dug into their treats while Alvin leaned back, taking in the pleasant chaos of the city. But his mind wasn't idle. No, Alvin was plotting, as always.
He glanced down at his phone, his fingers tapping quickly as he searched for... something. There it was.
Clubs.
Or, as Alvin would more accurately describe them, places where "talented individuals with flexible skill sets" could be found. Every world had them, and while this world had its own polished façade, Alvin was no fool. He knew what kind of people worked at these establishments, and today, he needed two of them.
Later, as they finished up their ice cream, Alvin casually dialed a number he'd found online. The phone rang twice before someone answered.
"Hello, The Velvet Club, how may I help you?"
"I need two of your finest," Alvin said smoothly. "And by finest, I mean talented individuals capable of following instructions."
There was a slight pause on the other end. "Sir, we're a club that—"
"I know exactly what you are," Alvin cut in, his voice dripping with mock patience. "Now, can you or can you not send me two people capable of getting things done today?"
The voice hesitated before answering, "We can, sir. Where should we send them?"
Alvin gave the address of the park where they were currently lounging and hung up before the woman could ask more questions.
"Who are you calling, Father?" Leo asked, licking the last bit of mint ice cream from his cone.
"Just arranging a little... assistance," Alvin replied cryptically. "I need some people to help with finding us a proper place to live." He glanced at the kids, a mischievous glint in his eye. "I think you'll find it entertaining."
About an hour later, Alvin was sitting casually on the bench, watching the children play while licking the last bit of ice cream from his own cone. It wasn't long before two figures approached—a man and a woman, both dressed impeccably in stylish, expensive clothing. Their every step screamed wealth and confidence.
Jax and Luis, the two talents Alvin had summoned, stopped in their tracks when they saw the scene in front of them. An ethereally beautiful young man—Alvin—was lounging casually, his sky-blue hair shining in the sunlight, with three adorable children running around him. It was not what they had expected.
"Uh..." Luis started, clearly confused. "Are we... in the right place?"
Jax looked at his phone, checking the address again. "I think so... unless we're supposed to find someone else eating ice cream with kids?"
Alvin glanced up at them, a bored look on his face. "You're late." His tone was sharp but playful, as if scolding them for a minor inconvenience.
Luis blinked. "Late? But we—"
"I don't do excuses," Alvin said, cutting him off with a wave of his hand. "You're here now, and I have work for you."
Jax, the more confident of the two, gave Alvin a sly smile. "Work, huh?" He stepped forward, his voice dropping to a more seductive tone. "What kind of work are we talking about?"
Alvin didn't miss a beat. "I need you to find me three warehouses by the end of the day. And Luis—" He turned his sharp gaze toward the woman. "You're in charge of finding me a villa. Something big, something comfortable, something with enough facilities to handle ten kids and whatever chaos they cause."
Jax and Luis exchanged confused glances. "Warehouses? A villa?" Jax asked, the flirtatious tone vanishing. "Wait, are you serious?"
Alvin raised an eyebrow, his expression unimpressed. "Does it look like I'm joking?" He handed them two bank cards, one for each of them. "Each of these has enough to cover what you need. And if you do well, I might consider hiring you again. If you don't..." He smiled darkly. "Well, let's just say failure isn't an option."
Luis, still clearly confused but intrigued, looked at the bank card in her hand. "Wait, hold on. You're telling me we're... real estate agents now?"
Alvin stood up, dusting off his coat. "You're whatever I need you to be. Right now, I need results. You find what I want, I'll pay you. You don't—" He shrugged. "Then you're useless to me."
Jax chuckled nervously, looking at Alvin up and down. "You're... definitely not what we expected when we got this job."
Alvin smiled, but it was the kind of smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Oh, I'm full of surprises." He turned his back on them, gesturing for the kids to follow him. "Now get to work. I want this done by the end of the day."
As Alvin walked away with Leo, Lily, and Ash trailing behind him, Jax and Luis stood frozen for a moment, trying to process what had just happened.
"Is it just me," Jax muttered, "or was that the weirdest job interview we've ever had?"
Luis shook her head, still staring at the bank card. "I don't even know what just happened. But we're getting paid, so... let's get started."