Video: Wednesday, Week 41: HOW DO I BUSINESS?

[infourbooks]

[Neville looks rather frazzled as well as being... rather upset about something]

Briar is gone.

[He takes a deep breath.]

That's bad enough, but we have this plant shop and he was really the one who knew anything about how to actually run it. I'm decent at growing plants, but I've only been selling them for a few weeks now. I could... really use some help. I don't think I can run it just on my own.

Comments

[attention_wenches]

[Loki doesn't know anything practical about running a shop, but he understands economics and intrigue, and his recent experience as Pepper's ersatz assistant has given him a certain insight to the way humans conduct their affairs. Besides, when it comes to anything that seems to hinge on being clever, he just assumes he can do it. Or at least give useful advice. Or at the very least show off a bit.]

What are you having difficulty with? Handling the numbers, a lack of enough bodies to mind the shop and the stock, managing customers...?

[No, he hasn't gotten the hang of saying hello on these devices.]

[infourbooks]

Uh... everything. Definitely not enough bodies though, it's just me alone now. There's a lot I don't know.

[attention_wenches]

A plant shop, you said? Are you selling them alive, or are more of an herbalist? though honestly neither sounds easy...

[He's just thinking out loud. And will continue to do so with glee. Puzzles are fun!]

[Video]

[genoshas_general]

I'm sorry to hear that. [Sorry and worried. She doesn't like it when people she knows disappear.]

Unfortunately, I don't know much about running a business either. A country, but not a business.

[infourbooks]

Mostly alive. We dry some of the medicinal stuff though. Growing and drying is the end of things I really actually know.

Re: [Video]

[infourbooks]

A country?

[He'll never get used to the sort of people the ship picks up]

That must be harder.

[attention_wenches]

One would think the technical end of things would be more difficult. Perhaps if you found someone to mind the counter who also had a head for sums... Though unless you've a better idea than I do what the going rate for plants is locally...

[infourbooks]

Someone local would probably know that best I guess...

[attention_wenches]

It would be helpful to have someone who actually lives here, but you could also just ask them. From my admittedly limited observations, we shipfolk tend to form a loose but persistent alliance. I certainly find it a bit easier to cooperate that way. Hmm.

[fromthevalley]

I am sorry for your loss, Neville. Perhaps I might offer some assistance?

[infourbooks]

I guess the one thing we all have in common is we don't have a lot in common with the locals.

[That makes sense right?]

Ship people would probably be more patient too.

[infourbooks]

[Neville is still a bit in awe of her]

That would be amazing. I need all the help I can get.

[attention_wenches]

...Situationally patient, perhaps.

[It isn't a particular virtue of his, he's pretty sure.]

[unofficial_ambassador]

What do you need help with, accounting? I have a bit of experience ...running my own business if you need advice.

[A brief pause. He's very young, this must be even worse for him.]

I'm sorry about your friend.

[infourbooks]

At least they understand when I don't necessarily know how everything works. Uh, the not business stuff.

[attention_wenches]

True. I don't think I've met anyone yet who understood magic and science, let alone the variations within those, and of course all our contexts are entirely different.

[infourbooks]

Uh, yeah, accounting is one of the things that really confuses me. I know basic maths, but they don't teach anything like this at my school.

Uh, thanks.

[He's never sure what to say in these situations. There's a reason he usually just doesn't tell people.]

I wish we knew what it really meant.

[infourbooks]

I definitely only know magic, and a lot of people here talk about really different ways of doing stuff.

[attention_wenches]

As do I, though I've been trying to make a study of other options while I'm here. Might as well accomplish something.

[infourbooks]

I'm still trying to figure out all the Muggle things they have here.

[attention_wenches]

That's one word I don't know. Best of luck, I suppose?

[comment not here]

[fromthevalley]

[ One of these days, they are going to have that serious discussion on what exactly is taught at Neville's Hogwarts. ]

[fromthevalley]

When would you like me to visit?

[infourbooks]

Oh, it means... not magic. I'm not really used to it.

[infourbooks]

I'm here now... just about any time is convenient, I live in a flat above the shop.