Cat's Paw Inn -- Now Hiring

Hiring people was hard.

But since I'd said I'd leave it to Kazusa, micromanaging would be a mistake.

Taking precautions against problems was important, but sometimes speed had to take priority. When that happened, you dealt with issues as they arose.

That's when I could step in and help.

What mattered was flexible judgment.

So even after the ladies departed, they continued daily operations while holding interviews after closing.

The inn's popularity had apparently spread; posting a single help-wanted notice in the shop brought in quite a few applicants.

I'd expected kids who could only get odd jobs, but thanks to the uniform's reputation, several young women in their teens came too.

"Apparently we're known as a shop where beauties work."

"Ah, I see. If you work here, it proves you're beautiful. How amusing."

"We're not hiring based on looks, though."

Elza found it amusing, while Kazusa wore a displeased expression.

"Well, it could become a selling point for the shop. There's certainly been a lot of staring."

"You and Alexia-san are both beautiful, so that's probably why. Lady Anatia was absolutely stunning too."

"My, Azu's becoming quite the beauty herself."

"Wha—"

Alexia hooked a finger under Azu's chin and tilted her face up.

Azu's face went scarlet.

"What are they doing…"

"Peaceful, isn't it. I'm getting soft."

"Any complaints?"

"Not really. No complaints about staying alive and eating well. I'm keeping up my training so my skills don't rust, but it's not like I'm some battle maniac."

Finn leaned on her elbow at the table, surveying the room.

… For someone who claimed that, she'd seemed pretty aggressive when they first met at the Ocelot Colosseum.

"That was all an act, an act. Play it up like that and the crowd goes wild, boosts the odds. Back then I was desperate for money, so even more so."

"Thinking about it, that's exactly what brought us together, so I can't complain."

Cleanup was done, so the others headed home, leaving them to start the interviews.

Once staffing was in place and I could delegate, everyone except Orleans on her free days would step back from helping out.

Hopefully they'd fill the positions soon…

To save time, applicants came in groups of several at once.

The first group was a handful of boys and girls around the same age as Kazusa's brother, Leo.

I asked about their reasons for applying, their available hours. Two dropped out when the conditions didn't fit; the remaining two passed.

Young as they were, perhaps because they'd done their share of work, they spoke clearly and seemed decent.

One boy and one girl.

Those two would handle prep before opening, dishwashing, and other back-of-house tasks.

Once the doors opened, they'd take orders and deliver food. A bit young to handle knives, but they could manage everything else. Worst case, there were always kitchen shears.

"They answered questions properly, so I think they'll be fine. In my experience, people who cause problems tend to give off-topic replies."

"Interesting."

As a porter, Kazusa had worked with all kinds of adventurers and learned to read people.

The rough-and-tumble reputation of adventurers meant distinguishing the troublemakers from the reliable ones was crucial.

That experience made her good at sizing people up in situations like this.

I was impressed.

If only I'd had Kazusa vet the kids who'd ended up betraying me. She might have seen through them.

I had confidence in not being fooled in business, but that was a different skill set entirely.

Wages were set at a reasonable level given the workload.

Quite generous for children their age, I thought.

Many applicants wanted to keep their other jobs as well; most of those had to decline, though they left looking reluctant.

With the streamlined kitchen and the various odd jobs, three people including Kazusa should be able to handle the back of house once everyone got the hang of things.

That left floor staff.

Stamina was a must, and since they'd be dealing with customers, hiring anyone too young wasn't an option.

But bringing in adults who might butt heads with Kazusa was also a problem.

A delicate balance.

I turned away applicants who were there for attention or "potential romance." Did they think this was a theater? It was an inn dining room.

The male applicants were even worse. Obvious ulterior motives on display.

Guaranteed trouble. When I rejected them, they cursed at me.

The last pair to come in were two women.

They wore well-worn robes.

Their faces were similar, so probably sisters.

Both had light brown hair.

"We heard there was work here… Do you require citizenship?"

"As long as you've paid the head tax, it's fine."

"Oh, good. We're actually Gypsies who drifted into this city, but things haven't gone well, and we've been struggling. We'll do any kind of work, so please, hire us."

Pretty despite the grubby clothes, I'd thought. So they were Gypsies.

Wandering people who made a living performing songs and dances for coins.

That sounded nice, but it also meant they were a people who couldn't settle anywhere.

Stay too conspicuous and they'd get attention they didn't want, so they eked out a living in the margins.

When they couldn't stay unseen any longer, they reluctantly moved on to the next city.

Wandering in search of a place to settle, forced into a grueling existence.

Yet they were also a proud people.

Gypsies never stole, it was said, and they wouldn't take part in wrongdoing.

The ones who had actually visited this city had been wonderful people; I'd even lent them space in front of my shop.

"What do you think? I'm in favor."

"I've got no objections. Though those clothes…"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Looking like this—"

"I've dealt with Gypsies before. I understand the circumstances that led you to choose work. Here, use this to get yourselves ready."

Money for the bathhouse and a light meal. The uniforms were on loan.

Fortunately, they had lodging, even if it was room-only with no meals.