Lights, Camera, Orc-tion!

1: The Interview

Folly Wood. Home to innumerable studios that churned out the bulk of everyday entertainment. Where stars shine bright along the sidewalks, holding their macchiato grande venti caffeine boost. Where movies and television shows plant their seeds, to flourish into fanon fodder online.

Under that glitz and glam, there were still menial jobs to be done. Avicia Thorn considered this fact, while the elevator hauled her upward. There were a multitude of thankless minimum wage jobs available. She'd be employed in one of them, soon.

Entering data, answering phone calls, making appointments, filling out documents. It was bound to be tedious, but it was a paycheck.

Avicia sighed, staring off into space to avoid the mirrored elevator walls. She knew what she looked like. It was very... professional. With her hair - dyed a dusky rose - pulled back into a bun and her glasses, she doubted anyone who knew of her would recognize her. The clothes were fairly unassuming, as well. A white blouse, a black knee-length skirt, dark stockings, and a dangly pink necklace. Perfectly business appropriate.

However, a hardcore fan might recognize the heels she wore. Pretty, pastel pink heels with a slight platform to them. They straddled the height line between appropriate and inappropriate. The heel truly was the defining feature, though: a heart when viewed from the side.

Pressing her lips together, she tried not to think about her shoes. If she thought too hard, she'd remember the illicit pictures she took in them. It would make her more nervous. As the elevator continued its ascent, Avicia mentally repeated: No one will notice. No one will notice. No one will notice.

The elevator slowed to a stop, chiming just before the doors rolled open. Avicia stepped into the hall and started toward the HR Department. The last time she'd been here, nerves wracked her thoughts. This time, the nerves were still present, but - at least - she was more comfortable with the layout.

When Avicia neared her destination, tension prickled over her arms. Then she heard the yelling.

"-today! Not tomorrow, not a week from now. Today!" The words came out as a near-bellow by the time Avicia wandered closer to the open HR office.

Leaning over the recruiter's desk, a large figure loomed. Tall and broad-shouldered, with large green hands firmly planted on piles of paper. Irritation flickered in their body language. Avicia couldn't help noticing the recruiter's nameplate became upended, as if disturbed by a previous thump of something upon the desk. Avicia's eye trailed down their back - following the curve of their braid - before gracing onto denim stretched over a taut a-

Avicia tore her eyes away.

Just as she did, Tarragon Bubbleswamp - senior recruiter for Spectretainment - caught her eye from behind his desk. His pointed ears pricked upward with relief. Noticing Tarragon's change of demeanor, the intimidating figure spun around, braid flying out behind them.

Avicia jumped to attention, gaze snapping to the orc's face. Orange eyes glared down, lips twisted into a snarl. As their lips twisted, a scar that crossed the right side of her lips puckered. "Who are you?"

She stared up at them, wide-eyed and throat clenching under the intimidating glare. Her stomach had taken up gymnastics as her mouth struggled to formulate a response.

"M-Mr. Vidaroc, Miss Thorn is a new hire that I must train today." Tarragon managed to squeak, very slowly climbing back into his chair. A residual cringe lingered at the corners of his eyes.

They still stared at her, gaze drinking in every detail of her demeanor. Even though they remained still, Avicia felt as if they were circling her. Lowering her hand, she bade off the tingle that caressed down her spine. She was used to people staring, wasn't she?