PORTALS TO RICHES
Kraag (6/2). As more transdimensional portals are built, Arlorians are finding more job opportunities and better income without having to leave the comforts of home.
Specialists like Maura Opi for instance are finding more clients for her skills in manicure and pedicure. "Krakens have eight limbs, eight! That's a lot nail varnish and henna to apply."
Ms Opi said to qualify to work in the Kraken world, she has to train for underwater work and qualify for deep sea diving certificate. "There are scuba classes opening for all kinds of professionals in Kraken Isles," she said. "People are eager to work in the underwater dimension. They pay really well."
Like many Arlorian working overportal, Ms Opi had initially been concerned with payment and difficulties with exchange rate. But she has since overcome her worries. "They pay me in pearls! In buckets! And they say our services are affordable."
Even dubious creatures from the fiery nether dimensions, it seems, are welcoming Arlorian expertise and paying well for their custom. "My boys and I were paid handsomely to install fountains and koi ponds there," Mike Plumb of Brackenridge Aqueducts said. "The problems of course are transporting water and keeping evaporation to a minimum. But we had developed an excellent cooling system and now the nether dimension is beginning to look pretty green. Once we perfect the koi to breed fish that are not going to go belly up with fright when their horned, spike tailed master comes to feed them, our mission is accomplished."
Mr Plumb said the coal and cinder he was paid in are selling very well with the ironsmiths in town. "They melt metal fast," he said. "It's like the steel is scared of the fire."
Rumor has it that the annual summer, fall and winter invasions will come to an end since portals now allow Arlorians to launch a counter strike, an economic one.
Vocal coaches said they have been hired to train Helena to prepare her for her yearly attempt at Arlorian Idol. She had so far failed every year, but is confident for at least a Top 24 finish with her new training regime.
Ursoth has also overcome his irritating skin condition that had made him grumpy for years. Arlorian dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons have worked very hard and succeeded in making him a new troll. He now wields a banjo and travels extensively to country music festivals.
Arlorian dental specialists have worked with Paracelsus. Now that his terminal halitosis is cured, Paracelsus is enjoying a more active social life and is even rumored to plan a wedding in autumn.
Tarlok testimony on Cushion & Son's, Leatherworker and Upholsterer, waxes rhapsodic about the comfortable seat he now has on his dragon saddle. So simple a change apparently has restored his good cheer and instead of threatening to assault Arlorians on their holidays, he has placed orders for sofas, beanbags and rocking chairs to be delivered to his country mansion in time for Yule.
"And the best thing is," Ms Opi said, "I can work and earn pay as an expatriate and still be home for dinner with my husband and kids every day."
"I'm glad [presidential candidate] Ilhanna has pushed for more portals to be build in Arlor," Mr Plumb said. "Sure occassionally some unwanted accident happens, like when one of my boys got his limbs and those of koi fish mixed up. But even that had been a blessing in disguise. He now plays merman in underwater shows. Earns good money, mermanning."
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