Canus Dresses to Impress (+ Magus Argyris) @Tom

[troylus]

    Canus burst through the front door of his house, already barking orders to the servants. He had to look as fabulous as he was talented, and it had to be done fast. He’d done his research on this Mr Argyris fellow and the main rumour he’d heard over and over was, ‘Don’t keep him waiting.’ A small army of servants came at a trot and starting primping Canus’ hair, clothes and makeup. He stood in front the semi-circle of mirrors in his dressing room, hands held out at his sides to allow them better access, and pondered how he should approach the meeting.

    Canus really wanted this job at Mr Argyris’ company. It wasn’t that he needed the money, not in the least. As long as his parents didn’t try that ghastly trick of cutting his weekly allowance and credit at all his beauty salons and clothing stores, he was fine for money. They’d cut him off only once before when he’d been suspended from school. His father had complained bitterly about having to bribe the school to take Canus back. Canus thought his father was just being duped. There was no way the school would have actually gone through with the expulsion; Canus was far too high in social status for that. And even then, his father hadn’t been concerned about the money itself, just the risk of the family name and reputation being ‘dragged into the mud’ by his youngest son.

    Canus sighed and slapped at a servant’s hand that was blocking his view of his own reflection. “Not this jacket, it’s so last season. I said the one with the white pinstripe.” The servant hurried over to the walk in wardrobe and disappeared in its massive depths.

    Canus had spent months preparing the music he wanted to impress Mr Argyris with. It was a little different from his usual style, but he felt it really suited the feel and emotional resonance of several video recaps the company had released recently. It wasn’t exactly what he wanted for his music career, but for now, it was an excellent step up. The video recaps of previous games were not quite the same as playing music for the current games, but they were very entertaining.

    He noted the time with a strained grimace and scolded himself silently. He tried to avoid frowning, or glaring or any other facial expressions that left the face scrunched up. Scrunching the face could lead to wrinkles, and while surgery could remove those effects, he always felt that the discerning eye could tell the subtle differences in the skin, even with the Capitol’s very best plastic surgeons. Better to avoid any wrinkles in the first place.


    He was hurrying to leave the house when a familiar voice barked out his name. He turned to see his older brother, Artus, glaring at him furiously from the sitting room doorway.

    “Where the devil do you think you’re going, and why are you not in school?” Artus always sounded like a grumpy old man to Canus, rather than his actual 20 years.
    “What’s it to you?” Canus started to turn his back on his brother, which made him even angrier.
    “Father called me,” Canus froze at that, still facing away from Artus but not going any further, “and asked me to deal with your behaviour, that’s what it ‘is’ to me,”
    “I haven’t got time for this, Artus. I have a really important meeting. Why did HE call you?” Canus crossed his arms defensively over his chest.
    “Your school informed him you left early and-”
    Canus cut him off, and whirled to face his brother. “I have permission from my Form Teacher to leave early!”
    Artus raised one eyebrow skeptically, “What an incredibly unlikely story. Why in the world would they give permission for you to leave hours before the end of class?”
    It took all of Canus’ control not to scrunch his face and stomp his feet like a stroppy toddler. “It’s a once off. I have a meeting with the owner with this great company that makes those recaps of the games. You know the ones?”
    Artus waved a hand dismissively, “Why would you, a snotty little school kid be meeting with a CEO like that?”
    Canus bristled with the insult, but noted the time. He had to leave now or he’d be late, and he didn’t expect Mr Argyris would be happy about waiting for him. Without another word to his brother he raced out the door and into the waiting car. He offered the chauffeur a substantial proportion of next week’s allowance if he could get him to the company in record time, and the driver put his foot flat to the floor.
    

    Canus sat in a chair in the waiting room outside Mr Argyris’s office, trying to slow his breathing down. He didn’t want to look like he’d had to sprint to get here on time by the skin of his teeth. “You can do this,” he said to himself silently, “you’re awesome.”
    When the door opened Canus stood, all smiles and outward confidence. “Mr Argyris, I’m Canus Estuarian. It’s a pleasure to meet you!” He extended his hand in greeting, and only the slightest tremor might have been detectable to the highly perceptive observer.

[Tom]

Writing Thoughts says hears

Observation was the key to running his company. The man's eyes had watched over every little detail like there was a mistake just waiting to show up. His eyes studying over the video that he was going to put on the market soon. That's until his ears perked up at the sound of some sort of beat that was irrelevant to the recap that was going to happen. The man was furious at this, and everyone knew what would happen next. A quiet phrase escaping his lips to one of his musicians that came up with some of the music, "My office now." The poor musician looked up at her boss with a look of terror. Magus kept a contempt face that was clearly directed at the female musician as she made her way to his office.

Magus' composure quickly changed as he studied her very clear nervousness in his office. Poor woman is scared stiff from me. His face twisted into a slight smirk like his prey was begging for mercy already. The woman quickly spoke in a nervous tone, "I-I'm sorry sir. I...I swear whatever I did was an accident. Please give me another chance." Magus quietly sat down in front of the female musician. His hands connecting calmly and his voice calm and steady. A smirk still filling up his entire face. The only news he had for the female musician. "You're fired. Clean up your desk and get out of my building." The female musician was quick on her feet as she left the building in a face full of tears. Magus looking towards the glass doors glaring at the rest of his underlings as he silently called them. A silence settled on the building and the details were being fixed.

An assistant quickly tries to walk by, but Magus already connected eyes with her and if she didn't come to him, he'd fire her on spot. At least that's what she had better be thinking. Magus smiled a genuine smile at the woman, his voice softly flowing out of his mouth, "Well, Miss Janet, it's lovely to see you today. I was just wondering if you had any new and upcoming musicians that you like?" Miss Janet's eyes widened in fear. This was his test for her, a tough question that if she didn't give him a good answer, she was down for. Another face that would be lost in the crowd of other faces that have left the company. People sometimes believe that Magus changed up his underlings more than his own clothes, but that was only a rumor. Rumors were in the building always, but as soon as they come, they disappear.

Miss Janet seemed to process the information that Magus said. Her eyes focused back at Magus' rather genuine smile. The man wasn't always mean, he did try to be nice as sometimes. The terror still lurks, but only right under the skin. Miss Janet speak as she quickly goes to the hologram and shows a video of some artist that was just a teenager, "Some of the teenage girls seem to have slowly been sharing this boy around the capitol. His name is Canus Estuarian. The boy has a band, but I am pretty sure he could write his own music by himself." Magus watched the male musician on the hologram as some music claims the office in sound. Magus was slightly interested in a way. Miss Janet had done well with her choice and passed his rather tough test. Magus lets the soft words fall form his mouth, "Good answer, Miss Janet, I want you to reach out to him and set a meeting in a few months with me. Make sure to tell him to bring his best and not to keep me waiting." Miss Janet was off and following his orders.

That's how his new job opening came to exist. The morning seemed to go by rather slowly with some major promise in the brand new recap of Jequirity Eckhart, or known to the capitol as King Jack. Magus' head seemed to pound and throb as he watched his underlings rush around fetching film and music and other things to help with the recap. That's when Miss Janet came back into his office, a glass of water and some medicine for his rather annoying headache. Magus quickly swallowed the pill down and chugged the water with it. Miss Janet's rather irritating voice cut through the silence like Daria Staite's knife cut into Jequirity Eckhart. "Sir, Mr. Estuarian is waiting in the waiting room to see you for your meeting that's in five minutes." Magus just waved at her as his sign to tell her to let him in.

Magus was a taller man than the teenager, but that was expected. Magus wasn't necessarily that old for being a CEO of a big company, but Magus knew he was ten years older than the boy. Magus let his irritation from before sink inside of him. The headache would subside with some brilliant music that is if Canus lives up to Miss Janet's standards. This wasn't just about Canus, Miss Janet's job was on the line too. Magus studied the rather younger male right off the bat. His scanning eyes caught everything because if not, everything would be out in the open and mistakes would be seen by the public. Magus couldn't let any recaps have any mistake reach the public or his name would be ruined. Canus was definitely the type to be stuck up from what he could tell. The newest fashions of the capitol and it slightly made Magus a little more annoyed.

Magus stood already as the boy came closer to his desk. An introduction as polite as always, but it probably was the boy's first time meeting a CEO of a big company. The boy's rather polite voice made Magus smile at the boy, “Mr Argyris, I’m Canus Estuarian. It’s a pleasure to meet you!” It's what everyone said to Magus when they first met him. It's a pleasure to meet you. Only the ones who knew Magus knew that he wasn't all that exciting. A rather frightening man on the inside. A rather dull man outside of work. Magus didn't understand why it was a pleasure to meet him, but he took the compliment anyways and let it soak up his rather big ego already.

A master observer is what Magus was. His hand clasped the boy's hand in a rather firm grip and shook his hand. The slightest of tremors that he picked up on with everyone were here with this boy. Weak minded and fearful of me, that's the way I like it. His hand drops quickly as he says, I already know who you are Canus. Take a seat and relax. This is just a standard interview that will determine if I want you in my company." Or an interview to see how I can manipulate you to my liking. Magus' smile seemed to come back onto his face quick. The boy needed more confidence and Magus wanted to see how well the boy actually was.

Magus smiled at Canus in the politest way he knew possible. Observations were being made about the boy and Magus was seizing him up in his head already. Useful or not useful. Useful or not useful. Magus calmly spoke, "Okay, Canus, show me what you got? Impress me and I may have a spot for you in my company." Magus was intrigued, yet at the same time, he knew that Canus could be replaced in a heartbeat by anyone. Magus was a rather busy man and could easily hire a professional, but the man wanted a new artist, someone that no one has seen. Canus might be the answer, but at the same time, Magus wanted to make sure he was getting quality music for his recaps. His eyes focused on Canus waiting for the reply that could either make or break the boy. This is it. Make it or break it kid.

[troylus]

“I already know who you are Canus. Take a seat and relax.” Canus perched himself in one of the chairs but found the second of Magus’ directions more difficult to achieve. He attempted to look relaxed while his heart seemed to be beating too hard and his palms were starting to sweat. He was glad the handshaking part was done. He hated to sweat, it was gross. “This is just a standard interview that will determine if I want you in my company." Canus refrained from pointing out that he’d never had an interview before, standard or otherwise.

Canus found Magus’ smile gave him some much needed confidence. Normally Canus was cocky and self-assured, and wasn’t used to feeling like this. He realised in that moment how very much he wanted this opportunity to work with Magus.

Mr Argyris was younger than Canus had expected him to be, probably only a decade older than himself. His appearance was understated, but he pulled it off with class, and Canus found himself watching the man intently, trying to get into his head. Magus’ brown eyes seemed to be taking everything in, and supremely focused on him, and Canus felt good about that. An adult who was powerful, intelligent, classy and attractive had invited him, HIM, to come and show his music.

Magus’ voice further soothed him as he spoke again. "Okay, Canus, show me what you got? Impress me and I may have a spot for you in my company."

This was it, the moment Canus had been waiting for for months. He cleared his throat. “I know you’re a busy man, Mr Argyris, so I ‘m not going to waste your time by blathering on about what I can do. Instead, I’m going to let my music speak for itself.” He slid his hand into the top pocket of his jacket and slid out a portable data drive. Hoping it wouldn’t be seen as presumptuous he stepped over to the electronics and plugged his device into the hologram. A video started of Magus’ own, the recap of the 63rd Hunger Games. The electronic sound track had been skillfully removed and new music laid over it.

Canus had slaved over this recap video for hours and hours, making sure that every beat, every sound was just right, in his opinion. As Cricket blew the fire, the music swelled with emotion that tugged at the heart. It was impressive already, he hoped, but then Canus’ voice came into the track and it was truly breathtaking.

Canus’ school music professor had always said that he might be ‘a bit of a rogue, but his voice was straight from the heavens.’ She had encouraged him when no one else had, to pursue music, because it seemed a crime to not have the world hear that voice.

As the video continued the music seemed to take the audience on a rollercoaster of emotions, building up suspense, adding excitement and thrill to the climax, and then bringing the listener to a more reflective place. It was a little too enthusiastic in parts, reflecting the youth of the composer and would have benefitted from the guidance and direction of a wiser, more steady hand. But that was easy to fix.

Canus kept his eyes fixed on the hologram, refusing to seek out Magus’ expression. Canus was proud of what he’d achieved, and it was the best he could do. If Magus rejected him, so be it, but he wasn’t going to watch him, begging for his approval like a starving dog.

When the video came to an end, he let silence fill the room for a moment, hoping that Magus felt the loss of his music the way he did, as if a wonderful thing had just left his ears.

Canus then pushed ahead, making it clear to Magus that he wasn’t done yet. “But I could have cheated on that, had someone else help me, or even do it for me. I assure you I didn’t, but why should you believe me?” He smiled, “You also need to know that I can perform under time pressure. So I propose a challenge; you select a section of footage, preferably something that no one ever aired, so you know I can’t have prepared for that, and I will produce something using the samples and things I have on my data drive, mix it up and lay over some sort of vocals. What say you, Mr Argyris?”

[Tom]

Writing Thoughts says hears

Competition. Competition was a way to keep employees on the edge of their seats. It was a method used to keep things interesting. Competition was something that was important to Magus. Competition was something that allowed Magus to learn the ideals of running a company. Without competition in his younger days, Magus never would have known how to deal with other companies or how to keep his employees from being lazy. Magus was on very good footing with competition and always won, no matter what he did. The nerve of the boy in front of him to ask Magus to give him a challenge. A cocky attitude was oozing off the kid and Magus wanted to put him in his place.

The recap video that Canus, the weakling of a boy, made was rather outstanding for what Magus thought he was going to see. Miss Janet was going to need a raise for bringing this boy to his attention. The one thing Magus didn’t really care for was the singing voice. It was risky and quite not what Magus wanted in it. The music was supposed to compose the games, not a voice, it was the beat that made the video better. Magus was the composer that told the music how to go, but still Magus was a little bit impressed. The boy may be weak, but he does have some skill for a novice. Experience would shape him in ways that the boy could not imagine. The question is, is he up for what I will put him through?

Experience was something Magus had to earn in his younger years. His father had taught him very little and most of his career was Magus would consider a trial and error section. Trial of certain songs and video clips to see if people would like them and then a full release of a recap. Experience took years to earn and for such a young man, Magus had spent plenty of time learning the ins and outs of his father’s company. Hard work was the only thing Magus knew from the age of twenty one to this day. Magus had plenty of experience, unlike Canus. Canus needed to earn some experience and Magus was on the edge of the fence for him. The kid had a good idea of what music works well, but some of the risky factors might put Canus down.

Magus’ eyes focused back to the scene before him, Canus already proposing the offer of a challenge by using footage that he hasn’t seen. Magus had received some of the footage from the 71st that they could use as a test. His hands itched to grab the video for himself and set up a video of his own. That’s when an idea popped into the brilliant brain that belonged to Magus. A competition was needed. One that would challenge Canus and allow Magus to touch the footage that he had received for himself. A smile plastered to his face as fast as the idea popped into his head. Magus’ voice filled the air with a challenging tone, ”Well Canus, I’ll sweeten the deal here. My company isn’t all fun and games. We are very professional here, but luckily for you. I like a little bit of a game. This one will determine if you make it or not. You’re video was great, except the vocals. That’s risky and risk can get you killed in this world and the business world. So with that said, I propose that I give you some footage I have never used and you make a recap for it, but at the same time, I’ll be making a recap of the same video. We’ll have the woman who recommended you to me judge the recaps, and if yours is better, you’ll be accepted into my company as an intern? Sound good?”

Competition, stress, and pressure are what makes Magus’ company run, without those things, Magus would be poor or worse, dead. The company was one of power that controlled one of the markets. Some people would say that he owns the whole recap market, but that was a terrible lie. There were other companies out there that made recap videos or fan videos. Magus wasn’t the first to come up with the idea, but it was something he enjoyed.

Magus was going to be playing this game with Canus. A game that he couldn’t lose. A game that was decided before the first move was even played. A chessboard that held multiple pieces that already were in position to strike. His unknowing prey unaware of the game that Magus played. The man thrived on the weaknesses of others and Canus was no different from the scum in the Districts that lose. Magus was a victor in this game known as life and every game he played had to be rigged in his favor in the first place. Checkmate, Canus. Checkmate.

[troylus]

Magus was smiling broadly, like he felt excited about all of this, and that made Canus feel good about how this interview was going.  Magus's tone also suggested that he accepted the proposal of giving Canus a challenge, and he was pleased about that.  The boy loved to compete and the thrill of the pressure of situations that were extreme but under his control and in a realm of his considerable talent, gave him a rush.  He didn't like sports, or thrill seeking activities like rock climbing or sky diving in a wing suit. He liked music, and in his short life so far he'd found that with determination and practice he'd been able to master any musical task he was assigned.  


”Well Canus, I’ll sweeten the deal here. My company isn’t all fun and games. We are very professional here, but luckily for you. I like a little bit of a game."  Magus' words gave Canus a little rush of excitement.  He was a little concerned when he thought more deeply about the inference that he hadn't been professional himself in asking to be challenged.  That surprised him; he thought Magus' company would be based on challenge and pushing oneself to do better, to excel and overcome the competition and not seeing games as childish.  After all, the very games the company recapped were the ultimate in challenges, and despite being fought by children, didn't seem at all 'fun and games' alone to Canus.


"This one will determine if you make it or not. You’re video was great, except the vocals."

Canus nearly choked with shock at Magus' words.  It took all his willpower to bite his tongue as the man hadn't stopped to let him respond.  He KNEW his voice was astounding, and he wondered what Magus was playing at here.  Canus had attended in good faith.  He hadn't sought this opportunity out, it had rather come knocking at his door, but he had worked hard and was excited about it.  He had been prepared for critical feedback on pretty much anything except his voice.  That was pretty hard to swallow and he tried to determine if Magus was just yanking his chain here.
 
"That’s risky and risk can get you killed in this world and the business world."

Canus blinked a few times as Magus said these words.  How in the world does this man run a successful business and defeat the competition without taking any risks? Risks don't get you killed unless they are un-calculated out of control sort of risks.  What get's you killed, in Canus' unspoken opinion, was stagnating...doing the same thing over and over and never taking a risk on something new.  But Canus again wasn't given the opportunity to respond so he stayed silent for now.   

"So with that said, I propose that I give you some footage I have never used and you make a recap for it, but at the same time, I’ll be making a recap of the same video."

Huh? was all Canus' brain could come up with for a short while.  But you have like ten years of experience editing videos to my NONE.  Canus had spent hours editing the music on the video he showed Magus but he hadn't touched the video footage.  He respected this company and their ability to splice together the scenes he'd watched of the Games in new and thrilling ways that kept you keen to watch them again and again.  He'd edited a few stupid little home videos - things like shots of his sister doing embarrassing things that he'd then blackmailed her not to plaster all over the place publicly.  But competing with the man who did this for a living? That's NUTS!  Magus does know I only want to work on making the music for his vids, right? He doesn't think I'm going to do the whole process, does he?

"We’ll have the woman who recommended you to me judge the recaps, and if yours is better, you’ll be accepted into my company as an intern? Sound good?”

Canus was tempted to respond that Magus had just wasted his own time and Canus' in that case.  There was no way he could edit a whole video better than the professional at the top of his game.  And if the judge was one of his employees, the ones that had seemed so terrified of their employer when ever Canus had tried to research about Magus and his company, they really wouldn't be impartial as far as judges go anyway. Not that it really mattered how impartial they were.

But running away, even in a big huff about Magus wasting his time, seemed like weakness to Canus.  And damn it, he wasn't weak.  He was an Estuarian.  And he was talented.  Screw this guy. I'll have a go.

He looked Magus straight in the eyes, fearless and determined. "Sure, why not.  Where do I work on it?"