What Indeed for a Living?

Fertal

"So what can a knight trapped in the body of a bear do for a living?" Fred the bear finishes. "And don't suggest a circus."

I give off a short, mirthless laugh at that one. One that cannot be confused with mirth at all, really. Honestly, that had been the last thing I would have suggested! It must have been very humiliating, being forced to dance like he'd been forced to in that circus act (especially in that ridiculous outfit)!

It's just . . . we all had discussed just what Fred the bear could do for a living if he joins up with Eternity Inc as a Champion. If that is allowed, then it would be the top of what is a very . . . short list. A list that is rather something of a stretch in some parts (jobs we could manage to get him, but fear that Fred the bear would know in his ursine heart that he'd got the job out of a mixtures of pity and string pulling, rather than merit).

Hell, he's a knight in the body of a bear! Has no manual dexterity (paws instead of hands). Has no voice beyond a growl and roar if not for the magical translator necklace. Will not even sire anything but simple animals of the forest! Oh, we could make up for those deficiencies with magicks (or scientific devices come to that), but it's not the same . . . somehow. There is the "freak" factor, you know. Have to fear that he'd consider himself a freak. Fear I would in his position...

Well, there is one more "natural" way, as it were. . .but . . .

Yes, he could opt to become some mage's familiar (THAT is way is open to him), but that would . . . put him in the position of a servant (a poor one). A wizard's familiar has magical powers (which would allow him to be able to cast magic . . . and manipulate things via his own magical powers), but he'd be slavishly loyal to his "master". In other words, if Fred the bear became a familiar he'd become a slave! That's NOT an option worth mention, thank YOU!

He'd not take too well to that, I fear. If he's anything like me in spirit (which he probably is, being an analog of me), then it would be repellant to him! And blast it! Though I try to put the best face on it, he knows what I suggest is merely . . . charity.

So to be fair (and to at least give the poor bastard hope), I do mention that there are OTHER Offices out there. Naturally, the Demon's Office (the Army of Darkness) is automatically dismissed....

Piss on the Demons! Had a Hell (no pun intended) of a time barely avoiding getting snared by them (have my friends and family from Eternity Inc to thank for my and my love's deliverance) and I shall NOT do my brother bear here such a disservice in suggesting he join up with THOSE . . . .

1. "Let the others tell you about this one lion we met earlier," I begin. "His name was Aslan."

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