Winn (computerlad) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2020-09-04 19:35:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, lan zhan, winn schott |
Who: Winn Schott and Lan Zhan
What: First meeting
When: Lan Zhan's first day at Xanatos Enterprises
Where: Xanatos Enterprises
Rating/Warning: Low/none
Status: Complete
Winn had been working for Xanatos Enterprises for about ten years now. Most of his time in New York. It was only a little over a month ago that Mr. Xanatos transferred him to the Orange County offices. It had been an adjustment at first, mostly leading a new team. But all the kinks were sorted out now and as usual his day was busy.
But that didn’t mean he didn’t have time for a coffee break. Usually he ran out to a coffee shop, however with how swamped Winn was he decided to go to one of the many break rooms. Even though he grabbed a clean mug, Winn began rinsing it out anyway. Just to be safe. Once that was taken care of he got started on making his coffee when someone else walked in. Winn hadn’t seen the other man before but that didn’t mean much. He hadn’t been there that long and well there were a lot of people that worked for Mr. Xanatos. He gave the guy a polite smile as he poured his coffee.
Lan Zhan was new. Very new. So new in fact he was still finding his feet. It was a good thing that he was versatile and adaptable in his professional life more than he was in his personal life otherwise he would struggle considerably. He was also here representing his family and it was very important he made the best impression. His presentation did that. His hair was neatly tied away and he was dressed in a very dark suit, it was all sharp lines and angular moments that might be better placed on a fashion runway than in an office environment.
He knew that he would be meeting Lan Huan later that day, for lunch, to catch up and find out how his own internship was going. Hopefully well.
Today was his first day which meant there was a lot of groundwork to cover and he was in his training period so there was not as much demand on him as he was sure there would be once he'd had time to settle in. He looked forward to it, Lan Zhan enjoyed challenge and pushing himself to his limits. There was a lot of pressure on him and his brother, to make this venture in America a success, and the more they said things were going the less chance there was that their uncle would pull the plug.
He was on a break as his trainer needed to attend a meeting so he decided to get out of the way, stepping into a nearby break room, which was occupied by one other person. The polite smile was returned as he picked up a glass and filled it with water.
Winn liked to consider himself a pretty friendly guy. Even if he could be a bit socially awkward at times, or well just awkward in general. Still he wasn’t just going to ignore the people he worked with. Yeah, Xanatos Enterprises was a big place there was a chance that he wouldn’t see half the people that worked there. Especially ones in other departments. But that didn’t change the fact that he couldn’t just ignore the man in the break room with him.
“Hey,” Winn said with a small nod before turning his attention to the coffee pot, waiting for it to finish brewing. “Have you uh, worked here long?” He kind of skipped over the part where he introduced himself. Not on purpose, it just didn’t occur to him to actually say his name.
Lan Zhan had not expected the other man to speak to him but any surprise he might have felt was impossible to see as he had one of those resting faces that did not give much away. Still it would be impolite not to return the conversation.
“Not long,” he said with a shake of his head. “I am new. Just started. I am going through training and induction.”
He knew the customary greeting back home but was still learning the traditions in America which as far as he gathered involved a handshake. He angled his hips to offer his hand. “I am Lan Zhan.”
“Ah,” Winn said before pouring himself some coffee. “Well it’s a pretty great place to work. I’m sure you’ll like it.” Even if Mr. Xanatos did like to call Winn in on his day off occasionally. But he had also paid for Winn’s move out and gotten an apartment set up for him. Kind of evened out.
“Winn,” he replied, shaking Lan Zhan’s hand. He didn’t give his last name. Winn rarely did. Given he had the same name as his father who was also a known serial killer. Even if that was old news now, it had been about twenty years since his father was in the news, he still tried to avoid drawing attention to it.
That was good to know. Lan Zhan filed the comment away for future reference the next time his trainer popped his gum, loudly. “I hope so.” Only time would tell but it was an opportunity of a lifetime, and he had worked very hard to get this far. It would be a shame not to ...what was that saying, grab the bull by the horns?
He did wonder how many Winns he might encounter at Xanatos Industries. Hopefully not too many or it could be confusing without a surname.
“What is it that you do here?”
“Just be prepared for long hours,” he added with a large, genuine smile. It was a true statement though. Winn never fully felt off the clock. Even when he had first started out all those years ago.
As far as Winn knew, he was the only one working at Xanatos Enterprises. It wasn’t exactly a common name. But then he had only met a handful of people out in the Orange County offices so who knew.
“Cyber security,” Winn said, answering the question. Technically he was the head of it, but he saw no need to get into those logistics. “You?”
“Those I am used to,” Lan Zhan shared. He could not recall a time in his life when he had not been working long hours. Even as a child his uncle had demanded a lot and both he and his brother had spent hours upon hours learning, reciting, doing everything in their power to do their family name proud.
Pressure was a truly remarkable motivator.
“I am joining the business division.” What that entailed he wasn’t entirely sure, but he knew he would know by the end of the day or at the end of his training period. “I am not entirely sure what that means yet but it is my first day, so I am sure I will know more in a few days time.”
“Yeah I couldn’t tell you,” Winn replied. He didn’t know much outside of his own department. Xanatos Enterprises had many divisions after all. “I bet it’s a lot to take in.” He still remembered how overwhelming his first few days, hell weeks, had been. Even though that was an entire decade ago now. Damn he had been working for Mr. Xanatos for a long time.
“Hm, it is.” Lan Zhan nodded his head. “But I am luckily a very quick learner.” He also listened, took everything in, and paid attention. That in itself he hoped would be enough to help him with the challenges that faced him. It was a strength and it was one he valued. Very much so. “I trust that will help.”
He considered his glass of water which he had yet to properly touch.
“Do you have any advice?”
“Uh…” Winn said awkwardly scratching the back of his head. He wasn’t exactly the advice type. “Just work hard,” Winn finally said with a small shrug. “And be ready to be called in at any time.” Especially as an intern.
Work hard? That was easily done. Something Lan Zhan was very familiar with. Hard work, dedication and an unwavering sense of focus had gotten him this far. Even if he was still uncertain if this was actually the direction he wanted to go in. It was his uncle’s dream and to date he had simply been a passenger.
“Thank you,” he replied. “I will be sure to remember that.”
“No problem,” Winn said with his coffee in hand. “Speaking of I should probably get back to it.” If he didn’t have time to run to a coffee shop, he didn’t have too much time to chat either. But it was still nice to meet someone new. “I’ll see you around,” he offered with a sheepish smile.