rp post

[excontractu]

for offscreen interaction 

Comments

[selfdissecting]

...Yes. Of course.

[ they'll go stand in line. it's one of those shops with, like, the stained wood and dark brick on the walls and industrial-style lighting and modern seating that isn't actually that comfortable

Maeve will eventually meet him wherever he chooses to sit, clutching a teacup with some very plain white tea in two hands, and some salted caramel whipped cream monstrosity in the other two. they CAREFULLY SET HIS MUG DOWN IN FRONT OF HIM ]

Um. She said this was sweet.

[inhumanresources]

[he goes to take a sip. it's enough sugar, somehow!

big smile '^'] Thank you. It's good.

[selfdissecting]

[ eyes in their ponytail blinking. flustered.

they sit, a little too hard, hitting the seat a little too soon compared to what they expected, and glance down to make sure they're not settled too far forward ]

I didn't know you had such a sweet tooth.

[inhumanresources]

I like intense flavors. Spicy is good too.

Maeve. You seem, ah . . . you seem a little unbalanced?

[selfdissecting]

[ they stare into their tea. they know they're unsteady because there's tiny ripples in the liquid ]

You didn't see everyone before we came back to the office. Tandy was badly hurt. Ivan and I, too. Leander and... Valary... healed most of it.

I didn't want them touching me.

[inhumanresources]

Do you need me to—?

[selfdissecting]

[ very quickly, ] No. It's fine.

[ then they remember themselves, and makes themselves loosen their grip on the teacup as much as they dare without dropping it. more apologetically, ] I bandaged myself up when I got home. I probably could have taken them all off before coming in to work today. I just... [ can't tell what's healed and what's not anymore ] forgot. The necropolis forum was on my mind.

[inhumanresources]

[??????]

If you're still hurt . . .

[selfdissecting]

[ all their extra eyes close; they shake their head ] No. I think it's fine now— [ entreatingly, ] nothing hurts.

[inhumanresources]

[I DON'T LIKE IT EVEN A LITTLE BIT]

. . . Um. Okay.

[siiiiips his drink] Okay . . .

[selfdissecting]

[ doesn't sip. just clutches.

eventually. eventually, ] Are Leader and Valary going to cause problems with you?

[inhumanresources]

[reassuring] No. I'm a professional person. I won't let them cause problems.

[selfdissecting]

I already failed at that.

[inhumanresources]

They're just a lot of trouble. It's not your fault.

[selfdissecting]

[ they kinda grimace and bring a hand to pinch the bridge of their nose ]

Well, they are going to be working with us from now on. So I have to do better.

[inhumanresources]

Go easy on yourself.

[selfdissecting]

It's true. You know it is. Things are falling apart. Senior employees who have never done anything wrong suddenly at risk for severance, repeatedly. Arson. Just... constant disappointing meetings with Vesper and Phosphor.

[inhumanresources]

But that isn't your fault.

[selfdissecting]

But I'm the most experienced one on the team! I should—I should know better than the things I've been doing.

[ they bring the tea to their lips, frustratedly. it's hot, they know it's hot because of the steam. but it doesn't matter how hot, really, because they can't feel it. they just need to do something with their mouth besides say unpleasant things that make them bad company ]

[inhumanresources]

[gently puts his head down on the table]

O . . . kay . . .

[selfdissecting]

[ this! was! a mistake! ]




I'm sorry. I don't know why I said it like that.

[inhumanresources]

[peeks up sadly]

I just don't like to see you put yourself down. You're doing your best.

[selfdissecting]

[ biting their tongue—metaphorically, of course. it's not like they could tell if they were biting it for real, though, either... ]

I don't know why I invited you here just to be like this.

[inhumanresources]

You're lonely.

[selfdissecting]

[ oh, that startles a laugh out of her. it's nervous and wobbly and unhappy ]

Oh. Is it that obvious?