rp post

[excontractu]

for offscreen interaction 

Comments

[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?

[inhumanresources]

I'm worried.

[selfdissecting]

[ ... turns her teacup in her hands ]

Everyone is lonely at least a little.

[inhumanresources]

But maybe not like this.

[selfdissecting]

Saying that doesn't help me.

[inhumanresources]

[goes quite blank; he puts down his coffee]

Okay. Well.

Sorry to have been unhelpful, Maeve.

/2

[selfdissecting]

[ they can't feel pain, but for a second it's like the ghost of it possesses them ]

[selfdissecting]

[ a dullness comes over them ] I told. Pascal. I am not right for people, I told him I... couldn't. Do this.

[ and they pick up something Pascal said to them, not that long ago, and they offer it back, shakily: ] You don't have to like me. I work hard, I am good at my job, but that doesn't mean any of you are meant to save me from my nature. It's my nature.