AUDIENCE FOR: Lup

[guestservices]

mostly void, partially stars.

❤

Comments

[guestservices]

Ah.

[ a little softer. ]

... To burn out is a terrible thing. Then, let me ask you this: you had to pretend and be disingenuous before.

What do you think will be worse? Allowing yourself to become attached, and burning out on how much you care for others? Or lying, and allowing yourself to go numb to it all?

[evocationary]

[that takes her a bit to answer.]

The second one. [she says finally.] I don't want to lose my heart in the process of all of this. I can't. Not again.

[guestservices]

[...

they nod.]

...Then, let that be the thing that guides your actions, here. I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

[evocationary]

[she reaches up to rub at her face.]

I'm already tired. This bodes well.

[guestservices]

[looks at execution. im sure she'll be better tomorrow!]

You've had a long day, to say the least. A long week. [a beat.] A long several months, really.

[evocationary]

[haha! (starts yelling)]

... Yeah. [she says, and she kind of slumps.] I don't feel like I've been able to relax in... in a long time.

[guestservices]

[ and her next week will definitely be better, too! right!

they sound sympathetic, though they don't reach out or anything, folding their hands in front of them. ]

You have been through this for a longer period than many: it can be difficult, to be vigilant for so long.

[evocationary]

[haha! yeah!]

Well, who knows. Maybe I'll get the chance to nap eventually.

[guestservices]

[ they laugh a little at that. ]

You're more than welcome to sneak off and nap behind our desk. I won't tell anyone.

[evocationary]

... Might take you up on that, actually.

[wheeze.]

Maybe I'll come see you again next week. You can stand guard while I nap, it'll be great and totally not boring for you.

[guestservices]

[ this response is softer - genuine. ]


...I wouldn't mind.

[evocationary]

[she... glances at them, for a moment. lets her gaze linger.]

Creepy! [she says, but - it's teasing, and there's a little flicker of something in her gaze even as she's looking away.]

[guestservices]

[ oh, they actually shrink back a bit from being stared at, shoulders hunching.

-- and then, they clear their throat, rolling their shoulders back again and straightening. ]

... I - I just think you should have the chance to sleep in peace, is all.