AUDIENCE FOR: Lup

[guestservices]

mostly void, partially stars.

❤

Comments

[evocationary]

What is the right word, then? [she is nosy. curious.]

[guestservices]

I'd rather not discuss that, if that's okay with you.

[the tone isn't, like, a harsh shutdown or anything. it's more matter of fact and just asking.]

[evocationary]

... Sure, okay.

[she's still curious, but she'll respect it.]

If you want to do the text thing with me that's also fine, you don't have to come see me.

[guestservices]

No it's okay. [hm. um. god.]

I don't mind. I should get more used to it anyway, and you aren't difficult to talk to.

[evocationary]

[a little laugh.]

Thanks. I think. How about this - my next tip for you can be running interference. If you don't want to talk to someone like, during trial or something, you just call me over and I'll shush them.

[guestservices]

[there's another moment of thought because, like, actually? yeah! that kind of does not sound terrible!]

...the thought is appreciated, but you and I both have responsibilities we might not be prepared for. But that's tempting.

[evocationary]

Just keep it in mind! Like maybe if someone comes up to you and asks you who did the murder, I can just be like no! No answer.

[guestservices]

A generous offer. [lup...] If a trial really does happen again, at least the others will be there, too. That should help enough. I don't want you occupied with me while other things are going on.

[evocationary]

[she grins a little. it's mostly joking around - it feels better to do than feeling sorry for herself.]

It's going to. You don't think it will?

[guestservices]

Is it bad if I say that I do think it will? To at least be realistic.

[they just weren't going to say it hoping to keep the conversation light and not make it worse.]

[evocationary]

Nah, it's like you said, it's realistic. But we don't have to worry about it until Thursday.

Hopefully what I picked won't be a total failure.

[guestservices]

Even if it is, Lup, there are other chances. [still sounds insensitive, but okay.] It's a big undertaking.

[evocationary]

I know, I know. [she sounds like it bothers her less - and she's not coughing up flowers, at least.]

Cloud and Gemini both told me that I can't go off burning myself out, so I'm doing my best. We're only in the first week, you know? I can't be a sadsack, I won't make it.

It'll be okay.

[guestservices]

[there's a "hm" sort of sound to that.]

...I did tell Cloud he seemed smart the other day. Maybe he really is.

[lup, no burning out.]

[evocationary]

[HFFFT. she laughs!!!]

He has his moments! Sometimes. Occasionally. [teehee.] He a friend of yours?

[guestservices]

I've only talked to him twice, both over text. But he's not bad. He understands a couple of things. Asks some decent questions.

[evocationary]

You know, I always forget to ask the questions. Like, the plot ones. I get distracted.

He's a really to-the-point guy, I guess.

[guestservices]

That's because Cloud's capacity for talking to people is about this big. [they hold up a hand to hold their index finger and their thumb apart about an inch.] And mine is usually about this big. [they widen the space by about half an inch.]

[evocationary]

[she cackles.]

I don't know, you seem pretty good at talking to me! Cloud's a dingus, though. [this man cannot catch a break]

[guestservices]

[lup is so rude to cloud.]

That is because you are likely one of the only people, if not the only person I will see in person today. [a beat.] And guest relations means having to talk to people whether I want to or not.

[evocationary]

That makes me feel very special, which is good for me. I flourish like a flower when I'm special.

[also yeah, she is, but it's because she likes him a lot.] How'd you get stuck with guest relations, anyway?

[guestservices]

Mmhm, I'm sure. [lup. but okay, okay, that is a very fair question.]

Did you get the impression I was stuck with it? I actually don't mind my job that much. [is that a direct contradiction to what they just said? yes, perhaps.]

[evocationary]

Like, half the things you've said to me today have been about how you hate talking to people.

[guestservices]

Yeah, which is correct. [...] I don't hate it so much as I'm not great at it, and it's another thing to get used to. Small talk is still a challenge and sometimes I don't have the patience for it.

[this still all sounds very bad.]

But guest relations does mean making sure people's needs are met and remembering things and paying attention to them. And I don't mind that part.

[evocationary]

Oh, I don't like small talk either, that's fair.

[she leans forward to rest her elbows on her knees, legs crossed.]

That's a good quality to have, though. Remembering things about people.