guestservices | AUDIENCE FOR: Lup

True. I guess Mavis and Mookie are nothing alike. [a beat.] Uh - my friend's kids.

... Taako is my heart, you're right. [she tucks her hair behind her ear.] I miss him.

Mm. [that seems to be all they comment on regarding the first part. they're sitting still in their chair, still watching her for a moment as if debating what to ask, because...]

...you'll save him. You did the first time, didn't you? [a beat.] But that...wasn't from the station. Was it?

No. It wasn't, which is absolutely buckwild. Why am I getting memories from another me?

[no comment on whether or not she'll save him, because she doesn't want to work herself up with it.]

Why are you asking me? I've no idea how this works. The whole thing is...erm. Preposterous, to say the least.

[so yeah, it is buckwild.]

Has...this been happening all morning?

[she glances at them.]

Yep. Happened first thing in the morning to me and Cloud. I assume you haven't run into it yet.

No. [...] Perhaps it's better that way? It seems, well, quite intrusive?

[...]

Wait, does that mean you've seen some of Cloud's memories now?

[her ear... flicks... and she looks Away]

It does, yeah. [she will Not Be Specifying]

Oh. [. . .]

I think...maybe it's best if...

[but they don't get to finish their sentence. there's another bright burst of stardust showering over them (and also their pancakes, rip), but it settles into a memory.

You're nervous. It's not really a feeling you're familiar with, something you'd link more toward some of your friends than yourself. You have your moments of insecurity, of course, but for the most part you think of yourself as someone confident in everything that you do.

But here, underneath the lights and away from other people, you find your palms sweating a little and your tongue sticking to the roof of your mouth. There's no one else to hide behind, and no pressing matters to attend to.

It's just the two of you, and you're kind of scared to call this a date. What if it isn't a date? What if this really is just another day for the two of you to hang out because it's easier to spend time together and talk than most things these days?

You've kept plenty of her secrets by now. Both of you have been lying to friends you've made and people you know but it was really for the best. Nobody has to know the plans you've made and the things you've orchestrated in order to survive.

This isn't about that though. Maybe this is just a break, a treat, a kind of self-indulging moment you normally wouldn't dream of taking when there's a job to be done. You think about the way she says you should get a chance to take a break sometimes, and you resist the urge to tell her that being around her is a break. You've never really done this before, and you think she probably has more experience than you do, but maybe she doesn't care?

She takes your hand, and you realize that no. She doesn't care. She doesn't care about the things you aren't quite saying, the fears you refuse to explain, because you're together. The tall structure ahead of you makes you feel even smaller than usual but you find yourself pulling her along to catch a lift. Higher and higher you go, the two of you pressed together and when you turn to look at her...

...all you can think about is how beautiful she is, and how you want this to last as long as possible. Someday isn't really a promise, but even knowing the end is coming, that things may fall apart at the last minute like you know they can, all you want to do is focus on this one person you trust yourself with more than anything.

And when she kisses you, everything about the situation at-hand doesn't seem to matter anymore. Here, in this private little part of the universe high above everyone else and away from the rest of the group, all that matters is a mutual feeling that you don't want to ever lose.

...the stardust fades, and gemini is frozen in their place, completely silent.]

[WHO THE FUCK IS THE GIRL i have a suspicion and i'm gonna piss if i'm right]

... Oh. Huh. [a beat.] Well, that's embarrassing.

[well. it's a little difficult to tell, but. you know. lup might vaguely recognize her which i'm only giving you because you already guessed in your dm.]

. . .

[what if. they just. don't say anything at all.]

[i'm going to sue ty for everything she's worth i can't stand this

anyway there's a pause, and then:] If it makes you feel better, I'm also embarrassed.

...let's just forget this ever happened, shall we?

[and they're going to get up to start collecting dishes to take them away and fucking leave.]

My apologies, Miss Lup. That was rather...uncouth of me.

No, wait, hold on.

[she says, also standing. she's definitely like, making a face at herself here.]

I don't know who you are. So it's okay. I just - know you're not who I thought, which is. A good thing, actually? So don't worry about it.

[ah....]

Sure. Yes. That's a good thing, but for all intents and purposes I am precisely who you thought I was. It's much easier that way.

[they pause though.]

...likewise, don't worry about it. Nothing changes.

Okay, well, hey, let's. Not go that far.

[you are a child.]

... Nothing changes. You don't have to go, I'm going to behave myself.

No, I believe you. Of course you are. [they still aren't looking at her, busying themselves with dishes, still trying to keep their back to her. their posture is a little rigid. professional. but they aren't booking it yet, so.]

...as I've said, you may forget you ever saw that.

I will. [a pause... her ears flick back against her skull, angled down. she doesn't say anything else for a moment.]

[...what is there to say? they're not sure. they're not who she was expecting, and that's fine. they have to continue playing their part and doing their job, but...it's almost kind of cruel, in a way?

...whatever. a job is a job, and as the head of customer complaints it's their job to attend to guests.]

...I'm unsure of how to stop the dust, but rest assure it likely will be over in a week's time.

[she opens her mouth - and then closes it.

she hears what they say, but all she can manage is:] I'm sorry.

Please don't. [the tone, almost, skews a little younger but it's one of those things that you hear and miss if you aren't paying attention.]

It's alright. There's nothing to be done. It is the whims of the hotel, and as staff all we can do is continue to do our best for the comfort of our guests.

[uwehhHHHHH. her mouth twists.]

Okay. [it's not, and her heart hurts, and she's not really sure why? that's the worst part.] Hey. Tell the Nightman to punish me and not you, if you get in trouble at all.

[a beat.] Are you fine if I keep calling for you?

[because they do make her feel better, regardless.]

There isn't anything to be punished for, Miss Lup. So long as we continue to do our job to the best of our ability, that's all that is required of us. Anything else you have seen or heard is simply an oversight.

[so. lup should not disclose any of this to anyone.

but there's a sigh and they finally look over their shoulder to face her.]

...of course I'm fine with that. Anything you could want or could need, you just have to ask. I'll do my best.

... Mmhm. [she knows how to keep a secret, here.]

I actually did want to ask a favor.

[without missing a beat.]

What is it?

Jason said he asked one of you to prove that our hostages are real, and you did. Can I do the same thing?

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