AUDIENCE FOR: Lup

[guestservices]

mostly void, partially stars.

❤

Comments

[guestservices]

Hey, I've been really busy. [among other things. but they do kind of kick a few clothes aside and also remove a pillow and a dog toy from one of the chairs so she can have a seat.] And I wasn't expecting guests. I cleaned up what I could.

[evocationary]

[she will flop into this chair.] I guess my concern was this was never a thing before, being able to come in here on purpose? Unless it was and I just suck, which is a possibility.

... It's nice in here. Despite the mess.

[guestservices]

[they shrug and settles on the bed, legs folded in a sort of loose lotus position.]

I don't think it was that. It's just...stuff in the hotel doing whatever it wants. I'd rather know if people are here than hear about it later. [they glance around the room though.] It'll suffice. It feels a little...confining, in a way.

[it's not their real style, but they'll make do.]

[evocationary]

Yeah, I can imagine.

[a pause. a little gently:] I don't think people knew that they were breaking into bedrooms. But I get it.

[...] Must be weird, to be in here.

[guestservices]

I'm not mad or anything. I'm sure they weren't aware when it was happening. [but they hum as they think it over.]

It's a little odd, but I've grown used to it, I think. It's been my room for quite some time now.

[evocationary]

A long time? [how long you been here for, boy]

[guestservices]

I guess you could say it's a long time. Though perhaps not as long as you were at the station.

[evocationary]

[a little nod.]

Thank fuck for that. Nobody should be in one of these that long.

[guestservices]

Absolutely not. It's completely offensive that anyone thought longer periods of time were acceptable.

[evocationary]

[a laugh.]

Agreed. [...] You get to go home when this is all over, right?

[guestservices]

I'm not sure. I suppose it's a matter of whatever happens next.

[evocationary]

Well. I'm guessing we have one more death-a-palooza, considering I had to do my job still this morning.

[guestservices]

That's a distinct possibility, yeah. Whatever it is, you'll just have to do your best and be as prepared as you possibly can be. And at least your job, hopefully, offers a semblance of security.

[evocationary]

[she tilts her head back, with a little sigh.]

Sure, as much as it ever does. [...] Tell me what you think is going to happen.

[guestservices]

[they look at their covers, picking at one of the sheets and picking at it.]

A lot of chaos, probably. Just like every other week. But you'll have to work together if you plan on making it to the end of your term. Things won't be quiet just because it's drawing to a close.

[evocationary]

[she opens her mouth - and then closes it.

and then she reaches for the flowers, tracing her fingers over the purple ones, and then the sunflowers. maybe it's clear what she wants to ask, but - she can't, and she knows.]

[guestservices]

[...they tilt their head.]

...your time here is nearly over, Lup. One more week. That's good, isn't it?

[evocationary]

It's not good enough. [she says, stubbornly.] You know why.

[guestservices]

...do I? [they actually seem kind of confused because there are a lot of reasons this could be true.]

[evocationary]

I'm not leaving until everybody can.

[guestservices]

Okay. [that's. all they say? like yes, they knew that.] How does that negate what I said about time almost being over? I never doubted some of you would be stubborn enough to try to figure something out.

[evocationary]

[a pause.]

... It doesn't. I didn't say it negates it? Hey Gems, are we like, good?

Maybe it's just the mask screwing with me, but I feel like half the time I talk to you anymore I'm having issues with figuring out what your deal is. Are you good? Am I losing my mind?

[guestservices]

[they think of how to phrase this.]

We're definitely good, Lup. Don't worry about that. It's been a long couple of months for everybody, don't you think? I think people are just starting to focus on the ending and it's taking a lot of time and energy from people. The ending's coming soon, no matter what the outcome actually is.

[evocationary]

[frowning.]

I know it's been a long couple of months. I know it's tiring.

But the distance you're putting in when it wasn't really there before - it's impressive, it's like you hit the ground running and decided to kick up all the dust into my face. Maybe I'm hallucinating it but I don't know. Better to just. Get it out there, because I'm starting to feel insane.

It's like you're constantly taking me at the worst faith interpretation. I know I'm not her, but it kinda hurts.

[guestservices]

[there's just.

a very long period of silence.]

...can I ask you something? What do you actually know about me? Or remember, I guess.

[they don't address any of that because they need to know that first before looping back to it.]