AUDIENCE FOR: Rupert

[guestservices]

Comments

[agleam]

[he turns around abruptly, his eye blinking at the sudden noise.]

Maybe next time you could appear in front of me...?

[guestservices]

Oh. Your eye. [OH. THE EYE.] Sorry, I didn't think about it.

[agleam]

That, and it's also just kind of startling!

[because he's jumpy. it's fine.]

[guestservices]

Sorry. [they seem less sorry about that though.] I'll remember for next time. What's up?

[agleam]

Have you talked to Dimitri, Joonghyuk, or Emet-Selch since they came back on Thursday?

[guestservices]

No. I've talked to Emet-Selch long enough to give him his task for medical supplies but nothing about where they went. Why?

[agleam]

I was just wondering if any of them had mentioned something about, like - weird scars they had gotten while they were there. But I guess not, if you haven't talked to them.

[guestservices]

You could probably ask Aquila? They might have talked to one or two of them at least.

[agleam]

Thanks for the idea... I talked to her last night, and it seemed like they didn't know anything, though.

[guestservices]

[a pause.]

Hm. Well...why not ask them yourself?

[agleam]

[after a second, he nods.]

I was planning on asking the rest of the staff to see if anyone recognized it, but - if that doesn't turn up anything, I can definitely check with them.

[guestservices]

I mean...considering we didn't go where they went, and we don't know what actually happened unless they tell us, doesn't it make sense to cut out the middle man and ask directly?

[agleam]

Right, but... If it's like mine, it just showed up after they got back, so they probably don't know what it is either. I'm kind of hoping one of the staff might recognize it and tell me what it is. It definitely looks - unique.

[he rolls up his sleeve to show it.]

[guestservices]

[they will take a look!]

...unique is one word for it. Are you the only one who came out with something like this?

[agleam]

Out of my group, I'm pretty sure it's just me... I don't know about the others.

[guestservices]

Weird...wish I had an answer for you, but I'm drawing a blank.

[agleam]

That's okay.

[he waves a hand]

Are you alright, though? I mean, after everything that's happened the last couple of days.

[guestservices]

[there's a sigh to that.]

It's been a really long week, but I think we're managing okay...sort of nonstop from Thursday on. I feel like I should be asking you that instead.

[agleam]

Well, there's no harm in us both asking each other, right?

[guestservices]

Guess not. [that's a good point.] Pretty sure we're all kind of tired especially from today, but...we just have to keep going.

[agleam]

[he nods.]

Yeah. But... Sometimes it's easier to keep going if you get things off your chest.

[guestservices]

[...there's an "oh" of understanding under their breath.]

I'm okay if that's what you're trying to ask. These things happen. It was kind of a mess, but things can't be changed now.

[agleam]

[after a pause, he laughs, a little bit surprised in tone rather than amused.]

Of course I was wondering if you're okay, I asked if you were alright earlier...

[he nods, though.]

It'd be nice if things hurt less just because you can't change them, right? [...] But, can I ask you something?

[guestservices]

Hey, some people are just polite. [but they move on with a nod. sure, that would be nice, but it's not likely anytime soon.] I can't promise an answer. What is it?

[agleam]

Right, I get it. I was just wondering... If this kind of thing bothers you, then why are you here?