AUDIENCE FOR: Rupert

[guestservices]

Comments

[guestservices]

[after a few minutes, a swirl of shadows appear and gemini steps out of them, hands behind their back as they stop in front of rupert. they don't speak, but they do seem to be waiting. hello.]

[agleam]

Hi.

[since they asked him to be quick, rather than give too much preamble, he pushes up his shirt sleeve to show the scar on his wrist from cyoa.]

I was wondering if you might recognize this, at all?

[guestservices]

[they lean forward a bit to take a closer look.]

...I can't say that I do. Something that didn't heal Thursday?

[agleam]

Yeah. Which - by the way, thank you for helping me. I really appreciate it. Everything else feels a lot better, but this didn't change at all.

[guestservices]

I suppose that would mean it likely isn't an injury at all. Do you recall how you got it?

[agleam]

Not really. It kind of just showed up.

[guestservices]

Then I imagine it may disappear after some time. Unfortunately, I cannot identify it myself.

[agleam]

That's alright - I'll check with the others.

[...]

I know I said I wouldn't hold you up for too long, but - are you doing alright, after everything?

[guestservices]

Perhaps that would be best.

[but hm.]

I suppose. Your thoughts on this weekend, Rupert?

[agleam]

My thoughts?

[he pauses, then his expression grows a little more frustrated.]

...None of us are happy about this. This entire thing has been cruel. Not just cruel, it's - sick. Clem is a good kid, and she didn't deserve anything close to what just happened.

[guestservices]

Even though she was considered a guilty party?

[agleam]

I don't care what she was considered. It wasn't her who decided to do this, it was the shadow that took control.

[guestservices]

I see. [a pause.] ...what would you have considered an appropriate outcome then?

[agleam]

I would have considered it an appropriate outcome if none of this was happening in the first place.

[guestservices]

And since that isn't an option, what then?

[agleam]

Let's just say that none of the things I would consider appropriate outcomes are currently an option.

[guestservices]

[. . .]

Understandable. [and then there's silence before they clear their throat.]

You're obviously entitled to feel that way.

[agleam]

I'd be more worried if anyone here didn't feel that way.

[...]

What would your answer have been?

[guestservices]

I don't suppose that matters, really. Whether they're in alignment with yours or different, you will continue to be guided by your own thoughts. Won't you?

[agleam]

I'm not going to change my mind, but that doesn't mean I don't want to hear what you think, either.

[guestservices]

And I respectfully ask that you do not continue to pry.

[agleam]

If it's prying when I ask the exact same question you did, doesn't that mean you're prying, too...

[guestservices]

[...i truly hate to do this to you, but gemini is just kind of turning away.]

Was there anything else you needed, Rupert?

[agleam]

[war flashbacks to hugo]

...I mean, yeah, but it's fine. I'll talk to you later.

[guestservices]

My apologies. Later, then.

[which is about all they say before pretty much immediately stepping into shadows and vanishing. sorry rupert, better luck next time.]