AUDIENCE FOR: Rupert

[guestservices]

Comments

[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.]