AUDIENCE FOR: Rupert

[guestservices]

Comments

week 3, monday

[guestservices]

[rupert rings the bell, and as usual there's nothing for a moment. when he blinks though, the moment he opens his eyes again he'll see aquarius in front of him.]

Hi Rupert. You rang?

[agleam]

Yeah - hi.

[hilariously, memshare week was the only week he couldn't talk to the dorm heads in person, so he has no idea that the staff might also share memories.]

Something kind of weird is going on today... Well, I say weird even though it happened in the last group I was in, too, but I was still wondering if you might know anything about it.

[guestservices]

[they fold their arms over their chest, tilting their head slightly. i forgot you were already dead by then, god.]

We're in a murder hotel, so...you're gonna have to be a little more specific. What kind of weird? [the tone is light, inquisitive, and still somewhat cautious.]

[agleam]

Like, this weird kind of dust is coming from nowhere and we're all seeing each other's memories...?

[guestservices]

...ohhh no. [that sounds. hellish, actually.] Uh. Maybe it's time to invest in an umbrella?

[agleam]

I mean, if in your opinion that would actually work, I would totally take one.

[guestservices]

I actually don't know. Haven't seen any dust around and isn't opening an umbrella inside bad luck or something? Maybe it's just a sometimes thing. Only shows up on occasion.

[. . .]

Uh. Could find an umbrella in the gift shop though. Technically.

[agleam]

Well, it makes sense it wouldn't be happening around you guys. You've got a different set of rules, right?

[this seems like very funny timing so if you'd like a memory lmk which!]

[guestservices]

Something like that, sure. It's...staff privilege and whatever.

[give meee either season 1-3 (objectively attractive), season 2-3 (i just have three questions) or season 3-3 (im not, not like you), you tell me based on their cr!]

[agleam]

Well, that's lucky. You...

[he starts, before some of the dust he mentioned before starts to settle around them, and he blinks.]

Wait, hang on—

[there is no hanging on, because they're both experiencing a very stupid memory instead.]

[guestservices]

[i'm. really glad his voice is as fucking dorky as i thought it would be. anyway this happens, and aquarius sort of stares at him for a moment as the stardust clears. rupert can't see his face, but there's the impression they're raising an eyebrow.]

...is that how you usually make friends? [THEY. ALMOST WANT TO LAUGH? HELP.]

[agleam]

[very dryly:]

The plant monster was unique.

[guestservices]

No, no, it sounds like it was very run of the mill monster-y stuff. And that you had it handled totally fine. [haha.]

...so who was that anyway?

[agleam]

Yes, I handled it perfectly and everything was fine, thanks.

[sure!! he hesitates for a moment, though.]

...My fiance. I mean, he wasn't then, obviously, but. You get it.

[guestservices]

Mmhm. [very believable, rupes. but they pause at that.]

I get it. Again, worse ways to meet people. [. . .] How long ago was that?

[agleam]

Yes, especially since nothing was wrong with the way we met. [ok] Mm... Six and a half months, now? Give or take a little.

[guestservices]

Not a bad timeline. [a fast engagement, but sure.] ...I will do you a solid and spare you embarrassing questions unless you feel like explaining more about what I just saw there and your inability to form sentences around attractive people.

[agleam]

—I can form sentences just fine now! I grew out of it!

[suspicious]

[guestservices]

Did you? [aquarius, be nice.] I mean sure, people can change but...

[agleam]

Wow! I don't appreciate your doubt, you know.

[guestservices]

It's not even doubt! It is a genuine question? The people want to know.

[they don't get to keep talking shit for much longer though, because this is the funniest time for another shower of stardust to fall and rupert gets to see a memory that i was already planning to give you and now it's 10x funnier.

You’re suddenly hugged so hard you think your ribs might crack. You wheeze, feebly slapping your dumb, beefy friend in the arm so he’ll let go of you but at the same time…you think you might be happy.

Then again…there’s maybe someone less happy in your presence, given that he’s standing in the doorway of his own sleeping quarters. He catches your eyes, a stern frown on his face as he points to the ground near his feet. The message is clear. ‘You. Here. Now.’

You excuse yourself, crossing the lawn to head toward the other boy. You try not to judge him for wearing a surgeon’s smock and flip flops, but you can’t help it.

“So where were you?” He asks immediately, and you’re dumbstruck. You have no idea what he’s talking about, and when you express your confusion he huffs. “I’ve been stuck in the infirmary for, like, two days. You don’t come by. You don’t offer to help.”

And that confuses you further. Why the hell would anyone want that? Why would anyone want you around people they’re trying to save? You barely even register that you’re voicing these same concerns until he continues ranting at you.

“You can’t help out a friend? Maybe cut bandages? Bring me a soda or a snack? Or just a simple ‘how’s it going?’ You don’t think I could stand to see a friendly face?”

“What…my face?”

You can’t believe it. People never think of you as a friendly person, let alone people like him. He carries on, scolding you for your stupid idea of leaving and even when you tell him you plan on staying, his only response is to say you’re still dense even if you’re not a complete idiot. You think about the fact that there are patients he should be attending to, but here you are, having the stupidest conversation in the world.

“How can you even talk to me like that?” You ask. “Don’t you know that I can-“

“Right now, you couldn’t do any of that without melting. I told you, no more of that. Doctor’s orders. You owe me at least three days of rest in the infirmary. Starting now.”

…you catch his eyes again, and for a brief moment it feels like you’ve been suckerpunched. Your stomach squirms, palms a little sweaty, mouth dry as your brain fires off thousands of thoughts that all seem to lead to the same place.

‘He likes my face. He wants me to stay with him.’

…you really would have to be an idiot to say no to that. And so you don’t. Three days? You suppose that would be okay.

...aquarius, meanwhile, just scrubs a hand over their face under the veil. lovely.]

[agleam]

...What was that about doing subpar in the normal sentences department?

[gremlin energy suddenly]

[guestservices]

In my defense. He's an idiot.

[THAT'S. NOT A DEFENSE?]

[agleam]

Who is he?

[guestservices]

[...]

Boyfriend, now. That was a while ago when we were still getting to know each other.