AUDIENCE FOR: Hope Estheim

[guestservices]

Comments

[guestservices]

Probably, yeah.

[ you can't see their face, but it looks like they might be grimacing under there. ] It's a little, little bit of wiggle room, so.

[highestheim]

I see... I shouldn't be surprised.

[ he shakes his head and sighs. ]

I know you have no control over the matter. It's just that I've been talking to Emet-Selch, and...

[guestservices]

[ ... ah. well. they're quiet for a second; something about their voice shifts, from the sort of rough and gravelly tone to something a little smoother. ]

...Things are a little complicated.

[highestheim]

[ dang, he didn't even have to try and ham it up... the look he gives to aquila now is one that's more sympathetic to their plight. ]

I can imagine so. [ beat ] Have you been speaking with him yourself?

[guestservices]

[ crazy how aquila seems kind of like a doofus but is actually pretty smart under there! wild.

anyway, they shrug a little, resuming the gravelly tone, slipping easily into it. ]

Well. We got in a big fight, then he died, so, shit's not exactly been great. Iunno if you can tell, but he holds a grudge. [ a more subtle way to explain, maybe? they glance around briefly, and then shrug. ]

[highestheim]

[ he notes their change in tone and nods, but that's about as much as he's willing to say that he acknowledges what's up. ]

A little. It's gotten to the point where I've become the de facto messenger between him and Lup...

[guestservices]

[

oof this time they definitely grimace under there ]

...That's awkward.

[highestheim]

...Yeah, a bit.

[ he pauses, and then, quietly: ]

I take it that means what Emet-Selch told me is right—that you are not the person who is supposed to be his hostage?

[guestservices]

[ they’re quiet for a moment.

and then just say, intentional, head tilting to look at him. ]

…What matters is that I’m Aquila, Hope.

[highestheim]

. . . As long as you have the uniform on, right?

[guestservices]

[ they tilt their head a bit more. assessing. ]

That's correct.

[highestheim]

...What would happen if, say, you were to take it off?

[guestservices]

Didn't realize you were that kind of guy, Hope.










[ aquila ]

[highestheim]

[highestheim]

[ HEWWO ]

[highestheim]

[ and then, a little tersely: ]

—You know what I mean, Aquila.

[guestservices]

[ lol

hope can't see their face but they seem very pleased with themselves. uwu* ]

If I took the uniform off, I imagine I'd be in hot water with the boss. After all, I'm on duty.