I tried to get through to you

[archboxer]

[You know what that was? A fiasco. That was an utter fiasco. Three more people gone on a chance that may not happen! This is horrible. Even if some people dislike her, Rhea... is up to the challenge once more. This time she does it nearly herself: writing out the invitations, ordering the food and telling everyone to meet at the bar. In Ema's honor, of course.

She hands out the invitations herself and if she can't find you, she'll slide yours under your door.]

Comments

[mouflon]

And spiting the latter is too satisfying, huh?

[ ...Well, that's how she feels, anyway. She'll mosey closer, since he doesn't seem opposed. ]

[fivestagegod]

Always has been. I wouldn't have made it past eighteen if I'd just laid down and died every time someone else wanted me to.

[mouflon]

I'd say I'd drink to that, but it's not really my thing.

[ Birkin can keep his weird perch; she'll just stand in front of the tank, idly watching the sharks swim. It's like Ema's body was never there at all... ]

Still, I know the feeling. Though, come on, your personality isn't that bad, is it?

[fivestagegod]

I mean, I don't think so.

[Just saying! He wouldn't be this much of an asshole if he had a problem with it.]

I've always been one of those contentious people, though. Either you like me or you don't. I don't really care which people do as long as they're consistent about it.

[mouflon]

Consistent, huh...

Not to pry or anything, but that seems like a big thing for you. Or is it more like, it bothers you when people only like you when you're on their side?

[fivestagegod]

Mostly the former, though the latter is pretty annoying. I don't like it when people play games and try to screw me around. I've had enough of people saying one thing and doing another to last a while.

[He shrugs. Goes back to looking at the sharks.]

If people are going to be assholes to me, then let them. I don't care about that. I also don't care if I like them, I just want them to be reliable.

[mouflon]

That's fair. That's kind of where I'm at, too. Though... It's hard to really be a cohesive team, when you feel that way about each other.

[ She keeps looking at the sharks, too, even as a faint touch of gloom colors her expression. ]

[fivestagegod]

It is, yeah. But then, I've never really been too much of a team player.

[They're pretty docile when no one's riling them up.]

Most of what I deal with is a lot of "screw you, got mine" - otherwise it doesn't really matter what happens. As long as I'm not dead, and no one is interfering with my work, I don't really care what anybody else does.

[mouflon]

But that's not really an attitude you can afford to have here, is it?

—I mean, don't get me wrong. You're definitely one of the most reliable people we have. It's just... Well, I guess we're just coming from different places. Our lines of work are pretty different, even if I can relate to a lot of what you say.

[fivestagegod]

[...]

You worried about me or something?

[mouflon]

[ ...She snorts. ]

In our situation, worrying about you is the same as worrying about myself. Or do you disagree with that?

[fivestagegod]

...I kind of want to ask you to never word it that way again, but I get what you mean.

[mouflon]

Look, I just wish we were a little more cohesive, that's all. Even if the ship has pretty much already sailed on that one...

[fivestagegod]

It definitely has, yeah. I'm still not too interested in dying or anything, though, so I'm not in opposition to anyone here as long as they aren't currently trying to kill me.

[mouflon]

Well, yeah. That pretty much goes without saying.

It's just also not the way I'm used to operating, for the most part. Every so often I'd run with a group where it was just a job, but I prefer feeling like I can really trust the people at my back, personally.

[fivestagegod]

It sounds...

[...fake, but okay.]

I don't know. It's not really something I can relate to, I guess? The closest I've got to that is my wife, and the closest beyond that was a guy who would probably burst into flames if you mentioned trust in his immediate vicinity.

[mouflon]

I'd say to try it sometime, but I'm not your keeper. Watching your own back is the smart thing to do with things the way they are now, anyway.

[ She's had it both ways. Whatever she prefers means nothing to the circumstances. ]

Still, what is it with you guys? Are scientists allergic to it, or something?

[fivestagegod]

I mean, we're not exactly the most emotional people just as a rule.

[But that's not what she means and he knows it, and he's not going to insult her by acting like it is.]

The corporation I work for is both highly competitive and really deep into some things that I'd prefer to not get into. Government contracts and all that, for a start. There's a good amount of stuff you can do that ensures they shut you up on a permanent level. They're not too fond of dissention, and they're not too fond of people who try to leave.

[mouflon]

[ oh yiiikes ]

Yeah, I can see how that wouldn't foster the most cozy environment. Same people you mentioned the last time we talked about your work, or...?

[fivestagegod]

I've worked for the same group for twenty years or so. So yeah.

[He's getting weird and flippant again, though he's still watching the sharks.]

I mean, you'd be surprised what you can get used to, I guess. But we're all kind of basket cases as a result.

[mouflon]

Got it. Say no more.

[ That's... valid, Birkin. And Rin is private enough about her own issues that she knows well enough not to pry into someone else's. ]

...I don't know if I'd call you a basket case, though. Just kind of a jerk.

[ As per usual, this is her attempt at banter. ]

[fivestagegod]

God. I've have had three entire people come to my defense today, two by saying I don't hate everyone and one by saying I'm too physically pathetic to kill someone, and now that latter one is calling me a jerk.

I am doing great on the interpersonal front.

[He sounds amused, though; don't worry, he's got you.]

[mouflon]

[ She laughs, quietly. ]

It's just a joke, you know. [ But in the same way, her tone belongs to someone who gets the joke and is returning it. ] If you want me to be honest, [ and boy does she make it sound like she thinks the idea is gross ] I think you're just someone who says what he thinks. I respect that, since I do the same thing.

[ They're both jerks, is what she's saying. ]

[fivestagegod]

[Oh, honesty, ew.]

Well. I'm in good company, then. Let's put it that way.

[mouflon]

Thanks. I try.