OFFICE HOURS

[didntgetdadslooks]

Got something you want to say to your good friend The Professor's Assistant? Come on in, don't be shy! Her official hours are daylight hours - girl has to sleep? after all, probably - but if you knock on the door at night she'll generally answer. Please just make sure to leave the in-game date and time in the header of your toplevel!

All comments are screened for confidentiality during the course of the experiment.

Comments

[bolderfell]

Didn't seem to know it was me knocking.

[He rests his head in his hands. He is so profoundly tired.]

[didntgetdadslooks]

[ She pauses. ]

I... didn't check. The execution was... a lot. I'm a little scattered.

[bolderfell]

...Is there much you can say about it?

[He'll lift his eyes for that much.]

[didntgetdadslooks]

I can say that I don't... know that woman.

[ She winces a little at saying that, but shakes her head. ]

And I don't know who gave her that chainsaw, but The Professor really isn't happy about it. Something about not wanting you to see her.

[bolderfell]

[He takes that in, nods, stays quiet. Looks around her office. Notices the mess in something of a new light.]

...You okay?

[didntgetdadslooks]

Yeah. I've just... been disagreeing with The Professor a lot. And now, apparently, I'm getting headaches.

[ She reaches into a desk drawer and pulls out a water bottle. ]

How are you?

[bolderfell]

[Harder to dodge the question a second time. He looks away. It takes a while for him to compose an answer.]

...Can I stay here for a while? Don't have to talk to me or anything. I just... [He swallows.] I don't want to be with the others right now. And this is the one place they can't find me.

[Angel can only see one of them at a time, after all.]

[didntgetdadslooks]

Uh... sure. No problem. But if someone else shows up, I'm going to have to let you out for a second to see them. Is that okay?

[bolderfell]

Sure. I guess. Think you could warn me with enough time to get somewhere else? I'm fine if you can't. It's no secret I see you sometimes.

[didntgetdadslooks]

Of course. I just want to be as available as I can be, after... all that.

[bolderfell]

Of course. I won't be the only one who...

[He stops himself, then shakes his head and pulls his scarf up.]

...Anyway, I'm sure some of them will have questions for you. And some will want to check on you, too. They're like that.

[didntgetdadslooks]

[ she nods ]

Yeah. When things get to be like this, there's a few of you who like to come by.

[bolderfell]

I'm sure.

[He makes himself as small a ball as he can in his seat, knees to chest, cheek to knees.]

...Really, though. You can go back to work if you want. I won't even try to spy on you. Thief's honor.

[didntgetdadslooks]

[ Angel pauses, thinking for a second. ]

Do you want a snack? It's been a long day, I could go for something.

[bolderfell]

...Guess I haven't eaten.

[RIP, apple.]

I didn't bring anything to trade you.

[didntgetdadslooks]

[ Angel shakes her head. ]

We can share. Or... you can steal some of mine, if you'd rather think of it that way. Are chips good?

[bolderfell]

Heh. [He resettles his head just enough to see her.] I don't know. What are chips?

[didntgetdadslooks]

[ She pulls a bag of plain potato chips out of... is that just a food and drink drawer? Living in style in this office. Then pops it open and offers him one. ]

Here, it's a fried slice of potato. Hard to go wrong with that.

[bolderfell]

[Oh, Zelos startled him with a bag like that the first day. You know what? He'll take it.]

...Thanks.

[He tries a crunchy li'l nibble and covers his mouth in surprise.]

Oh. Salty.

[didntgetdadslooks]

[ Angel smiles and eats one too, placing the bag on the desk. ]

Yup! I know they're not sweet, but they're not exactly health food either.

[bolderfell]

"Health food." All food is health food. Food keeps you alive, that's healthy.

[didntgetdadslooks]

Exactly.

[ And she will munch another chip for emphasis before opening up a security hologram screen. ]

[bolderfell]

[He lifts his head automatically, then looks down and shields his eyes.]

No looking. I promised.

[He caught a glimpse, surely, but he's gotta do his best to keep his word!]

[didntgetdadslooks]

[ She laughs a little. ]

I trust you. And if you want to talk about anything, just go ahead - I'm good either way.

[ Help! This!! Boy!!! ]

[bolderfell]

[He freezes.]

...Why?