IC contact for etraya

[cactusy]

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[cactusy]

[Best boss!!]

ok

back at you

[ornithologist]

[ He has to swallow heavily before replying. ]

Thank you. And please do keep an eye on Mr. Bossie. He's back to calling me sir again, which can't be a good sign.

[cactusy]

he came over a few days ago and was being really nice

[This isn't meant as an insult: niceness doesn't really do much for her personally, but she at least recognizes it as a generally good thing that's usually well-meant, and that most people would appreciate. But it's also not quite a compliment, either: there's a thin line between being nice and being ingratiating.]

[ornithologist]

Nice to you. Perhaps a sincere bid for connection and safety, reaffirming that he isn't on his own?

I can't help but recall Mr. Carver's initial words of caution upon his arrival.

[cactusy]

oh, yeah? what did he tell you?

[ornithologist]

To quote, that he's a "good kid" who "startles bad," and that he might kill me if I opened the door to their residence.

[cactusy]

so what should I do about it?

[ornithologist]

What was it you said, protect him by finding a way to stay busy? And just stay nearby, I think, based on him visiting you.

[cactusy]

so you're saying I should be his emotional support animal?

[ornithologist]

If that's what you want to call a friend, then yes, absolutely. Please do that.

[cactusy]

it's a style of friendship that you know isn't a strength of mine, Harold

[ornithologist]

It's not so complicated as you're making it out to be. I've asked you to help him stay busy and stay physically nearby. I think you excel at both things.

[cactusy]

I'm just saying, if it turns out he needs a hug, I'm going to need back-up

[ornithologist]

I disagree, but if you want to tap out, I can certainly provide a hug.

[cactusy]

bold words for someone who's never seen me try to hug someone

[But then, she's never seen Harold hug anyone, either. She pauses for a moment, trying to picture it; she doesn't deny that it's possible, but it's still weirdly difficult.]

you turning touchy-feely in your old age?

[ornithologist]

I have every confidence in you, like I said.

Not broadly speaking, but for someone under my care and in duress I can make an exception.

[cactusy]

good, because he probably does need it. that man has "secret heart of mush" written all over him

[ornithologist]

Yes, it's always the people insisting the loudest that they are reprehensible and unforgivable that could most use a hug.

[cactusy]

I'm not great with self-loathing people, either

[ornithologist]

If you really think you're unsuited to this assignment -- on either level -- I'll find someone else.

[ Apparently she'd missed the irony in his comment. Does she really think she's that impossible to deal with, that incapable of empathy? Creating, teaching, and loving something like the Machine has taught Harold so acutely how little human empathy actually matters. A facsimile of it does just fine. ]

[cactusy]

don't get snippy, I didn't say that

I'm setting expectations, that's all

[ornithologist]

And yet my expectations remain high as ever.