crowspace | call me out v. 15.0

Oh, no, I'm the lucky one to have her.

[Cheerful! He sees your passive-aggression and chooses to use it to praise his lovely wife.]

Looking for someone kind to spend my time with. Had enough of selfish people for a few hundred years. So you see my problem?

Haha. Then perhaps you're both lucky.

[ there's a hint of a genuine smile there - her tone doesn't change, but the words are a bit softer. she's not going to begrudge someone loving their partner, after all. ]

But I can certainly see how that might make things difficult!

[ aaaand back to chipper upbeatness. ]

Unfortunately, given the short time left in the month, we're a little hamstrung on looking for compatibility. Have you considered fulfilling quota on a strictly professional basis? That might give you the time necessary to find a more preferable set of coworkers!

[ "coworkers," she says. like she's not talking about sexual partners. ]

Thought about it, but, hmm... A bit embarrassing, but at my age, you start to have trouble just doing things at a whim?

[listen. she made this post. he's more embarrassed to admit it than anyone is to hear it.]

Helps quite a bit if it's someone you like.

Ah, I see! Don't worry, user "CHERRYPOPPIN-"

[ looks like SOMEONE hasn't adjusted the default username they came in with. ]

-there are pills and medications for such issues! I can't promise they'd work on your species in particular, but there's only one way to find out!

Cherryblod, please.

[he should really get around to fixing that soon.]

Tried some of those, but all they did was give me headaches.

Cherryblod, got it!

[ and, true to her word, she scribbles it down into her notebook before continuing. ]

I see. Well, I did take some notes on the subject policy manual when I arrived today- [ -today?- ] -and while I'm still taking it all in, it does look like a failed quota isn't grounds for termination! There's a reeducation process involved, even. That sounds like it might help address some of your issues, doesn't it?

Today? You work fast.

[...hm.]

Suppose so...? 'Reeducation' usually means 'brainwashing', doesn't it?

Of course! As the Sephirah of the Control Team- [ a beat. finally, she laughs, shaking her head. ] Sorry! It's going to take some time to get used to that. As the former Sephirah of the Control Team, prompt and timely responses were required in all respects. Failure to do so could lead to meltdowns, containment breaches, and even critical energy losses!

[ that last one is delivered like it's the worst of the three, of course. ]

Hmm? I suppose that's one way to look at it! [ she's not sounding any less chipper, at least. ] The manual doesn't go into detail. Still, I wouldn't worry too much! After all, I'm sure reeducation would still be preferable to complete termination!

That... depends. Have met a few brainwashed people in my years, or close enough, that I would consider to be better off - terminated, as you put it.

Sephirah... then, you're an angel?

Better off terminated... I suppose I've met several people that would match that description, yes.

[ they weren't brainwashed. why bother? if they weren't fit for the control team, then why waste the effort? ]

That's very flattering of you, Cherryblod, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. I may not be human, but I'm no angel. [ she reaches forward, tapping at the camera with one finger - leaving an audible, metallic click. ] The fact that you're asking that means that the perception filters were left intact for this network. I wonder why that is?

Not as much of a compliment as it sounds like.

[He has met demons and angels. Demons are worse, unambiguously worse, although he knows his bias and will admit it to himself - but angels think that they're right, while demons just don't care if they are.]

Do you not like how you look?

No, I suppose it wouldn't be, would it?

[ that question gets... a look. it's quite a bit different than the way she's been holding herself this conversation. it's hard to describe, until she speaks- ]

Tell me. What do I look like?

Short brown hair, brown eyes. About average height, I'd say. I like your suit, very dapper.

...ah. I see.

[ there's a flicker of something in her eyes - something oddly expressive, something that hasn't been there most of this conversation. when she smiles, it seems-

well. not sad, not exactly. but something that might have been it once. ]

What you're seeing now was my first life. The human I was, once. Before I became who I am now.

[ before she became what she is now. ]

I don't hate the body I have now. It's a second chance at life, after all. And it has a lot of advantages! I don't have to eat, or sleep, and I don't get tired running from place to place. But...

I do miss the body you're seeing, sometimes.

I see... Understand a little better now. Hard to become something else suddenly, especially if you weren't asked how you felt about it first.

It is hard, isn't it?

[ she doesn't bother addressing that second part. they both know it's how it went down, after all, don't they? ]

You're a very good listener, Cherryblod. I'm surprised you haven't found more people you like. [ kind people. or at least, people good at appearing that way. ]

Ah, thank you. And you have an admirable work ethic and enthusiasm. I suppose you've had no trouble finding coworkers so far?

Thank you very much! [ she laughs, somewhere between "polite" and "pleased." ] As for coworkers, I assume you mean to directly fill my own quota, don't you?

[ this time, she doesn't laugh. ]

In truth, I'm still reviewing the guidelines to find out what's even possible. "Sexual gratification" is mentioned frequently- [ -and clearly, she's not entirely made of iron, given the slight tinge to her representation's cheeks- ] -but my body is wholly incompatible with the notion! Thankfully, I've already worked out one or two workarounds, but if I want to perform my necessary duties I'll need to do more research...

Hmmm... Have a few thoughts, but nothing I'd prefer to air publicly. Embarrassing for both of us, I'd imagine.

Hm? Is that so? Would a private channel be a more suitable method?

[ the red's still there in her cheeks, but she's... not taking that as any sort of flirting or pickup line. listen. it has been a very long time since anyone would have had any reason to consider her in an even remotely sexual or attractive fashion. if someone is offering her advice, it's obviously professional in nature!! ]

If you wouldn't mind. Or we could discuss it in person? I do still need to find partners for myself, after all.

Of course! If you're more comfortable discussing things in person, my schedule is clear... surprisingly enough.

[ she forwards the address, smiling peaceably all the while. ]

-oh!

[ see, now she gets it. that is a very red representation of someone that was once a human. ]

That's- Um, as long as you don't have any unrealistic expectations! [ she's trying to be polite about the part where she is a machine and you can't frick frack a machine. ] I'll do my best to work out a solution, if you're sure!!

Edited 2022-02-18 21:25 (UTC)

[Oh no, her representation is very cute.]

I'm sure. See you soon, then.

[And in like fifteen minutes, her doorbell rings. One shrimp man, present.]

no subject

1/2

2/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

2/2

no subject