animus_network | 002 ♍ In Which Our Correspondent Discovers The Function Through Which To Visually Broadcast

[ The video clicks on to show Dolorosa fussing with the computer. Well, most of her. Only the bottom of her head is visible, as whoever used this terminal last is far shorter than she is. After a few moments of this, the camera shakes and refocuses to show her face, and after double-checking it against the display on the monitor, she smiles and places her hands in her lap.

She looks tired, and the bags under her eyes have deepened from getting very little sleep this past month. ]

Well, I'm pleased to see they have heard and followed my suggestion to improve the cafeteria menu! The recent state of affairs has been simply atrocious, we can't have growing children expected to receive their necessary sustenance from such negligent offerings.

More than this, it allows little excuse for one to not eat healthfully, so I must encourage you all to observe your proper nutritional schedule each day. Should you require assistance, or perhaps more direct motivation, [ ie. her pulling you by the ear to the cafeteria ] my services remain available.

I'm glad to see local operations improving following the dreadful events of the past weeks.

[ Of course, she...doesn't know about the puffer fish soup... ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ She takes a deep breath. ]

I have no intention of putting myself in a position that would potentially lead to fatal consequences.

[He looks a little too miserable here. He does this whole emotional manipulation thing pretty well, all things considered.]

The thing is, neither did they.

[HOW CAN YOU DENY THIS LOOK?]

[ IT ISN'T EASY, but there is a logical problem here. ]

If that is the case, there's no preventative measure I can really take.

[Oh my god, are you seriously going there--]

It's called delegating.

[Eridan blinks for a moment, surprised at his own deadpan, and quickly slaps a hand over his mouth. Ohshi---]

If death is a certainty in the matter, it may be inevitable! Perhaps I would instead suffer from changing my assignment. Or worse, perhaps you would suffer it in my place.

Or perhaps death is not a factor in this equation whatsoever. [ So yeah, that guilt thing worked pretty well for you, huh. ]

[That earns her a little glare. And then he sighs.]

Or perhaps you could accept that I care about you and what happens to you, and that even just being half your size and half as observant as you are, I can tell you look, due all respect, like shit.

[He shrugs.]

Just sayin'.

[ See, now that at least is more upfront, rather than vaguely manipulative, and she responds to it with a weary look. ]

Said far more directly for once. [ A pause. ] And I suppose I can take it under advisement.

But do please mind your language.

...I don't do direct very well.

[No, really.]

...sorry.

There are any number of things you insist on having no skill for, yet you have displayed a commendable capacity for learning. I expect this is no different.

...if you say so.

[Pause.]

I'm still gonna help though.

Perhaps it would be for the best. But I would like my uneasiness toward this agenda noted, for the record.

I would really prefer not to put you through the trouble.

Duly noted, ma'am.

[Eridan smiled.]

It's no trouble. Especially not to me, once we get down to it.

You're absolutely sure?

Yes.

[ SIGH. ] Very well, then.

[Grin.]

Won't be so bad, honest.

002 ♍ In Which Our Correspondent Discovers The Function Through Which To Visually Broadcast

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