[ Meursault arrives at the front of his door. He stares at the familiar surface but does not go into the room. His eyes drift up to look through the window before turning to glance back from where he came.
He draws back away - firmly, purposefully - and shifts to walk back down the corridor. Passing through the entryway, he lifts his head. The gesture is more for appearance than need. Though, he does not know who he may be performing for. Perhaps, any of the Sinners that happened to loiter before going to their room? Perhaps.
His gaze fixes on the back of Dante's head and he begins to cross the short distance to reach them. He doesn't feel a tightening in his chest; there is no falter in his steps. Meursault opens his mouth but closes it soon after. The first thought that hit him was a wasteful comment. It was a comment on how Sisphysus found happiness and fulfillment in his task.
But that is not what he wants to say. ]
Bonsoir. [ He calls to them instead. ] I have returned to check on you.
( meursault is alone in refraining from entering his room within the corridors. all of the other Sinners, exhausted and defeated, had filed into their own cell-like accommodations one by one, and vergilius and charon had similarly retired. mephistopheles is a strange place to be alone. the lights dimmed, it is strange in its stillness, bizarre in its near-silence — the vast majority of dante's experiences with this indescribable engine are characterized by movement, by near-bestial howls from its engine... inert and powered down as its inhabitants go to sleep, it is nearly as eerie and unsettling as the network of corridors that it is linked to.
as they are prone to do, dante has pulled out their PDA; they look through the notes they've already taken, through the statistics and information they have on each of the Sinners and their various Identities and E.G.O., pouring through them as if there were a puzzle hidden beneath that they hadn't quite managed to figure out yet. eventually they pull up their notes again, ready to record something about their failure so they can hope to learn from it, when they are alerted by the sound of a voice greeting them.
they had heard the quiet sound of footsteps, but they had simply assumed it was one of the Sinners, slow to retire to their room. dante recognizes meursault's low voice, of course; they lower their PDA, looking over their shoulder to the tall man as he approached down the center aisle of the bus. )
< Oh. Meursault, um, > ( putting their PDA away inside of their pocket, they stand to face the man a little more conversationally, nodding, ) < Bonsoir. >
( for some reason they think it's strange that they know a few words of this language that meursault speaks sometimes. they know enough to know it is a different language, but not much more than that. are they ever going to stop being such a mystery to themself? just as much of one, if not bigger, than the world around them. )
< You don't have to do that... If anything, perhaps I should have spoken more to you all to make sure you were okay before dismissing you for the evening... >
( their right hand worries at the glove on their left. )
< Even so... Thank you. >
( most of the Sinners are so turbulent by nature, making them difficult to work with and handle. meursault, typically so reasonable and dependable, is a welcome relief in comparison. )
[ Meursault is silent, at first. It doesn't seem like Dante wants a reply regarding what they should have done. However, he does not think that their manager did anything wrong - there is much that people want to digest on their own. The same, he thinks, could be said about Dante themselves.
And yet instead of returning to his room, he came out to see them.
So, he stands - still, unmoving, and staring with the same expression as always. He tilts his chin a fraction to indicate that he acknowledges the thanks. ]
This is only normal to do. While we are in your care, you are still a new manager. [ Emotional, psychological, physical - Dante's state of existence matters more than any of the Sinners. And not just because of how they can turn back time.
A few more precious seconds follow before he takes a step closer. He turns his head - another slight fraction; his ear facing the door and listening. But it is just silence. Everyone truly has retired for the day. Yet still he pauses, listening. The quiet drag on before his eyes swerve back to look at Dante. ]
There is little chance that anyone will be interrupting us. [ Meursault finally breaks his silence. ] Executive Manager, I have something to say. [ Rare is it that he has any desire to voice his opinion about anything. Sometimes, he finds a comment or two slip out before he can stop them. But usually, he is but a shadow remaining in the background, observing everything. ]
I like you.
[ There is no real preamble to his confession. He waited only a beat to let it sink in that he has something to relay to Dante before telling them his feelings. Oddly, he feels a weight pressing down on his shoulders instead of being lifted off. He frowns, lips curling down a few degrees more than usual, and fixes his stare on their clock face. ]
( they know that there is a reason why it has to be them. it likely goes beyond the fact that they had somehow managed to end up with this prosthetic replacing their own head and the abilities it seemingly gives them — they are something and someone to faust and vergilius, to the people within and behind Limbus Company even pulling their strings, that they can't even begin to comprehend. there is no alternative, and so they must do everything they can as the executive manager of this team, even though they feel as though the Sinners suffer the most in this arrangement. they have learned so much since their first time directing them, and they like to think they have gotten the hang of a lot of the aspects of this job, but... they are far from perfectly proficient, and the challenges and obstacles they face are daunting and terrible. as much as they sometimes hate the burden they have been forced to bear, both as manager and when they must share the Sinners' pain to recover them, they are almost glad that that's the case. they can never claim that dante directs them thoughtlessly and without any care for their well-being — even if they didn't care about that (which certainly isn't the case), sheer self-preservation would cause them to consider caution.
dante is always at risk of mentally circling the drain around these issues, caught in a cycle that is neither helpful nor constructive. meursault taking the initiative to approach another step helps jog them out of it; they straighten up, refocusing their attention on the Sinner and puzzling over him as he seems to monitor the Corridors beyond for anyone lingering. they're about to go as far as to ask when the tall man looks back to them and does so first, though that confuses them even more.
yes, this is remarkably unusual. meursault, wanting to give an opinion? a flighty sense of nervousness kindles inside of dante's chest, and though they wish at any moment they could cut an authoritative figure, they end up fidgeting a bit regardless. )
< ...? >
( who knows what they might have anticipated it might be? meursault is such an enigmatic presence amongst the Sinners that they feel like it's impossible to say. his dossier had been by far the shortest and simplest, reading only one line: wants clear and concise commands, requiring no judgement on his part.
in truth, what meursault wanted to share with them in this moment was so wildly different from anything they might have anticipated, they actually completely misread it at first. some tension eases out of their shoulders, and they begin to say, )
< ...Oh. Well, thank you, Meursault. You know, I - I also... enjoy... >
( but they end up trailing off, perhaps having noticed how meursault has sharpened in the wake of what he'd said, more intent and... expectant...? than dante might have imagined? it's only now, a few long moments after it, that it registers to dante that this wasn't just some sort of offhanded compliment — this is... a confession? without their memories of their life before, they would have no idea if something like this had ever happened to them. they have no idea what is the correct thing to do or say in this moment, how one is even supposed to feel — it's obvious enough when they realize their mistake, however, because they straighten up suddenly as if shocked, their hands half-raised in alarm. there's even the faintest sound of mechanical rattling as a small tremor in their spine and shoulders causes their head to shake. )
< O-Oh, you mean — !! ah, > ( and here they continue to tick-tock-tick-tock rapidly to themself, though without any meaning coming through to meursault; they seem to be thinking through this very quickly, ) < That's, um - I, wh... what is someone supposed to say in this situation...?? >
( i'm so sorry about the amnesiac clock, meursault )
[ For not the first time, Meursault feels that Dante emotes far more than most. He is certain that he can see the panic - he certainly can hear it from the way the tick-tocks sound. Yet he does not think this is a negative. In anyone else, it may be.
That also must be what it means to like someone.
In any case, he waits until they are finished before saying anything in return. During the time of panic, Meursault merely stood rigid and patient. His expression did not change in the slightest. His breathing did not increase or decrease to any noticeable degree. Honestly, if the words were not what they were, one may think he was just giving a calm report on the situation - filled with percentages and facts.
But he does finally show some emotion - his lips press slightly into a thin line. He opens his mouth to breathe a small sigh before fixing his stare once more on Dante. Initially, he had been looking at their shoulder but now staring at the hands on the clock. ]
There are many ways to respond to a confession of this sort. [ A pause. ] However, I will go with the more common of responses as to not overwhelm you, executive manager.
The first would be to state that you would like some time to reflect on your feelings of the person. A time-frame is given on when you would be able to give a proper response. This response can either be favorable or unfavorable depending on your own feelings. [ Hm. ] The second would be to react how you initially feel. If it is positive, the response would be equally so. If it is negative, it would be understandable to give a statement that you cannot accept my feelings.
Sometimes, a person gives reasons as to why they cannot accept the feelings. [ Another hm. ] But you are my executive manager, and so if you say you cannot, I will not request more. [ Meursault blinks. He feels like he should offer that courtesy since it is uncomfortable for him to give his reasons for why he does anything, so he can understand it being unpleasant for others, as well. Unlike questioning Rodya on her confidence, this is something else - and even he recognizes it. ]
You could also simply state that confessions of these sort are against the rules of our company. However ... I have read over the manual and while romantic entanglements are not encouraged, they are not completely denounced. The wording is grey enough that a person would be able to find their ways around it. [ Which is how he is able to have his feelings in the first place. If the rules and orders said he cannot have them, he would have stomped them out completely - regardless of how much it would hurt to do so. ]
The last would be for you to dismiss me and we not speak of this, again. There is no need for a response at all and simply ignore the matter indefinitely.
[ His eyes scan over the clock's face - before giving a small nod. ]
Those are the most common things that you can say in this situation. If you need more assistance in figuring out what to say, I can offer you the uncommon responses and if that does not help, I can give you the rarer responses.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
He draws back away - firmly, purposefully - and shifts to walk back down the corridor. Passing through the entryway, he lifts his head. The gesture is more for appearance than need. Though, he does not know who he may be performing for. Perhaps, any of the Sinners that happened to loiter before going to their room? Perhaps.
His gaze fixes on the back of Dante's head and he begins to cross the short distance to reach them. He doesn't feel a tightening in his chest; there is no falter in his steps. Meursault opens his mouth but closes it soon after. The first thought that hit him was a wasteful comment. It was a comment on how Sisphysus found happiness and fulfillment in his task.
But that is not what he wants to say. ]
Bonsoir. [ He calls to them instead. ] I have returned to check on you.
no subject
as they are prone to do, dante has pulled out their PDA; they look through the notes they've already taken, through the statistics and information they have on each of the Sinners and their various Identities and E.G.O., pouring through them as if there were a puzzle hidden beneath that they hadn't quite managed to figure out yet. eventually they pull up their notes again, ready to record something about their failure so they can hope to learn from it, when they are alerted by the sound of a voice greeting them.
they had heard the quiet sound of footsteps, but they had simply assumed it was one of the Sinners, slow to retire to their room. dante recognizes meursault's low voice, of course; they lower their PDA, looking over their shoulder to the tall man as he approached down the center aisle of the bus. )
< Oh. Meursault, um, > ( putting their PDA away inside of their pocket, they stand to face the man a little more conversationally, nodding, ) < Bonsoir. >
( for some reason they think it's strange that they know a few words of this language that meursault speaks sometimes. they know enough to know it is a different language, but not much more than that. are they ever going to stop being such a mystery to themself? just as much of one, if not bigger, than the world around them. )
< You don't have to do that... If anything, perhaps I should have spoken more to you all to make sure you were okay before dismissing you for the evening... >
( their right hand worries at the glove on their left. )
< Even so... Thank you. >
( most of the Sinners are so turbulent by nature, making them difficult to work with and handle. meursault, typically so reasonable and dependable, is a welcome relief in comparison. )
no subject
And yet instead of returning to his room, he came out to see them.
So, he stands - still, unmoving, and staring with the same expression as always. He tilts his chin a fraction to indicate that he acknowledges the thanks. ]
This is only normal to do. While we are in your care, you are still a new manager. [ Emotional, psychological, physical - Dante's state of existence matters more than any of the Sinners. And not just because of how they can turn back time.
A few more precious seconds follow before he takes a step closer. He turns his head - another slight fraction; his ear facing the door and listening. But it is just silence. Everyone truly has retired for the day. Yet still he pauses, listening. The quiet drag on before his eyes swerve back to look at Dante. ]
There is little chance that anyone will be interrupting us. [ Meursault finally breaks his silence. ] Executive Manager, I have something to say. [ Rare is it that he has any desire to voice his opinion about anything. Sometimes, he finds a comment or two slip out before he can stop them. But usually, he is but a shadow remaining in the background, observing everything. ]
I like you.
[ There is no real preamble to his confession. He waited only a beat to let it sink in that he has something to relay to Dante before telling them his feelings. Oddly, he feels a weight pressing down on his shoulders instead of being lifted off. He frowns, lips curling down a few degrees more than usual, and fixes his stare on their clock face. ]
no subject
dante is always at risk of mentally circling the drain around these issues, caught in a cycle that is neither helpful nor constructive. meursault taking the initiative to approach another step helps jog them out of it; they straighten up, refocusing their attention on the Sinner and puzzling over him as he seems to monitor the Corridors beyond for anyone lingering. they're about to go as far as to ask when the tall man looks back to them and does so first, though that confuses them even more.
yes, this is remarkably unusual. meursault, wanting to give an opinion? a flighty sense of nervousness kindles inside of dante's chest, and though they wish at any moment they could cut an authoritative figure, they end up fidgeting a bit regardless. )
< ...? >
( who knows what they might have anticipated it might be? meursault is such an enigmatic presence amongst the Sinners that they feel like it's impossible to say. his dossier had been by far the shortest and simplest, reading only one line: wants clear and concise commands, requiring no judgement on his part.
in truth, what meursault wanted to share with them in this moment was so wildly different from anything they might have anticipated, they actually completely misread it at first. some tension eases out of their shoulders, and they begin to say, )
< ...Oh. Well, thank you, Meursault. You know, I - I also... enjoy... >
( but they end up trailing off, perhaps having noticed how meursault has sharpened in the wake of what he'd said, more intent and... expectant...? than dante might have imagined? it's only now, a few long moments after it, that it registers to dante that this wasn't just some sort of offhanded compliment — this is... a confession? without their memories of their life before, they would have no idea if something like this had ever happened to them. they have no idea what is the correct thing to do or say in this moment, how one is even supposed to feel — it's obvious enough when they realize their mistake, however, because they straighten up suddenly as if shocked, their hands half-raised in alarm. there's even the faintest sound of mechanical rattling as a small tremor in their spine and shoulders causes their head to shake. )
< O-Oh, you mean — !! ah, > ( and here they continue to tick-tock-tick-tock rapidly to themself, though without any meaning coming through to meursault; they seem to be thinking through this very quickly, ) < That's, um - I, wh... what is someone supposed to say in this situation...?? >
( i'm so sorry about the amnesiac clock, meursault )
no subject
That also must be what it means to like someone.
In any case, he waits until they are finished before saying anything in return. During the time of panic, Meursault merely stood rigid and patient. His expression did not change in the slightest. His breathing did not increase or decrease to any noticeable degree. Honestly, if the words were not what they were, one may think he was just giving a calm report on the situation - filled with percentages and facts.
But he does finally show some emotion - his lips press slightly into a thin line. He opens his mouth to breathe a small sigh before fixing his stare once more on Dante. Initially, he had been looking at their shoulder but now staring at the hands on the clock. ]
There are many ways to respond to a confession of this sort. [ A pause. ] However, I will go with the more common of responses as to not overwhelm you, executive manager.
The first would be to state that you would like some time to reflect on your feelings of the person. A time-frame is given on when you would be able to give a proper response. This response can either be favorable or unfavorable depending on your own feelings. [ Hm. ] The second would be to react how you initially feel. If it is positive, the response would be equally so. If it is negative, it would be understandable to give a statement that you cannot accept my feelings.
Sometimes, a person gives reasons as to why they cannot accept the feelings. [ Another hm. ] But you are my executive manager, and so if you say you cannot, I will not request more. [ Meursault blinks. He feels like he should offer that courtesy since it is uncomfortable for him to give his reasons for why he does anything, so he can understand it being unpleasant for others, as well. Unlike questioning Rodya on her confidence, this is something else - and even he recognizes it. ]
You could also simply state that confessions of these sort are against the rules of our company. However ... I have read over the manual and while romantic entanglements are not encouraged, they are not completely denounced. The wording is grey enough that a person would be able to find their ways around it. [ Which is how he is able to have his feelings in the first place. If the rules and orders said he cannot have them, he would have stomped them out completely - regardless of how much it would hurt to do so. ]
The last would be for you to dismiss me and we not speak of this, again. There is no need for a response at all and simply ignore the matter indefinitely.
[ His eyes scan over the clock's face - before giving a small nod. ]
Those are the most common things that you can say in this situation. If you need more assistance in figuring out what to say, I can offer you the uncommon responses and if that does not help, I can give you the rarer responses.