ph_logs | Work Friends Are Like Prison Friends [October

Who: Agent Jean & Members of the Ocularum They Don't Know Well Yet

What: Post-Gala Follow-ups & Allaying Concerns

When: Early October

Where: YOU pick

Warning(s): Honestly hard to list but, y'know, Jean Things. Violence, corporate exploitation, discussions of brutality, depression & self-loathing, absolutely bonkers capitalist bullshit

Those members of the Ocularum who have recently joined, or whom Jean does not yet know well, find handwritten letters delivered to them. The writing itself is neat and professional, though at some difficulty; the thick paper bears the marks of scouring sand for the ink, indentations where spelling mistakes or sloppy handwriting from picking up speed has been destroyed and replaced with something the author deems more suitable. Still.

Esteemed Peer, You may recognize me from the recent meeting. I must apologize for not being at my best during that time; I offer no excuses. However, given the state of recent events, and especially rising tensions in Pumpkin Hollow, I am moved to correct my previous state of negligence. It would be my privilege, if you are amenable, to meet and discuss at a time or place of your choosing and explain whatever happenings at the Gala you deem in need of explanation, and answer questions you may have as to my intentions, qualifications, and background. Food and drink can be provided; time of day or inconvenience of locale are no object. Please send your reply via letter, telephone, or sending stone to: Agent Jean of Hyrule (pending), Pumpkin Hollow Recovery Task Force

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Alice doesn't seem ready to break the almost-silence any quicker than they are, at first, but eventually the chewing sound gets too much to ignore and— "—are your clothes eating bacon?"

"I have had to stop putting chocolate bars in my pockets, as they are bad for dogs," Jean agrees-slash-not-explains. They sigh, softly. "...Comrade Dyer, I mean this as a legitimate question: do I need to explain why I am concerned that you have had dealings with hostile management?"

She barely has chance to continue being boggled before the real conversation slams into her like a dodgeball to the face. Groaning, she flops back to lie on the grass with her arms over her face.

"...that what you call 'em?" She laughs emptily. "Nice. Couldn't be more freaking accurate if you tried. I mean— obviously I know why you're concerned! I'm concerned and I did it!"

"You placed infernal technology in my hands, with unknown side effects," Jean agrees; their voice is soft, so soft, but they can't keep a bit of accusation out of their eyes. "I would like to hear why, Comrade Dyer. I have been denying others the knowledge that you've done this, out of concern for you, but I can't deny them forever."

"I-I don't—" she breathes in deep and exhales hard through her nose. Even now she doesn't feel entirely safe talking about the details, not sure how much blowback she's still at risk of, but considering Jean's the one she handed the damned things to... they already know more than most. "...he came to me during the plague. I-I was running ragged at town hall and I was just trying to take a break and then there he was! Saying all this stuff and... he said if I did this. Me and someone else would be safe."

"Mm. The illusion of good faith. I'm well familiar." Jean closes their eyes; Cobalt Scar ceases chewing. "He will continue to push you, Comrade. As long as you feel you have something to lose by going public, you are compromised."

"Y'think I don't know that?! The dress was from him, for chrissake! He's messing with me but I can't— I can't. I can't." She can't back out, she can't leave Sam vulnerable again when he's so prone to sticking his neck under metaphorical guillotines. "All I had to do... was the gala stuff. The rest— the rest is just really horrible window dressing."

"What will you do when he next comes calling?" Still steady. Still calm. "I advise, in the strongest terms, that you get ahead of this. Come clean, and disavow Aster."

"I can't," she says again, not so much throwing her arms up as letting them fall to slam fists against the ground. She sits up, now talking animatedly, frustratedly, with her hairs. "You think he'd just— let that fucking slide? You think it'd be me that he took it out on? Nah. No way. He'd probably go after— I-I can't let that happen."

"Comrade, you have placed this third party in the same trap you yourself are caught in. They are now in danger regardless of your choices."

"But for right now, he's safe from any demonic bullshit!" Alice snaps, sharper than she really means to. "Which he won't be if I go back on this! We can't all have the power to behead demons, alright! I'm just a government fucking drone who can't seem to stop selling her fucking soul to the devil just to fucking survive! I don't have the luxury of sitting pretty, pretending I'm ever actually gonna amount to anything else whilst my bank account drains, or— or people around me start getting big ideas about cracking the big mystery! I'm just— I'm nothing. I'm nothing but this."

"In a just world you would be far more vital to this society than I am, Comrade Dyer. I apologize for pushing you."

The thing is, Jean is not confident they have the power to attack Aster. Twilight is too much like the Dark Feast; it is, quite likely, not competent to wound him. Drastic action may be required, but it's clear that Alice will not take it willingly, or accept it being taken on her behalf.

Hrm.

She buries her face in her hands, and her hands in her knees. Breathes. God that was fucking pitiful. She's meant to have it so much more together than this.

"...yeah, well. Don't think a 'just world' is ever gonna exist. Even before the demons and monsters and creepy government bullshit—" it always felt like this. The idealism of young adulthood doesn't last long in the face of surviving in a world that doesn't want you to thrive.

"...We can only try, Comrade Dyer." Jean stands, slowly, brushing at the thighs of their suit pants with an odd expression. For perhaps the first time in her presence, the nugget is showing no teeth whatsoever. "I will leave you in peace, but I would like you to consider: Aster has targeted you. This is not because you are weak, or without worth. Those like him dispose of that which they see as without worth. You have been selected because it is known that you are useful and relevant. Hence his interest. Hence my worry. No one is nothing, Comrade."

"...honestly, mate, I don't even know if I wanna believe you."

She's not sure if being more use than any other pawn would be reassuring or not. But nothing much is reassuring right now, anyway, so it's harder to tell than ever.

Mate? Did Aster arrange an attempted marriage?

It will be several hours before Jean reasons out that this idea is completely insane on their part.

"I am available if you have need, Comrade Dyer. And...my condolences."

It's time to leave.

Well, he is trying to set Alice up with Sam, but that's probably not what they're thinking about...

"...yeah. Well. Thanks. I guess."

She'll need to take a bit before she goes back to work.

Work Friends Are Like Prison Friends [October | Closed to the Ocularum]

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Wrap?

wrap!