STUCK IN THE MIDDLE

WITH YOU. NOT REALLY. AT LEAST I DAMN WELL HOPE NOT. IF YOU'RE COMING TO ME, THEN YOU'VE PROBABLY FUCKED YOUR LIFE UP BEYOND ANYTHING I WANT TO ASSOCIATE WITH, AND YET IT'S MY JOB. HOORAY. [rp blog for limeblood Karkat, associated with philovvances's timeline.] [IMPORTANT: He is not publicly lime. Your character will have no way of knowing this unless he tells yours or we plot it.]

[xeptum]

[xmemorabilia-deactivated2018061]

[philovvances-blog]

“I see, well, thank you for your time.” He said hastily, turning to leave and opening the door, then closing it behind him. His eyes instantly searched the ceiling, cameras. There are a few. So he walked to the front desk, left his payment, and on top of it, a badge.

“This is Philovance, investiterminator, I need the records of exactly a week ago, the entire recording’s.” He spoke in a forceful tone, the troll that once was a bit calmer around him now is frazzled again. “There is something I need to check for, so if you colaborate, I’ll initially not put you in my aim of suspicion.”

It wasn’t a deal, it wasn’t an offer, it was more of an indirect threat. If there is something investiterminators also learn in their schoolfeeding, is psychological warfare.

The assistant paced quickly to the security and pleaded nervously for the recordings, because an official was asking for them. He returned briskly to the violetblood holding one CD in a case, which Philovance then grabbed delicately and captchalogued it.

“Next week, same night, same time, I’ll be here.” He says, leaving the building.

[coenobitidae]

You blink, head tilting in surprised curiosity as you watch him exit your office. Ears flicking, you can’t help but overhear the exchange at the front desk. This, combined with the question about highbloods raises all of your hackles. Heading out to the lobby you confer with and calm down the assistant. They’re just trying to do their job after all. Nevertheless, you head back to your office far more concerned than you are comfortable being.

[mostlycatsmostly]

biggest cat youve ever seen?

[philovvances-blog]

He seemed to hesitate for a second at the invitation, thinking about it before nodding. “I think it’s again yet a bit early of a wrap up. But I guess this is as far as I’m willing to go about this yet.” He got up. “I just wanted to ask you somethin’, do highbloods work here as well? Asides from the administration.” He said while stretching, sitting for extended periods of time was weird. He doesn’t get to do that very often asides from office work, but then he would be moving his arms and fingers.

[coenobitidae]

That's about what you had figured, so you nod back. It's just a simple acknowledgment of his assessment of where you are in the session. Maybe someday the two of you will manage the whole time. However, any extra time is yours to do with as you like, so there's no reason not to let this guy kick  himself out early.

His question gives you pause. What does it matter who the staff is? You could give him a straight and detailed answer, but there's this thing called his lane, and he needs to stay in it. Therefore, you choose not to be so forthcoming. "There might be. I don't keep track of everyone who comes and goes. They don't affect my work, so I stay out of their way." It's not even really a lie. You don't check the schedules daily.

[philovvances-blog]

“Treason is treason, I accepted their deal knowing that they would most likely try their best to not do their end of it. But I plan to force them. It’s my kismesis, I am not gonna give up on her.“ He replied, tapping his fingers against his arm as he kept both arms crossed.

[coenobitidae]

Offering a softening of your features that could almost be called a smile, you can’t help but think this is something you would normally really enjoy watching. Only this time, it’s real people, so it’’s less entertaining. “I’d be rather concerned about the strength of your relationship if you did.”

That tiny bit of praise offered, you also can’t help but notice the finger tapping, which seems like either a nervous or impatient habit. There’s really no tactful way to poke at it and determine which it is. You assume he knows he does it. Most people who have a tic do. “You are welcome to close the session and leave at any time if you have nothing else to talk or are too uncomfortable to stay.” He should remember this, as he did that very thing last time.

[philovvances-blog]

“And psychological warfare, because then the other students have to investigate the new ‘subject of studies’ an’ find out how they tortured them into a mass a flesh, basically.” 

“If he is not caught an’ executed properly in trial, my kismesis won’t get out of this alive either. So while yes, there is room enough just to kill him once caught an’ get over with it. I’ve been the one holdin’ off his death by just not cullin’ him an’ insistin’ in his capture.” He explained, crossing his arms. “I’m pretty insistent an’ while I’m not the highest ranked, I still hold influence enough, soonish I’ll be High Investigaterminator.”

“Arranging an accident would be pointless, no? I can simply kill him, but if he dies, by accident, made to be accident, or incident, there won’t be a trial an’ much processin’ behind it. So it wouldn’t be ‘solved’ in the way that I need it to be solved.”

[coenobitidae]

You’re pretty glad you didn’t go into that line of work. You don’t really have a whole lot to say about this, because not only does is suck for Philovance, but it also sounds incredibly complicated and kind of stupid. “So basically they set you up to fail, which tells me they don’t really want to keep their end of the deal for whatever reason. No one is really surprised, unfortunately.” 

[hom1c1d3-deactivated20170816]

SO 1M D1GG1N TH1S L1PSTICK 

[philovvances-blog]

“Investigaterminators schoolfeedin’ is a bit more excitin’. You get to be the next subject of studies if you fail the answer.” He replies, some dry humor or some kind of truth, both, to be honest.  

“It felt like a lot a time had already passed, these assemblies an’ affairs outta work always seem to pass just a bit too fuckin’ fast. Mainly when the guard has been on the edge again, the murderer from TH-22 got a guard recently, a rookie, but a rookie that obviously lacked any beginner’s luck. So my schedule is a bit tighter than it’s usual self.”

 He looked to the side. “Not that they really care about catchin’ the culprit as explained last time, otherwise I wouldn’t have to present in court more an’ more reasons to keep it open for investigation an’ catchin’ the culprit.”

[coenobitidae]

"So torture *then* culling if they don't like your answers. That is a little more exciting." You're actually pretty horrified by that, but you know better than to let even a smidgen of that slip out, so it just seems like you're sharing in the joke.

You shake your head. "Beginner's luck is a myth anyway. This is probably just going to show my ignorance of the way the innermost workings of the system operate, but why has the culprit not just been culled already? If you all know as well as you're implying as to who it is, and now they're even getting guards, they obviously had enough to just get rid of him. Or arrange an accident." You may have watched a few too many entertainment programs. This is also outside the realm of exactly what you're supposed to he helping him with, but it gives you more to work with for serious suggestions for your client.

[philovvances-blog]

“I will first look into my books again since it’s the closest an’ easiest alternative for now.” He finally leans against the seat, at least now not permafrowning anymore.

“It’s so simple, but I didn’t even think of it before you said so. I guess we really can grow to forget just about anything and maybe even fail to notice it. At least until someone brings it to attention.” He looks thoughtful, claws tapping against his own arm again. “Oh yeah, how much time do we have left for the session?”

[coenobitidae]

Oh hey look at those lips, straightening out some. Progress! "Seems reasonable. I'm just offering suggestions. It's up to you to decide how best to use them. This isn't like schoolfeeding where I'll grade you on your progress and cull you if you fail." Is that a hint of a joke? It might just be. "Although I am glad they seem to be helpful."

You check the time, not that you're ever terribly worried about that. Your time in the office itself tends to be pretty sparse, so people going over is not generally a problem. But since he asked. "We still have about half the time remaining."

[philovvances-blog]

“Huh, I’ll think a somethin’. Maybe I can fit a thing or two in between shifts.” He was appreciating the advice, now more relaxed against his chair as he talks with The Mediator.

“I think I used to read history books, an’ some novels a sorts.” He searched in his memory for more information of his wigglerhood.

“I also used to FLARP, but the campaigns take such a long time I couldn’t play anymore.”

[coenobitidae]

You consider him again. You know this type. The type that doesn't know how not to work. "Make sure there is a between shifts. A real break. Not just, 'oh I left the office,' or it won't make much difference." It's a gentle admonition, but an earnest one. This guy came to you for help, so you're going to do your best to be certain it works.

"Reading is always a sound choice," you agree. "Perhaps not FLARPing, but there are smaller scale versions. Tabletop games. Even just finding someone to roleplay via text. Those are similar. Of course, these are just suggestions of alternatives, none of which you’re required to pursue."

[philovvances-blog]

“Do you have any suggestions?” And he left that out there in the air for a while, it’s not sarcasm, it’s not dry humor, it is actually a legitimate question. He didn’t apparently do much beyond his work for a big good while, more time spent in the office than at hive, way more time, 90% of the time.

He’s a workaholic.

Or rather, it’s hard to separate work from personal life when both are kind of tied together due to that case.

[coenobitidae]

You study him, considering your answer. You can't just tell someone what to do for a hobby. That's not how hobbies work. "I suggest you figure out things you enjoy doing that aren't work related and indulge in them periodically. I enjoy romantic comedy entertainment. I also used to enjoy attempting to code, but after melting down a few systems, I decided to give that up." While you're not lying, you did mean that as a bit of levity.

You're not a whole lot better in some respects, but at least you do know how to relax when you need to. Since you barely have a personal life, it doesn't really interfere with work or hobbies.

[philovvances-blog]

“Once you join some kinds of jobs, like legislaceration path, or militar surgeonannihilators an’ the Terrestrial Aristocracy Guard you might start gettin’ attacked by all kinds of trolls. Political enemies, unsatisfied trolls of any caste n hue, so I’m not surprised I was attacked by mental powers last time.” He explains, crossing his arms. 

“Or in case of my other job, people that don’t want the truth to be dug out. It’s kind of stressful, but after four sweeps of work it’s kind of routine.” His fingers are tapping idly on his own arm, seeming to be in deep thought for a while. “I kind of forgot what it means to live a calmer life.”

“Can you related to that?”

[coenobitidae]

"Naturally. Most of my work is governmentally assigned, often on larger scales. And not every result leaves all parties satisfied. So what happened to you wasn't the worst thing I have ever seen happen in my presence. However, it's not usually done during one-on-ones with me. I'm not worried about seeing you just because it might happen again." Even if you hadn't been the cause of the incident, which you won't be reattempting, you wouldn't be worried.

You nod slightly. "Interpersonal conflict mediation, which may or may not have broader implications, doesn't exactly lend itself to a peaceful lifestyle. You just learn to ignore it after while. Find hobbies to take your mind off the issues for a while."

[philovvances-blog]

You are once again guided by the assistant into the room, looking a lot less highstrung than last time. And you take your seat in front of him, looking at the little fountain and the soft neutral tones that dominated most of the room’s colours before looking at the supposed owner of this office.

“I should’ve told you a bit more about what tends to happen to me, I’m also here to ask if you don’t want to continue this after what happened last time.”

And you leave that in the air, it’s actually something you tell others quite often, not every Alternian wants an extra dose of not needed danger added to their lives.

[coenobitidae]

At least you don't have to worry about him trying to jump out of his skin at the slightest provocation this time. Last time was a bit taxing on the senses. You settle your features into something pleasant. "What happens to you is only something you should tell me if it's relevant to the reasons for your visits. You're welcome to tell me or not tell me even now, but it's not going to affect my decision to tell you you're welcome to continue."

If he had any idea what sort of danger you were in just for existing, he'd realize this was nothing new to you. Although, you didn't usually cause the danger. That was indeed a new one.

[coenobitidae]

@philovvances You hadn't actually expected to see the violetblood you almost outed yourself too again. Nothing was accomplished, and he started thinking people were trying to attack him through your office. But here he was. Coming back in. You're still not sure what you're supposed to be doing for him, but if he wants to whine his fool head off at you about a poor quadrant choice, you'll sit there and listen. You're maybe a little more paranoid than last time though, so you're wearing a jacket over your turtleneck, despite it not being warm enough to really need that much clothing, especially indoors where there is temperature control.

[coenobitidae]

'OH YOU'RE A GEM.' 'OH YOU HAVE A POTOO GRIFFIN.' I'M REALLY STARTING TO REGRET MY DECISION TO LOG BACK ONTO HERE. AND THOSE ARE JUST THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PAST WEEK OR SO.

[philovvances-blog]

You Read Some Ads ||

[philovvances-blog]

“I’d feel bad for my coworkers  that happened to be here by referral before if I cared.” You voice, but you do also feel calmer and a bit more trusting of this since you were assured silence from his part. “I’m not sure if we can continue from here, I don’t mind paying another session, but I’m still a bit too tense for this now.”

“Also, should I pay you directly or pay the assistant back in the lobby? I’ll also talk with the administration about damage done.”

[coenobitidae]

“No one really cares. That’s part of the problem. Everyone is their own little isolated world, which is all fine and good right up until worlds collide.” You sound slightly exasperated, but nothing terribly out of line.

“Cutting our time short is fine. If you’re not comfortable, then there really is no point in going on. As for who to pay, the attendants at the front desk will take care of that for you. They don’t fancy us getting paid directly. Something about untrustworthy lowbloods. You know how it goes.” That’s your attempt at levity. It’s pretty terrible, but an attempt was at least made.

[philovvances-blog]

“In my office it’s more untrustworthy till proven otherwise.” That was a dry attempt at humor back, not much effort placed in it, but you at least flash half a smile before closing the door behind you. Stepping to the attendant in front and giving the money required for both fixing the wall and The Mediator’s payment.

“Tell me, have you seen someone come in and then leave in a hurry?” You ask them.

‘No, not really.’

“Has the lobby been recently cleaned?” That was an odd question, but at the negative answer towards that last question, he turned and crouched,examining the floor with extreme scrutiny, rubbing a finger against it to see if it would mark, then checking the windows and seeing if there was a back entrance, which doesn’t exist.

“It’s a closed room.”

With that odd comment, you leave another appointment marked with the attendant and leave the place as well. Drawing out all the possibilities in your mind as you walk back to your workplace.