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[selfconcept]

Congratulations! You survived the first week of Personal Enrichment Class! Or at least, your body did if you feel like astral projecting. It's time to mingle with your fellow students after the Saturday lesson. Maybe get revenge. Or maybe you're going to your room right away. Either way, it's free time! Let loose. Go wild.

Comments

[catarou]

[ Well, that was awful!

Gentaro is decidedly displeased with the aftermath; he hardly blames his group, but glitter is notoriously difficult to get out of clothes and hair. It takes him some time to join the others in the cafeteria. Instead of his usual clothes, he's donned a green sweater and--to his annoyance--a pair of sweatpants from the gift shop.

Regrettably, there are still traces of glitter on his face and in his hair. He does not look happy about this.

He grabs himself a coffee, though. Even if the tea sucks, at least they have coffee and creamer. For a little while, he's here in the cafeteria, simply watching the others. He'll, of course, be happy to talk to anyone.

After that, though, he makes his way to the common room, where he has a notebook and pen. He'd like to do a bit of writing (and he's filled in a page or two), but... well. He just can't focus, past that. ]

cafeteria

[selfconcept]

[ Hien is eating his own food in the cafeteria and he spots Gentaro with coffee. So he makes his way there and sits across from him. ]

You look like a completely different person with those clothes. You still look nice though.

[ He is all for casual wear. It's his favorite. ]

[catarou]

[ It might be a bit obvious that Gentaro doesn't feel entirely comfortable in these clothes, but he gives a slight smile as he inclines his head toward Hien. ]

Thank you. I admit, I am... not accustomed to wearing more casual clothes. Unfortunately, it's a necessity at the moment.

[ He sips at his coffee while a bit of his hair glitter catches in the light. ]

[selfconcept]

Yeah, makes sense.

[ He figures it's something like cultural difference, so he doesn't think anything of it. ]

That lesson wore you out?

[catarou]

Oh, terribly.

[ He sighs dramatically. ]

You see, I was born with a particularly weak constitution. Such stress and effort is terribly debilitating.

[selfconcept]

Yeah. Extortion sounds pretty debilitating if you got that sort of constitution.

[ Whether Gentaro is lying about being weak or that Hien is absolutely sincere with what he's saying, albeit weirdly, Hien eats some more of his pasta. ]

[catarou]

[ He isn't offended, but he is a bit annoyed that his profile says that. Really, they could have picked literally anything else.

Regardless, he lets out a quiet chuckle. ]

Well, it was only a lie. I am blessed with excellent health. Beyond that, however... I hope you do not think less of me for my... talent.

[ There's practically an eyeroll in there. ]

[selfconcept]

[ Hien's has "manipulating people (as a dog)" on his profile, so honestly. He doesn't have the right to judge people for whatever their secret talents must be. ]

Sometimes you just have to do stuff like that and you happen to be good at it.

[ He shrugs. ]

I'm glad you're healthy though. Being sickly is the worst.

[catarou]

Quite true. I would have preferred another of my skills to have been listed, but... well, it is what it is.

[ He's still grumpy. ]

... That it is. And it is quite the inconvenience, particularly when you've a busy life.

[selfconcept]

Yeah. I can vouch for that.

[ Hien doesn't look sickly. In fact, he's very physically healthy. ]

It just gets in the way of everything and makes you feel like shit. Can't do anything you wanna do, even when you want to.

[ Hmmm. He glances down at his half empty plate. ]

So what are your other noteworthy skills? Or are they a secret?

cafeteria!

[superstructure]

[ At some point, Julius also partly changed, opting instead for a sweatshirt, which is probably a good look with the pinstriped pants. But there's marginally less glitter (there's still plenty probably stuck elsewhere), and right now that's all he cares about.

He presses into the cafeteria, also after a coffee. He catches a glimpse of Gentaro out of the corner of his eye and, when he's finished with his cup, moves over to him and sits. ]

You did a good job back there.

[ Even if half the time it was just him and Rideaux sort of dunking on him a bit, and the other half was just a mess of a bomb defusal, but. Whatever. ]

[catarou]

[ Ah. He inclines his head slightly toward him. Part of him could feel bad about how much teasing he got--

Except, that would be a lie. Absolutely no regrets here. ]

Thank you, Kresnik-san. We all did well, of course. [ He clears his throat. ] ... Glitter aside, that is.

[superstructure]

Mm. [ adjusts his glasses ] I think I could've done without the glitter.

[ There's. Still so much leftover. ]

At least we'll have something to show for it, I guess. Those bags should come in handy, the longer this goes on.

[ Will there be a tomato section in the bag? Time will tell. ]

[catarou]

Oh? You don't enjoy being covered in something that's nigh impossible to clean off?

[ He chuckles. ]

I agree. Truly, you and Rugievit-san were quite helpful during the process. I am not so accustomed to such a task, you see.

[ He's mentioning Rideaux because like..... he wants to see if Julius gives any indication of how he actually feels about him. ]

[superstructure]

[ He laughs quietly. ]

I can't say it's very high on my list of things I enjoy.

[ When he brings up Rideaux, he nods, his lenses flashing slightly as he does. It's easier to ignore it when it's just talking shop, really. ]

This is a little different from working in communications or medical terms, but it at least helped out with particulars with functionality and user experience.

[ ....... they still almost lost to crypto screwdriver, so was it really that effective..... ]

[catarou]

I imagine it is.

[ He is pretty curious. ]

If it is not a sensitive topic, may I ask what a "Director of Department of Dimensional Affairs" does, exactly?

[superstructure]

[ Julius pauses to think, drinking from his coffee before he replies. ]

A lot of it is managing agents that work on maintaining what we refer to as "fractured dimensions." They're essentially alternate versions of our world, but they can differ depending on certain factors.

[ it. it's a lot, gentaro. it's so much. ]

[catarou]

[ ... Well, that's interesting.

Gentaro mulls it over, and while his expression stays much the same, he's lost in the "what if"s. Of course, before the silence can stretch on for too long, he nods. His musing can happen later... or maybe not at all, considering he's already troubled Bennett enough with his feelings. ]

Quite the fascinating profession. How does one become one of these agents? Surely not just anyone can, I presume, travel to these fractured dimensions.

for bennett!

[catarou]

[ He'd felt some concerning emotions during that whole... exercise. Naturally, Gentaro seeks Bennett out after grabbing a couple of packages of mini cookies and bottles of tea.

Approaching Bennett, he clears his throat. ]

I have heard that, after a stressful situation, a bit of sugar helps.

[ As if his leader's diet doesn't consist of 95% sweets... ]

[unluckyday]

[ Bennett looks up, startled, and then offers a weak laugh. ]

Y-yeah... I messed up pretty bad, huh?

[catarou]

[ Ah, Bennett.... ]

Not at all. It was a new experience for all of us, after all, and being a team means that the burden should not fall on one person.

In the end, we managed well enough. While we were not entirely successful, it is a valuable experience that we will hold with us for the rest of our lives. And when you feel as if you've made a mess of things, then you have friends and teammates to support you.

And as your teammate, I will do just that.

[unluckyday]

[ Oh... Gentaro is pretty nice, isn't he? Still, Bennett only offers him a thin smile in response, though he glances away just a moment later. ]

Thanks, but... it's okay. Really. I'm used to things going wrong around me.

[catarou]

[ He'd argue being called nice, but anyway. Gentaro considers that, then lets out a quiet hum. ]

Even if it's something you're used to, it doesn't mean it will feel good. It is easy to resign oneself to the negative, but that's even more reason to seek out support. Of course, I'll understand any hesitation, as we don't know each other too well...

Regardless, consider it an open offer. I would be a terrible partner if I didn't support you.

[unluckyday]

[ Unfortunately, Bennett has just upgraded Gentaro from 'pretty nice' to 'very nice'. ]

Right - I really appreciate it, don't get me wrong. But I'm alright.

[ And then, hopefully before Gentaro can ask again: ]

What about you? I got zapped pretty bad back there.

[catarou]

[ He chuckles softly. ]

Hmm. Nothing I couldn't handle. I've had much worse, anyway.