yumemigaoka | mrglbrgl

⭐ Who: Maki, you
⭐ When: Early February
⭐ Where: The Koubu-ya across from the DU office
⭐ What: Lunch and griping

[So it's an average day at the Dreamer Union, by which we mean there haven't been any major incidents and no one seems to be kidnapped by their own issues yet. (Give it time.) Maki heads straight to Koubu-ya as soon as the lunch bell hits, and if you come in (common enough, given how close the restaurant is to the office), she'll give a brief wave from the lunch counter in between picking at her massive bowl of shio ramen. Judging from her face, her own level of salt is at least comparable to that of the ramen.]

I swear, if it's not people thinking I can fix the lights in front of the office when they go out -- okay, yes, I probably could, but it's not in the job description -- it's opening suspicious emails. [She turns to the nearest person she knows and gestures with her chopsticks in the air.] I mean, "notavirus.exe"? Is everyone with a brain busy in the Dream Sphere?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You... okay? You don't have to hide it if you're not, you know. Last thing we need is another Disturbance.

[like she can talk]

[ Jeanne gives an apologetic smile. ]

I am sorry to make you worry.

[ What are the words for this? She puts a hand over her heart. ]

I - cannot say returning has gone well. In many ways, I have fallen behind.....as a Dreamer, and a commander.

But even so.....

[ Deep breath. Exhale. Angel.....She hasn't spoken to her angel recently. But her angel's guidance is always within her memory. ]

I am here. I am doing what I can, and every day, that will be slightly more. Until I can repay everyone's kindness properly!

[ Feel free to hallucinate a medieval knight's banner flapping in the wind behind her at the sincerity of that last sentence. She has that effect. ]

Heh. You're definitely doing your best. I get why you would worry you've fallen behind -- if you're not doing okay, you start to think maybe you're not cut out for it. But hey, you're still hanging on there.

Thank you very much.

[ She takes a sip of her drink - just water, for her. ]

I hope I am able to help you, too. And soon!

[ you may have found a willing patsy for the lightbulb changing ]

I'll let you know if something does need doing. Actually, maybe you could remind some people about basic internet safety and not downloading obvious viruses.

[ Jeannette nods earnestly. ] Please count on me.

[ THE DREAMER UNION IS UNDER ATTACK ELECTRONICALLY AND SHE WILL PROTECT IT

(it is VERY cruel to label a virus "not a virus", after all!) ]

Thanks, kid. [She smiles a little and nods.] You're a good one, you know that? Not enough people work that hard.

[ Jeanne blushes. ]

I am nothing so special.....

Humble as always. I think you're doing a good job, and believe me. If you were screwing it up, I'd say so.

[ Okay, that teases out a little smile - she'd much rather have honesty than empty praise. ]

Then I shall rely on you to keep me successful.

[ She is so lucky to have so many people supporting her! Truly, no commander looks after their people alone. The relationship must be reciprocal to succeed. ]

Heh, thanks. Aren't we relying on you guys?

We help each other.

[ Obviously. That's what people do. Right? ]

Heh. Yeah, true. Someone's gotta handle the stuff the people on the ground can't. Or in the Dream Sphere, as it happens.

That is why people are stronger in a group.

[ She turns her drink around in her hands. ]

It is even, somewhat.....why I wish for an army.

An army? What, like a hunting group?

An army.

[ She begins collecting items from the table - condiment shakers and containers, spare chopsticks, etc - to use as markers. Angel-sama explained this for her once, and it made such sense that Jeannette's whole worldview altered. Perhaps she can do the same for Maki. ]

As it is now, the Dreamer Union works together loosely. Each unit [ she moves her pieces around in front of her ] pursues its own goals, and come together [ she also does this ] to face large threats. It is a beautiful system. But...

[ She piles a bunch of napkins up. ] If what we face unifies, or if there is a larger strategy to its movements, we will not be ready. No one is overseeing the larger picture, and giving sound orders so each Dreamer can do the most good.

[ Her "Dreamer Union Army" comes together in one fighting force. ] I would not seek to lead such an army for myself. But I have heard I have what it takes to be a commander.....That this position, which is empty, is one where I can best protect my home.

[ She puts her water glass at the "head" of the "army". ]

So it is my goal. No....it is why "Dreamer La Pucelle" exists.

So... you wanna reorganize a bunch of ragtag dreamers into an actual, literal army, and that's gonna make them strong enough to protect the world. You might have a point, but... isn't an army half about keeping people strictly in line? That seems a little much.

It is a poor commander who hurts their soldiers!

[ Jeannette's concept of "an army" may be....idealistic. ]

Then what do you think you're gonna do?

I shall learn each of their specialties, and place them where they can help. Good orders should bring out the best in everyone.

[ Otherwise why even bother? ]

I'm not sure that's actually gonna work, but at least you've got the right idea. I do have faith in you guys, you know. Even if it doesn't seem like it.

I have never doubted.

[ Big ole grin. ]

So you must never doubt yourself, either!

[ She has not forgotten this conversation started with Maki venting. ]

Sure, kid. Work's tough, but I'm gonna try. It wouldn't be good if I weren't doing my part, it's bad enough if someone else doesn't.

You are wise.

[ Jeanne nods, like that's a normal thing to tell someone. ]

I don't know about wise. Just trying to get through the day to day like anyone.

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