mrglbrgl

[saynotobugs]

⭐ 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?

Comments

[darcangel]

[ Jeanne blushes. ]

I am nothing so special.....

[saynotobugs]

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

[darcangel]

[ 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. ]

[saynotobugs]

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

[darcangel]

We help each other.

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

[saynotobugs]

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

[darcangel]

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.

[saynotobugs]

An army? What, like a hunting group?

[darcangel]

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.

[saynotobugs]

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.

[darcangel]

It is a poor commander who hurts their soldiers!

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

[saynotobugs]

Then what do you think you're gonna do?

[darcangel]

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? ]

[saynotobugs]

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.

[darcangel]

I have never doubted.

[ Big ole grin. ]

So you must never doubt yourself, either!

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

[saynotobugs]

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.

[darcangel]

You are wise.

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

[saynotobugs]

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

[darcangel]

Sometimes -

[ May she lay a hand atop yours with a gentle, serene smile, or is that too forward? ]

That is enough.

[saynotobugs]

[She seems amused by it, and that's probably the best you'll get.]

We'll see. Thanks, kid.

[darcangel]

You are most welcome.

[ she'll take it!! ]