002. Audio/Action for Goldenrod City

[neurotoxined]

[AUDIO]

[Well, Johto, today you are getting the most terse question in the history of terse questions; no elaborations, no explanations, just incredibly to-the-point. There isn't any sort of noise in the background to indicate where the speaker is, specifically, either, though the general white-noise sounds indicate somewhere outdoors.]

So what sort of buildings are we allowed to rent out here, anyway?

[ACTION]

[Surprisingly, GLaDOS is actually outside today, sitting on a bench in one of the small, open squares in Goldenrod City. She has two of her Pokémon out - the Deerling and the Porygon-Z - but she doesn't seem to be paying them much mind, though she does glance up once in a while as though to ensure they haven't run off; rather, most of her attention seems given to a legal pad sitting in her lap - not full of research notes, but rather drawings, the lines sketchy and angular, outlining what appear to be floor plans. The rooms have a somewhat creepy lack of perspective going on, what with all of the walls visible like the room is some sort of cardboard box collapsed outwards, and parts of the floors and walls are covered with Xs and bullseye targets.

She has several pages turned back on that legal pad before the one she's currently sketching on; she could probably wallpaper herself a nice room full of crazy if she felt inclined to display it anywhere, but for now she's content to draw and let her Pokémon play with each other.]

Comments

[neurotoxined]

[She actually sets the drawings aside once it becomes obvious that Wheatley isn't just going to say his piece and leave her alone, flipping the...multiple pages of that Legal Pad Full Of Crazy forward before dropping the whole shebang down on the bench facedown, slamming her hand down hard on top of it as though...forcefully discouraging him to try to see what she's been working on for himself.]

I'm perfectly capable of going outside on my own, you know. It's not something I do whenever you feel like it.

[See, she even has civilian clothes on! That white dress/black...whatnot beneath it again, the colors of her previous cores sparkling out from that brooch over her collarbone.

...okay, they're horribly weird civilian clothes, but at least she's putting forth the effort.]

Where have you been, anyway?

[She's totally not ignoring the question regarding the drawings. Look, Wheatley a question. Follow the shiny thing?]

[brilliantideas]

Yes, yes, it's good to hear that you're capable, but I wasn't questioning that.

[He waves that away with a flip of his hand.]

It's strange to see you outside at all. Without my assistance, of course. So? Why are you out here?

[The question distracts him from that line of thought, at least. Look, a shiny thing!!]

Oh, I've been in Kanto with Descole! Lovely place, that. I'll actually be heading back there soon; I've been meaning to tell you that, actually. We won't have to attempt to put up with one another in the labs anymore! There's a branch in... Celadon, I believe? Yes, right. I'll be there instead!

[Do you see how chipper he is? This totally isn't forced or anything! He's genuinely pleased to get away from you! Really!!]

[neurotoxined]

That's none of your -

[Her expression flickers sharply at that last batch of information, however; it's quite suddenly less of the generally unsettling smiling that she tends to adopt around people - the sort that implies somebody's going to get a sharp object to the face or lungs full of neurotoxin in about point-three seconds - and much closer to simply baring teeth, a sort of darkness in her eyes.]

Descole? Should I be looking out for invitations to the wedding? Maybe I can help you pick out a dress.

[She settles back then against that bench, that unsettling smile back across her features; she crosses her legs idly at the knee, though her hand is still very firmly on that notepad.]

We have work to do here. You're not going anywhere.

[brilliantideas]

[One of Wheatley's eyebrows nearly ascends into his hairline - what on earth has gotten into her?]

Of all the insults you could have come up with? "Why don't you marry him," really? That's... well. I'm not really quite sure how to respond to that. Other than no thanks, I'm really not interested.

[...herp.]

No, that's alright, I've already put in my notification for transfer. It's been cleared and everything. You all have some new recruits for the labs here, right? There shouldn't be any issue. Celadon needs more people there; I'm perfectly fine with going. Besides, I thought you'd be glad to be rid of me. Not that I care what you think, because I really don't. Couldn't care less and all that.

[neurotoxined]

[Oh, shut up. She has more important things to deal with than your lack of sophistication when it comes to insults, you.]

I'm sorry, maybe you misheard me. "You aren't going anywhere."

This isn't particularly hard. Even someone of your...intelligence level can understand that. I admit that level isn't very high. But I'm trying to have some faith.

[brilliantideas]

I don't see what the problem is. Everything's been cleared. You don't have any control over me here.

[...That's right...! She doesn't have any control here! Wheatley seems to brighten up immediately after saying that.]

You don't have any control! I can do what I want! I'm leaving for Celadon and that's final! There's nothing you can do to stop me!

[neurotoxined]

[...ooooooooh.

For a quick moment, she's not even bothering trying to bite it back; she's obviously furious, her expression contorting and her hand tightening against that legal pad - however, as soon as it grips her it seems to leave again, and she's settled back against that bench like this quite simply isn't happening, her expression suddenly...terrifyingly gentle.]

Fine. If that's how you want to play it, then fine. You're right; we have new recruits. We don't need you here.

[Oh, god, she's smiling.]

You know what's out in Kanto?

[So much smiling.]

Absolutely nothing.

[MORE TEETH THAN THE FUCKING OSMOND FAMILY, WHEATLEY.]

They'd only send you out there if they know for a fact that you'd make a mess of things here.

Enjoy your downgrade.

[brilliantideas]

[Wheatley's response to that is blankstaring for about three seconds, before he's suddenly smirking.]

Really? You can't get your way, so you're trying to insist that this is because it's a downgrade? That's... why, that's almost funny, love.

[He folds his arms, still smirking. He's actually in an advantageous position for once; like hell if he's not going to lord it over her.]

It's quite the opposite, actually. If they were downgrading me, they'd have me on standard-level Grunt-work, wouldn't they? Instead they're sending me to help start up a new branch in Kanto. I'd say that's better than staying here and dealing with you.

[neurotoxined]

[Oh hell naw son

she ain't even mad

...okay maybe a little mad

but not mad enough for it to be too visible

outside of maybe her left eye twitching a whole hell of a lot]

That's a polite way of saying "It's a downgrade," especially in surroundings like this. You really are a moron.

[brilliantideas]

I am not a moron! This is an upgrade! I would have thought you'd know what those are like! Apparently not!

[With the amount of dramatic pointing going on over here, you'd think Wheatley was trying out for an acting role and hamming it up as much as possible. Unfortunately not...]

I'm leaving, and that's that!

[neurotoxined]

[OH WILL YOU GO START UP AN ACE ATTORNEY CAST ALREADY, THIS GAME NEEDS ONE AND YOU'D FIT RIGHT IN - ]

Wait, wait, whoa. What?

[...okay, that was a lot of W there, sweetheart, try again.]

You think I'd know -

What's that supposed to mean?

[What are you even talking about, man]

[brilliantideas]

[Oh. Uh. Whoops?]

Well. I mean you just... You've been upgraded before, right?

[...Hold on, he's herping really hard right now.]

Anyway, that doesn't matter! Good luck dealing with the new recruits and Gorthan and everyone else here; I'm leaving!

[COME ON, LET'S DITCH THIS BITCH, BBMONS.]

[neurotoxined]

[...well yes but what in the good hell does that have to do with -

Oi. OI.

She's not going to chase after you properly, but let's just say she is rather glad that she has a much longer stride than you by default, and she isn't going to be too gentle about it when she drops her hand onto your shoulder there, Wheatley.

She's been growing her nails out, by the way. Rather decided she likes it.

Like goddamn talons, seriously.]

Don't think you can talk to me like that and get away with it - !

[brilliantideas]

[...That might have gotten a rather high-pitched "eep" out of Wheatley before the pain started. Uh. Ignore that.]

Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow! Let go of me! What did you do, sharpen your nails or something? Get off!

[...Totally not ignoring that statement there.]

[neurotoxined]

[...so much smirking at that.]

I might have.

[brilliantideas]

Are you mad, woman? Let go!

[He'll just... struggle uselessly if you don't mind!]

[neurotoxined]

[oh she is so goddamn smug rn you have no idea]

I don't recall you ever letting go when I asked. Consider it returning the favor.

[brilliantideas]

That was entirely different! I wasn't digging my talons into your skin! Unhand me this instant or I'll--!

[...do nothing and he knows it. Have some sulking and struggling, then.]

[neurotoxined]

[She'll just shake him rather roughly at that, though she isn't letting go. That smirk is still entirely present, however.]

What was it you were saying about how I can't control you? I'm the reason you exist, you pathetic little tumor. I own you.

[brilliantideas]

Not here you don't! You don't have any control over what I do here! I thought you'd be happy to be rid of me! Since I'm a tumor and all that! Why the bloody hell won't you just let me go!?

[That's in regards to both leaving for Celadon and... well. Those talons okay. He is going to bleed forever, GLaDOS!]

[neurotoxined]

[Ask her if she cares. Go ahead. Ask.

...that says, she pauses for a moment, eyes wide; she tilts her head a bit, though she doesn't let go.]

Well. Maybe tumor was a bit strong at this point - but that isn't the point!

[brilliantideas]

A bit strong? As if you've called me things that are less insulting before? Then would you care to tell me what the point is? Because I'm not following. All you've done is yell at me the entire time I worked here. Now I'm leaving and you're refusing to let me go. What are you even trying to do?

[neurotoxined]

[She hesitates just long enough for it to be incredibly, awkwardly obvious before she wrenches her hand away, finally breaking that grip on his shoulder.]

Fine. You want to go? Fine.

[There's a good amount of ice to her words; she snaps around rather abruptly to return to that bench, sitting down and picking up that legal pad again.]

Get out.

[Like she hasn't a care in the goddamn world.]

[brilliantideas]

Oh come on! You can't do that now!

[That said, Wheatley doesn't approach immediately, eyeing GLaDOS warily. Like she might decide to jump up and claw his eyes out or something.]

You spent quite some time saying I couldn't leave for various reasons, now you're fine with it? I don't buy it. What's the issue?

[neurotoxined]

[She doesn't look up, exactly, but she tilts her head a little, the light glinting off the lenses of her glasses for a moment.]

There is no issue, and yes, I can do this now. I'm doing it, aren't I?

[THE MATURITY LEVEL HERE...]