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]

[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...]

[brilliantideas]

[Wheatley sighs and rolls his eyes. Okay, they're getting nowhere slowly like this.]

Alright, let's try it like this, then. You're upset at the fact that I'm leaving, for some reason I can't figure out. If you'd actually talk to me, maybe we could work something out.

[A pause. Oh, he knows what it is!]

Oh. Oh, I see. You're upset because you won't have anyone to boss around anymore, is that it? Of course that's it; what else could it be?

[neurotoxined]

Yes, of course that's it.

[...that works a bit better if you don't look like your whole brain is crying or something, doesn't it.]

[brilliantideas]

[...Wow, you're trying really hard here, aren't you...]

Well, I suppose that would be it if you weren't staring at me like I'd grown a second head. What the hell is it, then? You can discuss this with me, you know. Do I have to promise to keep it a secret?

[Deets, GLaDOS!]

[neurotoxined]

You can promise all you want, but that doesn't mean you'll actually keep your mouth shut.

[That doesn't sound half as angry as it could have, though; she sighs a bit once it's out there before returning to her drawings.]

Get out, Wheatley.

[brilliantideas]

[Well, that's true enough. He hesitates again before finally shrugging.]

Fine. If you don't want to solve this, then that's fine with me. I'll see you later, then.

[You're totally going to stop him now, right?]

[neurotoxined]

[...is she supposed to?

I mean, she'll look up really obviously annoyed, but

...no really is she supposed to be doing something here, how does this shit work]

[brilliantideas]

[............]

Oh come on! You're supposed to call me back and tell me what the problem is!

[You're doing this all wrong, ugh!]

[neurotoxined]

[..............]

You know, you weren't supposed to be watching those horrible movies we let the humans watch in the stasis chambers.

[brilliantideas]

I-I-- what? No, of course I wasn't watching those! That's ridiculous! Preposterous, even! I wouldn't ever...!

[ALKEMRKWLENLKSEL HDU]

[neurotoxined]

[Oh, how dare you indeed - she keeps her head bowed over those drawings, but it's plain that she's trying rather hard not to laugh.]

Don't worry about it.

[When she does look up, she's smirking again, though the expression isn't anywhere near as cruel as it usually is.]

Someone had to pick them out, after all. I still think they're horrible, though.

[brilliantideas]

[That's... possibly the nicest she's ever been about something like this. Wheatley still suspects that she'll hold it over his head for all eternity, but... it's better than it could have been.]

Yes, well. It was only for their sake!

[He folds his arms and huffs, frowning down at the ground instead of at her. He's gone bright red and he knows it - how do humans control this sort of thing anyway?]

[neurotoxined]

[Oh, of course she will. But that hardly matters now, does it?]

Mmhmm, I'm sure.

[She leans forward then, folding her forearms over her knees and tipping her head a bit.]

Why did you put in for a transfer, anyway?

[Her tone isn't angry anymore, really; just curious.]

[brilliantideas]

[Oh thank God, a subject change!]

Well, there were a number of reasons. I really liked Kanto, it's nowhere near as crowded as Johto seems to be - everyone starts here, after all - and then there's all those new recruits to deal with and frankly, I can't be bothered.... Ah, and then there's Descole. He's fascinating! A great boss, really. I'm excited to work with him some more! We have some excellent plans in store, you'll see! He doesn't talk down to me, or dismiss all my ideas as stupid either.

Ah, and then there's you. I... well. You and I don't get along very well when we're working in the labs. That much is obvious. Not that we get along all that well outside the labs either, but you know what I mean. Right? Right. Anyway, I figured this would be best for both of us. You wouldn't have to deal with me, and I wouldn't have to deal with you. Simple, really. Best solution, I thought. Apparently that's just upset you somehow. Not that I really care whether or not I upset you, of course.