(open.)

[solidorkable]

WHO: the emperor (solidorkable) and you!
WHERE: the institute & city hall ; various places! check comment headings for locations.
WHEN: today
WARNINGS: none, yet
SUMMARY: larsa goes to school, and is for once, behaving like a teenager.
FORMAT: quick to start, then tagger's choice!

[Bad username or unknown identity: smells like teen spirit]

(Everything is terrible and he hates everyone. April makes it out to be as simple as that, that if he just takes it out on everyone else, it should be fine, he'll feel fine. Sadly, Larsa is not that kind of person; he gets up, gets ready and goes to school like he would normally do. He doesn't say much, he isn't even that active in class as he should be.

But, he's there, he's being a teenager for once. Cup of tea? No, this morning he has a poptart that got from the vending machine. Paying attention in class? No, that window is really interesting. Biology? Argh, who cares.

Work? Work is just as bad. He doesn't greet the protestors, doesn't ask what they want - at first. Within five minutes, he's back to see if they're alright or if they require any assistance:

"How do you feel working for a robot?"
"Should the mayor be not human, I would fear he is a very inefficient one."

"Imports are taking our jobs!"
"An issue for the Porter, rather than I, I fear."

"There are raccoons stealing our food!"
"Miss April Ludgate will be able to answer that question."

Maybe nothing has changed.)

Comments

[solidorkable]

Of course, what is it that you wish of me?

(Larsa is glad that he has much to distract him from everything. He found himself staring at a small family while he was eating his lunch (that he had to make himself again) and drinking his cup of tea. His shoulders that were drooping slightly straightened up as if awoken by the promise of work.)

[viced]

I've got a couple things that need a very delicate touch.

[ Actually, they needed to be handled by his secretary, but they were a few particularly complex tasks. He wanted to make sure Larsa was occupied right now, so he was more than willing to deviate a few things from the secretary to Larsa. ]

Think you have the time to do them?

[solidorkable]

You have chosen wisely.

(The idea of work puts a little bounce in his step, despite the fact that that he's quite sure that he's being pitied. )

Of course.

[viced]

Great. I'll have them forward it to you. It's a lot of compiling, actually, but the data's important. We have some things we need to make sure we're on top of, and watching the numbers is always imperative.

[ He was hoping for that, really. Larsa needed something to keep his mind off of what was happening at home, and how did he cope? Work, of course. It was the best medicine. ]

[solidorkable]

Is there anything else that needs to be done with t?

(Larsa was actually hoping that it would involve a lot of late nights at City Hall or studying at home in the library.)

[viced]

This is some hefty data. [ He watches his expression, though, before he nods slowly, opening a door for the two of them to pass through as they're moving through the halls. ]

Think you can start pulling out some trends? We'll have to run it through our analysts, still, but maybe you'll see something in there.

[solidorkable]

You underestimate my ability to see commonalities within many.

(He seems genuinely pleased by the amount of paperwork he gets, that'll last him a very long time!)

Deadline?

[viced]

How about next week? Think you can get it together by then?

[ Considering the information he'd have to compile, it was a steep deadline. ]

[solidorkable]

I shall work my best.

(before he steps away to return to his desk though, he hesitates.)

Thank you.

[viced]

Shit, don't thank me for loading you up with work.

[ His protegé... ]

[solidorkable]

It is not about the work, sir. (you should know what it's about.)

[viced]

Yeah, yeah. I guess not. It's about doing it, huh? Making the difference?

[ And not at all about absorbing oneself in work to escape personal problems, right? That would just be silly! ]

[solidorkable]

Indeed, making the difference.

(maybe he'll start believing it himself. maybe.)

[viced]

That's what we're here for, after all. Making sure that we can support the people we serve, and doing the best job possible for them.

[ And he honestly believed it, even if it was a little cheesy. ]

[solidorkable]

(It's like a swift kick in the behind: Larsa's shoulders straighten, and his bearing becomes regal again:)

There is little good in feeling sorry for yourself.

[viced]

That's exactly it. Sometimes, a little perspective tends to make it a little easier to disregard, huh?

[ Not that he knows anything about it, or what Larsa's feeling, but they've spoken quite a bit lately, and he feels some sympathy for the guy. ]

[solidorkable]

Indeed. (Though he still feels a little lost, despite holding the data.)

Is there anything else that requires my attention? If not, I would like to get started on this.

[viced]

No, Larsa. I think that's it for now. Why don't you get to work on that, I've got my own shit to do, anyway. [ He clapped him on the shoulder, regardless. Encouraging. ]

[solidorkable]

(Don't worry Mitch, he'll keep your emotions a secret. Larsa gives him an affirmative nod before heading off to get to work.)