Mmm - not everyone? But they're always available to be assigned if necessary. My boss deemed it necessary so here I am. Sleepwalking through three months of mandatory feelings discussion.
[Lin rolls her eyes. There's no way she's cooperating in these sessions. Most likely doing the barest of minimums so she'll be cleared.]
Would you believe this is an incredibly stressful workplace that most people don’t know how to handle? I mean - I would’ve never known if they hadn’t told me that therapy. [And then she just laughs, shaking her head.]
Talking doesn't help anything unless it's backed by action. [And he demonstrates this by prodding the counter pointedly with each of those last few words.] Talking is messy. All that tone and societal rules and politeness makes things so complicated.
[He looks her in the eye.] It shouldn't be that complicated, Wendy. If people want something, they should just show they want it. Go and get it. Or earn it.
She squints at him, nodding slowly as she attempts to follow his words. Maybe the nodding is a bad idea because it makes her a teensy bit dizzy, but she’s okay. Keeping herself upright even though it’s a challenge.]
Okay so I just gotta do it then? Go for it. [She considers this for a moment, nods again. It’s short. The eye contact - she doesn’t keep it, just glances away. Uncomfortable.]
[Unaware of her discomfort, Muldoon gives a certain nod.] You should! And of everyone you'd accomplish it, too. Not everyone is smart and pretty and accomplished.
[With another confident nod he sips his drink.] You'd get it done if you put your mind to it. Whatever it is.
[Oh why did he have to stick the pretty comment in there? Yeah, she’s flattered. But she also doesn’t know what to do with that.]
Okay. [A pause.] Do you want to… do this again? Sometime? Minus drinks. [She lifts her glass, shakes it a bit. It’s not full enough to spill.] None of the really heavy stuff, just - sober conversation?
[This is her. Just doing it. And sipping away as she waits for his response.]
Yeah. [She nods, clearing her throat as she sets her glass down.] I’m definitely asking you out.
[There’s more nodding. She seems… totally serious about this. Whatever shyness that was there before - gone. Either she’s really good at faking it, or the combination of booze and pep talk are truly doing wonders for her confidence.]
It’s not my usual approach but - what the hell, right? Might as well.
[That gets him to choke on his whiskey, just a little. It takes him a minute to compose himself again. Even after this many drinks his brain knows he needs to switch gears as he reassesses the situation.]
Sorry, [he mutters as he clears his throat.] I didn't think you...
[Managing to stop himself before he puts his foot in his mouth, he swallows and starts again. Even trying to be casual now.]
[…Maybe she was being a bit too forward? Unless her flirting technique is lost on him. Could be the situation. Sometimes her intentions aren’t as obvious as she thinks they are.
Wendy just waits for him to recover, tries not to look like she’s freaking out or close to disappointment. There’s no need for any of it - because he says yes.]
Okay. [She’s smiling, quite pleased with herself.] Hard part’s out of the way. I’m still taking care of your tab tonight by the way. No use fighting me on it, okay? You can get me next time. Or whenever, really. I don’t mind.
[That little hesitation is him debating whether or not to argue with her about it anyway. Ultimately he decides not to, which is probably for the best. She's as stubborn as he is.]
Alright. Thanks.
[He taps his finger against his glass for a moment before looking at her again. In a new light this time.]
Would you like me to organise things for next time? Or would you rather do it?
Not a problem. [She was practically begging to pay earlier. It’s the least she can do.]
Hmm… [Wendy plays like she’s really thinking about his question, but it’s obvious she’s hamming it up just to be difficult. Or cute. Or both. She can’t keep a straight face.]
You can do it if you want. [Head tilt.] Surprise me. I like a good surprise.
[It will, perhaps, not surprise Wendy at all to learn that the whiskey drinking hunter is used to fulfilling stereotypical gender role expectations. She already took the initiative in asking him out in the first place, expecting her to plan the date would be pushing his luck.]
Alright. I'll share the details later. [Once he figures those details out. Sometime after he's shifted the inevitable hangover from tonight.
At some point he realises he's just staring at her a little bit. He breaks his reverie with a chuckle and a shake of his head as he refocuses his attention to his drink.] I really didn't think I was your type.
Okay! [Wendy’s beaming, utterly pleased. This sort of cheerfulness isn’t her usual. Most people wouldn’t think she’s even capable of such a display of emotion. But here she is, so much liquid courage helping her out.]
Hm? [The slightest frown as she peers at him over the rim of her water glass. She’s doing water again - just in case.] Not my type? [More frowning!] What made you think that? I’m curious.
I thought you'd want someone equally as ambitious, college educated. [A moment's thought before he decides,] A handsome lawyer, maybe.
[He gets the 'workaholic/alcoholic' synchronicity they have going on, it's the rest he doesn't understand. Usually he'd just keep it to himself, but he's never lacked courage, it's a loose tongue that's the whiskey's gift tonight.]
Well - it’s not a total dealbreaker if they aren’t.
[A degree is just a piece of paper at the end of the day. Bragging rights. She has too many, and look where they’ve gotten her.
She stares at him. Did she hear him correctly?] A handsome lawyer? You think that’s my type? [She’s trying not to laugh. So hard. A hand covers her mouth, and she shakes her head. At least she’s amused.] No way, absolutely not.
[Muldoon is highly regarded in his field, but that's due to his obsession with his work rather than any kind of ambition.
He hadn't quite expected such a firm response and it leaves him blinking for a moment.]
Sounds right to me. [He grumbles though he's not really offended in any way, just surprised.] Someone smart, hardworking, but not in your field so you don't argue too much. Just debate topics and theories.
Yeah well. [The slightest little eyeroll.] What can I say - I’m full of surprises.
[Although asking him out shouldn’t count as one of them. She’s been hinting at being interested for a while now, just in her own little way. Mostly flirtatious teasing.
Water glass now empty, she sets it down. Rolls her shoulders. Takes a deep breath and then lets it go.]
[Muldoon is exceptionally astute, a keen observer, as long as it's around wildlife. It wouldn't be the first time he's been a little bit oblivious to those around him.
For now he's clear on what's going on (mostly), happy and a bit sloshed. As evident in his little grin.]
[She’s been there herself. Who hasn’t, really? Tunnel vision - it’s a thing. But also relating to people in general - it’s difficult for her and she usually tends… not to. On principle.
This is her stepping out of her comfort zone.]
Both actually. [That little grin of his is contagious - because she’s doing it too.]
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[Lin rolls her eyes. There's no way she's cooperating in these sessions. Most likely doing the barest of minimums so she'll be cleared.]
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Why did he do that?
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Seems pointless to me. Talking never fixed anything. Doing things is what's important.
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[Wendy don’t.
Wendy does. What number drink is this again?]
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Talking doesn't help anything unless it's backed by action. [And he demonstrates this by prodding the counter pointedly with each of those last few words.] Talking is messy. All that tone and societal rules and politeness makes things so complicated.
[He looks her in the eye.] It shouldn't be that complicated, Wendy. If people want something, they should just show they want it. Go and get it. Or earn it.
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She squints at him, nodding slowly as she attempts to follow his words. Maybe the nodding is a bad idea because it makes her a teensy bit dizzy, but she’s okay. Keeping herself upright even though it’s a challenge.]
Okay so I just gotta do it then? Go for it. [She considers this for a moment, nods again. It’s short. The eye contact - she doesn’t keep it, just glances away. Uncomfortable.]
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[With another confident nod he sips his drink.] You'd get it done if you put your mind to it. Whatever it is.
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Okay. [A pause.] Do you want to… do this again? Sometime? Minus drinks. [She lifts her glass, shakes it a bit. It’s not full enough to spill.] None of the really heavy stuff, just - sober conversation?
[This is her. Just doing it. And sipping away as she waits for his response.]
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[He fully intends just to tease. It's not like she would actually ask him out, after all... Right?]
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[There’s more nodding. She seems… totally serious about this. Whatever shyness that was there before - gone. Either she’s really good at faking it, or the combination of booze and pep talk are truly doing wonders for her confidence.]
It’s not my usual approach but - what the hell, right? Might as well.
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Sorry, [he mutters as he clears his throat.] I didn't think you...
[Managing to stop himself before he puts his foot in his mouth, he swallows and starts again. Even trying to be casual now.]
Alright. Sure.
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Wendy just waits for him to recover, tries not to look like she’s freaking out or close to disappointment. There’s no need for any of it - because he says yes.]
Okay. [She’s smiling, quite pleased with herself.] Hard part’s out of the way. I’m still taking care of your tab tonight by the way. No use fighting me on it, okay? You can get me next time. Or whenever, really. I don’t mind.
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Alright. Thanks.
[He taps his finger against his glass for a moment before looking at her again. In a new light this time.]
Would you like me to organise things for next time? Or would you rather do it?
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Hmm… [Wendy plays like she’s really thinking about his question, but it’s obvious she’s hamming it up just to be difficult. Or cute. Or both. She can’t keep a straight face.]
You can do it if you want. [Head tilt.] Surprise me. I like a good surprise.
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Alright. I'll share the details later. [Once he figures those details out. Sometime after he's shifted the inevitable hangover from tonight.
At some point he realises he's just staring at her a little bit. He breaks his reverie with a chuckle and a shake of his head as he refocuses his attention to his drink.] I really didn't think I was your type.
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Hm? [The slightest frown as she peers at him over the rim of her water glass. She’s doing water again - just in case.] Not my type? [More frowning!] What made you think that? I’m curious.
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[He gets the 'workaholic/alcoholic' synchronicity they have going on, it's the rest he doesn't understand. Usually he'd just keep it to himself, but he's never lacked courage, it's a loose tongue that's the whiskey's gift tonight.]
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[A degree is just a piece of paper at the end of the day. Bragging rights. She has too many, and look where they’ve gotten her.
She stares at him. Did she hear him correctly?] A handsome lawyer? You think that’s my type? [She’s trying not to laugh. So hard. A hand covers her mouth, and she shakes her head. At least she’s amused.] No way, absolutely not.
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He hadn't quite expected such a firm response and it leaves him blinking for a moment.]
Sounds right to me. [He grumbles though he's not really offended in any way, just surprised.] Someone smart, hardworking, but not in your field so you don't argue too much. Just debate topics and theories.
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But of course, once he’s done:] Being cute is also a plus. [She gestures towards him with her water glass.] Can’t forget that.
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[After a sip of his own drink he adds,] I just didn't expect it to win out over a lawyer.
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[Although asking him out shouldn’t count as one of them. She’s been hinting at being interested for a while now, just in her own little way. Mostly flirtatious teasing.
Water glass now empty, she sets it down. Rolls her shoulders. Takes a deep breath and then lets it go.]
I feel much better now.
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For now he's clear on what's going on (mostly), happy and a bit sloshed. As evident in his little grin.]
Because of the drink or the date?
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This is her stepping out of her comfort zone.]
Both actually. [That little grin of his is contagious - because she’s doing it too.]
I feel silly. Should’ve just asked before.