[Texts: Lera, Duncan]

[suddenly_science]

[This is not a group text, but she sends exactly the same message to both of them]

I MET ARTEMIS

IT WAS AWFUL

Comments

[suddenly_science]

He didn't mouth! He just spoke uncomfortable truths and made faces.

I kind of hid under my desk when he came in and it went downhill from there.

[firecracker_hopping]

Still a shithead. [Lera frowns and looks firm on that. Though hiding under the desk maybe wasn't the best approach.]

...you wanna talk about what he said?

[suddenly_science]

He said "if the mere thought of a few harsh words can send our Sharifa skittering under her desk, I shudder to think what that may mean for our country's future~."

[in kind of an Artemis Voice

she remembers it perfectly. stupid godbrain]

So really it's all quite cyclical, you see.

[firecracker_hopping]

Harriet...

[Lera sighs and sits down on said desk, folding her hands in her lap.]

You're not a bad Sharifa!

[suddenly_science]

[but she DID hide under her desk! and she doesn't really know what she's doing...]

Yeah, maybe, whateverrrr

[firecracker_hopping]

[WELL FUCK that didn't work!]

...why did you hide under your desk?

[suddenly_science]

...Because I was afraid he'd say something mean

That is where the cyclical part comes in

[firecracker_hopping]

[Lera frowns and looks down, before she sighs, and slides back off the desk. She steps a little closer.]

...do you think you're a bad Sharifa?

[suddenly_science]

I dunno, what makes a good Sharifa?

[firecracker_hopping]

I...um. I think... someone who tries to do things right. And looks after people. And tries to make everything work out, whatever comes up. There's not really a good job description for what we gotta do.

[suddenly_science]

Is there a desk hiding policy in there anywhere?

[firecracker_hopping]

...it's not recommended...

[suddenly_science]

Auuuugh this is the worrrst! [face in hands]

[firecracker_hopping]

You got upset. It's okay, there's nothing that says sharifas can't get worked up. [shoulder pat]

[suddenly_science]

[sigh!]

Anyway, it was ridiculous and awful and there is no taking it back now.

[firecracker_hopping]

[More shoulder pat. :(]

I know, I know... he should have been nicer, though.

[suddenly_science]

If you say so...

[firecracker_hopping]

You don't deserve to be talked down to!

[Firm nod.]

...do, uh, do you wanna be a better Sharifa?

[suddenly_science]

I KNEW IT, I'M A BAD SHARIFA AREN'T I! YOU SHOULD HAVE JUST TOLD ME! I CAN TAKE IT!

[firecracker_hopping]

You aren't a bad sharifa! [Lera starts to look annoyed by that, in fact. Her fingers tense, but she keeps them from balling into a fist.] We're all--none of us are just naturals at this! We can all get better!

[suddenly_science]

If I wasn't BAD why would I need to get better?!

[firecracker_hopping]

You can get better without sucking! You--you listen when people give you advice, you try to help people out in need even if you don't know them, and you try to keep your people happy. Those aren't things a bad Sharifa does.

[She folds her arms.]

But no one's perfect. There's always things you can work on.

[suddenly_science]

I... see.

Your theory sounds plausible.

[firecracker_hopping]

Besides... [sigh] He probably thinks there's only one kind of good Sharifa. Probably some hardassed politically manipulative type, who's completely fearless and ruthless. Like how the only kind of good Mazda is supposed to be a cold, detached, humorless person that might literally think they're a sword.

[suddenly_science]

Yeah!! ... maybe. ...maybe.

Uuuugh I still wish I could go back in time and punch myself in the face.