[audio]

[archivisnt]

[For those who have been here for a while, this is a familiar voice; in fact, the tone is familiar, too, austere but with a calculated edge of pleasantry that's as out of place as a caramel ribbon in a tube of toothpaste.]

I'm pleased to be the first to inform you that I have graduated. Don't all rush in with congratulations, now, I don't like fuss.

I'll be spending the next three months as a new colleague for our Assistants, and who knows? Perhaps it will be even longer if I can be of use here. I do like a challenge.

To my former fellow Patients, you should consider this an inspiration. Why, isn't it encouraging? If I can put aside my negative attitude to become a credit to society, surely any of us can find a way.

spam/late July & early August

[Gertrude, as an Assistant, spends a large proportion of her time with one of the brightly slipcovered onboard books in hand, sitting in the Common Area and observing the Patients at their leisure activities over the edge of her book with a gaze that could, if you stretch, be described as "benevolent." If you don't feel like a stretch, you could accurately use terms like "gimlet."

She will put away her book with a sigh and sweep towards any Patients who appear to be engaging in troublesome behavior, arriving with a much sharper glare and an artificially saccharine, "What's this?"

Although she is strictly a participant in morning sing-alongs, she's a regular volunteer for leading evening storytime. Or, to be specific, she tends to begin by telling a story of her own, and then choose one of the Patients to give their story. Sometimes, these stories turn out not to be happy. Appropriate time in the Sick Ward with some soothing music will be assigned for stories she deems over the line.

She's a very nice old lady.]

Comments

[archivisnt]

Please.

[She's currently looking through one of the supply closets, a disturbingly thoughtful look on her face.]

[lonelinessloop]

[ Haruka will come to find her, and she'll smile when she sees her looking at the supply closets. ]

Did you need help finding anything?

[archivisnt]

Oh no, thank you ever so.

[Gertrude smiles insincerely at her.]

I'm just making sure I'm prepared to help out our custodial crew. Everyone must do their little bit, after all.

[lonelinessloop]

Of course! If you need any help with cleaning something, I'm happy to pitch in. Work is always easier when you work together, after all.

[archivisnt]

So it is. I'll keep that in mind, dear.

[Ugh, she hates playing this sweet. It makes her molars ache.]

Shall we go look at the Treehouse now?

[lonelinessloop]

Of course!

[ And she'll happily lead her up to the treehouse entrance, turning back to smile. ]

Right this way. I don't really love being up here. I like being down with people a lot more.

[archivisnt]

I don't mind a nice view. But it is a little bit detached, isn't it?

And there are places it's quite difficult to see from here.

[Not that she'd put some considerable effort into thinking of the best way to sneak up on a panopticon, of course. For reasons.]

[lonelinessloop]

That's why I don't like it. I don't like looking down at people.

[ Though there's other reasons as well, reasons that are personal and a little more in depth. She's not going to get into them. ]

And you can't see the base of the tree up there. I like to spend time down there instead.

[archivisnt]

You might be in the wrong job, then, dear.

[Gertrude has no problems with looking down on others. Or detachment, for that matter.]

But you do always have such a nice attitude.

[lonelinessloop]

Maybe I am. But this is the job I have. So I'm going to do the best I can.

[ She'll open the door to let her in and start showing her around the area. ]

[archivisnt]

How nice.

[Gertrude's poking her nose, or her fingers, or both, into nearly everything in the Treehouse. She wants to open every cupboard and inspect every couch cushion. It's slowly starting to look more like she's tossing the room than like she's getting to know her new workplace.]

[lonelinessloop]

[ If Gertrude is paying attention, she'll notice that Haruka isn't stopping her, but neither is she balking or making embarassed or confused noises; she's not nearly as oblivious as she sometimes acts, and her politeness is a choice... like how she'll wait while Gertrude goes through the room, waiting for her to be done so she can start putting things back away where they go.]

Nice?

[archivisnt]

[Gertrude doesn't think that Haruka is stupid. But she's too nice to take meaningful action, which is nearly as useful as stupid, in the end. She smiles, once she's finished her search, and turns to start helping Haruka put things back away again.

She knows where they go, now, too. That's the important thing.]

Quite lovely.

[lonelinessloop]

[ Gertrude would be surprised. The whole problem she finds is 'meaningful action'. Especially when it seems like anything she'd do would only hurt the people here.]

Did you have any Patients you were thinking you might be able to help?

[archivisnt]

I can't say I've thought about it yet. I'm hoping to get the chance to... get to know some of them a little better.

[lonelinessloop]

I'm sure you'll find someone soon. You've always seemed very driven, Robinson-san.

[archivisnt]

Thank you, Sawamura. I try.

[lonelinessloop]

And that's the most important thing.

Do you think you'll stay after your three months?

[archivisnt]

I'm so eager to bring this lovely new attitude back home and see how much I can get done there. But we'll see!

[lonelinessloop]

I'm sure you'll do great things no matter where you end up. And I'm sure you have it in you to make it to the third month mark.

[archivisnt]

Thank you, dear.

[lonelinessloop]

[ She offers a low bow with her hands on her thighs. ]

Is there anything else I can help you with? Otherwise, I should get back to it.

[archivisnt]

No, thank you. I think I'll just stay up here and settle in for a little longer, and then perhaps go see about finding an assistant who cooks so our littlest can learn to bake cookies.