#caorse

With a smirk you tilt your head to gesture to the floor below and close your lower two eyes, focusing all of your attention on perceiving through your duplicate. It jumps to the floor, landing in a stylish three point that none of your coworkers are around to appreciate. ‘Typical’, you think to yourself.

In only a couple of moments, you see the face of Null through your duplicate, the door to his ‘office’ creaking open to reveal the snake himself.

“Hey boss man, what can I do for ya? Need some intel?” you project your voice through the duplicate, your true self is moving their mouth but no sound comes out from it.

“My darling June, I’ve noticed that you’ve seemed…” His head tilts to one side and his dark eyes flicker to you from where they’d been staring at the wall a second prior, then he continues. “...Somewhat distant recently, would you be willing to tell me why?”

Yeesh, just June? What a dick, he knows you hate that. Regardless though, your duplicate makes a deep bow, holding one side of the cloak out for a bit of dramatic flair. “Sorry, Null, it won’t happen again! You’ve just been hanging with our dearest Divine a lot recently, so I didn’t want to intrude.”

Standing back up you see the faintest quirk of one brow upon his face.

Shit, did you overdo it? No, no, surely not, he knows you’re a bit dramatic but there’s no way he takes you seriously enough to think you’re being ingenuine, right?

Up in the rafters, you can’t help but swallow nervously. You did just wake up, so you’re not exactly at the top of your game here.

Null steeples his fingers, “Oh please my friend, no need for such a grand apology. I was simply concerned for your well-being. Drawing back from others is often a sign of other things…”

He sounds genuine, but you’re keen enough to pick up the hidden implications. You and he are the least connected and he knows it, so it isn’t really all that surprising that he’s wary of you straying.

“Still looking out for me as always, huh? You make a jade blush, honestly!” Your duplicate gives a shy laugh, lifting a hand to rub at the back of its head in seeming embarrassment. “Really, I’m fine, just giving you your space. I prefer to play with that sewer beast of yours anyway, my jokes tend to go right over Parl’s head, y’know?”

This seems to placate his suspicions a little, as it plays into what he knows and it isn’t really a lie, either. Null rests both hands on his desk, posture relaxing just a touch.

“Is that all? You know I can appreciate your humor as well, Junebug.” A relaxed smile takes place on Null's otherwise neutral features.

Well, that’s what it looks like, however, you don’t really trust any expression this guy makes at you. “You know, that’s a good point! I always tend to think of you all serious because of our working relationship n’ all, must just be subconscious association haha.”

Null inclines his head in understanding, his expression sympathetic towards you.

“I apologize if I’ve seemed too harsh or reminded you of your guardian in some way but please, why don’t we spend the day together tomorrow, Junebug? It would be nice to have your company and counsel.”

You allow your physical self to grimace, really you can’t help it, he had to bring up your ‘lusus’? He’s really trying to bring you down here. What are you going to do though, deny his ‘request’? Not a smart move.

“Ah, man, if it wouldn’t get in the way of your business, I’d be game! Might have to cancel some plans with Caorse, but no big deal- he’s lame anyway.” You honestly can’t help but snicker a little bit through your duplicate at the slight, but it just adds to your act so it doesn’t worry you.

“Yes, well, we can speak on Caorse another time, but I am sure he will understand.” Null moves around the side of his desk and settles down in his chair then gestures for the door, “I thank you for speaking with me, Jejune. I’ll eagerly await your company tomorrow.”

The smile on his face makes you sick-- you just know he’s gonna try and fuck with your head tomorrow. At least you made it out of this without him trying something like that, though, you really didn’t feel like pretending to get brainwashed today.

“Right, right, see you then! I’ll bring snacks!” your duplicate replies cheerily, stepping back out through the door and closing it before disappearing into thin air. Above, your third eye closes and you lift your hands to your face, rubbing your eyes in frustrated exhaustion.