pc catchall with connor (tootsiepop)

[requiemed]

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[requiemed]

[After a pause, crossing her arms:]

I need to tell you something, but I also need you to promise not to freak out when I do.

[That’s probably fine.]

[tootsiepop]

[.........]

Okay.





[That's it.

That's the tag.]

[requiemed]

[In situations like this, there’s something to be said for tact. There’s also something to be said for ripping off a proverbial bandaid, which is why she closes her eyes and abruptly says:]

I was the one who used Strung Red on us a few weeks ago.

[tootsiepop]

[THERE IS




A PROLONGED SILENCE.

And then—]

—Excuse me?

[It's, uh, not quite freaking it.]

[requiemed]

[She breathes out, but even when she opens her eyes, she can’t quite meet his.]

Okay, first off, you have every right to be really angry, and I am really sorry. I would never have done it if I knew it would be... like that, but that isn’t an excuse.

[tootsiepop]

Do you care to explain why you thought that would be a good idea?

[Because it sure was a bad time! Sure did love all those sudden errors in his software! Gosh!

At least his tone remains pretty even, if not laced with disappointment. Maybe last week was a great week to lose his LED.]

[requiemed]

We didn’t know each other as well back then, and I thought - I didn’t realize it would mess with you like that. I...

[...]

I just wanted you to have the chance to know what happiness feels like.

[tootsiepop]

... I'm a machine. I wasn't meant to know what happiness felt like. I was fine the way I was, without all these errors in my software.

[This is, inadvertently, the first time he's been so frank about it. Being Strung Red was the week long equivalent of interfacing with a deviant. Strange and disorientating, adding more and more to the preexisting instabilities in his software.]

What did you expect would happen?

[requiemed]

I... still don't think they're errors.

[But even if she doesn't want to lie about that, that isn't the point. She came to apologize, not to argue.]

I shouldn't have done it, though. I'm really, really sorry.

[tootsiepop]

What's done is done. Why are you apologizing for it now, of all times?

[It's not like he can hit reset on himself just with her apology.]

[requiemed]

It's been on my mind for a while. I mean, I owe you a lot, so I just thought... It wasn't fair of me.

[tootsiepop]

[...]

Zoe, I...

[He trails off, unsure of what to do with this. It takes him a moment before he settles on something to say.]

If we're apologizing for using our abilities on each other, to... unintended effects, then I owe you an apology as well.

[requiemed]

[After a moment, she blinks.]

Wait, what?

[tootsiepop]

I didn't think... watching you publicly declare yourself a terrible person would be so uncomfortable. I'm sorry.

[He may or may not have made A Mistake.]

[requiemed]

Oh.

[Oh!!]

...It wasn't your fault. [But, hm.] Have any of the other rules been yours?

[tootsiepop]

... Yes. As far as I'm aware, I was the sole user of Supreme Authority until last week.

[requiemed]

Can I ask which...?

[kyuu help me the rules post gets edited every week and memory is hard]

[tootsiepop]

All of them, with the sole exception of last week's rule about power usage.

[eli please]

If you're curious about my reasoning behind any particular rule, I'd be happy to explain.

[requiemed]

[Immediately:]

Why do you hate music?

[tootsiepop]

Rachel Berry's midtrial theatrics were not appreciated.

[requiemed]

You didn't have to punish everyone else for it.

[She doesn't actually sound upset, at least.]

[tootsiepop]

Perhaps not, but it would have discouraged anyone else from following in her footsteps.

[pours one out for w2 connor and his lack of empathy.]

[requiemed]

The only thing I brought with me was my guitar, Connor. Do you know how much torture you put me through?

[Now it's clear she's joking, at least.]

[tootsiepop]

No. But you may write a formal complaint if you're inclined to do so.

[requiemed]

I want to talk to your manager.