Security Department [open log]

[jurisimpudent]

CHARACTERS: Any and all
LOCATION: Security offices
WARNINGS: None at the moment, but if Tyke posts, then profanity, and if Soysauce posts, then goopiness
SUMMARY: Open log for SEC for the month of December.
NOTES: This is open to members of SEC and also members of the public who want a bit of SEC-siness in their lives. So you can post in here if you're a SEC member who wants an open thread for his/her patrol route, or a SEC member who wants to thread out patrolling with their partner (bonus points for buddy-cop banter); you can also use this for interactions in the main SEC offices, or you can post in here if you're working out in the gym and need a spotter, or you can post in here if you're lost in the halls and want someone official to help you back to your halls, or you can post in here if you're breaking into the SEC offices to have SEC-s on the desks - the possibilities are endless! (But don't feel limited to this log, either.)

Comments

[jurisimpudent]

[He shakes his head.]

None to which I have been privy.

[bibliophilism]

Oh.

[Michelle deflates slightly, her smile slipping into a more worried expression. She glances away for a moment, pouting.]

I see. Then I should really start now.

[jurisimpudent]

I believe the science department is conducting research; you might ask them.

[bibliophilism]

That's a very good idea, thank you!

[She bows again.]

But if you need me for anything else, please don't hesitate to let me know.

[jurisimpudent]

And likewise.

[bibliophilism]

You're very kind.

[A sincere smile. Michelle is full of every kind of smile.]

It's a pleasure to work with you.

[jurisimpudent]

[He clears his throat uncomfortably.]

Nothing of the sort.

[bibliophilism]

Oh, but it's more than "nothing".

[jurisimpudent]

No; it's just my duty.

[bibliophilism]

It's still something to be commended. After all, it's very easy to say that something is your duty and then do absolutely nothing.

[jurisimpudent]

I still don't require thanks.

[bibliophilism]

But you do. I mean it.

[jurisimpudent]

[Strongly:] No, I do not.

[bibliophilism]

[Lightly, but with conviction:] Yes, you do. Besides doing your duty, you gave me a duty of my own. Something I can do while waiting for my sisters, which can help others. [She pushes away some of her long blond hair away from her face.]

Please just accept my thanks.

[jurisimpudent]

[Firmly:]

I'm doing my job. I'll not accept thanks for merely doing my job.

[bibliophilism]

[She shakes her head.]

Many people do not do their jobs, or do them the wrong way, or abuse them. That's why I think there is no such thing as a "thankless" job.

You could have chosen to abuse your position, or slack off, or manage your affairs haphazardly. But you didn't, and that counts.

[jurisimpudent]

Which is why you should scorn those who do not do their due diligence.

[bibliophilism]

"Scorn" is a very strong word, but I'm glad you see why you deserve thanks.

I know what it's like to meet people who do their jobs the wrong way.

[jurisimpudent]

I'm saying I don't deserve thanks. Merely that those who fail in their duties deserve contempt.

[bibliophilism]

You do, precisely because there are people who fail, and I am grateful that you aren't one of them. Someone else could have occupied the same position as you did and made quite the mockery of it.

[Strong words, but her tone remains light as ever.]

[jurisimpudent]

I have a baseline of competence. You give insult by offering thanks merely because I meet it.

[bibliophilism]

[Michelle vigorously shakes her head, as if she was the one insulted.] It's an affirmation that you've met it, and that you can do more. That's how thanking people works; you encourage them to go higher and go beyond.

Besides, you didn't just meet your standards of diligence. You gave me something. You helped me when I didn't know what to do while I was here. It was incidental. Unless, of course, it was already set in stone that you would give me, a big sister in need, work to do while waiting for my little sisters.

You have to learn to take pride in a job well done, in a world - or rather, in worlds where many people hardly meet the basic standards. Use it as your stepping stone to bigger things, if you want to raise your bar.

[jurisimpudent]

[His lips thin over the course of that monologue, though his voice is still cordial.]

With respect, I don't need such a lecture. I already hold myself to the highest standards.

[bibliophilism]

And you don't think you can achieve higher standards?

[It's not mocking, it's genuinely curious.]

[jurisimpudent]

[Sharply:]

I don't think that it will be some tiresome lecture from some girl I don't even know that will drive me to them.