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]

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.

[bibliophilism]

[She's silent, and steps back, pinching her cheek and looking more defeated. Michelle makes a small hum, as if thinking of her next word.]

Please, just accept my thanks. And I wasn't trying to lecture you...

[Michelle, you were.]

I just wanted to express my gratitude. Is that wrong?

[jurisimpudent]

No. But I said it's not necessary, and it isn't.

[bibliophilism]

It's necessary for me. I assure you, I'm not insulting you. I'm saying I'm glad you're here to work with me.

[jurisimpudent]

[He says, sharply - ]

Fine.

[bibliophilism]

Besides, if you already hold yourself to the highest standards as you say, then you should not feel insulted when people thank you.

[jurisimpudent]

[And even more sharply - ]

That made no sense.

[bibliophilism]

[She shakes her head again, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.]

What I mean is that you should not feel insulted at all by anything, because you know you think highly of yourself.

[jurisimpudent]

Still foolish. Even egotists can be offended.

[bibliophilism]

I know. Just don't let it get to you, and be glad that I didn't make a worse insult.

[jurisimpudent]

Madam, you do not seem to realize that you telling me what to do is going to get you nowhere.

[bibliophilism]

Then consider it a friendly reminder!

[jurisimpudent]

I don't need that either. You do not even know me.

[bibliophilism]

It doesn't matter. Besides, I'll get to know you eventually as long as we're both here.

It's an advanced friendly reminder!

[jurisimpudent]

Madam, I see absolutely nothing friendly about it. I only see condescension.

[bibliophilism]

[Michelle sighs, pouting.]

But I didn't mean to sound condescending. I really meant for it to be friendly and grateful, nothing more.

...you must be very sensitive.

[jurisimpudent]

[God damn it Michelle.]

I am not.

[bibliophilism]

You're the first person I ever met to make such a big deal over being thanked, and the first to be offended.

Normally, people aren't.

[jurisimpudent]

Maybe I'm the first person you've thanked for something so pointless. I should hope I am.