>>31005945
>I'm fine
No real complaints.

File: 1395540853171.png-(102 KB, 210x300, Miss Nakamara.png)

102 KB PNG

>>31005945

You are Michelle St. Claire, and today is your first day on the job.

You've had better. Today ended with you killing three men as you watched Wendy kill a fourth. Skyler, the third member of your team sent to protect some idols at an autographing event, said he had to deal with two more.

You didn't doubt him.

Now you're back at the company's complex, meeting with...a counselor.

Want to stay up to date?
https://twitter.com/WetworkIdols @WetworkIdols

Missed a thread? Find them here:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Wetwork%20Idols%20Quest

>>31005945
>>Not so good

OP got banned until midnight server time. Thread will resume then.

Rolled 5

>>31005945
>Not so good

>>31006533
Aw...

Sorry about this everyone. I'm back, now, and writing.

>>31005945
You’re not sure how you would describe the color of her...you think that’s a matching jacket and skirt. Periwinkle, maybe?

“Not so well, Miss Nakamura.”

It drapes nicely over her knee. You wonder what it cost. You think it looks a bit like pashmina. You saw a lot of that in Afghanistan and Pakistan...although what she’s wearing looks much, much nicer.

Five? Ten? Probably not more than twelve. Its elegance comes from its relative simplicity.

“Tell me about it. What’s bothering you?”

>I don’t feel like I’m fitting in well
>I’m not sure I’m doing what I expected
>I don’t feel like what I’m doing is right
>Write in

>Pick any, some, or all in whatever combination

Rolled 11

>>31008824
>>Write in

"I'm not sure i'm fitting in well. Maybe its just seeing combat again so soon, but...."

leave it at that.

Claire is an emotional mess that needs help.
THey wouldn't have hired us if they didn't think the therapists could keep us under wraps
Let the shrink do her job

>>31008824
>>I don’t feel like I’m fitting in well

>>31008824
>Write in
I don't feel like i did as good as i could have. One of the idols got shot.

>>31008880
Michelle doesn't know this (yet...) but all combat group undergo counseling/therapy/debriefing after every event. Saves money and time.

Her orientation was not exhaustive.

Rolled 5

>>31008974
>Michelle doesn't know this (yet...

Then it seems like even more of a reason to use that response, since we don't know about it AND its freshly on our mind

>>31009043
Exactly.

Writing in 5 minutes!

>>31008824
“I don’t feel like I’m fitting in well and then today I’m already seeing combat and then I lost the hand and then ...um, whichever of the idols that got shot got shot because I didn’t get them down in time and aft-”

Miss Nakamara raises a hand and you cut yourself off.

“Deep breath, Miss Saint Claire.”

You force air in your lungs.

“And hold it. One. Two. Three. Exhale.”

You push it out.

“Doesn’t that feel better?”

You nod.

“You raised quite a list of concerns. Do you mind if we skip ahead to the debriefing, just to get it out of the way?”

>Wait, what?
>If you think that’s best…
>I’d rather talk about how I feel first...

>>31009711
>Wait, what?

>>31009711
>Wait, what?

Starting writing in 5'

>>31009711
You blink. “Wait...what?”

Miss Nakamara looks like she’s had this discussion before as she says, “Weren’t you informed?”

You’ve heard and lied about this before, but as you shake your head no this time it’s the truth.

“I see.”

She flicks across the surface of her small tablet a few times.

“Every operator after every event attends a counseling session just like this with a counselor just like me. We discuss the event, sometimes in detail and sometimes not. The operator is also encouraged to share and explore his or her feelings whether it’s relevant to the mission or not.

Of course, operators are encouraged to schedule sessions throughout the week if they feel they need it. We here at the company understand the hardships of your mission and strive to make you as comfortable as we can. We take Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and its management very seriously, after all, in our efforts to hire and employ vets.”
From the way she speaks it sounds to you like she wrote it too.

You nod idly as she speaks.

“Now, you said you had some concerns about your event?”

>I don’t know how I feel about being in combat so soon
>I feel like I let everyone down
>I feel like it’s my fault she was shot
>I don’t know how I feel about killing like this
>Other

>Pick one, some, or all, in any combination

>>31010659
>I feel like I let everyone down
>I feel like it’s my fault she was shot

Michelle probably isn't any stranger to combat or killing people who are trying to kill her.

>>31010659
>I wasn't expecting to be in combat so soon
>I feel like it’s my fault she was shot
>I feel like I let everyone down
In roughly that order.

>>31010659
>I feel like I let everyone down
>I feel like it’s my fault she was shot

Starting writing at :10

>>31010659
>>I feel like I let everyone down
>>I feel like it’s my fault she was shot
Seems about right.

>Sorry for this delay. This turned out to be an enormous post...

“Remember, slowly please. You have as much time with me as you need.”

You cycle a breath and begin, slower this time, “I feel like I let everyone down and that it was my fault she was shot. I also guess I didn’t expect to be back in combat so soon, you know? It wasn’t that long ago that I got my medical discharge… I just thought that there’d be...something, in between.”

“Let’s start with your expectations. I see that you suffer from chronic headaches. Does it hurt right now?”

You shake your head no. “It did earlier today, especially after that….thing, but once I was in the ready room the light didn’t bother me so bad. I was kind of too busy to notice after that. All the light in here is also really soft.”

Miss Nakamara smiles at you. “I’m glad you noticed. When I heard I would be your case handler - oh, I forgot to mention, I’ll be your new case handler for the duration of your employment here at the company - I had some LED lighting installed. Truthfully the fluorescents aren’t as easy on my eyes either.”

She laughs in a place that’s somewhere between mechanical and empathetic.

“Now, you mentioned being surprised?”

You shrug. “I guess so? It’s only been a month or two since I was discharged and a friend told me that there was a lot of vets in Echo and that a lot of corps were hiring and he named you and told me to mention his name so I did but he-”

Miss Nakamara raises her hand again. “Deep breaths. Slower, please, Miss Saint Claire.”

>[1/?]

>>31012286
You force out another deep breathe and continue, “I told him I didn’t have much of my savings left on account of having to pay for a lot of my medical bills because the austerity cuts gutted the VH system and that I needed to find a job or else I was going to turn into another homeless vet. Then he told me about how there were a lot of vets in Echo and that a lot of corps hired us, and he gave me a card for one of the HR people and told me to apply and mention him and that got me through the door, but he didn’t tell me anything about the job so now all of a sudden I’m being shot at and this little girl is bleeding crying her eyes out and her friend is wrapping her scarf around the wound and there’s so much blood like you wouldn’t believe and it’s just soaking through the scarf and then one of the attackers gets behind Wendy and I had to shoot him too and I could see that he was trying to scream but he couldn’t because his lungs were filling with blood so instead she just gurgled and then Wendy shot one of them dead and then I shot the other one of them dead and now there’s four bodies and a bleeding idol and then I feel nothing and Wendy looks like she feels nothing and Skyler says he had to put down two more and he doesn’t look like he feels anything and the most insane part of it all is that nobody in the crowd feels anything either and there are four bodies leaking all over the floor and they just step over them and take photos and get autographs from the girls and then as soon as we get into the car to come back here Wendy hugs me and starts crying and I hadn’t been hugged in so long and, and…”

You can feel your throat closing and you’re starting to hyperventilate and fan yourself with your augmetic hand since it can also produce webbing to make swimming easier and you choke out an “I’m sorry, Miss Nakamara,” once or twice before you sob a few times.

>[2/?]

>>31012320
You can smell your blood and it’s thick from the extra heat from your face and it smells like iron and copper and you gag a few times as Miss Nakamara says, “There’s nothing to apologize for, Miss Saint Claire. What you’re feeling is nothing to be ashamed of.”

You pull off your gloves and wipe at your eyes with your left - flesh - hand.

You smile weakly and say, “I forgot to go slow.”

She replies, “As we all do sometimes.”

You have your sobbing back under control, but you can feel that your throat is raw, and say, “She smelled like blueberries. I forgot what they smelled like.”

You smile again, a little stronger this time but you can feel it’s also a little lopsided, “I forgot what the question was.”

Miss Nakamara smiles again and replies, “That’s ok. I’m just glad you’re expressing yourself. So often people, men mostly, double down and refuse to talk. I just want to apologize on behalf of the company for its less than adequate hiring, training, and orientation programs. We have a high rate of turnover and sometimes spaces need to be filled immediately. It’s unfortunate, but that’s the business we’re in.

I want to thank you for being so honest with me. It makes it so much easier when we have an open dialog with each other.

I want to circle back to a concern you voiced a few minutes ago, about you feeling like it was your fault that…”

She pulls her finger down her tablet. She seems to have found what she’s looking for quickly.

“...your fault that Manami was shot. Why is that?”

>[3/?]

>>31012339
“I saw one of the goons reach down inside his waistband but then the crowd moved and I lost him and then next thing I know Wendy called weapons free and there’s an active shooter and then I hear crying, and it’s her and she’s on the ground shot.”

You take a deep breath. Miss Nakamara is right about that helping.

“That’s a lot of guilt to assume, Miss Saint Claire.”

You shrug.

“Was there something different you could have done, or something you did do that you shouldn’t have?”

You slink into your chair and give another weak shrug.

“Please sit up, Miss Saint Claire. Poor posture will destroy your back. From what I have available it sounds like it’s not your fault at all, Miss Saint Claire. These incidents - accidents - happen sometimes, despite the utmost vigilance. Our idol unit knows this too.’

You pull yourself up but you don’t feel any relief.

“Say it with me, Miss Saint Claire. It’s not your fault.”

You mumble weakly, the words barely leaving your mouth.

“Louder.”

“it’s not my fault…”

“Please, Miss Saint Claire.”

“It’s not my fault.”

“Again.”

“It’s not my fault.”

“What’s not your fault, Miss Saint Claire?”

“It’s not my fault Manami was shot.”

“And why is that?”

“Because accidents happen sometimes, Miss Nakamara.”

“Thank you, Miss Saint Claire."

>>31012355
You also mentioned that you felt like you let everyone down?”

You shrug lightly. “I just didn’t feel like I carried my weight.”

“I don’t see how, Miss Saint Claire. Your combat performance, from the analysis of your smartlink and examination of the venue post-event, displays information to the contrary. Minimal lingering before and after trigger pull, excellent target acquisition speed, excellent judgement when Miss Hayes - Wendy - was involved with her assailant.

Do you think it’s possible that your discomfort with your new situation could be coloring your perception of your performance?”

You give a noncommittal shrug. “I guess.”

“Something to consider then. I see here you do not have a permanent residence listed with us, Miss Saint Claire. Why is that?”

“I’ve been living out of a bag in a cheap motel for a while.”

“I see. Have you been looking for one?”

“There are a couple of spaces I’m deciding between.”

“Oh, that’s good. Will you be living alone?”

You glance down towards your hands in your lap, “I...guess so. I hadn’t really thought about it…”

“Of course. You’re very young to be so on your own. If you decide that you’d like to consider an alternative living arrangement please let me know and I can begin that process.

How do you feel about animals?”

You shrug limply.

“I see. There is extensive research indicating that the presence of pets greatly enhances quality of life while reducing stress. The company also has programs in place to ensure their comfort should you find yourself unable to.

This was a lot to take in, Miss Saint Claire. I hope you come to me more often than you’re required to. You’re just so young to be so old.”

“Thank you Miss Nakamara.”

“It’s my pleasure, Miss Saint Claire. How are you feeling now?”

>Better
>Eh
>Worse
>Other

>[5/5]. This update's a doozy.

>>31012373
>Better

>>31012373
>Better

>>31012373
>Other
little bit better

>>31012373
>>Better
>Other

"I've been on my own long enough that.... now that you mention it, I think a roommate sounds like fun. Pets, not so much. Cats hate me"

While I wait as votes come in, how was that update?

I hope I wasn't too heavy handed or sappy or otherwise incredible, or otherwise destroy any suspension of disbelief.

>>31012504
It seemed pretty spot on for a PTSD riddled vet facing the reality of a situation they were misled into.

While it was long as fuck, I liked it.

>>31012504
Gonna start writing in a few minutes.

>>31012530
Tell me about it. It didn't feel right breaking it into 2 or 3 prompts, though, especially since it was all so clear. I thought that it should be one single conversation...even if it turned into that beast.

>>31012373

“I’m...feeling…,” you stumble over the words. Nobody has asked you this question and meant it in years, “...better, I think.”

You give a small, genuine smile. Miss Nakamara responds in kind.

“I’m glad, Miss Saint Claire. Is there anything else you’d like to talk about while we’re together? I imagine you must have so many questions.”

>Write in
>No Miss Nakamara

>>31012623
>No Miss Nakamara

>>31012555
It certainly helped a lot in making Michelle a more coherent and well defined character.

>>31012623
>Write in
We're looking around for a place to stay, what can the company do in regards to accomodations and rules/limits/restrictions of said accomodations if there are any

Rolled 6

>>31012623
>>Write in
>>31012642
+
>>31012480

>>31012504
Long but good. You're finally showing off writing and worldbuilding talents. Verbose but a step in the right direction

>>31012675
I need to take a big ol' piss then I'll start writing.

>>31012623
“Does the company have anything in terms of housing assistance or whatever? I mean, in the Army it was pretty straightforward… there was also a lot of rules.”

You feel you barbed that last word enough it could break through cement.

Miss Nakamara laughs friendingly. “The company prefers to keep as light a touch as possible when it comes to our combat group. Our only requirements are that you clock in on time and sober. We have no interest in the personal lives of our operators as long as they leave everything at the door.”

Oh. That’s a surprise. You could use freedom. “That sounds nice. I’ve been on my own for a long time too, so, maybe. But probably not pets. Cats disagree with me.”

Miss Nakamara smiles and says, “Take your time. When you come to a decision, either way, please let me know and I can either begin the process or take care of it, which brings me to another of my important points. I will be your liaison between you and the company. Your operations handler is only there for the duration of the event. For every and all other needs please come to me and we’ll try to work out whatever seems to be the issue.

Anything else, Miss Saint Claire?”

>Write in
>No Miss Nakamara

Rolled 1

>>31013117
>>Write in

"Does that means you handle arms and equipment as well?"
"I know at least a few people who carry tasers orworse in their purse. Any policies against outside gear, or strictly company equipment?"

>>31013117
seconding >>31013135

Writing in a couple of minutes.

>>31013117
“A couple more, I guess...does that mean that you’re now my quartermaster and armorer too?”

She laughs again. “Let’s put a pin in that for a second. What else?”

“A lot of girls I knew carried in their purses or bags. Does the company care?”

“There’s a licensing process if you want to concealed carry a handgun as a civilian in Echo City. We can begin that once you have a permanent address. The company does not care, however the company is not infinite. We generally recommend that our operatives leave as light a footstep as possible. What you do is very unpopular for everyone who isn’t the company, and we can’t always protect you. Your best defense is anonymity.”

Your stomach sinks nearly where it was just a bit earlier. “Oh.”

She nods sympathetically. “I can help with that process too, when you come to it.”

“About that first question…”

“Of course. The company would like that you use only the equipment we provide. We have our supply and repair chains in place, plus our weapons are clean and secure. We can’t guarantee that security when outside equipment is involved. Your mission equipment is generally selected by the squad lead and lead analyst, although your recommendation may carry weight. It’s safe to generalize that all event details will be through your lead analyst. He or she will be the one to determine what equipment may or may not be appropriate attire for an event.”

“Thank you, Miss Nakamara, that was everything I needed to know for now.”

“You’re very welcome Miss Saint Claire. Please call my office if you feel like you need to talk or if there’s anything I can help provide.”

She stands up and offers you her hand.

You take it with your left hand. It’s very soft.

You leave her office.

END SESSION

Comments/critiques/questions/etc are welcome.

>>31013472
>>She stands up and offers you her hand.
>You take it with your left hand. It’s very soft.
I just had a mental image of us giving her a handshake with our aug'd arm and literally 'taking' her hand with us, I need sleep.

Thanks for the thread OP, any idea when next will be?

>>31013472
bah, I left something out I wanted to include.

"In addition, Miss Saint Claire, the company receives favorable discounts and rates from a wide array of other corporations. Should you find that you need to make a purchase, the company can probably help.

Additionally, you may keep whatever clothing we provide for you. The men are never much interested in this benefit, but the women are always appreciative. We do ask, however, that you return our bullet resistant vest, and armor in general, in addition to all your other equipment."

Rolled 18

>>31013516

Aww. Hah! i was imagining us having the first touching, caring moment in forever with our amazingly smooth(and manipulative) handler-therapist.

So far, i'm getting Freelance Spy vibes from this. It plays out a LOT like Alias. God damn i loved the first few seasons of that show before it got wierd

>>31013516
It might be nearly 3 AM but I still have it in me not to have Michelle crush her counselor.

My priorities are whack.

Probably not today/Sunday. Maybe Monday or Tuesday, I need a rest.

>>31013558
cool, let us know on twitter beforehand

>>31013592
Yep, sure thing.

Any comments or concerns tonight? Felt pretty tight, overall, from my seat.

>>31013655

its 5am oh gawd no can't think

dont be demoralized due ot lack of replies