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[thirtybits]

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Action, Sept. 18th evening

[dialo]

[Jonathan is as unlucky as he feared in terms of Teufel catching him. She's coming in later than usual, and just so happened to be coming up the stairs at the same time as Jonathan was in the second floor lobby.

She recognizes him in an instant - she's got a good head for faces.]

There you are. I promised I'd check up on you.

[So how does he look?]

[thirtybits]

[Crap. Jonathan was hoping this wouldn't happen. He gives a bit of a wave.

For him, his state is pretty well within 'normal' range. It could be a lot worse. Dark rings around his eyes, hair mussed, maybe even some redness around his neck, but don't pay attention to that, nothing to see. By normal standards, he's sort of a mess. But then, doesn't he always look a bit sick.]

Ah- so you did...

[dialo]

[Teufel walks up to him, scrutinizing him closely. It's probably a little uncomfortable.]

You look like you need more sleep and less work.

[thirtybits]

[Jonathan shrinks back, rubbing his palm with the opposite thumb.]

I feel fine!

[dialo]

Are you sure you're not just used to it?

[That would be a very logical explanation, in her view.]

[thirtybits]

[It's the correct explanation. But how can Jonathan do anything but deny it.]

What difference would that make? But no, it's not that!

[He's slept within the last 48 hours, okay!!]

[dialo]

What do you mean 'what difference does that make'? It's the same as how you become numb when you develop hypothermia, you aren't alright just because you're not in pain.

[thirtybits]

But you're in pain leading up to hypothermia, I haven't had any.

[dialo]

How long have you been overworking yourself?

[thirtybits]

I haven't been overworking myself, that's the point!

[2000 years

shut up]

[dialo]

Alright. How long have you been working at your current level, which may or may not be overworking?

[thirtybits]

...That depends... Basically all my life, but there was a pretty huge gap, so I don't think that counts.

[dialo]

In other words, you'd be numb to it by now.

[thirtybits]

Not at all! I haven't really had to work for- I don't know, over nineteen hundred years? It's different!

[dialo]

That is a long time... But still, I can't ignore the physical signs that you're overdoing it.

[thirtybits]

I'm not, there's nothing to overdo, I'm just doing some accounting and stuff!

[Stuff being physical labour, while going days without sleeping, and not eating much, but you know.]

[dialo]

Then you just look this awful naturally?

[thirtybits]

Yes, that's just how I look, thanks! I appreciate the support.

[dialo]

You're either overworked or you naturally look sick, you can't have it both ways.

[thirtybits]

It's one of those things where, yes, that's the case, but you don't necessarily have to bring it up! It's the way I am and it can't be helped. It isn't my fault I have trouble sleeping, that isn't being overworked, only an issue plenty share, that can certainly make you look sick without illness!

[dialo]

In that case, shouldn't you be looking into sleeping spells or medication?

[She is determined to see this argument through.]

[thirtybits]

It's...more that actually being asleep is uncomfortable. And I can deal with it, so there's no reason to use medications or anything, that would just be a waste.

[dialo]

If it's a deep sleep it shouldn't be uncomfortable for you.

[thirtybits]

[He shakes his head.] I have a lot of fear.

Rather, it would probably be better to say it's largely anxiety.

[dialo]

...Hm. That does leave you in a difficult situation - you need to sleep anyway but sleep's uncomfortable...

[She has to take a minute to ponder this.]