Jiao 'Penny' Hsiang (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fearisinthemind) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thecapitol2014-05-03 03:44 pm
fearisinthemind) wrote in thecapitol2014-05-03 03:44 pm
Entry tags:
I Can Be Cruel, I Don't Know Why [Closed]
WHO| Penny and Kevin
WHAT| Professional psychos do some networking.
WHEN| During the family plot.
WHERE| Peacekeeper HQ
WARNINGS| Lots of sadism and creeping.
She washes her hands in the basin of warm water that the Avox holds out for her, despite his arms shaking under the weight of the ceramic and water. She holds them out with a second massages soap into her hands and rinses them for her, dries them with a soft, warm towel. And then she dismisses them and sits back at her desk, turning off the network and looking over her paperwork.
Penny enjoys her paperwork. For her, it's as if she's organizing trophies. She fills out forms documenting the disappearances of certain undesirables, writes recommendations for some to be brought in for a tour of the facilities, others to come into her personalized custody. She's sparing, not out of mercy but because she doesn't like to feel rushed when she works. She'd rather spend a week working with a single troublemaker, drawing information from them like sap from a tree in winter, than getting the haphazard intel that one can rummage together with sloppy work in a short time frame.
Her skill is, of course, getting the absolute truth from people. It's not about breaking a rebel's will; it's about convincing them that the will doesn't need to be there at all. It's trickery, making people believe that she's their ally.
And it's chemistry, all those different things whirring around in the brain, pleasure and pain and memory. The mind is her piano and she's a maestro.
She's still doing paperwork when Kevin arrives. Her office is large, taking up almost the entire eleventh floor. Hardwood floors, a mahogany desk, a wall of nothing but windows. Metal cabinets with files and god knows what else. Behind pleasant blue curtains, something that would look like a doctor's office if not for the little hooks in the seat and on the cot for chains to be roped through.
"There you are. Welcome to my office."
WHAT| Professional psychos do some networking.
WHEN| During the family plot.
WHERE| Peacekeeper HQ
WARNINGS| Lots of sadism and creeping.
She washes her hands in the basin of warm water that the Avox holds out for her, despite his arms shaking under the weight of the ceramic and water. She holds them out with a second massages soap into her hands and rinses them for her, dries them with a soft, warm towel. And then she dismisses them and sits back at her desk, turning off the network and looking over her paperwork.
Penny enjoys her paperwork. For her, it's as if she's organizing trophies. She fills out forms documenting the disappearances of certain undesirables, writes recommendations for some to be brought in for a tour of the facilities, others to come into her personalized custody. She's sparing, not out of mercy but because she doesn't like to feel rushed when she works. She'd rather spend a week working with a single troublemaker, drawing information from them like sap from a tree in winter, than getting the haphazard intel that one can rummage together with sloppy work in a short time frame.
Her skill is, of course, getting the absolute truth from people. It's not about breaking a rebel's will; it's about convincing them that the will doesn't need to be there at all. It's trickery, making people believe that she's their ally.
And it's chemistry, all those different things whirring around in the brain, pleasure and pain and memory. The mind is her piano and she's a maestro.
She's still doing paperwork when Kevin arrives. Her office is large, taking up almost the entire eleventh floor. Hardwood floors, a mahogany desk, a wall of nothing but windows. Metal cabinets with files and god knows what else. Behind pleasant blue curtains, something that would look like a doctor's office if not for the little hooks in the seat and on the cot for chains to be roped through.
"There you are. Welcome to my office."
no subject
That may have been part of why he didn't hesitate to come strolling up to Penny's office when offered, beyond the tasty-looking mouse that had been offered over the network. He thought of his as a business lunch - something like bringing over a bit of coffee and talking numbers, something familiar. Penny's speech and conduct didn't frighten him in the least...and why should it? Plainly she was a woman devoted to her job. That was something to be respected.
After everything that had gone on recently, the familiar chit-chat of professionalism was a welcome prospect.
His voice was warm as he entered, impressed with the office but politely keeping his eyes on her on approach.
"Thank you for having me! It's a beautiful building. I really appreciate you taking the time to have me here."
no subject
"You can take a seat if you want." She gestures to a plush office chair in front of her desk. "The Avox has set the mouse aside."
On a silver platter with a little lid, as if it was a delicacy at a fancy restaurant rather than a dead lab specimen. There's even a little doily. The Avox, head bowed, looks positively ill as it holds it, standing in the corner.
"You're Kevin, aren't you? Why don't you tell me a little about yourself?"
She is looking for employees, after all.
no subject
Obediently, Kevin takes a seat when offered. Office furniture! How he missed office furniture. He wants that mouse, sure, but he isn't in a hurry. Best to be polite.
He tents his fingers, every inch the proper businessman.
"Well, gosh, I'm just a small-town radio host! I do the news, I work for Strexcorp...and I am a go-getter. But I am also an open book, if you have any particular questions. Anything! Anything at all that you want to know in particular?"
Interviews. Something Kevin is good at.
no subject
"And what brought you to be a small-town radio host, if you're such a go-getter? In fact, I'm surprised it took you so long to get here if that's the case." She glances down at the mouse, anticipating his meal.
no subject
Finally accepting the mouse, he picks it up by the tail, inspecting it while he speaks. "I love my work, Ma'am. I was picked out for it - being the radio host is one of the most important jobs I could possibly do for my community...never mind all the work that I do for Strex! I'm a spokesperson, of sorts. Someone that people can trust!"
He pauses to go ahead and eat the mouse - all jagged teeth, easily crushing bones, viscera, flesh, and skin. Devouring it like it was no more than a potato chip.
He dabs blood from the corner of his stretched lip before continuing.
"As for not coming here right away...well, in business, finding an opening is very key. I'm trying to build a reputation around here, and since I am a guest of your world - well, I'd rather be proactive at what is now my job."
no subject
Anyway.
"And do you have any complaints about your current job? We could use someone of your talents in Peacekeeping. I've recently been...divested of my right-hand man."
no subject
"You think I'm talented enough to be a Peacekeeper? Well, gosh! That's super flattering, Ma'am, but...are you sure I'd be the best fit? My strengths lie as a spokesperson...at least, that's where my training has mostly been."
no subject
"Peacekeeping requires a personality type rather than a skill set, at least, at the level I'm looking for warm bodies for."
no subject
Kevin tented his fingers, appearing to be putting thought into all of this. Well...probably putting thought into this. Hard to tell with that smile.
"And you think my personality would be a good fit for the position?"
no subject
She looks back over to her hologram television. "Anyway, if you so enjoy the Arenas, then maybe we could arrange for something part-time."
no subject
He listens to the offer...and then visibly lights up, his grin going even wider.
"Now, that sounds like a wonderful idea! It would give me a chance to apply myself to a new position - and to prove myself up to your standards. I would be happy with that, yes, happy indeed!"
no subject
Her lip quirks upwards. "More mice?"
no subject
He sticks out his hand for a handshake to seal the deal - grin broad and bright and toothy as ever.
"Oh, gosh - I would never be so rude as to turn down hospitality. That sounds lovely."
She doesn't even need to kill them, really.
He generally doesn't until they're between his teeth.
no subject
She shakes his hand, although hers is limp, like a dead animal lying in a trap.
She'll have use for him, she thinks.
no subject
"How kind - thank you so much! You won't regret this. I promise."
With that, he stands, straightening his jacket in a businesslike fashion and oblivious to the blood still lingering in his teeth.
Yes. She probably will have use for him.