ALTER EGO AU

[enigmaster]

Comments

[agoodname]

[oh well alright then, they'll take that as their no and head out, until Edward's the last one in the office]

[enigmaster]

[He's... immediately relieved. One good thing about the freelance deal was, well. Not having to deal with any other people. Being all on his own here... It's nice. Peaceful. He will take time to finish up, honestly, even if it mostly was an excuse to get out of that. Just... new place, new tech, gotta get everything in order. ... He probably loses track of time.]

[agoodname]

[he certainly does.

Which is why, at some point, there'll be a knock on the door frame]

Good evening, Mr. Nygma.

[enigmaster]

[He blinks, looking up. Wait, is it darker...?] Oh, um... Good evening.

[agoodname]

[Oswald, dressed in his normal finery and leaning on his cane, just arches an eyebrow, looking bemused.] Do you normally put in extra long hours?

[enigmaster]

Just... taking a little extra time to make sure everything is running right. [What? It's only been a little bit, right?]

[agoodname]

[.....]

As...much as I admire your apparent decision to work a fourteen-hour day, I must caution you against doing so often.

[enigmaster]

Ah... It's fine, really. I'm hardly going to run into problems just by staying an extra... [and then he glances at the time] ...several... hours. Oh.

[agoodname]

An extra six hours, by my count. [dryly] Almost a double shift.

[enigmaster]

I thought it had been half an hour, maybe... [ffs edward not again]

[agoodname]

So...not boring, then~? [he smirks, leaning on the door frame a bit---is he teasing???]

[enigmaster]

Ah... hah, I suppose not, no. I just... get a little focused, sometimes. [he just, starts closing programs. oops.] Apologies...

[agoodname]

[that smirk widens just a bit at that, indulgent] Not at all. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, at least. Though admittedly I would rather you didn't make a habit of it. Burnout is a desperate result of overworking, after all.

[enigmaster]

I don't get burned out so quickly. ...Well, I'll just... make sure to set an alarm, next time.

[agoodname]

A wise choice. [he tilts his head slightly] And how was your first day, then?

[enigmaster]

Oh, ah, fine. [okay no you can do better than that, Edward] ...It's an impressive workplace. And the work was no trouble at all, of course. As I said, I'll make sure my results won't be lacking.

[agoodname]

I don't doubt that for a minute, Mr. Nygma. As long as you're not overworking yourself, of course.

[enigmaster]

I'm not! [It's quick and defensive. A bit too much so. Heck, now he's a bit red...] Ah-- I mean, I... will make sure that... doesn't happen.

[agoodname]

[Oswald does blink at that outburst--but then it settles into amusement again]

...Of course. I'm glad to hear it.

[enigmaster]

Mhm. I'll... keep a better eye on the time...

[agoodname]

[....fascinating.] I believe you will. You can always adjust your hours to times that suit you better, of course. I'm more of a night owl myself.

[enigmaster]

Ah... well... perhaps... [...] It's rather quiet here during the evening, huh?

[agoodname]

It is, rather. Most of my staff that work evenings are down in the actual Lounge area. So if it's peace and quiet you're looking for, that's the ideal time.

[enigmaster]

...Noted. [he may need to do that. it's nicer like this...] I'm far better with machines than people, so...

[agoodname]

[Oswald tilts his head slightly at that] Oh?