IC Contact

[untiltheend]

This is Sebastian Michaelis. I am unavailable at present, but please leave a message. Should a response be needed I will reply when time permits me. Please do keep your message brief.

Comments

[heyboss]

For protection?

[untiltheend]

No.

[...] Well, I suppose protection could be an aspect of it, now that you say it. For some. But I mean precisely what I said: ways one chooses to present oneself.

[heyboss]

And why do you choose that particular aesthetic?

[untiltheend]

If I may, sir: why chose you to dress the way you did today? Why chose you to come to the Barge?

[Because he wanted to, because it aligned with his wants, right?]

[heyboss]

[There's a smile in his words.]

Because I have a certain persona I like to project to the outside world.

[untiltheend]

Quite so. [Right in one.]

[heyboss]

Does it come natural to you now? Or does it take work?

[untiltheend]

[...Sebastian chuckles.]

You work in the counselling office, is that correct, sir?

[Translation: "You're doing a whole lot of 'And how does that make you feel?', mister." With that said, Sebastian doesn't mind talking about his perspective on things even with strangers, so:]

It is my belief that anyone should continuously work to perfect the way they present themselves to the world if they wish to excel, regardless of how genuine that presentation is. Surely one's presentation takes some work for anyone with the slightest care for how they present themselves.

But with that said... it takes work, still, but it is far easier now than it has been. "Practise makes perfect", I believe the saying is?

[heyboss]

[Sheehan's laugh is a bit sheepish. He understands the connotation behind that, but it's habit at this point. Still, he gives him an out.]

That is the saying, yes.

I appreciate your perspective, Mr. Michaelis. Thank you for indulging me.

[untiltheend]

By all means. [But really, despite the light jab Sebastian truly doesn't mind - personal philosophies are perfectly fine material for conversations with complete strangers. They're entertaining, besides.]

As for yourself, sir? If I may ask. [...See previous bracket text.]

[heyboss]

You may, but you'll have to be more specific in the question.

[untiltheend]

Pardon me - how easily maintain you yourself your chosen persona?

[It's not meant as an implication that Sheehan is dishonest. It's an implied "everyone does it to an extent".]

[heyboss]

[Sheehan doesn't mind it, implication or not. He had admitted to having one. The question isn't too bold.]

It is something I need for my job. A professional air of aloofness, without the connotation that I don't care.

Get too close and you can't help the other person.

[untiltheend]

Because growing too close, you would struggle to maintain an objective viewpoint?

[There's a genuine curiosity in Sebastian's tone. He knows next to nothing about counselling.]

[heyboss]

Exactly.

It's difficult to get too emotionally invested in anyone you're helping.

There's a reason that surgeons don't work on their own family. You get clumsy. You get afraid. You make mistakes.

[untiltheend]

[Intuitively, this doesn't make sense to Sebastian. Surely if you are personally invested in a person, it should prompt you to do an even better job? But humans gotta human, he knows.]

Makes it not living on the Barge difficult? Seeing as at least half of the populace is prospective patients?

[heyboss]

There is only one person I am seeing here in a professional capacity and that person and I have very firm boundaries. Everyone else is simply - well, even a surgeon can offer a bandage and wrap a broken leg for a friend.

[untiltheend]

Everyone else, if not a client, is merely an acquaintance at best, then?

[Hee. Wardens having a bad time.]

[heyboss]

[Sheehan laughs.]

That depends on what happens. I have friends. And I offer a listening ear to them as well.