RO > call me out; a forever open RP post, version 2

[midvalley]

NEW OPEN RP POST

Comments

[enraptored]

What, they're controlling your personal life now, too?

[ex_micromanage449]

They have been, to a degree. I'm under a lot of scrutiny.

[enraptored]

[ The corners of his mouth draw downward, gaze hardening, but he keeps his mouth shut. It's clear enough, though, that he doesn't like that answer. ]

[ex_micromanage449]

What do you want me to say? "Hang the rules, I'll see whoever I want"? I wish I could. I didn't ask for this.

[enraptored]

[ He doesn't hold her gaze, keeps his voice flat. ]

Yeah, I know. I get it. Your job's important. You've got a lot of people depending on you.

[ex_micromanage449]

Owen... don't do this. I'm not trying to tell you I don't want you around. It's just... complicated.

[enraptored]

Is it? 'Cause from where I'm standing, it seems pretty simple to me. And it seems an awful lot like you're hiding behind rules and procedures and embargoes to avoid making your own decisions.

[ex_micromanage449]

[ She blinks at him a couple of times, shocked, but she quickly slides her gaze away. ]

That's not-- [ Her hands drop to her lap, balling into fists ] I have to do this.

[enraptored]

Do you, though? You could just as easily tell them to go screw themselves.

[ex_micromanage449]

[ She doesn't look up. She keeps her eyes fixed on her hands in her lap ] When they-- the reporters-- when they ask me if I feel responsible for what happened, I'm not allowed to say yes.

[enraptored]

[ With her hands fixed on her lap as it is, she can't see the way he suddenly looks stricken. ]

Hey. That wasn't your fault.

[ex_micromanage449]

Isn't it? I had the chance to close the park and I didn't take it.

[enraptored]

[ He pauses, mouth pressing into a line, then, ]

That was a mistake. [ He says it slowly, carefully. ] It was a mistake, but you took steps to correct it.

[ex_micromanage449]

It doesn't feel like enough. It never feels like enough.

[enraptored]

It's probably never going to.

You did what you could, and you're still doing what you can. You can't take all the blame on yourself.

[ex_micromanage449]

Leave it to you not to pull any punches.

[ there's a long pause before she finally glances up at him ] I'm sorry. I'm way out of my depth here.

[enraptored]

[ He offers a crooked little smile, something more rueful than reassuring. ]

Honestly, I know you've got a back up plan for your back up plans, but I'd be shocked if even you had this situation under control. Not everyday someone survives something like this.

[ex_micromanage449]

I guess not.

[ she heaves a sigh, gaze flicking towards the ceiling ] This isn't how I imagined inviting you to my apartment, you know.

[enraptored]

[ He allows himself a smirk. ]

Be honest. [ He gestures to his shirt. ] I'd be wearing less, right?

[ex_micromanage449]

No comment. [ Though he does manage to get something like a smile out of her. ]

[enraptored]

[ That's something, at least; he takes it as a win. ]

If we're being honest, I figured we would've at least gotten one successful date in before you invited me home.

[ex_micromanage449]

Considering the paparazzi likes to spring up wherever I go, I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon.

[enraptored]

We don't have to go out, you know. Quiet night in. I'm actually a decent cook, whether or not you want to believe it.

No punching. I promise.

[ex_micromanage449]

[ She really does appreciate the way Owen looks at things- simple and straightforward- because whether she’d admit it or not, she’s a goddamn mess lately. She barely has time to sit and think, and more often than not just goes in whatever direction her handlers at Masrani Corp push her. All she has left is the pretense of control, and it’s becoming clear that even that is slipping.

But a night in? A simple dinner and good company? It sounds almost too good to be true, and the thought gleans another almost-smile from her. ]

I think I’d like to take you up on that.

[enraptored]

Yeah? [ And he seems pleasantly surprised by that. He had almost expected another dodge. ]

Well, we can figure something out, then. Whenever you're not busy getting interviewed by Diane Sawyer or whoever.