Work Text:
Lobotomy Corporation Digital Library>Abnormalities>0-01-73>Work Documents>Attachment Work Reports>Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov Documentations Files>RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_Attachment1.PDF
RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_Attachment1.PDF
Before I even write the report I first gotta say just how thankful I am for getting to be the first to work on the abnormality, it's just such an amazing opportunity for me to improve and perhaps even get a good promotion if I'm lucky. For the last two weeks I've heard upper management thinks highly of it and I intend to continue that.
O-01-73 was very interesting, she wasn't at all like the abnormalities I used to work with, her appearance was a combination between a princess and a knight, her face covered by a broken mask with a tear… maybe hiding something? out of shame maybe… Her dress was a very silky deep blue, it was weirdly constant, it didn't flow much with the gusts of the filtration system. It reminded me of those wooden dolls children would get from their parents, just the way their clothes are very strict. I was assigned to do suppression work and luckily that's something I'm especially an expert in, just connecting and befriending this new abnormality, everyone i work with likes to say that I have a friendly personality~
Lobotomy Corporation Digital Library>Abnormalities>0-01-73>Work Documents>Attachment Work Reports>Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov Documentations Files>RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_AttachmentFootage1.MP4
RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_AttachmentFootage1.MP4
Soft crying was all the room accompanied, there was nothing to accompany its tears, nothing until Rodion showed up. Rodion carefully got close to the abnormality until the black and yellow warning strips subconsciously made her stop, a clipboard in her right hand and a pen in her dominant one, she trembled and the rhythm of her chest was uneven, yet her expression and pose didn't betray her. It was time for attachment work.
“So… O-01-73 huh?~ you're… awfully tall.” Rodion said in a friendly manner, the abnormality was curled up in the corner, strange ashen tears fell from her face and even curled up she was much higher than a mortal being. It didn't respond to her call, it simply kept weeping.
“...So, not used to being trapped in containment unit, right?~ me too me too, I'd say at least yours is bigger than the ones I sleep in, would you mind switching up rooms sometime?~ you get your privacy and I don't need to be in such a cramped up space.” It seemed she was not making a lot of progress, the knight kept somberly sobbing, sobbing so long Rodion wondered if the abnormality even knew what she was crying about.
“Haha…” Despite Rodion’s strong attachment capabilities the work was pretty pretty poorly, at this point Rodion’s fear slowly changed to insecurity and worry that she's maybe not all that social as she thought she was. Rodion tilted her head to the security cameras, looking directly towards you in the mp4 before looking back.
“...What's your name? Mine is Rodion but friends call me Rodya, I wanna keep working with you, it'll be good to know your name.” Rodion didn't really think that, with her lackluster performance she believed that she'll probably get assigned to a lower abnormality next, but she knew it usually made the more communicative abnormalities more responsive, so she used the manipulative tactic.
For a second, the abnormality seemed to respond to her question, she for a second rearranged a bit to gaze at her with a pure black eye, like that of a puppy and for the reply, she didn't weep. “Your… Name is… Rodion?...”
Rodion very quickly lit up to her response “Uhuh~ and yours?~”
“...I'm the Knight” It said between tears.
“Oh really? You must be a very strong knight I'd imagine~ are you some kind of a royal Knight?” Rodion quickly began writing in her clipboard, her sense of insecurity was gone and replaced with adrenaline and excitement from the potential enkephalin she would help produce.
“I was… I was strong…” She cried, her words echoed as if she was singing her words on a stage. “I was a… strong knight…”
“And… What changed?” After Rodion asked the question, the abnormality hastened to hide her face, and soon weep loudly again.
“…” Rodion was a bit at a loss of words, she didn't know what she should say to the Knight.
“Look, Knight… I don't know your story, or why you're so sad all the time, but I know other things, and.. what I know… I know that it's wrong, it's wrong to be sad all the time and it's wrong to think you're weak” The abnormality kept weeping but it seemed to lend an ear, tilting her head where the ear should be to listen to Rodion. “You're not weak, Knight, if you were you wouldn't be one of the most dangerous abnormalities we have by far, like you don’t know how scared my friends were when I told them that I'm going to get in your containment unit. So you're not strong, okay?~”
The abnormality wasn't crying anymore “...Thank you” It said with a sincere voice.
“It’s no problem” Rodion said with a satisfied expression, writing down the new things she found, the work result ended up successful, and it was now her time to go.
Lobotomy Corporation Digital Library>Abnormalities>0-01-73>Work Documents>Attachment Work Reports>Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov Documentations Files>RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_Attachment1.PDF
RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_Attachment1.PDF
Conclusion:
The work was a success, although I have a lot to work on in terms of my abilities to communicate and empathise with the abnormality I think a connection is getting established, I believe that although management may see the last work as almost a failure, I think that my background and logic skills will allow me to create a connection with the abnormality other employees simply can't manage.
Lobotomy Corporation Digital Library>Abnormalities>0-01-73>Work Documents>Attachment Work Reports>Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov Documentations Files>RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_Attachment2.PDF
RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_Attachment2.PDF
Today's attachment work went amazingly well! It seems that just entering the containment unit made the Knight Of Despair a little less sad. I got to learn her full name today though I mostly used the nickname “Dess” as I noticed it makes her seem more communicative and clear. I found our conversations to be very clear and understandable and I think sooner or later we might even get E.G.O gear from her.
Lobotomy Corporation Digital Library>Abnormalities>0-01-73>Work Documents>Attachment Work Reports>Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov Documentations Files>RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_AttachmentFootage2.MP4
RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_AttachmentFootage2.MP4
The ashen tears of despair washed down like they normally did, crystallizing to beautiful gems that were cleaned and disposed of by the company, O-01-73 was crying as she sat on the bench that was imbued to the wall, her proportions made it difficult to fit, it was not designed for her specifically. When the metallic doors electronically hummed to open, the abnormality did not need to avert its gaze upward to know who it was, its ashes were for just a short time, softened and powdered.
“Hey Knight, I'm back~” Rodion waved, her work day was a lot less tense than the previous so she was especially relaxed this time around. She walked up and stopped when she realized she almost crossed the bee pattern line. “You seem a bit less sad today, is it because of me huh?~” Rodion winked at her teasingly, although perhaps she was being a little too overreaching.
“...It's pleasant to see you again Rodion” The abnormality replied with its celestial otherworldly echo.
“It’s pleasant to see you too, You can call me Rodya, if you call me Rodion too much I'd just feel like I'm being consulted, I'd hate that~” Rodion hands were a bit more relaxed, she was holding the pen and clipboard to the sides, Rodion wasn't as concerned with missing the words the abnormality said this time, since she didn't say that many anyways, and although she did not notice, it was also because she wouldn't forget anything the abnormality would've said in the first place.
“I’ll try to manage that.. Rodya” Although she was still sad, unlike the previous encounter the abnormality looked towards Rodion consistently, mostly towards her legs, but still looking, acknowledging her.
“Nice~ Let's see” Rodion looked over some questions she prepared ahead of time “Is… The Knight, your full name?”
“...It is not” The abnormality narrowed its vision.
“Interesting~ so, what is it?” She asked with an excited grin.
“...” silence.
“..If you tell me your full name I'll tell you mine” Rodion suggested with an awkward expression.
The abnormality’s white half of its face lit up in a similar way a moon glows “...My full name is… Knight Of Despair.”
“Ohhhhh, Knight Of Despair?... That's a bit of a sad name, isn't it?... Why aren't you Knight Of The Moon or Knight Of The Stars? Or maybe…” Rodion began to go on a rant until she realized the abnormality returned to weeping again. “Oh… Well anyways, Knight Of Despair, you want to know my full name?”
The Abnormality softened its cries at the suggestion “...”
“Well, my full name is Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov.” The abnormality stared at her feet with a confused expression. "You see why Rodya is better?~”
“...” The abnormality now stared directly at her face. After the abnormality seemed to be silent for a bit, the abnormality suddenly got up, Rodion's heart rose a little as she saw the abnormality standing straight for the first time, the abnormality’s height made Rodion feel self conscious about the lack of protective weapons she came with.
The Abnormality began walking towards her, her steps were silent like an owl’s flight, Rodion took a step back, and another, slowly backed against the door as O-01-73 silently gazed at her, the void-black part of her face was made more apparent.
“W-Was my joke bad? I-I hope I didn't get you upset at me hahahaha~…” Despite the air conditioning Rodion's forehead beaded sweat, O-01-73 was so tall that it casted a shadow on Rodion, obscuring the fluorescent light in the middle of the room.
“I…” The abnormality said and suddenly reached her hands forward, a needle-thin, long sword appeared behind her, directed at the ground. Rodion closed her eyes, she knew nothing about the Abnormality, she felt it was likely the end.
Suddenly Rodionn felt something elastic and silky on her, rubbing her head like you would an animal, Rodion opened her eyes and realised it was the abnormality's gloved hand, petting her head.
“I-...” Rodion became flushed with red on her face.
“I… wish to protect you” The abnormality announced “I wish to protect you, Rodya.” Her words put Rodya at a loss, she didn't know what to say or what to do, she was completely caught off-guard.
“I..I…” Rodion lost the humour and irony in her voice, her walls were down because she was so confused. Rodion's expression became mute, and her voice became formal, yet it was more informal than she would usually be towards anyone. “I'd love that” Rodion said under her breath, and the abnormality perfectly heard her.
The abnormality blessed her with her sword, Rodion could not see the symbol. After the ritual the abnormality returned to its place and they conversed a bit about Rodion's dissatisfaction with the facility.
“Oh… I think I need to go now” Rodion checked her watch with a look of frustration.
“Oh…”
“Hey, Don't worry Dess, I gotta go now… But you'll still see me soon, tomorrow! I promise, just you wait, I promise you I'll bring something special with me next time we meet.” Rodion said with hope and promise in her eyes as she gazed at the abnormality.
“...I know you mean your promises too, I trust you Rodya.” The abnormality said with confidence and gloom mixed in its ethereal voice.
“I think… I think that I'm really lucky to have met you.” Rodion said as she slowly walked towards the metallic electrical door, and before she left she said “I'll see you soon Dess, goodnight.”
“Good night Rodion” After the work was completed successfully she left the Abnormality alone. The Abnormality weeped a little less loudly when she left.
Lobotomy Corporation Digital Library>Abnormalities>0-01-73>Work Documents>Attachment Work Reports>Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov Documentations Files>RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_Attachment2.PDF
RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_Attachment2.PDF
Conclusion:
Knight Of Despair seems to be an exceptionally smart and emotionally intelligent abnormality, she shows exceptional communication and empathy to me while I study her. I think that it's just a matter of time before we get her E.G.O gear. I look forward to working and bringing good results with her at our next meeting.
Lobotomy Corporation Digital Library>Abnormalities>0-01-73>Work Documents>Attachment Work Reports>Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov Documentations Files>RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_Attachment3.PDF
RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_Attachment3.PDF
Today for attachment work I brought my playing cards and chips to play poker. It was very successful with Knight Of Despair, the Knight Of Despair produced an exceptional amount of Enkephalin, through it we got to create a deeper connection. I learned that apparently she came from a kingdom where other abnormalities were from that brought it to ruin.
We got to talk a lot about regrets we had. It was clear that we have a lot in common, it felt as if we were… kindred souls I think… I really think that we have a connection that isn't just relatability, I think it'd be in the company's interest to continue assigning me to her.
Lobotomy Corporation Digital Library>Abnormalities>0-01-73>Work Documents>Attachment Work Reports>Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov Documentations Files>RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_AttachmentFootage3.MP4
RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_AttachmentFootage3.MP4
At this point in the attachment work, they were both sitting on the ground in front of each other, Rodion on her butt with her legs crossed and the abnormality on its thin knees. Both sat with a set-up of one-on-one poker on the floor. The clipboard was on the floor face down behind Rodion and her pen was neatly placed in the pocket of her chest. When Rodion entered the containment unit she didn't even notice she walked over the security line, she only noticed the abnormality’s fixed gaze when greeting her.
Rodion rambled about her experience with poker and gambling as the abnormality paid close attention. “Hey hey! don't get too close now! You're trying to cheat, don't you Dess?~”
“No… I just wanted a closer look, I apologise sincerely…” The abnormality began tearing up once more.
“Hey hey~ I'm only kidding, don't worry… So where was I? Right so the most important thing when playing poker, one of the most important thing I mean, is that you gotta play off of the opponent’s expectations, so that means, that means if you have bad cards but your opponent will back away if he thinks you've got good cards, you just need to say all in and they think you have good cards, but you actually don't.” The Abnormality thought long and hard on her words.
“Alright, I shall go all in then” The abnormality brought her entire collection of chips, which although it was just the teaching rounds, was significantly lower than Rodion’s that wouldn't be ready to lose even for the practice rounds.
“Oh oh oh~ In-te-re-st-ing~” Rodion sang and smiled up at her, deviously “I’ll go all in too then!” And so Rodion stopped the flow to ramble a bit more. “As you see, although you learned from what I say, you forgot that as the teacher, I very much expected you to use that strategy to try and fool me and so I'm not backing away either, so now let's just show our-” O-01-73 showed Rodion a spade ace and a spade queen.
“...Seems I had won” The abnormality announced, but the unexpected loss was not what kept Rodion's attention anymore.
“Wait, is that a smile?~” Rodion pointed at the abnormality’s curved up porcelain lips.
“I.. I did?...” The abnormality quickly attempted to hide it away, but it was too late.
“Yes you did~ hey Dess, why're you trying to hide your face? Isn't it good that you get to smile a bit for a change… It's not healthy to cry all the time…” Rodion said, getting up and walking closer to the Abnormality’s face, when Rodion stood up she could just barely reach the abnormality while it was on its knees.
“...Your words utter so much kindness Rodya… I must question you… Have you ever seen a Knight cry?...” O-01-73 asked, her mood slowly becoming more and more somber, till ashen tears dropped again. from her cheeks.
“...No, I haven't.” Rodion admitted.
“That's… because knights only cry when they fail to deliver a promise… I'm weak, Rodya… I promised to protect them but I have failed each one…” The abnormality slowly leaned down till its face was weeping near the floor.
“Are you talking about uhm.. where you come from?”
“Yes… A realm with many people…” Her weeping grew louder. The work was beginning to look negative.
“No… That's not true Dess, it's really not true…” Rodion hesitated and grabbed her shoulders, they felt frail, soft and yet a bit wooden. “I… You're not a failure… Just because you failed doesn't mean… I.. It's just not true to say you failed…”
“What… makes you… speak with such conviction.” The Abnormality asked between weeping, Rhodya's chest tightened, she felt the memories rise up.
“I… Failed others too, just like you did… I…” Rodion's eyes glistened, it seemed she became very synchronized with the abnormality.
“You… Did?” The Abnormality seized its tears, stared at Rodion longingly, a stare Rodion hadn't felt in a very long time. The backstreet doesn't let people experience empathy often.
What followed was a sad and lengthy retelling. A retelling about the backstreet, district 25, about Sonya, the Yurodiviye, the tax collector and the tragedy. In each moment the Abnormality focused on her words and tears, on Rodion's tone-shifts and stuttering and on the regret in her voice on each part.
“...Since that day… Nothing I held truly felt like it was mine. All because of me…” Rodion expressed in tears that were as wet and running as fresh dew, Rodion almost never cried.
“...Rodya” The abnormality did not weep, her voice echoed more than normal.
“...Yes?”
“If you had the choice, would've you changed what you did that night?” Rodion stared blankly.
“...” After the abnormality asked Rodion with such a gentle celestial voice, Rodion could not contain it anymore, and started weeping, but as she began the abnormality grabbed her, and pressed their hearts into a hug.
“I know your answer Rodya…”
Lobotomy Corporation Digital Library>Abnormalities>0-01-73>Work Documents>Attachment Work Reports>Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov Documentations Files>RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_Attachment3.PDF
RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_Attachment3.PDF
Conclusion:
Although no abnormality is exceptionally unique, I can't help but feel the Knight Of Despair is special, her way of talking to the heart, her listening capabilities, her voice, her warmth. It all feels particularly unique compared to all abnormalities, no matter what I do I can't help but think that whatever she may have, however much Enkephalin she brings and whatever her effects on the facility is, I can't help but think she is the most important.
I am happy with the manager's decision to make me only focus my attention on her. I promise my full effort in ensuring the Knight Of Despair stays happy and content as much as I can and even more than that.
Lobotomy Corporation Digital Library>Abnormalities>0-01-73>Work Documents>Attachment Work Reports>Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov Documentations Files>RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_Attachment4.PDF
RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_Attachment4.PDF
Today Dess produced a significantly higher amount of Enkephalin and finally we received her E.G.O gear. I'm happy to report that attachment work has been perfect and other co-workers such as Ryoshu told me that I seem to be doing really positively today, when I wanted to thank her for her words she said “B.R.B” And walked away.
Today I brought Dess some of my souvenirs and a few pictures I had. I'm reporting this in case the staff gets confused about the random pictures and items in her containment unit.
Lobotomy Corporation Digital Library>Abnormalities>0-01-73>Work Documents>Attachment Work Reports>Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov Documentations Files>RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_AttachmentFootage4.MP4
RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_AttachmentFootage4.MP4
The Abnormality did not weep, it sat with legs crossed near the entrance, patiently awaiting Rodion's entrance, and when Rodion entered, Rodion placed her clipboard and pen down and immediately jumped to the abnormality’s arms, the frail Abnormality made no attempt to stay stable as she fell on the ground embraced by Rodion.
They spent very little time with the souvenirs and pictures, most of their time was spent doting on each other. At some point the abnormality rested its head on Rodion’s lap, the comfort they both felt in the white fluorescent room was entirely mental.
“If you weren't trapped here… and you could be in the city what would you do?” Rodion curiously asked as she brushed the abnormality's hair with her fingers.
“...I don't really know, I am not that accompanied with the different wings I am afraid…” The abnormality rested back down with her arms crossed on her, a bit like she was laying on an armchair in a psychologist’s room.
“Oh.. I should tell you about the wings sometime… the ones I've been in at least… You already know J corp” Rodion thought as she looked down at the abnormality's face with compassion.
“...I guess J corp would be somewhere I'd reside, plenty of people that could use my protection.” The abnormality's voice slowly bounced from wall to wall gently.
“Exactly~ looks like you think just like me~” Rodion sang, feeling a peaceful tranquility hidden between the abnormality's blue hair, she still felt regret, she still didn't know how to feel about all the people she lost. But she knew there was someone else that was just as confused, just as lost as her. If the abnormality, something so different, could feel her and understand her, I could feel happy from her… Then maybe there was a way, there was a way they could move on and be happy.
Most of the attachment work seemed to be without talk from the abnormality, it only communicated using touch, they understood each other well enough that they didn't need to say anything to understand when they felt fine and otherwise. Throughout the work Rodion talked about her past friendships, her family, the people she played with in her childhood that she misses, the people she connected with in the casino and don't know what happened to them anymore. All of them were listened to by the abnormality with occasional nods and questions as it learned her.
After Rodion felt she didn't have anything to talk about more she gave a long sigh “So yeah… Still kinda miss her, one of my co-workers, Sinclair, is a bit like her but… he's a guy and all, yeah.”
“...” The abnormality gazed up at her.
“What’s on your mind?” Rodion calmly smiled at her with a smile of genuine sincerity, no irony, hedonism or humour masked her.
“...May a knight request something from another?”
“Pffff, go right ahead Dess~”
The abnormality rose from her stance, Rodion at this point felt less like O-01-73 was a tall bomb that could implode at any moment and more like it was a giraffe moving with the awkward physiology of one. “Can… You lay on my lap this time?”
“...Of course” And so they changed positions, the abnormality talked about a dreamland far and unfamiliar than what Rodion has ever heard of while playing with her hair. She told her stories of knights, servants, hermits, queens, kings and jesters. Of her friends, two of which appeared in our facility and one who appears in a different branch of the corporation.
“And so… The Servant Of Wrath, unable to trust anyone no longer, turned against the world and upheld her name.” She told Rodion as if she was reading a fairytale.
“Huh… That's sad…” Rodion's expression was of confusion, the abnormality told its past but Rodion seemed to feel odd. The details were so magical and bizarre, so off-put from the world Rodion knew that Rodion couldn't help but feel it was fake. “I have a question?..”
“Ask and I shall give”
“After being in this facility for so long, do you think your past is real?...” Rodion looked up to see the abnormality’s expression, it looked at her in utter astonishment.
“I… Do not understand… How could I think it's real if I know it's real?”
“I…” Rodion thought about it deep and long “...It just sounds.. Dreamlike… Yaknow?” Rodion's words made the abnormality sigh in mutuality.
“Ever since I left my realm, everything felt like a dream.”
“...” Rodion replied, the abnormality knew she was expressing gloom.
“...But” She said with her soft divine voice “...You made it into a relaxing dream…” The abnormality was confused when, when she stared back at Rodion, Rodion was biting her inner cheek.
“...?”
“That's so cute! it's not fair!” Rpdion called out, and the abnormality smiled in return.
Later, when it was time for Rodion to leave again, they said their goodbyes and Rodion, already filled with longing, started walking away. But just as she was about to exit.
The abnormality grabbed her wrist.
“May a knight request something from another knight?”
“Sure~ what is it this time?”
The abnormality barely hesitated “...May I receive a royal embrace… of the lips to another?” The abnormality could not express embarrassment, at least not in a way humans can render, Rodion could however, and she was very good at it.
“A-Ah you… you asked just like that” Rodion's eyes quickly fixated on the security camera.
“It… Would please me if you would take my request, but I wish not to pressure you upon it.” The abnormality grasped its own left arm with its right, staring down at Rodion.
“O-Oh don't… don't worry I don't feel pressured… Haha… I'm… I'm… You're just so damn confident about it” Rodion admitted as she flushed into a deeper red. She looked at the security camera again before looking back at the abnormality. “...Yeah let's do it”
Rodion proceeded to step on the tips of her toes and tilt her face upward, trying to meet with the great distance their faces had from each other, the abnormality leaned down and soon enough, their lips met. It was a bit awkward, the abnormality’s face was made of porcelain and while Rodion had some experience with kissing, it was usually with people her size or lower which made the feeling all the more confusingly welcome.
“Aha… I-I hope that was up to what you were looking for” Rodion said after they broke the kiss, followed by a nervous laughter.
“It quite was, I am very content and pleased by it” The abnormality’s voice gently echoed.
“...”
“...”
“...I'll see you again tomorrow, I promise”
“I await your arrival, my precious knight”
Lobotomy Corporation Digital Library>Abnormalities>0-01-73>Work Documents>Attachment Work Reports>Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov Documentations Files>RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_Attachment4.PDF
RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov_O-01-73_Attachment4.PDF
Conclusion:
I think Dess is an amazing friend, I know how most employees avoid communicating anything personal with the abnormalities they're assigned to, but I just can't help it, she's just that special, I feel like I won the world's jackpot by getting to work on her and I'm eternally grateful for getting hired by this Wing to do just that.
Even though we gained her E.G.O gear I think that there's so many more things we can do with her. I think we should look deeper into the realm she comes from. It might lead us to find more abnormalities or even an entirely different dimension, that should be pretty important, right?
Lobotomy Corporation Digital Library>Teams>Wellfare Team>Wellfare Team Documents>Wellfare Team Denied Requests>RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov__Paperwork1.JPG
RodionRomanovichRaskolnikov__Paperwork1.JPG
A Picture of a document request taken on a brown desk for documentation purposes, the paper has multiple teardrops.
Dear Welfare Team Leader,
The Enkephalin pills are treating me fine, although usually these papers are filed for higher enkephalin dosage requests it is not the reason I filed this paper. It isn't even due to the recent influx of work I've been given as of late, I can handle it just fine.
My request however is regarding Dess abnormality O-01-73, I wish if it is with the manager's ideals to be with her research the abnormality further. I believe it is with the manager's interests to do so and it would benefit the company very much, so please please please please please please please if it's possible I'd wish to go back to work with O-01-73.
Lobotomy Corporation Digital Library>Abnormalities>0-01-73>Breachment Footage>O-01-73_Breach1.MP4
O-01-73_Breach1.MP4
The second sirens shot waves of terror in the background as multiple abnormalities start wreaking havoc, killing the employees, some run with fear, others fight senselessly and lash out against anything and only some do the right thing. As the abnormality O-01-73 walks the hallways of the welfare team, there's one woman acting without fear, without anger but with simple resentment.
The abnormality in its unstable state moved and trembled just like a wooden doll, its tall proportions strutted as naturally as a barbie doll could move, throwing needle-thin swords at anyone the abnormality wished to protect, so no one could harm them first. As it spread ruin, another set of swords went up against it, the swords from the one who stroked her hairs a week before. In Lobotomy Corporation, the uncertainty of your survival meant that days could themselves feel like weeks.
“...Been a while.” Rodion said with a song that was much closer to the abnormality's. The abnormality didn't recognise it anymore, not in such a state.
“You've become so twisted that you can't even return my greeting. More of that boring old, selfless useless self-loathing over failing to protect that one kid, isn't it? that's just what you are, what you do, after all.” The abnormality finally turned to her, her sadness, so strong, so crystal, so ashen and stone, it finally recognised her and felt a deep sharp pain from doing so. The abnormality looked at her with a deep sense of despair, as in that state, that's the only thing it could feel.
“...So why didn't you just choose me? I wouldn't have gone out like that kid did. Not that pointlessly, anyways.” Rodion said. They were so similar now, both didn't have any sense of happiness, wrath, pride or envy anymore, all senses just watered down to gloom and despair. The abnormality, feeling a strong desire to protect, raised its swords at her own…l knight.
“Gonna skewer me with your sharpened swords, huh? …Fine.” Rodion said, She barely even hesitated, she barely even felt the need to raise her swords back. Not so immediately at least, Rodion knew her too well, knew that she had just the same hesitation, even while blinded by despair.
“Still… It still hurts me deep inside that you did not choose me. But I realized that I can't mope around forever. I'm busy as hell… Got plenty of employees I've got to protect. A whole bunch of rookies just got hired, you know. The upper layer's doing even worse. Miss Malkuth’s finally about to snap from the crushing workload, apparently. They say that she'd been acting stranger and stranger as of late. So I've gotta get up there and help ‘em out. I don't have any more time to waste messing around with you.” Rodion finally stood in a fighting stance and raised her own needle-thin swords, brandished by the tears of the abnormality she considered her other soul… a person she lost so much sleep over. She lost just as much in love as she had in longing and jealousy over the kid that was now a clean-up corpse.
“Sure, I don't have a smidge of pride left. But that doesn't stop the burden on my shoulders from growing, does it? So… I'm gonna live up to that responsibility, at least.” The swords began clashing, both of them didn't even need to move yet.
“Let's go home O-01-73” And now both went towards each other, clashing with the same style and swords like two bumping cars, Except that Rodion's was powered by human emotions and the abnormality by pure despair. They clashed and clashed but it seemed that no matter what the abnormality had tried. Even when it did succeed and stabbed Rodion directly in her chest, it just made her stronger and more precise. In the end, humanity won and as the last sword stabbed the abnormality, it turned back into a simple, pure, egg.
“You… You did it!” One of the rookies shouted as they went over the Rodion “H-How are you so… So powerful!?”
“It's just… That I sought to protect… those…” Rodion slowly wept, wept with tears that crystallized. “...That was special to me…” She hid her tears as she ran to the other floors.
Lobotomy Corporation Digital Library>Abnormalities>0-01-73>Security Footage>O-01-73_Day38.MP4
O-01-73_Day38.MP4
[02:46AM]
It was pure silence, abnormalities required no sleep but even those who didn't would sleep simply because there was nothing to do, no danger, no humans to eat, nothing to require, no sacrifices to make. The abnormality simply slept a sad, tearful sleep.
Until there was a sound.
The sound of clunking metal.
It woke the abnormality up, in confusion.
It was quickly followed by strange sounds of sparks and drilling, it was loud but at that time at night, there was simply no one to react to it. “Y.A.O.Y.O.N, I'm going”
“I owe you one Ryoshu…”
“It's just a B.S to see you moping 24/7”
“Mhm~ I'm sure…” There were sounds of footsteps followed by the sounds of sparks, before the door metallically opened again, without the need of the manager's permission. Out of the door stepped the culprit, ordained in an outfit fashioned in inspiration of the abnormality standing in front of the culprit.
“...R..Rodion…” The abnormality asked with a concerned echo.
“O-01-73…” Rodion bit her with a venomous reply, not even using the abnormality’s name, just the ID.
“...I haven't seen you in so long …I'm so sorry, Rodya. From the deepest form of my heart…” She cried, thinking about their clash.
“Don't kid me…” Rodion spoke coldly “You don't have a heart…” Rodion said, trying to choke her tears.
“...I do, Rodya, I promise you” The abnormality said, it began tearing too, they were so synchronized at this point that their emotions were not even left to themselves anymore.
“...Then show me. Then Show me where your heart is! SHOW… ME… you!… Really… do.” Rodion said, her swords raised, raised on what she sought to protect so much.
The abnormality stepped closer, as it did Rodion's tear-brandished swords shook midair like they were being pulled by magnets from all directions, they were shaking as if they were arrows pulled as back as they could on invisible bows, ready to shoot at any moment. The abnormality kept approaching, as fearless as Rodion when they faced each other, she stepped closer and closer until.
“Here lies my heart” She said quietly.
“...where?” Rodion asked in resentful confusion. Rodion's three magical swords fell on the ground, so thin and elegant they sounded like cutlery, it was the Rodion had realised.
The abnormality was pointing at her.
Their tears both evenly fell to a stop, yet Rodion was still in pain. “Why… Why?! Why didn't you choose to bless me?!”
“Because you were strong, my Rodya” The abnormality dropped on her knees, to hug Rodion, and Rodion hugged her back, her tears replaced by warmth.
“I… I spent so many sleepless nights, I just wanted to see you again… To ask you… Dess..”
“I wondered where you have farred too, I envisioned you simply did what I couldn't… Succeeded to protect others” She said in almost a murmur. The abnormality’s movement was no longer rigid and doll-like as while picking Rodion up.
Rodion gazed into the abnormality’s eyes. To her, those eyes, broken by sadness to the point they were blackened as deep as darkness itself. To Rodion those eyes were more human than the eyes of the employees she worked with. Their brokenness was as sad and fragile as hers, and that was human. They stared at each other for longer, entranced by the vast micro-details in their eyes until they could no longer resist.
“May a knight… request something from another knight… One more time?”
“You need to speak to me formally no longer Rodya…” The abnormality whispered, echoing through the night’s insomnia and into Rodion’s sleepless nights.
“Can we kiss again Dess, until we inevitably get found again… And I might never be able to again?”
“Of course” And so they shared more knight-to-knight embraces. Rodion got more used to the way her lips felt, it was strange how the abnormality’s cold, porcelain face could feel so warm against her own. While kissing, the abnormality fell back, and curled around her, the silk of her dress served as bedding for Rodion as she soon experienced the best short rest she'd experienced ever since her mother was gone. The synchronized couple did the most they could before staff inevitably found them and they separated again.
Lobotomy Corporation Digital Library>Teams>Wellfare Team>Security Footage>Hallway2_Day40.MP4
As the days inevitably approached the end of the sephirot, the work environment became much more tense, employees through rigorous training and experience rushed without doubt towards their assiged abnormalities, each praying to not experience a breach.
As Rodion travelled the hallway to get to T-01-31, she slowed a little as she sensed the containment room she was passing next to. She looked through the window and saw the assigned employee, with the blessing on his head. This time however she did not feel any insecurity, she spoke to him a while before. Rodion used him to help exchange letters with the abnormality “Dess” As she would call her, so her heart bore no jealousy, just the same regret yet willingness to protect she shared with the abnormality.
When the abnormality sensed her presence, they both shared glances, waved and continued with their days.
Nowadays, between work, Rodion passes by the containment unit, and when she sees the O-01-73 they wave to each other. She would use other employees to pass notes and messages to the abnormality and it successfully maintained Rodion’s sanity until the corporation’s end.