Scene #2607: Exit Interview

Owner	Pose
Entrapta	Entrapta has hung up the phone, putting Rashmi into the back of her mind. She's been informed that the lab is -definitely- being monitored, so she doesn't say anything in particularly specific. But she does pause to look at the equations on her whiteboard. "Hate to lose the rhythm," she says, then leans in and makes a few adjustments to the numbers. It's not quite right, and math has its own value. Even if she did just say into her phone that she was planning to leave, and that almost definitely alerted SOMEONE. I mean. Math. "It goes beyond exponential if I keep that setup, though. I can't actually adapt for infinity, can I?"
Hawkmoth	No one very important is watching Enissa and her lab at every moment... but that doesn't mean there isn't ''anyone'' watching her lab. It just means they're underpaid and overworked and that it had taken a little while to decide that that stream of nonsense could be relevant... All of which means Enissa has at least ten minutes alone before the door of her lab is politely knocked upon... followed by Hawkmoth entering anyway. Wasn't there some joke about parents respecting privacy by knocking and asserting authority by entering without waiting for an invitation? That's ''definitely'' what he's doing. "Enissa, I hear that you've been contemplating a transfer to KiraKiraFantastica, of all places. Might that be true?"
Entrapta	When Hawkmoth enters, 'Enissa' has a pen in each hand and has largely forgotten her own worries of earlier. She has some notes jotted down on her arm, which she's holding up to the wall to compare numbers with, and mumbling about intermittent wavelength diagrams. Which doesn't mean that she's...anything, exactly. Anyone who has watched her for any length of time would know that this is just her being her. She puts a pen into her mouth to free up a hand, and then turns around. And stops cold, looking at Hawkmoth in the entryway. The pen in her mouth falls to the floor, with a little bit of drool. "Oh hi! Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. Do I know you?" Wait what? We've MET! Technically Hawkmoth hired you! "I was busy with some work before I head out." So, a limited 'yes'.
Hawkmoth	"Technically, I hired you," Hawkmoth says wryly, and he should be more annoyed about this but he's already seen that she has a tendency to lose track of faces, people, and anything besides the mathematics. And sometimes the math, if new math becomes interesting. "So yes, you do know me. In fact, I intended to speak with you before you 'headed out', as it were." He's not trying to be intimidating, largely because he has seen that it simply doesn't work on her. "Are you intending to leave Obsidian, Enissa?" Blunt. Blunt is what works.
Entrapta	There's a pause, as Enissa's face screws up. But it's no secret; this girl is a font of honesty. She opens her mouth and spews, "Was I going to leave? Oh! Yes! Right, I was going to do that. Can you hand me the bunsen burner, there? I should heat the bottle before I add any new chemicals to the mix." She's such a mixed message, it's like she has no concept of loyalty to anything but science. Which, to be fair, she's never made a secret of. "I was talking to a friend and there was a logical track that made no sense. Tell me what you think about it and maybe I'm wrong? I'd appreciate your opinion on the topic." She measures out some carbonized aluminum as she's talking. Girl likes her work.
Hawkmoth	The Bunsen burner is handed over, Hawkmoth watching with a sense of detached amusement. She really is a font of honesty, huh, with absolutely no intention or idea that she should lie to him, or perhaps consider moving away from that concept? "I would be more than willing to hear your train of thought, and come to understand why you've made this choice. Perhaps there is a facet of the situation you haven't considered." The thing is, it wouldn't be impossible to imprison someone within Obsidian - far from it - but it would be quite difficult to have them act meaningfully as a scientist, while also being imprisoned. Better to either dissuade them or find a means of maintaining access.
Entrapta	"I get busy with other things, in my head," she says. Which is really not necessary to explain, but her ability with social situations is really not the greatest. She sets the burner to low and puts it in place, allowing the receptacle to come up to temperature at a controlled rate, and then dusts her hands. Then washes them, humming. Has...she forgotten that she was talking already? She dries off, then turns back and has a start. Blinks. "Oh!" Blink. Rearranges her thoughts, visibly, then motions to a seat for the guest to rest in. "It's the math. On the wall, I've been working it through and I had it looked at by someone to help me figure out why the project worked, but the math doesn't line up. Does that make sense?" No of course it doesn't make sense, but it does to her.
Hawkmoth	There's something vaguely maddening about the way Entrapta's thoughts dance about, unmoored and unanchored, simply carrying her off from one direction to another. Hawkmoth would be more frustrated with it - and he is certainly frustrated with it - but for the fact that it's clearly not something he's going to be able to ''change''. He's dealing with enough semi-impossible tasks. Dropping this one feels wise. "Not quite sense, but I can gather that there's something that's bothering you. How is it that the math fails to line up?" He's comfortable admitting to himself that the math is beyond him, significantly.
Entrapta	Entrapta rubs her chin. She says, "I'm sensing that explaining the actual math isn't what you're asking. Is that right? That's right, okay." She nods, then moves to another tack. She speaks louder and slower. "The MATH isn't making sense," she says, then points to a place on the wall that looks like a whole BUTTLOAD of gobbledegook. She's already stopped talking slowly, her brain isn't keeping a train of alternate thought that long after all. "This is where it falls apart. The math is sound, I've double and triple checked everything. The problem is that I don't have experience in the systems involved to let me actually put in the information required to finalize the equation. It's a dark magic system, so the only reason that could be a problem is because I don't know dark magic. Good so far?" She pauses, then wipes a number off the board and replaces it with another, negative integer. "Ignore that."
Hawkmoth	"Guilty as charged. I'm afraid this level of mathematics is beyond me." He allows her to continue her demonstration, deciding against minding that she's speaking louder and slower. Geniuses are obnoxious - as a genius in his own field, he would know. He will allow the eccentricity. "That seems likely. At some point, familiarity with the subject matter is required, and Dark Energy is a subject you can only begin to understand when you've delved into it. Remaining distant from the subject will prevent you from gaining a broader view on it." At some point, delving deeper into Dark Energy is her only hope for understanding it. And the deeper one delves, the harder it is to get out. The harder it is to ''want'' to get out. He elects to ignore the integer, as instructed. "So why not delve into the subject?"
Entrapta	"I intended to! There's so much to learn still, and the only way to really understand is to dive in and figure it out! But I wasn't thinking about the bigger picture, and there's a lot more going on here than just the math." It appears that she's going to explain after all, as she leans over and turns off the bunsen burner. She adds a sparkle of aluminum to her project, then looks around for a tool. She uses one to pick it up, still talking, as she pours it into another actively bubbling beaker. Nothing explodes. "See, we were discussing the logical progression of events, which I don't normally bother with but there are times when it really matters so you learn to pick up on things. I'd used this equation to make the tools, that your ...that guy, with the glasses?" She pauses, making a passable imitation of Riventon for a second, then shrugs. "He seemed interested in it, because it was a dark energy creation. But it shouldn't have worked. The math is incomplete, and there's no way I could have done it. Not with what I have here. But I used what I found in the abandoned lab I found, and it worked anyway." She shrugs, but for a moment it feels...forced. And she lowers a mask over her face. "And then my friend and I realized that the only way would have been for someone to have put exactly what I needed into the lab, before I even got there. It was planted, the ingredients were far to specific for it to have been an accident. Someone manipulated me, because I'm an idiot. And I'm easy to manipulate." She looks at the work, through that mask. And says, "I could be dangerous, here. And not even realize it."
Hawkmoth	Wasn't thinking about ''which'' bigger picture, though? What aspect of this bigger picture was she failing to think about? The threats that Dark Energy could have, the underlying call of its addictive, enticing presence? Really, it wasn't that dangerous - "...Am I the primary person who's spoken to you about what, exactly, Obsidian does?" He cocks his head, slowly realizing the utter depth of the lack of awareness at play here. "You could indeed be very dangerous here. You could also be a magnificent benefit to our society, if you so choose. It's more than possible that one of my colleagues could have made the decision to put the pieces in your hands, to see what would come of them. A manipulation, to be certain, but also... an invitation. If you remain here in the lab, there's only so much you'll do." His tone grows a touch chiding. "We are a business, after all. We do like to see if the brilliant minds we hire can do more than ''promise'' success."
Entrapta	She listens as well as she can, which isn't what anyone would call perfect. But as it's as close as she can likely manage, it's what will have to suffice. "Nobody here really talks on a level that makes sense. The interns like to happen by and watch, but I think that's mostly because I don't mind working with the door open and they like explosions. There's nothing wrong with making mistakes in science, it teaches you more every time!" She's not wrong, from anyone's experience with cutting edge growth, you have to be willing to fail in order to succeed. But she continues. "My friends tell me that the people here hurt people. I get that sometimes you have to do some damage in order to grow, but, and this is a big part." She puts her hands on her hips. "I don't know how to FIX what I've done already! If it goes wrong. Someone stole my work and made it into something that I don't understand, and that was just...rude! Even if they did use me to do it." Another pause. "I mean, you do have a lot, and I mean an awful lot, of resources that I would hate to miss out on being able to work with. What DO you plan to do with it all?"
Hawkmoth	"The interns are largely hoping to get a shot at the action, so it would make sense they wouldn't say anything sensible to you. The young man you referred to earlier is likely Riventon, who would likely be able to ''technically'' explain matters - he prides himself on his capacity as a scientist, I hear," Hawkmoth is musing as he says this, considering the young girl in his employ, hating the thought of losing a resource but also aware of the risks of exposing too much information... "In some ways, the people you're speaking with are right." This is where it will be tricky, and also where he runs the most risk - she isn't signed on with them as a magical contractor, and she's under ''him'', so it would be his decision as to how they handled her. She's caused no harm, and there's much room for benefit. "There are people within this corporation who are more than willing to hurt people. There are people within this organization who ''have'' hurt people - some of your friends might even suggest that I am one of them, though I would certainly argue the case otherwise. Still - if the problem is a lack of information, and the doubts of your friends... why not simply open the debate? Call your dear friend, and we'll talk, the three of us. You want access to our resources, I want access to your potential, and your friend wants what's best for you. Between the three of us, we can certainly find an agreeable solution."
Entrapta	Hm. Doesn't really address the problems, but Entrapta has found that calling Rashmi has a tendency to, in more cases than average, actually solve problems when they're otherwise difficult. She's an excellent resource. "Alright...hold this," she says, handing Hawkmoth the beaker that she'd only just picked up. "It needs to be rotated slowly so the contents don't stick to the glass, at a constant rate." She just assumes that he'll do it, whatever IT is, and gets her phone again. Dialing Rashmi. "Hey, Rashmi? This guy says that I'm right, and they're probably hurting people. He wants to talk to you." That is NOT what he said! Wait, it might be how she understood it?
Rashmi Terios	That Entrapta called back was a surprise. Not that Rashmi didn't get to finish her 'moshi-moshi' before her kohai laid out the issue of the moment... but that not even an entire day has passed between calls. Usually Entrapta's hyperfocus works for lots longer than that. "..." is what immediately follows the summary, and then a careful, "Entrapta-chan... could you make sure I'm on speaker?" Once there's confirmation that she is, in fact, addressing the room, she continues in that same slow, careful, vocal-analog-to-handling-nitroglycerin tone; "Hello, That Guy-san? May I know who I'm speaking to?"
Hawkmoth	Rotating a beaker at a constant and yet steady pace is, at least, something scientific that Hawkmoth can do, so with beaker in hand and an amused look on his face, he does exactly that. So her contact is called Rashmi, which means... ah yes, he has encountered a Rashmi - or rather, his akuma have, he is fairly certain of that. "That's certainly a way to summarize what I said," Hawkmoth notes, and his voice is pitched for the phone to catch his words. "Thank you for joining us, Rashmi. I am Hawkmoth, Entrapta's recruiter. I understand you're seeking to lure away our talent, though I would note that hurting people is a minimalist way of viewing what Obsidian does in its entirety."
Entrapta	Entrapta holds the phone. She reaches for the beaker, nodding thanks as she takes back her charge, and says, "I've found that you have to simplify your statements at the beginning of conversations to a very sharp defined level, or people on the other end tend to fail to grasp and you have to repeat yourself. It's part of how to deal with social contracts regarding interaction. I can give you my notes on it if you want." She's...yes, that was to Hawkmoth. She thinks that he's not understanding? Well, in a way perhaps he isn't. He didn't grasp her intent, definitely. "We've been delving into the concepts of gradations of harm, along with what is acceptable when in a business. I mean, I'm not in a business and that shouldn't affect me, should it?" Point, she's here for the science.
Rashmi Terios	"Hawkmo--" ...Of all the Obsidian recruiters likely to snap up Entrapta as a research mind, Hawkmoth would not have been at the top of her list of Known Actors to do it. "...Aren't you the guy who sends those butterflies that turn people into supervillains, and the supervillains tear up the city looking for a magic gizmo?" Because establishing a pattern of behavior is a good foundation for predicting future action. Also... "I know Entrapta-chan's just interesting in understanding everything she possibly can, but why you? What are you getting out of the deal?" Encouraging, at least, in that she doesn't sound utterly appalled at the idea of making a deal with an Obsidian venture, but her voice marks a fairly healthy distrust. "It's important to remember, Entrapta-chan; everyone has a motive for helping, but that motive doesn't always have to be to your benefit."
Hawkmoth	There is the slightest hitched breath from Hawkmoth, an agonized sigh that is stifled because it's times like these that he remembers that he hates children. Why does he ever interact with children? Children who aren't his son, that is, and honestly, when ''is'' the last time he checked in on Adrien... far too long, it's been, he'll have to correct that - "Fair enough, Entrapta, you've certainly boiled something down. That is a way of describing my actions in this city, yes, Ms. Rashmi. Though as a point of correction, my akuma do not turn people into supervillains - people make an exchange with me for power in return for assisting my search for the Ladybug and Cat Miraculi." It's not turning people into supervillains, it's offering them the chance to turn ''themselves'' into supervillains. Very different. And it's fair enough to question his motives. "A researcher who isn't solely invested in herself or the destruction of the planet," he says dryly, a touch of humor in his voice. "Something you are likely unsurprised to learn is quite difficult to find within the rank and file. Entrapta approached me, actually. I merely followed up on the communication, and when I learned of her desire for greater resources, offered our laboratory space."
Entrapta	Entrapta runs a hand through her hair. She didn't really get an answer to her question, but she did get other data. "You can give people powers? How does that work? Is there a transferrence object of power?" She may not have all the details, but someday this girl will in fact know -everything-. "Also, is this a situation with a dark energy bias toward socialially stigmatized actions? Because I'm noticing a trend in dark energy, where giving someone that even in an open fashion still leans them toward actions which they would normally be unwilling to perform. It's an inherent in dark energy itself. Have you considered that the opportunity you offer is more influencing than you're actually aware?" No notes. "I mean, I've been studying it for a while now and there's definitely a corruptive influence inherent in the wavelengths of the form. I'd have to do a study to see how much the influence actually is, but I don't have any live subjects at the moment." Nor are you going to get any, Entrapta-chan. "Rashmi, what's your take on it?"
Rashmi Terios	"Okay I'll concede that you don't turn people into supervillains, you make it possible for them to make themselves supervillains," Rashmi sighs. Clearly she has encountered people arguing their Dark Energy-fueled escapades are less concerning than they look, before. "Point is, from there I haven't seen an instance where they haven't immediately become wildly unaimed and dangerous to the rest of the public around them." Which, basically, means she agrees with Entrapta's analysis of the literal opportunity cost. "And while I do appreciate that you like that she's not revenge-driven or megalomanaiacal, Hawkmoth-san... You have to admit that the environment that comes with that research means she's not likely to stay that way? Because, yes, people who get infected with Dark Energy tend to lose their sense of... restraint... empathy... survival... At least, that's what I've seen so far." Rashmi falls silent for a moment, considering. "Entrapta-chan, how important is it to you, that you learn everything there is to know about Dark Energy in specific?"
Hawkmoth	"Do you recall the butterfly I offered you when we met? That was one of my akuma. I would have thought those insipid children would have shared far and wide what the Butterfly can do, but through my Miraculous, the akuma I create can indeed bestow power upon others, though the nature of that power is decided by the emotional state and needs of the recipient, rather than myself." Unfortunately. His life would be far easier if he could decide the powers others receive. Meanwhile, Entrapta is using science to elaborate on the unfortunate little side effect of Dark Energy, that very mild altering of the mental state that impacted those who weren't mindful of the ways they used their power. Hawkmoth ''is'' aware of this, and has always been mindful of ways to avoid the worst side effects. Which is why he can safely say... "I have considered this, and the opportunity is dangerous only in so far as it matters how far you yourself are willing to walk the path. Dark Energy, as a general rule, tends to build upon itself, particularly when fueled by emotion. You're of an analytical mindset, which makes it far less likely that you'll be tempted by the worst effects of Dark Energy." And then he glances at the phone, and doesn't shrug, chiefly because Rashmi wouldn't see it. "An unfortunate correlation. Those in upset often use power to lash out. It's their own emotional state driving them, rather than the akuma." He gives Entrapta a frank and earnest look. "If you wanted subjects for that experiment, you could request them. The Doom and Gloom girls were the products of a similar experiment; the results of such study could be important down the line." Not to him though, it's irrelevant to him. "The environment you can offer doesn't compare to Obsidian's resources. I doubt a high school science lab would enable you to reach your highest potential, Entrapta. Science requires tools."
Entrapta	Entrapta raises an eyebrow. "Yes, I said that at the beginning of this conversation. Well, technically around the early midpoint, I could get a transcript if necessary for clarity." She looks around, seeing if she has note paper handy. Hm. She glances up at the 'supposedly' concealed camera in the top corner, and says, "Send me down some paper. I might need a temp to do some transcribing." She knows where it is. She knows exactly where it is. Huh. She doesn't know that nobody keeps an active eye on the other end; she's just not that interesting, moment to moment. Most of Entrapta's interesting moments come in spurts. A motion sensor will pick that up just as well. Turning back, she says to the phone and to the guy, "Don't worry. I'm recording everything. Might send you a copy of what's happened later, if you're interested? No? Well, that's fine. Rashmi, it's not important to me. It's just a completion of a picture, I need to get all the energy forms into a coherent whole in order to have a global grasp on magic rather than a snapshot event, which seems to be all anyone has. Really I think I can move on to another topic for now, if Dark is going to cause the experimenter to become biased I can't afford that, not even a little." She looks at Hawkmoth directly now. "Less likely is still a statistical possibility, and I can't corrupt the control group, which at the moment is me. When I find a way to properly shield from dark energy, I'll come back to you. You can count on that. Science demands it!"
Rashmi Terios	Unseen on the other side of the phone, Rashmi performs an incredibly huge eye-roll when Hawkmoth talks of 'insipid children,' but lets it pass without comment. "...That's actually a really good reason why you should let her go for the moment, Hawkmoth-san. Because another thing you'd have to consider is; how well can you protect her from the others? Otto's not around anymore, or Beryl, but Tomoe Labs is still active. And then there's Jo-- well. Him." Is it overplaying her hand, to let Hawkmoth know how much of Obsidian's org chart she's passingly familiar with? After two years... maybe not very much, considering the density of wacky that occurs in Tokyo. "You really, really want someone who wouldn't be too poisoned by Dark Energy to think clearly... but what about everyone who is?" Sitting down crosslegged on her bed, Rashmi takes in a deep breath. "Entrapta-chan, I think your plan is a really, really good one. And I'm willing to help you with it."
Hawkmoth	She knows where the camera is - he expected as much. It's a piece of technology in a room she occupies; there was never any doubt that she would find some way to access it. He doesn't correct her assumption that someone is watching. Instead, he considers their dual propositions, and again acknowledges, if only to himself, that forcing a prisoner to do research ''will not work''. And he would have to hold her captive to keep her to stay, that much is clear. She's worried about her data. It's been clear from the start that her experiments are where her true passion lies. And her friend makes... an irksome amount of sense. "I will count on that," he says, firmly, and then from a pocket withdraws a black credit card. It has her name on it - Enissa von Trapp's name, at least. "This is your company card. I will consider this endeavor to be your first major research endeavor, and when you have succeeded in developing your shielding, I will offer you another project, one that will give you the opportunity to continue collecting data to gain a global grasp of magic. I will have access to the banking records of this card. If you misuse it, I will limit your funds. So long as your purchases are for research materials and maintaining your living, you will have satisfactory funding. I would like a report on your progress in a month's time." Rashmi can be pleasantly surprised - she's seen several people depart Obsidian now, and none of them have had experiences nearly this pleasant.
Entrapta	On Entrapta's first day here, Rashmi bought her something. It was an audio recorder, designed to help her do her work, but also to teach her how money functions on Earth. It hasn't really stuck; she's never gotten her head around economics because it's not something that dominates her waking moments. Not like the job. This will help with the job. "I can give you direct access, no reason to wait for reports. Ridiculous, nobody should be limited in their access to knowledge. I have no idea if you'll understand it, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have the opportunity." She looks at the card, uncertain if she's supposed to take it or not, then looks at the phone. "I have to finish this experiment, I'm almost done. But, do me a favour?" She assumes that someone will do this, because she's looking at the phone. Which in her mind is close enough. "Tell me to stop? I keep starting new projects and forgetting that I was supposed to be leaving. I swear, all you actually needed to do to keep me here was to roll a shiny ball through the room once every half hour." She sighs, then leans over and bangs the beaker that she's been working on. It fizzles, then pops. "Stupid chemical reaction. You're not going to be one of the good ones, are you? Bah." Well, at least she knows herself. That's good?
Rashmi Terios	And through the phone comes a fond, put-upon sigh. "Entrapta-chan, stop what you're doing and come back. Also Hawkmoth-san, please don't take that as permission to roll a shiny ball into her lab ten minutes from now. If she's not back tonight, I'll likely get upset. And while I could use the catharsis, it would probably be counterproductive in the long run for everyone, me included." Her tone is absolutely respectful and deferential, as befits a teenager speaking to their elder! But there's an edge to her voice that suggests that whatever Rashmi is doing, she's not joking. "But... thank you for not making this difficult for her, or anyone else, and I mean that sincerely." There's a moment of silence, then Rashmi clears her throat. "...Also I'll be calling back every ten minutes until you tell me you're out the door, Entrapta-chan. Just tell me the closest street sign and I'll pick you up." It is, honestly, surprising that Hawkmoth is willing to let her essentially be an adjunct researcher... But with a bit of thought, it really does seem to be the smartest move to make. Which is why it's surprising; smart moves almost always lose out to greedy moves.
Hawkmoth	Under the mask, an eyebrow raises - as an adult who employs many other adults, Hawkmoth isn't used to employees who turn down the opportunity for lax supervision. Direct access to her information and reports means direct access to her productivity - and while he doesn't doubt that Entrapta ''will be'' productive, he is, as ever, perpetually surprised by how unlike other people she is. Some day he'll get used to it. "Much appreciated then. I am certain I'll be able to muddle through." Under other circumstance she would challenge the assertion that he might not understand, but, well. He can literally see the writing on the wall, and it is beyond him, at least without a substantially dedicated period of study. He looks at her, takes note of how she is not taking the card, and wonders if he should just... clip it onto her, like a leash to a dog. R "I will not roll a shiny ball through your lab," it's his turn to roll his eyes, unseen. "It is to our mutual benefit that you continue your work. Very well, when this experiment is over, I will remind you to stop, and you can take your company card then; your hands should at least be free of chemical containers at that point." And then he pauses, and says, very pleasantly, "Ms. Rashmi, you should ask your friends Ladybug and Chat Noir about the Butterfly. It will help you understand just how counterproductive it would be to get upset while I am around."
Entrapta	And, Entrapta has already gone off on a tangent. Sigh. This is what Rashmi has to put up with, and what Hawkmoth has gotten a taste of. Ten seconds of talking about other things, and the purple-haired whackadoo has gotten up on the table and started peering into her beakers again. Muttering something bout 'shelf lives of products' and 'repeating algorithms'. She hops down, then starts to pull out a microscope from under the shelf. Which is a good ten minute process all on its own, and then actually using it, and then whatever's needed to record the results, and then she'll forget to use the washroom and there's another project that could be done... And, five minutes later, Entrapta finds herself out the door of Obsidian. She's not sure how she got there, but there's a vague memory of being -placed- out the door, rather firmly. Who did it? Probably a temp. That guy with the mask wouldn't have, would he? Nah. "Huh. Why do I have a card clipped to my shirt? Oh, hey Rashmi. I'm outside. Want to get ice cream?"