In Focus {5/5} [Monster University Spoilers]afterandalasiaOctober 23 2013, 17:43:42 UTC
Another knock, this one slightly louder, followed, and then the door creaked open anyway. Randall rolled his eyes, but did not turn around until Sullivan cleared his throat.
"Randall. Can I have a word?"
"Considering you're CEO, I'd imagine you can do whatever you want." He forced anger into the words, even as it didn't quite want to fit. He screwed up the paper bag that had held his lunch and tossed it in the direction of the trash can.
But Sullivan wasn't acting like a CEO, Randall had to admit. Not even his version of it, which involved a lot more friendliness and interest in things than Waternoose had ever managed to summon, and a lot fewer despairing sighs. "I just wanted to say..." Sullivan took a deep breath, then dropped out a single word like a weight: "Sorry."
"Sorry?" Of all of the things that Sullivan could have said, that took him completely by surprise. Randall's head snapped up to the taller monster's face, fronds flicking upwards.
"For... well, for everything." Still that sincere tone, soaking every word. Randall was speechless as Sullivan pressed on. "For being such an ass in college, and then for never making it up, and... for everything that happened with Waternoose. With Boo. I know--"
"Stop, stop." Randall waved sharply, closing his eyes and just trying to make the right space in his head for the words. Sullivan was apologizing? Sure, Randall had hated the guy, but that was because he was so successful, because he'd had everything, not for anything in particular that he had done. College was college. Sullivan somehow becoming top Scarer despite college, that was what had hurt. Sullivan being popular and sociable and somehow gaining Mike's redirected confidence.
He heard Sullivan go to say something else, and waved again before holding up one finger for a moment's pause. He snapped open his case, retrieved his glasses, and slipped them back on again. The world refined itself into focus.
"Say it again."
"I'm... I'm sorry?" Randall could see the expression go to with the words now. Confusion, and a little bit of desperation, but above all that honesty. "For the illegal banishment most of all, I mean, I of all people should have known--"
"You mean it."
Sullivan blinked for a moment, then shrugged. "Well, yeah."
Slowly, Randall reached up and removed his glasses once again. It felt strange to wear them nowadays, even when he was by himself. They pinched the sides of his head.
"You... actually mean that."
Not, sorry, Randall, but we're going to have to ask you to leave the Roars. Not, sorry, Randall, I don't think working on your station is going to work out. Not, sorry, Randall, looks like you're second place again this year.
"Thanks," he said. It came out not just quietly, but softly. Sulley nodded, and went as if he was going to leave without even waiting for anything more, and Randall hurried to stand between him and the door. "And... I'm sorry, too."
Sullivan paused for a moment, then patted him on the arm. The leather of his paw was warm against Randall's skin. "Thanks, Randall. I really appreciate that." The door swung softly to behind him, and Randall rubbed his eyes tiredly. And it wasn't even lunchtime.
"I'm going soft," he muttered to himself, and slammed the door for good measure. Just because he'd meant the apology didn't mean that he fancied repeating it any time soon. He just wasn't sure yet whether he minded the change.
Re: In Focus {5/5} [Monster University Spoilers]afterandalasiaNovember 2 2013, 19:17:20 UTC
As a newcomer to this fandom, I genuinely enjoyed this fill! You're fantastic!
Honestly I was a little surprised to see this end with Sulley being the one to apologize, in hopes of burying the hatchet and be the bigger monster (truthfully, I was a bit adverse to the idea, after all Randall had done and wished he was more repentant), but after a second read, I realized that's how he is (How they both are) and as the writer, you really stuck to the trueness of their characters (Also, I love that Randall is starting to see this as well).
And despite this being written in through only Randall's perspective (I wasn't sure whether this was intentional or not, but the fact that the story takes place in a small room, Randall sort of isolated and boxed into this single space, only Sulley coming and going, is quite ingenious) you've managed to fit a perfect amount of detail, without being to excessive or lengthy. -Kudos all around, especially on the means by which you've subtly shown their attraction to one another, Randall fighting his feelings every step of the way, Sulley really trying with him, but clearly just as hesitant to wholly give in (Sounds like he's got a thing for the sexy librarian types. ~Someone's getting promoted to personal assistant~).
Thanks for writing and I to see more works by you very soon!
Re: In Focus {5/5} [Monster University Spoilers]afterandalasiaNovember 7 2013, 14:50:33 UTC
Oh gosh, thank you so much! I'm really glad that people are enjoying this ^^
I kind of wanted to see Randall apologise (first) as well, because what he did was worse than what Sulley did, but... as you said, characterisation. Randall's just starting to, if you'll pardon the pun, see things properly.
Omg PA Randall could be hysterical. "What do you want? He's busy." "...Randall, give me the phone." "Just because you're a Director doesn't mean you can just butt in." "...Randall, the phone. Now."
Re: In Focus {5/5} [Monster University Spoilers]afterandalasiaDecember 18 2013, 14:14:37 UTC
Eee, thank you! I actually find it pretty interesting writing in Randall's POV, trying to make him something of a protagonist despite what he did in MI. I suppose it's getting into the redemption side of things as well. (And I'm babbling. My apologies.)
"Randall. Can I have a word?"
"Considering you're CEO, I'd imagine you can do whatever you want." He forced anger into the words, even as it didn't quite want to fit. He screwed up the paper bag that had held his lunch and tossed it in the direction of the trash can.
But Sullivan wasn't acting like a CEO, Randall had to admit. Not even his version of it, which involved a lot more friendliness and interest in things than Waternoose had ever managed to summon, and a lot fewer despairing sighs. "I just wanted to say..." Sullivan took a deep breath, then dropped out a single word like a weight: "Sorry."
"Sorry?" Of all of the things that Sullivan could have said, that took him completely by surprise. Randall's head snapped up to the taller monster's face, fronds flicking upwards.
"For... well, for everything." Still that sincere tone, soaking every word. Randall was speechless as Sullivan pressed on. "For being such an ass in college, and then for never making it up, and... for everything that happened with Waternoose. With Boo. I know--"
"Stop, stop." Randall waved sharply, closing his eyes and just trying to make the right space in his head for the words. Sullivan was apologizing? Sure, Randall had hated the guy, but that was because he was so successful, because he'd had everything, not for anything in particular that he had done. College was college. Sullivan somehow becoming top Scarer despite college, that was what had hurt. Sullivan being popular and sociable and somehow gaining Mike's redirected confidence.
He heard Sullivan go to say something else, and waved again before holding up one finger for a moment's pause. He snapped open his case, retrieved his glasses, and slipped them back on again. The world refined itself into focus.
"Say it again."
"I'm... I'm sorry?" Randall could see the expression go to with the words now. Confusion, and a little bit of desperation, but above all that honesty. "For the illegal banishment most of all, I mean, I of all people should have known--"
"You mean it."
Sullivan blinked for a moment, then shrugged. "Well, yeah."
Slowly, Randall reached up and removed his glasses once again. It felt strange to wear them nowadays, even when he was by himself. They pinched the sides of his head.
"You... actually mean that."
Not, sorry, Randall, but we're going to have to ask you to leave the Roars. Not, sorry, Randall, I don't think working on your station is going to work out. Not, sorry, Randall, looks like you're second place again this year.
"Thanks," he said. It came out not just quietly, but softly. Sulley nodded, and went as if he was going to leave without even waiting for anything more, and Randall hurried to stand between him and the door. "And... I'm sorry, too."
Sullivan paused for a moment, then patted him on the arm. The leather of his paw was warm against Randall's skin. "Thanks, Randall. I really appreciate that." The door swung softly to behind him, and Randall rubbed his eyes tiredly. And it wasn't even lunchtime.
"I'm going soft," he muttered to himself, and slammed the door for good measure. Just because he'd meant the apology didn't mean that he fancied repeating it any time soon. He just wasn't sure yet whether he minded the change.
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Honestly I was a little surprised to see this end with Sulley being the one to apologize, in hopes of burying the hatchet and be the bigger monster (truthfully, I was a bit adverse to the idea, after all Randall had done and wished he was more repentant), but after a second read, I realized that's how he is (How they both are) and as the writer, you really stuck to the trueness of their characters (Also, I love that Randall is starting to see this as well).
And despite this being written in through only Randall's perspective (I wasn't sure whether this was intentional or not, but the fact that the story takes place in a small room, Randall sort of isolated and boxed into this single space, only Sulley coming and going, is quite ingenious) you've managed to fit a perfect amount of detail, without being to excessive or lengthy.
-Kudos all around, especially on the means by which you've subtly shown their attraction to one another, Randall fighting his feelings every step of the way, Sulley really trying with him, but clearly just as hesitant to wholly give in (Sounds like he's got a thing for the sexy librarian types. ~Someone's getting promoted to personal assistant~).
Thanks for writing and I to see more works by you very soon!
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I kind of wanted to see Randall apologise (first) as well, because what he did was worse than what Sulley did, but... as you said, characterisation. Randall's just starting to, if you'll pardon the pun, see things properly.
Omg PA Randall could be hysterical. "What do you want? He's busy." "...Randall, give me the phone." "Just because you're a Director doesn't mean you can just butt in." "...Randall, the phone. Now."
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So glad these seem to be connected!
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Thank you for commenting; I'm really happy you enjoyed this.
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