expiationlogs | October Catch-All

[Somehow, some part of them expected the city of Aldrip itself to shift into something else after the reset. The buildings all coming together to have the same style, for instance, or going from its current size to something much smaller. Instead, it looks the same as it did when they arrived (minus several meteors and natural disasters): a mismatched, mixed-up patchwork they could compare to a bunch of Districts rolled into one.]

[It does, however, mean that there's no lack of inspiration for business, and they can be seen stopping to tap-tap away at their PDA, taking notes on what's available in the area (totally not looking suspicious at all and too in their own head to notice).

[Or maybe you catch them lingering around in front of a restaurant after all their note-taking is finished, letting out a tick-tock hum as they wonder whether or not they had any of the dishes available before the whole clock-head business.]

[All in all, it's pretty hard to miss a guy that's wandering around with a clock for a head. And unless Aldrip suddenly got another Chosen that has such a prosthetic, Scott can only assume that it's the same guy that he talked to about a month ago over the tablets. Dante, if he recalls correctly. Scott found him pretty nice overall, with the whole asking if he was alright even though they never talked before.

It helped, honestly, especially after seeing that messed up profile of himself. Just... a random stranger's kindness.

But he's himself now and with the world looking more stable once more, he can finally feel a little relieved that he suddenly won't shift into another version of himself. There's still other things to worry about, of course, but Scott's going to shove that to the back of his mind as he raises an arm in greeting. Hey man, how are you doing etc--]

Hey. [Scott starts, greeting the other in a mostly casual manner. His other hand's in his pocket and the teen seems to be doing fine with no visible sign of injury or exhaustion.] Dante, right? Thinking of grabbing something?

[...Can this guy even eat anymore??]

< ...? >

[Dante looks over, a bit startled to hear their name and sees... a stranger? No. There's something familiar about him. Kind of like the guy who was on...]

[Oh.]

[Right. This must be how he normally looks. ...He's younger than they expected. Why are there so many younger people getting charged with crimes around here?]

< Oh, no. Even if I wanted to, it's not like I can enjoy it. > [They gesture to their lack of mouth with a little shrug] < But I like to look sometimes. Even if I can't taste it I can always recommend it if it sounds good, right? >

[It really didn't occur to Scott until now that Dante shouldn't be able to talk, at least not in a normal manner. But whether it's through this place's own strange way of translating languages or if this is something the clock man's able to do on his own, his words are understood by the young mutant. The realization gets Scott to blink a couple of times behind the protection of his shades, before halfway shrugging.

Look, it's cool, he's glad that talking won't be an issue.]

So, what you're saying is that you won't be pissed off if I eat a fancy ass steak in front of you. [Not that Scott wants to really order steak. It's fucking expensive man.] Kind of sounds like a dick move still.

[Dante shrugs and waves a hand as if trying to physically brush the worry away.]

< When you're the only one in a team of people who can't eat, you get used to it pretty quickly. ...Well, maybe a little awkward, but not as much as it used to be. I still sometimes wonder how it tastes, though. >

[Especially when everyone's enjoying themselves so much.]

[...Well, guess if he really doesn't mind. Not to mention that he's pretty hungry and everything. Maybe grabbing some grub while talking to clockman will be a good way to spend his lunch today. Yeah, why not? Scott slides his other hand into his pocket before nodding back at the restaurant, gesturing that he's on board with eating in front of him and everything.]

Okay, but I better not hear any bitching later. [...] Was there a meal that you were really curious about? I guess I could try it.

[Now that's the question isn't it? Anything expensive is off the table, that's for sure. They're not going to make Scott break the bank on their account. Given the air's starting to get a bit chilly with fall fading to winter... Yeah, something warm sounds best.]

< Does the mulligatawny sound like something you'd eat? I saw it on some menus of a place I was traveling for work before I ended up here and it sounded interesting enough. >

[Scott has no idea what mulligatawny is, but he's adventurous and thus he can handle anything that comes his way (that's what he tells himself at least). He won't wimp out!! Besides, if Dante really wants to experience food through him and this is what they've requested, then he's not going to put up a fuss. Maybe it'll help them feel like they're eating with their friends once more.

He understands how important that feeling is.]

Yeah, sure. [He looks back at the entrance of the restaurant they're in front of, about ready to walk in.] I'll be sure to savor every bite in front of you. Describe the flavor and shit with flowery words.

[Dante reaches for the door, holding it open with one hand and making a dismissive gesture with the other.]

< You don't need to go that far! Really. I... >

["I haven't even done anything to warrant a favor" is what they want to say. They don't. ...Maybe they'll just pay for the food instead.]

< A-Anyway, things been better since that post? Not having to deal with unnatural disasters so often has to be a pretty big relief, huh? >

Geez, you're supposed to tell me I'm an asshole.

[He has to educate everyone around here it seems!! But with Dante opening the door for them, Scott will slip inside, taking just a few moments to look around. The locals don't seem too happy that they've come in, almost giving a cold shoulder, but if asked, they will be seated. Just things may cost a little extra...

Scott's almost distracted enough that he doesn't answer Dante, but their words eventually settle in his mind.]

Yeah, still in one piece. [Some of his attitude's dropped, the mutant a little more serious as he gives his attention to the clock.] You haven't run into any trouble yet?

[They shake their head.]

< No trouble, but I didn't go out there with anyone else, either. Between the lack of combat experience and the fact I haven't been here nearly as long as everyone else, it made sense to stay out of everyone's way. >

[For both their sake and others.]

[They pause the conversation to flag someone down and ask for a seat. There's... a lot they want to say about the rudeness, but considering people can actually understand them now, it seems best to keep those thoughts on the inside. At least until public perception lightens up a bit.]

< But I'm working on changing that. It's not like I can hide forever, especially if I'm going to be here for awhile. >

[His face scrunches at the rude behavior, but he keeps his comments to himself. Not the first time the locals acted like this towards him, so whatever. Creating a fuss or bitching at them won't help, it might even get them kicked out. So he just plans on eating that dish in front of Dante because that's what they wanted.

Once they're seated and the waiter walks away, however, Scott will mutter 'asshole' underneath his breath.

...But resuming the conversation, it makes sense what Dante is saying. Scott probably felt that way long ago, when he first got here, unsure of what he can do. Mostly, he was afraid of hurting anyone with his powers. Kind of funny that he still can't fully control them, but he still feels more confident, more confident about he can do.]

You shouldn't have to hide. [He says, like it's fact.] No one's been making you feel that way, right? I mean, besides the locals.

[Someone making them feel like they have to hide? ...Oh.]

< No, no. >

[They hold up their hands.]

< I meant when it comes to fighting. People have been fine when it comes to my head. Well... they have questions. But I kind of expected that. It's hard not to. >

Good, just double checking. As long as it's just that and nothing else.

[He's mostly satisfied with Dante's answer. It did sound like they were just talking about hiding from combat, but he wanted to be sure. Maybe he's assuming too much, but Scott feels like Dante wouldn't make a big deal out if someone was being total crap to them.]

So, what kind of powers do you have anyway? Not just telling time, right? [...Sorry Dante.]

< It... doesn't actually tell time. >

[Not unless it's been 10:00 for over half a year.]

< "Powers..." >

[What's even safe to talk about? Most of the things they can do don't even matter when it's just them. Although... Given they've already been taxed on it to a ludicrous degree...]

< I can slow down time? It's something that's only come up in the past month, but that probably counts. >

Dude.

[Dante just casually admitting that they can slow down time. That's nothing to sneeze at! Heh, and that power sort of goes along with the whole clock motif they have, but either way, this is really neat to hear about?? He can't really think of anyone else that has this kind of power.

So, Scott really looks interested. Yep, all that bright focused energy is solely on Dante now.]

Seriously? That's fucking incredible.

[There's a moment of quiet as Dante takes a moment to process this. Incredible? Them? Since when? Even that power, helpful as it was at the time, had only gotten them all into more trouble in the end.

Maybe... Maybe it's more useful than they thought?]

< Thanks. I'm still figuring out the best way to make use of it, but... >

[They don't know where they were going with that.]

< What about you? I'm not the only one at this table who can do something special, am I? >

You really don't know? You're like one of the last people around here that's unaware.

[Okay okay, he's done teasing Dante (maybe). Talking about his powers is mostly an easy thing nowadays, because acceptance and all that. He's had time and people that were not only accepting, but willing to help him out. His reaction would definitely be a different story a year ago. Now, he just lifts one shoulder in a light shrug.]

Optic blasts. There's a reason why I always wear sunglasses and it's not just because to look cool. [Which. He totally is.]

< Optic... blasts? >

[Like lasers from his eyes? That's...

Actually, that's kind of cool. And while the sentiment isn't voiced, Dante does perk up a bit, looking more interested.]

< I'm not sure I understand what you mean by the sunglasses though. >

...I need them to keep my powers contained.

[His smirk vanishes and while Scott isn't bothered or upset, he's definitely a little more serious. Like this matter is personal and important to him, which, it is. He's gotten a lot better accepting his lack of control and he's made some progress despite of that after months of training, but it doesn't erase the main thing holding back him.]

I can't control my powers, not really. If I didn't have these glasses, I'd have to walk around with my eyes closed the entire time.

< ...Oh. >

[It seemed like an innocent question, but now they regret bringing it up. For all Scott was proud of his powers just a moment ago, they seem just as much a curse as they are a gift.]

< Even good things come with a catch, huh? >

Yeah, something like that. But really, I'm glad that I'm a mutant and everything. [He can't really imagine not having his powers anymore.] Besides, it gave me a reason to get out of that crappy school in Ohio.

[And now he's going to some fancy institute in New York. From the sound of things, it's likely he's going to be staying there for a while, but he'll figure more of that when he actually gets back.

Besides, the waiter's finally back to take their orders, even if he looks extremely reluctant, maybe even unpleasant. Scott just barrels on ahead, ordering the dish that Dante requested him to get.]

[ .. yeah, that's definitely looking suspicious.

In fact, it looks so suspicious to Ange that she's only paying attention to the action, which draws her attention way more than the way the other looks. So when she approaches Dante, Ange looks entirely calm, even as she's directly looking at their clock head.

Well. Maybe she's also trying to sneak a peek at those notes, but it's difficult when she's not exactly the tallest person around. ]

Are you trying to think up some secret mastermind plan? [ She asks - her tone so calm too, perhaps even a touch dry at the edges. ]

[The way they're standing around here like this, they should have expected someone would eventually come around and ask what they were doing. But jumping straight to them being some sort of mastermind...]

[Maybe it's a joke? She's so calm and collected about it they can't tell.]

< Um, no? Just noting what businesses are where and what they might need. It's all entirely above board! >

[...That still sounds way too suspicious.]

[ Extremely normal, Dante. Not sounding suspicious at all. You truly are nailing it over here. ]

Uh-huh. Because that's exactly what people with plans that are above board say. [ Indeed, the girl seems very unconvinced.. Not that she seems to be intensively accusing them here either. If anything, she seems so weirdly casual about it.. ]

If you are thinking about causing trouble, maybe you should reconsider. We've already been having so much annoying trouble over the past months, you know. And the city only just went back to.. well, whatever passes for "normal" here.

< I'm really not... >

[They're pretty sure this girl is younger than they are, and yet they can't help but feel like a young child being scolded.]

< I don't know how to explain it-- > [They hesitate, but then decide the truth is likely to get them in less trouble than trying to play it off like they did earlier.] < --mostly because I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing--but I really am just taking notes. Now that everyone's gotten a lot colder towards us and we can be sure the world's not going to end for awhile, I figured I should probably get a job. >

[ ...

Ange blinks at them. ]

Wait, what?

[ No matter what answer she was expecting, apparently it was in fact not this. It's enough to break through her pokerface a little, giving them a genuine surprised look.. ]

This is your idea of a job hunt? [ Not that Ange has a much better idea of it, given the rich life she had been leading back home.

But she's pretty sure it doesn't involve making notes in the most suspicious of ways. ]

[This person's head is a clock.

While they take notes on the PDA, Visas watches, trying to understand. They don't look like a droid to her in any other way. Cybernetic prosthetics are so frequent as to be common in her home galaxy--especially so recently postwar as it is. But she's never seen someone whose head was replaced.

She can't puzzle it out. But there's a way to find out, probably.]

What are you?

[She knows that it's probably going to be taken as rude. She isn't sure how else to ask.]

[Dante's shoulders raise as they're startled by the question, then slump as the words sink in.]

< Just a normal person. With a clock for a head. >

[Which isn't very normal. Especially with all the ticking in place of words--helpfully translated by the system they're all living inside.]

< It's a prosthesis, which is pretty common in my world. Well, maybe not the clock part, but... >

[Oh... the question itself was hurtful.]

I did not mean to cause offense. I am not Human myself, and I thought that you might not be, either. [It is downright strange to Visas that so many of the Chosen are human, to the exclusion of almost all other species.] I am Visas.

Edited 2024-10-09 14:29 (UTC)

[She isn't? But she looks... Maybe it's not their place to ask. Not yet, anyway.]

< Dante. And, uh, it's fine, really. I'm pretty used to the questions at this point, so no offense taken. >

Very well. [She's not sure that's true, but if he's content to overlook it, she won't belabor the apology.] It is not unusual to see prosthetics where I am from, either.

[Years of interstellar war will do that.]

What are you observing?

< Oh! One moment. >

[They look down at the PDA in their hands one last time and save the note that they were writing before pocketing the device once more.]

< I'm just looking around to see what kinds of businesses are out there and making notes on what sorts of things they might need. Things... manpower... That sort of thing. I'm trying- > ["Try" being the key word] < -to put something together, but I need to figure out what I'm working with first. >

[How interesting. Visas never would have thought to try operating an actual business here. She wonders what that would even involve. Finding something to sell... counting... money?

Money was never her job on the Ebon Hawk. A couple of the Exile's other companions were keenly interested in it, managing it and obtaining more of it with enthusiasm and arguments.]

...It would be reassuring to have a place to buy things that was run by a real person.

< Ah. It's not that I'm planning to sell anything, exactly... >

[They're even less sure about what goes into all of that than they are with their current half-baked venture]

< More of a... "service," I guess? A job placement agency or a group that will go out and find things for other people. Something like that. >

[...Hm.]

That would be useful for many Chosen. Especially those who are new.

[And possibly herself. If she was interested in doing things the proper, socially-mandated way.]

October Catch-All

Market Research

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