[It's almost annoying how quickly his business brain turns on—managing a medical technology company means certain topics automatically catch his notice. He's no doctor or engineer, but he knows enough to ask questions, which is what he's needed to do to progress as far as he has...
Bah, none of that matters right now. After his moment of apparent thought, he leaves the topic behind with a shake of his head, though he doesn't aim to forget it entirely. He's trying to gather much more basic and vital information, like what dangers he might have to face.]
Then the "other things" you mentioned happened after that.
[He really is determined to know all of it as soon as possible, huh? They guess they can't really blame him. They were hoping he'd get to have some fun first, but maybe it really is better if they just rip the bandage off now.]
< ...Yeah. Meteors, people becoming different versions of themselves, disasters, and a whole lot of other impossible things happening at once. Glitches in the system. >
[A pause.]
< If that makes sense to you at all. I don't even know if you come from somewhere with computers. >
[Sorry Dante, maybe fun can happen later. ... much later. Zekarion has to get through a couple of inner crises first. He nods faintly at the last remark, taking in the potentials and turning them over in his mind. It sounds...
Unpleasantly familiar, now that he thinks about it. Minus them being called glitches. No, his experiences were caused by something that was very much not technological in nature.]
I'm familiar. [A furrow comes to his brow.] I've heard of all this referred to as a simulation? Potentially.
[It's difficult to believe, but most possibilities are. He has to follow the proof, however unpleasant.]
[Altius lets out a sound somewhere between a disgruntled huff and a hum, forcefully shoving the words on that parchment into the back of his mind to deal with later. Much later.
More to the present:]
Do you have any idea as to how many of us there are?
[Just focus on how helpful this clock-headed person is being, Altius. Don't go overboard. Get the information you need.]
< You'll get used to it eventually. Probably quicker than you expect. >
[Of course, they didn't have the years and years of expectations other people had to complicate things. Even now there are some benefits to being an amnesiac.]
< Anything in particular you're having trouble with? >
Is there anything he's not having trouble with? Being stuck here at all is—untenable. The idea that this is a simulation, unreal, that this is just a copy of his consciousness, it's all just theory. Without any proof of that, he can't justify being here longer than a day—maybe two, at best. If he doesn't return in time...]
... my main concern is my own world, frankly.
[He sounds almost... hesitant to admit it? There's something of a defeated edge in the way he folds his arms.]
But if there were an easy way to return, I imagine no Chosen would remain here.
[The question draws the man further into his thoughts, and even he doesn't have the awareness to hide how he stops really looking at Dante, and starts looking through them, at something only he can see.
He could respond with something vague. Express his desire to solve the problems of his own life, rather than whatever's happening here. But even with his years and years of practice of keeping everything internal under his public face, he can't brush this aside.
Supposedly, speaking about things is supposed to help one to cope. It's what he kept parroting to Ferran, in any case. In a voice much more quiet than before:]
Someone in my care was severely injured. [His eyes slide slowly to a distant spot on some booth.] And then I awoke here.
[He doesn't need to say more than that. And... it explains a lot.
How would they feel if one of the Sinners fell and they were whisked away before they could turn the clock? And this man... he probably doesn't even have that.]
< You know... >
[They hesitate. Will saying something really help? It's not as if they know the ins and outs of this system. They could just be giving this guy false hope, or making his situation worse.
But somehow, the idea of not saying anything at all sits worse.]
< Some of the people who end up here claim to be dead in their home world. I don't know if it's true or not, but I do know that--simulation or not--our souls here are real. So... I figure if something like that is possible, getting back with enough time to help them, no matter how much time you spend here... That's gotta be possible too, right? >
[Amber eyes return to Dante, this time with actual focus on the clock's face. His brow twitches into a frown at the mention of the dead returning to some form of life, whatever existing here might be described as... and it's almost as upsetting as it is reassuring. He feels a throb of something in his chest and forcefully sets the thought aside, only to be met with hopeful nonsense that feels almost desperate. Meant to reassure him, of course. He doesn't find the disdain for it he might normally have.
The space of a breath passes, and another, before he replies at a typical volume.]
I'll endeavor to reach the confidence you seem to have in that. [Souls. Can this person detect such things? He pauses a moment, but something harder comes to his demeanor—pushing away whatever momentary despair he might have displayed before.] In the meantime there's nothing to be done but work towards that possibility, regardless.
[He's certainly not planning to stay here, whatever the result of that may be.]
[They hope he doesn't, for the amount of confidence they have is much, much lower than they make it seem. They can only hope, and make sure others don't lose hope either. Because if there isn't a way forward, if all they're doing is walking in circles...
They change the subject. For both their sakes, they'd like to think, but really just for their own.]
< Oh, um, by the way, you might want to look for a job while you're here. It might be a simulation, but apparently the need for money is simulated here too. >
[Altius doesn't object to the change of topic. He's not sure what else there is to pursue in that regard with this person, anyway.]
A prison that doesn't pretend to provide for its inhabitants, is it...
[Markedly bitter for his usually pleasant facade, perhaps, but he thinks he can be excused. He'll put in whatever work is needed, but he can be annoyed about it.]
The locals outside this carnival don't seem particularly interested in tolerating me, let alone hiring me. [But Dante had said that was unusual.] Do you imagine this mood of theirs will last long?
< Mn, it's hard to say, really. But people here have started up their own businesses too, so you don't need to worry about that. And if all else fails, there's always bartering. >
[There's something about this guy that makes them think he'd be better at it than they are.
They continue on, half-joking.]
< Or if you don't mind joining a start-up, I've got something going. >
[Him, negotiating with businesses? Naww, he's only been doing that for the past fifteen years or so...
He decides against bringing up the potential barriers of integrating with the local economy if every non-Chosen supplier, worker and customer is set on avoiding them. ... he has potential solutions for that sour mood of theirs, anyway. If he truly needs it.]
I run a business, myself. ["Business" may be an understatement... but he's shifting into professional mode.] If nothing else, I'm interested in making connections where I can. Tell me about what you have.
[He's someone with experience, who knows what he's doing. Somehow they feel even more out of their depth than they did before.
Right. Now's not the time to let that show. Best to use this lack of face to their advantage.]
< We... find things for people. Other things as well, but if you need someone to go out and secure something for you, we'll go out and grab it--even if it means going to more dangerous places. That's the gist of it, anyway. >
[His eyebrows rise faintly at the pause, and the description. Vague. They haven't found their footing yet, he supposes? He sounds very much in his element when as he continues:]
Something between a courier and an expeditionary force? [Interesting. The map he recalls looking at earlier on that device was incomplete... which makes him wonder how much of this world and its resources are an unknown, and what's actually out there to be found. How thorough is all of that, if this is truly a simulation?
In any case.]
How many are working with you? [Dante did say we, so at least they've gotten some sort of help, if that's to be believed.] And what aspects of this venture do you have covered?
[help them they are middle management they have never been to the higher meetings they have no idea what they're doing oh no oh man oh god]
< Courier's not exactly what we're going for, but... I guess that's sort of our niche right now. Got to start small to build a reputation, right? >
[Right??]
< I'm taking care of administration. We have someone willing to help with healing to take care of anyone who might get hurt while on an expedition, and... two others to do fieldwork. Well, three if you count me. >
His gaze momentarily sharpens with interest at the mention of healing—given that Dante previously referred to their unusual head as a prosthesis, that gives him the impression they're not referring to a medic or doctor. How common might that sort of magic be, in a place that draws in supposed criminals from separate worlds...?
All of those thoughts and the look that went with it pass in a split second.]
We all have to start somewhere, [he agrees neutrally.] You're handling supplies and transport, then? Or are you all pitching in for the time being?
[It's literally his job to check all the boxes for these things, so it's natural for him to just... start doing it. More to the present, though, it would help him understand where his skills would work best, should he decide to get involved.]
I'm also curious to know how much interest you've received thus far.
[Their sense of confidence was nice while it lasted, but here it is now, slowly circling the drain.
It's like taking a test they studied all the wrong things for--not that they'd remember what that's even like.]
< I, uh... I guess you could say we're all pitching in. And we're just kind of bringing it in ourselves as far as transport goes. And we uh... Um... That is... >
[They shove their hands into their pockets as deep as they can go and shift awkwardly in place]
< I delivered some quartz recently. >
[And that turned into an experience in and of itself.]
[That posture really tells Altius everything he needs to know, if the halting answer didn't already do it. It might almost be endearing, outside of the realm of actually looking for viable services to connect with.]
I see.
[It's out of a sense of appreciation for what Dante has told him thus far that he adds a hint of interest into the reply, rather than using the flat, unimpressed affect he might have for one of his employees. And Dante is, after all, not on his payroll; whether they succeed doesn't necessarily affect him. Still, there's a knowing glint in his eye that he doesn't try that hard to hide.]
It sounds as though you'd benefit from a bit of advertising. [It's a gentle suggestion coming from him, for all that implies.] I'll be happy to spread the word for your...?
[Insert startup name here?]
when someone with a single year of management experience attempts to run their own business.......
[If they sound defeated it's because they are. Maybe in addition to that book on identifying plants they should look into some other research materials. "Business for Dummies" sounds appropriate right about now.]
< ..."Purgatorio Office" was what I was thinking. Or just "Purgatorio." It seemed fitting, given the way this place is. >
[Altius lets out an amused hum that's almost a chuckle. Here he thought it might have been too on the nose...]
I might have suggested something similar. [Which is to say he hadn't had full confidence that Dante had actually come up with ideas for a name yet—] "Purgatorio Procurement"— [to advertise what they're about up front] —unless you'd prefer to keep your prospects more broad.
[You know, in case they might want to pivot. For non-failure reasons, of course. He would understand.]
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expiationlogs2024-10-14 08:59 am
no subject
[It's almost annoying how quickly his business brain turns on—managing a medical technology company means certain topics automatically catch his notice. He's no doctor or engineer, but he knows enough to ask questions, which is what he's needed to do to progress as far as he has...
Bah, none of that matters right now. After his moment of apparent thought, he leaves the topic behind with a shake of his head, though he doesn't aim to forget it entirely. He's trying to gather much more basic and vital information, like what dangers he might have to face.]
Then the "other things" you mentioned happened after that.
no subject
< ...Yeah. Meteors, people becoming different versions of themselves, disasters, and a whole lot of other impossible things happening at once. Glitches in the system. >
[A pause.]
< If that makes sense to you at all. I don't even know if you come from somewhere with computers. >
no subject
Unpleasantly familiar, now that he thinks about it. Minus them being called glitches. No, his experiences were caused by something that was very much not technological in nature.]
I'm familiar. [A furrow comes to his brow.] I've heard of all this referred to as a simulation? Potentially.
[It's difficult to believe, but most possibilities are. He has to follow the proof, however unpleasant.]
no subject
[They've never really liked the implications of that word, especially given their "crime." Although the thing they really dislike is--]
< You'll hear people use the word "Chosen" here and there. That just means people who aren't local. >
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More to the present:]
Do you have any idea as to how many of us there are?
[Just focus on how helpful this clock-headed person is being, Altius. Don't go overboard. Get the information you need.]
no subject
< No idea. A pretty good amount, but nothing specific. >
["A good amount" means different things to different people, as they're well aware, but it's the best they've got.]
< And if you already know about the simulation, I'm going to guess you already know that we're pulled from different worlds. >
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He lets out a low hum of agreement.]
It would explain... [The odd senses he's getting through his powers. People with strange features, like the one before him.] ... a number of things.
[And time for the understatement of the century, as he rests his fingers against the side of his head:]
It's a bit overwhelming.
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[Of course, they didn't have the years and years of expectations other people had to complicate things. Even now there are some benefits to being an amnesiac.]
< Anything in particular you're having trouble with? >
no subject
Is there anything he's not having trouble with? Being stuck here at all is—untenable. The idea that this is a simulation, unreal, that this is just a copy of his consciousness, it's all just theory. Without any proof of that, he can't justify being here longer than a day—maybe two, at best. If he doesn't return in time...]
... my main concern is my own world, frankly.
[He sounds almost... hesitant to admit it? There's something of a defeated edge in the way he folds his arms.]
But if there were an easy way to return, I imagine no Chosen would remain here.
no subject
[Given how many people were eager to smash the whole thing open, they can imagine a lot of broken machinery in the Chosen's wake.]
< Is there something happening on your world? >
["And is it related to the blood that was on your face?" they want to add, but think better of it.]
no subject
He could respond with something vague. Express his desire to solve the problems of his own life, rather than whatever's happening here. But even with his years and years of practice of keeping everything internal under his public face, he can't brush this aside.
Supposedly, speaking about things is supposed to help one to cope. It's what he kept parroting to Ferran, in any case. In a voice much more quiet than before:]
Someone in my care was severely injured. [His eyes slide slowly to a distant spot on some booth.] And then I awoke here.
no subject
How would they feel if one of the Sinners fell and they were whisked away before they could turn the clock? And this man... he probably doesn't even have that.]
< You know... >
[They hesitate. Will saying something really help? It's not as if they know the ins and outs of this system. They could just be giving this guy false hope, or making his situation worse.
But somehow, the idea of not saying anything at all sits worse.]
< Some of the people who end up here claim to be dead in their home world. I don't know if it's true or not, but I do know that--simulation or not--our souls here are real. So... I figure if something like that is possible, getting back with enough time to help them, no matter how much time you spend here... That's gotta be possible too, right? >
no subject
The space of a breath passes, and another, before he replies at a typical volume.]
I'll endeavor to reach the confidence you seem to have in that. [Souls. Can this person detect such things? He pauses a moment, but something harder comes to his demeanor—pushing away whatever momentary despair he might have displayed before.] In the meantime there's nothing to be done but work towards that possibility, regardless.
[He's certainly not planning to stay here, whatever the result of that may be.]
no subject
They change the subject. For both their sakes, they'd like to think, but really just for their own.]
< Oh, um, by the way, you might want to look for a job while you're here. It might be a simulation, but apparently the need for money is simulated here too. >
no subject
A prison that doesn't pretend to provide for its inhabitants, is it...
[Markedly bitter for his usually pleasant facade, perhaps, but he thinks he can be excused. He'll put in whatever work is needed, but he can be annoyed about it.]
The locals outside this carnival don't seem particularly interested in tolerating me, let alone hiring me. [But Dante had said that was unusual.] Do you imagine this mood of theirs will last long?
no subject
[There's something about this guy that makes them think he'd be better at it than they are.
They continue on, half-joking.]
< Or if you don't mind joining a start-up, I've got something going. >
no subject
He decides against bringing up the potential barriers of integrating with the local economy if every non-Chosen supplier, worker and customer is set on avoiding them. ... he has potential solutions for that sour mood of theirs, anyway. If he truly needs it.]
I run a business, myself. ["Business" may be an understatement... but he's shifting into professional mode.] If nothing else, I'm interested in making connections where I can. Tell me about what you have.
no subject
Right. Now's not the time to let that show. Best to use this lack of face to their advantage.]
< We... find things for people. Other things as well, but if you need someone to go out and secure something for you, we'll go out and grab it--even if it means going to more dangerous places. That's the gist of it, anyway. >
no subject
Something between a courier and an expeditionary force? [Interesting. The map he recalls looking at earlier on that device was incomplete... which makes him wonder how much of this world and its resources are an unknown, and what's actually out there to be found. How thorough is all of that, if this is truly a simulation?
In any case.]
How many are working with you? [Dante did say we, so at least they've gotten some sort of help, if that's to be believed.] And what aspects of this venture do you have covered?
[dante do you have your presentation ready]
no subject
< Courier's not exactly what we're going for, but... I guess that's sort of our niche right now. Got to start small to build a reputation, right? >
[Right??]
< I'm taking care of administration. We have someone willing to help with healing to take care of anyone who might get hurt while on an expedition, and... two others to do fieldwork. Well, three if you count me. >
no subject
His gaze momentarily sharpens with interest at the mention of healing—given that Dante previously referred to their unusual head as a prosthesis, that gives him the impression they're not referring to a medic or doctor. How common might that sort of magic be, in a place that draws in supposed criminals from separate worlds...?
All of those thoughts and the look that went with it pass in a split second.]
We all have to start somewhere, [he agrees neutrally.] You're handling supplies and transport, then? Or are you all pitching in for the time being?
[It's literally his job to check all the boxes for these things, so it's natural for him to just... start doing it. More to the present, though, it would help him understand where his skills would work best, should he decide to get involved.]
I'm also curious to know how much interest you've received thus far.
no subject
It's like taking a test they studied all the wrong things for--not that they'd remember what that's even like.]
< I, uh... I guess you could say we're all pitching in. And we're just kind of bringing it in ourselves as far as transport goes. And we uh... Um... That is... >
[They shove their hands into their pockets as deep as they can go and shift awkwardly in place]
< I delivered some quartz recently. >
[And that turned into an experience in and of itself.]
i'm cackling, poor dante
I see.
[It's out of a sense of appreciation for what Dante has told him thus far that he adds a hint of interest into the reply, rather than using the flat, unimpressed affect he might have for one of his employees. And Dante is, after all, not on his payroll; whether they succeed doesn't necessarily affect him. Still, there's a knowing glint in his eye that he doesn't try that hard to hide.]
It sounds as though you'd benefit from a bit of advertising. [It's a gentle suggestion coming from him, for all that implies.] I'll be happy to spread the word for your...?
[Insert startup name here?]
when someone with a single year of management experience attempts to run their own business.......
[If they sound defeated it's because they are. Maybe in addition to that book on identifying plants they should look into some other research materials. "Business for Dummies" sounds appropriate right about now.]
< ..."Purgatorio Office" was what I was thinking. Or just "Purgatorio." It seemed fitting, given the way this place is. >
i believe in them
I might have suggested something similar. [Which is to say he hadn't had full confidence that Dante had actually come up with ideas for a name yet—] "Purgatorio Procurement"— [to advertise what they're about up front] —unless you'd prefer to keep your prospects more broad.
[You know, in case they might want to pivot. For non-failure reasons, of course. He would understand.]
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