[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.]
[A hand goes to their "chin" as they think it over.]
< I picked "Purgatorio Office" because I figured we'd be doing things like what the Fixer Offices back home would, like fighting, expeditions, protection, procurement... that kind of thing. But there's a lot less fighting around here than I expected. Maybe just focusing on getting things for people really is the best way to go. >
["Fixer Office." What sort of place this person must come from... he's imagining something out of a noir film with more fantastical elements.]
Ah, so you're trying to work with the familiar, [he says with understanding, eyebrows rising. Anyone would be inclined towards the same, himself included. Something less certain comes to his expression after a moment, however, nearing a concerned frown.]
I suppose I should be grateful to hear there's "less fighting." I can't say I have any particular expertise with defending myself, much less against whatever... [His eyes dart to the flames on Dante's head, then move across the carnival goers moving nearby.] possibilities may arise here.
[HE SAYS, LYING. But he's kept up his peaceable facade for years, so it nearly comes naturally.]
[Altius allows an expression that settles somewhere between "troubled" and "distaste" to come to his face at the mention of using a firearm. But he'd have to be an idiot not to acknowledge the practicality. He's in... another world, a simulation, whatever it is. He can't rely on his typical methods.]
I'll have to keep an open mind, won't I, [he replies with some reluctance. Surely he can just hire some security! ... whenever he gets money. Actually, that might be a worthwhile thought—all the more reason to learn about this person.] Who might that be?
Edited (i already used that in the last tag go away) 2024-10-24 19:42 (UTC)
[Not a fan of guns, huh? Or... maybe weapons in general? It's hard to tell in a place like this.]
< His name's Vincent. He's... pretty easy to spot. > [Sticks out like a sore thumb, more like.] < You just need to look for black hair, a red cloak, and a golden gauntlet. >
[It's all part of the mystery he sets up around himself to draw people in. He's got so many layers! :)]
... I see.
[A... gauntlet. Huh. Just, all the time? And only one? Zekarion has so many questions, and though that's clear in the tilt of his brow, he only voices one:]
I thought it was a question for someone with a level head, clock-shaped or otherwise... [A compliment? He sighs.] But I'll prepare myself for the unusual.
[It would be nice to know what is and isn't a threat on sight, but whatever. Different world, different rules... there's not much he can do but accept it. He muses over that for a brief moment before returning his attention to Dante.]
Ah. [There's an apologetic sense in the way he tilts his head. How many different sorts of body language must there be in different worlds? He'll have to pay more attention...] It's my mistake. All the more reason for me to take a few moments to adjust to all this, hm?
[He glances at the tablet they take out. He wonders if he missed cleaning off any of the blood he'd gotten on his initially.]
Thank you for your help, Dante. Can I find you under that name there?
[He'd glanced long enough at the contact list to see that people clearly picked their own usernames... but not long enough to commit any of them to memory.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
expiationmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
expiationlogs2024-10-14 08:59 am
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.]
no subject
[A hand goes to their "chin" as they think it over.]
< I picked "Purgatorio Office" because I figured we'd be doing things like what the Fixer Offices back home would, like fighting, expeditions, protection, procurement... that kind of thing. But there's a lot less fighting around here than I expected. Maybe just focusing on getting things for people really is the best way to go. >
no subject
Ah, so you're trying to work with the familiar, [he says with understanding, eyebrows rising. Anyone would be inclined towards the same, himself included. Something less certain comes to his expression after a moment, however, nearing a concerned frown.]
I suppose I should be grateful to hear there's "less fighting." I can't say I have any particular expertise with defending myself, much less against whatever... [His eyes dart to the flames on Dante's head, then move across the carnival goers moving nearby.] possibilities may arise here.
[HE SAYS, LYING. But he's kept up his peaceable facade for years, so it nearly comes naturally.]
no subject
[Vincent probably won't like that they're putting him out there like this, but... Better to seek forgiveness than permission in this case, right?
It's for the greater good... or something like that.]
no subject
I'll have to keep an open mind, won't I, [he replies with some reluctance. Surely he can just hire some security! ... whenever he gets money. Actually, that might be a worthwhile thought—all the more reason to learn about this person.] Who might that be?
no subject
< His name's Vincent. He's... pretty easy to spot. > [Sticks out like a sore thumb, more like.] < You just need to look for black hair, a red cloak, and a golden gauntlet. >
no subject
... I see.
[A... gauntlet. Huh. Just, all the time? And only one? Zekarion has so many questions, and though that's clear in the tilt of his brow, he only voices one:]
Are most Chosen so... distinctive?
no subject
[Distinction is in the eye of the beholder...]
no subject
I thought it was a question for someone with a level head, clock-shaped or otherwise... [A compliment? He sighs.] But I'll prepare myself for the unusual.
[It would be nice to know what is and isn't a threat on sight, but whatever. Different world, different rules... there's not much he can do but accept it. He muses over that for a brief moment before returning his attention to Dante.]
I've probably taken up enough of your time.
no subject
[Though after their reaction to his question before, it's no wonder he thought they were serious.
Ah, to have a proper face to emote with.....
They hold up their hands placatingly, and then take a moment to pull out their tablet.]
< And don't worry about it. If you need anything, just contact me on this thing. >
no subject
[He glances at the tablet they take out. He wonders if he missed cleaning off any of the blood he'd gotten on his initially.]
Thank you for your help, Dante. Can I find you under that name there?
[He'd glanced long enough at the contact list to see that people clearly picked their own usernames... but not long enough to commit any of them to memory.]