[Altius turns his eyes briefly towards what could be referred to as a disorganized queue. People do enjoy delving into the unknown.]
They've clearly put thought into their arrangement.
[He can't say he's interested; he turns his attention back to Vash. Judging by his appearance and demeanor, he's most likely a Chosen, which makes him much more... valuable as a conversational partner, let's say. He offers a faint smile at the compliment.]
I wouldn't go so far as to say kind, but I suppose it could be worse. [He says it with a little self-deprecation, a little levity; trying to be humble without going too far. But also—he's not lying, really. It could be the horrible man he encountered while breaking out of that cage earlier. If he never sees that guy again it'll be too soon...]
Maybe a game of chance or two would be a decent test?
Nobody unkind would lend a stranger something like this, you know!
[ that is a fact, and he better deal with it! the determined tone of vash's voice will say as much, even if he is smiling good and easy about it - as though it doesn't bother him one way or another. but he is extremely set on arguing about it with zekarion until the sun rises. ]
Hmm ... what do you have in mind? Coin toss? Card game?
[ mind you, he will cheat outrageously at cards. ]
[Ha ha, goes his mild laugh. Oh, Vash, if only you knew. He acquiesces.]
I'll take your word for it, sir.
[Hmm indeed. Altius might have been interested in a card game normally, if just because some of them provide insight into a person's character, but even if he's doing his best to appear halfway positive, he can't say he's up for losing at the moment...
Thoughtful, he turns to look down the aisle of booths.]
I recall passing by one of those duck ponds, if we're purely thinking of luck.
[Unless Vash has some kind of X-ray vision, which isn't out of the realm of possibility, but then cards would be moot, too. Sure it's a baby game, but this one has tricks as well as treats! For extra excitement, of course.]
[ the best worst quality about vash is that he's always willing to believe in the best of people .... which might backfire horribly in his face half the time, yes, but that doesn't mean he'll reconsider his stance.
in any case, it's not like zekarion is chasing him down with pitchforks, or shooting at him, or otherwise aiming to cause any kind of bodily harm, so ... things are positive? ]
Duck ponds? [ oh, so more like a proper game?
his grin growing wider, vash steps up to the other, gesturing him to lead the way. ] That sounds good! I'll probably end up cheating you in cards, so that sounds more fair!
[Well of course he's not aiming to physically harm Vash! He's much more subtle than that—
Altius lets out a surprised laugh, but after a moment he realizes that level of honesty doesn't seem too far off coming from this young man.]
Fortunate for the both of us I had the idea, then. There's not much you could win from me right now.
[Following the unspoken request, he does indeed lead Vash over to the pond filled with rubber ducks—it's only an alley over and a few stalls down, not far at all. There's a wall of prizes to match, and though most of them are standard carnival fare, there are also a few fall-themed wearables like hoodies and hats—and is that a toaster oven? Weird, but okay.]
Haha, but it's the principle of the thing, right? It's not about winning anything from you, but winning in general!
[ though, if he will outrageously cheat as he's just confessed, they would never know whether he was lucky or not ... in any case, the mood seems to have lifted considerably with that too-honest admission.
when they arrive at the duck pond, vash will insist on paying for both of their entry for the picking, no matter what zekarion might say. hope that's alright!!!! ]
Here!!! [ vash grins, as he hands the other a small hand-held net, just big enough to snag one of the little ducks. ]
Should we both go at the same time, or do you want to go first?
How cruel of you to consider injuring a man's pride while he's down...
[He's kidding, of course. He initially protests gently at the inclusion of his own entry—really, no, he'd rather—well fine, if you insist, who is he to refuse...
With a mild sigh and a bit of exasperation in his expression, he takes the offered net.]
I suppose I can set the baseline.
[He'll kneel and take a duck at random, for once not trying to calculate for every potential outcome; it's almost a luxury to not care about something for five seconds. Returning the toy to the worker and checking the number with the board gives them a moment of suspense before...!
Whoo hoo, a tiny cat plush. It almost seems more like a small child's plaything, one of those loose and floppy toys with pellets for stuffing.]
[ some people do take card games seriously ... and for that, vash is speaking from experience. cheating or not, keeping a few cards up his sleeve or not, there were always some people around the table whose tensions ran too high for comfort - too invested in the few coins that changed hands around the table.
he stands off to one side as zekarion has a go at fishing for the ducks - and his expression lights up just as though he were the one who's won the prize, small or not. ]
Oh! It's very cute!! [ it would be nice if he got something like that, right? time to roll up his metaphorical sleeves up for the job!!!
but alas, even with him eyeing the ducks critically while dipping the net into the water, the prize that gets deposited in vash's hands is ... a tiny, bright pink water gun. ]
Ha. Perhaps not against you, now that you've admitted your dishonorable tendencies.
[Altius really isn't a sore loser in much of anything, really. He can't afford to be. He can't say he particularly likes competition, truly, but that part is more of the personality that nobody gets to see. All that Vash will be getting with regards to that is some light humor, especially given the circumstances of this meeting.
He can't say he's impressed by the toy, even if he were the sort to have any inclination towards one, or anyone to give it to. But with Vash's reaction... maybe he should offer it to the other man...?
Like many things, luck is in the eye of the beholder, he supposes. Watching Vash's reaction to his own prize curiously, eyebrows raised slightly:]
Haha, I guess there's one good thing to being honest about it, right?
[ that's good - he seems like a serious, reserved sort of guy, but at least he is calm; and there's something good humoured about the easy banter that tells vash that yeah, this person is good.
though, vash's definition of a good person really is the lowest bar imaginable, so it isn't too hard for zekarion to pass that! ]
...
[ vash's expression is complicated to say the least, only staggering half a step as the shopkeeper slaps his shoulder hard and walks away from the both of them to attend to the next group of customers wanting to try their luck - and his teal fingers carefully prod at the flimsy plastic, almost as though he expects it to break any second.
a gun. even if it's designed as a toy, it's a little ...
with a start, vash lifts his head up, a practiced, easy smile slipping across his face as his eyes meet the others. ] It's fine! I guess my luck isn't all that great? Hahaha!
[Vash is really going to need to get somebody to help him with his judge of character, but for now, Altius simply watches as he receives the prize—a toy he might think would be exciting for a small child, but not really appealing to anybody above the age of six—and watches as he tests it with his mechanical fingers. Between that, his initial expression, and the sudden shift to the humored smile... What an interesting reaction.
He offers a half shrug with his free palm raised.]
If a poor prize is the worst misfortune you suffer today, I think we'll have made it out alright. [He holds out his own toy for Vash.] I don't exactly have anywhere to put this now, so why don't you keep it?
[ the change is instantaneous, too effortless in the way vash's grin widens, his eyes practically sparkling as he looks between the other man and the cute (adorable!!!) toy in his hand offered out towards him. ]
Wouldn't you rather keep it, though? It could be a good luck charm, you know!
[ or ... maybe they could give it to somebody else, if he really doesn't want it; altius might notice that there are more than one pair of curious eyes already on him (and the stuffed toy in his hand), as a few passing kids waiting in line for the game steal glances at the both of them. ]
[Altius lets out a mild laugh at the comment. As if anything could counter the luck of finding himself in a prison world accusing him of something unforgivable, then having to pretend to be at all personable in the middle of some banal fall celebration for the sake of learning anything of use and not ruining his potential chances for allies.
He answers with apparent ease.]
I'm sure. I prefer to make my own luck.
[Vash is welcome to take the toy and hand it off to one of those nearby children if he so wishes, but the man doesn't take back the offer or his hand.]
[ ok, he sees the irony in even saying that in the first place, considering their situation, but ... vash has always been all about trying to see light in a dark place, and if that means trying to pretend a little plush toy is a good luck charm for a newcomer like altius, then that's what he will try his best at!
if anything, his apparent naivete might distract the other from concentrating too hard on the bad parts, no?
he doesn't immediately move to take the toy from the other's hand though - vash is stubborn too, in his own way. unless he decides that he'd take the trade as the next best option!! ]
Haha, alright - got any plans for this place so far, then?
[Vash is far too optimistic, but Altius is enabling it, honestly. His mood could hardly be worse, but he's so used to pretending for the sake of of his goals that it's only slightly harder than usual to put on a typical face.
That said, he'll wait a few more moments with the toy held out as he replies with a near-sigh. He allows for the honest answer:]
Learn what I can, I suppose. What else would I do?
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expiationlogs2024-10-14 08:59 am
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They've clearly put thought into their arrangement.
[He can't say he's interested; he turns his attention back to Vash. Judging by his appearance and demeanor, he's most likely a Chosen, which makes him much more... valuable as a conversational partner, let's say. He offers a faint smile at the compliment.]
I wouldn't go so far as to say kind, but I suppose it could be worse. [He says it with a little self-deprecation, a little levity; trying to be humble without going too far. But also—he's not lying, really. It could be the horrible man he encountered while breaking out of that cage earlier. If he never sees that guy again it'll be too soon...]
Maybe a game of chance or two would be a decent test?
no subject
[ that is a fact, and he better deal with it! the determined tone of vash's voice will say as much, even if he is smiling good and easy about it - as though it doesn't bother him one way or another. but he is extremely set on arguing about it with zekarion until the sun rises. ]
Hmm ... what do you have in mind? Coin toss? Card game?
[ mind you, he will cheat outrageously at cards. ]
no subject
I'll take your word for it, sir.
[Hmm indeed. Altius might have been interested in a card game normally, if just because some of them provide insight into a person's character, but even if he's doing his best to appear halfway positive, he can't say he's up for losing at the moment...
Thoughtful, he turns to look down the aisle of booths.]
I recall passing by one of those duck ponds, if we're purely thinking of luck.
[
Unless Vash has some kind of X-ray vision, which isn't out of the realm of possibility, but then cards would be moot, too.Sure it's a baby game, but this one has tricks as well as treats! For extra excitement, of course.]no subject
in any case, it's not like zekarion is chasing him down with pitchforks, or shooting at him, or otherwise aiming to cause any kind of bodily harm, so ... things are positive? ]
Duck ponds? [ oh, so more like a proper game?
his grin growing wider, vash steps up to the other, gesturing him to lead the way. ] That sounds good! I'll probably end up cheating you in cards, so that sounds more fair!
[ rip to the post-fortune telling honesty ... ]
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Altius lets out a surprised laugh, but after a moment he realizes that level of honesty doesn't seem too far off coming from this young man.]
Fortunate for the both of us I had the idea, then. There's not much you could win from me right now.
[Following the unspoken request, he does indeed lead Vash over to the pond filled with rubber ducks—it's only an alley over and a few stalls down, not far at all. There's a wall of prizes to match, and though most of them are standard carnival fare, there are also a few fall-themed wearables like hoodies and hats—and is that a toaster oven? Weird, but okay.]
no subject
[ though, if he will outrageously cheat as he's just confessed, they would never know whether he was lucky or not ... in any case, the mood seems to have lifted considerably with that too-honest admission.
when they arrive at the duck pond, vash will insist on paying for both of their entry for the picking, no matter what zekarion might say. hope that's alright!!!! ]
Here!!! [ vash grins, as he hands the other a small hand-held net, just big enough to snag one of the little ducks. ]
Should we both go at the same time, or do you want to go first?
no subject
[He's kidding, of course. He initially protests gently at the inclusion of his own entry—really, no, he'd rather—well fine, if you insist, who is he to refuse...
With a mild sigh and a bit of exasperation in his expression, he takes the offered net.]
I suppose I can set the baseline.
[He'll kneel and take a duck at random, for once not trying to calculate for every potential outcome; it's almost a luxury to not care about something for five seconds. Returning the toy to the worker and checking the number with the board gives them a moment of suspense before...!
Whoo hoo, a tiny cat plush. It almost seems more like a small child's plaything, one of those loose and floppy toys with pellets for stuffing.]
no subject
[ some people do take card games seriously ... and for that, vash is speaking from experience. cheating or not, keeping a few cards up his sleeve or not, there were always some people around the table whose tensions ran too high for comfort - too invested in the few coins that changed hands around the table.
he stands off to one side as zekarion has a go at fishing for the ducks - and his expression lights up just as though he were the one who's won the prize, small or not. ]
Oh! It's very cute!! [ it would be nice if he got something like that, right? time to roll up his metaphorical sleeves up for the job!!!
but alas, even with him eyeing the ducks critically while dipping the net into the water, the prize that gets deposited in vash's hands is ... a tiny, bright pink water gun. ]
no subject
[Altius really isn't a sore loser in much of anything, really. He can't afford to be. He can't say he particularly likes competition, truly, but that part is more of the personality that nobody gets to see. All that Vash will be getting with regards to that is some light humor, especially given the circumstances of this meeting.
He can't say he's impressed by the toy, even if he were the sort to have any inclination towards one, or anyone to give it to. But with Vash's reaction... maybe he should offer it to the other man...?
Like many things, luck is in the eye of the beholder, he supposes. Watching Vash's reaction to his own prize curiously, eyebrows raised slightly:]
Well? What do you think?
no subject
[ that's good - he seems like a serious, reserved sort of guy, but at least he is calm; and there's something good humoured about the easy banter that tells vash that yeah, this person is good.
though, vash's definition of a good person really is the lowest bar imaginable, so it isn't too hard for zekarion to pass that! ]
...
[ vash's expression is complicated to say the least, only staggering half a step as the shopkeeper slaps his shoulder hard and walks away from the both of them to attend to the next group of customers wanting to try their luck - and his teal fingers carefully prod at the flimsy plastic, almost as though he expects it to break any second.
a gun. even if it's designed as a toy, it's a little ...
with a start, vash lifts his head up, a practiced, easy smile slipping across his face as his eyes meet the others. ] It's fine! I guess my luck isn't all that great? Hahaha!
no subject
He offers a half shrug with his free palm raised.]
If a poor prize is the worst misfortune you suffer today, I think we'll have made it out alright. [He holds out his own toy for Vash.] I don't exactly have anywhere to put this now, so why don't you keep it?
[just arrived, still homeless as a result. rip.]
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[ the change is instantaneous, too effortless in the way vash's grin widens, his eyes practically sparkling as he looks between the other man and the cute (adorable!!!) toy in his hand offered out towards him. ]
Wouldn't you rather keep it, though? It could be a good luck charm, you know!
[ or ... maybe they could give it to somebody else, if he really doesn't want it; altius might notice that there are more than one pair of curious eyes already on him (and the stuffed toy in his hand), as a few passing kids waiting in line for the game steal glances at the both of them. ]
no subject
He answers with apparent ease.]
I'm sure. I prefer to make my own luck.
[Vash is welcome to take the toy and hand it off to one of those nearby children if he so wishes, but the man doesn't take back the offer or his hand.]
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if anything, his apparent naivete might distract the other from concentrating too hard on the bad parts, no?
he doesn't immediately move to take the toy from the other's hand though - vash is stubborn too, in his own way. unless he decides that he'd take the trade as the next best option!! ]
Haha, alright - got any plans for this place so far, then?
no subject
That said, he'll wait a few more moments with the toy held out as he replies with a near-sigh. He allows for the honest answer:]
Learn what I can, I suppose. What else would I do?