open 🌌 the crime of the day is: loitering

[chimericalclaw]

Who: One Zekarion Altius & hopefully YOU
Where: The inn, medical-related businesses (clinic, apothecary, NPC locations), bar lupin, (around the) courthouse
What: Totally normal businessman gets familiar with the surroundings and people, including staring at the ominous phantom courthouse.
Warnings: nothing yet?

⬬ the countless feasts laid at my feet | inn

[In some ways, it's safer in a crowd than on his own, so for now he remains at the Inn. Even he isn't so spoiled as to refuse free food until he properly gets his foot in the door.

Anyone around the inn can find one tall businessman in the public areas, talking with others, reading something on his tablet with a coffee, or simply watching the passersby. Somehow, he seems to get some actual conversation out of the locals, even if it's not the friendliest... but he might greet Chosen, too:]

Are you new as well, or do you just enjoy the company? [There might be the slightest hint of sarcasm in the latter, but for the most part it's meant as a pleasantry.]

⬬ keep the same appointments I kept | medical businesses

[Part of getting his foot in the door, so to speak, is familiarizing himself with the Aldrip version of the industry he's involved in back home. There's no reason to reinvent the wheel, he thinks—so he heads anywhere medical services and goods are provided.

He's obviously not looking for anything in particular, nor is he apparently injured. The way he's looking around speaks more to evaluation than anything.]

I've heard this world can be dangerous. [There's some concern in his tone, certainly, but it's more a statement of something he's apparently accepted.] I suppose that makes places like this even more important.

⬬ my intentions couldn't have been purer | bar lupin

[As the quieter of the Chosen-own bars in town, Lupin is the one Altius heads to. Anywhere with alcohol tends to be a good place to gather information. Plus, the locals have required some extra effort on his part, so he won't be unhappy if he finds a few easier routes via his fellow accused.

As long as someone isn't giving him the same side-eye as the "native" citizens, he'll strike up a quiet conversation:]

With how disagreeable the locals are acting, it's fortunate they allow us places like this, hm?

⬬ I'm not looking for absolution | courthouse

[There is a man frowning with some consternation at the courthouse.

It might be more accurate to call it the image of the courthouse, however; even though his suit and tie makes him look like he'd fit right in with the atmosphere, the building doesn't even deign to solidify to allow him to try the door. Rude??

The first time he comes to see it, he does a proper walk around, investigating from most angles and even passing straight through it to see if there's some trick. But no. It's basically a mirage.

In subsequent times, he'll find a bench to place himself, still watching with sharp eyes to see if anything changes. For at least his first few weeks in Aldrip, he makes this part of his routine.]

⬬ try walking in my shoes | wildcard

[Another idea? Hit me up via plotting post, PM or lumieresdedragon !

As a note: if your character has any supernatural sense, it will react as if Zekarion isn't there. You can read more about that and him here!]

Comments

Wildcard!

[followyourstar]

[Dante had already been a frequent visitor to the library before the fair, but after it they had practically made it their second home. Hours upon hours were spent moving from table to armchair, metaphorical nose deep in books about the basics of business, the notebook they'd purchased just for this occasion already halfway filled with hurried scrawlings they'd yet to decide whether or not to transfer to some other notes section of their PDA.

And this evening... This evening had especially been good for studying. One text finished and another begun--one they'd even been allowed to take with them along with several others, provided they were returned (a rarity given local suspicions, and a favor they suspect was only pondered specifically to get them out of the building for awhile).

It's as they're checking the bag slung over their shoulder to make sure their prize is still there that they nearly run right into someone, only just managing to stop when they catch movement at the very edge of their vision.]

< Oh! Excuse me. >

[chimericalclaw]

[Zekarion is heading towards the library for some research himself. He doesn't expect to find much of use in terms of what he's looking for, but writing it off entirely would be foolish. Every avenue to gaining the information to navigate and escape this world has potential until proven otherwise.

It's practically impossible to miss his new acquaintance—especially given the fact that their head is a light source of sorts against the growing darkness of the evening. Between that and his typical tendency to be aware of his surroundings, Altius manages to put a hand on the other's arm to make sure they avoid knocking into him.

He offers a smile meant to reassure; with the time and space between his alarming arrival and now, he's regained enough energy to put full effort into his facade. Dante was helpful enough to begin with, anyway, so it's made all the easier.]

You're fine. It's a pleasure to see you, Dante. [His eyes go to the bulky-looking bag they're carrying as he returns his hand to his side.]

Find something that interests you?

[followyourstar]

< Oh, Altius. >

[It's no wonder they didn't see him until it was too late. And boy is it still just as unsettling as ever to have no indication other than their own sight (and the hand on their arm, of course) that he's there at all.]

< Just a few books I'm studying to run things better. It's the first time I've been able to take anything back with me. >

[chimericalclaw]

To run your office? It's always good to make sure you're on top of things when you're starting out.

[Good for Dante, realizing their shortcomings and trying to work on them. It's not necessarily a common trait even among those he's worked with... so it earns some respect from him. His apparent good mood fades somewhat as he considers that last thing, however.]

They haven't let you borrow anything before now at all? I'd think that would be against the point of most libraries...

[followyourstar]

< I could still read it as long as I was in the library, but I think they were worried about getting the books back from non-locals. >

[Chosen, in other words, but they dislike the term enough to avoid using it unless they have to.]

< So if I'm going to get the opportunity now, I might as well take advantage. >

inn

[cupidsammo]

[ As a fellow newbie, Koharu can likewise be spotted around the inn. She doesn't mingle with the locals much—she feels wildly out of place and it shows, leaving her more inclined to keep to herself—but she does make her way around, carefully observing from a distance instead.

It's around in the lobby when, unexpectedly, an unfamiliar voice speaks up to her; Koharu starts in place, just enough to notice, but manages: ]

I—haven't spent much time with the company. [ At best, a lot of residents around town have tolerated her presence, so. ] But I haven't been here long, either.

[chimericalclaw]

[She looked like the timid sort, so it's no surprise when she reacts with a little jump. The miniature wings immediately marked her as a Chosen, even if he'd only needed to watch how the locals reacted to identify that. Between that and her demeanor, it had drawn his attention enough to address her. What could this place have possibly accused this girl of?

In contrast to Koharu, Altius seems completely unbothered. His posture is confident and almost relaxed, like he's not planning to cede the space he's taking up regardless of any reaction he gets. His tone is smooth to match.]

They haven't made it easy, have they? Only the carnival workers seemed pleased to see us, and they didn't stay long.

[cupidsammo]

Yeah...

[ Which is a shame, really. Not that she planned to spend day in day out at said carnival, but it was nice not to be treated so... differently. ]

... But it's okay. They don't really do much if you stay out of their way.

[chimericalclaw]

They don't do much if you stay in their way, either.

[He's attempting to be reassuring when he says it; he's always preferred being avoided or ignored to being confronted, and the worst he's seen here has been an extra charge or two to those labeled Chosen—which isn't great, granted, but it could be worse. It could always be worse.]

Perhaps it's just their way of encouraging us to get to know each other. [ha...]

[cupidsammo]

[ For a moment, her mouth purses into a thin line; it wasn't a serious remark, she knows, but Koharu still isn't terribly keen with the thought. ]

It'd be nicer if they didn't go that far, but I guess it is what it is.

[ Truth be told, she doesn't have it in her to stand against them for it. ]

It's just that... others like us are willing to talk anyway.

courthouse

[entreats]

[ It's not like it's weird to see people on the streets. It happens. People have to move around.

No, the thing that gets Ange to pay attention to the man is the fact that she realizes he's definitely staring at the courthouse of all things. If he was just staring at any random building, she might have concluded that he was losing his mind, but she gets why he'd be staring at this one in particular.

And Ange always finds it interesting when someone actually seems suspicious or weirded out by the things here. Enough to be squinting at the courthouse, anyway. ]

Did you realize something about it? [ She asks, pretty directly.

Don't mind this random teen speaking up, Altius.. ]

[chimericalclaw]

[Once upon a time, Altius was practically as direct as that; he'd had to hammer it out of himself in order to get anywhere in his life, but that nature still remains under all the practiced facade.

For once, he lets it come through in response to Ange's question. He only casts a momentary glance towards her before returning his gaze to the courthouse and answering without preamble.]

This building is nothing more than an image to us. Why would they bother to show anything at all?

[It could be a symbol, certainly. He wouldn't put it past this system or its programmers to put stock into the psychological effects of an edifice meant to remind them of their "crimes." But there are other possibilities.]

What if something has to be here? This location is clearly significant, regardless of what form it takes.

[Despite only being here less than a month, he sounds confident in that last statement.]

[entreats]

[ Oh.

Ange blinks. There's a little bit of surprise on her face, but it's not really that she's taken aback by the speculation he's throwing out. It's similar to things she has thought about before, after all.

No, she's just surprised that he's thinking this deeply about it at all. She comes across people who that here sometimes, but not often enough that it doesn't surprise her to hear him suddenly speak about it. ]

There was a different building here before. [ She's not sure if he knows. Ange tries to place Altius in her mind, but she doesn't think she has come across him before. Maybe that means he's new enough to not know. ] People kept destroying that one though, and then it changed into this. Maybe it's this place's way of being stubborn about it.

[chimericalclaw]

[Altius nods his understanding. Ange's surprise, caught in his peripheral vision, is filed away for examination later.]

City Hall, wasn't it? If those who created this world are capable of emotion, it's not an impossible notion.

[He doesn't sound quite convinced, though, for a few reasons based on what he's read and heard from others. Turning his attention to Ange properly, he continues:]

You've been here some time, I take it? Were you involved in the reset I've heard of?

[entreats]

[ She nods. ]

I'm pretty sure it's been about a year and a half in this place for me now. [ Pretty sure - both because there's no telling how time passes in this place from time to time, and then there's the fact that keeping exact numbers gets more and more difficult the longer you've been here.

The girl is pretty sure her estimate is at least roughly correct, though. ]

It's not even the first situation that's like a 'reset' that I've experienced, if the one you're talking about is the recent one. [ That's what she imagines he's talking about, anyway. Either he has been here just for long enough to have experienced that, or someone told him about it since it was at the top of their mind still. ] There was also a time before that where all of our memories and identities were completely wiped away by this place before that, and even before that there was a time where this place completely changed the way it looks. A lot has happened.

[ At least she seems rather generous when it comes to information, despite the way she seems to talk about these wild topics almost emotionlessly. If there's any emotion involved at all, it seems to be a vague kind of annoyance at the base of her tone. ]

Courthouse

[solitarysoul]

[Levi's gone by and seen Zekarion watching the court house on the way to something or another. After the third time he stops near the bench the other man is on.]

Have you noticed anything?

[chimericalclaw]

Not as much as I'd like.

[Altius's fingers are threaded together, forearms resting across his legs. He's not even remotely trying to hide that he's watching the place; perhaps that by itself might catch their captor's attention. The potential benefits outweigh the risks.]

I've yet to see anyone entering or leaving.

[solitarysoul]

Not even locals? I guess that makes sense, it doesn't seem to really have doors or anything.

[chimericalclaw]

I doubt it's much more than an image, at this point. I just have to wonder why.

[solitarysoul]

Well its been blown up at least twice.

[He knew of two times, at least.]

I guess they've got some sort of...I don't know. Spell or effect or something on it to keep us from doing it again.

lupin;

[laserguy]

[It's not uncommon for Scott to be visiting Lupin and maybe surprisingly enough, it's not because he drinks a lot of alcohol as a sign of teenage rebellion. All of that feels rather pointless when no one seems to care about that in the first place around here. No, he stops by because his girlfriend works as a bartender and he often stops by with a light dinner or snacks for her to enjoy.

Tonight is no different.

His smile fades a little and he holds back a groan when he sees a familiar figure sitting at one of the barstools and while it's tempting to just ignore him and go on his way, especially since the bag in his hand is for Kotone and no one else, Scott decides to slide into the spot next to him with a half pointed expression. Why? Well, despite all the internal groaning and everything, he is a little curious to see if he's actually better now.

Altius still kind of sounds like a grumpy old bastard--]

It's either allow us to have this still or we force our way into their bars.

[chimericalclaw]

[Some of his humor fades at the sight of the young man; he's got damage control to do. It's more of a look of concern than displeasure, however.]

Which would go poorly, I imagine...

[Perhaps a reason as to why they do? Who knows what's going through their preprogrammed heads, though... Also wow he's not grumpy at all right now, just a little sad about the difficulty of the situation, ok. Look, he even sounds halfway pleasantly surprised when he says:]

I didn't expect to see you here, Mr. Summers.

[laserguy]

[Huh?? What's that look of concern from him? Scott thought for sure that the older man would be grumbling more at him and everything. He pretty much acted that way the entire time when they last met. Guess it's a sign that he is feeling better? Still, he wouldn't have guessed the worry.]

Yeah well, shows how much you know, I visit this place a lot. [He sets the bag on the counter, although it's hard to see its contents and it doesn't look like he's about to offer an explanation for it. Scott's clearly trying his best to act a little defensive still, giving half-assed answers and not being wholly honest with him.]

The drinks are good.

[And the bartender is very cute-- although Kotone must be on a break or helping another guest right now.]

[chimericalclaw]

[It seems clear to him that Scott doesn't actually come here for the drinks themselves, though seeing him order something wouldn't be a terrible surprise. This young man has been doing everything he can to cover his true intentions with a tough exterior... Not that his opinion of Zekarion has helped, he's sure.]

I am new, [he offers with a tilt of his head that's almost playful,] so hopefully I'm not expected to know much. [only everything on the network, you know. He raises his glass, swirling the amber liquid once to indicate:] They've given me nothing to complain about.

[Look, he's agreeing! He's being agreeable! He knows he can never take back a first impression, but there are still steps he can take.]

I've been meaning to apologize to you, but I wasn't sure how to approach the matter.

[laserguy]

Wow, he has jokes now.

[He's not sure whether or not to be impressed, so he decides on both. On one hand, his jokes suck, but on the other hand, he's honestly a bit easier to talk to now. Maybe he really was sincere about not being a grumpy asshole and Scott just met him on a bad day. He did bump into the man when he just arrived and a lot of crap was happening around that time, but Scott isn't really won over yet.

It's clear, however, that the mutant is maybe a little more willing to talk to him, even though he's already gotten his initial question answered if Altius was doing better or not. He definitely is. Not like that was a high bar though.]

You wanted to apologize to me.

[He repeats, almost in disbelief. Scott's not sure what it says about his general personality that he normally doesn't hear stuff like this--] How many drinks are in you??