expiationlogs | open 🌌 the crime of the day is: loitering

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open 🌌 the crime of the day is: loitering

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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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.

[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.]

[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.

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??

[Altius sets his drink down with a look of mild exasperation. Still, it's not like he can blame Scott for being incredulous...]

I promise I'm coherent and fully myself, unlike when we first met. [Which he hopes comes through in the clear way he enunciates—as is his habit. Sure, he's had almost a full glass, but that means absolutely nothing to a man who can entirely negate the effects of poisons if he wants.] And I think we can both agree I treated you terribly.

[It really is a strange feeling to have someone apologize to him like this, doubly so that it's coming from an adult. Altius will see Scott actually shift awkwardly in his seat for a moment, like he doesn't know what to do with such a sincere comment. Rub it in? Just accept it? He half wishes that he had his own glass of wine or whatever in front of him, but instead he's just under the other man's gaze without anything to fully deflect it.

Fine, whatever.

Scott pushes a breath out, trying to act like he wasn't just thrown for a few seconds. Look it's probably better if he just accepts this dude's apology so that he doesn't act all guilty around him in the future. That's just weird.]

It's fine. I don't really care. [...] You were pissy because shit was happening to you.

[That's an interesting response, but he supposes it's not all that surprising. Sincerity often disarms those who avoid it. He waits patiently for Scott to reply, and decides not to bring attention to that notable pause.]

Even so, that doesn't excuse my behavior when you were only trying to help. Though I admit having my personality altered was unsettling...

[That's his story and he's sticking to it. He takes a moment to sip his drink, as if to wash away that feeling, then lets out a breath of his own. With a tone that's somewhat lighter, like he'd prefer to move on from that nastiness, himself:]

I'm glad to hear it didn't bother you, but I still feel like I owe you a favor of some sort, at least.

[It wouldn't be the first or even the second or third time someone's personality was affected by something going on in Aldrip. Hell, he just only recovered from having all that glitches, his entire body and memories shifting to a person that's both him and not him at the same time. So, yeah, it's understandable. He doesn't feel like bringing all that up, so Scott just frowns a little at the empty counter in front of him before eventually shaking his head.]

Look, I get it. This place has done stuff like that before.

[He really doesn't need a favor from this dude. What would he even ask for in return? Not to mention, Scott... would actually feel weird and kind of shitty cashing in a favor for stupid stuff that he honestly hasn't really thought about.]

Half of this entire city would owe me if I started holding crap like that against them. So, forget it.

[There's a distinct pause where the way his lips thin might imply he doesn't like the idea of just letting it go, but after a moment the tension in his posture resolves.]

If you insist... [Does it sound like he's not just going to forget it? You bet it does, but he knows when to pick his battles. Instead, he changes topic, and if nothing else, it's a good way to express his sympathy:]

It sounds like you've been put through the wringer. You said you've been here over a year?

[Good, it seems like Altius has accepted all of that, at least for now and that's enough for Scott. Maybe he'll just hope that he truly forgets about it later on because of some other crap going on. Aldrip is rarely peaceful for too long. Honestly, it feels like something is going to come up soon, even after the reset and hoping that things are better. There was never no guarantee for that. It doesn't help that the locals hate them right now.

Sigh.

The question gets Scott to turn his head towards Altius, at first not saying anything and trying to read the other man. He really is different from their first meeting, the older man far more patient and understanding, with sympathy plain on his expression. It's a lot in its own way, but Scott eventually nods while dropping some of that defensive attitude.]

A year a half now. [...] It's really not so bad, at least half the time.

Half of it?

[There's not any real sense in his response that he doesn't believe Scott, unlike their first meeting; it's more a sense of confusion that comes through his tone and the tilt of his expression. He lets out a breath, the mild frustration there only a fraction of what he truly feels.]

I don't know what to make of this place. Why grant us any apparent safety, only to steal it away at a moment's notice...?

Beats me.

[He almost sounds dismissive, not helped by the way he shrugs his shoulders, but it's clear that it's bothering Scott as well. He really doesn't understand the real nitty gritty behind everything on, besides it being a simulation and the AI in charge. He just wants to be happy with his girlfriend, with all his friends here, but he can't just simply ignore the crap that's happened either. He still remembers how upset Rogue and Morph were and even though they both helped out in the end, he knows they're not exactly happy.

Scott folds his arms on top of the counter, almost leaning against it before deciding to expand on things just a little more. Whatever, it's probably good Altius knows this stuff anyway.]

...I was hoping that we'd able to talk to the AI after everything, but it went silent. So, now things are continuing once more before all the glitches started happening. Really, old man, you skipped out on a lot shit that went on.

[Zekarion opens his mouth to protest for a moment—he's only thirty-six?!—but closes it a moment after. After all his talk of being apologetic, he probably shouldn't push back too much. He's faintly reminded of Ferran's close friend... a frequent annoyance, that one...]

So I've heard. [There is some mild protest in the way he says it, though he won't argue outright about his age with this kid.] Copies were made, I was told. Do you know the state of those?

They're fine, I guess.

[Honestly, he hasn't really asked how the other backup copies are progressing so far. He knows that there was one in Peter's suit...? But Peter did disappear for a hot minute, so he doesn't know the status there. Then there's Quentin, of course, and his brain hasn't exploded, so he's probably still fine.]

We'll probably know if something goes wrong.

[He's so prepared for this, but what's he supposed to do about it? All that AI stuff is sort of beyond him and he just knows to protect Quentin, even if it costs him his life. He and Root agreed about that. It's fine.]

[A faint sigh leaves him through his nose.]

So you don't know much, either. [A shame if true, but he'll just have to keep looking, keep asking.] To go through all that and only be met with silence in return... another injustice to a place supposedly meant for atonement.

[With that near-mournful remark, he takes another sip from his glass. A moment after that and a thoughtful pause, he turns back to Scott, drink still in hand. His tone and the way he leans against the counter hopefully implies a real interest in the young man's opinion.]

What do you make of it? This world.

[He didn't have to say it like that!! Scott sends him a look from behind his shades, but he doesn't comment otherwise, if only because Altius isn't staying on that topic for long. Yeah, big injustice, what else is new? He grunts lightly, before ordering a glass of water for himself-- what, it's a surprise he isn't ordering beer or something? Whatever.

And is he really asking him that?

Scott just continues to lean against his arms, some of that more teenage attitude returning despite himself. What kind of question is that anyway? Does he really care to hear his opinion? His demeanor seems to imply so. Maybe he's just that desperate to hear everyone's thoughts about this world. That seems like him.]

What do you mean? That it's a simulation? Or that it has its good and bad shit?

[He can't see your look under those shades, Mr. Summers, you're going to have to be open with your sass if you want him to react to it—

But yeah, he is a little surprised the kid is just going for water. Not even a soda? ~~Maybe he's broke?~~]

Whatever comes to mind. [he's got a minor in psychology, scott, be careful.] What stands out to you? Do you think it is what it claims to be?

[Sass even more, got it--

Scott holds back a groan, why does it feel like he's getting quizzed or something? Or being asked to participate in some discussion during class? That's the only thing good about being here, not attending school, and Altius is only reminding him of that. Thanks.]

I don't know man-- no, I don't think it claims to be a place for us to 'redeem' ourselves or whatever. I already said before that the crimes can be complete crap, so it's dumb. [Is his crime true-- he hasn't thought about it in a while, but it's always sort of present in the back of his mind and it sucks.]

This place can be unstable, so it shouldn't be surprising.

[He lets out an apologetic chuckle at Scott's annoyed response. Not the type to talk about deeper issues, it seems. Most people his age aren't, Altius supposes.]

Was that too serious? [He lets out a breath like a sigh, looking back to his drink.] I'm having a hard time taking any of this lightly, I admit.

[Though a faint, friendly smile reminds on his face, it doesn't meet his eyes. The personality may be different, but that aspect of their meeting he'll confirm as true—and he's sure Scott can guess part of the why.]

Maybe you could tell me how you spend your time here?

Yeah, I've sort of gotten that impression.

[Scott mumbles lightly, thinking about their first interaction together. Guess that part of Altius was true when they first met. He's definitely more polite and calm now, but he's probably upset still. Not that he can really blame him, a lot about this place sucks, but... guess he's sort of found his place here. Friends, a girlfriend, training to be a leader. It's more than he had back home. No one expected much of anything from him there.

Granted, maybe things will change soon, now that he's at Xavier's, but that's still not a sure thing.

But pushing those thoughts away because Altius is asking him another question and fine. Maybe he'll be less annoyed this time.]

Asking how I've made this place tolerable, right? Just try and feel normal when I can. Go to the arcade, go to movies, hang out. That sort of thing.

[Altius doesn't stop the mildly perplexed look that comes to his face as he rests his cheek against his knuckles. An arcade, a movie theater... between that and the bars, it's so difficult to think of this place as a prison. Perhaps some kind of idealist came up with the concept and it was taken from them and turned into the place it is now.]

It sounds as though you have a lot of time on your hands... [Does it sound like he wants to ask about school? He does, but he recalls that stupid comment Scott made when they first met; clearly he's happy to not be in a structured learning environment. Not that Zekarion was the fondest of school himself, but...]

I can't recall the last time I didn't have a full schedule, [he says almost as a mutter.]

Excuse me for wanting to have fun, old man.

[This guy probably hasn't seen a movie or touched an arcade machine in over a decade. Two decades?? Look, he doesn't know how old this guy is. Altius gives Scott the impression that he does his taxes for fun.]

What do you even do back home? [He's expecting a boring answer, although there is that little nagging thought in the back of his head, about how he mentioned about someone close to him dying. It's enough where Scott's question doesn't come off as entirely rude, some genuine curiosity in his voice.]

[Altius only shrugs a shoulder with a brief hum at the counter; he can't really argue about it, and he knows it. It makes sense that those suffering through this place would seek whatever refuge they could, whenever they could. It's human nature.]

I run a medical company, [he says simply to start, turning back to his drink. It's a neutral statement; no real pride, no real disappointment. It's just a fact.] We have offices all over the world, so there's always somewhere to go or something to be done.

[He opens his mouth as if to continue—this would be where he talks about recent changes in his life, in the script of a casual conversation leading to interesting or personal topics that might draw some connection between them.

Instead, he closes his mouth and lets his breath out through his nose, the silence heavy. There's no point in taking a drink over it when he wouldn't allow it to affect himself anyway.]

[So.

He does like doing taxes. That's what Scott is hearing. And not just regular taxes, but like, corporate taxes too. That explains so much about Altius. The mutant barely stops himself from snorting into his water, briefly looking amused because of his thoughts. Although, with the silence continuing between them, it's difficult to remain that way for long, and Scott internally debates something before--]

Does it involve that person you care about back home?

[The one that doesn't have 'a week.' Also yes, he definitely just bluntly asked that question of him.]

[Scott come on he gets HIS ACCOUNTANTS to do his taxes. And his CFO. Don't you know anything about rich people.

For once, he doesn't take any notice of the young man's change in expression, his thoughts turning in a dozen different directions. Scott's question turns his focus to one of them, and he blinks briefly as if brought out of a daze as he follows that train. After another breath:]

His name is Ferran. He's about your age.

[Funny, how even here he's still using the boy. A tool to make himself seem pitiable, relatable, more sincere. Generous, even.

As far as telling Scott this, though, it only makes sense to offer the information after putting him through a taste of his impatient side.]

I started taking care of him close to a year ago. He lost his parents and was lucky to survive himself, so—the time I took off work then was spent helping him adjust.

[It had felt like he had even less time than usual, despite delegating tasks to the other board members—but he was so close to the end that it didn't matter if he was close to burning himself out from pretending for such long periods of time.

Being here, where he lives alone again, might almost have been a relief.]

open 🌌 the crime of the day is: loitering

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