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!]

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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.]

[Ferran, huh...?

So Altius is sort of his guardian, taking him in after the death of his parents. That's rough-- reminds him a little bit of Jean, honestly. She mentioned that Professor Xavier took her in after her parents died in a car accident, and it was hard on her. He could tell that much, even though the Professor has been kind to her. Not that he's comparing this guy to the Professor, but... it's clear he cares about this guy.

It leaves Scott to be more of that serious teen once gain, smartass comments fully pushed aside as he looks at the CEO.]

What... what happened to him?

[The teen's interested, just sympathetic enough that Altius may be successful in his attempts to get the mutant a little more trusting towards him.]

[He's had the time to run through it in his mind. To process, so much as he was willing. To know what he'd say when asked. Stories upon stories, made up of near-truths.

He tilts the glass between his hands, watching as the liquid tilts and settles. There's some distance in his tone, mostly intentional—it only makes sense he'd have to separate himself from the facts of the matter.]

He was shot.

[Altius only pauses briefly before he lifts his drink and empties half of what remains. After he returns it to the counter, his words come out with just barely more force.]

It was late. We were all but alone. ... I awoke here shortly after.

[His answer definitely goes further to explain why he was such a bitch in the beginning-- but no, hearing all this about really sucks. Having someone you care about, someone that you personally took in, be the victim of a shooting? Yeah, it'd make sense that Altius would want to return home as soon as possible. Scott's never felt that pressure, he was just driving home from the mall with his friends.

There's probably nothing waiting for him there.

What does he even say to something like this? Scott frowns, although the expression is geared mostly at himself than at the CEO for once.]

...I'm sorry. [...] I get why you were really upset when you got here.

[Now, at least, he's paying attention to Scott's demeanor, though only in his periphery. Having moved past the initial hurdle of expressing himself—he hates that any of it is actually genuine, but he'll ignore that aspect of it as best he can—he can turn his attention to more the practical aspects of the conversation and what he might get out of it.

Funnily, he does that with a reply that might sound as if he's adrift:]

I don't know that I've stopped.

[Altius doesn't allow any time for that statement to settle in before he turns his attention back to Scott properly.]

But you didn't deserve to have me take it out on you like that. And... I'm grateful, for the sympathy. [His eyes go to the package sitting next to Scott.] Especially since you didn't come here to listen to a near-stranger go on about his feelings.

[So? What's that about? asks the slight raise of his eyebrows.]

[At least Altius doesn't give Scott much time to feel awkward before he fully jumps into another topic and he's just going to go along with it this time. He's about done discussing feelings and stuff like this for one night, especially with someone that he doesn't really know still, so the mutant offers no protest as he pulls the bag just a little closer to him.

Kotone should be about done anyway, so good timing.]

I'm here for my girlfriend. [He offers, figuring that there's no problem in admitting that. It's not like he and Kotone are subtle about their affection for each other, they've been through far too much to really hide. Sure, they don't announce it out loud, but Scott isn't shy about it either. He really loves her that much. It's probably obvious right now, with the small smile lighting up Scott's features.

It's like a lot of that prior tension is gone from him.] She works here.

[A faint smile comes to Altius's face, echoing the clear ease that comes to Scott's demeanor, even if it doesn't seem to erase his earlier mood entirely.]

I was going to ask if it was the redhead, but I'm realizing now that there are a few of those who work here. Do you think that's intentional?

[Quips aside:]

She must be lucky to have such a thoughtful young man visit during her shift.

[Altius's comment actually garners a snort from Scott. He never really thought about it, but he sort of has a point... granted, everyone is sort of red to him anyway, but whatever.]

Maybe they get a bonus for being a redhead.

[Joking with him for once???? Guess it's fine. It's a start of something, growing past their initial encounter.] Yeah yeah, she overworks herself half the time. Just making sure that she slows down and everything.

[But with her shift about done, Scott slides off his seat before picking up his package. He stands around for a couple of seconds, like he wants to say something else, before he just nods at Altius.] Well, see you later.

[He lets out a chuckle of his own at the response. See? It's a nice conversation they've had. He's even attentive as Scott tells him about his girlfriend.

Altius watches Scott as he moves to leave then pauses, and he wonders what must be going through the young man's head. Rather than ask and delay Scott further, he simply offers a soft smile.]

Until next time.

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open 🌌 the crime of the day is: loitering

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