Z. Altius (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
chimericalclaw) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
expiationlogs2024-11-03 12:45 pm
chimericalclaw) wrote in expiationlogs2024-11-03 12:45 pm
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![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
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!]
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
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!]
no subject
I'd heard something about the older incidents, [he says with an appropriately troubled if mild tone,] but I was referring to the most recent, yes.
[Her mention of the time she's been here does draw his attention. She might be a worthwhile source of information... and she's offered this much without much question or apparent feeling. Interesting.]
I was merely thinking... the entity that maintains this world, whether it's truly an artificial intelligence or something else, has presumably been returned to a default state. I would consider necessity a more likely reason behind any actions it took in that state.
[It's just theorizing, but he has enough confidence in the idea to consider it more than the alternative. He lets out a breath through his nose as he considers the courthouse.]
As far as why a new building entirely, however... that much I'm still unsure of.
no subject
And she isn't too sure what exactly that is. Not yet. ]
Though the definition of a 'default state' is more difficult than I anticipated. Honestly, when I heard that it was going to reset this place, I imagined it would go back to the way it was when I first showed up here, a long time ago. But instead it's more as if it reset things to just about half a year back in time. [ The girl turns to look over at him, rather than towards the building. ]
What do you make of that, as a new person? You have a fresh view on all of this. Not to mention that we all come from worlds that are different enough that I imagine our perspectives on this sort of thing might all be very different.
no subject
As for what he makes of it? He folds one arm over his chest, bringing the opposite hand to his temple.]
Taking into account what you've just told me...
It makes me think the reset must have been specifically linked to that entity, rather than this world as a whole—which speaks to some manner of compartmentalization. But if this space where City Hall once was changed at the same time as the entity was reset, there is the possibility of it being anchored or otherwise linked to particular places like this or those terminals.
[He moves his gaze to Ange, to see what reaction she might have.]
... which leads me to think there may be other places yet undiscovered with a similar connection. If the terminals could reset the entity entirely, and causing damage to the building that used to be here forced such drastic effects, how else might we influence this world if we could find another location like them?
no subject
So you think there might yet be another place here with access to the system behind all of this. [ It's not impossible, she thinks. Especially since those terminals from before seemed all over the place. It's why Ange doesn't look dismissive about the theory. ]
Though I guess they must have hidden those away from us pretty well. I can't imagine the people behind this would actually want us to mess with this world. [ She gestures at the building. ] They got annoyed enough with people messing up City Hall all the time to straight up replace it, anyway.
no subject
[They could technically go out and search for other locations, but without any clues on how to proceed, it could very well be time wasted.]
This one was hidden in plain sight here, and the others were scattered across the landmass, were they not? [He lets out a breath like a sigh, turning his gaze to the horizon.] There'd be too many places to simply look.
no subject
It's the only fact that has kept Ange from doing something like that this entire time, after all. ]
Let me warn you in advance. [ Since he seems like a practical person - and Ange would want a potential intelligent ally to be well-prepared for all of this. ] Trying to gather information in this place is pretty frustrating. I hope you won't make it let you give up somewhere along the way. I've tried to not let it make me give up, even though it's been a very frustrating year and a half.
no subject
I'd be lying to say I'm not somewhat daunted by hearing that so few answers have been found in that time, [he admits, which is more honest than his facade typically is. Discussing matters of their prison means he can allow more of his practical personality to come through, rather than the generous people-pleaser, which is a refreshing change.] But there are too many things I have to return to to consider giving up. I have no intentions of becoming complacent.
[His tone is reasoned, rather than insistent or defensive; he expects no shortage of obstacles, and he'll face them when they come.]
... By the way. My name is Altius—what should I call you, Miss?
no subject
Besides, he seems useful. Someone who might really start digging into this place. Ange doesn't mind being on casual terms with someone like that, she thinks. ]
If you want, I could keep you updated in case I find anything new. I'd appreciate it if you would do the same for me, considering I try to stay on top of any information that's found out about this place as much as I can. [ After all-- ] I also have something I definitely have to return to, and it's already been too long.
no subject
[Just Ange, then. At least for now. She's a very focused girl, it seems, and he has no complaints. To think she's been stuck here for so long despite that focus... he has to wonder how he'd react. Hopefully he won't have to find out.]
I'll gladly agree to that. The more of us willing to collaborate, the more likely we are to find a way to return to where we should be. Perhaps I can make you a copy of my notes and you can tell me if we're on the same page?
no subject
Sure. [ And in some cases she may have left it at just that, as direct and semi-antisocial as she is, but there's an appreciation within her for people who are willing to take important matters seriously.
At least enough to also offer him: ]
I'd really appreciate that, actually. [ There's no real emotion in her face that indicates as much, but the way her tone is so flat also doesn't make it seem like she's necessarily lying. More like she's being very directly honest. Factual. ] I don't have anything written down myself, since I'm worried about that sort of thing only getting lost or destroyed here, but I remember anything.
[ She's her own living record at this point, especially with how long she's been in this place.. ]
no subject
All the better I make copies for the purposes of backing these things up, hm? Our memories are nearly as much at risk as a few sheets of paper, as you mentioned.
[He had his memory tampered with almost immediately after showing up here—thanks, creepy fortune teller—and with similar incidents being brought up by her and others, he absolutely doesn't trust it to remain pristine, as vigilant as he tries to be. So, notes.
Unfortunate that it leaves evidence, but that's just something he has to risk—and he won't be copying his more personal observations on specific Chosen.]
Why don't we meet here again tomorrow, around the same time? I'll have them for you then.
no subject
That sounds fine to me. [ In fact, she'd so much rather be getting interesting notes than be doing something boring or useless here, so it's even a good use of her time.
For a moment it kind of seems like she's about to walk away without saying anything more, but..
.. no. For how many social manners Ange lacks, this encounter felt good and productive enough for her to say something first. ]
I'm glad I ran into you today. It's always good to meet someone else who cares as much as I do about finding the truth behind this place.
no subject
[Altius, meanwhile, puts a tad more enthusiasm into his words; enough to be friendly without going overboard. He is, after all, supposed to be a sociable person, even if Ange isn't.
Either way, after departing that day, he'll copy his notes and meet her later, as promised.
The notes he'll end up delivering to her, largely made from what he's seen on the network, likely won't tell her anything she doesn't already know: the experience and timing of their arrivals and departures, the changing or erasure of their memories at those times and elsewhere, the nature (or lack of) death in this world; the AI's public communications with Chosen, including its apparent desire to help them; assigned crimes, sentencings, the missing council, their expectations and punishments. Most sparse are his notes on locations other than Aldrip, though his few notes on Rumpitur and Ketsora imply an interest on their own.
Whatever she can or can't add to his research, he'll certainly be in touch.]