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!]

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[chimericalclaw]

[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.

[laserguy]

[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.

[chimericalclaw]

[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.]

[laserguy]

[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.

[chimericalclaw]

[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.

[laserguy]

[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.

[chimericalclaw]

[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.