expiationlogs | open 🌌 today's crime: soliciting

Entry tags:

open 🌌 today's crime: soliciting

Who: Zekarion & YOU
Where: YOUR HOME, Aldrip Post Office, and assorted locations
What: Expiation, say hello to centralized mail services! Also there is an extremely tired man to bother.
Warnings: references to game-induced visions of violence and such, probably.

One day early in February, the people of Aldrip will find a letter delivered to their residence—sitting on their doorstep, on a nearby table or surface, slid under the door, whatever possible to make sure that you get your very first piece of public mail!

Inside is a typewritten letter headed with a letterhead seal proclaiming its origin as the Aldrip Postal Service. The letter describes the marvels of the mail service such as the founder is familiar with them: daily deliveries to and from the convenience of your home, local experts already familiar with recipients' addresses, the versatile nature of physical communication and lack of electricity requirement. Privacy is a promise, and the Aldrip Postal Service will send any and all mail... that isn't an active physical danger to those delivering or receiving it. Not that anyone would try such a thing! :)

The letter also brings up the upcoming Day of Devotion—for those romantically inclined who may want to send surprise or secret packages of flowers or sweets or love letters, anonymity is guaranteed. The delivery people don't even know where they came from without a return address!

The letter concludes with a note that the office is seeking organizational staff, couriers, and trainers to help handle their carrier pigeons to make the mail as efficient as it can be.

If you'd like to officially request your own mail box (it's free!), look into the job offers, or simply take a look at the post office itself, the address in the heading is repeated at the bottom of the letter. The founder only signs ZA at the bottom, so you'll just have to go in person to find out who's sending you mail now.

(Regardless of who it is, they're not responsible for any unwanted chain letters or advertisements received. If someone wants to reach out about your carriage's extended warranty, the mail service will not discriminate.)

⬬ some kind of trouble on the sensory screen | post office

[The brick and stone building, situated right near the middle of the city not far from the inn, has a few entrances, one under a set of arches, another under a covering supported by pillars. A couple of people in blue uniforms stand outside each one, offering informational fliers about what one can expect from the mail service. One of said people is dressed slightly differently, however; a tall man with dark hair wears a blue suit and tie to match the other workers, answering questions and encouraging people to step inside.

If anyone approaches closely enough to be heard with a normal conversational tone, he'll offer a greeting appropriate to the time of day.]

Have you gotten one of our letters yet?

⬬ clutch at plausible deniability | cafe/inn

[He can't spend all his time doing that, though. He's only one man, and he has other endeavors to work on. Endeavors such as trying not to look too exhausted over the coffee he's nursing at the local cafe or inn, or sigh too loudly over it.]

⬬ some kind of drama live on satellite | elsewhere/wildcard

[ooc: interested in something else? plot with me here or at

lumieresdedragon!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No. [He's not defensive at all, what are you talking about!! Scott huffs, trying not to look embarrassed about getting caught. In fact, he's just going to double down now.]

I just wanted you to get to the point.

[Because Altius was yapping so much! But miraculously, Scott doesn't add any extra comments from there, following the older man up to the second floor as they head towards what the mutant would call 'the head honcho's office.' The fact that they had to climb a flight of stares and there's windows looking down at the people below definitely screams that. Besides, Altius himself just said that they're heading to his office. Scott has to instinctively push back a couple of older memories where he had to walk to the principal's office after 'acting out' again or whatever bullshit.

At least this doesn't really feel like that. Maybe it's because it's just the post office and not a school, but honestly, it's because he kind of actually like Altius, unlike the adults at his old school. So, Scott's less defensive, although he can't help but look just a little more serious too, as they step inside.

Probably the only reason why he doesn't immediately steal his chair.]

...What did you want to tell me anyway?

[Okay, maybe he can't fully hide some of his awkward behavior, Scott shifting where he's standing in front of the desk as he look at Altius. It's clear the teen is trying to play it cool, but he really can't remember a time when someone 'invited' him to his office for a good thing. Did he disappoint the older man in some way?]

[As honed as his senses are to other people's moods, he catches onto Scott's shiftiness easily enough, and he turns with a raised eyebrow as his humor apparently fades. Arms folded, he sounds fairly serious when he says:]

I'm afraid I'm going to have to put you in detention, Mr. Summers.

[He only lets that hang in the air for a single second before an easy smile returns to his face that he hopes is reassuring.]

You can relax, Scott. I was only going to ask if you'd be interested in delivering for the post office. I wanted to check in with you, too; we can have a little more privacy here than out in the middle of the building.

[His mouth parts, like he's about ready to talk back, but it immediately shuts in a small snap when Scott finally figures out that Altius is only joking with him. Oh, uh. Right, duh. He knew that this entire time!! He can't be placed in detention because there's no school... and because Altius isn't actually upset with him. That reaffirmation is so relieving for reasons that he doesn't want to admit. Scott flushes lightly, cheeks darkening just a shade, but he tries to fight back the rest of his embarrassed feelings as he looks at Altius' reassuring smile.

Old man is teasing him and it worked..... clearly he needs to step up his game. Nonetheless, Scott's posture loses that tension, shoulders lowering as he takes in everything he's saying. Wait, delivering for the post office??]

Wait, you're offering me a job? [...And of course he wanted to check in on him. That's the kind of adult Altius is, huh?]

[A sly look comes to his eyes briefly as Scott tries to hide his little gullible moment, but he lets it pass without comment.]

That I am. [He tilts his head.] Are you interested? It shouldn't be any more complicated than what I've asked you for before.

[Not a word old man!!!]

Uh... [Scott's mostly still recovering from the surprise of being offered an actual job from Altius. Yeah, he's done a couple of favors for him before, but this is something official. He'll probably have steady work hours and pay and all that... instead of Scott just doing the odd job here and there for various locals. It'd be nice, really.

He wants to ask Altius if he's sure, but he wouldn't have offered this in the first place otherwise. He's a businessman-- he probably knows what he's doing when it comes to this sort of thing.]

Yeah. [He eventually answers, voice almost shy, before it regains some of his confidence. Sure, being a delivery man wasn't what he imagined his first job to be, but he doesn't find himself upset by it either. At least he can drive his motorcycle around still, right??] Not even doing a job interview, huh?

[Glad to know he impressed him that much!!]

That's one of the benefits to living in a realm with only vaguely defined employment laws, [he answers with a shrug of one shoulder. Definitely nothing shady about that! Not that he'd ever take advantage of any of the real people here... he's just taking advantage of what he can get out of Aldrip itself.

It's a bit endearing, that Scott seems so taken aback by all this. A part of him wonders why the young man always seems so surprised at his offers, and not just the job-related ones...]

But wonderful. I can write you up a proper contract later, just so we're on the same page. [With a faint hm! of realization:] I don't even need to ask you for your uniform size, I suppose.

[How handy, that they've already gotten that sorted.]

[That didn't sound sketchy at all.

Well, at least Scott doesn't have to go through an official interview process, so that's nice! Didn't have to submit a resume or anything, he's just being offered a real job without barely any effort. If only things would be this easy back home.

Although, if he becomes a X-Man... maybe it will be the same thing. He can't imagine that he'd be submitting an application for something like that. It seems like a thing that will just happen. Thoughts for later though.

Scott nods when Altius mentions a contract, although it's more absentminded than anything else. It doesn't seem like the teen cares too much, just going with the flow, until the older mentions uniforms and Scott's face immediately scrunches.]

Wait, uniform? [He didn't think he'd have to wear one!!]

[Altius wonders vaguely where Scott's head went to for that moment, but he lets out an amused huff at the young man's apparent offense.]

Have you ever seen a postman without one? [He steps towards his chair behind the desk, but keeps his eyes on Scott.] You know what people say about men in uniforms, don't you?

You just mentioned that there are vague employment laws. So, you don't have to have a uniform for your workers.

[Scott's 100% pouting. He doesn't want to wear some lame looking mailman uniform with short shorts!! Or whatever else. A silly blue hat. All of that would fully clash with his style.

Also ignore him mumbling how he's pretty sure that the whole men in uniform bit only refers to military uniforms. Not mailmen.]

[Sorry, Scott, he's laughing at both the open response and the muttered one, setting his elbows on his desk as he sits.]

And ruin the traditional look? I could never.

[Also post office uniforms used to look very military, you know! This is what happens when you kids don't read up on your history, he swears...]

We have a few different styles; I'm sure you can find one that agrees with you. Is a blue button-up really so unappealing?

[He's forgotten how much of a stuffy businessman Altius is until now. He won't forget again!! Really, this is a solid reminder that he really plays by the rules still, despite being the one that's creating them. Ugh, and he had such high hopes. Scott's face continues to have that scrunched look, not even bothering to hide his displeasure about all this.]

Some traditions are meant to be broken.

[GRUMBLE. Then a sigh. He's relenting, because whatever. He has a job still.]

Fine, I guess a blue button-up is fine. [...] I'm still delivering on my motorcycle, aren't I?

Ever the contrarian.

[He says it with some humor, some fondness; but also, since Scott is ultimately conceding, he enjoys teasing the young man for the way he always wants to get the last word in.]

I assume that's your preference, [he says agreeably.] Given it's the fas—

[He thinks he catches something out of the corner of his eye—as if he'd opened one of his twisting portals into the void, and for the briefest of moments, alarmed, he thinks perhaps he's lost control—

But there's nothing there, not over Scott's shoulder, nor out past the window. Another false vision. Though his suddenly serious expression smooths over again, there's still a hint of uneasiness in it.]

—the faster method.

[The snarky retort that Scott had ready slowly dies in his throat, mouth closing in a twist of concern as Altius appears to just momentarily drift off. It's like he's distracted by something and it's enough that it gets Scott to turn his head back, as if trying to see what the older man is looking at.

But there's nothing. At least nothing out of the ordinary, just a closed door and his shelves nearby. Nothing that would be out of place in a mailroom office. The mutant returns to look back at Altius with a small worried frown in place. Yep, that concern is being directed straight at him now.]

...Are you okay?

Edited 2025-02-28 15:52 (UTC)

[A slow breath leaves him as he folds his hands on the desktop.]

I'm fine.

[He debates with himself for a moment. There's no good way of putting this, but trying to dismiss it feels like a mistake. He could come up with an excuse, but... perhaps it's better to try to find the truth of it. It's a risk—he's not fond of the idea of anyone thinking he's losing his mind—but he thinks out of anyone, Scott might be more willing to keep thoughts like that about Altius to himself...

It's only a few moments before he continues, just before Scott might have thought it was his turn to say something.]

Has this world ever... caused you to see things that weren't there?

[It's clear that Scott doesn't believe Altius's reassurance. He's heard 'I'm fine' so many times before when it's been obvious that they aren't okay and this is no different. It's not like Altius to suddenly space out like that, see something that clearly wasn't there, and Scott doesn't bother to hide his worry for his employer. Mentor.

He's about ready to tell him that he doesn't believe Altius for a second, but surprisingly, at least to Scott, the older man opens up on his own. Scott's mouth shuts in a small click, that surprise lasting for a couple of seconds longer before he gets with the program and starts thinking about the question he just asked.

So, he's seeing things that aren't there.]

Yeah, a couple of times. [Scott says, figuring that telling him this truth might help. He's fine talking about it, mostly.] Illusions of people.

[Of Alex.]

What did you see?

[Rubbing his eyes, Altius lets out a noise between a reluctant grunt and hum of acknowledgement. So there's precedent—that's good. Much better than the alternative. He doesn't like it, but he'll take what he can get.

He keeps his hand where it is in the moments after the question. Perhaps keeping his eyes closed for now is a better idea; then he can attribute any static he sees to the typical experience rather than anything supernatural.]

I've been catching glimpses of the dreams I experienced with others on and off since then, [he replies.] Nearly all of them were unpleasant in one way or another.

[He got lucky, with Scott's. Perhaps that's part of why he's talking about it at all right now.]

[Scott fidgets where he's standing. Oh, so this is related to the dreams that they've shared...? Shouldn't be surprising since they all just endured that, even if he hasn't seen any after effects himself. Still, he fully believes Altius, and his worry for him grows. After all, he dragged Altius into his own dream and he can't help but wonder if some of the crap he's seeing is because of him.

Kind of awkward to think about. It's been kind of hard thinking about his dream and the way he pulled a bunch of people into it, nearly clinging to them. Never wanting to go back or lose them. He really hasn't talked about it much with others and he's not sure if he's ready to start now.]

So, what is it a person or a monster? [He doesn't yet ask Altius if he's seen anything from Scott's dream.]

No, [he starts, not bothering to hide his hesitation as he moves his hand back to the desk.] Usually, it's... a place.

[He pauses, not certain of how to continue. He doesn't want to be dramatic about it, regardless of how he feels, but he's sure brushing it off will only invite more questions. As the moments pass, his brow furrowed as he debates with himself, waiting for Scott to ask him something or other seems more like the better way forward.]

[A... place. Extremely vague, but they're getting somewhere? Altius hasn't brushed him off yet and at this point, simply being told 'no' might not be enough because of his growing concern for the CEO. While Scott doesn't step closer to the desk, he keeps standing straight with that little frown, focus fully directed at him as he prods him just a bit more.

Maybe just a little bit of 'Cyclops' mode--]

Okay, what kind of place? [...] I know you mentioned dreams, but is there a specific one you're seeing more than others?

[He decides immediately that even vaguely alluding to Chaos and its realm is completely unacceptable. His jaw clenches, and he realizes the other major option is... probably his best. More obviously traumatic. One he was seen in as himself. His only other thought is to make up a complete lie, come up with something that never even happened. His mind only draws a blank.

Even if it's a strategic decision, that doesn't mean it's easier to speak about.]

A bank.

[There's a faint twitch under his eye, and his gaze is directed to one of his filing cabinets against the wall. It's ridiculous, how fresh the terror of that day feels all over again. Ridiculous, when he's caused so many disasters himself, now—

His knuckles pale as his hands tighten around each other.]

One I'd prefer to forget. More than most.

[A bank...?

Not really something Scott thought Altius would say. Yeah, of course he was expecting something a little more wild, more dangerous. Sure he's just a businessman, but he mentioned seeing other people's dreams and he knows that people have gone through so much shit here that it wouldn't be hard to imagine that he popped into something really terrible.

Those little cogs in Scott's brain turn, eyebrows furrowing lightly. Then almost bluntly and to the point, though his tone carries a quietness in it still:]

...Does it have to do with Ferran?

[He remembers their conversation in the bar, of course. He talked about the boy he took in and how he was shot and left bleeding before he came here. A bank job gone wrong?? It'd make sense though if that's the terrible image he keeps on seeing from beyond his mind's eye.]

[The huff of breath that escapes him is almost like a voiceless laugh. He's been seeing Ferran, too, of course. Glimpses that almost make him think the young man arrived here, alive and well...]

No. This was years ago. [He pauses; somehow, comparing the two almost makes it easier. He can let Scott connect the dots, rather than describe it outright.] Ferran... is far the first person I've seen shot.

[It's so much easier for him to say, his voice lower,] and I didn't walk away from it under my own power, either.

[Far from the first person...? It shouldn't be normal that more than one person that you care about is shot in front of you. Or shot at all. Isn't Altius supposed to just be a regular CEO before being brought here? Does he just have extremely bad luck or is it something more??

Scott can't help but jump to certain conclusions when he hears him mentioning 'powers' too.]

Huh? What are you talking about? [There's still that look of concentration on his face, mouth slightly parted as he tries to connect stuff together.] Are you saying that people have powers in your world?

[His response comes after a heavy sigh, shoulders slumping.]

It just means I left in an ambulance, Scott.

[Perhaps he should stop making roundabout metaphors to avoid bringing up the direct details.]

There are no abilities like yours. Just mundane weapons. [In a near-whisper:] Too easily made and bought...

[...Oh.

He's just so used to people having abilities and everything, or at least their world being weird, that he sometimes forgets that people do actually come from places where magic or supernatural abilities don't exist. It's just. Weapons. Guns. It almost sounds simple, but... looking at Altius right now, it's still not easy.]

So... you were shot? [Scott presses on anyway, voice quiet. That's pretty traumatic still, no erasing that fact. He can see why he'd have nightmares of it still.] Wrong place wrong time?

no subject

no subject

flight of stares...... ignore me

:3

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject