expiationlogs | open 🌌 today's crime: soliciting

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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

[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?

[The wrong place and time, or was it something more? Was he truly meant to be there? Was he meant to save them and failed? Or was his failure the point?

None of that really matters anymore.]

Yes.

[How difficult it was might be evident in the fact that he adds darkly,]

I got off easy in comparison. But I'll never forget what it looked like, in the aftermath.

[Thus... the visions of something as normal as a bank causing him to be so obviously distracted.]

Edited (different phrasing) 2025-03-06 00:37 (UTC)

[Clearly this is something difficult for Altius to talk about, even now, but he hasn't stopped yet and maybe it will help the older man if he keeps on discussing the events of that awful day. Just get out off his chest and everything. Scott's willing to listen-- more than that, he wants to. He's not sure when it happened, but Altius has become someone that he really cares about here.

Probably somewhere between working with the CEO on getting those medical supplies and him helping him out with his own dream.]

So was it a bunch of robbers? And they shot at everyone there? [He grimaces, arms sliding still by his sides. Sometimes it's easy to forget how bloody an aftermath can be without powers involved. Maybe it's even worse.] ...And that's the dream you had a lot? ...I'm sorry.

[The boy's sympathy almost stings. His expression remains dull, purposefully drained of feeling so as to speak of the matter without any further difficulty.]

Essentially. [The prospective thieves weren't the only problem, but he'd prefer not to get much more into it. It's bad enough he feels like he has to talk about it at all.] It's alright. Like I said, it was years ago.

[He sits back in his chair, folding his arms over his chest. As he continues he sounds much more assured, partly because he does truly feel that way and partly to tell Scott he doesn't have to worry quite so much.]

It helps to know I'm not necessarily losing my mind. If it's only our captors' attempt to manipulate me somehow then I'll work my way through it.

[It's clear that Scott doesn't fully believe in the other man's words. Something that traumatic probably doesn't go away, especially after being slammed by memories of it in the form of a dream. Nightmare. Scott almost feels less bad that he trapped Altius in his own dream now because at least he wasn't getting shot there.

Still some guilt though.

He doesn't push it though, hearing the resettling tone in his voice. Maybe it's better to focus on the images that's been bothering him-- if there's a potential source for them. Scott understands focusing on some sort of task instead of letting memories and stuff bother you.]

I'll let you know if I hear anything more about it or if it starts happening to me. [He tells him, without missing a beat. It's the least he can do to support Altius.] And if it gets worse, you better tell me. We'll deal with it together.

Edited 2025-03-07 01:33 (UTC)

[Altius lets out a soft laugh at the insistent order.]

I appreciate that. But I suppose I'll grateful if only few of us have to deal with it. The one night was complicated enough.

[It's almost difficult to believe it all only happened in the space of a few hours. He forces his shoulders to relax, however, more than ready to move on from that particular topic.]

Enough about my troubles. How have you been?

[Off the hook for now Mr. Altius.]

Fine, I guess.

[What's that? Altius wants Scott to talk about the stuff that happened in his dream? He's not taking the bait yet, something less formal and less serious taking hold of Scott once more. Casual, yes, but maybe he's putting a little too much effort in it. Like he's trying to purposely hide something.]

I mean I'm getting a job, so that's cool. Not sure you've heard about that.

[An amused huff leaves him. He never expected it would be easy to get things out of Scott; he'll play along for a bit, but he sees that clear attempt to divert his attention.

He'll use the fact that he just shared something so personal as a bludgeon if he has to.]

It's good to hear you're looking forward to that. You must like your employer well enough?

[His face scrunches and there's definitely a look that he's sending Altius from behind his shades. Maybe the CEO can see sense it, Scott is one day going to master the side eye and judgmental look despite half his face always being covered. Just give him a few more years, hopefully months.

Look at the people he deals with around here--]

Yeah, I guess. [He emphasizes there. Don't worry, he's just trying to cover up the fact that he actually like Altius. What do you mean he's tsundere--] He's annoying sometimes and an old man about stuff.

[Like making him wear a uniform and everything!!]

Edited 2025-03-08 18:23 (UTC)

[No, he could have seen that look well enough even if he hadn't anticipated a reaction along those lines. His own expression changes to some level of helpless exasperation as he lets out a sigh.]

He might be a bit conservative, but he's only thirty-six, [Altius finally protests aloud.] And I have no idea what you might mean by annoying...

[Is it about the helmet thing? He thought they'd moved past that when he bought Scott that nice jacket. How has he annoyed you, lad? ~~Just forget how he was acting as a teenager entirely, please.~~]

Edited (... i meant the opposite of that.) 2025-03-08 23:50 (UTC)

['Only' thirty-six? That's still double his age, old man. Scott debates on what exactly he wants to razz Altius about, but eventually he focuses on how he's totally a little annoying. All adults are. Not to mention...]

Uh, I saw what you were like when you around my age. [Is he enjoying this too much? Probably. Even though he's talking about their shared dream now-- something Scott doesn't think about as he further teases him.]

Totally an asshole. [A punk.]

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