[If the locals only put in this much effort, it's clear to him they're not about to be offended about it. And Dante he trusts to not be too concerned, either.
A sensible chuckle at the remark goes here.]
It's a shame, to be sure. [Especially because he really :) needs :) the distraction :)!] Did you come to enjoy the party, too?
[He could add, or did you just stop by out of curiosity? He's not offering that alternative today.]
[Dante will find Altius's hand on their shoulder as he steps to the side, letting the last of the caterers past.]
I suppose one upside to their lacking preparation is there doesn't seem to be much to it except enjoying each other's company, so it will just be what we make of it, hm?
[He is now guiding Dante inside with that hand; he might as well be one of the pushy staff members himself if not for his more subtle touch.]
Why don't we see what they've got at the games table? [No point in getting them a drink, alas! How is one supposed to even socialize with a person properly without sustenance, honestly.]
[He's definitely not! But his smile softens a bit as he lets out a brief chuckle, and he slows a bit, though he doesn't remove his hand from Dante's shoulder, either.]
If I was being forced into anything, I promise I'd tell you, no matter what nonsense this place might throw at us.
[He would take great offense in being forced into much of anything. He'd definitely make it extremely difficult for them in that case... not that he's about to say that outright.]
I just think it would be nice to spend a few hours getting to know each other without worrying about anything strange.
[They're not sure if they believe that, but in the end they find themselves more worried about the whole "without anything strange" sentiment. Sure, it's possible, but when is this place not trying something strange?
They sigh.]
< I might as well play one game here, just to say I tried. >
[Yes, fine... wishing for a party without oddities is probably a stretch, but where else is he going to enjoy such a large gathering of Chosen? At least this isn't their designated bimonthly crisis.
To Dante acquiescing:]
Wonderful.
[Altius really is just thinking about cards—maybe gin rummy?—but then they're accosted by one of the staff proper and whisked off to sit at a table together, and for his part, he doesn't resist at all. At the table there's a covered box, inside of which are letters cut out of cardboard with heart-themed wrapping paper taped on top. They're not allowed to look inside just yet though!
The staff member's enthusiasm is evident as she directs the pairs that have been wrangled for this game.]
Okay! Now put your hand in the box and take out a letter. Your partner has to share something about themselves that starts with that letter!
[Altius shrugs at his companion, apparently fine with this setup. It seems normal?]
Do you want to take one first?
Edited (why did i say fine twice) 2025-02-11 03:43 (UTC)
[This seems like more of an ice breaker to them than any sort of game, but maybe that's the point. And they did agree, and Altius seems unbothered by it all, so maybe it's better to just go with it?
They nod and hesitantly reach into the box, pulling out an "R."
A few names and concepts come to mind, only to be swept away just as quickly. Something about them, huh?
They let out a chiming "Ah!" when an answer finally comes to mind.]
< Restaurants. Back home, we'd all usually go out to eat or grab something to go after a successful mission. >
[Well... the others ate. Dante just socialized with everyone else or used the time to unwind on their own.]
[He threads his fingers together and waits patiently, eyes on the unmoving hands of their face as they ponder. And it's a nice enough answer that they come up with, a few topics to follow up on coming to mind immediately, but also—
Their missions. Missions where their team dies again and again, so Dante dies again and again—more times than I can count. He has to sit here and pretend he doesn't know about any of that. He has no other option, because everything would collapse if he let himself be connected to that thing he is, past all the walls he's built with the pleasant facade.
So, he pretends like he always does, only pausing momentarily before he continues with interest:]
Was there anywhere you liked going in particular, or was it different every time?
[Perhaps they can't eat, but there's still something to be said about the atmosphere of a restaurant, particularly when going with a group of people.]
< Different every time. We're almost always traveling from District to District, so there's not a lot of time to get used to one place in particular--not unless it's a chain. >
[Sometimes they wondered if it was really the food everyone was interested in or if it was just the fact that it was something different.]
That's the nice part of traveling, being able to see or try something new. I always like trying to find the local hole-in-the-wall, myself. It's a good way to make a unique memory—get to know the people who live there.
[Dante's experience may be more condensed in that way, but he thinks the same ideas apply. And for him, he's always trying to learn more about people.
With his attention back on Dante, rather than his more general platitudes:]
For some reason you strike me as the sort to gravitate towards diners.
[They lift their hand, finger half-curled to point at themselves.]
< I guess that kind of casual atmosphere isn't bad. Especially if you go with someone else. Maybe somewhere a little more quiet if I'm on my own. A cafe, maybe? >
[They can't see themselves anywhere considered fine dining, though. Everything they've heard about those kinds of places just sounds... stuffy and stiff, no matter how good the food may or may not be.
Altius, though, especially with that suit of his... But that's jumping to conclusions.]
[He nods to agree with the thought of a cafe; he's not immune to the appeal, and it's certainly a sort of place he'd be expected to like, anyway.]
If I were younger, maybe I'd say something with a view, but—I've spent so many meals with a view talking about optimization and revenue that I think it's spoiled the idea.
[There's a sense of a weary sigh in the way he says it. Meetings, always with the meetings. His tone turns a little wistful as he thinks of his actual answer, though, gaze off to a distant spot on a far wall.]
So if I'm going somewhere to enjoy myself... something down to earth. Somewhere in the middle of an old neighborhood where they've been making the same thing for twenty years.
[He lets out a laugh that's a little wry, though the reason for that might not be apparent.]
That is what it boils down to, isn't it.
[When you don't feel like you've ever really had a home, you look for one where you can... he supposes. After a brief pause to consider that, he adds, half-joking:]
But the airs I put on must be working, for you to say that. Part of the appeal is avoiding anyone who might want something from me.
< I can get that. We all have things about ourselves that we want to hide, each for our own reasons. Can't imagine having as many business interests as you do helps with that. >
[Not to mention the fact that he still doesn't register to that particular sense the Bough grants them at all.]
[Something between sympathy and guilt crosses his expression, but then it gives way to something more neutral, and Altius hums his acknowledgement. They all have secrets, that's true. Given that he knows a few of Dante's, it's only fair that he's a bit more "open" with them than he would be with someone else.]
You're right. I've done it to myself all over again...
[Would he change that, if he started over in this place? Probably not, but... it's a thought, that he could have taken a different approach.]
[They offer him a helpless shrug of their own in return. End up somewhere new with not-quite-endless possibilities before them... and they end up with something close to the job they did before.]
< Oh, right. Go ahead. >
[They set their letter to the side as they wait for him to pull one of his own.]
1/2 i literally went to a random letter generator and it gave me this
[Something something, everything looks like a nail when you only have a hammer...
Well, anyway. Altius follows through, putting his hand in and pulling out—
An X. What? Why is this even in here? So says his frown and the momentarily baffled expression he gives it.
... You know, he's just going to set that aside and draw a new one, because he just got done talking about how tiring business can be, and he doesn't want to talk about X-rays.]
[This time, it's a C. Okay, this one he can work with. Now to think of something interesting... he brings a hand over his chin.
Hmm, hmm... He opens his eyes with the light of an idea. Here's something.]
"Camera." I've never particularly liked having my picture taken. [Is there a theme emerging here, perhaps, with the way he's talking about himself? He reminisces with a faint smile:] My father wanted to take one for every occasion, which is probably why I resisted it so much to begin with.
< And you have to get it taken a lot as part of the job, I'm guessing? >
[A few ticks carry along the meaning of a thoughtful hum.]
< No offense, but... Is there something you do like about your job? > [Knowing there's not enough "no offense" in the world to make that question any less rude, they clarify:] < It just that... So far, it sounds like everything it's asking of you goes against what you yourself would want. >
But Dante's question causes him to pause, a look somewhere between realization and curiosity in his eyes. Frankly... it's true. He's had to throw so much of himself away for it, but he's never even thought twice about doing it. Thoughtfully, his gaze moves away, and he eventually says,]
I get to help people. [He smiles faintly.] That's how I like to think of it, in any case. Working with so many people, seeing what they can accomplish together. Learning their strengths and helping them past the obstacles keeping them from that. It's satisfying.
[A breath leaves him and he sits back.]
I suppose I'm complaining too much. [He opens his mouth, hesitates, decides to speak after all.] I haven't had the chance in a while.
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expiationlogs2025-02-10 12:12 pm
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< I guess. It does kinda seem like their hearts weren't in it for this one, huh? >
[A pause]
< Pun... not intended. >
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A sensible chuckle at the remark goes here.]
It's a shame, to be sure. [Especially because he really :) needs :) the distraction :)!] Did you come to enjoy the party, too?
[He could add, or did you just stop by out of curiosity? He's not offering that alternative today.]
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< Not really. I just wanted to see what it was. And new people usually show up around this time, so I thought I'd see who the new faces are. >
[As long as there aren't any funhouses.]
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I suppose one upside to their lacking preparation is there doesn't seem to be much to it except enjoying each other's company, so it will just be what we make of it, hm?
[Yes, he said we.]
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< Huh? >
[They caught that, but... what?]
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Why don't we see what they've got at the games table? [No point in getting them a drink, alas! How is one supposed to even socialize with a person properly without sustenance, honestly.]
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???]
< O... kay. >
[More importantly, is Altius okay?]
< Just to make sure, no one's forcing you to do this, right? I know the locals tend to get pushy about their festivals. >
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If I was being forced into anything, I promise I'd tell you, no matter what nonsense this place might throw at us.
[He would take great offense in being forced into much of anything. He'd definitely make it extremely difficult for them in that case... not that he's about to say that outright.]
I just think it would be nice to spend a few hours getting to know each other without worrying about anything strange.
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[They're not sure if they believe that, but in the end they find themselves more worried about the whole "without anything strange" sentiment. Sure, it's possible, but when is this place not trying something strange?
They sigh.]
< I might as well play one game here, just to say I tried. >
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To Dante acquiescing:]
Wonderful.
[Altius really is just thinking about cards—maybe gin rummy?—but then they're accosted by one of the staff proper and whisked off to sit at a table together, and for his part, he doesn't resist at all. At the table there's a covered box, inside of which are letters cut out of cardboard with heart-themed wrapping paper taped on top. They're not allowed to look inside just yet though!
The staff member's enthusiasm is evident as she directs the pairs that have been wrangled for this game.]
Okay! Now put your hand in the box and take out a letter. Your partner has to share something about themselves that starts with that letter!
[Altius shrugs at his companion, apparently fine with this setup. It seems normal?]
Do you want to take one first?
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They nod and hesitantly reach into the box, pulling out an "R."
A few names and concepts come to mind, only to be swept away just as quickly. Something about them, huh?
They let out a chiming "Ah!" when an answer finally comes to mind.]
< Restaurants. Back home, we'd all usually go out to eat or grab something to go after a successful mission. >
[Well... the others ate. Dante just socialized with everyone else or used the time to unwind on their own.]
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Their missions. Missions where their team dies again and again, so Dante dies again and again—more times than I can count. He has to sit here and pretend he doesn't know about any of that. He has no other option, because everything would collapse if he let himself be connected to that thing he is, past all the walls he's built with the pleasant facade.
So, he pretends like he always does, only pausing momentarily before he continues with interest:]
Was there anywhere you liked going in particular, or was it different every time?
[Perhaps they can't eat, but there's still something to be said about the atmosphere of a restaurant, particularly when going with a group of people.]
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[Sometimes they wondered if it was really the food everyone was interested in or if it was just the fact that it was something different.]
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That's the nice part of traveling, being able to see or try something new. I always like trying to find the local hole-in-the-wall, myself. It's a good way to make a unique memory—get to know the people who live there.
[Dante's experience may be more condensed in that way, but he thinks the same ideas apply. And for him, he's always trying to learn more about people.
With his attention back on Dante, rather than his more general platitudes:]
For some reason you strike me as the sort to gravitate towards diners.
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[They lift their hand, finger half-curled to point at themselves.]
< I guess that kind of casual atmosphere isn't bad. Especially if you go with someone else. Maybe somewhere a little more quiet if I'm on my own. A cafe, maybe? >
[They can't see themselves anywhere considered fine dining, though. Everything they've heard about those kinds of places just sounds... stuffy and stiff, no matter how good the food may or may not be.
Altius, though, especially with that suit of his... But that's jumping to conclusions.]
< What about you? >
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If I were younger, maybe I'd say something with a view, but—I've spent so many meals with a view talking about optimization and revenue that I think it's spoiled the idea.
[There's a sense of a weary sigh in the way he says it. Meetings, always with the meetings. His tone turns a little wistful as he thinks of his actual answer, though, gaze off to a distant spot on a far wall.]
So if I'm going somewhere to enjoy myself... something down to earth. Somewhere in the middle of an old neighborhood where they've been making the same thing for twenty years.
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[The furthest thing away from what they were thinking, even.]
< So... something that feels like home? >
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That is what it boils down to, isn't it.
[When you don't feel like you've ever really had a home, you look for one where you can... he supposes. After a brief pause to consider that, he adds, half-joking:]
But the airs I put on must be working, for you to say that. Part of the appeal is avoiding anyone who might want something from me.
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< I can get that. We all have things about ourselves that we want to hide, each for our own reasons. Can't imagine having as many business interests as you do helps with that. >
[Not to mention the fact that he still doesn't register to that particular sense the Bough grants them at all.]
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You're right. I've done it to myself all over again...
[Would he change that, if he started over in this place? Probably not, but... it's a thought, that he could have taken a different approach.]
Well. Should it be my turn now?
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[They offer him a helpless shrug of their own in return. End up somewhere new with not-quite-endless possibilities before them... and they end up with something close to the job they did before.]
< Oh, right. Go ahead. >
[They set their letter to the side as they wait for him to pull one of his own.]
1/2 i literally went to a random letter generator and it gave me this
Well, anyway. Altius follows through, putting his hand in and pulling out—
An X. What? Why is this even in here? So says his frown and the momentarily baffled expression he gives it.
... You know, he's just going to set that aside and draw a new one, because he just got done talking about how tiring business can be, and he doesn't want to talk about X-rays.]
2/2
Hmm, hmm... He opens his eyes with the light of an idea. Here's something.]
"Camera." I've never particularly liked having my picture taken. [Is there a theme emerging here, perhaps, with the way he's talking about himself? He reminisces with a faint smile:] My father wanted to take one for every occasion, which is probably why I resisted it so much to begin with.
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< And you have to get it taken a lot as part of the job, I'm guessing? >
[A few ticks carry along the meaning of a thoughtful hum.]
< No offense, but... Is there something you do like about your job? > [Knowing there's not enough "no offense" in the world to make that question any less rude, they clarify:] < It just that... So far, it sounds like everything it's asking of you goes against what you yourself would want. >
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But Dante's question causes him to pause, a look somewhere between realization and curiosity in his eyes. Frankly... it's true. He's had to throw so much of himself away for it, but he's never even thought twice about doing it. Thoughtfully, his gaze moves away, and he eventually says,]
I get to help people. [He smiles faintly.] That's how I like to think of it, in any case. Working with so many people, seeing what they can accomplish together. Learning their strengths and helping them past the obstacles keeping them from that. It's satisfying.
[A breath leaves him and he sits back.]
I suppose I'm complaining too much. [He opens his mouth, hesitates, decides to speak after all.] I haven't had the chance in a while.
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