[All of it, really. At least to some extent. How much they're actually helping anyone and for how long, Dante can't really say. Given how things are in the City, with all its suffering and violence and exploitation, they're not naive enough to think Limbus Company is out there doing anything other than contributing to it all.
But the Sinners... Dante can help them. At least for awhile, at least in some small way. And that has to be worth something.
They just wish they could have the same ability to freely complain about their job that Altius does. Can't go spilling too many secrets, can they?]
< It's annoying, but worth it in the end, right? Enough to keep pursuing, even in another world. ...Or some AI's crime-obsessed simulation. >
[He has to let out a muted, half-sardonic laugh at the reminder of their prison.]
It feels a bit out of place in the midst of all these people with powers and technical skills, but... it seems to me like the best thing I can offer, so I have to try.
[All that's a bit depressing, though, isn't it? Not the sort of conversation he was really aiming for—and even the information he has as only "Altius" is enough to tell him that Dante's experience on the same topic is probably unpleasant, too, especially with the commiseration they've just offered. After a huff at himself:]
In any case. [He looks back to them.] Any thoughts on photography, Dante?
[He tries to be reassuring in response to the apology, with a rise of his shoulders that's barely a shrug.]
You don't have anything to apologize for. [Really, he doesn't want to put them in an uncomfortable spot due to their amnesia. Some mild awkwardness from Altius's initial insistence they participate, maybe, but he'd thought of that as something to be overcome.]
I thought I'd ask if you have any interest in taking pictures yourself, but I won't stop you if you'd prefer the box.
[Fair enough; it's not like Altius considers himself the creative type, so he's not sure he could answer that himself.]
It does make me wonder what draws those types towards something in particular. Do you think you'd be more interested in a subject in an aesthetic sense, or a sentimental one?
[The initial answer is sort of cute, but not unexpected, he thinks; the little things would matter so much more when you have all that space to fill, and it would make one realize that none of it can be taken for granted.
There's something a little wistful in his eyes before he turns his attention back to Dante.]
Understandable; I'd be the same, I think. [If he ever had moments.] But there are times it might be nice to have a more concrete reminder.
[This time he's not even really thinking of their amnesia. Instead:]
My ward... his friends made him a scrapbook, after... he went through a troubling time. [not that it stopped being troubling, but.] Watching him go through it made me wonder if my father had a point about photos after all.
[They don't pry (he's choosing his words carefully for a reason, they can tell that much), but they don't ignore the statement either.]
< You could always try now. Think of it as a test run for when you get home. >
[Because, truthfully, they're not sure if it's possible for something like that to continue to exist outside the simulation. At least it means he won't lose out if it turns out not to be his thing. >
[An amused huff escapes him; he's not going to be taking any photos when he returns home, no matter what happens—at least, that much is solid in his mind. His tone remains light.]
You're right. I could.
[With a playful tilt of his head as he looks to Dante:]
[There's an edge of exasperation to the humor in his voice and expression.]
Sentimental moments tend to happen with friends, generally speaking. [A little more genuinely:] And I think it would be nice to remember the one who encouraged me to record them.
[The laugh he lets out at Dante's embarrassment might almost be called hearty, if he were less inclined to avoid getting anyone else's attention. Unfortunately for them, he does enjoy flustering people with (apparent) sincerity.]
Well, [he says with another chuckle,] you could certainly tell me to shove off and keep my camera to myself.
Ha, I see. [No time or space for sentimentality in Dante's miserable city, perhaps? In a lighthearted tone:] You can consider this your warning that I prefer to let people know when they mean something to me. Life is too short to hide something like that.
[Half a second passes. For a moment he thinks he sees a particular brown-haired person out of the corner of his eye, and the thought that new Chosen might arrive today actually draws him to turn his head and look—
No, just another phantom image. Ha, he should have known better than to hope they'd leave him alone today... but this is far from the first time he's been forced to remember that mess of dreams in his waking hours, so his response to it is muted, ultimately only a faint expression of surprise followed by a shake of his head and a sigh.
[As he turns his head, they lean to the side, following his gaze to see...
...Nothing at all.
Huh.
He speaks to them again and they return their attention to where it's supposed to be, straightening up as if they hadn't been looking at anything at all.]
< It's fine, really. We got to know a little more about eachother too, so it's a good use of time, right? >
[His tone is a little more subdued when he replies.]
I'm glad you think so.
[Dante either politely says nothing about the absence of anything in particular to look at, or otherwise thinks they themselves have missed something. He wonders if they're making it intentionally easy for him, sometimes...
With a last glance at the box and letters, Altius gets to his feet, straightening his jacket.]
I'm going to go see what drinks they have to offer. Are you interested to see what kitschy glasses they might be using, or shall I see you another time?
[He's correct, at least to an extent. This place does things to people. Makes them do things, makes them see things, makes them speak about the things they aren't yet willing to talk about...
They've been on the other side, even just recently, and that's without considering the circumstances back home. Or the circumstance they carry with them every day.
Right now, it doesn't appear to be an emergency, so they see no reason to push. Though they do allow for a moment of silence before they respond, just in case he wants to say what he saw.]
< Another time. > [Not that they don't appreciate the offer] < I might see what else is here while I'm around and then head back. >
< ...Which will probably be longer than I think. >
[Rather than bringing up anything more about himself, he accepts the grace of silence he's been given, for whatever reason he has it. Today he's not going to look further into it. Instead, he lets out a sympathetic chuckle. Longer, most likely, yes...]
Hopefully we'll both find something else worthwhile.
[He strides past them with a friendly pat to their shoulder.]
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expiationlogs2025-02-10 12:12 pm
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[All of it, really. At least to some extent. How much they're actually helping anyone and for how long, Dante can't really say. Given how things are in the City, with all its suffering and violence and exploitation, they're not naive enough to think Limbus Company is out there doing anything other than contributing to it all.
But the Sinners... Dante can help them. At least for awhile, at least in some small way. And that has to be worth something.
They just wish they could have the same ability to freely complain about their job that Altius does. Can't go spilling too many secrets, can they?]
< It's annoying, but worth it in the end, right? Enough to keep pursuing, even in another world. ...Or some AI's crime-obsessed simulation. >
no subject
[He has to let out a muted, half-sardonic laugh at the reminder of their prison.]
It feels a bit out of place in the midst of all these people with powers and technical skills, but... it seems to me like the best thing I can offer, so I have to try.
[All that's a bit depressing, though, isn't it? Not the sort of conversation he was really aiming for—and even the information he has as only "Altius" is enough to tell him that Dante's experience on the same topic is probably unpleasant, too, especially with the commiseration they've just offered. After a huff at himself:]
In any case. [He looks back to them.] Any thoughts on photography, Dante?
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[Hm... That's not a very good answer though, is it?]
< But the one time I did have it taken wasn't so bad, so I don't think I mind having it taken? >
[Maybe it would be different if they'd done it as many times as Altius did.]
< Sorry. I can pick out a different letter? >
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You don't have anything to apologize for. [Really, he doesn't want to put them in an uncomfortable spot due to their amnesia. Some mild awkwardness from Altius's initial insistence they participate, maybe, but he'd thought of that as something to be overcome.]
I thought I'd ask if you have any interest in taking pictures yourself, but I won't stop you if you'd prefer the box.
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They hold off on dipping their hand back into the box to ponder the idea, a hand drifting up to where their chin would be.]
< I don't know what I'd even take pictures of. I know people do it when hanging out, but... I mean professionally. Artistically? >
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[Fair enough; it's not like Altius considers himself the creative type, so he's not sure he could answer that himself.]
It does make me wonder what draws those types towards something in particular. Do you think you'd be more interested in a subject in an aesthetic sense, or a sentimental one?
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[The statement--and the speed at which it comes--is surprising, even to them.]
< Maybe that's why I have so much trouble thinking about what I'd take pictures of. It'd have to be... a moment. >
[Something to remember, though they keep that particular thought to themselves.]
< And I'd probably be too busy being in that moment to think to grab a camera. >
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There's something a little wistful in his eyes before he turns his attention back to Dante.]
Understandable; I'd be the same, I think. [If he ever had moments.] But there are times it might be nice to have a more concrete reminder.
[This time he's not even really thinking of their amnesia. Instead:]
My ward... his friends made him a scrapbook, after... he went through a troubling time. [not that it stopped being troubling, but.] Watching him go through it made me wonder if my father had a point about photos after all.
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< You could always try now. Think of it as a test run for when you get home. >
[Because, truthfully, they're not sure if it's possible for something like that to continue to exist outside the simulation. At least it means he won't lose out if it turns out not to be his thing. >
< Strictly unprofessional photos only. >
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You're right. I could.
[With a playful tilt of his head as he looks to Dante:]
Maybe you could be my first subject?
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< Huh? Me? Why me? >
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Sentimental moments tend to happen with friends, generally speaking. [A little more genuinely:] And I think it would be nice to remember the one who encouraged me to record them.
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[They can't even bring themselves to look over at him at the moment, and it fuels their sense of sheepishness all the more.
They can't be blamed. How could they be blamed? What are they supposed to say to that?]
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Well, [he says with another chuckle,] you could certainly tell me to shove off and keep my camera to myself.
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[A single tick as they try and collect their thoughts.]
< I just wasn't expecting something so... straightforward? >
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[He asks it as if he hadn't already had an inkling as to what Dante's response was going to be. Not that he thinks he has all the answers...]
Out of anyone, or just me?
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[This isn't exactly a situation they've ever been in before.]
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[They look off over Altius's shoulder and, after a moment, nod.]
< ...Yeah. That sort of thing is important, isn't it? Even if it's easier said than done. >
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It gets easier the more you do it.
[Half a second passes. For a moment he thinks he sees a particular brown-haired person out of the corner of his eye, and the thought that new Chosen might arrive today actually draws him to turn his head and look—
No, just another phantom image. Ha, he should have known better than to hope they'd leave him alone today... but this is far from the first time he's been forced to remember that mess of dreams in his waking hours, so his response to it is muted, ultimately only a faint expression of surprise followed by a shake of his head and a sigh.
Looking back to them, he says,]
... Thank you for humoring me today, Dante.
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...Nothing at all.
Huh.
He speaks to them again and they return their attention to where it's supposed to be, straightening up as if they hadn't been looking at anything at all.]
< It's fine, really. We got to know a little more about eachother too, so it's a good use of time, right? >
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I'm glad you think so.
[Dante either politely says nothing about the absence of anything in particular to look at, or otherwise thinks they themselves have missed something. He wonders if they're making it intentionally easy for him, sometimes...
With a last glance at the box and letters, Altius gets to his feet, straightening his jacket.]
I'm going to go see what drinks they have to offer. Are you interested to see what kitschy glasses they might be using, or shall I see you another time?
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They've been on the other side, even just recently, and that's without considering the circumstances back home. Or the circumstance they carry with them every day.
Right now, it doesn't appear to be an emergency, so they see no reason to push. Though they do allow for a moment of silence before they respond, just in case he wants to say what he saw.]
< Another time. > [Not that they don't appreciate the offer] < I might see what else is here while I'm around and then head back. >
< ...Which will probably be longer than I think. >
[Given the staff and all]
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Hopefully we'll both find something else worthwhile.
[He strides past them with a friendly pat to their shoulder.]
Until next time, Dante.