![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
[closed] you should have got out of the red, in the red you're better off dead
Who: Alexei and Yeager
What: Catching up and figuring out the status quo
When: January 9
Where: Enso, E4
Warnings: None for now? I'll edit if that changes.
[So.
The last month was...unpleasant? It was deeply unpleasant, to put it gently, for a multitude of reasons; for the time being Alexei is content to ignore it, though he's been keeping his distance from Yeager since the trials. Not enough to dismiss the man entirely, he's been staying near enough to imply that he's not going back on whatever agreement they have – rather, the distance has been emotional for the most part, though he can't really say that that's much different to how things normally are between them. It isn't as though he really sits down and has deep conversations with the guy, he's perfectly content to be superficial and just make sure, occasionally, that no one has died and everything is more or less fine, and otherwise...well.
Otherwise it's been a lot of getting acquainted with the island, though admittedly Alexei is fairly content to stay reasonably near to the Storyteller's temple. Not because he likes or trusts her, but because it's one of the few places that people seem to consider stable here, for one reason or another.
So for now he's on that stretch of beach behind the temple, idly messing with some of those smooth stones that can be found here between his fingers, letting them slide cleanly over his gloves; he'd told Yeager to meet him here at his leisure, for the sake of discussing things, and thankfully whatever predators wander the beach here are leaving him be for the time being – he hasn't seen them, it's likely better that it stays that way for now, he'll deal with them if they decide to interrupt later.
But for now this is...acceptable. Sort of pretty, really; nothing like he's seen before coming here. A lot of things here are like that; fortunately, that also falls under the category of "things he's not going to think about for any length of time."]
What: Catching up and figuring out the status quo
When: January 9
Where: Enso, E4
Warnings: None for now? I'll edit if that changes.
[So.
The last month was...unpleasant? It was deeply unpleasant, to put it gently, for a multitude of reasons; for the time being Alexei is content to ignore it, though he's been keeping his distance from Yeager since the trials. Not enough to dismiss the man entirely, he's been staying near enough to imply that he's not going back on whatever agreement they have – rather, the distance has been emotional for the most part, though he can't really say that that's much different to how things normally are between them. It isn't as though he really sits down and has deep conversations with the guy, he's perfectly content to be superficial and just make sure, occasionally, that no one has died and everything is more or less fine, and otherwise...well.
Otherwise it's been a lot of getting acquainted with the island, though admittedly Alexei is fairly content to stay reasonably near to the Storyteller's temple. Not because he likes or trusts her, but because it's one of the few places that people seem to consider stable here, for one reason or another.
So for now he's on that stretch of beach behind the temple, idly messing with some of those smooth stones that can be found here between his fingers, letting them slide cleanly over his gloves; he'd told Yeager to meet him here at his leisure, for the sake of discussing things, and thankfully whatever predators wander the beach here are leaving him be for the time being – he hasn't seen them, it's likely better that it stays that way for now, he'll deal with them if they decide to interrupt later.
But for now this is...acceptable. Sort of pretty, really; nothing like he's seen before coming here. A lot of things here are like that; fortunately, that also falls under the category of "things he's not going to think about for any length of time."]
no subject
Put bluntly, Yeager has no idea what he should be doing here. That's only gotten more obvious with each passing day.
That isn't to say that Yeager's been upset or angry or... anything, really. He hasn't. It's just a passing unease that troubles him for a bit before he shrugs it off, just like anything else that's troubled him since arriving. It doesn't really matter, after all, and as long as he's physically fine he can sort the rest out. Maybe.
Or he could just continue to ignore it, whatever.]
And here I was wondering if you would have wandered off by now!
[But none of that matters at the moment (or at all, really) and Yeager's here because it's not like he has anywhere else to be. He's taken his sweet time about it, of course, but that probably comes as no surprise by now.
His words aren't pointed or harsh, it's mostly just an idle greeting to let Alexei know he's here, even though he's sure the Commandant was aware of that even before he opened his mouth.]
I do hope you haven't been too bored waiting on me~
no subject
I can entertain myself well enough.
[...Not really, but it's sort of something that's been happening by necessity here. What do you even do with yourself without the Empire to run?]
no subject
Ja, ja, of course~
[...Well, no sense drawing it out any, right?]
So, what is it you're interested in discussing?
no subject
[It's vaguely difficult to know which one to start with, which is more relevant; eventually he settles on the one he considers more pressing - it's possible to control what stupid situations you get yourself into, slightly less so what sort of individuals you run into by chance.]
The presence of talking monsters, for one.
no subject
Well, it's a good thing Alexei isn't looking at him, because he's pretty sure his face just did something weird. It's difficult to say what he feels about that, because feelings in general are just kind of not a thing anymore, but there's something that eventually settles into unease.]
...I take it you've run into at least one of these? What was it like?
no subject
[Mm. It...certainly was. The pause doesn't seem disconcerted or uneasy; he's remaining steady and calm throughout. It's more that he doesn't quite know what he thinks of it as opposed to having been rattled by the encounter.]
The conversation was affable. He's civilized, and it's in a way that the Entelexeia are not. His people have had a difficult time with humans in the past, but he's chosen to befriend them rather than hold any animosity. He's had dealings with many at this point, and from the sound of it he finds us...possibly some sort of curiosity at worst, at least as individuals. And he is willing to see us as individuals and not an entity, which is clearly a good sign.
He was...very acceptable. Interesting, I suppose.
no subject
He considers that for a moment, head tipped slightly to the side.]
I'm not surprised to hear that he's had troubles with humans, but I suppose it's good that he's still willing to see us as individuals. What did he look like?
[He's not going to come out and say it, but he understands what Alexei's (probably) getting at, and he has no problems with it. Whether he'll choose to interact with this monster or not is something he'll decide on later, but at the very least he can refrain from trying to kill him on sight.]
no subject
He's capable of using magic; he said his body was made of it, as opposed to physical matter. I'm admittedly not altogether certain what that means.
[And yes, that is more or less what he's getting at, but at the same time...]
Just the same, I believe I could kill him if I had to. Ideally, it won't come to that - with him, or anyone else here.
[There's no arrogance behind it; you'll find you can do a lot of things if you have to.]
no subject
Ja, of course. I have no doubt your artes could make short work of most people~!
[Sure, it's pointless flattery, but he does believe Alexei has a lot of power at his disposal. He doesn't doubt that claim at all, really.]
Nothing's posed too much of a threat so far, I'm sure.
no subject
Thankfully not. Apparently the other one is some sort of large bipedal spider; their physical forms vary quite a bit.
no subject
[It's worth keeping an eye out for, at least.]
no subject
[...]
The monster's name is Asgore. The one I've spoken to. He's blind at the moment because he died during the trials last month. He seems to believe the blindness will be temporary.
That's the other thing I believed you ought to be aware of. Death isn't permanent; apparently it incurs penalties in some circumstances.
no subject
That gets his expression to go completely blank for a moment before he gets it back under control; needless to say that really isn't something he wanted to hear. He doubts it's the same thing, but reviving the dead rubs him the wrong way and that's honestly not something he wanted to hear today.
He can at least acknowledge that this wasn't something Alexei needed to tell him, and he might be a bit thankful to hear it instead of run into this somehow on accident, but...]
I see. That certainly is a bit strange, ja? I'm guessing exactly how all that happens isn't something anyone's aware of...
Ah, but anyway, the penalties - it's not always blindness, then?
[Okay, let's just. Try to keep moving forward and not think about it in too much detail, sounds good!!]
no subject
[...Contrary to the previous pause, it's obvious that he really doesn't like this; it's easier to focus on the incoming waves than Yeager right now, honestly.]
Deaths have been taken without penalty before, but I don't know if that's exclusive to the circumstances in the trials.
no subject
Did you see someone die during the trial you were a part of?
[It's a bit of a blunt question, especially coming from him. He realizes that once it's out there, and after a shorter pause, he shrugs.]
Not like it's any of my business, of course! I'm just curious~!
no subject
...It's a convenient out, really.]
I did, yes. Multiple times.
no subject
[He's not really sure if he appreciates the answer or not, but if Alexei's willing to give it, perhaps he'll be willing to elaborate.]
no subject
There were no adverse effects that I know of that affected those that died. Just one less mark on the wall. I don't know what happened if they all ran out.
no subject
It certainly sounds unpleasant! It looks as though somehow you all survived, though~
no subject
Ultimately, yes.
no subject
Well, I suppose it's good to know that that's something that can happen here! Rather unpleasant-sounding, really...
[He appreciates it, okay.]
no subject
no subject
[It's not pointed and he's quick to move on.]
I'll be sure to keep it in mind~ It was kind of you to warn me, milord~!
[...so it's just back to This, then.]
no subject
[...Wow, Alexei.]
Either way, kindness has nothing to do with it.
no subject
[He very easily could keep going and try to tease Alexei further, but to be perfectly honest, he doesn't really feel like it at the moment.]
Any other exciting news you have to share?
no subject
[...]
Our current arrangement, however - I imagine you still find it amenable?
no subject
It's a bit frustrating how what little he feels can be so impacted by something like this...]
Mm, yes. I see no reason to change anything. Unless you have any objections, milord...?
no subject
[If he did, you would likely know already.]
...Seeing as it's evident to me that we're going to be here for a while, I'm going to stake a claim somewhere a bit more permanent. One of those places north of the island; I find myself tired of having nowhere proper to return to.
Do what you like with that information.
[Stay with him, don't stay with him. It hardly matters to him; somehow he doubts Yeager's going to be thrilled with the idea of being completely on his own tonight, after all of this, but who knows, maybe he'll want time to himself. He doesn't claim to know how the man works.]
no subject
Anyway, that... Well, to be honest, he's not entirely sure what to do with that. Sure, it's something that has crossed his mind, but in some ways he really doesn't like the idea of a permanent place to stay. It's just the idea of anything being permanent here that bothers him.
It is a better idea than wandering forever, he supposes. He does have some things he doesn't need to bring with him all the time as well, so having a place would really only be beneficial. The problem ultimately comes down to... Well, being alone, which is possibly the stupidest issue he could possibly have here.
But that's not something he's going to think too much about right now and after a moment he shrugs.]
I'll be sure to keep that in mind~! I appreciate knowing what you have planned, after all~
no subject
[It's really of no benefit to him to do otherwise, after all.
If you're looking for orders or a formal invitation to do things, however, you're not going to be getting any right now, from the look of it.]
no subject
How generous of you! It certainly does make things a bit easier, ja?
no subject
[It makes sense to do this at the moment, so he's doing it. That's all.]
no subject
no subject
I do what I believe to be necessary. That's all.
no subject
Ja, ja, of course~ I wouldn't expect anything else from you.
no subject
I have no further business with you, then. Do as you like.
[Once again - stay, go, whatever.]
I'll be in the area for a while longer; I may go to the temple briefly.
no subject
Of course~ Perhaps I'll see you then, who knows~!
[But for now he'll take his leave, as usual he won't ever be too far away just in case; though he's not going to stick around and pester you forever either. He can at least do that much, consider it payment for the information.]