[ Excuse her? Why wouldn't a good-looking man with a great personality like him not get any chocolate?? Just wait until she opens that door and a mountain of chocos comes flooding out like in those Saturday morning cartoons. ]
Hi, you've reached Wriothesley. Unfortunately, he's unavailable to take your call right now. [ Is he doing this right. ] Please leave your message after the tone, and he'll be sure to get back to you as soon as possible.
[ This would be a lot more believable if the little typing dots weren't showing up at the same time as the words themselves, and if there weren't suspicious noises coming from inside the room—footsteps heading towards the door itself, which opens a handful of seconds later to reveal the man himself, dressed casually in a t-shirt and pants, a smile on his face.
Apparently he was just lounging. ]
If it isn't Ishmael. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?
[ because he was out of commission for a while? although, that's probably a good excuse to receive chocolate from the others outside of the holiday, huh. dammit, she should've thought this through.
but it's too late to back out now - not that she's planning to. she rolls her eyes at the "automated" message and waits for wriothesley to unlock the door and make his appearance. hm, he doesn't look too worse for wear. that's good. ]
Two things. First - here.
[ from behind her back, she produces a simple heart-shaped box of chocolates! no flourishes and all, but. wao. ]
I don't really get this holiday, and honestly the way they're pressuring us to give these out or else you get locked in like what happened to my friend isn't giving me a good first impression of it. Regardless... here you go.
[ please take her wholehearted (get it, bc of the box) feelings, ty ]
To her credit, he does look a little surprised when she hands the box over, blinking a few times before he finally accepts it with a free hand. ]
For me? You really shouldn't have.
[ He sounds casual about it but he really is touched, eyes opening just a little wider as he looks down at his obligatory chocolate. Gifts aren't anything new at this point, but here there's no reason for anyone to want to curry his favor or get on his good side. Even if her explanation is clear and devoid of all romance, he's still appreciative.
With the chocolates still in hand, he motions for her to come inside, stepping away from the door. ]
Here, come on in. I don't have much, but I can at least make you a cup of tea.
[ Hopefully she was expecting that. Though true to his word there isn't much beyond the standard-issue furniture, the major additions being an electic kettle tucked away in one corner of the desk next to a small shelf of tea tins and two mugs. Someone get this guy a new interest. ]
[ she wasn't expected to be invited in, actually. she actually blinks twice before welcoming herself inside, realizing that this is her first time in someone else's room apart from rodya (who doesn't really count since they're originally roommates on the bus), and it's making her feel a tad conscious somehow.
and so, she's just going to stand there like 🧍♀️... ]
...Maybe next time I should get you coffee for a change.
[ he sure likes tea a normal amount, huh. it's starting to look like a problem? does he need an intervention. ]
[ His gentlemanly Fr*nch sensibilities (citation needed) wouldn't have let her just stand outside the door. ]
Feel free to take a seat wherever you want.
[ So.....the single chair by the desk or the bed. Not a lot of options here because this guy clearly doesn't care much about redecorating. But at least she can stop being 🧍♂️ the whole time.
He putters around, switching on the kettle and pulling out the two mugs. There's a definite reliance on one hand over the other, his left hand moving more despite its position as the less dominant of the two, but he seems content enough otherwise as he moves around.
Although—he looks back over, one eyebrow raised. ]
What's wrong with tea? Though if you prefer coffee, I can buy some for next time.
[ Next time....is there going to be a next time..... ]
What was the other thing you wanted to talk about though?
[ in that case, she'll take a seat at the chair near the desk so that she observe wriothesley make tea for future reference. she's getting a taste for it, little by little. ]
There's nothing wrong with it. But it's looking like it's all you drink instead of good old water. Or even alcohol.
[ though if wrio doesn't drink, that's fine. she'll get drunk for the both of them if that time ever comes.
anyway, right. her purpose of coming here aside from obligatory chocolate. ]
I just wanted to see how you're doing. It seems that you're on the mend though, so I probably don't have anything to worry about after all, but...
[ and yet her voice trails off from there as she looks down on her hands, course and rough from the things she'd done up to this point. ]
I still owe you an explanation about what happened. When you encountered me out at sea, I mean. [ surprise, there are actually three things. ]
[ Is that what it looks like to her? Actually, it shouldn't be surprising that's how things look to her. ]
Hey, I'll drink just about anything I'm offered. Tea's just the easiest option nine times out of ten.
[ The easiest and the safest, because it won't leave him with a raging caffeine headache afterwards or incapacitate his senses and reflexes if he overimbibes. Not that there's any reason for anyone here to want him dead (hopefully) but better to be safe than end up bleeding out on the side of a street somewhere.
With the kettle switched on and the paltry few necessities laid out, he turns to face her, leaning against the side of the desk with one palm braced against the surface for support. His expression seems to have sobered some, lips barely upturned at the corners. ]
I did wonder what was up with that. [ Not for very long, because there was so much shit going on at the time, but he did still wonder. ] You sure you're okay with talking about it? I'd appreciate an explanation, but not at the expense of your own comfort.
[ Though it's not like Ishmael has a particularly delicate constitution or anything. If she's here then she's probably alright with it. ]
If you're sure. I haven't forgotten the offer to take you out drinking, by the way.
[ there were just a lot of things that happened this month, is all. even ishmael was swept up along with it. just gotta keep her schedule open when the opportunity presents itself in the future. ]
And it's okay. I did steel myself up for this, and so long as I don't breach anything in the contract, talking about it should be fine.
[ things like her multiple Identities, and the existence of mirror worlds... she's not keen to find out the consequences if she blabs too much. surely the city's realm of influence doesn't reach this far, right...? but it's mostly the fact that said contract hasn't been elaborated on in canon that she can't tell him everything yet, lmao.
anyway, she makes herself comfortable. ]
I have equipment - we call them E.G.O - that was extracted from entities back home called Abnormalities. They're ranked accordingly by threat level, and the one I used is of the second highest threat. We aren't supposed to use them for too long lest we corrode and lose our minds.
Luckily, E.G.O corrosion doesn't typically last very long. We just enter a berserker state for a moment, which is useful if you want to go all out on an enemy, but at the risk of inevitably harming your fellow teammates along the way. So I was afraid that back at the bay, I might've...
[ gone too far on him. she doesn't finish that line of thought, but... yeah. ]
She makes herself comfortable and he does too, pausing only once in the middle to turn back and tick the kettle off as soon as the ready light goes off. Damn, future tech really speeds everything up tenfold, huh? But it's not until she finishes her explanation that he starts on his teatime prep, popping open one of the tea tins to shake a small amount of leaves into each mug - maybe he should look into getting more mugs??? - before pouring steaming water into each.
And then it's back to letting both sit as he returns his attention back to Ishmael. ]
I'm tougher than I look.
[ It's both reassurance and a statement of fact, though he doesn't linger on it too long. Words are always full of empty promises. It's action that's always been more meaningful to him. ]
I'm guessing there's no way to prevent it from happening. [ Or else she surely would have looked into it. ] How do your teammates back home typically handle it? The ones getting caught in the crossfire, I mean.
[ they always do. most if not all of them wouldn't be taken away from their respective worlds and into a completely new one just to fight for some seemingly good cause, after all. she won't deny that he is, either. he has to be, if he was able to take on an Abnormality unprompted.
but that doesn't stop the most powerful people in the City from getting killed from the stupidest and most innocuous ways anyway. ishmael would know, and she's going to explain it in a hot second as she continues looking down on her lap. ]
My colleagues and I are connected to our Manager, who can bring us back from the dead no matter how horrific it is. It's a painful process for them, and all of us can remember every death we go through. It also doesn't work on other people.
[ her voice is calm and steady; she's serious when she said she steeled herself for this. ]
But since the Manager isn't here, Rodion and I can die at anytime now. So you have to understand why I don't want you to get caught in my nonsense and hers if we start losing control.
But in many ways, it makes sense. How many people has he talked to already here, who have casually mentioned their untimely demise without so much as blinking an eye? How many scars had he seen across her body back during that chaotic photoshoot, back when they'd known little more about each other than their names?
And yet there's something about the plural she uses - death - that has him frowning deeper, all traces of his usual good cheer completely gone. No one should have to die more than once, for any reason at all. ]
That's nice of you to say and all, but we are teammates. [ Friends even, though he's not going to overreach beyond what she's comfortable with. ] I'm not particularly keen on seeing either of you [ or anyone, really ] die any time soon. Your 'nonsense,' as you call it, is my nonsense by virtue of the fact that we share a common goal here.
[ Even if that goal is the LILITH-assigned one of fighting kaiju and protecting the city. ]
Is there anything that snaps you out of this...corrosion faster than other methods? Or anything else I should know in case it happens again?
[ she'd like to correct him that technically they're in differing teams, but decides against it. she isn't one for cooperation at first on the bus either, preferring to take over when others are slacking off and isolating herself from the rest when her mind takes a hit - but she's no longer that person anymore. also, the fact that he's actually a tad upset at this revelation has reminded her that not everyone here came from horrible dystopian worlds. aren't they all lucky?
at that question, she gives him a mere shrug of her shoulders. ]
Just try not to get hit? [ very helpful advice 100/10 ] Sorry. If I knew, I'd have told you by now. I don't want to use that E.G.O anyway unless we're facing something huge, and I guess I was reminded of our recent voyage at sea before coming here that I held nothing back.
[ she sighs. she really gave him chocolate then traumadumped on him, huh. nice going, ish. ]
I didn't realize this was going to be a heavy topic. So much for being a good visitor. I don't want to add more to your burdens as you're healing up, so I'll be on my way if you want.
[ Should he roll his eyes at that? He's not going to roll his eyes at that. He is, however, going to let out a small sigh. ]
I'll do my best not to get hit then.
[ Don't mind the very teeny smidge of sarcasm creeping out into his voice right then. It's fine, he's been given worse pieces of advice. At least that one makes sense, even if it's functionally useless.
Ishmael gives her apology and he waves one hand, brows unfurrowing now that worst of the revelations are over. ]
You forget that I used to work in a prison. This is standard fare for me.
[ Maybe not the dying multiple times part, but the heavy topics part at the very least. Sure, it's a little worse coming from someone he talks to on a regular basis than a stranger he'll (hopefully) never cross paths with again, but it's still nothing out of the ordinary. ]
So there's nothing to apologize for. Besides, [ and here his tone shifts to something more pointed as he grabs one of the still-steaming mugs and holds it out to her ] you haven't had your tea yet.
[ Surely she wouldn't leave him so bereft as to mosey out before even having tea with him??? That's bad bedside manners. ]
[ she blinks like oh, right. she almost forgot. she gingerly takes the mug with two hands, giving it a bit of a wiff before blowing off the steam and taking a sip. ]
What flavor is this?
[ might as well provide a little bit of levity after that topic. she did consume the tea he gave her last christmas, but that was a long time ago and she did like all of them. either way, she already feels nice and warm after a couple more sips before setting it down and turning her attention back on him. ]
And by "standard fare", [ complete with airquotes ] you mean you've met other people who can rise from the dead too? That makes me feel a lot less special then.
[ she's kidding, of course. maybe treating death like it's a crapshoot shouldn't be normalized at all, but it's too late for her. ]
[ He flashes her a quick smile at that, though it doesn't reach his eyes. ]
Sorry, but you're still one-of-a-kind there.
[ Unfortunately not the world's greatest compliment, because no one should be dying that often. One day is he going to bring it up again because there is really so much to unpack with that, but not today. They've already talked about enough today. ]
And it's something called hojicha. We don't have it where I'm from. [ Because he's fantasy French. ] It's not what I'm used to, but it's nice.
[ A little nutty, a little sweet. Not an ideal tea for pairing with dessert, but enjoyable all the same. ]
But if you're more of a coffee person, I'll try and stock some for next time.
[ she tilts her head. she's not opposed to the idea, but how many times is she going to follow this guy's whims? as if the obligatory compliments aren't enough...
at least the hojicha is nice. too nice to have in the middle of a morbid topic, so she decides not to press it for now. the guy's definitely heard enough even as a hardened prison warden. he did provide a nice segue for a topic change and thus: ]
[ Next time.....but he doesn't reply, choosing instead to take a sip of his own tea. Gotta maintain that air of mystery, yanno. But at least he answers her other question without too much hesitation. There's no point in keeping his hometown a secret, not when he's already talked about it with other people. ]
A place called Fontaine. [ Well, technically he doesn't know that for sure, but all clues seem to point to him being from there. ] It's a series of islands surrounded by the sea. Nice place to be, especially during the summer. Take a stroll out by the water, grab a bite to eat at Cafe Lutece, then spend your afternoon fishing out in the sun.
[ Not that he really sees the sun all that much, but. He sounds fond enough anyway, words rolling out at an easy pace. ]
Not a bad life, as long as you ignore the looming future where the water level rises to insurmountable levels and floods the entire nation.
[ Wait, they were supposed to move on from morbid topics, his b. ]
And I thought we're supposed to move on from the doom and gloom.
[ still, she leans back in her seat and lets her thoughts wander. it does sound like a nice place; very idyllic, like the picnics he wished he could have. the Great Lake of District U isn't exactly ideal for such activities unless you live in a Nest, and ishmael has long since abandoned that place in society. ]
But apart from that, it does sound lovely. Makes me wish I had the chance to do those things back home, too.
[ The present doesn't make up for the past, but there's no harm in adding newer, better memories on top. Not that he assumes his company is a gift she should appreciate to the fullest (despite all the jokes he may have made) but she hasn't gone running from him yet, so surely he's at least tolerable. ]
I did say I'd take you out for a picnic after this [ with a small lift of his injured arm ] heals up all the way, but if there's something else you'd rather do I'm all ears.
she blinks owlishly at him, as though she's hearing this the first time. it isn't, but the fact that he still likes her company despite the horrors she just dumped on him surprises her anyway. ]
It's fine. I don't know where else I want to go but the ones that dating app came up for me. It's just...
[ she looks at her reflection on her mug to help recompose her thoughts. it's a habit of hers, to gaze upon the nearest body of liquid whenever she's feeling contemplative. ]
Do you do this often? Ignoring the fact that you must be a busy man back at the prison. I still feel like I'm getting my feet wet when it comes to going out and having fun for once.
You mean have fun? Or spend time with other people?
[ In truth, he doesn't - hadn't - done much of either, kept busy by his various duties as she'd correctly surmised. But he's always believed in balance and equality and, unlike some other ranked officials in Fontaine, had never particularly enjoyed working himself to death without a single break. Beyond that....
He takes another sip of his tea before setting the mug down. ]
You know, I almost died a long time ago. I didn't for some reason, and for the longest time I used to think it was because the gods or fate or whatever higher power wanted me to live with the burden of my crimes. [ Murder is murder after all, no matter how justified. ] I don't think that way anymore, and while I also don't think it's some sort of miraculous second chance at life, I'm more open to appreciating the extra time I've been given.
[ ALL OF THAT TO SAY (wow why is he such a verbose bitch): ]
Honestly, I'm not an expert at letting loose either but I firmly believe it's all a matter of attitude. So I'm sure you'll do just fine.
[ of course he'd committed a crime before. somehow that didn't cross ishmael's mind till now - though to be fair, if someone were to break a taboo back in the city they'd immediately be hunted down and killed on the spot. so in a way, it is a miracle that wriothesley has survived this long in life. ]
Gods don't really exist where I'm from. So if I choose to live on despite the sins I committed, it's because that is the path I have chosen.
[ and it was a liberating, to be able to choose for herself after years of self-doubt.
she takes one last sip of her tea, and casts a small smile at him. ]
...Thanks. For believing in me. But I hope the place you've chosen to have a picnic in better be worth it. [ don't disappoint her now...]
[ Hers is honestly a far more preferable approach to handling all the curveballs life throws at them, and the confidence behind her statement makes him smile, a surge of respect running through him. ]
I hope more people choose to adopt that mindset, instead of placing all their faith in invisible gods that might not even exist.
[ But also wow?? Way to lay on the pressure. ]
But I see you don't have much faith in me and my ability to choose fine dining [ picnic ] locations. [ He sighs, dramatically and without any sort of real emotion. ] Looks like I'll have to put in extra effort not to disappoint you.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Hi, you've reached Wriothesley. Unfortunately, he's unavailable to take your call right now. [ Is he doing this right. ] Please leave your message after the tone, and he'll be sure to get back to you as soon as possible.
[ This would be a lot more believable if the little typing dots weren't showing up at the same time as the words themselves, and if there weren't suspicious noises coming from inside the room—footsteps heading towards the door itself, which opens a handful of seconds later to reveal the man himself, dressed casually in a t-shirt and pants, a smile on his face.
Apparently he was just lounging. ]
If it isn't Ishmael. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?
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but it's too late to back out now - not that she's planning to. she rolls her eyes at the "automated" message and waits for wriothesley to unlock the door and make his appearance. hm, he doesn't look too worse for wear. that's good. ]
Two things. First - here.
[ from behind her back, she produces a simple heart-shaped box of chocolates! no flourishes and all, but. wao. ]
I don't really get this holiday, and honestly the way they're pressuring us to give these out or else you get locked in like what happened to my friend isn't giving me a good first impression of it. Regardless... here you go.
[ please take her wholehearted (get it, bc of the box) feelings, ty ]
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To her credit, he does look a little surprised when she hands the box over, blinking a few times before he finally accepts it with a free hand. ]
For me? You really shouldn't have.
[ He sounds casual about it but he really is touched, eyes opening just a little wider as he looks down at his obligatory chocolate. Gifts aren't anything new at this point, but here there's no reason for anyone to want to curry his favor or get on his good side. Even if her explanation is clear and devoid of all romance, he's still appreciative.
With the chocolates still in hand, he motions for her to come inside, stepping away from the door. ]
Here, come on in. I don't have much, but I can at least make you a cup of tea.
[ Hopefully she was expecting that. Though true to his word there isn't much beyond the standard-issue furniture, the major additions being an electic kettle tucked away in one corner of the desk next to a small shelf of tea tins and two mugs. Someone get this guy a new interest. ]
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and so, she's just going to stand there like 🧍♀️... ]
...Maybe next time I should get you coffee for a change.
[ he sure likes tea a normal amount, huh. it's starting to look like a problem? does he need an intervention. ]
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Feel free to take a seat wherever you want.
[ So.....the single chair by the desk or the bed. Not a lot of options here because this guy clearly doesn't care much about redecorating. But at least she can stop being 🧍♂️ the whole time.
He putters around, switching on the kettle and pulling out the two mugs. There's a definite reliance on one hand over the other, his left hand moving more despite its position as the less dominant of the two, but he seems content enough otherwise as he moves around.
Although—he looks back over, one eyebrow raised. ]
What's wrong with tea? Though if you prefer coffee, I can buy some for next time.
[ Next time....is there going to be a next time..... ]
What was the other thing you wanted to talk about though?
no subject
There's nothing wrong with it. But it's looking like it's all you drink instead of good old water. Or even alcohol.
[ though if wrio doesn't drink, that's fine. she'll get drunk for the both of them if that time ever comes.
anyway, right. her purpose of coming here aside from obligatory chocolate. ]
I just wanted to see how you're doing. It seems that you're on the mend though, so I probably don't have anything to worry about after all, but...
[ and yet her voice trails off from there as she looks down on her hands, course and rough from the things she'd done up to this point. ]
I still owe you an explanation about what happened. When you encountered me out at sea, I mean. [ surprise, there are actually three things. ]
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Hey, I'll drink just about anything I'm offered. Tea's just the easiest option nine times out of ten.
[ The easiest and the safest, because it won't leave him with a raging caffeine headache afterwards or incapacitate his senses and reflexes if he overimbibes. Not that there's any reason for anyone here to want him dead (hopefully) but better to be safe than end up bleeding out on the side of a street somewhere.
With the kettle switched on and the paltry few necessities laid out, he turns to face her, leaning against the side of the desk with one palm braced against the surface for support. His expression seems to have sobered some, lips barely upturned at the corners. ]
I did wonder what was up with that. [ Not for very long, because there was so much shit going on at the time, but he did still wonder. ] You sure you're okay with talking about it? I'd appreciate an explanation, but not at the expense of your own comfort.
[ Though it's not like Ishmael has a particularly delicate constitution or anything. If she's here then she's probably alright with it. ]
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[ there were just a lot of things that happened this month, is all. even ishmael was swept up along with it. just gotta keep her schedule open when the opportunity presents itself in the future. ]
And it's okay. I did steel myself up for this, and so long as I don't breach anything in the contract, talking about it should be fine.
[ things like her multiple Identities, and the existence of mirror worlds... she's not keen to find out the consequences if she blabs too much. surely the city's realm of influence doesn't reach this far, right...? but it's mostly the fact that said contract hasn't been elaborated on in canon that she can't tell him everything yet, lmao.
anyway, she makes herself comfortable. ]
I have equipment - we call them E.G.O - that was extracted from entities back home called Abnormalities. They're ranked accordingly by threat level, and the one I used is of the second highest threat. We aren't supposed to use them for too long lest we corrode and lose our minds.
Luckily, E.G.O corrosion doesn't typically last very long. We just enter a berserker state for a moment, which is useful if you want to go all out on an enemy, but at the risk of inevitably harming your fellow teammates along the way. So I was afraid that back at the bay, I might've...
[ gone too far on him. she doesn't finish that line of thought, but... yeah. ]
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She makes herself comfortable and he does too, pausing only once in the middle to turn back and tick the kettle off as soon as the ready light goes off. Damn, future tech really speeds everything up tenfold, huh? But it's not until she finishes her explanation that he starts on his teatime prep, popping open one of the tea tins to shake a small amount of leaves into each mug - maybe he should look into getting more mugs??? - before pouring steaming water into each.
And then it's back to letting both sit as he returns his attention back to Ishmael. ]
I'm tougher than I look.
[ It's both reassurance and a statement of fact, though he doesn't linger on it too long. Words are always full of empty promises. It's action that's always been more meaningful to him. ]
I'm guessing there's no way to prevent it from happening. [ Or else she surely would have looked into it. ] How do your teammates back home typically handle it? The ones getting caught in the crossfire, I mean.
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[ they always do. most if not all of them wouldn't be taken away from their respective worlds and into a completely new one just to fight for some seemingly good cause, after all. she won't deny that he is, either. he has to be, if he was able to take on an Abnormality unprompted.
but that doesn't stop the most powerful people in the City from getting killed from the stupidest and most innocuous ways anyway. ishmael would know, and she's going to explain it in a hot second as she continues looking down on her lap. ]
My colleagues and I are connected to our Manager, who can bring us back from the dead no matter how horrific it is. It's a painful process for them, and all of us can remember every death we go through. It also doesn't work on other people.
[ her voice is calm and steady; she's serious when she said she steeled herself for this. ]
But since the Manager isn't here, Rodion and I can die at anytime now. So you have to understand why I don't want you to get caught in my nonsense and hers if we start losing control.
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But in many ways, it makes sense. How many people has he talked to already here, who have casually mentioned their untimely demise without so much as blinking an eye? How many scars had he seen across her body back during that chaotic photoshoot, back when they'd known little more about each other than their names?
And yet there's something about the plural she uses - death - that has him frowning deeper, all traces of his usual good cheer completely gone. No one should have to die more than once, for any reason at all. ]
That's nice of you to say and all, but we are teammates. [ Friends even, though he's not going to overreach beyond what she's comfortable with. ] I'm not particularly keen on seeing either of you [ or anyone, really ] die any time soon. Your 'nonsense,' as you call it, is my nonsense by virtue of the fact that we share a common goal here.
[ Even if that goal is the LILITH-assigned one of fighting kaiju and protecting the city. ]
Is there anything that snaps you out of this...corrosion faster than other methods? Or anything else I should know in case it happens again?
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at that question, she gives him a mere shrug of her shoulders. ]
Just try not to get hit? [ very helpful advice 100/10 ] Sorry. If I knew, I'd have told you by now. I don't want to use that E.G.O anyway unless we're facing something huge, and I guess I was reminded of our recent voyage at sea before coming here that I held nothing back.
[ she sighs. she really gave him chocolate then traumadumped on him, huh. nice going, ish. ]
I didn't realize this was going to be a heavy topic. So much for being a good visitor. I don't want to add more to your burdens as you're healing up, so I'll be on my way if you want.
no subject
I'll do my best not to get hit then.
[ Don't mind the very teeny smidge of sarcasm creeping out into his voice right then. It's fine, he's been given worse pieces of advice. At least that one makes sense, even if it's functionally useless.
Ishmael gives her apology and he waves one hand, brows unfurrowing now that worst of the revelations are over. ]
You forget that I used to work in a prison. This is standard fare for me.
[ Maybe not the dying multiple times part, but the heavy topics part at the very least. Sure, it's a little worse coming from someone he talks to on a regular basis than a stranger he'll (hopefully) never cross paths with again, but it's still nothing out of the ordinary. ]
So there's nothing to apologize for. Besides, [ and here his tone shifts to something more pointed as he grabs one of the still-steaming mugs and holds it out to her ] you haven't had your tea yet.
[ Surely she wouldn't leave him so bereft as to mosey out before even having tea with him??? That's bad bedside manners. ]
no subject
What flavor is this?
[ might as well provide a little bit of levity after that topic. she did consume the tea he gave her last christmas, but that was a long time ago and she did like all of them. either way, she already feels nice and warm after a couple more sips before setting it down and turning her attention back on him. ]
And by "standard fare", [ complete with airquotes ] you mean you've met other people who can rise from the dead too? That makes me feel a lot less special then.
[ she's kidding, of course. maybe treating death like it's a crapshoot shouldn't be normalized at all, but it's too late for her. ]
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Sorry, but you're still one-of-a-kind there.
[ Unfortunately not the world's greatest compliment, because no one should be dying that often. One day is he going to bring it up again because there is really so much to unpack with that, but not today. They've already talked about enough today. ]
And it's something called hojicha. We don't have it where I'm from. [ Because he's fantasy French. ] It's not what I'm used to, but it's nice.
[ A little nutty, a little sweet. Not an ideal tea for pairing with dessert, but enjoyable all the same. ]
But if you're more of a coffee person, I'll try and stock some for next time.
[ What next time..... ]
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[ she tilts her head. she's not opposed to the idea, but how many times is she going to follow this guy's whims? as if the obligatory compliments aren't enough...
at least the hojicha is nice. too nice to have in the middle of a morbid topic, so she decides not to press it for now. the guy's definitely heard enough even as a hardened prison warden. he did provide a nice segue for a topic change and thus: ]
...Where exactly did you come from, anyway?
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A place called Fontaine. [ Well, technically he doesn't know that for sure, but all clues seem to point to him being from there. ] It's a series of islands surrounded by the sea. Nice place to be, especially during the summer. Take a stroll out by the water, grab a bite to eat at Cafe Lutece, then spend your afternoon fishing out in the sun.
[ Not that he really sees the sun all that much, but. He sounds fond enough anyway, words rolling out at an easy pace. ]
Not a bad life, as long as you ignore the looming future where the water level rises to insurmountable levels and floods the entire nation.
[ Wait, they were supposed to move on from morbid topics, his b. ]
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And I thought we're supposed to move on from the doom and gloom.
[ still, she leans back in her seat and lets her thoughts wander. it does sound like a nice place; very idyllic, like the picnics he wished he could have. the Great Lake of District U isn't exactly ideal for such activities unless you live in a Nest, and ishmael has long since abandoned that place in society. ]
But apart from that, it does sound lovely. Makes me wish I had the chance to do those things back home, too.
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[ The present doesn't make up for the past, but there's no harm in adding newer, better memories on top. Not that he assumes his company is a gift she should appreciate to the fullest (despite all the jokes he may have made) but she hasn't gone running from him yet, so surely he's at least tolerable. ]
I did say I'd take you out for a picnic after this [ with a small lift of his injured arm ] heals up all the way, but if there's something else you'd rather do I'm all ears.
[ All two of them because Mihoyo was a coward. ]
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she blinks owlishly at him, as though she's hearing this the first time. it isn't, but the fact that he still likes her company despite the horrors she just dumped on him surprises her anyway. ]
It's fine. I don't know where else I want to go but the ones that dating app came up for me. It's just...
[ she looks at her reflection on her mug to help recompose her thoughts. it's a habit of hers, to gaze upon the nearest body of liquid whenever she's feeling contemplative. ]
Do you do this often? Ignoring the fact that you must be a busy man back at the prison. I still feel like I'm getting my feet wet when it comes to going out and having fun for once.
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[ In truth, he doesn't - hadn't - done much of either, kept busy by his various duties as she'd correctly surmised. But he's always believed in balance and equality and, unlike some other ranked officials in Fontaine, had never particularly enjoyed working himself to death without a single break. Beyond that....
He takes another sip of his tea before setting the mug down. ]
You know, I almost died a long time ago. I didn't for some reason, and for the longest time I used to think it was because the gods or fate or whatever higher power wanted me to live with the burden of my crimes. [ Murder is murder after all, no matter how justified. ] I don't think that way anymore, and while I also don't think it's some sort of miraculous second chance at life, I'm more open to appreciating the extra time I've been given.
[ ALL OF THAT TO SAY (wow why is he such a verbose bitch): ]
Honestly, I'm not an expert at letting loose either but I firmly believe it's all a matter of attitude. So I'm sure you'll do just fine.
[ Just ✨ believe ✨ in yourself. ]
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Gods don't really exist where I'm from. So if I choose to live on despite the sins I committed, it's because that is the path I have chosen.
[ and it was a liberating, to be able to choose for herself after years of self-doubt.
she takes one last sip of her tea, and casts a small smile at him. ]
...Thanks. For believing in me. But I hope the place you've chosen to have a picnic in better be worth it. [ don't disappoint her now...]
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I hope more people choose to adopt that mindset, instead of placing all their faith in invisible gods that might not even exist.
[ But also wow?? Way to lay on the pressure. ]
But I see you don't have much faith in me and my ability to choose fine dining [ picnic ] locations. [ He sighs, dramatically and without any sort of real emotion. ] Looks like I'll have to put in extra effort not to disappoint you.
[ It's on now. ]
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[ and with that, she stands from her chair. ]
Anyway, I've already overstayed my welcome. Hope you like the chocolate.
[ and with a wave, she makes her leave. see you at the fake dating, oomfie ]