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[Oh boy...]
< So then what does rehabilitation mean here? >
< So then what does rehabilitation mean here? >
[...It's not all that different from what they're doing back home in a way. At least in method. The desires behind this simulation and Limbus Company's own goals on the other hand... Those are probably like night and day.
Still, acknowledging the similarities doesn't make them any happier about it.]
< I guess forcing us to talk and act in ways we don't want is one way of doing that. >
Still, acknowledging the similarities doesn't make them any happier about it.]
< I guess forcing us to talk and act in ways we don't want is one way of doing that. >
< Can't even begin to imagine. >
[An unfair bit of sarcasm on their part perhaps, given how not every world has magical glowing not-quite-trees just sitting around waiting to be interacted with, but a feeling they express nonetheless.]
[An unfair bit of sarcasm on their part perhaps, given how not every world has magical glowing not-quite-trees just sitting around waiting to be interacted with, but a feeling they express nonetheless.]
[A nod.]
< Yeah. I've heard enough. >
[Someone smarter than they are, more savvy than they are, might know the right questions to ask, but they themselves have run out. Besides, there's no point in arguing. It's not like an AI programmed to run this place (or any of its creations) is going to change its mind anyway.]
< Yeah. I've heard enough. >
[Someone smarter than they are, more savvy than they are, might know the right questions to ask, but they themselves have run out. Besides, there's no point in arguing. It's not like an AI programmed to run this place (or any of its creations) is going to change its mind anyway.]
[Altius's recovery from transformation a few months ago, while painful, was an incredibly quick endeavor thanks to the help of certain Chosen. His recovery from his venom-induced sickness, meanwhile, was no easy thing. Even if said Chosen still had been here, he wonders if their treatment would have touched his illness, when his own healing couldn't do anything to it.
The week he was in the clinic, he let himself fully focus on survival rather than worrying over whatever might have been going on around the city or on his tablet. He didn't have enough energy to be a busybody anyway—and for much of that time he wasn't even conscious enough to think about it.
He's out of it now, at least; had the chance to go home, freshen up, almost completely back to his sturdy self. And even though he could be going through all his businesses and endeavors and responding to any of the messages he might have gotten in the meantime, his thoughts only go to one thing.
Zekarion isn't sure why he's going through with this, allowing his selfishness to take charge. He could ignore it—they both could—and he'd lose nothing of practical worth. The offer of that healing syringe proved that to him well enough.
He sends Dante a message.]
Are you free to meet?
The week he was in the clinic, he let himself fully focus on survival rather than worrying over whatever might have been going on around the city or on his tablet. He didn't have enough energy to be a busybody anyway—and for much of that time he wasn't even conscious enough to think about it.
He's out of it now, at least; had the chance to go home, freshen up, almost completely back to his sturdy self. And even though he could be going through all his businesses and endeavors and responding to any of the messages he might have gotten in the meantime, his thoughts only go to one thing.
Zekarion isn't sure why he's going through with this, allowing his selfishness to take charge. He could ignore it—they both could—and he'd lose nothing of practical worth. The offer of that healing syringe proved that to him well enough.
He sends Dante a message.]
Are you free to meet?
[Their tablet beeping at them takes Dante by surprise, but the moment they're able to get to it and see who it's from, their reply can't come any quicker.]
Of course. Your place? IDK how you're feeling right now.
Of course. Your place? IDK how you're feeling right now.
[He must have worried them, for how fast the response was. He'll have to make up for that.]
I'm doing well, but that sounds perfect. I'll leave the door open for you.
[His house is hardly more than a studio apartment standing as its own building, and he hasn't bothered to furnish it with anything other than the practical things for daily living, but it is his alone, private and quiet. He waits seated at the tiny bar of his kitchen, fingers threaded together and cheek resting against them, facing the door.]
I'm doing well, but that sounds perfect. I'll leave the door open for you.
[His house is hardly more than a studio apartment standing as its own building, and he hasn't bothered to furnish it with anything other than the practical things for daily living, but it is his alone, private and quiet. He waits seated at the tiny bar of his kitchen, fingers threaded together and cheek resting against them, facing the door.]
[Even after knowing him for awhile, Dante doesn't feel entirely comfortable letting themselves in unannounced, and so they rap their knuckles against the door a couple of times and wait a beat before they enter.
And so it doesn't startle them when they open the door to find Altius already looking in their direction, though they take the time to look him over once the door is shut behind them.]
< You really are doing a lot better. Good to see you in better health. >
[Their shoulders relax once the words are out. Seems it had been quite the concern for them on the way here.]
And so it doesn't startle them when they open the door to find Altius already looking in their direction, though they take the time to look him over once the door is shut behind them.]
< You really are doing a lot better. Good to see you in better health. >
[Their shoulders relax once the words are out. Seems it had been quite the concern for them on the way here.]
[The only real indication that he was sick at all now is the slightly lower energy he allows himself in his demeanor. That and perhaps the fine layer of the week's dust he hasn't gotten around to cleaning.
Altius isn't dressed for business, but he certainly seems to be dressed for something, the button-up and slacks rougher in texture but more than what most people would consider for a casual outing, let alone lounging at home. He also happens to be wearing his cologne—not out of the ordinary for him by any means, but it might cement the impression he wasn't just planning to rest here by himself.
He smiles slightly at them when they enter, as they both examine each other.]
I'm sorry to have worried you. I admit I was worried myself, for a little while.
[He turns to properly face them as if to display his improved health, though, and gestures to the seat beside him.]
But that's over now, thankfully. You've been alright since I last saw you?
Altius isn't dressed for business, but he certainly seems to be dressed for something, the button-up and slacks rougher in texture but more than what most people would consider for a casual outing, let alone lounging at home. He also happens to be wearing his cologne—not out of the ordinary for him by any means, but it might cement the impression he wasn't just planning to rest here by himself.
He smiles slightly at them when they enter, as they both examine each other.]
I'm sorry to have worried you. I admit I was worried myself, for a little while.
[He turns to properly face them as if to display his improved health, though, and gestures to the seat beside him.]
But that's over now, thankfully. You've been alright since I last saw you?
< Well enough. Keeping an eye out for any snakes that stuck around, but I haven't seen any yet. >
[Has he been out recently? He looks as if he has, dressed like that. Whatever the occasion is, it does look nice on him, they have to admit.
They follow his lead, taking the seat next to him.]
< But really, I'm doing fine. Taking advantage of the downtime to see about moving back out of the inn. Feel like I've been imposing enough, you know? >
[They rest their clock in their hand as they look around the kitchen, into the rest of the small building.]
< Something small like this wouldn't be half bad. >
[Has he been out recently? He looks as if he has, dressed like that. Whatever the occasion is, it does look nice on him, they have to admit.
They follow his lead, taking the seat next to him.]
< But really, I'm doing fine. Taking advantage of the downtime to see about moving back out of the inn. Feel like I've been imposing enough, you know? >
[They rest their clock in their hand as they look around the kitchen, into the rest of the small building.]
< Something small like this wouldn't be half bad. >
[He keeps his eyes on Dante as they look around. One bedroom, one bathroom, a small living area. Altius doesn't need any more than that; he hasn't exactly been entertaining anyone.]
I've certainly had no complaints about these, especially given the lack of cost. I've never wanted to take up much space.
[His penthouse had been convenient, had impressed the people he needed to be impressed. It's much simpler in this world, without those sorts of politics involved.
He thinks of reassuring Dante that they're not an imposition... but he gets another idea.]
... you know, I had thought of inviting you to stay with me, when you told me your home was destroyed. Unfortunately my own at the time was just as much a wreck as yours—so the inn was the best I could think of.
I've certainly had no complaints about these, especially given the lack of cost. I've never wanted to take up much space.
[His penthouse had been convenient, had impressed the people he needed to be impressed. It's much simpler in this world, without those sorts of politics involved.
He thinks of reassuring Dante that they're not an imposition... but he gets another idea.]
... you know, I had thought of inviting you to stay with me, when you told me your home was destroyed. Unfortunately my own at the time was just as much a wreck as yours—so the inn was the best I could think of.
< Huh? >
[Wait. Is he... implying what they think he is?
They look over at him, then back out at the home. It's such a small place, obviously not meant for too many people to stay. Sure, they don't need all that much themselves (what are they going to need with the kitchen or the bedroom?) but--]
< You're... Are you sure? >
[--but the offer is more tempting than it should be.]
[Wait. Is he... implying what they think he is?
They look over at him, then back out at the home. It's such a small place, obviously not meant for too many people to stay. Sure, they don't need all that much themselves (what are they going to need with the kitchen or the bedroom?) but--]
< You're... Are you sure? >
[--but the offer is more tempting than it should be.]
Very sure.
[He sounds more certain than he feels, funnily enough; for all that he's honed his false confidence to the point it's become real, he still has his moments of trepidation. But the chance of seeing them at the end of the day, every day, is too much to pass up.
He moves his hand to rest on their shoulder, his tone as smooth as it's ever been, gaze intent on their face.]
I've been thinking about you often lately.
[He sounds more certain than he feels, funnily enough; for all that he's honed his false confidence to the point it's become real, he still has his moments of trepidation. But the chance of seeing them at the end of the day, every day, is too much to pass up.
He moves his hand to rest on their shoulder, his tone as smooth as it's ever been, gaze intent on their face.]
I've been thinking about you often lately.
[Their chest tightens, and for the briefest moment their hour hand quivers in place. As their gaze meets his, they find it difficult to break away. They can't think of a reason why they might want to.]
< You have? >
[The words fall from them clumsily, a tick that stumbles over a tock, a gear that turns with a bit more force than usual.
They feel as if they should say something more. They feel as if they've never spoken a word in their life.]
< You have? >
[The words fall from them clumsily, a tick that stumbles over a tock, a gear that turns with a bit more force than usual.
They feel as if they should say something more. They feel as if they've never spoken a word in their life.]
[A few chuckles leave him, adding a flash of his teeth in the smile. He wonders if it's really that much of a surprise or if it's just their inexperience in the reaction.]
I have so many questions for you. Things I want to know about you.
[The hand on their shoulder slides upwards to their neck, thumb settling along the red casing around their face like he might if it were their jaw. His voice grows quieter as he leans a bit closer.]
Don't you think we've been dancing around it for long enough?
I have so many questions for you. Things I want to know about you.
[The hand on their shoulder slides upwards to their neck, thumb settling along the red casing around their face like he might if it were their jaw. His voice grows quieter as he leans a bit closer.]
Don't you think we've been dancing around it for long enough?
[Skin against skin. His hand and their neck. It's a sensation they're unused to, and they can feel the goosebumps rise on their arms.
Their first instinct is to ask him if he's sure. They know how much they stand out, how many people, even here, see them and automatically assume they aren't human. But Altius has never made him feel anything less. He's been there. He's reached out to them. He's offered his hand. And now...]
< I can't promise you I can answer all of them. > [The gears continue to turn and whir with more force than usual, but the ticking itself remains steady. Soft, despite everything going on within.] < Hard to answer things I don't even know about myself, after all. >
< But... I'd like to be with you too. >
Their first instinct is to ask him if he's sure. They know how much they stand out, how many people, even here, see them and automatically assume they aren't human. But Altius has never made him feel anything less. He's been there. He's reached out to them. He's offered his hand. And now...]
< I can't promise you I can answer all of them. > [The gears continue to turn and whir with more force than usual, but the ticking itself remains steady. Soft, despite everything going on within.] < Hard to answer things I don't even know about myself, after all. >
< But... I'd like to be with you too. >
[Though the smile remains, his gaze flickers downwards half an inch for the briefest moment. How strange it is, the warmth he feels to hear it said aloud—as if he wasn't certain. As if he would have called them here if he couldn't be sure of the outcome. He can feel his pulse racing all the same, and his other hand moves to just above their heart, drawn there for him to know if theirs is moving just as quickly.]
We can find the rest out together. [His thumb sweeps across to their face, to draw attention to the space where their mouth might have been.] Maybe the first we can answer is... if you'd enjoy it if I kissed you.
We can find the rest out together. [His thumb sweeps across to their face, to draw attention to the space where their mouth might have been.] Maybe the first we can answer is... if you'd enjoy it if I kissed you.
[It practically leaps from their rib cage into his hand at the question. They can't feel the movements of his hand across the face of their clock, a bit of pressure noted by the mechanisms within, perhaps, but nothing quite so solid as the way his hand felt along the back of their neck.
Even so, they incline their head, nodding.]
< I don't know. Think we should give it a try? >
[Even if they can't feel it, to know how it feels at all, from him specifically...
It's something they've wondered for awhile.]
Even so, they incline their head, nodding.]
< I don't know. Think we should give it a try? >
[Even if they can't feel it, to know how it feels at all, from him specifically...
It's something they've wondered for awhile.]
[He might have felt ridiculous for this, once upon a time. There's certainly a level of it that doesn't escape him now, even if it's largely drowned out by his desire.]
I think so, [he murmurs.
None of this will matter, in the end; they'll both return home, likely with no memory of their experiences here. Even if they did remember, it won't change their fates; Onyx will continue his crusade of destruction as he must, and Dante will suffer a thousand more deaths before they meet their end.
A shadow flickers under the hand on Dante's shoulder, as if threatening to overtake their coat—and in less than a second it's gone, like it had never been there at all.
The truth is that he wants this, however pointless or absurd it may be. His exhale fogs the surface of their face before he presses his lips against them, eyes closing to take in every other sensation he can. The hand against the clock's casing moves to the back of their head as if to thread his fingers through their flames—what that must feel like is another answer he's wanted.]
I think so, [he murmurs.
None of this will matter, in the end; they'll both return home, likely with no memory of their experiences here. Even if they did remember, it won't change their fates; Onyx will continue his crusade of destruction as he must, and Dante will suffer a thousand more deaths before they meet their end.
A shadow flickers under the hand on Dante's shoulder, as if threatening to overtake their coat—and in less than a second it's gone, like it had never been there at all.
The truth is that he wants this, however pointless or absurd it may be. His exhale fogs the surface of their face before he presses his lips against them, eyes closing to take in every other sensation he can. The hand against the clock's casing moves to the back of their head as if to thread his fingers through their flames—what that must feel like is another answer he's wanted.]
[Up close, those rhythmic, mechanical sounds almost resemble a heartbeat. Steady, yet somehow insistent. Fire dances through Altius's fingers, warmer than the surrounding air, yet nowhere near the blaze its appearance might imply. Thinner than water, more substantial than air, a breeze without movement.
What would the others think if they were to see them now, they wonder? Is this moment even something the company would allow them to have?
Nothing more than a fleeting thought. They can be selfish this once. Just once. They can have this until they have to return.
Their hand slips from their chest to his back, and when Altius finally pulls away they duck their head, resting the top rim of the clock against his shoulder.]
What would the others think if they were to see them now, they wonder? Is this moment even something the company would allow them to have?
Nothing more than a fleeting thought. They can be selfish this once. Just once. They can have this until they have to return.
Their hand slips from their chest to his back, and when Altius finally pulls away they duck their head, resting the top rim of the clock against his shoulder.]
Edited 2025-06-02 02:15 (UTC)
[For all the lack of flesh and blood, it's a fascinating set of feelings he can't help but adore because of its source. Like a puzzle he has to put together, learning how it feels to be with someone for the first time all over again. There's a thrill to the newness of it, how all the little pieces slide into place.
When Dante moves to rest against him, he wraps his arms around them, leaning the side of his own head against theirs as he remains silent for a few moments, taking it all in. What this means to him, what it must mean to them. How he might get to keep doing this and more. How much he'd like to show them.
He trails his fingers up and down their back in a slow path. Then:]
Well... what do you think?
When Dante moves to rest against him, he wraps his arms around them, leaning the side of his own head against theirs as he remains silent for a few moments, taking it all in. What this means to him, what it must mean to them. How he might get to keep doing this and more. How much he'd like to show them.
He trails his fingers up and down their back in a slow path. Then:]
Well... what do you think?
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