audio, @Conductor

[entwinedfate]

[ Hello, you all. While no one's blessed with a pretty face today, his soft, soothing voice should be good enough. ]

Forgive me if this is something that's remarkably normal in this unremarkable city we're in...

[ A small beat, as if he's preoccupied with something else; there's the gentle strum of some string instrument in the moment. A harp, maybe, at the university. ]

... But is there a reason we were asked about our satisfaction in regards to the party they threw last month? Along with that odd question in the second half -- how many of you voted to turn towards the voice, I wonder.

[ You know. This satisfaction survey, that popped up on everyone's devices the first of the month. More soothing harp music, it sounds like he's trying to pick out a tune from memory. ]

I admit, I'm a little curious about everyone's answers! I gave it a pretty neutral score myself; it was novel, but I wouldn't go again. The string of letters and numbers they had in reference to it was rather interesting too, though I'm not certain how it was "for the good of the many". Have there been any others? I recall a similar phrase the day their party was to begin too, actually.

Comments

[entwinedfate]

I'd be surprised to know who would run instead, really. That must mean the voice they thought of first was one they weren't too fond of seeing the face of.

[limbical]

Hm, I suppose. Or maybe whoever is voting is just trying to fuck with the system? Maybe it isn't worth answering these honestly at all.

[entwinedfate]

In that case, maybe we should try and sway it one way or another no matter our feelings on the next. It shouldn't be a newcomer like me suggesting it to everyone at large, though... someone who's more of a pillar for what little community we have here would be better suited to that endeavor.

[ Like Daan. ]

[limbical]

A pillar, huh. Wonder who you have in mind.

[nope he isn't volunteering himself]

[entwinedfate]

A bartender who's easy to talk to, maybe. Everyone likes to gather around the watering hole, I hear.

[ Or that little blondie that seems to catch a lot of flack. Not volunteering strangers. ]

Or whoever's been here the longest. I'll let you figure that out, Daan -- I'm still getting my footing after the excitement of last month.

[limbical]

Certainly something to consider, isn't it.

[It's not an unreasonable suggestion, but he also feels kind of shitty to go along with Argalia's idea! Hmm, bad.]

I suppose we'll see if someone likes your idea.

[entwinedfate]

[ Don't let Roland poison your mind, king. Argalia's simply someone who's lost it all. Who are you going to believe? The perfectly civil man or the one that wanted to kick your shit in? ]

I'll certainly keep my eyes and ears out for them. It'll be just as fruitful to see if it matters or not, after all. If our opinions matter or not.

[limbical]

[dont u logic ur way outta this]

If nothing else, these things are worth testing out.

Keeping well so far in this city, then? Since this didn't seem to bother you much.

[entwinedfate]

[ logic and pretty hair all he got going for him right now ]

Keeping well enough. I'm no stranger to odd happenings, and even if if they're unlike what I've seen before... we're very much trained not to give away much as part of a lifestyle. As a doctor, I'm sure you're told to keep yourself in check around patients, aren't you?

[limbical]

No, more or less it's the same for me. No matter what I might be thinking or feeling, I keep it pretty cool in front of patients. ...So I do get where you're coming from.

[entwinedfate]

Detachment is one of the tools of the trade, in the end. It's one of the key components in keeping a level head no matter what might be happening around us.

[ The shared "us". Him, Daan. ]

Nonetheless, even I can admit I was unnerved by the spider tunnel -- not for the reasons some might find themselves on edge about, but thankfully it didn't last long before I was on the other side of it. I know that isn't the part of the experience most people might have found distasteful, but when violence is your main trade it's a little hard not to feel... comforted? By its presence. Like a familiar shore on the sea, terrible as it may sound.

[limbical]

[He dislikes how reasonable Argalia sounds in this respect. Affable, almost relatable. If he hadn't spoken to Roland, Daan wouldn't hesitate as much to empathize, but he is starting to piece together the picture.

Even if he's lacking all the details. Is it really his business to know? Should he just leave it alone?]

...If it's mainly what you know, it's understandable. I knew a young veteran from the war of my world. Nervous as anything and shellshocked as hell, unless there was a gun in his hands, then it was like he found his calm.

When it's your normal, you're grounded. Even if you might wish otherwise.

[entwinedfate]

That's right. Though if I can be honest, Daan, I don't mind the peace too much either.

[ Genuinely, it sounds. Argalia pauses in his harp playing, the sound sighing as it ends. ]

It's not something we're afforded, even in higher Grades, so the novelty is enchanting. I don't particularly like fighting; if I can talk it out, I much prefer that. [ He's very good at both, though. ] You can imagine there's not a lot of threats to the City that'd simply stop what they were doing by asking nicely, though, and clients aren't looking for a bandaid solution.

[ They're looking for results, the unspoken meaning in it. His hands begin to pick at the strings again. ]

Those that find true comfort in violence will inevitably return to it, no matter how much they might be "changed" by another. I've seen it myself. Just keep it in mind when you're interacting with anyone from my City.

[limbical]

...So I've heard. Peace isn't much afforded for most people, especially Colors.

[Which he knows puts an extra weight on his relationship with Vergilius. This isn't the City, but still. Still. Daan is aware.]

Mind if I ask you something? Just so we're both being transparent here.

[entwinedfate]

Of course, go right ahead. There's no secrets between friends here.

[ Half-truths, maybe. Spun truths. But no secrets. ]

[limbical]

[Friends. Right.]

Do you know a man named Roland?

[entwinedfate]

[ Oh.

If it weren't for their audio only conversation here, Daan would've seen a twitch of his lips. In its place is a seemingly surprised pause, and while his tone remains even it's a little less affable in nature. ]

I do. My dear sister married an uncivilized beast of the same name, in fact -- but I won't play stupid. We've already met here, so I know he's one and the same. A friend of his, are you?

[limbical]

Frankly, I'd be shocked if he called us friends. I don't know him as well as you do, but he can be an insufferable dick.

[Which is an honest opinion. It isn't the whole opinion, either. Whatever Roland's definition is on them, Daan knows what he himself thinks and hesitantly does call him friend in his mind.

Not unlike Argalia, Daan is keen to use half-truths and evasiveness without technically lying.]

Sounds like you aren't a fan of him.

mi... minor ruina spoilers oh my god i get to do this now.

[entwinedfate]

Nor is he mine. We've always had... something of a rocky relationship -- I didn't particularly like his involvement with my sister, he wasn't fond of me in return -- but I left them alone, because it made her happy.

[ And he'd do anything for her happiness, at that point. She'd deserved it. He allowed them that chance, turned a blind eye and careful ear from it -- and what had happened?

Oh, if only he could have protected her better. ]

I wouldn't take his distance personally though, Daan; that man has a heart of coal, and he's no stranger to killing "friend" and foe alike.

[limbical]

...The decisions we make for the people we love, even if we don't agree with it.

[Which is something he does understand on some level.]

I don't take it personally. I never had any friends back in my world anyway, and no family to speak of now. [So it is a luxury he is still learning.] Would you mind elaborating on the whole killing his "friends" thing, if you're comfortable with that?

[entwinedfate]

[ Argalia smiles quietly. It would be nice, but not as nice as if Roland was there to see him do it -- for Argalia to see the furious look on his face, in his eyes. He plucks at the harp thoughtfully. ]

I won't tell the whole story; it isn't the time nor place. But do you recall what I mentioned about those who found true comfort in violence just a bit ago?

[limbical]

Understandable.

...Yes. I do.

more major ruina spoilers

[entwinedfate]

Fixers do not come from wealthy households, Daan. They're born among, within, and around violence. Roland was no different -- if you ask, I'm certain he'd tell you the same. When my sister met him, he was an unpleasant man who wouldn't speak so much as a word to her unless it was to gripe, scold, or snark about whatever it was she or another were doing. A violent beast who didn't seem to care right from wrong, so long as there was meat dangling in front of him. My sister managed to tame him somewhat, I suppose, and taught him to speak -- the Roland you know now is a product of her care, gracious as she was in it.

[ A bit of tuning, then return to the piece he'd been making up. ]

When he's incited, though, he returns right to that beastly form of his -- why, he even killed the people he used to work alongside! His allies, who he'd done countless jobs with, who'd known him and my dear sister both. Not a single bit of hesitation in it, all for...

[ ... A soft laugh. ]

I shouldn't say, it hasn't happened to him yet. But I can say that if it's to alleviate his own sorrow, his own grief and suffering, he would most certainly drag the rest of the world down. I'd hate to see you caught in his downward spiral.

[limbical]

[The thing is, he doesn't even necessarily disagree all that much about Roland. Who seems keen to sweep everything under the rug and move on, to compartmentalize and shrug it off. But Daan isn't that different, in a lot of ways, he figures. What excuses can he really make about Roland? Very little, but love drives people to do the unspeakable.

They're both in blood, even if they went in different directions.

But distinctly, he also knows what Argalia did with Angelica's body. Who wouldn't go a little mad from that?

Daan certainly thought he was losing his mind when he discovered Elise as she was. Immaculate stitches, he always said.]

How considerate of you, Argalia.

[Daan's tone is even and polite. The video is off thankfully for him as well, and Daan is rubbing his sole eye.]

And do you intend on keeping the peace here while you two are present? I'm not keen for anyone to get caught in the crossfires.

[entwinedfate]

I do. There's no point in quarreling here, with him or anyone else. My dirge isn't for this city.

[ The other one, though. Tempting as it is to sunder those gloves from his body. ]

So, what is it he told you about me?