[Ah, the familiar back and forth. As much as he prefers efficiency, he can't say he hasn't missed doing the usual exchange without having to practically force it. The locals may have softened somewhat since his arrival, but not so much that he's gone without using his charismatic aura on purpose for long.
He follows her inside, the board catching his immediate interest before he momentarily diverts his attention to get an idea of the room as a whole, then pulls one of the chairs away to take a seat. Resting his elbows on the armrests and threading his fingers together, he doesn't try to hide the way his gaze fixates on those pictures and texts and connections, even though he answers with full focus on the conversation at hand.]
I'm alright, but I appreciate the offer. [Perhaps later—he wouldn't mind taking the time to examine that wall of hers after his business, if she's amenable...] I imagine you've noticed how quiet the city has gotten since the start of the month.
[Look!! Old habits die hard!! Caitlyn can't help herself. She only got back from being home again, and she had been thrust into politics and high society, even worse than she had been before. She has to be polite.
She settles in her chair once he declines her offer, taking her own cup and sipping it again. She notes the way his gaze lingers on her wall, and she clears her throat as she sets her mug back down.]
Excuse the mess. I usually cover it, when I'm expecting someone.
[She'll be happy to share her notes, if he truly is curious. The more minds pondering their situation, the better, she thinks.]
I have noticed, but that's usually how things work around here. We have a lull from time to time, but I do find it strange that it doesn't appear we had any new arrivals. That's definitely curious.
[At the very least, he too is too polite to openly chastise her for wasting his time or whatever else. He's certainly wasted enough people's time in the course of his business...]
Curious is a good way of putting it. And I wouldn't consider it mess at all.
[He gestures at the wall. It may seem disorganized to an unpracticed eye, but Altius knows that any problems worth solving are messy by themselves, and it only makes sense that any attempts to solve them will follow suit.]
I'm sure you're familiar with how the locals act as something of a... warning system. Or an indication of this system in general. [He turns his gaze back to her.] Their reactions to anything involving us or the crises we face all seem to fall into the same general trends. But—I'm curious as to how far that extends in the other direction. How deeply is their individuality defined?
[He's not about to physically dissect anyone towards researching the idea, unlike some types in this forsaken world—]
They have personalities, preferences, routines... at least on the surface. But they don't even seem to be permitted to consider certain subjects. [He's had a few conversations with them short-circuit, as if he's picked an option on some sort of programmed blacklist.] I thought it might tell us something about the limits of this world, but—you tell me. Do you think it's an idea worth pursuing?
[Caitlyn's gaze stays on Altius as he speaks, brow raising curious as he explains his theory. It's something she's noticed, of course. Aldrip has grown and changed a lot in the time she's been here, but the locals have always stood out as a curiosity. Her attempts to get information have never gotten far, as she's simply gotten frustrated after going in circles a number of times, but she commends anyone else that's willing to try.]
How would you suggest pursuing this? The locals are notoriously hard to get information from. Half of the time, they can't even stand us and won't engage. But if you were able to learn more, I'd be eager to hear what you discover.
That was something I'd hoped we could collaborate on. I'd love to do it all myself, but I have the unfortunate habit of overcommitting my time.
[He pulls a list out of the inner pocket of his suit jacket, laying it out on the desk for Caitlyn to examine—and have, if she decides to take this case of sorts. On it is a list of names of about a dozen locals and their addresses, along with a brief description of their appearances.]
These are a few of my employees at the post office; they all fill a similar niche in the ecosystem, so to speak. Middle class, average education, physically fit to some extent. I thought it better to narrow the focus, as there'd obviously be notable differences between one of them and someone who spends their nights at the docks looking for someone to mug.
[He says it with hardly any inflection; the petty crime the locals get up to is hardly his concern.]
If you're willing, I thought you could look into their histories and activities from an... objective point of view. Records, if they exist; how they spend their time; what their families look like; things like that. You can leave speaking with them to me. Convincing people to talk is one of my specialties, and I have more than enough opportunity to strike up a conversation at the office.
[Ah. Well, Caitlyn can't say much, she's also guilty of over committing her time. She's currently running two businesses (co-owning with Lupin, at least), and also spends time training on her own, and helping with the training days Richard arranges.
She's not very good at being still for long.
As Altius pulls out the list, she takes it, examining it curiously. He's certainly piqued her interest with this request. She's a little relieved that he plans to do the talking, though. She can talk, but she gets awkward pretty easily.]
Yes, that sounds reasonable. You've definitely caught my curiosity. I can look into them for you, so long as you share the results of your research with me.
Of course, and thank you. I can share my other notes as well, as I'd hope you're willing to let me take a look at yours?
[He's already made a copy of them before for Miss Ushiromiya; he's not looking to hoard anything about Expiation to himself. He knows collaboration is the only way he's getting out of this place.]
It's an impressive amount of research, by the looks of it. How long have you been here?
Of course. I've been meaning to condense it into notes to share on the network, but years of notes on everything on this wall will take more time than I give myself.
[Caitlyn can't be still for two seconds, okay!! She'll get around to it one of these days, though.]
Nearly two years, now. My partner has been here since the cycle began, even longer than that. We did leave and come back, but we were only gone from here for a week.
It's no simple task, [he says with understanding as he turns his attention back to the wall.]
Especially with that amount of time. I don't suppose you've found any significant connections between these temporary return trips of ours? [A mostly rhetorical question that he expects little out of, but he might as well put it out there.] A friend of mine was gone from this place for weeks, but only ended up passing a few days in their world, in contrast.
[He remembers what Caitlyn said about the timing of her injury; no doubt the time she spent back in her world was more than that three months.]
I'm afraid not. It affects people randomly, just like leaving for good does. I wish I could pin point a rhyme or reason, but there doesn't seem to be.
[Caitlyn has theories, of course. Everything from glitches in the system to it being related to them meeting the Council's demands, but nothing feels like the right answer.]
In most cases, people leave here for a week, but the amount of time passing in their worlds is always different. Vi and I were home for a little over nine months. I've seen some that say they were home for years. Some, as you said, were home only a short time. It's not very consistent.
[The hum he lets out is disappointed, but not surprised.]
A dead end, perhaps... [He wonders if it might have more to do with the nature of their experiences rather than the time spent, but... such a thing would be notoriously hard to investigate—even if one could trust all of the answers coming from the Chosen.] There are too many variables.
[Departure and return may not be something he can learn much about for now, but it's far from his only concern. He can't help but feel like the sword of Damocles hangs over him, and it's only a matter of time before the hair snaps...
Sitting forward with renewed interest that implies he's about to get to his feet, he continues:]
Perhaps you can direct me towards what you have regarding sentencing? Ah—and I'd like to take you up on that coffee, if the offer hasn't expired.
Edited (i don't think that's how that phrase goes...) 2025-03-10 00:45 (UTC)
[Not from the lack of trying!! It hadn't been just Caitlyn, either. There have been plenty of other brilliant minds that were here before her, their notes dispersed among her own after their disappearances.
The shift in the conversation towards sentencing has Caitlyn raise an eyebrow, but it's not unwelcome. She had actually intended to bring it up, given her own directive from Jerry at the moment.]
Coffee it is. How do you like it?
[She moves to stand, clearing the steps to the side of the room where a pod machine is. She's not much for coffee, herself, but Vi is, so she keeps coffees on hand for her and for others that come here to seek her help or advice. She pops one of the pods into the coffee machine, places a clean mug under the spout, then turns the machine on, only then turning her gaze back to Altius.]
I've actually just been sentenced, myself. This is my second time, since my arrival. What would you like to know?
[While he doesn't necessarily think all problems are solvable, all that means is that the problems that can be solved are what deserve all of his attention. They will find a way through this tangled mess, somehow.]
Black, please.
[He drinks it largely for the physical benefits, anyway. As Caitlyn moves, Altius follows her with his eyes, and her reply draws his eyebrows upwards, then faintly together with some concern.]
I—suppose my first question is, how are you dealing with it?
[The machine makes some noises as it starts to brew behind her, and soon, the smell of the coffee wafts through the small room.]
As well as one can, I suppose. I feel... off. But that's hardly a surprise, the Council does love to mess with our heads.
[But Caitlyn hates feeling off. She's been off since the war with Noxus back home. She was trying so desperately to get back to some kind of normal, physically, only to be hit with this, mentally.]
I'm supposed to ask others about what justice means to them. It isn't even anything complex. But I'll take it, in comparison to what I had to do the first go-around.
[He can't help but let out a scoff. It's so simple it's absurd.]
I'd rather they go ahead and give us tasks like this than force us through the messes we've had in the meantime.
[But he lets out a slow breath and considers; he does want to help, if he can. Feeling off could lead to any number of unpleasant things.]
This place does encourage thinking about the topic, in any case. Being brought here, where we could never make amends for whatever imagined harm we may have been accused of, certainly isn't it.
As if I wasn't already doing that enough, back home.
[Recovering from her injuries had given Caitlyn plenty of time and opportunity to think of her crimes. Ironically, they weren't even crimes being shoved in her face here, in Aldrip.]
One of my ongoing theories has been that that's the point. It makes us think, work through our "crimes", so when we go home in that blink, like nothing really happened, those moments linger and help influence our future decisions.
[That didn't make it better, or even actually true, but it's certainly something she's pondered. She can't help but wonder if the fact that she had grown semi-civil with Jinx here had influenced her decision to finally let go of her anger with the other woman and let Vi break her out of prison.]
[Altius lets out an unhappy noise from the back of his throat, arms folded.]
As much as I hate to think all this could leave any real trace behind... I can't deny the possibility.
[If it can take them here, and if they are truly themselves and capable of being sent back... perhaps only leaving subconscious memories behind isn't beyond their captor's ability.]
But I refuse to think forcing us to stay here in this dangerous unpredictable place is anything like justice. Self-righteousness, perhaps.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[Ah, the familiar back and forth. As much as he prefers efficiency, he can't say he hasn't missed doing the usual exchange without having to practically force it. The locals may have softened somewhat since his arrival, but not so much that he's gone without using his charismatic aura on purpose for long.
He follows her inside, the board catching his immediate interest before he momentarily diverts his attention to get an idea of the room as a whole, then pulls one of the chairs away to take a seat. Resting his elbows on the armrests and threading his fingers together, he doesn't try to hide the way his gaze fixates on those pictures and texts and connections, even though he answers with full focus on the conversation at hand.]
I'm alright, but I appreciate the offer. [Perhaps later—he wouldn't mind taking the time to examine that wall of hers after his business, if she's amenable...] I imagine you've noticed how quiet the city has gotten since the start of the month.
no subject
She settles in her chair once he declines her offer, taking her own cup and sipping it again. She notes the way his gaze lingers on her wall, and she clears her throat as she sets her mug back down.]
Excuse the mess. I usually cover it, when I'm expecting someone.
[She'll be happy to share her notes, if he truly is curious. The more minds pondering their situation, the better, she thinks.]
I have noticed, but that's usually how things work around here. We have a lull from time to time, but I do find it strange that it doesn't appear we had any new arrivals. That's definitely curious.
no subject
Curious is a good way of putting it. And I wouldn't consider it mess at all.
[He gestures at the wall. It may seem disorganized to an unpracticed eye, but Altius knows that any problems worth solving are messy by themselves, and it only makes sense that any attempts to solve them will follow suit.]
I'm sure you're familiar with how the locals act as something of a... warning system. Or an indication of this system in general. [He turns his gaze back to her.] Their reactions to anything involving us or the crises we face all seem to fall into the same general trends. But—I'm curious as to how far that extends in the other direction. How deeply is their individuality defined?
[He's not about to physically dissect anyone towards researching the idea, unlike some types in this forsaken world—]
They have personalities, preferences, routines... at least on the surface. But they don't even seem to be permitted to consider certain subjects. [He's had a few conversations with them short-circuit, as if he's picked an option on some sort of programmed blacklist.] I thought it might tell us something about the limits of this world, but—you tell me. Do you think it's an idea worth pursuing?
no subject
[Caitlyn's gaze stays on Altius as he speaks, brow raising curious as he explains his theory. It's something she's noticed, of course. Aldrip has grown and changed a lot in the time she's been here, but the locals have always stood out as a curiosity. Her attempts to get information have never gotten far, as she's simply gotten frustrated after going in circles a number of times, but she commends anyone else that's willing to try.]
How would you suggest pursuing this? The locals are notoriously hard to get information from. Half of the time, they can't even stand us and won't engage. But if you were able to learn more, I'd be eager to hear what you discover.
no subject
[He pulls a list out of the inner pocket of his suit jacket, laying it out on the desk for Caitlyn to examine—and have, if she decides to take this case of sorts. On it is a list of names of about a dozen locals and their addresses, along with a brief description of their appearances.]
These are a few of my employees at the post office; they all fill a similar niche in the ecosystem, so to speak. Middle class, average education, physically fit to some extent. I thought it better to narrow the focus, as there'd obviously be notable differences between one of them and someone who spends their nights at the docks looking for someone to mug.
[He says it with hardly any inflection; the petty crime the locals get up to is hardly his concern.]
If you're willing, I thought you could look into their histories and activities from an... objective point of view. Records, if they exist; how they spend their time; what their families look like; things like that. You can leave speaking with them to me. Convincing people to talk is one of my specialties, and I have more than enough opportunity to strike up a conversation at the office.
no subject
She's not very good at being still for long.
As Altius pulls out the list, she takes it, examining it curiously. He's certainly piqued her interest with this request. She's a little relieved that he plans to do the talking, though. She can talk, but she gets awkward pretty easily.]
Yes, that sounds reasonable. You've definitely caught my curiosity. I can look into them for you, so long as you share the results of your research with me.
no subject
[He's already made a copy of them before for Miss Ushiromiya; he's not looking to hoard anything about Expiation to himself. He knows collaboration is the only way he's getting out of this place.]
It's an impressive amount of research, by the looks of it. How long have you been here?
no subject
[Caitlyn can't be still for two seconds, okay!! She'll get around to it one of these days, though.]
Nearly two years, now. My partner has been here since the cycle began, even longer than that. We did leave and come back, but we were only gone from here for a week.
no subject
Especially with that amount of time. I don't suppose you've found any significant connections between these temporary return trips of ours? [A mostly rhetorical question that he expects little out of, but he might as well put it out there.] A friend of mine was gone from this place for weeks, but only ended up passing a few days in their world, in contrast.
[He remembers what Caitlyn said about the timing of her injury; no doubt the time she spent back in her world was more than that three months.]
no subject
[Caitlyn has theories, of course. Everything from glitches in the system to it being related to them meeting the Council's demands, but nothing feels like the right answer.]
In most cases, people leave here for a week, but the amount of time passing in their worlds is always different. Vi and I were home for a little over nine months. I've seen some that say they were home for years. Some, as you said, were home only a short time. It's not very consistent.
no subject
A dead end, perhaps... [He wonders if it might have more to do with the nature of their experiences rather than the time spent, but... such a thing would be notoriously hard to investigate—even if one could trust all of the answers coming from the Chosen.] There are too many variables.
[Departure and return may not be something he can learn much about for now, but it's far from his only concern. He can't help but feel like the sword of Damocles hangs over him, and it's only a matter of time before the hair snaps...
Sitting forward with renewed interest that implies he's about to get to his feet, he continues:]
Perhaps you can direct me towards what you have regarding sentencing? Ah—and I'd like to take you up on that coffee, if the offer hasn't expired.
no subject
[Not from the lack of trying!! It hadn't been just Caitlyn, either. There have been plenty of other brilliant minds that were here before her, their notes dispersed among her own after their disappearances.
The shift in the conversation towards sentencing has Caitlyn raise an eyebrow, but it's not unwelcome. She had actually intended to bring it up, given her own directive from Jerry at the moment.]
Coffee it is. How do you like it?
[She moves to stand, clearing the steps to the side of the room where a pod machine is. She's not much for coffee, herself, but Vi is, so she keeps coffees on hand for her and for others that come here to seek her help or advice. She pops one of the pods into the coffee machine, places a clean mug under the spout, then turns the machine on, only then turning her gaze back to Altius.]
I've actually just been sentenced, myself. This is my second time, since my arrival. What would you like to know?
no subject
Black, please.
[He drinks it largely for the physical benefits, anyway. As Caitlyn moves, Altius follows her with his eyes, and her reply draws his eyebrows upwards, then faintly together with some concern.]
I—suppose my first question is, how are you dealing with it?
no subject
As well as one can, I suppose. I feel... off. But that's hardly a surprise, the Council does love to mess with our heads.
[But Caitlyn hates feeling off. She's been off since the war with Noxus back home. She was trying so desperately to get back to some kind of normal, physically, only to be hit with this, mentally.]
I'm supposed to ask others about what justice means to them. It isn't even anything complex. But I'll take it, in comparison to what I had to do the first go-around.
no subject
I'd rather they go ahead and give us tasks like this than force us through the messes we've had in the meantime.
[But he lets out a slow breath and considers; he does want to help, if he can. Feeling off could lead to any number of unpleasant things.]
This place does encourage thinking about the topic, in any case. Being brought here, where we could never make amends for whatever imagined harm we may have been accused of, certainly isn't it.
no subject
[Recovering from her injuries had given Caitlyn plenty of time and opportunity to think of her crimes. Ironically, they weren't even crimes being shoved in her face here, in Aldrip.]
One of my ongoing theories has been that that's the point. It makes us think, work through our "crimes", so when we go home in that blink, like nothing really happened, those moments linger and help influence our future decisions.
[That didn't make it better, or even actually true, but it's certainly something she's pondered. She can't help but wonder if the fact that she had grown semi-civil with Jinx here had influenced her decision to finally let go of her anger with the other woman and let Vi break her out of prison.]
no subject
As much as I hate to think all this could leave any real trace behind... I can't deny the possibility.
[If it can take them here, and if they are truly themselves and capable of being sent back... perhaps only leaving subconscious memories behind isn't beyond their captor's ability.]
But I refuse to think forcing us to stay here in this dangerous unpredictable place is anything like justice. Self-righteousness, perhaps.