settleintoash

[settleintoash]

"Flipping a coin just kinda tells you what your instincts are, right?" He scratches at his stubble, looking at both of the paths in front of them. Usually he'd let W just pick one, and maybe he was sorta hoping that this white haired (potentially) kinda crazy girl would do the same.

But at least they didn't set the place on fire. "Let's go that way." He starts to walk down one of the hallways, stopping when the pictures on the wall started shaking.

"Good sign or bad sign?"

"Well that's good. I didn't wanna burn this place down right off the bat to begin with." Because it was a pretty good looking place albeit taken over by "spirits" who she knew weren't completely real. Still staying in character the entire time was way more enjoyable then being a wet rag for anyone else in here as well.

"Any ideas on your end? I was gonna suggest splitting up but that wouldn't be nearly as fun. So the last thing we can do is just flip a coin I suppose."

[settleintoash]

"It's kind of fun being able to watch the seasons change. Or, well,"

"Being able to go into the stores to see the decorations, uh, at all."

[settleintoash]

"Hey," his remaining eye brightened when he saw the other, "Heard it was your birthday. From you, a while ago. I was wondering if you wanted to go out?"

"On a date, to be clear. With cake and a present and all that."

@cerberice

[settleintoash]

"While I don't like that either of us went through anything, but I can't help but admit that it's almost comforting to know that you understand." It's awkward, but he tries to give his teasing partner a reassuring squeeze, despite bringing down the mood.

The issue, really, was that he was a bit worried that he was gonna bring down the mood even further.

"Yeah it...Smells like home." He murmurs, walking up and taking two skewers, briefly letting go of Wriothesley's hand before returning to hand him one, letting his free hand settle back next to the other man's.

"Or, at least what I can remember. I buried my mom when I was pretty young, but she did as much as she could for me." He hesitates before taking a bite, chewing thoughtfully.

"Yeah, I think that's it. If not, it's gonna be the closest thing."

EMBARRASSING DOESN'T COME TO MIND, at least not in that particular statement. wasn't it normal for many to care about their physique, especially in such an active path as a mercenary? ❝ I don't see anything wrong with that. I tend to be lowkey, too, as you've seen. Besides, keeping in top shape is necessary for some things, ❞ he adds, a shrug of his shoulders. ❝ I don't think there's a professional food smeller job out there. But if there is, we've found the right guy for it, ❞ he teases, the smile on his lips far too obvious for it to be anything else.

❝ I can't say I'm the same. I'm accustomed to the welfare meals we give. And, well... let's just say some of the milkshakes aren't exactly the best unless you're looking for desolation. ❞ even the thought of it alone puts his tastebuds into a dire mood, like some aftertaste washing over them in fear he might have to taste it again.

soon enough, they arrive to wherever hoederer's nose leads him, his free hand placing itself on his hip. ❝ This the spot? It does smell good, that's for sure. ❞

[settleintoash]

"I mean, there might be..." He scratches his chin, trailing off (in a way he hoped was a bit spooky). The employees letting them in definitely were looking at each other as he gave them a (hopefully comforting) wave as they went in.

Luckily there were no ghosts right at the door, and they went into the foyer. Looking around, his remaining eye started to adjust to the dark.

"Whew, doesn't seem like there's anything right away." Exhaling, he continues further into the haunted house. "No need to burn a path, just need to pick one."

" 'Course I will. Not like they'll be any ghosts at the door or anything."

And if there were then they'll just have to fight some ghosts like it was a usual day in the park. As if Nian actually could do anything like that right off the bat or in the first place...

"Oh don't worry. If we get surrounded the two of us could just burn a path through. But only if things aren't going our way. I'd like to take this a bit fair and square like everyone else was doing before us. It just makes sense right?"

[settleintoash]

"Oh good, because my middle name is 'haunted house novice'." He says, completely blunt, as he walks in with her, waving at the coordinators of the haunted house.

"So, expert, you should probably lead the way, right?"

"Just in case we run into anything we can't handle." Once again, it's delivered completely seriously, although he is chuckling internally as he lets her take the lead.

"Sorry if there's any ash at our feet." Especially if he does get surprised. Probably better that his Artes are minimal for now.

If someone told Nian that she would be visiting a haunted house today she wouldn't have probably believed them. But it was close enough by, not many people willing to go in, and sounded like a rip roaring time. So who was she to deny herself a fun time...

"Let's just say if I had a middle name it'd be "haunted house expert"." Even if that didn't make much sense. But it didn't really need to when this sibling was involved...

"Ready to bust some ghosts?"

[settleintoash]

"Both surviving, and well, even in Rhodes Island, I'd rather not be too much of a bother. And I care about my physique-" What an embarrassing statement, he can feel his cheeks heat up as he continues walking, the small heat flaring up to rival his hair as he sees Wriothesley's hand reach out, and he greedily grabs it with his own, fingers locking securely.

Quickly, he diverts his attention back to the stalls.

"Hardly professional, but...Well, this way, I think." Tugging his companion, he continues further into the stalls, deeper into the crowd. "I smell something familiar. We never had much, but my mom was a great cook with what she could do. I could never rival her palette." His own food was so bland in comparison.

HIS MOTION EARLY HARDLY GOES UNNOTICED, only tucked away for a moment as they stop their walking. chicken was usual, as well as potatoes, but he hadn't thought the meals the other would have eaten would be so simple. ❝ No shame in that. Gotta do what you need to survive, right? ❞ he understands that much far too easily, the smile on his face expressing that well enough. back before he took over meropide, welfare meals were but a laughing thought, something none would ever think to be real.

it was a harsh environment that so many could barely make through.

❝ And right on cue, ❞ he teases, the smell also finding its way to him — something unfamiliar, though inviting all the same, were it the same. it nearly makes his stomach growl a little the more they wait. ❝ We'll track it down in no time. ❞ at least he hopes so, one hand now reaching out to take the others, a subtle response to his earlier movement, before beginning to walk along to inspect each stall. ❝ Let me know if you the place it's coming from. I may have a vague idea, but you're the professional here. ❞

[settleintoash]

"Definitely...I've never really been too partial to fish, but I also haven't spent much time near water." Or under it, he thinks, remembering Fontaine and where Wriothesley lives. He can feel his hand drifting over, fingers gently out, as though to hook into the hand of the other until they both stop and he quickly moves his hand back to his side.

"Familiar dishes? Well, I guess I mostly eat, uh, chicken. Maybe some other grilled food. I make sure I have high protein intake - and baked potatoes are good to keep up healthy carbohydrates-"

A pause, a familiar smell. Odd seasonings, for th epoor where the land can hardly grow anything.

"Oh,"

"Maybe.." How odd, and how nostalgic, he turns to his companion. "Let's look around."

SMOKE WAFTS INTO THE AIR, delightful scents clinging to it with every step taken closer toward the multitude of grills. seeing things made of glass cook delicacies as this was unique, though it was more the grumble of his stomach that drew him here, accompanied by a face that has become more familiar at his side when they got the chance to meet up. ❝ Smells good, doesn't it? Better than undersea brine any day if you ask me, ❞ he comments, taking a moment to enjoy the myriad of scents.

a few more steps forward is all it takes for him to stop, planting them in the center of it all, as he gleans over the array of meals ready to eat and fully becoming prepped.

❝ So. Any familiar dishes here for you? We'll give them a try. And by we'll, that mostly means me, given I haven't had anything from your home yet. ❞

@settleintoash

[settleintoash]

"...Not really. I know you don't remember all of us, but..."

He looks over at the floating fires on the sea, spirits returning to some far off shore. "...In our current conflict, there's been a lot of death. I doubt you're remembering the Sarkaz who have died, but I know you've had loss on yours."

Scout. Mentioning him causes the paper to crinkle slightly under Hoederer's grasp. Swallowing, he turns to the Doctor.

"Scout. I killed him, you know."

An admission, and he very quickly turns his gaze back toward the water. "Ines was pissed. W didn't have the heart to be the one to kill anyone from Babel. I..."

A pause,

"It'd be a lie to say I had no reservations. But I do what I need to. I play the role I need to. It's no excuse, it's just reality." Inhaling, he turns back to her, "...Not unlike you, right?"

The Doctor's right forearm which has been broken during the stressful weeks of being back at Amiya's side. They remember grabbing a hold of her before she got taken away, along themselves - was the prize they received, seemingly kept returned to this place.

So, this time they were using only their left hand - concentrating on the raft and candle, only to look up at the familiar voice. A while before, they would have been more… wary of this individual, but now? They knew him - somewhat.

"Hoerderer." They reply acknowledging him. "… Right, I suppose seeing me here doing this kind of thing would raise eyebrows from you and the others." Their mask expression remains blank, "But - I do care about these things, even if the 'I' back then would not."

"…Ace. Scout. Frostnova."

"Then to those back home."

[settleintoash]

The event wasn't nearly as dour as he had expected, the small candles on the rafts illuminated the water's surface as a beautiful send off.

"I'm surprised to see you here." He speaks to the person that approached from behind with a raft of their own, turning to meet inscrutable features with his own one eyed gaze. "Though, maybe it shouldn't be that surprising. The 'you' that you are now might actually care about things like this."

"Here for anyone in particular?"

@thtdoctor

[settleintoash]

"Whoa," he looks up at the haunted house, tilting his head. The structure itself had interested him, but he wasn't entirely sure what it was. Standing i the crowd, he was eventually corralled along to the entrance.

"Are you sure you wanna go by yourself...?" He could hear the man in the front talking to a girl he recognized (although his own appearance had changed since he last saw her).

"Oh, she doesn't have to." He gives a small wave at her - Nian, he's pretty sure. "I can go in with her."

"If that's alright with you?"

@unfetteredfreedom

[settleintoash]

;; alright it's summer and we're gonna learn how to have FUN so here's a little spiralefes starter call, capping at 4 with castmates exempt

[settleintoash]

"It seems like there's always something seasonal going on,"

"Even after all this time, it's so strange to see a place that can be so peaceful at a moment's notice."

[settleintoash]

"It's definitely not as simple as it sounds." He scratches the back of his neck, sighing. "...Maybe it doesn't sound simple at all. Only as simple as saying it out loud can make it sound." Now he's just waxing poetic, and he can almost hear W making fun of him.

"But yeah - this place is definitely interesting. Keeps you on your toes. I've been keeping journals, but then I feel like I keep getting pulled forward in time." He's grumbling now, pointing to the scars that appeared between the last time he and Constantine spoke and now. He can't even remember if they talked before or after the eyepatch.

"Has that happened to you. Suddenly you...Wake up, and you've changed, and you remember things that hadn't even happened yet?"

Sounds like he doesn't need to say much. The guy gets it regardless. Showing oneself is an act of vulnerability that Constantine can't afford. For him, in order to protect himself, he finds he needs to keep things at a certain distance. Even if there is no point in hiding there is every reason to hide.

Constantine huffs out a sigh and nods, "I can respect that." AT least for the most part when it comes to his people. "So you're trying to unite the divided." How was that going for him?

"Seeing as how you're a wannabe historian though, I can imagine this world piquing your interest."

[settleintoash]

She looks shocked, which in turn makes his own eyebrows raise. Her tone had even shifted. Oh well, if he has a terrible reputation, he's not entirely bothered by it. Not even just not entirely, not at all. In fact, once he's over his surprise, he looks a bit amused.

"Oh, yeah, it was when those portals came up,"

"Honestly, I'm just glad that we went to this Fontaine rather than where I was at the time, if that's how that works." He goes back to eating cheese cubes, considering that perhaps their conversation had started to cause others to avoid the cheese cubes.

"But yeah, we're friends. We brawled in the arena, and then the rest is history." At that, the tips of his pointed ears turn a tad red, and he looks a bit embarrassed. "I know he has his own history, but he's really a nice guy." Not entirely sure why he feels the need to defend him, he still does.

"Wriothesley!?" That name comes as a shock. It isn't that she's displeased to hear that Wriothesley is here, but to meet someone who kept decent company with him surprises her. It's written on her face, and her sudden pitch in tone must be a little concerning, too. "Well, I know him, all right…" she sighs, popping another cheese cube into her mouth and chews a little disgruntedly.

"I don't believe I was…but you've even been to Fontaine!?" It seemed she was missing a lot more than she thought. But to go back to his previous statement at knowing Wriothesley.. "My father was more familiar with him than I ever was. I've never been directly involved with him, but I do know of him." And all the rumors that seemed to swirl with him. A decent man, but one that should be dealt with cautiously.

"Hm…and you're friends, you say? That is interesting indeed…"

[settleintoash]

"You don't have to, but..." He continues for his companion, not finishing the sentence but leaving the thought there. He understood well enough, his own machinations not something he wanted to entirely divulge even to his closest companions, lest any of their carefully laid plans over years get messed up.

Even now, it's hard to show yourself, whether that be physically or emotionally.

"Doesn't bother me. I think focusing too much on something like that takes away from our current battles. And if we did know, people might use things like that as a way to further divide the Sarkaz, when they need to be united right now." Scratching his stubble, he chuckles,

"That's not to say I think things like that are better off not knowing, but I'm a wannabe historian, so it's hard for me to think anything is worth not knowing."

Constantine huffs at the man's words but doesn't seem at all bothered that he now has companion. "I guess I don't have to since I'm here." But for someone who had been hiding it around other people, it finds it hard to just stop hiding.

"Does it bother you not knowing?" He can relate in a way. Being unsure of what or who you are and where you come from. Constantine remembers the time when he had been lost.

"You think some things are better off not knowing?"

[settleintoash]

[An entry in a journal, written in Sarkaz, although made readable by the island's universal translator.]

9th of May, Spirale Island Calendar

It's still strange to get used to an entirely different system of keeping time. I haven't been dating much of anything, although I've been more concerned in noting down what exactly this place is, and what the place of the Sarkaz is, here.

The place of the Sarkaz largely seems to be simply existing - which is largely different from fighting to exist in its stability. Myself, Ines, and W are here - coexisting as we used to except not quite. I think this kind of life makes us all a bit restless. We've spent so much of our lives on the battlefield, that something this domestic just isn't something any of us are used to anymore. Maybe never.

Food on the table. Easy, accessible. Whatever we want, really. I could go get a job at the local school, except most of the people here are more educated than me. It feels like a stretch, thinking that I could teach anyone anything in a place like this. Not like my dreams about Kazdel, where I know I'd be needed.

And maybe that's the issue, being needed. Whittling away my days as I try and figure out what's next. Twice now I've woken up with new scars, new memories. New aches.

I know Ines and W know. They can read me well enough to know I didn't just go and cut my hair, or gain these new scars out of nowhere. It's easier, since none of us have to pretend, even if it's exhausting to experience even more battles, only to wake up here.

What a strange place. What an odd experience.

The knowledge that just anyone can show up doesn't sit well with me. I'm glad the three of us are together so we can face whatever else may come.

There are Rhodes Island Operators here, faces I know better now due to our cooperation. But I trust them as much as they trust me - namely, not much.