hadriel_logs | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Who: Glacius and you!
What: As per usual, various prompts for various characters, open and closed options.
Where: Various locations in the city.
When: Mid-July.
Warnings: N/A, will update if the need arises.

Delight's Bar - OPEN

Ever since Delight's bar had been constructed and the goddess had taken it upon herself to throw a giant party that had caused Glacius much aggravation, he'd given the establishment a fairly wide berth. He'd never had much reason to go in, anyways; he wasn't familiar with any of the fancy human drinks served within (and was perfectly fine with subsisting off of water), and it was usually packed with people and fairly noisy, both of which were usually reason enough to push the alien away. He wasn't a particularly sociable creature, and he preferred his peace and quiet... but today he'd been summoned, and given that he was meeting someone here on business, he was going to have to do his best to make a good impression.

So the alien stands on the street corner across from the bar, trying to prepare himself for this endeavor. He takes a deep breath and squares his shoulders and then crosses over, pushing the door open and walking into the establishment. There are a good number of humans here, enough to make his shoulders hitch up slightly... but it's still very early, which means that it's not as crowded as he's expecting, and most people are already hunched over their own drinks or engaged in their own conversations. Nobody moves to bolt immediately at the sight of the massive alien creature that looks more like an icy monolith, and only a few of them give him long, hard or wary stares... Glacius does his best to ignore them as he moves into the bar, looking for the person he's supposed to meet. If anyone else in Delight's bar takes notice of the otherworldly being and would like to strike up a conversation, they're welcome to get his attention before he leaves.

Emily's Lakeside Shop- CLOSED to Emily

It had been a rough couple of weeks for the ice alien, whose mood had not been helped in the least by the waning health of his fireflies. He'd been noticeably saddened by this when he posted to the network, hoping against hope that there was something that could be done for them... and though that was still up in the air, at least there were people that cared about him watching the network today. He'd received a few invitations to help and a few other offers to visit with people, which he'd accepted, thankful for the distractions from everything.

First up, he is on his way to visit Emily in her shop, which as it turned out was not all that far from the place where he'd been living as of late. Casting a few looks at the map he'd sent him just to be sure he hadn't made a wrong turn anywhere, the alien made his way over. The location was nice; the ornate glass windows of the shop caught the sun well, and the river that cut its way through the city was visible through the grounds. After taking a little bit of time to look around, the alien approached the storefont and knocked on the door... and thankfully there are no bleeding monster carcasses in hand. He has, however, brought something else that might seem odd to a random passerby, operating under a misconception in hopes to pay Emily back for all the kindness she's shown him thus far.

Glacius' Apartment- CLOSED to Kate

After his visit with Emily, Glacius heads north again, making a much longer walk up to the Colosseum to meet with Kate. He doesn't like visiting this place; it was where he woke up in Hadriel, the arena inside the first thing he saw when he was brought to this cursed place.

Just considering the way his life and his mission on earth had been completely upset is enough to make some of his bad mood come back... but at least that's about the worst of what he's suffering. At least this time they weren't meeting with any heavy topics burdening their souls. They were just meeting one another to converse, to chat casually like... friends might do. The thought was still an odd one to Glacius, but given how heavy things were lately, he was glad for the respite. His relief meant that he wasn't quite fretting as much over what to do or how to act with a human than he usually might; after the two meet up and make the walk back to the Spires together, he leads Kate into his apartment and gestures for her to make herself comfortable, then emulates how she had welcomed him in when he had visited her residence not all that long ago.

"Here we are. Would you like anything to drink? Something to help hyrdate you after the walk over?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

For lack of a better idea, Maketh has set up two mugs of coffee at the bar. Hers is done in the way she likes - heavy on the cream and with a hint of sugar. She's left the other mug alone. Perhaps Glacius would like it better black? It's possible the drink won't be compatible with his physiology at all.

Nonetheless, it's polite to offer. This seems an easier way of getting to know him as well. He's one of the more elusive members of the guard, for reasons of his own.

It's not hard to spot Glacius when he arrives; the door swings open and a towering ice alien steps foot inside, sticking out like a sore thumb among the rest of the much more human crowd. He goes very still for a moment, trying to ignore the way a few people turn to stare, then beings moving further into the establishment, his eyes scanning over the people within. He's looking for the woman that he remembers meeting once before, when he'd been dragging a carcass in a misguided attempt to pay back nonexistant shopkeepers...

He spots Maketh before too long, immediately heading over to her. Maybe if the humans in here see him interacting with one of their own, it will ease their suspicions too much. At least no one seems actively angry or frightened, or nosy enough to try and eavesdrop on their conversation! Glacius folds his arms behind his back and dips his head in a polite bow of greeting... and then, after eyeballing the seats at the bar--seats that look a little on the small side to him--opts to stand. He's tall enough that it shouldn't be awkward, though if she asks him to sit, he will.

"Maketh, correct?"

Maketh rises to greet him, standing at attention with her arms at her side. Despite the posture, she smiles as he approaches. Though she doesn't know him well, Maketh appreciates his attitude, the way he carries himself. He seems to have a kind heart. "Yes. Thank you for seeing me."

Glacius interprets Maketh's straight posture as one of formality, which he is actually more accustomed to than the fairly casual interactions with people that he's had in this cave thus far. The official, respectful demeanor comes completely naturally to the alien, which is helpful given that he's aware she might potentially be evaluating him even now. He only rises out of his bow when she speaks, returning her greeting with a pleasant smile of his own.

"It is no problem; thank you for being willing to conduct this meeting. It will be good, I think, to have something to focus my powers and abilities on more directly."

"We could use more who think as you do."

Maketh inclines her head to the bar. "I brought coffee. Humans often add things to it to mediate the taste. It's quite bitter. Would you like to try?"

"I would," Glacius nods--and now his grin shifts to something slightly more wry as he taps the concave curve just below his nasal cap, where a human's mouth might be located. "But you need not worry about the taste--as you can probably tell, I do not have a mouth, and thus, no facilities for taste. The closest I will probably ever come to such a sensation is my heightened sense of smell."

"Oh! I didn't wish to assume."

Lots of species have different ways of consuming things. Maketh hesitates. "Can you consume liquids?"

Glacius raises one hand, as if waving off the woman's concern. "I can. Given that my the entire secondary layer of my anatomy is comprised of them, such a thing is quite necessary. My method of ingestion is just... rather different from yours."

Alright, now he's frowning a little. Given that he's so wrapped up in trying to make a good impression, he really hopes that the process won't weird her out! It, like the few looks that he got when he walked into the bar, are an uncomfortable reminder of how out of place he is. But the ice alien does his best to remind himself of how few and far between those that have judged him for his difference have truly been; he's going to try and get off on the right foot here by not assuming the worst fro Maketh.

It's understandable, Maketh supposes. Different biology, different ways of consuming things. She shrugs, inclining her head to the coffee. "You needn't hold back on my account. My home was composed of many different species."

That, at least, causes Glacius' interest to perk slightly. It's much easier to focus on this than it is his reservations about their meeting place, or about their physiological differences! "Oh? I see. That is good to know; in the world that I come from, humans have had no contact with beings beyond their own planet. I suppose this explains why you do not seem all that surprised by me, then." And her willingness to work with a being so different from herself hopefully suggests respectful--or at least peaceful--relations between the humans and other species of her universe.

"I believe you mentioned that, yes."

It's not all that strange. Some worlds are extremely isolated, and defensive about outsiders. Some - though not many - have yet to develop space travel.

She decides not to mention how the Empire treats those who are not human. It's not helpful here.

"On the planet I was raised, the population was quite mixed. I'm not unused to the idea."

"Now that is a very unusual concept. Though I know a great many species that interact with one another, very few of them actually inhabit the same worlds--and I know for a fact that is something my people would never do, for a number of reasons. But it must work out alright if that's the way things have been since you were born," Glacius concludes, rubbing his chin slightly. Then he flicks his glance to Maketh, looking like he's just remembered something. "Anyways... I did not mean to divert the subject. This topic interests me, is all. If you would like to get back on track..."

Though he likes learning about the various people he meets--and of all the differences in their cultures--he still remembers that they're meeting here on business. The last thing he wants is for the woman evaluating him to feel like he's wasting her time!

"Not all species can. Those that don't breathe oxygen, for instance, don't often come down without specialized equipment. It's not effective for long-term situations."

It still happens from time to time, for travel and trade arrangements, but not that often. Lothal is remote.

Maketh offers him a little smile. "No need. I'd like to get to know you better. If that's what you'd wish to discuss, then I welcome it."

"Oh--alright. I simply was not sure how formal this is going to be..." Glacius explains, scratching at the side of one mandibular support. "I admit, I am never quite sure what to expect from the happenings in this city. Often times, things run counter to my expectations... but that is not always a bad thing."

Maketh quips a smile. "I've had a similar experience. This place is like nothing I've known. Even under the circumstances, I'm glad for the company I keep."

"You know... a very short time ago, I would not have agreed," Glacius responds, his voice going solemn, his gaze introspective. He's the only one of his kind here; he's been separated from his people for so long. Every time he's mistaken for one of the monsters that lurks in the cave it's a painful reminder, and every now and then when he sees a group of humans spending time together it feels like the gods are rubbing his solitude in his face. That all is still true, of course, but the blows have been lessened somewhat by the friends he's made.

So he carries on: "But I have met many kind people in this place... and though it took me quite some time, I am beginning understanding what a difference they make." Now he lifts his head again, green eyes fastening in on Maketh--abstract thought replaced with clear intent. "That is why I want to join the guard. To help fight back against the threats the gods heap against us, yet... but also to protect those that have become important to me."

Edited 2016-07-28 00:03 (UTC)

Maketh nods, more solemnly this time. That too she understands. None of these people would have belonged at her side back on Lothal. But a dead woman has no place there either. All she has is what she can grasp with her two hands - right in front of her. "These people are worth protecting. They made me remember...remember what it's like to care for others, instead of just--maintaining order. It's strange to say that."

Glacius goes silent for some time, looking Maketh over. The truth of the matter is that hits closer to home than he was expecting. Maintaining order... yes, that could be a way of describing his affairs with humanity before Hadriel. For so long he was carrying out his mission simply because it was for the greater good of the universe, and because he wanted to do his best to maintain peace despite everything humanity had done to him. Now he was here, and there were actually humans whose wellbeing he was personally invested in... that he cared about, as Maketh put it. It certainly was a strange thought, one that he was still adjusting to... but it wasn't bad.

"I think you and I have grounds for understanding," the ice alien rumbles out after all he's mulled over. "Back in my universe, I worked as a galactic marshal. I protected the wellbeing of many, even some that I felt might not be worthy of it--such was humanity's case. But these humans do deserve it. Therefore, I have a duty to them. I will see to it."

Maketh nods just once. "I was a minister, once. I was meant to be a peacekeeper, but--it was not to be. I have a duty to protect these people, and ensure what happened to my home does not happen here."

Now that's an interesting thing to mention. Glacius tilts his head ever-so-slightly, very much wanting to ask what happened, but knowing the question would probably be in poor taste. He can make a few guesses at least--and if she really wanted him to know, she would have explained it after bringing it up, wouldn't she?

"Politics are difficult things, easy to get tangled up in," the ice alien replies, being careful with his response. "Whatever happened, I am sure you have learned from it."

Maketh quips a smile. That's a kind way of putting it. "I have. Or at least I hope as much. But I did promise you coffee. I suppose I should get on that."

"Oh, ah, yes," Glacius blinks, seeming to be taken slightly off-guard by the sudden jump from a serious topic to a more casual one. He can't say that he isn't curious, however! "I take it this place is like the shops, and is restocked by the god that constructed it..?"

"Exactly so." Maketh smiles. "And it is well stocked. Plain coffee is rather bitter, but it can be mediated by adding certain ingredients. Cream, for instance."

"And... that means that I did not accidentally walk out the door wihtout a proper form of payment, then?" the ice alien tacks on, sounding a mixture of sheepish but hopeful. He's still figuring out how things work around here, and the last thing he wants to do is have the head of the organization he's joining feel like she has to provide for him.

Maketh smiles a little, gently. "You needn't worry about that, sir. This place is just like the shops. We take what we need, and Delight restocks them as she pleases. Thus far she hasn't poisoned the drinks."