hadriel_logs | Does anybody know a way that a body could get away?

Entry tags:

Does anybody know a way that a body could get away?

Who: Glacius and you! Open and closed starters for all your needs, so come on in!
What: June catch-all log for Glacius for the purpose of pursuing existing CR or establishing new relations.
Where: Various locations in the city, specified in the starters.
When: The beginning of June.
Warnings: N/A, will update as the need arises.

Shopping District - OPEN

Glacius is on a mission today, one that happens to be bringing him towards the center of the city--a more frequently populated area where he rarely travels due to his reclusive nature. He doesn't like drawing attention to himself--even for a non-human, he's particularly exotic-- but he knows he can't remain on the fringes of society forever, despite his fear that people might jump to assumptions around him. Still, if the sight of a massive ice alien walking down the streets isn't enough to turn the heads of Hadriel's more "normal" inhabitants, the fact that he's dragging the heavy carcass of some unfortunate cave-dwelling monster in the street behind him as he moves towards the shopping district probably isn't helping.

He doesn't yet understand how the shops work. No one had been around when he'd visited them to try and find supplies to care for the fireflies when they filled the cavern, so he had taken supplies from them since there had been no other option... but that felt odd to the alien. He didn't want to be a thief and he didn't want to steal, and he'd heard that people in the city often traded for the meat and pelts of monsters in the cave, so he planned to return later with something that he could use to trade for what he took. That explains the massive body he's dragging with him now; it's much larger than him, burly and powerfully built and covered in thick shaggy fur, and yet there doesn't appear to be a spot of damage on Glacius for his efforts.

He's aware that the sight of one massive creature dragging the dead body of another might draw attention at best or be cause for alarm or fearful self-defense at worst, so he's trying to get his done as quickly as possible. Hopefully if someone does come up to him, it will be either to trade, to point him in the right direction, or maybe just to explain why this attempt might be slightly misguided.

Park - CLOSED to Cecily

Sometimes when Glacius has time to himself he comes to the park. It's big enough that he can usually find space to himself, the sound of running water is peaceful--if not slightly strange to a being that hails from a world where most of the water is frozen--and the shade of the large trees is nice and cool. Usually it's the perfect place for him to go when he wants to get away from the city, but doesn't want to be quite as far out or at as much risk as he might be if he was sticking to the system of caves.

... Usually. Lately this place has come to host some dark, troubling memories: it's the place where his will was subverted by Rage and he was turned against an innocent woman. Even now, he still remembers the pain on her face as he attacked her clear as day, and the upwelling of guilt and remorse is still strong enough that the peaceful alien feels as though he might choke on it. He shouldn't be here... but he so desperately makes things right, and so there's a part of him that hopes he might find Cecily back here one day. So he visits the park regularly and simply sits on that bench, forcing himself to endure the memories as he waits.

He hasn't seen her since, but he doesn't know what else to do. In fact, he's not even sure what he will do if she comes across him. She hadn't seemed particularly angry at him right after the attack, but he'd be surprised if she hadn't grown to scorn him in the time that had passed. Makers knew he was certainly horrified and upset enough with himself, and the spikes that protrude from his hip are still showing signs of the damage that he enraged husband had dealt to him when it was his turn to be targeted. Whatever she deems necessary, the alien has already decided--even if it comes down to punishment, to recompense. That is the cost for inciting harm upon an innocent.

Spires- CLOSED to Nick

After receiving a message from Nick Valentine in his inbox--which was Glacius' first time learning of that function of the device, in fact--the two had conversed, and the synth had managed to do something that no one else in the city of Hadriel had: he'd gotten the location of the ice alien's current living space. For all this time, Glacius has still been keeping close to the caves due to his wariness of the human inhabitants of Hadriel, and his need for space and privacy. Rage's games in which the city's inhabitants had been reduced to assassins and targets had only exacerbated this, and the guilt he was suffering since has also made showing his face around the city feel less and less appealing.

Nick was at least understanding, and had managed to coax the alien into trying to find a more suitable living space. Glacius knew that his stay in the caves could last, it probably shouldn't; it was just a temporary location he'd picked out when he didn't realize just how long he'd be trapped in Hadriel. It was a patch job over something that needed more thorough work; it was uncivilized, unbecoming. It was also unsafe--even with his considerable combat prowess, the sheer amount of monsters in the winding tunnels was no small threat, and knowing he could get attacked at any time forced him to keep one eye open, making it hard to get decent rest.

So the synth had agreed to help him find a new place to reside, somewhere that struck a good balance for the alien--somewhere a little more comfortable and easily accessible without being too close to the more populated areas of the city, allowing his sense of privacy to stay intact. If Glacius could get more explanation on how things worked in the city in the process, that would be a bonus. He's waiting by the bridge over the southeast region of the river that leads to one of the beaten roads, green eyes scanning his surroundings for Nick.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

At this point it's masochistic, how Emily goes to the shops in search of clothes. There's just not much else to do when the gods aren't dicking with the poor saps who've been dragged here, and Emily doesn't really want to hang around the house and talk about all those dreams everybody just shared. Besides, there's always the slim chance she'll find something worthwhile in one of the shops. She misses good fabric so much, to say nothing of nicer styles.

It's as she walks out of one of the shops that she sees her rescuer dragging a monster carcass into the city. Okay, weird, but not the weirdest thing. (If she ever gets back home, she's going to be so unimpressed with everything. She's not sure how she feels about that, actually.)

Whatever that thing is, it's dead, so she feels safe walking up to him on the street. She has thanked him since he saved her, but that's it, and (as much as she hates to admit it) she feels a little bad about that. If nothing else, she should talk to him now and then so he remembers her or whatever -- or better still, she should spend time with him every so often because she feels safe around him.

A literal alien with an ice body, and he makes her feel safe. What a world she lives in.

"Uh," she begins as she approaches him, "what are you doing with that."

For a moment, Glacius does not seem to recognize Emily. Rage's little game of assassins had been long ago and the alien is suffering from much more harrowing memories of that time; they also simply did not converse much before she had gone on to take her friend to safety, which was understandable to him. After looking her up and down, however, her face seems to slot into place. He blinks, then looks down to the corpse.

"I am taking this creature to the shops in hopes that I may use it as compensation for supplies that I took one day," he explains, quite matter-of-factly. The confusion in her voice seems to give him pause, though. "...Why. Is this not... common practice?"

Oh, honey.

"Paying for things is how you get things back where I'm from, but shithole cavetown doesn't work like that. Here, you just take what you need."

Emily crosses her arms and leans to the side a little to get a better look at the monster. Not that she needs to -- it's fucking enormous -- but still. "Did you go out and kill that thing just to pay for whatever you took?" Or did he do it because someone was in danger? Either way, damn, he's strong.

"That's how it works where I am from, too," Glacius starts, seeming at least a little reassured that human society is not so backwards that they just take without concern or regulation. Emily's question stops him and makes him blink, and then he immediately drops the limb he'd been dragging the creature by and raises his hands. Does she think he's a senseless killer, hungry for violence? He doesn't want to make a bad second impression!

"I--I only killed it to provide for myself. I would never harm a creature without reason--" Wait, does that make is sound like he's looking for a reason? The alien looks a little trapped, stumbling over his words slightly as he continues. "--I mean, I do not enjoy inciting conflict or causing pain for any reason. I didn't know that paying was... unnecessary, apparently, and didn't know how else to compensate for what I took. And it seemed better to hunt one of the cave-dwelling creatures that poses a risk to this city's inhabitants than... anything else."

"Whoa, chill. I'm not like, accusing you of anything."

(She doesn't even think about how ironic it is to tell a literal ice alien to chill.)

"I was just curious." Emily shrugs. No big deal, no harm no foul. "And I mean, your logic is good. I'm sure no one's mad you killed one of those monsters."

The fewer things that can kill her out there, the better.

"What'd you take, that you brought back such a gigantic monster in payment?"

(And the pun goes right over the serious and usually very literal ice alien's head!)

"Oh, ah. Alright," the alien responds, seeming to settle back somewhat at her reassurances. Maybe he shouldn't care so much about what one lone human thinks about him, but he does. "I took some thing that I could use to care for some of those... little glowing insects. A jar, some insulating material..." Yep, that's all. When it comes to monster hunting, you don't exactly have time to window shop and pick out one that seems to be of appropriate size. He's just now realizing the disparity there, and now he doesn't know quite what to do with the (unnecessary) body he has on his hands.

He raises his eyebrows and looks to Emily. "...Why, do you want some of it?"

"That's it?" Oh honey, you are way too sweet to be here. "Everybody took jars when the fireflies were around. I'm pretty sure Delight wanted us to take jars. More fireflies means more happiness, and that's what she feeds off." Emily shrugs.

And then she blinks slowly when he makes his offer, arching her eyebrows. "Um... no, thanks. I'm good. I, um... I'm a vegetarian now." It's probably safe to eat the monster, but she'd kind of rather not make her first bit of meat after a while be... whatever that is. "You keep it. You've earned it, big guy." She flashes him a smile. "You saved my life. That's kind of a big deal."

"Yes, but..." Glacius trails off, realizing that what he was about to say about that being what he's come to expect from humans is horribly biased. He was honestly sort of assuming that society in this cave had become backwards. "...Well, I guess I never thought of it like that. And I didn't want to do anything wrong..."

He nods, not exactly surprised that she isn't enticed by a bloody corpse--perhaps if he had skinned it and picked out the good cuts of meat it would seem more appetizing, but he hadn't quite gotten to that part yet. What he is surprised by is the praise; he looks to her, eyes widening a little bit. "You were in peril; I would not just leave someone to suffer. I am simply glad that I arrived in time. Rage's effects were..." Now he trails off, familiar grief coloring his voice and his tone as he thinks back on that event. The alien shakes his head, looking away again.

"You didn't do anything wrong with that, trust me." She's not like... a judge here or anything, but Emily is pretty sure none of the gods is mad at Glacius. Maybe Rage, a little, for not letting that guy murder her.

But why is he... oh.

"Did-- did you hurt someone? It's not your fault if you did, you know. Rage fucked with us. It's not on you."

"It is different for my people," Glacius explains, still unable to bring himself to look at her despite the reassurances. "We pride ourselves on remaining in control of our bodies, our minds, our emotions. And we are never, ever to harm innocents--even the fighters of our kinds." Which he himself qualifies as, of course. "I appreciate the kindness I have been shown, but I know it is an atrocity I have committed, and the subversion of my will leaves my mind tormented."

So he feels guilty because it's against his morals, his heritage, and his entire life.

God. Glacius doesn't belong here at all.

Emily approaches him, hesitant -- not because he's a big ice alient, or even because it's a personal space thing (she'll totally comfort her friends if they need her, holding their hand or putting a hand on their back), but because she doesn't know how he'll react. Cultural differences and all of that. She leans forward a bit, seeking his gaze, as she says, "Well, nobody here blames you, and you shouldn't either. This is, like, really fucking unfair, you know? These gods or whatever are just playing with us like we're their toys. I almost killed a guy too, but I talked to him about it, and now we're... not friendly or anything, but we're cool. So maybe you can talk to whoever Rage made you attack?"

Giving him space is wise--not because he would lash out, but because that is something else that is taken very seriously in his culture: the respecting of boundaries. Her respect of his now is something that he notices and appreciates, finally lifting those glowing green eyes to meet her gaze. He understands what she's saying, of course--he'd never been more painfully aware that he was just a mere tool to the gods than when Rage subverted his will--but that doesn't make what happened any easier.

"I have been trying," Glacius admits, "But I have not been able to find them since. I keep visiting the place where it... where it all happened, hoping they might return, but it has been to no avail." Not surprising, he muses, given what happened. Cecily might avoid the park for some time thanks to him (or Rage, really, but as has become apparent he's been unable to hoist the blame off yet). "I would not be surprised if they did their best to avoid me, either."

She figures that, when in doubt, it's probably better to err on the polite side of things. Besides, she may be a bitch a lot of the time, but she's not rude.

(Also, his eyes are really cool, even if that is irrelevant. They're a pretty shade of green.)

"Give it some time, I guess." Emily shrugs. "Sometimes people just need to get away for a while to process things. If they're not a jerk, then they'll realize that you're not a murderer. And, shit, if you want someone to put in a good word for you, I can tell them how you helped me. There's a lot of people here who probably would've just let me to get killed. What you did, that's like, really nice."

It's not really Emily's business how people here treat one another as long as she isn't affected, but... god, Glacius looks so sad. He's too nice for that.

(He reminds her a little bit of Matt, too, in that he puts others ahead of himself, is considerate, uses his strength for good, avoids hurting people as far as is possible. She can't help Matt right now, but she can at least try to do something nice for Glacius.)

"You would do that for me," Glacius acknowledges, the sentiment enough to break up some of that sorrow to allow a small smile through, one that is equal parts surprised by and appreciative. "... Thank you. It is very kind of you to be willing to stand up for me like that. Though I hope to not have to involve you in these sordid affairs, I will remember it."

Not that he would have left her to suffer just because of the words of one man--her suggestion that there are others in this cave that might have causes a pang of frustration in his hearts-- but the ice alien is happy to see that he made the right choice in defending her. Though they don't know each other very well, so far Emily has shown herself to be kind and understanding. It's the sort of company he could get used to, at least as far as humans go. "You have been well since the attack? That man never came after you again--or anyone else for that matter?"

If she's offering to stand by him then he will do the same for her, even if he's currently positing that sentiment in a roundabout manner with his question.

Edited 2016-06-06 18:31 (UTC)

If Emily knew what he were thinking, she'd deny it. That's not what people think about when Emily comes to mind or comes up in conversation. She's cultivated the ice queen image because it keeps her safe and helps her get to where she needs to be. No one is allowed to know the part of her that's softer, that will protect her friends with all she's got and then some.

Glacius saved her life, and he isn't being a jerk about it, lording it over her or guilting her into doing whatever he wants her to do. He could snap her like a twig, and yet he won't even touch her. Instead, he's feeling guilty over something that isn't even his fault. So... okay, yeah. He gets a fast pass onto Emily's "worth being nice to" list.

"Yeah, I've been okay. I haven't seen that guy anywhere for a while now. I wonder if he's even still here." Did he feel guilty for what he'd done? Emily may not like him, but she'd at least tell him it wasn't his fault.

As for Glacius, she knows how he's been since then: feeling guilty. They've already covered that there's nothing she can do about that, though, so she won't try again.

"I'm glad that dream thing's over. Did you do okay with that?"

"I'm glad. If he ever shows up again, or if anyone else threatens you, well... we have those little personal communication devices..." Glacius trails off, unable to just come out and say that she can call him whenever... he doesn't really do that with a lot of people, or, well, anyone. He's a being that prefers his space, so acknowledging the fact that someone technically has a direct line to him is a little uncomfortable... but he doesn't want her to feel snubbed, either. So for now, she'll have to make due with the indirect suggestion; at least she can be happy knowing it's more than most people get from him!

At the mention of the dreams, the ice alien frowns. "I too am glad that is over." He really did not appreciate having light shed so openly on his past or his goals; they were very personal, things he only felt right sharing with those that he trusted deeply. But then again, the gods never did care about boundaries. "I... did about as well as I could, I suppose. It felt uncomfortable, being given such direct views into so many people's lives... but at least no one was actually hurt." As he says this, one of his hands drifts to his abdomen, where he clearly remembers being impaled on the searing energy blades of a deadly fighting machine in one of his dreams. He shakes the painful memory off, dropping his hand as he snaps out of his thoughts. "What about you? I hope they did not dig up anything too traumatizing."

That roundabout way of getting the point across is something Emily is familiar with, actually. Talking around things and being hesitant with suggestions is kind of a thing in Japanese, so it feels natural to fall into that kind of interaction with Glacius. He certainlly merits the respect. "Thanks. And like, I know I can't really help you, but if you ever just want to talk or whatever, you know how to reach me."

She can make a mean cup of coffee. She can make him iced coffee if he prefers.

"Right? I know a little too much about some people now." Like that racist asshole. Emily would rather not have learned what she did from that idiot's dreams. Better not to get to know a person, really. Keep them away, and cutting them down with a word doesn't hurt. "I died at least three times in dreams. I do not want to die in real life again."

Now, there are only a few situations where people put their hand where he does: pain or pregnancy, plus a fe wothers she doesn't want to consider. She's pretty sure Glacius isn't pregnant (how do ice aliens even reproduce), and he doesn't look like he's in pain, so it must be from the dreams. (Duh, Em. That's what you two are talking about.) But because she's already figured out his culture errs on the polite side of life, she doesn't bring it up. It would feel really weird to talk about it in English, now that she thinks about it. It's just not built the right way to talk like that.

Better to just answer his question and move along. "Not all of it was bad." She shrugs. "I mean, of course Fear and Rage picked the worst possible thing, but whatever. It's over now."

(How not to deal with your problems: a memoir by Emily.)

"Oh--that is, ah, very gracious of you," Glacius blinks, sounding slightly surprised and confused by the suggestion. The offer of simply talking about his problems isn't one he hears often, especially not since he's been separated from his people so long. And in his culture, letting someone in like that is usually reserved for very close friends or family... so either humans take this sort of thing much less seriously than they do, or Emily considers him a friend.

The thought makes the alien blush a little. He lowers his head.

"I am sorry to hear that you suffered," he responds. "As for your suggestion that it is over, I suppose that is true... but it will not be long before the gods try something new, and your life is at risk again due to their callous attempts to seize power. In that case, my offer remains open to you. You have been kind to me, willing to stand up for me... it would not be right if I did not provide the same for you."

Oh she totally doesn't miss that blush. She has an eye for color, for patterns, all the things one would associate with fashion. An ice alien blushing purple isn't something she wouldn't notice, and it's how he bows his head a little that gives away that it's a blush.

He is so sweet. How cute! But she's not going to bring it up to him. Embarrassing him would go against the way she's guessing this conversation should go.

"All right." Emily smiles at him, though it's short-lived and soon turns into a frown. "We better enjoy the calm while it lasts."

He would appreciate not being called out on the blush had he known she even noticed! As it is the color quickly fades; it takes a lot to break through his cool, unaffected exterior, and he's usually good at reclaiming it if given a few moments.

"That is some sage advice, if ever I heard any from a human," the ice alien chuckles, "I'm not sure if you would find my methods very exciting, though. I like to just sit back, watch and listen... maybe do some focusing exercises and stretches if I can find the time. I have to stay limber, after all."

If it were anyone else, Emily would challenge that assessment. What the hell does he mean, that humans are idiots? Please. ~~If they are when compared to other species, she isn't, thank you very much.~~ But it's Glacius, and she can't really see him being like her and taking casual shots at people for the hell of it.

Besides, how cute is it that an ice alien built like a warrior cares about staying in shape?

"No shit?" She snickers. "That sounds kind of nice, actually. Relaxing." She should really get into things like that. If she ever gets back home, she'll be lean and deadly.

Hell yeah.

Even an ice alien has to maintain a rockin' bod! It's harder, here, in a place where he doesn't have any dedicated sparring partners, though his run-ins with the monsters in the cave have allowed him to keep his skills sharp outside of dedicated practice.

"No.. what?" Glacius blinks, completely unfamiliar not only with the process of defecation but with any slang for it to boot. "Ah... yes. It is relaxing. That is why I do it." If he knew she was interested in learning he'd be all for lending his assistance in that regard--given his focus and patience, he would actually make a good teacher. For now she's getting mild confusion, given the track the conversation has been put on!

Oh right. Idioms. "Sorry. 'No kidding.'"

And Emily never would've expected the conversation to have ended up here either, given it started with discussing a giant monster corpse. Too bad she isn't much for sharing what's on her mind with someone who is essentially still a stranger. "Nice." She pauses, then nods at the corpse. "I guess I should let you deal with that. I'll see you around?"

No... kidding. Right. 'Kidding' is that thing humans do when they say what they do not mean--it does not directly refer to children, right? Glacius rubs his forehead quickly; dealing with humans is often so confusing. He casts a look down at the corpse when Emily nods to it it, bobbing his head slightly in agreement.

"I suppose I should figure out something to do with it." And it's not like standing around to watch him butcher it would be exciting or even pleasant work. He can't blame her for attempting to find a way out of this conversation. "Ah--yes. You may. If you need my assistance I will do my best to be there. Good-bye for now; I wish you good fortune until our next meeting."

If he ever asks her one day, Emily will explain it to him. Though really, Chris is probably the better option on that front. He's more patient.

"You'll find something. Maybe someone will trade you something nice for a good cut of meat." Her stomach turns a little at the thought of eating something that clearly doesn't come from her planet, but she manages a small and sincere smile. "Bye!"

She gives a quick wave before she heads off back to the house for lunch.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Does anybody know a way that a body could get away?

shops

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

oH CRAP I THOUGHT I TAGGED THIS I AM SO SORRY

it okay frand!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject