[ Oh, I see. You would take me to an AA'd country which would be funny. Adolphe would recognize a lot of country names since apparently Virche is weird like that. ]
Then this country has a justice system.
[ Weird to think about, but makes sense.
With less people in this area, he becomes more attentive, though he thinks he can take on a good amount of enemies if he has to if this ends up leading him to places he doesn't want to be... He doesn't quite have his hand on the hilt of his sword, but he's ready to unsheathe it if anything were to ambush him when the door opens.
But this is what he gets and he's left. Gawking, a bit. Eyes blinking. My god. ]
... Ah. [ He almost doesn't go in the building, but one step in and it hits him a second time around. ] It's...
[ Tries to find a word as he looks at all the "decor." Is there even any place to sit with everything strewn around? It feels like there's barely a place to STAND. WHY IS THE FORK FLOATING? IS THIS SPAGHETTI REAL? ]
[ yeah just go to the middle of somewhere in asia, it's fine. alas. here we are. ]
Does yours not? [ that is even weirder to think about given how much the law has shaped his trajectory in life. but he notices that adolphe is just... staring... and he feels his shoulders droop a little because: ]
I know. It was like this before I started working here. Welcome to the Wright Anything Agency. [ dry. he is pained. how is anyone meant to take him seriously. there is some space on the couches, but there is so much random stuff for magic shows and props and papers and actual other garbage apollo doesn't even know where to begin. ] Uh, the couch is safe though. Last I checked.
Adolphe gives one more scan of the room, then at the allegedly safe couch. Ultimately, he decides he will just stand. Like Apollo, he also doesn't know where to begin with this agency.
There's no reason to point out the obvious that they both have eyes and shame to see. He circles back to the earlier question. ]
... Not really. Investigations are conducted, but the culprit is sent to execution. There's no place for defense.
[ correct. he does not blame adolphe for standing, but apollo himself goes and leans against the piano that's in the room, arms folded over his chest to watch him curiously. ]
... if a defendant is found guilty, or even if a guilty party is found, and the crime's big enough the death penalty can come into play. But it's not always the case. There has to be an investigation and then a trial where each side presents evidence to prove the accusation is true. [ there's a frown. ] Sounds like you could execute a lot of innocent people your way.
[ Arms folded truly is the defensive and/or thinky pose. He takes in what Apollo says and... It makes so much more sense than whatever Arpéchéle does, but he hasn't questioned it. It's hard to when it's something you accept and lived with your whole life.
Still, sometimes he thinks about some sent to execution may have not deserved it. ]
I don't doubt that. People find it easier to have a scapegoat.
[ Despicable... But if at all they had systems that worked, then... No, he isn't here for sociopolitical discussion. He had wanted a private place to talk and he cycles back to what Apollo originally asked. Where is he from? Awful question to answer. Next one. ]
I'm here to look for a solution—a cure... For a curse.
[ in this case it is currently the thinky pose. why is arpéchéle the way it is, actually? apollo has plenty of questions about that, but he's more distracted with what else adolphe has to say.
such as the talks of a curse, for instance. yes, yes, they could talk about scapegoats all day, but this is... unusual. ]
A curse. [ he repeats it just to make sure he's understood correctly. ] What... kind of a curse, exactly?
[ And what kind of a cure? Maybe that's the better question. ]
[ ... well. that's not at all where he thought this was going, so pardon him if he's left blinking at adolphe for a moment. ]
Is... living the curse itself, or are you... [ hold on, give him a second. he's almost twenty-three himself, so. ] Elaborate a little for me. Is this the curse or is that what you're trying to do?
... Living to twenty-three also means dying at twenty-three.
[ He tried to soften the blow a bit for someone who isn't from the cursed island, though he normally wouldn't. Right now, he's careful with his words, even though he trusted Apollo enough to take him to this enclosed
messy space.
It's hard to take Apollo as an assailant after seeing this agency, unfortunately, but he is on guard always. ]
It's a phenomena in the country I've been living in... Even though the rest of the world can live past it.
[ that's completely fair. some people have called apollo a demon solely because of his hair. but he hears what adolphe says, and he frowns for a moment because that sounds kind of. uh. bad? that sounds really bad actually. ]
So the country itself is the source of the curse. Do you have any idea how it may have started? Or if the curse will break if you leave the country?
[ You do have weird hair, Apollo, but Adolphe just thinks it's reminiscent of a parrot? A little birdie. That isn't enough for Adolphe to believe you need to be cut down, at least. ]
... I think it's either the island or it's the people there. [ Could it possibly be both? ] There was tale a century ago of a drifter, someone from beyond the sea, who washed to shore and that was how they learned their lifespan is abnormal. There aren't a lot of records dating further back.
[ There's a pause, a bit resistant for whatever reason to give this, but he is a private person. ]
I'm not going to die anytime soon. [ He is an adult by appearance. ] What's this country like?
[ this doesn't help narrow things down, but he listens to the story anyway. ]
And this drifter brought the abnormality to your island. [ well. ] People live almost four times as long as the people on your island. Things are busy here, people have jobs and families and rules in place to keep the country running. I think I told you a little about how trials and the law work here. There's a lot about this country that people may or may not like, depending on where you stand on certain things, but there are some places that're quieter than others. You kinda just happened to step into one of the busiest cities around.
More like the drifter brought with him the truth...
[ And so set the spiral of the people on the island, learning that they should be living longer than what they do. Ignorance is bliss. Adolphe doesn't seem that sympathetic to those plights, though. ]
It was very loud and crowded where I showed up. [ If he had a choice, he'd show up somewhere quieter with less people. It's fine. ] That means everything is normal here?
If you'd never met anyone outside of your island and nobody's ever come before I guess that would definitely turn everything upside down. [ which is its own headache. ]
That's just Los Angeles for you, but... yeah. People are busy and there's always a lot going on. Most people probably don't even think about death until it happens to them. Or they're about to be murdered. [ a pensive frown. there are many murders. ] "Normal" might be a stretch, but things are average here, let's go with that.
The fact that someone had to appear from the outside to even give you an idea people can live longer... [ your island is truly cursed. but he does appear to be thinking because while this is very unusual, apollo does find it interesting and would ultimately like to have some idea. ]
As much as we're an anything agency, I don't know if any of us personally know much in the way of development in technology. I may have some people to refer you to though? At least one. She's a detective with a forensics background, so she would know more about DNA and stuff.
[ me having been logged onto caleb lads like wow it really is very brunette in here ]
I'm not sure how long this has gone since there's a lack of records before the drifter showed up. Even then, books around that time weren't the most detailed.
[ When you die so young people probably didn't think much about recording history? Or does this seem very strange for whatever reason? ]
I'll take it. There are some samples I brought along with me... Arpéchéle has its share of geniuses, but an outsider's opinion might be what we need.
Probably because people thought maybe a solution would present itself and by the time they realized it wouldn't, it was too late. [ gloomy, thanks apollo. but he takes out his phone and begins to text someone. ]
It's a start. I don't know how much Ema might be able to help, but if she can't I'm sure she'll have some idea of who can. She'd probably kill me if I didn't at least give her the chance to look into it anyway. She goes nuts for this kind of stuff. [ ... ] What... kind of samples?
[ apollo is also brunette and OKAY. JUST WENT GLOOMY, except Adolphe doesn't think it's gloomy. He simply nods because he can see that happening to that fucked up island.
Well, he thinks to himself that he's glad he isn't the one to meet Ema? Apollo will buffer them in the middle in this case, though Adolphe may be trying to see what Apollo is texting. Just not too obviously looming.
He's paranoid. For reasons. ]
It's nothing grotesque... A couple of blood vials and some lycoris noirge.
[ leave his hair alone, we have too many brunettes here. here's the thing, he deeply appreciates that adolphe is really just like "yes, sure, this tracks." likely because so many of his clients like to panic about the smallest things, so someone calm and rational is far more his speed.
he should also be glad he is not the one to meet ema, yes, although apollo is not always a good buffer. he may peek, the text is really just "tell your boss i need you for a while, i have something you might wanna see." ]
The fact that it's in vials makes this easier at least... but what's a lycoris noirge? [ apollo is smart in a lot of ways, but he is not good at identifying plants. ]
[ Unfortunately, Adolphe is quite used to doom and gloom... He comes from an island that must face death at twenty-three, so there is a lot of screwed up circumstances around it. Considering all possibilities, or likely possibilities, is a good habit.
His nerves are placated, so he falls back a bit. ]
It's the flower of death. [ Casually. ] It grows all around the outskirts of the island.
Many people think so. When the flowers are picked, symptoms come up and ultimately they die.
[ That does sound like a flower of death, doesn't it? An ill omen. Adolphe delivers such gravity calmly like it's an everyday thing because it is for him. ]
People don't and actively avoid them, but sometimes a flower bends to a breeze.
[ And, implied, people die to even that. While he was casual about it earlier, he does look a little apologetic as he delivers how easily this can happen. Flowers are delicate after all.
Frowns. ]
I don't think anyone knows. The drifter likely went into hiding to avoid becoming a test subject.
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no subject
Then this country has a justice system.
[ Weird to think about, but makes sense.
With less people in this area, he becomes more attentive, though he thinks he can take on a good amount of enemies if he has to if this ends up leading him to places he doesn't want to be... He doesn't quite have his hand on the hilt of his sword, but he's ready to unsheathe it if anything were to ambush him when the door opens.
But this is what he gets and he's left. Gawking, a bit. Eyes blinking. My god. ]
... Ah. [ He almost doesn't go in the building, but one step in and it hits him a second time around. ] It's...
[ Tries to find a word as he looks at all the "decor." Is there even any place to sit with everything strewn around? It feels like there's barely a place to STAND. WHY IS THE FORK FLOATING? IS THIS SPAGHETTI REAL? ]
no subject
Does yours not? [ that is even weirder to think about given how much the law has shaped his trajectory in life. but he notices that adolphe is just... staring... and he feels his shoulders droop a little because: ]
I know. It was like this before I started working here. Welcome to the Wright Anything Agency. [ dry. he is pained. how is anyone meant to take him seriously. there is some space on the couches, but there is so much random stuff for magic shows and props and papers and actual other garbage apollo doesn't even know where to begin. ] Uh, the couch is safe though. Last I checked.
no subject
.................
Adolphe gives one more scan of the room, then at the allegedly safe couch. Ultimately, he decides he will just stand. Like Apollo, he also doesn't know where to begin with this agency.
There's no reason to point out the obvious that they both have eyes and shame to see. He circles back to the earlier question. ]
... Not really. Investigations are conducted, but the culprit is sent to execution. There's no place for defense.
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... if a defendant is found guilty, or even if a guilty party is found, and the crime's big enough the death penalty can come into play. But it's not always the case. There has to be an investigation and then a trial where each side presents evidence to prove the accusation is true. [ there's a frown. ] Sounds like you could execute a lot of innocent people your way.
no subject
Still, sometimes he thinks about some sent to execution may have not deserved it. ]
I don't doubt that. People find it easier to have a scapegoat.
[ Despicable... But if at all they had systems that worked, then... No, he isn't here for sociopolitical discussion. He had wanted a private place to talk and he cycles back to what Apollo originally asked. Where is he from? Awful question to answer. Next one. ]
I'm here to look for a solution—a cure... For a curse.
no subject
such as the talks of a curse, for instance. yes, yes, they could talk about scapegoats all day, but this is... unusual. ]
A curse. [ he repeats it just to make sure he's understood correctly. ] What... kind of a curse, exactly?
[ And what kind of a cure? Maybe that's the better question. ]
no subject
No talk about scapegoats. Talking in circles does no one any good, so... He tries to find the words for this and every combination sounds insane.
He comes out with it, quietly. ]
... Living to twenty-three.
no subject
Is... living the curse itself, or are you... [ hold on, give him a second. he's almost twenty-three himself, so. ] Elaborate a little for me. Is this the curse or is that what you're trying to do?
no subject
[ He tried to soften the blow a bit for someone who isn't from the cursed island, though he normally wouldn't. Right now, he's careful with his words, even though he trusted Apollo enough to take him to this enclosed
messy space.
It's hard to take Apollo as an assailant after seeing this agency, unfortunately, but he is on guard always. ]
It's a phenomena in the country I've been living in... Even though the rest of the world can live past it.
no subject
So the country itself is the source of the curse. Do you have any idea how it may have started? Or if the curse will break if you leave the country?
[ and then he pauses to look at him. ]
How old are you?
no subject
... I think it's either the island or it's the people there. [ Could it possibly be both? ] There was tale a century ago of a drifter, someone from beyond the sea, who washed to shore and that was how they learned their lifespan is abnormal. There aren't a lot of records dating further back.
[ There's a pause, a bit resistant for whatever reason to give this, but he is a private person. ]
I'm not going to die anytime soon. [ He is an adult by appearance. ] What's this country like?
no subject
And this drifter brought the abnormality to your island. [ well. ] People live almost four times as long as the people on your island. Things are busy here, people have jobs and families and rules in place to keep the country running. I think I told you a little about how trials and the law work here. There's a lot about this country that people may or may not like, depending on where you stand on certain things, but there are some places that're quieter than others. You kinda just happened to step into one of the busiest cities around.
no subject
[ And so set the spiral of the people on the island, learning that they should be living longer than what they do. Ignorance is bliss. Adolphe doesn't seem that sympathetic to those plights, though. ]
It was very loud and crowded where I showed up. [ If he had a choice, he'd show up somewhere quieter with less people. It's fine. ] That means everything is normal here?
no subject
That's just Los Angeles for you, but... yeah. People are busy and there's always a lot going on. Most people probably don't even think about death until it happens to them. Or they're about to be murdered. [ a pensive frown. there are many murders. ] "Normal" might be a stretch, but things are average here, let's go with that.
no subject
It did, yeah. It jumpstarted research and development in technology to prolong lifespans.
[ The fear of death ran RAMPANT. ]
That seems normal enough to me. [ A pause. ] I'm guessing that isn't something your agency would be able to handle...
[ He knows it's an odd request. Frankly, he isn't sure where to start, much like how he wouldn't know where to sit in this room if he wanted to. ]
no subject
The fact that someone had to appear from the outside to even give you an idea people can live longer... [ your island is truly cursed. but he does appear to be thinking because while this is very unusual, apollo does find it interesting and would ultimately like to have some idea. ]
As much as we're an anything agency, I don't know if any of us personally know much in the way of development in technology. I may have some people to refer you to though? At least one. She's a detective with a forensics background, so she would know more about DNA and stuff.
no subject
I'm not sure how long this has gone since there's a lack of records before the drifter showed up. Even then, books around that time weren't the most detailed.
[ When you die so young people probably didn't think much about recording history? Or does this seem very strange for whatever reason? ]
I'll take it. There are some samples I brought along with me... Arpéchéle has its share of geniuses, but an outsider's opinion might be what we need.
no subject
Probably because people thought maybe a solution would present itself and by the time they realized it wouldn't, it was too late. [ gloomy, thanks apollo. but he takes out his phone and begins to text someone. ]
It's a start. I don't know how much Ema might be able to help, but if she can't I'm sure she'll have some idea of who can. She'd probably kill me if I didn't at least give her the chance to look into it anyway. She goes nuts for this kind of stuff. [ ... ] What... kind of samples?
no subject
Well, he thinks to himself that he's glad he isn't the one to meet Ema? Apollo will buffer them in the middle in this case, though Adolphe may be trying to see what Apollo is texting. Just not too obviously looming.
He's paranoid. For reasons. ]
It's nothing grotesque... A couple of blood vials and some lycoris noirge.
no subject
he should also be glad he is not the one to meet ema, yes, although apollo is not always a good buffer. he may peek, the text is really just "tell your boss i need you for a while, i have something you might wanna see." ]
The fact that it's in vials makes this easier at least... but what's a lycoris noirge? [ apollo is smart in a lot of ways, but he is not good at identifying plants. ]
no subject
His nerves are placated, so he falls back a bit. ]
It's the flower of death. [ Casually. ] It grows all around the outskirts of the island.
no subject
Flower of death, huh. You don't think maybe that has something to do with your curse? What do you think might happen if you harvest all of them?
[ because to him this sounds like some sort of barrier, and stranger things have happened. ]
no subject
[ That does sound like a flower of death, doesn't it? An ill omen. Adolphe delivers such gravity calmly like it's an everyday thing because it is for him. ]
It didn't affect the drifter, though.
no subject
Maybe don't harvest them then... [ if they're just going to cause death anyway? damn. but he goes back to the original subject at hand. ]
How long did the drifter live? You mentioned this was a century ago, but how much do the people on your island really know about this person?
[ how valid is all of this? ]
no subject
[ And, implied, people die to even that. While he was casual about it earlier, he does look a little apologetic as he delivers how easily this can happen. Flowers are delicate after all.
Frowns. ]
I don't think anyone knows. The drifter likely went into hiding to avoid becoming a test subject.
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