[ 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.
If you're on an island, the wind comes off the ocean almost too easily. [ this is muttered to himself as he seems to be letting his thoughts drift and puzzle some things out. ]
This is gonna sound a little crazy, but do you think maybe the drifter's still alive somewhere? [ the look on his face says he does not blame this person for not wanting to be an experiment though. ]
[ But if no one is close to the flowers, it isn't a problem. Adolphe thinks it would be stupid for people to go prancing around in those death fields, anyway.
An eyebrow arches as he entertains Apollo a bit. The pause is contemplative, considering... ]
[ apollo would also think it's stupid for people to be tempting fate by being around death fields, but he also knows some people really do things with no fear. he knows it's crazy, but he is still thinking about it anyway. ]
I just mean... if their lifespan was already unusual compared to everybody on your island, how do you know it wasn't also weird compared to normal people? Maybe they're immortal, or there's something else about them...?
[ it sounds farfetched and even his tone makes it sound like he thinks it's far-fetched, but he has to ask. ]
There's no way for me to refute that. I'm not privy on the scientific advances of the outside world...
[ He hasn't considered it despite reading up on the Drifter, but there are only so many books about this mysterious figure that showed up and then disappeared.
[ he's not a scientist, so he does have to pause and consider what they could potentially do with that. ]
Immortality's not a thing here, so if they were maybe it'd be something to look at and figure out how they did it? It might be an answer how to expand somebody's life expectancy. But that's just a guess.
[ his expression flattens a little with the question. ]
I'd have to know how to get to your island first, and that's kind of out of the question anyway. But I guess I was just thinking if somebody knew more about his lifespan it might be easier to work backwards to try and extend yours. That's probably more Ema's thing though.
[ he is simply a lawyer who also happens to be something of a problem-solver and sometimes-bleeding-heart. ]
[ Adolphe thinks that he has said enough about their situation and the implications of experiments on people different from citizens on the island. It would spell a bad ending for Apollo if they got their hands on him. Don't let your heart bleed to this extent, Apollo.
It's a sacrifice to make and Adolphe doesn't blame the drifter for disappearing from existence. ]
Yeah, I... yeah. [ his antennae sort of droop because yes, he can see why this would spell bad news and yet this is now a new mystery to solve. even if he isn't saying much about it, it is obvious his mind is going all over the place trying to think of connections. ]
She'll be here probably in half an hour or less. She'd be here sooner but I think she and Klavier are arguing somewhere else and I'm not getting in the middle of that.
[ How does your hair do that... Adolphe blinks a couple of times as he watches Apollo deflate. He had been thinking the guy kind of looks like a parrot, but even parrots don't do that? It's so cartoon-y, but he doesn't know what cartoons are. ]
All right. [ Debates whether he wants to check out the world outside or stay indoors where it's safe (but a mess). Thinking about what he experienced earlier is daunting, though half an hour isn't long.
Another thing crawls into his mind. ]
How would you like to be paid? I don't have relevant currency, but favors. Labor.
[ WHAT IS THIS ICON. also don't just compare him to a parrot, if anything he's a bunny.
anyway, the question about being paid surprises him which is probably not a great sign. ]
Oh. Uh. [ UH. ] ... Mr. Wright takes a lot of cases pro-bono, so... I guess a favor is fine? [ is he concerned about his rent? yes, of course, he lives in los angeles. is this particular case interesting enough for him that he's willing to say fuck it and go along for the ride? yeah, kinda. ] Wait, what kind of labor?
I'm pretty sure you could trade those in at a pawn shop but don't worry about it. It... probably isn't worth much right now anyway.
[ the antennae droop further, but he also looks a little sheepish? he has no reason to be defending phoenix for his shoddy operations, and yet he is still proud of being a lawyer and doing what he can for his clients. ]
A lot of our clients are people who just happen to wander in, or they're people we know, or the case is really complicated. And anyway Trucy makes enough at her shows at the Wonder Bar, so. Guess he's not that worried.
[ Who knows. Maybe he has something own him worth pawning. He didn't show up out of nowhere unprepared, at least? Adolphe continues to frown because you can't help others until you help yourself.
But who is he to judge too much? ]
You guys are going to run into trouble eventually. [ ... Quietly, ] Thank you.
[ He can't criticize too much because he's benefiting from Phoenix's and Apollo's process. While he isn't entirely relaxed, he does feel some weight lift off his shoulders. ]
Sure, I can probably show you to the nearest one if you think you need cash and you'll be stuck here for a bit while we're solving this.
[ because he still isn't entirely sure on how adolphe got here or what the next steps are, but he does think helping is the right answer. ]
If you met Mr. Wright you'd understand why I'm not that worried. [ dry. it helps that phoenix is a little insane and yet things always work out. ] Don't thank me until the job's done though. I'm just doing what I can with what resources I've got right now. Even if it might not be everything we need.
You can tell me the name and point me the direction later.
[ He feels like he has put a lot on Apollo's shoulders, so... He wouldn't want to burden him further by forcing him into a tour guide role.
There's a curious look when Apollo tries to assuage his concerns, but he doesn't voice it. If he meets Wright, then he doesn't. If he doesn't, then he doesn't. What kind of guy is he? Stupid? Kind? Both?
When he isn't looking at Apollo, he's looking at this mess of an agency, ]
How's your sense of direction? [ he has to ask because "island" implies the area is smaller and los angeles is not exactly easy to navigate. there are TOO MANY PEOPLE. and VEHICLES. he would feel bad sending adolphe out there unprepared, just as much as adolphe would feel bad making apollo play tour guide.
the answer is both, actually. phoenix is kind of an asshole who has his own shady motivations for things but ultimately a good person and a little stupid. apollo has his own weird feelings still, though this was a man he admired for years. he could leave this job and try to find something else, and yet.
and yet... he visibly wilts upon sight of the agency. ]
You would be surprised. As long as the Wrights aren't home it's a little easier, but if Trucy's here practicing her tricks or Mr. Wright's making me clean the toilet again, probably not that well.
[ I have no idea how big the island is, but i am sure LA is so much more complicated with a diverse population of people. Somehow that will be better than his death home because everyone there are freaks and assholes.
The vehicles may be a small problem... But. It'll be fine. ]
Good. I just need directions or a map.
[ Adolphe can figure out his way around without those things, though.
... Well, he's going to start cleaning up without saying anything. ]
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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.
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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. ]
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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.
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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. ]
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[ 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.
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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? ]
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[ 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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This is gonna sound a little crazy, but do you think maybe the drifter's still alive somewhere? [ the look on his face says he does not blame this person for not wanting to be an experiment though. ]
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[ But if no one is close to the flowers, it isn't a problem. Adolphe thinks it would be stupid for people to go prancing around in those death fields, anyway.
An eyebrow arches as he entertains Apollo a bit. The pause is contemplative, considering... ]
Just a little?
[ Dryly. ]
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I just mean... if their lifespan was already unusual compared to everybody on your island, how do you know it wasn't also weird compared to normal people? Maybe they're immortal, or there's something else about them...?
[ it sounds farfetched and even his tone makes it sound like he thinks it's far-fetched, but he has to ask. ]
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[ He hasn't considered it despite reading up on the Drifter, but there are only so many books about this mysterious figure that showed up and then disappeared.
Maybe because ultimately, ]
What would we do with that?
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Immortality's not a thing here, so if they were maybe it'd be something to look at and figure out how they did it? It might be an answer how to expand somebody's life expectancy. But that's just a guess.
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[ It's hard to want more than just a regular life when standards are in shambles. He is pensive about it, though.
Then shakes his head. ]
Either way, no one knows where the drifter went off to and there are barely any records about him. [ ... ] Are you thinking of searching for him?
[ Obviously unsure about this considering how his shoulders square and tense. ]
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I'd have to know how to get to your island first, and that's kind of out of the question anyway. But I guess I was just thinking if somebody knew more about his lifespan it might be easier to work backwards to try and extend yours. That's probably more Ema's thing though.
[ he is simply a lawyer who also happens to be something of a problem-solver and sometimes-bleeding-heart. ]
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[ Adolphe thinks that he has said enough about their situation and the implications of experiments on people different from citizens on the island. It would spell a bad ending for Apollo if they got their hands on him. Don't let your heart bleed to this extent, Apollo.
It's a sacrifice to make and Adolphe doesn't blame the drifter for disappearing from existence. ]
So when will she be able to pick up the samples?
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She'll be here probably in half an hour or less. She'd be here sooner but I think she and Klavier are arguing somewhere else and I'm not getting in the middle of that.
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All right. [ Debates whether he wants to check out the world outside or stay indoors where it's safe (but a mess). Thinking about what he experienced earlier is daunting, though half an hour isn't long.
Another thing crawls into his mind. ]
How would you like to be paid? I don't have relevant currency, but favors. Labor.
[ Starts with this. ]
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anyway, the question about being paid surprises him which is probably not a great sign. ]
Oh. Uh. [ UH. ] ... Mr. Wright takes a lot of cases pro-bono, so... I guess a favor is fine? [ is he concerned about his rent? yes, of course, he lives in los angeles. is this particular case interesting enough for him that he's willing to say fuck it and go along for the ride? yeah, kinda. ] Wait, what kind of labor?
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Manual labor, unless certain metals go for anything. I do have coins.
[ He just doesn't know if they are worth between worlds(?), so he puts up what's an old currency. Labor. ]
... He just takes cases without pay?
[ NOW HE'S WORRIED ABOUT YOUR RENT? ]
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I'm pretty sure you could trade those in at a pawn shop but don't worry about it. It... probably isn't worth much right now anyway.
[ the antennae droop further, but he also looks a little sheepish? he has no reason to be defending phoenix for his shoddy operations, and yet he is still proud of being a lawyer and doing what he can for his clients. ]
A lot of our clients are people who just happen to wander in, or they're people we know, or the case is really complicated. And anyway Trucy makes enough at her shows at the Wonder Bar, so. Guess he's not that worried.
[ At least one of us isn't. ]
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[ Who knows. Maybe he has something own him worth pawning. He didn't show up out of nowhere unprepared, at least? Adolphe continues to frown because you can't help others until you help yourself.
But who is he to judge too much? ]
You guys are going to run into trouble eventually. [ ... Quietly, ] Thank you.
[ He can't criticize too much because he's benefiting from Phoenix's and Apollo's process. While he isn't entirely relaxed, he does feel some weight lift off his shoulders. ]
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[ because he still isn't entirely sure on how adolphe got here or what the next steps are, but he does think helping is the right answer. ]
If you met Mr. Wright you'd understand why I'm not that worried. [ dry. it helps that phoenix is a little insane and yet things always work out. ] Don't thank me until the job's done though. I'm just doing what I can with what resources I've got right now. Even if it might not be everything we need.
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[ He feels like he has put a lot on Apollo's shoulders, so... He wouldn't want to burden him further by forcing him into a tour guide role.
There's a curious look when Apollo tries to assuage his concerns, but he doesn't voice it. If he meets Wright, then he doesn't. If he doesn't, then he doesn't. What kind of guy is he? Stupid? Kind? Both?
When he isn't looking at Apollo, he's looking at this mess of an agency, ]
... Will you be able to work like this?
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the answer is both, actually. phoenix is kind of an asshole who has his own shady motivations for things but ultimately a good person and a little stupid. apollo has his own weird feelings still, though this was a man he admired for years. he could leave this job and try to find something else, and yet.
and yet... he visibly wilts upon sight of the agency. ]
You would be surprised. As long as the Wrights aren't home it's a little easier, but if Trucy's here practicing her tricks or Mr. Wright's making me clean the toilet again, probably not that well.
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The vehicles may be a small problem... But. It'll be fine. ]
Good. I just need directions or a map.
[ Adolphe can figure out his way around without those things, though.
... Well, he's going to start cleaning up without saying anything. ]
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