estoria | ( OPEN ) i don't want a mental suplex, i want quality customer service

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( OPEN ) i don't want a mental suplex, i want quality customer service

Who: Elliot Nightray (

meriter) and you!
When: IC 11/25—11/27
Where: Residential District (primarily the CERES Gymnasium) + Shopping District (anywhere)
What: Elliot has a terminal allergy to common sense: a lesson in three (four) parts, comprised of psuedo-drowning, Machiavellian swindlers, and terrible book taste, respectively speaking.
Rating/Warning: None, probably.

1. INSERT SWIMMING PUN HERE (ceres gymnasium.)

[ In reconciliation of every self-deprecatory impulse in his body, Elliot actually shows up for lifeguard duty for the first time in two weeks.

He'd been staving off the financial necessity of having real credits on hand to buy very real things for a long while (like microwave dinners, for one thing, considering he'd survived thus far on a diet of refried peas and mashed potatoes with the consistency of clumping dirt). Monetary gain: the true motivator of any stalwart teenager in these trying, trying times. It wasn't as if he was going to turn to his brothers in some prostrated act of weakness. Just because he'd been hairsplitting nebulous concepts like coming to the gym during his technical shift and maybe staying the whole period instead of flat-out leaving whenever it suited him didn't mean he was a stranger to manual labor. Not at all.

So. It's just another routine day at the swimming pool, and by the third hour he's sweating bullets attempting to get a grip over his genteel, strait-laced Victorian morals. There are just so many exhibitionists about in the afternoons, all in varying levels of undress, and he's blistering red up to his ears keeping his gaze trained at all the patrons without turning away at the sight of scantily-clothed bodies. Literal lingerie, at that — it was nothing short of incredible that Vessalius hadn't succumbed to utter debauchery, exposed day in and day out to water-slick forms and all manner of loosened morals. He'd always been a weird kid, anyway.

But his tension reaches a culminating point hits when someone's apparently spritzing out at the deep end of pool, an arm stuck out and frantically waving him over. Reluctantly, Elliot strips off his jacket and cravat and strides over, peering down at the swimmer in question with scrunched eyebrows a stare tipped toward palpable disdain. ]

[ Too bad he doesn't have any sense of peripheral awareness to comprehend the rather peculiar grin he's shot with until the stranger's got their hand grappled around his, and then — ]

again

[ — he falls in. Panic briefly settling in his lungs, he spends a second or two in slantslide vertigo, water rushing around in some great, disorienting deluge before he kicks up, hard, breaks the surface with audible frustration. ]

I HATE THIS JOB!

2. CULTURE OF THE YOUNG AND VAIN (around, somewhere ...)

[ When his mood considerably sobers, he takes his paycheck for a supermarket splurge to refuel his stockpile of frozen dinners and comes away with several plastic bags full of cheap, cholesterol-inducing foods. Normally he'd head straight for his apartment, but Elliot decides to take the scenic route and ends up finding the kitschiest merchant stalls known to man. One minute he's minding his own business, and the next he's surrounding by a copious amount of creams and lotions purported to rejuvenate youth, like he'd just been plunked in the middle of a health ad and was ethically obligated to spout off some hypocritical drivel about the losers who'd buy into such scams. Seriously.

Well, beggars can't be choosers. Elliot wastes no time forcing his way to the front to blithely jab a finger at one of the offending vendors in question. ]

[ You know, because there's nothing wrong with waxing poetic on insurrection to the merchants. With this kind of bullheaded mentality, Elliot's lucky he isn't get his ass hauled away by security guards right this minute. ]

3. LMAO, SPOILERS (still around ...)

[ Wayward hellion of paltry exasperation that he is, Elliot Nightray can't get by without self-gratifying himself on one of the finer things in life. Namely, literature. So he makes a habit of scanning the shelves of the bookstore with a probing fixation at least once a week, turning up his nose at the YA section and heading for the classics to spend hours turning through the pages, scouring the contents for answers, or maybe just a quick read.

Only — today it's different, because he's currently engaged in some kind of weird, heated argument with the cashier. On closer inspection, it's composed mostly of angry, one-sided outbursts, like: ]

at all

[ Or: ]

Holy Knight

[ If nothing else, bystanders can at least pick up on the fact that there's a very frustrated fanboy hogging the front desk to blather on and on about the most emotionally bloated, self-indulgent novels to ever grace the Latowidge Academy library. ]

4. CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE (wildcard!)

~~i didn't put him in school~~

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[There's a little hum in response to that, not really of agreement or denial - just a noncommittal noise. Kaoru walks the fence when it comes to topics that could potentially reveal too much, and this is certainly one of those.

But the question earn Elliot a quizzical look, and by now most of the edge from earlier has gone away again. His hands come to rest near the bottom of his cup.]

What do I believe in? [The question is echoed back, and then a momentary but thoughtful silence follows.]

I don't have any particular beliefs for the afterlife itself, if that's what you mean. Of course, it's prudent to honor one's ancestors, but I don't have much time to spare on pondering the what-ifs beyond that. [A small, quirking, wry smile.] We're on the brink of war, after all. It's troublesome enough to think of what lies exactly before us.

[Which isn't entirely a lie, for once. He really doesn't have much time to solidify his beliefs. Even if Elliot was talking about beliefs in a more general sense - good and bad, right and wrong, the way of the world - Kaoru's answer would remain pretty much unchanged. His scope of vision is very narrow.]

Yes. I'm asking what governs your thoughts. There isn't chaos here — rampant, at least. Only tedium.

[ His stare doesn't lacerate. Elliot isn't staring at her at all, really, even if his eyes are fixated on Kaoru like he'd been entranced by some peculiar eccentricity, snaring himself in self-ruination, a moth diving into open flame. She, in particular, was an abnormality he couldn't merely dismiss as inconsequential, yet another droll passerby like those who had come before in his life, all parrots blathering on about subjects that didn't matter. Small talk exchanged at the price of nothing.

And he doesn't know what he's doing, inquiring her at length like he could scalp meaning from it all, thrust head-first in a world that never gave much of a damn about egotistical nobles and their overly-entitled offspring. He isn't even sure what she thinks of him. She never reacts as he'd expect: only a clean rinse of a smile perpetually donning her face, neither flattering nor dismissive, only polite.

Just polite. ]

As for religion —

[ He reaches out to grab a stray tissue even when he hasn't done anything more than blink morosely at his cup and the scenery around him, settling on balling it in his hand at the successive sentence.

Neutral, as always.

Perhaps he really did seek out offense in others (another reason to put on airs and pretend restlessness was an ingrained trait within him). ]

You shouldn't speak so neutrally, I won't be offended if your beliefs differ from mine. Perhaps I overestimated myself in your eyes. I believed you thought better of me than that.

[That actually earns him something that isn't quite a break in the rolling politeness, but something close - a gentle upward quirk of one brow, which almost seems amused. Kaoru leans from the table a little, but with posture so straight and well-kept, even that doesn't take him far enough to rest against the back of the chair.]

I'm afraid that there's nothing neutral about it, and I certainly didn't mean to imply ill of you. [Or rather, "you shouldn't read insult into everything", but that would break too far away from niceties to be feasible. Kaoru holds one hand out as though to help with the explanation that will follow, and the gesture is still very elegant even though it holds a little more command behind it than usual.]

I have no interest in matters that are intangible. [Said very primly, cut and matter-of-fact.] Wondering about things that one can't affect with their own two hands - I don't see much of a point in it. In that realm, what will be will be. In the world that we inhabit, there are other things that require attention and focus instead.

[The sentiment of a good clan leader, or at least one who's willing to see their goals through to the end.]

I suppose you could say that is what "governs my thoughts".

[ Too bad he's exactly the type of person to read ill into everything. It's really a shame — maybe if he wasn't half as entrenched in defunct negativity and sneering contempt, he wouldn't be so quick to second-guess anyone who so much as makes eye contact with him. But that's for the better, in any case. Elliot's too prone to snapping, so fickle he'd make enemies out of his friends before he became marginally close enough to exchange cordial remarks, much less ricochet back and forth between the divide. ]

Then you have no thoughts for spirituality? It's inconsequential to you, so it makes no difference either way.

[ It isn't disbelief staining his inflection. Not quite. Not in the right way, just — something in his stare that begets answers. Understanding where he won't find any: he can't scalp comprehension from anyone else more than he can sloppily dig his own grave. ]

The physical realm requires focus. But I don't believe you can disparage the intangible plane so easily.

[ It's a bit chafing. He isn't sure what he wants from Kaoru, acceptance or denial or anything resembling resignation. He's certainly inconstant enough, playing both fields without rationale for either side.

... Validation, probably.

That hits the nail squarely on the head. ]

[Good lord, what a fickle child. Kaoru's picking up quickly on the fact that "hard to please" may be wording things lightly in his case, even though the expression presented doesn't have an inkling of the a-ha moment going on behind the scenes. People like that are so tiresome, but all things considered, Elliot hasn't demanded nearly as much as most of the others who fall into the same category. It's good enough for now.]

Perhaps that holds true for some people, or in some worlds.

[It's agreement without actually budging at all. There's just a difference of opinion here: clearly there's something about the spiritual realm that Elliot finds much more important than Kaoru does. Is it surprising? ...Not quite, honestly.

The hand that Kaoru had raised earlier had settled back against the teacup just as quickly, and one finger now rests against the thinnest curve of its handle.]

If it's of greater consequence in your own world, then it would make sense to pay it mind, correct? Or if it held personal significance, I suppose... It simply doesn't to me.

[ He hates when he's reduced to irrelevancy — absolutely loathes when his ideals are squandered away at some other person's fleeting whims. Elliot himself is so capricious, easily spun by the same argumentative points of contention he forces onto other people, but he never wants to have his own trump card inflicted upon him in just measure. It's insulting, but more than that, he's no more furtive about his alibis than the next schmuck with a penchant for disparaging misanthropy (but then that would make him some incarnate version of the Ouroboros, always feasting upon himself, enacting the same judgment he administers himself with).

It's annoying, but he can discern some level of nonchalance from Kaoru — even as her face chops up into another rebuttal, it's muted — her response lacks edges where he'd wanted (desperately coveted) a sharp-laced retort, if just for shutting it down.

It's not Leo before him, however. He understands that much.

Dispassionate, Elliot sinks into his chair, deprived of his former manic feverishness. ] Only for the cultists. It wasn't something spoken highly of in reasonable parties. It's sensationalism there as much as it is here.

[ He doesn't address the latter statement's insinuation at point-blank regard. ] Then you've never bore even a fleeting thought where your soul might end up? Beyond all these useless trivialities — there must be something — an idea. Even just a notion of what lies after for you, even if there's nothing at all.

[ Confirmation or denial of his own beliefs is wholly inconsequential, regardless. He just wants the corporeality of an honest-to-god answer. ]

[Like a boat with the wind let out of its sails, gosh. It's a little amusing to Kaoru, but the air of neutrality is kept up even so.]

I see... It would seem that's a similarity, then. [The sensationalism of religion, or spirituality, or things that remotely fall into that realm. Maybe that's another reason Kaoru doesn't really have a lot of interest in it; it's not part of his culture to be observant of human religions. Demons have their own ideologies and beliefs, and most of them are firmly rooted in realms of the tangible, too. Family comes before the self or any sort of god-like existence. Paying respect to ancestors is generally more important than worrying about where one's own soul goes, even to those who don't have quite as many bizarre hang-ups as Kaoru.

But it looks like Elliot's question is getting some serious consideration, either way. He sure doesn't give up once he latches onto something...]

Mm... I've wondered if it might go to the place that my ancestors supposedly rest, once or twice. Still, by virtue of not having a solid belief, "nothing" might be what I've considered most often.

That's unfortunate.

[ He tries so hard sometimes, but no dice. It's privately absurd that Kaoru can be completely chill with someone like Elliot, who has likely tripped and fallen over his own too feet several times in his life, but them's the breaks. It's not as if he doesn't see his relatives as important — it's just hard to properly venerate them when all of natural blood-related family members are as dead as doornails. Vincent had come and gone like a fleeting dream, the same with Reim, and he didn't have the slightest inkling as to Gilbert's whereabouts, or even his current state of mind, what with the upheaval of pretty much everything over their extended stay in Tellus.

It's stupid. Elliot poses hypotheticals on others that he's more inclined to answer himself, but no one ever applauded him for keeping a cool head under pressure, either. ]

You don't believe in anything after this life.

[ How anticlimactic. He folds one hand over the other, absently thumbing his wrist. ]

Still — even if the circumstances in which we were able to meet like this have been skewed to the agenda of others — I'm glad I was able to meet you. I hope you will be able to return home. I've heard rumors that those who disappear have supposedly found a way back, but — if you ask me — it's more likely that they were forcibly removed for one insurrection or another with the excuse of faulted code that makes up this strange world.

For your sake and hers, I hope your sister hasn't succumbed to the same fate that likely befell the rest of those who have departed since our arrival.

[There's just a look that speaks to some vague measure of agreement at that, because yeah it sure is unfortunate. LIFE IS UNFORTUNATE. Life is doubly unfortunate when all of your true family is dead along with anyone else who even remotely bore the title. Chizuru might as well be dead for all the good she's doing right now, too. How dare she get spirited off into the void...

That said, Kaoru feels a sick sense of... something that isn't concern, but-- if anyone is going to make his sister miserable, it should be him, honestly. A Mature Individual. Most people's concerns would probably be alleviated at least partially upon hearing that their vanished siblings are safe and sound, but not Kaoru Nagumo, who's only buttblasted as usual that his precious little sister is getting special treatment.

But that's neither here or there, and not much of that conflict shows on Kaoru's face. There's another little smile, more subdued than before. Kaoru's head dips forward into a grateful-looking bow.]

I hope for the same, and thank you for your kind words. I suppose there isn't any way to know with certainty as things are right now, but... it's still reassuring, to know that others outside of myself are wishing her well. [SO REASSURING.]

And thank you for wishing me home, as well. I wouldn't mind returning, but I've very much enjoyed the company of everyone that I've had the pleasure of meeting here in the meantime.

[Even Elliot "difficult on purpose" Nightray!!]

[ This shit is so crazy.

If he had even an inkling of what Kaoru happened to genuinely think of Chizuru, he'd drop his """friend""" faster than a bat out of hell. There's no way he'd ever understand — not in the way Kaoru uses when justifying genocide or blatant murder, staggering words around pretty, gilded notions instead of genuine substance.

Elliot hates himself but loves the world (fervently, fervently, even as he spurns all else), so it only makes sense he'd hate someone who'd rather watch it burn with bright-eyed inconsistency. never faithful to anyone other than the individual, the singular: the demise of collective hope.

Or, yeah, Kaoru Nagumo just happens to be a stir-crazy yandere for a sister the same likeness, not that Elliot knows any better. He flatlines. ]

It's obvious, isn't it? It's not my place to say, but if you were content with it, I would search for her in your stead.

[ He dislodges his petty ire, swapping it out for resignation. ]

I think the same of you. With all that's happened, I've found that there are less people I can confide in, that I can truly call allies with candid earnestness. It's likely apparently to you by this point, but I do consider you a —

[ AN UGLY PAUSE ENSUES as Elliot fiddles with his tea spoon, his cowlick, his collar, everything but the matter at hand, and then, rather begrudgingly: ]

... a dear friend. You've been nothing but hospitable from the first day I met you, and I'm ... I'm grateful. I can't even conversing with my siblings as naturally as I have with you.

Thank you.

[There's a little twinge of something there, then - something that's almost like surprise, but not quite. Humans are capable of great destruction, but they're very weak things in the end, aren't they? And this, too, is little more than a sign of that rotting core - the corrosive center lying at the heart of each and every one of them. Disgusting. Perhaps a softer person (or at least one with a little more sanity) would be able to appreciate those words and the sentiment they carry. It's obvious that it's taken a lot for Elliot to say them aloud, after all. No real surprise there. From the little Kaoru knows of him, he seems a gentle boy in that he handles emotions with kid gloves if they're anything less delicate than indignant anger.

But he's also well aware of the fact that he could be wrong, because every person has facets of themselves that they keep hidden sometimes for days, sometimes forever. Elliot may seem tolerable enough now - sweet, even - but he knows better than to blindly trust or to trust at all. It's what makes that statement something that he would rather sneer than smile at. Bold words coming from someone who knows nothing about their conversational partner...

The look on Kaoru's face is caught in a shade of subdued surprise, but it shifts soon after.]

Elliot-san... [A beat, and then:] You're welcome. [First of all, because Kaoru has a feeling genuine thanks are something of a rarity from him and it shouldn't just be glossed over.]

It's truly an honor to hear that you think so highly of me. I can't be certain of my own worth as a friend, but if you believe it of me, I'll continue to be here for you as best as I'm able.

[The hives will be coming on now any second, surely... But oh, a little nugget of the truth follows, then.]

I wasn't allowed many friends in my youth. I'd like to offer the most, but it's still something that I'm adjusting to... Thank you for your kindness.

[ elliot nightray is the kind of kid that likely holds much regard for fairytales. if he didn't, he wouldn't be half as inclined with the holy knight series and the fictive charm they hold for him. it spools on yarns of half-truths about pride and personal responsibility, and it's just like elliot to buy into really hokey shit. so he has no reason to disbelieve someone who has done nothing but extend a hand to him in a time of need, when he was out alone, further than his brothers had throughout their stay in tellus.

he's lonely, most days. and maybe it's selfish, but he needs a crutch — and if kaoru's more than willing to play the role of dutiful friend, then he won't ask for more.

so all the contrived emotional manipulation is lost on him, seriously. he can't stop from compulsively stirring his tea even after it's long since cooled, and then he stares into his contents like he's reading his fortune in tea leaves and found something particular propitious in their lukewarm contents. he holds the cup up and downs the dredges in one prolonged draught. setting the porcelain glass back on its saucer, eyes still averted. ]

That's fine, then. This isn't ... a kindness, really. I just wanted you to know.

[ it feels like a confession, and maybe it is. he isn't certain anymore. ]

Anyways, that's all I wanted to say. You don't have to reciprocate anything.

[ collecting himself, he picks up the tab and tip, collecting the cups in one harried flourish. ]

I'll take my leave now, so — will you be alright? I can walk you over to your next destination, if necessary.

[Earnest people are all similar in a way - in a way that Kaoru quite hates, honestly, but a way that is easy to predict if nothing else. There's always a comfort in predictability, in familiarity, no matter how much it's disliked or how badly it feels like something sticky between his fingers that he can't rinse free.

So this is fine. This isn't a bad situation. Kaoru doesn't mind pretending when the tax isn't too high on the return, and for all of his prickliness, Elliot is not a very high-maintenance friend to keep on hand. It's not bad, and Kaoru watches impassively as he drinks the rest of his tea and starts to clear things away like he's trying to leave behind all of the emotions he had just allowed himself to hint at aloud. What a skittish child, like some sort of mountain hare afraid of the hunt.

There's a smile then, bigger than what's been offered so far in the conversation, more certain and pleasant. The softer topics are done and it's appropriate to return to some semblance of normalcy now.]

Thank you, regardless. You're a very sweet boy. [THE FIRST AND LAST TIME ELLIOT WILL EVER HEAR THIS, PROBABLY.]

I'll be quite fine, though. Please take care whenever you're heading, Elliot-san.

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( OPEN ) i don't want a mental suplex, i want quality customer service

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time 2 pull the plug on this trainwreck

me staring into the sky over these nerds forever help elliot nightray