(no subject)

[claudiometer]

So, about that color scheme.

Thing one, it's been a while since I did a lightcycle pitch, so: Anyone want a shiny light-up bikebaton to call their own before we looks-like head back to the Grid? First three takers, I still wanna eat and sleep this Liminal. If it is the Grid there'll probably be plenty of the things around, and if not, you have a cool fold-up bike.

Thing two, if anyone wants some Grid 101 I'll do my best, but since I think the only more Arcanapalooza jaunt we've had was whatever the hell they were all doing in Questing Country... it's a bit of a trip. Also my overlay managed to miss most of the action, so I'd be up for other people filling the gaps.

Thing three... by process of elimination Mei's almost certainly up this round, and I'd at least like to know what the crap's going on. In the quite likely event I end up not myself, could someone do me a solid and de-infiltrate me? [She knows this is hard to arrange beforehand, but she'd rather try - then it's at least out there that she wants the thing done.]

Comments

[loyalrebel]

There will likely be methods of avoidance available.

You may not necessarily blend in with the native population, but if any of the people we met are around they will expect strangeness from those of us who remain ourselves.

[youandyoualone]

I will take them--and hope that the Programs use it for better purposes than the Travelers.

[loyalrebel]

They view it very differently than most Travelers seem to.

[youandyoualone]

Oh? They do not use it to overwhelm their enemies?

[loyalrebel]

Information can be overwhelming no matter the source, intent, or opinion of the people involved.

They have other means of causing harm to one another.

[youandyoualone]

Oh, but if that information is there to convey what a monstrous villain you are in the eyes of the man who hates you, that is a different sort of overwhelming altogether.

[loyalrebel]

[Malik is quiet for a moment.]

We are always the villain to someone, no matter how we wish otherwise.

...I believe this is a conversation better had in private, if you are agreeable to it.

[youandyoualone]

If we must.

[loyalrebel]

If you want your personal matters made public, that is your decision.

I can bring tea and snacks if you like.

[youandyoualone]

I recently ate.

[Also he doesn't trust you.]

I'd prefer to meet on neutral territory.

[loyalrebel]

[He's just being polite.]

... unless you have a created room, the only one I can readily think of would be Thorne's Theater. I am the librarian so that is not, technically, neutral.

I could make a temporary room or some sort of...pavilion in liminal if you would prefer that instead.

Shall we turn this into action?

[youandyoualone]

I can get the key from her.

Sure! >Action

[loyalrebel]

Very well.

I will meet you there then.

[Malik takes a bit, changing his clothes in to something similar to what he'd worn in court as opposed to his robes (cream and grey, with his purple sash). He's also very pointedly unarmed, to the point of leaving his metal arm in his own rooms, and while he can't exactly leave his magic behind he hopes that the intent to not start a fight is read.

He's calm as he enters, giving a polite nod to Delaunay.]

Whatever our grievances with one another are, I think it is time we dispel with them.

Also > Prose because it's easier to phone tag than brackets I have to code

[youandyoualone]

Delaunay by now has regained a good deal of the temper that he lost earlier. He nods to Malik in return, his face a blank mask.

"Do you wish to begin, Messire al-Sayf, or shall I?"

This is true

[loyalrebel]

Malik shrugged, hooking his thumb in to his sash.

"You may go first." He said, "I simply thought it best not to have this where any Traveler can see."

Enjoy my bland face icons

[youandyoualone]

Delaunay nods again, before leaning against the wall, arms crossed in front of him.

"'Tis true, I do not like you," he says. "Why should I when your own dislike has long been evident? Moreover, I was told of the great cruelty you inflicted on the boy, Eren, and verified it myself through the Network archives. But it is not you, specifically, who is the target of my grievances--but as he is not here, I suppose I have seen you as a proxy for him."

He cocks Malik a sardonic look. "I speak, of course, of your paramour: Maestro Leonardo."

Re: Enjoy my bland face icons

[loyalrebel]

"There are remarkably few people here that I do like." Malik admits. There are perhaps a dozen people he could name off hand in his life that he truly likes, and two of them are his wife and son.

He raised an eyebrow at mention of Eren. "Did you speak to Eren about what happened or just everyone else? I admit that I overreacted, but neither of us are blameless in the events that led up to it either. However, he and I have since come to an understanding."

He sighs though, shaking his head. "The only part I have had in whatever has happened between the two of you is telling him that I do not find you impressive. I also defended him to a figment of you in a dungeon." He spread his hand, palm up. "Other than that? So far as I see it, you are judging me by another man's sins against you."

Re: Enjoy my bland face icons

[youandyoualone]

Delaunay raises an eyebrow. "I think that calling your misuse of Interface a mere 'overreaction' is straining things. I have experienced something akin to what you did to that boy at the hands of your Maestro, although I was fool enough to enter into that Interface willingly, and I have no doubt he was gentler than you. So yes, I am judging you by his sins against me, for they are ones you have committed against another."

Re: Enjoy my bland face icons

[loyalrebel]

"Eren is not a child." Malik scowled. "You did not answer the question. Did you speak with Eren about what happened or simply allow yourself to be told by others? Do you know the entire truth of what happened or only what others saw of it?"

Re: Enjoy my bland face icons

[youandyoualone]

He gives Malik one of his blander expressions. "I never said that he was. Mayhap it is an error in the translation--or mayhap I ought to have said 'youth' instead. 'Tis not unusual for a young man not to come into his full growth until some years after reaching adulthood, nor to still refer to him as a boy until he has, at least in Terre d'Ange.

"I did not talk to Eren personally, no. I did not feel it was worth making him relive such an experience merely to satisfy my curiosity. As for what I have been directly told, merely that what Maestro Leonardo did to me was similar to something you did once to end a more heated argument--and later, when and who you did it to. For the rest," he smiles grimly, "I have let your own words in the Network archives condemn you."

Re: Enjoy my bland face icons

[loyalrebel]

"Eren is a soldier. He approached me as such and I treated him as such."

It's an odd feeling, defending Eren's adulthood.

"Heated argument. Next time someone is trying to kill me and I am under the impression that I have been betrayed I will be sure to let them take my life. Thank you for that wisdom." Malik replied dryly.

"You are not so innocent either, despite what you have gotten others to believe of you. We are cut from similar cloths you and I. Except I do not make people love me and then believe they have to chose between me and another."

[Private, double-protected]

[willyousee]

[Alcuin isn't as good at hiding his emotions in mental speech as in verbal. He's stressed, strained and worried and holding back despite speaking up. ]

My lord, please... listen to him in good faith. He'll not harm you. Not unless you drive him to it. You proceed down this path with sword in hand and a bladed tongue looking for a fight! Please let this be a parlay, not a declaration of war.

Re: [Private, double-protected]

[youandyoualone]

[Delaunay, to his credit, does at least pick up that Alcuin isn't happy. He's getting better at this!]

... Alcuin. I am not going to attempt to stab him. But neither do I wish to give him the advantage of being on his territory and I most certainly do not wish to let him score points by catering this discussion as if it were a salon.

I will leave my sword behind and do my best to tame my tongue's blade, that is as much as I might promise you. [There is an uncomfortable pause.] I am sorry. I know you are fond of him.

Re: [Private, double-protected]

[willyousee]

Oh for the love of Eisheth, my lord, he's not scoring points! He's attempting to be hospitible! I may be fond of him, but I love you. And I know you well enough to see that you are twisted up and wreathed in the beginnings of a dark mood. Please... be mindful? For your sake as well as his?

Re: [Private, double-protected]

[youandyoualone]

Alcuin, my sweet boy, hospitality is a way of scoring points in the game of politics--and one I've used as well in our old life back home. Malik al-Sayf is canny enough to know that too.

[There's a brief pause.]

I will do my best to be mindful.