[The gratitude of a great number of people. Those words give him a little rush, almost making him dizzy for a few seconds. He's become so low in his sense of self-worth that it's almost impossible to imagine someone being grateful for him. He thinks that perhaps he needs that, needs it desperately, any kind of positive interaction, any hint that he is of use to anyone. He does his best to hide that desperation. Instead of making any comment or outward reaction other than a subtle change in his breathing, he hums in thought about Altius' question.]
Think of it like... Sweating, but you can control your sweat consciously, and the sweat is literally poison. If you exercise and sweat too much, you get dehydrated and your chemistry falls out of balance. It's like that. It tires me eventually, but it's not a big deal, and I highly doubt our demand would outpace my supply.
Good to know... but let's hope that remains true. [He'd rather Tox not exhaust himself, and he'd also rather there not be any horrible dangers that would mean a number of people suddenly needing medical help.
That won't be the case, obviously, but it's a nice thought.]
Perhaps we should start trying to gather some containers, hm? [But in the meantime...] Would you like me to direct people your way?
Do you... Have reason to think demand will increase?
[It sure sounds like he thinks it will, and Tox is new, so that makes him a little nervous that there's something big coming he doesn't know about.]
Oh, I... I mean, I don't want people to think I'm a doctor or something. But if they're just in need of a substance I can provide, then definitely, send them my way.
[Misunderstandings are the last thing he wants to cause, and he'd rather not give Tox any undue trouble. He takes in a breath before he responds, the sound of it heavy, and his tone is somber when he speaks.]
But to put it simply, I was in a realm like this before. There were periods of calm, but when the real dangers arose, they were... significant. People were killed or nearly so, and I was severely wounded a time or two, myself. I have no real way of saying whether the same will happen here, but I'd rather be prepared.
[He's not sure if "a realm like this" means a cave prison, a place where everyone gets yanked to from different worlds, or something else. Regardless, there's a more pressing question.]
[That does feel like what it boils down to. Even that incident with the doppelgangers would qualify in his mind, given the ones he saw and how violent they were. What would his have done...?]
Aggressive wild beasts, creatures powerful enough to destroy a city, and—us, hypnotized or otherwise changed in a way that made us target each other.
[Uhhhhhh actual mind control? That's new even for him.]
I guess the rest fits in line with the giant worms and bears I've been hearing about. I'm trying to get some sparring partners so I can get my combat back up to snuff. I should probably learn some more first aid stuff, too.
Ha. Really, it feels like I can hardly find enough to do.
[Zekarion is hardly doing a fraction of what he'd like to be doing, but as long as it keeps him from getting drawn into his thoughts, it's fine. This will in no way have consequences later.]
Besides, it's an important set of skills. I'll get some supplies together and try to come by in a couple of days. That said—I've heard there are others who have similar skills, so if you get tired of waiting on me, don't be afraid to ask around.
[There's the sound of flipping pages as he opens his notes to a particular spot. What was the name... ah.]
Renee was one; she has a bit of a rasp. Colonel Miller has military training, so I'm sure he could teach you a few things, and he's got a deep sound with a clipped accent. There was another younger woman who claimed to be a healer, but I didn't get her name, I'm afraid. She seemed very particular about magic, so I suppose there's no guarantee her skills are the mundane sort that can be taught.
[The rest... the rest he hasn't seen around or heard from for a while. He makes marks next to their names in his notes, now that it's been brought to his attention.]
[He does his best to take all of this in, focusing first on the names, then realizing that Altius is giving a description of each of their voices, which is both thoughtful and helpful. Renee, Miller, a younger girl. Oddly, he'd probably enjoy learning from a woman or someone younger than him moreso than a military man. Less potential for triggers...]
That's helpful, thanks. Wow, you're taking notes on everyone, huh? Very thorough.
[The thought is one he's had as well, but at least writing things down helps him feel productive—something that he clings to when he feels so useless otherwise.]
It may be. When I arrived here, I realized I couldn't recall the entirety of my experience in that other world. I know we all worked to understand it over the months I was there, but whatever we may have found is obscured.
Probably not. It's fine, I'm trying to turn my brain into an all-in-one encyclopedia, map, and contact list. Not exhausting at all. [He chuckles, mentally rattling off those names again: Renee, Colonel Miller. Repetition strengthens memory; that's how he was always trained. Over and over and over until you get it right.] Keeps me busy, anyway.
[This time the laugh that comes out of him is a trailed-off, sympathetic thing.]
Well, we have nothing but time here, apparently, and that sounds like a decent enough way to spend some of it. Don't be afraid to get in touch if you need a reminder or two, though.
[That said, he should probably get back to it, and he folds his notes and rises to his feet.]
[Close enough. Zekarion can simply move around him if he's in the way.]
Oh, don't worry, I'll be coming by to make use of your services. [Antiseptic will be invaluable here—and hell, maybe he'll see if Tox can't make something to knock him out if and when the insomnia becomes unbearable.] You'll probably get tired of me soon enough. Until next time, Mr. Tox.
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achievement unlocked: make altius hate everything somehow more
Date: 2026-04-09 04:39 am (UTC)From:Think of it like... Sweating, but you can control your sweat consciously, and the sweat is literally poison. If you exercise and sweat too much, you get dehydrated and your chemistry falls out of balance. It's like that. It tires me eventually, but it's not a big deal, and I highly doubt our demand would outpace my supply.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-10 02:06 am (UTC)From:That won't be the case, obviously, but it's a nice thought.]
Perhaps we should start trying to gather some containers, hm? [But in the meantime...] Would you like me to direct people your way?
no subject
Date: 2026-04-10 02:36 am (UTC)From:[It sure sounds like he thinks it will, and Tox is new, so that makes him a little nervous that there's something big coming he doesn't know about.]
Oh, I... I mean, I don't want people to think I'm a doctor or something. But if they're just in need of a substance I can provide, then definitely, send them my way.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-10 05:37 pm (UTC)From:[Misunderstandings are the last thing he wants to cause, and he'd rather not give Tox any undue trouble. He takes in a breath before he responds, the sound of it heavy, and his tone is somber when he speaks.]
But to put it simply, I was in a realm like this before. There were periods of calm, but when the real dangers arose, they were... significant. People were killed or nearly so, and I was severely wounded a time or two, myself. I have no real way of saying whether the same will happen here, but I'd rather be prepared.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-10 10:42 pm (UTC)From:... Can I ask what kinds of dangers?
no subject
Date: 2026-04-10 11:36 pm (UTC)From:[That does feel like what it boils down to. Even that incident with the doppelgangers would qualify in his mind, given the ones he saw and how violent they were. What would his have done...?]
Aggressive wild beasts, creatures powerful enough to destroy a city, and—us, hypnotized or otherwise changed in a way that made us target each other.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-11 12:45 am (UTC)From:[Uhhhhhh actual mind control? That's new even for him.]
I guess the rest fits in line with the giant worms and bears I've been hearing about. I'm trying to get some sparring partners so I can get my combat back up to snuff. I should probably learn some more first aid stuff, too.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-11 01:29 am (UTC)From:[Gratitude is too strong a word for what he feels about missing that one, but it certainly sounded unpleasant.]
I'm sure you can find a few willing to spar. I can try to share what first aid I know with you, though it's not something I've taught before.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-11 02:24 am (UTC)From:[Awful. He'd really hate for his power to be turned against one of his allies. That would trigger a whole mess of shit.]
I'd appreciate that, but no pressure. It seems like you've got a lot going on already.
[What with the railings and the impending sense of doom--]
no subject
Date: 2026-04-11 04:05 am (UTC)From:[Zekarion is hardly doing a fraction of what he'd like to be doing, but as long as it keeps him from getting drawn into his thoughts, it's fine. This will in no way have consequences later.]
Besides, it's an important set of skills. I'll get some supplies together and try to come by in a couple of days. That said—I've heard there are others who have similar skills, so if you get tired of waiting on me, don't be afraid to ask around.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-11 05:56 pm (UTC)From:[The blindness certainly doesn't give him many options, so if Altius is offering him a way to be useful, he will cling to it.]
Sounds good. And uh... Anyone in particular you're thinking of?
[He's a bit shy, so 'asking around' might be easier if he knows who he's seeking.]
no subject
Date: 2026-04-11 08:51 pm (UTC)From:[There's the sound of flipping pages as he opens his notes to a particular spot. What was the name... ah.]
Renee was one; she has a bit of a rasp. Colonel Miller has military training, so I'm sure he could teach you a few things, and he's got a deep sound with a clipped accent. There was another younger woman who claimed to be a healer, but I didn't get her name, I'm afraid. She seemed very particular about magic, so I suppose there's no guarantee her skills are the mundane sort that can be taught.
[The rest... the rest he hasn't seen around or heard from for a while. He makes marks next to their names in his notes, now that it's been brought to his attention.]
no subject
Date: 2026-04-11 09:26 pm (UTC)From:That's helpful, thanks. Wow, you're taking notes on everyone, huh? Very thorough.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-11 09:43 pm (UTC)From:Well, my memory has been tampered with. It seemed like a wiser decision than to rely on my mind alone. But I'm glad to help.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-12 03:15 am (UTC)From:[Tox isn't entirely certain a notebook would help- how can he trust that what he writes in it is actually true, if he could be hijacked at any time?]
no subject
Date: 2026-04-12 03:59 am (UTC)From:It may be. When I arrived here, I realized I couldn't recall the entirety of my experience in that other world. I know we all worked to understand it over the months I was there, but whatever we may have found is obscured.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-12 05:07 am (UTC)From:... I'd probably take some notes too, if I could.
[His memory is getting a workout these days, though he's somewhat used to it from his work in espionage.]
no subject
Date: 2026-04-12 03:36 pm (UTC)From:Yes, I imagine that does help them, along with all of the reality-breaking. [He shakes his head at himself before continuing.]
I wish I had some idea to offer you, but I don't know if carving into anything would be a good use of your time.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-13 04:28 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2026-04-13 10:58 pm (UTC)From:Well, we have nothing but time here, apparently, and that sounds like a decent enough way to spend some of it. Don't be afraid to get in touch if you need a reminder or two, though.
[That said, he should probably get back to it, and he folds his notes and rises to his feet.]
no subject
Date: 2026-04-14 04:43 am (UTC)From:Okay, thanks. And uh... If there's anything I can do for you in exchange for all of this, let me know.
[He's not sure how likely that is, given how useless he is generally, but please... He needs Tasks too.]
no subject
Date: 2026-04-15 03:00 am (UTC)From:Oh, don't worry, I'll be coming by to make use of your services. [Antiseptic will be invaluable here—and hell, maybe he'll see if Tox can't make something to knock him out if and when the insomnia becomes unbearable.] You'll probably get tired of me soon enough. Until next time, Mr. Tox.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-15 04:10 am (UTC)From:Mister Tox? Wow, so businesslike. Still, the respect afforded by it makes him smile just a little, as does the thought of being useful.]
I doubt it. See— ugh. Have a good one, Altius.