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[rosarianoath]

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[empyreancatastrophe]

A wonder, indeed.

[He leans against that same counter so he can better face his brother.]

The prospect of holding a conversation with someone whose face I've never seen is admittedly overwhelming--yet not off-putting. More exciting than all else.

[rosarianoath]

I was a little bitter towards them, at first. [That feels odd to admit, but it's Joshua. At least he won't feel judged for it, even if it's revealing a chink in his armour.] And it was easy to be, speaking to faceless people who were often bitter themselves. But mostly everyone I've met here has been very kind. Very understanding, too.

[empyreancatastrophe]

[And true to Clive's trust in him, Joshua doesn't judge. He meets his brother's eye with placid acceptance. Nothing approaching the insult of pity, and far away from contempt.]

I suppose being thrust into a strange, unknown realm together would have that effect. 'Tis easier to be understanding of one another when faced with equitable adversity.

One would hope, at least.

[He's not naive to the darker side of what people are capable of in these situations. Unfortunately.]

[rosarianoath]

Of course. [He nods. How many times has that been the common ground?] I cannot pretend I share the same perspective on this place as most do, but I appreciate that we can all come together to live decently here just the same.

[empyreancatastrophe]

And how dull the world would be if not for different perspectives.

[Joshua offers a good-natured smile. He still wishes to leave this place, and Clive has made it clear that he sees the value in what it has to offer. After experiencing just a fraction of what his brother undoubtedly has, Joshua can see why. It may not be enough to have swayed him entirely, but, again, he understands.]

[And, truly, he wants to learn more.]

May I ask you to show me more of this city that has enchanted you so?

[rosarianoath]

[Joshua would have made a good ruler, Clive thinks. Gentle, kind, understanding. He’d shelter people who had never known a home, offer kindness to those who had never known it. Clive breathes out, long, slow, fond.]

Of course. I can take you to one on our walk. On many walks, actually.

[empyreancatastrophe]

[That's more than enough to get Joshua to lift away from the counter. Just like with his other movements after arriving in Limbo, there's a subtle sprightliness to it, as if he's no longer carrying an invisible weight.]

Then I am ready to depart whenever you are.

[rosarianoath]

Let's go now, then.

[He shoves the cookie in his hand into his mouth and turns to venture through the house to find his shoes. He's glad to have his back turned so he doesn't look like a barbarian replying with his mouth full:]

I think I know a place you'll like.

[empyreancatastrophe]

[Joshua would have absolutely no place to critique Clive for his behavior. Not when he folds one of the cookies into a napkin that he then places into one of his pockets, nice and large and presumably built for such precious cargo, as he goes to follow his brother.]

I trust your intuition.

[He keeps up easily with Clive as they walk, only pausing occasionally to examine the myriad unique structures. Perhaps out of habit, he positions himself barely an inch away from his brother's shoulder.]

And that there... is a car, as well? It's built larger than the others.

[rosarianoath]

[Their neighborhood is small, full of little houses Clive has been told are older, a thing that is meaningless to him beyond the fact that it was affordable compared to some of the places with brighter whites and smoother walls. It is not far from downtown, the tops of skyscrapers clearly visible beyond the rooftops. It is just as much a part of the city as any other, quiet as it may seem. In fifteen minutes, they'll be into the thick of things. For now, it's quaint.

He follows Joshua's gaze.]

A truck. Both are automobiles –– self-moving vehicles. These are for transporting more cargo than people.

[empyreancatastrophe]

[He'll take quaint. He'll happily bask in the quiet, but not lifeless, ambiance over the noise of the city--but to learn the latter is of utmost importance. For safety and security, yes, but also because it's someplace important to Clive. Or, at least, it houses places that are important to him.]

That makes sense.

There have been even larger automobiles, longer, but full of Souls with large windows. Those I imagine are for mass transport of people?

[rosarianoath]

Yes. That is a “bus.” People who do not have automobiles use them… “public transit” is less expensive and for the common good.

[A pause, a reflection on the alternative.]

There used to be a bus that ran underground, too, the “subway”, but it is overrun with monsters now.

[empyreancatastrophe]

[Joshua nods, tucking away the proffered information and taking the time to process what's important now.]

Then eradicating them is all the more important.

That is part of your work, yes? Separate but similar from Dion's?

[rosarianoath]

[He nods.]

It's very similar work, just a different chain of command.

[Which is to say: Clive has none.]

[empyreancatastrophe]

[It gives him just a moment, but Joshua manages to pick up what Clive is putting down.]

[He grins.]

I imagine such an arrangement must be freeing.

[Which reminds him--]

Much like your hunts back home. Grisly work, yes, but done with the knowledge you were serving the greater good.

They were... I cannot say enjoyable endeavors, when I was allowed to accompany you, but it was a privilege to assist.

[rosarianoath]

[That pulls an abrupt little chuff of laughter from him, just off his breath.]

I never supposed you’d become more fond of hunting, now that you’ve grown.

[There’s a fondness there, impossible to cut through despite the seriousness of his feelings about hunting’s value.]

A good hunt serves all, I say. Protection for the tender, materials for the artisan, meat for the table, and satisfaction for me.

[empyreancatastrophe]

[Good. Laughter, smiling, happy memories. All good signs.]

I’m glad you’ve found that satisfaction here as well, Brother.

[Joshua claps a hand on Clive’s shoulder, barely a tap against its breadth, but the sentiment is there.]

Now, to where are we absconding? I am at your mercy.

[rosarianoath]

[He hardly budges from the clap, and just casts Joshua an amused look.]

A coffeehouse, first. Then, the aviary.

[empyreancatastrophe]

[Give him a few months and he’ll have two whole muscles!!! Then Clive may budge a little bit. Maybe.]

[Joshua returns the look with one of his own, and it quickly settles into something that sits between quiet excitement and expectation.]

I imagine both will have influences from the myriad worlds present here.

Godspeed lil bird

[rosarianoath]

[Truthfully, the only real noteworthy aspects of the coffee are that it is plentiful and cheap, and that it tastes the same anywhere he goes. But Clive wants coffee, so for that purpose:]

In the aviary, one can hardly see where one ends and another begins. Or understand how they could come to be, one way or another.

he's gonna be so proud when he lifts his first 5lb weight

[empyreancatastrophe]

[That piques Joshua's attention even more.]

Even if we were to spend the entire day there, methinks it will not be enough.

[Not a bad thing. That just means they'll have to go out again.]

[rosarianoath]

Well, that's fine, isn't it? [He smiles. He lets himself be more at ease.] We have plenty of days to do just that.

[empyreancatastrophe]

More than fine. Excellent, one could say.

[Because they do have plenty of days, and they can make plans for those days. Plans that don't involve careful placement of resources or calculating the risks of losing one set of soldiers so that another group could live.]

[A true luxury.]

[More than enough of one that he's willing to bask in it in silence, walking side-by-side with his brother--his smiling brother--until they make it to the coffeehouse.]

[rosarianoath]

[The coffeehouse is only a short walk away, and Clive busies himself with ordering for them –– a black coffee for him, and some sweet thing with iced coffee and whipped cream and other such nonsense for Joshua. He'll be bouncing off the walls until late but it'll be worth it for the look on his face when he tries it. Clive hands it over from the barista's counter with a little smile.]

Do not drink it too fast. You'll get "brain freeze."

[empyreancatastrophe]

[Joshua accepts the drink with a murmured thanks and examines it at first. The cup is colder than he could ever imagine. Not even the rare frosted mug could make his fingers tingle from such a chill. Even without Clive’s (much appreciated) warning, he’s not sure if he’d want to drink it quickly.]

[But there is that cream swirled on top. That should be a good place to start.]

[He maneuvers his straw so he can dig in from the hole in the plastic dome and shovels some into his mouth.]

[His eyes light up.]

[Then, he goes for another mouthful. And one more thereafter, just for good measure.]

[Finally, he sticks the straw into the drink proper and cautiously sips at it.]

[Something about how that bitter note tames what would be a near overwhelming sweetness triggers something in Joshua’s mind. Frigid as it is, he wants more.]

[Scratch what he’d thought just moments ago. Clive was right to warn him. If he hadn’t, he would’ve easily slurped up more than he probably should have.]

This is exquisite! Have you tried this before? You must if you haven't!

[CONGRATULATIONS: caffeine and sugar addiction unlocked!]