[TLV] IC Inbox

[palissant]

[No response can be gained via comms. He isn't interested in making himself available that way.

If you want him, come find him.]

Comments

[palissant]

[S t a r e .

You're actually going to make him do this, aren't you.

G r o a n s . . .]

I once fell into Lumiére harbour. In the middle of the day. In front of everyone there.

[superniceone]

[that's... concerning, not embarrassing! gustave gives him a sideways glance.]

What? How?

[palissant]

[Huff...]

I was--...

[Huff!]

I was following a girl I liked and I wasn't looking where I was going.

[superniceone]

[gustave laughs aloud at that, as much at verso's indignance as the story itself.]

Okay, alright. You've been adequately redeeemed.

[palissant]

[He makes a face.]

If you're wondering if she saw - yes, she did.

[superniceone]

And how did that work out for you? Surely she jumped in to save you. [he can't resist the teasing here ok!!]

[palissant]

Of course not. She stood there and laughed.

[But he's smirking.]

I was never sure if she agreed to go to dinner with me out of pity.

[superniceone]

Oh, so you still got a date out of it. I don't pity you at all. [gustave is trying not to laugh. he's failing, which is obvious by the tremble in his shoulders.]

[palissant]

[Verso is smirking a little as well, because honestly, it is pretty funny.

Though, there's a touch of sadness around it when he speaks again.]

Her name was Julie.

[superniceone]

Yeah? [his voice is soft, gently curious.] Did you date for long?

[palissant]

[A soft, almost self-depreciating laugh.]

No.

[Then a shake of his head.]

She was part of Expedition Zero.

[And Gustave knows how many survivors came back from that.]

[superniceone]

[the laughter fades from his face into something a little more somber, a little more sympathetic.]

I'm sorry. [he hesitates, then adds:] I was engaged, for a while. She was — perfect, honestly. It's not always a kind world.

[palissant]

[A small grimace crosses his features for a moment. Some things are best not asked about, and he doesn't want to have to create some lie about how and when Julie died.

Gustave doesn't ask, and he's thankful for that.]

No, it isn't.

[And isn't that funny, considering what this world was created for. He clears his throat.]

So, the train?

[superniceone]

[he's equally grateful when verso doesn't ask any questions. it's a surprisingly comfortable moment of commiseration.]

Mmh. Are you going to hate me if I take the engine apart? Could go for a ride first.

[palissant]

[A short laugh.]

No, I won't hate you. I always liked trains, you know? We can go for a ride if you're interested.

[superniceone]

A short ride. And then disassembly.

[palissant]

[There's another of those wry smiles.]

... Do you want to drive?

[superniceone]

[ok.

he bluescreens for just a moment.]

That's an option, isn't it.

[palissant]

[Oh yes he sees that bluescreen moment.]

Yes, that is an option.

[superniceone]

Feels a bit like the honor should be yours.

[palissant]

[Verso says nothing to that, but steps back and makes a gesture to the cab of the train.]

I'm going to need to show you how to work the controls anyway. Let's call it a joint effort.

[superniceone]

[gustave tips his head, indicating for verso to lead the way.] You've done this a lot?

[palissant]

Driving trains? That's a complicated question.

[He shrugs and takes the lead, hopping up into the cab.]

Remember what I told you about how I was made?

[superniceone]

[he's immediately in full Study Mode, prepared to commit this all to memory.]

A bit. [every word.]

[palissant]

[A vague wave of his hand. What he says next comes out a little... awkward. It's rare he's able to be so frank about the nature of his own existence.]

A lot of my memories... they aren't mine.