[ Elias waves the man into the small room. It's walls are covered in books and scrolls and other assorted curiosities but there's an organisation to it all that keeps it from seeming cluttered.
He takes a seat on his side of the desk, gives his guest an appraising look. ]
[ martin briefly looks like he's searching for a place to sit, but he redirects when elias perches on the side of his own desk. look casual, blackwood, try not to blow it. he's dressed down for the trip, certainly, but is still dressed too nicely for his environment, and seems to not think it strange at all that he's brought his pet with him - a limber ragdoll catsquid creature who has draped herself over his shoulder, one tentacle curled loosely around his neck. ]
I mentioned that circumstances were - well, dire, I think. I was hoping for some... guidance.
[ Elias' gaze does linger on the catsquid more than once; that's a curiosity and a half, but he's confident there's no chance the man would part with it. ]
Not sure many in your situation would think of it as dire. I know of a cell-full of wardens who'd trade places in a heartbeat.
[ His tone is challenging, but Elias is really gauging how committed the man is to this. Being trapped in world one doesn't feel part of it something Elias will never condone, but the only passing fancies he's willing to indulge are his own. ]
[ martin makes a dismissive sort of sound, a tch, like he's implying the wardens' circumstances may just be their own fault. he's a 1%'er now - he fully believes they can just pull themselves up by the bloody bootstraps if they really care enough to. ]
They're trying to marry me off. And she's - lovely, I'm sure, but-
[ god, if it's not boring. ]
I just wanted to ask how you- how you find things, I guess. If you have regrets.
[ Elias runs a hand over his chin, thoughtful. There are advantages to having one's history only vaguely known, it certainly helps with reputation building. But-- ]
Do I regret losing all my family at a young age, coming into my inheritance years before I was ready? ... I can't say I've ever thought about it.
[ There's a look in his eyes that all but dares Martin to challenge him on that, it's such an obvious evasion of the question. ]
The real question is, Mr. Blackwood, will you have regrets? It's a very different life out here. None of the comforts you're used to. None of the privilege. The only ones who'll look twice at you are those who want to use you for their own ends.
[ alright, well, he winces a little at that, because it's true - he doesn't know much about elias, not really, and the look in his eyes is enough to stopper any objection. martin might be slightly inexperienced here, but he's fully aware that the ceaseless is elias's turf, not his own. ]
Well... fine. I'm a bit sick of people looking at me, anyway. [ and there's sincerity in the way he speaks. ] It's - I can't keep doing what I'm doing. And if I wait much longer, I don't know that I'll ever be able to get out at all. I don't want to spend the rest of my life comfortable but miserable.
[ martin's eyes track him, curious. he's craning his neck just slightly, as if he might get a glimpse, but he's not actively peering over his shoulder. ]
I've got- well, a friend of the family, she's the quartermaster of another, um, enterprise. Was thinking about seeing if I could buy my way on, really. [ it's a little embarrassing, but he doesn't care. ] I should have access to coin enough to make my inexperience palatable while I find my way.
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no subject
[ Elias waves the man into the small room. It's walls are covered in books and scrolls and other assorted curiosities but there's an organisation to it all that keeps it from seeming cluttered.
He takes a seat on his side of the desk, gives his guest an appraising look. ]
I wasn't sure you'd even show up, if I'm honest.
no subject
I mentioned that circumstances were - well, dire, I think. I was hoping for some... guidance.
no subject
Not sure many in your situation would think of it as dire. I know of a cell-full of wardens who'd trade places in a heartbeat.
[ His tone is challenging, but Elias is really gauging how committed the man is to this. Being trapped in world one doesn't feel part of it something Elias will never condone, but the only passing fancies he's willing to indulge are his own. ]
no subject
They're trying to marry me off. And she's - lovely, I'm sure, but-
[ god, if it's not boring. ]
I just wanted to ask how you- how you find things, I guess. If you have regrets.
no subject
Do I regret losing all my family at a young age, coming into my inheritance years before I was ready? ... I can't say I've ever thought about it.
[ There's a look in his eyes that all but dares Martin to challenge him on that, it's such an obvious evasion of the question. ]
The real question is, Mr. Blackwood, will you have regrets? It's a very different life out here. None of the comforts you're used to. None of the privilege. The only ones who'll look twice at you are those who want to use you for their own ends.
no subject
Well... fine. I'm a bit sick of people looking at me, anyway. [ and there's sincerity in the way he speaks. ] It's - I can't keep doing what I'm doing. And if I wait much longer, I don't know that I'll ever be able to get out at all. I don't want to spend the rest of my life comfortable but miserable.
no subject
There's misery waiting for you out here that you can't yet imagine, but it's nothing that can't be endured.
[ He gets up from the desk and opens a cabinet against the wall, starting to look through the papers and boxes for something. ]
Any more thoughts on how you'll get out? And what it is you think you'll do once it's done?
no subject
I've got- well, a friend of the family, she's the quartermaster of another, um, enterprise. Was thinking about seeing if I could buy my way on, really. [ it's a little embarrassing, but he doesn't care. ] I should have access to coin enough to make my inexperience palatable while I find my way.