altimit | (Catch all) Ominous October Threads

I imagine so, given that you haven't started yelling or fanning yourself.

[ It's a little impressive; Albedo doesn't think he'd have the same kind of constitution for that. ]

Simply because it's warmer, I gather?

Yup! Fresh out the pot is the best moment to eat something.

[ But Oria knows that he's abnormal regarding "eating right out the pot", so. It's fine. ]

You like a particular ingredient? Want me to secure you some? Looks like Swallow is trying to get all the prime cuts.

[ He sees her!! ]

[ Hot food is far better than cold food, so he accepts the agreement, naturally.

He stares slightly in Shoka's direction and then looks back at Oria. Not like he has to think about it, but just... ]

...It doesn't quite matter, does it?

Even if it is a small or odd portion, it'll be fine.

[ It isn't like there are sweets hanging around...and if everyone wants a certain piece, they may as well. Though even if he had a preference, with the way things are, Albedo finds it hard to think it matters. ]

It does! There are quality grades of steak and prime is one of the better ones, but it's also rarer because you can't get a lot of prime cut out of its source. Maybe around 12% compared to the other ones.

[ And here, Oria will explain at length between the differences in quality of the meat that Albedo never asked for, comparing it to A5 wagyu, the differences in judging between Japan and America (with the former being more strict) and then lastly, mentioning that they're more expensive for supply vs demand reasons. ]

[ Albedo will stare a little longer at Oria, then.

There's a slight smile on his face that will appear right after as he makes his explanation. The spirited energy behind it is kind of...entertaining. ]

The way you speak at the topic at length makes me understand clearly how much you've been thinking about this.

Even if I don't exactly share your enthusiasm in such things.

[ But such things are contagious regardless. ]

Yup!

[ Oria knows not many people share the same enthusiasm, but he's here to spread the energy. ]

But Calx, it's great to see you smile too!

[ There is a moment of pause on Albedo's end where he looks thoughtful, rather quiet than anything. ]

It's strange. There is hardly much to smile about, even now.

But, it's not impossible. Even so...

[ He pauses again and looks at the selection of food. ]

Here we are. Is it resourcefulness that lets us all stand together like this? Or is it desperation?

Edited 2023-10-20 04:03 (UTC)

There's nothing like a party like this every now and then among friends to keep up the morale, you know.

[ So Oria thinks there's some merit here--a little slice of life situation among their apocalyptic virtual world, or people would be even deeper in the shitters. ]

So I think it's a little bit of both.

[ There's a long pause as he seems to consider something. ]

...Friends.

Is that what we are?

[ Albedo doesn't have friends in real life. That hasn't changed, even now. Everything that has happened has made him cognizant of this fact. How ... isolated he is, to his detriment.

Is that why Sinclair invited him here...? He thinks he's a friend? And now Oria also thinks the same? ]

If that's the case...perhaps.

Yeah!

[ Oria is so glad that Albedo isn't going into a self-deprecating "I don't deserve friends" spiel, because he's frankly had enough of that for the next decade or so. ]

You're a cool guy. Funny too, when you can be. I like seeing your reactions to things too!

[ Albedo doesn't exactly know what to think of himself these days. He's been left behind and discarded for certain in the real world. But even before that...this remained true.

Yet, there are people here who want to invite him to things. Even if he's a wallflower. Even if he adds no value as a conventional conversationalist. ]

Funny, is it? That is not exactly a word many use to describe me. Usually many might supply something a bit less positive.

[ The small smile is back, however. ]

I enjoy observing your reactions as well. [ ...Then, thoughtfully: ] In addition, you have had a few amusing ones from time to time yourself.

Hm...

[ Oria looks over at Albedo thoughtfully, thinking to himself for a while. ]

You're definitely the teasing type. I can feel it in my bones.

[ He grins anyway. ]

I understand on people using more mean words to describe me, because they do! A lot. I won't refute them all either, because some of it's true. But it's not like they endeared themselves to me, so of course they'd be getting the mean side of things. I imagine it'd be similar for you too.

[ Oria felt some sort of kinship with Albedo in their first meeting no less over this exact thing. ]

Oh? Well, who can say?

[ If there is a slight playful tone, it is just one's imagination. ]

...You'd be correct that it is. [ Another pause. ] I suppose we truly do have that in common. Perhaps...

[ It means that it isn't surprising they happened to get along. But, it makes him think so much more. Even if the way back isn't an option for him, it is for his dear friends.

...And the only way standing in front of that is this world, isn't it? He considers the thought more carefully, even in the middle of a joyous occasion. But, it's not a bad thing. If anything, it gives him a sort of additional resolve, though not a conventional one. ]

[ Oria slightly tilts his head while nibbling on a piece of meat. He lets Albedo think to himself for a while until he speaks up: ]

Perhaps what?

...Perhaps that is why we have been able to get along.

Truthfully, I hardly thought I could be understood by anyone, and cared little at the idea of anyone else attempting to do so when I was concerned. Society will always have its prejudices—'those who can be understood' and 'those who couldn't'. It's the difference between a human being able to understand a monster, which they cannot, and a fellow human being, to propose a more extreme example. But, as one might imagine, an inability to reach an 'understanding' can occur even in scenarios where one individual is hardly much different than the other.

Whether it is simply because of opposing ideologies, personality, or a myriad factors.

At times, one might argue it can be the difference between life and death.

[ Albedo just speaking like this is a normal thing to talk about in the middle of a little party. It's fine. ]

[ This is very much not a party topic, but Oria can roll with it--mostly because it means a lot that Albedo is speaking his mind about these things. Not that Oria doubts that Albedo wouldn't speak his mind in general, but it feels like a glimpse into his mind that Oria was curious to poke at. ]

You're right, Calx. People already have a hard time understanding each other even when they try their best to communicate. Sometimes it's not enough, and terrible consequences happen in the result of that.

[ He gets a cooked meat from the pot and instantly puts it into his mouth. Yum. After swallowing, he continues. ]

That's why if people ever want to survive in the social aspect of life, they have to learn how to adapt. People can call it two-faced or think they have personality disorders because of it, but I think it's just a skill that needs to be taken seriously. It doesn't have to be extreme, but little smiles towards the audience, a polite wave at a coworker... those things matter too.

But some people just don't get along no matter how hard they try. At that point, it's not your fault.

I had imagined that it was.

That adaption to 'society' was an impossibility, and one that ultimately benefited me little. I was not searching to be 'liked' nor to be 'accepted', or to be of 'use' to the general population. Even if, it is as you have rightfully concluded—such is simply an element of human nature; a requirement to meld oneself successfully amongst others. As it is, my interest lay simply in uncovering the results I desired, so it was not a concern.

[ So, it's a cruel fact of life he has always easily accepted. Yet... ]

I seem to find that perhaps my expectations were too rigid. The fact that I am currently present at this gathering is irrefutable proof. That, even if I am incapable of performing those minute actions—whether expressed from artifice or sincerity—on a daily basis, it did not mean I might not find some value in potential interaction elsewhere in different respects.

[ Albedo is a little happy about it, but also conflicted about what ramifications might have been wrought because it has taken him this long to get to this point. He still knows hardly much about anyone in the end, and he doubts it will change. Does that bother him too? He doesn't think so. ]

That's the great thing about interacting with people. You can't predict what will happen most of the time, and you'll always find something new or come out of the interaction having learned something new. They say you find yourself in other people to learn things about yourself. Maybe you'll get some sort of idea that you didn't think to get on your own. Even if you don't necessarily need social aspects to succeed in your life's passion, people are still, at their core, a social species. How much they require social things depends on the person, but ultimately, it's what they still need. Even shut-ins need some sort of interaction, whether it's as minimal as someone bringing food to them, or talking to someone online... It's still interaction either way.

[ He thinks about it as he grabs another piece of meat. ]

Then again, still, there are people who want to be your friend here. And it's not like you have to fully understand someone to be friends either. If that was a requirement, then... I would not have had many friends.

[ There's a long stretch of silence as he continues to absorb what the other has said. It's true, even the most quiet people desire and have a need for interaction; though he imagines his is far lower than most, Albedo thinks he has a limited threshold he'll need to meet. At least, maybe it feels that way more now than ever. But... ]

...If you can't understand someone else, how could you ever truly be someone's friend?

[ Albedo asks, genuinely curious.

If you don't understand the other person, would that not mean there is not a true connection? ]

Well, first. Let's determine what a friend means to you, Calx.

[ Oria eats some more before deciding to pause his eating so that others can eat too... ]

For me, a friend is someone I can have fun with: hanging out, doing some fun things together, chat, go out for meals and so on. For me, a closer friend would need some sort of mutual understanding.

[ ...He knows for certain he has not had a single friend before he has started playing this game. So. ]

If I have no understanding with the other person I may be 'hanging out' with, then I can only consider that individual to be an associate of some kind.

For myself, the qualifications are clear:

It could not be something superficial.

[ Albedo simply has no interest in pursuing such relationships lest they be work related associated ones. And even then, he would not bother do much 'fun together' with such people. ]

[ For a person like Albedo, that seems to track. A relationship that isn't superficial at all... Oria wonders. ]

Who qualifies as that for you right now?

I suppose...

[ Albedo smiles a little and points to Oria.

Then, he points to Sinclair.

Following that, he also points to Noé. ]

[ Oria's expression brightens at that. He knows Albedo wouldn't lie about something like this from what he's learned of him, so honestly? That touches his heart. It's nice. Sinclair is also easy to befriend if you're close to him in age and Albedo at least looks like it.

But wait. ]

Oh! You and Memoir are friends?

[ DEETS!!!! ]

[ ...Is this what it means to make people happy? Strange, Albedo never thought he was capable of that. ]

Yes.

It is more or less a recent development.

[ ...

He keeps it very concise because he has no idea he's supposed to even give deets. Help. ]

I believe I may have made another as well, but he isn't present right now.

(Catch all) Ominous October Threads

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