spotsalone | angelo; pc catchall

[ Hickey scurries out of trial and heads off to find Angelo rather quickly. Ill-advised, perhaps, but it's happening anyway.

When he finds him, Hickey keeps his distance, just in case. ]

It seems I owe you an apology.

[ He fishes some matches and two cigarettes out of his pocket, popping the first into his mouth before offering the second to Angelo. ]

[ Angelo is just out here, dissociating by the rose bushes. He's at least no longer explosively angry... the look he gives Hickey is unkind, but it doesn't seem that he's about to punch him again.

He even considers the cigarette for a moment, like he did the alcohol at the party, but this time too winds up shaking his head. ]

... so which part are you apologizing for?

[ Undeterred by the rejected offer, Hickey slips the spare cigarette back into his pocket and sets to lighting his own. Suit yourself! ]

You weren't the culprit.

[ The words are a bit strangled, said with a lungful of smoke. After a moment, he exhales. ]

So it's true that you had other reasons for protecting your modesty.

[ Angelo is silent for a moment. He said way too much back there and it's impossible to take back now. Everyone knows now, and he feels filthy for it. (He's felt filthy this whole time. The only thing washing him clean is dead and gone.)

The idea of saying any more on the matter is repulsive, but so is letting some... insinuations stand in the room. ]

I did not sell my body 'for the fun of it'.

[ The punch should have conveyed this plenty, but he hisses it out through grit teeth properly now. Then he exhales. ]

So I will not let anybody look at me ever again.

[ He nods, eyes dropping briefly. ]

Understood, sir.

[ There's a beat. He sucks on his cigarette. ]

Anybody, though? Truly? That's an awfully limited life, I'd say.

[ Though it's a customary politeness, the 'sir' finally makes Angelo drop some of the tension from his shoulders. He's not going to believe that this display of respect was genuine, but he's making positive note of the fact that it was given at all. He'd expected far worse. ]

I'm plenty fulfilled without the so-called "pleasures" of the flesh, thank you very much.

[ He sounds vaguely disgusted just saying the word 'pleasure'. ]

My work is worth more than any boastful lover could even pretend to be.

[ hickey and angelo handshaking over their praise kink. ]

Well, I was thinking beyond pleasures of the flesh. It must make living in such close quarters difficult, for example.

[ His roommates have already seen more of him than they probably wanted. ]

What sort of work do you do?

[ If you yell at people enough and make liberal use of curtains, anything is possible!! (His roommates do presumably not like Angelo very much.) ]

I'm lieutenant in the Neo Zeon armed forced, the right hand of the Captain. We are fighting for the liberation of our people, cast out into space.

[ This is... a very flowery way of saying he's an armed militant terrorist, but. ]

Into space?

[ He points up, frowning curiously. That's a new one. It's hardly more surprising than dragons or time loops, but still. ]

Where I'm from, we're having enough trouble navigating our own planet. I'm a lieutenant as well, though on a ship.

[ Look at that! They have something in common! ~~no they fuckin don't everyone stop believing that he's an officer~~ ]

You've a better cause behind you though, from the sound of it.

[ Huh. Shiv called him 'captain' during the trial but it seems like she was exaggerating his rank. Well, Angelo is glad to have that one cleared up, because with the loss of the Captain being an open wound, he hardly enjoys anyone else sharing his title. ]

Space, yes. It's...

[ He frowns for a moment, trying to recall the history of the Middle Ages (yes, they call it that). He barely knows anything about it, but colonists do tell stories about colonists sometimes... ]

Imagine if the people who settled America did so not out of hope, but because they were cast out. That's the situation for us spacenoids.

[ This is greatly underselling a much much more complex situation but. Moving on. ]

What was your cause?

[ The analogy does its work to quickly catch him up to speed—mostly. Hickey's view of America is chaotic and wonderful, though he doesn't much care how it got to be that way. Maybe Angelo and his spacenoids ought to just appreciate what they've got.

But it seems unwise to say such a thing. He'd rather not get punched again. ]

I see. A difficult situation, to say the least. How are your people faring?

[ As for his cause... He turns his attention to the roses. ]

We were sent to complete a trade route in the polar sea. The Northwest Passage. A boon for England, no doubt, but not one worth dying for if you ask me.

[ For Angelo's part, that description immediately puts a lot of things into perspective and makes him decide that maybe Hickey is a bit more similar to his people than he would have previously thought possible. ]

Certainly not. But they don't care, do they? So long as it brings profit and comfort to those sitting lazily in their safe villas, they'd send the rest of us out to charter new territory and die miserable deaths without a second thought.

[ Angelo is an enemy of the British Empire just on principle. Die, England. ]

Most of those of us abandoned in space are not dying in colony construction anymore, but most is not all. There are still many who are dying in asteroid mines, left to abject poverty... and even those who live more comfortably only do so until their soldiers once again decide to vent their frustrations on us.

[ Wow. This guy gets it. ]

You know, I believe we have more in common than you may want to admit. We certainly share similar world views in that regard.

[ He flashes a smile. ]

Humanity never changes, does it?

It doesn't. An unfortunate truth.

[ That's why it should all burn, for all Angelo cares. Purify it completely, with no regard for what is lost in the fire.

That said... Angelo is quiet for a moment and then shrugs. ]

If we had nothing in common, you would never have said any of those things to me in the first place.

[ It's something only someone who's used to nastiness can say. Angelo had been pleased to see everyone else be shocked and on his side, but the fact that they were just proves they come from a different world entirely. ]

[ Some time after all the commotion has died down, Hickey scurries off to track down Angelo... and of course he's in the laundry room. That seems on brand for this guy. ]

You know, if this cycle is meant to continue, any washing up you do will just be reset come morning.

[ He's helping! ]

[ Angelo has his hands in a washbasin and is lathering a bedsheet. The soap is rose scented by default, and this pleases him. He doesn't seem to be in a terrible mood, for what it's worth, though the events of earlier certainly linger on his mind. ]

I know. It's irritating that this won't get dry in time, but I'll make do.

[ .... yeah. ]

Why bother at all, if you know it's bootless?

[ Hickey is not a fan of laundry, and yet he knows he'll find himself in here bright and early tomorrow, scrubbing the stink off of his scant clothing yet again... How annoying. ]

It takes my mind off things.

[ In his own world, washing machines would naturally do the job. He liked laundry there as well - the clean sheets out of the dryer, like a memory of a bygone time that he can't hold onto properly anymore. Clean and spotless, smelling warm.

This is more exhausting and he hates the way the water makes his fingers rough, but... ]

Surely you understand the appeal of a tidy place to rest? Then you may see the merit in scrubbing something clean yourself.

[ Just going off the profiles, Hickey has known some amount of hardship. ]

[ His head tips in concession. Fair enough! This place is starting to get rather boring. ]

More than you know, mate. I haven't known tidy in three years. Cleanliness is a luxury.

[ He leans against an unused basin, hands finding the pockets of his coat. ]

Yet I'm happy to let Ish do that work for me. He owes us that much, wouldn't you say?

[ Angelo laughs at that - an unpleasant little bark, but it's certainly at Ish's expense rather than Hickey's. ]

He absolutely does. For all the lavishness presented, he's still been a dreadful host.

[ He removes the sheets from his basin and starts wringing out excess water with a brutal efficiency one might not think someone as dainty as him capable of. ]

Saving him effort is about the last thing on my mind.

[ Hickey echoes with his own humorless grunt of a laugh. ]

As far as hosts go, I've had worse.

[ take a shot every time hickey complains about living on a ship. ]

Have you spoken with him much yourself?

[ Angelo's also had worse, but he's in a position that allows him to have standards now, so he'll complain with all his might. It makes him feel better. ]

Some. His devotion to that goddess was of interest to me, so I had to probe a little.

You?

[ It's hard to gauge whether Hickey would expect to be visited by Angelo or not, but... well, he's here anyway. Even though the whole half mirror-funhouse half-jail situation the Promenade is currently in feels kind of unsettling. ]

I'm going to assume I also haven't earned your real name.

[ Not much of an issue, but he's a little curious. ]

[ Hickey does seem a touch surprised to see Angelo when he walks in. He's lying on the floor, staring up at the ceiling and smoking a cigarette. ]

Depends on why you want to know it.

Can't I simply be curious?

[ He's going to sit down cross-legged on the floor, next to Hickey. For Angelo-standards he really is being very calm. ]

I wouldn't share with anyone else, if that's what you're worried about. I don't really care that you killed Andrew.

[ So there's no reason to be spiteful and tell the others his secret, he means. ]

[ Hickey does note the calmness. Hm. He sits up. ]

I'm not worried about anything. Tell me why you don't care. That's interesting.

[ It's not a no, though. ]

[ Angelo gives a curt little laugh at that. ]

Is it, really?

[ He'd call it pretty mundane. But fine, he'll indulge the death row inmate. ]

I just never expected differently. You've seen the filth of humanity just as I did. The most desperate, depraved, and vile the world has to offer. Why would it surprise me that you'd kill to save yourself?

It's just business as usual, and everyone else is deluded to think they're above it.

[ He's quiet for a moment, and then he lets out a low, humorless laugh. ]

Elias Cooper.

[ A name he hasn't said in a long, long time. It hardly feels like his own anymore, having twisted himself into such a different person now than the man who wore it three years ago.

But Cornelius Hickey never suited him, either. What an abhorrent mouthful. ]

I'd wager that the two of us are the only ones here that truly understand the game. The others... they take the luxury of morals for granted.

[ He pauses to suck at his cigarette, inhaling deeply. ]

Morals aren't worth dying over, I can tell you that.

[ Elias, huh... It suits him better than Cornelius, Angelo thinks. Less pretentious in sound. And though he's not going to display any big sentimentality about being let in on this secret, there's a nod of acknowledgement that feels almost respectful. ]

'The luxury of morals'... what a way to put it.

[ There's a dark amusement in his voice. ]

This isn't the first time you've killed, is it? I admit, those injuries looked... somewhat satisfying to cause, but surely they weren't your first go at it.

[ Not on Andrew necessarily. But like. In general. He'd like to stab someone twelve times, it sounds nice. ]

[ Ah, very normal guys, these two. Elias grins, his gaze dropping. ]

Not as satisfying as you'd think, not with Andrew, but taking a life does come with a certain thrill.

[ Killing the lieutenant whose coat he now wears was significantly more satisfying. If Angelo's paying attention, he might spot the smattering of slits cut into the fabric around the chest. ]

I'm a practiced hand at it by now, yeah. You've read that right. I don't kill for the joy of it, but it's a useful skill to have when the situation calls. If you're going to do it at all, you need to be quick about it. Efficient.

[ Hence the twelve stabs. What others may call brutality, he calls insurance. Human beings are durable things; one or two stabs doesn't always cut it. ]

What of you, lieutenant? You sound as though you want to, if you haven't already.

I've taken lives, but in combat.

[ Most often in an 18m tall fighting robot, but explaining that to Elias seems like an absolutely insane task and Angelo isn't keen on wasting this night on that. ]

The other way... I can't say I haven't thought about it.

[ A lot. A lot lot. All the time, really. Venting it all out, making them all disappear. ]

But would you waste your life exacting short-sighted revenge on some filthy piece of shit? None of my 'guests' were worth that level of dedication.

[ Oh, Elias' opinion of Angelo improves exponentially at that final sentiment. ]

Revenge is a waste. It moves you backwards instead of forwards. To chase after such a fleeting relief is childish.

[ He plucks the cigarette from his mouth with two fingers and offers it to Angelo. Maybe he'll take him up on it, this time. ]

Why haven't you acted on it here, then? Sounds to me like you could do with a wish of your own.

[ Angelo looks between Elias and the cigarette for a moment. There is a palpable tension in the air, a war in Angelo's own head. He is exhausted. He is angry, too, at Elias for exposing his weaknesses in the trial just to make himself seem the saint... He wants to engage in vices his Captain has broken him free on, but he does not want his lips to touch something tainted by someone else.

At the same time, Elias is about to die and Angelo can see this for the offer of camaraderie that it is. It feels almost sincere, from a man who surely is anything but, as camouflaging as the animal sprung from his soul.

After a complicated two seconds, he just gets mad at himself, his indecision, the amount of stock he's putting into this one way or another. So with a quick and agitated movement he grabs the cigarette from Elias and takes a deep drag. He's clearly practiced at it.

... it feels nostalgic. It feels good. He hates that it does. ]

I'm not letting Ish's magic touch the Captain.

[ Angelo himself is becoming re-tainted all over in his absence. Filthy by association with his past, poisoned by nicotine, dirtied over and over. A corrupted existence robbed of its only salvation.

Full Frontal isn't like this. Full Frontal has to remain pure, even in death. ]

[ The corner of his mouth ticks up as Angelo accepts the offer. He notes, too, that the pull goes down smoothly. That's unexpected. As per usual, there's more layers to Angelo than Elias anticipated. ]

But you could use the magic for yourself. Your people, even. Though a dealing with such an untrustworthy creature is far from ideal, it has to be better than returning home empty-handed.

[ He leans back, propping himself up with his palms. ]

At least our suffering here wouldn't be for nothing.

They can all choke, for all I care.

[ ... yeah.

Angelo generally does feel that Spacenoids deserve freedom broadly speaking, but it's not like the people who used and abused him hadn't also been Spacenoids. In the end, it's the whole world that is rotten. ]

And the moment I go home, I'll freeze to death in the endless vacuum of space.

[ So it's all. EXTREMELY POINTLESS. A beat, and another drag of cigarette. ]

It's all such a joke.

So, don't go home.

[ He says it like a simple option. But: ]

I'm not a lieutenant. I'm not even a sailor. I killed the man whose name I stole to board the ship because I needed to get out of London. If I had stayed, I'd be rotting in a ditch somewhere by now.

[ He grins. It's not a happy thought, but what matters is that it didn't happen. He escaped—into a separate hell, to be sure, but why shouldn't he escape that too? ]

You can choose to look at it as a joke—or as an opportunity. You always have options, Angelo. The trick is just... knowing how to invent them for yourself.

[ He turns his full attention to Angelo, his gaze stern. ]

Your pride is not worth more than your life. If you've an opportunity to gain an advantage, you should take it, no matter the cost.

[ ... ah. It's the kind of platitude that Angelo would find laughable from anybody else, but he knows that Hickey means it. Has lived it. Would live it again, if he weren't locked in here to die.

Over and over, to stay alive. ]

So that's how you got to have such a scandalous name.

[ A flippant comment first, because there's a lot else to say and feel and he can't really wrap his whole mind around it yet. ]

I've survived this long because I've refused to die a pointless death. I know how to do it.

[ He doesn't know if he wants to, this time. But it's whatever. TIME TO REDIRECT A LITTLE. ]

You haven't given up on yourself yet, have you?

[ Elias snorts. ]

It's not a name I would have chosen for myself, given the choice. Cornelius. Ugh.

[ He finds that name more disagreeable than Hickey, but it's a stiff competition now that he's been enlightened on modern slang.

But he looks pleased that Angelo's tune has changed. It's odd to call anyone here a friend after such a short time together, but... whatever their relationship may be, he does not relish the thought of Angelo returning home only to die—and a sorry death, at that. He deserves a more fitting end to his story. ]

The two of us... I'm sure you'll understand when I say that I'm the only person in my corner. I can't give up on myself; the moment I do, I'm dead. I'd wager the same is true for you. We're all we've got.

[ He flashes a smile that's more hopeful than any man on death row has the right to be. ]

This will work out in my favor. I'll do what I can to make it work out in yours, as well.

[ Hickey has his own brightness to him. Not blinding like most of the people here, not the brightness of those too fortunate to have been dimmed at all. Just the brightness of a lamp in the gutter, lighting the path forward so you don't cut your feet on broken glass.

'You have nobody on your side', Hickey says and then 'I'll be on your side' in almost the same breath. Laughable. Inconsistent
Meaningless. He'll be dead come morning.

But Angelo can't say he hates this kind of determination. It's self-deluded but raw and strangely honest. ]

... I'll be looking forward to your show, Elias.

[ And he does. Maybe he'll have his pessimism proven wrong just yet. Maybe Elias will truly transcend from the pitiful existence that he is.

Angelo blows some cigarette smoke vaguely into Elias' direction, just because he can. ]

I'll be rooting for you, even. Your resourcefulness shouldn't go to waste here.

[ Elias. His eyes drop and he chuckles a little, hearing the name in someone else's voice. It's... nice.

Even if it's accompanied by a waft of cigarette smoke. Hey? ]

...Thanks.

[ He should have more to say, some deflection or smug retort, but something tells him not to push it. As rocky as his relationship with Angelo has been these past weeks, there's a stability underneath the turbulence that he wants to linger in a little longer.

In truth, he's a little scared, going into tomorrow. But admitting to such a thing would be admitting a lack of confidence in himself, and that won't do. ]

You can stay a while yet, if you'd like.

[ Said flippantly, with a shrug. It's boring here, and that's definitely his only motivation in offering that option. He fishes another cigarette out of his pocket. ]

Tell me what space is like. Or of your Captain. Anything.

angelo; pc catchall

w1; garden; post-trial saturday

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w1; laundry room; post-execution sunday

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W3 JAIL PC TIME!!!!!!!

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mentions of teenage prostitution.

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