Avaritia Arrival Log

[cancrymods]

AVARITIA

It's Vegas, baby! Oh wait, I already made that joke on the location page... With Esme's iron-fisted reign brought to an end and the Executors given time to take a very well-earned break, it finally comes down to descend to the next layer of Purgatory. Thankfully, with this being the group as a whole's second descent, things are a little less nerve-wracking this time around... maybe. Hopefully. ... Probably. Welcome to Avaritia. Feel free to use this arrival log to chronicle your initial misadventures in the Greed Layer of Purgatory. As noted in the location page, several locations will require further investigation if you'd like to get some information on them, so get investigating! Drop a comment down to the Investigation Request subheader if you'd like to explore. Get out there and have fun!

Comments

[crypddyd]

[And Lion isn't chatty without purpose, so it works out. It's not until they are nearly done:]

How has the casino been today? Going well?

[heir_to_ruin]

[Ruin grins wolfishly at that question, leaning back so he can drag a fistful of chips out of his pocket. Black and orange, a couple greens... and then he fishes out two bright golden yellow chips and holds them up.]

And that's just profits.

[And if Dimitri squints he'll realize that, while the blacks are 100 markers the gold.... are 1000.]

[crypddyd]

Goddess... it's too bad it's not useful outside this layer, but if you wished you could live comfortably here for years.

[heir_to_ruin]

It's not that impressive, it's all just math.

[A dismissive shrug as he stuffs the chips back in his pocket. Then he picks up the bag finally, peeking inside while he shuffles through the contents.]

But! It means I can splurge so I got you a couple things.

[And then he pulls out a shirt, folded haphazardly, and tosses it to Lion.]

[crypddyd]

Gifts? Ruin there was no need...

[He catches the shirt, head tilting. True he hadn't bought new clothing since Ruin dragged him out- but he had enough where he could wear something clean each day. What else could he need? Was Ruin saying he smelled bad again?

Then he unfolds the shirt and stares at it. For a moment he looks flabbergasted, then confused by the pun. Then maybe annoyed, then back to surprised... and finally he can't help it anymore and just... bursts out laughing? Harder than Ruin has probably ever seen before.]

Me... meow-it?! Ruin, honestly-!?

[He's very pleased???]

[heir_to_ruin]

[He knows there was no need but it was stupid and hilarious and he had to get it. Don't judge him.

As soon as Lion starts laughing Ruin grins, something almost like pride snaking under the constant pervasive self-doubt. He tosses the sunglasses over to him as well, gradient aviators that match the ones the cat on the shirt is wearing.]

C'mon I had to. It was too perfect not to get it for you.

[crypddyd]

Other than my name I'm not very much like a cat, you realize?

[They are under an awning... so it should be fine. He starts pulling off his shirt- exposing his gnarly chest scar and the Executor mark with it]

[heir_to_ruin]

No, you're more like a pupp-

[Ruin's laughing and grinning and- choking on his words as Lion just peels his shirt off like it's no big deal. Amber eyes widen in surprise, pleased certainly but still surprised, gaze dropping down to admire the blond's body absolutely shamelessly.

And then his gaze lands on the executor mark and... oh such a lovely view, spoiled.]

You have a crest?!?

[crypddyd]

Crest? Do you mean my Executor mark?

[Said with his shirt still half off]

[heir_to_ruin]

Yeah... it's a crest symbol, like mine.

[You've been here longer than him, sir. How does he know this and you don't?]

[crypddyd]

I see... I vaguely recall crests from my memory, but I've never associated them with my mark or... my abilities?

[Because his mind has tied his Crest fully with his family, and that memory is still missing. Like Ruin he associates them with blood- just in a kinder manner]

Wait, I have never seen your mark in full. It is the same as mine or another Crest completely?

[heir_to_ruin]

Your mark is a crest... I remember a bunch of them, I think it's all of them? I might be wrong but that's not me not remembering that's just Crestology.

[But Ruin obediently starts unbuttoning his shirt more so that Lion can see the sharp sickle of the crest down over his heart. He lets it slide down his arms as well so he can twist around to show the matching arc that cuts across his shoulders.]

It's not the same one. I don't remember the names for them, which is annoying, but there's about 20 of them.

[crypddyd]

[He is Looking Respectfully :eyes:]

I see... there is a similar aesthetic to them, isn't there? I can't recall a name either- It's odd... do you think we may be from similar cultures then? I have never heard anyone else mention them, and the few Executor marks I've seen don't match the design.

[heir_to_ruin]

[Lancer shoulders are certainly worth Looking at.]

Maybe? I mean it's sort of a big deal. Noble bloodlines descended from ancient heroes kinda thing. It's why my Lance has the same mark too.

[Conveniently, buttons are too much effort to redo so uh... enjoy that view.]

[crypddyd]

Mine does as well- but no other weapons among our group do...

[He's side-eyeing Ruin, not willing to Say it in case he sounds like he's jumping to conclusions but...]

[heir_to_ruin]

You think we're from the same place?

[Lion might not be willing to say it but it's a logical conclusion. ]

We might have known each other... Or at least of each other. Like I said, nobility.

[crypddyd]

...I think it's possible, yes. I remember that I was indeed high nobility. Likely even-

[He furrows his brow, not sure if he wants to say it outright]

- royalty of some sort, due to how those in my memories addressed me.

[heir_to_ruin]

Royalty?!

[Ruin leans back and whistles, though it's quickly broken by a grin he can't keep off his face.]

I dunno you don't seem the royalty type...[Just... glancing down to look pointedly at the whole tiddy out situation happening here. Not that he's complaining, mind you.]

[crypddyd]

[He startles and tugs his shirt down... then remembers what he was doing and pulls it BACK off so he can pull his new one on]

Ruin, please-!

[Huffhuff]

Though you are not wrong- I don't particularly feel... like the leadership type.

[heir_to_ruin]

[Oh no the blush is adorable, help.]

Hey, I was just enjoying the show~

[A wink and a wicked grin but he takes pity on Lion and continues the actual conversation part of all this so he doesn't have to respond to the teasing.]

No offense but... I think you're a liiiiiittle too reactive to be in charge of an army.

[crypddyd]

[He nods sadly]

You are not wrong- perhaps things changed as I aged, but as I am and as I remember I was a skilled warrior but... that does not equal a proper soldier, let alone a leader.

[heir_to_ruin]

Hey... if you are royalty that just means you get to make everyone else do things for you. It's fine.

[C'mon they were having fun a minute ago. Ruin's just gonna scoot around the circular table so he can nudge Lion's arm lightly. Not quite leaning into him but nearly.]

Besides, down here? You're just Lion.

[crypddyd]

Just Lion...

[That makes him smile softly]

I will accept that once you can do that same, you realize?

[heir_to_ruin]

[Ruin sighs at that, shoving a hand into his hair.]

Ah not that again.

[But there's something guilty in the look he gives the blond.]

I dunno... how to just... stop? [Hating himself, berating himself, thinking he's worthless... how do you just turn that off?]

[crypddyd]

I am not asking you to- it is not my place to demand anything of you. But... I would very much like to be allowed to feel whatever I wish about you, regardless of your supposed sins. Is that fair?