IC CONTACT (RYSLIG)

[onegreeneye]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, GINKO. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 065.32.134.46 *** GINKO has joined 065.32.134.46 <GINKO> okay, i think that worked? <GINKO> i think so. looks like it did. <GINKO> anyway, there we go. let me know if you need something.

Comments

[onegreeneye]

[Ginko smiles and tucks his hands in his pockets, glancing around at the surrounding buildings again.]

...Seems like a nice place. I'm glad you asked me to come out here; probably wouldn't have thought to otherwise.

[asecondsun]

[It's still a bit rough, but Norman is already taking active steps to improve its appearance--and appeal. Epsilon understands this well enough in concept, but really, it's all a bit beyond him.]

It seems a lot of people haven't really thought to--yet.

[And Epsilon has no problem with that. Which probably surprises no one.]

Norman is very interested in changing that, though.

[That said...]

This isn't a sales pitch, mind. All things being equal, my preferences are probably not the same as yours.

[onegreeneye]

Of course.

[He gives a soft huff.] I suppose it probably has more appeal for me now than it will with a greater population. Don't know if you feel the same or not.

[asecondsun]

[Epsilon averts his gaze.]

Well...

[You're talking to someone who hasn't had a house since he first changed, Ginko. Epsilon's just been living in the forest for months.

And yet--]

...I don't know, to be honest.

[onegreeneye]

You don't? How so?

[asecondsun]

I know you're not exactly familiar with Australia--

[No shit. Thanks Epsilon.]

--but I lived in a region called Hunter Valley, on a large piece of land. It was... a bit remote.

[He's choosing his words specifically to avoid losing Ginko in an unfamiliar detail.]

I like people. I enjoy having company.

[Henry. Ginko. The trees.

Norman, too.]

I just... wish I liked more of them, I suppose.

[A faint smile, coloured by a hint of self-deprecation.]

[onegreeneye]

...I suppose I can appreciate that. People can be... difficult sometimes.

[On a range from "don't listen to his instructions" to "literally try to stab him to death". And that was before he got here.]

[asecondsun]

[Epsilon's problems with people and Ginko's problems with people may have a very different context....]

It's the human condition, I suppose.

[Heh.]

[onegreeneye]

[Yeah most likely.

He gives a quiet snort.]

I suppose so.

[He guesses that's why he's so often felt like mushi, for all the danger they presented, were still easier to deal with than people.]

[asecondsun]

In any case, this town won't stay quiet for long.

[He looks up, green eyes scanning the rows of houses. Empty. For now.]

I'll just have to make peace with my future neighbours.

[Peace.

What an alien concept to propose here, of all places.

And in a town to unify monsters against their gods.]

[onegreeneye]

...Most likely. But, as peacemakers go, I imagine you'll do better than most.

[asecondsun]

[Wow, Ginko. Way to simultaneously say one of the nicest things Epsilon's been told and also make this incredibly hard.]

...we'll see, won't we?

[If it were up to him alone... it really would be that simple.]

I did want to show you my house, though. Come on.

[onegreeneye]

[Hey, he's trying to be encouraging. And, well. It's not like he doesn't believe what he's saying.

Ginko nods and follows Epsilon, tucking his hands in his pockets as he falls into step behind him.] Lead the way.