WHO: Expedition 33 (Gustave, Maelle, Sciel, and Verso) WHEN: post-mingle, pre-mission WHERE: the apartments WHAT: the remaining members of Expedition 33 NOTES\WARNINGS: spoilers for Acts 1&2 of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
He flicks his index finger toward the ceiling, making small little circles in the air. His eyes close. If they all were together, would they need him? He wants to stay with them, to watch over them, but he continues to wonder if that's his own selfishness. What is his place? How can he be useful?
His eyes open.
Verso can't help the expression that dances over his face at Gustave saying that he's fine with it. His head tilts as he isn't able to hide the frown. A slower, meaningful blink as he looks away from him. Letting him collect himself to try again with what he is saying.
He drifts his gaze back to him, sees the small smile. You want me there? Of course, he doesn't say that aloud. They're trying to mend feelings and misunderstandings. Gustave is here to talk and he should continue to respect that versus start an unnecessary fight over words.
Only it isn't just misunderstandings.
His shoulders lower, feeling the weight on them, but he tries to make the gesture seem more like he's relaxing more against the piano -- hearing something that's a relief -- rather than something that builds more weight upon his chest.
"I think that sounds more than fair." Fairer than deserved. He breathes a little laugh through his nose. "So, let's start again. Verso. The only son of Renoir." He gently rests a hand against his only chest. Running his thumb's nail against his index finger, he wonders if he should mention how his relationship with Renoir has changed.
His head gives a little shake.
"Immortal from Expedition Zero. Over one-hundred years old." His shoulders lift and lower. "A simple, straight-forward description, I'd say." Another little smile. He did think of saying how he isn't quite as immortal as he once was. However, he doesn't want Maelle to know; he's playing stupid, playing dumb, if he takes a hit and dies from it -- at least they'll be safe. He'll claim ignorance after.
A frown flickers over Verso's face before he shutters it, expression smoothing out once more. Verso doesn't believe him; fair enough. Neither of them really believe each other, which isn't the best possible foundation for new teammates, let along a potential friendship, but things change. Maybe, as they get to know one another, the wariness and uncertainty will fade. Maybe they'll both stop thinking they each know the right thing to do, and start listening to each other instead.
Maybe, maybe.
But Verso gives that charming little laugh, brief and self-effacing, and introduces himself all over again, and he is charming, if also an unknown element. "I find it hard to believe there's anything simple or straight-forward about you."
It's amused, not an accusation, and Gustave sits up to take his turn, gesturing toward his own chest. "Gustave. An engineer before I was an expeditioner. Two sisters, one of which you know; three apprentices back in Lumiรจre."
He shakes his head right back, eyebrows lifting, wry. "32 years old, and not immortal, it turns out. Not that I was expecting to be."
His shoulders lift in a shrug at the comment that there probably isn't anything simple about him. He tilts his head to the side as he joins in the amusement.
Verso glances away shortly after the introduction. "Well, it is nice to meet you." There is a wall of words that he could say, but he decides those are the best ones to choose from what could be said.
"Anyway, you've probably seen enough of me today." He breathes out a little laugh through his nose. Drumming his fingers on the surface of the cover, his smile flickers across his face.
"You're right to your emotions and outrage, you know?" A slight beat. "End up burning yourself out fast if you don't let yourself feel." His smile remains as he gives his casual advice.
Verso thinks he should give another apology, but decides that he's said too many already. Eventually they'll sound like nothing but placating statements. He decides to let that one go and instead say something truthful. "There's still some things I can't say yet but it's not being hidden from you. It's just a conversation not yet had, all right?"
As methods of getting rid of him go, it's one of the more polite ones. And Verso's not wrong, really: Gustave has probably seen enough of him today, and vice versa. He can't imagine Verso's all that thrilled to be spending the time with him, either, not when he's the reason โ however unwittingly โ Verso is now separated from his teammates and friends.
He huffs a small breath of laughter as he sets his hands on his knees. "Yeah. Good advice for both of us, I think."
What reaction might Verso be hiding under that warm, oh so charming smile? Anger, resentment? That same awkward sense of having been replaced, of no longer being needed, that Gustave himself feels?
If there's a fight to come, who would really be a more useful member of the team? From a purely practical standpoint, the answer is clear. Maybe not even just a practical one.
He's standing as Verso goes on, and pauses there, half-turned, listening. A conversation not yet had. It only sparks more questions: why not? is it something Verso feels he can't handle yet, the way everyone seems to think he can't handle things yet?
Gustave considers him for a moment, thoughtful. "Okay, fair enough. But just so I know if I need to brace myself down the line, is it gonna be something else I won't enjoy hearing? If you can tell me, I guess. Otherwise I'll, well... wait and be surprised, I suppose."
His shoulders gives a little shrug at the comment that it's good advice for them both. But he decides to not follow up with any reply; he just smiles simply and easily.
He has already decided to burn out for the people that are around him. Be that the 33s or anyone else. He's not seeking forgiveness; he's not looking for validation. He simply feels that the sum of his life should be used for those around him. It's that simple and that complex.
Whatever he feels, he doesn't want that to become a burden for others. Not that it always works out that way, but he'd rather his emotions not be a chain that drags others down. So, he'll figure out a way to apologize for the brief weight they had to carry because of him.
He watches Gustave get up to leave. He tilts his head slightly in a farewell. But he does pause when the man pauses. His head tilts the opposite way.
"I can't imagine it'll be an enjoyable conversation." He scratches his beard in thought. That much he can, at least, let him know. "But I don't think you need to worry for another shoe to drop, though. I did, after all, help the Expedition kill the Paintress and Renoir."
A slow blink and he tilts his chin up. "In any case, I don't have any regrets about what happened in the Monolith."
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etrayalogs2025-07-08 02:17 pm
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He flicks his index finger toward the ceiling, making small little circles in the air. His eyes close. If they all were together, would they need him? He wants to stay with them, to watch over them, but he continues to wonder if that's his own selfishness. What is his place? How can he be useful?
His eyes open.
Verso can't help the expression that dances over his face at Gustave saying that he's fine with it. His head tilts as he isn't able to hide the frown. A slower, meaningful blink as he looks away from him. Letting him collect himself to try again with what he is saying.
He drifts his gaze back to him, sees the small smile. You want me there? Of course, he doesn't say that aloud. They're trying to mend feelings and misunderstandings. Gustave is here to talk and he should continue to respect that versus start an unnecessary fight over words.
Only it isn't just misunderstandings.
His shoulders lower, feeling the weight on them, but he tries to make the gesture seem more like he's relaxing more against the piano -- hearing something that's a relief -- rather than something that builds more weight upon his chest.
"I think that sounds more than fair." Fairer than deserved. He breathes a little laugh through his nose. "So, let's start again. Verso. The only son of Renoir." He gently rests a hand against his only chest. Running his thumb's nail against his index finger, he wonders if he should mention how his relationship with Renoir has changed.
His head gives a little shake.
"Immortal from Expedition Zero. Over one-hundred years old." His shoulders lift and lower. "A simple, straight-forward description, I'd say." Another little smile. He did think of saying how he isn't quite as immortal as he once was. However, he doesn't want Maelle to know; he's playing stupid, playing dumb, if he takes a hit and dies from it -- at least they'll be safe. He'll claim ignorance after.
no subject
Maybe, maybe.
But Verso gives that charming little laugh, brief and self-effacing, and introduces himself all over again, and he is charming, if also an unknown element. "I find it hard to believe there's anything simple or straight-forward about you."
It's amused, not an accusation, and Gustave sits up to take his turn, gesturing toward his own chest. "Gustave. An engineer before I was an expeditioner. Two sisters, one of which you know; three apprentices back in Lumiรจre."
He shakes his head right back, eyebrows lifting, wry. "32 years old, and not immortal, it turns out. Not that I was expecting to be."
no subject
Verso glances away shortly after the introduction. "Well, it is nice to meet you." There is a wall of words that he could say, but he decides those are the best ones to choose from what could be said.
"Anyway, you've probably seen enough of me today." He breathes out a little laugh through his nose. Drumming his fingers on the surface of the cover, his smile flickers across his face.
"You're right to your emotions and outrage, you know?" A slight beat. "End up burning yourself out fast if you don't let yourself feel." His smile remains as he gives his casual advice.
Verso thinks he should give another apology, but decides that he's said too many already. Eventually they'll sound like nothing but placating statements. He decides to let that one go and instead say something truthful. "There's still some things I can't say yet but it's not being hidden from you. It's just a conversation not yet had, all right?"
no subject
He huffs a small breath of laughter as he sets his hands on his knees. "Yeah. Good advice for both of us, I think."
What reaction might Verso be hiding under that warm, oh so charming smile? Anger, resentment? That same awkward sense of having been replaced, of no longer being needed, that Gustave himself feels?
If there's a fight to come, who would really be a more useful member of the team? From a purely practical standpoint, the answer is clear. Maybe not even just a practical one.
He's standing as Verso goes on, and pauses there, half-turned, listening. A conversation not yet had. It only sparks more questions: why not? is it something Verso feels he can't handle yet, the way everyone seems to think he can't handle things yet?
Gustave considers him for a moment, thoughtful. "Okay, fair enough. But just so I know if I need to brace myself down the line, is it gonna be something else I won't enjoy hearing? If you can tell me, I guess. Otherwise I'll, well... wait and be surprised, I suppose."
no subject
He has already decided to burn out for the people that are around him. Be that the 33s or anyone else. He's not seeking forgiveness; he's not looking for validation. He simply feels that the sum of his life should be used for those around him. It's that simple and that complex.
Whatever he feels, he doesn't want that to become a burden for others. Not that it always works out that way, but he'd rather his emotions not be a chain that drags others down. So, he'll figure out a way to apologize for the brief weight they had to carry because of him.
He watches Gustave get up to leave. He tilts his head slightly in a farewell. But he does pause when the man pauses. His head tilts the opposite way.
"I can't imagine it'll be an enjoyable conversation." He scratches his beard in thought. That much he can, at least, let him know. "But I don't think you need to worry for another shoe to drop, though. I did, after all, help the Expedition kill the Paintress and Renoir."
A slow blink and he tilts his chin up. "In any case, I don't have any regrets about what happened in the Monolith."