Inbox (Synflux)

[curingidiocy]

Dr. Ratio

"There's no rush."

Dr. Ratio

Greetings, I am Veritas Ratio.

Dr. Ratio

Knowledge should flow freely between people, and the same fate should befall truth. You can ask me about technical problems at any moment, and I shall do my utmost to give you a reply.

Dr. Ratio

But before you ask, remember to establish best practices for intense self-rumination, and remember that time is precious for everyone, as for me, so for you.

Dr. Ratio

code

action | text | voice | video | hologram | dataverse

Comments

video; one of the nights of early feb.

[stonehearts]

( aventurine is just laying on one of the bunks, one hand wrapped around the gift ratio had given him. )

And you wouldn't believe what that overgrown lizard did this time, you'd think he was on the set of one of those movies... you know the ones where everyone looks like they came from a BDSM club?

( hsr's version of mad max. that's what he means. )

Video

[curingidiocy]

[ Like Aventurine, Ratio is laying on a bunk, working out his schedule for tomorrow, ocular video to the peripheral of his vision. There isn't much for him to do yet, but given the probability of meeting the escaped female imugi, he has to plan as much as he can before anything happens.

Listening to Aventurine ramble on about his side of things while he works is nice. Ratio will never say it to the other man's face, but he had been missing the other man's presence already, so he's glad for the video call.

The scholar's fingers still at Aventurine's words, and he turns incredulously towards the screen. ]

The... come again??

[ When you are a busy man trying to save millions, you don't end up having a lot of time to watch movies. ]

[stonehearts]

( it’s strange, to be so attached to someone else that when they aren’t within easy reach it feels wrong. he knows that things will be different when they return — LILITH offers them both a relaxed schedule that they wouldn’t have normally — but he finds himself wanting even a sliver of it if he can. of knowing that when he goes home for the day, returns after a trip off-planet, there is someone waiting there for him.

he’s never had someone like that before.

at ratio’s question, aventurine pauses, eyes going back to the screen in front of him. right. )

You know, lots of leather, spikes, not a lot of clothes but plenty of leather straps? Also cars. In the movie, not in the BDSM clubs.

[curingidiocy]

[ His brows furrow as he pictures what Aventurine is describing. It's a strange imagery that comes to mind, that he's certain is completely wrong.

It's a quick google away though, and Aventurine can easily watch as the furrowed brow turns into raised, shocked brows and then furrows even deeper. ]

...that can't possibly be enough protection.

[ The outfits in the movie, he means. ]

[stonehearts]

( he can’t help but chuckle at ratio’s changing expression, knowing full well what he must be seeing. )

No offense, doc, but I don’t think ‘protection’ is something they’re concerned about. And trust me, I’ve spent the entire day trying to avoid getting sideswiped by someone who’s never had to pass a driving test — if that sort of clothing was going to give me an edge I’d be wearing it.

early march

[queenofkur]

[ After she's acclimated to their temporary situation, Ereshkigal decides it's time to check on her friends and make sure they're all alright. First on the list is Ratio because she remembers him being very distressed about his cats, but also about his inability to contribute meaningfully in the battle against the kaiju.

So she knocks on the door that should lead to his temporary quarters: ]

Doctor, are you here?

[curingidiocy]

[ There are some muffled noises behind the door, sounding less like the presence of two people and more like a person and a few animals. The source reveals itself when Ratio opens the door a crack and has to immediately look down and shift his foot to block a cat from attempting to escape into the corridor. ]

Pi, no! I told you to behave!

[ He bends down to pick up the offending black cat and secures her firmly in his arms despite her protests. ]

My apologies. It is good to see you, Ereshkigal. Is there something you need?

[ He looks notably happier, though whether it's because he's recovered his cats or something more isn't entirely clear. ]

[queenofkur]

[ Ah, the kitties are here and he looks in such a good mood! That immediately makes her smile. Looks like she was overly worried over nothing. Which is pretty much what the entirety of her existence is like. ]

I see your cats survived the base's destruction.

[ Not that it ever was in any doubts, guardians of the underworld would never let themselves be killed that easily. ]

I came to see how you are doing. [She tilts her head.] You were feeling pretty down last we spoke.

[curingidiocy]

[ Pi meows loudly, which Ratio ignores save for placing a hand behind her ears and rubbing to soothe her. The cat permits it, settling down somewhat. ]

Yes, by some stroke of luck. I am truly glad to see them again.

[ A smile, normally rare on the scholar, graces his face, softening his features. But it drops when Ereshkigal reveals the intention of her visit.

The good mood stops him from immediately deflecting Ereshkigal's concern with his usual lines. Instead, he swallows them down and averts his eyes bashfully, remembering the last time he lashed out at her. That was something he didn't want to repeat again. ]

Thank you for your consideration. I am faring much better now, though their absence has prompted me to think more deeply about the relationships in my life. I did not realize how... attached I've become to these bonds.

[queenofkur]

[ She smiles brightly. W-Wow! She's so proud of him right now. She would hug him if she could, but there's the cat between them, fortunately for him. ]

You've grown tremendously, doctor.

[ They've known each other for a little under a year and he's a far cry from the stern man she'd met during the maid accident. Yet again, perhaps this is who he has always been, hidden under the layers and layers he's put on for his persona.

She approaches her hand from the cat to try and pet it. N-Normally it should go fine, they're both of the underworld, right? ]

Many are the souls who burn through life without forging such bonds - or without realizing their importance. [Unfortunately.] I imagine Aventurine played no small part in that.

march 14th

[stonehearts]

Happy Birthday, my dearest Doctor.

( ratio will find, in no certain order in the rather large amount of packages in their temporary quarters: a new set of rubber ducks styled after himself and aventurine, three books about the science and evolutionary history of cats, a large bouquet of flowers, a very heavy box of as much chocolate as aventurine can shove in there. an edible arrangement. workout clothes. a new set of high end bathing items including body wash, shampoo, and more. a very expensive bottle of wine. a packet of the new ratio inspired food item (I know you hate these sorts of things, but I couldn't resist reads the note attached). there is also a ring -- gold, in the shape of a laurel wreath, with one of the leaves being an aventurine stone. )

May 2nd | text @kijyo

[saudadist]

thank you

for helping him

I want to thank Ereshkigal too
when we find her

[curingidiocy]

Do not think anything of it. Despite our disagreements, he is still a colleague, and I will not abandon him during a mission. I care not whether he dislikes me and would refuse me the same courtesy.

I will do all that I can to find her.

[saudadist]

he'll see reason if I have to stick him in the corner until it happens
the idiot

just don't exhaust yourself
if it's related to the rifts she could be anywhere

they're doing rift teams for research right?
maybe that'll get results

[curingidiocy]

So I hope.

I do not intend to. I've already gambled with my life during the battle in Egypt and I do not believe I will be forgiven if I were to endanger myself again.

Perhaps. There is no harm working in tangent with them to search for her.

[saudadist]

good idea
searches could always use another set of eyes
you might see something everyone else has missed

@vessel

[eyescar]

[ About a week or so after everyone has returned from the Underworld, when - ]

hey ratio-sensei
are you okay

[curingidiocy]

[ The reply comes slow. An hour or so later, when usually Ratio is prompt in his responses. ]

I should be asking you that, you fool. Have there been any lingering effects from [ The text cuts off here for a minute before resuming. ] what I've done

[eyescar]

i don't think so
i rested for a while with nanamin and i feel normal again

[curingidiocy]

That's [ a relief, to know he hasn't forever ruined a young man's life. It lessens the guilt, a little ] good to hear. But don't be afraid to visit the medical bay if you experience relapses or sudden side effects. Dr. Iki and Ratchet will be more than capable of assisting you.

1/2

[eyescar]

i've been there a lot because of choso anyway but
that's not why i messaged you, you know?

un: forgery

[misclassed]

[ Late in the month, but early in the morning. Long after Aventurine and the cats have vacated the premises of Muramasa's forge, with Ratio's quiet presence in tow. ]

Ratio, I ain't gonna ask if you know how to or not because the question's probably moot, considering all the shit you read about.

I'm fixing a mechanical arm — come give me a hand.

[ Bossy. ]

[curingidiocy]

You're being rather presumptuous. Why should I help?

[misclassed]

You're not saying I'm wrong about you knowing, and you'll help 'cause I said so. There's no template for me to work from, and I'm not gonna put together an arm on guesswork alone.

I'll pay for your time, if you need motivation.

[curingidiocy]

What makes you believe you have the power to command me? Money is not an adequate motivator, especially after demanding my services without mentioning compensation beforehand.