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

text - during travel log #2; @poker

[stonehearts]

Don’t worry doc, I’m fine!

> Video

[curingidiocy]

[ Aventurine is receiving a video call in response shortly after he sends that message. ]

Gambler?? Aventurine, what happened?

[stonehearts]

( aventurine’s face flickers into view when he answers — clearly outdoors and walking when he very memorably took a train out of seoul. there’s a shallow cut on his jaw and a very recent bruise on his cheek. aventurine himself is giving ratio a cheerful wave even if the other man can’t see it, and the wince as he does so isn’t hidden fast enough for ratio to miss. this is why he texted him! )

Hey, doc! No need to get your toga in a twist, I said I was fine.

[curingidiocy]

You are clearly not unharmed. Explain.

[ Bud, being dodgy isn't going to ease the mind of your lover any time soon. The frown on Ratio's face, instead of being the typical cold displeased one he usually presents to idiots who have annoyed him, is filled with obvious concern. ]

Wait. Why are you not on the train to Busan? It should not have arrived yet.

[stonehearts]

Yeah, about that. ( aventurine takes the moment to be a pain in ratio's ass, however, because he grins. ) I should worry you more often, Ratio, it's left you with a rather fetching expression.

[curingidiocy]

Gambler.

[stonehearts]

Something hit the train. Or we hit it, not sure. It could have been worse. Come to think of it, it should have been worse. ( it was knocked sideways off the tracks. and yet they were able to walk right out of that tunnel, no significant debris at all. ) Guess we just got lucky.

[curingidiocy]

[ Train derailment?? ...Aventurine's luck has pulled through once more. There are any number of ways it could have gone much worse. Ratio does not give thanks to the Aeons, but he does perhaps quietly entertain the thought of thanking Aventurine's goddess. ]

You should put distance between yourself and the train, in case something in its power system has ruptured.

[ There's a chance of it exploding, though knowing that insane luck, Aventurine would still walk out of that essentially unscathed. However, when it comes to his lover's life, he does not want to unnecessarily gamble it on luck. ]

[stonehearts]

Already on it. We’ve made a fair amount of progress — out of the tunnel we derailed in a hour or so ago - but it looks we’re going to be spending a few nights in the wild.

( his least favorite! he likes a comfortable bed and soft sheets and climate control, thank you very much. but he grins at ratio all the same, eager to reassure him that he really is fine and that his partner doesn’t need to fret. )

What about you, anything interesting on your end?

[curingidiocy]

[ Now that Aventurine has confirmed that he is far away from a potential source of danger, Ratio's shoulders sag in relief. He has always worried for Aventurine's safety during their missions, but never has it been so acute or panic inducing. If he'd simply thought for a moment, he would have been able to determine easily that his lover was safe.

...This will be something he has to work on for both of their sakes. He was the one who had to remain calm and rational above all else. ]

It is raining here. Acid rain, to be precise. Strong enough to cause chemical burns from minor exposure, but not enough to compromise the integrity of the city's infrastructure. We've had to evacuate the citizens nonetheless, as it is currently too dangerous to walk around unprotected.

[stonehearts]

( when it rains it pours, huh? aventurine is grateful for ratio's company as he walks -- it's a good distraction from the multitude of things that can try and kill him that isn't the train crash or the kaiju. )

You think it's related to the kaiju your two groups are supposed to be after?

[curingidiocy]

[ Ratio is more than happy to keep Aventurine company, even though it's only been a few hours since they parted. The benefit of the ocular implant was that their hands weren't occupied by phones, so Aventurine would also see Ratio on the move, his eyes pointed downward as he gathers samples of the acid rain for testing later. ]

Most certainly. The locals I've spoken with say this an unnatural occurrence, and the environment shows no signs of corrosion due to exposure over a lengthy period of time.

You should be cognizant of the possibility that your group will encounter acid rain as well. Be aware of the potential for a landslide if you are in a mountainous region. While it is not particularly heavy rain, the acute acidity may weaken rock layers at a far more rapid rate than what is typically expected from the acidic rain of polluted planets.

[stonehearts]

It's going to be a little difficult to avoid a mountain right now. But I'll pass it along to the rest of them. For now it's just a bunch of animals trying to take a bite out of us. Well, that and whatever is destroying the villages out here, but I think we know that's the kaiju.

( sure, it's only been a few hours, but aventurine has gotten used to being able to just turn and talk to ratio whenever he has a question. it was always one of his favorite things about working with the other man, and now he'd simply assumed it would be like that whenever they went out for a mission. )

[curingidiocy]

Be careful. Do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can provide.

[ Split like this, he cannot physically come to Aventurine's aid. But he has ensured the man is with plied with extra supplies in the form of a compact backpack which should contain everything he needs. The only other thing he can offer is his intellect. Arguably the best thing to have on call though.

What's left unspoken is the request for Aventurine to come back safe to Ratio. It doesn't need to be said. They both know the role they play in this relationship. ]

[stonehearts]

Will do, Veritas.

( he knows. and while he may not come back in one piece, there is a budding understanding that he has something to come back to at all. that helps.

aventurine mimes blowing a kiss to the camera, winking at the other man. )

Don't miss me too much.

[curingidiocy]

[ Ratio doesn't react, predictably, but there's a twinkle in his eye as he responds. ]

If I told you I'd miss you dearly, and mourn the loss of your presence by my side, would that compel you to stay safe and hurry home? Your warmth and playful disposition have become an irreplaceable part of my life.

[ Instead, he'll flirt back in his own unique way, it seems. ]

[stonehearts]

( here's the thing: aventurine is used to people lavishing praise on him. he banks on his good looks, his skills, and every other thing he has in order to secure a winning hand. they, too, always want something from him. praise that is for the face he shows him, the mask he wears beneath that, want for whatever they think he holds in his hands. ratio, on the other hand, does not say anything he doesn't mean and does not see the point in unnecessary words.

which is why when ratio speaks, aventurine manages to miss his footing, tripping over a branch and stumbling. he does keep himself upright, but it's a near thing, and his face and ears are tinged a very visible pink. )

When did you get so good at just casually saying something like that, Ratio--

[curingidiocy]

[ At first, Ratio reacts with a sharp burst of concern, but when it's clear that Aventurine only tripped, the concern morphs into humour, and Ratio laughs. It's more of a chuckle, but Ratio has never truly laughed out of amusement in front of Aventurine before they got together. Nowadays, it's easier to pull it out of the scholar. ]

You need not be so eager to give me a physical demonstration of your love for me. I am already aware.

[ Ratio has always had a playful side to him. He's just never had an opportunity to express it until now. ]

[stonehearts]

( the blush deepens at the laugh, and then he splutters at the words, nearly missing his footing again at the ease with which ratio has both narrowed in on his feelings and exposed them. )

That's-- you can't just-- ( aventurine can recover this. he is the cool one, ratio is the one he should be flustering. ) Isn't this supposed to be the other way around? You're cute when you're blushing--

[curingidiocy]

[ Aventurine's flustering only causes Ratio to laugh harder. He muffles himself with a hand, turning his face away as he attempts to recover, but his shoulders continue to shake for a while. Just give him a minute. ]

As are you, my adorable gambler. The expression on your face presently is far too endearing.

[ He motions with his hand, a tiny gesture that makes it clear that he's recording this little moment. The wide-eyed, dismayed and honest look on his face... He adores it. ]

[stonehearts]

( he'll give ratio that minute as aventurine tries to recompose himself in return, though he is a little less successful than ratio -- his cheeks and the top of his ears still pink. and he's recording it>? it's a good thing ratio is far too good of a man to use it as blackmail material because someone would pay a pretty amount of credits for it back home. )

You're a cruel man, Ratio.

( but it's not said with any venom, his flush deepening slightly. )

[curingidiocy]

[ It doesn't even occur to him to use the recordings as blackmail; he simply wants to keep memories of his partner close to his heart, just like any other person in love does.

The smile on his face is as broad as it's ever been, and there is a light flush to his cheeks from the laughter. ]

It seems you've unlocked a new side of me, gambler. But fret not, I will show you mercy if you ask politely.

[ Read: he's going to troll the shit out of you in his own particular way, Aventurine. Hope you're ready for it. ]

a brief aside, since you mentioned busan team can witness this :')

[busternaut]

[Guess catches sight of this clown-shoes gay disaster moment from where he's trudging along not too far behind.

He raises his voice a little to call ahead, laughter in his tone because the guy caught his balance, it's fiiiiine.]

You alright up there ace?

[stonehearts]

( urk. )

No need to worry about me!

( he says, waving off dearka in an attempt to be smooth. )

[busternaut]

Hah. Alright, if you say so...

[He shrugs, looking unconvinced but also knowing how to take the hint.

And that's it. That's the interaction. You can go back to sexting your boyfriend, Aventurine.]