totalize | ic inbox

[ And since he stares, it’s probably notable that Hugo really doesn’t look that Corrupted. He has some unusual features, sure—his mismatched eyes, the long, elven ears—but they’re incredibly mild on the Augmented scale of things. Everything more is hidden behind a glamor, of course. ]

Ah, what am I not working on is the better question… So, pardon the mess inside?

[ Hugo leads the way, since other than the quite pretty lobby, they cut through a hallway that’s clearly still in progress. It looks closer to done than some of the galleries that Sariel can take a look at on the way that are in various states and definitely still fool of tools. But! For once, Hugo isn’t showing off his work, so he leads the way to the freight elevator. ]

This will be an art gallery when I’m all done with it and ready to open. Do you have any artistic pursuits yourself?

[He's a little distracted by the state of things inside - there's a part of him that wants to wander off, look at the tools he doesn't recognize - but he does his best to keep his attention on the man in front of him.]

[...What sort of Soul does Hugo have, he wonders.]

Art...I see. And no, I've never made art. It seems like there's a lot to learn before you do it.

Mm... There can be. There's skill required for plenty of mediums, to be sure.

[ He pulls the door of the elevator open, which is definitely a full body effort, but he doesn't seem to mind. He just keeps on chatting. ]

—But part of the charm of art is that its main resource is time. You just get skilled the more you do it. If you've never done it before, I highly recommend just drawing with a pencil and paper for fun.

[ He closes the door after Sariel once he steps inside too, then presses the button for the fourth floor. It's a bit noisy, so he just raises his voice. ]

One hobby at a time for today, though! The first three floors are the gallery, but I live at the top floor. I already have everything we need to make some simple bread.

It's hard for me to even write with a pencil and paper. But I suppose if I practice...

[He's really close to just stepping forward to open the elevator door himself, but ...well, look like he's already got it.]

[He's been in elevators since coming here, but its a bit of a novel experience every time. He stares up at the rattling.]

So you own...the whole building? That's a lot just for art.

[ Sariel… The more Hugo learns, the stranger of a man he is. Maybe all the better that he’s teaching him something like this, since to be honest? He likes odd people. ]

I do. I didn’t think I’d get one of this size, since I would have been fine with a business space rather than something more museum-sized, but! I got lucky with obtaining this one for a deal~. I suppose the work of refurbishing it cuts the cost a lot.

[ That’s not completely true. It helps that he’d murdered the previous owner. But! Anyways! It’s a short ride to the top, and after pulling the doors open again, it opens up into an entirely different kind of space. Hugo gestures with a playful showiness, but continues without pausing towards the kitchen. ]

And welcome to my home. The previous owner was making all of this into apartments, so I benefit from being able to take the penthouse for myself~.

[ Though of note, there are two pieces of art on the walls that stand out. One is a detailed portrait of a young woman. Sitting by a window is a smaller portrait of a younger girl, but her face is also completely obscured in the drawing. Delicate lace covers her face artfully save for a warm smile. There’s a vase of fresh flowers underneath that portrait that's absent from the other. ]

[Sometimes you're the equivalent of a cryptid in the woods...what is being human......]

A deal, huh. That's a nice deal. Lots of space.

[And he knows space is expensive, since he asked. Way too expensive for his allowance.]

[Sariel steps after him, casting his pale gaze over everything - and this time, he is distracted. Instead of following him to the kitchen, he's beelining (antlining?) to the pictures on the wall, staring at each one for a good minute or so.]

[If Hugo notices he's lost his ant buddy and approaches, he simply turns his head and asks:]

You...painted these?

[ It’s easy to notice… It’s not like they’re that far off in height, but Sariel’s cryptid ways make him more, uh. Noticeable. So Hugo makes a little sound of curiosity as he pauses, but seeing where his attention goes, his smile gets gentler.

He doesn’t interrupt as Sariel looks at them, instead taking the time to set out some of the ingredients they’ll need. He’s personally very critical of his work, so he wouldn’t go so far as to say they’re worthy of quiet contemplation that art can evoke, but. There’s a story in both. It’s once things are set out that he approaches. ]

I did. Through many, many iterations, I’ll note, since portraiture really isn’t my strong suit…

[ Maybe it sounds like he’s being humble, but it’s true. For these two, he was more dedicated to getting it right than he normally might be. He’s a perfectionist that prefers to draw architecture over people, but for Serena and Vivian, well. ]

They’re my little sisters. Vivian and Serena.

[ He nods to each of them in turn as he says their names, and it’s almost like he’s introducing Sariel to people rather than just paintings. ]

Mm. Hello, Vivian and Serena.

[He knows they're paintings, but these are also representations of his sisters. Humans always have such powerful feelings about family. That should be respected.]

[Now that he knows they're family, he's paying closer attention to the faces, or at least, what he can see of both of them. It reminds him of Gabriel's art...she was trying her best to be a painter, just like Hugo.]

They're very pretty. [The paintings, and the girls in question, too.] They have ears like yours. And similar eyes.

[Yes, obviously. He purses his lips thoughtfully as he glances over again.]

Why does one have flowers and the other doesn't? One likes them more than the other?

[ It’s privately a little striking to him, because this is the first time he’s even said Serena’s name to someone else here. Everything about her is something he keeps locked up tightly in his heart, because it’s also the sort of thing where his grief and guilt are liable to spill out if he dwells on her for too long.

The thing is, it’s easier with a stranger. Sariel doesn’t have any context to dig in more or to even give him a look of concern that a friend might. That arm’s length is more comfortable, as it always has been. Therefore, it’s easy to smile when Sariel greets them so charmingly. ]

Aren’t they?

[ His smile is still gentle, but it’s a little bit closer to beaming as Sariel compliments them. There’s plenty he can say, from how beauty is rumored to be in elven genes or the more practical of how they all have ears like that, so it’s not really notable, but. The follow-up question takes the wind out of his sails a bit.

…How innocent, he thinks. He would guess the implication was clear, but clearly not to Sariel. That makes it a little easier too, actually. ]

Serena’s is a memorial. She died a long time ago.

[ He doesn’t like to dance around it with the softer words like “passed away”. She was murdered, and he didn’t— No. He clamps down on that thought quickly as he explains. It might be a melancholy explanation, but it’s something practical rather than that emotional weight under the surface. ]

Long enough ago that I don’t really remember her face, I’m afraid. [ He nods to Vivian’s portrait. ] That’s why I wanted to paint Vivian. I didn’t want to forget her like I had Serena, you know? But then it felt strange to have one and not the other, so I did my best for both.

...Oh. I see.

[He hasn't really talked to others directly about death. Even so long ago, all the people he killed....he simply was ordered to return home, and that was that. He wonders if the families made memorials like this for the people whose lives he cut down with his scythe.]

[...What a painful feeling.]

[But after some thought, he tilts his head owlishly in the other's direction, gesturing to the empty space under Vivian's portrait.]

I know its a memorial. But Vivian looks lonely. Not flowers, but...you could put something here she likes. I know she can't feel it....it's a painting. But I don't know. It's empty underneath, so...

[It would feel right, somehow. So both "have" something.]

[ Sariel's verdict isn't one that he could have predicted at all, but even though he's surprised, it's a gentle one. ]

...Do you think so?

[ Hugo looks back to Vivian thoughtfully, and he seems to seriously consider it. What comes to mind first isn't exactly feasible... But he knows immediately that she'd want Phatheon merchandise first of all. It would probably sound like a mean-spirited joke if he said it, but it's absolutely, completely true. Vivian is unique in her tastes, that's for sure. ]

It's a sweet idea. I'll have to think about what to put there, but I think I will. Thank you, Sariel.

[ The thanks is genuine. It's soft, even. ]

Just so long as it doesn't look like a memorial, at least. That'd really be far too depressing, wouldn't it?

No need to thank me, I think...

[He just made a suggestion. It doesn't feel like he DID much of anything, but he appreciates it regardless.]

A memorial...no, I understand. She's still alive, so. [Hmmm. He rubs at his chin a little, thoughtful. How to make it not like a memorial? Well, he hasn't seen that many memorials to begin with...]

Maybe you could paint...whatever she likes? And put that next to her. Maybe.

[ The idea of that finally gets him to laugh, because it's one thing to imagine some token of Phaethon, but painting it? At least he explains. ]

Sorry, I'm not laughing at you! I just know exactly what it would be, and, well.

[ Another chuckle, though this time it comes with a shrug. ]

Unfortunately for her doting big brother, she has someone that she adores more than me, so it'd be a representation of them. She's, um, a little bit obsessive about them, so that's why I laughed.

Oh?

[He's trying to understand. Obsessive...like a fan....]

[He has an idea.]

I see. She must like an idol. Many such cases.

Edited 2026-02-02 05:04 (UTC)

Oh. Uh, yes.

[ Close enough, anyways. Explaining Phatheon as a phenomenon to anyone is just a very long explanation, but. He truly wasn't expecting Sariel to get it at all. Hugo may not be sure what this fellow's deal is, but he seems very sheltered.

...Not as much as he thought, he guesses? ]

You have idols where you're from?

Maybe. I never met one at home, but they must exist.

[He rifles in his pocket, pulls out a button that has Takasugi's face on it.]

Some of my friends here are idols. I support them with buttons like these. Do you want one?

[ It’s an answer that doesn’t make sense until Sariel pulls out the button of Takasugi. Yet again, he’s surprised into a laugh, and he reaches out to take it to take a better look.

He’d just assumed that it would be at home, but right. They have their own idols here too. He’d forgotten, since with no offense to the group, it’s just not really his thing… And without the ever present pop culture of things like tv or the Inter-Knot, well! ]

Ha… I do, actually.

[ Taking a button of the man that murdered you… Yeah, he’s not unpacking that one, thanks. ]

I know Takasugi. Were imprinted, actually, so I’m surprised he didn’t give me one himself.

[ He looks back to Sariel with just a little slyness in his smile. ]

Is he actually a little shy about this sort of thing? That’d be very cute if so.

[He smiles when the button is taken - he's doing a good job, spreading the word about 3kon! But it seems there's another reason Hugo took it.]

Oh, an imprint?

[Small world, it seems. He wonders what their imprint is like.]

Ah.... [Now that question makes his eyebrows knit together.] No. The opposite. He gave me these to give away. Maybe he...ran out before he could give you one. I did take a lot...

I see! That’s makes you the cute one, in that case~.

[ Hugo gives out the compliment/flirtation so easily that it seems like a natural flow of the conversation. Is it something Sariel will pick up on? …No, he guesses not, but this is also just how he is. It might be coy, but he also means it. ]

Thank you, then! You’ve already given me plenty and you’ve only just gotten here… A gift for Vivian, a token of support for Takasugi…!

[ Showily, he gestures towards the kitchen as he beams. ]

So! Shall I return the favor? We’ll make the best bread we possibly can!

You think I'm cute?

[He doesn't say it in a flattered way, but genuinely curious. It's not a word he's heard used to describe him at all.]

...Well, I feel happy giving people things. It's good you like it. [But yes. The time has come.] Yeah. Let's go make some bread.

[ Okay, he may not be surprised, but the curiosity of it is different! He laughs as he sweeps behind the modest (hand-built, by the looks of it) kitchen island. ]

Of course you are, my dear! Why, I would even go as far as to say you’re handsome. Not my type, I say meaning no offense, since I just like my men broad and muscular…

[ And furry. I mean what. ]

But you have a lovely face and way about you. I’m charmed already~.

[ Hugo is always open to giving dizzying compliments like it’s the easiest thing in the world… It’s also perfectly natural, since he tosses a simple apron across the way to Sariel, then takes one and starts to put it on himself. ]

Edited 2026-02-03 22:40 (UTC)

[Oh, the type thing, again. Broad and muscular...he understands. Some people have different types. He still really has yet to understand his, though.]

Mm. I've heard that, before.

[The handsome, thing. There's no evidence he's flattered by this, its simply reporting a fact, like someone told him the sky is actually green, and he's taken it for granted without really getting what it means.]

A lovely face...I suppose my creators made me that way. Though I wore a mask when I did my role, so...hm.

[Logically, doesn't add up! Maybe it does. Quandaries. He's taking the apron to put on - no need to help him, here.]

What's the next step?

Really? You have creators that made you so handsome, and then they put a mask on you? How cruel!

[ He’s being lighthearted about it, but it’s also true… He’ll get back to that in a moment, but he focuses on the practical first. He already has everything set out and measured, so he gestures to the spread with a smile. ]

We’ll start with the very basic bread first. Start from basics, you know? Then we’ll move onto some of the more interesting ones like the sourdough. I think you’ll like the surprise I have for you for that one~.

[ Mostly just that he named the starter, but. He pushes the large bowl towards Sariel, then hands him the little cup containing the yeast. ]

First thing’s first, we’ll proof the yeast. Think of it as waking it up so that it’s ready to work~. Just toss that in the bowl, then the water and sugar.

I like wearing the mask if I get overwhelmed, though...

[So he's a little confused by the notion. Does it count if he prefers it? Who knows. Either way....bread! Cool little glass bowls of...things! Ingredients! Wow.]

Proof...oh. Waking up. You said its alive, right?

[So, he moves to pour it in. Then the water, followed by a dump of the sugar.]

[And quietly said to the bowl.]

Wake up, yeast.

[ He looks a little apologetic when Sariel explains the mask, since that’s a little different. It’s a little odd to him, sure, but if that’s what helps him feel more comfortable, then it’s fine. What a gentle-hearted man, he thinks, completely unaware that it’s the fucking Jason mask,,, ]

Right.

[ Hugo nods, and his lips purse together tightly in a smile as he holds back a laugh. It’d be a very endeared laugh, mind you, but he still won’t laugh at this frankly adorable effort. ]

We’ll give it a few minutes, but it’ll start to bubble, which means it’s working. If it doesn’t, that means the yeast has gone bad and died, but I already checked yesterday to make sure I didn’t need to buy more, so. While we wait, I am curious! What was your “role”, Sariel?

ic inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)