Now, why would it be disappointing? You seem like quite an interesting gentlemen. [There's a bit of playful note in his tone, but it quickly disappears as Aether's cheeks warm up at the comment. He's not unfamiliar with these kind of compliments, but they still manage to catch him off-guard.
With how Hugo studies his armour more than anything, Aether convinces himself that it's hardly about him and more about the pieces of gold in his clothing. And so, he tries to compose himself as he shakes the man's hand and responds:]
Y-yes. That's me.
[So much for his grand first real-life impression. In a way he's thankful the manager chimes in. It helps move the conversation along. The traveler is pretty much ready to exit the store, but then Hugo offers to buy one of the tapes.]
Ah.
[It would've been so much easier to hide surprise behind the text, but in person that's far more difficult. Aether gives a small, yet troubled smile.]
I'm really thankful for the offer, but... I don't have any way to watch the tape. For now, at least.
[He did catch that little bit of playfulness there! Brief as it might have been, before the kind of reaction a lot of people tend to have when on the receiving end of Hugo's flatteries--a little fluster, a little off-balancing. Hugo won't fault Aether the little falter, especially seeing how he tries to rally promptly afterwards. It only proves that the seeming young man is at least human and well-adjusted in one aspect, for all that the question of origins is already shaping up to be rather interesting...
Here he'd thought this might perhaps be some nomad of the Outer Ring, based off their texted conversations. Now, though...with gear like that? One wonders.]
On account of still getting a residence around here lined out, correct? [Promptly and warmly, as if this were something Aether had told him about before, even if he might not have ever actually stated as much outright in the past. One collects context clues, though, and this cornering with the tape is now plenty revealing. In response, Hugo simply shakes his head, and gently waves away the hesitation with his hand.] Oh, I understand your reservations, rest assured. It's really very prudent of you. But just because you haven't any means now doesn't mean you won't have the means later, right? Do you think you'd like to watch one once you do have a way to see it, one way or another? [Another smile!] If you think the answer is "yes"...then consider this just a little investment I'm making, into something you'll enjoy in the future. Or perhaps a highly advanced housewarming gift!
Though of course, I'd hardly want to push you into anything either. If preferred, you could hold onto the favor for some later thought too, and we can take our leave from here until then...?
[Aether thinks this over for a longer moment, glancing from Hugo to the video tapes and back. If he had the means to watch the movies, he wouldn't hesitate to take the other up on the offer. Eventually, he will likely have a way to watch the tapes, even though for now he isn't quite sure what exactly he needs.
But since Hugo insists...]
You're too kind... Alright. I'll accept your generous gift, since it will also benefit the manager.
[And with that said, Aether returns to the shelves with the tapes to pick one up. He takes a good look at them, then finally his eyes stop on one of the titles. Carefully, he takes in into his hand and returns to Hugo, showing him the chosen item.
The tape is called "Enter the Ether".]
This one.
[One could suspect if the main reason why Aether decided to go with this one is because of the world "ether" that is so similar to his own name.]
There we go, a winner chosen! Let's see... [Hugo's visibly pleased to have persuaded Aether into taking up the favor after all; the offered tape is gently plucked up in hand for examination, as he turns to the counter.] Why, I don't believe I've viewed this one for myself either, how interesting. Though I've heard it's a rather enlightening look at Hollows, and a Proxy's work, isn't that right?
["Aha--well, it's not an official documentary or anything, but it's got some pretty interesting action! I, sure wouldn't know, if Proxies actually get up to anything that crazy..." Belle is giving Hugo a look while 18 rings up the tape, for some reason; the charming smile he levels back at her seems well-aware of whatever in-joke he's invoking with no shame whatsoever. She sighs, shaking her head with a visible mixture of amusement and exasperation, as she tucks the tape into a bag and hands it back over. Aether gets a proper warm beam and a wave, though. "Well, there you go! Once you get to watch it, come back by sometime and let us know if you enjoyed it, alright? There's plenty more where that came from, if it really speaks to you!"]
Many thanks to you for humoring us. I'm sure you'll have yet another returning customer under your belt before long. --Well then, shall we head out, dear friend?
[The tape bag (possibly the first of many) is passed back to Aether, and at length they're both stepping out of the store and into the dulling glow of evening outside. Hugo sighs airily, slipping his hat back onto his head.]
It really is so very refreshing, visiting this place! I don't actually get to stop by this particular street too often...so, I really must thank you for giving me such an excellent excuse now. What do you think of the locale so far, I wonder?
[Perhaps it isn't difficult to notice that Aether knows nothing about Hollows and Proxies. He blinks with a smile on his face, curiously looking at Belle as she seems to be much more knowledgeable on the topic than she should be, but wants to hide it for some unknown reason. Maybe once Aether watches the tape, he will understand. As that thought passes his mind he, again, regrets that he doesn't have any equipment (and likely can't even afford it) to see the recorded movie.
Still, he thanks Belle for the tape with a bright smile and exits the store together with Hugo.]
You really are busy, aren't you? It's a bit of the shame. You seem to be good friends with the manager, so I'm sure she would be happy to see you more often. [He smiles again, a bit teasing.] I think it's nice here. The people I've met so far have been very kind and welcoming, yourself included.
[He looks around the street, then back at the tape in his hands. He ponders for a moment, unsure how to ask his question without sounding too weird about it.]
...As you show me around, can we also step into a store that sells equipment to view the video tapes? I'm not quite sure how much that costs and I'm pretty curious about this movie.
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no subject
With how Hugo studies his armour more than anything, Aether convinces himself that it's hardly about him and more about the pieces of gold in his clothing. And so, he tries to compose himself as he shakes the man's hand and responds:]
Y-yes. That's me.
[So much for his grand first real-life impression. In a way he's thankful the manager chimes in. It helps move the conversation along. The traveler is pretty much ready to exit the store, but then Hugo offers to buy one of the tapes.]
Ah.
[It would've been so much easier to hide surprise behind the text, but in person that's far more difficult. Aether gives a small, yet troubled smile.]
I'm really thankful for the offer, but... I don't have any way to watch the tape. For now, at least.
[His housing situation is just complicated.]
no subject
Here he'd thought this might perhaps be some nomad of the Outer Ring, based off their texted conversations. Now, though...with gear like that? One wonders.]
On account of still getting a residence around here lined out, correct? [Promptly and warmly, as if this were something Aether had told him about before, even if he might not have ever actually stated as much outright in the past. One collects context clues, though, and this cornering with the tape is now plenty revealing. In response, Hugo simply shakes his head, and gently waves away the hesitation with his hand.] Oh, I understand your reservations, rest assured. It's really very prudent of you. But just because you haven't any means now doesn't mean you won't have the means later, right? Do you think you'd like to watch one once you do have a way to see it, one way or another? [Another smile!] If you think the answer is "yes"...then consider this just a little investment I'm making, into something you'll enjoy in the future. Or perhaps a highly advanced housewarming gift!
Though of course, I'd hardly want to push you into anything either. If preferred, you could hold onto the favor for some later thought too, and we can take our leave from here until then...?
no subject
But since Hugo insists...]
You're too kind... Alright. I'll accept your generous gift, since it will also benefit the manager.
[And with that said, Aether returns to the shelves with the tapes to pick one up. He takes a good look at them, then finally his eyes stop on one of the titles. Carefully, he takes in into his hand and returns to Hugo, showing him the chosen item.
The tape is called "Enter the Ether".]
This one.
[One could suspect if the main reason why Aether decided to go with this one is because of the world "ether" that is so similar to his own name.]
no subject
["Aha--well, it's not an official documentary or anything, but it's got some pretty interesting action! I, sure wouldn't know, if Proxies actually get up to anything that crazy..." Belle is giving Hugo a look while 18 rings up the tape, for some reason; the charming smile he levels back at her seems well-aware of whatever in-joke he's invoking with no shame whatsoever. She sighs, shaking her head with a visible mixture of amusement and exasperation, as she tucks the tape into a bag and hands it back over. Aether gets a proper warm beam and a wave, though. "Well, there you go! Once you get to watch it, come back by sometime and let us know if you enjoyed it, alright? There's plenty more where that came from, if it really speaks to you!"]
Many thanks to you for humoring us. I'm sure you'll have yet another returning customer under your belt before long. --Well then, shall we head out, dear friend?
[The tape bag (possibly the first of many) is passed back to Aether, and at length they're both stepping out of the store and into the dulling glow of evening outside. Hugo sighs airily, slipping his hat back onto his head.]
It really is so very refreshing, visiting this place! I don't actually get to stop by this particular street too often...so, I really must thank you for giving me such an excellent excuse now. What do you think of the locale so far, I wonder?
no subject
Still, he thanks Belle for the tape with a bright smile and exits the store together with Hugo.]
You really are busy, aren't you? It's a bit of the shame. You seem to be good friends with the manager, so I'm sure she would be happy to see you more often. [He smiles again, a bit teasing.] I think it's nice here. The people I've met so far have been very kind and welcoming, yourself included.
[He looks around the street, then back at the tape in his hands. He ponders for a moment, unsure how to ask his question without sounding too weird about it.]
...As you show me around, can we also step into a store that sells equipment to view the video tapes? I'm not quite sure how much that costs and I'm pretty curious about this movie.
[Hopefully his wording was just fine.]