PSL

[smokeandglasses]

[Every day, at exactly 7 pm, Ali packs up his things and leaves his office. He doesn't immediately start the trek home though, as one might expect of someone punctual like himself. Instead, every afternoon, he takes his things and walks through a nearby park. It's a habit he's picked up from one of his past lovers, who would always meet him at work and drag him along for a lap in the park before going to either of their places for the night. It was like a pick-me-up, to bring up his energy levels after a long day of crunching numbers and filling out forms.

Even though that lover is long gone, the habit still remains. The sky is already starting to turn orange, but he doesn't worry about the coming night. Any danger that might be lurking is of no concern to him.

What IS of concern to him, though, is a pile of trash and grossness near the back of the park. Standing nearby with his arms crossed, Ali lets out a 'tsk' sound as he surveys the mess.]

Honestly...there's a trash can right there.

[Ali is in a button-up shirt and slacks that can be difficult to clean, but he doesn't mind the dirt much as he crouches down to pick up pieces of trash. Such a shame. Conrad would be upset if he were around to see this mess.

Of course, the mess is far beyond what a normal person can clean up. The impurities run deep, and Ali really should have gotten a bane tender to do the job. It's only once he's standing in the middle of the mess he's trying to clean up that he realizes how sticky the ground is. He's wandered into the grounds of a sludge bane without realizing it.

He's in horrible danger and doesn't even realize it, he's just trying to get his foot out of the mud.]

What...?