a new arrival

[tinico]

i. december

Nicholas was out for errands, a shopping bag slung over his shoulder with things that he'd been sent to buy, and he was almost back to the orphanage, smile already on his face to be returning to the shade. Then there was an odd shake of the ground, making him stumble, and when he looked up, everything was very different. Where buildings had been standing, now there was much damage, his familiarity the only reason he could recognize them anymore. Where people had been wandering around, laughing or yelling or just going about their business, there was... nobody. Only silence. And there was a strange smell in the air, like something wet had been spilled a while ago.

Nicholas's smile faded, eyes going very wide, and he ran towards his home, only to find the worst of the damage to be around it. He was calling out names - Miss Malanie's, everyone's - but there was only silence. Soon, he could see that there were signs that someone had been holed up in the basement, and then upstairs also but those were more recent.

And nobody was answering. Nobody.

ii.desert walking

Everyone had left. So he had to go somewhere else. He had no idea where, but. He'd managed to find a wide brimmed hat, and had added to his shopping bag whatever supplies he had. And he was walking to the next town he had seen on the maps. Which he'd also taken. There would be someone somewhere, right?

iii. octovern

Luckily for him, before walking in the desert could become too much for him, there had been another earthquake - and then he was among people again. After many, many hours mostly alone, other than some random encounters, he kind of needed a moment to lean in the shade and close his eyes in relief. He had not been to this city, but at least it was alive. He would take that.

Then he squared his shoulders, and went exploring. Even if he knew nobody, he should be able to find people who needed help that he could earn a living with, right?

iv. wildcard

ooc: have another idea? he'll pop up there! brackets and prose all good, will match.

Comments

[tinico]

He was a little busy trying to find out if his family is alive??? Also, it's been a few days, he hasn't had that much time to listen to the radio!

He squints up in the direction that Roberto is pointing, though it takes him a moment to figure out what he's seeing. Then he bunches up his shoulders and glares into the distance.

"Right."

Actually, none of his business. If it's relevant, Miss Melanie will say so. If that will help them find Miss Melaine, whatever.

just right into the wound

[graveresemblance]

That little blush-- he'd forgotten how Nick had gotten after genuine praise-- and he wants to remember it, always. Burn it into his memory.

He sure dips his fingers into the wound there. Digs it around a little.

"The fight was part of it-- it was all part of something bigger. Part of the reason it's empty, yeah."

...gah. still better than asking who was fighting? also livio is apparently little brother AND adult

[tinico]

All right, that still hurts, apparently. Nicholas bites his tongue a little, then moves his hand to squeeze the large, warm ones on his shoulders. An apology.

"Right. How 'bout you tell me what it's alright to tell me. What I'll need, to find them and all that."

To not do something stupid and, uh, not manage to reach them.

But let's not say that out loud. He's pretty sure that might break Livio right now, even if not sure why.

He's been on his own, for a while, before coming to the orphanage. But then there were people all about. This situation right here? He's very, very aware how out of his depth he is. And he has absolutely no intention to get himself stupidly ... hurt because he didn't ask.

[tinico]

Nicholas did reach for the other half of the sandwich, nibbling on it slowly. He had been rationing the groceries he'd been out to get, and it hadn't been that long yet, but he did appreciate it, all the same.

He blinked at the man, then snorted slightly at the mention of parents, his look only softening when that was amended to family.

"I went for groceries and then somethin' happened and the entire city was empty. 'm looking for my family. Getting at least odd jobs'll mean when I find them," his voice didn't waver at when....


.... much.

"Miss Melanie will be less worried. She knows I can take care of myself, but better to prove'er right again, right?"

[louboutinjudas]

Right, he says, and that's it, like ships from Earth isn't the most amazing thing to ever happen on this miserable rock!

"Oi, kid, this is a big deal!" They can keep walking, keep heading toward their goal, but come on. Isn't it exciting? "Don't you get it? Things are gonna change now, it's gonna be better!" And sure, change comes slowly to those at the bottom, but they aren't alone here anymore! There's help!

[tinico]

"It'll be a big deal when I find my family. Then I'll deal with the rest of what is going on after."

He's. Skeptical. About things getting better.

[louboutinjudas]

Well shit. He can't argue with that! What a serious little shit he used to be, huh?

"Whatever you say, old man!" Weaving through the crowd, Wolfwood's fingers just happen to slip into the pocket of a passer-by, liberating his packet of cigarettes. They aren't his brand -- they are, in fact, a brand he's never heard of -- but pickpockets can't be choosers, right? He'll wait another block or so before lighting one, just in case the guy notices the loss, but damn it feels good to have smokes on his again!

"So hey, how about you tell me about 'em? Who are we lookin' for?" How similar are their worlds, he wonders?

[tinico]

And that 'old man' gets a very mature stuck-out tongue. And no argument because that would just be making it worse.

He doesn't quite notice the pickpocketing, but he can see a pack of cigarettes when there were none, and can draw his conclusions. but it's none of his business, is it? It makes him grumpier, but it's not his business. He might tell on him on Miss Melanie, however. Eventually. (ha... ha.)

...the request makes him squint, but then he looks away.

"Sure." And he starts tlling him, about this kid and that. And, because that was recent, he tells about the crybaby that was with them only for a little while, and how Jasmine was stuck up high and he caught her fall with his body. Because it had been pretty stupid. If also great.

[louboutinjudas]

The kid can judge all he likes. He'll understand when he's older. ...Or maybe he won't! He's about the age Wolfwood was when Wolfwood started smoking, the older man thinks, finally lighting up his first cigarette in what feels like weeks. Without the continual healing -- and already short lifespan -- he got from the Eye, smoking might really fuck him up long term. Best if he doesn't start.

Besides, that leaves more for the grownups. Wolfwood breathes out a deep lungful, rejoicing in the head rush from days and days of nicotine withdrawal, as Nicholas tells him about a crybaby little kid, and another he got to be a hero for. Turning his face up to exhale means that Nicholas can't see his face when he talks about how the crybaby was only there a little while.

So things were different for Nicholas, and his Livio. Damn.

"You really caught her? When she fell all that distance? I have to admit, that's pretty amazing."

[tinico]

"No! I didn't catch her, I brought down the puppy she was up there for. Livio caught her.

Beat.

"Means he's got a pretty good aim, right? Too bad he got upset and run away not long after that." Miss Melanie said it hadn't been him. So it has to be someone or something eles.

[louboutinjudas]

"Wait, Livio did?" Shit, he wasn't paying close enough attention! "But he's just a little thing!"

A second later, he realizes what he just gave away. Whoops. "I mean... that's why you called him crybaby, right? Because he was little?"

liv is living the life truly

[graveresemblance]

What is true is that Livio doesn't know what he should tell Wolfwood, and what he shouldn't Does this affect anything in the future? The...the past? This is all very confusing.

"Uh, well they're probably in Octovern, if-- if things are right. And we won the fight, things are okay now."

They are not remotely okay, but you know.

... he gets a smol niisan all for himself?

[tinico]

"Right. Winnin's good."

He almost sounds certain!

Looking around the empty city, though, might have driven home a lesson.

Not fighting at all might, just might, be better.

Anyway, he makes a bit of a face.

"'less I remember wrong, Octovern's a long way." Right, and on the heels of that, eyes wider. "Littlest ones made it all right, too?"

There are always, always very small ones. Such a long way...

[tinico]

"Yeah. I mean, Jasmine's even smaller, but it was still quite the fall!"

Beat.

Stare.

"... Roberto."

Beat.

Smaller voice.

"Have you run into Livio? He ran off. Is he all right?"

He's worried!

that he does! and nick's resume is so expansive rn

[graveresemblance]

It is a long way. Which is why Livio drove here-- Nick, though, just popped in here huh.

He pats his back gently.

"Well, it's a good thing you've got a road trip partner in the meantime." A solemn nod. "The littlest ones made it all right. We made sure of it."

[louboutinjudas]

Shit. Wolfwood chews on the filter of his cigarette, pretending to scan the crowd instead of answering. Livio was supposed to stay at the orphanage! He was still there when Wolfwood was taken! Or at least, that's how it had been for him. All these stupid alternate worlds, changing everything... what's the point? How are they supposed to help anyone if they can't even know where they are? Who they are?

"Sorry kid," he replies at last, and he certainly sounds sorry. "I don't know where he is." Chances are he's not here -- he's back wherever this version of his younger self came from, which means Livio is stuck back in a world with the Eye and no Nico to protect him.

Not that he did a damn thing to protect him last time.

"But if he's here, then I bet he's looking for Miss Melanie too, same as we are."

he is going to become intensely confused by people wanting to protect him....

[tinico]

Nicholas was nowhere else. Just someWHEN else.

He breathes out in relief, then nods slowly. --- and then the first part registers and he perks up.

"You'll come with me?"

[tinico]

"Oh." Of course not.

But since he's still not thinking about time shift, he shakes his head. "He ran. I doubt he'd be comin' back. Somethin' happened that it was easy to think he did. Miss Melanie said it wasn't him, but a lotta the kids were angry. 's why I'd just like ta know he's--" his mind goes back to the state December is in. "--okay."

[louboutinjudas]

He ran away? Maybe that's not the worst news! Sure it means that there's a little version of Livio out there somewhere fending for himself, but if he's not at the orphanage, he won't get taken in by the Eye. Better a hard life of drifting and petty crime than... than that.

"Tell you what." His cigarette's done already, and with a muttered curse he drops it to the ground and trods out the ember. They never last long enough! "After we find Melanie, I'll head back to December and leave him a message, how's that? Big letters on the side of the building where he won't be able to miss it." Assuming he comes by. Assuming he's here. But what else can they do? "For any other kids too, anyone who gets lost or needs a place to go. They should know to come here, what do you think?"

he'll learn...or he won't he must tolerate it i suppose

[graveresemblance]

He scoffs, but Livio's smiling wide.

"Yeah, hell yeah! You'd have to fight me to stop me."

it's just weird!!!

[tinico]

Griiin.

"Yeah? Sorry, I'll leave that for somethin' that I wannna fight because of. This one I'm good with."

it SURE is kid it sure is

[graveresemblance]

"Oh? You think I'm gonna ask ya if we're there yet for hours?"

he'll find a way to protect back while yelling they are all idiots. I'm sure.

[tinico]

What.

"Won't it be kinda obvious when we're there?"

He. Has not been on a long trip with other kids. They don't exactly go off on such.

He'll get it, one day.

[tinico]

No... no, one day he'll find out Livio (sort of) sought out the Eye. And not even to catch up to Nico.

This isn't that day.

For a moment, the teaching that you must not disfigure buildings... or the orphanage will get into trouble... and the fun of that thought fight within him. But the orphanage isn't even fully there right now, so he nods, lips curving up just a little.

"Yeah. I mean, you don't hafta go back right away if you gotta do other stuff, but if you do go back there..." Beat.

"Make it real clear they're idiots if they don't get here to safety fast."

i have the utmost faith in our baby boy

[graveresemblance]

Oh, wait-- he hasn't-- Well he hadn't really been on a road trip with other kids either....Just Vash.

"It will, but we'll see. Road trips can be boring."