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

[graveresemblance]

Livio, bags settled and properly weighed and whatnot (as if he won't just make sure he's carrying everything), was sort of wondering what else he'd forgotten, but he brightens when he spots Nicholas again.

"Alright. Let's boogie, as they say."

He hauls the heaviest bag over his shoulder.

[tinico]

"Boogie? Really?"

He had to poke fun at that, even as he started shouldering another bag also.

[graveresemblance]

"Boogie down," he replies, completely deadpanned. Then, "That heavy enough for ya?"

[tinico]

Small giggle, and then firm nod.

"'s alright. Yours?"

[graveresemblance]

He suddenly flops over, arms shaking like it's just too much--

"I ain't as strong as you, clearly!"

[tinico]

"Livio!"

Watch him, at least for a moment, get actually worried as he moves to prop him.

Then blinks. Makes a face at Livio.

"You pullin' my leg?"

[graveresemblance]

His heart actually lurches and he drops the bag, reaching over to settle his hands on Nick's shoulders.

"I'm sorry."

He feels like a jackass!

[tinico]

Hey, hey, overreaction. All around. Nicholas blinks at Livio's face, suddenly much closer to his level.

Then again. How long has Livio had to learn about things like teasing each other and making jokes and tricking each other?

"... 's okay. 's alright, Livio. 's what friends do, sometimes."

[graveresemblance]

"Mmm...yeah, yeah I know, but I--"

Maybe he'd been insensitive...today had been hard for them both, but especially Nick, and maybe he'd gone too far.

[tinico]

"I might complain about gettin' my leg pulled, or try to getcha in turn. But I don't mind. So long as nobody's gotten hurt, it's all good.

"All right?"

Nicholas nods, firmly. Sure, he is spooked out every which way from Sunday, but he feels safe--

"You're here, an' that means that I'm safe. So teasin's okay."

[graveresemblance]

He nods slowly, then a little faster, head bobbing.

"Okay. Okay, that's good."

A sigh of relief.

[tinico]

"Livio..." Small chewing on his lip. "It's alright to not be alright. I'll be careful, too. But I'm alright. Pretty weirded out, but you said people're okay, so not really upset-upset." Just kind of in a strange state but mostly okay.

He thinks.

"So try to not worry too much."

[graveresemblance]

"I'm glad-- that you're mostly alright." It is all very weird...and now he's responsible for someone who he got killed, but a kid, and--

"I'll do my best."

[tinico]

Nicholas nods, certain.

"I know you will." A beat, and then a small smile. "'s alright. I don't need all that much to be fine. Don't worry 'bout it that much."

Really. He can handle a lot, especially now that the horrible options are not the only ones he can think about.

[graveresemblance]

"Well, you deserve it anyway."

He does, he deserves the world. All kids do. But he's afraid that isn't possible right now.