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

... i mean, you have a point there

[tinico]

The responses are confusing. It still could be a looter, just someone who does know the orphanage, and the slow circling is setting his nerves on edge.

"Yeah? What's your name?"

Not like he's likely to know it, he only knows the ones who have been there while he's been there, but still.

[graveresemblance]

He thinks he's pinpointed where the kid is, but again, Livio isn't going in for the kill-- the-- meeting. The boy is suspicious, and Livio doesn't blame him.

"My name's Livio. What's yours?"

[tinico]

"BULLISHIT!"

There goes the cautiousness as he yells and shoots up to his feet to glare, because that's just too damn much on top of everyone missing.

[graveresemblance]

Oh-- well there he is.

Still remaining here, Livio at least turns to the boy-- who looks awfully...familiar.

"What's bullshit? You can't bullshit my name."

[tinico]

"Livio's a kid younger'n me, so claimin' his name's just... just... !!!"

He's fuming and glaring and he can't find words to finish that, and it's just too much but also wow the guy's so big. Ugh. Why Livio of all names?

[graveresemblance]

Livio's feeling a bit helpless here! Stuck in this place, this situation, and who he's pretty sure is...

He begins to tremble a little.

"Well Livio's my name, so there's nothing I can do about that, N-- ..kid."

[tinico]

Okay. He is not coming at him. He's not threatening. He's--

Nicholas frowns. Then swallows down his fear and caution, and marches closer, to have a better look at him because that reaction really, really doesn't look like a looter.

This looks like somebody upset, and that sure sounded as though this guy knew him, which does not make sense. Mostly.

Unless...

He peers up, eyes sharp. Then ducks his head down.

"Right. Well. This is bullshit." Because it is. But also. "'m glad you're all right."

He doesn't get it. But if somehow time has passed, and Livio has grown up, then everyone disappearing may have happened in-between, and it doesn't have to be something terrible happening all at once?

[graveresemblance]

He's never been more afraid of an approaching person, and never of a child. He continues to tremble until finally, finally, he's face to face-- no, he's too big isn't he?

Livio lands on his knees, hands outstretched, but he doesn't make that final connection.

"Nico...?"

His voice is very, very small. He'd expected anger, maybe. More furious denials.

[tinico]

Whoa, whoa, that's a little much. Nicholas blinks at the man suddenly kneeling before him, arms outstretched and. All right, he isn't one for that many hugs, but Livio kind of is, isn't he? Even the way he caught Jasmine, hmm.

He steps between those arms, reaching to touch the familiar marks on the now-unfamiliar face. Then his mouth twists, in a way that is almost cocky as he takes on the big brother role again, never mind how ridiculous it is. That look on Livio's face certainly shows the need of it. And he steps even closer, to wrap his arms around those broad shoulders. He can't reach all the way around but he's pretty sure that doesn't matter.

"Right here."

[graveresemblance]

It's truly comical-- this giant man, trembling with grief, with joy, wrapping his arms so tightly around this little guy if only so he doesn't break down.

"Nico....you're here," he weeps, burying his face in those dark locks.

nico: crybaby (deeply affectionate) (but also, right now, really hecking concerned)

[tinico]

It might seem comical from the side, but for Nicholas it's really, really worrying. This can't be abut the time Livio just took off on his own, because if he felt that strongly and he was okay, he could have come back. No, this is about something else, something later on, and the thought makes a chill run down his spine.

He just holds on a little more tightly, and yes, the big man is squishing him a bit and he won't stir for it. The falling on his knees was startling enough. But the grief... it's too real for Nicholas to try to interrupt.

No, he lets him cry, for a bit. Some of the time, stuff just needs to come out.

Eventually, he manages a small grumble. "Really is you, huh?" As though the crying persuaded him. Ribbing as gentle as he can manage when his own mind is in chaos.

poor baby

[graveresemblance]

He snuffles and sniffles, and pulls away just enough to look at the little guy in his arms. He can hardly believe it, but-- it's real. Nick is warm and light in his arms, breathing, alive.

Tiny.

"Course it's me," he huffs weakly. "Who else would I be?"

hugs. hugs for him.

[tinico]

"Yeah, well. Thought you were a looter." Given the state of the place. He sticks his tongue out but also doesn't let go. There are times to poke about the crying, and times to just let it happen. Nicholas strongly suspects that just being himself will help far more, right now.

Which also means also asking what he has to ask.

"You said Miss Melanie shouldn't be here. You've talked with her? Are all the others all right?"

Yes, it's Nicholas, and he is right here, Livio.

all the hugs!!!

[graveresemblance]

"Guess I do have that kinda face..." he muses softly, still just, looking at Nick in awe, his eyes roving his features as if to memorize them.

"I've talked with her, yeah, lately. They're supposed to be in the city while things are rebuilt. I just wanted to make sure...They're alright, yeah."

all of them!!! and all the emotions.

[tinico]

Nicholas stares, then lightly kicks Livio's knee. "I wasn't lookin' at ya face. But there was a lone grown up in an empty city... plus, everything's pretty confusing." That's certainly a nothing wrong with your face glare, there.

Deep breath, and his shoulders slump a little.

"That's good. I -- seein' everything here--" His eyes look down. "Couldn't help worryin', alright?"

Just. The place is too damaged and too empty for him to have thought anything good. And about that.

"D'you know what happened?"

yeah ;;

[graveresemblance]

It's true, you can't be too careful, especially these days. "You did good. You did real good, Nico," he adds gently, placing gentle, warm hands on the young boys' shoulders, and forcing a smile. It's only kinda weak, but it's sincere.

It's worrying. All of it.

Livio tries to hold in a wince.

"I do. There was a fight."

baby boy it's okay, he'll try not to poke his finger RIGHT in the wound...

[tinico]

Well. This is Nicholas going from irritated and worried to a little wide-eyed, and his cheeks darkening a little. Despite every indication, apparently getting outright approval from an adult still has an effect on him.

"... thanks."

... and then the flinch gets him right back into concerned. Very concerned.

"All right. There was a fight. Is that why the whole city is empty?" It might be, but he knows the people... one fight, however terrifying, would have sent them hiding, not... packing.

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.

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...

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."

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?"

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."