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]

Oh, he will. He will. They do have a long way and Livio will have to take breaks. He'll be expected to give hugs.

For now, he holds up his bag, open so Livio can see for himself. It's just normal stuff that some of the kids crave some days, nothing that can't be used on the road. Not too much water, but a couple of cartons of juice. Very... ordinary stuff. Very weird to find himself here with, alone, but not not nearly as bad.

[graveresemblance]

He takes a glance in and yup, there's the stuff. He'd been on a grocery run, truly, and gotten caught up in all this.

Poor kid.

"I'll haveta give Melanie some cash for using this up."

[tinico]

He'll be fine (?) now that he has someone to help him get his bearings and so he doesn't have to panic on his own. And he is grateful.

"I guess. I mean if these things never arrived in the first place, she's probably forgotten about 'em?"

But he's got enough of an idea that Miss Melanie can always use more cash. For the lot of them, of course.

"Thanks, also. Let's go looking for more stuff, yeah?" He's shouldering the bag because his responsibility still, right?

[graveresemblance]

"Still, I don't wanna take food outta their mouths."

Seriously, he would absolutely never live it down-- on himself. Livio has to give back.

"We'll look a bit, and then head out. Sounds like a good plan to me."

[tinico]

Nicholas is looking at him so proud even even though as he keeps worrying. Livio has grown up to be ... kind, and thoughtful, and good. But it can't have been easy. And also, there is stuff bothering him - is he all right? Will he be all right?

How can he help?

"It does, doesn't it?" He reaches to take one of those large hands with his own. "Let's."

[graveresemblance]

Livio doesn't start at the little hand in his own, but the smile that overcomes his face is just-- so big and stupid. His heart is full.

"What are you hoping for? I am, as you know, hoping for beans."

my sleepy brain: would razlo pop in for a chat on the road....

[tinico]

It's a good smile, and sure, it's a little stupid, but it's better than upset. A lot better.

"Mmm... chips. 'specially tortilla chips. You can dip 'em in the beans! Though they're also tasty an' the favorites of a lot of the kids an' light to carry, so maybe there won't be any left." Hmm... he's trying to think what kind of things get in the pantry.

"Mmaaaybe peanut butter?"

absolutely he will!

[graveresemblance]

"Chips? Really?" He chuckles. That really is such a kid answer-- and from Nicholas of all people.

Still, they sound good.

"Peanut butter and banana sandwiches..."

muahahahahah

[tinico]

He rubs the back of his head with the other hand, bag hanging on his arm. "Yeah..."

For all the responsibilities, for all the ways he is mature, and insightful. He absolutely is still a kid and not trying to be anything else.

And he makes a face, barely avoiding groaning but it's there in his voice a bit.

"Can we get peanut butter and banana sandwiches when we get to Octovern...?"

[graveresemblance]

His grin widens.

"Hell yeah, we can. We'll eat like, 5 each, at least."

Granted, Livio can eat twice that many, but he's not going to hog all the food.

[tinico]

"At least!!"

It's fine, for all the eagerness, Nicholas is unlikely to manage to finish a second one, so Livio can have a lot of extra. To his ten.

[graveresemblance]

"But we'll save the rest for the other kids. Think they'd really like 'em. I had a pasta recently--"

A pause. It was not great circumstance.

"Seafood pasta. It was good."

[tinico]

No, no, it was not.

Nicholas has no idea, of course, so he just watches him work through what he means.

"Um... unless we find enough food to boil stuff, I don't think we'll be able to have pasta until we get there. But maybe once we're with Miss Melanie!"

[graveresemblance]

He breaks out of it-- breaking into a smile.

"That's true. That's alright, anyway, s'expensive."

[tinico]

"I guess. Maybe one day."

It's still a nice thought.

And then another thought comes to him, and he freezes.

"Livio? If... all this time has passed. And I show up. Won't everyone be frightened?"

[graveresemblance]

Oh....

Oh. That's right.

"No, not at all. First of all, Melanie would recognize you. She'd calm them down if anyone was worried."

[tinico]

"R-right."

Nicholas is not letting go of Livio's hand, and his eyes are looking for things they may take, but his mind is also now spinning. What if Miss Melanie says that the kids would be too frightened? And he couldn't stay with them?

Or, perhaps, the kids there now wouldn't know him at all.

For some reason, that thought is both sad and soothing. He'd get to know the ones there now, then. It was always like that, some kids would go, adopted or grown up, and new ones would come in.

But if they don't know him from when he was this age, he can't upset them.

[graveresemblance]

He gives that tiny hand a reassuring squeeze-- at least he hopes it's reassuring. Melanie wouldn't give Nick up for anything-- and if, on the offchance she tried-- Livio wouldn't let her.

"It'll be fine-- there's no way we'll run into trouble with that."

He does not mention any other trouble between here and there.

[tinico]

Going by the way Nicholas holds on, tight, to that squeeze, yeah, it helps. It's just that, of course, he will not be okay if his mere presence upsets the kids, that's just not right, only he has no idea what he would do if that's the case.

So the reassurance gets a hitched breath, but after a moment a very determined nod. He'll trust in Miss Melanie.

He'll trust in Livio, too.

"S-sorry. I just ... thought about it and worried."

[graveresemblance]

Naturally, he wouldn't be happy about upsetting anyone. It's just how Wolfwood is. Even as a grown-up.

They'll be alright.

"Hey, no sorries-- you're sounding like me. It's okay to be worried. Just not too much."

He smiles softly.

[tinico]

Grown-up is far more willing to step on a few toes, to be fair.

For now, the smile helps, it's so soft and it makes Nicholas want to hug him again, except they have something to do so he'll hug him later.

And 'no sorries' sounds, hmm.

"Alright. Not too much." Beat. "When we get there. You'll be staying there, or at least visiting often, right?" What Livio said earlier suggested that may be the case, but he wants to make sure.

No vanishing without a trace and making do on your own, you hear him?

[graveresemblance]

He...that question gives him pause, for sure. Will he stay? Usually, he lingers, but doesn't stay more than a day these days. He's too unsure of whether it'd bring back memories.

"Yeah, I'll be keepin' an eye on you. Just in case."

And he winks.

[tinico]

Yeah, the exact same problem except he has slightly fewer options of what to do if he can't be there.

But he squeezes his hand again.

"Good. I mean, you probably have things to do, but it'll be good to be 'round you."

And if Livio is worried, he can show himself to Nicholas and he'll come over. That'll be fine, too.

[graveresemblance]

"I really don't," Livio laughs, because it's certainly the truth. He's just been wandering, trying to find ways to help. To find redemption.

"I'll be glad to be around ya."

[tinico]

"No?" Nicholas blinks up at him, then rubs the back of his head a little, but the smile slowly starts returning to his lips. "I'd be glad, too."

Beat.

Deadpan.

"And you can help in the kitchen."

It's a tease. A memory.