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]

"Well you don't gotta cut things to help in the kitchen! You'd be allowed to watch the pots, the kids usually aren't allowed to not burn 'emselves."

No, seriously, if he wants to be around, they'll find a way for him to be useful.

Though chances are he'll be the little ones' very own jungle gym.

[graveresemblance]

"Not you, though, cause you got a knack for it," he's still teasing, even though he appreciates Nick's faith in him. He can watch pots and not miss it, and let it boil over....oh, Nick. Such a kind kid.

"They'll probably try and pull my hair, though..."

[tinico]

Ducking his head and kicking his foot a little as he walks because now he's a little embarrassed but ... holding on. It's a nice and warm feeling, just not one he's used to so he doesn't know how to handle it.

"Well. Other than the littlest ones, you can prob'ly ask them not to... Or I can ask them for you!"

[graveresemblance]

"You'll try and boss 'em around," he laughs. But no, Nick was always gentle, but firm. A lot like Miss Melanie. That's who he got it from, obviously.

"But they won't bother me, don't worry."

[tinico]

"'course I will. Hair pullin' ain't nice!" Not in this context. Not that he knows enough to add this part.

His grin softens. "So, you lemme know if it gets too much, alright? Or if they're fightin'?"

Playing is supposed to be fun.

[graveresemblance]

"Yeah, alright. I'll tell ya. I ain't a snitch, but yeah."

Livio won't tell him....Nick knows this, doesn't he.

[tinico]

He does, which is why he squints up at him.

"So I've gotta keep an eye on it."

[graveresemblance]

He laughs, waving it off with his free hand.

"Don't worry too much, okay?"

[tinico]

Beat.

Then rubbing the back of his head.

"Guess I can't help it, sometimes."

[graveresemblance]

"I know, kid." And thennn he's getting a noogie. "It's alright."

[tinico]

"HEEEY!!!"

And now he's trying to dodge that noogie while absolutely not letting go of Livio's hand. A struggle, when Livio's arm is longer than his own.

He sticks his tongue out at him.

"Supplies. We're lookin' for things we can use, remember?"

[graveresemblance]

That's pretty adorable. Livio can't stop grinning at the boy's efforts.

"Yes, yes, I forgot, you're in charge."

[tinico]

He is like that. But also he shakes his head a little and heads towards the pantry, that's the most important place where something useful might be left.

Might.

[graveresemblance]

The pantry creaks when it opens, and indeed, there are some beans.

"Alright, looks like there's some stuff in here."

He figured they'd run with what they could. And somehow, Livio had missed this too?

[tinico]

Well, Livio did not stay quite long enough for work in the kitchen to really become a habit, it's easy to forget where things are, and it's not quite like a house kitchen, needing stock for more people. It makes sense.

Nicholas beams when there is stuff left over, gives the hand he's holding another squeeze, before letting go so he can scurry to check if there are more bags.

"Right. That's better, right? Gotta figure out what we can use."

[graveresemblance]

He smiles at the boy's retreating back, glad to see his smile, his eagerness. He was always a kind person, Nico was.

"Yeah, no worries."

Beans, something-- oh, that's rice. That's useful.

[tinico]

Sorry, the emptiness of this place creeps him out even now that he's not as terrified that they are all... dead. He is not trying to get away from you faster, Livio. Promise.

Will they be able to cook rice...

Back he is with a couple more bags, not nearly as many as he guesses but it makes sense, and he peers back in around Livio's formidable shape.

Beat.

"Utensils. We'll need those, too, unless you've got some already."

[graveresemblance]

"Oh-- in the kitchen, then, in the drawers...if they put 'em in the same place."

He thinks so, anyway. It's-- Livio is trying not to think too much about the minute differences there might be. Even now.

"C'mon, Nico."

[tinico]

There is again something in Livio's tone that Nicholas doesn't like, but calling him Nico gets a smile out of him.

"Yeah, usually. I just... almost forgot. And we'd have had trouble, like. Eating beans from the can with our fingers."

It's all right. It's all right. He's going.

[graveresemblance]

"Yeah, I know. I did that with you guys-- and after, too. Nothing wrong with it," he says softly.

There's a lot wrong-- not the action of it, but having to, being that desperate.

[tinico]

Nicholas is getting them two sets of utensils and coming right back to plaster himself against Livio's side, his hand holding the things.

"Right. But we don't gotta. It's alright."

His heart aches. For Livio. For all he's had to endure.

[graveresemblance]

Look at him all-- affectionate. It warms his heart so much, he feels like he might burst.

"Mmmm, we'll see."

[tinico]

He can get grumpy really fast but also he's worried, and also genuinely grateful that Livio is here, so there's no reason to pretend he's not. Only pretending that he's not completely out of his depth but he'll manage.

When they are more or less done with what they can think of for supplies, Nicholas will dash to get some extra things, like a couple of changes of clothes. Except there's no clothes of his, which now makes more sense, given that he must be grown up and not living here, but it's still upsetting. He doesn't spend long there.

"Ready!"

[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.