Ivan ✯ 001
Who: Ivan & somarium!
Where: Espoir
Style: I'll gladly follow you!
Status: Open as can be, bb.
If one were to walk through the center plaza of Espoir early in the morning, they might just stumble upon a rather curious sight. No -- curious wasn't the word for it -- unsettling was more apt in describing the situation.
( cut for possible spoilers through ep. 12 lololo. )
Where: Espoir
Style: I'll gladly follow you!
Status: Open as can be, bb.
If one were to walk through the center plaza of Espoir early in the morning, they might just stumble upon a rather curious sight. No -- curious wasn't the word for it -- unsettling was more apt in describing the situation.
( cut for possible spoilers through ep. 12 lololo. )
Instead of responding right away to his questions, he gives his companion a look of sympathy before bracing his legs beneath him to lift.]
I'm taking you to a clinic first. [He positions Ivan's arms over his chest so that they won't sag, and when he stands to carry him bridal style he murmurs a mantra of "sorry, sorry, sorry" in case he's causing any pain with his actions.] I'll explain on the way.
[It does occur to him that he actually doesn't know where the hell he's going, since at this point everything is still rather foreign to him. When he had been fiddling with his Dreamberry previously though, he stumbled upon a map of the city. He remembers seeing a clinic, and he remembers a few street names.
Just follow the street names. He's determined, he'll find his way.]
Yeah, we did stop him! [He finally begins, adjusting the boy in his arms.] We couldn't have done it without you, though.
[And it's true. He played a key part in all of it, and Kotetsu hopes that he's at least conveyed that much so far.
At his next question, he does his best to shrug, eyes now focused on following the streets and concentrating on finding his way based on the vague directions he knows.]
I barely even know where we are right now.
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Before the words leave the older Hero's mouth, and even after, Ivan wants to fight the command -- because he doesn't want to be a burden, even if he knows that medical attention is something that he needs at the moment. So any protest which he had been forming is quick to die in his throat.
Instead, he merely settles for holding onto Kotetsu and nodding his head in silent assent, urging the man to continue.
When he hears those next words, he closes his eyes briefly, part of him doubting the validity of the statement while another part surges with a sense of pride. After all, that was all he ever wanted -- to be of use to the city as well as to his fellow Heroes.]
I see. That's reassuring to hear. [He pauses for a moment.] Thank you, Tiger-san.
[For what exactly, he wasn't sure. For helping him, for reassuring him, for everything really.
He's still a bit concerned about the lack of his fellow Heroes, but he decides to drop the subject for now, assuming that they would be in contact soon enough.]
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Were his arms free, he'd have probably rubbed sheepishly at his nose at that thank you. It's not everyday that he gets verbal appreciation, and if the time that Ivan had showed up from was any indication, he shouldn't be getting it at all at that point. So he feels a sense of pride at that, and to show it he tightens his grip on the boy in a display of additional reassurance.]
Just doing my part. [He's also going to display that pride with a nice, obnoxious little laugh. It may or may not be right in Ivan's ear.] So just let me handle this, too.
[His walk picks up as he becomes more familiar with the area. The street signs are finally pointing him in the right direction. He might've taken a wrong turn a few times, but the plan is coming together. The clinic can be seen, and he walks through the doors.]
Let them help you, okay? [He places Ivan down but still allows for a shoulder to lean on should it be needed, keeps him steady with one hand and lifts the other to remove his hat. He places it on the boy's head to indicate I'm not going anywhere before smiling again.] And then we can leave.
[He's not overly comfortable trusting these weird people, because he doesn't yet trust the nature of this world. He sees no other choice for now, though. All he can do is reassure.]
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As the older man's grip tightens, Ivan can't help but feel a bit more self-assured. He comprehends the message tucked away in that simple gesture, and he appreciates it, regardless of how much he might have hesitated along the way. Self-esteem was something he still had a long way to go on, despite his tremendous progress since the incident with Edward. The fact of the matter was simple -- most of the self-worth he had recovered since then was just as easily sapped after his one-sided beating at the hands of Jake Martinez, leaving the young hero at one of his lowest moments.
His thoughts are broken by Kotetsu's laugh, which startles the boy enough to nearly cause him to lose his grip on the man. At his next words, Ivan gives a slight nod and noise of verbal assent before tightening his own grip on Kotetsu.
When they arrive at the clinic and Kotetsu releases him, Ivan moves to stand on his own two feet, if only to prove that he's capable. He's pretty touched at the man's gesture, and his expression shows it -- with an unsure smile of his own.]
I understand. I'll try not to be too long. [He pauses once more before saying the same words he hesitantly offered not long ago, as if to offer his own small form of reassurance to the older man.] Thank you again, Tiger-san... it really means a lot to me.
[And it does, since he's not used to people caring for him so much.]
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Another little nod and grin at the thank you, and one more little shoulder squeeze before he sends the boy on his way with the nurses, all of which seem concerned enough to alleviate a few of his more prominent worries.
As soon as he's out of ear shot and out of sight though, his grin drops into a very deep frown and his honey coloured eyes, which shone with reassurance and comfort only moments before, age significantly as he slumps into an uncomfortable waiting room chair.
A lot of this isn't sitting well with him, despite his best efforts to convey otherwise. A new world, away from all of the other people in his life, one that seems to like causing anguish (Jake's still alive, his companion is injured, his partner is no where to be seen.)
He sighs, highly irritated, before crossing a leg over his other and closing his eyes. He recedes into the back of his mind to ponder their options as he waits quietly (as rare as that is) for the other to receive his treatment.]
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With a vacillating nod of his own, Ivan reluctantly allows the nurses to usher him into a room. He's not exactly comfortable being alone in a place like this, considering it's in a completely different world, but the mere knowledge that Kotetsu is in the other room waiting for him brings the young man a significant bit of comfort.
After what felt like hours of poking, prodding, stitching and bandaging of wounds, he's finally free to go. He's certainly glad that it was a clinic, and not a hospital, which his companion took him to. The last thing he wanted was to be contained in a hospital bed for who knows how long with no one but Kotetsu at his side. It was nothing against the older man, of course, merely that he didn't want to cause any more worry than he already had.
He shuffles quietly to where his companion remained seated, clearing his throat awkwardly before managing a meek:]
I'm ready to leave now, Tiger-san.
[He wasn't sure where exactly they were actually going, but...]
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He stands from his seat, takes the time to stretch, smooth out his clothes and adjust his tie, before acknowledging the other with a nod.]
You look like a mummy... [Again. Seeing it one time was enough, and so he continues toward the exit (motioning for the other to follow) with a tight frown.
He wanders out of the clinic, and once outside he peers around for a long, aimless moment. He really has no idea on where they should go or on what they should do, but he didn't waste his time sitting there and waiting. He at least brainstormed a little.]
Maybe we can check into an apartment? [Missing wallet. No money. He has no idea how any of this works.] For now, anyway.
[He scratches the back of his head thoughtfully, then looking over his shoulder at the other:]
What do you think, Origami?
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They don't make it very far at all -- barely out of the clinic, in fact -- before his companion stops. Sitting in silence for a moment, he's relieved when Kotetsu speaks up once again. He's entirely unsure of what they should do or where they should look to stay, hoping to rely on the older hero for such matters instead. Regardless, he offers a brief nod to the other.]
I think that's a good idea. We need to find someplace to live while we're here, after all.
[Especially considering they didn't have any idea just how long they were gonna be stuck here.]
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Yeah. I thought so, too! [Yes, he did just compliment himself.
He's about to turn and begin walking to any and every building that looks like it's livable and/or offers housing before he simply stops and stares at the younger hero. When Kotetsu was in the hospital nursing his own injuries after his one-sided scrap with Jake, Ivan had been confined to a wheel chair.
That little detail doesn't go flying over his head like most things do, and he's quick to waltz right up to the boy and, once more, gently place a hand on his shoulder.]
Umm... can you make the walk? [He jabs a thumb over his shoulder, smiling supportively.] Because I can carry you if need be.
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He gives an unconvincing laugh of his own once he recovers -- still a bit apprehensive, considering the situation. He had to admit, however, that the older man's mood was a bit infectious. It was becoming increasingly difficult to place his entire focus on the current situation, as well as the one at home, when his companion appeared to be so carefree.
At the hand on his shoulder and the comforting smile, he stops. This level of concern was so foreign to him that it still threw him for a bit of a loop when on the receiving end. He shuffles his weight, shifting from one foot to the other awkwardly.]
A-Ah, yes. I'm fine, I promise. I can walk.
[As if to prove a point (mostly to himself), he begins to walk in the direction they were heading before Kotetsu stopped -- stopping short himself once he realised he had no clue where they were actually going.]
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Alright, just checking...
[He scratches idly at his nose while the other trots past him, looking to see if it's just a bluff. Even if it was, though, he'd let the younger stick it out as long as he could. He'd want that privilege, anyhow. He'll step in if he has to, but for now he'll merely keep an eye out.
But when Ivan stops, he knows why, and it's nothing to do with his now treated injuries. He walks up next to the boy, and points down the street.]
I saw some buildings over that way. [He places his hands in his pocket, and begins a slow walk.] We can start looking there.
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Once his companion stops next to him, pointing out a nearby street, his brows raise in curiosity. He figures it's as good a place to start as anywhere else in this strange world.]
Whatever you find that's acceptable for you is alright by me.
[Which is certainly true. He already feels as though he's imposing on the man enough as is. With that, Ivan follows Kotetsu down the street, walking at a leisurely pace and gazing at the numerous buildings as they move past them, a content smile on his face for the first time since his arrival.]
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He turns his head to regard the other with a silence breaking comment, loud and proud and true.]
Your opinion matters too, Origami! We're both going to be living there, after all.
[Which brings him back to his thoughts while he was waiting for the other hero to get patched up. He'd need to be prepared in case the others show up. More than two bedrooms, more than one bathroom. They'd need a lot of space, so that everyone doesn't try killing someone out of frustration.
A bunch of unhappy, annoyed NEXT living together just doesn't sound like it'd work out well.
So when he sees a much larger building complex, with a more dignified and important looking design, he points toward it with a triumphant "aha!"]
Let's take a look in that one first.
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(Jake Martinez. Failure. The fate of the city. His fellow heroes. Death.)
The young hero shakes his head sharply, turning back to the buildings lining the street, wishing he had his jacket with him -- both for comfort and the well-worn pockets (as stupid as it may sound). He nearly stumbles at Kotetsu's words, unused to his opinion truly mattering to someone.]
M-My opinion? I don't really...
[He trails off there, intrigued by the large complex they're now standing in front of. It's truly quite nice looking, and appears to be the type to have plenty of room per apartment, meaning less chance of awkwardness for the two Heroes -- and a greater chance of having the others stay with them should they also arrive. He nods affirmatively and gives a smile.]
Alright. It looks nice enough from the outside, at least.
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I'm gonna go ask. [He jabs a finger at a lobby receptionist across the way, before walking toward her.
A long moment later, he returns with a slip of paper labeled "floor 8" and an envelope concealing several cards, most likely keys to an apartment.]
I told her a list of requirements. [He holds up his hand, counting each off on a finger.] We needed a lot of space, I said. At least two bedrooms, but she said this one had four! A living room and a kitchen. Balcony. Oh, there's also three bathrooms.
[He's excited, Origami, is it obvious? He all but drags the boy to the elevator as he speaks, and jabs at the up button impatiently.]
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He continues to glance around (now considerably less interested, however) until Kotetsu joins him once more -- paper and envelope in hand. Listening intently to the growing list of requirements, he gives a full tilt smile at the older man's enthusiasm.]
Ah, that sounds like quite an apartment, Kotetsu-san. It looks like you made the right choice coming here first. All the extra space means that we'll be prepared for when the others arrive. [Not if, but rather when. Because he knew they would come. It would just be a matter of time.
The excitement was pretty much palpable, and certainly more than a bit infectious -- meaning the smile wasn't going anywhere for once as he allowed Kotetsu to lead him to the elevator. They were almost home free now.]
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