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. )
His Instinct tells him to run forward, it also tells him to worry and not gamble here. Dream, vision, nightmare, concussion, whatever... he wasn't about to risk it, just incase.]
Origami?! [It also tells him to yell. Perhaps her should yell louder?
When he makes it to the boy, he instantly kneels next to him and starts fretting.]
H-hey, Origami. Just stay with me, okay? [He pauses to just watch the kid breath.] That's right... deep breaths.
[That's said more so in reassurance for himself. He questions how to handle this situation. Should he take off his vest and his hat and cushion his head with them? At ( ... )
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When he hears the first shout, Ivan stirs the slightest bit, consciousness slowly returning to him. When he feels the man's presence next to him -- hears his voice with much more clarity -- he begins to relax his throbbing muscles. He knows that voice. He trusts that voice. The realisation that he wasn't dead like he had expected to turn out after his encounter with Jake is enough to make him release a shuddering, relief filled sigh ( ... )
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When the boy attempts to sit up, Kotetsu places a hand behind his head and his arm around his torso to help. He gently angles the other so he can at least lean against him.]
Careful, careful. [He shakes his head with an annoyed grumble under his breath.] Don't worry about that right now.
[Since there are more important things to worry about. Like the state of the other hero, which was finally starting to make sense in a strange, improbable sort of way. What was Origami talking about? That happened quite a while ago. At least, it did for him.]
Huh? You didn't fail anything, and the city's just fine...
[Well, it should be anyway. Way to place a doubt or two in his head. But when he notices those tears, he pauses and reaches up to brush a few away with his thumb. That's how he'd handle it with his daughter, so that's how he's going to handle it with ( ... )
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When the older Hero moves to support his weight, Ivan all but sags against him, the impact of his injuries finally sinking in as the pain comes back in full force. Taking a moment to adjust his position as best he could, he avoids eye contact with the man as he speaks.]
How is that possible? Surely once I was discovered and... [He stops there, not exactly wanting to say 'nearly beaten half to death by Jake Martinez.' He supposed that it might've been possible for the other Heroes to stop Jake after he was defeated, since they were better suited to defend the city anyhow. Even so... a doubt lingers in his mind. He knows that Tiger wouldn't lie about something so vital, but he has to double check to be certain.] This means that you stopped Jake then?
[When Kotetsu reaches out to brush away his tears and offers him a grin, he's not sure if he should feel embarrassed that he had broken down in front of his fellow Hero or relieved that he was ( ... )
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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 ( ... )
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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 ( ... )
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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 ( ... )
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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 ( ... )
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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.
[ ( ... )
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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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