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[abandon_hope]

[ The video on this is slanted sideways - and not showing anyone in particular at first. Only after some shuffling and mild cursing (in Greek? is that Greek?) does the video focus on a rather sallow boy with a mess of dark hair. He looks like he hasn't slept in a month. And there's a faint, dingy quality to his outline in spots, like he's not entirely solid.

He also looks suspiciously like he's never used a cell phone in his life. That's because he hasn't. ]

Why isn’t this … I haven’t messed up this badly for ages. [ His voice drops to a mutter for a moment: ] Did it break me? Are my powers broken? I need to know where I am. The people at that machine weren’t at all helpful. Babbling something about heroes and … I don’t know what else.

Do they mean that line about wanting superheroes? From everyone? I've read enough comics to know that superheroes don't like hanging out with dead people.

[ And Nico knows that offers of help - however well-intentioned - often come with a catch. ]




OOC: If you have a character who's died in MoM or canon, please see Nico's permission post here!

Comments

video;

[amadaman]

They call it superhero but it's just what they call it. We're their superpowered mercenaries... that got drafted. Without warning?

video until noted otherwise

[abandon_hope]

[ Nico snorts a bit at that. He flicks his gaze over Ken - and not seeing any signs of death, decides to just relax. It's nice seeing someone closer to his own age here. ]

That'd be more honest, I guess. I'm not the kind of hero they want.

[amadaman]

Honestly, me neither. A lot of us aren't. They've got people who're actual superheroes back home, but that's a minority.

We just make due, I guess? Most of the time there's not a lot going on. I go to school regularly, people go to work, stuff like that. I'm Ken, by the way.

[abandon_hope]

... I don't really want to go to school either.

[ In fact, he'd rather try to be a regular superhero in that case. But knowing he doesn't have to is comforting. ]

I'm - Nico. Nico di Angelo.

[amadaman]

Don't worry, they won't enforce that either. I know a pair of twins that don't go -- I just do it because I enjoy it, myself.

Where did they locate you, Nico?

[abandon_hope]

[ He snorts a little at the thought of enjoying school. ]

Locate me? At home?

[amadaman]

[Rude.]

I meant here, in this world. I'm in Nonah -- number five. You?

[abandon_hope]

[ Oh. Duh, that makes a lot more sense. ]

... Nonah, number four.

[amadaman]

... Oh! You're, uh, right next door then. Are you there right now?

[abandon_hope]

[ He nods. ]

I think so. Some guy calling himself Tadashi helped me find it.

[amadaman]

... He's everywhere, isn't he?

Well, if he's the one who led you, then you're probably at the right place. Do you want me to show you around the city so you know where to find things? I don't know how much he showed you.

[abandon_hope]

Why? Why do you want to?

[amadaman]

I don't have any ulterior motives, if that's what you're wondering. You're new, and Nonah's a big city, and I'm next door with free time on my hands. Besides, even if it's just by a few years most people here are older than me, and probably you too, so.

[abandon_hope]

... I'm eighty-three, actually.

But I guess it wouldn't hurt.

[amadaman]

[A pause. Then he grins.]

My roommate's eighty-one. He doesn't even look thirty yet, so you're doing better than him. Do you mind dogs?

[abandon_hope]

[ Huh. Now he's curious to meet this other guy. But mostly he brightens at the mention of the dog. ]

-- No, not at all. I like them.

[amadaman]

Great. I'll be outside with him in just a minute if you're ready.

[abandon_hope]

Okay. Uh. I'll be waiting, I guess.

[amadaman]

[He gets another grin, a little wave, and Ken will cut the feed. But he and Koromaru will arrive next door in a matter of seconds -- he just had to put on his shoes.]

[abandon_hope]

[ Nico looks up immediately when they get close - he can feel Koromaru a hundred feet out due to that Persona of his. In fact, he kind of ignores Ken at first to go straight for the dog. ]

You're something special, aren't you.

[amadaman]

[Ken's caught by surprise, but he doesn't speak up. Koromaru is a special dog, and this world is perhaps full of people who can sense that. Nico just happens to have done it immediately, and he lets Koromaru wander over, tail curled up and ears perked, cocking his head to the side inquiringly.]

[abandon_hope]

[ He gently reaches out to scritch Koromaru behind his ears. Goodness, that definitely feels like Cerberus. He wonders idly if it's possible to have a half-blood dog if the divine parent is Cerberus. ]

I used to have a dog just like you back home.

[amadaman]

[Koromaru waits patiently for the touch, then he tilts his head into it, tail swishing a little faster. This kid is different from the rest. He can sense that, but the affection is all the same. Dead or alive, a soul's just a soul to ol' Koromaru and he woofs gently in response.]

[abandon_hope]

[ Good boy. Such a good boy.

... He finally turns towards Ken. ]

Hi.

[amadaman]

[Ken's standing just a few feet away. He smiles a little when Nico finally speaks up.]

Hi. His name's Koromaru.