video

[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

[amadaman]

[Ken looks and feels nothing less than uncomfortable right now but he sits and draws his knees up to his chest, picking at an end of his shoelace.]

My mother got killed and the killer never got caught so I spent the next two years swearing vengeance and that there would be judgement.

[abandon_hope]

[ Ah. Nico shuffles his feet a bit awkwardly at that. He can sympathize, at least. ]

That would do it.

[amadaman]

It's over. I don't feel that way anymore. But Nemesis is a part of me and rejecting her would mean rejecting myself. That's a dangerous choice for us. Anyway.

[He takes a deep breath, sighs it out, and gets to his feet, holding his hand out toward Nico.]

Any sort of place you're interested in?

[abandon_hope]

... I know how that feels.

[ Said simply, not offering any explanation past that. It's a long story - just like Ken's would be. As for the hand ... he hesitates, unsure if he should take it. ]

Food?

[amadaman]

[Ken raises an eyebrow and offers a grin. It's lopsided and partially a grimace, but it's genuine.]

I can take you. Downtown has a pretty wide variety here, since it's the biggest porter city. Anything in particular?

[abandon_hope]

Anything, honestly. Except oatmeal.

[amadaman]

Ugh, no. Noodles? [the Vietnamese noodle place where Shinjiro took him on his first day is the first to come to mind.]

[abandon_hope]

Noodles are great.

[amadaman]

You're in luck, then. Meal's on me. Nonah's friendly with imPorts and they let Koromaru inside, too. Let's go.

[abandon_hope]

... Lead the way.

[ He's still hesitant about taking Ken's hand, but he does shift closer at least. At this distance, cold radiates off him in waves. It ... might actually be quite pleasant, given the summer heat. ]

[amadaman]

[If he's not taking it, Ken's not pushing it. He'll drop it without comment or question and return his hands to his pockets, leading the way. Nico does feel chilly, but unless the boy himself is feeling cold, he just gives him a glance.]

Nobody from your home world?

[abandon_hope]

[ That doesn't appear to be the case. He walks along in his aviator's jacket, impervious to the heat outside. ]

No. Nobody I've seen. What about you?

[amadaman]

A few. They're in another city, but they're people I lived with back home.

A lot of people are on their own here, though. If you ever need anything, your comm knows my number now and I'm close by.

[abandon_hope]

... why?

[amadaman]

Why what?

[abandon_hope]

Why are you offering to do all this?

[amadaman]

You seemed like a cool person and Koromaru likes you, so I think it'll be nice if we could be friends?

[abandon_hope]

... You don't want to be friends with me.

[amadaman]

Do I? Are you a mind reader too?

[abandon_hope]

-- No, of course not.

But trust me, this isn't a good idea.

[amadaman]

In my experience, saying stuff like that make people leave you alone even less.

[abandon_hope]

... yeah. Yeah, I know.

[amadaman]

So I guess you've sealed your fate.

[abandon_hope]

[ Such a put-upon sigh. ]

I'll try not to bother you.