I've been mistaken for dead, but not tonight

[ushiri]

Who: Kyle, open + closed starters
When: January
Where: Free Cities, mostly Cadens
What: Cohabitating with a man, doing errands and stuff around town for various people
Warnings: Will put in comment subject lines, Kyle's opt-out and general canon warnings are here!

Comments

cadens; open

[ushiri]

[ Generally, if Kyle can be found anywhere it's coming and going from Rio Enterprises, where it seems like he's been staying since the portal mishap. He doesn't usually linger within the workshop space itself without Viktor, though he can be stopped on his way to or from an errand, whether it's helping to bring in packages or every so often food.

At dusk you might spot him around the back, leaving scraps of food in tins for the stray cats - although he suspects one or two may have homes and are coming around for second dinner. He does not mind being conned, and doesn't attempt to pet them, keeping the best scraps for the cat that lives in the shop.

Castiel tasks him with watering the plants in his home, so he might be seen around or within Winchester house, never using the door.

He's not much for building, but his abilities allow him to assist with smaller tasks around the collapsed orphanages and other structures. He can be seen helping clear away debris with others, or patching minor cracks in clay structures. What is less obviously attributed to him, though, is how many children seem to keep mysteriously 'finding' their lost keepsakes retrieved from within the rubble. ]

( OOC: left his daily tasks open for however anyone wants to approach them, but DM me if you prefer a custom starter for any of these! )

orphanage

[funbreaker]

[ Thancred had seen that Kyle had also ended up in Thorne as part of that roll call. Most of Thorne's Summoned seem to have found themselves elsewhere, in fact, leaving Lucifer of all people to hold down the fort. While he isn't certain how to feel about that, it helps to know that people like Alucard and Himeka are there as well, and he's kept in close contact with both of them.

But while he had known Kyle was also here, he hadn't expected to come across him by chance in such a large city. Cadens is on a scale entirely different from the castle, its town, or Nott, and it's been dizzying trying to get a lay of the land. Not that he would ever admit it, and he's been familiarizing himself as fast as he feasibly can.

It was during such wandering that he heard of what happened to one of the orphanages, and yes, his heart had immediately gone out to them, both because he's a decent person and because he'd once been an orphan, years and years ago.

He knows that this isn't the first time that the Free Cities has seen destruction, and he's been mentally preparing himself to visit Libertas. One thing at a time, however, and the orphanage seems to be the place in the most need.

He steps up to Kyle as he hands one of the children a toy doll. The girl shyly takes it and then runs off. ]

So it seems both of us are bleeding hearts. [ He quirks a smile at Kyle, and nods in greeting. How odd, to be interacting with him in an entirely different city. ]

[ushiri]

[ He recognizes Thancred's voice before he turns to face him, giving a small scoff as he watches the child take off. ]

I'll keep yours a secret if you keep mine.

[ Not that he considers himself a bleeding heart. But there are tasks he's well suited for, and it's a good feeling to use his blessed bones to accomplish something removed from any violence. He's not trying to garner too much attention from the locals, though, especially since he means to stay.

Kyle brushes some dust off of his coat and cocks his head at Thancred. ]

Staying at the inn?

[ It seems to be the meeting place in the cities. ]

[funbreaker]

[ Thancred huffs out a laugh and shrugs. While he doesn't make a secret of his need to help others, he nods all the same, realizing that it's little more than a teasing comment to begin with.

What isn't nearly so light-hearted is the scene before them, a ruined building and those who've been displaced as a result, but there's little to do about that save for roll up their sleeves and get to work.

He shakes his head at Kyle's question. ]

No, actually. The home that Geralt, Jaskier, and Ciri call theirs has been fully vacated, so Yennefer and I have decided to stay there for the moment.

[ Whether or not they'll eventually be sent back to their original territories, he can't say, but a fully furnished and stocked home with no one to look after it had made things quite simple. ]

And you?

[ Thancred has been to the inn, simply to see it after hearing so much about it all these years. He hasn't ever seen Kyle there. ]

Orphanage

[itookashot]

[ Jesper's not so busy now that fashion seems like an unnecessary thing as everything gets worse, and while that isn't great for a business, it means he's freed up to do more things. He always manages to keep busy one way or another. Having Mat and Wilhelm here now definitely takes up some of his time as he gets to show them around, and he spends a lot of time at the inn helping new people set up there with rooms. But he goes straight for the orphanage after that.

His gifts do come in handy for this. Jesper makes it look easy as he patches up cracks and structures with only his hands, the clay and wood modifying under his hands to reform solid. He uses his telekinesis to move items around, especially from within the rubble to lift rocks and damage off of spots to help people get inside for their belongings or to see what's left. While the authorities are not fans of Jesper, the people certainly are, and he chats amiably with them.

He's covered in a sheen of sweat by the end of some long hours of using his powers, it exhausts him but he pushes it more than he should. He spots Kyle helping clear away debris and steps over to use his muscles for once instead of just his powers. ]

You wasted no time I see. Welcome to Cadens, hmm?

[ushiri]

[ For his part, Kyle has been trying to be subtle about his abilities - he doesn't need to give the Free Cities government any reason to pay attention to him right now, or to know exactly what he's capable of for that matter. On the other hand, he's not good at sitting idle during these continuing disasters - especially not when he still feels lingering guilt about the situation.

So he mostly sticks to patching, and only every so often when he needs to clear a large, unwieldy piece of wood or stone does he make sure no one's watching before summoning the Unseen Edge and sectioning it apart. He's more taxed from the physical labor than the use of his blessed bones when Jesper approaches. Kyle offers him an amiable smile despite the way they parted in the Nether, whatever spooked him last time didn't seem to stick. ]

Thanks. [ Taking in Jesper's sweaty appearance, he dips down to grab a canteen of water, tossing it to him. ] You look like you're ready for a break.

[itookashot]

[ Unfortunately for him, the authorities are very aware now of what he's capable of. Jesper did try hiding it off and on for the past two years but at this point, it's all out in the open. He respects other people still wanting to do that, especially Kyle who is brand new and wouldn't want that kind of attention. He's still here trying to help out, and that's a good look for him. It'll put him on people's radar though, more than he might expect, but that doesn't mean it's automatically bad.

He catches the water and takes a big swig. He's in his least interesting clothes at the moment since he knew he would be getting a work out, although he has some lime green flares on the otherwise drab gray clothes. He likes a little color, just because. ]

Transmutation is unfortunately not the kind of workout that makes me look strong and swole, alas.

[ Jesper is a beanpole, tall and very skinny. His powers drain him in a way. He's always eating away at all the energy he has, so it's good he has a lot of it.]

I'm glad Wille's staying with the two of you, I tried to get him to the inn but it can be a bit much for introverts.

[ He can't exactly thank Kyle for that as it's Viktor's place to live, so it wasn't his to offer, but the concept is the same thing in the end. Jesper loves the inn but it is hard to be there if you aren't looking for regular conversations. He knows Wilhelm just wants to leave too. Being with a friend from Thorne would help any homesickness.

He doesn't know if Kyle is aware of how close he and Wilhelm are, but they've been attached for years now.]

orphanage!

[philancer]

[ The moment Sylvain had heard about the collapsed orphanage, he'd thrown himself into the work here. Part of it was him grasping at straws to keep himself busy and not brooding over the very empty loft he was now living in and the worry that inevitably had cropping up.

But also in his two years here, Sylvain had been a frequent face at many of the orphanages, in both Cadens and Libertas, especially since disaster seemed to strike the cities all too often. And the innocents always seemed to be caught in the crossfire, something that he would never be able to stand by and just watch.

So he's here, immersed in both the rescue and the rebuilding efforts, adding his muscle and (now) considerable time to helping wherever they need an extra pair of hands.

Even if that's occasionally taking a break to see to the displaced children who normally live here. He's tended to a few scraped knees and a matching pair of black eyes when two little boys got into it. At the moment, he's got a little girl with blond pigtails perched on his knee as he heals a cut on her hand. She reminded him so much of Ingrid, back when they were both children, that he ends up spinning a fairy tale about a warrior princess and her flying horse in an attempt to distract her from her tears.

When he gets a bout of giggles from her as he focuses on the healing magic he's carefully channeling, it's enough to coax a warm smile in answer. ]

There we go. All better? [ Receiving an emphatic nod from the little girl, disaster abated, other than the lingering remnant of tearstains on her cheeks. ] Alright, then. Let's see if we can find your bear, then, without any more disasters.

[ She'd been hunting through the rubble, apparently, and he hadn't spotted her until it was too late. The tears had given her away pretty quickly. As far as he knew, he was the only one around right now, so it looked like he was going to be accompanying her on her bear hunt. Hopefully before anyone panicked that she was missing. ]

[ushiri]

A bear?

[ Kyle doesn't always mean to sneak up on people, but he naturally steps quietly as he approaches the pair. He dips his chin with a smile, instinctively trying to appear less intimidating to the girl - and shooting a quick look at Sylvain. ]

I think I saw some bears just around the corner - [ He jerks his head, indicating for the pair to follow him back to the street-side of the collapsed building.

He's been collecting items from inside the rubble, anything that hasn't been completely destroyed. If Hilda were here, he might've brought the worse off fabric toys to her for repair.

If they follow him, they'll find not one bear, but two seated amongst a group of stuffies waiting for their human friends. He'd done his best to dust them all off, and luckily neither bear seems to have sustained any mortal wounds. ]

[philancer]

[ Sylvain doesn't jolt - if barely - but the little girl on his knee startles a little at the unexpected new voice in their conversation. Big blue eyes blink up at Kyle a little uncertainly until Sylvain flashes him a smile and tugs on one of her pigtails. ]

Hear that? Sounds like the bear rescue was happening while I was healing you up, hmm? Shall we go see if we can find your friend?

[ She nods shyly, chewing on her lower lip, as Sylvain helps her down and then leads her by the hand as they follow Kyle to whatever he's been working on. The little girl's eyes light up as soon as she spots one of the bears and is quick to run over, scooping him up and hugging him tight. She glances up at Kyle again with a shy smile that's spreading a little wider now. ]

Thank you, Mister.

[ And then she darts off again, clutching her bear tight.

Sylvain watches her go with a chuckle, before clapping a hand lightly on Kyle's shoulder. ] Pretty sure you just made her entire week. Thanks for that, by the way.

closed; viktor + wilhelm, arrival

[ushiri]

[ Kyle arrives first - as though he didn't take a minor detour from the portal to the officials taking names. By the time Viktor gets there it's clear that Portam Hall doesn't intend to give them any trouble about leaving on their own. When it comes to the topic of where everyone is staying - Kyle sends Viktor a quick message to ask if it's alright for Wilhelm to stay at the workshop as well before he makes the offer to his sometimes-ward.

On the way back he takes in the sights of Cadens with that sense of deja vu again, sticking close to Viktor's side and trying not to get too distracted by every brightly colored sign and the smell of spices from the market.

Once they're in the workshop he looks between Wilhelm and Viktor, speaking to the latter: ]

We'll set up the room - [ for Wille, Kyle has yet to actually go upstairs to know what needs to be done, then to Wille: ] How much did you bring with you from the Nether?

[ Clothes and things. They don't know how long they'll be stuck here. ]

[ordinar]

[Kyle finds Wilhelm folded up against a wall, striving to be as out of the way as possible in the busy square outside Portam Hall. In the short time he's sat here, it has sunk in deep that he doesn't know when he'll be able to go home, and it shows in the pensive lines of his face. When he sees Kyle, he stands and manages a flickering smile.

He's not starting over from scratch, he reminds himself. He's been stranded in far worse circumstances than this and survived. He'll be okay. Iris is okay too and waiting for him in Thorne, and it won't be forever.

These are the thoughts he turns through like an incantation as Kyle and Viktor lead him through the streets. His eyes skim the unfamiliar contours of the city that will be his home for now, and then the purposeful clutter of Viktor's workshop.]

I packed for a week. Clothes, mostly. Toiletries. Stuff you'd bring on a trip. I have a decent amount of money, and the government is giving us a subsidy.

[He turns to Viktor.]

Thanks for letting me stay here.

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor, thankfully, does not have to exhaust any political clout--it seems the officials will let the new arrivals stay, and not necessarily under their eye. That's good. He can take Kyle home without incident, and of course he says Wilhelm can come too. They make their way back to the workshop, Viktor mostly silent on the walk, thinking over the logistics of a second houseguest.

The main space is garage-like, with a bay door, worktables and chalkboards and projects taking up most of the space. There's an office in the back, and a kitchenette, and stairs leading to the second floor, where the living space is. Presumably.]

I can cover any expenses.

[He knows Kyle doesn't want that, and Wilhelm likely doesn't either, but he feels it's the least he can do. His business is lucrative--he can certainly afford it.]

You can take my study, upstairs--we'll set up a bed.

[ushiri]

[ Predictably, he looks over at Viktor like he means to argue against letting him pay - opens his mouth, then closes it, thoughtful. To Wille he nods: ]

Hold onto the money they gave you for now - or buy something nice for Iris.

[ He doesn't fully understand what's going on between those two yet, but he can tell there's something going on from at least one side. He might have to talk to Wille about that eventually, for now he's happy to put it off and use it as an excuse for Wilhelm to bring most of his extra money back with him to Thorne when this is sorted.

He glances to the stairs but waits for Viktor to lead them up. ]

jack + the menagerie

[ushiri]

[ His visits to Horizon are infrequent once he's in the Free Cities. Neither Rousma or Rio are real in the sense that they need looking after or care. He knows Rousma wanders sometimes to nearby domains when he's not here, and he likes to imagine they might keep each other company, or play. He checks in on them both when he enters Horizon for the first time in a week or so, feeding Rio her flowers before taking Rousma to the gas station to see Jack and Rita.

The little bell chimes over the door and Rousma bursts ahead of him to her favorite machine, paws on the counter: ]

Slushies!

[stations]

( For one probably baffling, completely unexpected moment, Rousma is not face to face with Jack, but rather, a wrinkle-faced sixty-five pound Shar-Pei sitting perched upon Jack's normal stool. The dog's answer is one single beat of silence, followed by one singular, loud boof!

Behind it, a new sound- a rhythmic thwack thwack thwack thwack. His tail, smacking against the shelves behind the counter, knocking over objects with careless, reckless abandon.

From beyond him in the Employee's Only office, Jack's voice: )

Shit- Gaston, no, come on-

( He hurries out, snatching up imaginary lighters and imaginary bullets and imaginary pens. When he finally rights himself with two fistfuls of miscellaneous nonsense, only then does he finally realize they have company. )

Oh! Hey!

[ushiri]

[ Rousma tilts her head at her fellow canine, her golden eyes curious as she lets out a few short barks of her own in doggy greeting, her tail slapping Kyle's shins. As Jack approaches she barks excitedly again, the noise overlapping with the child-like voice: Jack! We wants Slushies! - colorful sugar drink is, apparently, higher priority than the new potential friend. ]

New employee?

[ Kyle raises his eyebrows at Jack, amused. Didn't he mention something about a dog after he woke up from his dream of the future... ? ]

[stations]

Yeah, something like that.

( He says wryly, giving Gaston a scratch behind the ears on his way around the counter toward the frozen drink machine. It's practically routine now to dig out a nacho tray for easy lapping, and only when he raises it up to the tap does something occur to him. )

Actually, I wonder if-

( He glances back over his shoulder at the smooth-brained ball of wrinkles and happiness panting away on the stool. )

Expiravitus.

( Gaston sits up straighter suddenly, at attention, eyes going a startlingly similar shade of gold as Rousma's. They split into two pairs of uncoupled pupils; one focuses on Jack, while the other stays settled on Rousma.

And then Gaston begins to speak in a low and guttural voice, "Hello, Papa. Did you know the good girl that stands before us is not of canine origin, but rather of something ancient beyond the confines of mortal understanding?" )

Yeah, I know, buddy. I'm getting her a slushy, do you want one?

( "I desire a slushy more than men desire air, Papa. There is no taste in the void. Please provide me with a cherry slushy." )

You got it, bud. Um- say hi to Rousma and Kyle.

( "Hello, new friends. Have you experienced the call of the void and its endless nothing?" )

later in da month

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor makes good on his promise to show Kyle around, and they settle into an easy routine. Despite the assertion that he doesn't need to, Kyle finds work, and the two of them assist with cleanup from the earthquakes. It still feels like there's another shoe to drop, but in resolving to be slightly selfish Viktor also resolves to enjoy this. The day could come when the officials fix the portal situation and try to send Kyle back to Thorne--and then the real work begins.

For now, they try to find time to relax. Viktor promised a trip to Aquila, to show Kyle the ocean from the other side of the continent, and if he's being entirely honest with himself, he could probably use a beach day.

Despite not necessarily being a person that does well outdoors, Viktor does enjoy a requisite dose of ocean breeze. He looks a bit comical, in an oversized hat to protect from the sun, but doesn't shy away from anything, even venturing out into the water as long as he stays in the shallows and within reach of Kyle. When they're finished, he's content to return to his chair, convalescing under the shade of an umbrella.

It's a good day, all things considered, and there's some pleasant anticipation in knowing there's still more to come--he has a gift, something he's been excited to give Kyle for some time. When Kyle returns to the chair next to his, Viktor reaches for his hand.]

Has it lived up to your expectations?

[ushiri]

[ Sometimes he thinks about the chances he's been given to abandon his path. He could've stayed in Nayeshi, left Basawar to its fate. He could've taken the train ticket from Alidas. He could've escaped that night in Thorne, when the king and queen were murdered. If you asked him a year ago, he would've genuinely believed he would be the last one remaining in Thorne.

So much has changed. He feels pulled in many directions - duty, loyalty, love, guilt - his path less clear than it used to be - and in some ways it makes him feel strange and untethered, with so much more to lose than he ever thought he could have to begin with.

He's happy here, with Viktor. Over the weeks he still feels like a guest in his space, but he familiarizes himself. He likes to do the dishes and put everything back when it's dry. He likes to cook eggs (one of the only things he is confident in cooking) and he likes to chop up all the fruit he buys to share. He likes watching Viktor work, and when he gets restless it's not hard to find something to do. He feeds the cats outside, and the cat inside, and if everywhere else in the apartment he still feels slightly out of place - he feels most like he belongs here when they fall asleep in bed together.

The beach is nice. Viktor's floppy hat makes him laugh, and when Viktor's under the umbrella he steals it to wear himself. He's careful to look after him when they explore the surf, and keeps close when they walk through the sand so Viktor can lean on him if he needs to. There's not so many other people here - unsurprising, given everything else going on - but he still keeps his touches subtle and careful.

When he settles into the chair it's with some broken shells that he lines up on the arm. He smiles at Viktor, his face warm from the sun, and finds his hand to entwine their fingers. ]

It's beautiful. [ He says it almost sheepishly, his gaze on their hands. He looks relaxed, and happy.

Even with the memories of Ravishan's life open to him, he never thought he could have something like this of his own - someone to share everything with.

He'll keep this, for as long as it can last. ]

[techmaturgy]

[When Viktor purchased the apartment above the workshop, it was under the assumption he'd be cohabitating. It never came to pass, leaving him alone in a home that was meant to be part of a shared future. There's a bittersweetness, to the way Kyle inhabits it now. Viktor is glad for it, and wouldn't trade it, but it's difficult not to think about it in the context of both the imagined future, and Viktor's original designs for the place.

He has similar feelings about the beach. The last time he was here, lounging in a chair like this, Jayce was making promises to him that he ultimately couldn't keep. Viktor has long since stopped making comparisons, but it's hard not to think about it, gazing out over the water. He focuses his attention on Kyle, instead, adding a shell of his own to the line of them on the chair.]

This is a good look for you.

[Relaxed, enjoying himself. Out in the sun. Viktor smiles at the sight of it.]

Did you go to any beaches, back home?

[ushiri]

[ The addition to the shell collection makes him smile too. ]

I can say the same about you.

[ This comes with a sly look, one undercut by the genuine warmth in his tone that he doesn't try very hard to mask. He likes knowing he can make Viktor smile, that he can make him laugh. It's been that way since they first met in person, when he first began to wish Viktor might prove his own fears wrong.

Sometimes, in the apartment, he also thinks about that other life Viktor planned for himself with Jayce. But Viktor never brings it up, and it doesn't feel his place to ask.

He tilts his head at the question, glancing out at the water. ]

In Basawar? [ He shakes his head. ] No, but I know it wouldn't be like this.

[ He's explained before how in Basawar everything is less, like the land and sky have been drained of something vital - different from what Viktor has told him afflicts his own home. The lack of variety in flora and fauna, the way even the night skies don't get nearly as dark as they do here, the flavor missing from food even with the most abundant amount of spices one could obtain.

He smiles again, though, looking back at Viktor. ]

In Nayeshi I saw the ocean, the Pacific. [ He always speaks fondly of his years on Earth. ] It was beautiful too, but I still like this better.

wilhelm;

[ushiri]

[ Kyle gives Wilhelm some time to settle - and selfishly takes that time to do the same for himself before he broaches this subject again with someone close to him.

Maybe the others might think it strange that anyone would want to return to Thorne. If this happened a year or two ago Kyle would've encouraged Wilhelm to stay in Cadens, while he saw no other option for himself but to return. It's strange, to think how much has changed.

The damage from the quakes is still noticeable as they walk through the city to a little park where they can, for the firs time since arriving, resume some morning training. The space is quiet and fairly abandoned, and when they finish and stop to sit, little common sparrows hop around the wiry grass hopeful that these humans have food - and crumbs to steal. They have no news as to when the portals will be stable enough to transport anyone across territory lines, it's been taking much longer than even he expected. ]

I want to stop by the market on the way back - [ to pick up groceries, with the intention to cook - he gives Wille a wry look ] - do you want to attempt not to poison us tonight, or should I?

[ Kyle isn't terrible at cooking, it's more that the options of what he can successfully slap together remain limited - there's a lot of breakfast for dinner that's been happening. ]

[ordinar]

[Reluctantly, Wilhelm settles into a new routine. He runs deliveries for Viktor and stays out exploring the city. He meets up with the handful of friends he has in Cadens and messages those scattered across the map. Having nowhere else to practice his magic, he entertains the Purrfessor with tiny flames and shifting shadows. With so many holes in his loose schedule, he has even pulled some of Viktor's books off the shelf, though he has yet to find one that doesn't lose his interest halfway through the first sentence.

The best part of his day comes at its close, when he sees Iris in the Horizon. Those golden hours slip by all too fast, leading him late into the night.

So when Kyle suggests returning to their seven o'clock training, Wilhelm agrees, but when morning creeps around, he struggles to pull himself out of bed. Still, it's nice to have this slice of familiarity far from home. Afterward, he cools down on the bench with a long gulp of water.]

I can try. [His skills are similarly limited... He could probably figure out pasta, if only the people here had any inclination for it. He rolls a look at Kyle.] Has Viktor considered adding a cookbook to his library?

[ushiri]

[ He sits on the bench next to Wilhelm, raising his eyebrows and watching the sparrows abandon their begging in favor of sifting through the dry grass for bugs. ]

I can ask - or maybe hide one between the other books and see if he notices.

[ Not that he expects Viktor would care or mind either way. He's only been open to sharing his space. Kyle is still adjusting, though. He's lived with others before, obviously - but this arrangement is new, and he wants to be respectful.

He shakes his head. ]

I ran into Jesper the other day - has he convinced you to stay here yet?

[ The slightly wry tone of his voice suggests he knows the answer. ]