animatedsmoke | (no subject)

(no subject)

Who: Ky Kiske, Potemkin
What: New York New York
When: AU (Carvaka + Fables/The Wolf Among Us)
Where: New York

After so much struggle and work to force change on the universe, to have it show some acknowledgement to their efforts or make the barest turn toward their survival, it was change that came on them instead. Like an interstellar probe finding a star among millions, without any foreshadowing or warning a single dimension made itself known to discovery, and that was the moment when the inhabitants of Between found a world that had survived the death of the universe. At last there was some place that didn't resist life to exist on it, or resent it. The planet was alive, populated, growing, and distinctively Earth. But it was still not their Earth, and one could feel the difference with every moment taken in it. It was palpable in the air breathed, the sunlight felt, the mood of the sky. That was before even including interacting with the inhabitants, who turned out to be separate down to the physical definition of humanity.

It's not what anyone wanted. It's not what anyone asked or wished or dreamed for. But it is new chance, a fresh start, and in its purity of experience it is unfamiliar to everyone, which is both terrifying and equalizing.

Ultimately the tantalizing possibilities outweigh the undesirables. No one could bring themselves to refuse the hand. After years of waiting, the confidence had been instilled that nothing better would come, and that this escape was truly the chance of a lifetime. With the deal made, now they must deal with it.

________________

Potemkin throws a bus schedule or four on the nearest flat surface in front of Ky, the folded paper making a slap on the speckled plastic table that is audible even among the incessant sound of traffic outside. Potemkin doesn't add any words to his offering, expecting that the noise will get Ky to look up from whatever he's doing, and makes his way to the refrigerator. He had gone through a bureaucratic ordeal today, and these pieces from a Take One bin are the most significant fruits of his labor. Potemkin has a deep well of patience, but he seeks to refill it when it's drunk from.

It would be a miracle if Potemkin could fit in any form of public transportation (that isn't airship), but as shown by his flippancy he didn't pick those up for himself. Ky Kiske looks normal, at least, he will be able to pick up work, and look through both Fable and Mundie employers to do it (and maybe even someday hold a political position in Fabletown). A job anywhere in this city means some sort of commute. As for Potemkin, who stood out even in the world he was born in, he'll figure it out on his own.

Not that he has all the time in the world to do that, rent comes in a month.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Potemkin recognizes the avoidance, which one part of him is pulled to respect, but the rest doesn't sit still with that. He has seen Ky when at his most vulnerable (due to the nightmares of Between), and knows that he's not as limitless as he pretends to be. And Potemkin does have his pride, so he doesn't want Ky to expect that he can get him to do whatever he says just like that. He's a tested military agent and a grown man, not a puppy dog.

Potemkin's method of fighting that impression is by following it exactly. He would not call it pouting, but his lips hitch slightly.

"I can handle more than this," he resists weakly. He'll need to call on a lot more stubbornness than that to match Ky. Where did all of it go?

Edited (oops unfinished sentence) 2016-12-30 02:46 (UTC)

And Ky has actually seen Potemkin as a puppy dog, or at least with the ears and tail of one, which honestly makes this current impression even less effective. But Ky's goal isn't to prove his rank to Potemkin, and there is no lording of authority here. He gives Potemkin an empathetic look, dinner forgotten for the moment.

"I know," he says. "I don't doubt your capabilities. Even with your current change, I know you are still capable of many great things."

He frowns slightly as he continues. "However, I don't want you to overwhelm yourself with too many changes at once. The environment of this world is also very different from what we're used to. I would like to see you become more familiar with your body before challenging the city."

The actual act of eating has become very forgotten. Potemkin gets frustrated by listening, but at nothing Ky is saying. In fact he's not sure if even wants to keep up with this argument, but it's like his mind is making one last stand resisting a change that is happening to him. It's because of what he really is driven towards, how he wants to relent in a way that he would not have allowed himself to just a few months ago. All because he wants to continue receiving attention from Ky.

It makes him feel like how he hasn't felt since he was back in Zepp.

"So it is," Potemkin says calmly, feeling like he's having entirely different conversations between the outer and inner world. So the one that Ky is witness to drops off suddenly.

Ky pauses, going quiet for a moment. He's not sure how to take the response. It effectively cuts the conversation short, which can be both a good and bad sign. Was Potemkin upset? Was Ky too condescending with his concern? He knows he can be too overbearing for others at times, prompting them to suggest he control his emotions better. Is this another one of those moments? Or is Potemkin simply accepting his explanation, understanding how he feels?

Moments like these still manage to confound him at times, but at least he's mature enough to wait and contemplate before speaking again.

"I'm sorry if my words offended you," he says softly. "I don't mean to imply you cannot care for yourself."

Now he just appears randomly temperamental. Which he is being, but that's beside the point. "Ky!" Potemkin says, a little alarmed to hear him apologizing. "It isn't that at all, I mean - " Potemkin pauses before answering, before he gets ahead of himself. I think I'm in love with you is not what he wants to get into right now.

"I understand now! It's the most clever plan to take on and master things one at a time!" Potemkin wags his fork in the air like he's excited to get to exercising. Not that Potemkin doesn't put his full effort into goals, but it seems a little forced.

The quick swing in mood startles him, causing him to jump a bit in his seat. Ky blinks at Potemkin enthusiastically waving his fork around. Now what has caused this? What did he say this time? He's starting to become terribly confused.

"I— yes, that is what I am suggesting..." He trails off, still unsure. Handling changes one step at a time was his point, but it's not the most clever plan and it's not something that really warrants such praise. He doesn't think, at least.

But does he really want to argue that? No, the diplomat in him says, it's probably best to let that one be.

Potemkin takes Ky's polite silence (and a mouthful of beans) in stride. Internally he sighs relief as he chews. Since he can't talk with his mouth full, there is no chance of making things more awkward tonight. In front of Ky it seals the point that he's willing to stay inside just a little longer, until he's more used to the glamor.

He has a lot to think about by himself anyway.

Potemkin will have plenty of time for that, at least. They can't live off canned beans forever, which means they need money for better food. That means Ky's days center around work, for the most part. Work and slowly getting used to moving around the city. Very slowly. Slower than he would like, but it can't be helped. He's surrounded by technology that's supposed to be ancient history to him. Technology that's damaging to the living world, that's supposed to be illegal. It's unnerving.

Not to mention there's something about the sound of electronics that bothers him a bit.

He's ignoring that as he walks outside, however. Ky is out and about, walking around the neighborhood again. This time, he's joined by Potemkin, who sorely needs an opportunity to get used to their new home. Ky sneaks glances at Potemkin's face, trying to see how the other man is handling everything.

Potemkin has always had an ability at exuding great peace, and the effect still comes out despite his plainer appearance. He walks, hands in his pockets, looking like he isn't bothered at all by this being anything but normal for him.

He is still glad to have Ky around for this, even if looking at him makes Potemkin question what is wrong with him half the time. When Potemkin realized that he had developed feelings for Ky, it was just relieving to know. After all, that wasn't a scary or unpleasant answer to come to. And he did decide very soon that it was the answer. It would explain a lot. The way he thought of him, stretched to look at him, how Ky could make his mind freeze up with no effort.

All there's left is managing the issue. Potemkin can't start to comprehend what Ky would think of a man who started as a diplomatic relation confessing love to him, but he owes him transparency at least.

Potemkin never thought he would stoop to procrastination, but it's been a while since he made that vow. This time he has the excuse of having another priority in front of him. Potemkin grinds the tip of his shoe into the sidewalk. "I can't believe this pavement is over a hundred years younger and still looks worn."

Edited (messed up grammar) 2016-12-31 07:55 (UTC)

"It certainly isn't holding up well," Ky comments in agreement. "One would assume a city of this size could maintain its walkways, but I suppose there are other pressing concerns taking priority."

Especially with so many residents coming in and out, Mundane or not. Trying to keep them relatively sheltered and safe is likely a time consuming task on its own. He sorely wishes he could learn exactly how the local government is managing it, though. Any co-workers he's asked have only given him vague, cynical responses. It's not a good sign, but he still wants more details.

A car passes them by, interrupting Ky's thoughts with a puff of exhaust. He winces at the smell, turning his head away. "The same could be said for some of these vehicles, as well."

Ky is trying to be forgiving out of gratitude for their new start, but Potemkin has less qualms about comparing the management to past governments. Certain past governments. In fact Potemkin could even use Illyria as a contrasting standard, since he's certain that Ky would not be satisfied with conditions like this in his country.

When that car passes by surprisingly close to the sidewalk, the only thing in Potemkin's mind at that moment is pity. It's the first time he's had the chance to notice how Ky is dealing with the unfamiliar too. "I can assure you that combustion engines are reliable at least, despite the noise. It's up to the user to secure good performance," Potemkin says, at the same time putting blame on the dubious driving practices he's just seen.

Edited (missing word) 2017-01-01 03:55 (UTC)

Ky's frown doesn't quite leave his mouth, even as he returns his attention to the footpath before them. "They seem far more inefficient than any magic-based engine."

And noisy. And dirty. He understands not all of them are so poorly maintained — he's walked these sidewalks before, and has seen plenty of street-parked cars depart with far less fanfare than that one — but they still don't seem quite right to him. Maybe it's due to the part of him that still recognizes this dated technology as illegal and damaging. Perhaps his biases are just too much. Still, though. It isn't as if any of it is easy to ignore. It's the complete opposite of the environment in Between, and different still from the bustling capital of Illyria. He's still in the process of getting used to it.

Potemkin's perspective is completely flipped from Ky's, where to him magic is the uncertain and potentially unstable one. Potemkin sees this as his duty to guide and explain to Ky, who now is the one in need of a comforting resource when everything else has changed.

"The difference is that in this world they are favored for mass-production. For that purpose not every one needs to be the most advanced. I can't argue about the fumes," Potemkin concedes. It's not exactly to his aesthetic, either.

Potemkin turns toward Ky to try and change the subject to Ky's favorites. Partly because he would rather start his exploration of the city with something interesting himself, partly because it hurts him continue to see Ky grimacing.

"Would you say you've found any places you like to visit?"

Ky has to take a moment to think about that. He's been primarily focused on going from home to work, getting used to riding an ancient bus and familiarizing himself with the neighborhood. It's nothing unusual for him. Even as king, he was always working, managing the kingdom and her armies, trying to sidestep manipulative politics and plans. It was always business; there was no traveling for pleasure. Although, he and Dizzy did have thoughts of visiting some vacation spots. They were mostly her suggestions, fun to think about, but none of them ever came to fruition. And now the chance was lost.

Oh. He really shouldn't be thinking about that right now.

"Visit?" Ky has to wrestle himself away from his thoughts. "I... did hear there are parks in the neighborhood. I haven't tried to find them, but I overheard my co-worker speaking about plans to take their pet to a 'dog park' after work."

That...didn't work. Potemkin grabs onto what lead he has though and runs with it. Hopefully changing the subject promptly will help distract him from what's lowering his spirits.

"A public park would be a worthwhile trip," Potemkin says optimistically. It sounds like parks are a fixture that can be trusted to be in large cities regardless of which world one is in. Both of them could stand to gain a sense of footing from some community curated nature, even if the specific park is completely new to them. It isn't like trees can be much different. (Or dogs, for that matter.)

"At your lead," Potemkin bends his head, remembering at last that he's supposed to be the follower here. But it's primarily a concession out of politeness, since in his boredom at their apartment he may have stared at some maps too much.

Edited (one letter typo) 2017-01-03 08:29 (UTC)

Ky blinks. "My lead?"

The pause is brief, but it says everything before he even speaks.

"...ah, I—" He gives Potemkin a sheepish look. "Unfortunately, I didn't think to ask where this 'dog park' was located. I wasn't involved in the conversation, merely listening nearby."

"Oh," Potemkin reacts surprisingly little because, again, he's more prepared than he should be. He's more flustered about putting Ky on the spot unexpectedly. So his knowledge ends up being called on anyway. He doesn't have to make a big deal out of it. All he has to do is nudge a suggestion, like an advisor would do to a leader. When put like that this is honestly more comfortable to him than other positions he's been in.

Potemkin points to a crisscross of street signs, full arm outstretched. It looks touristy, but Potemkin is trying to compensate for what is to him a mediocre pointing range.

"If I may suggest, this road will take us closer in the direction of some park. If the map is up to date."

Ky looks over, then back to Potemkin. He's not terribly surprised by Potemkin's recommendation, if he thinks about it honestly. If there was anyone who would have scouted or studied the layout of a town during a period of downtime, it would be this man. There's little wonder why President Gabriel trusted him so.

"As reliable as ever," he praises with a nod. "Very well, then. Let's go this way."

Hopefully, the walk there won't be too eventful. Despite Ky's complaints, he is slowly getting used to seeing 21st century cars driving around. Or at least, he can appear that way to the unfamiliar eye — a much needed skill if he's supposed to refrain from drawing attention to himself.

There's always pleasure in being known for certain things, and Potemkin takes a lot of pride in his dependibility. He's rather happy with how things turned out. Although he still walks in that distinctly gradual pace, due to a lifetime of bearing the weight of himself, he moves to the side and slightly in front of Ky carrying an encouraged attitude.

They should know each other after working together to help endure all the challenges of the dying world, but it's still nice to be reassured. Potemkin hesitantly the possibility that Ky might take gracefully what he intends to tell him. Eventually.

It's good that Ky wants to become more used to cars, because there's plenty more of them when they hit the next intersection. Potemkin keeps his gaze straight forward at the electric sign at the other side, which speaks to his deep patience especially as the minutes crawl by.

Ky is standing a very safe distance away from the curb, waiting for the light to change. Although he can be patient, he can't help watching the cars maneuver and pass them by, guided by other lights. If he was thinking more objectively, he might actually approve of the way the vehicles are directed around. It's orderly and intuitive for the most part, and it's very easy to see how it works even as someone who doesn't operate one of the old machines.

But he's still too focused on seeing these vehicles moving around. Some of these cars look like something he's seen from an encyclopedia or historical record.

"There's such a variety of them," he comments offhandedly.

"Huh?"
Potemkin is nudged from his focus. He got deep into it. He looks to Ky, at how his idle attention rests on the vehicles going by like they are curious things.

"Yes, there doesn't seem to be much of restrictions in design. I guess it's because there's so many people..." Potemkin trails off in his musing, because New York City is vast and dense, and that fact informs every aspect of living here. Such as traffic like this. Potemkin can't begrudge the wait when there's this many people passing through.

Edited (missing words) 2017-01-06 05:17 (UTC)

Ky gives Potemkin an amused smile, momentarily distracted from his vehicle observing.

"Were you deep in thought? I didn't mean to disturb you."

Though, that does make him curious. "What were you thinking about?"

"I was only thinking of the light," Potemkin says sheepishly. "It's a skill I developed over my time in the army. The trick is to focus on only one thing, until you lose of track of the time," Potemkin says. Potemkin would never speak poorly of his job in Zepp, he could proclaim his elation and pride at any prompting, but by nature there were inevitably periods where it could get...boring.

Like the proverbial watched pot, the signal changes just when Potemkin isn't looking at it. He's alerted despite that because the crowd around and behind him moved on before he does. It's like a shove on the back, even if it's too chaotic to pinpoint out a shover, and Potemkin ends up shocked again in quick succession.

"Hmmpf! Excuse me!"

Ky was about to chuckle when the crowd of pedestrians began to lurch forward. The citizens of New York City are apparently moving on, with or without them. Barely anyone even looks at them, save for a few giving them strange looks for the outburst, too focused on minding their own business so others could mind theirs.

Ky just isn't the type. When scowling at the crowd proves futile, he reaches out to hold Potemkin's arm and steady the taller man.

"This way, come now." His voice is low and hopefully comforting. "We'd best move along for now."

The irony is that the more physically imposing man is more susceptible to pushing. Potemkin is so submissive, he doesn't consider this treatment as something on the fault of others. All that's in his mind is embarrassment that he keeps bumping into people.

He feels someone's hand deliberately wrapping around his arm immediately because how different it is from all the other impersonal touches. When he sees who it is, Ky's efforts at supporting him seem to do their job, since he becomes still completely. Though Ky can't feel it through his arm, Potemkin warms up slightly at his face too.

Without any words he nods and stays by Ky.