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

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.

As they take their walk across the wide road, Ky's hold on Potemkin never relents. Actually, it becomes more firm and protective as his knightly instincts kick in. Were these people as careless with others as they were with Potemkin? Were the elderly or injured ignored as well? All these people surrounding them in this city, and yet they were on their own. Everyone was in their own world.

Maybe this was why the Gear rebellion caught humankind so off-guard. Perhaps the possibility of a resistance never truly entered the researchers' world.

Ky still doesn't release Potemkin's arm, even when they reach the other side. He continues walking with Potemkin close by, at a more relaxed pace, once they've safely cleared the road.

"...there's a lot of people here." His voice is a bit distant. Musing. "I suppose we can say with confidence that Neo New York is not historically accurate."

Since Ky doesn't let go of his arm, the heat doesn't go away either. In fact, it gradually intensifies. Ky always extended his help no matter how he tried to turn him away in the past. He's become accepting of that by now. But this time, they're in public among an entire crowd of strangers, not a small community where everyone knew each other, and the level of commitment feels different. They might even look like... a couple.

At least Potemkin's blush is subtle. If he could turn red, nobody would be able to miss that.

"Yes, little knowledge of that place has transferred over," he says distantly for his own reasons.

Thoughts of leaning into Ky or putting his own hand over his flash briefly in his head despite his judgement, but ultimately he keeps his posture the same until the park comes into view. It's nothing world-renowned or famous, but it's a refreshing area of green that a great deal of people are already enjoying.

Edited (missing dialogue tag) 2017-01-07 01:36 (UTC)

The green they are approaching is already a relieving sight to Ky, and Potemkin might be able to feel it just by the way his hold relaxes. It's already good to see a place mostly visited by people and families, rather than vehicles. Although, people certainly look just as busy here as anywhere else in the city. There's something a little funny about Ky, of all people, to note that people seem quite busy even in an area meant for leisure.

"Perhaps it was for the best," Ky says idly as they move closer to the park entrance. He releases Potemkin's arm to read the small sign nearby, declaring the name of the park.

Ky releasing his arm means Potemkin's mind is freed up to think again. Potemkin is still a good amount taller than Ky, so he can look over his head to see what he's staring at, then turn down to look at the back of Ky's head without the man being any the wiser. He has some time to think of what to do next.

This is getting ridiculous. He's increasing the priority of his goal of admitting his feelings to do-or-die levels. If he ends this day without that happening, it'll be a permanent shame on himself. It'll stay in his memories as a sign of his lack of discipline.

That doesn't have to precede getting further into their walk however. Potemkin moves his gaze from Ky and points far in a different direction, arm passing straight over Ky's shoulder by a couple feet, to a park map.

"There is a map. This park seems to be structured around a couple paths."

"Oh." Ky straightens up to look over in that direction.

He walks over to the map, trusting Potemkin will follow. He looks it over for a moment before suggesting, "Shall we follow this one?"

He points to one that moves into the park (rather than around it). It doesn't look too short or too long, which is good for a casual stroll that is half-leisure and half-getting used to their new home.

Potemkin leans in to look at the line that's under Ky's finger. He spends a moment there, leaning forward and eyes fully opened like he's making a thorough analysis of the choice of path. It seems to be a little much when he springs back and answers quite casually:

"Yes, that's fine."

Even if it's a busy park, it's nothing compared to the rush and confusion in the city, so Potemkin moves around a lot more relaxed. Though still he hangs close to Ky he's not attached to him any more.

The proximity doesn't go without notice, but Ky doesn't mind it at all. He gives Potemkin an encouraging glance before returning his attention to the walk through the park, allowing himself to be at ease. It's nice to be out here, actually. Better than being lost in thought in a small apartment. Out here, at least he can focus on some light physical activity to keep him preoccupied.

...that doesn't stop his thoughts, though. Ky has never been known to completely 'shut off', and that still held true even at the Fortress Between. He goes quiet as they walk, half-observing the people around them, half-thinking about what other steps they need to take in order to settle into their new home.

It's a good environment for mental list-sorting and note-taking despite the background noise of other people. The relatively open space seems to allow thoughts to flow out compared to being surrounded by buildings tall enough to block the sky.

Even the crowd starts to become less of a factor, since as the two of them make their way deeper into the trail, the people gradually start to thin out. The other parkgoers become more spaced out, and move quieter, the ones who have walked this far must have been much the same way as them. Potemkin looks up to the tops of trees where the sunlight is filtering in. Despite being a public place Potemkin feels like he has some sanctity of privacy here.

Ky remains quiet during their walk, keeping his thoughts to himself. Outside of this park, he was so convinced that the city was impossible to mute. But here he's proven wrong again... thankfully. He supposes it might not be too bad to start doing this more often, if only to keep from going mad from every little thing that picks at his consciousness. Like the local Fable government. Or the general inefficiency and disorganization of his workplace. And the lack of answers regarding their friends and allies.

No, wait, there he goes again. Ky gives his head a brief shake as they walk. Not now.

Edited (wrong icon) 2017-01-20 05:17 (UTC)

They're both quiet for a length of time, which lets Potemkin collect himself. He's not any better at relaxing than Ky though. Instead of unwinding, though, Potemkin feels a tense energy build up inside him, which goads him to take action instead of sitting on his heels. The more time goes on, the more he's reassured that he can do it, say something and be prepared for whatever consequence. Finally he does speak up, but as soon as it's out of his mouth his confession loses its directness.

"Ky, I want you to know I care about you..."