Bewildered but alive

[fonmaster]

Who: Ion and all the people!
Location: The plaza
Time: January 2nd, morning
Style: Anything works
Status: Wide open!



...friend...

[Ion tries too hard to draw in breath and gasps, sputtering. Oh, good, he'd managed to finish his sentence after all. Wait.]

H-hello?

[Utterly confused, he pats himself. How could he be wet? They were just in a volcano!]

Anise? Luke? Tear?

[He looks around. The city is beautiful, almost unnatural. It's possible that this could be the afterlife, isn't it? But he's all wet, and so cold! That doesn't seem right at all.]

Is anyone here...?

Comments

[fonmaster]

I apologize.

[He staggers to his feet.]

May I ask you where this is, anyway...?

[beautifies]

This world is called Vatheon.

[fonmaster]

World?

[He blinks slowly, then looks startled.]

I'm on another world?!

[beautifies]

Is there any other explanation? You don't mean to tell me that this place looks anything like your home?

[fonmaster]

Well, no, it does not, but...

[He mumbles a little awkwardly.]

I thought it might be the afterlife...

[Ion shakes his head and smiles at the stranger.]

My name is Ion. What's yours?

[beautifies]

It's not the afterlife.

[Definitely giving Ion a look of disbelieve now. Why would you think it's the afterlife, man?]

It's Hajime Tounomine.

[fonmaster]

Hajime Tounomine.

[He repeats it slowly, like he's never said a name quite like that before.]

That is a very interesting name! How do you prefer to be addressed, sir?

[Now that someone's nearby, Ion is all smiles. Hajime's stern demeanor doesn't really put him off - Ion gets along just fine with Asch, after all.]

[beautifies]

Tounomine is fine. Haven't you heard a Japanese name before?

[Ion is a strange name but Hajime isn't about to question a Westerner.]

[fonmaster]

[Ion blushes lightly. Should he have heard a Japanese name before? He's fairly sure there's nothing of the sort on Auldrant.]

Japanese? I'm afraid I haven't. Sir Tounomine it is, then.

So, Sir Tounomine... what is a person expected to do after arriving in Vatheon?

[beautifies]

Do whatever you wish. It's impossible return to your home world until this place wishes it so.

[fonmaster]

[Ion has acted on his own a grand total of three times in his two years of life. The idea of absolute freedom is beautiful, but also completely overwhelming. He stares up at Hajime with wide eyes.]

Whatever I wish? There's not anything I should do at all?

[beautifies]

Must I repeat myself? You are free to do as you please.

[fonmaster]

[Where was he going to sleep? How was he going to eat?! Ion shakes his head and moves up next to Hajime, teeth chattering.]

Can I follow you for a little while?

[beautifies]

[OH.

MY.

GOD.

It's like a cute like child. His tsun can't handle this. Why are you doing this. SO STIFF RIGHT NOW YOU DON'T EVEN--]

Why me!?

Here?

[beautifies]

[He turns around and reaches for Ion's cheeks. Don't mind him if he inspects. Ion is... Ion is such good material for makeup... He makes a few sounds as he inspects the boy before backing away again.]

Next time, speak up! There should be a store with proper clothing around here.

I DIDN'T FAIL TAG WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT

[fonmaster]

[Ion doesn't seem to mind being inspected. He frequently gets a thorough checkup due to his poor health, after all. When he answers, he's mumbling a little.]

I didn't want to be rude. And it's dry, so it's not all bad...

[He perks up again.]

Are you a doctor, Sir Tounomine?

OF COURSE NOT

[beautifies]

You don't mind it?

[That...seems to shock Hajime, honestly. A boy that doesn't mind dressing up as a girl. This kid is growing on him for all the wrong reasons. Hajime will definitely ask to do his makeup later because that's what he does.]

We're wasting time. Let's go.

[He hesitates before proceeding again, this time to a different store. Hajime will pick out the clothes this time. Ion's sense of style seems simple enough from the dress he chose.]

I'm not. I'm still a student.

Some of this speculation based on how dudes in Tales of the Abyss dress XD

[fonmaster]

[Ion doesn't like it exactly, but he doesn't hate it either. Gender roles were a little less strict on Auldrant than they were on many other worlds, after all. He nods when Hajime mentions that he's a student. Ion still thinks he's a medical student though. What other sort of person would look him over with a critical eye?]

Oh, you are? Maybe we aren't that far apart in age, then!

[He sounds thrilled at the prospect.]

Don't know too much about the game but alright.

[beautifies]

[Don't be silly, Ion. You look like you're twelve.]

I'm seventeen.

Thigh high boots, skin tight pants and belly shirts... for men.

[fonmaster]

I'm fourteen.

[Sort of, at least. There was no reason to go into the technicalities.]

Hey, Sir Tounomine? How long did it take for you to grow taller?

Looked up character designs... Sounds about right.

[beautifies]

Why are you concerned about that? You're only three years younger than me. You still have time to grow.

[fonmaster]

Ah, umm, mostly curiousity.

[Time to grow, huh... the thought makes him start smiling again.]

But I guess you're right!

[beautifies]

[Say that all you want, Ion. He still sees you being self conscious.]

Don't be concerned about it. You just have yet to hit your growth spurt!

[fonmaster]

Right!

[He just continues following behind Hajime like an obedient puppy. Really, he'll wear whatever he's given. He's not picky - he could just tell that the clothing he was in currently was meant specifically for a girl.]

[beautifies]

[Hajime doesn't say much more until they arrive at the shop. He inspects the racks without picking anything out, occasionally glancing back at Ion. After leafing through every garment, he snatches an outfit consisting of simple slacks, a loose shirt, and a light jacket off the racks.]

Wear that.