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

[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!?

[fonmaster]

Is it too troublesome? I'm sorry... I just don't know my way around at all, and you were kind enough to explain where this place is, so...

[Yes, Ion considers his explanation "kind". Just don't even ask.]

[beautifies]

It's not troublesome. It's just... Why does it have to be me?

[That's a hand petting the kid's hair, by the way. It's soft. It passes Hajime's first impressions hair test.]

[fonmaster]

[Ion scoots closer. He's not usually one for getting into someone's personal space so quickly, but he's cold and wet and if this man is petting him he probably doesn't mind that much.]

Why not, Sir Tounomine? You seem like a nice man! And you are more familiar with this place than I am.

[beautifies]

[He minds!! He definitely minds!! He's not patting your head because he wants to, stupid brat...]

That's because I've been here before and seen it on my own. Tch. At least use this!

[Okay, that's enough cuddling! Hajime pushes him away and throws his jacket at him. It may not be a towel but he hasn't had time to restock on them.]

It can be a little hard to tell Ion's gender (esp. w/the dress&tights), so calling him a her is ok

[fonmaster]

Oh, thank you!

[He pulls the jacket around his shoulders and snuggles into it, trotting after Hajime wherever he goes. At least he's letting him have a personal bubble, this time.]

Hajime is generally a good judge of this when makeup is involved but since it's not, we'll do that.

[beautifies]

[Good. Hajime doesn't deal well when others invade his bubble. He made an exception once but don't expect it to happen again!!]

Don't thank me. Come on. You'll catch a cold if you remain in those clothes.

[Off to a dress shop I suppose. WHOOPS.]

[fonmaster]

[Ion nods and follows Hajime, the thought that he shouldn't follow after strangers never entering his mind.]

I really appreciate it. It would be an awful lot of trouble if I were to fall ill.

[beautifies]

[Here at the a clothing store for children. It looks like some of the clothing for teens will fit.]

It will be more of a hassle if you become sick.

[Hajime says nothing more until they arrive. He holds the door open to the store filled with nothing but pink, lace, and girly frocks. Did I mention it was a clothing shop only for girls?]

Here. You can pick out whatever you like. Money isn't used in this place.

[fonmaster]

[Ion stares up at Hajime for a moment, then sighs. Someone thinks he's a girl... again. He can't bring himself to be rude and correct him at the moment, so he drags his feet into the shop and tries to pick out the least offensive article of clothing. Maybe something that's all white, even if it has frills and lace.]

Would this be alright? Is money really not an object in this city?

[beautifies]

[Chances are that Hajime would still take him to the girls' store even if he did know. See: Yamato.]

That's fine. Don't make me repeat myself.

[He gives a nod and motions to the register.]

[fonmaster]

[Ion informs the person at the register of his selection, then goes to change. He emerges again a few minutes later, fidgeting with his skirt. His previous clothing (including his head ornaments) is folded neatly in a bag that he's carrying, and he holds Hajime's jacket out to him. He looks a little uncomfortable.]

Thank you for allowing me to borrow your jacket.

[beautifies]

[Hajime takes back his jacket though it's a bit damp. He's okay with that despite his tsun demeanor.]

I only loaned it to you because it was necessary. Come on.

[He looks down. Nothing appears to be out of place but Ion's behavior is a bit odd.]

Is something wrong?

[fonmaster]

It's not a big deal, I am just not used to wearing girl's clothing.

[He's mentally berating himself for being obviously uncomfortable - but really. His robes, that was one thing. A dress? A frilly little dress? Entirely another!]

[beautifies]

Girl's clothing? Do you normally dress as a boy?

[That's weird. The look of Disapproval. It is obvious on Hajime's face. Anyway, no matter how moe Ion may be, he doesn't slow down for anybody. So keep up.]