Log 1

[mayfield_mods]

Who: Everyone (General Log)
What: Make yourself at home.
Where: A new town
When: The first day

Comments

[justdumbluck]

Czes? Czes!

[What happened when they were controlled has been weighing heavily on Firo's mind. He's surprised that Czes even wants to be near him after that, but he shoves that thought aside for the moment.

He starts running when to close the distance between them faster. Once Czes is close enough, he grabs for his shoulders and tries to look him over and make sure he's not hurt.]

Are you... Are you okay?

[cursedtolive]

Huh? [He skids to a halt and jumps when Firo grabs at him. Fear flashes in his eyes for a moment and is shoulders tense; Firo back in New York was never so sudden to him, and this one might be angry.

But the fear is instantly swiped away with Firo's question, and he blinks, dumbly, for a second before he can answer.]

O-oh yeah! I'm just fine. I heal, remember?

[justdumbluck]

Yeah, I know, I mean...

[Is Czes angry at him? Firo could completely understand that, but Czes doesn't seem too upset. What he most wants to ask is if Czes can still trust him, but he can't get the words out. He lets go and takes a step back, shaking his head.]

Never mind. I'm... I'm glad to see you.

[cursedtolive]

... You're a worry wart. C'mon, you're being weird.

[He tries to grin at Firo, grimacing to express how weirded out he is by Firo's sudden sincerity.]

[justdumbluck]

I am? But I...

[Oh, whatever. They're about as safe as they've ever been in the simulation, so Firo decides to set aside his worries and force a smile.]

Have you looked around this place yet?

[cursedtolive]

Ehm, just a little. I ran over here when I saw you so I haven't seen the whole place yet. Have you?

[justdumbluck]

Nah. It's not as big as home, but it's still...

[He trails off. Of all the things to bring up thoughtlessly...]

No. I haven't. Wanna walk around with me?

[cursedtolive]

Uh-huh. Let's look around. I mean, this is where we're gonna be living from now on, right?

[He grins brightly, more brightly and sincerely than he's ever done, and holds out his hand toward Firo.]

[justdumbluck]

[The reminder that he'll never be able to go home to the place that was never really his is enough to make him grimace. But then he sees Czes smiling like that, and he can't keep the surprise off his face. He carefully takes Czes's hand, nodding.]

...Yeah.

Actually, I was wonderin' if, um... If you wanted to a find a place together?

[cursedtolive]

[Czeslaw is as careful as Firo is, but unlike Firo, Czeslaw is used to not having a "home." He knows it must be difficult for the capo. He remembered his family, too, before he was even five years old, and the presence other alchemists that he lived with after his parents' death. He couldn't remember each individual one, and the memories also brought bitterness, but he still remembered that joy he felt whenever he came back to Niki and Begg and announced his return as a child.

And how hard it was to rebuild it after leaving Italy. And so he knows it must be hard for Firo, too, to have longed for that place he thought was his, just to realize none of that was even real to begin with.

Not that he was really going to let his empathy show.]

Like... living together? You and me?

[justdumbluck]

[He had turned to stare at the semi-finished houses, but then he turns back to Czes and watches him carefully to try and gauge his reaction.]

Yeah. I mean, only if you want to. I just thought... I just thought that it might be nice.

[Czes said they were friends, or that the people they were taken from were friends. Firo'd like to think that they have been able to come close in Mayfield, too; maybe they can fill in as family for each other.

It won't be the same. But it'll be something.]

[cursedtolive]

... You know, when I first arrived in New York, it was on the same train as Isaac and Miria, and they were the ones that brought me to where you were. You were with Maiza, and Miss Ennis, too, and I was there to visit Maiza but they introduced me to Miss Ennis instead.

[He had refrained from telling Firo about his future, but none of that matters now.]

They said I was their gift to her. I don't remember why, but... you just met me, but you and Miss Ennis let me live with you guys, actually. And you were both really nice to me. So... okay.

I think it would be nice, here, too.

[justdumbluck]

[Firo's surprised to hear Czes talk about what had happened after they met, though it's probably because he doesn't have to worry about Firo messing up the future anymore.

He nearly smiles; that sounds so much like Isaac and Miria, from what he knew of them.]

You lived with us?

[That big empty apartment was pleasanter after Ennis moved in. Firo's certain that another person would have only made it better.]

I... I'm glad you think that. I do too.

[cursedtolive]

Uh-huh. You even gave me a room and everything. That's why I was always at the Alveare, since Miss Ennis went there while you were working.

[He grins.] Besides, I have to keep an eye on you to make sure you don't do something stupid, don't I?

[justdumbluck]

[Czes's last sentence brings Firo's nostalgic reminiscing to a screeching halt.]

Stupid? Who said I was gonna do anything stupid?

[cursedtolive]

I'm just covering all bases.

[justdumbluck]

Whaddaya mean by that? I don't need you lookin' after me, you know!

[cursedtolive]

Are you sure?

[justdumbluck]

Sure I'm sure!

[He folds his arms and puts his nose in the air, the picture of stubborn denial.]

If anything, I'll look after you.

[cursedtolive]

... [He looks up at Firo for a few seconds, staring. When he looks away it's with a snort, and then he's laughing.]

[justdumbluck]

Wha..?

[He stares at Czes, peeking around to try and see his face as the kid looks away.]

What's so funny?

[cursedtolive]

It's nothing. [He snickers a few more times before turning to Firo with a wide smile.]

I guess I'm in your care then -- er, big brother? Even though I'm way older.

[justdumbluck]

[Firo glares at the back of Czes's head until he turns around. Really, what's so funny?

What Czes says next quickly wipes that look off his face.]

Huh? I-I mean, y-yeah... Little brother.

[cursedtolive]

... So do you have an idea for where you want to live, or are we going to wander around until we find somewhere nice?

[justdumbluck]

[The rather goofy smile that had begun to settle over his face disappears.]

Huh? Oh, no, I didn't have any ideas yet. You see anywhere?