[ the sounds of some kind of scuffle from the other side of the hedge are just an extra impetus for viktor to get the hat off of him as soon as possible — though in his haste he actually takes a second or two longer than is necessary... and when he finally gets the hat off, it is to the incredible visual of a man struggling his way on top of the hedge. the man is, hm, he looks a mess, to be honest —
and then he's somehow beaming at viktor, and he has the urge to shield his eyes from what's actually a blinding smile. surely that isn't normal. surely no one actually smiles like that, especially at someone they've never met before...
anyway, what else is there to do than nod? ] If you wish, [ he says, still a little dumbfounded, and then proceeds to watch vash perform an amazing attempt at defying gravity that ends as all attempts to defy gravity do: with him in a heap on the ground.
it is with extreme effort that viktor swallows back the urge to laugh, which, huh, hasn't happened in a while. a long while, actually. instead, he takes a few steps forward, supported by his crutch, head slightly tilted as he asks, ]
Uh, are you... alright? [ he thinks of trying to offer the man a hand up, except one of his hands is on his crutch and the hat is on his other, so he just sort of awkwardly hovers there. oops. ]
[ unfortunately for viktor, it is normal for vash to smile at complete strangers as though they are best friends reunited after years of much hardship - as normal as it is for him to fall down hedges and skip through a hail of bullets, actually. but thankfully the latter is no more than a distant memory at this point, so he's having fun - bruised ass or not.
as viktor approaches the heap of red coat through a shower of scattering leaves still falling down all around them from his earlier short-cut descent, vash pops his head up and frantically scrambles back up to his feet - one, two quick strides and he's suddenly standing in front of the other, muddy knees and all, spreading both arms out wide on either side of him as though to reassure viktor that there's nothing much wrong with him.
it takes a second - or maybe not even that, a fraction of a glance at the crutch tucked beneath the man's armpit supporting his weight - before his smile slows down a bit just like his pacing, lowering his arm much more carefully than he had previously. it doesn't get any less brighter, though. ] Just peachy! Thanks so much for holding onto that for me. You really-
[ saved me there, is what he's meaning to say originally, except there's a rush of frantically galloping feet that sounds behind viktor, and vash's smile loses some of its lustre, face blanching pale as he cranes his neck and catches sight of them.
it appears that the hunters have found their victim yet again ... or perhaps in this case, victims, plural? ]
Uh, [ his eyes dart between the approaching crowd and viktor, practically bouncing on his feet as he tries to figure out the best way to get away with the prize without leaving the other man high and dry to face the wrath and any potential consequences. with the distance left between them and the chasers, it's unlikely that he'd be able to get away scot free in time ...
finally, he comes to a conclusion. viktor may or may not like it, though. ]
I'm really, really sorry about this!
[ with that, and a flash of biggest puppy eyes known to man (perhaps except when jayce is being an absolute idealistic himbo), vash will just. reach forward and bodily haul the other up and over his shoulder, crutch and witch hat and all, and starts running away from the others.
with his head now facing the oncoming rush, viktor would see that they're kids. very determined, very driven kids, but they would barely reach even viktor's shoulders standing up. ]
[ the smile is no less blinding up close like this, and viktor is at a loss as he's being talked to not only like he's already friends with this stranger, but like he's somehow done him a service by standing there with a hat in his hands — this is, by far, the weirdest thing to have happened to him in this place, and that includes having been told of his own impending death via a hex crystal missile. ]
You don't need to thank me, [ he says into the brief silence as the man trails off, and then viktor registers the sound of running feet, and oh. oh, well, that's not ideal.
what's equally not ideal is the solution vash comes up with — his apology leaves viktor letting out a quiet huh? as the puppy eyes make him feel somewhat unbalanced, and then he's being lifted up —
later, he will insist that the yell he lets out is totally, entirely dignified. ]
Wait, [ he not quite shouts, but his voice is definitely raised, ] You are running from children?
[ it is an unconventional solution, but this is (to vash, at least) the most effective one - after all, these kids are out for blood (or the hat), and has no care for anything else besides ... he really wouldn't want viktor to get trampled or get hurt because of him, right??
so, the running and carrying him like a sack of rattly potatoes. ]
Don't underestimate them!!! They are formidable enemy!
[ the blood curdling yelling that sounds behind them makes vash yelp and pick up the pace. sorry viktor!!! ]
[ this is absolutely, without a doubt, the stupidest thing to be happening right now, and viktor is swept along in the current just as helplessly as a leaf; he grips onto the hat in spite of his brain telling him it'd just be better to let it go and throw it at the kids. at least that would get him out of this situation — ]
Then lose them faster!
[ ... why is he encouraging this. has he gone mad. he heaves a sigh that catches in his chest, drags at his lungs before expelling the air with the most exasperated sound ever known to man. ]
[ cross out the bingo card on "Being carried over a total stranger's shoulder while being chased by a pack of kids", i suppose ... and the big idiot, the root of all mayhem, the cause of all of viktor's current misfortunes, have the gall to let out a big laugh and a whoop directed towards the kids - as though this is all just one big fun chase. ] Alright, hold on!
[ finally, they break out into a bit of clearing - a small courtyard, with houses all around facing the cobblestone square. vash shifts his grip on the other a bit, holding him more securely as he raises his metallic arm towards an overhanging awning near the roof. even with his back towards what vash is doing, viktor might catch a thin, slinking sound of a whipcord wire, and maybe a solid thud of it lodging against the said awning.
that is, before he gives a jerk of his arm, sending the two of them rising through the air as the mechanism in his arm begins to wind the wire back up, lifting them both out of the reach of the children, until they are safely (questionable?) deposited on the rooftop. even so, vash doesn't quite put viktor back down until he's found a solid, flat piece of surface next to the chimney, and he does it carefully enough - bending down slowly and giving the other enough time to right himself in whatever way that was adequate. ]
[ hold on — yes, what else is he to do? nothing, that's what, and he is definitely making some kind of exasperated noise at the back of his throat at that, but does as directed nevertheless.
what happens next is at once more baffling and interesting at once: viktor wishes he could see more of it, taking real note of that metallic arm for the first time now with great interest, and the sound of the wire intrigues him... only, then they're rising through the air and he lets out yet another yelp (another blow to his already-battered dignity, today), holding onto vash for dear life.
and then they're on the rooftop, and viktor finally has his feet under him; well, his crutch in his hand first of all, for him to lean onto... and then he's quite simply pushing the hat to vash's hands. ]
I am beginning to realise your idea of "fun" vastly differs from mine.
[ vash laughs - an easy, carefree sort of ring to it, even with the way his brow furrows as though on the verge of apologising - and clutches the hat to his chest as it's pushed towards him. against the dark fabric the gleam of glass-green metal would be more apparent, a clever imitation of muscles and bones that fit together and slide with every motion. ]
Hahaha ... well, at least the view is nice, isn't it?
[ it's not often that he ends up in the rooftops these days, so it's quite a novel thing for him too! they are in the older part of town from the vantage point, with cobblestone streets and shingled roof tiles (sturdier than they might look beneath his feet, just in case viktor has second misgivings about it) - and a little beyond them, past rows of trees, the modern, higher buildings sparkle in the evening dusk.
nevermind the few cages at their eye level swinging and creaking creepily, though. vash stares out at the sparkling lights of the windows and the lanterns on the streets, before turning his head back towards the other with another, vaguely awkward grin. ]
... Sorry, I do appreciate you helping out. I'll let you down in a little bit! I just need to hold onto this until sundown.
[ the comment makes viktor actually properly look at the view in front of them — and yes, he has to concede the point, it is a rather nice view. especially given that he is hardly in the habit of climbing to rooftops, oh, ever. ]
... Yes. I suppose it is.
[ which is as good of an agreement that he's going to allow. still; he sighs, by now more or less resigned to his fate.
instead of commenting on the hat or the game, though, he nods towards vash's arm. ]
Well, if we are to be stuck here, you might as well make it worth my while. Your arm — the engineering seems remarkable.
[ he isn't so obvious enough to act surprised - after all, it's not every day that you run into someone with an arm like this; even if it sounds a little like showing off, it really isn't! - but there is a self conscious slant to vash's grin as he turns back towards the other, carefully picking his way across the rooftop so he can docilly present the said appendage for viktor's perusal.
well, he's making up for dragging the other man into this mess, right? hopefully this is almost good enough to make up for all the trouble ... ]
Uh, yeah! Someone I know - made it for me. Cool, right?
[ the metal is more glass-like, strange in its odd semi-transparency that catches at all the intricate joints and parts that make up the bone-like limb - vash wriggles his fingers, half for show and half to dispel the awkwardness standing in his shoulders, before holding it out, palm facing upwards, towards viktor. ]
[ it is a feat of incredible engineering skill, indeed, and viktor would be a fool not to marvel at it — and strange though it may be, he can't help but raise the hand not clutching on his crutch and touch vash's gently, his fingers catching onto his palm, turning it around, watching how the joints move. ]
Fascinating. What material is this?
[ it is almost like a metal-glass hybrid of sorts, something he doesn't think he's seen before. ]
[ so much information has been lost in the fall, and what little people have to go upon are guarded jealously in the big cities ... most people are content to just call these incomprehensible, far-off terran artifacts 'lost technology', or else treat it as some mystical creations from when men weren't barely clinging onto life on some deserted, desolate planet. ]
But more importantly, why don't you sit down?? It's a little difficult, right?
[ there is a narrow but sturdy ledge on the rooftop near them, evidently used when people are up here repairing the tiles and such other tasks ... and vash carefully curls his fingers around the other's hand, the inflexible metal cold around his, to steady viktor. ]
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expiationlogs2024-10-14 08:59 am
eyyyyy
and then he's somehow beaming at viktor, and he has the urge to shield his eyes from what's actually a blinding smile. surely that isn't normal. surely no one actually smiles like that, especially at someone they've never met before...
anyway, what else is there to do than nod? ] If you wish, [ he says, still a little dumbfounded, and then proceeds to watch vash perform an amazing attempt at defying gravity that ends as all attempts to defy gravity do: with him in a heap on the ground.
it is with extreme effort that viktor swallows back the urge to laugh, which, huh, hasn't happened in a while. a long while, actually. instead, he takes a few steps forward, supported by his crutch, head slightly tilted as he asks, ]
Uh, are you... alright? [ he thinks of trying to offer the man a hand up, except one of his hands is on his crutch and the hat is on his other, so he just sort of awkwardly hovers there. oops. ]
no subject
as viktor approaches the heap of red coat through a shower of scattering leaves still falling down all around them from his earlier short-cut descent, vash pops his head up and frantically scrambles back up to his feet - one, two quick strides and he's suddenly standing in front of the other, muddy knees and all, spreading both arms out wide on either side of him as though to reassure viktor that there's nothing much wrong with him.
it takes a second - or maybe not even that, a fraction of a glance at the crutch tucked beneath the man's armpit supporting his weight - before his smile slows down a bit just like his pacing, lowering his arm much more carefully than he had previously. it doesn't get any less brighter, though. ] Just peachy! Thanks so much for holding onto that for me. You really-
[ saved me there, is what he's meaning to say originally, except there's a rush of frantically galloping feet that sounds behind viktor, and vash's smile loses some of its lustre, face blanching pale as he cranes his neck and catches sight of them.
it appears that the hunters have found their victim yet again ... or perhaps in this case, victims, plural? ]
Uh, [ his eyes dart between the approaching crowd and viktor, practically bouncing on his feet as he tries to figure out the best way to get away with the prize without leaving the other man high and dry to face the wrath and any potential consequences. with the distance left between them and the chasers, it's unlikely that he'd be able to get away scot free in time ...
finally, he comes to a conclusion. viktor may or may not like it, though. ]
I'm really, really sorry about this!
[ with that, and a flash of biggest puppy eyes known to man (perhaps except when jayce is being an absolute idealistic himbo), vash will just. reach forward and bodily haul the other up and over his shoulder, crutch and witch hat and all, and starts running away from the others.
with his head now facing the oncoming rush, viktor would see that they're kids. very determined, very driven kids, but they would barely reach even viktor's shoulders standing up. ]
no subject
You don't need to thank me, [ he says into the brief silence as the man trails off, and then viktor registers the sound of running feet, and oh. oh, well, that's not ideal.
what's equally not ideal is the solution vash comes up with — his apology leaves viktor letting out a quiet huh? as the puppy eyes make him feel somewhat unbalanced, and then he's being lifted up —
later, he will insist that the yell he lets out is totally, entirely dignified. ]
Wait, [ he not quite shouts, but his voice is definitely raised, ] You are running from children?
no subject
so, the running and carrying him like a sack of rattly potatoes. ]
Don't underestimate them!!! They are formidable enemy!
[ the blood curdling yelling that sounds behind them makes vash yelp and pick up the pace. sorry viktor!!! ]
Do not lose the hat!!!
no subject
Then lose them faster!
[ ... why is he encouraging this. has he gone mad. he heaves a sigh that catches in his chest, drags at his lungs before expelling the air with the most exasperated sound ever known to man. ]
no subject
[ finally, they break out into a bit of clearing - a small courtyard, with houses all around facing the cobblestone square. vash shifts his grip on the other a bit, holding him more securely as he raises his metallic arm towards an overhanging awning near the roof. even with his back towards what vash is doing, viktor might catch a thin, slinking sound of a whipcord wire, and maybe a solid thud of it lodging against the said awning.
that is, before he gives a jerk of his arm, sending the two of them rising through the air as the mechanism in his arm begins to wind the wire back up, lifting them both out of the reach of the children, until they are safely (questionable?) deposited on the rooftop. even so, vash doesn't quite put viktor back down until he's found a solid, flat piece of surface next to the chimney, and he does it carefully enough - bending down slowly and giving the other enough time to right himself in whatever way that was adequate. ]
Haha, that was fun! Thanks for helping out!!
[ as though he really needed that "help" .... ]
no subject
what happens next is at once more baffling and interesting at once: viktor wishes he could see more of it, taking real note of that metallic arm for the first time now with great interest, and the sound of the wire intrigues him... only, then they're rising through the air and he lets out yet another yelp (another blow to his already-battered dignity, today), holding onto vash for dear life.
and then they're on the rooftop, and viktor finally has his feet under him; well, his crutch in his hand first of all, for him to lean onto... and then he's quite simply pushing the hat to vash's hands. ]
I am beginning to realise your idea of "fun" vastly differs from mine.
no subject
Hahaha ... well, at least the view is nice, isn't it?
[ it's not often that he ends up in the rooftops these days, so it's quite a novel thing for him too! they are in the older part of town from the vantage point, with cobblestone streets and shingled roof tiles (sturdier than they might look beneath his feet, just in case viktor has second misgivings about it) - and a little beyond them, past rows of trees, the modern, higher buildings sparkle in the evening dusk.
nevermind the few cages at their eye level swinging and creaking creepily, though. vash stares out at the sparkling lights of the windows and the lanterns on the streets, before turning his head back towards the other with another, vaguely awkward grin. ]
... Sorry, I do appreciate you helping out. I'll let you down in a little bit! I just need to hold onto this until sundown.
no subject
... Yes. I suppose it is.
[ which is as good of an agreement that he's going to allow. still; he sighs, by now more or less resigned to his fate.
instead of commenting on the hat or the game, though, he nods towards vash's arm. ]
Well, if we are to be stuck here, you might as well make it worth my while. Your arm — the engineering seems remarkable.
no subject
well, he's making up for dragging the other man into this mess, right? hopefully this is almost good enough to make up for all the trouble ... ]
Uh, yeah! Someone I know - made it for me. Cool, right?
[ the metal is more glass-like, strange in its odd semi-transparency that catches at all the intricate joints and parts that make up the bone-like limb - vash wriggles his fingers, half for show and half to dispel the awkwardness standing in his shoulders, before holding it out, palm facing upwards, towards viktor. ]
no subject
Fascinating. What material is this?
[ it is almost like a metal-glass hybrid of sorts, something he doesn't think he's seen before. ]
no subject
[ so much information has been lost in the fall, and what little people have to go upon are guarded jealously in the big cities ... most people are content to just call these incomprehensible, far-off terran artifacts 'lost technology', or else treat it as some mystical creations from when men weren't barely clinging onto life on some deserted, desolate planet. ]
But more importantly, why don't you sit down?? It's a little difficult, right?
[ there is a narrow but sturdy ledge on the rooftop near them, evidently used when people are up here repairing the tiles and such other tasks ... and vash carefully curls his fingers around the other's hand, the inflexible metal cold around his, to steady viktor. ]