Out of the Walls

[owneroftheworstroom]

WHO: Bruno & You!
WHERE: Various locations around Temba
WHAT: Bruno arrived in the city, is certainly NOT dressed for the weather... and lost.
WHEN: First week of February
NOTES: I will start with prose, but will match format, of course
WARNINGS: Beware of Hernando and Jorge.

Hotel

He can see the entire city from his chosen room up on the tenth floor. At least it feels like that. Sort of. But also not really. There are other buildings around that are just as tall, even taller than this so-called hotel. A dull, uninviting place that seems to only exist to store people in it. Bruno doesn't like it. But he also is scared to head back out. Out of his room, out into the cold, out where he might encounter other people.

Unfortunately he has not thought about bringing food with him. Or even water. And he has been getting hungry a while ago now.

It takes him another three hours before he finally rings himself to leave his room and cautiously sneak back down the stairs, hoping to avoid meeting anyone else. He remembers that place with the kitchen and the fire in the walls. Maybe if he's lucky, he can find some food there. At least he knows he can get some salt there...

He makes it all the way into the lobby without incident and casts a quick look around to make sure no one is around. Exhaling in relief, Bruno makes for the door, caution temporarily forgotten as he pulls it open only to run head-first into a person about to head into the hotel, sending Bruno stumbling back and flailing to try and raise his hands. "Oh no no no! I'm sorry. I'm sorry!"

Greenhouse

It has been a short sprint over the plaza and through the (still) cold snow before Bruno can duck into the greenhouse and breath a sigh of relief at the sight of living and blooming plants. He had seen the structure from up in his room and has been left curious. Now he just hopes no one catches him sneaking inside.

The building itself already leaves Bruno puzzled. Translucent but not made of glass. Not that a building made of glass would have been any less reason to wonder. Inside it's warm and he pauses to take in the sight and scents of flowers and plants he doesn't recognize either. Though he doesn't step in too far right away, rather sticking to the nearest bushes and making an effort to slip behind a tree, giving its trunk a gentle knock for good luck's sake.

Maybe not gentle enough, however, as the knock obviously is enough to dislodge one of the purple fruits above, causing it to fall and, naturally, hit Bruno right on the head with an audible thunk immediately followed by a quick "Ouch!" that is much louder than Bruno has anticipated it to be.

Hangar

Thin sandals remain notably unsuited footwear for all the snow still covering Temba. Snow that is still pink and cold and yet little prevents Bruno from walking through it regardless, muttering to himself about freezing his toes off. He isn't even sure what he is looking for. A way out? A path back home?

Maybe. But regardless how far he wanders, he doesn't really seem to be getting anywhere. At some point he seems to be away from most buildings, leaving him wandering without protection from the cold winds and regretful of his decision as he pulls his green ruana tighter around his form, hood pulled low over his head.

Spotting the tall, secluded building feels like a blessing and Bruno makes his way over as quickly as possible, only to pause at the large door, considering to knock. He doesn't knock, instead hopes no one notices him slipping inside and to quickly locate some cover. Though it quickly becomes apparent that he needn't have worried about cover as the large building appears empty. Aside from the massive-

"Wha- What are these?" Bruno wonders aloud, eyes wide as he takes in the small fleet of space ships. Unsure what to make of them and whether or not they may be dangerous, Bruno backs away towards the closest wall, literally bumping into the hovering data point minding its own business. Bruno shrieks and leaps away from the glowing orb at the sudden knowledge being dumped into his head so similar to his visions and yet also so unlike them.

He stares at the data point for another moment, then back towards the ships, mouth hanging open in recognition. "I... I know what you are now..." Bruno remarks towards no one in particular. Though if anyone happens to be around the ships after all, they sure may have heard his shriek.

Wildcard

Hit me up if you wish to set up something else!

Comments

Closed to Cal!

[owneroftheworstroom]

[[ Continued from here. ]]

Bruno grimaces as he listens, glancing around but also towards the exit of the diner, recalling the place that waits out there.

"This- I- The thing, the... The orb. It told me this was their home, but- This place doesn't look like a home. If, if they had to leave..." He pauses, gesturing with one hand while refraining from looking directly at Cal. "Sometimes you can't go back. But... You can be happy finding a new place to live in. Build your own... Encanto. Elsewhere." Yes, his family has been there.

[out_of_order]

It's not something Cal hasn't considered. Hearing Bruno speak, he feels that the man's talking from experience, certainly. The young Jedi nods.

"I know. And I know it's easier for people from outside to figure it's better just to move on. In my case, there's definitely no going back to where I used to call home. And I guess I'm still looking for that something better." Or maybe he's already found it, if what he's heard from Merrin is any indication.

"I can't speak for the Agrii or really understand their reasonings, but maybe they don't really know where else to go. A lot of them seem very much like children in the way they do and understand things. So clinging to something like this is the best option they can think of."

[owneroftheworstroom]

“I…” Bruno begins, then scratches the back of his head. He can’t exactly judge these Agrii for clinging to something they know. “…sometimes you don’t want to actually leave… And other times… You have no choice.” Like his parents have had no choice when they fled their home. It’s a two-sided blade in many ways.

“I’m sorry to hear you can’t return home.” Bruno adds in earnest.

[out_of_order]

Cal shakes his head. "It's been some time. There really isn't anything for me to return to anyway," he says softly. Everyone he'd known was probably gone, if not hiding themselves, just as he had.

"But yeah, that's how it is. The Agrii didn't have a choice- someone drove them from their home. I don't even know what the why's of it, but they didn't know what was going on either. There's too many things we're still trying to figure out."

Greenhouse

[demjiin]

Kaz was already spending more time in the greenhouse because the cold would bother his bad leg. It might look like he was hiding out but he was sitting at the foot of a flowering tree, leaning back against it with his bad leg stretched out, and mostly concealed by its branches hanging down around him like a weeping willow. He has been writing in a cipher in a notebook that he has been holding against his folded good leg. Usually, he wouldn't say anything and let the other person think they were alone, but the 'ouch' was too close to him for comfort.

"Don't assault the plants and they won't assault you."

His tone was neutral and almost bored-sounding, nor did he look up from writing in his notebook.

[owneroftheworstroom]

“I didn’t assault anything!” Bruno is quick to protest, rubbing his head, but he is just about as quick to shut up again to look up and around for the source of that voice. That certainly wasn’t Cal and his hooting kettle friend.

He dares to look around the tree that has attacked him and, sure enough, manages to spot the stranger. His instinct makes him want to try and flee, but he convinces himself to stay. At least for now. “This… Is this your place?” Does he have to apologize?

[demjiin]

Kaz smirks to himself.

"This is nobody's place. Or rather that no one owns this place. Think of it more like a communal Garden since everyone eats the plants that are here."

Kaz looked up at Bruno.

"...Aren't you cold dressed like that?"

[owneroftheworstroom]

Bruno blinks at first, then casts a look down at himself before replying with an exaggerated roll of his eyes and an equally overemphasized shrug. “Cold? Me? With these freezing temperatures? Of couuuurse…” He drags out the last word before his entire display falls in on itself with a loud, resigning sigh that quickly shifts into a tone of frustration. “I’m sure I’ll be freezing my toes off once I step back out there!” But these are his clothes. And he deems himself
Lucky to at least have these few pieces of fabric.

With a wave of his hand Bruno hopes to dismiss the topic of his own inadequate attire and he bends down to pick up the purple fruit that had landed on his head, holding it up inquisitively. “You’re saying everyone here can come and pick up one of these? Or grab a handful of leaves? Pick a flower?”

Hotel

[thestaremaster]

Bucky's a difficult person to knock over, but he does look surprised to be barreled into like that, lifting gloved palms to try and calm the man's apologies.

"Hey- it's fine. I'm not as scary as I look, I promise. We're good. You don't need to apologize."

[owneroftheworstroom]

Granted, most everyone over the age of twelve can prove difficult for Bruno to knock over, who now covers with his hands up and a prominent wince on his face. It takes him a moment to ease up again, but even then Bruno is quick to draw his hands in and swallow before pointing out. "You do look scary." He does. And Bruno is in his way, so Bruno makes it a point to shuffle out of said way to make room for the frightening stranger.

[thestaremaster]

Bucky breathes a surprised laugh through his nose at the bluntness of the reply, but cants his head in acceptance and shrugs a shoulder. He tries to flash something of a smile, something to reassure the newcomer.

"I'm Bucky," he offers, stepping past and turning to offer a hand.

[owneroftheworstroom]

If Bruno is nothing else, he certainly is honest. And he will tell you if your future entails hair loss. Don’t judge him too hard.

Bucky’s smile is returned with a nervous attempt at a similar expression and a hesitant look at the offered hand. “Um… Bruno.” He eventually replies, cautiously reaching to accept the offered hand. “I… Am new around here?”

Hangar

[orangewayfinder]

Since taken up piloting, Terra was looking over the ships. It was better than hanging out at his place, so he'd ducked out of the cold and wind and decided to at least try and see if everything looked alright.

His crewmates were nowhere to be found which was totally fine considering the weather outside right now. And his hand went under his chin as he took in the sight of one of the ships that seemed to have a bit of rust on it. Terra then kneeled down to take a closer look when he thought he heard someone come in. It didn't concern him much so he didn't look back at the moment

But then he heard a shriek and the old response of hearing a shriek meant unversed or heartless, so he went looking for it. His metal boots hit the floor but then stopped as he saw an unfamiliar person standing there, talking to a data point.

He waited a minute and shook his head. "Are you okay?"

[owneroftheworstroom]

Bruno doesn't hear the approaching footsteps, but he certainly hears the voice, freezing for a second before turning his head to the unfamiliar face, blinking once. "What. Me?" Blink. Followed by a nervous chuckle that attempts to sound reassuring. "I- I'm fine! Perfectly fine! Nothing to worry about!" As he speaks, Bruno turns to fully turn towards the other man, opening his hands out in a gesture saying: 'See? All good!'

"Is- Is this your place?" He then asks, tone more cautious and ready to apologize in case his presence isn't welcome. Which, going by his experience, tends to be the case more often than not.

[orangewayfinder]

Terra's not sure he believes the person but he's not going to say that he doesn't. This other person seems a bit too nervous and fitful, especially with that hand gesture. The keyblade wielder's head cocked to the side a bit because he didn't understand what was going on, but then he shook his head.

"No, it's not my place. I thought you were in trouble, so I came to find out if you were alright." He then raised a hand up towards the ships. "You're in the ship hangar, so no one really owns the place."

[owneroftheworstroom]

“You worried I might be in trouble…” Bruno sums up the young man’s answer and can’t help but feel a little guilty. This place is filled with strangers that have yet to make up their opinion about him and if anything, he has very mixed feelings about that.

He gives a slow nod and scratches the back of his head. “I didn’t mean to- I…” He looks over to the ships. “I’m okay.”

Closed to Tommy~

[owneroftheworstroom]

[[ Continued from here ]]

Bruno doesn't turn back around to look at Tommy as he shrugs in response and keeps on climbing the stairs, his right hand up in the air somewhat next to his head, gesturing. "There's just nothing interesting about me. I'm just Bruno. I'm not fast." And with his voice slipping into a mumbling tone he adds, more to himself. "...maybe that'll be little Antonio's gift, would be pretty sweet." Then, with his hand still up and them covering yet another floor, Bruno goes on. "Can't go and pick up a bridge, either. Or heal you. Easy. I will just- Go to my room! And nothing bad will happen. Because I will stay there!"

[doubled_speed]

Now that was... interestingly specific. Tommy blurs in front of Bruno with a burst of speed, his hands up in front of Bruno in a suggestion of a 'woah dude hold up' motion.

"Healing? Lift bridges? Dude, those are REALLY specific things to say."

[owneroftheworstroom]

Tommy darting past him and popping up in front of him forces Bruno to stop and look at the younger man, blinking twice. "Are they?"

Hotel

[mutedsuspicions]

Lerith also realized that food was a necessity and had gone out for some. One of the blankets he was given made a decent layer in place of a coat, and another one over his scarf covered head to help keep his head and pointed ears warm. He couldn't wait to get back into his room, all nice and warm with the hot food from the diner.

The mute is about to pull the door open when it swings open - seemingly on it's own and someone barrels out from the hotel.

And into him.

Somehow, Lerith manages to keep his hands on his little container of food as he falls backwards into the snow covered street. Maybe it was years of trying to preserve food as a slave, or he had more grace than he thought, but the food wasn't spoiled. He looks up at the man who was stumbling back to his feet and getting through apologies. The elf groans and sits up, the blanket and scarf fallen from around his head.

Out comes the communication device.

'it's okay. are you okay? you ran intome raelly hard.' He hands it off to the stranger as he gets up, holding the container in one hand and the other brushing snow off before moving to get his blankets.

Sorry, Lerith. He is 100% bamboozled now.

[owneroftheworstroom]

Bruno's flailing apologies are cut short the moment he actually catches sight of the other man and he is left staring at the elf. Whom Bruno doesn't recognize as an elf, given that his little hidden town has never been touched by common fantasy themes and tropes. In certain ways that may even be better despite the speechless staring that then shifts back and forth between Lerith and the strange little plate he has been putting words on.

Right. Bruno has found such a plate in his own pocket shortly after arriving. But having no idea what to make of it, he had tossed it away in a fit of irritated confusion. He hasn't thought about it until now that he is holding the device given to him by the stranger, puzzling at the way it shows him words and turning it around to see if there may be more words on the back of it.

"Uh..." Is practically all Bruno manages for a painfully extended amount of time. Likely enough time for Lerith to gather his belongings and brushing the snow off his person. He will find Bruno much more focused on the communicator once he's finished, swiping a finger back and forth over the smooth surface and trying to make sense of whatever he has been handed, muttering his own confusion to himself.

That's pretty valid tho. No judgement from Ler, Bruno

[mutedsuspicions]

After being here for a couple of months, Lerith is... less wary of people. He still usually hides in his scarf, evident as he pulls it up around his head - and getting pink snow in it and his hair - before looking at the other. One blanket is wrapped around his thin body before he slouches a little to make himself smaller.

As Bruce swipes over Lerith's method of communication, he'd see various one sided conversations he's forgotten to delete after the conversation is over, along with notes about some of the plants.

Finally, the elf slowly - cautiously - reaches back out to gently take the device back.

Type type type.

'sorry i need this to speak. i am mute can nt talk. i usethis to do it. are you from antiva?' The few Antivans that had come to the villa had complexions like this stranger, so... maybe?

Greenhouse

[the_tailor]

The greenhouse is still someplace Lance goes to most days, wanting to help take care of the plants to make sure everyone is fed. Sure, he might be good at hunting with his marksmanship abilities, but... Well, it's difficult to shoot poor defenseless creatures. Only the ones trying to kill him, really.

It's while watering some plants that he hears someone cry out in pain, and he drops his watering can in surprise. Lance immediately goes to seek out the source of the noise, blinking as he sees an unfamiliar man there.

"Oh, hey. Did you get bonked by something?" he asks, gaze moving to the fruit at his feet.

[owneroftheworstroom]

Still rubbing his head, Bruno winces at the voice and glances over almost guiltily while taking a step back. "Uh, I..." He looks down at the fruit that has hit him, then bends down to pick it up to inspect it.

"...it didn't break?" With these words Bruno offers the fruit to its potential owner.

[the_tailor]

Lance takes the fruit from him, but he doesn't look disappointed. Rather, he laughs.

"It's cool. Barely looks bruised. You don't really look like you're trying to sabotage the place."