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Tweak says, "He's my favorite topping."

Ryan "Espejo" Vasquez (espejo_lluvia) wrote in spinningcompass,
@ 2024-03-11 00:49:00

Entry tags:

aoba seragaki, espejo

Who: Aoba and Espejo
Where: New York, through the door.
What: Spending time together.
When: Wednesday during the day.
Rating: TBD.
Open: Please ask first.
Status: Ongoing.

When Espejo had heard about the door he wasn't sure about going through it at first. It would be Earth, but it would be different, wouldn't it? Just like the door he had been through before, it was Earth, sure. But not his Earth. Still, it would be worth exploring. He had spent some time trying to figure out who to ask along for the trip but really it was obvious. Aoba. It was funny. They had both sort of almost asked one another at the same time. It took a lot of the tension out of the room, and it didn't take long before they had planned out their trip. While they had a variety of options, they both decided New York was a good choice. Not only was it potentially more familiar territory for Espejo but it would be something new for Aoba. Maybe Espejo would be able to find some familiar sights he could show his new friend? That was what he hoped at least.

They travelled through the door on Tuesday and immediately made their way to the nearest bus station. They had to take a taxi since the mill house was so out of the way, which allowed Espie in turn to learn a little more about his blue haired friend. It was mostly his reaction to seeing the taxi cab. Espejo had guided him into the back of the cab and helped with his seat belt. Espejo was sure he could sense an anxious curiosity coming from him. Knowing how much travelling they needed to do that day in vehicles, Espie knew that the best thing he could do for him was make it all seem as normal and safe as possible. Thankfully the taxi ride wasn't too long and before they knew it, it was over and they were near the bus station.

Espejo had done his best to prepare Aoba for the trip, having given him the choice between a flight and the bus before hand, and letting him know roughly how long both would take. Since they were taking the longer route, Espejo made sure they were properly packed with everything they needed not just for the trip to New York but the bus journey. Snacks and sandwiches were bought at a nearby shop, along with bottles of juice and water. Espejo even made sure to buy a blanket in case it got cold at night, knowing they would probably sleep at least once before they arrived in New York.

The two sat next to each other on the 17 long hour bus ride. They ate together, kept each other entertained. Any time that Aoba looked a bit more afraid of things, Espejo offered him his hand. Offered to comfort him. Before they knew it, the sun had started to set outside. Espejo had found himself briefly lost looking at way the setting suns light played with the clouds. When he came out of his trance like state, he turned his head to find Aoba's head resting on his shoulder. He was fast asleep. Smiling softly, Espejo did his best not to wake him, pulling the little blanket up over both of them and settling in to sleep beside him. It was comforting and warm, safe.

The next morning, the bus pulled up to the station, and sleepily, Espejo and Aoba got off. Yawning, Espie adjusted his bag on his back before stretching both arms above his head.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" he asked with a big smile.

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notsoslyblue
2024-03-11 10:51 pm UTC (link)

At first the idea of yet another world had not been notably appealing. Aoba had known that new experiences awaited him through the door and he was a bit nervous of that. Beyond the unassuming threshold was a world of differently perilous shadows and starker lights. But the pendant promised to protect him from anything dangerous so despite being initially intimidated he could not help but be curious about this other Earth. How things worked, what sights there were to see, who its people might be. From that intrigue a bridge extended to the thought that if he was to visit he wanted to go abroad with one specific person by his side. Aoba craved to partake in experiences with his new friend and neighbor. Make memories. Bask a little more in the warmth that Espejo exuded. So he had decided to ask--- at almost the same time that the other man did. It felt like a perfect idea, then, just as everything they had shared thus far did.

The new place was a surprise immediately and he was glad indeed to have someone to lead him. Though he suspected it was an odd lifestyle even on the mainland of his own world, Aoba was unused to cars. They were seldom driven on Midorijima’s congested, deteriorating roads and buses were so unreliable that he had never bothered with one. Being enclosed by a vehicle was startling to him. But one could not simply walk the measurement of America’s highways. So they traveled in first a taxi (seatbelts confused him) and then a bus (a little frightening that something so big could move fast). He probably appeared a gawking tourist initially as he studied the innards of the bus and surreptitiously peered at the people around him. He realized with some surprise that bright clothing, colored hair, and body art were not quite as common in this region as they were at home. He and Espejo were among a minority. But that was alright--- he was content to retreat to a tiny world with his companion. They were well supplied with all they would need for the journey.

When the next day came and they arrived at their destination Aoba was a bit quiet as they made ready then disembarked. His face was blushing brightly as he processed the way he had woken with his cheek resting on Espejo’s shoulder instead of the seat cupping his body. In that rosy moment between dreaming and full cognizance he had felt a pervasive sense of peace and security that he had not known often in his life. It seemed unusual that he’d experienced that cuddling up to a guy. But just like the first day being with the other man eased any lingering anxiety about his circumstances. Self-consciousness faded as well when he was distracted by his companion’s question. Espejo’s smile had Aoba mirroring it.
“No, it was okay. I still prefer walking but seeing all that space fly past was impressive. I’m looking forward to being able to explore.”
Indeed, he knew from their conversations prior that this city was packed and full of life. Aoba hoped that Espejo would take him places that meant something to his friend.

New smells and sounds filtered into his head on humid summer air and Aoba glanced around them at the rather large bus terminal he could see spreading out from where they were standing. He was accustomed to busy streets but this seemed like a new sort of constant flux. Even inside, out of the main thoroughfare that awaited them, were so many people all rushing along with a destination in mind. A few stood about waiting or being just as lost as he was. He felt slightly inept but trusted he would be just fine with Espejo. It was a new adventure, wasn’t it? He hefted the gym bag hanging from his shoulder back up as it had started to slide from the combined weight of Ren (enclosed within in sleep mode) and his travel necessities.
“Where… do we go now?” A small laugh puffed out of him at how confused his tone had sounded. “It’s weird not to have Ren giving me directions!”

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espejo_lluvia
2024-03-11 11:37 pm UTC (link)

So far it looked like the New York he knew. He had a feeling his accent was going to thicken if they spent enough time there. It tended to get a little deeper and a little more intense when he was around others with similar accents. The sites and the smells all seemed fairly familiar. The moment he saw someone across the street flip a taxi driver off, he knew it was New York.

"Should we go and find breakfast somewhere?" Espejo offered. "Or should we take a look around? See what we can find?" he asked. There was so much to do in New York. Depending on the time of day, there was always something. Whether it was shopping during the day, or experiencing the night life, the city rarely slept.

"We can at least start walking. We could maybe grab a slice of pizza and just kinda keeping looking around. There's a few places I kinda wanna try and find that sell pretty cool looking clothing. We're not really going to find a lot of the places I used to hang out because they were pretty um... different. I mean I know this place has super heroes and all that so maybe it's kinda similar but..." he trailed off. There was a lot he still hadn't told Aoba. "Come on, let's get breakfast. New York has some of the best pizza in the whole world, trust me!" he said loudly over the busy street chatter, reaching his hand to start leading him down the street in the direction of a pizza place.

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notsoslyblue
2024-03-12 03:01 am UTC (link)

Midorijima was built upward and cramped as Toue's playground had crowded it further and further into itself; but it was still vastly different than New York. Aoba noted the lack of hologram screens and crossing signs, the sleeker buildings, and how the skyline was dominated by soaring skyscrapers rather than a wall. No Allmates peppered the crowd with their non-human shapes. The colors were much more subdued wherever he looked and the architecture that faced the street looked less cobbled together. The acrid scent of car exhaust intruded on all the other mingled scents and the hum of both crowd and traffic was loud enough to almost need to shout over. It was all fascinating, if a little overwhelming in its newness. He was about to be swept along like a stick in the tide but he had Espejo to keep him from getting pulled out to sea.

It felt surprisingly natural to link his body to the other man’s so Aoba did not hesitate to clasp the hand closing around his. Skin warmed his own and wiry strength that would prevent them from being separated in the crowd towed him along. It had been a long time since he had held someone’s hand--- not since he was a child clinging to Koujaku for comfort. On his few dates it had always felt too awkward. He ought to have been shy as he had been about sleeping on his friend but he found himself instead glad of both the navigational assistance and the excuse to touch. It made him once again feel as if nothing bad could happen. Logically that was not true. Even if there was less violence and more order here there was plenty that could go wrong in a big city. But he let the reassurance trickle through the furthest reaches of his body and quiet the noise in his head.

Golden eyes wide but fixed ahead so that he didn’t run afoul of person or object, Aoba shifted their hands slightly so that his fingers slotted between Espie’s securely. It was a more intimate position but would be less likely to be pulled apart by the crowd. That was what he told himself, anyway.
“Pizza sounds great! I don’t often get to eat it because most of my meals are made at home.” Aoba replied, raising his voice enough to be heard. “I would like to see what’s sold in the shops here. Not Allmate parts, definitely, and I bet the fashion you like is better than all that crap the people in Platinum Jail wear.”
It belatedly occurred to him that the people around him might hear his words and wonder what he was talking about. He had no idea what it was to be a tourist, as there were none in the Old Residential District. Though by the intent way people strode along the sidewalk he wondered if perhaps he would have to work harder to cause a disturbance. He had no intention of brawling OR stripping, thank you very much.

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espejo_lluvia
2024-03-12 03:36 am UTC (link)

Espejo didn't feel the need to tell the other to lower his voice or stop talking about what he chose to verbalise. They were in the middle of New York. Nothing he said was likely to draw attention. Maybe get an odd look but most people in the city were wrapped up in their own business. They didn't much care for those around them. It was a comfortable place for the city. Like one big grouchy family. Espejo had missed that atmosphere. He was accustomed to it's grit.

"Maybe we can find something nice for you too!" Espejo shouted back. "I think we've got something!" he added, tugging his friends hand in a slightly different direction and leading him to a very small pizza shop. It looked like it had been there for years, barely changing. While some of the signs looked more modernised, this still had an old fashioned painted sign above the door. Inside, there was only enough room for some people to stand at the counter, with a large glass case filled with freshly made pizza slices in it.

"Two plain cheese, please" Espejo said when he walked in. Thankfully it wasn't all that busy. The service was quick too, which did explain why it wasn't too busy. Folks were in and out in no time. The large man behind the counter fetched them two slices with napkins to hold them, and handed them over. Espie paid with the money John had given them all, and before they knew it, they were back outside again with their slices.

"Give it a try!" Espejo enthused before taking a bite of his own slice. It was greasy, with stretchy gooey cheese and just the right amount of sauce. He had missed those big ol' New York slices.

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