will you be there up on the shore

[shiro2hero]

Who: Shiro (shiro2hero ) & Adam (saltyadam )
What: A beachside Reunion
When: Early November
Where: The Shores

Content Warnings: Squid-related nudity

Today is one of those days he would have preferred to spend in the Orphanage. It's bitter cold, the sky a solid slab of steel grey, hanging low toward the buildings. Sure, he'd graduated to one of the heavier coats sold around town - but the wing keeps howling through the fabric. Cutting into it off the ocean.

Should have guessed it'd be brutal out here today.

Regardless, Shiro is once again patrolling the shores. He's seen new faces crop up on the network lately. It's that time of the month. He'd promised more than a few people he'd keep an eye out for their loved ones. It's the least he can do, considering he'd failed to bring his own across. Those thoughts aren't going anywhere any time soon. Not even after Vyng yanked him out of the surf and out of his head.

Or out of potential Return Of The Squid anyway.

He stops for a moment, pulling his hands out of his pockets to try and blow some warmth into his left hand. Maybe he should turn around. Maybe he should go back to the Orphanage and play jungle gym for the kids for a while. That'd help.

It looked as if there weren't many new arrivals today. Maybe even the squids were too cold.

One more failure of a day to add to the list, looked like.

Comments

[shiro2hero]

"Will, Vyng, Lance, Hunk, Mako, Wu, Eddie, Varian, Fern..."

Honestly, Shiro might have walked into a pole right there, seeing the look on his partner's face. That lightness. The longer they walk, the more it's starting to sink in. This is real. It's really happening.

His thumb runs along the back of Adam's hand. "You can take your time, if you need to. This is a lot to get used to all at once. We don't need to throw a party or anything."

[saltyadam]

Adam gives him a fond, knowing glance. "I don't know about a party, but it would be nice to have everyone over at the house for tea and catching up. Sounds like I'm a little behind."

He wasn't exactly the party type, but that was a long list of people Adam cared about. It'd be good to see them again.

He was also getting the feeling that Takashi could use an excuse to celebrate something.

[shiro2hero]

"Just a bit." His shoulder leans in, resting there for a few steps. "Take your time. I know it's hard... waking up here. Harder than before."

In Deerington. In the dream world. The first time he'd woken up from being - well. It didn't bear thinking about. He didn't want to think about it any longer.

"Let's just get you home. Warmed up."

[saltyadam]

They could talk about what he'd missed later. He trusted Takashi. He'd tell him everything in his own time. But the fresh looking scar on his nose told Adam it wasn't going to be all gumdrops and lollipops. For now they could just enjoy each other's company.

He leaned back, briefly resting his head against Takashis.

"So what is home here? Haunted apartments again?"

[shiro2hero]

"The house."

He lets that hang for a moment, before finally shooting him a smile. Warm, relieved, happy to deliver the news. A shake of his head, a tired little laugh. It feels like it's been ages since a real laugh.

"It followed me. I - Don't ask me how. I was staying at the Orphanage until I just... walked past it one day. Needs a little more work to keep it up, but it's there."

[saltyadam]

"The ... house from Deerington? Seriously?" If the actual news hadn't lifted his spirits, Takashi's expression would have done it all on its own. There he was. Unburdened, happy.

"Please tell me the air mattress didn't come along for the ride."

[shiro2hero]

"The house from Deerington."

In all its vaguely mouse shaped glory. Some wear and tear, some things needed fixing, replacing. But it could be done. And, more importantly, the possessions within came too.

"I haven't found it yet. So I really can't say."

[saltyadam]

"If you do, let me know so we can burn it in some kind of cleansing ritual."

He blinked. "Wait, does that means my clothes came over too?" If he seemed a little eager... Takashi, he loves you, but your dorito shaped body doesn't lend itself to his body shape precisely.

He's still going to steal your hoodies.

[shiro2hero]

"We're not burning plastic. If I find it, I'm donating it to Koz's kids. They can use it for a bouncy toy."

Giving away the mattress for a bunch of Trench orphans seems like as good an idea as any. Much better than setting it on fire, contributing to the local pollution problem.

He pauses in his step, just for a moment. "Yes? I haven't gone through everyone's stuff -" Which is a huge invasion of privacy. "- But mine all came."

[saltyadam]

"Who's Koz?" If Takashi adopted more children while Adam was gone...

Well, he'd give him grief about it later.

Though he does snort a little at his comment. "Takashi, you are allowed to go through my things. We're married. They're our things."

[shiro2hero]

"One of the Pthumerians. Remember them? Sodder's mother, Cynthia? Her people." Another pause, this time to maneuver them around a gaggle of locals. These ones smile and nod to them. Completely unlike the townsfolk of Deerington. "Koz runs an orphanage, and I've been volunteering there when I can."

So no, not adopting. Just looking after them.

He makes a helpless sort of gesture with his free hand. "Okay, but - I meant everyone else's."

[saltyadam]

Ah, right. Adam nodded in acknowledgement. He'd never been as involved as Takashi when it came to the powers that be -- a choice he hopes to repeat -- but the name is more familiar now.

"I'm a little surprised to hear this place has an orphanage," He offers tentatively. "Or at least one we're allowed to volunteer in." Things had gotten a bit segregated towards the end, there.

He hummed at the comment. "Personally I'm pretty sure I don't want to go through Keith's anyway. Who knows what's growing in there."

[shiro2hero]

"I was too. But it's ... hard to describe. The kids are safe there. I've never seen anything bad happen to any of them while they're there. Once, one of them got onto the roof. I didn't see what happened, but the next thing I knew, they were safe back on the ground again. You blinked, and they were running around the courtyard like nothing happened."

His jaw works, briefly, at the mention of Keith. Pace quickening. It's getting later, the low grey sky darkening to a winter evening overhead. He'll pretend that's the reason he avoids the comment.

"The locals here are something else," he says instead. "They want to help. They like us, even. I can't believe it, most of the time."

[saltyadam]

Adam doesn't think anything of the avoided comment. It doesn't even register as an avoidance. Adam still feels the pang of his loss, and Takashi hadn't named him in his list of familiar faces.

Of course he's not yet aware of how much the house echoes these days.

"Hmm. Write be down as suspicious," He squints a little as he observes the people around them, smiling and waving. "Deerington wasn't always as hostile either. If there's one thing I've learned about these places is that they always come with surprises, and it's always a good idea to keep our guard up."

[shiro2hero]

"I know. I remember... it's hard to get used to. But things have already gone sideways here a few times, and they've never been involved."

The river of corpses, the arena, even the painful, wounding loneliness of last month. The locals hadn't been involved at all. If anything they'd been trying to warn the Sleepers of the coming dangers. What were they supposed to do with that kind of consideration?

Speaking of...

"Hang on, I want to make sure we don't get lost." After a beat, he adds: "Don't panic, this might look weird..."

Because a slow curl of mist, pale like snow, curls out from his chest. Settling onto the street in a very familiar form.

[saltyadam]

Adam has a cynical comment at the ready, but before he can say anything--

Is that a ghost coming out of his chest? That looks like his lion?

He doesn't jerk his hand out of Takashi's, but it's a very near thing. He does jump back a bit, eyes wide and pulse thrumming in his veins.

"Takashi," He licks his lips slowly. "What the whole fuck?"

[shiro2hero]

The lion primly takes a seat, regarding them with a resigned expression. It's eerie, how much it looks like someone else. Shiro just -

Shiro laughs. He has to. He almost doubles over where he stands, leaning his shoulder into Adam's. "I told you not to panic..." Let him catch his breath. "It's - they're called Omens. We all have them, here. They're not all Lions."

Slowly, he recovers his wits, trying to turn serious, despite the amusement in his eyes. "People have been getting lost a lot, lately. She'll help make sure we don't."

[saltyadam]

"Omens," he repeats slowly. Dubiously.

"I haven't had any ghosts that act like compasses jump out of my chest yet, but I guess the day is young."

Adam eyes the Omen warily. "What does it ... do?"

[shiro2hero]

"I didn't know I had her, either, until she saved my life..."

That humor vanishes. For a whole heartbeat, before the lion steps forward, and firmly butts her head into Shiro's hip. His free hand drops to bury his fingers into her fur.

"They'll fight, they'll guide, take messages to other people. You can even ride them, sometimes - " An indignant, feline snort. " - In very dire circumstances."

[saltyadam]

He watches them for a moment, tempted to reach out and pet the Omen himself.

Better not.

Adam glances down at his own chest. Taps it.

No smoke.

"How do you turn it on?"

[shiro2hero]

The look on the lion's face is undeniable. Pet her. You are her stupid human's partner, you have rights.

Shiro's smile returns, still warm, fond.

"I... really don't remember summoning her the first time. I wasn't even thinking. We might have to ask someone."

[saltyadam]

He smirks a bit at the lion and gives her a scritch on the head with his free hand.

"Hmm," Adam pets the lion now, calm. Casual. "You said yours saved your life?"

[shiro2hero]

That big lion head tilts all the way into Adam's hand, appreciative. Butting into his fingers when he seems about to pull away. Even big cats are house cats, deep down.

By contrast, Shiro's shoulders tense. His voice quiet. "It's a long story. I want you to get warm first."

Deflecting, but not forever. When you're safe, we'll talk.

[saltyadam]

Adam makes a noncommittal sound, nodding. He could let it slide until they were somewhere private. But Takashi had understood him perfectly -- Adam would hear about everything here that hurt his partner. And he would remember.

"We should get moving then. Your guide ghost can lead the way?"

I THOUGHT I HIT ENTER AN HOUR AGO

[shiro2hero]

"Yeah. She will."

A nod to the lion, and she turns, smoothly. Padding down the winding streets toward the residential district. For Shiro's part, he loops an arm around Adam's shoulders, to chafe more warmth into him. Just in case.

It won't take long.

The familiar curved lines of Mouse House will appear. Slotted in between other more gothic looking buildings. The watchful eye of the Black Lion perched on the roof.

"Told you it was here."