[How many times can we fall?]

[toremainbehind]

[It's been a week since they've managed to escape.

Neither of them knew who tipped someone off about their location, who helped them escape while everything became hacked and otherwise useless in keeping them contained. It had been their downfall to let Izumo stay in the frontline, his skills almost legendary now with how effective of an assassin he has become over time. Their downfall led to their deaths, and Izumo has ran away with Eric while the remnants of that group tried to go after them.

They didn't know where to go - who to turn to.

For them, this open world was a mystery, even if Izumo has more experience than Eric when it came to the outside world. There's no one they could trust, and little to no money to their name since their captors often took the money Izumo's earned for his kills. But Izumo is adaptable, taking odd jobs here and there in order to earn enough money to save up and find a place to stay.

It's only been a couple of days ago when Izumo first ran into the leader of HOMRA, the Red King and him having traded blows before it came to a tie. They went their separate ways shortly after when an informant came running towards them, Izumo having escaped before he could be questioned.

Now, he had taken Eric to a refuge in a motel. It's small and not one of the best, but it's the best Izumo could afford on such short notice when it became obvious to him when Eric has to rest again.

His right shoulder blade itched from the burns he received from Mikoto, but he ignores it in favor of in-between watching Eric sleep and looking out the window from his perch on the windowsill.]

Comments

[toremainbehind]

[Its not one of Izumo's fondest memories, remembering he had to rest only for a couple of days before being put back to work. If he didn't, then Eric would get hurt.]

In return for helping us, he wants my help.

[redstray]

[ He stops. ]

No.

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo stops, turning to look at him.]

You don't think the conditions are fair?

[redstray]

We ran away so things could be different! You don't have to keep doing this.

[ He didn't want his brother to kill anymore, didn't want to see him suffer anymore. There had o be another way. ]

We can run somewhere else, find someplace else to go.

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo thinks for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose.

He knows another place, but he highly doubts Eric would approve of it.]

Where else can we run to? [Because if Eric is going to argue, Izumo needs him to make his case, persuade him. Izumo knows they can't live in this life forever, but right now, that's all they can really afford.] They'll continue to pursue us unless we leave the city.

[redstray]

S-somewhere...I don't...don't know somewhere else, where we can just, not have to worry...

[ He shuffles a bit, pulling on his hair and looking anywhere else but Izumo. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Breathing out, he comes closer in order to put a hand on Eric's head.]

Alright, we won't go to that place, but we do need to find some place we can temporarily call a home.

[Again, that idea comes up again, but to meddle with that redhead and odd informant...]

[redstray]

[ He takes the pat and grabs his jacket. ]

Wherever you are is home. That room was home, as long as...you're here.

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo smiles slightly, leaning forward in order to press their foreheads together.]

As long as we're together, we're home.

[redstray]

[ He closes his eyes and leans a bit for their foreheads to go better together. ]

Home.

[toremainbehind]

[He keeps that position for a beat longer before he pulls away.]

C'mon. We still gotta find a place to stay for now.

[redstray]

[ He's a bit disappointed at the shortness but doesn't mind. Contact with Izumo was something that grounded him, gave each other comfort. They were probably more close then most brothers their age but he didn't mind, they were the only thing the other had. ]

Are there...any more friends you have?

[toremainbehind]

[At the question, Izumo kind of glances off to the side.]

Well, sort of. She's not affiliated with anyone - just a normal citizen. She helped me from time to time. [He starts to lead again.]

Her name is Honami. She's a school teacher.

[redstray]

[ He tilts his head]

School teacher?

[toremainbehind]

Mm, there are places where kids nowadays can go to in order to learn, and they have people known as teachers to help teach them. Almost like our 'mentors', except they don't teach what we've been taught.

[redstray]

I know what a school teacher is. [ Angry pout ] Why do you know one?

[toremainbehind]

[He laughs.] Just making sure.

[Izumo glances over.] I met her while on a job. We ended up talking and getting to know each other.

[redstray]

Is that enough to ask for her help?

[toremainbehind]

Well, let's hope it is.

[Eventually, Izumo leads Eric to a quiet alley, filled with some odd shops here and there, but nothing completely out of place.]

[redstray]

[ Eric looks around at the odd shops and stares at a cleaning robot, staring in fascination as it moved around, speaking. ]

[toremainbehind]

[The cleaning robot gets close to them, and Izumo gently shoos it away as he leads Eric to a small store.

He cautiously enters, calling out a greeting, and soon enough, Honami appears and she looks startled to see them both.]

[redstray]

[ He stares at it as it goes away, he wanted to see it some more but they had things to do.

As soon as she comes into the room, Eric hides behind Izumo, leering at her. Not sure what to think. He grippe his brother's jacket still. ]

[toremainbehind]

[Patting Eric's hand in a comforting gesture, Izumo smiles at Honami kindly.

He tells her of the situation, omitting the truth easily enough, and fortunately for them, she offers her place for them to stay in. Izumo thanks her, keeping the smile on his face as Honami leads them to the back as the store is connected to an apartment just above it.]

[redstray]

[ The gesture helps but he didn't move from behind his brother.

Even though she's allowing them to stay, he didn't like her, or trust her. But it fades a bit when they enter the apartment, because it was the first time he had entered a home like setting in so long, it was like a whole new experience. ]

[toremainbehind]

[He thanks Honami for allowing them to stay, which she simply replies it's no problem at all and to simply make themselves at home.

As he takes a copy of the key, she tells them to pick one of the empty rooms before excusing herself as she hurries back downstairs. Pocketing the key, Izumo turns to Eric.] What do you think so far?