[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]

[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?

[redstray]

Isn't she too trusting?

[ Giving two strangers a key to her place just because she knew Izumo? To be that honest and helpful to others, what a naive and strange woman. He takes a look around a bit/ ]

...Our place was similar, wasn't it?

[toremainbehind]

Perhaps, but it's better she thinks we're just looking for a place to stay than being on the run.

[But he nods, giving the apartment a good look himself.] Yeah, it was. A little smaller, though.

[redstray]

[ He finally lets go of his brother to wander a bit around, scanning everywhere. He stops at some pictures on an end table and tilts his head. ]

How long can we stay?

[toremainbehind]

For now, a couple of weeks unless we can convince her to let us stay a little longer.

[He follows behind Eric, taking a look at the picture before he pulls away in order to search for an empty room.] We'll need to save up enough money for us to leave here and find a place of our own.

[redstray]

That's not that long...

[ As Izumo goes to find one of those rooms, Eric trails after him ]

Money...means we need jobs...where can we even start to look?

[toremainbehind]

We can't impose on her for so long.

[He checks the rooms before eventually finding the empty one, going inside.]

We can start looking around here, or see if there are any hiring ads on a newspaper somewhere.

[redstray]

I know...

[ He follows inside. It was bigger then the old room he had been placed in, and nicer then the hotels they have been through ]

If...if you can find something I can do...

[toremainbehind]

[He places a hand on Eric's shoulder as he gives him a smile.]

I'll be sure to tell you if I do find something for you to do.

[redstray]

Good. It'd be faster to get money if we both worked for something.

[ He can't do what Izumo can...he could but not without him knowing that he could. But he could do grunt work, he was good at dog work. ]

[toremainbehind]

It would be, but let's try to avoid doing any dirty work.

[Like, you know, doing some shady business with the black market or falling back into the lifestyle they're trying to run from.]

But for now, how about we rest?

[redstray]

Easier for me then you.

[ At the mention of rest, he remembered how much his body ached but he shook his head. ]

It's not even noon, I'm fine.

[toremainbehind]

[He chuckles lightly.]

At least let your body relax, Eric. For now, we're safe.