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Post by darkkon on Nov 2, 2024 3:03:09 GMT
He was holding his hand out? A slightly confused look crept across Jun’s face as she looked between his hand and his eyes, then across the crowded street following his motion. Oh, it was quite busy, and there were a lot of people in similar costumes as him. - ””You, uh, you may want to hold my hand during this. The streets are really crowded and I don’t wantcha to end up following the wrong Spider.” - ”O... Okay.” She’d respond hesitantly with a blush and a shy nod, taking his hand in hers and following along closely. She hadn’t been led this way since she was a young child, but that wasn't the source of her blush. In her culture it was seen as intimate, and inappropriate depending on the setting, but if there were half the people in the tunnels as they passed on the sidewalks she would need that lifeline.
- ”A subway is an underground transport system. They dug out long tunnels under the city in order to have subway trains assist in transit as the city was just getting too bogged down in traffic. I hate to see how much worse it would be without them.” - Jun listened closely, following Anwir’s gesture to the slow moving traffic. Whole train systems underground? How many trains were there? How long did it take to dig those tunnels? How far down were they? She was about to find out as they reached a staircase descending into the sidewalk itself. Her blush began to fade as fascination took the place of embarrassment, and down they went into the crowded halls.
Part way down something odd, a moving staircase? Split in two, one side ascending from below, the other descending further into the depths. - ”Here, be careful of the first step. Step quickly and lightly, like me.” - ”Understood.” She’d acknowledge firmly with a quick nod, a bit like one would after making a battle plan to tackle the task of cleaning for unexpected company, taking care to mimic Anwir’s footwork as the two of them set upon the moving staircases. It was a sensation she was used to, though a fair bit slower than her stepping discs, but it was odd not controlling it herself. If he looked he would certainly catch her trying to sneak peeks between the cracks to see what was allowing this staircase to move.
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Post by Nomz on Nov 2, 2024 3:17:31 GMT
Anwir very politely ignores the blush warming Jun's face. He isn't entirely sure why it is there and we decide to do them both the favor of not assuming why. Perhaps it was a cultural thing?
He offers her another smile as she confirms she understands, sensing the determination that lies in the word. With how often and effortlessly he smiles, Anwir is clearly set up to earn laugh lines and crow's feet. Likely, they will only add to his charm when he gets there. His hand never leaves Jun's as they move on the escalator, however, he is careful to pull her along the steps. The last thing they needed was someone yelling at them for standing still on the moving staircase.
"It's a machine. There is a pair of chains looped around two pairs of gears that rotate to move the steps along while a larger metal structure- called a truss -encases the entire mechanism to connect one floor to another."
Anwir sounds almost fond as he talks, "I wanted to know how they worked as a child so I went to the local library and read up on it." He lifts a shoulder in a shrug. "There's alot you can learn from books if you take the time to read them. Oh, uh. Guess that makes me sound like a nerd."
He shakes his head, keeping Jun close to him as they reach the bottom of the escalator. The crowd around them forms lines as people work their way through several turnstiles.
"Okay, see those two kids hopping over the horizontal bars?" He asks, pointing to where two 13-year-olds were skipping the line to escape into the subway tunnels. "That's how we're going to get through. Think you can make that kind of leap?"
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Post by darkkon on Nov 2, 2024 3:56:35 GMT
- ”It’s a machine. There is a pair of chains looped around two pairs of gears that rotate to move the steps along while a larger metal structure- called a truss -encases the entire mechanism to connect one floor to another.” - ”Aa.” Jun would respond softly in an understanding tone, a touch of wonder behind her voice, ensuring to keep pace with her escort. A chain and gear system sounded simple enough, though it must be quite robust to move this many people smoothly.
- ”I wanted to know how they worked as a child so I went to the local library and read up on it. There’s a lot you can learn from books if you take the time to read them. Oh, uh. Guess that makes me sound like a nerd.” - ”Nerd?” She’d ask curiously, that was not a term she was familiar with. A person who reads books perhaps? Is that abnormal? It seemed like it with the way he was describing reading. Was it odd for people to teach themselves here? There isn’t much time to dwell on it as they soon reach the bottom of the moving stairway.
She observes as the crowd splits into rows of people, slowly filing through these moving bars of metal after doing something with the machine they were attached to. Some sort of counting mechanism? Jun’s head tilts in confusion as she ponders what exactly was going on here. - ”Okay, see those two kids hopping over the horizontal bars?” - ”Hai” She’d respond in affirmation, spotting what appeared to be two young teenagers jumping over the structure, not self aware enough to correct herself this time.
- ”That’s how we’re going to get through. Think you can make that kind of leap?” - Jun would nod in affirmation, that short a leap would be no issue. But... ”Wait... Is that okay?” She’d ask Anwir, tone of sincere concern with a bit of worry on her face. Surely people were going through the lines for a reason, would they miss their train if they waited their turn? She didn’t want to break custom without a fair reason.
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Post by Nomz on Nov 2, 2024 20:23:35 GMT
Does she not know what a nerd is? Anwir decides it may be better that she not know. It might not translate well and, honestly, it's not a kind term most days. "If you really want to know, I'll explain that later," he offers her with a tepid, shy smile.
”Wait... Is that okay?”
The question throws Anwir for a loop and he hesitates, unsure how to answer. He's always skipping the line and dodging the tolls, but that had always been because he's never had enough. Maybe Jun had? His lips purse as he thinks, tapping his fingers on his mask and watching the kids escape into the underground.
"You know what? This is your first time here. Let's go ahead and do it the normal way. I'm going to go through it first and then, when it's your turn, I'll scan my card for you, okay? Just follow me."
He gives her his most reassuring smile and a gentle squeeze of her hand. Anwir does not let her go as they get further through the line and crowd and, soon enough, it is their turn. As expected of New Yorkers, not a soul spares them a second of attention or consideration beyond judging if they are trouble or not.
"Okay, wait here a moment." The lad slips through the turnstile, his card beeping as it is pressed against the reader. His arm stretches as he keeps his hand out for her. "Your turn, Jun. If we hurry, we can still catch the subway."
As if it had been waiting for him to say as such, the little board behind Anwir's head displays the arrival time for Line B as 0 minutes. If they didn't hurry, they really would miss it.
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Post by darkkon on Nov 3, 2024 4:59:38 GMT
- ”If you really want to know, I’ll explain that later.” - Jun would reply with a nod and a soft ‘mm’, a warm smile upon her face. He seemed shy about it, it could wait. Though, she was curious with how deep in thought he went after her asking if doing the same as those children was okay. Perhaps he was weighing the time they had versus the time it would take to get through the lines? - ”You know what? This is your first time here. Let’s go ahead and do it the normal way. I’m going to go through it first and then, when it’s your turn, I’ll scan my card for you, okay? Just follow me.” -
”Okay.” She’d respond sheepishly, returning his smile with a reassured one. While they patiently waited their turn for the counting machine(?) couldn’t help but tippy toe to try and get a better look at the devices ahead over the people in front of them. There was a lot of beeping, clicking, and murmuring going on, mostly talk about costumes and party plans for what she could make out but she didn’t really pay attention to it.
- ”Okay, wait here a moment.” - She’d nod, watching him closely as he steps into position, taps a spot with some sort of symbol with some card, then steps through with a click. Pay? ID? People had so many cards it was hard to tell what’s what sometimes. Oh fudge, well, hopefully she didn’t need the ID Oracle helped her with. That was back at the Abbey. - ”Your turn, Jun. If we hurry, we can still catch the subway.” - ”Hai.” She’d nod understandingly, slipping into place and passing through as quickly as she could after Anwir tapped his card again.
She’d quickly grab his hand and follow after him, seeing the urgency on his face. Maybe they should have taken the quick route? ”Don’t worry about me, I can keep up.” She’d offer reassuringly, he didn’t need to worry about her being able to keep pace. If they really needed she could pick him up and double time it, but that might attract a bit of unwanted attention, plus she had no idea where they needed to go.
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Post by Nomz on Nov 3, 2024 5:29:45 GMT
"Right, okay. We gotta go this way."
Anwir promises himself that he'll have to take Jun out to lunch or coffee for following him so easily and without much question. He bobs and weaves a path through the crowd as people line up under the arrival display to check times and otherwise clutter the not-big-enough platforms. He tugs her to the right, dodging around a group of lads dressed in cheerleader costumes and fake wigs and he barrels past a pair of old ladies arguing about who was going to get Mr. Lardos to come fix their AC.
Typical conversations for New York, really.
"There!"
The doors to line B start to close and, in a burst of speed that one wouldn't expect from such a bookish lad, Anwir shoves his arm into the doorway. A soft beep sounds, the doors opening again, and Anwir yanks his arm close to his side, intending to pull Jun into the subway with him. A snort can be heard from the only other person in this cart. The old man shakes his head, turning his attention back to his newspaper with a click of his tongue.
"You okay? That was kinda close. I didn't hurt you, right?" Anwir seems to be ready to fuss over Jun, voice lowered now that the sounds of the underground are blocked off.
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Post by darkkon on Nov 3, 2024 23:06:09 GMT
- ”Right, okay. We gotta go this way.” - Jun sticks close to Anwir, following his lead, bobbing and weaving through the crowd without so much as a missed step or accidental bumping. It was a bit awkward running while being led by the hand but she adapted quickly, she was comfortable at much higher speeds after all. Wait, ”Onnagata?” She’d query quietly to herself, staring curiously as they rushed past a group of young men dressed in rather revealing feminine outfits and sporting long wigs. That is unexpected. Matching uniforms, a troupe?
- ”There!” - No time to dwell on it, their destination was in sight, and the sliding metal doors seemed to be closing already. A final sprint, she may have to- ”OO!” Jun would exclaim in surprise as Anwir just shoved his ARM IN THE CLOSING DOOR! Wait, did it just beep? And it opened again? If she wasn’t so puzzled by what just happened she might not have needed that extra tug from Anwir to get her in the train before the doors started closing again.
- ”You okay? That was kinda close. I didn’t hurt you, right?” - ”Me?” She’d start rather confused, paying no attention to the old man as she glanced between Anwir’s face and the part of his free arm where the doors met, bringing her free hand up a few inches away from the pinch spot. She wasn't the one who just shoved her arm in a closing door. ”Is your arm hurt? I was worried I would have to pry you out.” She’d ask in a worried tone. It didn’t look like the door pinched him too hard, but he may just be hiding it well. Though, there was something Anwir might have noticed as he pulled Jun in. Despite her rather meager frame it'd feel like he was tugging a nigh 400lb sumo wrestler.
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Post by Nomz on Nov 4, 2024 1:08:34 GMT
There comes a day in every young person's life when they decide that perhaps they should work out. Anwir's comes as he tries and manages to succeed in pulling Jun onto the train with him. His shoulder aches and he wonders when he became Mr. Noodle Arms.
He leans against the door as Jun fusses over him, a boyish smile spreading along his face. It..feels nice to be fussed over. It's new and that just makes it all the more appealing. Anwir offers her a self-conscious chuckle as the subway starts moving.
"I may have taken a gamble with that one. The doors are supposed to sense when something is in the way and open again. I just...had hope that New York kept up on the regulations for their subway cars." He lifts his arm for proper examination, rotating it at its joints to show that it functions.
"It was just a little pinch, Jun. I promise to let you know if I'm ever not okay, yeah?" Anwir offers the little vow so easily. He hasn't learned the power of words just yet. The lad gestures to the empty seats as he asks, "Did you want to stand or sit with me? We have a few minutes before we need to exit for the next train."
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Post by darkkon on Nov 4, 2024 2:10:51 GMT
- ”I may have taken a gamble with that one. The doors are supposed to sense when something is in the way and open again. I just... had hope that New York kept up on the regulations for their subway cars.” - ”Sense?” Jun would mumble curiously to herself, staring over at the closed door for a moment before returning her attention to Anwir who was examining his range of motion. Like how phones sensed when people touched them? Regardless, he seemed fine, no wincing or anything.
- ”It was just a little pinch, Jun. I promise to let you know if I’m ever not okay, yeah?” - ”Okay.” She’d accept his word with a warm smile and a pleased nod, and she would hold him to it if need be. The last thing she wanted was someone hurting themselves over her. - ”Did you want to stand or sit with me? We have a few minutes before we need to exit for the next train.” - She followed his gesture to the row of empty seats across from them, before returning back to him with a soft smile.
”I am happy with either.” Jun would respond earnestly, tone warm. She’s spent entire days walking, she was happy to stand if he preferred, and just as happy to sit with him if he’d rather take a moment to rest after their mad dash for the door. Whichever option he chose, she wouldn’t be able to help herself from trying to see out the windows of the car, curious as to the design of the tunnels, the train, and just curious in general. ”Do you use the subway often?” She’d ask, looking around a bit like a child that wanted to inspect an entirely new environment, but with enough self restraint to not wander around the car poking everything.
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Post by Nomz on Nov 4, 2024 3:28:27 GMT
"Yeah. They have sensors that detect when objects are in the way." Anwir pushes his foot against a little box on the inside of the door as he decides to stay where they're standing. "Kinda like how your phone senses when you're touching it so it turns on."
Anwir watches as Jun leans to look out the nearest window with the kind of curiosity that he can respect. It's nice to be with someone who doesn't seem to know so much about the states and there is something satisfying about being able to pass along his knowledge. Maybe, when he's learned more magic, he can be some poor kid's mentor.
"They don't have subways where I come from. This is actually my first time being on one," he answers with a casual shrug. "But I did some research before I came out here from Nashville. I like to know as much as I can before I make a big change. Less chance I'll get surprised that way."
"After this, we'll be getting on the train which is aboveground and much prettier, promise. But, what's traveling like where you're from?"
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Post by darkkon on Nov 4, 2024 4:59:10 GMT
- ”Yeah. They have sensors that detect when objects are in the way.” - Jun shifts her attention to the box Anwir points his foot against, pondering what it must look like inside with a tilt of the head. These electronics are simply fascinating. - ”Kinda like how your phone senses when you’re touching it so it turns on.” - She let out a satisfied ‘hm’ at that, moreso at herself for actually getting it right, before shifting her attention out of the window on the door to what little she could make out in the dim tunnel.
- ”They don’t have subways where I come from. This is actually my first time being on one, but I did some research before I came out here from Nashville. I like to know as much as I can before I make a big change. Less chance I’ll get surprised that way.” - Jun shifted her attention back towards Anwir as he spoke, a bit of surprise on her face, pleasant not bad. ”I would have never guessed.” She’d compliment with a warm smile, wondering what this Nashville was like. He escorted her like he’d been through here many times before, and that amount of caution and planning was highly respectable.
- ”After this, we’ll be getting on the train which is aboveground and much prettier, promise. But, what’s traveling like where you’re from?” - Jun smiled, giggling on the inside as Anwir spoke of the train being aboveground, she’d never been on one but she’d certainly seen them in her travels. Though, when he asked her of travel in her homeland her visage would turn to one of quiet contemplation. ”It is far more... simple.” She’d start, pausing for a moment as she debated on how to describe it.
”Most of us walk or use bicycles, some of us have horses. We use ox carts to haul heavy stuff. There are a few rickshaws in the larger towns. And there are some sailboats that travel between the coastal towns.” She’d finish with a satisfied nod after accounting for all the ways she could remember. Well, all the ways that didn’t involve magic, seeing as they weren’t alone in the subway car. ”I have been told it is similar to the Ah-mish?”
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Post by Nomz on Nov 5, 2024 0:56:26 GMT
Anwir tips his head, watching as Jun grows quiet in thought. He is well aware that he's done almost too much talking and is grateful to hear her talk. His mask dangles from his fingertips, swinging as the subway chugs along one of the almost too many tunnels under the city.
"That does sound like the Amish. It is a.." he trails off, looking outside the window as he struggles for a word before settling on the one she used, "simpler lifestyle. To hear them tell it, it allows them to be closer to nature and what they consider the natural way. They go so far as to forbid technology like cell phones."
"I'm not sure I could do it, but I know enough to appreciate those who can. I've used a bicycle before, but I've never ridden a horse or been near an ox. Or used a sailboat. The vast majority of my traveling tends to be by foot." Anwir hums under his breath, thinking and tapping his lips with one finger. "I bet the air there must be much easier to breathe than here."
"Do you miss home?" The question is light and carefully spoken. Anwir is no stranger to wanting to escape and he sincerely hopes he is not touching anything painful. "Got any family?"
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Post by darkkon on Nov 5, 2024 2:50:16 GMT
- ”That does sound like the Amish. It is a.. simpler lifestyle. To hear them tell it, it allows them to be closer to nature and what they consider the natural way. They go so far as to forbid technology like cell phones.” - A soft smile traced its way across Jun’s lips as Anwir explained the Amish, accompanied by a faint approving ‘hm’. It was a good analogy then, it was hard to tell the way she heard it used. - ”I’m not sure I could do it, but I know enough to appreciate those who can. I’ve used a bicycle before, but I’ve never ridden a horse or been near an ox. Or used a sailboat. The vast majority of my traveling tends to be by foot.” -
Like her, kind of. Distance wise flight was the most by far, but time wise nothing remotely came close to travel by foot. It was a difficult life, but rewarding. Perhaps she could take him to a stable some time? Maybe the Abbey grounds had some wild horses? She wasn’t really sure what type of wildlife to expect in the area. - ”I bet the air there must be much easier to breathe than here.” - She giggled softly. ”Than the city, yes. But the Abbey is just as nice.” She’d respond with an affirming nod. It really was nice to find a place almost as quiet and simple as her home.
- ”Do you miss home? Got any family?” - Anwir’s softly spoken words drew a bit of surprise from Jun, before shifting into a soft bittersweet smile. She did not expect him to be so forthright, but it was not an unwelcome question. ”I do, dearly.” She’d start, tone still warm but touch more somber as her gaze shifted down in reminiscence. ”My parents are all I have for family, that I am close with at least. They have a few siblings with their own children, but circumstances keep us distant.”
Her tone belied no bitterness or sorrow, only homesickness. There was no bad blood that drove her from home, or kept her and her parents from their extended family, only the burdens of duty. ”What about you?” Jun would start, tone of polite curiosity, returning her gaze to him. ”Do you miss Nashville? Is that where you were born? How long have you been in New York?” She’d ask, finishing with a slight tilt of the head and a look of earnest curiosity on her face. She knew it wasn’t uncommon for people here to move several times before settling down, perhaps his family was the same.
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Post by Nomz on Nov 7, 2024 4:33:01 GMT
The way that Jun speaks about her family brings its own warmth to his chest and he can't help the small, gentle smile on his face. When he was younger, he used to wonder how that must have felt- to love and be loved by your parents. Anwir has long since accepted that such a thing would never be in the cards for him, but that would never stop him from being happy that it exists for others.
"It must have been lovely. You sound very fond when you speak of them." The young mage glances down at his mask for a second before gazing out the window. He isn't uncomfortable with the conversation and his relaxed shoulders only prove it. Anwir is merely keeping track of when their next stop is.
"I miss Nashville in the way that you miss something you're familiar with. That feeling you get when you need to go somewhere and you know exactly how to get there." The breaks for the subway cart start- the noise high but not piercing. "I was born there and spent just about my entire life in that city. I had been in New York for a week before James found me."
Amused brown eyes find Jun as the subway comes to a halt. "Honestly, joining yall worked out for me. I woulda hated being alone on my birthday." With that, the doors to the subway opens and Anwir offers his arm to Jun. She can take it or his hand, he would accommodate her before leading the way across the platform to the next subway line.
"We're a few minutes early."
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Post by darkkon on Nov 7, 2024 18:22:19 GMT
- ”It must have been lovely. You sound very fond when you speak of them.” - ”I am.” Jun would reply with a warm, homesick smile. Though, the way Anwir phrased his first sentence made her think his situation wasn’t so positive. - ”I miss Nashville in the way that you miss something you’re familiar with. That feeling you get when you need to go somewhere and you know exactly how to get there.” - Jun nodded with a soft understanding “hm”. It wasn’t particularly special to him, but there is comfort knowing your surroundings to that degree.
Jun lurches a little as the underground train starts to brake, but catches herself rather quickly with a shift of her foot. - ”I was born there and spent just about my entire life in that city. I had been in New York for a week before James found me.” - James? He mentioned him before, during potions with Salem, but she still didn’t have a face for the name yet. It sounded like Anwir was a recent arrival like her. - ”Honestly, joining yall worked out for me. I woulda hated being alone on my birthday.” - As the doors opened, Jun would hesitate for another moment, blushing a little again.
With the way Anwir held out his arm it looked like he was offering it to her, which, while the polite and proper way to escort a lady in their culture, was just as much a sign of an intimate relationship. Jun would opt to take his hand, it afforded her a little more personal space as he escorted her across the platform to the place where the next train would pick them up. - ”We’re a few minutes early.” - Jun would nod, a faint ‘hm’ of understanding escaping her lips. Oh! That’s right, he said it was his birthday.
”How old are you now?” She’d ask curiously, shifting her gaze to his. Though, she would immediately blush and look away in embarrassment after remembering age might be a rude subject here. ”If you don’t mind me asking, that is.” She’d quickly tack on, a bit flustered in tone. ”And, if you don’t mind, could you tell me about James? I have not met many members myself yet.” Jun would finish shyly, she really would love to know more about the others in the organization. Her wording implying she too was rather new.
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