034 || video;

[majorcrotchgrab]

[The recording starts and Raikov is soaking wet and in his uniform. He looks a bit grumpy at first but upon seeing where he is, he seems to lighten up]

Back in the City... I'm certainly not going to complain about that. How long has it been though...? I was only home for a few days...

[He takes off his hat and tries shaking the water out of it]

Nathan? Are you still here?


[OOC: Back from hiatus! Mostly moved in. Now time to catch up. /sobs]

Comments

[manyadenouement]

[Raikov. Have you ever been swept off your feet? Literally? Because that is happening right now. Nathan has magically appeared behind you, swept you into his arms, and is now kissing you mercilessly.

He is happy to have you back. Does it show?]

[majorcrotchgrab]

!!

[It surprises the hell out of Raikov and before he can even act, he finds himself swept up and smothered in kisses.

Once he realizes who it is, he happily returns the affections]

Hello, dear.

[manyadenouement]

Welcome back, Ivan. I've missed you.

[He nuzzles him then proceeds to keep carrying him as he goes to walk them home.]

[majorcrotchgrab]

[That gets a soft blush out of him]

Mmm.. How long has it been? I'm sorry I left you.

[manyadenouement]

Long enough for my bed to be lonely without someone actually sleeping in it!

[Since he is not capable of sleeping anymore.]

[theonewhodied]

Alright, I cede.

You couldn't possibly be a Russian spy. You're too damn obvious. What's with that outfit?

[Hey, Naoi. Stop being presumptuous. It's not like your outdated uniform isn't based on Prussian military uniform. Quit jumping to conclusions.]

Really, wasn't Urajio enough... [Maybe Raikov's communicator will translate that last name to "Vladivostok," unless it chooses to let it slide as a proper name.]

[majorcrotchgrab]

[He's currently being carried in Nathan's arm as he answers this. Sadly, his device deosn't translate the name]

Perhaps it's a costume. Who knows.

And who's Uraijo?

[manyadenouement]

[Don't mind him. He's just listening.]

[1/2]

[theonewhodied]

[Naoi really doesn't like it when the device doesn't translate names. His Japanese accent makes his attempts at pronouncing western names, even]

... Uraji-osutoku! U...laji...bosutoku?

[He would've gone on trying new ways to approximate Russian phonetics with his limited Japanese, but he just became aware of Nathan's presence and—]

[2/2]

[theonewhodied]

I-i-indecent!

Shameless foreigners! Stop that!

[He's suddenly become very flustered, losing his usual cool entirely, red-faced and practically squeaking.]

[manyadenouement]

Indecent? I am just carrying a poor wet man so safety.

[majorcrotchgrab]

I also fail to see how this is indecent.

video;

[exaltate]

"Back"? May I ask where you even went? Were you able to travel outside of the city?

[ She's curious about what's out there and why nobody has mentioned other cities outside of The City. ]

video;

[majorcrotchgrab]

I went back to my world - not by choice. It just happens sometimes.

video;

[exaltate]

[ Oh what's that?? A glimmer of hope she sees?? ]

But you were able to go back! That in itself is a feat. I didn't believe it possible, though if you don't remember how you got there, that still leaves quite a few questions unanswered.

video;

[majorcrotchgrab]

Yes, it's possible. No one's stuck here forever, as much as it may seem that way.

video;

[exaltate]

You are the first to confirm as much. Many others have a more bleak outlook, but if we can figure out what is leading to these spontaneous returns, perhaps, there is a way to voluntarily return. Do you recall anything else about the experience?

[anunluckypenny]

Ivan! It's so good to see you!

Do you need a towel?

[majorcrotchgrab]

It's good to see you too, Penny. I'm fine though. Nathan's got me.

[anunluckypenny]

He probably missed you even more than I did.

[majorcrotchgrab]

Now now, this isn't a contest. I'm sure you both misssed me equal amounts.

[mortemscintilla]

[ Wait, waiiit did he hear that right...? ]

You're ... not going to complain about that?

[majorcrotchgrab]

Why would I? It's not so bad here.

[mortemscintilla]

B-B-But there was just a revolution here!

[ Granted, not much of one by his standards but still... ]

[majorcrotchgrab]

I don't see anything different.