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WHO: Yuuri Katsuki & You
WHERE: All around the ship
WHEN: After his arrival (Dec. 29)
WHAT: Exploring the ISC ELUVIO
WARNINGS: None. (Both prose or brackets work for me! Will match.)

A. Closed to Viktor

By the time Yuuri's done with the orientation, his protests have stopped and an odd sort of numbness has taken over. He takes the duffel bag they hand him and lets the crew members usher him into the main promenade, where he's promptly left to his own devices. His stomach churns.

It was an anomaly, they'd said. As Yuuri takes in the passerby (all strangers), the unfamiliar technology, everything, it really starts to sink in: he's stuck on some ship in space with no way to get home. He's never going to see his family again, or his friends. Or Viktor. With that last thought, Yuuri's hit with the realization that he's going to miss the Grand Prix Finals. That after all the work he's put into getting there, he's let Viktor and everyone else who supported him down--

Yuuri chokes, duffel bag dropping to the ground to sit there, forgotten. He sinks down to the floor beside it, back to the wall, hands pressed to his temples. Caught up in his panicked thoughts, all Yuuri can do is struggle to keep his breathing steady and wait for this to pass.

B. Residence Lounge

"Fine" still isn't the word to describe him later, after a few hours have passed. Even knowing that Viktor's here with him doesn't entirely take away the sting in his chest, not when he's still missing the Finals, and everyone else they know is still back home.

So Yuuri does what he does best: distract himself. Without a rink or ballet studio to turn to, Yuuri latches onto the shelves of books instead, brown eyes scanning the titles with curiosity. Though he pulls out a few to flip through idly, he ends up putting them back quickly, apparently having no luck finding what he's looking for.

Finally, he stands back with a sigh. There's no helping it. Yuuri turns, biting his lip as he walks up to whoever's closest. "E-excuse me," he says hesitantly. "Do you know where I can find books on space travel? Something like an introduction, if it's possible."

C. Atrium

There's something soothing about the atrium, Yuuri thinks as he wanders among the flowers. It's not what he would have expected to find on a spaceship of all places, but he's not going to complain. Having Makkachin trotting along beside him is a familiar and welcome sight, too.

Or it would be, if Makkachin actually stayed there. When the poodle suddenly perks up and dashes off, Yuuri breaks into a run after him. "Makkachin, wait up!" In his haste to catch up with his wayward companion, Yuuri almost runs right into someone when he makes a sharp turn down the path.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Sorry! [Mortified at the close call, Yuuri quickly backs up a few steps.]

I was just looking for... [Yuuri gestures helplessly at Makkachin, who bounces over, tail wagging, as soon as he's finished his impromptu snack. Placing a hand on the poodle's head, Yuuri glances back at Eichi.] He wasn't bothering you, was he?

[A new face!! A friend of Victor's, maybe? He doesn't look like the dog-thief type, and it would be a little silly to steal a dog on a spaceship anyway.]

Not at all~. He's a sweet dog who listens well to instructions. [Eichi reaches to scratch by one of Makkachin's ears a little, then carefully stands with the rest of his bread.] He must have smelled this wonderful bread. I just bought it fresh from one of the bakeries in the shopping center. Would you like to try a piece?

[Holding out a piece of bread to Yuuri... a little too similarly to how he was just feeding Makkachin, this is fine. Have some bread, stranger.]

Oh! [The offer takes Yuuri by surprise, but he takes the bread after a second. He smiles at Eichi hesitantly.]

Um. Thank you. [Yuuri pauses.] Which bakery is it? I haven't had a chance to really look at the rest of the ship yet.

The name was so creative that it slipped my mind... It's on the first floor of the shopping center, between a clothing store for men and a candy shop. I could show you some time, if you'd like!

[All of these creatively named businesses are easy to lose track of. But with Yuuri taking his piece, Eichi tears off another for himself, popping it in his mouth.] Well, I'm rather new myself, but I wouldn't mind giving you a tour. You're walking Makkachin here, aren't you? He could come along. ♪

[At first, Yuuri hesitates. A bakery sounds like a dangerous place to be when he's on a strict diet for the season, but... how much of that even matters anymore when he's stuck here?

His smile trembles a little.]

A tour would be nice. I should start learning where everything is anyway. [He scratches Makkachin behind the ears.] And I'm sure Viktor wouldn't mind if Makkachin came along--he wanted me to take Makkachin with me when I left just earlier.

That's right. Is he like your service dog?

[What is he trying to say... Well, whatever it is, he's saying it with a pleasant, excited face. So!] Oh, I should introduce myself properly. My name is Eichi Tenshouin. It's a pleasure to meet you. Shall we start walking?

Oh, no. [Amusement briefly lights his eyes.] I think he just wanted me to have company.

I'm Yuuri Katsuki. [Politeness ingrained in him, Yuuri gives a slight bow, then straightens with a lighter smile.] Where should we go?

It's this way to the shopping centre.

[Eichi takes to leading the way, walking alongside Yuuri as they go. He finishes up his bread, then glances over curiously to his new walking companion.]

Are you and Victor close acquaintances?

He's... [He hesitates, realizing that he and Viktor have never actually talked about this yet.] My coach. [Yuuri finally says, going for the safer option.]

We're from the same world.

Then you must also figure skate. How exciting.

[A competitor!! They can talk about competitions and things and get enough of the gist of being an idol, all the same. In the end, competing always feels the same, he's sure. And doing something you love doing, bettering yourself... He looks pleased just thinking about it.]

I'm from Japan, myself, but I've yet to see anyone that I recognize. The world is such a big place~. You two are lucky.

Yeah. [The brief smile fades as he thinks about where he was when the anomaly had struck.] We were at a competition before we ended up here.

[There's a familiar ball of tightness in his chest when he remembers how many others he's left back home, but it's true--he's lucky to have Viktor.] You're right about that. I really didn't think I'd see him again when he wasn't there at the orientation.

How unfortunate. To miss the thrill of the competition is the worst thing.

[He sounds actually sympathetic on that, since he recalls his own entire time in the hospital, missing plenty of school and therefore idol time for it. Horrible. He was suffering.]

It's a shame there isn't any ice rink on board.

[He exhales quietly.] I'm more--worried that I let down the people who were supporting me.

Ah...yeah, I've heard. [Though Yuuri tries to hide it, knowing that he doesn't have a rink to turn to when he needs time to think does hit him hard. He's going to have to find something else to distract himself with soon.] I guess there's nothing we can do about that.

I've wondered that many times myself. But I think what you'll find is that the people who support you and have always been supporting you won't give up on you so easily. No matter what struggles you might face, loyal fans and comrades will always be at your side, ready to pick you up and carry you along, cheering you on the whole way.

[He's inspirational, sometimes. He realized this after being hospitalized for so long. With a warm smile, he gestures ahead, where the sounds of the shopping centre can be heard more clearly.] We're nearly there. It's unfortunate that there's no ice for the both of you, but I hope you can find some way to practice and express yourselves. I'll need to find a way to do the same with my singing, fufu.

I...I hope so. [Yuuri frowns, finally allowing him to voice the part of it all that's been eating away at him.] It bothers me that we were both taken without warning. Will anyone at home even know what happened to us?

[Then, he sighs, trying to return Eichi's smile.] I saw that there were training facilities on the ship somewhere. If I'm lucky maybe I'll find a dance room I can use. [This time the smile comes more easily.] Maybe I'll be able to hear you sing some time, if you don't mind an audience.

[He doesn't comment on any of the concern about people back home. He's been wondering the same, but he has no answers, so what can he offer? Shallow words won't really be enough. He just keeps his face smiling like he always does and leads ahead.]

I would be happy to sing for you. Fufu, I hope you don't mind if it takes me a few days to be able to do so. I need to be sure that my health is under control before I give it my all in something like that. It wouldn't be a real performance if I went halfway.

O-of course! [Yuuri immediately rushes to reassure him, waving his hands emphatically.] Take all the time you need to prepare!

[He pauses, brows drawing together in concern.] Your health--is it really bad?

I have a terribly weak body that could give out any day now. Don't worry, though. It's something I've been dealing with since birth. My entire family has it, so I don't intend to let it hold me back.

[Smiling casually while talking about his family's weird dying anime disease... Don't worry, Yuuri!!] So long as I don't push myself too hard, I should be fine~.

[Omg?? How does one not worry after hearing something like that?]

That's...really brave of you.

[To continue pursuing his dreams, even when his body's in terrible condition... Yuuri can't help but admire that determination.]

What did they say when you had your physical examination? Maybe they have something here that can help?

There's nothing brave about it. I'm simply living my life like anyone else, trying to have a normal one. If anything, I've been rather unfair and brutal.

[Hmmm. They step through and into the mall now, and Eichi gestures for Yuuri to stay close so that he can lead him around.] It's incurable and genetic, so not contagious, but they were able to provide me with medication just like what I use at home to help with symptoms.

You think you've been unfair and brutal? Why?

[He can't see it, honestly. And Yuuri continues to steal looks over at him as they walk together.]

I'm sorry they couldn't help more than that.

I coldly crushed the dreams of others and ruined friendships, all to achieve my own dream.

[That's as much as he's probably going to get into it, here in space, for right now at least. He points out a few cafes that he enjoys, changing the subject just to list them on this little tour.]

[Huh. Well, Yuuri can't say he was expecting that from someone who looked so friendly and kind.

He's quiet for a moment, just nodding along to show he's still listening when Eichi points out a few shops.]

I know that happens a lot in...anything that's competitive. My ballet teacher told me how awful people could be to each other in ballet school or companies.

[He tilts his head, looking at Eichi.] Do you regret doing any of it?

I'm afraid I took it even further than most. All I left behind was bloodshed and corpses, a battlefield cover in losses. But the academy did change precisely as I wanted it to. Before it could continue down that path of boredom, it was saved once more, by someone other than myself, and by that... well, it all worked out.

Through that, I can't say that I regret a single thing.

[His steps slow a little before they start up any stairs or elevators to the next floor. He just needs a break.]

[That's pretty strong imagery, and it has Yuuri's brows rising in response.]

It was saved? Was there something wrong with the academy before?

[The change in pace doesn't go unnoticed. Yuuri slows down to match him, quietly noting to ask about this other person Eichi mentioned, too.]

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