Open

[yokunaru]

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.

Comments

[yokunaru]

Yuuri barely gets his ears covered in time. When his ears stop ringing, he drops his hands, all too relieved he hadn't gotten the full brunt of it this time.

"Makkachinnnnnn!" Yuuri joins in a moment later, then pauses and tilts his head to the side when there's a familiar bark from somewhere nearby. "Did you hear that?"

[nodyinteam]

"Of course I did!" He turns to face Yuuri. "I'd know that adorable bark anywhere!! Let's go!"

He then tugs on Yuuri's hand and starts to barrel on ahead in the direction of the bark. "We're coming, Makkachin!!"

[yokunaru]

Yuuri doesn't even have time to protest before he's dragged along. At least the barks seem to be getting closer!

"Makkachin, over here!" Just as he gets the words out, there's a rustling in the nearby plants. And out comes Makkachin, barreling into the two of them with a happy bark.

[nodyinteam]

"There you are!" Nekomaru's face lights up as he leans over to scoop the dog up in his arms. "I bet you enjoyed leading us on a chase, you little rascal!"

[yokunaru]

Makkachin just wags his tail, panting, and seemingly content to be held this way.

Yuuri laughs, partially amused, and partially relieved. "He's not arguing, so that must mean a yes." He gives the poodle a fond scratch behind the ears, smiling.

[nodyinteam]

"Gahahaaaa!" He's definitely sure to hold the poodle close to Yuuri. "This is a mischievous dog. You'll have to be careful with this one, Katsuki!"

whoops I forgot the honorifics before

[yokunaru]

"I'll keep a better eye on him," Yuuri says sheepishly. He definitely doesn't want to have a repeat of what happened today, after all, even if he ended up making a new friend out of it.

"Thank you for all your help, Nidai-san."

Nekomaru needs not your foolish honorifics

[nodyinteam]

"Yeah, we better!" He ruffles at Makkachin's head. "You hear that, little guy?! You're on lockdown now!"

And he grins at Yuuri. "Don't mention it! Helping Makkachin is its own reward. And I guess I'm glad to help a friend of Viktor's, too!"

wow so rude

[yokunaru]

It's hard not to smile when Nekomaru's so boisterous and friendly.

"I was worried when I found out Viktor had been here on his own for a while already," Yuuri admits, a little softly. "But it looks like he's met some great people. I'm relieved."

[nodyinteam]

"Gahahaha!" He looks thoughtful. "Viktor is a good man. The kind that draws in great people... I bet that he'd do great anywhere!"

[yokunaru]

"He has a way of doing that." There's no shame in admitting that Viktor's way more of a people-person than Yuuri is.

Yuuri glances at the device on his watch, and blanches. "Actually, I should probably head back before he thinks I got lost somewhere."

[nodyinteam]

"Of course." He grins cheerily as he rubs the dog's head one more time before he stands up to walk away. "And before he realizes you almost lost his dog in outer space!" Nekomaru proceeds to laugh some more.

[yokunaru]

Yuuri laughs nervously while wincing. "Yeah, that...would be bad."

He watches as Nekomaru begins to walk off down the path, mustering some courage to call after him, "Um, thank you again! I'll see you around!"

[nodyinteam]

"Ha! Right! I'll see you around...!"

And with that, he stomps off.