The Joys(?) of Attaining Interest (Ivan B.)

[Ivan Braginsky]

With a grin at the vote of confidence, Ivan tugged Nikita into the grocery store. He wasn't going to lie, the prices were terribly absurd. He hated paying the costs, but it would be pointless to catch a cab to another area of town just to buy some milk. It was the price he paid for convenience and living in the wealthiest sector of Eishoff. "Is not really worth the cost, nyet..." he mumbled, looking down some as he headed towards the refrigerated dairy section. "But is price off not havink to go all the way to the Northern Sector just to buy some milk." Unfortunately, he could afford it, which made him feel somewhat worse. Ivan hated showing that he was well-off.

[brobrobratan]

"You must be pretty well off then, Mr. Braginsky," he stated, though he already knew of that fact. If he couldn't afford it, then he wouldn't be living in this Sector. He really was rather biased. He looked unfavorably on the high-class, but wouldn't do so at Ivan. He himself found it amusing that just looking like his brother and having the personality of his sister make Ivan near-perfect in his eyes.

"Is milk all that you are going to buy?" he asked, looking at the other dairy products. "Don't high-class people regularly have servants to go and fetch groceries? He picked up a random carton and examined it. It really was quite expensive, an unreasonable amount of a small carton of sour cream. "Are you different from them? I think you are. To be quite honest, I think that you're kind and active enough to do things on your own." He wasn't even sure if that was his bias speaking or not. He put back the carton in its rightful place, 'tsk'ing at the price in his mind. "You're much different. You're unlike those other fucking lazy shitheads of high-class. For one thing, you didn't sent me away after my rather strange greeting." He turned towards Ivan. "May I ask the reason why?"

[Ivan Braginsky]

Ivan felt himself smiling as Nikita rambled on. It was true that Ivan was wealthy, almost disgustingly so. He had a nice military pension, the proceeds from his father's company (now his own), and money from the D.E.R.P. from deals with tormented souls, kidnappers, and families. All of that money... funneled right to him. Most of his "employees" in both Bodark Vodka and the D.E.R.P. were bots, therefore, that eliminated the majority of the overhead cost for wages.

He hated it though, this capitalist system where money made the world go round. He'd rather it was different, but... every attempt so far had been a failure. The corruptibility of man was such a weakness. If man was not corrupt, bots would not exist. Perhaps if he found a worthy charity, he could drain off the surplus resources. He really had no need for the money.

"Da, just milk..." He sighed, picking up a gallon bottle of the stuff. The price was atrocious, but he would put up with it. "Some haff servants, but... I can just go myself, I am not decrepit yet~" It was funny. He had two bots and yet he was the one out collecting groceries. He'd never impose such a chore on Allison and... Yong Soo was his son in a way.

Ivan paid attention, well, he listened at least, as Nikita continue talking about the faults of the wealthy. Weighing a couple of gallons between his hands, he merely nodded along. "You... remint me off my little sister," he said, not really thinking about how personal of an admission that was.

[brobrobratan]

"So you didn't send me away because I remind you of your little sister," he stated. He could accept that. After all, he did go up to him due to the reason of sibling similarities. Perhaps his family was the genderbent version of his own. It really was rather strange to think so. Thinking a bit more, he wondered if Kateryna was Ivan's older sister. It was plausible. He would have to ask her about it. Maybe he could bring her to him? He would think about that later.

Right now, he was interested in the similarities between Ivan's little sister and him. "In what ways do I remind you of your little sister, Mr. Braginsky? Is it through appearance? Or perhaps personality?" This was interesting. He found himself wanting to meet his little sister.

[Ivan Braginsky]

Selecting the one with the latest "use by" date, Ivan started walking towards the cashier lines as he listened to Nikita continue. How exactly was Nikita like Natalya? That was a good question. "Both," he answered, putting up the milk and paying for it, not minding the weird looks he was receiving from the cashier for having such a strange conversation in public.

The young man had a similar way of behaving, but at the same time it was distinct. He was very straightforward, pulling no verbal punches, much like Natalya. Yet, he always remembered Natalya being bit a more... emotionally cold about it. That was a difference. Their hair... was the same color and probably the same texture, if Ivan were to reach out and touch Nikita's hair. Yet, that would just be a bit odd, randomly touching people's heads to make observations about the texture.

He smiled, picking up the milk once more and offering Nikita his hand to lead him out of the store. "We are finisht here~"

[brobrobratan]

Both. He wasn't all that surprised to hear it. It merely made him more curious. He wondered if he would meet her one day. After giving a deadpan stare at the cashier for giving Ivan a weird look, he thought about his own genderbent self a bit while Ivan made his purchase. He snapped out of his thoughts when Ivan told him that he was finished here.

He told the hand offered to him with a slight smile and allowed Ivan to lead him out of the store. He really hadn't been this taken care of since he was young. It was rather embarrassing for someone his age, but a bit touching as well. It helped that it was his sister's genderbend that was taking care of him. He briefly wondered if they would have to part way upon the arrival of Ivan's living space.

"Can I visit your home, Mr. Braginsky?" he asked, gripping Ivan's hand tightly. He didn't want to part just yet. It would be over too soon. He wanted to spend more time with his sister.

[Ivan Braginsky]

Leading the young man back out onto the street with his purchase, Ivan was less surprised by the question than he probably should have been. Actually, he probably should also have been more worried about the situation than he was. A complete, yet somehow so familiar stranger was following him around, professing to love him and now wanting to go back to his penthouse. To a completely normal individual, these would be signs of a creepy stalker that should be avoided at all costs with a restraining order and perhaps a bodyguard.

Despite his paranoia, Ivan for some reason, could not perceive a threat from this individual when he really should have. Perhaps those years of near-isolation crossed a few wires in his head that weren't supposed to cross that way. "I guess that woult not be a problem~" Maybe he had more to fear from his own lack of awareness than any real assassin.

"Do you like tea?" he asked, still holding Nikita carefully by the hand as he turned the corner to head back towards the building where he made his home. Maybe he could make Nikita some hot tea and get to know this bizarre tin soldier clone of his sister better. He'd probably like teacakes as well. Everybody loved teacakes.

[brobrobratan]

"I don't drink it much," he stated, absentmindedly. "Water is plenty enough for me. I don't have the money nor do I want to waste money on tea when water is perfectly fine enough to drink."

He was curious to see the interior of Ivan's living quarters. He wondered if it would be as grand as the house from the party he worked at.

[Ivan Braginsky]

"Well, you can haff water then, if you woult really prefer that~" Ivan said, a little surprised by someone not really wanting tea. Even Arthur liked tea, and, in Ivan's eyes, Arthur hated everything. Oh well, he supposed, that meant he could have more tea for himself. Better to look on the bright side, huh? A small hum escaped him at that pleasant thought. More tea always brought a smile to his face, no matter the situation. It was just so relaxing.

At least he lived close by, so the walk back wouldn't be taxing. Ivan gave Nikita's hand a gentle squeeze as he sort of tugged his little tin soldier down the street. He didn't have much experience actually being a host, but he hoped that maybe he'd picked up a few things from attending Francis's parties that might help. He wanted Nikita to be comfortable in his home, as opposed to utterly appalled at Ivan's failure with social graces.

[brobrobratan]

"I'll drink whatever you wish to give me. I don't really mind what drink is given if it comes from you, Mr. Braginsky," he stated. "I don't think you'll give me anything bad to drink, anyhow." He listened to Ivan give a little hum and smile, he wondered the reason for those actions. Some part of him was slightly hopeful that it was due to him, but it was highly probable that wasn't the case. This really was quite confusing for him. He could act the same way he did with his sister towards Ivan, but since he wasn't her, he was mildly aware of his actions. He wondered if that's why his sister was so adamant in getting away from him. That really was a slap in the face for him.

He let out the smallest of sighs, a bit downcast, but a gentle squeeze of the hand from Ivan as he tugged him down the street made him feel a bit better. Maybe with all this experience gained from Ivan, he could moderate himself in front of his sister. That is, if he ever saw her again.

Well, that was enough of that. He didn't want to think of rather depressing thoughts when he was to enter someone else's house. Come to think, this was probably the first time he was to enter someone's house for the pure reason of visiting. Wasn't one usually supposed to bring some sort of treat upon first arrival. He didn't really have anything to offer him. He supposed he could buy something from that ridiculously high-priced store. He did always keep his wallet on him. He should. That was manners, right? This would probably make Ivan smile, right? He needed to buy something. Though he was rather stingy on money due to the lack of it, it would never be an issue if it were his siblings. Ivan was essentially a sibling to him.

"Mr. Braginsky," he stated, easing his hand out of Ivan's hold after giving it a small squeeze. "Will you wait for me here?" He still did remember the route to the store; he was always attentive like that. It would be a simple task to go and buy something. Wait. He didn't even know what Ivan liked. Fruits would probably be acceptable, right? Most people liked fruits. What type of fruit should he purchase. Something big. A watermelon. He would buy a watermelon, that would certainly be a treat. "I'll be right back. Please wait for me here."

[Ivan Braginsky]

That was odd, Ivan thought, suddenly changing to being alright with having tea, but people liked changing their minds, didn't they? Well, that just meant he would have to make more tea when they got there, which wasn't really a problem.

Hopefully Allison wouldn't step in and try to make the tea for him and his guest. Granted, that was kind of her job, but really, he could make his own tea. It wasn't exactly hard and he wasn't a frail old man. He was a somewhat injured middle-aged man. There was a difference. At least he knew she cared... or at least her programming made her seem to care. Oh well, he was always happy to see her when he came home from wherever he'd been.

However, as he continued down the street, Nikita's hand in his own, the smaller hand was suddenly gone. "Niki-" Ivan stopped, when he actually heard the tin soldier start talking. Where was he going? Weren't they just going to go have a nice visit in his penthouse? Nikita was such a strange little tin soldier, constantly changing what he was doing like the wind. Maybe he wasn't like a tin soldier at all. Maybe he was more like a... marionette whose strings were tugged on by the slightest breeze.

Ivan smiled and tilted his head to the side somewhat before nodding in agreement. It wasn't going to be long, according to his suddenly-brother, so why worry? The streets here were more or less safe, considering violent crime was nearly nonexistent in the Western Sector. It would be alright to wait here for a few moments for the marionette.

[brobrobratan]

Upon approval, he started off for the market. Not wanting to make the other wait long for him, he started off in a jog towards the over-priced market. This would make him happy, right? He was being courteous and thoughtful. He had to admit that all this was quite amusing to him. Him jogging to buy a watermelon out of courtesy. This would certainly be a sight back at the Southern Sector.

He slowed down to a stop upon arriving at the market. Making his way inside, he started his search for the fruit section. It wasn't hard to find, a job done in a few seconds. Now came the rather time-consuming bit: picking the watermelon. He stood there for a good five minutes, just staring at the watermelons before finally picking one to his satisfaction. Since he was on a time budget, the time spent to pick the watermelon was less than the time he normally took when choosing. With the fruit in hand, he paid the ridiculous amount and jogged back to Ivan.

"I apologize if I made you wait long, Mr. Braginsky," he stated, slowing to a stop in front of him. "I took some time in picking out the fruit."

[Ivan Braginsky]

Ivan was patient... somewhat. He had patience to a degree and it really depended on what he was waiting for. When it came to work, strangers (and tea), he had next to none. With friends and family, he found it much easier to wait. Today, especially, since the trip was more or less without a time frame other than: be home before dark/before the milk goes bad. As it was cold enough outside today that the milk was in little danger of suddenly souring, the darkness of the eventual night was really his only limitation. He had a few hours yet and could leisurely stroll on home when the time came, especially since he was only a few blocks away. Still though, he had to wait on the male marionette of his sister which wasn't too much of a bother. A few minutes, Nikita had said. A few minutes... He could wait.

After about five minutes though, Ivan quickly tired of staring around at the street and the people. Many of the people were new, but he knew the scenery rather well, having lived in the same penthouse for many years now. It was hardly interesting to look at things he'd seen easily hundreds of times before. Sitting down on a bench, Ivan set the gallon of milk on the surface beside, brushing aside some of the accumulated snow. The weather regulator certainly seemed to enjoy glitching, but at least the citizens in the city were never really subjected to the full force of the weather beyond their artificial bio-sphere. Just how long was a few minutes, anyway?

Footsteps jogged towards him, smacking against the pavement. Oh, good, about time, but the wait hadn't been too terribly long at any rate. He smiled up at Nikita when he came near with a... watermelon. Why did he go and acquire... a watermelon? Maybe he was going to hollow it out and make a hat out of the rind, or something else nifty that Ivan just hadn't thought of. Hopefully the flesh of the fruit would still be eaten though... Buying a watermelon just for the rind was such a waste.

"It is alright~" he said as he got to his feet again, somewhat slowly because of his knees. Besides, the wait wasn't too terribly bad, especially since the marionette was pretty much his little sister. He could wait for her, so it stood to reason that waiting for Nikita would also be no real obstacle.

Grabbing the milk once more, he thought to hold out his hand for the younger man to take, but... with that watermelon to carry, that might not be the best idea. "You are ready to go?"

[brobrobratan]

"It's a gift. A house-imposing gift," he stated, noticing that Ivan stared at the watermelon questionably. "That's manners, I've heard. I heard that people bring some type of treat when they impose on someone's house for the first time." He held up the watermelon, staring at Ivan. "Is it not to your liking? I wasn't sure what to purchase and it seemed like fruit was a good enough choice. Do you not like watermelon? Shall I go and buy something else?"

Shifting the watermelon to his other hand, he reached out to grab Ivan's hand since it was offered. But he wasn't sure if he was ready, perhaps he should have bought more fruits. He should have gotten a variety of them. He berated himself silently for not thinking of this at the market. But that aside...

"Are your knees bad, Mr. Braginsky?" he asked, staring at Ivan's knees. "You got up slower than I expected you to." Maybe he should go back to the market to buy more fruits and possibly something for Ivan's knees.

[Ivan Braginsky]

House-imposing gift? Wasn't that called a house-warming gift? Maybe the terminology changed without him knowing. Young kids were always coming up with new ways to say things and then again, he'd been living in the same penthouse for years. House-warming gifts were generally only given when you just move in, right? Ivan really didn't know anymore. At least he liked watermelon. It wasn't a bad gift, if Nikita had to give him one. Granted, an entire watermelon seemed a little silly, but... maybe it was something kids did these days.

"I like it, but there... is no neet to do that~ I do not mind your company at all~" Nikita seemed like a sweet young marionette, like he meant well, especially if buying an expensive watermelon for in order to get into Ivan's good graces was any sort of indicator. They'd get along fine, but maybe he would just have to remind the marionette more often that Ivan really didn't need anything, even though it was a kind gesture.

Carefully taking hold of Nikita's hand, he tugged him down the street at a leisurely pace. There was plenty of time. "My knees?" he asked, more to confirm it to himself than as a legitimate question. "Oh~ Is just an olt injury, not worth worryink about~" That kind of thing happened with age naturally and he wasn't exactly young anymore. The fact that he was damn near blown apart that one time only compounded the strain than he would have eventually felt anyway. At least, that was how he justified not worrying about it.