[CLOSED] Too Many War Wounds And Not Enough Wars

[zerotohiro]

Who: Hiro + Tadashi Hamada (zerotohiro & bropane)
When: 2/8 (IC)/7/22 (OOC)
Where: Outside of ViViD, moving probably to Tadashi's and/or Hiro's place
What: Two brothers having The Talk. No, not that one, the other one.
Rating/Warning: Discussions of death and other fun, Disney-based things.

---

[The plan had been simple. Walk through the door at the top of the stairs, enter the white room, grab his things and meet Tadashi outside of ViViD. That was literally the easiest plan in the world and somehow the whole thing still didn’t go at all the way Hiro had imagined. Heading up the stairs just pushed him to the next level of the game and separated him from his older brother and he found himself playing through all the way to the end.

On the other hand, it was just like Tadashi had said. Once he completed the last level and logged out, Hiro found himself in the white room and directed to a pile of his things. An actual pile.

Well that’s just great.

It’s a little more than surreal to look through his belongings, a sigh of relief upon seeing a familiar red suitcase and an actual laugh under his breath as he hears a plaintive meow from a kitty carrier someone had placed Mochi inside of. After everything that had happened over the last couple of minutes (hours? It was hard to say right now) it was a little comforting to have pieces of a home that was apparently destroyed. It takes him a little while but eventually he hauls everything outside piece by piece, knowing he could easily solve the problem just by saying the word “ow.” Part of him almost caves (especially as he works on dragging out two sets of metal armor) but the other part is a little more than wary about activating his robotic best friend just yet.

He and Tadashi have a lot to talk about. He doesn’t want to run the risk of Baymax saying anything before Hiro can figure out how to explain it. It’s better to introduce Tadashi to ideas piece by piece. And who knows? Maybe Hiro won’t have to explain everything right away anyway.

A short amount of time passes as Hiro sits just outside of the building from which he came, hoodie zipped up and feet swinging slightly above the ground as he remains seated on the red travel case. The cat carrier is empty now and the rotund calico cat has situated himself in Hiro’s lap, purring as Hiro idly scratches under his chin. A green backpack with some of his other items leans against the side of Baymax’s travel case and the armor flanks him on either side. He realizes he probably looks really stupid and that maybe he should move, but no. Tadashi had said to wait for him out front. He wouldn’t just leave Hiro there…right?

’What if he didn’t make it out of ViViD?’ The thought crosses his mind suddenly. His hands move over Mochi’s back as he stares straight ahead, doing what he can to erase that line of thinking immediately.]

He’ll be here soon. [He says out loud to the cat who blinks inquisitively up at him.] He’s gotta be.

Comments

[bropane]

Man, where have you been?!

[ These words escape Tadashi's mouth like a panicked chicken, and he runs to Hiro from where he was last: another building. He's been checking out the other entertainment district gaming areas in case that was where Hiro wound up. Let me tell you - he knew this was all real, so he was freaking out like he normally would. His app this time didn't help either, because Hiro had to be scanned first by the birds he had made to be able to track him within the colony.

But seeing his brother and Mochi fills him with relief more than anything else. If only their aunt were here... that would complete the family. ]

Are you okay? Are you hurt?

[ He doesn't even bother waiting for Hiro to respond, and he tilts the younger's head to the side to check for any scratches on his face or anything. ]

[zerotohiro]

[Being inside ViViD had been a trip. He had been able to (eventually) accept that Tadashi was here and Tadashi was somehow alive and it was still this huge ball of confusion and illogical thinking that left Hiro feeling a little more than anxious about what would happen outside of the game. When Tadashi finally shows up though he looks up at him and his own look of relief crosses his face.

Tadashi was still here. So far so good.

He doesn't appear to be hurt, at least, though it's a little more than obvious that he's kind of tired. As Tadashi moves his head for him Mochi sits up in Hiro's lap, trilling questioningly while pawing at the elder's wrist. Bigger Hamada, what are you doing here? Hiro shakes his head though in response.]

I'm fine. [He turns to look back at the building, glaring slightly.] Dumb thing kicked me to another level as soon as I hit the top of the stairs. I got lost on some of the other levels for a while before I got to the end of the maze.

[He should apologize, but it seems out of place. So instead he's resorting to staring at Tadashi.]

...you're okay, right?

[bropane]

[ Tadashi pulls up a smile at Mochi, giving the fat cat a pat on the head, too. ]

Been a while, buddy. [ It really has been, but... hey, maybe the cat will take this a bit better than Hiro will. But the smile only lasts for a couple of seconds, as he looks back at HIro.]

I'm okay, [ and he would add "don't worry about me", but those words may not be appropriate given the timing. Right now, what Tadashi needs is for Hiro to be okay. To look like his normal self when he was so inspired and happy and-- you know. . . that may just be impossible forever, but Tadashi would at least like to see a semblance of how his brother used to be.

Not this.

Was Hiro like this when he had passed? Just thinking about it stresses him out a bit, and the back of his neck starts to hurt again, which he instinctively rubs with a hand. ]

C'mon, we can go to my place. [ A beat. ] Mochi too— [ He can't help but gawk this time around. ] and is that Baymax?

[ He'd recognise something he's invented anywhere. ]

[zerotohiro]

[The cat's purring and seems to have a much easier time accepting Tadashi's existence than Hiro does, but the cat's also probably a little crazy. The boy's eyebrows lift a little like he's not sure he wants to take that at face value. It's crazy. He knows Tadashi can take care of himself but a lot of things have changed in the last few months since his brother's death. Having him here now, Hiro's finding that he's carefully monitoring Tadashi to make sure he's still breathing and still functioning like he should be.

(Though, really, he shouldn't be functioning. The dead don't function. That's the thing.) He's watching Tadashi again, immediately honing in on the fact he's rubbing his neck and he opens his mouth to say something about it when suddenly Tadashi asks Difficult Question Number One. He looks down at the red box, giving Tadashi a semi-awkward grin because...well, he could lie. He could straight up lie and say no but Tadashi invented the hugs-a-lot-bot. He'd know better, just like Hiro would know if something happened to the armor he created.]

Uh...yeah! Yeah, it is. Kinda weird, right? ["Baymax who's Baymax why would you ask me that I don't know why they brought your robot in for me what makes you think I'm suspicious I'm totally not suspicious!"] Maybe they found some extra code they were able to retrieve and brought it in as a bonus or something. [He glances back at the two suits of armor as well. Going to Tadashi's seemed like the smartest idea. But...] Think we're gonna need a cart or something to carry everything back though.

[bropane]

[ Looks like things don't change much in the land of the living, even after death. He looks at the red box curiously, suspiciously. . . what is Hiro hiding this time? Tadashi knows his brother well enough to know that he's hiding something, and his brother should also know that Tadashi's taken care of Baymax's features quite well.

The guy can lift a thousand or so lbs. So they don't even need a cart to carry everything back. Not that Tadashi can't do it himself. If he needs to carry Baymax while he's in standby mode, then it isn't an issue. It's not like he's never lugged hte thing around before. But. . . Do I need to smack you for you to tell me what's up? is what he wants to say, but he really has to approach things with Absolute Caution. Anything he could say could trigger something, and he doesn't want Hiro to feel any more frazzled than he already is. So instead of saying that, he just simply asks-- ]

If it's Baymax, why not just let him do it?

[ And another pause. ] Or I can do it, no problem.

[ It's Hiro's bags, a cat who can walk on its own, and his invention. It's manageable.

As for the code thing? Well, he isn't aware of how things work, really. He arrived with a bunch of his wardrobe and some tools, but that was it. Maybe because Baymax wasn't with him at the time of his death that he wasn't retrieved with him? But it was bound to happen, anyway - Baymax being here. Because if Baymax's code wasn't going to be retrieved, then he was going to make another. It'd take a lot of time, but he knows that he could help a lot of people. Considering that the biology of most people here are different, the Baymax he'd be making would be even better than the one he originally made. ]

[zerotohiro]

[Hiro's completely aware that hiding things from Tadashi works maybe, like, 10% of the time. And since this is a whole other planet he's pretty sure that 10% is even less, especially with the way Tadashi's looking at Baymax's suitcase. They both know what Baymax is capable of, they both know what Baymax was designed to do…and it would make more sense for Baymax to take his own gear since Hiro made it to scale and it's just bulky, even when it's broken down into pieces in a nice, organized pile. He kicks his feet a little, heels lightly banging against the front of Baymax's case as he shrugs.]

Youuu might not be able to handle this one, bro. [Wow, that's weird to say still.] Anyway how do you know Baymax is even charged? Or that he'll work here? [Yup, that sure is an excuse. He's genuinely not sure how all of these things came with him other than he and Baymax are pretty much always together now. Pretty much everything makes sense except for Mochi, now that he thinks about it, but…well, he does remember one of the last things about home being coming home from a long day of school and patrolling, still in his armor and Mochi jumping up onto the workbench in the garage demanding food. Who knows? That's not important right now. What's important is how he's going to approach the Baymax situation.] He could actually be corrupted.

[bropane]

[ An eyebrow just arches at the question. Boy, for a genius, you come up with the lamest excuses. And Tadashi knows that Baymax would work because he himself is actually alive and well.

At least, that's his own theory, anyway. ]

Could always try, [ he says with a shrug. Though, really, they should try. And get out of here. ] I've missed hitting you a couple of times, you know.

[ Is he joking??? Of course he is.

Not.

(He really did miss Hiro.) ]

[zerotohiro]

[You.

Freakin.

Nerd.

Hiro's thought process is pretty much the epitome of this and he stares at Tadashi for a minute…before his lips twitch and he breaks into a small fit of laughter. It's not exactly happy laughter, more like "oh my god why is everything so weird this is so normal but it's not????" and he drags a hand over his eyes for a minute. He's quick to recompose himself though, sitting up and taking a deep breath.]

Right. Right. Okay. [Okay. The test of truth. He nudges Mochi off of his lap and stows the kitty back in his carrier, stepping to Tadashi's side and staring at the carrying case.]

You sure about this? [He's genuinely concerned about it, but at least he sounds more like the Hiro Tadashi remembers, that arrogant sort of challenging tone present. He does have to wonder though…if Baymax scans Tadashi, what will he see? He's not sure.]

[bropane]

[ He heaves out a sigh before anything else. ]

Sure about what? Punching you, or carrying Baymax?

[ It has to be asked, okay. Maybe if he showed that he was more comfortable, Hiro would loosen up a bit. Even by a little. ]

If you're worried about what Baymax might find, don't worry about it. [ He takes out his CereVice again, activating an app, and seconds later, a bird swoops down and slowly lands on Tadashi's shoulder. ]

This thing's scanned me a ton of times. I'm— [ a pause, before his eyebrows furrow. ] Fine.

[zerotohiro]

[He...sort of heavily resents those last two words, wondering if this is the sort of frustration and disbelief the others felt about him whenever he said he was fine. He was definitely worried despite that, but he doesn't show it. He's more fascinated by the little bird, actually, and a hand comes up to touch it cautiously.

He'll have to study the mechanics of the bird later.]

I can't believe your first instinct is to punch me. [He can try to tease him at least. With that though he turns back to the carrying case, separating from Tadashi's side a bit to make sure there's room for what he's about to do. He doesn't let Tadashi get that far though before he finally says one important word.]

Ow. [Just like that, the tiny light in Baymax's case lights up. The box opens as the robot inflates to his full size, stepping out of his case and waddling forward a few steps.]

Hello. I am Baymax, your personal healthcare companion. Hello Hiro.

[Ultimately it's the sight of Baymax that helps him relax as the nursebot scans him. He steps forward, grinning up at Baymax and knowing he won't be able to hide how he's feeling much longer.]

Hey, buddy. Everything working okay? [The robot pauses to consider this, eyes briefly lighting up as his scanners scan the premises.]

My sensor appears to be in working condition. You have sustained no injuries. However, your neurotransmitter levels indicate a decline in your emotional state.

[Well he's not wrong. Still, Hiro forces a grin and shakes his head. He'll have to have a conversation with Baymax later.] I'm fine, Baymax. We need your help though. [Baymax turns his head then, Tadashi coming into view on his camera then.]

Tadashi is here. [If it's possible for a robot to sound surprised, this one sure does.] Perhaps my scanners are not fully operational.

No...you're right. Tadashi's here. [He never thought he'd say those words again, but hey. A lot of crazy things are happening today he never thought would in a million years. Both boy and robot are focused on the older Hamada though, waiting for a response.]

[bropane]

[ They already hugged, and it's not like Baymax can activate with that. Nor with Tadashi crying again, let alone Hiro sobbing.

He nods at Baymax, a polite smile on this face. ] What's up, buddy? [ But the smile disappears when the robot says its scanners are not fully functional. He didn't die with a stab in the heart, but Baymax may as well have done that, with Hiro twisting the knife even more to further the wound. He gets it.

He gets it.

He's not supposed to be around. But he is, and he's faced the facts when he arrived here in Cerealia. It's been two months, but he still ruminates about it from time to time. And guess what? It's not a fun activity. But his smile doesn't falter. He can't have Hiro looking at him and finding that he's been hurt. At least, not right now. So he gestures to Hiro's belongings. ]

Think you can help us out? We need you to carry some stuff for us.

[ As for Hiro's emotional state, well, he's concerned about that too. But they really should be indoors if they want to talk, and not in between all this hustle and bustle. ]

[zerotohiro]

[This was precisely why he had been hesitate to activate Baymax. This exact reason was why and it's probably not a surprise to the poor robot that he's facing two Hamadas who're both hurt and confused and all over the place while still smiling.]

Hello Tadashi. How can I help?

[It's then Hiro gestures behind Baymax to keep the robot focused.] We need you to carry the armor. Tadashi and I can carry the rest. [Baymax turns his head, considering this for a moment.]

Are you "taking it easy", Hiro? [On the one hand, he's pretty happy that Baymax has come so far that he really understands casual expressions. On the other, is he taking it easy? That's something he can also diffuse later.]

Just grab the armor, Baymax. [But there's a fond smile despite that, hand patting the robot's belly before he swoops down to pick up his backpack and Mochi's carrier, leaving Baymax to gather the pieces of armor in his arms and Tadashi to grab Baymax's case. This isn't awkward at all. This totally isn't awkward and weird to be in a whole other alien city on a code planet or whatever with his zombie older brother and robotic best friend and...cat. Totally fine.]

So how far is your place? [Lead the way, bro.]

[bropane]

[ Why... why is there armour...

But Tadashi won't question it until later. He did leave Baymax when he passed after all. For all he knows, Hiro could've upgraded Baymax and given him some new stuff for bot fighting... (Which is a big no in his book, by the way.)

Either way, he picks up Baymax's case and nods towards the direction of where the rest of the people (And aliens) are going. ]

Gotta ride a train for it, since we're at the entertainment district. The train'll get us to the residential district in no time, [ he says, as he starts leading the way. But he quickly turns back to Hiro. ] Walk close to me, alright?

[ The colony's safe and all when there's no shit and hell breaking lose (ie. right now), but he still wants to be near his brother in case something comes up. Some non-Cerealian natives pass by too, and they look like the aliens from Men in Black or some other alien film. Tadashi doesn't seem fazed by it, but it may give Hiro all the more reason to stick close.

They'll be riding the trains with these same aliens, as well as other humanoids, and actual humans, after all. ]

[zerotohiro]

[Baymax thankfully remains quiet after Hiro loads him up with his armor, though the robot's continually looking around and scanning their surroundings. Hiro had been people (and alien) watching while he waited for Tadashi but it's only in this moment when Tadashi says to stick close that it sinks in just how bizarre this whole world is. Trains are normal though at least. He nods a nonverbal response, adjusting Mochi's carrier in his arms before following after his brother. As they walk, Hiro starts out at a pretty decent distance from Tadashi though still close enough that Tadashi doesn't have to worry about them being separated. The longer they walk toward the train though, the more Hiro shifts in closer.

On the trains he also sticks close by. He's openly curious about what's going on around him, finding it as something else he just doesn't understand but wants to learn more about. Tadashi had been correct; once they were out of ViViD and more in the city Hiro was a little more like himself. He didn't ask questions like he wanted though, just making a list inside his head as they travel.

It's a little uncharacteristic, truthfully, but he's pretty much quiet the whole time until they get back to Tadashi's. They both seem to share that sentiment. Everything that needs to be said needs to be said behind closed doors.]

[bropane]

[ Tadashi's apartment is (thankfully) bigger than his room back at his (old) home. It's just as tidy, with its interior very much like a hipster's. One part of the living room is a workshop, but there's a partition where there's a cozy couch and a TV and some consoles for video game playing. But it really is mostly like a hipster's home. Upon the door sliding open when Tadashi slides in his key card, a miniature St. Bernard welcomes them; not exactly jumping up and down, but he's standing by the door, wagging his tail. ]

Welcome home, Tadashi! It seems you have guests today.

Nice job keeping the place in check, Demo, [ he says as he saunters into the apartment, nodding at Hiro to come follow him. He sets down what he's been on a counter and tells Baymax that he can just put whatever he has on the floor.

And then to his dog CYbuddy— ]

Demo, this is Mochi, [ gesturing to the cat inside its small cage. ] We're releasing him in a bit. Don't fight 'im, alright? Mochi's family.

And this is Hiro, my brother. And then, Baymax.

[zerotohiro]

[He's following right behind Tadashi straight into the apartment, already looking around to familiarize himself with the area. At the word, Baymax is already toddling off to set down the armor and make sure that the apartment is suitable for both of his patients.

The apartment seems so...normal to Hiro, and more importantly it's blatantly obvious that Tadashi's really made it his own space. The tension in his shoulders eases a bit as he takes some comfort in the familiarity. It's like home, in a weird way.

You know. Except for the talking dog. Bot. Thing. He lifts both of his eyebrows, carefully setting Mochi's carrier on the floor in front of Demo but keeping the cat in his cage for a moment. (Which is probably good, seeing how Mochi doesn't have a lot of experience with dogs and ends up hissing instead.) And Hiro? Hiro just ends up plopping on the floor in front of Demo, too.]

You made a talking dog. [He sounds more amused than he has all evening, tilting his head back to look at Tadashi.] You've been here for two months and this is what you've been doing? [He holds a hand out, waving it in front of Demo for a moment as Baymax comes back.]

It appears as though we are safe.

[Thanks for that, buddy. Hiro nods, grinning at Baymax even though his attention's on Demo.] I'm gonna let Mochi out. [He sort of stops talking again, not sure where to go from there. Right. They still need to talk, no matter how distracted Hiro appears to be. Ah well, give him a moment to reach over and open the carrier.] Baymax can watch 'em both.

[bropane]

I am able to administer first aid, [ Demo says, walking around Hiro and wagging its tail. Looks like he wants some headpats and some ear scratches! ]

It's- It's the work that I do here. You know how you were given choices for jobs when you got here? I picked being a CYbuddy manufacturer - Demo's one - and a mechanic.

I will be friends with your cat. Please don't worry!

[ He lets Hiro and Baymax take in the surroundings, first. Hiro might even notice something similar to his gauntlets and boots by Tadashi's workshop, except they're black and white. Purely coincidental. Meanwhile, Tadashi heads to the kitchen to grab something to drink for his brother, and a bowl of milk for Mochi. ]

Orange juice, or do you want some soda, or just water?

[zerotohiro]

Well then you and Baymax will have plenty to talk about, buddy. [His brother made...Dogmax. It's enough to get a laugh out of him and he actually pats the cybuddy on the head a few times. At Tadashi's explaination though he responds.]

Yeah? I, uh, kinda got offered a position at a CyBuddy repair shop. [He's not telling Tadashi he's already made up his mind on taking a few jobs. They can talk about that soon enough. With the cage open Mochi crawls out, less hiss-y and more skeptical of Demo. While the animals are getting acquainted and Baymax joins them (and he hears Baymax start to make assessments of Demo and Mochi as well), he allows himself a second look.

...he's not at all suspicious of the gear. Really. Totally not. He opens his mouth to remark on it when he looks up and suddenly Tadashi's out of his immediate vicinity. He's fairly quiet as he scrambles to his feet and darts after him, entering the kitchen practically in Tadashi's shadow before trying to downplay the sudden spike of anxiety.]

Juice is fine. [Mostly because he knows a certain healthcare companion will scold him for ingesting too much soda in a day and he sure as hell doesn't trust the water here yet.] ...it's like normal orange juice, right? Not alien-juice or something?

[Even while he's asking and just idly chattering, he's looking everywhere but at Tadashi just to get a sense of what else his brother's been doing all while staying fairly close. He might also be thinking of how to help upgrade those boots and gauntlets because bro. Bro.]

[bropane]

[ DO NOT UPGRADE HIS VIVID EQUIPMENT, he is Nerd-Lord!!!111 He just needs a mask and he'll be the superhero everybody never wanted.

At the mention of juice, he takes out a juice box, and puts a straw on it. ]

Normal orange juice, [ Tadashi responds with an eyeroll. How can this guy be so casual now? Oh yeah, it's to help Hiro's transition. ] though I'm pretty sure you can buy alien-juice at the grocery, too.

[ No, he's not sure at all. ]

And you're taking that job...? [ Back to what's important, here. He pours himself a glass of water, then leans on the counter as he takes a sip. ] What about school?

[zerotohiro]

[Whatever man, at least his suit looks cooler and super-intimidating, what with it being shiny and purple and everything. He has zero doubt of Tadashi's capabilities though and it's why he hasn't commented yet. While Hiro's a natural genius (maybe borderline prodigy), Tadashi always accomplishes things with hard work. It makes him wonder what else Tadashi's made so far, but that's for later.]

Dude, gross. I am not taste-testing alien-juice. [So instead, he just takes the juice box and sips from it like the mature adult he really is, leaning against an opposite count to face him and allowing his free hand to cross over his stomach.] Anyway, what about school? I'm gonna go, probably. If it's not stuff I already know. I can do two or three things at once.

[Like going to school by day and protecting San Fransokyo...also by day, technically.]

[bropane]

Probably?

[ That merits another eyebrow raise, and boy are this guy's eyebrows thick as hell. Well, whatever. ]

There's some university here you can enroll into. I'm sure there's a lot of new things you can learn about; [ he pauses, taking another sip of his water. He glances at the living room area where Demo and Mochi are just sitting next to each other... on Baymax's lap. What peaceful friends.

Yeah, okay, that's actually pretty weird, and he can't take his eyes off it. ]

There's a lot you can learn about the tech here.

[zerotohiro]

[So now Baymax has a hairy baby and a mechanical baby. He's mellowed out the two pets and Hiro's sort of watching from the corner of his eye but he's mostly just busy playing with the straw in his juice box.

It's when Tadashi talks about the tech on the colony that Hiro pauses, giving another wary look.]

Yeah, maybe. ...it'd be kinda like home then. [A casual sip of his juice...and then a slight smirk.] I could probably make your rocket boots better.

[bropane]

[ wow, rude???? you step into my house. you drink my juice. and you talk about my boots that way???? ]

Yeah? What're you gonna do with it? [ this casual conversation is nice, and he's missed this, a lot. two months may be a short while, but it may have been longer for hiro. ]

[zerotohiro]

[It's...been a while, truthfully. He doesn't even like to think about how long it's been since he's been working on moving forward, but Tadashi had been very smart to bring Hiro with him. Despite still being shaken up from ViViD and trying to wrap his head around the concept of Tadashi being here for so long, he's visibly relaxing. It's moved from "Why is Tadashi here" to "What do I do about it?" and for the time being it's like nothing's changed. This is exactly how things would be at home.]

I can probably make 'em fly higher, Captain Knucklehead. I built Mochi's boots, remember? [And you know what? Talking about Tadashi's new gear is a great way to slip out of the conversation Tadashi initially wanted to have and now they don't have to talk about it. Brilliant plan!

Or at least as long as Hiro can stall.] What're they even for?

[bropane]

We built it together, [ EVEN THOUGH, YOU KNOW. Hiro probably did most of the work, being a boy genius and all. Dammit, Tadashi, why can't you be a boy genius, too. All you are is a nerd; good job. ]

But whatever. They're for ViViD, for when I do play.

[ A pause, and he walks to his small workshop. Hiro may find the cleaning robot Tadashi wanted to build a long time go on standby mode under the table. He picks up the boots and holds 'em up. ]

I haven't actually tried these yet.