concoursec | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Character(s): Tobias, Espio, and Marco.
Location: A105.
Rating: G for GRAHAM CRACKERS.
Open/Closed/Finished: Closed.
Summary: A little bit of a surprise.

Espio may not have been in the same dorm as him very long at all, but Tobias had already become comfortable with the chameleon's presence nearby. It was nice, actually being around someone who seemed to care for him, especially considering he couldn't stay near Marco or Grell.

So Tobias did what he tended to do to show appreciation: draw. He took careful time to draw a picture of Espio himself, then placed it carefully on the lizard's bed before retreating back to his own room, door open.

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With both of them urging it, Tobias wasn't exactly inclined to argue against it, much as he might've wanted to. Sometimes, actual logic could be his worst enemy.

"...Okay. I'll learn how."

"Then that's that sorted!" Espio said, with a stretch. "Slack off, and you face some personal one-on-one training."

He looked to Marco, who - though Espio had always found him friendly enough - seemed to be more of a nice guy than his original estimation. He briefly considered apologising for the earlier misunderstanding, but quickly tossed that idea out of the window - it probably went without saying. "Assuming your 'Dad' here won't threaten to beat me up for it."

Marco shrugged. So long as Toby learned to defend himself in the long run, Marco was happy with it. Still, he coolly arched an eyebrow and smirked slightly, in a gesture most people on the Grand Line had learned to be terrified of. "Nope, but go too far and you'll find out just how far I can kick you, got it?"

Espio's initial response was to take it as a direct threat, make a fist and snap "just try it!"

Upon realising otherwise, however, he quickly backtracked and raised his hands in mock surrender. "But yes, sir. And..." now looking directly at Marco, "I'll want a word in a minute, you. Nothing big."

Another arched eyebrow and an even shrug, "Sure thing." He glanced down at Tobias again, trying to make sure none of the scars or cuts were new and from this world. "Hey kid, you want ointment for that or anything?"

Tobias shifted a little, glancing up at Marco curiously. From what the blonde man could see, a few of the lesser cuts on Tobias's body were 'new,' likely having been given to him before he ever arrived. The actual scars and burns, and the worst of the cuts, however, were all obviously at least a year or so old.

"Sure, okay."

"Do you want me to come down to the nurse's office with you or do you think we can just catch up?" Marco pat his head affectionately.

"I can go alone if you want me to."

Not that Tobias really liked that idea, but...

"Five minutes. Time me," Marco ruffled Toby's hair again, idly wondering if Tobias had an attachment to his hat the way Ace and Shanks did.

"...Okay. But you promised."

The boy gave Marco a final hug, before heading out the door... still just in his pants, shirt and shoes forgotten.

Despite having seen many pirates wear less -- Ace included -- Marco arched an eyebrow. "You planning to walk all the way there like that?"

"...is that bad?"

He blinked a little at Marco confusedly. Even here, he was still not entirely used to having more of... well, everything than he could use at once.

"Not exactly. But you should probably at least wear sandals or something in the hallway." Marco shrugged, "People get huffy about it here, eh. They get annoyed that I don't even like to button my shirt and at least I'm wearing one."

"As you probably guessed, I don't have that problem," interrupted the mostly-naked lizard. "And I don't see why clothing is such a big deal, but..." he looked to Tobias, "he's right. Get something on your feet, before you step on something and rip them open."

Yes, everything was a bit 'serious business' to him. One day, he may develop a sense of humour.

"Anyway, I don't think you need two people going with you. Besides, if I want to sleep tonight, I need to clear my bed - I'll be here when you get back."

"Okay."

The boy quickly dashed back into his room, something falling over with a light thud after a moment and a surprised yelp. He came out mostly unharmed, however, now wearing the boots from his uniform and rubbing his head sorely.

"Ow...."

"You okay?" Espio asked, a little concerned despite Tobias seeming to be fine. "Something fall on you?"

"What happened?" Marco arched an eyebrow, not sure whether to be amused that Toby was that accident prone, or worried. Probably some mixture of both.

"A book fell on my head."

Go with amused, Marco. He's making the same face as a little kid who's storybook fell on them, complete with hands over his head protectively and everything.

Espio made a small noise that may have been a laugh, but also shook his head. "You should make sure those things are firmly in place!" he said, trying to be firm but failing miserably - he was clearly trying to hold back his amusement.

Fortunately, Marco was a master of keeping his face deadpan, even when extremely amused. "I see," he nodded seriously, "Well you can have the nurses check that out too."

"Okay. Remember, five minutes!"

Giving Marco and Espio a last bright smile, Tobias headed out the door this time, running off to the nurses'.

Espio watched the kid leave, before he hopped up off the bed, and was about to speak before he suddenly seemed to remember something and fished in the miniature mountain of books and paper. As he did that, he asked: "doesn't it bother you?"

Marco paused, somehow expecting something a little more. "Does what bother me?"

"Someone taking such a ridiculously sudden interest in the kid," Espio elaborated. "You said earlier that you were looking out for him. You can afford to be more suspicious."

He finally found what he was looking for and held it out to Marco. "Your notes, by the way - since I never gave them back.

"Why should I be suspicious of you?" Marco asked uncertainly and repressing his own amusement. "I was, when I thought you were hurting him. But with the way you go on about justice, I somehow doubt that's your intention." He took his notes back. "Thanks, eh."