Use my head alongside my heart [Closed]

[matadorable]

WHO: Manolo Sanchez, Joaquin Mondragon, Hermann Gottlieb, Newton Geiszler
WHERE: Heropa and De Chima
WHEN: January 2nd
WHAT: In response to the strange happenings in Heropa, Joaquin decides he needs to leave Manolo elsewhere before attending to his Hero duties, and Hermann and Newton seem like the best choice. Once Manolo discovers the cost of Peter Pan's curse over Heropa, though, he'll feel compelled to help a friend settle the score.
WARNINGS: None at the moment.

Comments

Heading for Heropa. A wild Hermann appears!

[matadorable]

[mathemagier]

It was perhaps the first time he'd teleported intentionally without Newton. All told, he didn't use the ability much for how taxing it was, and he rarely went anywhere without his partner anyway. But he left him standing in their apartment, while Hermann opened his eyes in a bright terminal milling with what he guessed were some amount of refugees. Those that saw him appear startled, but Hermann had little time for them.

He scanned the crowd for Manolo's short frame, heart racing because if they lost Joaquin's best friend.. But surely the man had to be heading here. Couldn't have gotten here before him- right?

He asked the officials if they'd seen a man of his description and settled somewhat in light of the negative answers he received. So he'd most likely gotten here before him. All he had to do was wait and head him off.

The drift prickled with unease, as it always did when they were apart, and Hermann spared a moment to send a brief text to Newton, then shoved his phone away. They'd talk later. Right now he couldn't afford to be distracted.

[matadorable]

Truth be told, leaving Newton and Hermann behind didn't feel much better than staying put. But witnessing the murder on the network, hearing Kaneda's message, and knowing that he was going to charge into what was left of Heropa to settle the score and put things right, whether anyone helped him or not, had all left their mark on Manolo. He knew what he had to do.

Now that he'd arrived at the municipal building, the path to the porter was in plain sight. Manolo moved as fast as his legs would allow while still managing to avoid bumping into any passersby.

But then he saw him -- one of the last people he expected to find here, and Manolo's feet were suddenly glued to the ground. "Doctor...Gottlieb?"

[mathemagier]

Hermann drew himself to his full height, eyes narrowed and both hands planted firmly on the grip of his cane. Admittedly, it was just as much for show as it was for support while the fatigue began to catch up with him. He wouldn't be able to teleport again tonight. The stunned expression on Manolo's face was worth it, at least.

"Mr. Sanchez. Rather discourteous to take advantage of our hospitality for an opportunity to slip away. Mr. Mondragon has asked that we look after you. While you are not a child in need of supervision, I must say this decision is rather hasty and unwise."

[matadorable]

The man made for an intimidating sight, like a stern father or school teacher who was about to lay down the law. Manolo wasn't easily intimidated, he'd faced off against much more frightening creatures and people during his short life. But Hermann's words twisted the knife of guilt deeper into his chest, and Manolo seemed to wilt a little.

"I appreciate your kindness," he said, growing more soft-spoken. "You and Doctor Geiszler have done so much for Joaquin, and now me. I'll do what I have to, to make it up to you. But sitting back and doing nothing while other people are suffering...if there's something I can do to help, then that's what I need to be doing."

[mathemagier]

Hermann couldn't say they've actually done all that much for either of them, but he let the point stand. The set of his shoulders eased somewhat as the shorter man seemed to shrink back.

Of course the man also managed to make them look terrible in comparison, though he rather thought them sensible. Neither of them had any combat capability, and he was particularly ill-equipped to venture into a cursed forest.

"And what can you do for them, Mr. Sanchez? I don't believe I've heard the extent of your abilities."

[matadorable]

"I can sing and play music for them," Manolo explained, squaring his shoulders with confidence. "My songs heal wounds, soothe the spirit, revive those who are tired, ease symptoms of chronic illnesses...and those are just the things I do know about."

For all he knew, there were other benefits he hadn't discovered yet. There was no way to know for sure except by using them.