[Event 2] When in Rome (Antonio)

[Deleted]

Nothing could have prepared Matthew for the shock the outside world brought. It was like he had stepped into a room with no oxygen, the thought that this was the same world he hadn't seen and could now do anything he pleased with, threatening to overpower him. Mattie fought to keep going though, afraid that the surge in the crowd around him who were also running for their lives and their freedom, would trample him if he dared to stop. He needed to keep going no matter what, there could be no stopping if he wanted to keep his plan in motion, the same plan he had been thinking about for almost a month now. He had planned it from the beginning and he probably knew it backwards by now, hoping that the time would come when he could finally execute it, only to be lost and a little terrified when the time was dropped on him by chance.

Matthew fled through the streets once he was alone, trying to aim for the least populated streets and alleyways and constantly trying to outrun the sense of paranoia that was constantly chasing him. It was his worst nightmare to be caught now, especially when freedom was so close. He only needed to grab some supplies, find the nearest forest and perhaps sneak into another country that way, maybe even hitchhike across the border if there wasn’t too much of a risk of being caught. He would be a normal human from now on, and he would live a life that he never got to live, and bring anyone else he could find with him. He still owed it to the other mutants for waking him up and not letting him drown along with keeping him alive this long and suffering alongside him. Besides, they deserved as much of a chance at freedom and happiness as he did, if not more so.

He slowed to a stop in an alley, breathing hard and glancing around every few seconds, afraid that a soldier or guard would appear before him any minute. Matthew wondered if they even knew that almost the entire Underground had escaped yet. They were probably still struggling to get everything together and find everyone. Maybe this could be the chance that he couldn’t miss to get out of here all in one go; the thought bringing a sickening feeling to his stomach and the sudden and hungry burst of wanting that wanted to push him forward until he simply dropped from exhaustion. It was liberty or death, and Matthew wasn’t about to settle for the zone in the grey, he was going to get liberty and no one was going to stop him. Running his fingers through his horribly knotted hair, he forced himself to bite his lip and pull them out as best he could. He would probably have to cut his hair when he found the time, but for now it was the best he could do under the circumstances and from the reflection in a nearby window, he felt like he did well enough that no one would question it if they just glanced over. Next he spat on his hand and rubbed at the dirt, scrubbing hard and quickly, itching to get going as soon as possible. The streets were still probably filled with other wandering mutants, and his clothes couldn’t be helped, but he was doing the best he could and with a final nod at his appearance, he started off.

Matthew forced himself to think in a list, targeting the next thing he needed first and foremost before he kept going. What was a dire need? Clothes? A phone? Probably a phone. He could call Alfred and get the clothes from him and some supplies before finding his way into the woods. Then if he was caught, he could just use the excuse that he was a foreigner and had gotten lost. He would need a phonebook and a phone to find his brother, and it was probably the best shot he had, even though he desperately wished he didn’t have to put him in more danger by doing this. Alfred didn’t deserve the risk that Matthew imposed just because he needed clothes and some food and water. However, it was the best idea he had at the moment and the only other thing he could possibly think of was to steal them, which he hadn’t ruled out yet.

Nodding, he finally noticed his surroundings before he walked face first into a wall. How stupid could he be right now? He needed to find someone or get to Alfred, now was not the time to be wandering the town lost in thought. Matthew focused on a person walking down the sidewalk further up, a human he assumed although another mutant wouldn’t kill him either, and sped up a little walking to get close enough to catch the man’s attention. If it crashed, he still had enough strength to erase a memory, although it would make the situation a little trickier. “Excuse me!” He called, covering the last few feet in a little jog to ensure that he caught up. “I appear to be a little lost…do you happen to know my friend? His name’s Alfred and he’s about my height, a little taller?” He winced at having to describe his brother to a stranger, fully aware of how dangerous this was. Even if the stranger did know him, he might still have to erase some memory which would set his plans back even more. But what else could he do?



//Ahh I'm so sorry! I lost track of time ^^; I'll fix it as I go along I promise//

[Antonio F. Carriedo]

It was a dreary, wet morning. He did not mind getting up and out early if there was a pressing/interesting enough reason to do so, nor did particularly dislike rain – although the sort of rain Russia was given to at this time of year was different than the spring showers he was used to, that was for sure. Antonio wasn’t sure he was all too fond of the two of them at once, however. Or… perhaps there was something else dampening his usual cheery enough mood.

He had turned on the news to check for the weather for the rest of the day – was it worth bringing an umbrella if it would end soon after he got out? Could he get away with a simple hooded coat? What he was met with instead was a blaring emergency announcement of escaped mutants. News anchors discussing the issued warnings for citizens. The possible danger levels of areas, where mutants would be likely to run to and why. It all left a bad taste in his mouth for a number of reasons. Just to keep from hearing it he may have decided to just stay in for a few days and hope nobody brought the topic into his shop.
He may have, if it weren’t for a certain feline-esque mutant.

From where he stood, even with the beginning of his shifted opinions on the matter, Antonio remained… quiet and rather nonconfrontational. As his usual response would have shown, he preferred to keep out of it all as much as possible.

Today, in this particular situation, however… that was not an option. It just wasn’t, no matter the anxiety the possible results brought him. Because… he was worried about Lovino.

It had been hard to bring him back when the contract was up. Harder than one would think after only a month of living with him. Antonio felt a pang in his chest each time he saw the spot on the couch he would usually find a certain feline curled up. He had to remind himself to make less food. Churro was especially needy and even confused at the departure of his playmate. Each time Antonio told himself that the moment contracts opened up again he would get Lovino again. He’d tried to assure Lovino of that as much as he could.

But-with the escaping of mutants… would contracts even be issued for a while, even for the ones that had not escaped? What about those that had? What would happen to them? Was Lovino among them? Antonio didn’t have a sure plan of what he’d do if he got the answers to any one of these questions, but he knew for sure he wouldn’t be able to sit still. Not with the worry for Lovino that consumed him the moment he had seen that news report.

And so here he was, clasping an umbrella handle close to his body. He moved along the path of the sidewalk, occasionally stopping to glance around a trashcan or a bush, under a bench. Any tight spot that would be a reprieve from the rain that a cat might use as shelter. His uneasiness grew at the emptiness of the street although he tried to tell himself that it was rather early in the day. A majority of people wouldn’t be out yet on the most normal of days.

Hearing a voice behind him he turned, a bit surprised to hear a voice out of nowhere. It didn’t much occur to him that he might be questioned by a guard or police, so there was no real fear on that end. Although he did have enough wits about him to blink momentarily at the blond, wondering at his attire in the Russian weather.

Alfred… Antonio tilted his head, yet to even verbally respond. Alfred, height… his eyes narrowed-“ah!” He suddenly exclaimed, brightening. “You don’t mean Alfred Jones, do you? He’s the only Alfred I know around here.”

Words: 660

Tags: @maple

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