Illyana & Pyotr | sibling snow wars land
Jan. 10th, 2023 10:16 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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xp_logsPyotr and Illyana have a snowball fight, then get her some winter appropriate clothing.
It was a bright and cheerful morning as Pyotr was taking his dog Boris out for his morning constitutional and bathroom break. There was a nice crust of snow on the ground and Pyotr just grinned. Winters in New York, pfaugh! This was more like early spring in Russia. Boris was having a blast, darting to and fro, sniffing various things, and then taking care of his physical needs. Pyotr was a responsible dog owner and waa there to clean up after Boris, but after a relatively short walk he was struck by an Idea.
He bent down to put his face as close to Boris as he could manage and reached out to grab a handful of snow, to pack it into a perfect circle. See, he'd spotted his sister up ahead and, well, some things were just mandatory. He let Boris sniff the snowball and then grinned at his pooch. "Want to play fetch?" he asked Boris as he eyed his sister.
Illyana was outside for the sole purpose of not being cooped up inside after being stuck inside the Chapel. The weather wasn’t bad, but her toes were getting cold, so she’d turned back towards the house. She’d need someone to take her shopping, find a pair of boots that could handle the cold and seeping wet of the snow. Maybe after some hot chocolate and a warm breakfast.
Her plans were derailed as something cold impacted her back. The joyous barks that followed it up as she spun around revealed her brother, completely unrepentant, and his very cute, excitable dog bounding in her direction. “Nyet, Boris, is not being good!” she shrieked as she was jumped on, wet, furry paws leaving damp prints on her jeans. “Get from brother, is bad influence on cute little man,” she continued, voice dropping into something affectionate as she bent down to rub the furry ears. “Listen to Tyotya Yana, much better influence.”
While Boris had her distracted he was already packing his next snowball. With a grin and a wink he launched it at his sister, mindful of his strength - this was supposed to be fun, not combat training. "YAA!" he shouted as Boris yipped and his sister cursed.
“Worst!” Illyana packed her own snowball and flung it in Pyotr’s direction. “Go get him, boy,” she encouraged Boris, already scooping a second and running headlong at her brother.
"You threw better when six!" he said with a laugh, dancing out of the way of her retaliatory strike. Boris, on the other hand, was clearly having the time of his little doggy life and was jumping around, trying to climb Pyotr like a tree and yipping his little doggy head off. Clearly, he was having a blast. He was reaching for another handful of snow to send her way when her charge arrived.
She probably had, not that she remembered. “Guess you will just have to teach again!” Illyana replied as she launched herself up and firmly - for her - smashing her clumped mound of snow into his chest. “Hah, direct hit!” As soon as her feet touched the ground she knelt, scooping a very small amount of snow and pressing it to Boris’ back. “Got you too, little man,” she cooed at the dog, laughing and covering her face when he shook his coat free of the ice and wet.
Occasionally being six and a half feet tall had its advantages. Plus all the painful hours in the weight room. He simply reached over to his sister, got a firm grip, hoisted her into the air with one hand, and then lightly - almost gently - tossed her face-first towards a convenient pile of snow. "Nyet. THAT was direct hit." he said with a smirk as Boris went to do his doggy victory dance upon her back.
Illyana only briefly contemplated tossing Pyotr into Limbo as Boris tap-danced on her back. People would probably get mad. She would, perhaps, text Artie or Kyle later and ask. “Ow. Very rude. Bad manners dog too much like starshiy brat, need to be more like mamochka.” She rolled as soon as Boris stopped using her back like a dance studio, wincing as more cold and wet seeped through her clothes. “Unfair advantage, using giant self.”
And just for fun he shrugged out of his jacket and then shifted into his Colossus form - which was roughly a foot taller than his Pyotr form. "Could be taller." he joked, then offered her his winter jacket. Which would likely come down to her calves or so. He then shifted back into his Pyotr form and smirked at her. "Come on. Fun is fun but look like have forgotten heritage. Getting cold on nice day like this." he teased.
“Did spend over decade in Limbo,” she reminded, tugging the jacket on. “No snow, cold is… different. Not wet, chill is different, deeper in bones.” Her brother’s jacket looked comical on her. Not the length, but the differences in how broad they were made it drape oddly, shoulders hanging partway down her arm and sleeves well past the tips of her fingers. “Have money, but have not done shopping yet. Should probably fix before more snow.”
"Then know how we shall spend rest of day!" he said with a smile. "Boris? Come." he said, snapping his fingers to his pooch. "Get inside, get warm breakfast, then go shopping for essentials." he said. He'd just been paid for a commission so he had some money. And who better to spend it on?
“Kasha and egg?” Illyana perked up at the idea of breakfast. “Hot chocolate? Shower first, need dry clothes.”
"While you shower and change, will see to breakfast." he promised his sister. "Need to put Boris up, dispose of doggy presents, then will wash up and see to breakfast." he promised.
Illyana nodded, waving as they separated to go to their rooms. She showered quickly, and rummaged for warmer clothing before joining Pyotr downstairs for breakfast, still wrapped in his comically large coat.
Pyotr got Boris squared away, disposed of things that needed to be disposed of, then washed up before descending on the kitchen to start cooking breakfast. A _lot_ of breakfast.
“Smells good,” she remarked as she pulled his coat off, letting it hang over a chair before sitting down. “Could not eat horse, but could probably handle little bit of cow.”
"No cow for breakfast today." he said as he plated up a fairly large mound of kasha with a side of a pair of eggs. "Boiled water for hot cocoa. No time to do up right, nor time for proper tea. Have coffee, water, instant hot cocoa, or American soda in fridge." he said. "Also, April offers you loan of coat until you get one of your own. Should fit you much better than mine."
“Cocoa,” Illyana’s voice was decisive. “Or cocoa powder in coffee.” She’d wondered about the other jacket, but it did look much closer to her own size. “Will give her thanks later, and return in good condition unless Canadian man needs me for thing again.”
"Far be it for me to suggest that Queen of Limbo be careful with borrowed things?" he said teasingly as he handed her her plate of food. "Drink options on counter over there." he said with a gesture of his chin towards where the beverage options lay in wait. "Remember Danushka's shoes?" he asked.
“Try to be careful, not always easy,” she replied, tucking into the food. A few bites later she finally replied. “Do not remember shoes, no. Tell me?”
"Danushka was another girl about your age." he said. "You did not like her. Which was odd, you loved everyone else. Anyway. You got so mad at her for something you thought she did that you threw her shoes into the lake." he said. "After borrowing them because Mama told you you couldn't borrow hers to be all grown up."
“Could have swam in lake to get them back,” Illyana replied around a mouthful of kasha. She gave Pyotr an impish grin. “Would just drop her in Limbo now.”
Pyotr manfully resisted the urge to sigh. "Not the point, snowflake." he said as he dished himself some breakfast as well. Carbs to fuel the machine, be good for his workout later today. He then got himself a rather gigantic mug of coffee and sprinkled in some of that instant cocoa stuff into it.
“Was vengeful even as child, is good to know.” Illyana continued to eat her breakfast, appreciating the warm, hearty food. When she’d finally scraped the bowl clean, she stood, rubbing an affectionate hand across the back of Pyotr’s neck as she made her way to the counter of beverages.
Pyotr had also managed to shovel in enough breakfast to keep body and soul together for a little while longer, which was good. So he sipped his mocha coffee and waited for his baby sister to finish up so they could go and get her some essentials.
She remembered somewhat how the dishwasher worked, and it was empty, so she didn’t have to figure out if the dishes inside it were clean or dirty. Her bowl and spoon were placed carefully, and she rummaged through the cabinet to find a cup with a lid for her drink. One half hot chocolate, half coffee later she was ready to go. “Assume you are going to drive?” she asked. “Bus is tight fit for tall man.”
"Had not planned on driving. I … don't drive." he said with a shrug. "Not well and not often. Figured bus was good enough." he said. "Am used to cramming into small places." he said with the slightest of shrugs.
“Cram on bus is fine, will laugh at your contortions to fit small space.” Illyana smirked up at him, slipping into the borrowed jacket before clutching her coffee to her chest. “Can be annoying people with bags on way back, smack rude people in backs of legs.” Her borrowed jacket had a pocket on the inside. Nice. She stuck her wallet in it, not bothering to zip it up.
"If cramped too much can always rely on Magik School Bus." he said with a smirk as he slammed down the last of his drink and put his dishes away. He didn't feel the need for a coat, this being a mild early spring day to his purposes. Sure, the New Yorkers could shiver and bundle up, but he was Siberian. Also, as he reflected, possibly an idiot.
Illyana tilted her head at him curiously as they headed outside, grumbling “Did not tell me there was magic bus for school r u d e,” half under her breath. “When did mansion get magic school bus?” she asked in her normal tone of voice, walking faster to keep up with her brother’s long stride. This hadn’t changed. She had faint memories of being tiny and chasing after him, Pyotr walking slowly enough to be comical while her short legs ran in an effort to keep up.
"Is American children's show." he pointed out as they walked, him slowing his stride so she didn't have to run to keep up. "And is no physical magic school bus. You're the Magik School Bus - can transport people, da?" he asked as they walked.
Illyana shrugged. “Yes and no. Not many, not far, have to stop in Limbo. Would rather not unless emergency. Tell me more about show.”
"Don't know much about it. Was good for practicing English." he said with a shrug. "Was driver woman and students, using magic bus to explore bits of world. Shrink down small, go inside human body, that sort of thing."
Illyana scowled. “Would have enjoyed school much more like that,” she said shortly. “Instead long lecture, too big words, blah blah blah.” She followed Pyotr onto the bus, remembering how to swipe the card that had been included with her fresh identification. It was the middle of the day, and not horribly crowded, so she easily found a seat near her brother.
It was a tight fit - the bus was _clearly_ not made for six and a half feet tall people and Pyotr's legs were crushed up towards his chest. "Pretty sure show was not mutants or magi, but fantasy." he confessed. "Ask an American."
“Will do that,” she replied, phone in hand and quick picture taken of her brother’s discomfort in the small bus seats. She sent it to him, figuring he could pass it on to their parents, and wished she still had Rahne’s number. “Should share that with roommate too, thank you laugh for letting me borrow coat.”
"You got mean while you were away." he said with a joking smile. "Leave brother alone to chew on kneecaps in peace. Hope blood still flows to legs when we reach shops." he said.
“Cannot be soft and survive where I was,” Illyana replied. “But also American TV says it is job of younger sibling to torment older one with embarrassment. Congratulations you have won embarrassing younger sibling, how terrible for you.” She laughed at the image of Pyotr chewing on his own knees. “Could be very mean, send image to whole mansion instead.”
"Just remember, sibling relationships go both ways." he said with a smile. "And I knew you when you wore little-girl dresses and you completely missed my awkward phases." he said, batting his eyelashes at his little sister. With a sigh, he found the image Illyana sent and sent it to April. Damage control time! "There. Sent to roomie so she can have good laugh. Ha, ha." he said.
“Cannot embarrass me for being cute child when I do not remember most of it.” She poked her tongue out at him, standing with a wobble as their stop came up. Once they were back on the street she continued the conversation. “Look at her, so cute, then bad men got her and now she rude bitch. Something like that.” She had a small list of stores to check out in town, and Google was helpful now that she half understood how it worked. “Internet says big sporting goods store good for winter coat and shoes, will start there.”
"Da." he said. "Cute little girl, taken by demons, is now rude bitch. Do not have to stay rude bitch. Choice is yours." he said simply as they walked into the aforementioned big sporting goods store. He was drawing looks but he didn't really mind it too much. This wasn't about him.
“Rude bitch can get things done,” Illyana said, moving towards the coats. The racks were crammed together tightly, and she found it annoying, but soon enough she had a few jacket options that looked likely enough. “Hold jacket please, need to try these on.”
Pyotr embraced his fate as walking clothes hanger and took the jacket she had worn in so she could try a few others on. A young woman, maybe in her early 20s, took this as her moment and walked up to start a conversation with Pyotr.
Illyana watched the exchange with no small amount of curiosity, swiftly turning her head once she realized the woman was flirting with her brother. She didn’t get the appeal, but one human looked much like another to her, compared to the variety of beings she’d come across in Limbo. The first jacket didn’t work at all, but the second was much like the one she’d been allowed to borrow, except that it fit better in the shoulders. Good enough for her. She put the other two back and snatched her borrowed jacket from Pyotr, beckoning him on without doing more than giving the other woman a quick glance.
Pyotr just apologized to the young woman with a smile and an embarrassed shrug and then followed obediently behind his sister. "Found something that works for you?" he asked as they walked.
She wiggled the hanger at him as they headed to the shoes. “Almost exactly like this one, but fits better. Roommate has good taste in jackets.” The shoes were going to be trickier, she was sure. Maybe she could find a decent pair of boots and a pair of sneakers that were less threadbare than her current ones.
He was glad that jacket shopping went well, but he'd heard about the living nightmare Hell that was a woman shoe-shopping. Maybe this wouldn't be too bad. After all, she was used to living nightmare Hell. Would feel just like home for her.
Shoes took decidedly longer. Illyana found a few pairs of sneakers in what she thought was her size and tried them on first, frowning at the fit of the first two before finally walking comfortably in the third. Boots took longer, but she eventually settled on a pair that were warm and sturdy, good for keeping the cold and wet out. Good wool socks completed the trip, and she looked up at Pyotr as she laced her shoes back up. “Carry boxes to front? Will hold rest myself.”
He was starting to wonder if the stories had been exaggerated. That wasn't bad at all! "Da." he said agreeably as he gathered up the boxes of things she wished to purchase. The Russian got them some looks but that's as far as it went.
A rack of hoodies caught her eye on the way to the front, and one got added to the pile. It was definitely far too large for her, but she liked having something big and soft to swan around in. And this time it was just hers, not something borrowed that she’d have to return.
The quibble came at the register, when she saw Pyotr’s hand reaching for his wallet as she went to pay. “Nyet,” she said shortly, giving him a dirty look as she started counting cash out.
"Don't fight me on this." he told his sister in Russian. "I told you I'd get this and I meant it. You want to pay for something, buy us lunch while we're out." he said in the same language.
She grabbed the hoodie from the pile, but conceded the rest, letting him take her spot at the register. “Is want, not need. Will pay for it myself. And will buy lunch. Pancake place?”
"Pancake place." he said agreeably as he shelled out most of his remaining funds to pick up his sister's purchases. A good thing she was going to buy lunch, that's for sure.
Illyana paid for her hoodie and slipped it into the bag with her other jacket, leaving her brother to carry the shoes. “Need silly money so can just pay someone to shop for me,” she said as they left the store. “Here are measurements, buy things that are not ridiculous, thank you.” The walk to the pancake shop was short, and it wasn’t long before they were seated.
"You'll need to find a legal way to make money. There's a reason they call it starving artist." he said with a smile as he tried not to pin her into her bench via her knees with his knees. Booth was also sadly not designed for six and a half feet tall people.
“Is pity tables were full, you look uncomfortable. Would get to go, but pancake not good cold.” Illyana was actually filling out a little as she settled in, regular meals doing a wonder for making her look slightly less childish. She scoffed over the idea of legal money. “Am giving information, is good arrangement. Plenty legal. Contract and everything.” Blood contracts were probably not the norm, but she couldn’t ensure that a piece of paper was just followed when it came to non-magical types. “Do not have education for good job and do not enjoy school.”
Pyotr just sighed. This was not something they were going to agree on any time real soon. "Was thinking you could offer teleportation services. One step to Limbo, second step to destination. Quick, discreet, secure. People would pay for that."
“Is not safe.” Her voice was firm. “Can ask… hm, no, gone.. maybe.. Gabe. Topaz. Were there last time people ended in Limbo with me. Was not great. Better now, but… bad idea.”
Pyotr just shrugged. "Take bad people to Limbo, feed to demons?" he offered. "At least then bad people get just rewards and you get paid." he pointed out.
Illyana’s eyes went a little shifty at that. “May have possibly offered to do that for extra pay. Drop in Limbo, scare a bit, bring back with fear of demons in them. Nightmare under bed for hire.”
He just sighed at that. "You're all grown now, can make own decisions." he said as if it was a mantra of his. "But seriousness, need to figure out the income situation. I can't support us both, as much as I would like to. So while doing the X-thingy Professor covers most costs, but not all."
“Am working on it, not like need much,” she replied. “Have housing, food if eat in kitchen, will save most of what I made but needed new clothes badly enough to get done now instead of wait. Maybe can do some small magic protections, scrying. Do not know, will figure it out.” She shrugged, sticking a large bite of fruity, syrupy pancake into her mouth.
"Well, may be starving artist but will help as I can." he promised her. "Make enough selling art to cover gym fees, use of clothes machine so wardrobe can handle Colossus. Maybe the very occasional night out."
“Got to take care of self and cute puppy first.” Illyana smiled. “Am not too worried, lot of things I can do before fighting demons or deal with other people.”
Pyotr nodded then set-to to his own giant stack of pancakes. Powerlifters ate a _lot_ and Pyotr was no exception. "Am glad you're thinking about it." he mentioned between bites.
It was a bright and cheerful morning as Pyotr was taking his dog Boris out for his morning constitutional and bathroom break. There was a nice crust of snow on the ground and Pyotr just grinned. Winters in New York, pfaugh! This was more like early spring in Russia. Boris was having a blast, darting to and fro, sniffing various things, and then taking care of his physical needs. Pyotr was a responsible dog owner and waa there to clean up after Boris, but after a relatively short walk he was struck by an Idea.
He bent down to put his face as close to Boris as he could manage and reached out to grab a handful of snow, to pack it into a perfect circle. See, he'd spotted his sister up ahead and, well, some things were just mandatory. He let Boris sniff the snowball and then grinned at his pooch. "Want to play fetch?" he asked Boris as he eyed his sister.
Illyana was outside for the sole purpose of not being cooped up inside after being stuck inside the Chapel. The weather wasn’t bad, but her toes were getting cold, so she’d turned back towards the house. She’d need someone to take her shopping, find a pair of boots that could handle the cold and seeping wet of the snow. Maybe after some hot chocolate and a warm breakfast.
Her plans were derailed as something cold impacted her back. The joyous barks that followed it up as she spun around revealed her brother, completely unrepentant, and his very cute, excitable dog bounding in her direction. “Nyet, Boris, is not being good!” she shrieked as she was jumped on, wet, furry paws leaving damp prints on her jeans. “Get from brother, is bad influence on cute little man,” she continued, voice dropping into something affectionate as she bent down to rub the furry ears. “Listen to Tyotya Yana, much better influence.”
While Boris had her distracted he was already packing his next snowball. With a grin and a wink he launched it at his sister, mindful of his strength - this was supposed to be fun, not combat training. "YAA!" he shouted as Boris yipped and his sister cursed.
“Worst!” Illyana packed her own snowball and flung it in Pyotr’s direction. “Go get him, boy,” she encouraged Boris, already scooping a second and running headlong at her brother.
"You threw better when six!" he said with a laugh, dancing out of the way of her retaliatory strike. Boris, on the other hand, was clearly having the time of his little doggy life and was jumping around, trying to climb Pyotr like a tree and yipping his little doggy head off. Clearly, he was having a blast. He was reaching for another handful of snow to send her way when her charge arrived.
She probably had, not that she remembered. “Guess you will just have to teach again!” Illyana replied as she launched herself up and firmly - for her - smashing her clumped mound of snow into his chest. “Hah, direct hit!” As soon as her feet touched the ground she knelt, scooping a very small amount of snow and pressing it to Boris’ back. “Got you too, little man,” she cooed at the dog, laughing and covering her face when he shook his coat free of the ice and wet.
Occasionally being six and a half feet tall had its advantages. Plus all the painful hours in the weight room. He simply reached over to his sister, got a firm grip, hoisted her into the air with one hand, and then lightly - almost gently - tossed her face-first towards a convenient pile of snow. "Nyet. THAT was direct hit." he said with a smirk as Boris went to do his doggy victory dance upon her back.
Illyana only briefly contemplated tossing Pyotr into Limbo as Boris tap-danced on her back. People would probably get mad. She would, perhaps, text Artie or Kyle later and ask. “Ow. Very rude. Bad manners dog too much like starshiy brat, need to be more like mamochka.” She rolled as soon as Boris stopped using her back like a dance studio, wincing as more cold and wet seeped through her clothes. “Unfair advantage, using giant self.”
And just for fun he shrugged out of his jacket and then shifted into his Colossus form - which was roughly a foot taller than his Pyotr form. "Could be taller." he joked, then offered her his winter jacket. Which would likely come down to her calves or so. He then shifted back into his Pyotr form and smirked at her. "Come on. Fun is fun but look like have forgotten heritage. Getting cold on nice day like this." he teased.
“Did spend over decade in Limbo,” she reminded, tugging the jacket on. “No snow, cold is… different. Not wet, chill is different, deeper in bones.” Her brother’s jacket looked comical on her. Not the length, but the differences in how broad they were made it drape oddly, shoulders hanging partway down her arm and sleeves well past the tips of her fingers. “Have money, but have not done shopping yet. Should probably fix before more snow.”
"Then know how we shall spend rest of day!" he said with a smile. "Boris? Come." he said, snapping his fingers to his pooch. "Get inside, get warm breakfast, then go shopping for essentials." he said. He'd just been paid for a commission so he had some money. And who better to spend it on?
“Kasha and egg?” Illyana perked up at the idea of breakfast. “Hot chocolate? Shower first, need dry clothes.”
"While you shower and change, will see to breakfast." he promised his sister. "Need to put Boris up, dispose of doggy presents, then will wash up and see to breakfast." he promised.
Illyana nodded, waving as they separated to go to their rooms. She showered quickly, and rummaged for warmer clothing before joining Pyotr downstairs for breakfast, still wrapped in his comically large coat.
Pyotr got Boris squared away, disposed of things that needed to be disposed of, then washed up before descending on the kitchen to start cooking breakfast. A _lot_ of breakfast.
“Smells good,” she remarked as she pulled his coat off, letting it hang over a chair before sitting down. “Could not eat horse, but could probably handle little bit of cow.”
"No cow for breakfast today." he said as he plated up a fairly large mound of kasha with a side of a pair of eggs. "Boiled water for hot cocoa. No time to do up right, nor time for proper tea. Have coffee, water, instant hot cocoa, or American soda in fridge." he said. "Also, April offers you loan of coat until you get one of your own. Should fit you much better than mine."
“Cocoa,” Illyana’s voice was decisive. “Or cocoa powder in coffee.” She’d wondered about the other jacket, but it did look much closer to her own size. “Will give her thanks later, and return in good condition unless Canadian man needs me for thing again.”
"Far be it for me to suggest that Queen of Limbo be careful with borrowed things?" he said teasingly as he handed her her plate of food. "Drink options on counter over there." he said with a gesture of his chin towards where the beverage options lay in wait. "Remember Danushka's shoes?" he asked.
“Try to be careful, not always easy,” she replied, tucking into the food. A few bites later she finally replied. “Do not remember shoes, no. Tell me?”
"Danushka was another girl about your age." he said. "You did not like her. Which was odd, you loved everyone else. Anyway. You got so mad at her for something you thought she did that you threw her shoes into the lake." he said. "After borrowing them because Mama told you you couldn't borrow hers to be all grown up."
“Could have swam in lake to get them back,” Illyana replied around a mouthful of kasha. She gave Pyotr an impish grin. “Would just drop her in Limbo now.”
Pyotr manfully resisted the urge to sigh. "Not the point, snowflake." he said as he dished himself some breakfast as well. Carbs to fuel the machine, be good for his workout later today. He then got himself a rather gigantic mug of coffee and sprinkled in some of that instant cocoa stuff into it.
“Was vengeful even as child, is good to know.” Illyana continued to eat her breakfast, appreciating the warm, hearty food. When she’d finally scraped the bowl clean, she stood, rubbing an affectionate hand across the back of Pyotr’s neck as she made her way to the counter of beverages.
Pyotr had also managed to shovel in enough breakfast to keep body and soul together for a little while longer, which was good. So he sipped his mocha coffee and waited for his baby sister to finish up so they could go and get her some essentials.
She remembered somewhat how the dishwasher worked, and it was empty, so she didn’t have to figure out if the dishes inside it were clean or dirty. Her bowl and spoon were placed carefully, and she rummaged through the cabinet to find a cup with a lid for her drink. One half hot chocolate, half coffee later she was ready to go. “Assume you are going to drive?” she asked. “Bus is tight fit for tall man.”
"Had not planned on driving. I … don't drive." he said with a shrug. "Not well and not often. Figured bus was good enough." he said. "Am used to cramming into small places." he said with the slightest of shrugs.
“Cram on bus is fine, will laugh at your contortions to fit small space.” Illyana smirked up at him, slipping into the borrowed jacket before clutching her coffee to her chest. “Can be annoying people with bags on way back, smack rude people in backs of legs.” Her borrowed jacket had a pocket on the inside. Nice. She stuck her wallet in it, not bothering to zip it up.
"If cramped too much can always rely on Magik School Bus." he said with a smirk as he slammed down the last of his drink and put his dishes away. He didn't feel the need for a coat, this being a mild early spring day to his purposes. Sure, the New Yorkers could shiver and bundle up, but he was Siberian. Also, as he reflected, possibly an idiot.
Illyana tilted her head at him curiously as they headed outside, grumbling “Did not tell me there was magic bus for school r u d e,” half under her breath. “When did mansion get magic school bus?” she asked in her normal tone of voice, walking faster to keep up with her brother’s long stride. This hadn’t changed. She had faint memories of being tiny and chasing after him, Pyotr walking slowly enough to be comical while her short legs ran in an effort to keep up.
"Is American children's show." he pointed out as they walked, him slowing his stride so she didn't have to run to keep up. "And is no physical magic school bus. You're the Magik School Bus - can transport people, da?" he asked as they walked.
Illyana shrugged. “Yes and no. Not many, not far, have to stop in Limbo. Would rather not unless emergency. Tell me more about show.”
"Don't know much about it. Was good for practicing English." he said with a shrug. "Was driver woman and students, using magic bus to explore bits of world. Shrink down small, go inside human body, that sort of thing."
Illyana scowled. “Would have enjoyed school much more like that,” she said shortly. “Instead long lecture, too big words, blah blah blah.” She followed Pyotr onto the bus, remembering how to swipe the card that had been included with her fresh identification. It was the middle of the day, and not horribly crowded, so she easily found a seat near her brother.
It was a tight fit - the bus was _clearly_ not made for six and a half feet tall people and Pyotr's legs were crushed up towards his chest. "Pretty sure show was not mutants or magi, but fantasy." he confessed. "Ask an American."
“Will do that,” she replied, phone in hand and quick picture taken of her brother’s discomfort in the small bus seats. She sent it to him, figuring he could pass it on to their parents, and wished she still had Rahne’s number. “Should share that with roommate too, thank you laugh for letting me borrow coat.”
"You got mean while you were away." he said with a joking smile. "Leave brother alone to chew on kneecaps in peace. Hope blood still flows to legs when we reach shops." he said.
“Cannot be soft and survive where I was,” Illyana replied. “But also American TV says it is job of younger sibling to torment older one with embarrassment. Congratulations you have won embarrassing younger sibling, how terrible for you.” She laughed at the image of Pyotr chewing on his own knees. “Could be very mean, send image to whole mansion instead.”
"Just remember, sibling relationships go both ways." he said with a smile. "And I knew you when you wore little-girl dresses and you completely missed my awkward phases." he said, batting his eyelashes at his little sister. With a sigh, he found the image Illyana sent and sent it to April. Damage control time! "There. Sent to roomie so she can have good laugh. Ha, ha." he said.
“Cannot embarrass me for being cute child when I do not remember most of it.” She poked her tongue out at him, standing with a wobble as their stop came up. Once they were back on the street she continued the conversation. “Look at her, so cute, then bad men got her and now she rude bitch. Something like that.” She had a small list of stores to check out in town, and Google was helpful now that she half understood how it worked. “Internet says big sporting goods store good for winter coat and shoes, will start there.”
"Da." he said. "Cute little girl, taken by demons, is now rude bitch. Do not have to stay rude bitch. Choice is yours." he said simply as they walked into the aforementioned big sporting goods store. He was drawing looks but he didn't really mind it too much. This wasn't about him.
“Rude bitch can get things done,” Illyana said, moving towards the coats. The racks were crammed together tightly, and she found it annoying, but soon enough she had a few jacket options that looked likely enough. “Hold jacket please, need to try these on.”
Pyotr embraced his fate as walking clothes hanger and took the jacket she had worn in so she could try a few others on. A young woman, maybe in her early 20s, took this as her moment and walked up to start a conversation with Pyotr.
Illyana watched the exchange with no small amount of curiosity, swiftly turning her head once she realized the woman was flirting with her brother. She didn’t get the appeal, but one human looked much like another to her, compared to the variety of beings she’d come across in Limbo. The first jacket didn’t work at all, but the second was much like the one she’d been allowed to borrow, except that it fit better in the shoulders. Good enough for her. She put the other two back and snatched her borrowed jacket from Pyotr, beckoning him on without doing more than giving the other woman a quick glance.
Pyotr just apologized to the young woman with a smile and an embarrassed shrug and then followed obediently behind his sister. "Found something that works for you?" he asked as they walked.
She wiggled the hanger at him as they headed to the shoes. “Almost exactly like this one, but fits better. Roommate has good taste in jackets.” The shoes were going to be trickier, she was sure. Maybe she could find a decent pair of boots and a pair of sneakers that were less threadbare than her current ones.
He was glad that jacket shopping went well, but he'd heard about the living nightmare Hell that was a woman shoe-shopping. Maybe this wouldn't be too bad. After all, she was used to living nightmare Hell. Would feel just like home for her.
Shoes took decidedly longer. Illyana found a few pairs of sneakers in what she thought was her size and tried them on first, frowning at the fit of the first two before finally walking comfortably in the third. Boots took longer, but she eventually settled on a pair that were warm and sturdy, good for keeping the cold and wet out. Good wool socks completed the trip, and she looked up at Pyotr as she laced her shoes back up. “Carry boxes to front? Will hold rest myself.”
He was starting to wonder if the stories had been exaggerated. That wasn't bad at all! "Da." he said agreeably as he gathered up the boxes of things she wished to purchase. The Russian got them some looks but that's as far as it went.
A rack of hoodies caught her eye on the way to the front, and one got added to the pile. It was definitely far too large for her, but she liked having something big and soft to swan around in. And this time it was just hers, not something borrowed that she’d have to return.
The quibble came at the register, when she saw Pyotr’s hand reaching for his wallet as she went to pay. “Nyet,” she said shortly, giving him a dirty look as she started counting cash out.
"Don't fight me on this." he told his sister in Russian. "I told you I'd get this and I meant it. You want to pay for something, buy us lunch while we're out." he said in the same language.
She grabbed the hoodie from the pile, but conceded the rest, letting him take her spot at the register. “Is want, not need. Will pay for it myself. And will buy lunch. Pancake place?”
"Pancake place." he said agreeably as he shelled out most of his remaining funds to pick up his sister's purchases. A good thing she was going to buy lunch, that's for sure.
Illyana paid for her hoodie and slipped it into the bag with her other jacket, leaving her brother to carry the shoes. “Need silly money so can just pay someone to shop for me,” she said as they left the store. “Here are measurements, buy things that are not ridiculous, thank you.” The walk to the pancake shop was short, and it wasn’t long before they were seated.
"You'll need to find a legal way to make money. There's a reason they call it starving artist." he said with a smile as he tried not to pin her into her bench via her knees with his knees. Booth was also sadly not designed for six and a half feet tall people.
“Is pity tables were full, you look uncomfortable. Would get to go, but pancake not good cold.” Illyana was actually filling out a little as she settled in, regular meals doing a wonder for making her look slightly less childish. She scoffed over the idea of legal money. “Am giving information, is good arrangement. Plenty legal. Contract and everything.” Blood contracts were probably not the norm, but she couldn’t ensure that a piece of paper was just followed when it came to non-magical types. “Do not have education for good job and do not enjoy school.”
Pyotr just sighed. This was not something they were going to agree on any time real soon. "Was thinking you could offer teleportation services. One step to Limbo, second step to destination. Quick, discreet, secure. People would pay for that."
“Is not safe.” Her voice was firm. “Can ask… hm, no, gone.. maybe.. Gabe. Topaz. Were there last time people ended in Limbo with me. Was not great. Better now, but… bad idea.”
Pyotr just shrugged. "Take bad people to Limbo, feed to demons?" he offered. "At least then bad people get just rewards and you get paid." he pointed out.
Illyana’s eyes went a little shifty at that. “May have possibly offered to do that for extra pay. Drop in Limbo, scare a bit, bring back with fear of demons in them. Nightmare under bed for hire.”
He just sighed at that. "You're all grown now, can make own decisions." he said as if it was a mantra of his. "But seriousness, need to figure out the income situation. I can't support us both, as much as I would like to. So while doing the X-thingy Professor covers most costs, but not all."
“Am working on it, not like need much,” she replied. “Have housing, food if eat in kitchen, will save most of what I made but needed new clothes badly enough to get done now instead of wait. Maybe can do some small magic protections, scrying. Do not know, will figure it out.” She shrugged, sticking a large bite of fruity, syrupy pancake into her mouth.
"Well, may be starving artist but will help as I can." he promised her. "Make enough selling art to cover gym fees, use of clothes machine so wardrobe can handle Colossus. Maybe the very occasional night out."
“Got to take care of self and cute puppy first.” Illyana smiled. “Am not too worried, lot of things I can do before fighting demons or deal with other people.”
Pyotr nodded then set-to to his own giant stack of pancakes. Powerlifters ate a _lot_ and Pyotr was no exception. "Am glad you're thinking about it." he mentioned between bites.
