He is a servant, his function is to serve! So it’s little wonder that Ivan agrees easily with Nikolai, even though his primary lord is Dostoevsky. This kid is simply fun to oblige. His smile is mirrored by Ivan, who steps back to allow Nikolai room to leave the desk. A quiet laugh at Nikolai’s ideal destination– perhaps that is not something we can do here.
“I would too, but alas, we must stay here until our work is done. Be patient, have faith. The lord is infallible.” Meaning, of course: Dostoevsky will solve this problem, it just must be borne through. Idly, Ivan wonders why Nikolai has so little belief in Dostoevsky’s plan, as it were, when those two are more or less attached to one another. Japan will be over with soon enough, no sense complaining when it won’t be that long a venture. “The landmark tower? Hm, I vaguely know where that is. The port holds the mafia, though, so perhaps not the wisest choice.”
Even if Ivan is lax enough to allow Nikolai’s wandering, he is not so lax to risk them traipsing onto any port mafia bases. The seaside is, unfortunately, the most likely place for that to happen. Tower it is, especially if Nikolai can help guide. Surely there will be something there. “Let us be off, lordling.” Better to leave soon and get the walk done before it gets too late, as Ivan’s in the habit of cooking dinner for everyone important (God knows no one else in this hideout does) and to return before dusk means Dostoevsky is less likely to notice their absence. Timing, timing.
nikolai doesn’t move for a few seconds, observing ivan as if half-expecting him to take the offer back - he’s more than certain that, had he been notified, fyodor would have refused to let them go out. surely that knowledge should overrule any kind of desire nikolai has, correct? still, after the original moment of surprise, nikolai hops down from the table, brushing off his clothes idly in an effort to make himself look a little more presentable before they go out.
“patience may be a virtue, but i dislike being forced to stay overseas for too long. especially when every day is more or less the same, and there’s no visual evidence that we’re getting any closer to the goal.” it’s not that he doesn’t believe that the plan will work, and though nikolai has been working with his host for his whole life, his opinions and likes are different and seperate from what fyodor feels. he fears that - despite their original plans to get this job finished quickly and secure the book with minimal effort required - the agency and the mafia will end up dragging this endeavour out longer than it needs to be, and that they’ll have to spend an extended amount of time away from home. “you say that as if i couldn’t take the mafia - bringing death everywhere you go can be quite the repellant to the opposition.”
however, nikolai says nothing more on the subject of the port. he’s interested in visiting the tower as well, so he’ll simply slip out on his own some time to explore the rest of the city. he knows that timing is of the essence here - though he’s certain that his host wouldn’t berate him for going out (or nikolai at least hopes he wouldn’t), it would definitely be more convenient if he didn’t even notice. nikolai falls quiet, finding there to be nothing more to say. he can convey any other concerns during the trip. “alright then, let’s go. i’m guessing you’ll want to be back before night falls?” just checking, to be sure.
