[clayofearth]

[It’s… weird. Everything is so commonplace and simple that it’s startlingly strange. Clay’s spent the past hour looking through his new hom— house. Nothing seems to be particularly alien in the building but there is a definite difference. Admittedly, it probably wasn’t a good idea to dig around so much, since there’s a huge mess now. At least it seems like he lives alone.

On that note, are there other people around? Having poked his head out earlier to ask questions, no one who answered him seemed to think anything was weird about this world. Clay sighs, looking around at the litter of miscellaneous objects on the floor. He COULD clean this up…

But he’d much rather check the area out first. No one will care if his house is a mess right now— there’s a whole new world to explore! From what he recalls there are a lot of shops in the town square, which means there will be a lot of people there. He’ll make his way slowly there, making sure to take in his environment on the way. With that in mind, he marches out the door and out on his way to the downtown.]

[hopemaedanagito]

After much wandering, getting turned around, and too many dead ends to count, Komaeda still has yet to find the square. He'd found bookstores and vacant buildings, but nothing that seemed like a central hub for a busy village full of citizens. 

Maybe he should backtrack from the resident's area?  Despite his inability to find what should be a rather obvious landmark, he could at least retrace his steps with relative ease. Maybe it's good luck that he could always go back to his newly inhabited house, but bad luck that he could never get anywhere else he needed to be.

Head low, he mumbles to himself, mentally and verbally ticking off landmarks so he knows just where not to go when he makes the trip for the nth time.

Of course, not looking wherever you're going is bound to cause some issues and he quiet literally runs into Clay, toppling them both with a loud "oomph!" and a cloud of dust.

[herrforehead-blog]

It’s nice to meet you, Komaeda!

[ Embarrassed, Apollo hides his hand behind his back, as if he hadn’t offered a handshake at all. Komaeda did seem somewhat strange, but Apollo had met much, much stranger people. Talking to someone who’s a bit downtrodden, but still sweet, really isn’t any hassle. ]

And really, don’t worry about it. We both have no idea where we are — of course we’re going to feel a bit useless until we map things out.

[ Apollo chuckles and motions for Komaeda to follow him along the path. He can see some buildings in the near distance, and he hopes they’re stores, rather than more houses. ]

I think I see some stuff down this way. Maybe we’ll find more people over there.

[hopemaedanagito]

The complete dismissal of the handshake might have been just a tad bit awkward, but Komaeda would prefer that over Apollo having to touch him, then rush to wash off his hands. He felt bad for making Apollo feel uncomfortable, but it was much better than the alternative.

Komaeda follows along willingly, lagging ever so slightly. The last thing he wants to do is be overbearing, especially after just meeting. 

"Oh! If we find more people, I'm sure they'll be of much better help to you! They'll probably already know the area, too."

As they continue along, it seems like he's going to have to eat his words. In fact, while they had initially been in a rather populated area, they were now creeping deeper and deeper into a rundown bit of town. Ah, could he have jinxed them? Maybe he should take to not talking at all, if these were going to be the results.

[herrforehead-blog]

[ Apollo is a bit taken aback by Komaeda’s stating that he’s useless — he certainly didn’t think so. In fact, finding at least one person to talk to was incredibly useful. ]

You’re not useless at all! But hey, if we’re both new, maybe we can walk and try to find places together. It’d be good to get to know the area.

[ And honestly, he was a bit nervous about travelling alone in a place he couldn’t remember. It’d be good to have someone beside him — that is, if he took the offer. Apollo offers him a smile and extends his hand. ]

I’m Apollo Justice.

[hopemaedanagito]

"I appreciate the sentiment, really I do, but there's no reason for you to force yourself for my sake." He knows his value in life and he knows how people are meant to see him. There's no reason for Apollo to try and coddle him - it's just a waste of time. A very greatly appreciated waste of time, but a waste none the less.

"I won't be of much use at all, but if you can stand having me around for an extended period of time, I would be more than happy to do anything in my power to help you."

It's true that they could cover more ground if they combined what they both already knew and the whole venture would be a lot less lonely if they were traveling as a pair.

It is very likely that he had not washed his hands properly today, so he refrains from sullying his new companion's hand and instead opts for a small smile in lieu of a handshake. 

"I'm Nagito Komaeda. You can refer to me however you like."

[herrforehead-blog]

[ Apollo smiles and waves back. It’s a relief to see another person, and suddenly the weight of loneliness lightens a bit. After quick consideration, Apollo decides to just approach the other person — there wasn’t any harm in asking a neighbor for directions. ]

Ah, excuse me! Do you know where any nearby markets or stores are? Sorry, I’m… new here.

[ Well, Apollo feels new, or at least confused. ]

[hopemaedanagito]

Aaah, maybe he shouldn't have drawn attention to himself. He had just wanted to be friendly, but maybe that isn't for the best - not if it's going to make people feel obligated to talk to someone like him.

Komaeda sighs. "I'm apologize that you had to waste your time asking me, but I'm new too, so I'm even more useless than normal."

He gestures in the direction he came from before he stopped to let Apollo pass. "If it's any consolation, there weren't any stores selling food this way." He's not lying, but Apollo has no reason to believe him. He won't be all too surprised if the other decides to keep walking after finding out he wouldn't be of any help - it's just the natural course of things, really.

[herrforehead-blog]

[ Apollo is covered in blankets when he wakes, and he feels well-rested and calm, despite not really recognizing where he is. The memory that hits him once he gets out of bed is dark, violent — full of fire and destruction and loss. And because it seems so far away, like it happened years ago, the memory doesn’t disturb him; instead, he accepts it as simply fact.

Apollo stretches and walks to the kitchen, somehow knowing where to go. Everything feels routine, but slightly different. No big city, no paperwork, no clients. He purses his lips. It’s kind of… lonely.

Upon realizing there’s no food, Apollo reluctantly readies himself to go outside. He’d find some kind of market to get food at, and if he didn’t — surely he’d find someone to ask. He exits the house and begins the walk to Benu’s central square. ]

[hopemaedanagito]

Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately for Apollo, Komaeda is already well on his way to the square. He's on the hunt for the market as well, but he's in no rush at all. If it comes down to it, he can cook himself a meal or he can settle for some microwave dish with little nutritional value. He doesn't have to find a market, just someplace that sells any form of food stuffs. He'll make do.

When he sees a young man coming his way, he steps off to the side to give him some space. He doesn't want to seem like he's hovering or crowding the other's space - that would just be rude and completely unwanted.

He does offer a small smile and a wave, but little else. He fully intends to avoid inconveniencing anyone more than he has to.