The Balladeer smiles too as he listens to Steven's stories, though his expression is a little more sad. The kid doesn't seem to have realized yet that he's likely not to go home anytime soon. It's not impossible; the Rift seems to send some people back quickly enough. But it's not terribly likely either.
He can't bring himself to challenge optimism like that. It goes against his nature. Even his belief that the Rift might keep some people forever is, in the end, something hopeful when he applies it only to himself.
"I've...actually never been swimming," he replies instead, in the tone of someone who may have just now realized this fact. Is that unusual? "I'm sure I could learn, it can't be that hard." Surfing's another matter. But beachside jam sessions...that's something he could really get behind.
He reflexively curls his fingers around Steven's hand in turn as the two of them leave the train. They look like they're together now; no one around here has any way of knowing that he basically just found a lost kid in the park and took him home. Geez, people around here should pay more attention. "You're welcome! I had fun too!" It's crowded here too, and he can only turn and grin at the boy for a second before focusing again on where they're going. This station is smaller than the other one, and they quickly ascend the stairs and emerge into the sunlight again.
"Here we are!" The apartment building is only a couple minute's walk from the station, and the Balladeer gestures grandly up at it as they arrive. It isn't entirely worth the pomp. On the outside, there's little to distinguish it from any of the other tall brick buildings along the street; it certainly doesn't look like it's owned by an angel. He bounds up the steps and opens the door for Steven, brow crinkling slightly as a thought occurs to him. "You remember how to get here, right? All you'd have to do is take that same line to the same stop, if you ever need to find your way back." He doesn't see any reason why he should be out in the city alone, but you can't rely on plans with the Rift around. For all he knows, it'll teleport Steven to Queens tomorrow. He should be able to find his way home.
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He can't bring himself to challenge optimism like that. It goes against his nature. Even his belief that the Rift might keep some people forever is, in the end, something hopeful when he applies it only to himself.
"I've...actually never been swimming," he replies instead, in the tone of someone who may have just now realized this fact. Is that unusual? "I'm sure I could learn, it can't be that hard." Surfing's another matter. But beachside jam sessions...that's something he could really get behind.
He reflexively curls his fingers around Steven's hand in turn as the two of them leave the train. They look like they're together now; no one around here has any way of knowing that he basically just found a lost kid in the park and took him home. Geez, people around here should pay more attention. "You're welcome! I had fun too!" It's crowded here too, and he can only turn and grin at the boy for a second before focusing again on where they're going. This station is smaller than the other one, and they quickly ascend the stairs and emerge into the sunlight again.
"Here we are!" The apartment building is only a couple minute's walk from the station, and the Balladeer gestures grandly up at it as they arrive. It isn't entirely worth the pomp. On the outside, there's little to distinguish it from any of the other tall brick buildings along the street; it certainly doesn't look like it's owned by an angel. He bounds up the steps and opens the door for Steven, brow crinkling slightly as a thought occurs to him. "You remember how to get here, right? All you'd have to do is take that same line to the same stop, if you ever need to find your way back." He doesn't see any reason why he should be out in the city alone, but you can't rely on plans with the Rift around. For all he knows, it'll teleport Steven to Queens tomorrow. He should be able to find his way home.
...or, you know. Here.
Where is Steven going to stay, exactly?