Pale fingers flexed, closing into a fist and then stretching out. Relief flooding with the motions of blood that flowed to bring colors back to those pained digits. It was just a plane, that is what Ivan tried to reason of his company; the only reaction he got was some pale man increasing his vice-like death grip.
The plane had landed sometime ago, but this precious gem refused to move, almost as though he had become solidified. Ivan would allow this, because it was a new experience, and he understood. Finally that shaky form stood, unsteady, but Ivan was there to support him, to keep him on his feet.
"Ready?"
"Rrr-eeead-ddy?"
"We go." He gestured to the door, where they could touch back to comforting ground.
"G-gooo… Yesss."
Progressive, two word replies showed this one was a fast learner; adding more to a growing vocabulary. Interest had been shown in everything, speech, items and objects, people, and the very clothes that graced him now. The pale creature had all but refused to put anything on because that very prospect vexed him. It took a lot of coaxing, but now the icy body was wrapped in a coat much too large for his thinned appendages.
Steps were uneasy and shaky, Ivan's large hand held tightly to one of those limbs, his other guiding him by the shoulder, urging him gently through the terminal, bare feet padding hesitantly into a lobby where several people were eagerly awaiting their personification's return.
Their people, tall and imposing, were not expecting another form. They held displeasure at the unexpected chance and were readied to berate the tall Russian, but they saw the wonderment in those glassy eyes. This guest was puzzle to his very core, and immediately warmth embellished their breasts for this pale humanoid.
"Have I received any calls while I was away?"
The spell broken.
"Yes actually, another meeting had been called for the countries. Tomorrow! Thanks to you disappearing suddenly, we aren't prepared in the least!"
"Da…"
Ivan was hearing what was directed at him, but didn't care anymore, far too busy watching pale lips trying to form anything being said, that mouth having never worked around such complexities. To top it off, that wide eyed look given to everything was amusing.
Bright lights, shapes and neon signs an everyday occurrence to Ivan, was something so new to the identity glued to his side. The entity flitted from his side, pressing his form against clear Plexiglas, eyes staring wide eyed at an unmoving stuffed animal: a Penguin facing the gem through that strange mirror. He looked perplexed as he tapped upon that opposite realm, trying to elicit a sound or movement from that faux form.
"It's not real."
"Ree-eal?"
The embarrassment of having to demonstrate a beating heart, and the act of breathing, including that classic wobble and muffled squawking, then pointing to that bird and giving a firm 'no.'
"Fake."
"Faaaake. Nn-not r-real."
Ivan rewarded his charge with a wolfish grin. A stretched pair given in return; testing and imitating…
"Yes." Ivan nodded and took the gem's hand.
"Yes." In reply.
Into the shop; that was their destination where the penguin resided. He plucked the soft plush from the shelf and dropped it into waiting cold arms.
Nothing but curiosity was held for the animal look alike. He poked the plastic eyes, pinched the felt beak and allowed fingers to drift through the fluff that felt nothing of an actual penguin's pelt.
"Yours." He pointed to the pale being.
"You-rrs."
Ivan frowned.
"No, yours. Say, 'mine'."
More confusion churning inside cloudy blue eyes.
"Ssay mmmi-ne…"
"Mine."
"Mine!"
"Yes! Yours!"
That animal held tightly in snow-hued arms, a pallid smile upon lips as Ivan beamed down at him.
"Mine." He whispered at the gift given to him.
