[Shiro if you think that was a lot of science talk just wait until Stein stops giving the most basic, dumbed-down explanations possible.]
[He helps the boy up, and let's go of that hand as soon as possible afterwards, walking inside and assuming Shiro will follow. After a brief explanation of who they're going to meet in Australia (a friend of Stein's, someone he worked with as an exorcist, a good person, and someone he's very clearly fond of despite the sadly nostalgic expression he wears when he talks about her), and an application of some aloe to Shiro's face, the two of them turn in early to get some sleep (or, Shiro gets some sleep while Stein continues to work out a plan).
They leave well before dawn the next morning, walking under the cover of darkness until they manage to hitch a ride to the next town, where Stein grabs more protective gear for Shiro (including a slightly floppy sun hat) and then hitchhiking their way to the coast. It takes two days, giving Shiro his first experience sleeping outside and seeing the stars, as well as a lot of other firsts.
Their boat is... sketchy to put it mildly. It's an old tramp freighter, headed to Australia with a cargo of mixed goods. Their passage is unlisted and none of the freighter's crew comments on their secretive arrival. There isn't a cabin for them, just a single mattress shoved behind massive boxes in the hold.
Stein is... less than impressed with the accommodations, but he drops down onto the small mattress anyway.]
I need to sleep. [That's been obvious for a while now. He hasn't slept at all in six days, minus a few moments of unintentional drifting off, and he's been barely functional for the past two days, despite his normal endless reserves of energy.]
timeskip
[He helps the boy up, and let's go of that hand as soon as possible afterwards, walking inside and assuming Shiro will follow. After a brief explanation of who they're going to meet in Australia (a friend of Stein's, someone he worked with as an exorcist, a good person, and someone he's very clearly fond of despite the sadly nostalgic expression he wears when he talks about her), and an application of some aloe to Shiro's face, the two of them turn in early to get some sleep (or, Shiro gets some sleep while Stein continues to work out a plan).
They leave well before dawn the next morning, walking under the cover of darkness until they manage to hitch a ride to the next town, where Stein grabs more protective gear for Shiro (including a slightly floppy sun hat) and then hitchhiking their way to the coast. It takes two days, giving Shiro his first experience sleeping outside and seeing the stars, as well as a lot of other firsts.
Their boat is... sketchy to put it mildly. It's an old tramp freighter, headed to Australia with a cargo of mixed goods. Their passage is unlisted and none of the freighter's crew comments on their secretive arrival. There isn't a cabin for them, just a single mattress shoved behind massive boxes in the hold.
Stein is... less than impressed with the accommodations, but he drops down onto the small mattress anyway.]
I need to sleep. [That's been obvious for a while now. He hasn't slept at all in six days, minus a few moments of unintentional drifting off, and he's been barely functional for the past two days, despite his normal endless reserves of energy.]
Wake me up if you need something.