#berko

A paraméterek:

- nem dohányzó albérlő

-nem hoz kutyát, macskát

- rendet tart maga körül, nem bassza szét a lakást

- rendben fizet.

Ennyi.

@kozszolg

Fun fact: ez a 13. kerület címere.

G1 Marvel Comics Berko

male portrait study 3

graphite

july 20 2025

The winding streets of Andapos were quiet with the fade of daylight being broken into rectangle stripes by the buildings. Ian only got turned around only a few times, but Whip assured him it was alright since it had been over two decades since the last time they had even been to the city. Ian was remembering more than Whip did, so he didn’t feel he had any place to complain. He was more focused on keeping the group together, and calm. Midas seemed to be doing better now that they weren’t indoors, but Whip didn’t know how long that would last. He had been quite vocal when they’d stopped to talk about Ian’s past, but after walking for more than ten minutes, the scenery changing completely once again, Midas was sullen and watchful of every movement. It made Whip wonder what had actually happened to this kid.

A thought he wasn’t able to dwell on since Ian made a triumphant noise and started walking with more purpose. It looked like he found the address they were supposed to head to, even if it did look more like a residential home to Whip. “...You sure this is the correct place?” he asked, peeking over Ian’s shoulder while they huddled at the front door.

“The address matched what was written down,” Ian defended, holding the note paper up where Whip could see and pointing at the display screen next to the door as well. “Perhaps this is just the proprietor’s home, and they’ll direct us to another place to stay after covering the documentation and rules and stuff.”

It made sense, and Whip tried not to feel anxious as Ian tapped the button to ring the bell. People were unpredictable. And while Benjamin had been very cordial and normal for his everyday job, Whip never let go of at least a small amount of suspicion. As soon as the bell had sounded Whip heard what he guessed was a child running towards the door, calling out that someone was there. And then a woman’s voice, and a squeal as he imagined she grabbed the child. There was a click of a deadbolt, and the door swung open to reveal a head full of dark brown, corkscrew curls pulled back into a poofy ponytail.

“Sorry! Hello!” the woman greeted, and Whip could now see her face graced with a bright smile as she wrangled her son. “You must be the ones Benny called about earlier. Come in, come in! Have you eaten yet? I’m just finishing dinner.”

The invitation to enter the building wasn’t unexpected, but the question about eating was. Whip’s brows furrowed in suspicious confusion as he absently reached out to wrap an arm around Midas’ shoulders. The poor kid had stiffened up as soon as they had been invited inside, and Whip had to practically drag him to follow Ian.

“Thank you. We didn’t stop anywhere on the way here, but you don’t need to worry about it. We can manage,” Ian responded politely, figuring she was just offering out of custom.

“Oh nonsense. I’m sure Benny will be more than happy to have you join us tonight. He said so over the phone. Asked me to make sure you felt at home, but then got all worried because he didn’t know what you were used to for a home. But I don’t think that matters. Everyone is comfortable with a warm meal and a roof over their heads, yeah?” the lady rambled excitedly, setting her son down and shooing him away. “Berko, go find the utensils and stop hovering. They’ve had a long day.”

“Kay!” Berko chimed, giving a last look at the newcomers before he scurried off to the kitchen. Ian was guessing he must have been about four or five years old, his hair also curled but quite a bit lighter in shade than his mom’s.

Whip wasn’t even bothering to try to be polite now, frowning as he kept Midas in his hold. They kept huddled in the front room, but Ian was the only one that gave them the benefit of exposing their intention vocally instead of having to be discovered. “I’m sorry, what exactly is going on here? Ben-... Secretary Morna mentioned there was to be a place to stay for the night, but we weren’t aware we’d be sharing.”

The slight coolness to Ian’s formality hinted to Whip that he was wary too. But it was still too soon to make any defensive moves, so Whip moved his hand down to grab Midas’ gun itchy fingers instead. Looking sideways at the lad, Whip barely twitched his head. No weapons. Not in a civilian home. Not unless someone else drew them first.

“Oh, don’t worry, we have guest rooms,” the lady assured, seeming to get a little nervous as well.

There was someone else at the entrance door now, and all three of the visitors turned before the doorknob started turning. Whip’s eyes immediately flicked back to the woman to make sure she didn’t try anything. Midas was practically shaking now from how tense he was, and Whip moved his hand again to his back to try and comfort him as the door swung silently open again.

“Oh! Good, you made it and didn’t immediately leave.” The figure entering the house just moments after them was Benjamin, and he looked both relieved, but also extremely anxious and excited. The smile he had faded though when he took in the expressions of his guests. “Oh no. I really should have explained more, but I wanted to have the proof before I did. It’s not an ambush or a setup or anything like that. No one else is coming, and no one has eyes on this place,” he explained hurriedly, holding his hands up to show they were empty. “I just need to fetch the documents from upstairs. Could you wait long enough to look at what I want to show you?”

Ian was frowning, but Benjamin seemed fairly sincere. He was nervous, but not because he was waiting for or expecting something to happen. It was all very strange, and Ian was starting to wonder if this was all because of a different issue. Maybe Benjamin hadn’t set them up to be arrested because of city related affronts, but maybe this was more personal. He had to have guessed that Ian knew who Clara was after the way he’d acted, so maybe it was family related. Still, Ian was willing to give him one more doubt, if just to shove his selfish doubts in his own crimes away. “Okay…” Ian responded hesitantly, his voice weaker than he would have liked.

Benjamin almost sagged with relief. “Thank you,” he breathed, bowing low in a smooth motion before rushing past them.

“Welcome home,” the lady whispered quietly, catching Benjamin before he could get too far up the stairs and stealing a quick kiss before letting go.

“I’m back,” Benjamin whispered back, smiling fondly before taking the stairs two at a time.

______________________

Underrated Movie Characters that deserved more screen time:

#1 Berko in Empire Records:

ANTHONY BOURDAIN (June 25,1956 NYC to June 8, 2018 Strasbourg, France)

For viewers of the award-winning series “Parts UInknown” and for curious seekers of parts unknown, anywhere, everywhere, here’s a short poem, a tribute to Anthony Bourdain, (creator and presenter of “Parts Unknown”)  who died tragically on June 8, 2018:

Gift given, passing to Mystery your soul’s next curiosity Bye Adios Shalom Warm Abrazos Grazie Hello, are you in the invisible world, sweet Tony? We feel you, cordial world shrinking peace wishing phenom Sharing parts unknown, sisters & brothers awaiting the kind touch of a faraway magnanimous friend Human being man traveling lip licking man, afraid & fearless, solitary & outgoing Brilliant touching Stories like prayers: no person unworthy of interest, unqualified for fairness Respect dignity, nourishing secrets of food, life & heart are revealed Tasting deeply the juice of good living, suffering, despair, & hope there is no other place to go in the visible world.