doggone

[repeatedprayer]

[In the time following his departure from Tabito and Manabu's company, the alias "Grey" has wound up sticking.

Not that everyone calls him that, he's used a few other aliases since then, but it's what he's wound up thinking of himself as. If Grey had taken the time to think about it a bit more he might have picked something with a little less connection to Rezo's name, but it's still leagues better than thinking of himself as "Rez- wait, no, just a copy." And maybe that's why he's felt significantly calmer since he left Sairaag.

By his own standards, Grey has been laudably well-behaved; sure, he's been mostly doing under-the-table psychic work, often on behalf of criminals, but! He's been trying to keep a low profile so it's usually things like clairvoyant spying rather than anything violent, and he's been making a point of not doing anything that directly impacts the galaxy railways.

It would be extremely awkward if Manabu Yuuki had to try and arrest him, after all.

He's found himself frequently thinking about Manabu, much to his annoyance. He has no serious expectations of ever seeing Manabu again, so it's simply a waste of mental bandwidth to find himself wondering what Manabu is doing right now or where he is, or to reminisince over their incredibly brief acquaintanceship. Grey can only suppose that because Manabu was the first reasonably normal person he got to know after leaving Sairaag that Manabu is going to stick out in his mind for a while.

And it's probably because of the real estate that Manabu is hogging in Grey's mind that he's been very aware of every mention of the SDF that crosses his path. He hasn't exactly been tracking the SDF's activities deliberately, but he does pay attention to the news and the SDF frequently winds up in there, even if Manabu's name in particular isn't normally dropped.

Until the day it does.

SDF Officer Taken Hostage By Pirates]

* * *

[It's taken several weeks of investigating, but Grey has been able to track down The Huntress's client, a Dr. Parish and associates. It must be a small galaxy, because Dr. Parish is someone Grey knows. Sort of.

Rather, Dr. Parish was a colleague of Rezo's who collaborated with the man on chimera research (and other unsavory things) in the past. Not only that, the man was an ardent admirer of Rezo's superior psychic prowess, and desperate to improve his own meager abilities.

He'd had quite a shock when Grey approached him in town, but after the initial surprise it had been sickeningly easy to convince Dr. Parish that he was the real Rezo. Grey can only surmise that the man wants to believe too badly to let himself be properly suspicious. It had only taken a day for Grey to be invited to tour Parish's laboratory.

The lab's located on the grounds of a former Marquess's estate, a ways out of town and secluded by trees, a high wall, and a long drive. Grey's done a little recon before, but actually being here is different, especially since he has to navigate by cane at the moment. Grey is doing his best to politely nod and smile as Parish guides him from room to room, explaining their work and occasionally handing him things to examine himself.

But evidently Parish realizes that "Rezo" isn't entirely interested, because he stops partway through an explanation of some stem cell experiments he and a few others have been working on to say "Of course, the really interesting specimens are kept in the basement floor."

Grey already knows this. He hopes his expression seems the right sort of eager.]

Interesting?

["Something along the lines of what we did in the past. Would you like to see them?"]

Nothing would please me more.

[Grey can practically hear Parish's delighted grin. To soothe the surge of irritation, Grey reminds himself that he's going to kill this man before the end of the day and allows Parish to guide him out into the hall and to the basement entrance at the back of the building.]

Comments

[siriusly]

...

[it's weird: he didn't want to be teased...sort of? Grey busting his chops is a sign of good rapport, so even a withered jab is more a sign of better things than worse.

but his tail can't wag for that right now, not when he's still talking about this hated Rezo.

well, you two do look alike, he muses, keeping that to himself.]

Lucky target, then. Maybe...it could've only been you, then. Finding me there.

[repeatedprayer]

...

[The words take a little time to sink in, but the deeper they go the more they stun him.

When they'd both wound up on that train to Tabito, Grey had idly mused about their meeting being fated. Remembering it now, it doesn't feel quite so fanciful.

He'd gone with the infiltration route over merely blowing the door down, because he was concerned about them potentially smuggling Manabu out of the building when he attacked. That wouldn't have been possible if he'd been unable to impersonate Rezo. If he'd never met Manabu, never even been created, Manabu very well might still be stuck in that lab.

Grey folds his hands together, struggling to hold the idea in his head.]

Hah... How utterly peculiar. Who would have thought this accursed face of mine would ever be good for something?

[He shifts, glancing over his shoulder at Manabu.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu, not burdened with the weight of fate-feelings right now, has sunk back against the pillow against the headboard, trying to curl up in a way where his back doesn't hurt quite so much. stupid tail...

he tilts his head at the remark, meeting Grey's eyes with a curious blink.

his mouth twitches up on one side.]

Accursed? You're not ugly. [in fact, he's rather...

uhHHHHhh]

[repeatedprayer]

[That startles a proper chuckle out of him.]

Well, thank you. But I didn't mean in that way.

[Grey shifts more, stretching his legs out on the bed and turning so that he's facing Manabu properly.

He/Rezo sometimes suspects that his/Rezo's attractiveness is overrated by dint of Rezo's reputation, but he certainly doesn't think he's hard on the eyes- with the exception of his left eye, which can be described most charitably as "eerie looking."

But it's still nice to know that Manabu doesn't find his appearance displeasing.]

...It's just that... Do you have any idea what it's like? To see your reflection in the mirror and see a different person looking back? A person that you despise more than any other?

[siriusly]

...

[well , a bullet was dodged! no need to explain that he thinks Grey is attractive! whew.

as for the question posed...he frowns softly.]

N...no, I...I don't think so. More the opposite, actually. [being compared to his father, to Mamoru.]

[repeatedprayer]

The opposite...? [His brow furrows.] Right, your father is it?

[Or maybe his brother. Manabu had spoken highly of both relatives.]

You have no idea how lucky you are.

[To have a family. One that isn't garbage. And a normal past, all his own...]

[siriusly]

No, I-- [he hesitates, face red again. he looks askance.] Well, I...I guess not. But I do know...I'm a lucky guy. [despite current circumstances, of course.]

...

[...]

Sorry. For...not understanding.

[repeatedprayer]

...

[Grey doesn't really want an apology. What he wants is to crawl over, wrap his arms around Manabu, and bury his face in the crook of Manabu's neck. And to stay there until he stops feeling like some miserable, abhorrent thing wearing a dead man's skin.

He has enough restraint and sense not to do so, but he does shift closer to Manabu until he's lying almost close enough to touch him, taking selfish comfort in just having him near. Knowing that he's at least safe right now.]

It's better that you don't.

[He's not so charitable that he could claim he wouldn't wish this feeling on anyone, but he certainly doesn't wish it on Manabu.]

[siriusly]

[with his knees still drawn up to himself, Manabu watches Grey sprawl out, feeling another odd beat in his chest. it'd be weird to reach out and touch him, even in solidarity, right? it'd just give Grey an excuse to get angry with him all over again.

still, despite (or because of) his wishes, a bit of Manabu's tail does lightly brush against Grey.]

Did...did the doctor or his staff mention anything else? Other people? Leads?

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey's gaze flicks briefly to the tail before returning to Manabu's face. He... doesn't mind it, and he assumes it's an accident anyway.

The shift of subject to their predicament is a welcome one.]

He was coy about specific names, but he'd mentioned that the building used to be owned by a Marquess, back when Ruvinagald was run by a monarchy. Tracing whoever owns the building now, or used to own it in the recent past, might find us the benefactor.

[Grey thinks a little more, trying to recall what Parish had been saying and doing... He hadn't paid enough attention at the time as his only real goal was getting Manabu out safely, and his plan was otherwise just "kill everyone, then leave."]

They were also doing other forms of biological and medical research there. Parish showed me some stem cells he was experimenting with, as part of development for treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

[siriusly]

...Burying all their crueler work behind the better advancements. [disgusting. Manabu wishes he could hit them. not...not kill them, but...make them face judgment. properly.

he closes his eyes, head dipping.]

When I get back...to the SDF...I have to stop this. Other people could've been down there.

[repeatedprayer]

It's not an uncommon procedure. And I'm sure if you asked them they'd toss out some noble words about the greater good and the ends justifying the means.

[Grey knows the type, very intimately.]

They knew you were SDF. They'll know to be on alert for investigation from the SDF in particular.

[Pause.]

Not that I believe that will save them, but I may as well warn you of that annoyance in advance.

[siriusly]

...

Right...

[he goes quiet and tensely still with a wave of discomfort radiating from his grafting points, after which he swallows and exhales softly.]

Then...then I may have to...stay missing for a bit longer...to do what I can.

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey watches Manabu tense and settle. The other man looks utterly wrung out. Grey has the absurdest urge to wrap Manabu in a blanket. Or his own arms.

At Manabu's next words, Grey grows curious.]

What do you have in mind?

[He'd have thought Manabu would want to get back to SDF as soon as possible, even under the circumstances.]

[siriusly]

If SDF presence would keep the remaining members of that facility on alert, then...I'll have to wait on that. And gather the information I can as a civilian. As one of their escapees.

[it won't be easy, especially without any gear. but him being known by them is useful.]

But I have to get stronger first...otherwise I'm just going to be a liability. And...

And I'll need some new gear. [non-SDF sanctioned gear.]

[repeatedprayer]

I see. So we'll be gathering evidence now, before they can hide all of it.

[Mixed feelings about that- it's going to be dangerous as hell for Manabu. But if Manabu's going to throw himself into danger, then it's better if Grey joins him, rather than Manabu going it alone.]

I can get you a gun. [He's thought about it a little, as something that will be necessary to give himself even the slightest peace of mind about leaving Manabu alone in the apartment whenever he needs to run errands.] What else will you need?

[siriusly]

Grey...

[he looks over to him, brow pinched.]

...I'm sorry. I can't keep needing favors from you. Especially if this is tied up with someone you hate.

[repeatedprayer]

What?

[Excuse me??? Excuse you?!]

Surely you're not planning on investigating by yourself, are you?

[siriusly]

[his face reddens.]

B-but I can't ask that of you! After everything you've done, right? There's no way that's fair to you!

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey straightens, sitting up properly so he can give Manabu a really good glare from above.]

What wouldn't be fair to me is if you went out there and got recaptured or killed after all that work I put in to find you.

[siriusly]

[hair and fur floofs a bit under the glare.]

W-work you should've never had to do!

[repeatedprayer]

Well I did, so-

[Grey finally succumbs to temptation. He leans over and presses his hands against the sides of Manabu's face, squishing it between his hands. This is probably not very nice with the post-surgery head pains, but hey.]

-I intend to see this through whether you like it or not!

[siriusly]

[Manabu's face is already warm to the touch, but it heats up upon being touched, his eyes big and body tensed up. usually hands this close to his face are closed fists, you know? not...not this. so, despite the twinges of discomfort from where his ears once were, there's a surprising buzz of delight to go with it that makes Manabu's tail wag a little.]

A... [his breath hitches, and then he starts to laugh a little despite himself.] Aheheh...! Y-you're a glutton for punishment, I guess...!

[he knows the type. he likes the type. he'd be dead without said type.]

[repeatedprayer]

[The warmth of Manabu's skin soaks into Grey's hands, and seems to spread through the rest of him. Then Manabu laughs and Grey feels his heart leap in response, and his expression softens into a grin.]

Hmph. Obviously, you must be rubbing off on me. You're a dreadful influence!

[His hands shift to Manabu's scalp, roughly ruffling his hair, his fingertips rubbing at the bases of Manabu's ears. In a bullying, noogie-like fashion that is definitely not pets, Grey swears.

He'll stop after a few moments and withdraw his hands, afraid to push his luck- but he feels astonishingly cheered considering how dire their circumstances are. But at least Manabu agrees that it's their circumstances, now.]

[siriusly]

[he shrinks a little under the abundance of positive attention, ears twitching and scalp tingling and stomach fluttering; the thrill is a little alarming, honestly.]

R-right, well...for now, then, we're partners in crime. [beat. wait:] But not that many crimes, okay! Only what we need to do to take these guys down and get them to the authorities.