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]

Mrhh, hrmh? [Manabu mumbles before even thinking to turn his head and be intelligible, belatedly doing so and blinking blearily in the blurry shape's direction.] You drink coffee?

[repeatedprayer]

[That earns Manabu a bemused look.]

Upon occasion, yes. There are times when even I want to wake up faster.

[siriusly]

Mmrrrrmmnn... [yeah, okay. sure. coffee. it's almost as bitter as Tabito tea, but not as tasty.

slowly, Manabu pushes himself up, getting his knees under him to sit, yawning loudly and rubbing at his eyes.]

How early is it...?

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey would complain that "mmrrrrmmnn" is not a clear answer, but he's distracted by the sight of Manabu being sleepy and cute. Give him a moment.]

...It's roughly a quarter past nine.

[siriusly]

Eh-? [he startles, eyes big.] That late already?! [it's like he's late for school or work or something...some things never change.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey grins, enjoying the reaction.]

We still have plenty of daylight left and I thought you needed the sleep. If it really bothers you I can set an alarm next time.

[Though since Manabu's now close to five months late to work surely a few hours doesn't make much of a difference.]

[siriusly]

[his face reddens a bit.]

Hey, I just...I don't want to waste too much time, okay? [he says that, but he's still just sitting there, isn't he. time to get up and get on his feet and go wash up.]

[repeatedprayer]

I know. We'll take it steady.

[i.e. don't rush yourself.

Grey lets Manabu handle the business of getting up and cleaned up while Grey gets dressed, then there's breakfast and all that other hootenanny to get through first before they can get down to business. As dishes are being washed, Grey suggests they head out immediately afterwards.]

Your energy should be at its highest right now, so you have a better chance of actually making it.

[Surely Manabu appreciates that vote of confidence.]

[siriusly]

[he's not going to make it through the morning routine without nearly falling over once, so he's not free from any scolding for moving too fast. even so, he still horks down breakfast as fast as he's able after cleaning up, binding the tail, and getting dressed.

he...is not going to enjoy the damp tail fur on his leg soaking the pantleg, but he's also not going to wait around for any of it to dry; let someone try and ask! he doesn't care! he'll fight!!!

the remark comes as Manabu's tugging his cap on. stubbornly:] I'm making it regardless of chances. I made the decision, didn't I? Two kilometers. And whatever else is left that we have to do. Are there things we need to pick up?

[repeatedprayer]

Making a decision is one thing; whether or not your body will cooperate is another.

[Grey eyes Manabu with no small amount of dubiousness; ironically, the more stubborn and impatient Manabu is about this, the more tempted Grey is to just tie him to the bed and make him rest instead.

He towels off the wet dishes and replaces them in the cupboard.]

There's nothing we need to pick up, no. We can simply enjoy a leisurely walk.

[And Grey will also be getting shoes and things on at a pointed, leisurely pace. Slow down, boy!!!]

[siriusly]

Ehhh... [walkies without a purpose or mission beyond the walkies themselves? seems suspicious. Manabu stuffs some of his hair under the hat to get it out of his eyes; he hopes it doesn't get too warm or sunny, or wearing this thing is going to be torture.]

Alright, fine. But something may come up anyway...

[repeatedprayer]

[Congratulations, that earns Manabu an even more dubious look before Grey hands the apartment keys over. (Manabu gets to be on look up duty.)]

Something such as?

[Manabu you had BETTER not be planning on getting into any fights today or so help him!]

[siriusly]

[oblivious to the scrutiny, since he's moving to go get shoes:] Like seeing something useful to get. I haven't seen what's further out from here, so who knows?

[repeatedprayer]

[That makes Grey relax a little. He's afraid that Manabu has his hopes set on running into some of the scientists or their hired goons.]

If it would please you to do so then we can browse the shops along the way.

[So with that settled, they can finally head out!

At a leisurely pace.]

[siriusly]

[leisurely...AFTER the first boss: stairs. Manabu finds if he closes his eyes between steps the problem of seeing double or a swirly shift in his vision ebbs, and while not perfect, it's better than being nauseous right at the onset. still, past experience does make him apprehensive...he powers through it all the same, giving Grey a fast look once he gets to the bottom.

no praise for something so simple!!!

his pride's still a bit bruised by having to hang onto a cane, but he's not going to compromise a chance to get out and see something beyond this boring back of the building nestled next to the laundromat.

at the corner, he hesitates, pointing.] Campus is...that way?

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey levels a haughty look back at Manabu in response. Hey, maybe he wasn't going to praise Manabu! Maybe he was going to heckle his performance! But fine, they can leave the stairs behind them.

Grey lets Manabu go on in front of him once they're on even ground, feeling rather like a shepherd following after a strangely independent sheep. Once they're at the corner Grey does some quick mental wayfinding, since he hasn't physically gone to the campus very much.]

Right. You turn a left at the end of the block and then keep going.

[For a little while, anyway. It's not a straight route.]

[siriusly]

[it's not really the dog in him that's energized by walkies, but just...the freedom he gets to grasp as a person who has been trapped in a concrete room of horrors and procedures for so long that makes such a simple amble so invigorating. he's on a planet that's new to him, and while he's never been a good vacationer or tourist, he's very interested in seeing what he can see.]

Have you gone this way already? Is this where you picked up all the food and shoes and things?

[repeatedprayer]

That's right. I'd already explored the surrounding area before I- [A brief hesitation.] -Came to pick you up.

[Grey points down the street.] There's a convenience store that way where I picked up some of our food and supplies, but there's a shopping district between here and the university where I bought most of the rest.

[Manabu's gun, on the other hand, was picked up in the opposite direction, near the space docks and train station. Grey decides not to mention that unless Manabu asks, but he does gesture in that direction and say:] The train station's that way.

[siriusly]

[he habitually perks up at the mention, but hesitates a bit before walking on. can't get on a train anyway - no ID, and making himself known as that MIA officer rips away the chance he has to root out the remains of the lab in relative secrecy. even so...it feels wrong to just...]

...

[sigh. focus, Yuuki. focus on the path that needs to be taken.

Manabu tries to paint the street views to memory while reaching corners, winded but not utterly worn out; he'd appreciate not feeling like a nap already, but he can fight it off without wobbling or nodding off.

fair weather and streets alive but not crowded help make him feel less estranged from living in general, though it ever remains tinged with the ache that he's not where he's supposed to be: errand runners, dog walkers, parents with kids too little for school...

none of them seem to be aware or affected by what happened outside of town. that's something of a relief.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey wonders if there's much of a risk of Manabu trying to escape to the station at some point, like a pigeon returning to its native roost once it's released from the dovecote. He suppose it would be better than the risk of Manabu potentially trying to scope out the campus on his own...

The buildings get a bit nicer as they walk along, not exactly upscale but less run down. Grey has seen enough places to know that it's not exactly scenic, but the fresh air and movement is doubtless doing Manabu some good. He reminds himself of this, and the fact he doesn't want Manabu injured, in order to tamp down his impatience at the pace.

When they're passing by a strip mall, Grey points out one of the shops.]

That's where I picked up your shoes. Would you like to visit any of the shops?

[siriusly]

Ehh, only if I can think...of... [anything...

his attention trails off to one of the storefront windows, watching someone setting their belongings down to tie their shoe. he sees someone hasten over, snatch the bag, and start out of the building.

Manabu bristles, turning and starting on that way.]

[repeatedprayer]

...?

[Grey's attention has been almost solely on Manabu, so he doesn't notice that crime is afoot- only the puzzling way Manabu trails off, then bristles.

And then runs off!

After the initial momentary surprise Grey quickly catches up and keeps pace.]

What's going on?

[Grey's a little vexed but mostly baffled.]

[siriusly]

Right ahead, look!

[Manabu can't really hustle so much as walk with great haste, but he juts his chin ahead as the thief pushes out of the store, doing a double-take at them incoming, hugs the goods to themself and starts to run.]

Tch-! Grey, c'mon--help me!

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey sees a man exit the store, sees the way he startles at their appearance, and immediately starts to run, and realizes that this must be someone Manabu recognizes from the lab.]

Right!

[We're in public, and Manabu wants them alive. How to handle that? Well, hopefully nobody's too observant- Grey briefly creates a small barrier just ahead of their quarry, at approximately knee level.

Their quarry duly smacks right into that barrier and trips, landing face first on the cement. Grey takes advantage of the moment to pounce on the unfortunate would-be thief, and ends up quite literally sitting on the man's back and snatching his arms.

While he's wrestling with the guy Grey takes a moment to shoot Manabu a Look. Okay, they've got him, now what are they supposed to do with him?! Especially since they're in public?]

[siriusly]

[it's fortunate Grey did the pouncing first, because that would've been Manabu's only contribution as far as athletics go...not that much different to him in healthier states, except he'd have gotten there faster.

as it stands, he's panting from the effort it takes to keep up, stumbling a bit as he crouches and swipes the bag off the ground where it had dropped in being gnabbed by Grey.]

Good...good job, Grey... [that's about as much as he can get out before the bag's owner hastens over, gobsmacked and perplexed but ultimately mollified when Manabu holds it out to be retrieved.]