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

[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.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey continues to wrestle with the thief until they give up and wind up lying there, making distressed noises while Grey has their arms twisted behind their back and Manabu retrieves the pilfered bag.

Although he's still awaiting an explanation, Grey does degrump a little at the praise. It's just a shame another person interrupts before Manabu can give Grey a proper explanation, but-

Wait.

Grey looks down at his captive, then up and over at Manabu and the bag's rightful owner.]

...This is just a purse snatcher?

[siriusly]

[no more headpats or immediate responses for Grey - Manabu's talking with the victim, asking if they want authorities involved (no -- double-no uttered from the thief), if they're safe to leave, so on... only after they've hustled off does Manabu look back, breath more or less caught by then.]

Three minute head start for them, then...then you can let him go, Grey. [it's not the ideal end, but...Manabu really doesn't need his or Grey's face getting acknowledged by local authorities right now.]

[repeatedprayer]

...Right.

[Grey can be a vindictive piece of work but the realization that this is Just Some (criminal) Guy cools his blood lust. There's nothing to be gained from harming this man further, and especially not from tattling to the authorities. So once the allotted three minutes have passed, Grey obediently lets the man go and stands next to Manabu.

He watches the thief scurry off, clutching a scraped up face. Once he's out of earshot, Grey remarks:]

I thought he was someone you recognized.

[The way Grey says this is just a tad accusatory.]

[siriusly]

Eh? [oblivious blink. what's with the barbed tone, sir?] A, no, I saw through the window... Kind of brazen, right? At this time of day. Wonder if that was really all that calculated or just desperate.

[he looks over his shoulder while he thinks about it, then looks back.]

Good that you were so fast, though. I need to get back into shape...

[repeatedprayer]

Some people are just idiots.

[Grey sighs, pushing some of his hair back. He could get on Manabu's ass about how they're supposed to be laying low and that running after petty criminals is putting them at risk etc. But he's pretty sure that would be a fruitless endeavor, because Manabu saw a Person In Trouble.

At any rate, it doesn't seem like anyone picked up on Grey making the thief trip or how he did it, so it's probably fine.]

All's well that ends well, I suppose.

[siriusly]

Mn. [a nod and a thin-lipped smile. wasn't that good, Grey? don't you feel good doing a Good deed?? Manabu does.

mostly.

he kind of wishes he did the tackling, since he was the one who jumped the gun and all...

one step at a time. actually...maybe a few less steps; Manabu feels the weight of fatigue trying to creep on him before barely stepping out of that barely-an-alley. he rubs at his face.]

How far is that kilometer from here...?

[repeatedprayer]

[Give him a minute, surely the warm glow of having done the right thing will hit Grey eventually.

Grey heads out of the barely-an-alley after Manabu, noting the way Manabu steps slowly and rubs at his face. When he asks about how much is left, Grey takes out his phone to double check.]

One more block.

[He pockets his phone again.]

Once we're there I'm stopping to get a snack. I think I deserve something for getting roped into that.

[And maybe he can make Manabu rest for a bit and get his blood sugar up but SHHHH]

[siriusly]

Ehehe... [clearly not stopping for his sake means this is an agreeable diversion.] Y-you can put it on the list of things I owe you back for later, too.

[repeatedprayer]

Agreed. You're footing the bill for our next date.

[Grey says that to tease Manabu- they're already fucking so it's not like the idea of being on a date should be too shocking- but immediately after saying it he starts feeling flustered himself and hurries on ahead.]

[siriusly]

Auh... [Manabu wobbles the first step after the remark hits, stumbling after Grey, red-faced.] Is, is that different than the one with the, uh, rented suits?

[repeatedprayer]

Of course. [The one with the suits is a general repayment, but this hypothetical date will be paying Grey back for snacks and for making him fight crime.] But I'll have mercy on your wallet and let you pick something cheaper for this one.

[siriusly]

I...I see...

[multiple dates... that sounds a lot like not simply dumping Manabu back at HQ and evaporating from his life entirely. not that he ought to jump the gun here, but Manabu's starting to hope Grey's going to be more willing to try this integrate-into-society-better thing than at first blush.

such a notion does make him forget being tired - it's downright exciting in a funny way; his tail would be wagging if it wasn't currently pinned to his leg as it is.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey is just trying not to think too hard about the implications of having multiple dates with someone.

They reach the one kilometer goal soon enough, or at least Grey does. Grey glances back at Manabu, possibly waiting for him to catch up. Either way, once Manabu's at his side, Grey remarks:]

Already halfway done.

[After a bit of thought (re: picking the first place that looks acceptable) Grey settles on a nearby coffee-and-tea shop for the break he's mandated.]

Let's go here.

[It's a respectable but not ritzy establishment- the sign is decorated with a cartoon jaguar and through the windows one can see that somebody brought their dog inside. so surely manabu will not be denied entry

Clearly expecting Manabu to follow him, Grey forges on ahead and holds the door open for Manabu.]

[siriusly]

[the aesthetic of this little spot is different, but not different enough for Manabu to not be reminded of the hangover sandwich shop...he'd been worn out then, too.

he steps inside at Grey's behest, blinking around, holding gaze with the dog for a beat before carrying on.]

Well, ah...get what you want. I'll save a seat.

[repeatedprayer]

[One can only hope that the barista of this humble establishment will have less bullshit to deal with than the cashier at the sandwich shop.

Grey opens his mouth to protest when Manabu speaks- he's intending to tell Manabu to order something!!!- but then realizes it'll probably be harder for Manabu to refuse sustenance after Grey's already bought it. So he nods instead.]

Ah- Alright, thank you.

[Grey heads up to the counter and chats for a little bit with the staff about what's available, since the overhead menu is still a pain to read. After placing his order it's a brief wait for it to be prepared, and then Grey goes to find whatever table Manabu has picked out.]

Here.

[Manabu is handed a cup of tea, and a ham sandwich. Grey sets his own, exact same order, across from where Manabu is seated and sits down to await any demurring from Manabu.]