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]

[Manabu scoots in, though he's slow to settling; his tail still tied down makes sitting comfortably a challenge, so he tries a few ways to bend or not-bend his leg until just...drawing his knee up and dealing with the least of the painful twinges. this sucks. he just wants to be comfortable!

Grey's warm, though, so at least a portion of him gets to be warm.

amidst this fidgeting there's a few 'um's and other uncertain sounds, since his impulsive speaking-from-the-heart can only go so far, and not far enough as to compose whole plans or speeches.]

I, I mean...you're a victim of bad science practices too, right? We're not--I mean, not exactly the same, but. Similar. Like that. It's further proof that something needs to be done! And...and neither of us should be getting punished for that. Is what I think...

Right?

[that sounds sane and coherent, right? he can't tell. it's cold.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey wraps his arms around Manabu, loosely enough to allow for all the fidgeting that Manabu is doing, and listens. And thinks.

Manabu has a point, more than he realizes. It isn't as if Grey ever asked to be created. By comparison, being punished for the murders and other crimes he's committed feels fairer- even if he doesn't regret any of it at least those are choices he made. Emotionally, it's hard not to think of himself as an abomination, but he can understand logically that it isn't his fault.

Grey's voice is soft:]

I was referring more to my involvement in your situation, but I can't say I disagree.

[Anyway, the fidgeting finally made Grey remember about Manabu's tail and how it's uncomfortably tied away under his pants.]

-I think we can untie your tail now.

[Not like anyone else is up here to notice it. Or if there is, then they've probably spotted the dog ears first.]

[siriusly]

Oh. [well now he has to think about THAT more critically! that'll go great in these circumst--] Uh? Oh--really? That'd actually...probably help a bit.

[...but that means being un-hugged. these are the sacrifices a soldier has to make sometimes.

Manabu reluctantly wriggles free so he can sit up on his knees and deal with the matter of pants and tail-bindings, which would be way more embarrassing if he wasn't trying to hurry up and not freeze his actual ass off. once the tail's loose, he's distinctly less tense, exhaling in a loud sigh while trying to get pants back up without pinching the base of his tail.

while sagging back against Grey:] This has to be the weirdest situation I've ever been in...even without time travel.

[repeatedprayer]

[If it helps, Grey's not enthusiastic about unhugging Manabu either! Partly because Manabu's kind of eminently huggable and Grey's maybe a tad overprotective, and partly because Grey also appreciates the body heat. But he lets Manabu get on with things and once he feels Manabu's weight settling against him, Grey once again wraps his arms around him.

That might be the point at which Grey would relax a little if it weren't for the next weird thing that Manabu blurts out.]

-Without what.

[Pardon??? Is that a metaphor or something?]

[siriusly]

Oh--uh...eheh...heh... [did he not bring that up before? woops. he's slippin', too far away from SDF consequences.] I, uh...I got stuck in a Time Knot. On my train out to Destiny, when I was recruited.

[repeatedprayer]

[Ah. There's that sheepish chuckle that Grey is familiar with.] Elaborate.

[Grey isn't actually annoyed with Manabu and his oh-by-the-way-this-impossible-thing-happened schtick- but the confusion might read as irritation in the moment, whoops.]

[siriusly]

Auh, uh...it's this thing that happens out in space? I don't know the full science behind it, but there's...bends...that happen in certain levels of...magnetism? [he can't remember. it's too cold for science!] It makes little pockets of altered states of time, compared to regular relativity.

The train I was on got caught up in a magnetic storm that threw us through one. Shot us onto a planet three years in the past for a bit until we could get rescued.

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey is definitely very curious about the details here, but it does seem unfair to make Manabu try to explain science at a time like this, so he swallows back any questions and huffs.]

...Out of everyone in the SDF, you would be the one to get kidnapped and turned into a chimera.

[Between the time knot and the ghosts, Manabu doesn't have the most normal of track records. And Grey still doesn't know about the memory stealing elf or the plant aliens from another dimension.]

[siriusly]

H-hey! You don't know that...! [his tail flicks once, thumping on the concrete.] There were lots of circumstances, and, and besides! I was enlisted, but not officially sworn-in when that train hit the knot...!

[repeatedprayer]

Yes, yes. [Grey squeezes Manabu a little tighter in his arms.] I wasn't casting aspersions on your competence, merely observing that you have an affinity for the strange.

[siriusly]

[there's some resistance and wriggle to that, interpreting the squeeze as a shushing, patronizing gesture.]

Just by chance, okay? I'm not some screwball who goes looking for trouble. [not unless it wants to hurt people on the railway or something.

he stops fidgeting and relaxes again, head tucked in such a way that it rests on one side against where Grey's collarbone would be.]

And I guess that's fine... Better me than someone else. [...] And if you're including yourself in the strange stuff, then...that's fine, too.

[repeatedprayer]

[A lot of it is just Grey being hungry for Manabu's warmth, but there's also a bit of Grey being patronizing. Or at least, of enjoying teasing him. Making Manabu squirm is one of Grey's favorite pastimes, after all!

But as ever, sincere words and kindness are enough to soften his mean impulses. That's fine too.

Grey tilts his head, resting his cheek against the top of Manabu's head.]

Thank you.

[Imagine that. Someone actually being glad they met Grey.

Grey is quiet for a bit, brooding over their situation, his feelings about Manabu, and how the hell they're going to get out of this mess. One thing that's clear is they can't stay up here indefinitely. They need to find better shelter.

With how much the trip from the apartment to this factory roof took out of Manabu, it's obviously not a good idea for Grey to carry him while he looks around, nor to leave Manabu to shiver on the roof until Grey finds something, but luckily Grey still has his psychic bullshit.]

I'll use my clairvoyance to scout for somewhere we can get out of the cold.

[siriusly]

A--oh, will, is it going to be okay? I mean, will it wear you out too much? [not that they have many options: it's like...do that, find somewhere to go, or just freeze to death up here.

doesn't mean he can't worry about it. he's not good at being the one behind waiting!]

Well, don't take too long.

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey smiles at Manabu's concern. It's a wry expression.]

It's not that strenuous. But, keep me warm until then.

[Waiting may not be Manabu's forte, but hopefully it will be of some consolation to know that Grey needs him. Even if it's in the quiet capacity of having someone to watch over him while he's vulnerable and partly detached from his body.]

[siriusly]

S-sure.

[right! like he's warm and large enough to do that...

whatever, it's a task. Manabu can at least try. so he will! he'll even button/zip up Grey's coat that was flung on in a hurry to get away, sifting through belongings to find anything else he can use to wrap up on him. not a whole lot, honestly...

so he scoots in close as he can, draping his legs over Grey's lap, drawing his tail in and curling against his chest. the core is the most important part after all.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey did at least pack the sleeping bag, so that can be unzipped and draped over Grey's shoulders at least- but for the most part, yes, Manabu's only real asset for this assignment is his body. And the wait is going to be miserably long, well over an hour.

Grey does his best, and Saint Simona has no shortage of under-maintained buildings. But it seems every time he finds a likely looking place, a cursory examination will discover people still living and working there, or other squatters who have gotten there first- or just, the building is in bad enough condition with deteriorating floors and walls and mold and whatnot that Grey thinks Manabu would still be better off on the factory roof.

Grey's sight flies across one street. Than another. A whole block...

He eventually finds a place that doesn't look too bad, at least on the upper floors, and once he's satisfied Grey sends himself back to his body with a jolt. He grabs at Manabu, as much to orient himself as anything else, and blinks several times.]

Manabu...?

[How has he been holding up?]

[siriusly]

[well! after an hour, he's not really feeling as cold as he is, so the trembling isn't so intense. the little idiot has given Grey all the sleeping bag because he takes his 'keep him warm' job seriously, still curled up in his lap against his chest.

the jolt makes him yelp out of the cold-induced doze he'd fallen into.]

Guh! Buh--huh? Oh--he, hey. Are, are you okay?

[repeatedprayer]

Fine. [The response is automatic, although actually... He'd expected his hands and such to be icicles by now, but they'd been tucked in under the sleeping bag until he'd jolted back, so he's pretty okay overall?]

I found a place- I think it may have been a preschool or elementary school before it was abandoned. It's nearby and in good enough shape we can take shelter there.

[Although... is Manabu up for the trip there? The trip here took a lot out of him and he's still trembling, if not as severely as earlier.

Grey sets a hand on Manabu's forehead and his eyes widen briefly before narrowing in concern.]

How are you feeling?

[siriusly]

Uhh, not...not as cold. [his eyes wince.] Which I think is a bad thing. M-maybe we should get moving.

[repeatedprayer]

[Yeah. That does not sound good indeed! Grey stands up, slowly and carefully so Manabu has time to clamber off.]

I'll pack, you take a moment to move and warm yourself up.

[Hopefully Manabu will have some luck stomping around and flapping his hands or whatever, while Grey sets about rolling up the sleeping bag and repacking whatever else Manabu took out to warm Grey up...

Idiot. Grey should have told Manabu to focus on keeping himself warm! But it's a bit late for that, all Grey can do is attempt to remedy the situation.

As soon as everything's packed, Grey holds out some bags for Manabu and prays that Manabu isn't so numb he won't be able to carry them.]

Are you ready?

[siriusly]

[Manabu climbs off and stays squatting on the ground, hugging his arms tightly to himself against his knees, tail curled around his ankles. he shifts when the bags are set out, climbing carefully to his feet and now hugging those to himself, his expression distracted and dazed while he's trying to take stock of himself. warm fingers and toes, sore instead of cold. not great!]

Huh? [it takes a second to register the ask; he double-takes, then nods.] Ye-yeah, let's get out of here. [as before, he doesn't brook any argument save for some unintentional grunts and winces in the jostling of getting picked up.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Manabu, that is not moving!! But whatever. Best not waste time arguing. Once he's ready, Grey hoists Manabu into his arms and ascends.

The trip to the old daycare building is a straight one, a ten minute flight over the bay, high enough in the air that anyone looking up won't see them. No doubt it's an alarming distance, but there's no chance of Manabu getting dropped.

Grey's grip on Manabu is tight enough that it probably hurts a bit.

Once they're across the bay Grey descends until they're hovering at the third and top story of an abandoned brick building. The windows and doors at the bottom floor are all boarded up, but the upper stories are left untouched- who would be able to reach that high to break in?

A quick burst of psychokinetic energy easily breaks through a window, smashing a hole large enough for Manabu to climb through. Grey floats over and reluctantly loosens his grip on Manabu.]

Go ahead. Be careful of the glass.

[siriusly]

[the hurt helps keep Manabu awake, especially as he squeezes his eyes shut and braces against the movement that threatens to make him sick all over again. it's good to not look: were he to see that glassy expanse of water, he'd probably not do too great.

it sucks, honestly. he always loved flying in the jets, in trains--

he flinches at the sound of the busted glass, cracking an eye open and blinking both to process what's in front of him; his stomach clenches as the grip eases up, but this is his prompt to start moving.

with a gulp, he sizes it up, then decides to chuck the bags in first and free up his arms. he gingerly reaches to grab at the edge of the window, unfolding himself from against Grey to hop in. it's a move that demands commitment the moment it's done, so he has no choice but to duck and roll inside the rest of the way, laying flat on his back among the bags with a groan.

he's fine. he even holds up a thumbs-up to prove it.]

[repeatedprayer]

Manabu?

[Grey does not like watching Manabu roll and splay out like that, but there's already a lot about the situation that isn't ideal so. At least the thumbs-up reassures him a bit.

Grey follows him in, ducking and stepping out onto the floor. It's carpeted, the color indiscernible in the darkness of the building. Dusty and grimy, but at least it doesn't reek of mildew. Grey steps delicately over to Manabu and holds out an arm to help him up.]

Come on. Let's get further inside.

[As soon as Manabu's upright and everything's gathered, Grey will lead Manabu further in.

It's not very warm in the building either, honestly, but they're at least out of the wind. Away from the windows it's pitch black, but they still have the flashlights from the earlier raid on the storage lockers. Most of the building is empty, but a few remnants can be seen of when it was in use. Abandoned toys and little furniture made of brightly colored plastic; a section of wall painted with drippy shapes, a mural obviously done by toddlers; a busted up baby's carseat; a laminator, for some fucking reason, lying on the floor...

Grey soon picks out an empty inner room for them to shelter in, so at least Manabu won't have to rest under the watchful eyes of any creepy dolls or whatever.]

Alright, let's get you warmed up.

[siriusly]

[Manabu never grew up playing lots of spooky games or watching spooky movies, so his spooky sense is very unrefined. that does not stop the flashes of abandoned toys and flashes of decaying whimsy from setting off his spookometer. he shudders.

then keeps shuddering. hey! the cold's back! that's good, probably.]

Why did this place stop getting used...? [it's not a question with a fast answer; he'd probably have to do some searching on the tablet, but his fingers and brain aren't up to it. he instead rubs at his arms absently at the suggestion of getting warm, remembering that's a thing you can do to do that.]