closed; i'm the invisible man

[reenforces]

WHO: Mikleo, Jun (whiteshroud), and Sorey (notevensorey)
WHERE: Outside Sorey's grandparents' house.
WHEN: A couple days after Sorey's intro.
WHAT: Mikleo tries to get a vibe check on his colleague and ends up getting more than he bargained for. Jun, sadly, is forced to go along with this.
WARNINGS: Egregious amounts of thirdwheeling are in Jun's future but that's about it.


[action;]

[Mikleo appears beside Jun and checks the address.]

This looks like the right place...

[It's early evening so Sorey probably shouldn't be going anywhere for a while. Mikleo might try to facilitate a meeting with the Libra app once he's feeling more comfortable, but first he's going to leave his welcome gift and settle for having eyes on his colleague.

The field psychologist isn't a bad guy, at least from what he remembers, but he can't be sure of his intentions until he gets to know him a little more. For Mikleo, that usually begins with observing people while they aren't trying to put up any kind of act. Some might call it spying but it's not Mikleo's fault if someone forgets that they have an invisible coworker.]

I'll knock first. If one of us senses anything off, we can simply leave and not engage him at all.

[And then they'll know to have their guard up in the future, rather than doing this weird "I trust you but not" dance they're doing right now. Mikleo is in such a weird position, and he dislikes it immensely; he doesn't trust his coworkers as far as he could throw them (which isn't far), but then they have the nerve to send him a guy who he's never heard anything bad about. Just from that one conversation, though... Mikleo feels he must be genuine.

He really wants to be right about someone for once.]

Comments

[whiteshroud]

[Jun's been needing some time to get used to the pact with Mikleo. In the end it wasn't the magical parts that were difficult for Jun - no the relationship he had with the Holy Spirit had well prepared him for that so he took to that part very well. Instead, it was basically Mikleo himself. It was strange always having someone around, no matter what. Especially one who is, frankly, much more chatty than Jun.

But he's getting used to it. At least his time with August and his father made him more accustomed to those who like to talk. Mikleo was just another vibrant personality to adapt to.

As for tonight's plan....well, after what Mikleo has told him about POKEGO, he supposes he can't blame the Seraph for wanting to be cautious. Sure, Sorey seems like a nice person- but so did Professor Willow. So without complaint, he goes along with it. ]

Alright, then I'll stay out of sight.

[Wearing his shroud to avoid being recognized, he'll silently teleport himself to the roof of the house, trying to be careful to avoid any windows. Kneeling down, he'll look over at Mikleo and give a nod. He's ready whenever you are.]

[reenforces]

[He's noticed that despite being friendly, Jun really isn't all that chatty. Mikleo isn't exactly the kind of person who makes noise just to hear himself talk, but as a scholar he's used to talking through things, and unfortunately that means subjecting Jun to that. At least he can take a hint: if his partner seems tired or otherwise not in the mood to talk, Mikleo can be quiet and busy himself with something else.

Though he's thought about apologizing for being a bother, he remembers their pre-pact conversation and puts those feelings aside. If Jun had a problem he'd vocalize it. His support while they do a potentially silly thing is, of course, appreciated. (He really does feel embarrassed to drag his pact partner into this, but this is the best way to go about it, he thinks.)

The seraph returns the nod. He approaches the front stoop and sets down a shiny gift bag. Inside is a mason jar tied with a sparkly blue bow. It's full of homemade vanilla bean ice cream, the least offensive of flavors. There's also a little card:

It isn't much of a housewarming gift, but I hope it's to your liking.
-- M.

Then he knocks three times on the door, and steps back a few feet to watch from the front gate. He crosses his arms, looking casual.]

[notevensorey]

[Sorey is literally minding his own business, waiting just a few more minutes for his crockpot beef stew to finish. To pass the time, and to end his day on a positive note, he's decided to watch Swan Princess, the animated movie. It's not a cinematic masterpiece, but it brings him joy whenever he watches it. He's just gotten to the title card when he hears a knock at the door, and pauses the movie. Curious, Sorey walks over to answer the door.

The first thing he sees is not the gift left on his doorstep. Oh, no.

The first thing Sorey lays his eyes on is an uncannily familiar man. He actually freezes in place for a moment, heart racing. That's... that can't be someone from his past life. Right? That's not the same person he remembers cherishing. Surely not. Surely it's just a coincidence.

How unfortunate that his brain doesn't quite catch up in time to stop himself from blurting out something that will forever label him as a gay disaster.]

Oh, my God, you're beautiful.

[NO, nope! Sorey blushes a bright red immediately upon realizing he's just said that out loud and not in his own head.]

I-I mean, I'm sorry, that was terribly rude of me! I, uh... can... can I help you?

[Smooth, Shepard. Real smooth.]

[whiteshroud]

[Oh, Jesus. We're really in it now.

Mikleo had assured Jun earlier that Sorey couldn't perceive Mikleo, which is why he ever agreed to this in the first place. So when Sorey clearly and very gayly perceives the guy? He freezes and is probably having a deer in the headlights look underneath the food.

Shit shit shit, what do they do now? Should he teleport Mikleo out there? Run interference? Try to stay hidden and let his partner deal with this? He has no idea.

All he can do is sit there and not breath, praying that Sorey does not look up towards his roof]

[reenforces]

[Mikleo is watching Sorey perhaps a little too intently to feign innocence when the man looks directly at him. It always makes him a little uncomfortable to be seen and not yet seen, but it's Sorey's actual words that make Mikleo blush to hell and back.]

W-wait—

[He glances behind him. There's no one... Sorey really is looking directly at him.

Oh. Fuck. This was not what he planned. Sorey has never been able to perceive him the entire time they've been working for POKEGO, and it's a fact that Mikleo has taken for granted apparently because he has no idea what to do. His world just tilted on its axis.]

You can see me?!

[Now that Sorey has a bit longer to look, he may notice that Mikleo is wearing a white labcoat with blue accents. There's no denying it: he's the mysterious and slightly standoffish Wisteria of local lore.

Okay, wait. Give him a second. Maybe he can still salvage this. It's too late to abscond and deny anything, and he'd feel downright silly fleeing from a colleague...]

I came by to give you something. I didn't think...

[That's right, Mikleo. You didn't think. His inner voice is very chiding today.

More to himself than Sorey:] But why now?

[notevensorey]

[Oh.

Oh, no.

Now that he notices the lab coat, and with Mikleo's surprised exclamation, Sorey realizes that this is Wisteria. He rubs his face with one hand. Cool. Sure did accidentally blurt out that a colleague he looks up to is a beautiful man.]

Yes. Well. This is right embarrassing, isn't it?

[Hang on, if this is Mikleo, then where is his partner? Sorey looks around, but doesn't see his partner within immediate eyesight. So... unfortunately for Jun, he does look up. Sorey's expecting to see him in a tree. Not on his roof.

The brunet stares at the masked person up on his roof for a few seconds then looks back at Mikleo. Then looks back up at the masked person, and right back to Mikleo.]

...Right. Okay. Well, since you're both here, you can come in if you'd like. I've got stew on if you want something to eat.

[Sorey bends down to scoop up the gift and starts walking inside the house.]

[whiteshroud]

[B U S T E D.

Like a car crash, Jun is unable to look away. When Sorey looks up and spots him, he feels his throat tighten as if it tries to make sure he doesn't scream. This mission was an abject failure no doubt.

It's only when Sorey heads back towards the house does Jun dare to move. He stands up and teleports next to Mikleo's side. He peers up at the older man]

... What now?

[DO WE GO IN OR DO WE FLEE MIKLEO??]

[reenforces]

[Mikleo sure bungled this one. He has to give Sorey props for immediately putting together that Mikleo isn't here alone and not panicking when there's a random guy on his roof.]

... Well, we shouldn't be rude. [Any more rude than they've already been, that is.] I don't think he's going to try anything.

[His opinion given, he follows Sorey, though he's careful not to leave Jun behind.]

[notevensorey]

[The interior of the house is clean and homey. They can see bookshelves, some photos of what're presumably Sorey's family, and even some photo's of Sorey himself when he was younger. There are even some decorative plates hanging from the walls that depict different forests in different seasons. There's also a china cabinet with a couple of beautiful tea sets displayed in it.

Sorey himself is in the kitchen, looking curiously into the gift bag after having read the note on it. His expression brightens into pure delight with what he sees and takes out the jar of ice cream.]

Oh! [He puts that in the freezer immediately.] Make yourselves comfortable! Don't mind the mess. I hadn't done the dusting yet.

[It's fine, Sorey, dang.]

Would you like your stew in a Tupperware container for later, Masked Stranger?

[whiteshroud]

[Welp. Guess they aren't running away after all, which was Jun's first impulse. But since they were dealing with one of Mikleo's colleagues, he'll agree to go along with it and follow after.

The interior of the home is normal. Normal enough that Jun feels awkward having stepped in here with his uniform on. He was standing behind Mikleo, hoping to be ignored, when Sorey addresses him directly.

Drat.

He's quiet for a moment, weighing his options, before he decides it makes little sense to hide his identity at this point. If Sorey knows he exists and is his partner, it's only a matter of time before he figures out who he is. So he'll magically will away the outer shell of his shroud, leaving the black inner suit behind. ]

No, thank you. That won't be necessary. [He is capable of being a polite house guest, okay] I'm sorry for the sudden intrusion.

[reenforces]

[Mikleo definitely feels like he's intruding. There's no getting around it. It's so... homey and comfortable in a way he hasn't known for over ten years, and even then it's a different flavor of homey... but the smell of the stew is nevertheless extremely distracting. He misses his mom's shabu-shabu suddenly.

Focus.]

Anything is better than the dorms. [Just try to argue with him on that, Sorey. You can't.]

Don't let us keep you from dinner, Dr. Rosewood. We truly had no intention of staying, or else I would have informed you we were coming.

[He meets Jun's eyes as the shroud disappears. As long as they're both still okay with being here, they can continue. Then he breathes in through his nose, and something—]

Is that miso in the stew?

[notevensorey]

[At the mention of the dorms, Sorey shudders.]

Oh, there's a reason I tried not to stay there overnight. I much preferred my dorm at university, which is saying a lot.

[He turns his head to look at the two of them, mostly to gauge the truth of their words. His eyes do widen slightly on seeing Jun there, though.]

Um... Jun, correct? The one I helped settle the furry cryptid debate with August?

[Still, considering the stew is in a crockpot, he just sets it to warm. It can definitely wait a bit longer. At Mikleo's comment, the brunet brightens.]

Miso braised beef is in it, yes! My mum's recipe. Some ingredients are hard to get without paying an arm and a leg for them, so she made fusion dishes to at least get a taste of home.

[whiteshroud]

[He will give a nod]

Yes, that's right. Thank you again for that.

[He will say it totally calmly like that isn't just a super weird association to know a guy from.

Jun knows this whole situation is awkward, but with the smell of the food and his own curiosity is already starting to get the better of him. ]

Oh, I've never tried Miso braised beef before. It smells delicious.

[reenforces]

[Mikleo definitely had not been paying attention when that happened, but rather than resurrect such a strange sounding subject he decides to just. Move on.]

It does smell delicious. [Sorey must be a decent enough cook if he can reproduce it, right? We'll ignore the 80% potential to make Black Stuff at low proficiency.]

Your mother is from Japan?

[Maybe he should scrutinize those photos again.]

... I'm from Sapporo, but it's been so long I've lost most of my accent.

[Being near almost exclusively English speakers in his mid teens kind of did him in there.

He touches the back of a chair.] May we sit? [Maybe Sorey will get something to eat if they're in the dining room.]

[notevensorey]

[As long as you don't ask this Sorey to bake and just make meals, it's fine.

He's taking down three bowls and ladling the stew into them, since they seem interested in at least a taste.]

Please sit!

[Spoons, napkins, and somehow balancing two bowls on one arm, the brunet comes out to the dining room. He sets down one of each for each of them and sits down himself.]

I've never been to Sapporo myself. Mum's family lives in Yokohama, and we visit them for New Year celebrations if we can't any other time. Dad's family's a bit more spread out, as you can see!

[whiteshroud]

[Sorey is extremely welcoming for a guy who just had his house stalked. He wonders if he's someone always this friendly, or if this is being fueled by Sorey's earlier outburst about Mikleo's beauty.

Well, Jun's not going to question it, since it seems like they are going to get a free meal out of it. So when prompted, he'll go ahead and sit, pulling up his chair to the table.]

I've heard of those places, but I've never been myself. [That feels like a safe enough answer that avoids divulging any information about himself. It's for the best really.]

[reenforces]

[Mikleo slips into a chair beside Jun. He's is quietly impressed by Sorey's ability to balance. He must be used to juggling those big psychology textbooks.]

Ah, Yokohama... I've only been once, but I liked it a lot. [He notices Jun isn't contributing much about his past but that's fine; at this point he's figured out that Jun is the quiet, observant sort.]

If you ever get the chance, Jun, you should go. If I'm with you I can translate, too. [There's a rare smile to be spotted here, but then he's distracted by the stew in front of them. Funny to turn it down but then end up with food anyway. He's not going to complain.

However, his one not-distracted braincell recalls something. Just because Sorey is eating from the same pot doesn't mean there isn't something wrong with it (though he severely doubts it). He gently sets his fingertips on Jun's wrist to stop him, makes eye contact, and then takes a spoonful of stew first. It's obviously just the tiniest taste, not even a proper sip.]

... It's good. [Not just in taste, but free of poison. Congratulations Sorey, you're not killing anyone with your cooking today. Mikleo nods and lets Jun go.]

[notevensorey]

[Sorey grins widely.]

It's great! A very peaceful atmosphere, and there are a ton of interesting museums there! Like there's one for Cup Noodles' history.

[He'll politely not comment on the blatant, homoerotic taste test going on in front of him. Sorey's not about to comment on their relationship nor their paranoia.]

That being said, what brings you two here? Other than to leave me a gift, which was very kind of you. Thank you both for the ice cream.

[Like... as much as he's happy to have people in the house to host, he's also curious.]

[whiteshroud]

[He meanwhile will smile in turn, his eyes seeming to light up a little at the idea of traveling.]

I'd like that! I've always wanted to travel more, and it'd be handy to have a guide. [Jun is over here having no thoughts how this might sound to the third party here.

He was about to go for a spoonful before Mikleo stops him. For a quick second he's surprised, but once he makes eye contact he has an expression of understanding. He remembered when his dad would do stuff like this, back when their guard was much higher and was half expecting Krusnik to pop up from any shadow. Which...ok maybe it's a little excessive to do it towards Sorey right now even from where Jun's sitting, but he does know Mikleo still harbors concerns about POKEGO. Might as well let him do it.]

- Ah, thank you. [He gives a nod before he lifts a spoon up to eat a bite. It is good, if the smile on his face gives any indication.

And now Sorey's asking questions. Well...considering everything, it's only to be expected. ]

The ice cream was Mikleo's doing, he's the one who made it. [Just making sure he gets due credit okay] You seemed to know to look for me when we were outside, so you probably already know the reason for my presence.

[Basically...he's here because Mikleo's here. And whatever reason Mikleo wants to give? Well, that's entirely up to him, Jun isn't saying more]

[reenforces]

[This is a nice, plausible distraction from the chaos in Kaisou that he's been dropped into. He really would like to take Jun around to all the museums and stuff there; he'd probably find something to enjoy. Mikleo saw that Magical Girl Alisa poster.

Now that everything's settled, Mikleo digs in too, making sure to get a bite of the beef. Holy shit, it's good. He's not going to horf it down like a shounen character because he's more dainty than that, but he's clearly enjoying it.]

This is... fantastic. Even though stew is simple, it's easy to make a mistake somewhere. But this is better than anything you'd find in a casual restaurant, I think.

[VERY HIGH COMPLIMENTS. He takes another bite, savoring some of the broth, before he wipes his mouth and tries to answer. There's a moment of hesitation. He's not going to come out and say that he was kind of spying on Sorey, as that's obvious enough, but...

He sets the spoon down.]

... Truthfully, I didn't trust you enough to take you at your word. I wanted to get a feel for the kind of person you were. I've only seen you briefly at staff meetups before this, and I wasn't paying enough attention back then because there were so many people.

[Nothing like the numbers they have now.]

If there was real, tangible darkness in your heart, I wanted to know before I put myself in any real danger. That's the real reason.

[A little honesty here might go a long way.]

[notevensorey]

[Sorey isn't 100% on the two being partners partners, but he's definitely hovering at around 30% suspicion right now. Honestly, at this point, if they are like that, he just hopes he didn't mess up by accidentally calling a guy's boyfriend beautiful.

That said, he's definitely pleased by how his stew is being received!]

Oh, thank you! I'll have to remember to let mum know you lot like her recipe.

[The brunet politely eats his stew as they answer his question. Jun's answer is something of a non-answer, but Sorey accepts it and keeps it in mind. He gives a nod of understanding when Mikleo admits to not paying attention. Given that their meetups tend to be in Star Trek conventions, it's... not surprising. Honestly, Sorey isn't even sure if he has a reputation with how much of a non-entity he feels he is.

He nods, noting the past tense.]

Can't fault you for that. Be a bit hypocritical of me, wouldn't it?

[Sorey thinks for a moment before continuing on. Jun's going to learn by proxy anyway, so he might as well give them both the courtesy of being honest in return.]

Not even the remaining researchers in POKEGO completely trust the people who are left. How can they when everyone respected Willow and our misguided colleagues only for them to turn like that? Heck, even I looked up to Willow when I was starting out.

[He frowns a little at his bowl.]

I suppose that, in fairness, it was POKEGO or the Black Order for me, and I... didn't have a good feeling about the latter when they came knocking. I haven't regretted my choice, even with all that's happened.

[Besides, he's chosen to trust his remaining colleagues and Professor Oak. Even after all these years, thinking back to when he first met a Guardian is... unsettling, not the least bit because he can't recall what they looked like.]

[whiteshroud]

[So it seems that Mikleo choose to be honest. Probably for the best, if these two ever hope to learn how to work together. Jun sits in silence as these two express their feelings. He is part of neither organization they are mentioning, so it doesn't directly relate to him.

Still...it's interesting to hear their side of things. When they're not speaking for the sake of the Libra app at large. ]

...Trust is an expensive luxury in lives like ours. [For anyone involved with the supernatural really. There were monsters everywhere, always looking to benefit] And after what Professor Willow did, anyone would hesitate to give such an investment again.

But neither of you seem like bad people, at least to me.

[reenforces]

[Mikleo does feel for Jun a bit since he's not involved in any of this personally... He hopes free food is making up for it. It seems like he and Rosewood are about in the same boat. As a psychologist who is aggressively optimistic, Sorey probably tries to see the best in people... but when even he struggles, Mikleo supposes it must be truly dire.

He nods to what Jun says, though the last part surprises him. He's... relieved, in a funny way, that his current partner shares the same opinion. The soup tasting does seem a bit excessive now, but it was just one more precaution...]

Your trust means everything. I expected to get nothing when I arrived, so to be shown the kindness and patience I've seen so far is a blessing.

[To Sorey:] And the same goes for you. I know I was right to be cautious about anyone from our organization, but I might have come off too harshly... and for that I'm sorry.

[He pokes a little at his stew to gather his thoughts.]

It isn't too far of a stretch to distrust me, either. Willow recruited me personally after I—awakened. He was a major part of why I decided to join the archaeology department, though I didn't have much contact with him after I enrolled in the organization proper. And my last partner...

[He curls his fingers against the table.]

What I'm saying is that we all lost a lot in that pointless war of his. We should work together to make sure no one loses anything or anyone else.

[notevensorey]

[Aw, Jun.... Sorey can't help smiling at that, looking grateful.]

That's good to hear, honestly. Thank you, Jun.

[He tilts his head slightly. Though he doesn't disagree that they've all lost a lot, he does think it is a stretch for Sorey to personally distrust Mikleo. He is surprised to have confirmation about the funeral, though. It's mostly been a rumor that the man known as Wisteria is dead as a doornail, sometimes haunting the chem lab if there's an interesting analysis going on from one of the digs.]

I certainly agree. We've much work to do to both repair the bridges that've been burnt, and to ensure that doesn't happen again. That being said....

[Sorey shrugs slightly.]

I don't think that Willow inviting you personally means that you're immediately untrustworthy to me. It sounds more like he took advantage of the situation you were in.

[Clearly, it looks like it doesn't sit well with him. He's reminded of his own interaction with the Black Order. How they tried to manipulate and threaten him when he was a teenager into joining after graduating high school. Sorey might even have caved out of fear for his family's safety if the invitation from POKEGO hadn't arrived when it did. The brunet tries to shake off that thought and keep his head in the present.]

I didn't realize you actually... died, though. [Mostly for Jun's benefit, he adds:] Some rumors circulated around that speculated Assistant Wisteria was a ghost who liked to haunt various places.

[whiteshroud]

[The free food is certainly it's own blessing, one that he is consuming as Sorey and Mikleo continue to talk. He's not really sure how to respond to both of them thanking him, so he's going to shove another spoonful of stew into his mouth. Smooth.

He does swallow and glance over at Mikleo when he expresses the bit about Willow recruiting him.]

Mm, Sorey's right, Mikleo. Even if he did recruit you, your actions since then speak for themselves about your character.

[He's seen enough of that from what Mikleo has said and the way he carries himself.

Jun then looks back at Sorey, nodding at the explanation.]

Because most people can't see him right? I can see why rumors like that would crop up.