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Post by MP on Dec 27, 2019 13:17:48 GMT -6
Another ping of the text tone. Aaron glanced down, checking his phone for a record third time that morning. He read for a second, texted a one-handed, one-word response, and sent it back. He dropped the phone in his pocket, but even then he seemed distracted. It was unlike the agent, who usually pursued his current activity with a deliberate focus - even if that activity was just baking cookies. And there was something different about his demeanor. Once or twice, there was an irregular breath, as if he'd almost but not quite made up his mind to speak. But Aaron took his time with his thoughts, as always.
They were waiting on the second batch, the silence stretching, when the text tone pinged again. Aaron dusted flour off his hands. Checked the phone. He smirked slightly, shaking his head. Put the phone away and glanced back at his lumpy contributions to the oven.
"Yun's in town next week."
It was an incidental tone, but the details spoke volumes. There was the faintest lilt to the name. And the smile lingered at the corner of Aaron's mouth, threatening to crack into a wider grin.
"He wants to meet Saturday. Go out for lunch. If you two are interested."
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Post by tsukikoko on Dec 30, 2019 11:03:14 GMT -6
In the manner of one both naturally empathic and intimately familiar with another person, Sara had noted Aaron's change in demeanour from nearly the moment it had started. Aside from a surreptitious glance in his phone's direction whenever she heard the text alert, the shifter gave no outward sign that she had noticed anything, nor did she press her partner for information. He would say something in due time, she knew.
Sure enough, with a lingering smile that had her grinning helplessly in response to the sight of it, he mentioned Yun and an invitation to lunch. She remembered the older man fondly, even if their first meeting had been under less than stellar circumstances, she'd love to see him again. The chance for stories of Aaron's younger years was far too great a chance to pass up. "Sounds like a reet crackin' idea, luv, so long as 'e divvint want some alone time with ya, like." As she passed by, her hands filled with baking utensils that now needed cleaning, since batches of cookies were being loaded into the oven, Sara pressed a quick kiss to the agent's cheek. She was at the sink a moment later, with the tip of her tail wagging, as it always did when the redhead was happy.
Not that washing up stopped her conversation any, she simply asked over her shoulder, "Any idea where we'd be gannin' tee? Burgers, noodles, coffee an' cake like?" Then, as she placed a couple of items on the drying rack, Sara called over to the other man in the room. "Koji sweet'eart, would ya be alreet dryin' a few things for us, like? Ta." When there was little risk of unnerving Aaron, she encouraged the Genasi's use of his powers, not wanting him to bottle them up or feel as though he had to hide what he was all the time. A few small baking utensils, spoons and the like, should be alright for him to evaporate the water off of, at least.
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Post by Sharei on Dec 31, 2019 15:00:51 GMT -6
Koji's eyes flickered to Aaron, as they always did when his powers came up and the agent was present, but there was no indication of stress. He watched the subtle nuances of Aaron's jaw, the way his eyes moved. No anxiety, only a distinct impression of happiness.
"Alright," he agreed jovially and slid the last pan into the oven. When the oven door had been closed he walked over to the dishrack, side-eyed the sink full of water with the kind of stink-eye that would wither plants, and held his hand over the rack. In a moment the only indication of their drying was the slightest rise of steam and then nothing.
"Yun is... the one who helped you pick out those pyromancy items?" he asked curiously. "Is this the one you looked up to?"
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Post by MP on Dec 31, 2019 18:02:34 GMT -6
"Yeah."
Aaron had turned to check the oven at a timely moment, and his back was to them. Even then the fondness was audible, as if he was talking about a favorite uncle instead of a former agent. He looked at Sara over his shoulder.
"And do NOT leave me alone with him. He wants to go to To Bang, in the Underground." He cast them a suffering look. "He's friends with the owner. Says he can 'get us a room.'"
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Post by tsukikoko on Dec 31, 2019 20:02:13 GMT -6
Not that she was looking directly at the agent, but Sara's face and tone were completely neutral as she said, "No alone time? Hmmm... Nowt sure Aaron, meet 'ave tah check the maximum occupancy, it is 'two' Bang-" she said, deliberately creating a homonym of the real name, "-after all, like. We'll pair off, like, me an' Koji, you an' Yun. Sounds like 'e meet want ya all tah 'imself for a wee bit o' bondin', like."
After a quick thank you to Koji as she took the dried utensils and began putting them away, the shifter looked thoughtful, a low hum escaping her lips. She then mentioned, oh-so-casually, "Then again, I always did like tah watch." Sara let the comment hang for a moment or two, before she followed on with, "A reunion, ya know, like?" While she did a very good job of keeping a straight face, the mischievous glint in the redhead's eyes likely said all that needed to be said about her choice of words.
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Post by Sharei on Jan 1, 2020 12:49:37 GMT -6
Koji was less successful at keeping his face straight. He didn't often understand Sara's insinuations but this one he understood, and couldn't stop the snort of almost-laughter.
"I didn't realize you got on that well."
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Post by MP on Jan 2, 2020 12:28:27 GMT -6
Aaron heaved a despairing sigh. He’d expected as much from Sara. But he’d thought Koji at least might commiserate.
“Got it. I’ll tell him you both can’t make it.”
He took out his phone as if to text - an obvious bluff. He didn’t go farther than unlocking the home screen, continuing in an ambivalent tone.
“To Bang - not a word, Sara - is a bar and gym. Supernatural gym. There’s rooms for elemental stuff. If you’re interested, Koji.”
He glanced at the oven again, checking the cookies, since he didn’t know what to do with his gaze. They were barely two minutes in.
“He’s been excited to see you in action.”
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Post by tsukikoko on Jan 2, 2020 12:58:00 GMT -6
The shifter opened her mouth as though she might say those words Aaron had warned her not to, but with a smile forming at the corners of her lips and a playful bounce of her eyebrows, she silenced herself with a light chuckle. The idea of Yun having a spar with Koji, especially if their elements got involved, was fascinating and she would love to watch, but knew her agent would most certainly not wish to. She had no intention of leaving him to prop the bar by himself.
"So Aaron, ya thinkin' maybe you an' I git a room tah 'ave another spar while our Koji an' Yun are busy, like? Been a while since ya 'ad me on the mat, think ya found lioness a bit 'eavy." He'd tried, bless him, to help teach her a few fighting techniques, but between the innuendos and shifting, Sara thought perhaps she'd been a bit much for him. She'd endeavour to behave better if he took her up on the idea this time around, though he was more accustomed to dealing with her now. Then, over her shoulder at the Genasi, she added, "Obviously only if ya want tah 'ave a crack with Yun luv."
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Post by Sharei on Jan 2, 2020 13:09:18 GMT -6
The Genasi's eyebrows raised in open surprise. He glanced over at Sara, then at Aaron, as though to check whether or not the very conversation about his powers was alright.
"In action?" he repeated lamely. He almost asked whether or not Aaron meant physically - no pun intended - but there was little difficulty telling what he actually meant.
"I mean... I suppose," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "If that's - alright?"
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Post by MP on Jan 2, 2020 13:52:17 GMT -6
“The place should be equipped to handle it. I think you’re fine.”
Aaron might have answered normally, but he hadn’t missed Koji’s tentative behavior. The way he seemed to look for permission. The agent felt a sting of guilt. He’d never meant to create that impression. It had developed gradually, despite his awkward attempts at encouragement. Now he wasn’t sure how to address it.
He suppressed the anxiety, glancing at Sara.
“No lions or innuendos and it’s a deal. If you’re not too full.” A small shrug. “The food’s pretty good.”
For Aaron, it was lavish praise.
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Post by tsukikoko on Jan 4, 2020 8:04:05 GMT -6
Koji's tentative behaviour, Aaron's anxiety in response, was filed away as a mental note in the shifter's brain; she understood why the agent was concerned, guilty even. Because even though he couldn't help his response to fire, she knew he didn't want the Genasi to feel he had to hide his powers - that there was something wrong with them.
A thoughtful look crossed Sara's face. Things hadn't progressed so far as to be unsalvageable, Koji was being mindful of Aaron and she knew that, but his uncertainty could be coaxed into an awareness that wasn't tainted by guilt or other negativity (she'd had to do the same with her shifting, since some people were afraid of dogs, spiders or various other creatures, after all). She'd work on that as soon as possible, she decided.
"Why aye man, it'll be proper mint, like!" Sara encouraged, with the boundless enthusiasm that seemed to encompass every facet of her being whenever she was motivating another person. "Ya gannin' tee luv it!" Then, flashing a grin at Aaron that both signalled her excitement at sparring and was a silent 'everything will be alright' to him where Koji was concerned, the shifter followed up with, "Deal. Will I be drivin' us?"
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Post by Sharei on Jan 6, 2020 12:26:33 GMT -6
Aaron's open praise of the restaurant and their combined assurance that using his gifts was not only perfectly acceptable, but it was also practically encouraged, brightened the Genasi's expression in subtle ways. The color in his irises shifted to excitement at the prospect of a real row with someone. He only ever got to really fight with Viktoria, who he knew could take it, but he never used his fire. They had a mutual agreement to keep magic and tech out of their sparring sessions.
"I could drive," the Genasi suggested, though was half-aware that Aaron would veto the suggestion. Every attempt to discuss a driver's license had been met with mild, albeit polite, skepticism.
Nevermind that he probably had just as much driving experience as anyone present.
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Post by MP on Jan 14, 2020 15:53:59 GMT -6
“Licensed driver would be good,” Aaron said with a sideways glance at Koji.
Truth be told, it was probably time to see about that license soon. Not like Koji was a flight risk anymore, or exhibiting concerning behavior. Aaron made a mental note of it as he continued.
“Yun’s going to meet us there - it’s right off the metro - so don’t worry about driving him.”
He checked off Yun’s ever-accumulating list of ‘alsos’’ on one hand.
“He’s already made reservations, booked the practice room, brought some extra stuff for you, Koji. So we want to bring a bag for it. Make sure we have trunk room.”
He shrugged with a small smile.
“I’ll keep you updated. He’ll probably remember more stuff over the week.”
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Post by tsukikoko on Jan 21, 2020 7:13:08 GMT -6
In the end, Sara had been the one to drive, though with assurances to Koji that as soon as he had an actual licence he could be the one to take them next time; it wasn’t that she didn’t trust his driving, because she was sure he’d been given that sort of training, it was just that the last thing they needed was to be pulled over.
Her car, unlike the general untidy disarray she left her house in, was near immaculate. Only a set of sunglasses down near the gear stick and a squirreled away chocolate bar in the driver’s side door disrupted the tidiness. The boot, similarly, was devoid of anything clutter and so there was plenty of space for any items Koji or Aaron might wish to bring for their excursion.
She let the two of them figure out amongst themselves who was going to ride shotgun and at the very beginning of the journey stated, where music was concerned, “This isn’t a democracy, this is a dictatorship.”
Navigating the Underground had become second nature to Sara, especially since the number of visits she took to the area had been steadily increasing - a positive byproduct of her returning love of playing music and a steady improvement where fear over recent events were concerned. A quick text to some supers in the know provided her a few decent parking spots just off the beaten track, so she wouldn’t have to fight for a space or worry about how long their reunion with Yun went on for, but it did mean a short walk to their destination. Not that she imagined any of the group would mind.
‘To Bang’ was an interesting establishment, staking a vibrant claim between two otherwise unassuming office buildings. Large neon lighting proudly displayed the name and the presence of a bar, while a second sign, deliberately designed to look tacked on with chains, swung a corrugated iron panel with ‘AND GYM’ spray painted across it. Though large floor-to-ceiling windows existed, they only covered the initial waiting and reception area, a wide space of wooden flooring, faux leather seating, bright lighting and Bruce Lee posters. The rest of the building, a structure of considerable size and plenty of artistic, commissioned graffiti, was very assuredly opaque. The brick assured a level of privacy for those using the training rooms, as well as a measure of safety given the explosive nature of some supernaturals. Should one look inside, they would see a number of vending machines for padlocks, protein drinks, towels and other amenities were present. Behind the reception desk, two signs in the shape of arrows, again lit with neon, directed patrons to the right for the bar and to the left for ‘training rooms’. A number of staff manned the front desk, cheerily checking bookings and directing patrons through to their chosen area, including a rather shy looking chimera-type-creature that Sara recognised from a few of her gigs. She waved enthusiastically before they disappeared through the bar door, earning her a look of surprise, then pleasant recognition and a wave in return. The creature’s tail, which was also a fully functional head of serpentine dimensions, seemed to mouth something that might have been, ’call me’ before it vanished.
Now that she was safe from the unknowing eyes of the general public, Sara removed the glowband around one wrist and stuck it in her pocket, allowing the large reptilian tail she sported to abruptly reappear. This way, no innocent bystander - or Aaron - would trip over it... again. “Alreet then, we waitin’ for Yun in or owt, like?” The shifter asked as she peered through one of the windows in case she spotted him too.
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Post by MP on Nov 7, 2020 13:32:14 GMT -6
"Probably in," Aaron said, scanning the tables through the window. If Yun hadn't beaten them here, they might as well get a table. "I thought he left first, so he should be...uh..."
Not seeing a familiar face, he was about to lead them inside when he noticed a hand waving from across the street. It stuck above the sea of heads, looking for all the world like a drowning man, before going back under.
"Never mind. I see him."
Aaron slowed to a stop, waiting for the light to change. When the waving hand next appeared, it had flailed its way across. Aaron could hear the distinctive growl of a greeting well before he could make the Old Gold out.
"AAAHHHhhthere he is!"
No sooner had Aaron put out his hand then he was dragged down into a hug, somewhere between a chest bump and a hearty clap on the shoulder. The enthusiasm always took him by surprise, but Aaron returned the gesture with genuine, if lower energy, patting Yun on the shoulder as he drew back.
"You look good, kiddo. Really good," Yun said, nodding approvingly.
"You too," Aaron said, smiling. Even his self-consciousness at their last meeting - a hospital bed and his own embarrassment - couldn't dampen his spirits. It was always good to see Yun. Even if he couldn't help but notice how thin the Old Gold was looking these days.
He stepped out of Yun's way, and the old pyromancer's eyes lit with recognition.
"Sara! Good to see you again. And this must be Koji. Glad you could make it."
He stuck out a calloused hand to them both in turn, grinning broadly and radiating a sense of honest friendliness. Aaron, who often monitored Koji's introductions with a discreet but watchful eye, for once seemed completely relaxed. Yun had a way with people, an intuition for boundaries and permission, that he never would. He already got along with Sara. Lunch with the three of them was something Aaron had been quietly looking forward to for weeks.
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