Oh, oh, oh it's magic (Xie and Kevin)

[xie_er]

Zhao Jing used to be a nobody, born into influence and wealth but always in the shadow of those around him. In magical circles he was even worse, a barely-remembered witch that didn't have enough power for any familiar to even consider looking twice at him.

Somehow, though, after many years (and a few suspicious deaths), he's managed to climb his way to the CEO of Five Lakes, his power - of both kinds - growing exponentially.

The previous CEO was surrounded by some unfortunate rumorus before his death, so Zhao Jing has been focused on repairing the reputation of he company and solidifying his support, mundane and magical, which means it is far too delicate a moment for Xie to be in the spotlight, even if he was promised he'd be allowed to stop hiding when the position was in Zhao Jing's hands.

He just has to wait a little longer, that's all, and it's not like it's difficult to only appear in his animal form whenever Zhao Jing is in public, just uncomfortable, and the last thing they need is for somebody to recognise Xie for any of the things he's done to help his witch get where he is today, when his position is still so precarious...

He tells himself all the excuses he's heard from Yifu, repeats them in his head like a mantra as he sits through all the meetings and negotiations, a little black cat and Zhao Jing's feet, watching the men and women he's speaking to for anything Yifu can use. He hangs around when Zhao Jing steps out the room, listens to what they say behind his back - that's his job with normal people, to be a pair of ears they don't realise are there. Even paranoid types who scan for bugs would miss him, which he finds funny, privately, because he is a bug of a sort.

Not that he's allowed to take his original animal form - a scorpion would be out of place if anybody caught sight of him, and Yifu doesn't like the idea of him hiding in pockets or anything like that. He says it's dangerous, that something could happen to him, but Xie privately thinks he just finds the form creepy. Even around other magical people, the cat is preferred - his job with them is to be a reminder that Zhao Jing has a familiar, and a relatively powerful one at that.

It's hard for familiars to change the form they can take, but he did it, for Yifu.

He tells people the cat is called Scorpion, and that somebody else named him - which is technically true, Xie does mean scorpion, and his parents named him - and that he's vaguely embarrassed to have such a fiercely named cat.

(He doesn't tell magical people anything at all, they know Xie isn't a pet so they're less likely to ask, at most they will wonder why his familiar always stays in animal form. Zhao Jing just tells them he's shy. He isn't, he doesn't care about people seeing him, but it's easier to do the things Yifu wants him to do when nobody knows what he looks like)

Xie hadn't always known he was powerful - when Yifu had taken him in he'd been told he wasn't much, but that maybe he could be useful. Later, when some witch had made an offhand comment about it, the story had become that Yifu recognised his power and took him in before anybody else could steal him away, that he just wanted to protect Xie from the people who would use him for his power. Xie was already so far gone by that point that he accepted it, that he told himself he was lucky he had Yifu to protect him, to guide him.

It's funny how easy it is to lie to yourself.

When the meetings are over for the day he finally shifts back to human form, spending a few minutes stretching out the kinks that come from forcing himself into a form that isn't quite his, especially with how much he's had to do it over the last few weeks, and then going in search of something to eat. He could probably just head back to his own apartment since he doesn't think Yifu needs anything else from him, not today, but the outsiders have all left and everybody in Yifu's manor at least knows Xie, even if they don't know that Xie and Scorpion are one and the same, so it's safe to be around them.

He likes to spend as much time here as he can get away with, likes to remind Yifu he can be useful in other ways... and maybe he likes to keep an eye on this new apprentice Yifu has taken on. He doesn't understand why he needs anybody else when he has Xie, but the last time he'd questioned somebody new in the house Yifu hadn't spoken to him for a week, so he doesn't voice that thought out loud - he just watches the guy suspiciously every chance he gets, and wonders how easy he would be to get rid of.

He's halfway to the kitchen when something makes him stop. A tug of power, the vague echo of chanting, there's a ritual happening and something about it is drawing him close. He frowns, confused, and follows the pull...

Comments

[weird_cop]

And Kevin will, at that point, probably concede but maybe also say he likes asking. Likes to acknowledge a sharing of it, and at the moment wants Xie to be aware that he can refuse at any point.

Kevin was already down, and responds to the first time the question is asked by sharing what he's looking at, before he realises he can just physically hand it over.

It's a daily newspaper. Running today with the headline that Five Lakes CEO Jing Zhao has been killed in a shootout with armed police.

"Any details?"

"None printed. One of the uniforms is on the phone right now to find out what they haven't published. But they're not talking."

[xie_er]

Xie stumbles slightly on the stairs when Kevin shares the image, but he catches himself before he actually falls. He isn't sure he wants to look himself, but morbid curiosity compels him to take it when offered.

"If they're not talking they probably want to publish more, they don't want to be told not to." He comments, probably unnecessarily. He doubts this is their first rodeo with the press either.

He turns his attention to the contents of the article skimming over it and just letting bits and pieces jump out at him.

Shock to many...upstanding community member... darker side.... possible criminal ties...

Then he reaches the bit that nearly makes him throw down the paper in disgust.

Zhao is survived by his adopted son, Xie Zhao, who is rumoured to be in police custody. A statement released by Zhao's lawyer indicates Xie has requested investigation of misconduct surrounding his father's death.

"I feel like that lawyer is going to have a very bad accident soon." He says darkly.

[weird_cop]

"Let's keep accident-free for now," Kevin suggests, the fact that he's not bantering a sign that he's thinking hard. He takes the paper and spreads the story in front of him, with both hands on the table as he stands and stares at the text, looking for information between the lines.

They've left the portal to the portakabin open this morning, and Lofthouse drops in now, two other papers in her hands which she drops off. They are running much smaller stories, having heard something but not managed to secure any scoop.

"Higher ups are out for blood," she says, "but a normal amount of blood and this time it's not ours. Kevin, what do you think? Is this going to edge back into our specialism?"

"Do you mean someone might be trying to get him remembered?" Kevin asks. "I don't know - he obviously had some idea about this kind of magic, because he picked that pendant, but he was kind of stumbling around it, despite his own power."

He glances up at Xie, and adds: "until we can find out more, I'm more worried about the more mundane aspects.

"Do you want to call your lawyers?" He slips into the link automatically when addressing Xie directly, hardly thinking about their company.

[xie_er]

Xie would be offended by Kevin taking him seriously if it wasn't for the fact that he was deadly serious. He isn't stupid enough to actually do it, but the intent is genuine.

"And fire them?" He replies harshly, because right now that's the only thing he wants to do with those money-grubbing assholes.

[weird_cop]

"If you want," Kevin replies, then realises that Tony's facial expression says he's talking through the link.

"You could find out why they've been spinning it that way, find out if they're actually playing an angle. If they're not interested in working for you, then yes, fire them."

It's weird, he thinks. He's not used to being able to access both sides like this - the lawyers out for his blood working for the one person he trusts to be on his side.

[xie_er]

Xie sighs, nodding slightly.

"Maybe they put the statement out before they actually spoke to me." He admits, there's always a possibility they're not completely the worst ever.

But then Yifu was the one who hired them so maybe they are.

"Okay, I should call them."

[weird_cop]

"I'll go check our sources," Costain says. "Find out if anyone has been hearing about this in the wrong circles."

He nods to Kevin, who suddenly feels like he doesn't have anything to do. Except, most importantly, look out for Xie.

"We can go outside here or there," he offers, and glances at Lofthouse. "Any chance of a phone, Ma'am?"

"Back in the ops room," she says.

[xie_er]

"Let's go there." He decides, reasoning it would be safer outside a police station. He knows the risk has probably gone away, or at least diminished, but he'd still rather avoid the chance somebody would find out where he was living.

Seeing him at the station wouldn't raise any eyebrows, not after this stupid article.

[weird_cop]

Lofthouse agrees, and stands aside for both of them. Kevin feels a little pointless, having to leave the portakabin first to make the exit from the circle, but he figures he can makes the best use of his time by finding a quiet spot around the back and getting on with the meditation he didn't complete this morning.

"Right here if you need me."

[xie_er]

"I know"

Xie finds a relatively secluded spot to make the call. The lawyer is suitably apologetic, but it sounds like lip service. He claims the statement was made before they spoke. Xie doesn't believe a word of it.

He's fairly certain the lawyer might have been the one to even leak the story in the first place. He doesn't think it's for magical purposes - though he's not actually sure what they were referencing back in the basement - but instead an attempt to put pressure on the police to wrap things up quickly so the law firm could get paid.

He summons up every inch of demanding entitlement he's learned from Yifu and tells them to stop making decisions without running them by him first. Their job is to handle the will and represent him at trial and that's it. If they start getting creative again, he'll find someone else.

[weird_cop]

Kevin does his best not to listen in - Xie would let him hear if he wanted - but he can't help occasionally sneaking a look over to make sure he's okay. Xie definitely seems to have a handle on how to talk to lawyers, anyway.

As his stomach eases itself together, he finally opens his eyes and leans forward to watch him, vaguely enjoying the opportunity to watch Xie doing something normal, like arguing with lawyers.

[xie_er]

It isn't that Xie doesn't want him to listen so much as he didn't even think about it - he trusts him, whether listening or not.

When he finally finishes, he turns automatically towards Kevin, seeking him out.

"I think they got the message." he says wryly - they're not close enough to talk normally, and using the link is starting to just feel natural.

[weird_cop]

"And no stabbing needed."

Kevin attempts to grin through the link, or at least send something that attempts to communicate pride and reassurance. "We'll keep an eye out the next few days and see what else the papers run with.."

He reaches under his shirt and peels off the dressing now he doesn't need it, and stands slowly, stretching himself out.

"Sorry about this happening. The press can be assholes."

[xie_er]

"Yet"

There's amusement in his voice, though, an indication that this time he's probablyjoking.

Probably.

What else the papers run with... he dreads to think what the options are.

"I should probably have expected it." He sighs

[weird_cop]

"It's hard to remember the vultures exist when you're right in the middle of the fight," Kevin points out.

He considers something for a second, and then beckons Xie over. "Hey, I know what might make your lawyers like us a bit better. Remember the warrant we authorised on your place?"

Months ago by this point.

[xie_er]

Xie does remember, he remembers being vaguely uncomfortable at the idea of a bunch of cops rifling through his things. It's not even just the idea of them finding anything incriminating, it's the personal stuff.

(Sex toys, he's thinking about them finding his sex toys and just cringing)

"Mm. What about it?"

[weird_cop]

"I got some stuff released from evidence."

Some stuff released from evidence. Kevin got them to go and get some stuff, under the guise of a warrant. Lofthouse pulled some strings, Kevin promised to vouch for him.

It's back in the ops room. There's a cardboard documents box (which when opened will reveal the full contents of his bathroom counter, and a smaller item, wrapped in paper.) But next to that is a much bigger, unmistakable shape of a guitar case.

[xie_er]

Xie's eyes widen a little bit, though he (mostly) plays it cool.

Until he gets back in the ops room and spots the guitar case and his smile is wide and genuine and so grateful.

The thing is, in some ways the guitar he has at the safe house means more to him - it was a gift that Kevin didn't need to get, back when he was being nothing but uncooperative and surly, apropos of absolutely nothing, and his old guitar was, well, like any gift from Yifu. It came with strings attached - pun not intended.

But a custom strat is a custom strat, regardless of sentimentality.

(And, well... Kevin didn't need to get this back for him, either)

He opens the case immediately, running his fingers over it and inspecting it for any damage. He pulls it out, cradles it in his arms just to enjoy the feel of it again.

Eventually, he puts it back into the case and turns to the box, making a pleased noise when he realises it's all his products - his hair feels good with the alternatives he's been using, sure, but not as good as it does when he has his proper stuff, and his skin! His skin is practically crying with relief.

(Neither hair nor skin are really that bad at all, but this still makes him feel better)

The item wrapped in paper catches his attention last and he reaches for it curiously.

[weird_cop]

Kevin hangs back, hands in his pockets, wanting to bathe in the glow of the nice thing he's doing, but also a little self conscious, like it's too much, even if it's Xie's own stuff.

The wrapped package almost comes with a warning to not make Kevin regret it, but he bites that back, along with any explanation about the trust that is being put on the line here, and he hopes he made the right call.

The paper peels back to reveal the switchblade; the old battered thing that Kevin had barely seen until it came out that first night. So battered compared to the fancy throwing knives that there was no way it was purely functional.

It's been on Kevin's mind since the warehouse; he would rather have Xie able to protect himself than anything else: even the actual legality of carrying it.

So he pulled strings and had that one knife released.

[xie_er]

Xie definitely doesn't seem like it's too much, in fact it's exactly what he needs after the stress of everything that's going on.

He almost knows what's in the package as soon as he picks it up, the weight of it in his hand is just so achingly familiar that he has to take a moment after picking it up to keep his face from doing something unbearably telling.

He unwraps the paper slowly, dropping it aside and wrapping his fingers around the knife with a flood of something like relief. He'd been genuinely uncertain if he'd ever see it again.

"Yifu never wanted me to carry it. He thought it made me look like a thug." He says, the blade disappearing somewhere about his person with a little flick of his hand - it's not even one of the knives designed for that kind of move, he isn't wearing the special holster, he's just so used to that knife that it's like an extension of himself.

"It kept me safe, before." Before Yifu took him in, when he was just a kid on the streets of Hong Kong. It had been, for the longest time, the only thing he owned that wasn't from Yifu.

[weird_cop]

The less said about what Zhao did and didn't want from Xie the better, really. Kevin doesn't say that Zhao not liking it is a point in its favour, nor does he say anything about what he, Kevin, thinks about the term 'thug.'

"I want you to be safe," he replies simply. "You're too good to have to be protected all the time."

[xie_er]

"Thank you." Xie says, it doesn't feel like enough - for the sentiment, for the stuff, for everything, really.

He doesn't know how else to express it, though. Wishes he could do something for Kevin in turn but he has no idea what he can do - other than keeping his stupid lawyers from making trouble for him, anyway. It pales in comparison to everything Kevin has done for him.

[weird_cop]

Not sure how to make it less awkward, Kevin smirks.

"If you get lawyer on it I'm going to be disappointed."

He pops his head out to take his leave from Lofthouse and nods towards the portal.

"Ready to go?"

[xie_er]

Xie laughs, flicking the knife out again and twirling it between his fingers before tucking it away again.

"Fine, no lawyer." He agrees.

He nods, grabbing the box and the guitar case.

"Ready."

[weird_cop]

Kevin was hoping no anyone, bit he hadn't retrieved it if he didn't think there was a risk.

His eyes don't track the knife, but he watches it anyway, out of habit. Except rather than making him cautious, he feels better than there's a knife at his side.

Back home, he retreats to the kitchen, thinking about enchiladas and mole, but not without a new folder of documents - general specialism things that have been waiting for his eye.

The possibility of his name being dragged into the paper is thrown right to the back of his mind.