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

[xie_er]

It genuinely takes Xie a moment to understand what he's saying - his first instinct is to be offended, to assume that Kevin is implying he might do something wrong and ruin the mission, but he realises after a beat that Kevin is worried about him, and the danger he's putting himself in.

He knows it's just Kevin's way, still thinks that Kevin's care over him started out as just his usual care-for-another-human-being and transitioned into something that was more about him as a specific human being, but it still makes him feel a little of that now-familiar warmth and affection.

"I will"

[weird_cop]

"Sorry," says Kevin as soon as that pause is over, "you know what you're doing, and I get the impression from these books that I'm usually the one doing reckless and dangerous shit."

Not that there aren't things here that imply the others have done stuff, but Kevin's descriptions of his own sacrifices and rituals have been detailed about what he did.

[xie_er]

"You definitely have a knack for reckless and dangerous shit" Xie agrees dryly, but there's a hint of fondness too - after all, he wouldn't be alive right now if it wasn't for Kevin doing reckless and dangerous shit.

It's funny, really, because for all Yifu used to call him impulsive, reckless was never really Xie's style. Dangerous, yes, but well thought out. Most of the time.

Kevin seems to bring out the reckless in him, though.

[weird_cop]

Kevin smiles when he picks up that fondness, with only a little regret that he doesn't quite reciprocate. Is it weird to miss something one doesn't remember? Probably.

He's about to ask Xie if he knows about some of the stuff he's been reading about, when the doorbell rings.

It's Lisa, with a suitcase and mulyiple garment bags, and another bag of takeaway lunch.

[xie_er]

Xie comes to the door as well, eyes lighting up when he sees the bags - he loves Lisa a little bit for transporting them properly = and coming forward to take them off her hands.

"Are you joining us for lunch?" He asks/offers, eyeing up the takeout bag.

She's definitely his favourite.

[weird_cop]

"If you'll have me," she says. "We discussed among us how likely it was that Kev would forget to eat because he was studying, and decided on takeout."

Kevin isn't sure how he feels about being so blatently called out like this by a relative stranger, but he decides to be comforted that she knows and cares for him, and receives the bags in order to transfer them to plates.

"Oh," Lisa adds, turning to Xie. She digs in her jeans pockets and brings out his spare set of keys from his apartment, which she dangles in front of him. "Tada!"

[xie_er]

"Oh, good." Xie takes the keys with a nod, tucking them into his own pocket "Now I won't have to break into my own place again."

If the police are done with it, though, he wonders if he should just pack all his things and sell up. He doesn't particularly want to live there again, any more than he wants to live at Yifu's mansion. Except, he realises, he can't sell, because he never actually owned the place, Yifu did, so it's just as tied up as everything else until the estate is sorted out.

It is a space he could go and work on the potion, at least...

[weird_cop]

Kevin gives him a questioning look, debating whether it's worth asking or if he'll remember in time. He decides on the latter.

But mostly because he instantly starts talking to Lisa about things he's been reading about. Asking her questions about their experiences that he thinks directly relates to the case.

He doesn't ask about the happiness, though.

[xie_er]

"Long story" Xie says in response to the look "I'll tell you later"

It's not necessarily that long in itself, but it might require extra explanation that would just be a distraction right now, especially since he has things to discuss with Lisa.

He takes over dishing out the food as they talk, setting it out on the kitchen table for them all and settling down to eat, just letting the conversation wash over him.

[weird_cop]

They talk about the auctions a lot: various objects, things they've seen bought and offered, then they go through some of the things that might be coming up.

Most of the objects, it seem, are just significant on terms of providence and history, what people attach to them. Some might have uses, like scrying glasses, but they're not that common.

He confirms the things he read about the security of the auction and she agrees that Xie would not read as someone associated with them if someone reads his 'barcode.'

Then eventually the conversation dies out and they slip into a companionable silence as they eat.

Though Lisa does ask, oh-so-casually at the end:

"How are you holding up?"

Kevin shrugs. "I'm okay. It's just frustrating feeling like I should know things. I'm being taken care of."

She shoots an appreciative look at Xie, and smiles.

[xie_er]

Xie glances up, a little surprised. He's used to Keving being the one taking care of him, the idea that he's managing to do so in return is... strange, but good. Although, all he's really done is be supportive and make him tea, is it really that simple? It doesn't feel like enough.

He smiles back, sheepish, unsure exactly what to say for a moment.

"He's not very high maintenance." He settles on eventually, moving to start clearing the plates.

"We have to head out soon, we're meeting a contact of mine." He adds

[weird_cop]

"Oh?"

Lisa looks like she's about to ask, and stops herself short.

"No, sorry, don't tell me. Good luck with it, though. Let us know what comes of it."

[xie_er]

Xie smiles slightly and nods - he doesn't actually mind telling her, but maybe it is best that he doesn't. Du Pusa wouldn't thank him for it (even though they already know about her) and the only reason she's deigning to allow Kevin along is because he's Xie's boyfriend.

(Not that he's mentioning that to Kevin right now)

"I will do." He agrees "It might not be much, but I'll let you know anything I find out."

[weird_cop]

Lisa wishes them both luck on her way out, though she pauses briefly to remind Xie to look after himself as well, before heading back to her own analysis.

With the prospect ahead of having to meet a new person while not actually himself, Kevin runs his hands through his hair.

"Should I get changed or anything?"

[xie_er]

"Only if you want to" Xie says easily, then glances over at him with a faint smile "you look fine"

He wants to tell him to just be himself, but he knows Kevin is struggling with who that is at the moment. He also wants to kiss him, but he contents himself with reaching over to grab his hand and squeeze it reassuringly.

"No expectations, okay?"

[weird_cop]

"Okay," Kevin agrees, squeezing Xie's hand back, again appreciating his quiet support.

"I'll let you do all the talking anyway. Are you ready to go?"

If so, he'll lead the way out to the car

[xie_er]

"I'm ready" Xie nods, following him out to the car.

The meeting is arranged for an entirely nondescript coffee shop, it's relatively quiet when they arrive and Xie leads Kevin unerringly to a back corner where there's a little alcove with a couple of couches. One of them is already occupied.

Du Pusa looks like she just walked off a fashion shoot; her makeup is impeccable and her clothing just skirting the line between sexy and slutty. She stands when they arrive.

"Da Wang." She greets Xie with a smile, leaning in to kiss him fondly on the cheek. "And this must be him." She adds, turning to look Kevin up and down speculatively

[weird_cop]

Kevin, resigned to feeling self conscious, leans into the feeling, stepping back half a step, dropping his hands out of his pockets, and submitting to the examination.

"That's me," he says.

"Nice to meet you."

He's suddenly very aware that he's in jeans and a hoodie and the other two very much aren't.

[xie_er]

Du Pusa makes a noise like the niceness of meeting her is yet to be determined and motions for them both to sit, dropping back onto the couch herself gracefully.

"Would you rather go and get drinks? I don't want to leave you two alone" Xie asks, glancing over at Kevin before he sits - it'll give him a moment to tell her to behave, and give Kevin something to do so he doesn't feel quite so awkward. He hopes.

[weird_cop]

"Why, what do you think she'd do to me?"

He's smooth as he uses the link, nothing showing on his face as he conspicuously gets out his wallet and looks at Du Pusa.

"Have you already ordered a drink? Can I get you one?"

[xie_er]

"Eat you alive" Xie jokes.

Of course, the actual worst case scenario is that they get on with each other and start scheming against him.

"I'll take a black coffee." Du Pusa replies smoothly.

"I'll have a latte, please" Xie adds through the link, sitting on the couch opposite her - he normally wouldn't bother saying, but he remembers in time that Kevin won't remember his tastes.

[weird_cop]

"Shit what's my order?"

Don't answer that, Xie. Kevin's mostly talking to himself. In the end he looks over the menu, orders himself a cappuccino to go with the latte and the filter coffee, which he loads on a tray alongside a cookie and two pastries he likes the look of.

He's nervous, and has the impulse to buy food.

He tries not to listen in through the link or to look over while waiting for the coffees, letting Xie have time alone with his friend.

When he brings the tray over he sets it on the coffee table between them and sits next to Xie, a friendly distance between them.

"Help yourself to a sweet if you want one," he says to both.

[xie_er]

Du Pusa is chatting away in Mandarin when he gets back, he can probably catch enough to tell she's bitching about someone, and she clearly isn't put off by Kevin's presence because she finishes what she's saying before switching to English to thank him for the coffee, pulling a pastry towards herself with a pleased look.

"So," Xie says, picking up his own coffee "what have you been hearing?"

Du Pusa pouts.

"Straight to business? I'm not allowed to get to know your new friend first...?"

[weird_cop]

This is the first time KIevin has had to interact with anyone outside his five friends since forgetting who he is an how he's supposed to behave, so he decides to follow his instincts, that have helped him well enough in driving.

His instincts tell him to sit back in the couch while she talks, adopt a neutrally uncomprehending face that suggests he doesn't speak a word and can't understand a thing. He doesn't quite realise that's what he's doing, but it's comes naturally.

When she switches to English, he returns her smile, but shrugs as he leans forward to help himself to the cookie.

"There's not much to get to know right now."

[xie_er]

"Oh, but that means we don't have to bother with all the boring things and I can find out what you're really like." She says with a smirk, taking a sip of her coffee.

"Those boring things are sort of important to us, which is why I want to know what you've heard." Xie says sharply, and Du Pusa pouts playfully at him.

"Still so bossy, Da Wang," she teases. He raises an eyebrow at her and it softens into a more genuine smile.

"I haven't heard a lot," she admits