Oh, oh, oh it's magic (Xie and Kevin)
Oct. 15th, 2023 01:46 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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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...
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Date: 2024-02-11 10:41 pm (UTC)But Lofthouse does her magic, and it's agreed that it should be just suggested that Kevin has a pet who gets anxious when left alone and would do so much better if brought in. And it might be good for the kids to have an animal anyway.
So Kevin makes a trip to the petshop, gets feeding bowls, toys, and the most comfortable looking cat bed he can find, before heading into work.
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Date: 2024-02-11 11:04 pm (UTC)Xie isn't entirely sure what to think when he hears that the excuse for his presence is supposed separation anxiety, mostly because it feels a little too close to home. Not that he'd admit that even to himself.
He gets over it, though, because it works. He does raise an eyebrow at Kevin buying cat toys, not entirely convinced they're necessary to sell it, but he does make a joke about how it's a pity they don't still have the cat tree Tony bought.
He hasn't shifted into a cat since the time he tried to claw a kidnapper's face off, but it still comes just as easily to him as it used to - it might get uncomfortable after a while, but he's still well practiced at it and it is muscle memory at this point - though he does wait until he absolutely has to, when they're almost in sight of the place.
Spot, meanwhile, has heard they're getting a new member of staff (one kid overheard one of the admins talking about it and it spread through the dining room before dinner had even finished the night before Kevin's arrival) and is, unusually, hanging out in the common room. He's holed up in his room since getting here, but he's pretty sure new staff are probably going to get a tour, and he wants to see if it's Kevin.
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Date: 2024-02-12 10:06 am (UTC)But he brings bed and dishes and toys with him, and hopes no one notices that when he reaches into the back seat to grab the cat carrier, he has to shut the door before picking it up, so it doesn't look like the cat's had the full access to the car while he was driving.
The centre manager is a woman who introduces herself as Beth Wilson: an amputee whose slightly stiff bearing and tightly tied back hair suggests she's ex-military. She knows who Kevin is, but most of the staff don't, she explains. Kevin's staff card says his last name is Pierce, but they're a first name facility so he'll be addressed as Kev.
The tour happens, and Beth brings him into the common room, pointing out some of the kids she finds in there: Spot, of course, and Kevin gives him the same a friendly 'first time meeting nod' that he gives to the others, including the sulky kid sitting on the window seat, clearly waiting for the unseasonal rainstorm to clear up so he can run outside. It's a seat that also gave him full view of the staff car park.
"Hey, what was in that animal carrier you brought in?"
"Ezra has a gift with animals," Beth explains.
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Date: 2024-02-12 10:19 am (UTC)For a moment, Xie is kind of touched that he went to that trouble. Then he realises he went to that trouble for a cat and it's really stupid to be touched even if the cat is him. He doesn't voice either of these thoughts.
While Kevin is away on the tour he pokes around the office just for something to do - he would explore the building already, but they decided it would be better for the other staff to be made aware of the cat before he was allowed to go wandering. Just in case.
Spot gives him a totally casual nod back, though there's something about him that seems just that little bit more relaxed now that Kevin is here as promised. When Ezra asks about the carrier, he sits up a little.
"Animal carrier?" He repeats. He hasn't shown any particular interest in animals since arriving (he hasn't shown any particular interest in anything) but now he's definitely interested.
He's also wondering what kind of animal carrier you need for a scorpion...
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Date: 2024-02-12 10:37 am (UTC)Beth, who has not been told why the undercover policeman wanted to bring his cat, and only had the explanation to go on, smiles at Ezra specifically.
"I thought it might be nice to have an animal around during the day, maybe you can meet him later."
"His name is Scorpio," Kevin adds, hoping that gives Spot enough information. "Don't pull his tail."
At the same time he's telling Xie about the conversation.
"Looks like you might get other kids paying attention to you, sorry."
Ezra scoffs. Of course he wouldn't do that.
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Date: 2024-02-12 10:46 am (UTC)Spot's shoulders drop, just a little, when Kevin says he has a cat. It's not that he's mad about the cat or anything, he just thought...
Then Kevin says his name, and his eyes widen a little. It does give him enough information to realise he was right the first time, but it also gives him more questions. Well, one question. Namely; how is Xie a cat when he was a scorpion before!?
(He's only ever known familiars with a single animal form, he didn't even know others were possible)
"I thought that might happen. I won't scratch them unless they deserve it"
(He wouldn't scratch them if they did deserve it. Probably. But only because they're here for something more important)
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Date: 2024-02-12 11:19 am (UTC)Kevin grins at both Ezra and Spot. "His bed is in the main office. Drop by when you've got a break later and we'll see if he's in."
Beth is not surprised by Spot's interest in Kevin, but she's impressed by Ezra's. As they walk off to continue the tour, she explains:
"I haven't seen him that interested in something for a while. He's one of our more challenging kids: incredibly bright but no tolerance for boredom."
It's just a matter of time before Ezra meets someone else in Kevin's line of work, and Beth is keen that this be avoided.
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Date: 2024-02-12 11:26 am (UTC)"That doesn't surprise me, I don't think it's common knowledge, it's not easy to do" Xie says - he doesn't sound boastful when he says it, in that way that sometimes he forgets when something he can do is actually kind of special after years of Yifu's manipulation.
Spot nods, already looking forward to stopping by and asking about it - though he gives Ezra a sideways look, trying to figure out the best way to make sure he goes when Ezra isn't around, or he won't be able to ask.
Once Kevin moves on, he goes back to the usual disinterested sullenness he's cultivated since arriving.
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Date: 2024-02-12 11:37 am (UTC)He finishes the tour, is given actual work to do - busy work, but work nevertheless - and returns to the office, mostly to run checks on the other staff he's met, make sure there's no way they could have ulterior motives.
Ezra contemplates saying something to Spot, then decides he can't be bothered trying to find something to say, and also goes back to sulking.
After a while the rain clears up and he disappears outside. But after lunch, he decides that he doesn't want to go to his maths class and goes to find the cat.
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Date: 2024-02-12 11:42 am (UTC)Xie doesn't respond, but Kevin can probably feel the warm glow of pleasure that compliment gives him.
While Kevin gets on with his busy work, Xie goes for a stroll around the grounds - it's damp, and he doesn't enjoy it, and when he gets back he deliberately gets wet paws all over Kevin's jeans and curls up in his lap while he works just because.
Which is where he is when Ezra comes looking.
Unfortunately, it's also when Spot comes looking, too, because he figured Ezra would go during lunch and ditching class to go would result in more privacy.
So when he sees Ezra also approaching the office he scowls.
"Didn't he say to go during a break?" He snipes, despite the fact that he said that to both of them.
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Date: 2024-02-12 11:58 am (UTC)He glares at Spot, and holds eye contact while he knocks on the door.
Kevin has a lapful of cat, so can't actually get up to open the door and has to shout for them to open it.
"I'm pretty sure this isn't a break time," he says. To both of them.
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Date: 2024-02-12 12:01 pm (UTC)Xie could move, but why would he when he's comfortable? Or as comfortable as he can get in that form anyway.
Spot just scowls at Ezra and pushes the door open when Kevin calls, shoving his way slightly in front of the other boy.
"We've got a free period." He lies as soon as Kevin calls them out. He could claim he had a free period and Ezra didn't, but as grumpy as he is about Ezra also being there, he's not a snitch.
"That kid needs to get better at lying" Xie observes
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Date: 2024-02-12 12:34 pm (UTC)"And you came to see Scorpio with it," Kevin fills in., gently lifting Xie off his lap into his arms. "I assume you didn't want to talk to me."
"I don't want to head the other kid off, unless you think it's urgent, sorry. Beth said he's got his own issues."
Ezra is trying to look cool in the way that Spot is trying to look cool, but he does keep glancing at the cat, with no ulterior motive other than wanting to snuggle his fur.
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Date: 2024-02-12 12:40 pm (UTC)"Don't worry about it" Xie says easily. Just because they're here to keep an eye on one kid in particular doesn't mean they have to ignore all the others - they're all here for a reason.
He jumps from Kevin's arms onto the desk, padding over to sit on the edge closer to the two teens. He'll subject to petting. He might even deign to purr.
Spot, meanwhile, is hovering sullenly, trying to think of a way to ask his questions without giving anything away to Ezra. He looks at Xie, who can tell what he's trying to do and ducks his head in a nod. It's a bit of a weird move, he knows, but he hopes it's not so weird that Ezra will be suspicious.
Spot relaxes a little, putting his hands in his pockets.
"Pretty cool they let you bring your cat."
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Date: 2024-02-12 12:49 pm (UTC)Kevin nods at Spot.
"Yeah, I told them he doesn't like to be left at home. Which is true, but really it's just that he gets bored, and Beth said there were kids here who liked animals."
(Ezra does glance up suspiciously. wondering if they mean him, but Kevin really means he's here for Spot, obviously)
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Date: 2024-02-12 12:55 pm (UTC)Xie gives Ezra an affectionate headbutt, because he's pretty sure it will be well received and apparently he has a soft spot for kids.
(He's just way better at interacting with them when he doesn't have to talk)
Spot nods, glancing at Ezra again and then back at Kevin.
"So... he's probably going to be here whenever you're here?"
(For somebody so supposedly interested in the cat, he hasn't actually stepped any closer to Xie, apparently content to let Ezra have all his attention)
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Date: 2024-02-12 01:05 pm (UTC)"Probably," he says, though he adds: "maybe not all the time. If he gets too tired I'll leave him at home. You know, it's hard being a cat."
That's a joke, obviously. But also it's not. It's hard being a cat.
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Date: 2024-02-12 02:16 pm (UTC)(And also because Kevin actually cares about the strain. He used to think Yifu cared, when he paid for a masseuse on occasion, but now he realises he just wanted Xie to stop complaining)
Spot, knowing that Xie isn't actually a cat, picks up on the double meaning and gives Xie another interested look. Hard, but not impossible.
(If Ezra wasn't here, he'd make a cocky remark about how being a cat was very easy, actually. For him.)
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Date: 2024-02-12 02:43 pm (UTC)"Can we come in and see him?" he asks now, thinking of the many times that lessons just get too much and he wants to be alone. Alone with a cat sounds much better.
Kevin confirms. "If he's in, and I'm not doing anything private, sure."
Though he suddenly gets an image of all the kids in the home crowding into the admin office and adds:
"Let's say one of you at a time, though. In the future."
That will give Spot privacy if he wants to ask questions as well.
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Date: 2024-02-12 02:58 pm (UTC)Spot scowls a little bit, because Kevin and Xie are here for him and stupid Ezra is getting in the way of that. He bites his tongue, though, since Kevin is undercover and everything.
(And because it's a dumb thing to be mad at and he knows that, and he'd never admit to being jealous anyway)
Xie is about to protest, similarly thinking about suddenly being inundated with kids, but then Kevin corrects himself and he relaxes again. One at a time is fine.
Spot, too, is glad at the rule, and he mouths 'thanks' to Kevin - assuming Ezra is too distracted by the cat to notice him.
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Date: 2024-02-12 03:17 pm (UTC)Kevin shrugs a sort of apology at Spot - he's right, Ezra does seem to be distracted, but he does also seem to be enjoying it, a long as Xie responds to his scritches.
But then a teacher sticks her head around the door, and frowns at them both.
"Beth said I might find you here, Ezra. Do you feel like joining us for English?"
"No..." Ezra's shoulders slump, and he scowls at her, but rather than starting a fight, he slumps out, having given Xie one more stroke on the head.
He glares at Spot as he goes though. How come he isn't being hauled out?
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Date: 2024-02-12 03:22 pm (UTC)"Maybe I should have picked jail" Xie quips back - though, of course, he really doesn't mind. It's a bit to be petted, but it's not unpleasant, and Ezra certainly seems in a better mood for it.
At least, he does until the teacher shows up. Xie gives him one last headbutt before he leaves.
Spot tenses when the teacher appears, and honestly he isn't entirely sure why he's not being called out, but he's not going to complain. He does smirk a bit at Ezra as he passes though.
"I didn't know you could turn into more than one animal." He blurts out almost as soon as the door closes again.
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Date: 2024-02-12 03:32 pm (UTC)"Funny story," he says. "I used to think he was only a cat. Didn't even know he was human.
"He taught himself the cat. Took a long time and a lot of effort, but people are less likely to notice a cat than a scorpion, around here."
And Xie is special, but Kevin doesn't want to discourage Spot if he wanted to try a new shape.
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Date: 2024-02-12 03:40 pm (UTC)Spot vaguely remembers them saying something about Kevin not knowing he had a human form to begin with, but it's news that the form he first encountered was the cat. He snorts a bit of a laugh, though, because it's funny that he didn't know.
"That's cool." He says, feigning casual but a hint of genuine admiration sneaking in as he looks over at Xie, who has sat back on his haunches on the table and is looking back at him.
"So... how long are you guys going to be around for? Are you just here during the day? What if somebody tries to come at night? You can't just hang around forever, right...?"
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Date: 2024-02-12 03:52 pm (UTC)After all, if Spot's Dad had implanted a chip in him, he'd have found him on the streets.
"We're basically here just in case. And if you have any questions or problems you need to ask us about while we figure out how to keep him from you for good. I'm hoping that will be as soon as possible, but right now? You're my case. I'm here until you don't need me anymore."
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