A Vigilant dinner [Elena | Mikky | G]

Hanako and G were both familiar with Mikhail’s apartment. It sat in the heart of a trendy mutant neighborhood in Omotesando, near Tokyo’s film district. Once a former queer community, it now played host to many of Tokyo wealthy and popular mutants--models, actors, idols, and other celebrities. It was a slice of a different world--wide streets, lined with coffee shops, nightclubs, and boutique stores, crosswalked painted with slogans like “Differently Human.” A little oasis of acceptance--if you could pay the price.

Mikki’s apartment sat in a massive complex that stretched toward the sky, a spire covered with gleaming windows on the outside. When Hanako and G arrived, after parking their car in the adjoined lot, they were waved through to the elevator, by a guard, and sent up to Mikkail’s apartment, clearly expected.

Mikhail was waiting in the hall outside the elevator, dressed in an informal, sapphire-blue yukata with his long white hair tied up in a neat, samurai-style bun with a matching beaded cord. His face was composed, expression gracious, but his eyes sparkled in excitement. He bent at the waist in a polite, graceful bow.

“Welcome! We haven’t been properly introduced, though I’ve been told this is your second time visiting my house. Elena is waiting inside--she wanted to come out to meet you, but she's tired after preparing dinner!” Mikhail began, voice smooth and refined.

Inside, of course, he was sizing both of them up.

So these are her vigilante friends. You didn't say as much, love, but I am not simply a pretty face. We meet at least.

Neither was familiar to him. Hanako--the woman--was beautiful, dark, and graceful, with the poise of someone used to being around these sort of places. Meanwhile, Gabe stood like a prize-fighter. Definitely the more dangerous of the two. The ringleader.

How did you drag her into this? Or did she drag you? And where do we stand, oh mysterious duo?

His excitement fluttered in his chest, but he dulled it when he saw the child.

...trio

They were here to celebrate. Celebrate having friends, the anniversary of an old life, and perhaps the start of a new.

He would be polite, and give no cause for complaint.

Mikhail waved his hand, slithering toward his apartment, graceful and unflappable.

“Can I help you with anything? Hold anything for you?”

Talk about a mixed reception.

Mikki hasn’t been expecting Elena’s friends to fall into his arms. To be entirely honest to himself, Hanako’s brief, starstruck look was more than he’d expected. The naked hostility washing off “Gabe” was something else, though. In a grimly amusing way, it reminded him of the way the PSC had looked at him when he’d first applied to be a hero. Like he was a walking joke. Something less.

If he’d been less dedicated to his roll, he’d probably have said something snippy, but Mikki was devoted to the craft. In fact, he was a little surprised at how annoyed he was at the brush-off.

Elena’s exuberance was rubbing off on him.

“I get that a lot, don’t worry--” Mikki said playfully, giving Hanako and the baby a patient smile. No one in their right mind could be offended by a baby

“Alright! I won’t leave you waiting outside--at least I can offer you a seat.” He continued, nodding at G, acting as though he hadn’t noticed the man’s tone, or refusal or bow. The man’s obvious joy at being a father took the edge off his rudeness a moment later, and Mikki’s smile became a hair more honest. “Happy birthday to the lucky boy.”

No one gets to choose their father.

He opened the door to his apartment, slithering into the entryway.

“The entry--shoes can stay here.” Mikki said, waving at the heated, polished tiles in the tiny foyer. For his part, he slithered over to an indent in the floor, washing the bottom of his scales in a basin set up for his anatomy. It wasn’t like he could take his shoes off.

Inside, the house was spotlessly clean, and surprisingly modestly decorated, though everything was obviously enormously expensive, from the automatic shades over the windows, to the giant, snake-sized couch, to the massive TV that covered a wall. The pictures of Serperior from various tours and bands also left no doubt to who’s house it was--though there were no solo shots, leaving it unclear if it was vanity, or pride in his former music groups that had them on display. Just off the living room was the kitchen, where Elena was hard at work, and doors that undoubtedly led to bedrooms and bathrooms.

“Elena! We’re being invaded!” Mikki called out brightly. “They’re sending tiny soldiers now!”

He waved Gabe, Hanako and the infant into the living room.

“Sit wherever you want. Do you want wine, or anything else? I don’t drink, but don’t let me inconvenience you. And...if there were potentially, possibly, presents for the little one on offer, should they come out now, or after dinner?”

Mikki kept his tone bright and friendly, holding onto himself as a host. He wasn’t going to embarrass Elena. He wasn’t going to let anything ruin this. He was going to better--politer--than any vigilante. And at the end of this, they’d walk out charmed.

That was the plan, at least.