An Invitation [tagging Verity Willis]

[sumarusfinest]

There is no pomp and circumstance as Katsuya pulls open the glass door leading back to his world. His home. Sumaru City. No witty mechanics or magics bar the path. One moment he and Verity are standing in the Nexus forum, the next they are facing the waters outside of the Konan Police department.

The noise is the first thing Verity will notice. The distinct hum of millions of people speaking a foreign language all around her. That being said most of the signs have at least made an effort to include English subtitles on them, to varying degrees of accuracy.

What little abnormality of this world is felt, rather than seen. As soon as Katsuya's feet touch pavement, there's a ripple in his senses as Helios scans the area for signs of demon activity. So second nature to him now. Like coming home. They walk past a vending machine selling soda, juice, cigarettes and beer--NasTea! the sign gleefully reads in sloping English letters that seem ill fitting considering the brand name.

It isn't until they are off the main road that Katsuya stops and gives his guest a small smile.

"Here we are. My home. What would you like to do first?"

Comments

[brave_heart_verity]

But the important thing is that, right now, she's 27. Near enough his own age to not matter, and definitely all grown up.

"Do they?" She had figured they'd just work it out. She's so easy-going about these things. "It's not that long." Twelve years. Almost half her life. "Does it really matter?"

"I don't usually follow sports, but I can find out if you want. I'd warn you not to make bets, but I'm sure an upstanding officer of the law such as yourself would never do something like that." Her tone follows the line between earnest and sarcastic so closely she might not even know which she's aiming for.

[sumarusfinest]

Right now Katsuya is thirty and decidedly content with that. Being a kid sucked when he was a kid. He isn't the sort to want to go back to those years. God no.

"It's just hard to wrap my head around, is what I mean." He shakes his head. "It's not a trouble, it's just bizarre to try and think through. I feel rather old fashioned suddenly." He laughs though, clearly he's joking.

"Hm. Best not to look then. I wouldn't bet, no. But Baofu would." It would not surprise the officer in the least if that was one of the first things Baofu had done when he'd gotten to the Nexus, if the thought occurred to him at all.

[brave_heart_verity]

He was such a cute kid. But she won't try to bring any of that up. They can enjoy being adults together.

"It's the cute kind of old-fashioned," she assures him with a smile. "I'm just not going to think about it. Time isn't fixed, the future is always changing. It's better to enjoy what we have now." Which is such an odd sentiment coming from her. She hasn't had much in life worth enjoying, and she's kind of wondering where that idea came from.

"I'd look like a real idiot if something changed after your friend started betting." It worked in Back to the Future. It's a classic get-rich-quick scheme.

[sumarusfinest]

"It's enough of a chore to keep him on the right side of the law when he isn't abusing time loopholes through the Nexus." That's Katsuya's serious face now, but it's the nagging sort of big brother face more than it is upset. Kudos to Verity for being able to begin telling the difference!

It isn't until after they've settled the bill that Katsuya speaks up again. He looks a little bit concerned.

"I..I hope you enjoyed yourself today? It wasn't boring?"

[brave_heart_verity]

She'll learn them all if he gives her a chance. Or she'll keep trying. She's going to remember that he makes this face and not that face if she ever meets this mysterious friend of his.

"It's been really nice. Thank you for letting me come and visit you here." She's a little disappointed that it sounds like their day is over, but it doesn't diminish her smile much. "I hope you'll let me return the favor someday soon?"

[sumarusfinest]

He's becoming more open to the idea. There are several points about the day that have stuck in Katsuya's mind. Some that give him cause for concern, and others that are downright pleasant. He's not sure why this is so different from the time they've spent talking in the Nexus, but it has felt decidedly so. Not a Bad Different.

"I'm truly glad you showed an interest." There's that hard won smile of his. Not quite the one he'd been giving back at Araya shrine, but closer. "Perhaps next time we could share a baking day?" He sounds downright eager by the prospect. "I keep a tidy home and have no one else living with me at present, so you'd be more than welcome over."

[brave_heart_verity]

The Nexus is full of stress and crisis. Being stuck, getting LOLed, they don't put people in the best mood. Of course being at home where he's comfortable is going to be different. Or maybe he just finds her easier to deal with when she's dressed more demurely.

She does love that smile. Especially when it's aimed at her. "I would like that. But only after I get to show you something of my home. New York is a beautiful city, and..." there might not be much time "it's only fair. Please?"

How can he say no when she's asking so nicely?

[sumarusfinest]

Verity herself feels different today too, though. It's an odd thing, but not one he's concerned about. It's been quite a nice day, all things considered.

Katsuya is sure to get the door for Verity before they begin the leisurely walk back toward the station."I think that would be quite a fair trade...M..Makoto-chan." His voice had gone so quiet that it might have been easy to miss. But there's no mistaking the brief flush of red before Katsuya is suddenly very interested in looking at that cicada on the sidewalk.

"What is your favorite place in New York?" Nice transition there, Katsuya. She'll never suspect a thing.

[brave_heart_verity]

Maybe she's finally getting really comfortable around him. It's easier to be less awkward when she knows for a fact he wants her around and she's not just bothering him.

He's such a gentleman. She'll walk with her hands clasped behind her back, instead of the all-elbows way she usually walks around. With him there she doesn't need to be on guard all the time. She definitely notices the use of the nickname and the addition of "chan". But it doesn't seem like a good time to tease him about it, so she'll let him change the subject. She is grinning like an idiot now, she's not going to even try to hide that.

"Oh, that's tough. I like going up to the observation deck of the Empire State Building. I love the view. And I like the botanical gardens. And Fort Tryon Park and the Cloisters. It's like a piece of an old English castle got put down in the middle of New York." Running themes: good views and flowers. Important things to know about her, and he's done splendidly already.

[sumarusfinest]

Katsuya hadn't really intended to take up all of Verity's day, so he's slightly surprised that the sun is hanging low in the sky as they continue back toward Konan. She's clearly pleased though, so he doesn't feel too guilty about it.

"Ah! I've always wanted to go to the Empire State building. I never managed to the last time I wa sin New York." Luckily enough time has passed in Katsuya's world that certain other landmarks that are no longer in New York are politely left out. Did that happen in Verity's world? Best not to ask.

[brave_heart_verity]

Walking around with him is so much better than going home to an empty apartment.

"Then we'll definitely go there," she promises. Assuming nothing's happened to it between now and when he comes to visit. This is a legit concern where she's from; all plans are made on the unspoken contingency unless a superpowered fight wrecked things. And yes, that happened. It's not something she likes to talk about. She was just a kid. It was the first time the heroes of her world really failed her.

"And... maybe a museum? Or a concert? There's lots of concerts in the parks this time of year."

[sumarusfinest]

It's a pretty reasonable unspoken rule, considering the risks that are constantly present in Verity's world. One of the many downsides of living in a world with super heroes after all is having to deal with super villains.

"I've heard good things about the museums you have in New York." Verity has good ideas. Katsuya doesn't know what to even ask to see, so it's best to trust her judgement.

[brave_heart_verity]

On the other hand, Dr. Strange does a pretty good job of making sure reality is constant. No giant space starfish have eaten her, and she's only got a couple dead alternate timelines invading her dreams. All things considered, she's getting off easy.

"We have some pretty nice ones," she agrees. "Sounds like we've got a plan." The details can wait. She'll work it out later when she can check to see which museums are open and what they're exhibiting at the moment. "And then I'll treat you to a proper New York dinner."

Not steak, don't worry. The lobster should be safe.

My spirit animal is a gun (and also flame kitty)

[sumarusfinest]

Hey you never know, having a bullet soaking pistol whipping man with tactical training and a world saved under his belt (not to mention a few times visiting deaths door himself) and a spiritual protector wielding copious amounts of fire and bigger gun might work out well in Verity's world. Like to see a mugger try that on Katsuya's watch. Or y'know, Doombots.

Katsuya's never set foot on a Marvel version of New York though, so all things considered it may be a relaxing date and tourist walk or an adventure all of it's own. By that comparison Sumaru as it is now is downright boring, with only the occasional demonic uprising. The Crawling Chaos hasn't reared his ugly head in a few years, and Katsuya's content to keep it that way.

"Urban landscapes can have a beauty all of their own. You seem to favor very scenic places. I'm excited to see your world through your eyes. The places you hold most dear." Sounds like she has Katsuya's trust to play tour guide!

It's nearly startling when the pair of them find themselves once again outside the Konan Police Department. Katsuya's gaze flits to the face of the building and he sighs. The day flew by. But he can't be selfish simply because it's been years since he's had an outing like this, or a guest to spend time with. Verity has her on world and her own friends. Her own place. And it's not in Katsuya's world. It's a thought that makes him kind of sad, for a moment. He hesitates on opening the door, instead taking a moment to stand a bit off to the side with her.

"It really needn't be anything special." Katsuya waves his hands in front of his face. He doesn't want to trouble Verity to feel pressured to play host. "Whatever you like on a typical night out is perfectly fine."

Mine is Grumpy Cat.

[brave_heart_verity]

Katsuya would be immensely popular in the 616. She may want to rethink bringing him home, she might never get his attention again once he sees what else her world has to offer. So many gravity-defying redheads. She could never compete with that. She'll try to make sure their day will be pleasant and free of fighting, but that's all well beyond her powers to guarantee.

"There hasn't been a lot of nice things in my life. It's not weird to want to enjoy the ones I can find." Katsuya's trust in any regard seems to be rarely given, so she's rather proud to have any of it. She'll let the comment about seeing through her eyes pass, because he doesn't. He really doesn't want to see the world the way she does. "But no pressure, right?"

She sighs in disappointment when she realizes where they are. She's in no hurry to leave. What is there to go back to? Her best friend is missing, and the only people who might help her look for him are imprisoned. (Odin is cruel and fond of goose eggs.)

"I want it to be special." She's a little overeager to assure him of this. "You deserve it. I mean. I don't get a chance to show off my home town very often." And now she's blushing. Great.

[sumarusfinest]

"Thank you for coming over here today." Katsuya wants to make sure Verity knows how grateful he is for the company. He can't think of anything else to say that isn't incredibly awkward so he reaches instead for the door. The manual one, instead of the revolving door.

The one that leads back to the Nexus. "I will look forward to seeing your new York."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Thank you for inviting me. It was really nice." It's important to her that he understand how much she's enjoyed it.

Her gaze follows his hand, and there's a little frown before she musters a smile. It's easier with something to look forward to, but she still doesn't want to go. "I hope I do as well playing tour guide. You've set the bar pretty high."

She has no intention of doing anything to make opening that door easier. They can stand here and be awkward all night if he wants.

[sumarusfinest]

There's a flicker of something when Katsuya touches the door. Verity can clearly see the image through the glass change at his touch from the station to the Nexus. One of the benefits of seeing through illusions is you never miss a way back out of any dimension you pop into.

For Katsuya, who doesn't have any such ability, he hesitates for a different reason. A sinking feeling that Helios gives when the door is pulled open. It's concerning, but for an altogether different reason than their visit ending. Katsuya peers inside to the Nexus when the door is open before holding his hand out for Verity to take as they leave Sumaru altogether. He seems to be in a hurry somewhat to close the door. He really is worried about strangers getting into his home or what could come out of that door.

"Please message me when you'd like to meet up, okay?" Katsuya pulls his phone out and gestures to it. "Or even if you need something in the Nexus." If she needs him, he'll be there. Sometimes it's difficult to translate in his head exactly what he means to say.

[brave_heart_verity]

It does make finding the hidden portals easier, that's for sure. But the costs are considerable. Still, she wonders if the door would react to her touch as well, or if she can only use it in his company. She might have to experiment later.

There's no hesitation in taking his hand, hers curling around his comfortably. She isn't quick to let go when they've stepped through. "I will. Thank you. And you can call me if you need anything too." Companionship is a need, even though they've both tried so hard to deny it. "Or just because. If you want."