IC CONTACT | Mask or Menace

[animated]

"Hey, you've reached Charlie Maxwell. Leave me a message. Or just text me. I might get back to you faster that way."

Comments

May 13th; afternoon

[stealwithit]

[ Guess who's showing up to Nonah #005 late one afternoon, once Charlie's presumably off work. If he isn't, Kasumi counts on the fact that Bull or Ken would probably let her in. Or she could. Let herself in.

She spends her mornings as of late sleeping off the exhaustion from the night before. The whole vigilante gig (although she would never call herself one) has her a little tired, honestly, but she's glad to make an appearance for Charlie, if only so he won't start worrying.

In any case, she's at the doorstep wearing something more casual with a bag--inside is a slice of that strawberry cake Charlie loves from their favorite cafe. She sends him a text to let her know that she's there because doorbells are for losers. ]

Guess who has a slice of your favorite cake outside your place at this very second?

[animated]

[ It's not too long after sending that text message that the door swings open and there's Charlie with the biggest grin on his face.

A grin that quickly becomes a pout ]

Aw man. I was hoping you were Hugh Jackman.

[stealwithit]

[ She shrugs. ]

I mean, I can go get him if you want. We're like, best friends.

[animated]

Kasumi. Have you been holding out on me all this time?

[stealwithit]

I couldn't let you have all the fun now, could I?

[ she winks. ]

[animated]

Ohh. I see how it is. Well, since it's you, I'm willing to share.

[ He steps aside, motioning her inside. ] Come on in.

[stealwithit]

[ she chuckles as she steps in, holding the cute little package with the cake in it at him. ]

Wasn't kidding about the cake, by the way.

[animated]

You didn't have to bring me anything.

I mean, I'm not gonna say no to free cake, but you know. [ he takes the little package and wanders into the kitchen, trusting Kasumi to follow. ]

Do you want some?

[stealwithit]

[ and follow she does, although she waves a hand dismissively when he asks if she wants some. ]

Nope. All yours. I'm trying to watch my figure, you know. Gosh.

[animated]

What, and I'm not? [ he says as he pulls out a plate and a fork and sits down at the kitchen table with the intention of devouring said cake ]

Take a seat. I want to know what you've been up to lately, missy.

[stealwithit]

[ She shakes her head at him. ]

Have you seen yourself, Charlie? You need to put some more meat on those bones. I'm worried.

[ She is 100% joking because as you know Charlie's body is p e r f e c t and even she has to admit to that. It is so unfair. ]

[animated]

Sure you are.

I also notice you are not telling me what you've been up to lately.

[stealwithit]

I've been doing a lot of sleeping.

[ Which isn't entirely untrue... Although the generally tired expression on her face might say otherwise. There's only so much catching up on sleep you can do when you're up all night most nights and are particularly bad at sleeping in the first place. ]

[animated]

When you're not running around at the gym at one in the morning, right?

You know, I've been worried about you. You just drop off the map, you call me in the middle of the night and you're running and kicking down doors or whatever. What's up?

[stealwithit]

[ She folds her arms across her chest, although it's more of a defensive gesture than a defiant one. ]

It's... not something you should be worried about, Charlie. It's fine.

[animated]

Like it or not, I am worried. I can only see half of your face, but you still look exhausted.

[stealwithit]

[ Welp, that gives her pause. ]

Have I mentioned I'm a really light sleeper?

[animated]

[ He gives her a bit of a Look. ] Kasumi.

[ But then he sighs, expression and tone softening significantly. ]

Hey, you know you can trust me with anything, right? Ten-year-old me wasn't lying. You really are my best friend.

[stealwithit]

[ It's telling, the way she casts her gaze aside, unable to look him straight in the eye. Not that it would be that easy to tell, anyway, with the hood and all. ]

The less you know about me, Charlie, the better. Probably. [ Part of her is afraid that when he learns about all the stuff she does on the side, he'll change his mind about that whole friend thing. ]

But I feel the same way.

[animated]

Why? Are you afraid I'm going to just change my mind if I find out your deepest darkest secrets?

I'm not here to judge you. I just want to make sure you're okay.

[stealwithit]

Well. My secrets are pretty deep and dark...

[ There she goes, trying to make light of the topic at hand. ]

I'm standing right here in front of you, in one piece. I'm okay. But I really didn't want to worry you, Charlie. That's why I've been off the radar--I guess that backfired.

[animated]

[ He sets his fork down, leaving his cake untouched, and just... looks at her a moment ]

You always try to make jokes when we get too close to a topic you don't want to talk about.

[stealwithit]

... You're awfully observant, Charles Oliver Maxwell the Third.

[animated]

[ He huffs out a little laugh. He knew she'd figure out his middle name eventually. ] Comes with old age, I guess.

You have no idea what to do with the fact that I'm worried about you, do you?

[stealwithit]

[ her fingers find the edge of her hood where it meets her shoulders, skirting it tentatively--a nervous tick--and she manages a rueful little laugh of her own. ]

I guess not. That wasn't really a thing in my life back home.

[ not really since Keiji, anyway. ]