MC   Aww, you could've totally said something!

MC   I'm real good in work mode. It would've been a blast.

You grimace at the thought of the man before you, decked out in his 'work clothes', swooping in on you at a crowd and making a show of it. You're sure that your fiery blush would be the only highlight for the spectators.

UD   I'd, um, rather not distract you.

MC   Ah. Thoughtful.

MC   You're a real sweetheart, Dewdrop.

He grins at you in the way that makes your head spin a little. Even now.

UD   Uu, it's nothing, really...

UD   It seemed like you had everything handled.

UD   Your technique was really incredible.

UD   That fight at the end... that was kung fu, right?

MC   Bingo!

MC   Man. Would it kill any of the reporters here to be like you?

Your cheeks flush with pride. A deep connection with martial arts is something the two of you have in common. Well, the three of you. But there's no need to think about anyone but the sweet boy by your side.

That nice feeling fades away as he stops in his tracks to assume a deep stance. You mentally thank the gods that the two of you are at a Forest Grove, where a Super could suplex a villain into a playground and no one would bat an eye.

MC   We should spar sometime.

UD   Sometime as in now, you mean?

MC   I could use a warm-down, Dessie.

UD   Shouldn't you have already warmed-down by now? It's been at least an hour.

UD   Besides. Your technique is too rigid for me.

UD   I like something that helps me relax.

MC   It's relaxing! It puts me in a real zen state.

MC   I can show you the ropes. Look.

He's posed in the same way he would be in battle. The arms are out and hovering in a peculiar manner, with his punches being swift and continuous. There's a dexterity in the wrist that you admire, almost as if he could conquer an opponent with just some hooked fingers. It reminds you of a square. Solid, impassable.

Your stance would be rounder. Something that focuses on the blood flowing through your core, not the ground keeping your feet sturdy. You'd move in a way that would seem languid, but feel easy. Like you were in harmony with your body and the world at large. You would take advantage of the wider space you have at play rather than solely on your opponent.

If there was a more angular technique, it'd be from Michael's usual sparring partner. But only because there's so much movement, so many limbs askew. Like a spectacle of acrobatics. You've seen the two boys fight - its their favorite pasttime. His lower body is weaker than his upper body, but he still pushes himself to make those incredible kicks. It's something you begrudgingly -

MC   Earth to Belafonte. Are you in there?

Something's tickling your nose. You blink and see leaves. Attached to them is a branch, and attached to that is a tree that should be too far away to touch you.

UD   Michael!

MC   There you are! You totally spaced out on me.

MC   If that's your warmdown, then you might as well just lay down and take a nap.

UD   That wasn't it. I just... got lost in thought.

UD   And did you really have to use your that poor tree? Look at it.

UD   It'll break its spine from reaching so far.

MC   Nah, I'm helping it stretch. See?

He concentrates, moving his hands slowly while looking at the tree. It flexes all sorts of ways, shaking leaves (and a chittering squirrel) off of it and onto the grass.

UD   And you're sure that makes it feel good?

MC   I'm not hearing any complaints.

UD   I still don't think you can actually talk to them.

MC   Oh, I can talk to them all I like. Doesn't mean they'll say a word to me, though.

His hands returns to his side, and the tree finally shifts back into its default vertical pose. He starts walking again like nothing happened, forcing you to play catch-up for a few seconds. It's like standing still bores him. Once a jock, always a jock, you suppose.

MC   How're you? How's work?

UD   Steady. Some commissions on the side, too.

UD   Incredible story, actually - one of them's a Super.

MC   Ooh! Who?

UD   Customer confidentiality, buster.

UD   How do you think I managed to earn their trust?

MC   Aww... can't you give me a hint?

MC   Where's their base? Sepia? Candy Apple?

UD   Stop asking questions. You're not getting a thing.

MC   C'mon... I don't know anyone else who works in design!

MC   What if there's some trend I'm missing out on? One that'll make me look way cooler?

He clutches his hands together, as if in prayer. You stifle a giggle.

MC   C'mon, Dess. At least give me what ideas you've got.

UD   Like you'd listen to them.

MC   I would! I swear.

UD   You never listen to what I say about the Rider suit.

MC   That's, uh...

MC   (Because it's already been through so many iterations...)

MC   (Upper management would get on my ass if I submitted another version.)

UD   (And who's fault would that be?)

You doubt anyone's listening, but you lower your volume out of respect. Being managed by a Super organization has managed to imbue more social sensitivity in him than everything you tried to do in high school.

MC   He he! It's not my fault the Wildwood Rider seeks justice in all forms!

It doesn't mean he won't fall back on old habits, though.

MC   Sometimes he's your average Joe, sometimes he's a little flashy.

MC   Maybe add a little edge. Something mysterious and supernatural, too.

UD   Are you sure I'm your only tether to the fashion world?

UD   You could make your own Supersuit line with all these ideas.

UD   Except the theme would be 'action hero bug' and nothing else.

MC   Not just any bug.

UD   It's a lot of bugs.

MC   Three bugs is not a lot of bugs!

MC   And locusts are a type of grasshopper. So, it basically counts as two.

UD   You couldn't just choose one?

He looks at you as if you, too, turned into an insect with elongated limbs.

UD   For the record, the Super I'm working with has no discernable creature gimmick.

He puts his hands on his head and stares off into the distance.

MC   Man.

UD   ...

Unable to discern the authenticity of this bout of theatrics, you pat him on the shoulder.

UD   I'm sure plenty of Supers are as passionate about costumes as you.

UD   You wouldn't have this issue if you really tried to make connections.

MC   I try.

Then, he looks at you with those wide eyes and pouting lips, and you feel the urge to be more honest than you should.

UD   I know.

UD   You've got a good heart, Mikey.

UD   They'll figure it out eventually.

His smile is enough to wash away any lingering sense of embarassment. Suddenly, strong arms wrap around you, squeezing some air out and lifting you up ever so slightly. The Eleazars are... affectionate people. It took some time to get used to. It's still enough to make you freeze, your arms dangling uselessly to the sides.

But, soon, you return the embrace. It would be rude not to.

MC   Do you have any enemies at work?

MC   I'll vanquish them.

UD   That's, um... sweet, Mikey.

UD   Thanks.

MC   You're so welcome.