2007-12-14: Suspicious Gifts 1

Starring:

Mikhail_icon.gif Peter_icon.gif

Summary: Peter is called for…something. By Mikhail. It includes a present.

Date It Happened: December 14, 2007

Suspicious Gifts 1


Noodle Heaven

// Calling…Peter Petrelli //

One simple phone call is all Mikhail had to do to get in touch with Elena's boyfriend. It may have been an underhanded way of getting the guy's number, but hey— whatever works. And when it's picked up? The artist shifts his phone to pick up his sandwich at the deceptively-named eatery before speaking. "Heya, Pyotr— it's Mikhail. Think you can get to Noodle Heaven any time soon? I can wait." No warning or anything. His vagueness just sounds like a casual hangout.

The number doesn't register on the phone. Peter answers it anyway, as he's just recently left Kory's apartment and was about to head back to Bat Country to check on a certain someone— until his phone rang. "Mikhail?" he responds almost sounding confused. "I— I'm surprised you're calling," he clarifies a moment later. It isn't that he doesn't recognize who the man happens to be, he does— but… "Noodle Heaven? That's the weirdly named sandwich shop right? I think I live fairly close to it…" He happens to still be in his apartment. "I could stop by. How soon do you need me?"

"Yeah, it is. And whenever you can, it'd be great. No rush," Mikhail replies, biting back a comment about how Noodle Heaven lies. He takes a bite of his sandwich filled with meat, chewing and swallowing away from the mouthpiece. "…Oh yeah, sorry about the random call. Had no other way of getting to you."

…Yeah, it does sound like some sort of stalker doing this.

"No, it's fine," Peter says, though he does sound a little confused from the tone of his voice. Sudden phone calls rarely bring good news, from the sound of things. "I just need to get a coat on and I can be there pretty fast. Don't worry about it." He says, moving around his apartment and grabbing his coat. "I'll be there soon. It's not far." Especially for someone who doesn't have to walk. Hiro's ability is getting far, far too much use these days, ever since he figured out the trick. The phone is hung up so he can throw his coat on over his casual dress clothes, and then he'll teleport to a nearby alley.

After a couple minutes of nothing, difficult to imagine anyone would get to somewhere like this that fast— unless he lives really close, the door opens to admit a customer— that just happens to be Peter Petrelli. He glances around for the young man he's hoping to find. One he hadn't met under the best of circumstances.

Well that was fast. Along the side wall sits the one who called, wearing a down jacket and probably what looks like layers of long sleeves. The beanie cap tilts upward upon his head with his bleached bangs sticking out over an eye as he automatically glances over at the new arrival. Recognition: complete. Mikhail finishes the non-noodle-like sandwich, resting a hand on a jean-clad leg as the other waves Peter over. "Yo," he greets, smirking a little.

That is definitely not a noodle. But Peter imagines that a place called Chicken Heaven might serve beef only, so it makes sense— not that he would eat it anyway. Moving toward the wall, he retains the serious look on his face, as if stressed out, but he moves over. "Is everything okay?" It would seem he's not used to getting called out of the blue for a social get-together. But he does slide into the seat across from the other young man. He reaches up to push his hair aside on his forehead. It's not hanging into his eyes yet, but it might be there if he doesn't get it cut in a month or so.

Mikhail notes the look with his usual eyebrow lift, shifting in his seat to rest a sneakered foot against the metal crossbar of the chair. His lower lip juts out a bit as he nods carefully, his gaze cast downward at the table before looking back up at the man. "Um…yeah, things have been…normal," the artist answers. "Maybe a little trouble, but nothing major. I'm in one piece. But hey— " He then leans over to reach behind into his bag, rummaging around for something. Out comes…a little present. The colorful wrapping looks messy, but he can get away with calling it 'artsy.' "For you."

Normal. Sometimes Peter wishes his life would go back to normal. Of course before his life became the rollercoaster of weird that it is, he wished his life wasn't so ordinary. Go figure. Now it'd just be easier if he could breathe without wondering if his apartment is bugged. Mouth starts to open as if he might respond to the young man, likely positively since his time has been okay— but it gets stuck. Partially open. He blinks rapidly at the sloppily wrapped present. "For— me? But— we— only met once really and…" he trails off, quietly dumbfounded that the first Christmas present he's gotten this year comes from a young man that he barely even knows. One he liked, but still, it's very surprisingly. He can't help but reach forward and take it. "I— you really didn't have to get me anything…"

Blue gray eyes remain on Peter, still dead stoic as they usually are every other day. The reaction is something he sort of expected, but he is amused. He waves a hand as he smiles lazily, leaning back in his seat. "Not a problem. I have a couple more to give out anyway."

Whether Peter decides to open it now or later, it will still be the same: a small metallic fish of some sort with robotic hinges and stylings with an sharp-looking underbite. It will look great on a Christmas tree or just hanging by itself. "With finals and everything else eating up my time, I didn't get to make as many as I wanted to," Mikhail adds wistfully. A horde of fish. Maybe next time.

"I haven't had much time to shop for anyone this year— except Elena— I already had hers picked out for a while— but I haven't had time to make anything either," Peter says softly, though he does start to unwrap it, curiousity getting the better of him. An ornament by the look of things. He'll have to set up his Christmas lights soon, and a small tree at least. Something to celebrate by. But for the moment he's just staring at the fish— first present. "Thank you, Mikhail," he says, still in the same surprised voice. "That was very thoughtful of you."

He brightens as he grins, obviously pleased with the reaction. Of course, he also beat Elena at getting a present to Peter first, but she doesn't have to know that. She'll find out either way. Still, Peter is sweet for thinking of his girlfriend first. An interesting couple, so to speak. "You're welcome," Mikhail replies.

"You think I'd remember Christmas better," Peter says, shaking his head a little as he puts the present back into the wrapping as well as he can, for easy carrying, most likely. Or because he appreciated the artisticness. It could be anything. His birthday's just a few days before. "Probably a good idea to get presents out early. Never know what's going to happen between now and Christmas." And with the way the past year's gone… he wouldn't be surprised if something nearly earth shattering happens in the next week and a half.

A snicker slips past Mikhail's lips at the thought, but a hand calmly falls over the lower half of his face to resume the polite deadpan manner. "With everyone else going crazy about it, that is pretty amazing," he says lightly. "But I figured that much. The early gift-giving, anyway." He nods at Peter's last sentence, an instant understanding of what he meant by such. If he had never known what Peter can do, then it wouldn't have the same sort of effect it has now.

His expression falls back into a state of neutrality, but a trying smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. "…Let's hope it's for the better," says Mikhail with a weak chuckle.

"Have you given Elena hers yet?" Peter asks, letting the seriousness drop for a moment, to try and find a lighter topic. Though he's probably not able to stay long, it wouldn't hurt to get alittle small talk in, since they've really only ever met under conditions where… a gun was involved. A gun he still has at his apartment, stashed away in a lockbox.

As it should be— safely stowed. The artist takes a moment to let that sink in, scratching the back of his neck. "…Not yet," he responds after a minute, blinking. "I was gonna call her after I gave you yours." He isn't really working in any particular order here, but some planning would've helped in the long run. Thankfully he isn't passing out Christmas cards. "So…yeah. Since I'm done eating, I can do that now. I don't want to keep you too long if you need a break or something." His mouth twists a little, resembling something close to a pout.

"Yeah, I should get going," Peter says as he starts to stand up. "Really, thank you. I'm sure she'll like the gift, and I'll keep it secret until she gets it," he adds, sticking the wrapped gift into one of his coat pockets as he stands to leave. "I hope we can talk more later, Mikhail."

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