946/The Cats Out of the Bag

The Cats Out of the Bag
Date of Scene:	31 December 2023
Location:	Plot Room 3
Synopsis:	Adrien waits on the jogging trail to catch Naru and Kazuo on their morning run. Coffee and confessions are served!
Cast of Characters:	Adrien Agreste, Kazuo Saitou, Naru Osaka

---

Adrien Agreste has posed:
The morning jog was usually something that Adrien didn't dare interrupt. He'd done so once, as Cat Noir, but usually he was busy getting ready for his day at the time Naru was out jogging. It was her time with Kazuo he knew, and he didn't really want to butt in more than he already had.

Usually.

After his conversation (albeit via text) with Mamoru who had pointed out some *very good points* he had found that he wasn't able to wait until later in the day to see Naru as he had originally planned. The blonde model paces along the path he knew she often jogged waiting for when she would come to this particular stretch while just apparently talking aloud to himself.

"It'll be fine, I can do this. It's not so bad. Even if it's cold." A pause. "And dark." Another pause, and his head tips up to squint at the sky that was only hinting at the sun rising. "And I should probably wait. No. No, I've waited long enough." He determines with a nod to himself.

Nevermind that Plagg is hovering around his shoulder talking abck to him, because in the darkness it would be very hard to see the pitch black Kwami, and for once he wasn't being overly loud. Because HE was sleepy too. "C'mon Adrien, we should just go rest more. What's a few hours going to hurt?" He sighs though, and bobs back down to vanish into the messenger bag Adrien carries. "I'll just be in here--" *Yawn* "Where it's warmer."

Kazuo Saitou has posed:
The thing about the sun only hinting at rising, is that sunrise is practically at seven. So it's early. But it's not jaw-dropping horrifically early. Unless, of course, you're a teenager, in which case voluntarily getting up before nine is a little ...

... well.

Kazuo and Naru apparently do that regularly. Possibly there's something wrong with them.

Kazuo's topic for warmup discussion today was 'what actually *was* that stuff that pretended to be ground at the Gates,' with a couple of jokes about how he would've tried to bring samples back for Naru except that Pluto might have turned him inside-out. Through time. Discussion while actually running is very much a sometimes thing, though, and it's been quiet...

Right up until the pale-haired boy squints into the darkness ahead of them, in Adrien's direction, and says to Naru, "I think you've got a guest."

Naru Osaka has posed:
Naru is an /irritating/ morning person. Pre dawn seems a very reasonable time of day and going out for a run at 5 am is not at all weird. The fact that they're out at the downright leisurely hour of 7 am.. clearly they are on school holiday!

It's an easy enough warmup run, enough that Naru can laugh brightly at the notion of trying to retrieve anything from the Gates of time without Pluto loosing her mind.

The comment from Kazuo prompts Naru to squint into the dark ahead and she blinks, surprised as she recognizes the blonde pacing ahead of them. "Adrien?"

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste lifts his head toward the pair approaching. They were just dark shadows to him that cause him to squint faintly, and for a moment he debates if it was a good idea coming out here as himself. He could have transformed. Naru knew who he was, so it wouldn't be that difficult to... Might even be easier to... But he wanted her to know he was sincere.

A hand lifts toward the pair as he turns toward them again. Only for it to dip down into his bag to pull out a thermos that was likely filled with the beverage both he and Naru enjoyed so much. "Good morning! I brought coffee. For you as well, Kazuo, in case you might like some." A light clearing of his throat comes, "I wasn't sure if Naru would be jogging alone today or not so I brought extra just in case," he admits with a vague smile.

Wait, had he met Kazuo as 'Adrien' yet? The momentary look of uncertainy passes over his face so he adds, "Ah, I got your name right, I hope? Naru's mentioned you're her jogging buddy." He glances to Naru as if seeking confirmation though his gaze lingers on her with a slow emerging smile again.

"Good morning, Naru," he says again perhaps unnecessary.

Kazuo Saitou has posed:
Kazuo slows, but keeps time with Naru while doing so. He is, apparently, one of those irritating people whose hair just ... looks good. Even when exercising. Without a team of specialists correcting it. Granted, that may mean he and Adrien are simply of the same tribe. "Coffee is appreciated for whatever reason," he says once they've settled, with a solemn bow. And without names, because Naru's on first-name terms with Adrien and Kazuo is not and therefore very slightly at sea in that department. "Good morning."

Naru Osaka has posed:
"You got up early, in the cold, to bring us coffee?" Naru slows down and then comes to a stop in front of Adrien, not even so far into the run that she's especially out of breath yet. "Good morning." She pauses and then starts to laugh softly.

"Have you two met?" Naru gestures between Kazuo and Adrien. "Kazuo this is Adrien, also known as some of the best coffee in the dorms, but I'm completely biased."

Adrien Agreste has posed:
"Surprise?" Adrien replies to Naru's calling him out on such an odd occurance with a hint of embarassment in his tone. He was still grinning at least while she praises his prowess with caffiene. "I snuck an espresso machine into my dorm room when I arrived," he explains aside to Kazuo so that he can understand exactly WHY he was perhaps one of the best people in the dorms to get coffee from.

As he talks he twists off the top to the thermos. Not to open it, not yet. It was one of those versions with the stackable coffee cups on the top. Two are taken off with his fingers hooking deftly between the little handles, and the rest are tucked against his side to free his hand again. Then the thermos is open to pour out the dark brew that steamed in the chill morning air.

The first is offered toward Kazuo. "Pleased to meet you, finally. I remember seeing you with Mamoru at the ball awhile back. You have amazing hair, by the way. I know models that would be jealous of it." Not him, though. His own was pretty perfect even if it was short and far more of a gold than the pale white of Kazuo's.

Once the offered coffee is taken he turns to offer Naru's to her carefully cradled between both of his hands as he does. "I know it's early, but I couldn't wait till later to see you. I spoke with Mamoru last night--" Texted really. Details! "--And I realized I need to talk to you. In person, not on the phone."

Kazuo Saitou has posed:
"So what you're saying is, you're one of the best people to know on the campus," Kazuo replies to the espresso explanation. "Good to know." He bows again as he accepts the coffee. Eyes sparkle as he straightens, and he's smiling. "Unless you're suggesting that you'd trade espresso for cut hair, in which case you and the jealous models are alas both out of luck."

-- all other comments he might have made about the ball are cut short by the 'realized I need to talk to you.' Eyebrows twitch upward, and he glances sidelong at Naru for any cue about whether this is a potentially desirable talk or an 'if you leave me alone with this guy Usagi will flay you when she finds out, except she'll be too late because I'll have gotten to you first' talk.

Naru Osaka has posed:
Naru laughs brightly at the 'surprise' offered by Adrien, and there is absolutely not even a hint in her body language that she does not wish to chat with Adrien. Not even just because he brought coffee! "The world isn't ending or anything?" She checks, just to be sure.

He IS up pre-dawn after all.

"You both have hair that makes me jealous." Naru points out with a little roll of her eyes. Indulgent, vaguely amused.

Naru glances to Kazuo at the mention of Mamoru and then back to Adrien. "What were you talking to Mamo about that required pre-dawn coffee?"

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste blinks a single time over at Kazuo's remark of trading hair for coffee. Odd as it may be, he takes it in stride, flashing a grin to quip back, "No, that's all right. I think your hair looks far better on you. I don't have the right complexion to pull it off." A wink is given toward him more out of habit than any real tease. He understood it was a joke after all.

As for Naru? He looks back to her again with a softening expression.

"No, the world isn't ending," he assures. And if she lets him he takes hold of her hand not currently occupied with the coffee to draw up to place a kiss to her knuckles in an almost reverent way. No matter there was another here that was watching.

"Naru... You are amazing in so many ways. You're brave, and strong, and no matter what foes you face you still don't let it darken your spirit." The hand lowers still grasping it unless she pulls it away. "And I've been so afraid to admit to myself that you've found a place in my heart."

Here he falters a bit, eyes dropping then lifting up to her again. "You know I care for---cared for another as well. Some part of me probably always will, but I promise to do my best not to be an idiot about her."

"If you would do me the honor of letting me be *your* idiot?" He asks hopefully.

Kazuo Saitou has posed:
"Your hair has actual colour," Kazuo returns to Naru with good cheer. And ... then this Adrien is kissing Naru's hand.

There is coffee. There is ... a wall. The wall is fascinating. Look at the sheer color of the red brick facade, as compared with the gray of the street and the white of the awning, and the paler red-brown of the sidewalk. Well chosen. Clearly. Also, coffee.

Naru Osaka has posed:
There is coffee in one hand, and Adrien takes the other hand and the colour in her cheeks is because of the cold. Honestly. Has nothing at all to do with the fact that there was a kiss to her knuckles.

It's a good thing that Kazuo has been properly coffeed and he has that lovely wall to consider as Naru is really not paying him a ton of attention right now.

Naru laughs softly. "You're *my* idiot... even if you aren't an idiot. You make me happy to spend time together." She hasn't let go of his hand.. seems a good mix. Coffee in one, Adrien's hand in the other.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
If glee could be felt it would be absolutely radiating off of Adrien in waves right now. The hand he holds is given a squeeze as Naru answers resulting in a quick laugh from him. "I feel the same. Well about our time together, I mean." Lightly, quickly, he clears his throat. A slight glance flits over to Kazuo but he seems to be distracted by masonry right now.

He'd come this far he might as well get the rest out.

"I know you also... I mean there's... You also care about Nephrite, I was told." Here he pauses with a bit of confusion. "I can't say I wouldn't be jealous, but if you need time to figure that out too, I mean. I'm hardly one to throw stones about it."

Some spur of the moment urge has him batting his eyes at Naru more like his alter ego might. "Just tell me I'm prettier than him."

Kazuo Saitou has posed:
Coffee. Coffee coffee coffee coffee wall oh thank god that's right he has a phone again. Kazuo bends his head studiously over that, thumbing absently at the screen.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I mean.. I think being jealous is part of being human." Naru points out as she gives Adrien's hand a squeeze. "Neph and I need to figure out friends, before we figure out what do about the spark. Cause that exists."

Naru glances over to Kazuo and smirks a little. "Tell Mamoru good morning for me." She guesses as he studiously texts. Not paying attention. Honest.

"But I like you lots, and .. we'll figure things out. Somehow." Naru leans up to drop a kiss on Adrien's cheek. "I dunno.. you're adorable and blonde.. and he's all super tall and dark haired.. hard to call." She is totally teasing him.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste blushes at the kiss to his cheek rather darkly. Thankfully it is dark out still. Mostly. Okay it was getting decently light at this point probably so hiding is just as easy as saying it was the chill. "Oh, tall dark and mysterious, I guess that is tough to beat. I'd have to be a model or something," he teases back only to chuckle.

He leans in to just... Rest his forehead against Naru's a moment before shifting to brush a kiss to her cheek. That's all he does though before straightening up again clearing his throat and looking away.

"I guess I should let you two finish your morning run. Sorry for first thing in the morning. You know it's been a bit hard for me to sleep lately." Which clearly has nothing to do with the espresso machine in his room. Right.

"You're welcome to stop by any time you might want some coffee as well, Kazuo. My room is next to Mamoru's."

Kazuo Saitou has posed:
    Kazuo TXT Mamoru: There is a tiny blond boy begging Naru to tell him he's prettier than N and I am certain this is somehow your fault
    Kazuo TXT Mamoru: also, Naru says good morning

"What is it with Mamoru collecting people who have trouble sleeping?" he wonders aloud, turning back to the other two and lowering the phone. But not the coffee. His reputation for getting caught sleeping in class is sufficient that Adrien might already know about it. "-- and ah, I think I've met your roommate." Not that anyone who's met Chrono would be uncertain about the fact.

The jokes about model vs. model combat are right there. He evades them carefully. Possibly in the hope they won't turn out to be literal.

Naru Osaka has posed:
There's a little pause, forehead to forehead and the return kiss to her cheek is against pick cheeks. Cold air! Honest!

Naru grins at Adrien. "Is Chrono going to take away your phone again?" She teases anew. "This is a perfectly reasonable time of day.. this is /sleeping in/ compared to when classes are in session." She takes a drink of her coffee and looks over to Kazuo. "I think Chrono knows as many.. or possibly more.. people than I do. I'd expect you've met him."

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste groans a little bit at the mention of his roommate. There's just a solemn nod given as he flashes an almost apologetic smile back toward Kazuo. "I feel like I should apologize for him at times. He's not bad of course, he's just... Ah. New. To." Here he pauses, glances at Naru, then nods before clarifying. "Earth in general."

"He's also very dedicated to his mission. He's rather nice though, all things considered. If I didn't know what I know before meeting him, I certainly would have after." A hint at what he knows at least.

Kazuo Saitou has posed:
    <PHONE> A text from Mamoru Chiba: n has better hair
    <PHONE> A text from Mamoru Chiba: but naru's friends are not my fault lmao
    <PHONE> A text from Mamoru Chiba: anyway n needs to up his coffee game
    <PHONE> A text from Mamoru Chiba: good morning naru

    Kazuo TXT Mamoru: are you literally manipulating osaka's nascent love life to get yourself better coffee
    Kazuo TXT Mamoru: are you taking lessons from z

Phonebuzz - Kazuo's has not yet been taken away - and Kazuo glances at it, then thumbs in a response. Still one-handed. "Mamoru says good morning. And admired the coffee, but he'll have to get his own." -- and now it's Kazuo's turn to grin at Adrien. "It makes conversations with him interesting. Having to examine what we take for granted is always useful - on both ends. And I approve of his judgment of people." The coffee is finished, and the stackable cup is ... not offered immediately. Held as if the coffee weren't finished, casual. Naru and Adrien may no longer be forehead to forehead, but they're still close, and Kazuo is not going to be the one to change that.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"He's awesome." Naru defends Chrono with a grin. "He's sometimes a lot.. but we're all sometimes a lot."

Naru takes a drink of her coffee, not in a rush to finish it. Almost like she's not super invested in finishing this morning's run or something. Could be the fact that she's still holding the hand of a cute blonde, and would have to let THAT go too if they went back to the run.

"Why is Mamo up at this hour?" Naru blinks. "If Usagi is also awake, then I'm going to legit wonder about the world ending /again/."

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste chuckles faintly only to give a tip of his head at mention of the coffee once again. "I'm French. There are few things we enjoy as much as a good cup of coffee, or espresso. I'm just not old enough for the other things." Wine, he means wine.

"Mamoru may be up because his dorm room got flooded on his side. So he's having to stay elsewhere for the moment," Adrien suggests with a glance down to their joined hands. Oh. Right. That. A deep breath is drawn before he reluctantly releases her hand. "Which I swear was neither my or Chrono's doing."

"Speaking of being up early however, I unfortunately do have a photoshoot today in a few hours." Naru gets a wink as he offers, "I can bring you a few copies if you'd like."

Kazuo Saitou has posed:
    <PHONE> A text from Mamoru Chiba: of course i am, what do you take me for, someone with morals?
    <PHONE> A text from Mamoru Chiba: <3 <3

    <PHONE> You text Mamoru Chiba: naru would like to know why you are up at this hour, and whether your morals are also awake, in which case she would like you to please state the nature of your apocalyptic emergency

    <PHONE> A text from Mamoru Chiba: it's almost 7:30, why wouldn't i be up o.O my morals are not awake

"He's staying on my family's couch," Kazuo says, as he obediently thumbs out Naru's question. Well. Sort of obediently. "Which may explain why he's awake, except that he does that anyway. He assures us that as far as he knows your roommate is not awake. No need for panic." A nod to Adrien, and he adds, "And I believe you on the flooding."

Naru Osaka has posed:
"Yeah, the flooding is /crazy/." Naru makes a face. "He was going to stay on our couch, but that was going to get vaguely awkward with the RAs and stuff. They do eventually notice when you have boys literally living in your room."

Naru phews at the mention of her roommate being asleep. Crisis averted.

"Is this the photoshoot where you want me to be your emotional support human, or is that a different reception thing?" Naru asks of Adrien with a smile. "I mean.. if you send me copies, it saves me going hunting for them."

Adrien Agreste has posed:
"Ah! Well I'm glad he has somewhere safe to stay for awhile then. I had offered to try and make up another bed in our room but we're already a bit of a full house," Adrien admits with a chuckle, and sidelong glance at Naru. She knew about the Kwami he lived with after all. That, and Chrono's new bird associate.

The question of the photoshoot earns a shake of his head in response. "I'll give you fair warning before that, I promise. No this is just a shoot for some Winter coats." Which honestly has him looking a bit relieved. "At least I'll be warm for awhile."

The thermos of coffee is offered over as the two were still apparently interested in the brew. "Feel free to have the rest if you'd like. I can pick up the thermos later." Speaking of later... He smiles again at Naru. "Would you care to get dinner tonight? I think I owe you several at this point."

Kazuo Saitou has posed:
Dinner invitations? Oh. Hello bricks! It's nice to see you again...

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I would think that with all the lights and everything, it wouldn't be cold?" Naru hunhs softly, as if she had never considered that part.

"Anyhow.." Naru shakes her head a little as she gets back to here and now. "Do we think that ramen is cursed, or shall we try for ramen again?" She laughs. "I will try not to get attacked by /anything/ between now and when your photoshoot is over. An ambitious promise to be certain.

Naru steps over to lightly elbow Kazuo in the ribs. "We're just plotting dinner, not being /that/ adorable. You're safe."

Adrien Agreste has posed:
"It's true," Adrien has to agree with a grin cast toward the awkward Kazuo. "We've attempted to get ramen from this shop that serves vegetarian numerous times now, and it always seems as if we end up having some disaster get in the way." He does have to consider it a moment, chuckling softly over the thought.

"Maybe we should try Okonomiyaki? At least break the cycle of ramen-disasters. And it depends on the shoot. If it's outdoors and the clothing I have to wear isn't really meant for the season, I just have to deal with it and wrap up in a blanket between takes."

"There was one time I had to dive into a pool over twenty-seven times so they could get the right shot while releasing doves. Another time---A few actually--Where I was raised up on wires with fake-wings on."

Adrien shakes his head with a laugh, ducking it to run fingers through his hair quickly. "Ah, either way, the sooner I get the shots they want the quicker it's done. I'll text you later, Naru." A nod is given toward Kazuo as well, "Good to meet you again. Enjoy the rest of your morning!"

Kazuo Saitou has posed:
Kazuo starts to say something to Naru in answer to the elbow, his expression unabashedly amused -- but then his phone buzzes again, and he glances down at it, and just laughs.

    <PHONE> A text from Mamoru Chiba: wait did agreste FOLLOW YOU??