synflux | closed.

[ A photocard? A photocard?? Where did Callisto even get this????

While Callisto is busy handing over that signature Wriothesley so smoothly offered, he's busy squinting down at the small square in his hands, trying desperately not to grimace and ruin their act. It's shockingly well-made too, the print glossy and featuring him posing with his fingers held in a little heart shape. He's even winking.

Wow, the power of AI.

He bites back a sigh and gets to work, scrawling out his name in a flourish on the small space. At the same time, he sends Callisto a message. ]

Where did you get this?

[ why did i do this...

the fact that wriothesley is so thrown off by the photocard makes callisto believe it was a success to flag down one of the LILITH personnel into assisting him with this. callisto didn't shy away from the concept of delegating such work (wouldn't it be even funnier if it was just a random employee who worked by the base). besides, it was true that the individuals who were from this world would clearly have more clarity to the social constructs and idol culture. including photocards.

but, this questionable explanation aside, he does seems to look over at wriothesley as he also texts him back: ] Instead of worrying about that, should you not be flashing them your trademark smile?

I'll have you know, the price of these photos have been rising. They may even be worth several million kryptos one day.

[ the guard is probably so tired of them... as i am also tired. ]

[ THAT DIDN'T ANSWER THE QUESTION? HELLO??

In fact, it only serves to further convince Wriothesley that Callisto is actually some sort of unhinged sociopath hellbent on making the lives of those around him worse for fun and profit. See if he ever goes near the guy again.

But the mission comes first! Here comes that blinding trademark smile as he hands over the now-signed photocard, and the guard is in fact so tired of boyband idol antics that he accepts both signatures and waves them in. (Entertainers, man. They're all the same.)

Step one: complete. ]

[ why do you assume the worst, father-in-law...

except, callisto leaves no room to presume better. especially, when his next prospective steps may have been to offer up an impromptu performance... courtesy of wriothesley, of course. thankfully, it doesn't come to that. if there was one thing this guard seemed to believe, it was that...

celebrities were an intolerable bunch.

now that they made their way into the venue, the rest of the mission would go a lot more smoothly, at least. despite what it seems on the surface, at least the inside appeared more relaxed. he would assume the spaces in which garner the most suspicion were ones in which seemed to have guards posted.

keeping his voice low, he does whisper over a small: ] So how do you propose we take care of this?

[ the way i forgot what was actually happening in these undercover missions

With the hard part over (not really), Wriothesley scans the inside of the venue. The fact that there are still security guards stationed inside doesn't surprise him, although it does make the whole thing just a little more annoying.

But it's fine. They can do this. He turns to Callisto, a lofty smile on his face. ]

Act, of course. You are good at that, aren't you? [ Callisto and his ostentatious ways…. ] And then once we find what we're looking for, we can drop the act and round everyone up.

[ Easy, right? ]

[ ... ] For the record, I am not a jester as you would so like to believe. [ he corrects, despite the fact that they have both been acting their part. even now as technical "partners" in the entertainment industry, their exchange probably does appear like friendly conversation to the others within the vicinity, especially, as callisto keeps his expression fairly laidback. even giving an occasional wave to someone if their gazes fall on them.

...

it's swiftly becoming a pain, he thinks, but he at least attempts to put on the façade as if it doesn't affect him. regardless, he does seem to think there could be a good way to enter in past to the employee only section. a text: ]

What do you think of creating a diversion?

[ while one makes a scene, the other might be able to sneak in further.

the question is... who is going to have the outfit malfunction? jk, it can be any excuse... but the people need to be fed. thanks wriothesley ]

[ His username is clown prince? He's obviously a jester? Take the L already, Callisto.

And truly they are both clowns as they attempt to navigate their way through the club, doing their best to act condfident and just a little haughty. Though there's only so much they can access as guests of the club, and as up-and-coming entertainers, no less. Maybe they should have come up with different cover stories.

Too late for that now, so when Callisto broaches the idea of a diversion Wriothesley doesn't immediately shoot it down. The question is....what kind of diversion would work best in an upscale club like this? Fights are the easiest fallback but maybe a little too common, and there are enough security guards that being thrown out will only take a matter of minutes.

Which leaves.... ]

How do you feel about asking for some privacy?

[ is it time for makeouts round two ]

Privacy? For?

You and I? [ ...

he turns to look at wriothesley, not at all hiding a look that is a cross between being mildly scandalized and thinking he's insane. but, considering what is at stake for their mission, it's not an entirely bad route to go. it'd be less risky, as well. ]

[ hence, he doesn't think twice before eventually finding a particularly bored looking security detail. that guy might be the perfect person to try it on. especially considering that he seems right next to suspicious door #1.

he looks at the duke, as if to confirm this is the route they want to go. ]

Are you leaving it to me once more?

I won't stand for any complaints.

[ even if this is what callisto prefers. taking the lead, that is. ]

[ Sorry, Callisto is going to have to follow this time around as soon as they get settled in front of Door #1, because Wriothesley is already snaking one arm around Callisto's waist and tugging him in close until their sides are pressed together.

(The intimate gesture makes his skin crawl, but he'll grin and bear it for the mission.)

The bored looking guard perks up at their arrival, perhaps sensing a bit of incoming gossip. ]

You wouldn't happen to know where we could find a private room, would you?

[ kill me already ]

[ when he feels the arm around his waist, he instinctively stiffens against the touch. it's brief, before he catches himself and seems to then cast an odd sort of smile in the direction of wriothesley and the guard themselves. one that seems to barely be holding back his true thoughts.

still, he does return the gesture with one of his own, ]

The sooner the better. You see, once he lays his hand on me like this, he gets rather impatient. You would think instead of wanting my body, he was looking to cut into my flesh with his never-ending voracity.

He's no different than a beast in heat, really. [ i can't...

but, the guard does seem interested, much like anyone would be were celebrities steeped in some sort of scandal. hence, he does seem to allow them through the doors. saying don't go too far because that's for employees. apparently guests were only permitted within the first two rooms. not that they were here to follow those rules, though. ]

[ i am not recovered enough for this tag

It's only thanks to years of practice that Wriothesley doesn't break under the words a beast in heat, though he can't stop the way his fingers dig into the fabric of Callisto's outfit, nails threatening to leave marks on the skin underneath. Good thing he keeps his nails short.

The only solace to be found this farcical performance is the fact that Callisto's ludicrous words serve their intended purpose. The security guard lets them in with wide eyes (and no doubt a wealth of gossip he's ready to spread during his next break) before closing the door behind them.

Which is when Wriothesley pulls away from Callisto like anyone might pull away from a hot poker and puts a good several feet between them. ]

You really are a piece of work, aren't you? [ And no, that wasn't a compliment. ] Come on, let's get this over with.

[ free him............................... ]

[ the fingers digging into the fabric of his clothes are uncomfortable enough where his peripherals seem to land on wriothesley, a silent warning... that may just look like budding tension to the guard. fortunately, it is mistaken as such. beyond a wince (more so for the motion than any actual lingering pain), and a brief touch against his own waist, he does seem to carry on. he waits for the door to shut, before shaking his head. ]

Not any more or less than you are. [ as his partner was he also not complicit in every one of their actions? besides, their success was inarguable. the hostility between them palpable, albeit maybe mistaken for another form of attraction in the eyes of the guard and general public. ] Let's start at the end.

[ he does walk to the end of the hallway, before he finds the door is locked.

he looks to wriothesley, as if this is his cue to act. ]

[ He's not going to deign that with a response.

What would a normal person do under circumstances like these? Probably not whip out a lockpicking set. (How did he even get that through security anyway...) He fiddles with the tiny pack before pulling out a small hooked needle, though he does at least glance over at Callisto before getting started. ]

Any objections?

Would it not be easier to break the entire door?

[ maybe it's best it wasn't left to callisto.

considering he would very much be the type to disturb a grave site, he cares very little for collateral damage. but, he comprehends it probably would alert others more than picking the log, and so he decisively opts to leave wriothesley to his own. ] Then, I will keep watch.

[ he places a hand on wriothesley's shoulder as if to say he'll alert him if someone were to walk down the hall. ] Though, I do wonder where the Duke learned such a thing... [ but, if penny as the duke's daughter had an interest in archaeology who is to say the duke didn't have a taste for thievery? ]

[ Leave him alone while he tries to lockpick this door?? Does Callisto even know that lockpicking requires a great deal of silence in order to be able to hear the lock mechanism undo.

Speaking of silence, there's about a good two minutes of it that passes after Callisto starts murmuring to himself, making it almost seem like Wriothesley's ignoring him on purpose. (Who's to say he isn't?) Just kidding, he's just focusing, brows knit together in concentration.

He does eventually answer though, even if it's with vague words. ]

I had to learn to fend for myself from an early age. I picked up whatever skills I thought might be useful.

[ Which apparently included sewing and lockpicking. ]

[ when does callisto leave anyone alone...

jk, he does see that wriothesley's efforts appear to require some level of concentration, and he seems to still his movements temporarily. instead, falling silent, before he begins speaking once more. ] As a Duke? Your empire must be quite a vicious place in that case.

[ then again, he figures even as a crown prince, he lived quite a tumultuous life himself. not at all the glamour and riches that everyone had expected. that said, he does peek over at wriothesley to see his progress.

there is noise at the end of the hall. no footsteps yet, but hopefully he gets that door open soon. ]

[ Callisto doesn't deserve to know all the sordid details of his personal life, but it's not as though they have anything else to discuss while he crouches by the door lock, fiddling with his pick. Plenty of tidbits about his life are already public knowledge, thanks to everpresent work gossip. At this point, a little more won't hurt anyone. ]

I wasn't always a duke. I came into the title pretty late in life.

[ It was a title he hadn't even wanted to begin with, though he certainly can't deny the benefits that come with having an additional tier of power. But it's all benefits that go towards the people of Meropide rather than himself.

He, too, hears the sounds in the distance and shuts up again, and it's another 45 seconds before there's the faintest of clicks signaling his success. He pulls back and tucks his tools away and then carefully opens the door as quietly as he can before tipping his head towards the inside.

Callisto first. ]

An earned title, then... [ which tells callisto all he needs to know. not exactly about any specifics to his life, but the clear concept that such recognition didn't simply fall onto one's lap. he presumes to some degree, it took not just work, but blood, sweat, and tears. likely literal blood at that.

the only times he has heard of such an occurrence in history was normally for ones participation in war and equally unsavory dealings, and he so he could only presume the worst of it. maybe it makes him stare at the scar on wriothesley's exposed collar a bit longer. before the footsteps also seem to stop just around the bend, almost as if it was their own luck testing them. hence, he wastes no time taking that and the silent click of the door as he sign to slip in.

for once, he keeps his mouth shut, his eyes scanning the room. thankfully, it's empty, except for several shelves lined up. instinctively, he creeps behind one of them, before turning back to make sure wriothesley is on his tail. ]

[ As much as Wriothesley would like to leave all of this behind and go back to the safety and comfort of his room, he's not a quitter and he commits to all his missions until physically impossible. Which unfortunately means that he is on Callisto's tail, stepping into the room and softly shutting the door behind him.

Which leaves them here, in some weird storage room with shelves? There appear to be an assortment of items on said shelves: a few jars, some binders, a bunch of boxes. Maybe specimen boxes?

Either way, Wriothesley's getting to work, hunkering down in front of the nearest shelf in order to slide one of those boxes open and peep what's inside. All of this is going to happen in complete silence unless Callisto says something, mostly because Wriothesley has decided that minimizing Callisto's presence in his life is the best thing he could possibly do for himself. ]

[ it sounds like they haven't alerted anyone to their presence here, at least. regardless of the confirmation that no one was following them, he still keeps his own senses sharp for every minute footstep beyond the door. he doesn't speak initially, if also just browsing, even pulling several glass bottles with what appears to be something submerged in liquid.

he looks over to wriothesley. he can tell the other man is keeping his distance to some degree. it's not unwarranted, and if he had to be honest, he could comprehend where it stems from. if anything, it was more natural, and so he doesn't take offense to it. ... and in the same vein, he doesn't feel bad to break those boundaries either, much like he encroaches on this silence with his own words.

no hint of reservation to them. ] What do you make of this?

[ are they kaiju parts, or just someone's sick hobbies.

actually, some of these look a bit more like human parts, to be honest. ]

[ why do you have to ruin all of our threads like this, hello

Can't believe they're stuck in a room with jars full of dubious monster and maybe human parts, this really wasn't the sort of result he was hoping for. Though when has life ever gone the way he hoped? Very rarely, so why is he surprised now.

He looks away from his boxes and ambles over towards the jars that Callisto is peering at, the frown on his face deepening even more as he analyzes its contents. Do they have an auto-identifier on their oculars...it's 2278. ]

Not good whatever it is. This place needs to be shut down, the sooner the better.

[ Is this enough evidence to call for reinforcements? Surely it must be. ]

Unless you want to take it out for a better look first?

[ i love how we keep matching icons...

but, it's true. this thread is now marred by the fact that they are likely scanning it and they're showing up as either UNKNOWN specimens, or as HUMAN TOES. callisto seems to keep his composure, at least. as disturbed as he is, there was no point in settling on this fact beyond finding it repugnant. he slips one into his pocket. one markedly human one and then a few unknown vials. he may even gesture to wrio to take from another part of the shelf...

while he does wonder what wriothesley makes of all this, he doesn't exactly feel the need to question it out loud, either. ]

A few wouldn't hurt to get a better idea of them. [ regardless of what that actually is. if they are trafficking human parts... that is another thing to consider.

so callisto is also using his oculars and calling for backup. at least that settled it out neatly enough. ]

Maybe we should be relieved that there's the same kind of rats no matter where we are.

[ Is that a relief? In some ways it is, Wriothesley supposes. It makes the world a little more palatable, a little more predictable. Some things will always remain the same, which gives him more of an anchor to hold onto in a place that's otherwise alien and different.

Hopefully the same methods of containment can be used here as in other places.

With Callisto taking pictures and calling for backup, Wriothesley settles for flipping a through a nearby binder and pilfering out a few pieces of paper with purchase records and plans of intent and shoving them into one of the many pockets on his outfit. Man pockets, truly superior to women pockets. ]

Do you plan on exterminating them all yourself? [ Don't actually answer that. ] What now, we sit around and wait for backup?

Do you think that's what we should do? Kill them all?

[ he asks casually. almost as if he were asking wriothesley if he wanted one lump of sugar or two in his tea. if wriothesley didn't want an answer, he shouldn't have asked, or so the speedy nature in which he responds seems to suggest. ]

Or so I would say, but I think waiting may be best. After all, if we cause trouble now, they could just simply burn most of the evidence to the ground. [ if they were that desperate. he feels like slippery men like these tended to be in their final moments. ] Did you have a better idea?

[ walking back towards wriothesley, and placing a hand on his shoulder. almost as if mimicking a gesture of them being close. ]

closed.

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why is this so embarrassing

you led us this direction?????

i did, but i didn't think it would be this awful

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