The Golden Paradox

"Time Eats All His Children In The End."

[g0ldenparad0x]

Look who just landed! Apollo Ladrón, I sure hope you packed all you need. Perhaps you’re not worried as Underboss of The Golden Tears. The city has plenty of spots for a Twenty-Six-year-old Cyborg like you. You’ll be known in the city soon enough as The Paradox, being Empathetic and Conniving. INTRO PLAYLIST PINTEREST HQ

[g0ldenparad0x]

@deusmort1s

Closed Text Thread For: Noel Grey

Initializing Neuro-Comm

Sending Message to: “Frankenstein’s Monster”

Sun God: Did you shoot Santi?

Sun God: Don’t answer that. You’ll implicate yourself.

Sun God: But did you?

Sun God: It seems like something you would do…

Sun God: For fun.

Sun God: I mean science…I guess.

[g0ldenparad0x]

It was late yet The Slums were anything but quiet. The panicked whispers and shuffle of careful footsteps rang in Apollo’s ears, gentle reminders that despite the heist the hierarchy of New Jakarta was still in play. He thought he should feel lucky that it wasn’t him nor The Tears on the metaphorical chopping block, but being the errand boy for the Academy was almost worse. Almost.

All he wanted was a break from urgency, just a brief moment where his nerves weren’t wired but the city had other plans. “I would prefer to keep it that way. We could do without the flashy dramatics The Crew likes to pull, it’s easier for us to sweep it under the rug that way. Crime is mundane, no need to jazz it up.” He didn’t approach Veer rather keeping his back pressed against the opposite wall and his exits open. “You shouldn’t be out here unless you want to tempt fate. A group of Overseers has been patrolling the area, they’re convinced they’ll find a skellie if they keep walking back and forth. Bone or Flower, it’s all the same to them.”

[wrvtchedhearts]

Veer's eyes shone for a moment, then they quickly gave a look at their surroundings. Overseers had never worried them much, despite that they really should. More often than they were right now, definitely given their current predicament. They had a few options to escape from here, but at least knowing they would have to was an edge they wouldn't have otherwise.

They were not going to thank Apollo however, they'd probably warn the other too when things got dicey, but not because they supported the alliance Apollo had chosen.

He hummed. "And what about you? Are these Overseers your friends?" he asked. Might as well be, he knew there were connections between any gang and law enforcement, even if everything was hearsay and nothing had digital footprints - at least none that they'd been able to uncover. "Bartori is open, we could go for some sushi?" they offered with a goofy smile.

[g0ldenparad0x]

As much as Apollo wanted Veer to be genuinely interested in his life he wasn’t naive, he knew a thinly veiled dig when he heard one. He scoffed rolling his eyes, an expression Veer was undoubtedly used to. Although less dramatic, it was a look that adorned Apollo’s face quite frequently when they were children, especially when he was being teased or not getting his way. “Stupid questions deserve stupid answers, Veer. No one is friends with an Overseer, don’t mistake a shaky truce for an olive branch. They would jump me the moment they got the order.” As would you was left unsaid.

He raised a brow, genuinely confused by the sudden offer to catch dinner. “What?” He tried but he just couldn’t figure it out, was Veer’s sincerity true or a perfect mask? Though, regardless of the truth it didn’t matter, there was no returning to what they had, they were no longer starry eyed kids running around the Slums dreaming of a better future. “If you’re serious I could go for a roll or two. Being the devil in disguise and ruining the lives of everyone I’m around is hard work. I’m starving.” Apollo replied with a smile but had no desire to spend more time than he had to with the other. It hurt to look at him, a reminder that Apollo would always be reaching out for a brother who would no longer come if he called.

[no0285]

˖ ࣪ . ࿐ ♡ ˚ . setsuki inoske .　　. 　 ˚　. CLOSED STARTER ( @g0ldenparad0x )

being summoned at any point in the golden tears could mean anything. be it a hit, or a date or intel it didn't matter, it always gave her an uneasy feeling in her tummy. still she always walked in with her head high, even spending extra time getting ready since apollo was the one who'd asked her to come. he didn't bat for her team but it was still fun to toy with him as it was any man.

still she dressed up for the occasion in the event they were sending her out at this right moment. the perfect full laced, cat-suit hugged ever curve of her slender body, private spaces only cover with a leather zipper mini skirt and matching bra-like top. stilettos clicked along the flooring and without knocking the pressed open the door with a sweet smile.

"you wanted to see me baby?" suki asked sweetly, welcoming herself to sit. with everything going on, it could be anything now, and that worried her. even if she was fearless.

[g0ldenparad0x]

Apollo was known to be a calm fellow, easy to approach and strike up a conversation. They prided themselves on their gentle demeanor a perfect mask to hide their wicked intentions. But in moments of mass panic they were reminded that despite the fancy title and expensive body modifications they were nothing more than a scared little kid with a gun. Anxiety came off them in waves, causing their already small office to feel suffocating. They knew their unease was unbecoming of an Underboss but they just never quite learned how to control absolute chaos.

They mindlessly tapped a pen on their desk their eyes glazed over and mind somewhere far away. It was embarrassing to admit, but they jumped at the sound of the door handle turning having completely forgotten that they called Suki to their office. The saccharine pet names no longer made their cheeks dust pink but it wasn’t a meeting with Suki without a bit of mutual flirting, “Hello princesa, please take a seat. This won’t take long but someone as precious as you shouldn’t be made to stand.” They waited for her to take a seat on the cushioned chair across from them. They leaned onto the desk, folding their hands and resting their chin on top, “I don’t think it’s safe for you to be wandering the streets while the Overseers walk freely through our territory…But it’s not my choice. If I had it my way all my little tears would be safely tucked away until this mess died down.” They leaned back and scrubbed at their face, “This is such a pain. We need intel to provide to the Academy, did you hear any whispers about the assassination plot? Did any new faces make their way in or out of the Slums?…We need something-anything to go off of.”

[g0ldenparad0x]

@santi-u

Initializing Neuro-Comm

Sending message to: “Dr. Frankenstein”

Sun God: So. I guess the gossip on the street is that SOMEONE TRIED TO KILL YOU???

Sun God: Why didn’t you tell me? They’d be blown off the face of the Earth.

Sun God: I mean Mars. You know what I mean.

Sun God: I have a gun. A big gun! I’ll go assassin hunting and bring back their head. Macbeth has nothing on me!

Sun God: Why are people whispering about magic? Are you hiding a sighir? Are you…

~A minute goes by~

Sun God: Santi what’s going on? I’m worried.

[santi-u]

Closed starter for: @g0ldenparad0x Location: X Academy, Basement Level 017 Time: 11:24 PM NJT

The underground chamber was dimly lit, the cold, damp air thick with tension as the Golden Tears facilitated the handoff of the newest batch of test subjects to X Academy. The process was efficient, almost mechanical, as hollow-eyed humans, cyborgs, and androids were lined up, their expressions vacant as they were herded like livestock. Santi stood off to the side, his usual composed demeanor wavering as he watched the transaction unfold. A familiar discomfort gnawed at his chest, the same one that had haunted him through countless similar handoffs.

Breaking the silence, Santi spoke quietly, his voice almost drowned out by the noise around them. "Apollo, do you ever think about what we’re doing here? The way we’re handling these people—their lives." This was probably the twentieth time he’d asked this question, no longer testing Apollo’s loyalty but searching for reassurance, a shared understanding. His gaze remained fixed on the operation, but there was a vulnerability in his tone that felt both repetitive and inescapable. "Do you ever wonder if we’ve crossed a line? If this is just… fucked up?" He risked a side glance at Apollo to see his reaction to this question Santi asked one too many times, as if he was hoping for a different answer, something to ease the burden he could no longer ignore.

[g0ldenparad0x]

When Apollo was a child they enjoyed nothing more than flitting around The Slums and experiencing the lives of others. Each hushed conversation, each bitter negotiation and each quickened movement were tiny glimpses into worlds that weren’t their own. Humanity was beautiful and the stories told by each passing life were a masterpiece. Apollo would have been repulsed by the thought of a life becoming nothing more than a transaction and they would have been disgusted upon learning that someone else benefited from that suffering. No one could take a pen to someone’s soul and decide that they were no longer the author. And yet…

This had become routine by now, he’d hear the hitch in Santi’s breath and prepare himself for the question that had not reassuring answer. Santi wanted comfort but Apollo wasn’t willing to lie and break their trust for a brief moment of calm. He knew his friend was watching but he couldn’t help the sour expression that always came with the realization that he was no longer a good kid but the devil in a clean cut suit, “What line? We have long since crossed that ‘line of morality’ and gave up our dreams for a quick credit, we are just as much a shell of a person as the people I sell to you.” Apollo’s answers had become harsher over time though his tone was never cold. He moved to press their shoulders together, an inconspicuous way of showing that he was there and wouldn’t abandon Santi in this time of vulnerability. “We have done bad things but we are nothing more than human and humans are beings of change. You don’t have to continue down this path, I know you’re anchored down but you have always had the tools to snip the ropes. It’s a matter of whether you would survive that freedom.”

As the last set of targets was shuffled through the underground chamber Apollo nodded towards the group of Tears he had recruited for the drop off, silently releasing them from their duties. Once they cleared the hall he sighed, “I wanted to be an author but my future wasn’t what was important at the time.”

[wrvtchedhearts]

CLOSED STARTER from the perspective of VEER SIVAKUMAR ( The Little Cobra - - leader of The Grey Lilies ) for APOLLO LADRÓN ( @g0ldenparad0x )

Veer was a leader simply by chance and good connections. They had no credentials, no qualifications, no experience. Simply the eagerness of someone who’d been done wrong by the system, who wanted nothing more than to change the status quo, to save his people in the Slums.

And the Grey Lilies was the way to go for those. 

Some choose different routes.

“First time the Tears still out of the news, bhai,” they said to Apollo when their paths crossed. They didn’t think either of them had the time for small talk, but they weren’t after anything else now. Just a break.

[g0ldenparad0x]

It was late yet The Slums were anything but quiet. The panicked whispers and shuffle of careful footsteps rang in Apollo’s ears, gentle reminders that despite the heist the hierarchy of New Jakarta was still in play. He thought he should feel lucky that it wasn’t him nor The Tears on the metaphorical chopping block, but being the errand boy for the Academy was almost worse. Almost.

All he wanted was a break from urgency, just a brief moment where his nerves weren’t wired but the city had other plans. “I would prefer to keep it that way. We could do without the flashy dramatics The Crew likes to pull, it’s easier for us to sweep it under the rug that way. Crime is mundane, no need to jazz it up.” He didn’t approach Veer rather keeping his back pressed against the opposite wall and his exits open. “You shouldn’t be out here unless you want to tempt fate. A group of Overseers has been patrolling the area, they’re convinced they’ll find a skellie if they keep walking back and forth. Bone or Flower, it’s all the same to them.”

[g0ldenparad0x]

Closed Text Thread: @paralaxpolarity

Initializing Neuro-Comm

Sending message to: “Metal Bastard”

Sun God: Some stunt you pulled. You spiraled all of Mars into chaos.

Sun God: Good thing you’re a champ at hide ‘n seek. The Overseers are up your ass.

Sun God: So are we but I have no interest of giving you away.

Sun God: But couldn’t you have run the date of your heist by me? I had a fight I was looking forward to watching.

[wrvtchedhearts]

CLOSED STARTER from the perspective of MENTARI AG ( detective - - associated with The Overseers ) for APOLLO LADRÓN ( @g0ldenparad0x )

There was always business to be done in the name of X, and they really liked to make it as difficult as possible for Mentari to shift to make the chatter die down.

He certainly didn’t intend to bust any heads from the Skeleton Crew this early, but he hoped connections within the Tears had luck already. Though several inquiries later and he was still at a dead end. 

He settled in to talking with the Tear’s underboss at a secure location, even if he could feel X breathing down his neck for such a risky move. The tension had even settled in his bones.

[g0ldenparad0x]

He wouldn’t necessarily say he was surprised when Mentari requested a meeting, that was the curse of being the Underboss, someone always needed you or wanted something and The Boss was never available to shoulder the work. Apollo was plenty busy dealing with the chaos from the Skeleton Crew and the demands of the Academy that he didn’t have the time of day to give to an impromptu meeting, but securing and keeping connections were part of the business and he did enjoy the detective’s company even if he didn’t enjoy theirs.

They ushered their visitor into a seat and placed a cup of tea in front of him knowing fully well he probably wouldn’t take the offering. “I’m curious detective, are you truly that deluded to believe I would freely give up information about the Skeleton Crew’s whereabouts? Especially when you and I report to the same…employer. I’m gunning for employee of the month and you’re my competition.” They leaned back in their chair, a shit-eating grin on their face. They enjoyed messing with Mentari just as they enjoyed messing with anyone connected to an overseer, but the detective’s reactions were particularly amusing and Apollo really needed something to brighten their mood. “I don’t have any leads and I think we both know that no matter how hard we search we’ll end up dry. I’ll give credit where it is due, the Crew are a group of highly competent individuals who no doubt went into deep hiding after the raid. No one is finding them and if they left ‘leads’ I’m sure you’re smart enough to realize they go nowhere.”

[ech0praxias]

・ ✦ ・ 𝐄𝐂𝟎𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐗𝐈𝐀𝐒 *   (  closed starter  for @g0ldenparad0x )

"What are you looking at anyway?" Jagger, or as he is enigmatically known in the ring, "The Dagger," inquires, his voice a mixture of curiosity and guarded defiance, as he observes the stranger meticulously taping up his split knuckles. The other had implored the fighter to assist with his injuries, offering medical care, and despite the incessant nagging of Jagger's agent about the after-party he had been invited to, he chose to extend his trust to this stranger instead. After all, free medical attention was an opportunity too valuable to decline. Perhaps, too, there was an intangible quality about this stranger that stirred his curiosity, a fickle and enigmatic impulse that Jagger himself could scarcely comprehend.

He winces visibly, the mere brush of the stranger’s deft, almost delicate hands against his bruised skin provoking involuntary hisses of discomfort from his bloodied lips. The stranger’s touch, though tender, seemed to accentuate the raw, throbbing pain of his wounds, which were the unfortunate aftermath of a fierce match—a contest he had almost claimed victory in, but ultimately succumbed to. The fight had been a brutal beating of endurance, his opponent exploits the slightest gaps in Jagger’s defenses, leaving him with a bittersweet bloody taste of near triumph.

"Did enjoy the fight, at least?" Jagger continues, his voice softened by an undercurrent of apology. "I mean, I hope I didn’t cost you too much money. I really thought I had him this time,…"

[g0ldenparad0x]

Apollo wasn’t used to the rough and tumble of the underground fighting scene. It wasn’t that he purposefully avoided catching a match, it’s just the thought of watching two people beat each other for entertainment was never quite alluring. He had experienced it too often on the streets- for free- that he assumed he lost all excitement for it. So it wasn’t his first choice of activity to take a Target to, but ultimately whatever caught their interest and lowered their guard would work. He just…didn’t expect to be so interested himself.

They weren’t sure where the Target had wandered off too and they weren’t particularly bothered by the loss, there would always be others they could lure into the Academy’s grip. Their attention was caught by the young fighter bouncing around the ring, the neon lights alighting the blood that dripped down his face with an eerie glow. They were also not sure how many credits they bet on the caged bunny, but win or lose, “He’ll be mine.”

———

There was a hint of amusement in his concentrated expression as one hand cradled the man’s bloody knuckles and the other brushed lightly against his bruising cheek. He hushed the fighter, much like an adult caring for a frightened child, “Now now, don’t tell me you dislike the attention. That would be such an obvious lie, you seemed to enjoy dancing around the ring and you were quite good at it.” He met the other’s eyes for a moment, a teasing look in his gaze, “When you treat your wounds, Little Bunny, you must be as meticulous as you can.” He reached up slowly to blot away the dried blood on his lips. The drink he just ordered sat abandoned as he found use in only the complementary napkin and condensation from the glass. “You aren’t only helping them heal, you’re also fending off viruses. You need to wrap tight and clean thoroughly- Or, you can come to me. I’ll patch you up whenever you need.”

He hummed in response to the man’s question, taking a step back as he finished wrapping their hand. “I’m not particularly fond of fighting. Too messy. But I enjoyed watching you, you’re passionate and it’s obvious by the way you move around the ring. It seems as though you want everyone around you to enjoy the match just as much as you do.” They picked up the lonely glass full of god knows what and placed it gently in the other’s hands, “Drink. Rinse your mouth out, that can’t taste good. Credits don’t mean much to me so please don’t worry about such trivial matters. And I’m more than sure you’ll win next time, you look like you can out train him in endurance.” They furrowed their brow, faking a worried glance towards the way the fighter’s agent stalked off, “Perhaps you should head out to that ‘after party’ it seemed important? You’re all patched up and presentable now.” Though, Apollo had no plans to let the man leave without him.

[ignitedfms]

[ froy gutierrez, cis-man, he/they ] Look who just landed! APOLLO LADRÓN, I sure hope you packed all you need. Perhaps you’re not worried as UNDERBOSS of THE GOLDEN TEARS. The city has plenty of spots for a 26 year old CYBORG like you. You’ll be known in the city soon enough as THE PARADOX, being EMPATHETIC and CONNIVING. ( 1anc3a10t, 25, PST, removed for discretion )

00000 - - INTERVIEW INCOMING - - - 001

001101 1- - ARE you A LOCAL OF MARS OR HAVE you LANDED HERE RECENTLY? WHAT IS your OPINION OF THE CITY OF NEW JAKARTA? - 00011011

This was the issue with the MAWAR DISTRICT. He couldn’t have a peaceful brunch without the threat of the OVERSEERS invading his personal space. This would never happen in the Slums, there were so many cracks and crevices he could squirm into and be completely out of sight from wandering eyes…But, no one could beat Café Marco’s Chai and he wasn’t willing to settle for the one credit tea bags the boss so graciously bought for him. 

To: Big Man 

Sun God: Fucking Shit. The Seers are up my ass. Tell the Tears to watch their backs while I fend off these assholes. 

Sun God: You know. Maybe if you weren’t a cheap ass and bought me real loose-leaf tea this wouldn’t happen.

Sun God: 😘

“Please. Sit.”

They weakly gestured towards the chair infront of them, not particularly caring whether or not the Overseer took their offer. It was better to open with an act of hospitality rather than assuming aggression from the get go, even if they were rather pissed the officers were eating up their alone time. “I was born in NEW JAKARTA- specifically in Jakarta general- and was raised here in the MAWAR DISTRICT. My mothers immigrated from Earth, they had sought asylum on Mars as they were escaping a domestic violence situation involving my birth father.  I have spent my life flitting around from neighborhood to neighborhood experiencing each of their unique pleasures.” They paused for a moment, leaning forward to rest their arms on the table. “My mothers own a bakery. They bring in good profit. They are happy, they are healthy. New Jakarta is perfect and nothing needs to change.”

0101022 - - ARE you AWARE OF THE CRIMINAL CIRCUIT OF NEW JAKARTA? WOULD you BE WILLING TO INFORM THE OVERSEERS IF you SEE ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY? - 001200

He feigned a sip of his now lukewarm tea, hiding a scoff behind the rim of the mug. Focused more on the credits they wasted on a now stale croissant they only tuned in to half of the question, “You have such interesting inquiries. Some may venture to say they are even a bit…intrusive. But, do you mind repeating yourself? I found myself lost in thought, wondering how unobservant a person would have to be to not notice the criminal activity buzzing around our city.”

They hummed with a slight nod of their head, “Yes, I’m aware. I spend much of my time roaming the slums, gathering stories and whatever else catches my interest. It’s hard not to run into a criminal or two when you’re sticking your nose into places you don’t belong,” they laughed short and sweet, “Or at least that’s what my friends tell me. Now in regard to being a snitch, you know what they say?-“ He paused, shooting the Overseer an expecting look. He hoped an act of innocence would get them to play along with his game, it wasn’t everyday he got the delight of making a fool of someone of their status. “Under the Revised Code of NEW JAKARTA title 9.A, chapter 25- and please do bear with me, I’m summarizing here- I don’t have to tell you anything until I’m under arrest. Am I under arrest?- I didn’t think so.”

000111311 - - HAVE you BEEN TESTED FOR ANY TRACES OF SIGHIR? HAVE your TESTS ON THE VIRUSES COME BACK CLEAN? - 0012133

“No,” They raised a finger to silence the onslaught of any further questioning, “I have not been purposefully avoiding it, I have simply just not had time to be tested.” If they got their way, they would find a way to avoid testing all together. They hadn’t felt a strong spiritual bond with Mars, nor had they woken up one day with the ability to conjure fire in the palm of their hand - but if there was a possibility that the magic was lying dormant they didn’t want a group of faceless BOARD members to be the first to know. 

They nodded their head, a bit offended that these strangers would even begin to believe they weren’t clean. “I take the utmost care in ensuring my body is in perfect shape. That includes keeping a close eye on my mental health to catch any early signs Cyberpsychosis. I am perfectly fine in every way.”

0113114 - - DO you HAVE ANYTHING TO DECLARE? WEAPONS, AUGMENTATIONS, MECHANICAL PARTS OR AI-RELATED APERTURE? - 0012444

Their smile turned sour and they took on an expression that was much more fit for the Underboss of one of the major criminal organizations. It was almost sinister the way they looked at the Overseer, their gaze scanning the officer for any hint of weakness. When he was content with what he found he began to tap the table impatiently, clearly not interested in dealing with this conversation any further.

“My left arm is a cybernetic implant. When I was sixteen I was caught in the aftermath of a street racing crash. Gasoline is highly flammable and my little legs just couldn’t run fast enough. The doctors said I was truly lucky to have survived, being in the slums the emergency response wasn’t as quick as someone like you would normally receive. I don’t remember much from the incident other than feeling wet, which I can only assume was from the massive amount of blood loss.” He stretched his arm out and turned it side to side letting the Overseer run a cursory glance over the limb. “The augmentation gives me the strength that I lost when my nerves were, quite literally, fried. Other than that it’s simply a prosthetic limb.” Not all of it was a lie. They were sixteen when their arm was blown off, but it was the result of a hit gone bad. An explosion from a plasma grenade took it right off. Luckily, X ACADEMY was more than willing to gift an experimental cybernetic to Apollo. They took well to it with only some minor swelling and sores but unfortunately for them that meant they were the perfect test subject. 

They crossed their arms against their chest and leaned back, their expression perked up as they remembered, “I have a stunner but I do not believe they are a regulated good.- Now, I do hope we’re done.” 

[g0ldenparad0x]

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