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@thealtoclef
That's right. Your favorite director is here now.
The name's Dr. Alto Clef, if you didn't already know. It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance.
Now, get back to paperwork or orientation or whatever the fuck you gotta do. It ain't my problem. That is, unless you have something to tell me?
What if u lost ur hair tho
Then I'd rock my bald cap. I'd have a damn good one, too.
clef you're so cute can i be your house husband
'Ppreciate the compliment, but the last time I had a house-anything... didn't work out so hot for the house-something. Heed that warning, but I'll consider it. IF you'll be good.
Can I call you Cleffles? Ur cleffles now
No??? You can't call me that??? What the fuck???
Have you worn wigs
No. And I will not wears wigs. Never. There is not a will, when, or have in this regards.
Why are you ladies and gentlemen so hostile towards anomalies? We— I mean, them, some of them pose no threat to people whatsoever.
It risks the veil. It risks humanity. If we become lenient wit' the safe ones, we'll become lenient wit' the dangerous ones. There ain't any exceptions. Humanity must live in th' light, an' that's why we die in th' dark.
uhh, you're pretty lenient with me, dude...
Psst, shut the fuck up, dude...!
Hate to ask this, but are you familiar with the red god?
- @dr-buck 🦌
The Scarlet King?
...
I'm familiar.
I know you hate type green reality benders, but what about type blues?
Type Blues? Thaumatologists? Nah, I don't really give a damn 'bout 'em. They ain't as bad, and hell, sometimes they're real damn useful fer us in the Foundation.
The anxiety of the approaching date was nauseating.
Clef knew he had to do something. It's not like he was about to hand over Johnny, obviously. He'd quicker shove the guy into containment than hand him back to his slimy ass boss. But, goddamnit, what to do...? The man clearly tried to replace Johnny, and that simply didn't do. He couldn't offer a replacement, but...
...well, let's just say there's more than a few anomalies that can clone people.
This is the day Alto thanks god for the position he's in. He's a director, so he has clearance to practically everything. If that damn 239 incident taught him anything, it's that he's smart enough to weasel through Foundation securities and get shit done.
And by God, he'd get shit done.
Johnny. Ya good in there?
He whistled as he walked into the living room where Johnny was. It basically became Johnny's room, given that he slept on the couch and Clef never found a reason to be in the living room aside... you know, Johnny things.
You know, if ya don't mind, I gotta do some shit wit' ya specifically. Ya know... a field trip, let's call it tha'.
After all, he didn't want to freak Johnny out with the information that his boss is coming after him, and that Clef was trying to play that man like a goddamn fiddle. It was such an experiment, he wasn't sure any of it would work out. Maybe, though. As long as he tricked enough people into saying yes. As long as enough people believed him, it would work.
Johnny was pacing around the living room, as usual. He wasn't used to being still. He always had tasks. Something to do with his hands. Work. Labor. At this point, Clef might as well start making messes for Johnny to clean just to give him some enrichment, because he clearly wasn't enjoying watching television all the time.
He didn't flinch when Clef walked in (though he'd been jumpscared before) mostly because the guy had made himself obvious before he did so.
"I'm fine."
He crossed his arms and tilted his head when Clef spoke about needing him for a "field trip". Fuck yeah. He'd been starting to go a little stir crazy– the amount he paced around the living room made that pretty clear.
"You? Want to go somewhere with me? What is this, a plot to kill me? I'm flattered." As far as Johnny was aware, Clef was an asshole who was only letting Johnny stay and hide from his boss because he'd rather kill off Johnny himself. Maybe he'd finally found a way.
He just had to ignore the... impromptu bonding time they'd experienced over the last few days. Johnny didn't mean for that freakout to happen, and he wasn't going to acknowledge it ever again.
Johnny sighed. "Anyway, sure. I could use a field trip. Your house is boring as fuck. Lead the way, boss–" the word slipped from his tongue too easily, and he winced. "Clef."
Alto stared at Johnny before chuckling, running his hand through his hair while slipping on his usual attire of socks and sandals, hiding the burn scars on his feet.
Boring as fuck, huh? I'm wounded. I digress, yer comin' wit' me. And if anybody asks? Jus' let 'em talk t'me.
Clef grabbed his usual secure access card and slipped it into his pocket, the bright orange of the level four gleaming as the Foundation lanyard dangled out his pocket. He shoved everything else he needed his other pockets, stalling at the door.
He tried his best to act as if it wasn't too important. After all, Johnny freaking out again? Suboptimal. He needed the man calm. Needed him to not be suspicious, obviously. It'd be hard as hell, but whatever, right?
Get yer ass movin' if yer so bored. M'boutta leave ya behind if ya continue bein' so slow. Hell, I'll let that fat lizard eat y'alive if ya don't get yer feet movin'.
He opened the door, nodding towards it. He jingled his keys in his hand, clearly beckoning Johnny onwards with a grin. He looked smug, but when did he not?
Johnny had been on edge for the past few days. Sleep deprivation and then getting sick and the whole starvation thing didn't really make people feel at ease. He could get along with Clef, but he didn't trust the guy. It seemed like only yesterday they'd been hostile towards each other.
He watched Clef get ready while he got ready himself.
Clearly they were going to the Foundation, judging by the security card– the place that he was pretty sure wanted to contain him, judging by the few interactions he'd had with other staff on the internet, Hell, he'd even given one of them his coordinates and was planning to comply until the whole boss fiasco happened.
He doubted they were very pleased about that.
Clef was probably in on it. Johnny was pretty sure the guy wanted him imprisoned too, if not dead. Likely that Site of his had a way to take him down for good.
The fact that Clef wanted him to keep quiet only solidified his theories, at least to Johnny's disordered way of thinking. So, just in case, before he left, he made sure the sheath of his knife was attached to his belt and that his hair was tied up. If they wanted to take him down, he was going to take a lot of people with him.
But not now. Not until he had proof. There was no reason to get worked up yet, especially if it would reveal that he knew exactly what Clef was planning.
"The fuck do you mean, a fat lizard?" He frowned. "You're pulling my leg."
Still, he quickened his step to follow behind Clef. Compared to his coworkers he'd always been short as fuck, he was five feet and six inches tall in a company of non-humans, so he was used to having to struggle to keep stride with them.
Clef was really calm. Almost like he was trying to keep Johnny calm. He was hiding something.
He had to be.
Despite all of Johnny's suspicions, he needed to get out of this fucking house. He'd been paranoid about his boss for days.
The walk through the apartment complex was rather quick, following down to the parking lot where Clef had his car parked. It was a shitty, beat-up, white sedan that had clearly seen better days and better owners. He unlocked it with two clicks of his keys, gesturing Johnny to get in the passenger seat.
Come on, up ya go. We've a site to go to.
He started his car, turning on the radio with little thought while pulling out the parking lot with excessive speed. Of course he speeded down the streets while rolling his window down, just to light a cigarette and smoke it out said window. Wow, how predictable
I wasn' kiddin' 'bout that lizard, by the way. Real thing. S'this giant ass reptile that keeps causin' havoc and we got no clue how to kill it. We keep tryin', though. Like fuckin' idiots, expecting it ta work when we know it ain't gonna.
Before they knew it, Clef was pulling into the site parking lot. The adrenaline was already hard thrumming in his body, but he had to reel himself in. Keep calm. Keep serious. Plus, he needed to brief Johnny on the plan... ish. Maybe he'd make this seem like he'd trying to help Johnny evade containment? Oh well. It was a rather quiet and secluded site, at least. Not many people to bother them. Just say he had shit to do and shove people aside.
He didn't care if he'd get written up. He didn't care about the punishments. Shit, after 239? He thinks he could handle anything and everything from O5.
Okay, Johnny, yer gonna have to listen to me. Pretend like, fuck, I dunno, like I'm containin' ya. Keep yer mouth shut. Maybe glare at all the guards. I don't fuckin' know. Jus'... ya know. Follow me. I gotta, y'know, do somethin'. Wit' ya. Fer yer safety. So ya don't get... captured.
Clef wasn't lying, necessarily. Unless the lie was in the implication. Which, yeah. He didn't want to freak Johnny out just yet.
Johnny had never been in a car before. He'd seen them. They'd all been abandoned, rusted beyond repair back when he'd been a soldier. The ones that did work were reserved for the higher ups.
He'd never been in a car before.
Johnny climbed into the passenger seat and watched Clef for a moment, observing the other guy to see what he should do. Buckle. Yes. He needed to buckle. So he fumbled around for a minute until the buckle clicked into place and he was secured in his seat.
"Must be real fun whenever it gets out, then, right?" Johnny joked after hearing about the lizard. It reminded him of the mycelium. Indestructible. Painful to deal with.
His eyes landed on the cigarette in Clef's hand. He couldn't tear them away. God, as soon as he saw it he knew he needed it. His mouth felt dry. He hadn't had a cigarette in so fucking long.
They ended up at the Site way quicker than he'd expected. Here was where the shoe dropped. Here was where Clef told him he was under arrest, or something.
"So you want me to just behave like usual then," he joked, but it was clear he was a bit... nervous. "Got it."
It was a trick, a trick, a trick. Clef was tricking him. It was a trick. He just knew it.
But he also knew that there wasn't much of a point in avoiding it. It was either this or his boss. Clef had been patient enough, but after Johnny's freak out, he wasn't surprised Clef wanted him out of the house. He was just sugarcoating it, pretending this was something else, maybe so Johnny wouldn't question it? So it wouldn't hurt as bad? But Clef hated him, why would it hurt? Johnny tried not to remember Clef (or was it Francis?) holding his hair out of his face when he was in that bathroom. Telling him he'd be okay.
He felt conflicted. He'd been convinced he'd wanted to die for so long, but if that was the case, why did he feel the need to bring a knife for safety? To take people with him, when he went down? He didn't understand himself.
It didn't matter.
He unbuckled his seat and got ready to head inside. "You might want to make a big scene out of taking my knife, or something, if you're 'pretending' to contain me."
Clef stretched when he exited the car, walking to the trunk just to sling a shotgun on his back. He looked at Johnny a bit weirdly when he said that, but the idea made him think for a moment. Sure, confiscating the knife might make it look more believable... but he wanted Johnny to have a form of protection and safety just in case shit hit the fan. He ended up shrugging, closing the trunk with a loud BANG!
Listen, kid, ya might need it. Even if I make a big show of takin' it and whatever the fuck, I'll slide it back to ya. 'Kay?
He didn't seem to give it more thought as he locked the door and began to lead the way. He reluctantly put on the id he shoved in his pocket on his chest while putting the lanyard around his neck as he began to strife through security.
Yeah, kid's with me. Anomaly I'm containing.
The MTF agents murmur amongst themselves.
Nah, I don't need yer fuckin' help. I got 'im. He ain't dangerous.
More murmuring.
Listen, shut the fuck up. Yer talking to the Dr. Alto Clef and I'll have ya demoted by lunch if ya don't shut up and lemme through. Got it?
With no further incidents, Clef finally dragged Johnny through and started walking down the halls towards the room where he needed to go into. Most of the few researchers at the site gawked at Dr. Clef of all people being there, but they asked no questions and refused to interact with him.
Perks of being well known and well feared.
Awright, kid, c'mon in this room here.
Okay... So the guy was letting him keep his knife. Was this really a trick? He couldn't tell. The fuck???
He didn't think about it for very long, because Alto was yelling at some fucking door guards or something, holy shit, he was their boss!
Johnny realized the pieces should've clicked together a while ago, but Alto did not seem very "boss worthy" to him. A boss was awful, and abusive, and they don't take care of you when you're sick–
Johnny's attention snagged on something Clef said. He ain't dangerous. That wasn't true, obviously, it was likely the guy was lying to them to make things easier. Johnny kept quiet and glared, like he'd been told to do, following closely behind Alto.
You've always been a loyal dog, Johnny. All you do is follow orders.
This was where he got shot. Right? Clef had brought a shotgun with him. Maybe they were battling to the death???
Johnny couldn't keep trying to convince himself Clef had it out for him. He'd suspected it, at first, but really that theory had been thrown out the window by now.
He stepped into the room, bracing himself for an attack, it seemed. He was hoping that if there really was some kind of perma-death trap in here, at least it'd be quick. Most of all he hoped it worked, he really didn't want to end up back in the office.
There was nothing there... but an odd room and then an observatory around it. It basically looked like a lab room with the label SCP-038 on the entry of the odd room. Oddly enough, it looked like somebody left in a hurry. Hell, maybe Clef threatened them to get them out of there. As soon as he could, he closed the door and locked it before looking at Johnny.
Okay, don't freak out on, 'kay? I ain't gonna do ya no harm. At least, I don't think it will, and I did my damn research.
Clef stepped to the door, sliding his access card against the sensor. The hydraulic door opened slowly, showing... a weird apple tree. I wonder why it was so contained... well, Alto's got an answer, obviously.
Yer boss is tryna get ya from me. But! I've got some shitty, stupid plan. An' ya gotta hear me out on this. Ya, know, we contain lots of anomalies... some of which clone people, and...
Alto shrugged, taking out a candy bar from his pocket and pressing it against the bark of the tree. Immediately, a second one materialized next to it, and he caught it with his hand before shoving it in Johnny's chest. He was just showing off that the tree did, in fact, clone things.
What I'm tellin' ya to do is touch the tree and clone yerself, and the rest is my problem. Yer gonna be stayin' wit' a, uh, friend o' mine 'til I get the clone out to yer boss... tomorrow. So? Whaddaya say?
It really did not help that Alto's first words, as soon as he entered the room, were "don't freak out, okay?" That kind of clued Johnny in that he should be freaking out.
He didn't freak out, though.
That was because he was looking at a tree. A real, alive tree that wasn't dehydrated to death or covered in that damnable snow. Honestly, he could almost cry. Johnny wiped his eyes, just in case. He knew he could've seen trees on the drive over, but he'd... really been trying not to look out the windows. The world rushing by made him feel motion sick.
Of course, there was always bad news. He'd been expecting something awful the whole time. Hell, Johnny had known his boss would be coming. He'd known, at least logically, that it wouldn't take very long. But if Alto was doing something now, that meant the time frame was extremely short.
He felt faint. His heart hammered in his chest, thumpthumpthumpthump.
Johnny didn't know why Alto was doing this for him. He couldn't focus well when the guy showed him an example of what'd happen with the candy bar, he almost dropped it when Clef handed it to him. He didn't recognize the label, so he simply shoved it into his pocket. He had more important things to focus on. Like his bosses upcoming visit.
"To-" he squeezed his eyes shut, trying not to panic. "Tomorrow??"
Tomorrow was the day of reckoning, the day he either went back to his personal hell, or the day he merely extended the expiration date of his freedom. Johnny had no doubt that the boss would find out in some way. He's gonna know, he's gonna know, he's gonna know.
No, he had to stay calm. Alto had a plan. He was going to touch this tree, and then his clone would take the fall for him. He tried not to think about the ethics of that, tried not to wonder, what was it like to be someone else, a copy sent to Die in his place?
He tried not to think about it. He really tried. "Okay."
He placed his hand against the tree and hoped that this would work. It had to work. He didn't want to go back.
Alto blinked, and POOF! There it was. Two Johnnies, one identical to the other. He quickly grabbed the clone just to steal his jacket, only to make sure he could differentiate the two. Once he got the clone, he knew this meant there was a ticking timer over their heads. The clone looked disoriented, but the man didn't give a damn. They had to get out, and fast.
Come on.
Clef didn't say much else as he began dragging the clone around, not paying attention as much to Johnny since he trusted the man to follow him close by. After all, they were still in Foundation territory. If they took him, well, he's more than likely never getting out. Nobody wants to be contained like an object, obviously. At least, Alto assumed so after his own experience.
He practically sped out of the facility, looking for the emergency exit he planned to take to avoid catching the eyes of any security guards. He was glad he already planted a distraction further into the site, which meant they wouldn't be getting bothered. If an alarm blared, well, it wouldn't be an issue. After all, one of the anomalies in the site already had "broken" doors that posed severe security issues!
Alto's shoulder slammed into an otherwise locked door, forcing it open before gesturing the two beings to get a move on. He managed to maneuver them to the parking lot through some obscure path, of course he planned down to the t,managing to avoid the attention of the MTFs as some random alarm sounded through the facility. He laughed to himself, the exhilaration already subsiding as he shoved the clone into the back of the car.
Huh. Shit went down pretty damn well considerin' what shit I was plannin'. Tha's what plannin' gets ya, I suppose.
At least it was cleaner than the entire 239 incident went down. Well, probably because he planned and 239 was, well... That was an incident he didn't like to remember particularly. Whatever, right? It's time to speed down the highway before the agents deemed Clef the cause of this. He'd get a nasty slap on the wrist, but as always, he could blame it on some kind of anomalous influence... Listen. If he survived 239? It couldn't be that bad.
Johnny didn't feel bad. He didn't. He didn't.
He didn't care that Alto immediately started dragging another him the clone around, didn't care that if he were the clone, he'd be really distressed. He tried not to think about it. He really tried. Johnny kept his mouth shut until they got to the car and tried not to think about it.
He really tried.
The escape went off without a hitch, but he his clone was going to die and he just had to accept that. It didn't make him feel bad.
He climbed into the passenger seat and buckled up, trying to ignore the copy in the back.
"So who are you droppin' me off with?" He asked, just to try and give himself something else to think about.
Ya remember Kondraki?
Clef hummed as he turned the car on, looking in the rearview mirror to make sure the other Johnny was settled in fine and looked comfortable enough. He raised an eyebrow before starting to pull out, speeding a little too fast just to avoid all the chaos that would start soon.
Yer staying wit' 'im fer a day or two. He's nice. Honestly, y'all are pro'lly gonna end up blackout drunk together. Tha's his signature.
The rest of the drive went without a hitch before Clef finally stopped in front of a house just down the street from the Foundation apartments, evidently Kondraki's house. He turned to look at the clone for a second, flashing a smile that didn't feel maliciously fake, just... a little sad. Like he knew he made a person just to damn them to death.
You sit here and wait, kid. I gotta drop this guy off at this house, 'kay? Yer comin' wit' me afterwards.
He exited the car afterwards, waiting for the real Johnny to come out and follow him while walking up to Kondraki's door. He knocked, waiting for Kondraki to answer.
After a short wait, Kondraki opened the door, looking a tad bit surprised seeing Clef with some kid at his doorstep
What do you need..?
He knew Alto wouldn't just show up like this without a reason, so not even waiting for an answer, he took a step back, letting the two into his apartment.
@businessmancompanyintern
"Of course I don't remember whoever the fuck--" Johnny sighed. "Nevermind."
He didn't really think any of this was a good idea. He barely got along with Alto, how was he supposed to stay with some random stranger for two days? Actually, no, don't answer that, he knew it was a bad question, especially when he'd literally moved in with some guy he hated. It was a major contradiction and he decided not to think about it.
They arrived at Kondraki's house. Clef told his clone to wait. Johnny tried not to think about it. He tried not to look back. He didn't want to think about it.
He got out of the car and followed Clef up to the apartment, keeping his mouth shut about whatever he might be thinking.
The guy he'd be staying with answered the door. Johnny lingered outside for a moment, wondering if he really did feel the copy's eyes staring at him, judging him for sending him it to the death, or if he was being paranoid.
Johnny decided he'd let Alto explain the situation. The other man was more suited, anyway.
Hey, Konny.
Clef greeted easily, placing a hand on Johnny's shoulder to try and ground the poor guy. He offered a grin towards Kondraki, stepping in front so that he took a bit less stress off of Johnny's shoulders.
This is Johnny. The mycelium guy. Listen, to keep short shit short, I'm tryna keep him from gettin' fuckin' murked by his boss. Can ya babysit 'im fer me? Ya know, jus' fer tonight. Promise I'll be back quickly.
He moved aside so Kondraki could see Johnny properly, pushing him forward just for Kondraki's sake. He looked behind himself, wanting to make sure the other Johnny was still in the car, still waiting...
Listen, if ya wanna try to drink him under the table, go 'head. Jus' take good care o' him an' whatever. Yeah? Sounds good?
// @kingofbooterflies
Kondraki eyed Johnny up and down before dragging him into the apartment.
Yeah, yeah whatever. Promise I won't let 'im die of alcohol poisoning and shit. You owe me though.
He closed the door in front of Clef's face and turned back to the kid. He looked to be a similar age to his Draven. But with how shit is around here, he could never know for sure.
So, mr. mycelium guy, ever tried some good vodka?
@businessmancompanyintern
Johnny was uncomfortable. He wanted to keep hiding behind Clef, but that was a bit difficult when the other guy was shorter than him, and Alto had pushed him forward anyway.
"I don't need a babysitter," he grumbled, even though all evidence pointed to the fact Johnny did need a babysitter.
He didn't want to stay with a random stranger, but he supposed if Clef was fine with the guy, Johnny was either absolutely screwed or he'd be perfectly fine.
"My boss had a lot of it," he said. As if that was an answer. It wasn't.
Johnny crossed his arms. He was standing so stiffly. Like he'd rather be anywhere else.
Yes, ya do. I ain't seen no proof ya don't need a babysitter, an' I don't trust stayin' at my apartment 'til shit dies down.
Clef retorted when Johnny tried to resist. He patted the man three times on the back rather roughly, before turning to start leaving already. After all, he felt bad abandoning some dude who started existing approximately an hour ago in his car. Either way, he trusted Kondraki not to fuck Johnny up... much, anyway.
Have fun, y'all. I'll be back tomorrow. Konny, make sure he eats somethin' before ya get him blackout drunk. Take care.
He reminded before leaving the two alone, closing the door behind him as he left and retreated back to the car. He waited as he got in, making sure that Johnny didn't get immediately kicked out... before finally pulling out and driving away.
// @kingofbooterflies
never take me to a restaurant, i just spent $20 for no reason because i couldn't stomach any of it
– @businessmancompanyintern
Shit, kid. Ya look like a starved dog, no wonder ya can't stomach jackshit. I'm surprised ya even thought that'd work out fer ya. Dumbass.
i tried it because you wanted me to eat more :(
Slowly, jackass. Not a giant fuckin' meal right after eatin' nothin' fer weeks.
Why are you ladies and gentlemen so hostile towards anomalies? We— I mean, them, some of them pose no threat to people whatsoever.
It risks the veil. It risks humanity. If we become lenient wit' the safe ones, we'll become lenient wit' the dangerous ones. There ain't any exceptions. Humanity must live in th' light, an' that's why we die in th' dark.
Favorite anomaly?
I think the answer's pretty goddamn obvious. SCP-166. Meri. God, my poor damned Meri... I wish I coulda done more fer ya, my baby. I'm so sorry.
never take me to a restaurant, i just spent $20 for no reason because i couldn't stomach any of it
– @businessmancompanyintern
Shit, kid. Ya look like a starved dog, no wonder ya can't stomach jackshit. I'm surprised ya even thought that'd work out fer ya. Dumbass.
Fine, can i dye your (regular) hair then? Youre gonna and feel very bonita
Mm... nah. I like my blonde hair as it is. Would take foreva to grow all'a that back out.
Do you hate rainbows, alto?
Nah, I don't hate em. I jus' don't want my leg hairs dyed rainbow.
The anxiety of the approaching date was nauseating.
Clef knew he had to do something. It's not like he was about to hand over Johnny, obviously. He'd quicker shove the guy into containment than hand him back to his slimy ass boss. But, goddamnit, what to do...? The man clearly tried to replace Johnny, and that simply didn't do. He couldn't offer a replacement, but...
...well, let's just say there's more than a few anomalies that can clone people.
This is the day Alto thanks god for the position he's in. He's a director, so he has clearance to practically everything. If that damn 239 incident taught him anything, it's that he's smart enough to weasel through Foundation securities and get shit done.
And by God, he'd get shit done.
Johnny. Ya good in there?
He whistled as he walked into the living room where Johnny was. It basically became Johnny's room, given that he slept on the couch and Clef never found a reason to be in the living room aside... you know, Johnny things.
You know, if ya don't mind, I gotta do some shit wit' ya specifically. Ya know... a field trip, let's call it tha'.
After all, he didn't want to freak Johnny out with the information that his boss is coming after him, and that Clef was trying to play that man like a goddamn fiddle. It was such an experiment, he wasn't sure any of it would work out. Maybe, though. As long as he tricked enough people into saying yes. As long as enough people believed him, it would work.
Johnny was pacing around the living room, as usual. He wasn't used to being still. He always had tasks. Something to do with his hands. Work. Labor. At this point, Clef might as well start making messes for Johnny to clean just to give him some enrichment, because he clearly wasn't enjoying watching television all the time.
He didn't flinch when Clef walked in (though he'd been jumpscared before) mostly because the guy had made himself obvious before he did so.
"I'm fine."
He crossed his arms and tilted his head when Clef spoke about needing him for a "field trip". Fuck yeah. He'd been starting to go a little stir crazy– the amount he paced around the living room made that pretty clear.
"You? Want to go somewhere with me? What is this, a plot to kill me? I'm flattered." As far as Johnny was aware, Clef was an asshole who was only letting Johnny stay and hide from his boss because he'd rather kill off Johnny himself. Maybe he'd finally found a way.
He just had to ignore the... impromptu bonding time they'd experienced over the last few days. Johnny didn't mean for that freakout to happen, and he wasn't going to acknowledge it ever again.
Johnny sighed. "Anyway, sure. I could use a field trip. Your house is boring as fuck. Lead the way, boss–" the word slipped from his tongue too easily, and he winced. "Clef."
Alto stared at Johnny before chuckling, running his hand through his hair while slipping on his usual attire of socks and sandals, hiding the burn scars on his feet.
Boring as fuck, huh? I'm wounded. I digress, yer comin' wit' me. And if anybody asks? Jus' let 'em talk t'me.
Clef grabbed his usual secure access card and slipped it into his pocket, the bright orange of the level four gleaming as the Foundation lanyard dangled out his pocket. He shoved everything else he needed his other pockets, stalling at the door.
He tried his best to act as if it wasn't too important. After all, Johnny freaking out again? Suboptimal. He needed the man calm. Needed him to not be suspicious, obviously. It'd be hard as hell, but whatever, right?
Get yer ass movin' if yer so bored. M'boutta leave ya behind if ya continue bein' so slow. Hell, I'll let that fat lizard eat y'alive if ya don't get yer feet movin'.
He opened the door, nodding towards it. He jingled his keys in his hand, clearly beckoning Johnny onwards with a grin. He looked smug, but when did he not?
Johnny had been on edge for the past few days. Sleep deprivation and then getting sick and the whole starvation thing didn't really make people feel at ease. He could get along with Clef, but he didn't trust the guy. It seemed like only yesterday they'd been hostile towards each other.
He watched Clef get ready while he got ready himself.
Clearly they were going to the Foundation, judging by the security card– the place that he was pretty sure wanted to contain him, judging by the few interactions he'd had with other staff on the internet, Hell, he'd even given one of them his coordinates and was planning to comply until the whole boss fiasco happened.
He doubted they were very pleased about that.
Clef was probably in on it. Johnny was pretty sure the guy wanted him imprisoned too, if not dead. Likely that Site of his had a way to take him down for good.
The fact that Clef wanted him to keep quiet only solidified his theories, at least to Johnny's disordered way of thinking. So, just in case, before he left, he made sure the sheath of his knife was attached to his belt and that his hair was tied up. If they wanted to take him down, he was going to take a lot of people with him.
But not now. Not until he had proof. There was no reason to get worked up yet, especially if it would reveal that he knew exactly what Clef was planning.
"The fuck do you mean, a fat lizard?" He frowned. "You're pulling my leg."
Still, he quickened his step to follow behind Clef. Compared to his coworkers he'd always been short as fuck, he was five feet and six inches tall in a company of non-humans, so he was used to having to struggle to keep stride with them.
Clef was really calm. Almost like he was trying to keep Johnny calm. He was hiding something.
He had to be.
Despite all of Johnny's suspicions, he needed to get out of this fucking house. He'd been paranoid about his boss for days.
The walk through the apartment complex was rather quick, following down to the parking lot where Clef had his car parked. It was a shitty, beat-up, white sedan that had clearly seen better days and better owners. He unlocked it with two clicks of his keys, gesturing Johnny to get in the passenger seat.
Come on, up ya go. We've a site to go to.
He started his car, turning on the radio with little thought while pulling out the parking lot with excessive speed. Of course he speeded down the streets while rolling his window down, just to light a cigarette and smoke it out said window. Wow, how predictable
I wasn' kiddin' 'bout that lizard, by the way. Real thing. S'this giant ass reptile that keeps causin' havoc and we got no clue how to kill it. We keep tryin', though. Like fuckin' idiots, expecting it ta work when we know it ain't gonna.
Before they knew it, Clef was pulling into the site parking lot. The adrenaline was already hard thrumming in his body, but he had to reel himself in. Keep calm. Keep serious. Plus, he needed to brief Johnny on the plan... ish. Maybe he'd make this seem like he'd trying to help Johnny evade containment? Oh well. It was a rather quiet and secluded site, at least. Not many people to bother them. Just say he had shit to do and shove people aside.
He didn't care if he'd get written up. He didn't care about the punishments. Shit, after 239? He thinks he could handle anything and everything from O5.
Okay, Johnny, yer gonna have to listen to me. Pretend like, fuck, I dunno, like I'm containin' ya. Keep yer mouth shut. Maybe glare at all the guards. I don't fuckin' know. Jus'... ya know. Follow me. I gotta, y'know, do somethin'. Wit' ya. Fer yer safety. So ya don't get... captured.
Clef wasn't lying, necessarily. Unless the lie was in the implication. Which, yeah. He didn't want to freak Johnny out just yet.
Johnny had never been in a car before. He'd seen them. They'd all been abandoned, rusted beyond repair back when he'd been a soldier. The ones that did work were reserved for the higher ups.
He'd never been in a car before.
Johnny climbed into the passenger seat and watched Clef for a moment, observing the other guy to see what he should do. Buckle. Yes. He needed to buckle. So he fumbled around for a minute until the buckle clicked into place and he was secured in his seat.
"Must be real fun whenever it gets out, then, right?" Johnny joked after hearing about the lizard. It reminded him of the mycelium. Indestructible. Painful to deal with.
His eyes landed on the cigarette in Clef's hand. He couldn't tear them away. God, as soon as he saw it he knew he needed it. His mouth felt dry. He hadn't had a cigarette in so fucking long.
They ended up at the Site way quicker than he'd expected. Here was where the shoe dropped. Here was where Clef told him he was under arrest, or something.
"So you want me to just behave like usual then," he joked, but it was clear he was a bit... nervous. "Got it."
It was a trick, a trick, a trick. Clef was tricking him. It was a trick. He just knew it.
But he also knew that there wasn't much of a point in avoiding it. It was either this or his boss. Clef had been patient enough, but after Johnny's freak out, he wasn't surprised Clef wanted him out of the house. He was just sugarcoating it, pretending this was something else, maybe so Johnny wouldn't question it? So it wouldn't hurt as bad? But Clef hated him, why would it hurt? Johnny tried not to remember Clef (or was it Francis?) holding his hair out of his face when he was in that bathroom. Telling him he'd be okay.
He felt conflicted. He'd been convinced he'd wanted to die for so long, but if that was the case, why did he feel the need to bring a knife for safety? To take people with him, when he went down? He didn't understand himself.
It didn't matter.
He unbuckled his seat and got ready to head inside. "You might want to make a big scene out of taking my knife, or something, if you're 'pretending' to contain me."
Clef stretched when he exited the car, walking to the trunk just to sling a shotgun on his back. He looked at Johnny a bit weirdly when he said that, but the idea made him think for a moment. Sure, confiscating the knife might make it look more believable... but he wanted Johnny to have a form of protection and safety just in case shit hit the fan. He ended up shrugging, closing the trunk with a loud BANG!
Listen, kid, ya might need it. Even if I make a big show of takin' it and whatever the fuck, I'll slide it back to ya. 'Kay?
He didn't seem to give it more thought as he locked the door and began to lead the way. He reluctantly put on the id he shoved in his pocket on his chest while putting the lanyard around his neck as he began to strife through security.
Yeah, kid's with me. Anomaly I'm containing.
The MTF agents murmur amongst themselves.
Nah, I don't need yer fuckin' help. I got 'im. He ain't dangerous.
More murmuring.
Listen, shut the fuck up. Yer talking to the Dr. Alto Clef and I'll have ya demoted by lunch if ya don't shut up and lemme through. Got it?
With no further incidents, Clef finally dragged Johnny through and started walking down the halls towards the room where he needed to go into. Most of the few researchers at the site gawked at Dr. Clef of all people being there, but they asked no questions and refused to interact with him.
Perks of being well known and well feared.
Awright, kid, c'mon in this room here.
Okay... So the guy was letting him keep his knife. Was this really a trick? He couldn't tell. The fuck???
He didn't think about it for very long, because Alto was yelling at some fucking door guards or something, holy shit, he was their boss!
Johnny realized the pieces should've clicked together a while ago, but Alto did not seem very "boss worthy" to him. A boss was awful, and abusive, and they don't take care of you when you're sick–
Johnny's attention snagged on something Clef said. He ain't dangerous. That wasn't true, obviously, it was likely the guy was lying to them to make things easier. Johnny kept quiet and glared, like he'd been told to do, following closely behind Alto.
You've always been a loyal dog, Johnny. All you do is follow orders.
This was where he got shot. Right? Clef had brought a shotgun with him. Maybe they were battling to the death???
Johnny couldn't keep trying to convince himself Clef had it out for him. He'd suspected it, at first, but really that theory had been thrown out the window by now.
He stepped into the room, bracing himself for an attack, it seemed. He was hoping that if there really was some kind of perma-death trap in here, at least it'd be quick. Most of all he hoped it worked, he really didn't want to end up back in the office.
There was nothing there... but an odd room and then an observatory around it. It basically looked like a lab room with the label SCP-038 on the entry of the odd room. Oddly enough, it looked like somebody left in a hurry. Hell, maybe Clef threatened them to get them out of there. As soon as he could, he closed the door and locked it before looking at Johnny.
Okay, don't freak out on, 'kay? I ain't gonna do ya no harm. At least, I don't think it will, and I did my damn research.
Clef stepped to the door, sliding his access card against the sensor. The hydraulic door opened slowly, showing... a weird apple tree. I wonder why it was so contained... well, Alto's got an answer, obviously.
Yer boss is tryna get ya from me. But! I've got some shitty, stupid plan. An' ya gotta hear me out on this. Ya, know, we contain lots of anomalies... some of which clone people, and...
Alto shrugged, taking out a candy bar from his pocket and pressing it against the bark of the tree. Immediately, a second one materialized next to it, and he caught it with his hand before shoving it in Johnny's chest. He was just showing off that the tree did, in fact, clone things.
What I'm tellin' ya to do is touch the tree and clone yerself, and the rest is my problem. Yer gonna be stayin' wit' a, uh, friend o' mine 'til I get the clone out to yer boss... tomorrow. So? Whaddaya say?
It really did not help that Alto's first words, as soon as he entered the room, were "don't freak out, okay?" That kind of clued Johnny in that he should be freaking out.
He didn't freak out, though.
That was because he was looking at a tree. A real, alive tree that wasn't dehydrated to death or covered in that damnable snow. Honestly, he could almost cry. Johnny wiped his eyes, just in case. He knew he could've seen trees on the drive over, but he'd... really been trying not to look out the windows. The world rushing by made him feel motion sick.
Of course, there was always bad news. He'd been expecting something awful the whole time. Hell, Johnny had known his boss would be coming. He'd known, at least logically, that it wouldn't take very long. But if Alto was doing something now, that meant the time frame was extremely short.
He felt faint. His heart hammered in his chest, thumpthumpthumpthump.
Johnny didn't know why Alto was doing this for him. He couldn't focus well when the guy showed him an example of what'd happen with the candy bar, he almost dropped it when Clef handed it to him. He didn't recognize the label, so he simply shoved it into his pocket. He had more important things to focus on. Like his bosses upcoming visit.
"To-" he squeezed his eyes shut, trying not to panic. "Tomorrow??"
Tomorrow was the day of reckoning, the day he either went back to his personal hell, or the day he merely extended the expiration date of his freedom. Johnny had no doubt that the boss would find out in some way. He's gonna know, he's gonna know, he's gonna know.
No, he had to stay calm. Alto had a plan. He was going to touch this tree, and then his clone would take the fall for him. He tried not to think about the ethics of that, tried not to wonder, what was it like to be someone else, a copy sent to Die in his place?
He tried not to think about it. He really tried. "Okay."
He placed his hand against the tree and hoped that this would work. It had to work. He didn't want to go back.
Alto blinked, and POOF! There it was. Two Johnnies, one identical to the other. He quickly grabbed the clone just to steal his jacket, only to make sure he could differentiate the two. Once he got the clone, he knew this meant there was a ticking timer over their heads. The clone looked disoriented, but the man didn't give a damn. They had to get out, and fast.
Come on.
Clef didn't say much else as he began dragging the clone around, not paying attention as much to Johnny since he trusted the man to follow him close by. After all, they were still in Foundation territory. If they took him, well, he's more than likely never getting out. Nobody wants to be contained like an object, obviously. At least, Alto assumed so after his own experience.
He practically sped out of the facility, looking for the emergency exit he planned to take to avoid catching the eyes of any security guards. He was glad he already planted a distraction further into the site, which meant they wouldn't be getting bothered. If an alarm blared, well, it wouldn't be an issue. After all, one of the anomalies in the site already had "broken" doors that posed severe security issues!
Alto's shoulder slammed into an otherwise locked door, forcing it open before gesturing the two beings to get a move on. He managed to maneuver them to the parking lot through some obscure path, of course he planned down to the t,managing to avoid the attention of the MTFs as some random alarm sounded through the facility. He laughed to himself, the exhilaration already subsiding as he shoved the clone into the back of the car.
Huh. Shit went down pretty damn well considerin' what shit I was plannin'. Tha's what plannin' gets ya, I suppose.
At least it was cleaner than the entire 239 incident went down. Well, probably because he planned and 239 was, well... That was an incident he didn't like to remember particularly. Whatever, right? It's time to speed down the highway before the agents deemed Clef the cause of this. He'd get a nasty slap on the wrist, but as always, he could blame it on some kind of anomalous influence... Listen. If he survived 239? It couldn't be that bad.
Johnny didn't feel bad. He didn't. He didn't.
He didn't care that Alto immediately started dragging another him the clone around, didn't care that if he were the clone, he'd be really distressed. He tried not to think about it. He really tried. Johnny kept his mouth shut until they got to the car and tried not to think about it.
He really tried.
The escape went off without a hitch, but he his clone was going to die and he just had to accept that. It didn't make him feel bad.
He climbed into the passenger seat and buckled up, trying to ignore the copy in the back.
"So who are you droppin' me off with?" He asked, just to try and give himself something else to think about.
Ya remember Kondraki?
Clef hummed as he turned the car on, looking in the rearview mirror to make sure the other Johnny was settled in fine and looked comfortable enough. He raised an eyebrow before starting to pull out, speeding a little too fast just to avoid all the chaos that would start soon.
Yer staying wit' 'im fer a day or two. He's nice. Honestly, y'all are pro'lly gonna end up blackout drunk together. Tha's his signature.
The rest of the drive went without a hitch before Clef finally stopped in front of a house just down the street from the Foundation apartments, evidently Kondraki's house. He turned to look at the clone for a second, flashing a smile that didn't feel maliciously fake, just... a little sad. Like he knew he made a person just to damn them to death.
You sit here and wait, kid. I gotta drop this guy off at this house, 'kay? Yer comin' wit' me afterwards.
He exited the car afterwards, waiting for the real Johnny to come out and follow him while walking up to Kondraki's door. He knocked, waiting for Kondraki to answer.
After a short wait, Kondraki opened the door, looking a tad bit surprised seeing Clef with some kid at his doorstep
What do you need..?
He knew Alto wouldn't just show up like this without a reason, so not even waiting for an answer, he took a step back, letting the two into his apartment.
@businessmancompanyintern
"Of course I don't remember whoever the fuck--" Johnny sighed. "Nevermind."
He didn't really think any of this was a good idea. He barely got along with Alto, how was he supposed to stay with some random stranger for two days? Actually, no, don't answer that, he knew it was a bad question, especially when he'd literally moved in with some guy he hated. It was a major contradiction and he decided not to think about it.
They arrived at Kondraki's house. Clef told his clone to wait. Johnny tried not to think about it. He tried not to look back. He didn't want to think about it.
He got out of the car and followed Clef up to the apartment, keeping his mouth shut about whatever he might be thinking.
The guy he'd be staying with answered the door. Johnny lingered outside for a moment, wondering if he really did feel the copy's eyes staring at him, judging him for sending him it to the death, or if he was being paranoid.
Johnny decided he'd let Alto explain the situation. The other man was more suited, anyway.
Hey, Konny.
Clef greeted easily, placing a hand on Johnny's shoulder to try and ground the poor guy. He offered a grin towards Kondraki, stepping in front so that he took a bit less stress off of Johnny's shoulders.
This is Johnny. The mycelium guy. Listen, to keep short shit short, I'm tryna keep him from gettin' fuckin' murked by his boss. Can ya babysit 'im fer me? Ya know, jus' fer tonight. Promise I'll be back quickly.
He moved aside so Kondraki could see Johnny properly, pushing him forward just for Kondraki's sake. He looked behind himself, wanting to make sure the other Johnny was still in the car, still waiting...
Listen, if ya wanna try to drink him under the table, go 'head. Jus' take good care o' him an' whatever. Yeah? Sounds good?
// @kingofbooterflies
clef i want you so bad but like in a platonic way 🥺
Thanks, bud. I'll take it as a compliment, even though y've got shitty taste.
