The Triumvirate

Agents Bloodborn, Prometheus, Smoke && Shadow from Project Pandora. Highly NSFW.

[pandorasparasite]

“It creeps me out.” He handed Smoke a beer before flopping down on the couch beside him. “If I died and someone brought me back, I wouldn't be happy.” He wasn't supposed to be saying any of this before it was announced to the rest of the agents, but he was a big blabbermouth, especially around Smoke. It's not every day Ricky gets to be involved in something as big as the cloning project. Only three other agents were involved so information on their progress was limited. “Sure –– we won't know for certain if it works until we see the first clones up and walking around,” He took a swig of his beer. “But we're pretty confident. And you know how fucking good I am. I don't make mistakes.” He teased, a grin spreading across his face, flashing that cocky attitude he knew Smoke loved. An arm wrapped around the Envy agent's shoulders to pull him close. He dragged his nose against his skin and placed a few kisses along his jaw.  “Next time you piss me off I can just get rid of you and get myself a brand new one to entertain me.”

@thetriumvirate

[thetriumvirate]

So that was it. Pandora was preparing to use the cloning machine they swiped from Czernabog to replenish their numbers? Alistair couldn’t even be surprised at this time. And honestly? After all the trouble they went through to get that machine and fight cloned versions of their companions – why wouldn’t Pandora want to clone their own assets? If someone valuable died, they could just make a new one. Would it be as good as the original? Probably not. Probably yes. It was anyone’s game at that point. But to know that Killshot had been involved in turning that cloning machine into something functional for their side? Oh – the possibilities would be endless.

”Ah am not surprised.” Accepting the beer provided by one of his favorite people, Smoke took a swig while placing a hand over Killshot’s knee in a rather possessive grip. “Ah was there when we took it from ‘em. Of course we usin’ that shite for our advantage, luv.” Which meant that if he died – he could always come back to life. The only issue with that would be the memories. How far back would he remember things? Up till the point of death? No… that was not it, wasn’t it? Pliable agents were easier to train and use to Pandora’s benefit. But… if someone were to write journals that could only be read by themselves? Easy catch-up game for a clone with no memories at all. Maybe he should start journaling. Just in case some shit happened and he ended up dead.

One eyebrow rose, lips curling into a provocative smirk as Smoke slowly yet deliberately moved the hand on Killshot’s knee higher. Nails scratching his inner thigh until he ever so casually took a firm and rather shameless grip on the other agent’s crotch. “Would ye’ really? Maybe yer’ hopeful that a cloned version of my pretty arse would be more inclined to bend over fer’ ye´? Little role reversal?” The mere thought of a submissive version of him nearly had him choking the beer he was drinking. “Don’ lie to me, darlin’. Ye’ know there is no one else in this joint that can keep ye’ in yer’ tippy toes like ah can.” Like massaging Ricky’s bulge over his pants, wanting nothing more than to feel him throb and harden. “Tell me more ‘bout yer’ new project. How does that whole thingamajig work, exactly? How much would a clone remember?” How recent would be his memories or how big would be the gap? “Ah mean… yer’ clonin’ me and then mah clone not rememberin’ ye’ would be…” Honestly sad. But maybe he could truly start journaling. Just in case.

[myriadpandora]

"Yeah well Neptune we can certainly try out your powers. I mean the better you get at using them the more you can do and the better you can protect the world. And your fellow agents." That was really what it came down to sometimes. He felt a lump in his throat thinking about when Walter had been lost in the cavern, Boreas couldn't have done anything to save him or save Pulse. It was tragic, and he wouldn't let it happen a second time. Taking Neptune by the hand he pulled him along with him. "Well you can hang out with me and we will get you all sorted, powers included. In fact if you need anything you can see me and I will do my best to help you out."

Boreas paused when the other said that every kid wanted to be a superhero. "Hey so. About that. We are not heroes not like that. The directive is for us to survive so we can continue the fight. Don't...don't play hero ok?" he said with a little smile as he led them to the kitchen where they could get something going for the hard working agents who were cleaning up. "I am pretty sure some of the lower levels got flooded in the fight so you can maybe help with that. But for now help me out here. Let's make something simple. Sandwiches fill bellies just as good as anything."

[thetriumvirate]

It did make sense to try to learn more about what he could do. To train harder so that he would have a better understanding of his limits. Walter didn’t reply at first, the words ringing inside his head almost like he was trying to memorise any and all advice Boreas was providing him. Like a lifeline. Like a guide on how to be an agent for Pandora. “I understand.” The smile on his lips only grew – clearly happy that he had found someone who was willing to share their time and insights with him rather than end up walking up and down the facility in search for his room or … well, anything really. He had yet to see the rest of the HQ but with repairs underway and lord knows what else, a tour of the place would have to be on stand-by for now. There would be time for him to explore or even ask Boras if he could show him around the place. What he didn’t expect – was the sudden hand holding. For a second – a brief second, shorter than a blink – he wanted to recoil his hand. Some dread took hold of his heart between heartbeats, almost as if he knew that something terrible was about to happen…

But it didn’t.

”I wish we could do more than just sandwiches but…” How many mouths were there to feed? And everyone was busy trying to help or doing repairs or… Walter scratched the back of his neck – almost a bit embarrassed with the whole concept of NOT playing the hero. He never viewed himself as one. And he was distinctly aware that the sort of thing they did there was more on the subterfuge variety rather than out in the open. “We can still be heroes, Boreas. Not saying we rush into a building on fire knowing that we might die.” Unless you could douse the entire building first, or be fire resistant or anything. “But for every good action you do, no matter how small – you’ll become someone else’s hero.” Maybe he was just naïve and his ideas were wrong. But there was power in simple things. More often than not, people tended to forget that the simplest of things were also the most powerful and meaningful. “For example – making sandwiches for everyone.” Walter chuckled as he playfully bumped his hip against Boreas. “Might not be nothing to us – but to those who are hungry and need to eat? We will be heroes. Small things, see?”

[seraphiivms]

˙ ˖ ✶ Walter

Elixir had spent most of the day playing support in the rebuilding of Atlantis, but only after healing all the injured en masse bringing all their bodies back to perfect condition. He was advised to not overdo it, to not heal in large quantities as using that much life energy, tapping into the biology of other living organism and healing them to their perfect state in an instant, it took a lot out of him. But he was getting better at it, a few years back doing this much would've had him pass out for hours, now all he needed to do was rest, and enjoy a few meals himself to be ready to engage once more.

As he sauntered down the halls of the once great headquarters, he felt himself hear a familiar voice. But it couldn't be. And there it was again, perfectly clear, so much so that Elixir believed someone must've been playing a trick on him or his mind had finally shattered under the weight of all they had just been through. Following the sound, he found himself at a loss for words, frozen in so many memories that flooded his mind and filled his heart.

He remembered the projects he had assisted on and how this...was not the man he knew. A boy with the power of decay, the boy who always wore gloves afraid to touch another living being, and the boy who deny that power with his own touch, the boy who held his hand and wished he still could.

"Hi, you must be...Walter, right? I had your file on my desk recently because I'm one of the resident doctors here on top of being an agent. Call me, Ducky...I mean Elixir."

[thetriumvirate]

When someone finally came into view, Walter didn’t know whether he should be startled or actually thankful. Probably more of the latter considering waltzing around those long corridors by himself was most definitely unsafe. Not just due to the state of some of them – lights that flickered every now and then – but his currently knowledge of the layout. Sooner or later, he would find where their apartments and rooms were but he definitely did not want to get lost in the process. So… a new face? Helpful. Maybe he could even ask directions and learn where things were, otherwise he would get lost so frequently it would probably become a common joke amidst the other agents.

”Hello.” His smile grew and after a moment of unintentional hesitation, Walter offered his hand to the other man. For some reason, a part of him wanted to avoid touching others. Almost like he was scared of what would happen if his skin came into contact with someone else’s skin. But – that was just some silly little reaction. Those dreams he had before were so vivid that a part of him believed that they had been real. Which was completely preposterous. “Walter, yes. Neptune.” Did the agents call each other by name? By callsign? He thought their names were supposed to be kept secret but if the other man was a doctor, it made sense for him to be aware of his identity. “It’s really nice to make your acquaintance, Elixir. Or Ducky?” His head tilted to the side, almost resembling a lost golden retriever as Walter’ smile never seemed to waver from his features. “Which one do you prefer? I’m ok either way. Since you know my name…” It would be weird not to use it. “Am I scheduled for a check-up?” It would make absolute sense since he was new and all...

[eyespiies]

Barney didn't hate Mathias, to be clear. He thought the guy was perfectly fine. Their relationship just reflected the classic thing of not necessarily being besties with your partner's bestie. This whole Pandora situation aside, Barney just never felt compelled to get to know him so personally, at least before they both ended up here. Perhaps this would be a good opportunity to connect.

"Well, I've processed it all now. Took me a minute but I'm there. Sterling and I are sort of alright now. I'm not back to completely trusting him after what he —both of you— did to me, but... I don't want to be mad at him anymore. Which means I can't be mad at you, either."

A beat of silence, and then he hears the other respond.

"Assist—?" he asks, with a quirk of the eyebrow. "How so?"

[thetriumvirate]

Even if Barney was mad at him, which he currently was not, Mathias would not take it personally. Everyone was entitled to their own thoughts and emotions. It was out of his control to be responsible for someone else’s thought process. Shadows and darkness? Sure. That was as easy as breathing – but everyone had their own opinions, their own way to process information, whether or not they would hold grudges or would want to keep people at bay. And honestly? Mathias’ loyalty was to Sterling. He was the one that he would think about first. The one whose well being was every bit as important as his own. Barney was merely the extension – because he was someone that Cardinal cared about deeply. Loved even. His own personal opinions were irrelevant. As long as Sterling was indeed happy, no qualms would ever be presented.

His jaw clenched. Not out of tension or any other negative emotion that might cause a turmoil within – but because Shadow was trying to find the appropriate wording when it came to the one person the two of them had in common. Exxo was not entirely blind. He wasn’t stupid, either. Chances were that he was aware or at the very least suspected of some feelings that he had toward the man he had married. But the heart wanted what the heart wanted. Unfortunately. “What happens between the two of you is not any of my concern.” Mathias’ gaze sought Barney’s. Dark hues pursuing the crystal clear blue ones. “And we do not need to be the best of friends.” Maybe they could be given a chance. Sterling would most definitely like that, and Shadow really had nothing against the other man. One was picked, the other was not. That was how the cookie crumbled.

”But we both care deeply for Sterling.” Too deeply even. “Seeing him happy was always something I wanted to achieve. Something I assume you want as well.” And that was the common ground between them. One man. “And as such, if you need to talk, vent – someone to grab drinks with…” Whatever really. “I can be that person for you as I am for him. You make him happy, Barney. And if he’s happy, I’m happy. And he’s happy when you’re happy.” And it was a merry-go-round up and down. “So – whatever you may require, if there is a way to assist…” A shrug. Involuntary yet honest nonetheless. “You’re a good man.” The best one out of the two, really. “So… yeah.”

[myriadpandora]

"Nice. It's always fun to meet someone else who can control an actual element." Boreas wouldn't say it out loud but he felt like it was an elite sort of club between them. "Ah yeah I can create a vacuum and suck all the air from their lungs, I could stop them from getting air into their lungs." he nodded but wrinkled his nose at the prospect. It wasn't something he liked to think about but if it was necessary he would do something like that. "Ah yeah I can fly, I can make you fly if I want. It's the way I like to use my powers, I play support. Make it so my allied are faster, less air resistance around them. I can quiet sounds too- sound moves through air." It was cute to see how excited the other was, he remembered when it was like that for him. This Walter seemed so much less somber, which only made him feel bad for the original one even more. He was so cute when not burdened by such a horrible ability.

"Well if you can heal people. You can help in the med bay, if you can use the water to move things you can help clean up debris. But really you can just flash that pretty smile of yours and keep all of us motivated yeah?" Boreas laughed but urged Walter to keep following him as they walked through the torn up and untorn up parts of Atlantis. "You know how to cook? We can make something for the ones doing the heavy lifting to eat. I was cleaning out airducts earlier. Making sure out air quality remains good even with the construction and I got hungry. I am sure the other's could use some food."

[thetriumvirate]

Everything Boreas was saying felt nothing short of surreal. Create a vacuum to stop air from going into someone’s lungs? Fly and make others fly too? This was going to be his new life. Surrounded by people with gifts so extraordinary that defied all reason and common sense. And – he was one of them. With the power to control water, to feel the sea currents, to swim faster, to… “Well – I haven’t tested the extent of my abilities yet.” Walter was too overwhelmed by everything to make himself the central focus. Especially now that he saw how things were. That a fight had taken place and everyone was doing their part to help clean, to put things functional once more, to provide any and all assistance. And that was his home now. He could leave the training for later. There were other things that he could focus on. Like assisting Boreas with assisting others.

”I doubt my smile would motivate anyone but thank you regardless.” The compliment about his smile was enough to let a little bit of heat gather on his cheeks, but Walter was quick to clear his throat and just follow Boreas – who obviously knew the place better than him – so that he could also make himself useful in this circumstance. “I can cook, but I have no idea what to cook. Not like chicken sandwiches would do anyone any good. Maybe do a lunch box?” Something with proteins, water, all the necessary ingredients to both feed and provide energy to those working. “I still can’t believe I’m here. This is so surreal. Every kid plays pretend and wants to be a superhero and have powers and now… this. It’s… this is crazy.” It was crazy, right? But also so exciting. Dangerous too but he was used to danger working as an FBI agent before. So far – the only thing that scared him was the flashes of a man decaying before his very eyes. “I really hope I can be of assistance around here.”

[myriadpandora]

Cayden recognized that smooth perfect voice the moment he heard it, perking up and looking back at Smoke, a tired smile gracing his features as he made room for the other int he shower with him before he leaned back and got comfortable against the other's solid form. Reveling in the way the other touched his skin, it was much more gentle than he thought it would have been. "Mmm I'll go in a bit they were swamped and I didn't think it was that bad. I don't have internal bleeding. It just kinda hurts. Once I rest I can use my powers to deal with it." he said as he turned his head to nuzzle against Smoke's chest a bit. He was surprised the other was concerned for him like that.

"Yeah I fell from the ceiling. Well I landed on the cyborg soldiers bodies they broke the fall mostly. Nothing is broken." He winced a bit when the other said it looked like he had been hit by a train. He did want to be pretty for Smoke, "I'll go after I shower." he said softly. He had washed off most of the muck and blood, none of it his thankfully. He still needed to actually clean his back, and wash his hair. Long wet curls were slicked back and plastered to his neck. "A kiss might make me feel better though. Maybe more than one if you are feeling generous." he said with a little smirk as he looked up at the other his hands reaching back to gently touch Smoke, back running along his outer thighs. "I can wash your back too if you want."

[thetriumvirate]

To be honest, he didn’t pay much attention to what was going on during the invasion. Yes, he did a little bit of fighting down at the hangar before taking his smoke form and vanishing into the air ducts – to do what was no one’s interest but his own. Smoke wasn’t even aware if someone had died during the attack. And if they did? Well, it was their own damn fault for being weak. He said it before and he would keep saying it as many times as it would take: they knew what they signed up for. And death…? Death was merely the final failure of the weak. He would not mourn those who died. It was a waste of his time. Only if some of his pets would perish – maybe then he could dedicate a second or two of mourning before quickly finding a replacement. It sounded cruel and maybe it was… but they all lived in a cruel world.

”Ye’ ‘ant a kiss?” Eyebrows arched upward and Alistair couldn’t help but chuckle at Toxin’s works. Of course, he did. No one in their right mind would pass on the opportunity to have him kissing them. To make them feel like they were the most important person in the whole world! But pets needed to be reminded of their place. Trained. They could want all the things and them some – but that did not mean he would oblige them. “How ‘bout this?” Leaning ever so close to Toxin, Smoke carefully – almost with a gentleness that was unlike him – lifted the other man’s chin so that they could meet eye-to-eye. Cayden really was pretty. And he would have him bouncing on his dick right this second if not for his recovery. “Ye’ go to medical bay after ye’ shower and if yer’ good – ah will give ye’ a propah kiss.” And until then?

Lips brushed against Toxin’s cheek, tenderly and teasingly. A promise of what was to come once he was recovered. Always leave them wanting, right? “Go be a good boy, luv. Ah would hate to see yer’ pretty face hurt. Yer’ too handsome fer’ that. Get cleared and ah will give ye’ a propah kiss as reward, aye?”

[thetriumvirate]

[thetriumvirate]

[thetriumvirate]

[thetriumvirate]

[daimiyamoto]

LEWIS TAN

Instagram Stories

[myriadpandora]

Location: Level 5 : Communal Showers

Cayden was exhausted and completely dehydrated after the battle, his body was also littered with cuts and bruises, his back was in fact just one giant bruise. Mottled with blue and purple. Every little move hurt. his muscles ached. Normally he would create things to speed up his own recovery but right now he was far too spent to be able to anything of the sort.

The warm water helped through the shower was nice. he was planning on just getting himself clean off so he could get into the hot springs after to try and soak. Unfortunately for him all the bruises made it difficult to get all the places he needed to.

"Hey can you um. Help? Sorry to ask I just. Can't lift my arms up too high it hurts."

[thetriumvirate]

”Yer’ already achin’ and ah haven’ drilled ye’ yet.” How could he not make a joke like that when watching Toxin more sore than not after the madness that went down? It was a surprise that he wasn’t in the medical bay like so many others. Alistair shook his head and hang out his towel before stepping into Cayden’s shower, not really giving a damn about the concept of personal space as he pressed himself gently against the other agent’s naked back. No – as much as he would love to, he would not fuck Toxin where he stood. There was nothing to gain from pounding a nearly broken toy. And it would be a shame if Toxin got damaged. He was far too pretty for that.

His hands rested on Cayden’s waist, while his attentive gaze located and counted the bruises adorning the once perfectly smooth and flawless skin. “Ye’ haven’ seen a doc?” If Cayden believed his own abilities would be enough to keep him healed, this was proof that they weren’t. “Ah have half a mind to take ye’ ‘ere myself. Ah will drag yer’ arse if ah have to.” Thumbs caressed the bruised areas as delicately as he could. Was he concerned? Maybe displaying some sort of emotional attachment? Absolutely not. But he had no use for someone who could barely stand. “Fock’s sake, pet. Ye’ look like a bloody train ran yer’ arse over and over again.”

[myriadpandora]

"Neptune? Badass. We are both gods. I am guessing you have some sort of water based power? Obviously I'm an aerokinetic. We're gonna be great friends." Boreas loved making his way to all the elementals of PANDORA, and he was a bit surprised that Walter had a power like that now. No gloves had given away he probably didn't have the same decay power as before but this was a pleasant surprise.

"Ah yeah we had a security breach and a lot of stuff happened. So basically you are right a bomb went off. And well not everything and everyone is ok but we are getting back that way." he said with a little smile not wanting to overwhelm Walter with too much too soon. "Have you found your room yet? We can start there if you want. We all have apartments. Do you have any questions I can help you with? I know being new right now can seem scary."

[thetriumvirate]

Boreas. It was indeed a very interesting callsign, and Walter could not help but smile on his lips over how friendly the other man was. He really had no idea what to expect. He was pretty much tossed to the deep end after his training and now all he had to do was sink or swim. Luckily… he could swim, and the other man’s assessment was correct. “Hydrokinesis, yes.” Which was a very interesting power to gain from the serum, It was fluid, it was versatile. It could soothe someone or it could destroy. The forces of nature were always fascinating like that. “And you control air? Like… can you stop someone from breathing?” The excitement was palpable at that time. All of his nerves and anxiety seemed to fade away even if temporarily. Sure, he was aware that the majority of the agents had powers but to actually hear about them? “That is so freaking awesome. Like… can you fly?”

He felt like a kid on a candy store, at least until the bitter reality slapped him on the face in the form of Boreas’ words. There had been a security breach and people got hurt and while Walter had no idea who any of those guys were… he couldn’t help but to feel sorry for those that got injured in the process. “I don’t think finding my room should be a priority right now.” He could always find his way there eventually. He would feel terrible if he just went to do the most mundane things around while everyone else was chipping in or helping in one way or another. “Is there… anything I can help with?” Not only for a good first impression – but he genuinely wanted to help. That place would be his home now, right? “Not as scary as… overwhelming? One day I am working undercover and the next, I’m recruited because I have potential.” And that was it. There was nothing else in between but the faint memory of the stench of decay. Which was… irrelevant.

“So – how can I help?”

[thetriumvirate]

TASK ONE: THE GREENER GRASS

BLOODBORN: In a world without Pandora, in a world where dreams did become a reality and David didn’t end up become an assassin to help his mother out – he would want to be an actor. He always loved those old school fighting movies. He could be anyone and look cool on the silver screen, kicking ass and getting paid handsomely to do it. He would not want to become a huge A-Lister, because that came with the loss of privacy and his passion would no longer be a passion but work. He would want to do what he loved, get paid for it and provide for his mother. Get her a nice house, repay her for everything she had done to him while he grew up. It wouldn’t be a flawless life – but it would be calm. It would be devoid of death and sorrow and pain. Just him taking steps to become a great actor and provide for his mother. Do something that would truly bring him a smile to his face. And who knows? Maybe he would have a partner to bring home and introduce to his mother. A partner who would be by his side as much as he would be by theirs too.

PROMETHEUS: In a perfect world, he would have never been a cage fighter. In a perfect world, he would have finished his studies and maybe get a college degree, for no other reason than just to know that he could do it. Lars never had bigger than life plans. He liked to workout. That was his passion. Maybe after getting his degree, he would work as a personal trainer for a couple of years, saving money so that he could open his own gym. A place devoted not just to the physical aspect of a person but also their mind and emotions. Help them be the best version of themselves that they could. It was not a dream with lots of ambition – but a dream where he could cultivate the idea of healthy mind and healthy body. Help others become the best version of themselves, not because he would want to change them – but because he truly believes that everyone should be the best version of themselves always. The world is already a cruel place. It wouldn’t hurt to have someone on their corner. Knowing that they were not alone.

SMOKE: In a perfect world, power would mean everything. There wasn’t a single thing Alistair would have changed. He liked the politics. He liked the behind the scenes moves, the backstabbing, the chances to prove himself superior to everyone else. And he would pursuit that goal relentlessly. Why be a big fish in a small pound when he could become the biggest shark in the ocean? He would pursue his career like a shark after blood. It would not matter whose path he would need to crush or how many people he would need to betray. Such was the life in politics as he had learned since a young age. To have so much power and influence at his fingertips… it would be everything to him. He would not want the center stage, obviously. Let someone else be the mouthpiece. Let someone else be the puppet while he pulled the strings. For every task there was a perfect tool. And Alistair would find all the right ones so that he could have the damn world in his grasp. And maybe... just maybe pursue a side gig as a singer.

SHADOW: In the perfect world, there was very little that Mathias would have changed. He believes that things happen for a reason. The military helped him become the best version of himself while assisting others in need. Someone had to do it. Someone had to do the horrible things so that innocent people could sleep well at night. Kiss their kids and loved ones. Live in a free world. He wouldn’t have changed any of that. Things happened the way they should. A life with no regrets. But in a perfect world, he would have been picked. The man he had feelings for would have seen him as a companion. As someone who was worthy to stand by his side. He wouldn’t have watched him marry someone else. He would be the one at the altar exchanging vows. And when the time came, they would both retire from the military and face the civilian life together. Maybe open a business together. Get a nice house with a white fence, maybe a dog or three. And later… who knows? Maybe they could adopt. Maybe they could have a family of their own, knowing that they did what they could to make the world a safer place for their kids.

NEPTUNE: In the perfect world, he wouldn’t be who he is ( a clone ). In the perfect world, he wouldn’t have died in the first place. In the perfect world, Walter would have never joined the FBI. He would have followed his own path and study marine biology. He would want to buy a boat and look after the most endangered species – and who knows, find something no one had ever found before. He could come to land, obviously. Visit his sister and brother. Maybe be the cool uncle. His sister always wanted to start a family of her own when she was a kid. And maybe travel the world with his brother. Show him the seven seas! And who knows? Maybe he would also find love. Being the ever romantic person that he is, he would like to meet his significant other in the most romantic way. Someone who would both want to travel the world with him but also be the reason he would want to set down roots. He would be happy. Undeniably so.

[myriadpandora]

Cloning shouldn't be a surprise in a place that gives men super powers. It wasn't like he wasn't a freak of nature himself, but still when the memo went out and the orders to be carefully around the newly cloned had gone out he was surprised. Even more so when he saw Walter and there was a sharp pang in his chest for the other. Walter. he had been there when Walter had died the first time, watching him turn to dust, even if the other was a mole he hadn't deserved that. Here he was though in the flesh, as handsome as ever.

"Hey there Goldilocks. I'm Boreas." he said with a smile as he slid up to the other and took a hold of his hand. "Let me show you around. It's a bit of a confusing time to get here." he said with a little smile as he looked the other over, he was so the same and so...different. Fresher. Maybe not having to live with that hell of a power lifted his burden a bit.

Eyes raked over the other taking him in. He had always thought Walter was beautiful, he had liked Walter's long hair he thought it was beautiful, but this cut suited him much better. You could see his handsome face, the cut of his jawline. "Consider me the welcome wagon yeah Prince Charming?"

[thetriumvirate]

Goldilocks? For a second, maybe two – he did consider if there was someone behind him that was being addressed… which was actually stupid. He was the Goldilocks and in a way, it made sense? At least it was a friendly nickname right off the bat, which pretty much cemented the other man as the good type of guy. There was always those that would mock the new kids. Haze them, for no other reason than to have some specific brand of entertainment. Luckily, this was not the case and he was more than thankful, not just for the quick introduction but also the assist.

”Neptune.” He did see the hand being offered to him and he almost shook it, albeit he quickly withdrew and hoped that it wouldn’t look too awkward. Those flashes of someone disintegrating right before his eyes were very present in his mind. The last thing he needed was for someone to think that the new guy had some kind of mental issue. “I am a bit lost.” The nervous chuckle gave it away, obviously. “What… happened here? Was this place always like this or did a bomb explode somewhere?” For a secret organisation capable of gifting people with special abilities… he expected more than… ruins? “Is… everything ok?”

[scarlineorbit]

There was a shuffling sound behind some half-collapsed wall paneling—nothing threatening, just… uncertain. Hesitant. Graft stepped out like someone who wasn’t entirely sure if he was supposed to be there either. A Rubik’s Cube floated in the space between his hands, spinning gently, cradled by a mess of fine, pale nerve tendrils unfurled from the sleeves of his coat. Unseen by the naked eye they moved like thin vines underwater, twitchy and unsure, wrapping and re-wrapping the cube as it clicked softly in their grasp. Too fast. Too methodical. Like he needed it solved but couldn’t stand to finish it.

He looked like he’d been halfway through fixing something or maybe just standing still for too long, lost in a moment that didn’t belong to the present.

He didn’t look up when he spoke.

“…Hi.” A nod. Then a faint wince, like he hated how that sounded. “Sorry. That’s—uh. Not very… reassuring.” He scratched the side of his neck, where pale scar tissue webbed up toward his jaw. His voice was soft but strained, like he hadn’t used it in a while or wasn’t sure how much space he was allowed to take up.

“You’re new. Yeah. Thought so.” His hand dropped. “Most people don’t talk to the air unless they’re fresh or—well, unwell.” He cleared his throat, then looked at the debris like it might interrupt him. “This mess… it’s not always like this. I mean—sometimes it is. But not always. You’re not… under attack or anything.” He cleared his throat quietly. “Not right now, anyway.”

Another awkward glance up, then away. "That sounded... bad. Sorry. Um, I'm not going to attack you." He chuckled weakly.

“I’m Graft. I was supposed to be… checking power lines. Or something. Doesn’t matter. I can walk you to the residential wing. If you want.” A shuffle of feet. His gaze flicked toward Walter’s hands—subtle, but checking if they were shaking. “You okay? I mean—probably not. But… breathing’s a good start.” He nodded at nothing, then added under his breath: “God, I’m bad at this.”

Then louder: “Come on. You don’t wanna get stuck here when the lights go out.”

[thetriumvirate]

Whatever he was expecting, this wasn’t it. Or maybe it was. He was unsure now. What did one expect from a highly secret group that injected their prospects with a serum that would grant them special powers and keep them away from others while training their abilities? Safety first. At least, that’s what he liked to believe. No need to release potential threats into the wild unless they were able to control themselves. But considering the state of disarray and destruction around him – maybe someone lost control before he got there? It almost felt like he was stepping into a horror movie and at some given point in time, something would come out of the shadows and attempt to eat his face.

And did he gasp when he heard someone talk? Maybe… Not that he would admit it, but he did. Ever so focused on what was going on around him that he failed to notice the other man on his path. Cute, really. And considering the speech pattern, the way he avoided eye contact and the words escaping his lips – definitely someone who probably wasn’t all that good on a social setting. Which he could relate. Sometimes, talking to people could be exhausting. But the other man was trying. Despite his awkwardness and pattern of speech – he was sort of explaining but not really what happened around the place. They weren’t under attack… NOW.

That was good to know.

”Neptune." Their real names were supposed to be secret. Keep their identities hidden and use only their callsigns when interacting with others. Who they were before Pandora did not matter. Only what they learned and what they knew did. “I can promise you I am not unwell.” It would make sense to consider that option with everything around them so obviously chaotic. Of all the times to get out of training, uh? “I’m just… a little lost.” A nervous laugh danced past his lips. Gentle, like waves caressing the shore of a beach. “This place is already too big and I’m assuming being half-destroyed doesn’t facilitate navigation.” Were the elevators operational? Did he have to go down the stairs to reach wherever he was supposed to go?

A smile slowly forms. It’s not completely genuine since he just met Graft, so he can’t really say if he trusts people or not within five seconds – but it's honest. He is truly glad that there’s someone out there willing to go out of their way to lend a hand to the new kid. “You’re doing just fine. Thank you.” He considers offering his hand to shake Graft’s as a way of greeting but first – he isn’t all that sure the other man would be comfortable with physical touch and second, there’s a quick flash in his mind where someone pretty much melts into nothing after touching his hand. No. No handshaking. Nope. Let’s… let’s not… do that.

”What happened here?” Why are the lights flickering? Why were things looking like a damn bomb exploded inside? “What happens when the lights go out? Please, don’t tell me that’s when the monsters come out to eat us.” He definitely played too many survival horror games and watched too many movies. “No one told me anything about monsters before…”

[thetriumvirate]

Open to: anyone

”Hello? Such a weird thing to say on his first official day with Pandora – but there was not a living soul around. If anything, there was merely what he assumed to be the backlash of some scuffle going around, but no people. “Where is everyone?” Eyes looked around. Almost as if he was trying to assess the damage he was seeing, trying to put together pieces of a puzzle he didn’t really understand. Were they under attack just before he was released? Why weren’t they warned that they were under attack? Walter frowned at the thought, but he would not presume others’ actions nor judge them. He didn’t know how things worked around there. What he wanted to know was how to get to the residential area in order to find his room and maybe, after that, try to assist in any way he could…? Not that he had any idea how to help or what he could even do but… it was better than nothing?

”Hello…?” Again, no answer. As he walked past the debris of what he assumed to be a fight and the lights flickered over his head – he had to wonder – how safe were they? Did one of the other agents lost control and raged against things? Were they under attack? How safe were they… really? His jaw clenched at the concept of being unsafe. Something about that made his entire body tense for a moment – almost like he wasn’t really keen on the idea of being pushed into a corner. If needed be, he could fight. He knew how to fight, how to shoot a gun and how to…

The stench of decay… A silent plea before becoming nothing…

He shook his head. What the hell were those flashes? And that smell? He didn’t remember anything like that from his time before. Weird – maybe that was just stress and anxiety from not being able to find anyone or even learn where he was. “Hello?”