Misplaced Lens Cap
Today's Document
#extradirty
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$LAYYYTER
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we're not kids anymore.
noise dept.
Cosimo Galluzzi
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祝日 / Permanent Vacation
pixel skylines
Discoholic 🪩
wallacepolsom
Three Goblin Art
todays bird
Claire Keane
Cosmic Funnies
Kaledo Art
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seen from United States
seen from Tunisia
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Finland
seen from Switzerland
seen from United States
seen from Ireland
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United States
seen from Iraq
seen from Netherlands
seen from Finland
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Philippines
seen from Iraq
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United States
@wrvtchedhearts
wrvthced hearts - multi-muse blog for ignitedfms, penned by Niek, they/them, CET.
MENTARI AG / the ambitious - detective ( CORRUPT ) of the Overseers intro -- threads -- interview -- connections -- timeline -- playlist -- muse . EGWENE JACOBS / the street rat - smuggler / street racer for the Skeleton Crew intro -- threads -- interview -- connections -- timeline -- playlist -- muse .
Talon's chuckle is an engine in his chest, deep and grumbling as a muscle car. "Dumplin's it is, dumplin'," he helps part the way with an extension of his arm in time to lay it across the front of someone's chest. His eyes slide to meet their agitated gaze but his expression betrays nothing and the random passerby stumbles backward, redirecting themselves without further intervention. There's steel in his eyes that doesn't bend without the application of enough heat and he hasn't yet met anyone else with a gaze fire filled enough to make him yield.
There's mass panic on the streets, even on a good night of Manic Panic, but now it's twisted on the edge of knife and people's guts keep spilling. Not so for Talon. This is just business as usual with a different flare. "Lead the way," and positions himself a half-step behind her. He always positions himself a half-step behind.
"You've got to teach me that one day," Egwene said, watching with a sparkle in their eyes when one look from Talon was enough to part the crowds. Or well, maybe not part the crowds exactly, but definitely doing a great job of getting them closer to dumplings. She put on a face, her lips set into a sneer. Talon had done no such thing, but she thought she looked tougher that way.
Bartori wasn't that far away from where the races were being held this time, but Egwene felt surprised that the energy didn't seem to shift much. There was still that hint of panic. They lead, but their eyes scanned the crowds. And halfway there, they stopped, spun on their heels and looked around Talon's broad form to where they'd come from. Shouts behind them had started to sound more urgent. "Hmm, I hope that's just temporary. Haven't experienced a Manic Panic being this rowdy, have you?"
Open Starter w. Aramonta Xia Wei–
Location: Akumu Slums Setting: Manic Panic Status: Open, Limited
The swelling crowd turned into a mess of limbs surging against the blockade, and their voices drowned out the music, breaking its trance on the ravers. Aramonta sharply inhaled and narrowed her eyes at the scene. “Fuck.” She uttered, as she felt her buzz flatline. Today was her day off, and she didn’t have any overtime, but if people died here and she couldn’t make it to her office, she knew she’d have to kiss her social life goodbye. “Fuck.” She pushed herself away from her companion. “I can’t be here anymore. The vibes suck.”
The vibes most certainly sucked. But there was very little to do about it. Mentari knew blockades like this were bound to happen, and Manic Panic had everyone in a... well panic. It seemed at least. The OVERSEERS were instructed to keep the place on lock down should anything happen... but this was the first year that they actually took such measures. Usually they didn't have to. Sure, the celebrations were illegal, but they kept the populus happy.
Now it would seem that the BOARD had seen enough chaos to fall back on safety precusions.
"I'm afraid we're stuck for a while," Mentari said, though in civilian clothing, he figured Aramonta Xia Wei might recognise him. After all, he did work for X - indirectly. "They'll open the baracades when everything calms down, but it doesn't seem like it is calming down any time soon."
location: akumu slums, manic panic
with: egwene ( @wrvtchedhearts ) & talon
Manic Panic is usually a shit storm, the best kind of shit storm but still a shit storm. This year though, Talon clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth as he leans against a metal pole on the side of the street, watching as a pair of people roll around on the ground absolutely wailing on each other. Maybe a more good hearted person would intervene but Talon just gives a disapproving shake of his head and slaps Egwene gently on the arm beside him to get their attention, "Yo, you seein' this? Fucking waste. They spilled all their booze," as if spilling alcohol was such a terrible thing.
"Kinna makin' me hungry seein' them get all worked up," his shoulders roll forward and something metal clicks, pushing off from the pole he was leaning against, "Wanna find some food?"
Egwene was giddy, excited, and probably too much in the thick of this. Manic Panic was the story of someone disappearing, being snatched off the face of Mars. Nobody knew what had happened to Manic, if they were still alive and rotting in the OVERSEERS prison, or if their body had been left on the surface to become one with the desert. Egwene liked to believe that they had simply gone into hiding, and that they were enjoying the sight of the races being held in their honour every year.
She giggled at the two drunks, clearly fighting over nothing. It was a sight: these days people rarely seemed to fight over nothing. It was nice when they did.
"Dumplings!" Egwene pronounced. "We should get dumplings. I need to get my strength up for the race I'm doing later." She flexed.
Closed Starter for Egwene Jacobs (@wrvtchedhearts)
Location: Akumu Slums Setting: Manic Panic
Aramonta pressed her lips together, her mood already soured by the arrival of a unified Overseer front. “So,” she began as she lightly bounced a bag of water in her palms, “things won’t calm down soon." Her attention shifted to Egwene.
"What’s the likelihood of you sneaking past them and delivering this to my guy?” The fish swam around in circles and avoided the edges of its temporary home, ignorant of how dangerous the festivities had become. She stopped fiddling with the bag as to not disturb her new pet and quietly sighed. She once piloted crafts through a meteor storm with a steadier hand than she held the plastic bag. If only she had brought a satellite aquarium orb then she wouldn’t be worried about any punctures, or better yet, maybe she shouldn’t have won the fish altogether. Aramonta sighed again. When it came to these creatures, she found herself acting as nearly a fool, at the whims of impulse. “The fish needs to make it home alive.”
Manic Panic. A place anyone who was anyone in the Akumu Slums was at, the prefect place for the OVERSEERS to show up, and of course they did. Though by this time Egwene was aware that their actions weren't simply because they could - something she definitely held them to - but because some other crowd had stopped the races.
Personally; she did not like this new crowd.
She was supposed to race that evening, along with ten others. And the price had been good.
Smiling at Eve, Egwene bounced from foot to foot. "Leave it to me!" she said confidently. "I know some ways that are still available to get out of here." She rolled on the balls of her feet. "Though... I don't know if they're all still open, but some of them have to. be"
CLOSED STARTER for @ccwrdrms MENTARI ft. TALON location: AKUMU SLUMS MANIC PANIC
Mentari was in civilian clothing - he was always in civilian clothing these days - surveying the streets. This was his fifth Manic Panic, he'd been to every single instalment, had even caught glimpses of Manic before their disappearance. Not that he frequented the races, but the huge crowd was a good cover for if he wanted to meet up with the GOLDEN TEARS.
He was good now, however, supposed to simply be another set of ears and eyes on the ground, the signs of chaos spinning through his ear piece, warning him that the situation had grown dire. Though a lot of it was static and very little was actually useful information.
He knew not to blow his cover, but he couldn't help take a close look at anyone he crossed paths with. Tearing himself away from the thick crowds, he roamed away from the baracades onto the streets.
He followed a small group silently, watching people break off. Clearly they weren't together. But something felt off.
[ anna lambe, demi-woman, she/they ] Look who just landed! EGWENE JACOBS, I sure hope you packed all you need. Perhaps you’re not worried as TWENTY FOUR YEAR OLD SMUGGLER / STREET RACER of THE SKELETON CREW. You’ll be known in the city soon enough as THE STREET RAT, being AMBITIOUS and HOT HEADED. Don’t forget to lock your door in THE MAWAR DISTRICT, because you’ll never know who might have your name on their list. ( niek, 32, CET )
// 001 //
Chaotic lesbian energy, Egwene comes from a small town with big dreams of making it. She's quick witted, eager, ambitious, and definitely a bit impulsive. She gives everything her 200%, if not more. Her joining the Skeleton Crew seemed the best way to advance her carreer, and her augmentations were purchased four years ago when she entered the city: a cybernetic leg and an implant in her ears for noise cancelling - she sleeps like a rose.
// 002 //
LOVER NOT A FIGHTER; I'd love some romance ;3 Egwene is a chaotic bi-sexual, but she's never actually been in a serious relationship. She does however, have the tendency to fall head over heels. YOUR TRAUMA MY TRAUMA; just two street rats who came from beyond NEW JAKARTA in the hopes of making something of themselves, both hopelessly failed. ROOMMATE; Egwene cannot afford her own place, she needs a silly roommate with whom she can chill and discuss all the weirdness of the city with. CITY vs TOWN - THE RIVALRY; they met when Egwene came to the city and they've been at each other's throats ever since. THE INTRODUCTION; the person who introduced Egwene to a life of crime, either to the Skeleton Crew or to street racing. I DO YOU THIS FAVOUR; someone who makes a lot of use of Egwene's job as a smuggler, who needs a lot of stuff smuggled in from outside of New Jakarta (either from the rest of Mars or from Earth).
// 003 //
ONE JUMP AHEAD; basically I'd love a thread like that one scene from Aladdin, doesn't have to be romantic, can also be platonic <3 ONE JUMP AHEAD p2; the above but then it's smuggle related and it's a whole attempt to go under the radar when someone from the docks has flagged Egwene. UNDER THE BUS; Egwene throwing someone under the bus for smuggling. BATTLE ME; Egwene, despite being a profesional street racer, racing against someone who isn't, and it's chaos every time. SAVE ME; Egwene is racing, your character is fleeing, they end up in the same car together and have to escape.
// 004 //
Egwene was born in the town of Atarashī Kyoto, over five hundred kilometres from New Jakarta. She comes from a big family, and is the youngest of five. She's always had a dream. When she turned sixteen she started racing the Martian desert in her father's aircraft, and working at the local mines to save up enough funds to buy her a one-way ticket to New Jakarta. Upon arrival four years later, she found it incredibly hard to get into street racing. She had to join a gang and become a really good smuggler before anyone took her seriously enough to vouch for her. She's not up on the scoreboard yet, but she hopes to get better so she can leave the life of crime behind.
[ iko uwais, demi-man, he/they ] Look who just landed! MENTARI AG, I sure hope you packed all you need. Perhaps you’re not worried as a FORTY YEAR OLD DETECTIVE ( corrupt ) of THE OVERSEERS. You’ll be known in the city soon enough as THE AMBITIOUS, being METHODICAL and STANDOFF-ISH. Don’t forget to lock your door in MAWAR, because you’ll never know who might have your name on their list. ( niek, 32, CET )
// 001 //
MENTARI was born in New Jakarta, and he wasn't always a corrupt OVERSEER, he once joined because he thought it was the best way to help his city. Against the wishes of his parents, against all expectations. But the years corrupted him, he started to believe there was no way out, and he soon became part of the conspiracy his sister attempted to unravel. Now he's knee deep in it, with no way out. He's human and he has a huge dislike of Cyborgs. He thinks it's horrifying what people do to their bodies.
// 002 //
THE FORMER FRIEND -- someone who grew up along side Mentari, their friendship ended the day Mentari decided to join the OVERSEERS. THE RIVAL -- someone who believes Mentari is a goody-two-shoes cop who always does the right thing, and teases him relentlessly. THE FAULT -- Mentari once caught this character red-handed but decided to let them go because their plight seemed to demand it. Now he warns them every single time he sees them to stay out of trouble. THE CONTACT -- a member of the Golden Tears who Mentari answers to. Their relationship appear somewhat all business, but they've simply perfected the langauge of caring for each other while sounding like they don't. THE TWIST -- this person is also an informant of sorts, but Mentari doesn't know. They spy on each other, unaware that they are actually on the same side.
// 003 //
I CAN DO WHAT YOU CAN DO -- a mentor / mentee plot where Mentari starts mentoring someone. Can become like a parent/child dynamic, or a lovers dynamic. But I want it to hurt once this other person figures out that Mentari is crooked. BLACKMAIL -- a plot where someone is blackmailing Mentari after finding out about what he does. Can start with the actual finding out. TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN -- Mentari having a cat and mouse game with someone else, but the game keeps changing, and it's never clear who is the cat and who is the mouse. THERE IS PAIN INVOLVED -- I want Mentari HURT physically, and then attempt to find the person responsible for hurting him. Perhaps they fight every other week, and it's always PAINFUL. YOU'RE NOT AS STRONG AS YOU THINK YOU ARE -- Mentari always has his walls up, I'd like them to be brought down! Maybe a mutual wall down-bringing, two hurt people helping each other soften the hurt.
// 004 //
Mentari was born in the Mawar District, though often visited the Akumu Slums growing up. He has a much younger sister, and two hard-working parents, but he saw first hand that it didn't matter much in a city where difference between social classes are so strongly present. When he was old enough to go off to college, he surprised everyone around him by joining the OVERSEERS. He hoped to change them from within, to make the city better, fight the inequality, be a voice of reason and stand up for his own people. The job took him down however, and now, more than twenty years after he started, he has become that which he was trying to fight: corruption. He now runs jobs for X ACADEMY and the GOLDEN TEARS, supplying them intell and deleting evidence.
Since the assassination attempt on Santi Amarin-Zhao, Grace had known it would only be a matter of time until someone asked them a question about it. No matter that she had no links to the crime herself — somehow, they would find an excuse to approach her to see what she knew. The only surprise they felt upon seeing the detective approach them, was that it had taken them so long.
"Detective Ag," they say flatly, taking a long drag of their cigarette as they take in his presence. Their eyes bounce from one side of the empty street to the other, as though only noticing the quiet for the first time. "Well, when the media and the Overseers are fearmongering, it will stop people from leaving their homes. You should know that."
Naturally, there had been plenty of rumours around Mawar, and the Night Market in particular, about the events surrounding the failed assassination. Rumours about crazed vigilantes, about the Grey Lilies, even rumours about her own gang deciding to take their fight out from behind screens and onto a wider stage. Most talk, however, had been surrounding the Skeleton Crew, who seemed the obvious suspects given their unfortunate mission gone wrong just weeks earlier.
Grace held no warmth toward the Skeleton Crew — rather the opposite, in fact — but Overseers being in their business inevitably meant Overseers being in everyone's business, and she could do without that kind of scrutiny. Besides, they certainly weren't going to do their job for them.
"Oh sure, I heard a rumour." She leans in conspiratorially, beckoning with her cigarette, eyebrows raised. "Apparently, it was all an inside job. Someone from X Academy didn't want him saying too much at that press conference, and —" They cock two fingers like a pistol and mime shooting, smirking as they stick their cigarette back between their lips. "Perhaps you should turn your questions inward. It seems your masters will know far more than we do."
Mentari studied Grace. The criminal organisations of the city were secretive, but through the grapevines rumours did reach of who might be leading these organisations. Nothing substantial, and even if it was: there wasn't enough evidence to lock them up. Just enough to keep tabs on them. He frowned a little, wondering if they spoke to him out of curiosity, or to get an idea of what Mentari was uncovering. Which so far wasn't a whole lot. The lack of info could go two ways: either someone was working on their own without outsider involvement or the attempt was so well planned that everyone who took part in it kept silent.
But it had failed, so there was still a chance whomever had done it would attempt again.
"Grace," he said, not giving the other the same sign of respect - though he figured the fact that they called him detective might've not been that. "I'm surprised those working the NIGHT MARKET can afford such decisions," he said. And crime never slept, he didn't even think it knew how to lay low. Not completely.
Mentari licked his teeth. That direction too had come up, but he wasn't the right person to be investigating on home turf. He made a face at her comment, however. He couldn't be sure who knew and who didn't about his connection to X, but there had always been a clear connection between the OVERSEERS and business. After all, any protection force tended to have the possibility of being corrupted, and corruption was always for money. His sister had always thought that way, his parents had always thought that way. Mentari had thought he could change the world for the better from within, until he became one of the corrupted, now he understood just how easy it was. "Certainly you have more substantial rumours? Any idea what department this person might've been working in? Or are you simply trying to feed me wrong information in the hopes I'll scram?"
Val had heard of Mentari’s methods, the way they worked their cases without fanfare, always going straight to the heart of things. It’s why he trusted the man. And it was why he followed them here, to the Night Market, risking his position and worse. He was an Overseer, had duties to the city, but Santi’s blood on his hands changed everything. He wasn’t supposed to be here—hell, he wasn’t even supposed to be investigating. The suits had shut everything down, gag orders, the whole bit. But that didn’t matter. Not to Val, not anymore. Santi’s face, pale and bloodied, kept flashing in his mind. He couldn’t protect him when it mattered most, and that truth had consumed him ever since that day.
His eyes tracked Mentari from a distance. The detective moved through the Night Market with that calculated ease he always had, like he knew something the rest of the world didn’t. Val wasn’t going to wait around for anyone to tell him what needed to do—he already knew; he needed answers. Who wanted Santi dead? And why?
The Night Market’s usual bustle was gone, like the city itself was holding its breath. Even the vendors seemed uneasy, their glances shifting toward shadows. Val kept his distance, his mind going through possible suspects. The Skeleton Crew theory wasn’t a bad lead; they’d pulled off heists in the past without leaving a trace. But this? This felt deeper. Motivated.
When Mentari stopped is when Val finally approached, his voice low as he caught up to him. “Funny,” Val started, although he uncharacteristically had no trace of a smile on his now gaunt and hardened face. “I was just thinking the same thing. Quiet doesn’t suit this place.” His gaze swept the Market, taking in the unusual stillness.
"I know the suits don't want us digging," he continued, forcing the words through clenched teeth, "but there’s more to this. The shot was too precise, too planned.” His voice dropped to a barely audible whisper and he then mumbled to himself, “I can’t protect him if I don’t know who’s pulling the strings.”
Val clenched his fists, feeling the weight of his gauntlets, recalling the moment Santi went down. “Any leads on who’d have the fucking audacity to pull something like this? Or do I need to kick down a few doors to get some answers myself?”
This wasn’t about duty anymore. He wasn’t going to admit it, not to Mentari or anyone else, but this had become personal. He needed to know who was behind it—so he could stop them before they tried again.
Mentari frowned at the appearance of their boss in the one place where a man such as himself should probably not be hanging out. Not that Force Leaders he'd known in the past hadn't ever gotten their hands dirty, but he didn't think the attempt on the life of a CEO was something that might get the Force Leader out. The spreading of a dangerous drug throughout the city would be something he thought was far higher on the list. Was Valerio also in someone else's pocket? Whether X or some other company that paid enough to change their directions.
He did not like it, regardless. He wasn't here on request any superior, he never was. Mentari played the dangerous game of working outside of the boundaries of the Overseers. Not always, of course. He managed to find his ways to formulate his reports in such a way that it always made sense what he was doing. And enough people also on X's payroll that he could count on.
He also couldn't forget that no more than a few weeks ago Santi had asked him to 'do away with' people who had visited the sight of the heist before it happened. That still turned his stomach, he wasn't a murderer.
He frowned, he wasn't going to question his force leader openly, but he wasn't sure he liked where this was going. "Why wouldn't the politicians want us digging?" he asked, confused. If that was true, then there had to be some conspiracy beyond the Skeleton Crew. "And since when do we do what they want without fighting against it?" he asked. New Jakarta didn't have an authoritarian regime, every other branch of the government, including the Overseers, was there to control and correct other branches of government. The only branch that barely corrected the others was the BOARD. Instead they were Mentari's worst enemy because they might flag things that didn't work in his favour.
Valerio's behaviour was unbecoming. Mentari quickly looked around but luckily they weren't catching a lot of attention, people kept to themselves here. He considered if he had the position to be questioning his Force Leader on this, and how to phrase it that didn't seem suspicious. "Can I ask, sir. Have we been personally asked to protect the CEO of X?" Or was Valerio also on their payroll. He'd never given Mentari the feeling. Of course everyone knew the rumours that X was doing more than just legal innovation.
Beryl looked in interest. Earth. She learned about Earth but this was the first time learned about the more social aspects. Beryl nodded. "Delhi in India?" Beryl asked hoping she was remembering her geography correctly. "There's always room for improvement." Beryl hummed jotting things down in her notebook. It was her job, sometimes occasional innovations.
"A weeks worth of arcade tokens and one bubble tea." Beryl said, her prices always standard. "Sounds reasonable enough to get you out of this kerfuffle."
Zakir grinned and nodded. “Yes, in India,” he said. “Though we call it Bhārat,” he explained. “It’s also… I think about forty times bigger than New Jakarta, so it makes sense that it’s not as well structured.” And New Jakarta had started from scratch, it could include all the things that they were missing on Earth right away. He was not surprised then to hear there was always room for improvement. He chuckled. “The curse of being a local, you see the flaws where an outsider only sees the wonders.”
He hummed. “That’s steep, but I’ll take it,” he said. He wasn't sure how many tokens she spent in a week, and he was afraid for his bank account, but perhaps he could wing it. The bubble tea at least would be affordable. He might wear designer clothing, but Zakir was far from rich.
Purnama watched her brother closely, trying to make sense what was written across his face. A small part of her recoiled. There was a time when that had been as effortless as reading her favorite book. Now everything about his feature was so hardened she couldn't find a crack for clues. Or maybe, the distance that had separated for years now had changed him so much, it was impossible to find anything she could recognize.
Then he offered quip for her jab, which wasn't a surprise. Really, after the thousands of banters they had thrown at each other, Purnama had expected that. But this time, the words had jabbed. Still, he saw her as this kid that didn't understand how the world works. And to boot, he had the gall to question her work ethics. Bitterness accumulated in her, bleeding into the laugh she let out.
"I don't need to fabricate stuff for my stories. I make sure all my leads are checked thoroughly and verified for accuracy." Then, with venom-dripped smile. "Not that you would understand, of course."
Leave it up to siblings to say the things they knew would hurt. To utter the phrases that were going to get caught by the other. He knew where to land the jab and knew it would get a reaction out of her. If he’d been younger, before he joined the Overseers, perhaps such a comment would be taken more lightly, more like an older sibling taking the piss. But now, there was too much bad blood between them that anything he said would be intended to offend, and it would get the job done.
If only she knew how true her own words were. But he wasn’t going to tell her, even if he managed to survive that long in his efforts to remain unseen and free. How long before word got round that Mentari wasn’t the detective he pretended to be. “Of course not,” he said, offering her a smile that mirrored hers, not just in intention, but almost to the exact detail, another clear sign of their shared bond. “Now then, since we got that out of the way, any reason why you’re exactly in the spot where I’m supposed to meet someone? You don’t seem to have expected me, so I’m guessing you’re not here to throw me off. In which case, we’ve both been played.”
WHO: Cesar Vicente & Mentari Ag (@wrvtchedhearts) WHERE: A coffee shop in Akumu Slums
When Cesar was a child, he longed to grasp onto the stars. He knew it was an unrealistic dream, but there was something so alluring about the objects that remained just out of reach. As he grew up, he shifted his dream to focus more on the attainable goods. His drive was about holding onto power in the city, but after the news of the attempted assassination attempt, even that desire was slowly slipping out of reach.
He hated the thought of not knowing who his enemy was. Though he wasn't the target of the individual's ire, any negative changes to X Academy directed affected him as well. This desire to know, and eliminate, his adversary led him to contact MENTARI AG.
The coffee shop wasn't crowded this time of day, which made Cesar feel more comfortable about their meeting. Even so, he knew to keep the topic discrete lest a curious soul eavesdropped on their conversation. ❝Detective Ag. It's been a while. Are you well?❞ He hummed a bit as he sipped his coffee, examining his guest closely. ❝I imagine recent events have kept you rather busy.❞
Mentari knew being on X's payroll inevitability meant working for the Golden Tears. But there was always more to it, given his position as a corrupt detective, he had quickly become someone people turned to. It helped in his job because whenever he was thrown a bone by those he worked for, he was able to climb up the ladder. He was able to get arrests in that others had not even been close to.
He'd been pushing his own agenda for so long, he almost didn't know what it was like not to answer to the whims of the criminals.
While he hadn't been officially put on the case, Mentari was in fact investigating the assassination attempt. He had always been a floating number, someone who did criminal investigation but cherry picked what criminal. And because of his contacts at X, it didn't seem to confuse anyone.
Accepting an invitation from the leader of the Golden Tears to have coffee, wasn't odd either. He made his way through the Bartori by himself, and ordered a kopi as soon as his but hit the seat. The place being busy was in their advantage, even if people wanted to eavesdrop, there was plenty of noise to muddle some of it.
"Representative Vincente," Mentari returned the formality. "I've been well." Which was of course, a simplification. "And you?" He accepted the coffee and set it in front of himself. He considered ordering something to snack too, but he'd rather go for a full mean after. "Things have stirred up a bit," he answered. "A lot seems to be up in the air, but everyone is pulling their weight," he added in vagueness. "Nothing solid yet, it's as if whomever could've talked, doesn't exist. You'd almost think it happened in a vacuum."
Beryl saw anyone as an enemy. But for some reason Mentari reminds her of her father, in a weird way. Someone she could trust, not knowing his true alligances. At least not an overseer she would try to fight in a heartbeat.
Beryl laying down on the chair lazily waved before adjusting herself, a rare sign of respect.She shrugged. "It has been quite a shake up." She admitted, even Beryl was surprised. And nothing fazes Beryl these days. "As okay as I could be- cant help but think this is only the beginning though. ." She admitted. "And you? Were you the guy who captured Street Racer-" She asked meeting Mentari's eyes. The name felt like jello, all minute details of the last few days did.
Just the beginning. That was how Mentari had felt about the heist, given the secrecy of the crew who'd done it. Now the assassination... he wasn't so sure. He could imagine a lot of people disagreeing with X Academy, at least if they knew as much as he did. The regular public, they might not care as much. X created a lot of things, but they also were incredibly corrupt. If Santi had asked him to do a press conference in broad daylight, he would've very much advised against it. Especially on a subject such as this.
"Of something, but perhaps we're not the intended target. Worrying is good, too much worrying is only calling for danger," he told her, as if he was simply someone giving advice all around. And not just him giving advice to someone who was important to the Overseers. "I was not," he said, avoiding mentioning the name out loud. "I've never been assigned to the street races nor to the heist," he admitted. Not even to the assassination. But Mentari did whatever he pleased, given how many years he'd been doing this, and the amazing amount of contacts he had, he could get away with it. "How is the overall atmosphere at the company right now?"
despite the relative exclusivity of nexos once you were in heart was easy to find. painted bright red among a sea of cream and silver nestled in a back booth she sat - a benevolent queen to her kingdom, if only slightly temperamental. manicured nails tapped swiftly on the screen of her phone her expression turning perturbed as another whoosh of a text message sounded. the woman next to her shifted lips detaching from the side of her neck but heart made no move to win her attention back. even if she left now there would always be another woman waiting for a seat next to her in the booth - convinced that she would be the one to lock down whatever fortune heart had amassed as the owner of nexos. unfortunately, her type seemed to run along the lines of deadbeat and doomed but she'd beat that out of herself soon enough. the woman said something that sounded vaguely like bitch and left just in time for heart to look up at zakir - a smear of lipstick remained along her neck. she didn't deign to set her phone down, just tilted her head curiously. "why would it?" excepting the curfew nexos normally held a twenty-four hour schedule. it was an elysium of sex, substances, and whatever fantasies your mind could conjure up. "i know how to make the most of a limiting situation."
The rapper shrugged. He'd heard plenty of venues complain about their lost revenue, it wasn't anything new. Wether it was truly a huge loss or simply the need to complain about Sora's curfew, he wasn't sure. In the Mawar District too, people tended to stay away from shows simply because the public transport had been turned down.
And now, days after an attempted assassination on New Jakarta's biggest business' CEO, everything was open again. Jobs were picking up, shows missed being rescheduled. He felt bad for Santi, but he also understood: for the general public, an assassination like this was less of a big deal than a huge drug heist. "That's good to hear, I've had to cancel a good number of shows because of the restrictions, which luckily I've been able to reschedule now that everything is open again," he said, with a smile. "And I'm glad I can get here again without having to worry about how to get back home." Because Zakir wasn't famous enough that he could afford a home in Sora, he continued to travel back to the Mawar District.
He tapped the glass to his lips and looked at the box. "Could you use some company?" he asked, pointing at the empty seat.
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.
Veer bobbed their head, grinning. They did not intent to start any kind of trouble with Apollo, but it wasn't as if there wasn't always trouble brewing between the gangs in the Slums, and outside of the Slums. There were plenty of small fish, but the biggest organisations were the ones who ruled these streets, as much as the Overseers liked to think they had any kind of real power here. He hummed. "I have a few friends," they said. "But they also have no idea who I am."
The Grey Lilies were very much anonymous, and those who were known were only known by name: they might not even show up on any databases.
Criminals had to protect their identities, especially with the BOARD being able to see almost everything.
His offer had been genuine, but then again, Veer tended to invite people for food regardless of whether he was close to them or not. He felt like it was a good place to hide his true intentions, or to hide in general. "Of course I'm serious, yaar. We have to get out of the spotlight." Veer could never see Apollo as anything other than a close enemy again, even if he wanted to. "No better way to lay low and also get our calories."
She adored that about Veer—the way they could effortlessly transform her deepest anxieties into a gentle balm of reassurance. Where her own strength faltered, Veer’s presence radiated an unwavering calm, as if their very existence had been crafted by the universe solely to shield her from the harsh winds of doubt. Perhaps, Rasleen mused, that was why fate had entangled their paths together—to give her the rarest gift Mars had ever bestowed upon her. In them, she had found the sanctuary of a home, the warmth of a family to call her own, and the peace she had sought for so long. It had been so effortless, this slipping into life together, like the tender merging of rivers, each current wrapping around the other until they were inseparable, bound by a love that defied time and space. After all the trials she had endured, the battles fought in both heart and mind, she had finally found her place—a hearth where her soul could rest, where the flame of family flickered with gentle steadiness, illuminating the path ahead with the soft glow of shared moments and unspoken devotion.
Even now, as Veer spoke, their words wrapped around her like the coziest embrace, urging her to release the gnawing fear lodged deep in her chest. She swallowed it, pushing the anxiety down behind the lump in her throat, allowing the warmth of their presence to spread a smile across her face. Goldie, ever the perceptive child, was already reaching for her father, her tiny arms stretching out with the earnestness only children possess, craving the comfort of being held. Rasleen complied, carefully passing their little one into Veer’s embrace, ensuring the soft, plush towel remained snug around Goldie’s delicate frame, keeping her cocooned in warmth.
Leaning in, Rasleen pressed a tender, fleeting kiss upon Veer’s cheek—a silent offering of gratitude, a gesture that conveyed more than words could ever capture. It was her way of honoring their bravery, their steadfastness, and of whispering her thanks for returning safely once more.
Goldie, with the mimicry that only the very young can master, echoed her mother’s gesture, planting a small kiss on the opposite cheek before nestling against her पापा, her tiny arms wrapping around Veer as though she, too, knew the depth of the love that tethered their family together.
After a brief nod, she finally found her voice, which had, until that moment, been stilled by the overwhelming surge of emotions. "It's storytime," she said, her tone light but filled with affection. "But first, of course, we must get her into her pajamas." Her eyes twinkled with the subtle mischief of a playful question as she added, "And before we do any of that, you have to answer something very important." She paused, arching an eyebrow as if testing the waters of an age-old ritual between them, before the question, familiar yet always meaningful, rose from her lips: "Have you eaten, my love?"
Veer did what they did in their life all the time, pushing one part of htem down, and revealing another. Not an act, just a smartly placed and balanced decision. Turning their back on the world outside, and instead leaning into the warmth of his little family.
And he never had to ask. He was welcomed without a second thought, his little girl reaching for him, being passed on without a pause, ending up within his arms where he looked lovingly back at her. Her face was a bright smile and features that combined the best of the both of them. He could never be convinced that she wasn't his, that she wasn't theirs. His boundless energy, Rasleen's beauty and expressive nature.
Rasleen gave him a light kiss on his cheek and Goldie copied her mother. He chuckled as he buried his face into his daughter's hair. He felt incredibly happy, how easily he could forget about his worries when he simply placed himself in this home. He wished everyone had this.
"I haven't," he admitted. Though Veer ran around a lot and got plenty of food, there wasn't a whole lot of time to eat it. They lifted Goldie higher and used their free hand to bop her nose. "How was your dinner? Did you eat everything on your plate?"
The child giggled and nodded expressively. "Yes!"
They turned back to Rasleen. "Did she? Or do I have to help and finish her food?"
