The conversation helped distract him and he found himself slowly returning to how he usually was now. Mask off, friendly, eager for any kind of attention. He's back to reaching out for friends, and feeling more comfortable just existing. And then Chu-e Choi began his presentation and he felt his heart sink into his stomach. This wasn't some Rocket meeting picnic, or corporate party event. This is crucial scientific progress, defying the Gods themselves. This is a turning point for the crime organization as well as his own. And although he had given up the right to walk away days ago, he still had the thought cross his mind as a Machamp stepped out with sample of whatevrr fucking chemicla concoction was strong enough to fuck with his genetic make up. [break][break]

He swallowed thickly, feeling cold and hot all at once. There was nothing to be scared about. Just being here meant he'd made his choice. He glanced at the crowd. @artemis is absent. Good. Like with all the bad decisions in his life, he didn't want any witnesses. Not anyone that knew him intimately. [break][break]

He raised his hand, smiling with confidence he didn't have but carefully pretended he did. "Can I go first?" His words are light, almost cheeky and they leave him without stutter or waver. He's shaking, bryan delarosa , Elliott Jenkins , and @kris might be able to catch it. But it's better this way. Nothing left. Better to step into the unknown than allow himself to be anxious about it. It'd hurt. There's no way this wouldn't.



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+ @lotta people but mainly bryan [break][break]

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'Mon amour d'argent,' is whispered from across the room. Unease washes over her with cold, cruel hands down the back of her neck. She realizes, as soon as she sees it, that what she's looking at is dread manifested in human form.

Calla McCoy.

Her twisted smile leaves an uncomfortable combination of butterflies and fear in her stomach, and she forces herself to not return the gesture. Not even when she steps closer to her, not even when the woman's eyes never leave her own.

Instead, she finds the pointing finger of the man with the blue hair. He points for a moment, waves at her, and then his attention is promptly taken by another man that she also recognizes in some capacity.

It seemed everyone knew everyone in Rocket - she was the only one who knew no one.

In an attempt to shake off the hound pursuing her, who bore yellow eyes and blood red hair, Remi pulls away from the wall to merge herself deeper into the fray. Along the way she bumps into a certain Cillian Quinn, with whom she makes eye contact with briefly before moving on.

Now close to the raised platform, her attention is drawn by the moving presentation and the man announcing the intentions of this gathering.

"Testing stages?"

Her voice is a whisper as she glances over the entire room. Dozens of people, all who walked through these doors willingly. But had they known? Were they aware of the consequences they'd agreed to when they stepped through that door? Because she hadn't.

And yet a very real part of her felt.. excited. Anticipation replaces her dread, as well as a sense of whimsy or wonder. Artificial avatars? Without the need for the legendary themselves? What would have happened had Roman known about this?

But just as she opens her mouth to volunteer, that blue-headed man with the pointing finger takes the words right out of her mouth. She hesitates, but frowns and steps forward anyway.

"You nearly pissed yourself in the middle of a black market trade."

Remi side-eyes him, but comes to a stop at his side.

"I'll go with him."

mint frost

☉

Mint hadn't expected Bryan to be just as eager. Really, he just wanted to get this over with. Bryan seemed more intent though, but he didn't have an inkling as to why. And then Rowan Wrynn chimed in, and Mint did his best not to fold under his words. "Respectfully, sir, being here means we've already agreed to put ourselves on the line. Whatever the risks, we can't take back walking into this room. Whatever happens, is meant to happen." There's no point in fearing it. Let go, Micha. [break][break]

"As far as I can tell, if the formula is flawed then we'll all die. But I'd rather believe in Lulu Flint and Raphael Pryde 's work." He added, looking back at @kris for a moment. His eyes moved back to Bryan. He didn't have the same reassurance as him, the other rocket far more skilled and acclimated to the organization than he was. But still, he found himself agreeing with him. Maybe they could just get juiced up at the same time? That way if for whatever reason Bryan melted away. Mint wouldn't see too much of it before he followed suit. There's a flash of pink in his peripheral, and he allowed himself a brief look at prince garrido . At least when he went, there would be something colorful to focus on. [break][break]

Just as he felt himself settling back into calm the smuggler from the other night spoke up. Hisbears are suddenly bright red and he snapped his head instinctually ready to scream his protest. But at the last second he remembered where he was and simply clenched his fists by his side. "That's hyperbolic and untrue." She stood by him though, and he felt a strange sense of relief. He can't help but look up at her with wide eyes, unable to hold his composure too long. Maybe @artemis wasn't here, but it was nice to feel like someone had his back.


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+ @lotta people but mainly bryan [break][break]

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