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Now that the strenuous part of moving their decoys through the rift is done with, the rest of their task seems to move like a well-oiled machine. While Mint floats, Fern remains planted on the overhanging rock chin in their hands. “Glad you think so~” they trill back, obviously pleased with the praise. “It was fun to take your ideas and run with them.”[break][break]

The gear suited the beast, too. Meshed with his personality and everything. But Fern had turned back to looking out over the darkened expanse of the deep sea again.[break][break]

“Agreed. Maybe we can all go out after this.” Sounds mundane and too normal given the circumstance. It’s almost laughable, with the lack of gravitas to it. But the response is one he only half-pays attention to saying as his attention fixated on the flicker of movement down below.[break][break]

It’s all going smoothly at this rate. Too smoothly? It would seem so. The weight of a hand settles on their shoulder, and they shift—glancing at their partner sidelong through their mask.[break][break]

“Down there,” Fern points, as a pair of figures shift into clearer view. “Looks like we’ve got some company.”[break][break]

Even at a distance, one looks much more familiar than the other, face seared into the admin’s memory. The chill reflects itself in Fern’s voice. Something normally warm that turns flinty at the sight of ollie morales.

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While mint frost confirmed their placement, Fern oversaw the movement of the decoys. Okay, so maybe they were fancy toys the way the beast saw it, but they were big ‘ol duds too. Perfectly placed duds. Where Mint’s mask glowed through the gloom, Fern stuck to the shadow—any light panels left off for the time being.[break][break]

Not that his were quite so elaborate as the bright, neon blue that lit the dark.[break][break]

Normal chattiness kept at bay, Fern drifted around the cargo holds, checking the bindings. Ensuring that they would hold as the transport passed through the smaller rift. His chandelure floated alongside him, pale purpleish flame providing light for his double-checking.[break][break]

Looking back over his shoulder, Fern signaled the beast. The reminder that he’d keep an eye on him for jayden cross flit through his mind and then faded. “In place to move forward?”

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[attr="class","body"]Their own sableye SHADOW SNEAKS about the area as well—looking to sniff out anyone opposing force that might be hiding in the dark. Should that happen, the little imp would be quick to call their dragapult back down.[break][break]

Fern doesn’t mind the quiet that follows, even if they chatter to fill it up within seconds. It’s familiar like the man on the other end of the line is familiar. And despite the clipper edge of worry that wants to creep in, they’re soothed.[break][break]

“Sure, I can do that.” Obviously they don’t know the full details of why Jayden might be interested to know, but the slight murmur of concern in his voice doesn’t go unnoticed. [break][break]

“Me?” They go still, falling silent for a moment. “I’m doing just fine. Better than I thought I would.” they haven’t seen too much combat since Mt. pyre. It lingers when they’d rather it didn’t. But they don’t want to disappoint him either, so they push the little nettling anxieties down.

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jayden cross

[break] + COMMS [1/2]

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Fern would love nothing more than to hear that Marza was pleased to work with him. She refused to admit it, though-the old bat. It was fine, though! He might wither up a little without the praise and adoration that he believed he so rightly deserved, but he knew the truth! She hadn’t clocked him or twisted his puny little arms in ages. That was practically a declaration of love and loyalty in Marza-speak. He was sure of it. “Right, right. Because you were so eager to transfer elsewhere. Good thing I’m an admin so I can say no~” he trilled back, shooting her a cheeky wink.[break][break]

Stepping away, though, the first thing he noticed was…the attire she’d been wrangled into for this. A hand flew up to cover his mouth. Poorly stifled giggles still slipping free despite her preemptive warning. She could attempt to cover up with a jacket all she liked, but there was no hiding the skort. The tennis shoes.[break][break]

“I can tell you did,” he replied with another snicker. His mouth wobbled as it fought the smile that wanted to linger. “Oh, can’t wait to meet you at the country club after this, though,” he added as a light afterthought. “Maybe we can sneak in a few holes on the golf course if we finish up soon.” If he wasn’t getting decked before, he just might now.[break][break]

Ducking before she could swing, he made his way down the dock, a hand shielding his eyes from the sun as he sought to seek out the correct area of the marina, while making it appear as if he were doing no more than taking in the sights of the seaside town.

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A flutter of airy laughter followed, “Very candid of you. But surely that isn’t the case.” For all of their love of being flattered, they’re quick to turn the sentiment around. Though ultimately still quite pleased with the acknowledgement of their creativity and effort.[break][break]

Fern thumbed through the notes provided, along with the paperwork. Short nods and singular notes of approval followed as they approved of the provisions. They could definitely work with this.[break][break]

They nodded, a low hum signaling their understanding. “I agree completely. And I wouldn’t dream of providing you with a sloppy outcome.” To even consider doing as much sounded unacceptable through and through—even if she weren’t his superior.[break][break]

A slow smile spread across his face as he held her gaze.[break][break]

“No more than a month, given the extent of crafting an entirely new persona and all of the consequential paperwork that goes alongside. If I devote my primary attention to it, perhaps sooner.”[break][break]

Heaven forbid such documentation be required sooner.

[break][break]

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“But if it’s fleeting, doesn’t that make it that much more valuable?”[break][break]

Because it’s something real and tangible—proof that it’s graspable even if it slips through your hands in the end. Maybe. Fern isn’t sure that they even believe the sentiment. They’ve been drinking, after all, and that’s only bound to make them chattier.[break][break]

Spinning ideas that ultimately might not make much sense.[break][break]

“That’s true. I’m probably only doing him a disservice by not counting on that resilience.” All the same, they’ve continued to hesitate.

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[attr="class","body"]Medb returns to them once it’s been confirmed that the coast remains clear. Her translucent body phases through the trunk of the tree—only her chin becomes tangible long enough for a quick scratch, which Fern obliges.

[break][break]There’s quiet on the other end for a moment, but they know he’s only mulling over their words.

[break][break]A soft peal of laughter wafts through the radio waves at the mention of mint frost. It sounds perfectly on brand for the beast.

[break][break]“Well, props to Mint because that is exactly what sleepovers are for. Speaking of, I’m slated to connect with him after I finish up over here on my end.”

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jayden cross

[break] + COMMS [1/2]

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“I won’t, I won’t. I promise.”

It’s genuinely meant, even if they don’t know what’s going on with him. That watery feeling in their throat builds, their eyes frantic as he babbles about things that Fern doesn’t believe would’ve happened. But still the anxiety crawls under their skin at the mention because he believes it so wholeheartedly.[break][break]

“I’m right here, okay?” they stammer out, composure finally beginning to crumble in a way that can’t be reeled back in. “I won’t get hurt. You’re going to get hurt if you don’t sleep. See? It’s not so different from one another.”[break][break]

Just as Jayden doesn’t want Fern to get hurt or leave, Fern wants the same of him. And—[break][break]

“I just want to go home.” Their words hinge on a garbled sound that’s maybe a sob. But their arms hook around his neck to pull him close enough to burrow their face against his neck. Muffling the sound.