Scattered-Pages In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-19 20:40:59 +0000 UTC]

   "You got it," Claude smiled, leaning down to kiss his boyfriend before he went. They were slowly regaining trust again, and it felt like things went back to normal after Claude's birthday. Normally the couple stayed together, but with the holidays coming up they spent more and more time apart. "I'll make sure Dean keeps something set aside for us, but he's bound to have some saved for tomorrow too. The Communion is gonna be crazy and I can't wait." Finally freeing Logan from his arms, Claude made his way over to the bar as instructed. It was the best place for everyone to keep an eye on him, and he didn't intend on moving. 
   Sitting a few seats away from Mallory, he tapped the bar, "Hey Dean. Logan was telling me I should get some of your eggnog before the rest of The Cursed drink it again. Hook me up?"

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-01-20 04:01:11 +0000 UTC]

   "Comin' right up boss," Dean said to Claude before bringing up a second glass. "Sorry for the judgment," he said pouring egg nog in both before grabbing an American beer and skilfully taking the cap off for her. "First round with a side of nog on me, Ma'am."
   "It's Mallory," Lichliter corrected the impressively attractive bartender before taking her beer in hand for a mouth-watering first sip. "This was worth the plane ride."
   Chuckling at the reaction the classy seeming woman was having with the skunky beer he had trouble giving away, Dean brought Claude his drink. "Logan already told me he wanted some put on the side for ya'll. It's in the main kitchen fridge with a big ole 'Do not fucking touch!' sign on it." Putting down a napkin for Claude before going back to his duties, he gave his leader a thankful smile. "Enjoy Boss."
   Turning to pay attention to the man at her side, Lichliter felt like she had sipped lucky water. The very man she was there to see was only a few chairs away from her. "I thought you were the owner of this place," she complimented the former doctor, "You just have that air about you. I work with a lot of powerful men, so I know one when I see him." Lifting her bow, she also lifted her beer back to her lips for another blissful swig.

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-20 17:12:01 +0000 UTC]

   Claude glanced over at Lichliter, smiling as he nodded; however, his gaze was undeniably intense. He couldn't hide the way he carried himself around The Communion, and The Cursed Ones weren't shy about showing their respect. The leaders had the luxury of special treatment, but none of them abused it. 
   "Thank you," he said genuinely, after having a sip of Dean's drink. Impressed with the holiday treat, he understood why it went so quickly. Claude had been watching Dean for months, and he had more than earned his Christmas bonus in that time. "I get that a lot, but I still don't know what to think every time I hear it," Claude laughed, knocking himself down a few notches. "Is this your first time seeing The Communion? I built this place up from the ground, but I didn't do it alone. I have my boyfriend to thank for sticking at my side, and we have Sonny and Riot too. They're all just as important as I am."

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-01-21 00:06:26 +0000 UTC]

   "I bet," Mallory smiled, feeling the warmth from inside as the beer kept her tone happy and light. "I did a little research on the district before I chose to come over to your neck of the woods. All things aside, this place sounded like home to me. Not to mention I actually grew up a few blocks from this place before it was even known as Old Hollywood. I drove by there and saw someone else took the home over. I can't be angry since it was never mine to begin with.. but something always makes your heart long for home after being away from it for so long."
   Noticing Dean was still hovering in the area, she grabbed both her beer and eggnog to move closer to Claude as she took a sip. Not really being a fan of the flavor difference from bitter hops to sweet cream and egg, she forced her best-excited eyes with a thumbs up. "Taste like home," she said with her bright red lips parting into a big smile that showed off the slight yellow stain of cigarettes on her teeth. 
   Giving the newcomer a nod, Dean grabbed some glasses he needed to clean and bring to the back. He didn't know what it was about Mallory that gave him goosebumps, but he didn't want to stick around her longer than he had to.
   "How about you?" Lichliter asked the former doctor with piercing blue eyes, "You don't look like you're from around here.. If I had to guess?? East coast man, somewhere cold and inland." Taking a moment to scan Claude, she nodded as she made her final decision. "Northern east, to be exact. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I know a California man for a million miles away."

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-21 00:40:51 +0000 UTC]

   "You can tell?" Claude laughed, flicking some of his black, gelled hair out of his face. It had gotten long enough to touch his cheeks again and often sat in his eyes and hid his face when he wasn't focusing on anyone. "Well if you're born and raised here, guess I stick out like a sore thumb. Yeah, I was born in Boston Massachusetts. It's not even remotely inland, but you were close enough." The information was technically true when it came to Claude; however, Cade, and their brothers, was born in a town not far from Boston known as Swampscott. "Lots of us aren't West Coast, but I think we like it a Hell of a lot more. I know I fuckin' do. There's nothing for me back home. I was an impostor, but here I get to feel like I'm at home. That's why I built The Communion. People who are different because of experimentation or mutations they were born with get to have a place to call home too. We shouldn't have to hide in shame for what we are now." 

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-01-21 02:23:37 +0000 UTC]

   Hearing what she wanted to hear from the man she sought out, Lichliter knew it was the perfect opportunity to introduce herself. "I'm glad you've done this for people like me," she said with genuine gratitude, but with malicious intent. "It's so beautiful to see my hometown be the perfect melting pot between experiments and mutants. Especially after rising from the ashes of Better Living: U.S. the way we have. It is bold of you to do what you have done." Taking one more sip of her beer, she put her hand out and waited for it to be taken by the powerful man before she gave her name. "I'm Mallory Lichliter.. and it's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've always found you far from a failure Dr. Alfaro and admired your word deeply for some time."

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-21 03:00:53 +0000 UTC]

   Claude's smile instantly disappeared, and there was a moment of hesitation before Cade took her hand and shook it. "It's refreshing to hear someone say that," Cade sighed, retracting his hand to push the hair out of his face and give it a neater look. Adjusting himself on the stool, the doctor sat with a straighter back and proceeded to lift glasses up that weren't actually on his face. Frustrated by the mere habit alone, he focused his attention on her. Even the way he looked at Lichliter was different-- his gaze never looked as intense as Claude's did. 
   "I know I wasn't a failure," Cade added as he pushed the drink away from him and turned towards Mallory, "I was excellent. I always put the job first. I even volunteered my own younger brother for the trials and when they saw results, of course, they looked at me and wondered: what is he hiding?" Bitterness in his tone, he went on. "And that's the story of how a doctor like me ended up an experiment like the rest of them. My brother got out of that one lucky.. Did I? No, not me.. No, I'm stuck taking the backseat on my own mind and body." Suddenly paranoid, Cade had a look around. No one had noticed the shift, and he was thankful for that. "You must have known this story, though. Come to see what I am now? Out of.. curiosity?" 

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-01-22 03:22:13 +0000 UTC]

   Instantly noticing the shift as a form of psychosis, Lichliter was both impressed and invested. "No actually," she corrected him after finishing her beer to set the bottle aside, "I came here looking for you, Cade. When I was doing my research I thought your move and the name change was for privacy reasons after experimentation. I thought you.. reinvented yourself and The Communion was your way of repaying the community that you helped destroy for so many years." Putting a hand out towards Cade on the bar, she slipped into work mode while being more empathic that she had ever been before. "You poor man.. You're split right down the middle, aren't you?" Taking pity on him, she decided to give him her brief analysis to see if he would trust another doctor again. "It's a classic case of dissociative identity disorder. This 'Claude' is merely a way your brain created to help you cope with what you went through during experimentation. If there is two or more distinct personal identities in there, I can treat that and keep the manifestation at bay. Treatment is usually talk therapy, but I have methods that aren't as well known that don't involve you reliving events over and over again. Your impulsivity, self-destructive behavior, anxiety and mood swings will need to be in check so we can avoid an amnesic episode where 'Claude' thinks he can intervene again in a life he was only born into out of mental trauma. That is.. if you want the help and are willing to help me in return.."

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-22 03:43:51 +0000 UTC]

   "I want him dead," Cade hissed, revealing a side of his rage that rarely surfaced. Usually his other half maintained that kind of anger, but the doctor had gone to a darker place than ever. He had no hope, no life and no love. He did not, however, want her pity. "I want a lot of people dead. I don't give a shit about the community I helped destroy. I'd destroy it all again." Pausing to calm himself down, he ran a hand over his now slicked back hair. "I will do whatever it is you like if it means you will help me take control of my life again. I may not have my work anymore, but I will have my revenge over him if it kills me." Cade studied Lichliter for a moment; he felt like he could trust her, she seemed to be more like him than anyone else in The Communion. She certainly had the expertise. "I used to feel sorry for myself. I'm over that now. I'll do anything."

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-01-22 15:35:49 +0000 UTC]

   Smiling as she heard the words she was waiting for, she nodded. "Perhaps we should go somewhere where we can discuss terms further," she suggested, "I do have a job for you Dr. Alfaro and I would be more than honored if you'd both join me in my efforts and allow me the pleasure of treating your disorder." Without even thinking about grabbing the egg nog, she stood up from the bar to show Cade she was ready to move on her words as soon as possible. "If you seek vindication and destruction of this hell hole your other personality created, I'm the person to turn people into body bags for you."

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-22 21:20:36 +0000 UTC]

   Cade stood up from the stool, but feared eyes would still be on him. Scanning the area as discreetly as he could, he started for the doors with Lichliter at his side. "I'm eager to hear more, but we must tread lightly," he warned her, trying to keep an even pace that didn't look too frantic. If any of the leader's saw him acting strangely, he was done for. "You may call this a disorder, but I've been suffering long enough to know it's realer than that. People here want me dead, so I cannot get caught, Mallory. Most of the people here don't know I exist, but the important ones do.. Lucky for us his boyfriend is going to be gone for a while. You couldn't have come at a better time.." As they stepped outside, Cade felt like he could breathe again. He wasn't in the clear yet, but he was close enough. "Where do you want to go?" he asked her, slowing his pace almost completely. If he picked anywhere to go, it could be traced back to him; however, Cade couldn't be as easily found if he didn't pick their next destination. "The quieter, the better. I don't need anyone else recognizing me today.."

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-01-23 00:29:27 +0000 UTC]

   "I actually have an appointment on the business side of town I wouldn't mind if you tagged along for," Mallory confessed as she pulled out her transmitter and summoned a ride for them both. "If Logan is shopping with his twin sister like you said he would be, we should be safe to go to Better Living without being noticed." Watching the location of her driver on her screen closely, she looked down the street where they were coming from. "We're taking a company car to the office, so we can speak frankly once the privacy window is up and the driver knows where we are going." Raising her hand to signal the driver where to stop, she immediately opened the door for Cade to slip in as quickly and discreetly as possible. 
   Getting in after her new colleague, she sat down and closed the door. "Better Living, Science Department entrance. Keep the screen up until we get there or you'll never drive for us again." Finger going tot he button for the screen, she rolled up the partition until they were secluded and the driver had started taking them towards the oldest part of the city. 
   "So tell me," she began with a comfortable smile being surrounded in luxury, blacked out windows and leather again, "How terrible would it be to let your other personality have this rest of the year before we make the future all yours? I think it's important we don't let 'Claude' know what we're doing or he will tell Logan. And there is no need for you to be active in assisting me until the beginning of the year. Unless Dr. Smoke is more ambitious in person than he is on paper.."

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-23 02:15:44 +0000 UTC]

   "I don't mind," Cade answered her, visibly relaxing when there were no other eyes on him. He could be himself in front of the one other person that seemed to understand him. "I don't want him finding out-- not until the last minute. The longer we keep this from him, the harder it will be for him to recall. If I keep enough secrets long enough, he won't know anything ever happened. I know this because he used to use the same tactics on me." Given the space to think about their conversation leading up to the car, he had questions of his own. "I wasn't expecting a visit to Better Living today, but it's the last place anyone would find me. Do you still work for them, doctor? What exactly do you need my assistance for? If I were to make an assumption, you're planning a larger project to involve two other doctors."

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-01-23 02:51:21 +0000 UTC]

   "You'll come to see I'm quite ambitious myself, Cade," Mallory said with a crooked smile. "I work for Better Living, but under a private sector. We're not affiliated with Better Living:US anymore, but I'd be lying if I said California wasn't the start of my work." Closing her eyes and smiling, she felt happy seeing the past instead of what her city had become. "Before the Great Storm that happened here that banned experimentation in the city, my boss taught me all of his secrets and sent me to the UK to continue. He knew the downfall was coming but refused to see his life's work go to waste." Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and reached into her jacket for a metal tin of cigarettes and her lighter. Being respectful of her new colleague and friend, she asked before lighting up, "Do you mind?"
   Waving her hand in the air dismissively of her own question, Lichliter kept her favorite vice in her finger to continue explaining her background; waiting for permission to light and inhale. "Anyway.. There is already a  facility and, sadly, another doctor already involved. However, our stock has run low and our experiments have become.. comfortable and combative. I also find working with Cato Sinclair as enjoyable as chewing sand and need a change. He openly mocks and degrades me in front of my own subjects so I have no respect and can't command it to save my life. The only way The Alphabet can progress is if we expand on where Dietrich Night left off. But I only have a list of wanted names last known in the city."
   Pulling her transmitter out, she opened a secret file by pressing her fingerprint in a special location. Handing over her prized possession, Lichliter waited to see how many escaped experiments were still lingering in the city. "How many of these faces do you recognize? I'd like to bring all, if not most, back to Better Living:UK with me."

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-23 15:09:14 +0000 UTC]

   Cade was amazed to discover the work still being done outside of BL:US. There had been ordinances, the new CEO had overhauled everything about Better Living. The doctor didn't know all of the details, but he knew enough; his job was nonexistent by the time he fled Massachusetts. Scrolling through the pictures, it amazed him how familiar so many of them looked. A lot of their pictures were years and years old, but he knew them all the same. 
   "This is ambitious," he commented incredulously, but there was excitement in his expression. This was the first time in years the doctor had been excited about work. "I recognize a lot of these faces. Are you kidding me? This district I live in is a hub for Experiment and Mutant activity, I feel like I've seen all of these people-- or least he has-- once.  Passing the transmitter back over, he saw the cigarette in her fingers and was reminded of the question she initially asked. "Normally I wouldn't stop anyone from smoking, but you should save it. I don't need Logan smelling it on me and asking too many questions." Leaning forward slightly, Cade couldn't help smiling. "But look, I have something valuable you're going to need. When I wasn't in control, my other half went through a lot of trouble to steal the files associated with all of those pictures. He has the entire Alphabet. If you're looking for someone in particular, I know where to get their experimentation file. Claude kept them."

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-01-24 00:13:26 +0000 UTC]

   Her jaw-dropping in sheer excitement, Mallory couldn't contain her smile. "Mama always said I was a lucky son of a bitch," she exhaled pure air as she put away her cigarette. As much as she wanted nicotine, it was probably best to only show up with one vice on her breath when she met Dr. Smoke face to face. "I don't know what you want out of me for this or what you need to carry on, but I'd be willing to pay anything to keep a brilliant and powerful man like you at my side. I can't be in Old Hollywood and Scotland running experiments. I need a trustworthy man on the ground who can communicate important information in time-sensitive manners. Once our cells are full again with new and familiar subjects to study, I can safely relocate you to BL:UK. If you can do that for me?? I could almost guarantee your freedom from your other half-- and his other half, by this time next year."

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-24 01:07:18 +0000 UTC]

   "If that is the plan, you have my loyalty right here, right now," Cade answered her, smiling wider than he had in years. He hadn't been this happy since he fell in love with Romeo. In fact, he was already thinking of ways to turn his ex-lover into one of the Experiments at BL:UK. Cade never thought he would be successful in getting his revenge-- but this was more than perfect. If he couldn't be devoted to the man he once loved, he would be devoted to his work. By any means necessary. "But I will be more than happy to stay here for you. We can communicate secretly, and Claude and Logan will never know. I'll bring The Communion down right from under their noses and they'll never know."
   Taryn quietly worked at his desk like he had been doing every day since he was transferred in 2024. His transmitter sat on his desk within eyesight, so that he would know of Lichliter's arrival. The doctor didn't want to seem too excited about meeting his colleague in person, but their partnership was a long time coming. 

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-01-24 02:31:06 +0000 UTC]

   "Perfect," Lichliter agreed, flipping through secret screens to go get to a messenger function that showed contacts her main page did not. "I have a spare transmitter in my bag at the hotel like this one that I picked up the moment I got in town. Such a beautiful technology that was created so innocently someone as advanced in programming as I am was able to override certain functions. If you have Claude's transmitter, we can import it over seamlessly before I return you back to The Communion."
   -'I should be at your office in five minutes. I was able to pick up the partner I mentioned. Expect us soon.'-
   Feeling the car slow down and turn just as she sent her message, Mallory placed a finger to her lips before dropping the privacy partition between them and the driver. "Park as close tot he door as possible. We want to enter discreetly."
   "Yes ma'am Dr. Lichliter," the driver responded before backing up and pulling towards the door as closely as possible.
   Opening her door first, she exited and smoothed out her dark pants and leather jacket. "Follow me up silently until we reach our contact. Acknowledge no one." After she gave her orders, Lichliter pulled out her identification badge and remote key for the doors. Everything still worked since she was technically still employed as a Better Living phycologist, so a silent entrance was more than attainable as they reached Taryn's office.
   Walking right up to the door, she knocked four solid times before entering with Cade behind her. "Hello, Dr. Smoke. So nice to finally meet you in person," she said with a bubbly tone and a slight pink in her cheeks from just how handsome her hopeful new colleague was. 

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-24 16:06:32 +0000 UTC]

   When Cade entered the office, he was also surprised to find they were meeting such a handsome man. Dr. Smoke was intimidating as much as he was alluring. "Hello," he greeted with a subtly more timid tone, "I'm Dr. Alfaro. You look.. You look familiar."
   Taryn instantly rose to his feet when he made eye contact with the other man. While Cade wasn't sure where he knew him from, Taryn remembered exactly when they met. His metal arm rubbing his real one that had visible ink on it, he could faintly recall the acute pain.
   "I should say so mate," he spoke up with an apprehensive smile, "We had a bit of a row a little more than two years ago on my birthday. Haven't forgotten your face since, but it's a little different without the blood."
   "Oh my god," Cade slipped out as hazy memories came back to him. He couldn't believe Claude had picked a fight with someone like Taryn, for it had been horrifying to be backseat to something like that. "I sincerely apologize for my.." Failing to find the right words, he briefly looked to Lichliter for help with the explanation. "My.. other personality's.. actions.."
   "Ah.." Taryn chuckled quietly, "Well, Dr. Lichliter, you never fail to impress me. I trust your judgement on this, but what exactly am I dealing with here? This is a tremendous secret to keep from the rest of the city.."

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-01-25 00:42:55 +0000 UTC]

   "And we will need to keep it that way if we're going to be successful," Mallory said with pure confidence in her voice after years of being around strong-willed men. "Let's start fresh, as our founder Herr Night used to say, 'In the name of Science,'" she suggested as she reached out and touched Cade's wrist to let him know it was safe to approach Taryn's desk and sit beside her as an equal. Once she was seated in front of her potential colleagues, she continued in her explanation and offer to them both. "Being specialized in my field, I am able to treat him with what I have available to keep Cade in charge and keep the troublesome district leader know as Claude in his control. There are other cogs spinning in this machine, but nothing is unmanageable-- I assure you. What we seek from you is your expertise in apprehending and transporting the experiments Dr. Alfaro will be supplying to us via The Communion of The Cursed as a hub. He has the subjects, I have the location and facility with means to keep them. We need you Dr. Smoke. More than Better Living:US ever has."

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Smile-Now-Cry-Later In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-25 15:31:51 +0000 UTC]

   "Sounds like it," Taryn agreed as he took his seat again. He had a more prominent smile on his face, which indicated his interest to Lichliter's proposal. "It's like I've been waiting for something like this," he eventually said with a lively tone, "I've been in this facility for years, and the work was never as fulfilling as it was in New York. Hell, even when I started off in London learning the ropes. This is real potential. And this is something I want to be a part of. Do we know how many subjects we're looking at?"
   "Not yet," Cade answered, relaxed now that they appeared to have approval from Dr. Smoke, "Mallory has pictures and sightings, while I have access to all of the files taken a few years ago. Some of them will be a challenge to bring in, but I can compile everything you need to know about the ones we choose."
   "It sounds like I'll be cashing in my vacation days here to take this on full time," he commented, focusing his gray eyes on Lichliter, "And where are you financially, Mallory? We can bring more investors in with a project like this, but I'm happy to put in my own quid. I have more money than I could spend in my lifetime. It should go to something I'm passionate about." Glancing between the two of them, Taryn couldn't help the ideas from bubbling up to the surface. "What's our primary focus here? Recapturing former Experiments, or do you want to broaden your horizons? I've been in this city long enough to think of a few people who could benefit the program."

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Smile-Now-Cry-Later [2019-01-26 02:59:36 +0000 UTC]

   "I'm open to any and all suggestions Gentleman," Lichliter said with a chuckle. "The last time we brought in a flush of wards was.. a few years ago. We've had to go quiet over suspicions and lack of guards and volunteers, but I would much rather diversify this project over the next year and really get our worths from it. I originally only aspired to find and apprehend the missing experiments from the Alphabet, but I've learned so much since I've been home these past few hours. I've never had the opportunity to work with a mutant or other subspecies. I find the mere thought exhilarating. I would need your help though in containing and controlling their abilities, but once we have them stabilized, I can mold them into what we need them to be."

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Smile-Now-Cry-Later In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-26 15:04:55 +0000 UTC]

   "With my expertise in drugs, I think the kinds of doses I have will make apprehending any mark possible. And if needed, I have a serum that aids me when I need a little more strength than usual," Taryn told her with a confident smile, "I think we have our work cut out for us, Dr. Alfaro, but that's what makes it satisfying. Can you work on getting me the intel I need for the former experiments while I work on tracking down new subjects?"
   "Of course, I would be happy to," Cade answered, smiling to himself.
   "Excellent," he said, opening one of his desk drawers to remove a plain box. "For you, Mallory, while we're on the topic of medication," Taryn explained as he handed it over to her, "Worked on this myself. It should be exactly as we discussed."

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Smile-Now-Cry-Later [2019-01-26 21:24:01 +0000 UTC]

   "It's like you read my letter to Santa," Mallory said with a big smile, holding the box of drugs like it was her new child. She knew it would be easy to bring them back with her on the private jet, but she wasn't ready to share her new prescription with anyone just yet. "Thank you, Dr. Smoke. I'll make sure to use them within the first two weeks of being back with my subjects so I can give you results as quickly as you fulfilled the request." Happy with how everything turned out, she knew there was just one more factor to mention.
   Fingers tapping on the box in her lap, she bit her lips before she continued. "There is just one request for the both of you to keep in mind while carrying out your work." Looking to Cade, she knew he would be the one who would have to hold on to the information. "In the files Claude has, you will see Clockwork is for C. We are to disregard this man. He is a son of current investors and they do not wish to interject themselves in his life at this moment. However... If you notice anyone associated that would be of interest, I don't imagine that would be off bounds to them."

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Smile-Now-Cry-Later In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-26 23:41:25 +0000 UTC]

   "Noted, I won't touch that file," Cade answered her right away, vaguely recalling some of the information from that trial specifically. Considering there was only one subject involved in Clockwork, it wasn't hard to remember some of the key points. He could also recall it was one of the trials that took place in California. 
   "I plan to communicate with the two of you often, and I expect updates about anything important," Taryn added, pulling out his transmitter to get Cade's number, "If this is done, we won't make any mistakes about our potential subjects. Including Clockwork. What will be the best way to speak with you, Dr. Alfaro?"
   "Mostly through message. I should avoid taking calls. Dr. Lichliter told me she would give me an updated transmitter that will allow me to confer with the two of you without Claude knowing."

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Smile-Now-Cry-Later [2019-01-27 03:49:31 +0000 UTC]

   "Because we are planning on letting Claude believe he is in the driver's seat while we work under his nose, I'll have his new device programmed so the sound played triggers a hypnotic response. Cade will be able to take control in that instant. The sent notification will be the same and give power back to Claude without him even understanding why he was holding his transmitter, to begin with." Shrugging her tiny shoulders, Lichliter smiled at her own perfect plan. "Simple trick that can be completed before the end of the day. Of course, this will mean the device's ringer and major settings need to be controlled and locked, but that is why I'll be ending my Christmas Eve visits with Clockwork himself in the Technology district."

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Smile-Now-Cry-Later In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-27 15:24:41 +0000 UTC]

   "Impressive," Taryn commented, nodding in approval as he ran a hand over his beard a few times. "Then I will strictly rely on the device itself and avoid all face to face contact unless absolutely necessary. The other one, well the two of us don't get along. Do you possess the same powers he does, mate?"
   "Unfortunately, no," Cade sighed, focusing his attention on Dr. Smoke once more. He hadn't known about that part of Lichliter's plan, but it excited him. The fact that they could start controlling his transitions meant everything to him. There wouldn't be a level of uncertainty to it, and Cade could actually get his life back. "I have the power to access any ability in the form of written word. He can do.. a lot more damage. But I'm equally as devastating if I want to be." 
   "Sounds to me as if we have an excellent team right here," he said, looking between his new colleagues, "I'm pleased to have two new partners. What could be a better Christmas gift?" 

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Smile-Now-Cry-Later [2019-01-28 23:48:00 +0000 UTC]

   "I'm flattered, gentleman," Lichliter admitted with a slight pink tint to her cheeks, "I knew seeking you out on such short notice would be worth it. I can't wait to see the future we build together." Holding her box of pills in one hand, she stood up and offered the other to shake Tayrn's hand. It may have been a little too formal, but she felt it would be out of place to hug such dangerous business partners. "Cade and I should get on our way before he is noticed missing. I still have one more stop, after all."

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Smile-Now-Cry-Later In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-29 02:19:24 +0000 UTC]

   Rising to his feet once more, Taryn took her hand and shook with firmly. "I look forward to working with you both," he said sincerely, "Tomorrow is my last day of holiday, because after Christmas I'll get right on making more potent drugs, and wiring money to you."
   Cade stood up as well, shaking Taryn's hand as well before they both left. "And I'll give you the information you need the moment I am capable of doing so Dr. Smoke."
   "Cheers, and Merry Christmas," he smiled, happier than ever.

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Smile-Now-Cry-Later [2019-01-29 17:28:07 +0000 UTC]

   Cheeks a bright pink as she turned around, Lichliter left with Cade as she tried to control the pounding in her chest. Not only has Dr. Smoke handsome and charming, but he was brilliant and willing to wire her money. If she had ever known love before in her life, she would have been able to identify how she felt towards the new business partner. 
   Keeping silent until they reached the elevator, she smiled at Cade as she summoned their ride. "Best meeting to end the year on I'd say," Lichliter said positively, "I couldn't have imagined a better outcome for us both." Taking them both back outside to the car, she gave the driver his new destination before pulling the privacy screen back up. 
   "You and I have work to do before we reach The Technology District. If I'm bringing you in front of a Master, I need to start your hypnosis now." Opening her transmitter, she flipped through hidden files to find two tones she always used for her experiments. They were unique recordings, so she knew they could only be triggered by her and no other circumstance. "I hope after everything you've been through today you can still manage two sessions. It will be tiring and Claude may feel that mental exhaustion when we take you back, but everything should go back to normal in the morning. You'll be a ticking time bomb in the passenger seat ready to yank at the wheel and take over driving at a moments notice."

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-29 19:33:40 +0000 UTC]

   "That makes sense, I wouldn't expect it to be any different," Cade nodded thoughtfully, smiling to himself over Lichliter's comment. One way or another, he would always get his revenge. "I think my best plan when I return to The Communion is to get more alcohol in my system and then take a nap. When.. When we were both fighting for control, he did that to me all the time. I was constantly waking up with no memory of how I got into bed. Now the circumstances are different, and I get to do it to him. The best part is knowing he wouldn't even recognize the feeling. Now.." Cade gestured towards her, adjusting himself as he prepared for the hypnosis work. "I won't keep you any longer. Traffic can be slow here in the city sometimes but we shouldn't push our luck You may begin, I'll be receptive to your procedure." 

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-01-29 20:13:24 +0000 UTC]

   Smiling as she was able to finally do her chosen work with a receptive patient, Lichliter started her recording and process. Cade was right in that the traffic would pick up the closer they got to the busy side of Old Hollywood. Normally, she would be annoyed about the waste of time, but it gave her just enough to complete the first of two processes. 
   As they approached the Master's workshop she was surprised by the banners of gears on the light poles. Lichliter knew her hometown had changed, but she was still getting used to Better Living not micro controlling everything down to the color of cars allowed to be driven on the road. 
   "Cade," Mallory said placing a hand on his tattooed arm, "We're here. It's time for you to be the man I need you to be." Looking out the window, she quickly thought of a cover. "If we're asked, I'm family in town visiting Claude and his brothers for Christmas. You're bringing me here for a present." Snapping her fingers, she knew the message would go through and Cade would return to her with new confidence and lightness surrounding him. Part of her process was keeping his anxiety in check, so she was eager to see just how accepting her new colleague would be. 

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-29 21:14:34 +0000 UTC]

   Cade opened his eyes, blinking a few times before glancing out the window. "Excellent, let's go in," he spoke with a smile, "I'll call you my aunt. You don't really look old enough to be one to me, but you're the cool, younger aunt I always wanted. Don't forget to call me Claude. Just so we're covering our tracks here. And.. I don't know if it's important, but my parents are dead. Died while I went through experimentation." Stepping out of the car, Cade held his chin high and kept his smile in place. Quickly making his way around the car, he opened the door for Lichliter. "Considering you're my favorite aunt, you deserve something nice for Christmas," he chuckled, offering a hand out to her.

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-01-30 00:05:41 +0000 UTC]

   Pleased with how her day had gone thus far, Lichliter took Cade's hand with an excited smile. "I always wanted a sister. It's a shame she's not here to see the man her eldest has become," she said putting a hand out to touch his cheek, "I know your parents would be very proud of you, Cade."
   Dropping her hands, she walked up to the passenger side window to speak with the driver. "We won't be in there long. Wait here."
   Giving the doctor a nod, the driver rolled up the window and pulled forward to park where he wouldn't be noticed by pedestrians. 
   Checking the security cameras on his desk monitor, Bo could see the two customers before they even reached the doors. He was very protective of his husband and Nadine, but today was different. Gear, Tick, and Rainn had stopped by before they closed up so the whole family could go to Hotel De Moreau for a holiday dinner Eva organized. "Mama Duck," he said to summon his husband's attention, "Last two customers of the day before we head out, okay?"

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-01-30 00:43:13 +0000 UTC]

   "Sounds good," Dimitri answered with a smile, looking up from one of his projects on his workbench. Despite the fact that they would be closing soon, The Master of Technology never stopped working until the very last second. "I want to make sure everyone gets what they need for Christmas."
   Cade was riding that little high from being praised. He never sought out approval from his parents, but even the thought of it made him happy-- whether it was true or not. Opening the door for Lichliter, he stepped in after her. 
   From where she was sitting in her corner of the workshop, Nadine looked up to survey their last customers. Checking Mallory out, she bit down on her lip briefly before resuming her last task for the day; she wanted to finish some notes and clean her station. Only then would Nadine be happy to join her many siblings for a Christmas Eve dinner. 
   Gear and Tick tried to be discreet as they watched Mallory and Cade enter, but there was some excitement from them when they recognized Cade. 
   "It's him," Tick whispered to their boyfriend. 
   "Be cool," Gear told his brother.

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Color-Worn-Canvas In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-01-30 02:11:16 +0000 UTC]

   'I see,' Rainn responded to Tick before kissing the bottom of his helmet where his jaw would have been, 'Very exciting!' Taking Gear's hand in his, his thumb rubbed the other's glove to help him follow his own advice to his brother.
   Noticing instantly that one of the people in the workshop was using sign language, Lichliter smiled. One of the things she had time to do on her flight over was learning a little more sign language. Although she could fully read what Rainn or Augustus were saying, she wasn't at the level of being able to use ASL herself to communicate effectively. 
   "Good evening," Bo said from his desk near the entrance, "We were just about to close up for the holiday, but I know my husband. He can't refuse anyone off the street. That's how he got me!"
   Laughing at the joke, Lichliter looked around the shop in awe of just how much was organized into the space. "Just our luck then, Claude! Looks like you're going to be able to get your Aunt that fancy new transmitter she wanted after all."
   "You hear that Dimitri?" Bo asked his husband, "We got another here for the updated model. Might as well bring a few over to keep up here and cut down on another line forming outside."
   "I can help," Rain offered as he kissed Gear's shiny hand before getting up to walk over to Dimitri's desk. "I've been watching you fill boxes with the ones you complete.. I can take one up there for you."
   While she was focused on Gear and Tick at first, Lichliter could tell Rainn had a slight limp as he crossed the shop. She had heard tales of the Biomech being made, but she had only seen the robots thus far. The more she could learn about Clockwork and his experiments, the better for her Magnovska investors. "You two must be the ones everyone has been talking about at the jazz club I visited today! People were talking about the difference between you and the other duo that performs there and everyone seemed to favor your energy. How lovely to get to meet you on the same day! I almost feel like my nephew is taking me on a tour of all the Old Hollywood Celebrities!"

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Color-Worn-Canvas [2019-01-30 15:21:28 +0000 UTC]

   "Are you talking about us?" Gear asked incredulously, "I can't believe you're comparing us to Hologram and Apollo, they're incredible!" Gently shoving his brother's shoulder, it was clear he was expressing his own excitement. 
   Tick looked up at Gear and nodded, a rainbow of color flashing down the sides of his face. He was just as excited. 
   "I-It's really nice to s-s-see how excited people are f-for my transmitters," Dimitri spoke up with a blush in his cheeks. It didn't matter his title, or how long he had been working in the city, he was humbled with each customer. 
   While Lichliter was putting on a good show, Cade couldn't help watching Rainn. He didn't quite understand the attraction he felt towards the other man, but it felt intense. It had been a long time since he had felt that way, and he could remember the last time it was like that was with Romeo. Glancing over at the robot brothers, Cade was envious of the relationship they seemed to have with Rainn. Who were they to him? Did that mean he was unattainable? 
   "Aunt Mallory, don't embarrass me," Cade spoke up, using a playful tone as he smiled over at his colleague. 

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Color-Worn-Canvas In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-01-31 02:29:40 +0000 UTC]

   "Sorry, Claude," Lichliter responded with a smile, "It's hard to forget who you are out here after only knowing you as my favorite nephew up until now."
   Always a sucker for reunion stories, Rainn took the box of new transmitters up towards Bo's desk near the front of the workshop with a curious expression, "Is this your first time in Old Hollywood?"
   "In a long time, at least," she truthfully admitted without giving away too much true information about herself. "I stayed in Swampscott after all the boys left to take care of my sister's estate. After so long, you realize family is the real home. Doesn't matter where it is."
   "You hear that shit boys??" Bo asked crudely, "Family is home. Come home more."
   Rainn blushed bright red but chuckled as he pulled a transmitter out for Mallory and Cade. Handing it over to the strange and alluring man, he tried not to embarrass his boyfriends while their dad was doing a good job already. "Sounds like our ideals line up," he said with a smile, "Do you need more than one? You're the only ones here and there's no line."
   "Might as well," Lichliter said with a wink, "I think I have a few stockings I could stuff when I finally get around to going back to snowy Massachusetts."

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Color-Worn-Canvas [2019-01-31 19:17:28 +0000 UTC]

   "Hah, you're gonna make a lot of people happy then," Cade said, admiring the new device himself. While his eyes were drawn to Rainn, the doctor wanted to stare at every piece in the workshop. It looked as if The Master of Technology had 20 different projects going on at once. He knew Better Living could use a mind as brilliant as Dimitri's-- it was their doing after all. Of all the pieces he could be working on, however, Cade found it strange that he was focused on an older piece.
   "Daaad," Tick whined softly, the colors on the side of his face shifting to red hues. 
   Dimitri giggled softly, listening to the conversation around him as he continued to expertly work on the record player his sons brought him. They had taken to collecting as many records as they could, and he had no problem upgrading their equipment. 
   "W-We see them e-every day Bo," he chuckled, glancing over at his husband with a big smile. 
   "Did you want anything else while we're here, Aunt Mallory?" Cade asked, offering the transmitter in his hand for her to look at as well.

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Color-Worn-Canvas In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-02-01 02:25:37 +0000 UTC]

   "No, sweetheart," she answered with a satisfied smile, "I got exactly what we came here for."
   "Perfect," Bo said pulling out materials to box all the devices safely for travel, "So who's paying for these bad boys?"
   Realizing how strange the charge would look to Claude and Logan, Lichliter knew she would have to pay. "I would normally make my nephew pay, but since I'm getting treats for others too, I don't mind footing the bill."
   "Good! Because if you can't pay, you can't have it," Bo said with a smile as a serious joke.
   "Bo," Rainn said with a sigh, "Come on now, be a good dad and play Santa Clause."
   "Don't call me that," he corrected his son's boyfriend, "I'm not your daddy just yet big boy. Dimitri might have given you a leg to stand on, but I'll kick it out from under you."
   Waiting for the keyword she needed to hear, Lichliter gasped. "He made you a leg?!?"
   Blushing, Rainn grabbed the backs of his forearms out of embarrassment. "Um... Yeah, actually. Dimitri is Master of Tech for a reason, after all."
   "That's simply amazing," she said tapping her old transmitter to Bo's pay pad. "I'll have to come back after Christmas, but before I go back home, to see all the new gadgets we have forward to using when I'm too old to use the knee's God gave me."
   Without correcting the customer about his accident that brought him to Dimitri's workshop in the first place, Rainn only smiled and nodded in response. Going back to sit between Gear and Tick, he felt like part of a complete set instead of one spare part on his own.

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Color-Worn-Canvas [2019-02-01 17:12:37 +0000 UTC]

   While Cade desperately wanted to talk to Rainn himself, it would be out of place for him to do so. They got what they came for and it would be time for him to retreat into his mind. "I told you that you'd like it here," Cade said to Mallory with a smile, "How 'bout I take you to Aesthetics for something nice to drink? And maybe there's a jewelry store right down the street from there we can go into. You know, since you bought the transmitter yourself." Really leaning into the family ruse, Cade almost felt like he was himself again. 
   Nadine got up from her workbench, approaching the group with a smile. "You know, Dimitri isn't the only one around here who builds spare parts," she commented, patting another workbench a couple times she pointed at Rainn and gave him a knowing nod. "You let me know if you need anything else, alright Tiger?" Nadine grinned, winking as she used finger guns to emphasize her playful nature. Everyone else in the room, aside from their guests, knew she referred to the work she had done with Gear and Tick to help them in the bedroom with Rainn. "Well anyway, I'm done for the night guys, you have fun you cute kids, I'm outta here." Heading for the door, Nadine waved, "Merry Christmas!"
   "M-M-Merry Christmas," Dimitri called back bashfully, his face a little pink from his employee's joke. 
   Gear couldn't help himself from giggling, putting a hand over his angular mouth. Tick simply pressed his golden hands to his face for a moment.

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Color-Worn-Canvas In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-02-02 15:15:05 +0000 UTC]

   "Merry Christmas, Nadine," Rainn said with an embarrassed smile.
   Hearing the woman's name, Lichliter quickly stored it away for her files with all the other new information she had witnessed. She would need to spend most of her night updating with everything she already took in. "Happy Holidays, Ma'am," she said purely to get a good look at her eyes before she walked out of the workshop. "Well I guess I'm ready to go get coffee and a necklace if you're buying, Claude!"
   "If you make it down to Aesthetics, try the fruit cake. And I don't mean talk to Ramsay-- They get a really great cake loaf from Hotel De Moreau that really knocks your tits off." While Bo was mostly making a joke about a fellow business owner, he was watching Lichliter and Cade as hard as they were investigating Rainn and the Robots. After all, he was protective over his family and he considered his son's boyfriend already one of his best friends. In his mind, if he wasn't being overly protective he wasn't doing his job as the amazing dad he wanted to always be. 
   "Absolutely," Lichliter replied, "Thank you for the suggestion and thank you for the devices, Master Magnovaska."
   "That's not his name anymore," Bo corrected almost immediately, "We're all Burnham's here." Narrowing his eyes, he leaned over on his desk to have fingers already on a handgun. Again, it didn't matter if Rainn's last name wasn't technically Burnham yet, he was still a big part of their family.
   "Is that right?" Lichliter acted as innocently as she could. With big eyes and a sincere handout, she apologized for using the wrong name intentionally. "I'm sorry Master Burnham, but again, thank you." Placing her hand on Cade's arm she pushed him gently towards the door. "I think it's time you took your Aunt somewhere else she can cause a stir so these gentlemen can have their Christmas."

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Color-Worn-Canvas [2019-02-02 16:50:05 +0000 UTC]

   Dimitri looked up from what he was working on when he heard his former family name. Brows furrowed slightly, he glanced over at his husband. Allowing Bo to correct her, he simply dropped his eyes back to the old piece of technology in front of him. While Dimitri wasn't sure how or why she knew the name, he let it slide. It was simply his older brother's last name and not his own. 
   As they were exiting, Cade gave his colleague a curious look. He wasn't sure if her slip up was intentional or not, but he hoped she would elaborate. Glancing over his shoulder, he waved to the family with a small smile. "Have a good evening, and a Merry Christmas," he told them, hoping he was smooth enough to come across as the confident Communion leader the city knew him as. 
   The further they got from the door, the more he couldn't keep his curiosity to himself.
   "Did you mean to say that to him?"

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Color-Worn-Canvas In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-02-02 21:31:37 +0000 UTC]

   Smiling as she started a new device she had just purchased, Lichliter walked with Cade towards the car. "Nothing I do is by mistake, Dr. Alfaro. Every move is carefully calculated." Once they were inside and driving back towards The Communion, she started transferring Claude's device to the new one and programming it to work perfectly with her hypnosis.
   Watching the district leader leave with his aunt, Bo turned his gaze to his cameras when he could not see them walking down the street anymore. With the car too far out of range to analyze the license, he had to believe he was being paranoid after hearing Magnovska again. 
   "What was that about?" Rainn finally asked out of curiosity, "I've never heard anyone call you that name before."
   "It was from a long time ago," Bo admitted, "Before we were a family, so it doesn't matter now. What matters is that we protect the ones we love. That includes you, kiddo."
   "Bo," Rain chuckled, "I'm a year older than you."
   "Don't fucking remind me," Bo responded with big eyes as he left his desk to lock the front door and draw the shade so everyone else would know they were closed. Once he knew they were all locked in, he went to his husband with what had been weighing on his mind from the moment Massachusettes was mentioned. "That bitch isn't from the North East," he said with venom in his accusation. "I grew up in Hamilton, Dimitri. We were a twenty-minute train ride from Swampscott. That was not a Massachusettes accent. I'm willing to bet anything she's from California."

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Color-Worn-Canvas [2019-02-02 23:19:03 +0000 UTC]

   "Maybe she is," Dimitri suggested innocently, shrugging his shoulders, "She mentioned something about having been here before but not for a long time. I'm sure there's more we don't know about." Stepping away from what he was doing, Dimitri smiled and kissed his husband's shoulder. "I think it's sweet you went for the gun like that. I wasn't worried though, Claude is a trustworthy man in Old Hollywood. She probably looked me up and saw Magnovska somewhere."
   "It is Uncle Victor's name," Tick brought up thoughtfully, "Him and Aunt Eva have been doing a lot lately to catch attention." 
   
   "If I may ask," Cade started off politely while Lichliter worked with the device, "Could you take me through you process? I thought we were doing well enough as a pretend family in there. Why use Clockwork's pre-marital name? I'm assuming that's the case of his name, but I don't remember the details." 

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-02-03 01:24:05 +0000 UTC]

   "I wanted to see his reaction," she admitted to Cade while her eyes darted between her screen and the new one. "Give me your transmitter unlocked, please." Holding a hand out for the device, she made sure the new device would work seamlessly. Sending a test message to herself, she smiled when the first cue played at a low volume. Replying to the message played the responding cue which would work independently from any other function besides messages and calls from programmed numbers. "Clockwork was very important to my investors and he always will be. There have been talks of reuniting the family, but now I can tell my investors that it would not be wise. The last thing they want to do is draw attention to themselves. Bringing in an experiment like Dimitri Magnovska would require a small team. There are police reports from the old Better Living days where this man threw an entire bed out of a hotel window after finding out his brother-figure passed away. It was also around this time Dietrich Night's only son and heir fled. Somehow, through fate, he and Clockwork became allies. Now they are both well protected within a mercenary organization that I plan on keep far away from finding out what we're doing in Scotland because they were the men who killed Dietrich himself during Project Gospel. They will not hesitate to end our careers as well. Saying his family name showed me that he may be a mercenary now, but he is still the same naive experiment who was born to be donated to science."

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Scattered-Pages In reply to Hell-and-Home [2019-02-03 02:00:10 +0000 UTC]

   Overloaded with a lot of information at once, Cade took several moments to digest what she had told him. There was little he knew about the city, and apparently much to catch up on when it came to the escaped Experiments of the Alphabet. He barely knew the circumstances surrounding Dietrich's death. 
   "That is.. So unexpected," he admitted with a small laugh, "His husband got touchy, but mercenaries? I wouldn't have even guessed he was a mercenary, but.. I've been away a long time. I miss the days when I could dig up information like that. It will be invigorating to do so for you and Dr. Smoke."

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Hell-and-Home In reply to Scattered-Pages [2019-02-03 02:09:29 +0000 UTC]

   "As long as you do it carefully, nephew," she joked, as she finished up her work int he traffic. Admittedly, Lichliter enjoyed pretending she had a familial bond with Cade and hoped that kind of relationship could continue with her colleague and new private patient as they worked together from afar.

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