aubergines | ( #002 ) FAKE MARRIED AU

[ She rounds the corner they were hiding at when he nods at her and approaches. ] Yup, that's it. Nicely done, sir.

--But let's get in first, before anyone sees us out here. I'm sure there's like, a bad guys locker room somewhere, right?

Or an evil broom closet or something.

[ He tosses the device to her, then lifts the guy into a fireman's carry, and he counts his lucky stars that the guy is a normal human size, and not built like Drax. ]

Just like how Rhodey knows to trust Peppers instincts. After all, she'd been the one to call him, during the whole Obadiah Incident. He hadn't believed her at first, but she had turned out to be completely correct in her accusations. It's not a hypothesis he wants to test, not when it could mean Tony's life was on the line, but here they are.

He crosses the room to put a hand on her shoulder, giving her as much of a reassuring smile as he can. "You don't have to thank me for this, Pepper." And she really, really doesn't. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

[ She catches it with one hand then promptly activates it, looking on at the door as the console turns green once more. It opens silently than most doors do, which makes a lot of sense, and Kasumi takes the first step in before giving Peter an assuring nod. ]

I was half expecting it to open to a room of guards. Guess we're out of luck? Anyway, looks clear to me, Quill.

[ He makes a face, hidden beneath the metal of his mask as it is, as he steps in after her. ] Why are you trying to jinx us? Seriously?

I'm just saying. Now...

[ She first looks back to make sure the door closes behind them, which it does. Now they're in another hallway, punctuated at the end by an elevator shaft that would presumably take them into the underground passages. There do seem to be a few other doors along the way, although Kasumi's schematics couldn't tell them what they would find behind each one. ]

... Let's find out what's behind door number one?

[ the blue alien squints at them both, and then back at the footage of them in the sleeping bag together. you are... partners? it asks. ward shoots a warning glare at fitz to keep his mouth shut. ]

Yeah, we're together. He's with me.

[ he insists. and he means together on this mission, on this technological delegation, even though fitz is here with shield and probably wants to kill ward for crashing it. but it's not like he can help it — he was supposed to be meeting skye's father, not getting kidnapped into outer space. seeing fitz made him realize he has bigger problems. like the possibility of melinda may somewhere else on this ship. ]

[ the alien seems to be mentally connected to the projected screen it is using to verify them, and it flicks through a bunch of images. ward, whose ability to retain split second information is part of the reason he got top marks at shield, realizes it's doing the equivalent of a reference check on both of them and a google search on what appears to be human marriage. ]

[ uh oh. ]

[ the alien seems satisfied, and marks the back of both their hands with a glowing display of some sort that's probably equivalent to a visitor's badge, and informs them that luxurious quarters have been prepared to human specifications that they may rest in while they wait. ward isn't actually sure what they're supposed to be waiting for, but the alien seems much less hostile than when he'd found it threatening fitz, so that's an improvement. fitz's hostility seems to be at about the same level, but then, the last time he and ward had spoken... it hadn't ended so well. ]

[ With one hand he keeps the dude steady, as he listens briefly at the door. He doesn't hear anything, which seems like a good enough sign, and he slowly opens it--

And it looks to be an empty electrical room. Lucky them.

He glances around to make sure he didn't catch some snoozing engineer before dumping the unconscious dude unceremoniously to the ground. ]

That at least takes care of one problem.

[ The other problem, of course, is the risk that the guy could wake up at any moment. So Peter grabs a few coils of spare cabling on a nearby table and-- yep, sure is using it as rope to tie the guy's wrists and ankles. As an afterthought he fashions one into a makeshift gag before he stands, clapping his hands together. ]

That should do it. [ He gestures back out the door. ] Shall we?

What?

[ an offended statement rather than a question, said as fitz openly gawks at the alien. half because of the alien thing — something he should probably be used to, given how much the landscape has changed lately, but knowing interstellar travel is on the table isn't exactly the same thing as staring an alien in the face — and half because of that partners.

not because he gets the implication. the implication that he's even working with ward is enough to get his hackles up, but at least angry's better than having a meltdown when he's meant to be representing the human race.

it's mostly by luck that he's paying enough attention to note that the alien's calmed down. as soon as he does, he goes still, tries to adopt a more neutral expression. it's an out. not one he's remotely happy for, but not one he can just throw away, either; not unless he wants to sabotage the entire mission. he even pulls off an extremely terse thank you before they're ushered towards what looks to be a lift. even if he'd wanted to close the door on ward, he wouldn't get the chance. there aren't any controls — it stays open until they're both on, then fitz is distracted by the tattoo on his hand flickering green before the door shuts. ]

You shouldn't be here.

[ in space, for one. anywhere near him, for another, though what he really means is that ward's a dead man if anyone else sees him. it's more threat than concern, and fitz continues to stare belligerently at the closed door as he says it. ]

[ ward passes a hand over his chin, remembering the itch of his beard. he isn't totally clean-shaven these days, but he doesn't look like he's been stranded on a desert island, either. ]

Any time, Fitz, don't mention it.

[ he snipes back, filled with a familiar annoyance. it's not like he could help being here, while he's certain fitz has been sent in for some reason, and that makes him the stupid one. if there's one thing ward's learned the past couple of years, it's that it's better not to mess with aliens if possible. ]

So who else is here. Skye?

[ skye would make this easier. and not just because he wants to see her, is more inclined to keep her safe. ]

[ fitz finally looks (glares) at him when he offers the sarcastic rejoinder. he looks different. no more prison uniform, nearly clean-shaven. more like the old ward.

except that's a stupid thought, because the old ward never really existed. ]

I'm not— [ going to tell you anything, here to answer your questions, all of the above. ] No. And even if she was here, I wouldn't tell you.

[ she's totally here. in a completely different wing of the building, doing far more important things with the rest of the team. fitz knows he's redundant, technically, but at least he's here; redundant systems still serve a purpose. after an uncertain pause: ] May's here.

[Out of all the stupidest ideas his friends have ever had, this might've taken the cake. It's not like he doesn't like Chloe, but well, faking a marriage to please the? That was significantly harder. He didn't exactly do pet names, or the sickeningly sweet kisses, or well... everything related to the 'picture perfect' image of a newlywed couple. Except, in order for the Valens name to keep their reputation, Senel had to be Chloe's adoring husband for a few weeks while they visited her home.

This... this would be a lot easier if he knew how he really felt about her. Certainly, she was his best friend, but his girlfriend? It wasn't a thought he entertained very often. He feels awkward enough sharing a room with her; when the maids weren't looking, he had crashed on the couch instead. Senel's never been the greatest liar, but Chloe's reputation is important to her, and he figures, it's the least he could do. (Like he'd allow Moses or Jay to fulfill this job! They'd botch it up faster than he could sneeze.)

Wrestling with his tie - because he never figured out how to properly put it on - he settles for a messy style as he stares in the mirror and sighs (mostly at his pitiful attempts).] I could've sworn this was easier than it looked...

[Chloe mostly feels guilty.

She knows that her friends had good intentions with this plan, and it's a relief to know that they always have her back -- and, admittedly, that she may be able to salvage part of her family's name after all, assuming the last couple weeks go smoothly -- but a day hasn't passed yet where she doesn't feel like a burden.

Senel has been bearing it surprisingly well; sure, he has a way of stubbornly sticking with something once he sets his mind to it, but this is a little more complicated and drawn out than a fistfight or a debate. Chloe's done her best to take on most of the responsibilities -- seeing to the maintenance of the estate, entertaining any of the other nosy families who come calling with practiced small talk and grace -- but there's no overlooking how Senel is clearly out of his element here, and less than pleased about it.

So Chloe mostly feels guilty, but mortification is a close second on the list.

She's very certain about how she feels -- or how she used to feel, she (constantly) reminds herself, since it seems inevitable at this point that best friends are all they're destined for. Which is great (she also reminds herself), because Senel is a great friend to have, and trustworthy, and everything she could want in a friend, and for a long time she was okay with that. This whole charade has just... really managed to shake up that resolve, and she's not sure how to handle that. Not in this case, even if she's sure nothing will have changed once it's over.

None of those thoughts are betrayed at present, however, as Chloe moves over and observes his tie disaster, long since dressed and presentable herself in a cumbersome but traditional gown.]

Here, allow me.

[Without waiting for consent, she reaches up and starts working out the loose knot. She knows she's said this around a dozen times the last couple weeks, but with nothing else coming to mind despite her desire to break what could soon be an awkward silence, she says it again.]

...I know this must be exhausting for you -- and boring. I'm sorry you've been caught up in this.

[ She watches him tie the poor guy up with some degree of amusement. She would have basically tazer'd the guy by way of her omni-tool and Overload, but this was such a Star-Lord style of making sure someone doesn't give you any more trouble. ]

We shall. I call the next guy, though.

[ With that, she starts walking towards the elevator, pulling up her ~~best friend~~ omni-tool once more in anticipation of another surveillance camera and holding the transmitter in her hand in case they need it for any further access points. ]

[ He follows her out to the elevator, hand resting on the grip of his blaster, and they take it to the next floor up. Naturally, though, it’s slow going, and Peter leans back against the elevator wall, sighing impatiently. ]

-- Seriously, who the hell designed these things, anyway?

Another little sliver of relaxation slid into place at the touch, reaching up to rest her hand against his, giving him a wan smile, "Tell me I'm not overreacting?" She kept oscillating back and forth between thinking she was and knowing for certain that she wasn't and hadn't yet managed to settle to some sort of level middle ground.

She turned her computer monitor a little so that he could see it, "Hotels around the convention center are still booked solid, but I found a bed and breakfast not too far away. According to his hotel, he hasn't checked out, even though most of the rest of the convention has, not everyone, so it's not odd to them, the concierge said that often people decide to stay a few days longer than their original reservations because the city's beautiful."

She wasn't entirely sure that made sense to her, but she hadn't argued, either, easier just to absorb whatever information she could get and file it away for later.

[ ~~You mean take it to the next floor down right~~ Kasumi similarly leans against the wall opposite Peter, folding her arms. ]

You'd think they would have figured out fast elevators by now. We've got FTL, sentient artificial intelligence, but elevators that move faster than a glacier? Forget it.

[ When they finally reach the underground level, the elevator comes to stop with a noticeable thud. The door to the elevator opens almost as slowly as it descended, revealing a much darker, not at all luxurious and interior. It definitely reeks of secret evil lab of doom. ]

[ ~~oops yeah my b my b~~ Once the doors open, Peter immediately thinks, Oh, okay, this isn’t ominous in the slightest, and immediately draws one of his blasters. There may not be any enemies in sight, but it definitely makes him feel better than going without -- sort of like a security blanket, actually, if security blankets could shoot fire and/or electricity.

He steps out cautiously and moves down the hall, noting possible areas of cover, should the worst come to pass. They’re only here to infiltrate, but, hell, with Peter’s luck? They’ll probably end up attracting every single guard in the place down here. ]

So, at a guess, I’d say this is the workout facility?

Definitely. The villains have to look good too, you know?

[ But as she's saying that, she's looking around. There are pieces of Reaper tech here and there, similar to the ones she's seen (and subsequently stolen) during her other jobs. But where those were little Cerberus camps holding tech, this is something much, much larger in scale, and Kasumi's not liking the looks of it. ]

You're welcome to blame me of course and tell him I insisted if you like.

[She'd hardly mind and could give anyone the same explanation she might give Bruce.

Wanda leads them down the hall to their room, and with a quick brush of the keycard against the door, gains them entry into their luxury suite. With her free hand she flicks on a light switch, and seeing the interior of the room causes her expression to warm with obvious pleasure.

They have a small sitting room furnished elegantly in dark woods and fabrics of gold and cream. The lights operate on a dimmer switch, letting her turn them up fully to get the entire scope of their rooms. Across the way there are sheer curtains that show the lights of the city beyond faintly through the fabric. Wanda abandons his hand to move ahead to see what kind of view they've been given.]

Isn't it gorgeous in here?

[ For Peter's part, he doesn't recognize the machinery, just assumes it's bad. And he's-- getting some seriously bad vibes from the whole thing, anyway. He knows, to some extent, that Cerberus has been poaching Reaper technology, using it for their own ends, and seeing as how they had suspected Cerberus had a hand in Refuge, it's not hard to put two and two together.

And the sum does not look good in the slightest.

There's an open lab to Peter's right, and he steps in, sweeping the corners for hostiles and once again coming up empty. And that's unsettling, too, to not have run into anyone in a lab as large as this. At a glance, he spots tables of machinery and small devices. Some of them Peter recognizes as implants and body mods, the others are a mystery to him. ]

The hell are they planning to do with this stuff?

I almost don't want to find out.

[ But she already has a hunch, and it's a serious horror movie tier conclusion but she can't put Cerberus past serious horror movie tier. I mean, she thinks, this much Reaper tech lying around, and people who come here disappear all the while the Illusive Man's army just keeps growing?

She'd followed Peter into the open lab, and she's looking for any more clues when she finds a data pad on one of the desks. ]

But we probably will find out. We have to. Whatever it is they're doing here, it can't be good, and we'll need to sound the alarms when we get out.

[ Before she starts reading the data pad, she spots a machine out of the corner of her eye, located at the far end of the lab along with a few others like it. Definitely looks like something Cerberus would make, but with an infusion of Reaper stuff. Her chest tightens as she looks away from it and down at the data pad, all the while realizing, it's just big enough for a person to fit into. ]

[ At that, he nods. He's coming to the same conclusion as he looks over the tech. He's more than familiar with the look of body mods, having stepped in on accident on more than one occasion as Rocket or Gamora helped each other repair the various cybernetics laced throughout their bodies. (And fuck that was always unsettling, seeing one or the other lain out, muscles exposed, as the other carefully worked at repairing whatever damage had been done.)

So Reaper cybernetics. Doesn't that sound interesting and dangerous as hell?

He moves around the room, looking at the completed mods and unfinished projects. While he recognizes some of it, the majority of this stuff goes way over his head. If Rocket were here, he'd probably be able to discern the purpose of some of this stuff.

And still Peter keeps thinking, Where are the scientists? Where are the engineers? as he finally disengages his helmet. Maybe they're all out getting pizza and celebrating someone's birthday? Chances are, though, they're just in another part of the facility they haven't explored yet. (Or at least, that's his hope. He really doesn't want to stumble into anything more sinister than what they've already found.) ]

Read anything juicy?

[The military never prepared him for this. Scratch that, nothing in life had prepared him for this - the idle smalltalk, the burning questions about his past, and even the suits that had become his everyday wardrobe. All good lies were rooted in the truth (or so Senel had heard), so he stuck to the truth wherever possible: he was still an Alliance Marine; he and Chloe had been close friends before he proposed to her; and he made the best melon bread in town. Tonight, he just hopes that he can smile and nod long enough to please their visitors, because he doesn't want their hard work to be in vain.

As she wanders over, he gazes down at her hands and attempts to memorize her careful motions. He's almost certain the heat's rising to his cheeks, mostly from her touch, and yet, he can't bring himself to protest. Technically, she's doing him a favor this time.] Th-thanks.

[Boring? The talks weren't... okay, the neighbors led boring lives. Senel's annoyance must've been more obvious than he let on, but he couldn't help it. At least with baking, the different types of flour had texture that made all the difference!]

I'm okay. Seriously, I can listen to your neighbor whine about gardenias if it means you'll still be a knight.

[ Kasumi's eyes are darting across the data pad quickly. It's... a list of names?

But then she looks up at Peter with her lips parted, which is to say that she has a look of horror, when she pieces together the document she just read, realizing that the names were sorted into two categories: Indoctrinated, which Kasumi had expected, and Experimentation risk - converted.

My god, she thinks, converted into what? ]

This is bad. Really bad, Quill.

[ She accesses a link to another log on the data pad, which causes a nearby screen to activate and play back a surveillance video showing the large machines and, well, people being trapped and turned into husks. ]

( #002 ) FAKE MARRIED AU

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casually collects tropes with you.

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lmfao kicks you out the goddamn door

team rocket's blasting off agaaaaaiiiiin [ting!]

ok but can we interrupt our own thread w our gotg accounts

/slides in so very late

LATE IS GREAT. provided you don't mind my tl;dr

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I can roll with that ❤

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