#♯ ⸺ « adair blythe. » … ⌜ conversations. ⌟

[ghcstales]

closed for …  @covcrt where …  sentinel  electric  headquarters when …  ten thirty o'clock

ever since the grand event had started, the hours began to mingle together and despite the darkness outside, it was hard to tell how late it really was. no care from others was shown regarding that, thus adair did not even try to bring such silly topics up to anyone. many, from the looks of crowded dance floor, were enjoying themselves. others, if not by dancing, were spending their time at the bar. for a little while adair too, managed to find stillness in the midst of chaos that had already taken over the place and its guests. and although that had covered most of the attendees, there were a few outcasts. black sheep, if you will. a few that didn't feel the vibe of the evening or simply decided to not partake in the silly game that so many power hungry individuals were obssessed with so much.

❝ enjoying yourself? ❞ the agent inquired without peeling their eyes off the dance floor upon sensing a familiar restless presence enter their space. ❝ hope you did not give into their persistent nagging about finishing these... drinks. ❞ or whatever those were, they thought. adair tilted their head towards the table next to them and a couple full glasses of what seemed to be champagne resting on top of it. just then, as if lightning had struck from the sky above, did adair come to an odd realization ― just how many times they had missed out on properly greeting their colleagues. well, some of them. those they respected enough to put effort into welcoming. ❝ hi [   ...   ] ❞

they added after turning around enough to face the other. eliot was one of good guys in adair's book, after all. thus, it made sense for adair to treat them like one in hopes of him eventually connecting these puzzle pieces together.

[ghcstales]

adair could not help the momentary shot up of their brows in response to sabine's sharp comeback. apparently it was one of those moments when the other party was being impossible and no matter the choice of words or actions taken, it would only lead to exact same outcome as previous one. they did, however, consider silence as an option for a brief moment, yet it proved to be extremely short lived thanks to their current training counterpart who just proceeded to yap away like her previous statement did not just leave her mouth mere moments ago. ❝ i'd watch that temper of yours. next time you could actually offend the wrong person. ❞

the agent bit back just in time to feel the aftershocks transmitted through the punching bag against their grip and their entire front due to the other's most recent kick, prompting adair to tighten their hold over the leather. ❝ i wonder who'd be there to save your ass then [   ...   ] ❞ adair trailed off, allowing some time to sink in for more dramatic effect, but of course the tense dance of theirs, jab after jab being thrown each other's way, was far from over. and although adair was smarter than to engage in such silly behaviors, in most occasions, sabine was really asking for it now. ❝ i was going to say 'to each their own', but you know what?! maybe that happens because you finally quit being such a fucking stuck-up and allow your true self come out more often. ever thought of that? ❞ despite their current adversary, something told them that it has been quite a while since last time sabine received a tough 'no bs' pep-talk and since the two of them were already there, might as well take care of that as well.

               "       oh  ,  god  "    the  mumble  comes  discreetly  under  her  breath  ,  eyes  disappearing  behind  her  eyelids  in  an  annoyed  roll  .  of  all  the  people  out  there  ,  why  them ?   sabine  turns  around  ,  knowing  it  is  too  late  to  backtrack  ,  and  waits  for  adair  to  reach  her .     "  i  never  said  the  favor  would  be  unpaid ,  "     she  counters  ,  and  ignores  the  jab  with  a  huff  ,  stretching  her  neck  to  get  ready  once  more  .  yet  ,  of  course  ,  of  course  adair  blythe  ,  of  all  people  ,  couldn’t  stay  silent  ,  and  as  the  first  punch  lands  ,  their  voice  echoes  in  the  surroundings  ,  making  sabine  sigh  like  a  petulant  child  .  she  shakes  her  head  ,  holding  back  a  new  eye - roll  ,  and  spits ,     "  i’ve  heard  staying  silent  while  you  train  helps  you  breathe  better ,  "     it’s  not  a  lie  ,  however  ,  the  fact  is  stated  derisively  ,  exhaustion  and  irritation  getting  the  worst  of  her  as  a  kick  moves  the  bag  firmly  held  in  adair’s  grip .     "  and  maybe  it  is  too  early  to  judge ,  "     she  continues  ,  a  kick  landing  in  the  middle  of  the  leather  this  time .     "  but  you’re  a  way  better  drinking  partner  than  a  sparring  one .  ”     so  far  ,  at  least  .  maybe  it  is  the  alcohol  that  makes  the  self - centered  field  agent  more  tolerable  in  those  occasions  ,  maybe  it’s  the  outside  setting  ,  whatever  the  reason  behind  it  ,  sabine  is  really  tempted  to  exchange  the  training  for  a  shot  of  vodka  right  now  .

[ghcstales]

closed for …  @tvrmoils where …  sentinel  electric  headquarters when …  around ten o'clock

given mercy's extensive numbers in various types of agents, it was way too easy to forget the faces of those working in other divisions. their voices, on the other hand, was a completely different story. especially those of intelligence agents. they were, after all, the ones adair worked most closely with aside from fellow field agents. most voices coming from the other end they tolerated. some were surprisingly pleasant event. but the remaining few... were scarred so deep within adair's brain a worry was ignited under countless of layers of their gut. thus, seeing a somewhat familiar face at the bar did not trigger any viceral reactions. it was precisely when adair was in listening range, being a couple of feet away from the other, that all too familiar voice reached them causing adair to shut their eyes in a poor attempt to gather the remaining bits of patience still left within them. ❝ i did not peg you for a social butterfly. ❞ adair announced with a loud enough tone to attract the other's attention, moving to lean against the counter while making sure a certain amount of distance was maintained in between them. ❝ what? long-distance bullying no longer scratches that nasty itch of yours? ❞

[ghcstales]

closed for …  @skyf4llz where …  sentinel  electric  headquarters when …  around nine-ish o'clock

little to no effort was made by the agent to suppress the overly exhausted sigh that left their body in such a great stillness that the one of water glass' long left and forgotten on a counter could hardly compare. despite a solid decade spent at mercy's, adair found themselves holding continuous inner resentment towards social events given the amount of precious time required for small talk and other unnnecesary pleasantries. most of the time those only offered an artificial sense of genuinity rather than much needed honesty and accountability especially after such unfortunate recent events. besides, by the looks of it and hosting of a ball during one of these days told adair enough about mercy's willingness to get to the bottom of things.

aside from the obvious, the amount of drinks and repetitive 'quick visits' from servers showing up with full glasses of liquor managed to take adair aback. either they've become so rusty at socializing and showing up at events like theses or somoeones intentions were not as pure as they first appeared to be. ❝ and they keep on coming [   ...   ] ❞ a low mumble to no one in particular slipped through the agent's lips right before they took the form of a light frown.

surely getting everybody drunk was not the intention, was it? ❝ you weren't joking about those suits of yours. probably wouldn't find any fancier one to wear for my funeral. ❞ adair greeted the familiar face currently heading in their direction after spotting the other from the corner of their eye. ❝ and i do know a few hot spots that have some really impressive pieces in their possession around the city. ❞ agent ghostrider added while moving a couple of glasses they were previously served around the table, liquid in them still very much untouched despite the server's irritating dilligence in serving them extra shots and glasses whenever opportunity arose.

[ghcstales]

appalled was probably not the finest of vocabulary items to describe adair's current state given countless of braggy statements that ever so often plagued their hearing during the past decade. yet here they were, features painted with painfully familiar expression denoting a mixure of confusion and mild shock. truly disturbing.

❝ yeah? let's switch duties for a day, i'm in a need for a day off. besides, if that means i get to try out one of those fancy intel chairs you're all so keen on wasting your days on, even better. ❞ they were never the type to shy away from a sign of challenge and whatever they just heard the other state definitely sounded like one.

starter : julia ft. open @ unspecified location w/in mercy hq

" i'm just saying, " julia says, with all the confidence of someone who is about to expose everyone in the vicinity to the worst take of all time, " there's nothing a field agent can do that an intel agent can't do better. " says the intel agent with absolutely no in-person subterfuge skills — they can only lie when there's a computer screen between them and whoever they're talking to.

[ghcstales]

an unmistakable wave of dread had greeted adair upon stepping foot inside the building. fancy hall filled with expensive shiny objects to attract attention and display a clear statement of power and wealth was ever so apparent. though as many social events as this one the agent would 'participate in', an irking feeling within never ceased. they've found it quite baffling at first, during the first few years as a junior agent, having so many people crammed in such a space that the opposing views would not clash upon close contact. what was even more maddening were the unwritten rules such as everyone enjoying 'together time' or whatever the activity was supposed to be called. from the facial expressions of many gathered there, more than half, if not most, were wearing perfectly mastered masks, playing their role as guests without any errors. even body language appeared to coincide with the rest of the façade. it hadn't failed to impress adair, even after so many years, despite them seeing through the veil time and time again. ❝ best get used to it as it's part of the package. ❞ came a detached, monotone answer to the other's previous remark. there was just so much they were able to do out on the field but once that would be taken care of, networking would be next on the list of endless tasks the agents were expected to perform on the daily. ❝ it's been a while since anyone caused a scene during similar gatherings [   ...   ] i wouldn't oppose for one to break out right about now. ❞ they added, the gentle swirling of rich components within their champagne glass maintaining their full attention for the following few moments. ❝ feeling inspired? ❞ by the time the sentence came to an end adair was already eyeing their current companion, wondering whether he had any plans in his imaginary arsenal to disrupt the ball and cause it to end for good.

𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧   𝙛𝙤𝙧   .   .   .    anyone. 

𝙨𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 . . . the bar, at the governor's ball.

𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐘   𝐇𝐀𝐃   𝐆𝐎𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍   𝐓𝐇𝐄   𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓   𝐎𝐅   𝐇𝐈𝐌   when   the   memo   had   first   graced   the   masses   of   mercy.   "   troubling   "   events.   five   agents   dead   under   "   suspicious   "   circumstances.   it   had   piqued   his   interest   rather   than   inspiring   horror,   or   sympathy,   or   dread  —   the   most   appropriate   responses   replaced   by simple   curiosity,   &   that   tingling   feeling   he   tends   to   get   in   his   fingertips   when   he  can't   help   himself.   &   of   course,   mercy   prepares   itself   with   unprecedented   security   against   cyberattacks,   so   he   hadn't   been   able   to   hack   beyond   the   initial   firewalls   (   that   are   mostly   there   for   show,   anyways   )  or   find   anything   remotely   interesting   about   what   had   happened   before   he'd   been   shut   down   —   by   his   own   father,   no   less.   a   scolding   ensued   that   had   left   prospero   pouting   like   a   petulant   child   all   the   way   to   the   governor's   ball   in   the   backseat   of   a   black   car,   flanked   on   either   side   by   both   of   his   parents,   who   practically   dragged   him   inside   by   his   ear,   planted   him   by   the   bar   &   told   him   to   stay   put   &   look   pretty.   a   simple   set   of   instructions,  &   that   was   that.   here   he   lingers,   vodka   martini   in   hand,   dripping   condensation   down   the   side   of   his   palm,   beady   eyes   flicking   absently   over   the   undulating   crowd   of   bodies   before   him.   upper   lip   curls   in   distaste,   hidden   behind   the   rim   of   his   glass   as   he   takes   a   slow,   unimpressed   sip.    “   how   dreadfully   dull.   ”    a   passing   comment   made   to   the   nearest   warm   body,   dead-eyed   gaze   flitting   to   his   left   to   his   unwitting   companion   before   scanning   the   room   again.   he's   been   here   five   minutes   &   he's   already   so   terribly   bored.     “   they   must   know   we're   best   employed   elsewhere,   not   milling   about   a   ballroom   making   nice   with   oligarchs.   ”    a   disgruntled   complaint   —   a   fussy   toddler   with   a   toy   taken   from   his   grasp,   moments   away   from   a   tantrum   —   motivation  to   stay   on   his   best   behavior   dwindling   by   the   second.

[ghcstales]

the festivities within the ball were not much of a surprise nor refreshment for adair given the past decade spent in the organization and countless of other events held during that lengthy period of time. thus, as soon as the lights had gone out and darkness overtook the hall, a minuscule spark of intrigue was set alight within the agent's gut prompting curious yet cautious gaze scan the environment for any potential threats. although quite unoriginal idea, but nevertheless effective to disrupt the lighting for gates of paranoia and anxiety to swing wide open. ❝ just how many times have you been in such a situation before? ❞ they inquired, tone as monotone and as unimpressed as ever, while ever so slightly tilting their head in zita's direction. years of training under the other's supervision had taught adair the art of stealth and stress management that an 'unfortunate' occurrence such as this one did nothing but add a pinch of excitement on their plate, a subtle promise of potential face-off with an enemy they oh so were itching to eradicate.

𝙻𝙾𝙰𝙳𝙸𝙽𝙶 … open starter ⟳ governors ball ; 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚗𝚎 .

❛   champagne   ,   thank   you   .   ❜   crystal   chimes   against   the   marble   countertop   adorning   the   bar,   the   round   of   applause   it   accompanies   almost   deafening.   zita's   own   hands   mimic   the   actions   of   others,   the   sound   hollow   and   empty,   a   reflection   of   truer   sentiments   towards   the   collaboration   –   just   another   stakeholder   to   appease   ,   the   voice   of   cynicism   muttered   within.   deft   digits   eventually   curl   around   the   tall   stem   of   her   champagne   flute,   the   glass   brought   to   lips   and   its   libation   savoured   ;   at   least   they   hadn't   scrimped   on   the   alcohol ,   which   was   so   often   the   case   at   such   galas.   no   sooner   had   the   glass   met   her   lips   the   room   descended   into   darkness   ,   emergency   lighting   swiftly   &   brightly   illuminating   the   concerned   and   confused   expressions   on   the   faces   of   the   attendees   ;   posture   rigid   ,   hues   assessing,   zita   mirrored   the   facades   of   others .   vibrations   from   within   her   purse   directed   her   attentions   and   with   her   phone   retrieved ,   the   message   was   read .   posture   relaxed   ,   lips   meeting   the   glass   once   more   for   a   calming   sip   .   ❛   don't   look   so   ...   serious   ,   we   do   not   wish   to   cause   a   panic   .   ❜   her   voice   was   low,   scarcely   a   whisper   to   the   colleague   beside   her   .

[ghcstales]

it was way too easy to forget that when it came to mercy agents, someone, somewhere was always awake despite the unusual hours. most did check in for the night just in time for dusk to take the stage. those who stayed past that and even exceeded the curtain call were seen as the stubborn and relentless ones ― overachievers. those who had plenty to prove. either to themselves or to the rest. adair appreciated the enormous space, stillness and silence of the training grounds and these circumstances could only be applied at dawn or after dusk. there was no in between. when it came to training itself, the agent tended to mind their own business which rendered the current moment as one of those examples. given the spacious environment maneuvering around the place was a straight up chore adair did not enjoy if their quickened pace was of any indication. the will for them to simply appear at the other part of training zone by the use of their shadows was too great, however the agent received their merciful distraction which came as a form of a familiar voice commanding attention by its tone alone.

❝ favors go both ways, just saying. ❞ an itching nudge of a reminder seeped through an otherwise detached and stoic persona. ❝ you're beating the shit out of it and you're expecting it to stay still? ❞ adair tsked once they approached the other's training spot, locking their hands on the sides of the bag in a tight grip awaiting upcoming punches. the tension and irritation in the air was palpable indicating agent verbena's impatience and gradual loss of temper. agent ghostrider was no stranger to those sensations, especially having those frequent them more so in their younger years than currently. thus, they knew better than to press the other's almost non-existent buttons. ❝ have you taken any breaks in between your sessions? ❞ a singular beat. ❝ i've heard water can bring focus in motion, in case it's one of your current struggles. ❞ there was nothing worse than somehow ending up in dehydration stage accompanied by one's sour mood.

               *     OPEN  STARTER         »         mercy’s  fitness  center .

               "     the  sun  had  set  long  ago  the  moment  sabine  manages  to  fall  ,  finally  ,  easily  into  her  routine  .  she  didn’t  like  to  train  alone  ,  but  the  busy  schedule  of  these  last  few  weeks  ,  overwhelming  even  for  her  ,  had  made  it  rather  difficult  to  have  it  any  other  way  .  punching  the  bag  right  in  front  of  her  ,  a  growl  of  annoyance  falls  from  pouty  lips  at  the  erratic  movement  of  the  sack  ,  hence  the  faint  steps  behind  her  shone  like  a  beacon  in  her  struggle .  she  steps  closer  ,  only  a  few  inches  ,  smoothly  ,  and  narrows  her  eyes  in  a  futile  attempt  to  identify  the  silhouette  in  the  dim  light .     "  hey  ,  can  i  ask  you  a  favor ? "     favors  weren’t  a  thing  she  asked  for  ,  not  serious  ones  ,  but  this  was  so  frivolous  she  didn’t  even  stop  to  think  the  way  she  phrased  her  words .      "  could  you  ,  uhm  …  hold  the  bag  for  a  few  minutes  ,  i  need  to  try  something  and  it  keeps  …  fucking  moving .  "     despite  her  efforts  to  sound  collected  ,  the  frustration  was  palpable  in  her  voice  ,  and  a  huff  emanated  from  her   —   tired  ,  irritated  ,  aggravation  gnawing  at  her  insides  like  a  starving  dog  .