wanted a serious title but i'm wondering which of them is shrek and which is donkey (we know)

[brokeassgoing]

Continued from all this beauty

[He's had a pretty hard time stumbling around after his injury...but that doesn't really stop him. Whiny as he is, Badou had too much to do. Sure, he'd stayed mostly at home these past few days, but he's been very busy. No laying around, no unconsciousness for too long.

He's been developing the film he'd taken during the last job, carefully cultivated in the darkness of his nasty little bathroom, the chemicals would sting his nose if he wasn't used to this already.

So it's no surprise he's been so focused he's forgotten to do some stuff around the place, lately. And will probably not notice a new visitor in the form of his little old man buddy, either.]

Comments

[private_npcs]

You don't look so good.

[ Luther can be slow, but he's not that slow and well they are about to head into something dangerous. He can't help but wonder if Five might have had a point for keeping him out. Instinctively he hands over his phone.]

So what's the deal with this aid?

[ He figures he might as well try to get the story as they head over there. ]

[brokeassgoing]

[he doesn't feel so good either, but he's not about to let that stop him either. they have something incredibly important to accomplish and Badou refuses to be down for the count.

He puts in the address with a few taps of his fingers, then sets it up on the dashboard.]

Well Five apparently had a client or contact or whatever who wanted this guy looked at and I found out a few things I shouldn't have. Politics are always complicated when it has to do with other crap too...

[private_npcs]

[ God, he really needs to pay more attention to the sort of stuff Five gets into apparently. He tries to give his brother space because he knows how frustrated he feels in the teenage body, but this a bit much. ]

And you found out that he has powers like us then?

[brokeassgoing]

[a fine line between being too nosy and being too detached. can't relate. Badou never had that problem with his sibling.

the characteristic gps voice starts them on the path.]

Yeah. Found out real good. He does, and he has a few friends employed who do too.

[private_npcs]

[ Luther follows the directions of the gps as he listens to Badou. He frowns as he doesn't quite understand why Five ran off to handle this guy now. It had been a few days since he went off to find his missing friend.]

Okay, so why did Five feel the need to handle this guy now?

[brokeassgoing]

[he doesn't want to admit how badly he screwed up again, but.]

I told you I screwed up, didn't I? Not to mention his contact set him up. They're looking for him specifically, I'm pretty sure. The stuff with the aid is just extra stuff.

[private_npcs]

Wait what? What do you mean his contact set him up? How did you guys draw this conclusion?

[ Luther feels like he is only getting half the story here. Five usually the smart one, even if he can be obnoxious about it. So Luther just doesn't understand why Five felt it important to go it alone right this moment. Why the haste all of the sudden? ]

[brokeassgoing]

[Badou is usually not the smart one, so it's like two same magnets, same hat, trying to knock together and figure something out.]

Because the aid had powers, for one. The client had to have known that, and wanted Five to figure that out too. And he was...worried about you guys.

[private_npcs]

[ Luther has to shake his head and sigh out loud. After that huge argument between Five and Diego a few days ago, he could see why Five wouldn't want to tell them about the full details on this. But Luther really wishes he would have come clean rather than running off on his own like this. ]

That stubborn old goat. We keep trying to tell him that he doesn't have to hide everything from us. But I'm guessing after that argument with Diego over him ditching us once he found out your last location. He must have figured he couldn't come to us about this.

[brokeassgoing]

....I suppose not. He knew you guys were pissed.

[there's that guilt again. Badou focuses instead on the scenery!! a decent little neighborhood]

[private_npcs]

We were, but to be fair, this is exactly why were mad in the first place. So honestly he just proved us right. Not that I'll tell him that. He'd probably try to stab me if I did.

[ Luther still doesn't understand why Five thinks it is okay to put himself in danger for everyone else. They were trained to be a team. Why couldn't he remember that in situations like this? Not that he'll voice those thoughts to Badou. The guy looks like he's been through a lot. He just hopes that they will get to see Five again, right now he's not feeling so confidant in that.]

[brokeassgoing]

[a tiny, wry smile quirks at his mouth]

He'd definitely stab you, yup. Or just punch you in your wounds. He's real charming.

[Brothers....right.]

[private_npcs]

Ouch, that how he sucker punched you then?

[ Luther winces in sympathy. He can take a punch from Five, but he knows that he definitely punches harder than one would think he could. He still remembered those low blows from his tiniest brother and they definitely hurt like a bitch at the time. ]

I guess that means he's adopted you as another brother.

[ Luther smirks as he momentarily glances over to Badou and then his eyes are back on the road as he finally turns down the street gps directs him to be close to the end of the road. ]

[brokeassgoing]

[he shoots Luther a wild, shocked look-- another brother. a brother.

....right. the thought makes him embarrassed and doubly so for the warm feeling it leaves.]

Nails-Hargreeves? Has a stupid ring to it. Not to mention I'd be a sibling to you lot. All offense.

[private_npcs]

[ Luther lets out a small laugh as he shrugs at that insult flung his way. Yeah, he can see why Five gets on with the guy. ]

Hey man, being an asshole just means you'd fit in just fine among us. Being an asshole is a Hargreeves family trait at this point.

[ Finally gps announces they have arrived, so Luther parks the car and looks over at the apartment building. ]

Looks like this is the moment of truth.

[brokeassgoing]

[his smile grows a little lighter, just a little, at Luthor's humor.]

It's a Nails family trait too, as far as I know.

[but the moment for levity begins to fade as his gaze meets the apartment building. his stomach tightens.]

Yeah. We'll find Five or die trying.

[private_npcs]

[ Luther simply nods as he looks on at the building a determined expression. Please be okay, Five. They were just getting use to having him around again and well Luther knows that none of them are ready to lose him again. Not this time.]

Right, let's get going.

[ He says as he opens the door and slides out the car. He glances over to Badou and gives him a nod. Fingers crossed. ]

[brokeassgoing]

[with just a little effort he slips out of the car and joins Luther, his gaze remaining on the building. a feeling of trepidation fills him. he hopes Five's alright...

and that there aren't too many surprises in there. shoulders squared, he starts up the walkway.]

[private_npcs]

[ Luther follows suit heading up the walkway toward the building. For once he hopes the Hargreeves luck has turned itself around and they don't bump into anything too dire while inside. He glances at Badou again, noting the guy is still favoring his side, despite his best to hide it. ]

Should we try to come up with a story in case the guy is in there?

[ Luther had no idea if the aid had seen Badou's face before but certainly he hadn't seen Luther. So maybe they could use that if need be. It was just a thought. ]

[brokeassgoing]

I don't think any story we could come up with would work.

[they'll take one look at Luther and, well. you know. but the real, true moment of truth is here, before this door. Badou reaches out to knock once, twice.

Takes a deep breath.]

If he's in there, we'll rush him.

[private_npcs]

[ Luther nods despite his urge to argue, it really isn't the time. However once Badou knocks on the door, nothing happens. Not a sound of stirring, just silence. He frowns as he glances over to Badou. ]

You wouldn't happen to know how to pick locks, would you?

[ It's not really skill Luther picked up. He knows Diego knows how to pick locks though. So maybe Badou can too? Otherwise he will have to break down the door, which would probably draw attention. ]

[brokeassgoing]

No problem.

[he gives a confident nod, lifts his foot and gives the door a solid kick. it doesn't fly off the hinges or anything, and Badou looks rattled and pale, but after a second he kicks it again. if anyone is in there, surely they've heard it]

[private_npcs]

[ Luther frowns as he suddenly grabs Badou and pulls him back. ]

I was hoping to cause less of a commotion. He still has neighbors.

[ Luther sighed as he grabbed the door knob and twisted it off clean off. The door slowly swinging open wide enough for them both to get hit with the smell of bleach and ammonia. ]

You don't suppose our guy is just a clean freak?

[ He asks as he lets go of Badou and walks inside cautiously, glancing around for any signs of life. ]

[brokeassgoing]

[well there goes lift off-- nearly of him off the ground and also there goes the door. and you know, the mission.

As soon as the smell hits Badou can tell someone died here.]

Nope. Someone or something died here. The only question is did Five try to clean it up, or did someone get here before him.

[the AC system is up high, too, to preserve any body that's in here presumably. he takes a slow walk around, sniffing occasionally to see if he can smell any underlining scent of rotting flesh.]

[private_npcs]

[ Luther sighs as he looks around. ]

Yeah, I figured...[ He's not completely clueless about these sorts of things even if Diego is more the one who goes investigating things like a wanna be cop. He glances into the bathroom and his face falters.]

I think I found the guy we were looking for...

[ He trails off as he takes stock of the situation. He pulls out a phone and sends a text to Diego to let him know that the aid is "gone". ]