nebulochaotic | Mirror;Open to Portal Team

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Mirror;Open to Portal Team

[When the mirror is opened it shows Sirius in a setting unfamiliar compared to his usual bedroom, and he’s sitting on a long work table with what looks to be a mechanics shop in the background. His hair is tied back and he’s wearing a sleeveless shirt, black grease smeared up his arm to the elbow and on his cheek, but he looks better than he has in the past several days for anyone who knows him well enough.]

Hello to my super secret portal team, I hope that this finds you well. Really. I do.

[Considering everything that’s been happening, at least.]

I’m sure most of you saw my post on the network and many of you offered to help, which has only convinced me that I’ve chosen to subvert the government with the right people. Isn’t that right, Adonis?

[The last part is called over his shoulder and the mirror moves to show Tony in the background, busy at work fiddling with something that Sirius doesn’t recognize even a little but looks like it could probably be dangerous. His attention turns back to the mirror.]

Although the post on the network was a risky one it turned out to be valuable. I’ve gathered a lot of information and I’ve been going over it with our beloved genius tech. He’s got some interesting perspectives about what’s been going on and how our little portal project may not be as disconnected from the recent local attacks as it would originally seem. You want to tell them, handsome? [It can’t be seen, but the grin he throws Tony’s way can be heard as he looks over his shoulder.] I’m sure they’re getting sick of my voice by now.

[ For the first time in days, Tony’s actually looking like himself. It helps that he is in his own clothes, and his goatee is neatly trimmed. And, well, the big differential is that he doesn’t look like he wants to pass out from pain with every move. If anything, he looks focused as he works, distracted only by the familiar nickname that makes him look up with a smirk. Now that he has gotten a chance to work on his prosthetic arm to get it to work to at least some degree, he manages to make it wave - a small sign for the ones that knew of the issues with it that he at least got that done. ]

Yeah, let’s just say some, uh. ‘Evidence’ landed on me last week while they pummeled me, so might as well share with the team, yeah?

[ Despite the comment, he looks almost too casual about it. Whatever anger or heat remains from the fight - and there’s plenty of it - is being carefully tucked away until the right moment. Tony can be a very emotional being, but he also knows how to bide his time when he wants something. Revenge on those bastards? That’s at the top of the list. ]

So, the friendly fellas that decided to pay me and Klaus a visit knew who I was. Not because I was a Super, although that definitely came into play, but they made it very obvious that the visit wasn’t a coincidence. It was planned. It was too planned.

[ He drums the metal fingers against the workstation, and although he’s doing a good job at keeping his emotions hidden well enough, the small smirk that crosses his face is a little too dark. Not because he’s transported back in time and suffering through the trauma of it, but because now that he’s awake and alert - and his relationship didn’t fall apart due to it - he’s pretty pissed off about it. His voice remains neutral, though, as he continues. ] They knew of my prosthetic arm, of course, because who doesn’t know about this beauty? Before I could do much with it, though, they disabled it with a taser strong enough to fry a few things. It wasn’t just any regular taser, it caused it to go offline for a few days. And yes, I know. Maybe they just wanted a weapon, right? But they never used it again, on me or on Klaus.

[ He sighs. This part he struggles a little more with it not because of what happened but he’s not used to being this honest about what it does. But, he needs to drive the point home. ] They also knew to go for the little glowing thing in my chest. Which, well. I very much need it to even be here at all. Might have been a coincidence, but...paired that with my arm being taken out the way it was, I don’t think it was just. random.

[ He turns to Sirius, head tilted as if in an exaggerated curious expression. ] What do you think, love?

[As Tony speaks Siirus’s head tilts aside, allowing himself to give most of the mirror’s vision to Stark as he explains. Everything that Tony says is paired with a facial reaction from Sirius for dramatic effect as he watches Stark move behind him in the reflection, and when the attention is passed back his way his eyes move from their off-center gaze directly into the mirror.]

Hmm, and what an arm it is, lads and ladies, let me tell you. And I think that's a very interesting point to make, Stark. And I’ll tell you why. [He hops off of the table he’s sitting on to move closer to Tony’s workstation, sitting there instead but still giving him room. Stark’s been letting him toy around with old engines and any recognizable parts that Sirius can get his hands on, he’s already picked up on Tony’s work habits and just how much space he needs to do so efficiently.]

I thought that it was a little strange when my three biggest fans [He looks at Tony] the ones who bashed my head into the concrete of a warehouse floor, you know who I’m talking about, right darling? I thought it was strange that the first move they made was to break all of my fingers. [He wiggles them with gusto next to his grease smeared face.] It was almost as if they knew exactly how to disarm me before they even found me in that abandoned part of the city I’ve never gone to before, but I thought it was just in my head.

[There’s no smile. No smirk. Not even a hint of emotional connection when he speaks of the attack. As if it happened to someone else and he’s not bothered at all. Angry? Him? Of course not, how unbecoming.]

Once Tony and I started talking, I began wondering just how much of it I was making up. And here’s where it gets interesting my precious little poppets. I was speaking with the lovely Sarah on that post I made and she informed me that when she came here, the lab took any advanced weaponry she carried and left her with everything else. Not in the effort to make her less dangerous, but in the effort to gather as much advanced technology as they possibly could, perhaps to study and build more powerful machinery. Machinery like, oh, I don’t know. [He gives a contemplative look up at the ceiling,] a taser capable of disarming a one of a kind super powered prosthetic arm, perhaps?

So just a little recap here, we’re looking for someone who is [he holds up one finger] capable of knowing our various weaknesses and zeroing in on them with efficiency, [a second finger,] able to build specialized tools to execute said exploitation of those weaknesses if necessary and, [a third and last] powerful enough to convince a bunch of locals that they don’t need to fear apprehension or repercussion for attempted murder. I wonder who that could be. [When he looks back at Tony he grabs a clean rag and tosses it his way.] Am I missing anything, my dear friend?

[ Tony leans back against his chair as Sirius talks, watching him and occasionally looking toward the mirror with a nod, as if to confirm what Sirius is saying. He hadn’t been there with Sirius that night, but between both their attacks together, it feels like they have some sort of lead. Not the best and it’s a grim lead, but it’s an important one to share, anyway.

As Sirius lists what they’re looking for, Tony nods slightly at each point. At his question, if they’re missing anything, he shakes his head slightly. ] I mean, big takeaway? None of this is to scare any of you - but you guys gotta be careful out there. Until we figure out who or what is really behind it all, don’t get cocky and don’t do anything stupid. [ He grins, the usual Stark charm in his features. ] There’ll be plenty of time for that later.

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( This is all the sort of thing Hermione's been suspecting for quite some time — frankly, before things got bad, she had her suspicions; there is, after all, a reason she refused to register — but having it laid out so plainly makes her realize how very little she wanted to be right about it.

She'd been hoping that the fact that they'd taken her wand — no one said they'd taken it, but she'd had it with her because she always does and when she arrived and awoke, it was gone — and that they'd been able to detail to her exactly how her power would work so that she needn't stumble upon it or try to work it out on her own wasn't as legitimate a reason for the paranoia about it she'd been feeling since Day One as she'd thought it was.

She'd been hoping, in short, that she was overreacting and has been this whole time.

Now, with all of this laid out as such, she can't ignore that niggling feeling that she's been right all along, whether she likes it or not.

So it's hardly a surprise that when she finishes watching and is ready to speak into her compact, Hermione looks cross and uncomfortable. )

They took my wand, as well. No one ever told me outright that they took it and they dodged the question several times when asked, but I always have it with me. Always. Since the day I got it, it's always on me, even when I'm sleeping, but it was gone when I woke up here. Moreover, they explained to me how I could still use my magic without it.

( She pauses to give Sirius a significant look, then, before repeating it in case the significance is lost to anyone else who might also be paying attention to her portion of the conversation. )

Non-magic people who I had never met explained to me how I could use the magic I did not tell them that I had, without the instrument which I generally require to use it. I don't think it's one person. I think they all know too much about us and I think they have all along.

They took it?

[He seems genuinely surprised at that, and immediately stupid afterwards. Of course Hermione would have had her wand on her, he had just assumed that because he came here without it that both her and Remus experienced the same. But Hermione and Remus weren't coming out of Azkaban, and the oversight on his part is embarrassing, really.]

I feel... stupid, to be quite honest, for not thinking about that before. But if that's the case, that they explained to you how to cast without your wand after taking it...

[He hesitates for a moment, running it over in his mind to make sure he's not missing anything.]

I mean, wouldn't that suggest that they not only knew what ability the 'portal' provided you with but knew who you were before you even came through it? And knew who you were in at least some level of significant detail.

( His surprise, in turn, surprises Hermione. )

You didn't think I left it somewhere, did you?

( It probably should suggest to her that it hadn't occurred to him because they'd taken his wand from him before Azkaban and he'd come from there, but she doesn't think of it. )

Not that you should feel stupid; you shouldn't. And yes...that's what I think it means. That's exactly what I think it means...

[He actually winces at the question, because he knows, it's so stupid, but-]

To be quite honest I didn't even think about it pet. I showed up without mine and I suppose it simply didn't register for me. I didn't even know people had things taken away from them until I had made that post on the network, it isn't as if there was much for them to take when I got here. Commissary wasn't really a thing in Azkaban I'm afraid.

[It's actually a joke, and he smiles when he says it, but it fades quickly when it really sinks in what she's saying.]

That would suggest that they had access to us before we even knew this place existed, but how? I'm not saying you're wrong, it makes sense. Too much sense, actually. [To the point where it makes him deeply uncomfortable.] But jokes aside, I was in Azkaban before I got here. The cell was, what, three by three meters? Maybe? How could I have not noticed being watched?

It's all right, Sirius, I didn't think of that...

( Hermione opens her mouth to respond and then she stops suddenly, a look on her face as though she's on the brink of a lightbulb moment. She sucks in a quick breath and then snaps out of it. )

Hang on!

( She puts the compact down on the coffee table and anyone watching her might see Hermione get to her feet and scurry around the couch and into the bedroom door in view behind it.

A moment later, she comes back with a packet of paper — her welcome packet from the government. She drops heavily onto the couch again and starts to flip through the paperwork, finger grazing over the paper as she reads.

Finally, she looks up sharply again, an expression on her face that would be smug if only this were good news. )

They've known all along, they told us that they've known all along... Listen to this:

( Hermione looks down again to start reading. )

"DO THE LOCALS GET TO SEE OUR NETWORK? IS IT ALL PUBLIC OR SIMPLY BETWEEN NEWCOMERS?
Due to the Freedom of Information Act, American citizens can apply to gain access to specific posts, but generally, the network is specific to Displaced Supers."

( She looks up. )

There's nothing in this packet that says anyone is obligated to make us aware of any Freedom of Information Act requests. And listen to this:

"DO THE LOCALS LIKE US? DO THEY HATE US?
Most locals tend to view the Displaced Supers as celebrities to some extent, largely because they're Supers. Locals that are interested in that sort of thing have probably learned a lot about you based on research done on adjacent Earths that has existed and been updated for decades. To them, you're a little bit more like pop culture icons than people. You might not want to look yourself up on the internet... Sorry..."

( Hermione closes her packet and looks back at the compact again, frowning. )

They told us. They told us and none of us caught on because they sprang it when we were already overwhelmed with what was going on. They knew we wouldn't catch onto it... They knew all along.

( She looks suddenly angry, not necessarily at the locals or the government, but at herself for having missed that. )

We've been handicapped all along and we can't even blame them; we all got these stupid packets. Normally, I would've read it a hundred times by now...but then you showed up and I got distracted and I never got round to it again... ( She pauses and sounds incredulous and offended.) ...but if they already knew me, then they would've known that about me, which might explain you and Remus being here at all. Remus being a chain link to you the way you were to me.

( Her jaw tightens and brow creases. )

It would explain the families like the Hargreeves. It would explain all the people from similar homeworlds, like us...

[Her sudden departure leaves him blinking in confused surprise but he waits, a little impatiently considering how sudden she had taken off. When she returns with a stack of papers Sirius squints and leans in to try and get a better look, recognizing them only a moment before she starts reading.

And as she does, his face falls.

He read that.]

...I've avoided looking myself up this entire time, I've avoided it completely because of that, I read it. I read that when I got here!

[Now he sounds annoyed, because it's been right in front of him this entire time and he would have caught on if he just took the time to bloody read more.]

The locals have had access to the network all along, and so has the lab. The only thing they probably don't know about are the things we talk about on these bloody mirrors! It's - it was right there...

[For a moment Sirius seems to freeze like a deer in headlights, staring at her, before he groans and buries his face in his hands.]

It was right there Sirius, you bloody moron.

[He mumbles it to himself barely loud enough for her to hear, but when he looks back up it's with a pained expression that's paired with closed eyes.]

Granger, I swear to Merlin I'd fall on my face because I'd forgotten how to tie my laces if you weren't around.

[He takes a deep breath. Rubs his temples. All right. Fine. You're an idiot, Sirius, congratulations. A big, thick, dumb, beautiful idiot. No time to harp on it, because even if it's true, this is still a significant lead.]

Does it say anything about filed requests that have been made for network access? Who would even have them? Who do the locals even send the requests to?

( However upset Sirius is, Hermione is just as much. Under normal circumstances, she'd have already memorized the whole of that packet, but she'd been distracted, first by the normal disorientation of showing up in the first place and, then, when he had shown up, she'd been distracted by his arrival. )

I think it's worded the way it is on purpose, Sirius. I think they meant for us to take it exactly the way you did. We're so stupid...

( Sighing with frustration, she shakes her head. )

No. It doesn't say anything about that. What I read is the only mention that's there. I don't even know what the Freedom of Information Act is; now I'm going to have to go to the library tomorrow and find out.

Research?

[Oh, it's a whine. He hates it, hates looking through piles and piles of books for scraps of information, and it always seems to be the answer when it comes to Hermione or Remus. That being said, he's at least somewhat good at it, so he knows he has to offer a hand.

He did miss the info packet, after all.]

Fine. I'll give you a hand, we might as well work on it together. It'll go faster that way. I can try to drag Remus in as well.

[He gives a look of distaste with a wrinkled nose.]

He'll be so excited.

( Rolling her eyes a little, that does at least make Hermione smile, in spite of her suddenly foul mood, soured by her own incompetence. )

That would be really helpful. I'm sure you're right that it would go much faster if I didn't have to do it alone. Thank you. I'm sure you'll manage to survive it.

You say that because you have faith in me, I myself am not so sure.

[He sighs, rubbing his face for a moment with frustration, but it ends with a nod of certainty.]

We'll follow up on this, see what we can find. If we have to pull in someone who's more savvy with the technological aspects we will, maybe they'll be able to find out who has made requests for post access recently.

I have a feeling that going through the usual government channels at this point would be smart to avoid.

( Shaking her head, Hermione smiles. )

I do have faith in you. I think you're going to be fine, even if you're bored out of your mind for the duration.

( She nods, though, to Sirius's suggestion that they can reach out to someone more technologically savvy if they run into a wall. )

I think that's a good idea. Right, yeah, I agree.

[ Five hardly looks surprised by this revelation. He's a paranoid person in general, something 45 years in an apocalypse and then time with the Commission conditioned him to be, but it's always served him fairly well. He's been careful to keep his head down and stay off the radar of local people, whether government-, lab- or unaffiliated.

That said, most of his siblings have registered, to his knowledge, and he can't help wondering whether there's fine print that all the registered Supers might've missed. He never looked; he'd never intended to put his name on a list like that, so he has no frame of reference. ]

You know, I have a question that the answer of which could maybe help us pinpoint the leak. Did all of us get "greeted"

[ Yes, he gives finger quotes. ]

by the same government officials? If it was the same people over and over, rather than a rotating set of people in the same department, for example, then it seems to me like we have our answer. Once we know who they are, we can follow the thread to the police department — which will explain why the group of locals feeling confident enough to get away with nearly murdering a handful of Supers — and to HERO Labs because I would be really surprised if that's not exactly where our tech is going.

I'm not sure but it's a good question. I could probably recognize the bloke who greeted me if I saw him again but to be quite honest my mind is a little fuzzy when it comes to that memory. Exhaustion and starvation will do that sort of thing.

[He can't help but gives a look of distaste when Five suggests that they use this information to track it back to the police department, but it's not directed at Five as much as it is to the suspicions he has about his attacker, or attackers.]

Precisely, and I don't think those two things are as disconnected as some may originally assume. Government funding and tariffs are big subjects around here, particularly in this city, and two of the biggest receivers of both are the police department and HERO Labs.

[He tilts his head thoughtfully, reaching for a rag to try and wipe his face clean.]

Laura Hale, she mentioned that she has some connections to officers that she trusts in that department. Now, normally, I wouldn't believe that such a thing exists. [After all, every experience he's had with muggle police has happened because he was being chased or hunted. Not that he's innocent in that, but it tends to color ones opinion, especially after his attack.]

But I do trust her. If we could have someone on the inside it could prove to be beneficial to us.

[ For a long moment, Five is quiet and thoughtful, considering. When he finally speaks, he's careful to keep the tone and expression neutral, perhaps leaning toward something that's still in thought. ]

How confident is she?

[ His eyes finally shift toward the compact again. ]

How confident is she that she can trust them?

[At first Sirius opens his mouth and closes it again, thinking as well, and when he replies, it's slowly.]

That isn't a question for me to answer on her behalf. All I can say is, she seemed confident enough where she had me at least considering it, and I'm not one to consider the fuzz as an ally.

[It's only fair for him to be transparent here, so he continues.]

In fact, I don't like them at all. I believe they were involved in my attack and I think that they're a part of this. But I'm biased, and that doesn't necessarily mean that having access to inside information couldn't be remarkably valuable for us. Or it could be useless. We don't have enough information yet to know for sure.

[ His mind immediately goes to his sister and her Rumor, something very powerful that could be used to reverse any damage that might be unintentionally done by trusting a cop who doesn't deserve it. She doesn't like to use it, though, and he's not going to try to make her. So, for now, Five files that thought away. ]

It's worth discussing and feeling out. I don't know that I personally like the idea, but if she really does have a connection that might be willing to work with us rather than against us, that could be a huge asset. I just hate that it's a gamble.

We're on the same page. [He's nodding in agreement, his own lips pressed together in a thin line of contemplation.] I'd like to say that we should use it as a last resort but it feels selfish considering what's going on. I don't want my opinions to shadow a good opportunity when it comes but... yeah. I don't feel good about it.

That being said, I really do trust Laura. Her judgement seems sound, and from what I know about her and her family they're basically human lie detectors. If anyone would be able to tell if a cop was lying, I think it would be her.

That sounds like a handy parlor trick. If she's that confident, then maybe we don't have much of a leg to stand on.

[ That's nearly never true; this is not Five conceding so much as taking pause to consider. ]

That's where my mind is at as well. I don't trust it but I can't sit here and act like my gut feeling is enough to cancel out her superior judgement when it comes to analyzing the intentions of others.

We'll keep it in mind. For now.

( She's frowning when she takes her turn to speak. She's been suspicious on and off for a while, now, but this makes her feel validated to continue to be. )

I don't think it's a coincidence that we keep coming in even though they keep saying the portals don't work and they're trying to send us home. I've never thought it was. I might've second-guessed myself a few times and talked myself into believing I was just being paranoid, but...

I think they're bringing us in on purpose and they're going to keep bringing us in until they have everything they want from us. I can't speak for everyone, but when I got here, I woke up here. Any other time I've used the portal to travel to Laguna Beach or D.C., it didn't knock me out, so I think I was knocked out intentionally on arrival.

( She sighs, her lips pressing together in a thin, frustrated line for a moment before speaking again. )

This sounds so conspiratorial and I hate that, but I really wouldn't be surprised if they did knock me out and they did it for a reason. I do not trust HERO Labs and I never have, but it's bigger than just them, clearly. I just don't think these things are disconnected.

Don't say that. [Sirius gives an easy frown, certain in the way he feels about her comment, and when he looks at Lydia it's with an expression that suggests he's taking her very seriously.]

It does sound conspiratorial and there's no reason to hate it. Conspiracies exist love. Perhaps not radio waves reading your thoughts or giant people factories, but a local lab dragging people from their homes to use their abilities and technology to advance their own research? I'd believe it.

[He hesitates, because he knows that this may be a sensitive subject, but he doesn't intend to ask her what she remembers. He intends to take advantage of the fact that Lydia is brilliant, and an ally.]

The disappearances, do you think those are connected as well? It seems a bit out of nowhere for me, I can't find where it fits but I think it would be foolish of us to not at least consider.

( Lydia's pinched expression largely doesn't change when Sirius asks about the disappearances. It seems a little bit like he's trying to ask without asking if she remembers anything new and she hates that she has to disappoint him.

Shrugging, Lydia shakes her head, frowning. )

I don't know. Maybe tangentially... I don't know if it's directly connected to what's going on with us and the portals, but it's almost definitely connected somehow. I don't really believe in coincidences.

I agree, it must be connected in some way. I also don't believe that it's a coincidence that you don't remember anything.

[He frowns thoughtfully, looking at her with a furrowed brow with a slow shake of his head.]

The fact that you remember nothing in the time between is significant. It sounds like someone didn't want anyone to know where you had disappeared to, especially you. That's a peculiar level of secrecy, and between that and this unseen shadow that's spurring on these attacks... well, I highly doubt that sort of dedication to staying in the shadows is coming from two different sources.

[The thought hits him then, hard and fast, and he has to train his face to keep it from expressing too much. The question is obviously where she went, but if it is the lab behind all of this, he can't help but wonder... did they do something to her? Track her? Trace her?

It's a terrifying thought and not one that he's sure he wants to share without any support to back it up, but there's a knot in his stomach where one hadn't been before.]

I suppose the question to ask is, why was it you that was targeted? It could have something to do with the article that was published but that seems like such a loose connection. It's the only thing I can think of though, your name was the only one that was officially dropped to the public the way that it was.

Allison didn't go missing like I did, but she was in the maze with me and she's got some gaps, as well. She doesn't know how or when I got separated from her and I don't think that's an accident, either.

( Lydia chews her bottom lip thoughtfully. )

But it wasn't just me, Sirius. I'm just the only Super. Did you read the articles? The missing locals don't remember anything, either. I think there's a connection between the disappearances and everything that's been going on with us, yes, but I think the maze is bigger than the Supers. It has to be the maze.

I did read them and I made that connection myself, but that's the most confusing part about it for me.

[He frowns again, pushing his hair from his eyes by combing it back with one hand.]

The attacks have been on Supers alone, so why are the locals involved in disappearances? Unless there have been local attacks that we simply haven't heard of, but I feel like that would be an opportunity for that trash paper to lay the blame on us if that was the case.

[The suggestion that the maze itself is the problem, however, peaks his interest.]

How are we going to test that out without risking someone getting lost?

[It's not an objection, but a real question, because Sirius is already trying to figure out how he can search that maze on his own.

Unless...]

...Unless we got a birds eye view to see what we can find...

[ He had been silent, watching the exchange. At the Sirius’s comment though, about needing a birds eye view, he clears his throat as he stands. ]

Love? I think I have just the trick.

[ There’s something in the corner of the shop covered with a dark sheet, and once he reaches it, he uncovers it to show a restored motorcycle that he and Klaus have been working on. ]

Give me an hour and I’ll be done with the engine. After that, you can do your thing.

[He had been so wrapped up in bouncing ideas off of Lydia that he had almost forgotten he wasn't alone in the room, and he turns to look at Tony with mild curiosity as he wipes his forehead with the back of his arm, avoiding his dirty hands.

And when he sees her she is a beauty.]

Wh- you've just had this here?

[He sounds stunned and, honestly, a little insulted.]

I am right here Tony Stark and you built an entire motorbike without me? This - we may have a row when poor Lydia isn't here to watch it happen, I'll have you know.

[He's teasing, of course, and he approaches the bike to lean down and study it, bringing Lydia with him. The thing isn't painted yet, and the engine needs a bit more work but it's almost there. Yes, this will do perfectly.

His eyes move back to Lydia. She may not want to, considering her most recent experience, but it feels right to offer. If anyone deserves answers about the maze it would be her, after all.]

You think you may be up for a ride, beautiful?

[His eyes turn to Tony, looking up at him with a crooked smile.] An hour, you said? So we can have her in the air within two, probably less than that.

Yeah...I didn’t tell you?

[ He feigns confusion, like he just casually forgot, before he grins as he walks over to his friend to give his shoulder a pat before wrapping his arm around his shoulders. ]

Silly man. How can Klaus and I surprise you with it if I would have asked you to build it with us? It would have ruined the entire thing.

[ He grins as he watches him lean down to study the bike, and he nods. ]

Yes, an hour. You can time me. [ He winks at Sirius, the same expression and the same words he had used on that fateful night when Klaus had disappeared, before he moves off view to grab his tools so he can get to work. ]

[It admittedly takes a moment for the comment to register, leaving Sirius there to gape dumbly at Tony as it processes, but when it hits him he stands up so quickly and with such force he almost loses his balance.]

Wait, this is mine?

[His eyes light up with excitement, bright and boyish and absolutely impish before he gives a laugh of disbelief.]

Hold on a mo', this is mine, that's what you're saying? You made this and you're giving it to me?

[Before Tony can escape Sirius ends up throwing himself at the man, embracing him with a vice-like hug, topped with a dramatically loud kiss planted on his cheek.]

Have I told you how much I adore you? Because I adore. A true bloody hero if there ever was one.

[And his attention is back on the bike - his bike - and then back on Lydia with a beaming face.]

Two hours and I can pick you up. Are you in?

( Lydia opens her mouth to respond when she hears Tony cut in and she pauses, waiting and listening to the conversation. As it progresses, Lydia finds herself grinning. It's always nice to see that look on Sirius's face; that genuine smile.

When he turns back to her, distracted from the conversation at hand in his excitement for his new toy, Lydia smiles back at him with a tinge of incredulity. )

You're asking me if I want to ride on a flying motorcycle with you? Something that I would definitely never be able to do back home? How exactly is that even a question, honey? Obviously, yes, I'm in.

A woman after my own heart. Good.

[Sirius is still grinning, but he moves to place the mirror down on a work table, tilted so they can still see each other. His hands move to untie and retie his hair tighter, keeping it out of his face.]

I'm going to help Stark with the bike. I'll be at your place in two hours. Dress warm, it gets cold up there.

Duly noted. I'll make sure that I'm dressed warmly.

( Grinning, Lydia nods toward Tony behind Sirius in the reflection in the mirror. )

Go on and do what you need to do. I'll be ready.

Well, I'm sure you both have very important things to say but you can't simply look like that, together no less, and expect me to be able to focus at all.

[ Klaus rolls his eyes, and if either look too closely, it might be obvious that he is enjoying a bubble bath, suds foaming up around his chest, hair tied up on the top of his head. He's also 100% smoking in the bathroom, sorry roomies. ]

But I'll have you both know I've reached out to all of my little undead friendlies, the ones who are still around. They come and go. Might as well have eyes all around, especially those the government can't see. [ He takes a long drag from his cigarette and breathes out a sigh with the plume of smoke. ]

But I hope you both practice what you preach; the whole cocky and stupid part. I'll bring you both dinner when I'm done luxuriating here in the royal hot springs.

I agree, one of the many reasons why your power is one of the most useful in our arsenal right now.

[Sirius is grinning as he plops down next to Tony, a little closer this time so Stark can hear Klaus's words just as clearly as he can.]

My love, my darling, sweet Klaus. Your concerns are completely unfounded, Tony and I are nothing but cautious and humble, isn't that right Adonis? [It can be seen now that they're working on the bike so Sirius can get it in the air in an effort to get a better vision of the maze. There's a brightness in his face that hasn't been there for weeks.]

I'd also like to point out that the two of you are the sneakiest bastards in this city and I love you all the more for it. She is the very image of perfection. [He squints suddenly, leaning in to get a better look before giving a small, yet dramatic gasp.]

...Are you having a soak without us?

I don’t know about useful yet. We don’t know what they’ll come up with. Some are brighter than others, mind you.

[ Klaus snorts at the thought, thinking of the myriad spirits he’s come to be social with. He doesn’t have a choice, what with how loud some of them tend to be. But he’s drawn back to the little mirror and he rolls his eyes at Sirius. ]

You and Adonis over there can say what you will but trust me, I know better. You can’t fool me with your pretty little faces. [ He shakes his head and takes a drag off his cigarette, exhaling in a long-suffering sigh. ]

Of course I’m having a soak without you. You two are busy getting all greased up and messy. Enjoy your bike, it’s more exciting than the bath. Besides, your little Adonis over there did most of the work, but I definitely helped distract him. I make a very good shop assistant.

[ Tony had looked up when Sirius walked over to him, nodding solemnly when Sirius asked him to confirm that they are cautious and humble. He'd almost pull it off, too, if it wasn't for the smirk that kept tugging at his lips.

At the confirmation that he's soaking without them, though, Tony gasps in feigned indignation. ]

Wow. Well. [ He turns to Sirius. ] I guess you and I will need to soak later, then, since we're all greased up and messy?

[ Tony laughs when Klaus says that he had done most of the work, and shakes his head at him as he turns his attention back to the mirror. He's not technically wrong, but Tony's never going to take the full credit. As far as he's concerned, it had been a joint effort. ]

You did plenty, and yes you do make a good shop assistant. [ He turns to Sirius with a smirk. ] You'll get to find out, now that you're privy to my little lair and you start getting your own projects around here.

First of all, [Sirius points at Klaus directly,] you will respect her by calling her by her proper name. Which is Stargreeves. And secondly, yes.

[His attention turns to Tony with a grin,] I suppose now that Klaus has taken one without us it'll just be you and I for a mutual soak. Shame, really, I'm a strong believer in the more the merrier. But I suppose we'll find a way to manage. I'm taking Lydia out on a flight to check the maze, but you two will have to argue among yourselves as to who my next passenger is.

By all means, tandem soak if you will, so long as I get to watch.

[ He smirks, wiggling his fingers at the two and gives a wink. ] Don't threaten me with a good time darling, you know you won't win. Though isn't the Stark Compound a thing of beauty? Or did we decide Stark Lair, love?

[ Tipping his head back in thought he huffs, taking the last drag off his cigarette before dousing it in the bath water. ] If I'm not the next passenger on this bike I will divorce both of you. Then you can run off, get married, and live happily ever after on your little Stargreeves and take cute little baths together. His happy ass has already gotten to fly, mind you. [ There's a deliberate pointing in Tony's direction. ]

But if you're both so upset about the bath, the water's still warm. I'll consider forgiving you in the meantime.

I'm still okay with Compound, but I think you preferred Lair. So [ he turns to Sirius, smirking ] you get to be the tie breaker, I guess.

[ He stifles a laugh at Klaus saying he wants to be the next passenger on the bike, and he raises his hands as if in mock surrender. ] Hey, I was voting for you to be the next passenger. You and Sirius can work that part out, I'm just here to work on the engine.

[ A smirk. ] And, well. The bath part, too, obviously.

[Sirius's laugh isn't stifled at all, and he releases it with bright vibrancy before giving a conceding nod.] How could I possibly deny a threat like that? A divorced man, what would my parents think?

[He does, however, wrinkle his nose when he hears the possible names of Stark's workshop, and he looks between Tony and Klaus with dramatized disappointment.]

It's a bloody sanctuary, what's wrong with the two of you? Stark Sanctuary, where he goes off to find his peace, the alliteration is right there. I fear for where the two of you would end up without me, I swear.

[But his expression is too fond, eyes too soft for him to really mean it. When he turns to Klaus it's with an easy wink.]

After I'm finished with Lydia I'll bring you into the sky then darling, I think you've won that one. But I'm afraid we may have to reschedule our weekly bath for another time, I think I may have Stark here for a while longer.

[ Klaus laughs, loud and bright, when Sirius suggest the Sanctuary. There's so much ease and warmth in his expression just from talking to the two men. But it doesn't stop him from heaving a sigh and climbing out of the bath, everything indecent out of shot, of course. He sits the mirror on a vanity as he tries to untie his hair from the knot he's put it in. ]

Fine, fine. Sanctuary it is. And if neither of you are going to join me for the bath I guess I'll just have to come to you. How's Thai food? Ooh, or pizza. All that sexy work's gotta build up an appetite.

[ He shrugs and looks over to the mirror once he frees his hair the dark curls wild and framing his face. ] But you can't make fun of our names for the shop, Black. You just named a bike Stargreeves, you edgy fuck.

[ Like Klaus, Tony can’t quite hide the laugh that bubbles out of his throat at the name. It’s spot on for what the place is, so he can’t really argue it, and he nods. ]

We’d be lost without you, Sirius Black. Plain and simple.

[ Tony’s gaze gets lost in the mirror for a moment, watching Klaus with a smile on his face that he can’t quite hide. It’s ridiculous how much he cares for that man, but well. He does. Wholeheartedly. ]

You can’t make me choose, both sound amazing.

[ He laughs, shaking his head slightly. ] I like Stargreeves. It fits very well. [ He turns to Sirius. ] If you’re set on it, I can make you a logo for it. Gotta personalize it, after all.

[Hearing Klaus laugh, Tony laugh... it warms something in him that he hasn't felt in quite some time. After everything that had happened, the war and then Azkaban, Sirius's expectations for his future had been understandably low. He had never expected to have this again, this pleasant feeling that swells in his chest, the comfort of knowing that once again he's found himself with His People. That's what Tony and Klaus have become.]

Of course you'd be lost without me dear Adonis, but fortunate for the two of you, you'll never have to experience such tragedy. And you watch your pretty mouth. [He looks pointedly at Klaus, all bright smile and easy charm.] Stargreeves is a brilliant name and so is the Stark Sanctuary, you're just sour that you didn't think of either first and honestly darling, it's an ugly color on you.

[He flashes a wink before giving Tony a little shove on the arm with his own.] Thai food. That's the obvious choice and you're simply too blinded by love to make a clear headed decision, focus Stark. And a logo is necessary I'd think, wouldn't you? [He gives a thoughtful pause, looking over at the bike with nothing less than adoration in his eyes. Merlin, she's so very lovely... and they made her. For him.] In gold, I think. Gold on black.

We'll see you soon, handsome. [His attention is back on Klaus, but it's a little obvious that he has to put effort into pulling it away from the motorcycle.] Oh get me that thing, you know the one. The erm... the spicy one. With the shrimp. That.

Thank the high heavens, a man who makes decisions!

[ Both about the logo and about the food. He'd all but applaud if he wasn't busy putting on eyeliner, seemingly uncaring that he's not giving his mirrored friends his undivided attention. The eyeliner is a deep violet color, instead of black, and he hums thoughtfully when he looks at it in the mirror. ]

Asking him to focus is a tall order, Black. I sat in his lap once and kissed him silly and I swear to you his hands were still tinkering with metal and tools behind my back all the while. [ He rolls his eyes and sighs, dramatic and forlorn. ] What's a poor lass like me to do? Spicy shrimp, though, got it.

But the one blinded by love's just going to have to suffer the delivery man's pick, since it's loooove that renders his poor, smart little brain helpless. The man can build a motorcycle blindfolded, with his hands tied behind his back, but he can't decide on dinner. [ He may or may not wink at Tony for the tease, before he lets out another little huff. ]

Go back to work, both of you, dear god. I've never seen two men have such a rare feast like myself laid out before them and they still would rather look at mufflers and power tools. Ugh. I'll see you in a bit.

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Mirror;Open to Portal Team

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