in dreams there is truth

There was a kind of affability attached to a brother's request that wouldn't be seen otherwise.

"Sorry, Albedo, but can you go check it out by yourself? I have to handle our landlord today."

By handle, Nigredo had meant hypnotize, of course, but that was how they had gained the ability to do much by themselves in this place. The pair of them were both more than capable of living in this low-risk (to their standards) environment. The problem came with society viewing two twelve-year-olds to be wards of the state and needing guidance.

They had already done that song and dance, thank you. And they would rather pass.

And at any rate, it was more Albedo's hobby than Nigredo's--to seek out rumors of budding technology and see if there was any use to any of it. Mainly it had been piles of useless scrap that Albedo had torn apart in verbal details as to why exactly.... But there was always that hope that there would be something more than an updated computer system.

Nigredo's agent had set up an appointment with the company (business? person? Perhaps Albedo should have actually listened to the explanation...), and the boy made his way there at the given time, moving through the door quietly on habit. The clothes worn was more of the current style than the URTV's-- A button-down striped shirt, light in color, and a pair of dress-casual slacks. Even so, he'd learned that it was the age more than the clothes that people cared about. It had become almost amusing by this point.

Stopping a few feet inside, he peered around the settings, taking in the scene.

[Scorched network post, Max's broadcast mind--specifically:]

"Look--I have an expiration date. We all do."

We.

"What do you mean, we all do?" you ask.

"All of us experiments have built-in expiration dates. When someone's time is close, it shows up on the back of their neck."

So you're going to die. No matter how hard you fight, they're going to murder you. They've sabotaged you from the inside, killed you before you could even start living, and now… You wonder how soon. Recombinants don't typically last long.

Even then, you hardly feel any concern for yourself. Rather, you make a mental note to check the necks of your Flock once you get back to them.

God, you hate this place.

The great doors of the ballroom opened at a touch, and Albedo stared into the grey light, unimpressed. A fine mist diluted sight and form, and it was all too obvious that the ones who brought forth the unlocking were supposed to step forward for the sight of what laid behind the dust and thickened air--too obvious a setup, and too trite the design.

...But, just as well, there was no point in not continuing. After a glance at his brother, Albedo stepped through the doors. Nigredo moved with him, and not two feet in, there came the sound of a slam, of heavy doors shutting. The white-haired Variant gave a sigh--just as expected--and glanced backwards. Only to tilt his head, eyebrows raising lightly. Well, now. The doors had vanished entirely, leaving nothing, so that at least broke the pattern if but slightly.

His gaze angled towards his brother. "I take it we're continuing?"