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He waved through the disastrous state of his station before setting himself down at that familiar desk.

There was no time for distractions. He can rest when he's taken care of everything. 】
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⠀
It was a mess.

Papers strewn across the floor leaving almost no room to even stand.

Old case files opened and ransacked for any information that could be of use.

There were three pin boards, all loaded with so many notes that it was almost impossible to make any sense of them.

⠀

⠀
Those words echoed through his head as he crossed the compound, stopping briefly to view Brutus and Meowscles arm-wrestle, all while Tina sipped her beer and spectated.

He continued towards the main building, scanning his retina to allow himself into his office . . .
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⠀
❖【 He left the girls room and passed straight through the observation chamber, exiting the facility and making sure he avoided meaningless chatter with the lower ranks.
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❖【 He looked back for a moment, his usual stoic expression plastered across his face. Giving a brief nod to the girl before making his leave. 】

As you were, Skye.
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A single droplet of liquid gold hit the floor as his hand finally retreated back to his side, the agent pulling the blanket up over her shoulder before making his way towards the exit. 】

I shall see you later, agent.
⠀

⠀
Midas felt the familiar sting of regret as he recalled that day, unknowing of her existence until it was too late.

"Skye. A hundred lifetimes of sorrow would not render me forgivable for the world I've placed you in . . . for the life I took from you."
⠀

⠀
His mind wandered back to a day long past. Memories of their first encounter, although brief, now flooded his mind.

She was too young to be dragged into this life, an undeserved fate for such a sweet, young girl . . .
⠀

⠀
He approached, careful not to startle the girl as he now stood by her side, briefly gazing over at that blank wall before looking back to view her vacant stare.

He extended a hand and began running those gilded digits through that pastel hair of hers.
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⠀
❖【 He paused for a moment, halting his examination of the fault machine before turning to face Skye . . .

There was an unnerving hollowness to the young lady that sent a cold into Midas' chest.
⠀

⠀
The machine began warping through various iterations of itself as its readings grew to an immense shriek, as if the tool itself was begging for its life.

The king stepped back from Skye, letting out a brief sigh before placing the damaged equipment on a nearby table. 】
⠀

⠀
❖【 He collected the Geiger Counter from the other side of the room and made his way back to the agent, beginning to take today's set of readings.

Though as the king approached, the equipment itself began to shake violently in his grip.
⠀

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❖【 He ushered Tina out of the room as he himself made his way down to Skye, reforming his body into solid gold before stepping into her chamber. 】

I'm always in several places at once, you should know this by now.
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❖【 He leaned forward and spoke into the microphone, his voice soon echoing throughout Skye's room. 】

I'm afraid nap time is over, agent.
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❖【 The golden king brushed back his unkempt hair, his eyes sagged and filled with a grim presence, clearly carrying an immense debt to sleep. 】

It's hard to say . . . Any cases on such anomalies were unfortunately lost within the downfall of the Imagined Order.
⠀

⠀
❖【 The Golden King had finally been given the misfortune of meeting his former boss's variant. Teeth grit as his worked to contain his anger. 】

I don't know who you are, Ageless.
I do not wish to know.

So please, with the utmost respect . . .

Fuck off, and get back to your ──
⠀

⠀
With a bizarre turn of events, a squeaky female voice began emanating from the man, seemingly yelling at others that remained unseen ── for now. 】

Guys !!

Guys, I got her !!
⠀

⠀
Oh, well that's easy.

Stand still.

❖【 The agent held her back as she attempted to pull away from their embrace, slapping a device on her back that would quickly dig claws into her skin and begin nullifying the rift energy within her person. 】
⠀

⠀
I know you wanted to spend time together now that the team's back together, and I apologize for this causing an issue with those plans.

I hope this can make up for it in the meantime.

❖【 He held his arms open for the girl, offering her a hug before they parted ways. 】
⠀

⠀
I believe you're aware we can handle ourselves.

Tina's so excited, she's practically counting down the seconds until they arrive.

❖【 Closing the desk again, he turns to face Skye, cracking a smile for the first time since he had entered the room. 】
⠀

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This shall keep you safe.

❖【 He handed her a key card, labeled "Safehouse 43". 】

You and Brutus will travel there together, in order to lay low for a week or two.

Understood ?
⠀

⠀
Us ?

Please. We can handle their pathetic excuse of a faction.

Though I believe it'd be best if we made different plans for you.

❖【 Moving towards the head of the table and opening a small drawer underneath, gesturing Skye to join him at the end of the work surface. 】
⠀

⠀
As he opened the carrier he pulled out two photos, one of the Syndicate's Idol, and the other of its Lizard Lieutenant.

Soon sliding them across the table and towards the Adventurer. 】
⠀

⠀
Afternoon, I trust your mission went without flaw ?

❖【 He inquired with his usual monotone demeanor, placing the case on the desk before inputting the combination on its locks.
⠀

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❖【 The door to the conference room soon opened with an unusual creak, as an unmistakable scent of subterfuge and rapacity seeped into the space.

Carrying a blackened briefcase that had been tinted gold at the handle, the gilded head of The Agency made his way in. 】
⠀

⠀
Temp Pinned.
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