"Vexen. This experiment is an abomination." The cold throaty voice filled the small room. The walls were pure white, but there were checked tiles on the floor. There was a small glass pod stood on three silver legs in the centre, with two hooded figures looking at the blue tinted machine. "Cease at once."
"But sire-" pleaded the smaller figure, but the other identically dressed man waved the subject aside with a similar motion from his hand.
"This experiment will not continue. See to it." As the dark hood of the Chilly Academic bobbed up and down reluctantly, a dark portal consumed the Superior, leaving the other in the room, alone, pacing.
Some considerable time later, another cloaked figure emerged from the shadows, but this man pulled his hood back as part of intimacy, and revealed his bronzed, smooth face, refined blond hair and pointed ears with their numerous silver jewels.
"Hello, IV." He said in his deep British voice. "Saix told me about your experiment." Vexen made a strangled noise. "You aren't really going to dismantle it, are you?" asked the blond, incredulously.
This time, Vexen pulled his hood back, too, to reveal long fluid golden hair, a pointed face, and a slight squint on one of his eyes. "I have to, Luxord." He whined to his best friend. "You know what the Superior's like…" There was a silence, whilst Luxord stroked his designer moustache and beard, and Vexen's fallen face somehow sunk even further than rock bottom.
"Then don't tell him." Advised Luxord, simply.
"What?"
"Well… this experiment could end up more powerful than anything the Organization has dreamed of." Pointed out Luxord, at which his icy companion blushed furiously. "I wouldn't give up. I'd just hide it, keep it hushed. Continue, and tell The Boss only when you are done. If he doesn't like it… well… that's his problem, but you still have the machine."
Silence again. Luxord was looking increasingly exasperated.
"Vexen, are you a gambling man?" Vexen shook his head, his gold hair waving, looking unimpressed with number X's argument. "Well maybe you're wrong. Is experimentation not testing the water before putting your findings to practise? Is gambling not the same? Do you not bluff outrageously, in a game of poker, purely to identify your foes' reactions? You have one chance, now, to risk your chips to double your stash. But what have you to lose?"
After a few moments, Vexen smiled, and squeezed his friend in a one-armed bear hug. What he didn't see was the sly sneer playing on Luxord's lips behind his head.