{*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*] *~Multiverse Mysteries~*[*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*}
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*~8~*
Chapter 4:
Tour De Force
{*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^} *-Raphael-*-Raphael-*-Raphael-*-Raphael-*-Raphael-*{****************}
"Oh woah! Becks, look at that! I think that a multi-biostat field generator! T-that's like what they're using to terraform other planets. O-or what they're proposing could be used to do it. I thought they were still years away from a working prototype but there it is! Dude that is SO cool!
Oh! And look over there! That's a-" Simon exclaimed, darting about the catwalk like a sugared up chipmunk, bounding about so quick Raphael was readying himself to catch him should he have a misstep.
Usually given the precarious positioning, relatively low safety partition and the tendency of some easily distractible scientists to forget to relock the platform functions on the partitions they had a fairly strict rule about running and reckless behavior on the catwalks. Last thing you want is someone stumbling, falling and breaking their neck, getting attacked by a Saber-toothed cat or trampled by Odette. Paperwork's a nightmare.
Also you know; severe injuries, death and dismemberment are generally bad for employee morale.
Even so as long as it wasn't wildly reckless or anything like that they usually had a bit of a grace period built in for the first day or so. It just made sense. Honestly Oasis really was on a whole other level. Only natural for someone new to it to be awestruck and excited.
Besides between the bright honey brown eyes sparkling with excitement and wonder, the adorably animated gestures, bouncing curls and the breathlessly excited, mile a minute techno-nerd babble there was no way in hell Raphael could bring himself to put a damper on the adorable sprites day.
Eh, it'll be fine, with his reflexes he has him covered. May as well let the guy enjoy it...
Also ensuring he doesn't tumble off the catwalk gave him an excuse to stay somewhat close- can't be too careful after all. Yeah, yeah so technically with the Actualizare enhancements he could go from clear on the other side of the room to right at the man's side in a matter of seconds but that's beside the point. That'd tip his hand, make people suspicious...can't have that. Beside there was gonna be enough suspicion and speculation today already just because of his damn suit.
Divya was already doing the snarking, taunt-y, obnoxious thing. Started in the second she laid eyes on him in his office. At least she kept it internal-that's a faint saving grace. Though of course thanks to the Actualizare Cerebral-Synapse-Cyber-Sync it wasn't just internal for her. Cyber-Telepathy really sucks sometimes. I mean okay so technically he CAN just mentally block the connection but you know...it's Divya.
He does that and the obnoxious girls just gonna be saying the same damn things only then she'd be saying them out loud for the whole damn world- and more specifically Simon- to hear. Uh...yeah no. Much better to simply keep the snark internal where it can only irritate and embarrass him. Especially when the Snarks concerning the distractingly adorable new employee standing not two feet away from them, babbling along endearingly to his little polychromatic robosquid BFF.
I mean between the view, the inhabitants of the labs, the new Tech and babbling excitedly to Becks about all of it he's all but lost in his own Scifi-Techie Dreamworld but even so he can't risk one of the few things getting through being Divya snark.
And good god is there a LOT of Divya Snark.
Ugh...How did he end up with such an obnoxious Enaiduo? it was so much easier during their first few weeks back when she was still all suspicious, guarded and afraid of him. Should've kept it that way damnit. He knew he should have. Knew being all nice, compassionate and understanding would come back to bite him in the ass.
Eh, whatever...There's always Nazeem. He can still scare the hell out of him. Maybe he'll drop in at their place for dinner tonight. Poke at him a bit; make him sweat, flail and twist.
That's always fun and painfully easy.
He's definitely doing that if he finds out Divya wasn't making an excuse to be 'helpful' but just wanted to run off and gossip with Devin and the others about him wearing his 'seductive intimidation' suit to impress the newbie.
I mean let's be real; he knows damn good and well there was no 'emergency' that drug Divya away, it was a total ploy just to screw with him (Yeah, yeah she'll say to help him but they both know it's just a chance for her to catch him off guard, make Raphael spin and stumble) but again- it's Divya. Screwing with, irritating and flustering Raphael seems to be her favorite hobby. Has been since nearly the moment she set foot in the year 2150.
Raphael had no idea why. Maybe it was just the thrill of the challenge. Or maybe it was somehow connected to Raphael's hobby of doing the same thing to Nazeem.
Whatever it was it was annoying as hell.
Even so if we're tossing the fashion gossip type chatter into the mix all bets are off with the Nazeem dinner thing. And in all likelihood that's exactly where this is going because...well of course it is. This group lives for gossip.
Seriously, who knew top of their fields Scientists, military professionals, revolutionary specialists, trans-temporal refugees and a freaking half cyborg paramilitary spy from the 30th century could so often be reduced to the likes of chattering, gossiping, fashion obsessed teenagers?
Swear they make freaking Becks the wolf whistling fashionista robosquid look professional.
And anyw-
"-and look at th-oh!" Simon startles as the section of partition he's leaning on suddenly shifts down, blending with the catwalk.
Damnit! Stupid idiot scatterbrained genius scientists!
Simon makes a terrified whimper type sound, stumbling at the sudden shift, nearly pitching forward off the edge of the platform. Raphael's at his side in an instant, reaching forward, strong grip snagging the younger man's hand, pulling him back a good distance away from the precarious edge. The momentum spins the younger man around, pulling him back a bit too hard causing Simon to stumble flush into Raphael. Raphael gasps softly, hands coming up automatically, bracing and steadying the younger man. Becks squeaks and flails, flitting off his shoulder, little gliders extending from his tendrils, floating gracefully to the catwalk, Ocular sensor wide, scurrying around nervously.
The little robot squeaks and clicks, feelers animatedly flailing.
SIMON! Careful! Becks glides, Simon doesn't!Clumsy Simon Does NOT glide! Clumsy Simon falls! Falling Bad! Simon very clumsy, very VERYbreakable! Wall's gone! Where'd wall go?! Disappearing walls not good! Bad! Very, VERY bad disappearing walls...disappearing walls, clumsy lovable Simon and pits of dinosaurs...REALLY bad combination... need to get the bubble wrap from Sara...Simon needs it here... should have bubble wrap here... Lots of bubble wrap...Maybe Pretty Mags has Bubble wrap. He'd let Becks have it...Pretty Mags nice...Not like Scary Bindy...No-Style Alec might have bubble wrap...No style but cautious...Cautious good...No-Style Alec will have bubble wrap...get bubble wrap from No-Style Alec...REALLY need bubble wrap for klutzy, lovable, very much breakable Simon...stupid sneaky walls and Dino pits...this is r-
Raphael sighs, the robochatter fading into the background, focus slipping from the grumbling, griping little tredectipod to Simon, his grip on the guy shifting, hands coming to rest at his waist. Simon's arms come up, automatically wrapping around his neck to stabilize himself, pulling him in closer, eyes scrunched closed, face nearly buried in Raphael's neck.
Raphael swallows at the sudden, near overwhelming onslaught of sensory input from the physical connection. He can feel the guy's heart pounding, feel the hitch in his breath, mind spinning, emotions swirling and buzzing.
Raphael's breath catches, his own heart picking up several tics, pulse zipping. Simon's soft, delightfully chaotic curls brush against his cheek. Raphael's head shifts slightly, turning faintly into the other man.
Wow...he smells good...Really good...
Smells like...Strawberries?
Huh...
Caramel brown hair smells like strawberries...
Okay that's cute as hell. Does he do that on purpose or is it just a charming, happy accident?
Raphael can't help a soft breath of a chuckle at the thought, subconsciously settling closer, very nearly nuzzling in before just barely managing to catch himself.
Uh...yeah maybe don't smell and/or nuzzle your employees. Not exactly appropriate workplace behavior right there. I mean you may skirt some rules or just take them as a mere suggestion but even so you need to have some kind o-
His thoughts are cut off as he catches a soft little hum from Simon. He settles closer, arms tightening around Raphael's neck, subconsciously pulling him in even more. He feels a new little hitch in his breath, a zippy little flip to his heart, a buzzy, electric thrill slipping through the other man. Raphael swallows, humming softly, hands flexing lightly at Simon's waist before slipping around him, coming to rest lightly on his back.
One hand settles low on the small of his back, other trailing up, moving in slow, soothing circles. He feels an appealing, pleasurable little shiver slip through Simon, the younger man giving a soft, entirely too enticing little sigh, all but melting into the pseudo-embrace before seemingly just barely catching himself, freezing.
Simon slowly shifts back, blinking, those warm, bright soft blue eyes wide and startled. They flicker curiously over Raphael, beginning at his eyes, slowly shifting down, lingering wistfully on his lips. Raphael feels the younger man's breath catch, heart zipping, feels a giddy, buzzy little flip in his own stomach at the spark of attraction and desire he feels flaring bright and intoxicating in Simon.
Hmm...t-that's...huh...
Raphael swallows, feeling his cheeks warming, a kind of zippy little buzz shifting over his skin at that look.
Huh...kay...That's different...
In most those types of reactions would register to him as little more than an annoyance and an internal (or very pointed external) eyeroll but with Simon it's different. Raphael's reaction to the younger man's reaction is different but that could be because the feelings he's getting from the other man are so very different.
There's a softness to them, a charm, an appealing near innocence that soothes the edge, makes it seem less brash and demanding more sweetly coaxing. It doesn't make him feel uncomfortable or twitchy or edgy. Doesn't make him feel put on the spot or on display...i-it it feels good. Makes him feel kind of breathless, buzzy, a little giddy.
It's exciting and electrifying and kinda heady and dizzying…kind of feels a little like the feeling he gets from the Actualizare kicking up more but different, far more pleasant. It kinda makes him feel less like he wants to find a way to quash it and more like he wants to find ways of coaxing it out...seeing it a bit more...feeling it a bit more.
It's weird...good weird...but weird nonetheless.
Hmm...wow...that's j-
Simon startles faintly, seemingly yet again coming back to himself, fully this time. He swallows nervously, quickly stepping back, glancing away, anxiously tucking a few wayward (distractingly soft, strawberry scented he now knows) caramel brown curls behind his now cutely pink tipped ear, a soft, nervous little giggle like laugh slipping out.
"I-oh...Woah th-umm...s-sorry about umm...a-about uh..." He swallowed, flushing even brighter, gesturing towards Raphael.
Raphael startled out of his own Simon stupor, nodding quickly, folding and unfolding his arms, giving a slightly clumsy little attempt-at-a dismissive wave.
"Oh I don't mi-umm I uh...i-it's fine-"
Simon swallowed, again playing with his hair before nervously scratching at his neck, fidgeting awkwardly, nodding like a bobblehead.
"Thanks for the save dude-u-M...uh...E-Raphael. T-that uh-" His eyes widened, giving a slightly too loud laugh, waving animatedly at the flattened partition.
"D-wha- Do you actually have this place booby-trapped or somth-"
Raphael laughed in surprise, rolling his eyes, feeling a bit more like himself, scoffing lightly.
"Mon Dieu -I don't have my own company booby-trapped! That's just the platform function. We use it when we need to collect data from one of the habitats or some of the equipment. It's very useful but unfortunately some scientists are absentminded and/or easily distracted and tend to forget to relock them afterwards."
Simon snorted, eyebrow raised.
"A likely story..."
Raphael scoffed in disbelief, shaking his head faintly, turning from the other man, trying to hide the charmed, amused little smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He shifted gracefully down onto the ground, slipping forward, reaching out onto the platformed partition, hitting the control panel, re-enabling the locking mechanism. He shifts back off the platformed partition, gracefully rising back to his feet, turning to face Simon in one smooth, fluid movement, giving a slightly theatrical little wave towards the partition as it seamlessly shifts back up, flashing red twice before turning back to clear.
"There see?"
An adorably impish little smirk tugged at the corners of Simon's lips. He leans a bit closer, those pretty eyes sparkling bright and distracting, flashing a cute little glimpse of dimples.
"That you can disable your own booby-traps? Yeah I see..."
Raphael laughed brightly, lightly scoffing, shaking his head in amusement. He reaches over, lightly brushing against Simon's arm, head tilting along the catwalk. Simon smiles, giving a faint nod, settling close to his side, falling into step beside him, the pair moving along the catwalk at a bit more measured, less squirrel-on-a-sugar-high type pace. Becks skittered along behind them, ocular sensor shifting about suspiciously, still grumbling about booby-traps, Dino-pits, forgetful scientists and klutzy Simon's.
Definitely need Bubble Wrap for klutzy, lovable Simon. Knockout Raphael is quick and good but not everywhere...DANGER everywhere...Danger and dinosaurs and booby-traps and forgetful scientists everywhere...stupid forgetful scientists...stupid booby-traps...Becks really needs bubble wrap...No Style Alec will have bubble Wrap...no style sense but sense sense...sense sense is good...useful...boring but useful...B-
Simon giggled faintly, flashing an apologetic shrug towards the little Tredectipod before turning his focus back to their progress. Raphael chuckled, glancing over, catching those pretty honey brown eyes, brow quirking teasingly, leaning in just a little.
"Angel as much fun as it is teasing you; you DO realize I'm not actually a supervillain...right?"
Simon snickered softly, shrugging, reaching up, tucking a couple wayward curls behind his ear, flashing a teasing smile, brow quirking right back, giving an animated little wave.
"Hmm...Well..."
Raphael scoffed, nudging his shoulder.
"I can't believe you actually think I'm a supervillain!"
Simon snickered, smiling brighter, flashing another glimpse of adorable dimples, brow quirking teasingly.
"Raphael? We've been touring the place for nearly two hours. So far I've seen three dozen different types of ray guns, what I'm totally convinced is a doomsday laser, personal deep-dive equipment capable of stabilizing and protecting a diver at a depth of seven miles- which are apparently necessary to get to a top secret marine base hidden in the Mariana Trench that you also run-because of course you do-, Stealth tech that puts the cloak of invisibility to shame, an earthquake machine, biomechanical piranhas, some kind of freeze ray, and a real live, honest to god shark tank.
And again; you run a facility that has the capability of time travel.
Of course I know you're not actually a supervillain- If you were you'd of already taken over the world."
Raphael chuckled brightly, playfully smirking before shrugging, giving a flippantly dismissive little wave.
"Eh, thought about it but it's just not worth all the paperwork."
Simon snickered, brow quirking, a cute little grin tugging at his lips, pretty honey brown eyes sparkling in amusement.
"So the only thing standing between you and total world domination is an aversion to paperwork?"
Raphael shrugged, head tilting.
"Pretty much."
Simon snorted, rolling his eyes, head shaking, nudging him lightly before seemingly catching himself, kind of shifting away.
"Oh uh s-"
Raphael chuckled softly, waving him off, reaching over, lightly squeezing his arm, catching those pretty blue eyes, smile picking up a tick.
"Relax Angel- you're fine. We don't generally stand on formality, rank, title and all the rest of that crap. It just tends to get in the way...not to mention inflate already severely over-inflated egos. As far as this place is concerned every employee is an equal. It doesn't matter if you have decades of experience or are still technically in Uni- everyone's ideas, projects and contributions are given just as much consideration and carry just as much weight.
Everyone here was hired for the same reason. We're all experts, inventors, scientists or specialists. Everyone here was hired because I thought they would be a valuable contributor to the company. I know today is just your first day but you were hired as a scientist; not as an assistant, gopher, lackey or anything else. You have nothing to prove and you don't need to do anything to 'earn' a place here or dues to pay."
Simon blinked in surprise, head tilting, giving a faint shrug, reaching up, tucking a few wayward curls behind his ear, glancing over.
"It's okay if I do, I'd understand. I know me coming in out of nowhere will probably throw a lot of people. I know there'll be people who think I don't belong or whatever. I have no problem proving them wrong."
Raphael gave a bright, surprised chuckle, glancing over, head tilting approvingly, lightly squeezing his arm.
"And I can't wait to see you do exactly that...even so it's not necessary. You have nothing to prove here. You ARE an Oasis Scientist; same as the rest of us. Don't let anyone try to make you think otherwise- and not gonna lie there's probably gonna be at least a few who try."
Simon shrugged totally unconcerned, flashing a bright, eager, verging on challenging smirk, brow quirking daringly.
"Let them."
Raphael swallowed, near stumbling, an excited little shiver slipping through him, unable to stop a pleased, low growly kind of approving hum, squeezing Simon's arm, subconsciously settling closer.
"Mmm...that i-uh...wow..." He chuckled softly, shaking his head, squeezing Simon's arm once more, hand lingering.
"You are most definitely gonna fit in perfectly here Angel. And by all means if they do please feel free to tell them exactly where to go with that...and if that doesn't work or if anyone seems overly pushy or in any way makes you feel uncomfortable you're more than welcome to come to either me or Mags and we will handle it...happily."
Simon smirked, giving another little shrug and a faintly dismissive wave.
"Thanks, pretty sure I got it though. Despite all the proof to the contrary I've given you up to now I swear I'm really not super confrontational most of the time. However if there's something I really want, that I'm really passionate about and someone or something's standing in my way?
Yeah, that's another matter entirely." He shifted, glancing over, catching Raphael's gaze, brazenly holding it, those bright, glittering honey brown eyes sparking and flashing with an inner fire that takes Raphael's breath away and sends his head spinning.
"If it's something I really want? If I get even a sliver of a chance at it I'm damn near unshakable. I want this. I have this. That's it. They can try all they want to take it away. They're not gonna succeed."
Raphael took a deep, kind of shaky breath, swallowing, nodding unsteadily, another one of those exciting, electric shivers slipping down clear to his toes. He gives that soft, growly appreciative hum again, dark eyes flickering over Simon in interest, this time lingering pointedly on his lips before slipping back up, again catching those bright, hypnotic heavenly blue eyes.
"Mmm...good to know..."He hummed softly, subconsciously shifting closer before catching himself, startling faintly, quickly shifting back.
He swallows, making himself relax, going for a casual shrug and a dismissive wave, flashing a slightly too wide smile, a somewhat too loud, nervous little chuckle slipping out.
"W-well that's good. I like the confidence. Definitely gonna come in handy when mixing in with the ridiculous hodgepodge of egotistical, idiosyncratic, eccentrics here. As you can probably imagine you put this many people completely convinced they're the 'best of the best', who are totally accustomed to being fawned over and never questioned together you're gonna end up with enough hot air to power an entire field of industrial solar turbines." He paused, smirking, nudging Simon's shoulder, catching his eye, flashing a playful wink.
"Of course I don't have that issue b-"
Simon giggled, nudging his back, flashing another too cute glimpse of dimples, brow quirking playfully.
"Oh of course...I'm sure you're very modest."
Raphael grinned, head tilting.
"Yup...completely."
Simon snorted. Raphael's eyes widened, gasping playfully.
"I am!"
Simon laughed, nodding.
"Uh huh..."
"Hey! I am..."
"Sure..."
"I Am...I mean it might sometimes seem like I'm bragging or showing off or what have you but I'm really not. Just tends to seem that way because I'm that good."
Simon snorted before startling faintly, flushing lightly, casting a sheepish glance over.
"Uh...Okay that kinda sounded really obnoxious- especially when talking to my boss. I pr-"
Raphael chuckled, reaching over, lightly resting his hand on Simon's arm, squeezing gently, giving a careless bit of a wave with his free hand.
"Again angel; it's fine. We really do have a much more relaxed, informal, casual atmosphere here i-" His words are cut off by an excited, high pitched little trill from Becks.
The little robosquid darts between them, rushing ahead down the catwalk, feelers flickering about animatedly, chattering along gesturing between the door to Magnus's lab and Simon, colors flickering and flashing excitedly.
Ooh! Pretty purple-Simon! Simon! Look at the pretty purple! Pretty door to Pretty Mags's lab? Must be Pretty Mags's lab. Pretty Mags might have bubble wrap! Becks ask Pretty Mags for Bubble Wrap-
Simon chuckled at the animated reaction of the little tredectipod, shaking his head affectionately, glancing over to Raphael, chin tilting towards the garishly purple door.
"Let me guess- Magnus's Lab?" He paused, smiling, head tilting, brow quirking.
Raphael huffed out a faint laugh, nodding exasperatedly.
"Yes...yes it is. How'd you ever figure it out?"
Simon chuckled lightly, shrugging.
"Eh you know...subtle hint."
Raphael snorted.
"Yeah about as 'subtle' as a sonic boom. My fault: I told him he could customize his lab- he took that to mean he could customize everything up to and including the door. I should have known better. Everyone can customize their lab's to an extent-generally not THIS extent but you know it's Mags. Give the man an inch he takes a mile. Even so allowing the scientists to customize their labs does make sense. The more comfortable you feel in your environment the more creative and productive you'll be...but you know...it's Mags...and...well...yeah..." He trailed off giving a flippant wave at the garishly purple door.
Simon snickered, Becks trilled, feelers flickering excitedly, chattering on about the pretty color and how perfectly it suited Mags, his own bright sunny coloring shifting to a near identical shade of purple, bouncing cheerily scampering back and forth between them and the door.
We get to see Pretty Mags? See Pretty Mags's Lab? Lab probably pretty too! Colorful! Bright, fun! No dino-pits or booby-traps! Get Bubble Wrap and See Pretty Mags! Can we go? Can w-
Simon huffed, shaking his head exasperatedly.
"Oh my god I swear you've only talked to the man for a matter of hours and you already like his better than me!"
Becks huffed right back, ocular sensor rolling exaggeratedly, head shaking, feelers fluttering.
Don't like Pretty Mags better...just his fashion sense...and color sense...and style...and that he HAS a style a-
Simon huffed faintly, near pouting. Raphael chuckled, blinking in amusement, glancing up catching Simon's eye.
"I'm sure he doesn't like him better- he's just new and interesting. Mags kinda has that effect. Just give it time- after the twentieth or so episode of Mags-sanity he'll be just as exasperated by him as the rest of us. Besides if he sees eye-scaring purple as a positive he doesn't have much room to talk."
Hey! Mean! Also not true! Becks has great taste!-
"Just saying..."Raphael chuckled, holding up his hands placatingly, flashing a faintly apologetic smile at the little tredectipod before turning back it it's much taller, much cuter BFF, smirk picking up a tic, shrugging faintly, nodding again at the garish door, chuckling lightly.
"Hey, if anything it makes it easy to find the Lab for the head scientist should people have any questions or issues. Also I've heard a few of the other's say it works as a heads up as to the insanity awaiting you behind it. Kinda like the colors of a Poison dart frog or a shocking pink dragon millipede. Right from the get go you know you're walking into crazy-
Though if the bright colors don't tip you off the blast of blaring Techno music the second you open the door will. He says it helps with his process but far as I can tell the only thing it helps is covering the sounds of metalwork and industrial tools as the screech of cutting metal and high pitched power tools blends perfectly with the tuneless, over processed, synthesized 'music' and off key caterwauling that they try to pass off as singing."
Clearly Knockout Raphael's taste doesn't go past fashion-
Simon snickered, brow quirking.
"I take it you're not much of a fan?"
Raphael scoffed, shaking his head quickly.
"Uh...yeah no. Not even a little bit. I generally prefer quiet, soothing...or at the very least music that seems purposeful and intentional rather than just like a cat knocked a pot of coffee onto a sound mixer and then tried to attack the malfunctioning equipment.
You?"
Simon snickered at the description, giving a faint shrug.
"Eh honestly it's not really my favorite but it doesn't bother me and in the right mood/context/atmosphere I can see how it could feel inspirational, kind of freeing. Becks actually really likes it though, tends to play it a lot when we're at home so I'm pretty used to it. Usually it just kinda fades into the background for me anymore.
I kinda like a little of everything, it all depends on my mood and what I'm going for that day."
Raphael smiled, nodding.
"Understandable...and since your lab's connected to Mags's I am glad to hear t-"
Simon startled looking over eyes wide.
"Wait, what? My lab's-"
Raphael shrugged, flashing a slight smile, head tilting towards the normal, clean creamy white colored door just to the side of the garish purple one, giving a little wave.
"Right here. Hope you don't mind too much; Mags kind of insisted. Fair warning I think he might have collaborative projects already planned for you two s-"
Simon laughed brightly, eyes wide, bouncing eagerly on his heels.
"Mind? Are you kidding me? The head scientist of Oasis want's to collaborate with me? Like for real! AND I get my very own Lab right next to his? Oh my god, that is SO awesome!"
Raphael snorted, head tilting.
"Yeah...give it a few weeks we'll see if you're still thinking that. I love Mags to death; guy's my best friend and family and there is nothing in this world I wouldn't do for him but even so he is a LOT to take. There's a reason one of the best labs in the company is still open."
Simon gave a surprise gasp, pretty eyes widening, bouncing eagerly.
"I'm getting one of the best labs in the company?"
Raphael shrugged, head tilting.
"Yes...but as I said there's a reason it's still open. Mags isn't the best lab mate...and that's putting it mildly. There's a lot of quirks and eccentricities and flash and sparkle to wade through. Sometimes literally as it's not in any way totally unheard of for a project or ten to get away from him and there to be literal flashes and sparkles...or entire tornados of glitter-"
Simon snickered, holding up a finger.
"Uh...glitter tornados? Is that like the Dino disrupting disco ball things he used in the Cretaceous?"
Raphael chuckled, shaking his head.
"No...This was worse. It was a literal mini weather system that malfunctioned, interacted with another project and ended in an actual tornado of glitter forming and ripping through the common area. Scared the HELL out of the animals. Poor Toni and her cubs refused to come out of her cave for a week and growled every time Mags came anywhere close. I think she knew who was to blame. Even the animals seem to know if it's sparkly, colorful insanity it's Mags-sanity."
Simon's head tilted, brow quirking.
"Toni?"
"The Saber-toothed Tiger."
Simon snickered, eyes widening.
"Toni the tiger? Really?"
Raphael shrugged.
"Goes right along with Odette the Disney princess Diplodocus."
Simon laughed brightly, head tilting brow raising faintly. Raphael held his hand up, shaking his head.
"Not my doing- that's all Devin. You'll meet him soon enough, thinking you two will really hit it off. Guy's a total sweetheart, quirky, cheesy animal names notwithstanding."
Simon giggled, nodding animatedly.
"Just going by the animal names I'd say it's a near certainty. Those are right up my alley."
Raphael chuckled, head tilting.
"Kinda figured. Just tossing it out there but the lab next to Dev is free too. It's a fair bit smaller and doesn't have quite as many amenities but it is open if you decide you want a switch-up."
Simon blinked in surprise, brow quirking.
"Why w-"
Raphael sighed, holding his hand up placatingly.
"It is far from unprecedented. There've been over a dozen Scientist who've had that lab. Every last one has opted to move. Cheyenne had it longest but even he could only handle it for a little over a month. Magnus may be brilliant and an unbelievable scientist and totally irreplaceable but the man is a lot... a lot a lot.
He's loud and boisterous and overly excitable and completely lacking in any type of boundaries and tends to be both totally scattered and laser focused at the same time which shouldn't work but he pulls off flawlessly and a whole laundry list of things that can really wear thin.
Don't get me wrong they're all well worth it. He's brilliant and imaginative and light-years ahead of near everyone else here- or anywhere. The man is totally irreplaceable and indispensable and he really does grow on you but yeah...it's a lot...and a lot of time a little of him can go a really, really long way. Especially in closer quarters.
As I said Mags does tend to blast his music and while the outer doors and walls are totally soundproof the walls and doors separating and connecting the adjacent labs are intentionally only about three quarters of the way soundproofed. It's a kind of safeguard just in case anyone has issues or an emergency they can just shout for help. I mean that's hardly the only safeguard we have but it has proved useful in the past. Much as it pains me to admit as the head of a Tech company sometimes the low-tech or even no-tech option is the best option.
You did say you can tune out the music- that's gonna be a very useful skill. Working directly next to Mags will put that to the test. And like I said I think he has collaborative projects in mind for you two and you get into that and I am telling you now you are gonna have your hands full and then some.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you flat out shouldn't do it. The man's ideas may be insane but most of them are also pretty revolutionary and well worth the insanity involved. I just want you to know heading in going into a project with Mags is like doing a backflip off a train trestle...at midnight...during a thunderstorm.
It's a thrill and a rush and a totally unique experience but it's also bat crap crazy and kinda terrifying and overwhelming and definitely has the possibility to end really, really badly."
Simon smirked.
"Can't wait."
Raphael chuckled, shaking his head.
"Angel? I know it s-"
Simon giggled, head tilting, brow quirking near challengingly.
"Uh dude? You're talking to a guy who's got a yearlong ban from the Santa Barbra Zoo for jumping into the Komodo Dragon pit to test out a homemade dino repellent body spray, who then turned right around and jumped through a hole in time armed only with said dino repelling body spray and my trusty Tredectipod sidekick. Bat crap crazy is practically my wheelhouse. I get what you're saying and I do appreciate the heads up but I think I got it.
I'm a hell of a lot tougher than I look." He shrugged, flashing a teasing, impish little wink, leaning in, those bright shimmering blue eyes flickering with an inner flame, smirk picking up at the corner, giving that adorable little flash of dimples.
"So...um...not that I don't love the tour and getting to see all of this and Magnus's stylistic insanity and all that but you did say it was like RIGHT there and like I can actually see it and know it's right there. When do I get to see more than just the door of MY lab?"
Raphael felt his heart do a bit of a flip, swallowing, feeling suddenly light headed and near clumsy, yet another dizzying little electric buzz slipping through him clear down to his toes.
Mon Dieu w-was the Actualizare malfunctioning o-
He gasped faintly, pulling himself back, putting on what he hoped seemed like his usual confident, suavely charming smile, one hand trailing over, coming to rest lightly on the small of Simon's back, free hand giving a theatrical little wave towards the door.
"No time like the present...right this way Angel."
Those gorgeous, honey brown eyes sparkled even brighter, Simon bouncing eagerly, giving an adorable, excited little giggly type laugh, bounding over to the door, pausing, looking over at Raphael with so much excitement, so much totally undisguised joy it very nearly strikes Raphael dumb. He swallows, moving again to Simon's side, nodding towards the control panel on the wall next to the door.
"Here we are. It's already synced with your info. Go ahead, give it a shot."
Simon blinked, reaching up, hesitantly placing his hand on the touchpad. It glowed softly a warm violet before shifting to a bright electric green, giving a soft, musical kind of chime, the door whooshing open near silently revealing the lab interior.
"Oh...wow..." Simon breathed, gasping softly, totally freezing.
Those bright, dazzling, honey brown eyes widen, shifting over the space in total amazement, jaw dropping. Raphael shifts closer, settling just at his side, leaning in faintly, kind of reveling in the torrent of pure, joyful, lively emotions radiating off the adorable younger man. He leans in just a bit more, settling close, voice soft, right by his ear.
"So what do you think Ange-"
Simon squeaks ecstatically, whirling around towards him, wrapping his arms around Raphael, hugging him tightly, giving a bright, musical, unbelievably amazed giggle.
"Oh my god! Oh Raph this is jus-I mean it's SO-it's the most beaut-it's just So unbeliev-A-And i-it's mine? Like Mine, mine. Just -mine? Really?"
Raphael swallowed, nodding shakily. Simon again made that cute, ecstatic squeaking sound, bouncing, near vibrating with energy and excitement. He darts in again, hugging Raphael even tighter, pressing a quick, enthusiastic kiss to his cheek before whirling around, bounding into the office, darting about in an effort to take in everything at once. Becks skittered along behind him, chirping and trilling, the pair babbling, chattering back and forth, the entire room filling with bright, overjoyed techno-babble, musical chatter and brilliant, pure, near infectious laughter and totally unadulterated joy.
Raphael stood in the doorway, rooted to the spot, unable to do little more than stare dumbly and blink. His hand comes up, pressing lightly against his cheek, a faint, somewhat dumbfounded little smile tugging at the corner of his lips, heart racing like he's just run a marathon, skin tingling and buzzing feeling near electrified.
Um...well that's j...umm...
Y-yeah...i-it's not the Actualizare malfunctioning...
H-he may be in trouble.
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*****End Of Chapter Notes*****
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Yay! Finally another chapter up here! I know there wasn't a bunch of progress here but I like it. We did get a bit more background info and I like the idea that with the Actualizare Raph can actually understand Becks, thought it would be an interesting twist (Ditto the Divya twist thing). I really do adore Becks thinking we may end up having to have some kind of version of him pop up in a few other verses...(He could be like an alien or a supernatural something-or-other right?).
Anyways Once more here's the list:
A Start Of Something New (Verse 7)
The Guy/Demon In The Mirror (Verse 4)
Nosey Neighbors (Verse 9)
Love Bug (Verse 2)
Picture Perfect (Verse 8)
You Can't Go Home Again (Verse 1)
A Study In Chaos (Verse 6)
This Is Why You Don't Wander Away From The Group (Verse 5)
Death Was Just The Beginning (Verse 3)
Alrighty so next up is V1, that one should be kinda fun Raph meeting Simon's old high school sweetheart (Might be kinda nice having the usually confident, suave, cool headed Raphael spinning, panicking and flailing). I swear we are gonna actually get to the case next- the case and the rest of our cast. So what do we think so far?
*~Page 17 of 17~*
{ *^*^*^ *^*^*^*^*^*^*]8*- Future Fallout Verse*-8 [ *^*^*^ *^*^*^*^*^*^*}