*[While it's not a place Phthalo visits particularly often, it's one he knows how to reach perhaps instinctively; it nearly ails him to admit it to himself, but he's certain he can feel his vague and wishy-washy connection to this world. This universe. At first that had been much more unsettling, and surely even now could throw one for a loop... but it's also become comforting in the strangest way. Something he finds a little too easy to lean into, even with how foreign and DANGEROUS it all proves to be nonetheless.]
*[Which is why he shouldn't be here. They both know that. And when he is, when here they are in the same room, Alizarin figures straight away that something is either very odd... or very wrong. But he's nothing if not skilled at playing it up or off. Grinning a bit wider, a showcase of how unalike their teeth are, he spreads his arms out wide to either side as if to greet and welcome someone important to a glitzy venue. Knowing full well which of their worlds the both of them might prefer to be in.]
🔴 * " if it isn't number one... here i thought ya might be fuckin' with me. but ya actually showed, huh? "
*[Phthalo sighs. He earnestly does HATE that nickname deep down, and how every overly familiar face has taken to calling him that. A joke they all feel entitled to be in on. Still, that sigh is long suffering and dramatic. He scoffs in what appears to be annoyance... before a long beat of silence passes, and the both of them start genuinely chuckling. He crosses the room to lean against an empty work bench, and here surrounded by Alizarin's unfinished works, he might even look like he fits right in. Like they're his doing. Again, too easily nestled at first-- and why not? It's not like he NEEDS to come here that often for it to be this way. It's only natural, right? But when Phthalo looks to his right, to the empty space in the back corner of this locked workroom, that particular immersion is broken in a very immediate way. The glowing eyes which look at him are too piercing, too bright, too RED. Her silhouette possesses too many jagged edges. The glint of her metal exterior deflects all light, like a warning. The threatening aura that hangs in the air when their gazes meet, even while he's certain she recognizes him by design... it's all wrong. Phthalo makes companions, after all. Now, after everything. His projects have always been much smaller scale, too. A cat here, a rat there, a bird when he really wanted to push himself.]
*[... And KEY9? There is none of that sentimentality visible in her, internals be damned. To put it bluntly? That's a big, menacing WOLF. She isn't shy about it, a testament to that being the very point. Neither of them look away until Alizarin is knocking his closed fist back on the wall he's resting against, loudly enough to get the both of their attention.]
🔴 * " hey. focus. ya said ya needed m'help, right? so out with it. "
*[A more nervous sort of laugh this time, as Phthalo shrugs nonchalantly.]
🔵 * " well... yeah, i did. could say i was focused though, uh... she's sort'a why i'm here. "
*[Alizarin definitely looks confused to hear this, casting a deadpan look to KEY9 which is returned in record speed. When Alizarin looks back to his alternate, it's with a slightly warier gaze. Voice sounding tentative as he inquires.]
🔴 * " ... yeah? what 'bout 'er? ya can't have 'er, if that's the kind'a weirdo shit yer on right now. "
*[Phthalo can't help but huff a laugh at that. As if he'd be the type to show up out of the blue and take something so important to somebody.]
🔵 * " no, that's not-- never mind. keepin' it short, since i know ya hate me beatin' 'round the bush... "
🔵 * " ... d'ya think... i could make somethin' like that? like her, i mean. "
*[The rumble of a soft growl which sounds from the corner of the room is ghosted with a faint static. Now it's Alizarin's turn to bark a short laugh, smirking playfully.]
🔴 * " what, y'mean a WEAPON? "
*[Phthalo winces, eyes darting to the side. Alizarin doesn't wait for the reply he knows isn't coming anyway, and instead deigns to actually answer the question.]
🔴 * " sure don't. "
*[Yeesh... that was shot down fast. Not that he's amazed, when it's exactly the answer he expected. So that's that, huh? Or so he thinks. It makes sense. He's not afraid to admit that Alizarin is capable of and practiced in things he isn't, since that's exactly why he came here in the first place. But in the awkward lapse of quiet that seems to drag on after that blow, unable to see it looking away as he is, Alizarin wavers quite clearly. Gritting his teeth with a barely audible grumble, and crossing his arms tightly over his chest. You're caving. You're too soft.]
🔴 * " ... 'm not finished, though. "
🔴 * " -- no, i don't think ya can... alone. but lucky fer you, i'm feelin' generous 'nough ta lend ya a hand. "
*[Phthalo's surprise must be evident, because Alizarin is quick to continue on. Likely trying to bypass receiving the thanks he can see the other readying to give, with a wave to dismiss it altogether.]
🔴 * " and don' bother thankin' me. heh... maybe ya haven't considered this, but i'm not the only one here who'd bring somethin' unique ta the table. 've sort'a been hopin' you'd 'ventually come 'round ta my way'a doin' things. "
*[Phthalo is swift in ignoring the smugness in Alizarin's tone, as if he's won something. He doesn't say anything to argue it, though. He supposes the monster in front of him should be allowed the win this time, if it means he'll help. Alizarin has forever been a fickle one, truth be told. Fairly sensible for the Red type, but he doesn't do anything he doesn't want to and is rather unshakable on that front. The burning in that red pupil however, the one uncovered by an eyepatch, tells Phthalo that he was worried for nothing. Because Alizarin is also fairly unmoving when it comes to doing the things that he DOES want to do, especially when it comes to his engineering. ]
*[ Good. This is good; this will work. Who can he trust if not himself? This is a real plan. Phthalo will stay here for the night, and by morning they'll have come up with something much more tangible to set in motion. It's better than doing nothing and waiting for the worst, isn't it?]
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