#threadwithveer

[wrvtchedhearts]

CLOSED STARTER from the perspective of VEER SIVAKUMAR ( The Little Cobra - - leader of The Grey Lilies ) for APOLLO LADRÓN ( @g0ldenparad0x )

Veer was a leader simply by chance and good connections. They had no credentials, no qualifications, no experience. Simply the eagerness of someone who’d been done wrong by the system, who wanted nothing more than to change the status quo, to save his people in the Slums.

And the Grey Lilies was the way to go for those. 

Some choose different routes.

“First time the Tears still out of the news, bhai,” they said to Apollo when their paths crossed. They didn’t think either of them had the time for small talk, but they weren’t after anything else now. Just a break.

[wrvtchedhearts]

"Oooh," Veer said, as they studied the paper. "Very fancy, but that makes sense," they added. "You're an important person." Which, even if that wasn't true, he brought it with so much dedication that one might think he did hold security in high regard. Security could be bought though, or they could be convinced to look away. So far, he'd gathered that Fabian seemed a solid employee and keeping him a friend was a smart move."

They chuckled as the other mentioned never breaking a rule, said in the universal language of 'as if' that Veer highly appreciated. "No, certainly not, I couldn't imagine you doing that." While in fact, they could, perhaps some small rule rather than anything illegal, but Fabian did seem like he had an edge to him. Veer appreciated that.

They wiggled their head. "Of course not, just the small ones, curfews, trespassing." They held up two hands in a gesture of harmlessness. "I grew up on these streets, and I don't always agree with the rules implemented to change it. I don't like the... restrictiveness." They smiled. "But of course, no serious rule breaking, I have Rasleen, I'll let the youngsters do the serious stuff."

Fabian raised his eyebrows. Odd to see Veer outside of the office. Some figures you only imagine in one place at one time - but maybe that was Fabian's own lack of imagination.

"I have a permit," he replied, lazily presenting the document he'd had ready. "I'd never break a rule. Far too well-behaved for that." The deadpan humour could easily pass for honesty, and maybe it would. He wasn't all to concerned with how he was perceived - unless it would damage the reputation of Academy X. He had simple priorities.

"But clearly, you would. Don't worry. My lips are sealed." He smiled at Veer, meeting him on his level. "Can't stay cooped up forever, can you?" He paused, surveying the person before him. He was well-mannered, but had a mischievous glint in their eye that spelled out trouble to Fabian. "And I'm sure you'd never break any serious rules, now, would you?"

[wrvtchedhearts]

CLOSED STARTER from the perspective of VEER SIVAKUMAR ( The Little Cobra - - leader of The Grey Lilies ) for SANTI AMARIN-ZHAO ( @santi-u )

Veer hung out in the lobby of X Academy often. Less now that the Overseers were paying too close attention to the Slums and the posibility of finding the Grey Lilies, but he still used his time well: he would send up some lunch for Rasleen and take a quick peek before returning to the streets.

The only problem was that public transport was still out of order, and getting through the Mawar District to the Akumu Slums was harder now, but he'd make it on time. He still had a job to do. Getting friendly with some of the staff was high on that list, but not too high. He didn't need Rasleen to become a target should anything go wrong. He was careful.

The fact that he'd gotten close to the CEO was not surprising, when he'd been in prison, he'd also been besties with the prison director, who he figured had been very sad when Veer had escaped.

"Amarin-Zhao-ji, how have you been?"

[wrvtchedhearts]

CLOSED STARTER from the perspective of VEER SIVAKUMAR ( The Little Cobra - - leader of The Grey Lilies ) for VALKYRIE TUEUR ( @no5491 )

It was rare for the Grey Lillies to make the news on grounds of anything radical. They were not thieves like the Crew, or suspected of experimental weapons. At most their names showed up for activism. X Academy was smart enough to have a lid on direct attacks. Though they certainly were more radical than the Isles. 

But showing up now, Veer knew he and the others had to ensure the safety of their members.

He tapped Kyrie on the shoulder and gestured for his fellow Leader to follow him inside the small Sushi shop in the mall. 

“What chaos, yaar.”

[wrvtchedhearts]

CLOSED STARTER from the perspective of VEER SIVAKUMAR ( The Little Cobra - - leader of The Grey Lilies ) for L-EV1-77 ( @tempestucus )

Veer walked around the streets that had been used as race tracks, perhaps too close to where the racer by the name of SHATTERSTAR had been captured, but they were too curious. They watched the remnants of an Overseer operation. The races were always moving, always in a different part of the city, but now... they wondered how long before they'd be set up again.

"This used to be such a nice street," they said, seemingly to no one in particular, though they'd spotted the Detective of course.

[wrvtchedhearts]

Veer did what they did in their life all the time, pushing one part of htem down, and revealing another. Not an act, just a smartly placed and balanced decision. Turning their back on the world outside, and instead leaning into the warmth of his little family.

And he never had to ask. He was welcomed without a second thought, his little girl reaching for him, being passed on without a pause, ending up within his arms where he looked lovingly back at her. Her face was a bright smile and features that combined the best of the both of them. He could never be convinced that she wasn't his, that she wasn't theirs. His boundless energy, Rasleen's beauty and expressive nature.

Rasleen gave him a light kiss on his cheek and Goldie copied her mother. He chuckled as he buried his face into his daughter's hair. He felt incredibly happy, how easily he could forget about his worries when he simply placed himself in this home. He wished everyone had this.

"I haven't," he admitted. Though Veer ran around a lot and got plenty of food, there wasn't a whole lot of time to eat it. They lifted Goldie higher and used their free hand to bop her nose. "How was your dinner? Did you eat everything on your plate?"

The child giggled and nodded expressively. "Yes!"

They turned back to Rasleen. "Did she? Or do I have to help and finish her food?"

She adored that about Veer—the way they could effortlessly transform her deepest anxieties into a gentle balm of reassurance. Where her own strength faltered, Veer’s presence radiated an unwavering calm, as if their very existence had been crafted by the universe solely to shield her from the harsh winds of doubt. Perhaps, Rasleen mused, that was why fate had entangled their paths together—to give her the rarest gift Mars had ever bestowed upon her. In them, she had found the sanctuary of a home, the warmth of a family to call her own, and the peace she had sought for so long. It had been so effortless, this slipping into life together, like the tender merging of rivers, each current wrapping around the other until they were inseparable, bound by a love that defied time and space. After all the trials she had endured, the battles fought in both heart and mind, she had finally found her place—a hearth where her soul could rest, where the flame of family flickered with gentle steadiness, illuminating the path ahead with the soft glow of shared moments and unspoken devotion.

Even now, as Veer spoke, their words wrapped around her like the coziest embrace, urging her to release the gnawing fear lodged deep in her chest. She swallowed it, pushing the anxiety down behind the lump in her throat, allowing the warmth of their presence to spread a smile across her face. Goldie, ever the perceptive child, was already reaching for her father, her tiny arms stretching out with the earnestness only children possess, craving the comfort of being held. Rasleen complied, carefully passing their little one into Veer’s embrace, ensuring the soft, plush towel remained snug around Goldie’s delicate frame, keeping her cocooned in warmth.

Leaning in, Rasleen pressed a tender, fleeting kiss upon Veer’s cheek—a silent offering of gratitude, a gesture that conveyed more than words could ever capture. It was her way of honoring their bravery, their steadfastness, and of whispering her thanks for returning safely once more.

Goldie, with the mimicry that only the very young can master, echoed her mother’s gesture, planting a small kiss on the opposite cheek before nestling against her पापा, her tiny arms wrapping around Veer as though she, too, knew the depth of the love that tethered their family together.

After a brief nod, she finally found her voice, which had, until that moment, been stilled by the overwhelming surge of emotions. "It's storytime," she said, her tone light but filled with affection. "But first, of course, we must get her into her pajamas." Her eyes twinkled with the subtle mischief of a playful question as she added, "And before we do any of that, you have to answer something very important." She paused, arching an eyebrow as if testing the waters of an age-old ritual between them, before the question, familiar yet always meaningful, rose from her lips: "Have you eaten, my love?"

[wrvtchedhearts]

Veer bobbed their head, grinning. They did not intent to start any kind of trouble with Apollo, but it wasn't as if there wasn't always trouble brewing between the gangs in the Slums, and outside of the Slums. There were plenty of small fish, but the biggest organisations were the ones who ruled these streets, as much as the Overseers liked to think they had any kind of real power here. He hummed. "I have a few friends," they said. "But they also have no idea who I am."

The Grey Lilies were very much anonymous, and those who were known were only known by name: they might not even show up on any databases.

Criminals had to protect their identities, especially with the BOARD being able to see almost everything.

His offer had been genuine, but then again, Veer tended to invite people for food regardless of whether he was close to them or not. He felt like it was a good place to hide his true intentions, or to hide in general. "Of course I'm serious, yaar. We have to get out of the spotlight." Veer could never see Apollo as anything other than a close enemy again, even if he wanted to. "No better way to lay low and also get our calories."

As much as Apollo wanted Veer to be genuinely interested in his life he wasn’t naive, he knew a thinly veiled dig when he heard one. He scoffed rolling his eyes, an expression Veer was undoubtedly used to. Although less dramatic, it was a look that adorned Apollo’s face quite frequently when they were children, especially when he was being teased or not getting his way. “Stupid questions deserve stupid answers, Veer. No one is friends with an Overseer, don’t mistake a shaky truce for an olive branch. They would jump me the moment they got the order.” As would you was left unsaid.

He raised a brow, genuinely confused by the sudden offer to catch dinner. “What?” He tried but he just couldn’t figure it out, was Veer’s sincerity true or a perfect mask? Though, regardless of the truth it didn’t matter, there was no returning to what they had, they were no longer starry eyed kids running around the Slums dreaming of a better future. “If you’re serious I could go for a roll or two. Being the devil in disguise and ruining the lives of everyone I’m around is hard work. I’m starving.” Apollo replied with a smile but had no desire to spend more time than he had to with the other. It hurt to look at him, a reminder that Apollo would always be reaching out for a brother who would no longer come if he called.

[wrvtchedhearts]

Veer offered a grin. "I hear it all the time," they said, with shiny eyes as they checked their surroundings before stepping out of the shadow and closer to the stranger. Well, stranger not really. It wasn't hard to spot the security of X Academy. He knew that face by hard from the amount of times he'd been to pick up Rasleen, or to bring her lunch or coffee. They always felt bad for that, using Rasleen as a way to take some peeks at the company, even if they were lacking in insights. The fact that the Grey Lilies kept going under the radar was good though, and while it sparked fear, they did know that if that should end, they'd be one of the first to face an arrest.

"Though not just tonight," they admitted. "I cannot help wanting to break a few rules once in a while," they joked. "And you?"

FABIAN ARIAS: --- OPEN STARTER, MINI EVENT

X Academy was fast on getting him an exemption to the Sora curfew, which was great, but Fabian didn't much enjoy anxiously looking over his shoulder every night as he left work in the small hours of the morning, waiting for an Overseer to corner him, demanding the documentation. Their scrutiny was hardly something he relished. Clinging to the papers in his pocket, he vaguely wondered if it made him look more suspicious as he left the office.

It was an embarrassing time to be security at X Academy. Did it make it better or worse that he'd had no idea there was a theft going on until it was too late, and he was chasing down figures too close to the escape to ever reach? Having gone over everything a thousand times now, witnessing the suspicion from his employers with every new revelation, everyone seemed at least convinced that there had been no predicting it. It wasn't much of a comfort, though. He expected better of himself - and X Academy should be able to, as well.

Usually the only movement at this time of night was Overseers, so when he heard a sound, he prepared himself to present his permit. But still his whole body went tense. He hadn't liked encountering souls and bodies on his way home from work regardless, but this new tension in the air... he closed his eyes, practicing old military routines of forcibly relaxing his tension, as he glanced over to gauge the situation.

"I hear it's risky, being out this late at night. Did you hear about that?"

[wrvtchedhearts]

Veer's eyes shone for a moment, then they quickly gave a look at their surroundings. Overseers had never worried them much, despite that they really should. More often than they were right now, definitely given their current predicament. They had a few options to escape from here, but at least knowing they would have to was an edge they wouldn't have otherwise.

They were not going to thank Apollo however, they'd probably warn the other too when things got dicey, but not because they supported the alliance Apollo had chosen.

He hummed. "And what about you? Are these Overseers your friends?" he asked. Might as well be, he knew there were connections between any gang and law enforcement, even if everything was hearsay and nothing had digital footprints - at least none that they'd been able to uncover. "Bartori is open, we could go for some sushi?" they offered with a goofy smile.

It was late yet The Slums were anything but quiet. The panicked whispers and shuffle of careful footsteps rang in Apollo’s ears, gentle reminders that despite the heist the hierarchy of New Jakarta was still in play. He thought he should feel lucky that it wasn’t him nor The Tears on the metaphorical chopping block, but being the errand boy for the Academy was almost worse. Almost.

All he wanted was a break from urgency, just a brief moment where his nerves weren’t wired but the city had other plans. “I would prefer to keep it that way. We could do without the flashy dramatics The Crew likes to pull, it’s easier for us to sweep it under the rug that way. Crime is mundane, no need to jazz it up.” He didn’t approach Veer rather keeping his back pressed against the opposite wall and his exits open. “You shouldn’t be out here unless you want to tempt fate. A group of Overseers has been patrolling the area, they’re convinced they’ll find a skellie if they keep walking back and forth. Bone or Flower, it’s all the same to them.”

[wrvtchedhearts]

Veer was great at pretending to be harmless, perhaps in a way he was, at least physically. With words he spoke and the goofy appearance he turned to. It had been his best way to stay out of trouble in prison, and how he got to gain their respect later on, at least for a little while. He did see some of himself in Santi, another individual who made a name for himself, though in a very different way. He'd seen the article, he wondered if anyone hadn't seen it.

He hadn't read all of it however until he realised where Rasleen as working. "Santosh, yes, but please, you do not need to call me mister, Amarin-Zhao-ji," he said. He nodded expressively. "Yes, I've brought some lunch from Dewi Sri, just some ayam goreng with pisang gorem on the side for her, and I bought lassi, mango flavour," he explained, or over-explained, as if he would gladly supply any and all information.

The Rebel chuckled and wiggled his head. "Thank you, Amarin-Zhao-ji, I promise I'm staying safe," he promised. "I don't stay out after curfew and I make sure to take the routes that are safest," he once again explained as if he barely took notice of how much he said. "I hope the business isn't suffering because of the curfew and the transportation disruption."

Santi stepped out of the elevator and into the lobby of X Academy, finishing up a conversation with a visiting researcher. It was important to him that his presence wasn’t confined to his office; he made it a point to be seen, to engage with the people who passed through the organization’s halls. As the guest left, Santi turned, noticing Veer lingering near the entrance.

“Why hello there, Mister… Santosh, was it?,” Santi greeted with a nod, echoing the respectful tone. “I’ve been well, thank you for asking,” he then replied, keeping the answer short and deflecting away from himself. “How about yourself? I see you’re making the rounds again.” The remark was casual, almost friendly, but there was an edge to it—the usual dance of words between two people whose mutual respect was not without ulterior motive.

“I certainly do hope that you’re taking care of yourself, especially with everything happening these days…” Santi’s gaze flickered briefly toward the direction of the elevators, where Rasleen was likely working in a lab above. He knew better than to mention her directly, but the unspoken implication hung in the air. Santi wasn't one to pry openly, not when subtlety served him so much better. “One can never be too safe. I’d be quite sad if one of my favourite people would stop visiting.”

[wrvtchedhearts]

Veer was far more laid back than the other leader of the Lilies, and at times, they felt bad for her. If they could, they'd attempt to take away her distress, but they also knew that it kept them on edge: it was what kept them safe.

Veer was not the one to keep people safe, they were the one that ensured they could progress their goals. With information and connections and the intelligence to know what the best way was to get people to do what they wanted.

He smiled as he had a seat at the place and picked a random plate from the conveyer belt, not at all concerned with what kind of sushi it was. He filled his ceramic cup with hot water and shrugged. He had been quick enough to pick up the secret language, but Veer had never been a good signer, he just used a few random ones that showed he understood, that he was listening, that he had a plan. "As long as everyone keeps a down-low, they won't be finding us," he said. "Don't worry, yaar, we've been through worse. Have some sushi, my treat." And then they could talk how to go from there. Because the down-low part... not that easy with a bunch of rebels.

this was....not ideal. getting their name tossed into something big from the unn was shotty work and a quick way to get them all in some trouble. they weren't poachers, they weren't putting their sticky fingers on anything that brought them profit. they were advocates and reformers.

now, the public couldn't be so sure, and that pissed her off.

as she was talking to another member of their organization she felt a soft tap on her shoulder, forcing her to turn around, blonde strands falling from the loosely clipped hair on her head.

she followed veer without hesitation, nodding softly as he spoke. in response she brought up her hands, fingers curling around the special symbols made only for the grey lilies as she mimed out their secret language. she tapped her fingers, rolling her eyes as her tongue poked out in disgust, kyrie mimed an explosion before she tapped the left side of her cheek with her middle finger, the right side with her pointer. she went on to drag a finger up the inner side of her for arm to finish of her sentence.

i hate this type of chaos, it can get people killed.

[wrvtchedhearts]

Veer rarely let any type of worry shine through on his face, he wasn't one to actively engage in such visual statements, he couldn't. He had a whole bunch of rebels to worry about and he found it most important that none of them felt any kind of worry when he spoke to them. But it was different after the day. It was different when it was about his daughter and the mother of his daughter.

It was different after he'd spend all day speaking with members of the Grey Lilies, because not everyone wore a mask of responsibility.

It had exhausted him, but when he appeared anywhere near Rasleen and Goldie, he pushed it to the back of his mind.

They sighed in relief as they saw them, both safe and sound, both beautiful and precious to him. Both a reason why he wanted a better world. Why he fought so hard.

He stepped closer, the door of their apartment firmly closed behind them, and his voice warm and happy. "How are my two favourite people in the universe?" he asked, as extended one hand to touch Rasleen's cheek, and the other one to brush through Goldie's hair. His eyes met Rasleen's, conveying that it wasn't, but that she didn't have to worry. He would fix it. He would never again let anything come between him and his family. "I see both of you already had a bath? Getting ready for bed? Do I need to read you a story?"

・ ✦ ・ 𝐄𝐂𝟎𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐗𝐈𝐀𝐒 *   (  closed starter  for @wrvtchedhearts)

As Rasleen gently pulls Goldie from the bath, wrapping her snugly in a plush yellow towel, she tenderly nuzzles her nose against her daughter's cheek. Yet the warmth of the moment is soon interrupted by the rattling of the doorknob—a jarring sound that sends a shiver of unease through her. Instinctively, her maternal concern surges, and she pulls Goldie closer, her eyes wide with apprehension as they lock onto the intruder at the door.

Years of living on the run had sharpened her instincts; the constant vigilance and the perpetual planning of her exits had become second nature. The old habits, deeply ingrained and hard to shed, still dominated her psyche. Yet, as her gaze finally meets Veer, safe and sound, a profound relief washes over her. "Oh... I thought you would be out a little longer." Their responsibilities, ever present, extended beyond their immediate family—this was a truth Rasleen had accepted with quiet resolve. She harbored no resentment for the compassion they extended to others, understanding that their heart was boundless.

Goldie's delighted giggle fills the space as her father enters, but Rasleen remains steadfast in her embrace, the towel damp with the remnants of their earlier bath. "Is everything alright?" she inquires, her voice soft yet laced with a thread of concern.

The looming shadow of fear carries; that her father—despite being on Earth—might one day find her. Yet Rasleen's heart brims with an undying affection for Veer. Their lives, intertwined with a seamless grace, have come together in a way that feels almost preordained.