this is a robbery [closed]

[atouts]

Who: Childermass, Lambert, Cole, & Yuya.
When: Sometime later during the Harbinger invasion.
Where: The Wishmuth Museum of Art
What: The Harbinger of Fortune has his eyes set on ruining an exhibit opening for the museum's more lucrative patrons...
Warnings: Lambert's ass, Cole's TMI memory theater, and Yuya possibly wishing he'd chosen to team up with two completely different Guardians at that point in time tbh.


What would have otherwise been a quiet gathering of Wismuth's elite, to ooh and aah over the Wismuth Museum's newest additions, has ended up going a more poorly than anyone could have ever planned for. It all started with requesting to see the invitation of one man, having strolled into the reception in an indolent, uncaring manner. No one recognized him. No one was surprised when he told them he did not have one.

Surprise only came when the shadows all around them sprang to life before anyone could try and eject him.

Now the museum is surrounded by the flashing lights of cop cars and news vans, the radio and TV all announcing a strange hostage situation to add to the rest of the bizarre and dangerous events taking place in Wismuth these past few days. Not that the police can get in contact with the hostage-takers. Not that they can go into the building itself, either! The few who have vanishing just like everyone else who'd been in there before, considering their sole contact having been a short-lived emergency call from a security guard and then... nothing.

Overall, it's a mess all around the locked-down streets bordering the Wismuth Museum of Art.

Comments

[whattaprick]

Even if something this flashy wasn't so attention-grabbing to begin with, Lambert would have known something was happening because Pig told him she could sense it. The useful thing about having a familiar that turns into a vehicle is that getting there is easy enough -- as is giving a ride to whoever's with him at the time. But he wasn't expecting all the people swarming around.

"Shit," Lambert sighs, kicking his legs out to steady Pig's bike form where they've pulled over in an alley to assess the situation. "Well, the good news is, they're probably not going to remember us no matter how we get in. Bad news is, whoever's doing this is going to know we're coming if we just go for the front door." There were too few details to pick up on who was responsible, though when he'd heard it was the art museum ... well, Lambert had his suspicions.

"Don't suppose any of your bubbles can make us invisible, can they?" he asks, directing the question over his shoulder at Yuya.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya's never been on a motorcycle before, and he's gotta admit he sees why his mom has one. He doesn't lose focus on what they're here for as they pull into the alley... but the ride along the way is something he'll appreciate later.

For now, he hops off of pig and looks up and up at the museum. Make them invisible, huh...

"I don't think so, because then the bubbles would have to be invisible. But," he points to a darker window, although really any will do. "If we can get up there, I can open one of the windows to get us in."

Maybe in a part of the museum that's not being used, so they have the element of surprise?

[hurtcomfort]

Cole is here as well, though unseen and invisible. Lambert didn't like him: Cole knew that by now. But he wanted to help, so it was best if he did it unnoticed. And already he knows how to help. Get in unseen? Try the back door, there has to be one, right? And he could unlock it.

"Try the back door," he whispers into Yuya's ear. "It will be open."

Cole's plan is to beat them there and unlock the back door himself. The problem here is that Cole's forgotten about Lambert's witcher senses. He's invisible to the two of them at the moment but Lambert could definitely find out where he is.

[whattaprick]

"Well, I've got a spell that can keep us from making any noise going in. Could just drive Pig up there and break a window." Trouble is, who knows what other defenses the Harbinger's set up. He's shit at sneaking around, why do these things always end up needing them to sneak around?! He almost misses Hell, that was a lot more straightforward.

Since it isn't necessary for her to be a bike at the moment, Pig reverts back into her familiar form, sticking close to Lambert. When Cole speaks, she looks at him -- but says nothing. Lambert, in the meantime, stiffens and looks around suspiciously. Distracted by the mission at hand, he hasn't quite caught on that there's a third member of this group just yet.

"I was here earlier this week," he continues instead, looking just slightly off-center of where Cole is. "There was a part of the museum that was closed off because they were putting in something new. Our chances are probably going to be best there."

[hippocarnival]

Yuya stops suddenly when Cole whispers to him, staring ahead before slowly looking around. The back door? But what...?

He looks up at Lambert when he starts to speak again, shaken from his distracted thoughts. Lambert already knows something about this place, and since he doesn't suggest a back door Yuya holds his tongue on it and nods. He's not quite sure it was just an idle thought, but he doesn't have time to think about it.

Yuya nods. "Do you remember where it is?"

[hurtcomfort]

And Cole continues to whisper, focusing on Yuya over Lambert. Come on! This makes sense! Listen to him!

"The staff can't come in the front," he whispers, a bit more insistently. "The door will be unlocked and you won't be seen."

Nigella manifests herself, as unseen as Cole. She spots Pig and gives her a little nod of acknowledgement. Then, she takes her position back up, clinging onto Cole's hat.

[whattaprick]

Pig nods back, briefly, but doesn't otherwise give away that she's spotted something untoward. Whatever Cole's doing, he's another Guardian, and she recognizes it's supposed to help, not harm ... and nothing more needs to be said than that.

In the meantime, Lambert has to think. "Around the back," he says, finally. "We can get around this way."

His ear flicks again, eyes narrowed. "Can you hear something?"

[hippocarnival]

Yuya can't ignore that voice a second time, although he doesn't turn to look for it this time. His shoulders raise, however, and his grip on his weapon tightens.

"Yes," he looks sideways at Lambert. "A voice saying to go in through the back door."

Is it a spirit? Yuya knows it's not his cards, or else he wouldn't be reluctant to trust it. But if they can coax it out, maybe it is friendly and they can work together.

"Uh--if someone's there, you should show yourself!"

[hurtcomfort]

Cole awkwardly looks at Nigella, as if she'll tell him what best to do. The familiar gives Cole a Look. With a little frown, Cole decides that urgh, fine, he'll show himself. But if Lambert yells at him, it's Nigella's fault!

"I can unlock the back door," Cole remarks, suddenly showing himself. He's not RIGHT behind Yuya but he's close enough to probably give Yuya a hell of a scare. "They won't see us as easily that way."

[whattaprick]

Lambert stares.

"Is this a joke?" He asks, of no one in particular. Because really? Really, why Cole? And more importantly-- "How long have you--"

The sharp interrogation is drowned out by the high wail of sirens, a sharp reminder of why they're here. And as much as Lambert would be happy to yell at Cole all day, there are other matters at hand.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya absolutely jumps with a yell--he'll never get used to that. He grabs for Lambert's arm out of reflex as he turns over his shoulder to stare. "Cole!"

There's a long, silent stand off before Yuya comes around to his senses again, and his shoulders slowly relax as he straightens out. "You're... sure you can get us in?"

He's not even sure where the back door is, so hopefully Cole is ready to take the lead if hes certain.

[hurtcomfort]

"It isn't the time," Cole briefly chides Lambert. Yell at him later, when there aren't people who might be in trouble. Now isn't the time.

But at Yuya's question, Cole nods...and just starts running off towards the other side of the building. He's also not sure where the back door is, just that it's there.

"Hurry up!" Nigella chirps in her annoyingly high pitched voice.

[whattaprick]

"I know that," Lambert snaps irritably, temper flaring quickly and fading as he nudges Yuya ahead of him.

"Follow him. I'll bring up the rear."

And the witcher is quick to dart after and chivvy Yuya along if he has to, scooping Pig up so she can ride his shoulder instead of making a loud noise on the concrete. If this doesn't work, there's always breaking in.

THIS IS A RECOVERY

[whattaprick]

One way or another, they get back to the Carnival. Lambert's mood is still terse, and he's mostly quiet on the drive back unless prompted, and then he's outright surly. Against his better judgment, as the least fae-changed, Cole gets custody of the unsheathed iron blade. It makes Lambert's skin prickle just being near it, a similar sympathetic pain starting up in his leg just at the sight of it.

When they get to the medical tent -- driving right up to it, because frankly, fuck walking right now -- it's a relief to find it without a medic for the moment. Lambert doesn't really feel like explaining why he's here for the second time in less than a week. He doesn't, however, reach for any of the magical draughts and potions that may be present, fishing out disinfectant, bandages, and a needle and thread out instead before dropping onto a cot.

"Magic's not going to work on this," he says, before either Cole or Yuya can question it. "That knife was iron." With a little concentration, he could drop the Star Guardian transformation, but having access to his leg isn't actually a bad thing right now, and he was wearing pants before.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya, meanwhile, drops the Star Guardian disguise once they reach the medical tent. He's been uncharacteristically quiet since they left, gaze often kept down. He could argue that he's just tired--but being trapped in a card and having a bunch of other trapped people in his back pocket are still weighing heavily on him.

He following Lambert in sluggishly, and goes first for a towel and some water to try and wash his face, flinching any time he hits the cut wrong. When Lambert speaks up, however, he stops and looks over the cloth at him. If it's iron, that's probably why the knife gives him such an uneasy feeling.

"Are you... going to be okay?" But it doesn't soothe him any to know it.

[hurtcomfort]

Cole lingers further away from the other two normal. He can tell the iron hurts, pulling and pinching at their souls. It hurts him too, though he can bear it. The handle isn't too bad but every time Cole's fingers slip and touch the bare iron itself, it's like someone's jabbed him with needles: bearable, but painful.

So, he doesn't even bother patching up the cuts on his face or the bruises all over his body. Cole just lingers near the entrance, gingerly holding the iron knife as he watches Lambert and Yuya patch themselves up and start the recovery process.

"He's survived worse," Cole answers Yuya, barely audible. "And he will survive worse later." What with the whole 'being a witcher' thing.

[whattaprick]

Cole steals the words out of his mouth and Lambert scowls. It does, however, offer a moment of redirected anger.

"We could have caught him if you'd knocked him out instead of giving him that show," he snarls, stabbing the needle into his leg like he'd really rather be stabbing Cole with it instead. Fuck Cole anyway, he thinks bitterly. That was private, he didn't have the right.

"And you--" He actually can't complain that much about Yuya, because he did his best with a situation gone sideways, but -- "If you tell anyone about that--"

[hippocarnival]

Ah, yes. The memory display. Yuya shifts awkwardly on his feet, looking between Cole and Lambert. But not at Lambert's leg, because he does not at all want to watch him sewing himself up. Instead he focuses on gently patting his face, slowly clearing the blood. Most of it's dry by now, and the wound isn't dripping everywhere. But touching it occasionally pulls the fragile skin back apart.

But he jerks up when Lambert acknowledges him directly, and waves the towel frantically the placate him. "I won't tell anyone about you dating!"

He doesn't know why it's a secret, exactly, but he can at least keep his mouth shut.

[hurtcomfort]

As Lambert yells at him, Cole just stands his ground, still holding onto the knife as he looks over at Lambert's general direction from under his hat. It was a good idea. He didn't know before, but he knows now. And the next time he runs into Childermass, things will be different.

"And then what? I can make him forget, but I can't remove. It's deep and dark, seeping through the self, warping thoughts and muddling minds."

So trying to make Childermass see he was happy and see he was loved didn't necessarily work. But what would they have done with him if it had? Just dragged a knocked out Harbinger back to Noa with a here you go, this is your problem? That wouldn't work and they all knew it.

[whattaprick]

"We. Aren't. Dating," Lambert grinds out, never mind that he only has the barest grasp of that term. And then Cole's speaking up again and really, it's hard to split two targets of his ire!

"The Ringmaster's fixed people before, she could fix this!" Let's never mind all the other times she hadn't. At any rate, the desire to chuck disinfectant at Cole's head is only rising. "And that doesn't change what you did being fucked up!"

Shouting while sewing is a terrible idea, especially when your hands start shaking. Lambert yanks thread so tight it almost breaks through skin and swears again, louder.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya scrunches his face, but he's not going to ask what Lambert would call it while he's about five seconds from exploding. It definitely looked like dating, anyway. Either way, it's a stark contrast to Lambert's moody claims he made in the balloon.

"I told you to ask permission..." he mutters, but doesn't look directly at Cole. Instead he presses the towel back to his face and starts walking around to the side of Lambert's bed. Partly, he needs disinfectant, partly he's worried about what their fighting is going to escalate to. He's decided, right now, he'll intervene if necessary to calm them down.

Even if he's a little bit on Lambert's side.

[hurtcomfort]

"The stone crawls up my spine, I can barely move, I can barely walk, what good am I now?"

"Cole, stop," Nigella starts, realizing that the likelihood something's going to get thrown at his head again is pretty high. She floats over to rest on his shoulder, looking at the spirit with a little frown. But Cole's still staring in Lambert's general direction, fist clenched as he downright glares at Lambert.

The Ringmaster has fixed some people before. But not all of them. They all know that, Cole doesn't need to specify it more than he already has.

[whattaprick]

Lambert didn't think it was possible to hate Cole more, but in this moment, he does.

"Shut up!" He yells, leaving off the sewing to get to his feet, flame and smoke jetting past his lips to punctuate every word as he takes a step forward. "You think just because you can look into people's memories, that makes you right? You don't know me, and you don't know him! Get OUT!"

Move fast Cole, because that sure is a bottle being flung at his head there, and if he's not stopped somehow Lambert's just going to come right up to him and punch him. Even under the anger, the hurt and humiliation roils -- for himself and for Childermass both. Those moments might seem stupid to other people, but they were important to him. Lambert's never been a very private person about he feels, but about Childermass, about them? As much as he'd always thought Childermass's own worries about Strange finding out were ultimately unfounded, it's startling how protective he feels about all those private moments, every time winning a smile or a laugh out of such a taciturn man had felt like a victory.

And now he just feels like a fool.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya jumps, dropping the towel in favor of grabbing Lambert's arm tightly to hold him back--not that Yuya can, at all, with muscle alone. He's just hoping the intention will get through to Lambert.

"Both of you stop! You're hurt," he chides Lambert gently, but his tense expression is on Cole. He doesn't want Cole hurt either, but this isn't helping. Arguing about who was right or wrong here isn't going to help at all, so he really hopes Cole listens, this once, and leaves. He'll be fine on his own, won't he?

Yuya's stomach twists a little at thinking so callously, but... Lambert is sore, and Cole doesn't listen.

"That's not helping, Cole."

[whattaprick]

For a moment, it feels like Lambert's about to wrench himself away from Yuya's grasp, but after half a beat, he just ... stops, shutting his eyes and breathing hard. Anger isn't something he's used to trying to restrain -- his muscles tremble and shake with unspent adrenaline, the need to pick a fight, because that's all he knows how to do. He knows the Void isn't something that can be stabbed or beaten out of people -- and that means it's not something he can help with.

Some Guardian of Freedom he is. He can't even free one person.