[FRAG] House of Liars

Jubilee inhaled, slowly, keeping his shoulders steady.

He played with the fringe of his shirt, with the collar that clung to the back of his neck and wrapped around his cheeks. Once upon a time, he'd used it to hide himself, to bury his face in layers of clothing, letting them cover his expression and intentions, back when he lived with the Mags. And then, encapsulated in anger and frustration, he'd left them all behind, and he'd grown into the leader he was today.

And now here he was, about to stride back into their midst and inform them of some, honestly, terrible news. Somehow, he'd have to break it to them that more younger Mags had been found... but that they were neck-deep in illegal, immoral dealings. Would he even be able to get across to them the gravity of the situation? Would he be able to convince them to stay in the wings, waiting patiently for his next motions?

If he played his cards right, this could be fortuitous. He could have a noose around the underground's neck, control it effectively, puppet it perfectly. But, even as he pictured the way the dice would fall, he knew something like this was dangerous. Mags, in general, were dangerous. Stubborn, strong-willed, determined reality warpers, who thought they were right, who didn't listen to reason half of the time. Every move had to be correct. There would be no space for stalling, no space for mistakes.

Though he had succeeded in killing Bereave, even after all those years, this felt like a dauntless task. He'd left the Mags, all because they were too set in their ideas to listen to him. And now who was he, to assume he could convince them to wait, to not descend upon Juice in a mixture of fury and adoration? Ren at least listened, eyes wide, waiting for instruction. He at least had that in.

Jubilee groaned, pushing his head into his hands. Killing Bereave, while long-term, had felt less impossible. He had been a public face of the COR for millennia without attracting the other's ire. He had been safe - stuck in a status quo, sure, but safe. But now, delicate reality was resting in his hands. Though he swallowed the violent pictures that rose in his mind - visions of the Mags, society cut in half, all of existence the chessboard - the fear had well and truly settled in his stomach. 

He had chosen this responsibility, though. He had told Magnotris he could handle it. That meant he had to.

The temptation to not tell the Mags about Juice was high, but there were too many variables he couldn't account for if the information didn't come from him. At least like this, with him as the messenger, he could plead for them to remain stationary. If someone else told them... Magnotris, or Ren, or if they found out themselves... no, don't weigh that possibility yet. It would do him no good to ruminate all his time away in front of this mirror.

What's up?

Ah, Ren had dropped Magnotris off.

Jubilee ran a hand through his hair, face pulled into a scowl. He looked tired, he surmised, staring at his reflection. He looked worn. He looked aged. Had time finally caught up to him, all things considered?

Joobs?

"Just thinking, Ren, that's all," he said, pinning his shirt closed over his chest. "Just... thinking."

Rendgen materialized, sliding into place behind Jubilee, setting both hands on his arms. Though he bore a smile, there was clear tension cramped in his shoulders as he stiffly tried to rub over Jubilee's. Still, he appreciated the gesture.

About what you'll say to the others?

"...I suppose." his reflection sagged slightly. "I'm just... I hope this is the last one."

Ren cocked his head. Last...?

"The last... incident. The last thing we'll have to get through. I'd like to just take a break from trying to hold everything together for once. Step back and breathe." Jubilee touched the mirror. "We've been running on... fumes, really, for so long, and this conquest hasn't stopped since Morning Star was Blessed. I have been playing quite too much catch-up. I look forwards to getting to - not relax, but destress."

He let his fingers slide down the glass, magically enchanted to not smudge. He could see Ren's smile flip, for a brief second, to a grimace.

Jubilee narrowed his eyes. "What?"

Huh? What? I didn't say nothing! 

Though the grimace was gone, replaced with a nervous smile, Jubilee still turned around to give the other a dubious stare, one eyebrow quirked. "Why did you frown? What was it I said?"

Nothing you said upset me! Ren held up his hands, giving a light shrug. Whatcha talkin' abou-

"Ren." he kept his voice firm. "You know you can't bullshit me."

There was a long pause, in which Ren held his gaze. Neither spoke, neither moved, and the silence in Jubilee's head was deafening. Ren did not keep secrets from him - not for very long, anyways. There were no secrets between them. There couldn't be.

They killed Bereave together. That had to stand for something. That meant something. Their combined fury, their combined minds had empowered them, allowed them to rise above their stations and strike down the torturer. Combined with the friends that Jubilee had made, the connections they'd forged, they'd accomplished what they'd set out to do, all those years ago.

No lies. No bullshit. Only honesty.

Okay, Ren said, sheepishly looking to the floor. You're not going to like this. At all.

"There are many things I dislike; my personal opinion on this is irrelevant."

I don't know if I should tell you, even. I think the others would be upset with me for it.

"Upset with you?" that was new. Not that they hadn't been upset at Rendgen before - but to imply that they were keeping some sort of secret from Jubilee, all together? Though he knew it would be inappropriate to say, Jubilee still felt the words slipping out of him: "Regardless, I would hope you value our relationship more than that."

Ugh. How awful of him, to say that. But also, wasn't it true? Hrm. 

Er... yeah, I do. It has to do with Genesis, though, and... um... well if you ask Dij I'm sure he'll tell you.

Genesis. Jubilee softly opened and closed his fists, feeling the knuckles crack. "That fills me with little confidence, Ren."

The other wringed his hands, wildly. It wasn't my idea!

"You still haven't clarified what the 'idea' is." though, really, Jubilee already had his guesses.

Just... go talk to Dij. Ren covered his face, frowning past his palms. 

Go talk to Dij. Go walk into the lion's den, and tell them they had to sit on their asses while a new Mag ran around. Go ask them about some sort of Genesis 'idea', which had apparently borne fruit after Bereave died. Oh, Jubilee was many things, but stupid he was not. The sinking feeling in his gut as he entertained the idea that the Mags likely planned to....

He wanted to believe they wouldn't. But of course they would. And, really, did he have any right to disagree? To tell them that they shouldn't kill Genesis? He had been the one to staunchly march on the path of killing Bereave. Killing Genesis... well, they'd have no idea what Bereave's death would do to the other's mental state. It was, likely, safer for reality to square away its creator.

But the thought still stilled him. Though Bereave had been unabashedly cruel, destroyed Timelines, harmed millions, had no care in the world but his own selfish pain - Genesis was different. Genesis was incapable of harming the world, with the tiniest smidge of destruction magic harbored in his soul. Even if he was angry, frustrated, at his limit over his friends' death, what could he do? What threat did he present?

Or, maybe, he was looking at this all wrong. Maybe Dij considered it more akin to... taking out a dying dog, to the back of the barn, and putting it out of its misery. Maybe this was merciful, to let Genesis die, to keep him from suffering without his dysfunctional partner. Maybe it'd be better for him if he died.

Jubilee didn't know. He didn't know Genesis the way the Mags did - considering that they'd once lived under Genesis' wing. He was long past that, born well into the Mags' independence, a symbol of their defiance against their creators. He hummed, biting the inside of his cheek idly. Well, maybe he was also just getting ahead of himself. Best to head to the Mags.

Joobs? Are you mad at me?

"No. But I will be heading to the village now." he gave a curt nod, and Ren stepped back further. "Please remain here. Speak with Suza if you need. Farley isn't here at the moment... but Suza should be free. You two can catch up."

Rendgen nodded, though he still stared forlornly at the ground. Jubilee reached forwards to take his hand, giving it a comforting rub before dropping it and closing his eyes. As he lifted his own, he could feel his magic pouring forth from his chest and into his hand, eager to stretch itself, to impose itself on the world around himself.

He let it spark in his fingers, and teleported to a most familiar place.

Jubilee breathed in, opening his eyes and glancing warily around. The Mags' village existed in a section of reality that was arguably nonexistent; unfindable by any but who the Mags permitted to find them. Indeed, to hold the secret to travelling there was a high boon, a rare treasure. And although calling it a 'village' felt quaint, the place itself was an egregiously surrealistic hellscape. 

He couldn't quantify its size or shape, nor clarify anything about its buildings. Structures clearly existed of some sort, though they were warped, bent, impossible space - fitting, for gods that barely understood the mortal mind and mortal creations. 

Though the stars were still visible above, sparkling in constellations foreign to him, their movements were quick and jerky, flitting across the sky more akin to clouds. Though a clear path lay under his feet, past the buildings he could see mixtures of rolling hills, dripping off into space, vast oceans the size of a backyard, jungles spanning continents, badlands drying into deserts over millennia, all contained in what felt like a mere village street.

Instinctively, he knew the Mags were about, though no were visible to him yet. He hadn't been noticed, but as soon as one caught sight of him, he was sure they'd all appear, rushing him in excitement.

Impossible for his mind to comprehend, despite how close to a Magnitude Fragment his soul was. How fitting.

JUBILEE? YOU'RE HERE?

There it was. He smiled up at Kolo, who had stepped out from a building, the door automatically closing shut behind him as he trotted up. The smile on the Mag's face was, at least, a comfort. "Not on pleasure, unfortunately."

Kolo frowned, brow furrowing. OH. I SEE. WHAT DID YOU NEED?

"Is everyone home? Can you call a meeting, of sorts? I have news."

He glanced over his shoulder, towards the building he'd exited. EVERYONE MAY NOT BE "FREE" CURRENTLY. I KNOW A FEW ARE ENGROSSED IN HOBBIES. BUT I'LL CONTACT THE OTHERS. 

Jubilee's hand twitched. "Can you ensure Dijamant is among those who will arrive?"

...YES, OF COURSE. WHY?

"It's important."

Kolo didn't respond - he merely turned back towards... somewhere. Though Jubilee had lived many years in his place, his brain could still barely keep up with how it functioned. Surely it made sense to the Mags, but his perception merely wasn't wide enough to realize everything they'd put in place. It was almost endearing, in a way, to him: supreme beings trying so hard to emulate the lowest on the rung, yet still remaining just out of grasp of their closest peers. 

He could taste some sort of magic in the air. It distinctly wasn't telepathy, but he'd never quite figured out what kind of communication it was. Surely something more efficient than mortal telepathy, but it must be akin in some fashion. Curiosity tugged at him, but he shushed it. He had to remain focused. Inform them of Juice. Tell his plan. Stand steadfast.

He blinked, and suddenly was swept off his feet and into a tight hug. Jubilee squawked, squirming in the other's grip, trying to yank his face out of the Mag's chest so he could at least see who it was.

jubilee!!!

Ah, Peresekat. He placed both hands on the other's chest, pressing enough to pry himself somewhat free, glancing around. Though clearly not all of the Mags had bothered to show up, enough were around that the word could reasonably spread around. He caught Dij's smile. 

MAGS COLLECTED, Kolo said, evenly.

"Thanks," Jubilee muttered. Pere still hadn't let go of him. This was his life now. "I have important news."

News? Linija leaned forwards, Good? Bad? I'm hoping it's good-

Of course it'll be just fine, don't rush him, Dij smoothly interjected, holding up a hand.

Ellipsa glanced to Kolo, should we get pya? if it's important enough that jubilee is here, then surely he should know about it, right?

HE SAID HE WAS BUSY. I DIDN'T WANT TO PRY.

Uuuugh, he's ALWAYS busy. You'd wonder how he ever knows what's going on, amiright?

he's not THAT bad, linija, you're blowing this out of proportion-

well, yes, but you know him, kolo! maybe he just didn't realize-

"Please," Jubilee cut in.

JUBILEE IS TRYING TO SPEAK.

Everyone's trying to speak, babe. You gotta let them ramble it out.

Of course you'd say that, Pere, you're literally his boyfriend - it'd be kinda bizarre if you didn't defend him-

linija, let's not get onto this unproductive line of thought. you wouldn't say that if dij defended kolo, no?

Hey now!

what are we talking about?

Ellipsa, I swear on my magic,

"THERE IS A NEW MAG," Jubilee yelled.

Everyone's heads snapped towards him, eyes wide, deer in headlights. Pere slowly put him down. That had gotten their attention. Unfortunately, he had about three seconds before they all started demanding answers, overtop of each other, at once.

"And it is imperative that you remain quiet," he continued, crossing his arms. "This is a matter of actual, honest-to-stars world security."

That's kinda a high bar there, Joobs.

Leave it to Dijamant. "I am well aware, thank you. I would not have come if it was not serious."

Kolo folded his hands over his lap. JUBILEE, WE ALREADY TOLD THE OTHERS. BUT THANK YOU FOR TRYING TO INFORM THEM.

Jubilee blinked. "What?"

They knew? Ren spilled? Or had they been watching him and Magnotris? Sudden worry churned in his gut.

THOUGH PYA INSISTS QUANTUM, VODOVOROT, AND FARLEY NOT BE PUNISHED, HOPEFULLY YOU CAN TALK SOME SENSE INTO HIM....

He frowned. "What?" 

WHAT?

"I don't understand. Quantum, Farley - none of them were involved. What do you mean, they should be punished?"

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? OF COURSE THEY WERE INVOLVED. THEY WERE THE ONES WHO CREATED DEVETOUGAO. I'M SURPRISED REN DIDN'T TELL YOU THAT WE WANTED THE THREE TO BE ON COR ARREST, IF HE TOLD YOU ABOUT-

"No, he didn't tell me about Devetougao," Jubilee said, muzzle scrunching slightly. Well, that muddied this plan slightly. "But I don't mean them. There are more... newly-found Mags."

The instantaneous mental shriek from the gathered Mags nearly destroyed his sense of hearing. A loud, obnoxious ringing overtook every other sound in his head. Thankfully, the Mags' voices were not made of sound.

oh my stars!

JOOBS, YOU GOTTA SHOW US THEM!

oh, that's absolutely incredible, jubilee! oh my goodness, when can we meet them?!

MORE MAGS!?

"You need to listen to me," Jubilee said, keeping his back straight, even though he could barely make out his own words. "This is dire."

Dire? In what sense?

Jubilee glanced up, to Dijamant. Though he grinned, still, there was a look in the other's eyes that gave him pause, no matter how brief. He would be lying if he said he disliked Dijamant, but, if nothing else, he was wary. And the glint of a sparkle hidden behind the other's facade was enough to make his spine lock up, make his hands ball into fists.

This wasn't something to be deathly curious about. This wasn't something to be gleeful about.

But he willed the malcontent to the back of his mind. "Dire in the sense that I must ask all of you NOT to speak to either of them."

Peresekat leaned forwards, a hand on his mouth, 'either'? there's two of them?

wait- Ellipsa crossed his arms, a frown plain on his face, why can't we speak to them?

"They are involved in the... Fragment underground. Fighting rings, illegal mortal selling, I imagine they have interactions with most immoral dealings we've condemned. They appear to be leader of a city that might be the hidden hotspot of those types of dealings we've been struggling to find." Jubilee breathed in, slowly. "You cannot speak to them yet, because I need to figure out how best to apply this knowledge. If we do this correctly, they could serve as a way to control the market and help us - the COR - to prevent-"

That's a bit of a big favor you're asking, Jubilee.

He opened his mouth, but Dij held up a hand. He was so relaxed, like this was easy and simple to him.

Why not just let us talk to one of them? I'm sure we could convince them to join your cause - they're Mags, after all. And, really, who's to say they're as unhinged as you're making them out to be? Maybe they've been controlling the underground - they're Mags. I doubt they were hurting people for fun. 

"They kidnapped Magnotris," Jubilee said, steadily, "threatened to mindbreak him, implied to have brainwashed most of their 'city', and, I do quote, said they would 'break' the other Mags when they found them."

Silence. Dijamant stared at him, smile gone, eyes half-lidded in something close to irritation. He had enough self-control not to scowl, but the brief glimpse behind the mask was unsettling.

"Hence, I implore you, stay out of this. They're - I presume from the same Singularity unfuse that Farley and Quantum are. And they are strong. Ren and I only managed to rescue Magnotris via surprise attacks, and I fear even Ren and Suza's presence at the COR won't be enough to protect it." Jubilee shook his head. "Let me handle this."

What makes you think you can handle this, if they're so intimidating?

Though words spilled out of him, Jubilee didn't quite believe what he was prattling: "I am sure I would be capable of applying my knowledge and experiences to appeal to their idealistic nature - you're right, they're Mags, there has to be something there - but I don't want to threaten them with the presence of older gods yet-"

What's to stop them from just brainwashing you?

"Well, they seemed intent on killing you, and I wouldn't put it past them to succeed," Jubilee retorted, weakly.

Dijamant smiled. We're Magnitude Fragments. We're unkillable.

He couldn't help it - resentment had fully sunk its fangs into his heart. "Yes, and you all said that about Bereave, and look where we are now?"

Kolo put his hand on Dij's chest, as if it to restrain him, I THINK THAT'S ENOUGH. I TRUST JUBILEE'S JUDGEMENT ENOUGH TO LET HIM AT LEAST COME UP WITH A PLAN BEFORE WE GO CHARGING IN AND CLOSING MULTITUDES OF DOORS FOR HIM. IF HE FAILS TO CONJURE SOMETHING, WE CAN TAKE MATTERS INTO OUR OWN HANDS. BUT HIS PLAN TO KILL BEREAVE WORKED, DID IT NOT?

Please, Kolo. Dij's grin was back. The "Bereave" plan was vastly different. Not only were there factors and variables that Jubilee didn't account for, but Bereave himself is an entirely different class. He wanted to die. Everyone could tell.

"I adapted to those factors and variables quite well, in truth," Jubilee muttered. 

But that wouldn't have mattered if Bereave didn't want to die, if some part of him didn't seek death, cry out for it. Dij shifted his weight onto another leg, crossing his arms. Your little attack would've done nothing but bounce off of him. You have to exploit that lack of willpower.

There was a coldness to the way Dij was speaking that snaked under Jubilee's skin. Peresekat and Ellipsa had both centered their stares on Dij, though out of the corners of their eyes, like they couldn't quite look at him. 

Kolo pressed harder on Dij's chest. I THINK THAT'S ENOUGH, DIJ.

"Ren told me you planned something," Jubilee said, words near-robotic. He stared down at the ground, at the ground he couldn't quite comprehend. Somehow, that was easier than staring at Dij's expression.

This had been his safe place. He'd been born here, been raised here. This was his home, wasn't it? That was what Ren was always saying. Yet, in this moment, in this brief eternity, it was utterly and completely alien, a millennium away and a light-year ago. And the people around him, the people he trusted, knew he could fall back on - were they even here anymore?

Oh? Dij prompted, when the silence stretched on too long.

"About Genesis. He... said to ask you, specifically."

Dij's smile quirked, slightly, though the emotion behind it was unreadable. Riiiight, that mess. Well, don't you worry your little head about it - you won't be involved in this one. It's Mag business.

WHAT? YOU'RE NOT GOING TO TELL HIM?

He tilted his head to direct the smile at Kolo. Well, why would I? He's going to have his hands full with this new Mag business. He's gotta come up with something, right? Or we'll get involved, that's what you said, yeah? Why bother giving him something else to be anxious about?

YOU WOULDN'T EVEN BE GOING THROUGH WITH YOUR PLAN IF JUBILEE HADN'T DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE, HE DESERVES TO KNOW.

Well, there it was. Obvious, it was obvious now, laying in front of him, like a spread-out newspaper. Still, Jubilee could only stare at the ground. Anxious? He was anxious, here, surrounded by people who would bend over backwards for him? He'd come here, planning to exploit that, and here he stood, anxious? What kind of leader was he, letting his emotions get the better of him like this?

He forced the lump in his throat down, and raised his head. "So you plan to kill Genesis."

Both of the Mags' eyes flicked to him. 

Yeah, I suppose it was pretty crystal clear. 

"You expect to succeed?"

Is that even a question?

Jubilee breathed in. "You'll likely need Sterling. I can't imagine he'd do anything without Morning Star's blessing."

What was he doing, giving advice?

Trust me, I'm aware. Dij gave him a dazzling smile. Don't worry. He wants to die, too.

He wasn't going to talk them down, of course. He just couldn't. He didn't have the sway over the rest of the Mags like he did Ren, and even then, his grip on Ren could be shaky. The discomfort from earlier, from his thoughts of Genesis, hadn't quite left, though it was more subdued now. All the panic had been wasted earlier, in front of the mirror.

Jubilee exhaled, running a hand down his face. "Well, it sounded like you're in agreement to leave the new Mags alone anyways. Is that true? Can I trust in that?"

YES, OF COURSE.

"Thank you." he gripped the hem of his shirt. "I should be returning to the COR soon."

Oh, hey, before you go- Dij reached forwards to hold Jubilee's shoulder, as if he would've left without permission, Kolo mentioned this earlier, but we're sending the kiddos to COR headquarters. Think of it like house arrest.

"May I ask why you chose headquarters?"

Well if they stay here, they'll be getting bombarded with love juice! 

PLEASE DON'T CALL IT LOVE JUICE.

You know, our "thing". The cute little mental connection Mags have. They'd be getting it from everyone here, so best to cart em off to HQ! Obviously Suza and Ren are there, but I don't think they'll be in a lot of interaction with them, since we relayed the plan.

Jubilee narrowed his eyes. "This is meant to punish them for... creating a new Mag, am I remembering this correctly?"

NO, THAT WAS THE CATALYST. BUT THEY WENT BEHIND OUR BACKS AND TAMPERED WITH BEREAVE'S CORPSE, SO SOME SENSE OF BOUNDARIES HAD TO BE ESTABLISHED. THEY'LL BE BACK IN THE VILLAGE SOON ENOUGH, I ASSURE YOU.

"...And Bereave's corpse is...?"

Kolo and Dij shared a look.

FRANKLY, IT DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE. THE REMAINING HALF TURNED INTO DEVETOUGAO AFTER IT WAS INFUSED WITH CREATION MAGIC. I SUPPOSE THAT KNOWLEDGE COMFORTS YOU?

...It did. 

Jubilee took in a long breath, feeling his lungs fill, the coldness in his airways grounding him. His chest rose with the sensation, and he held it for only a moment before letting the air back out, shoulders falling slightly with it. Relief, sure. But also, still, over everything, he felt worn. Stretched thin, perhaps. But that, at least, was one bright, screaming light that was finally turned off.

Bereave was well and truly dead. Bereave was gone. Forever. He'd done it. He'd won. There was no way for Bereave to find him now. He'd ensured the safety of every other Timeline, and had avenged the deaths of everyone he had been. What a thought. What a thing, to hold in his head.

"Yes. Thank you for telling me," he said, adjusting his collar. "I'll be heading back now, if there's nothing else."

I THINK THAT'S ALL. THANK YOU FOR INFORMING US, JUBILEE.

"Of course," he said, evenly, and snapped his fingers.

His office melted into place around him, though the sudden disorientated and wave of nausea nearly knocked him off his feet. Ridiculous Mag village, ridiculous perception issues. Though Jubilee stumbled, he managed to stay standing, holding his head while the throbbing sensation faded. He just needed to sit for a few minutes, that was all.

There was someone in his chair.

Jubilee paused, squinting. As dark gray and dark violet colors came into focus, he rubbed his forehead, grimacing slightly.

"My face isn't that ugly," Quantum stated.

He had to crack a small smile at the humor. "Yes, sorry. I'm a bit unwell at the moment. Hello, Quantum."

"Did the others tell you about the 'punishment'?"

He seemed vastly more confident than he'd been when Magnotris had first brought him in. Sure, some time had passed, but enough for him to build up a sense of confidence, a sense of justice? Then again, he didn't know all the details of Quantum's past. Best not to assume. 

"Yes, they did. May I sit in my chair?"

Quantum glanced down at the office chair he was perched in, arms crossed. He looked up deftly. "No."

"I see," Jubilee muttered, sitting instead in one of the guests' chairs. "May I help you?"

"Yeah, actually." Quantum set both of his feet on the desk. Jubilee glanced at the blemished paperwork under the other's soles. "I saw Rendgen in the hallway. I asked where you were. He got dodgy, and then said you were 'going to go warn the Magnitude Fragments'."

"Yes, that's accurate."

"Warn them about what?"

Jubilee paused, letting his eyes flick to Quantum's face. He couldn't drop information about Juice and Proximity. Though he didn't know Quantum very well, he wasn't stupid enough to think that blabbering about people an unstable Mag would surely hate would be productive in any sense. Honestly, he was surprised Ren spilled in the first place. It was certainly out of character, with his knowledge of how important the plan was to Jubilee and how stiff he'd been about Dijamant's plan earlier.

What were his options here? To lie, and hope Quantum believed him? He didn't have any power over the other; any influence his position gave him clearly meant nothing, considering that his records and reports were currently being sullied. 

"Well, Overseer?"

He nearly spat the word, as if it were an insult. Likely, he considered it one, taking into account his origins. 'Overseer' wasn't likely a term the underground used with anything but contempt and laughter.

"It's being handled," he dismissed. "Just some concerns with Magnotris' recent work. You remember him?"

"Of course I remember him," Quantum near-hissed.

Neither spoke for a second, staring at one another. Quantum's face, though clearly bared in a scowl, didn't read much else. Clearly he had to be thinking or feeling something else, but the anger bubbling underneath the rest of his thoughts seemed to overtake his expression. Jubilee kept his own calmed, face blank save for a spot of tiredness. Maybe if he appealed to some empathy in Quantum, he'd be able to get back to work. 

"Whatever," came the gruff reply as Quantum rose from the chair. "Have your chair back."

Jubilee rose, with a grateful "thank you". He strode over to his chair, letting his body slump into his familiar crevices. It sagged slightly under his weight, creaking, but it was a comfort. Briefly, he closed his eyes, rolling his shoulders to feel them crack.

A second later, he opened his eyes again, meeting Quantum's stare. The other lingered, still standing next to him. 

"Yes?" he ventured, after another few seconds. 

Quantum's hand landed squarely on his forehead.

Jubilee only had a second to realize what was happening, but by the time his hand flew up to attempt to dislodge Quantum's wrist, the invasion of mind-reading magic had already dug well into his brain. Though he threw up weak mental blocks, Quantum easily crushed past them, digging out the memory of his conversation with the Mags and when he'd rescued Magnotris.

Sour resentment temporarily flooded their shared link. Was it his own, or Quantum's? Stars knew. He could just barely taste anger and frustration, a volcano of both, on the fringes of the connection. This was messy. Quantum hadn't done this before. He hadn't yet learned to obscure his own feelings.

And just as soon as it'd happened, it was over. Jubilee lurched forwards, clutching his temples as Quantum stared, silently, at his own palm.

"Alright, thanks," he mumbled, quickly teleporting before Jubilee could open his mouth. 

Sniffling slightly, Jubilee blearily looked up at the empty air where Quantum once was. 

Great. Wonderful. Now there was a timer hanging over his head - not only from the Mags, but from Quantum as well. If he was lucky, he had a day. And something was telling him that lady luck wasn't rooting for him. Of course, after a perfect opportunity to accomplish his second goal was slid to him on a platinum platter, it had to be snatched away just as quickly.

Well, he'd just have to roll up his sleeves and dive in harder. Think, consider. Lay out all of the information and seek options. Leave every door open, no matter how heinous. What would give him an advantage? What would place him in front of the other players? What strings could he pull to ensure his victory?

He needed to speak with Sterling. 

With that thought, Jubilee rose from his desk, nearly gliding out of his office and disappearing down the corridor, chair and comforts forgotten.