[b]Collab Between [@Fallenreaper] and [@Ryver et Rhine][/b]

[b]Location:[/b] Overseers’ Lounge (Dining Hall)
[b]Time:[/b] Day Time (Approx. 2 Hours Before the Meeting)

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Samad’s incoming message provided Zak an opportunity to distance himself from the tensed atmosphere at the breakfast table in the Overseers’ Lounge. Sitting between two irate gentlemen who were engaged in their version of the cold war was the least ideal way to spend a lovely morning. If it weren’t considered rude to up and leave, he’d have left the table the moment the Iranian Asylum contacted him. Surmising that a truce won’t be reached in the next ten minutes, Zak felt it was safe to respond to Samad’s message via their telepathic link. 

[color=a0410d]“What happened to being nice to Cade?”[/color] Zak teased. [color=a0410d]“It’s not even lunch yet. So yup, way too early to be bickering. Why don’t you grab a bite with Cade first? I’ll join you once I’m done.”[/color] He left the last bit vague, trusting that Samad would understand his wish for some privacy. 

[i][color=Deba5e]‘If I wasn’t, I would’ve broken his legs then tossed him back into the fish tank for another week while I did a mission. He nearly got us both killed. The sooner he’s up and running, the better. However, I will get him something to eat,’[/color][/i] The Iranian grumbled back.  

Zak closed their communication link after that, deciding he needed to focus on the situation at hand. He was supposed to be trying to persuade Morty to find someone else to be Ante Mortem’s Overseer. Needless to say, Zak knew the discussion was over before it even began. The ex-Overseer outranked him and by default someone more junior would have to accept whatever mission their superior assigned them. He was lucky to have his mentor step in before Morty forced him to accept the mission. 

Speaking of Morty, Zak turned to look at the man again. The ex-Overseer was busy spearing one of the glistening yolk on his the plate. A stream of yellow burst from the incision and splattered the sausages nearby. Zak stopped himself from wrinkling his nose, as he continued watching Morty attacking the rest of the food barbarically. Losing his appetite, Zak pushed the sausage he was cutting away, wiped his mouth with his napkin and placed his fork and knife onto the plate. A waiter waiting nearby cleared it immediately. 

[color=a0410d][i]Two cups of coffee,[/i][/color] Zak noted. [color=a0410d][i]Three glasses of whiskey before that and now a third cup of coffee. Make that a third cup of coffee and a cup of hot chocolate.[/i][/color] He picked up his cup of tea and took a sip. [color=a0410d][i]No wonder Asylum Deacon wants to foist them on me,[/i][/color] he concluded. [i][color=a0410d]The stress must be immense considering that his scalp is visible after sticking with Ante Mortem for six months.[/color][/i]

“Aren’t you eating, my boy?” Morty urged. “Your meeting is in two hours and I say you should eat when you can.” 

[color=a0410d][i]So I don’t end up embarrassing myself at the table?[/i][/color] Zak questioned quietly, cringing at the thought of himself ending up like this disgusting pig. He withheld his sneer as best as he could and forced himself to smile politely. The last thing he needed was to antagonize the slob in front of him when he was already on the losing end of this bargain. [color=a0410d]“I’d choose sleep over food right now,”[/color] he spoke calmly. [color=a0410d]“An alert mind is better than a [i]full belly[/i].”[/color] 

The unwanted guest dropped his fork and burst out laughing. He laughed so hard that he practically doubled over, clutching his sides. Tears streamed from his eyes, as he banged the table top with his fists repeatedly. Another sign that Morty was on his way to becoming a hatter. Zak’s smile climbed an eighth of an inch up the sides of his face. [i][color=a0410d]Looks like the infamous Ante Mortem drives another Overseer insane. They sure go through them faster than the other Chrono teams.[/color][/i] 

Alistair briefly chuckled at his past student’s preference, his expression flashed a hint of pride and acceptance in Zak’s direction. The older Overseer tightened his hand about his mug as he felt the liquid chill causing him to look down and frown. Arguing with Morty over Zak’s future had made it that way as his alchemy began to vibrate and heat the surface he touched. He shot a glare at Morty when the man spoke. 

“F-fully belly?” Morty sputtered after gasping for air. “You have no idea. No idea at all! I’ve been stuck with them for a year! A YEAR! Sleep and food are luxuries I don’t have time for. Do you even know ANYTHING about Ante Mortem?” his voice was already rising hysterically. 

[color=a0410d]“You aren’t obligated to stay with them,”[/color] Zak reminded the man. [color=a0410d]“Overseers have every right to request for a transfer if they need one.” [/color]

A dark look crossed Morty’s face when Zak mentioned transferring. The haggard man sat up straighter, as the air around him hung heavily over his side of the table. “No one in their right mind accepts a mission with a troublesome pair like those two. No one! I was assigned to them and …” 

[color=a0410d]“And now you are assigning them to me,”[/color] Zak completed. A slight twinge of annoyance stirred inside but it didn’t show on his smiling face. [color=a0410d]“It is a big favour you are asking of me,”[/color] the youngest Overseer stated. [color=a0410d]“One Alistair can reject on my behalf.” [/color]

“I’ve already made it clear I object on every level,” Alistair commented when Zak mentioned his name, “You aren’t fully ready for them and you already have two you’re responsible for. They aren’t fully cooperating, are they yet?” 

Zak grinned. [color=a0410d]“Quite so. Sorry mate, I think we are done. No point wasting your time and mine since you are busy enough with the latest brouhaha over the Pyramid of Giza.” [/color]

“I-is that a NO?” Morty’s eyes began bulging worriedly, as he saw Zak and Alistair getting ready to leave. He was practically wheezing at the thought that he might remained saddled with the most notorious Chrono team on AMRO’s roster. The very idea was enough for him to contemplate suicide if this negotiation failed. “Why don’t you have a look at the roster first?” he pleaded. “I’m sure you won’t say no.” 

Morty’s panic was more evident than ever, as a brown paper folder slid towards MMXVII. Zak raised an eyebrow and sat down again. He was surprised that anyone would want to print anything these days. Asylums have been blessed with a variety of smart gadgets - watches, phones or even palm sized computers - that made file sharing easier. A refusal to do so made Morty seem like even more of an anachronism than ever. A man who should have retired when he had the chance. 

[color=a0410d]“Fine,”[/color] Zak agreed after exchanging a glance with his mentor. [color=a0410d]“I wonder what made you think I’d find this assignment bene. Have you seen the file, Alistair?”[/color] he asked the red haired Overseer seeing across him as he began scanning the names of the Asylums assigned to the mission. [color=a0410d]“Your frown has become more pronounced, so something must be bothering you.” [/color]

“I’m more worried about your diplomatic nature at this moment. I know how you are and I don’t like the fact you will wear yourself thin trying to find a solution for peace,” Alistair stated then answered the question, “And no, I’ve not. Personally, that worries me greatly.”

[color=a0410d]“You speak as if I have a choice in the matter,”[/color] the mentee noted. [color=a0410d]“I sometimes wonder if we are even speaking of the same AMRO. My only chance of getting a fair consideration would be asking you to plead my case or finding someone else to accept the mission on my behalf.”[/color] Zak’s lips curled slightly. [color=a0410d]“And we both know what the others feel about Ante Mortem. They are too much of a liability.”[/color] He added air quotes as he spoke the last bit.   

“I’ve never discourage you to follow through on your own choices, but I do request you side on caution when I ask you to. The Experimental Team is a handful as it is and adding on more will likely wear you thin,” Alistair commented then continued, “Personally, if that file says what I fear it might…. My plea will take time or become fully denied.” 

Brown eyes flicked from the paper to Alistair’s face and back. A gloved finger hovered above the two names they suspected might be mentioned in the upcoming mission. [i][color=a0410d]A not so cunning trap, as expected from someone so far gone.[/color][/i] Zak thought, tapping the edge of the paper with the same finger. He noticed Morty gloating slightly. An air of renewed confidence shimmered round the worn out Overseer like a eye-watering halo. The sight annoyed Zak even more. 

He could walk away now as Alistair suggested. Wash his hands off this assignment and get a small slap on the wrist for refusing thanks to his position as a mentee. On the other hand, the repercussions are bound to include him being reassigned from the Experimental Team. The higher ups as he liked to call them would fear him getting too attached, which was a big no-no to them. Something they’d try their best to nip in the bud so to speak. 

[color=a0410d]“I hate to admit it, but he knows how to pick his aces.”[/color] Zak shrugged nonchalantly to hide the worry he was feeling at the moment. He lapsed into silence after that as he reflected on the contents of the file. Based on the brief, he could already anticipate how messy things were going to be. A tensed political situation was the last thing Samad and Cade needed to test their imploding teamwork. 

“Oh? I wondered why he was so smug during the conversation,” Alistair’s displeasure showed through his tone of voice. He paused to sip the tea and let it’s heat calm his nerves, before he continued, “So, do you still want me to attempt to get this reassignment jerked from your lap? Either way, it will take time and until then you have to play nice.” 

[i][color=a0410d]I am in a bind. The higher ups feel that Samad or Cade needs to be on this mission. I am placing money on Samad but I can’t shake the feeling that the matter doesn’t concern the Kians,[/color][/i] the Darwin confided telepathically. [i][color=a0410d]If anything happened to the family, one of the exiled Kians would have contacted Samad. [/color][/i]

Zak laced his gloved fingers together and leaned forward. To his credit, his solemn face managed to mask most of the frustration he was feeling right now. It was another useful trick passed down to him through Alistair and one he was exploiting to keep Morty squirming. [color=a0410d][i]I believe you are aware that Cade has connections to another family. Actually, now that I think about it, I’m liking this less and less.[/i][/color] 

[i]’Yes, I’m aware. The Legendes. Cade’s family was indebted to them due to medical care relating to a rogue’s poison and permanently crippled the father, an agreement was reached they would work it off in the clinics within America. When Cade was in his late teens, he demonstrated Alchemy specializing in electricity. The Legendes then contacted AMRO who later came to retrieve him. He seemed rather attached to the Bloodline from the reports.’[/i]   

The young man considered his mentor’s words. He knew he was waddling through dangerous waters with each additional second spent deliberating. Of course, he could cut ties with the Experimental Team if he chose to, but something else was nagging him. An indignant feeling born from the fact that he sensed that someone was cruel enough to consider using Cade as a pawn. The poor guy was a nervous wreck and Zak doubted he’d be able to live with himself if he allowed those two to head into the mission unsupervised in their current state. It was a liability that AMRO shouldn’t be taking considering the current climate of trust. 

[i][color=a0410d]Could you buy me some time?[/color][/i] The novice asked. [i][color=a0410d]I think I shall accept the mission for now, but it isn’t because of them. I want to investigate the person assigning them their missions lately. I believe there has been a breach of conduct.[/color][/i] Even without Alistair replying, he could already sense the worry radiating from his mentor. He didn’t like it one bit. All that concern was making him doubt his own judgement; something he could ill-afford at a time like this. 

[i] ‘I can, if this is really what you want, but I seriously advise against it. Trying to watch both the Ante Mortem and the Experimental Team at once is harsh even for a [u]mentor[/u]. AMRO might worry you’re judgement is becoming… weakened.’[/i] Alistair looked at Zak and took a sip, his expression blank through every trick he knew during his time as an Overseer and made it impossible to read.  

Jerking his head up, he looked the man in the eye. [i][color=a0410d]I’m not getting soft,[/color][/i] he insisted. [i][color=a0410d]I’m doing what’s best best for AMRO. Killing two birds - maybe three - with one stone. Meanwhile, I’d like you to help me find a replacement. It’s too late to find someone now and Morty isn’t fit to be going on this mission. He needs psychiatric assistance, which I hope you wouldn’t arranging for him too. I’d offered to arrange that but two hours isn’t a lot of time. [/color][/i]

[i]‘Personally, I would rather toss him into the nearest padded room for R&R and normalcy. It would do him much more good than a shrink and being left to his own devices. However, I’ll see what I can do. As for your ‘mission’, a tip on making things easier for you: Try to nudge the others to help you with Cade and Samad. Having more than yourself on their case might help get through Samad’s thick skull that’s it’s not Cade’s fault that he replaced Elise. It might also give Cade a reason to grow a pair in order to stand up against Samad’s attitude and even kill off some of that humanity he holds onto so strongly,’[/i] Alistair finished up his cup after his last sentence, his figure had finally rose up to his feet and glared at Morty. Though Zak had come to the conclusion of wanting to be replaced and requested his help, the mentee’s actions would determine the damage from here on out. There was no going back to the way things were now. 

“I’ve got a few things to do because my next assignment as it seems my mentee has made up his mind,” Alistair, while not outright saying the decision, hinted to Zak to tell Morty about his decision over the matter, “Contact me if you have issues and I will be checking in time to time. I wish you good luck, Zak.” 

“Looks like you’ve accepted?” Morty’s sounded incredulous. 

Zak contemplated if he should be kinder to the long suffering man, but Morty wasn’t exactly the most enduring person out there. His manners and his character were found to be wanting in many areas. For instance, Morty being completely unaware that he was dabbing his sweating face with a ketchup stained napkin. The unbecoming behaviour made even the waiters stare at him with a mix of pity and disgust. Indifferent as he tries to be, the annoyance made it that much easier for him to be ruthless when dealing with this man. 

[color=a0410d]“No,”[/color] Zak corrected, relishing how big Morty’s eyes were growing. [color=a0410d]“Consider this as a favour owed. Alistair made it clear that he planned to reject the mission if I hadn’t convinced him otherwise.”[/color] A smirk played lightly on the Darwin’s lips as he lay the file on the table. Now it’s time for him to try his luck with this man. There was a small chance that Morty would spot the bluff, but all evidence indicated otherwise. The man’s mind lacked the sharp edge one expected of a Sniffer. He was, if truth be told, no more alert than a druggie in withdrawal. 

“Favour? I thought it was …” 

Zak held up a hand to cut the man off. [color=a0410d]“No. I’m Alistair’s responsibility until he chooses to release me.” [/color] He allowed his words to trail off as he remained as calm and compose as he had been throughout the latter part of their meeting. [color=a0410d]“Don’t worry, it’s a simple request.”[/color]

“Fine,” Morty blasted, throwing his soiled napkin on the table. “Just accept already and I’ll do what you want. I’m tired of you stupid games. Yours and Alistair’s!” 

Even more dinners turned to stare at them, which made things twice as awkward. Zak simply waved his hand in silent apology and waited till they looked away before he resumed the conversation. [color=a0410d]“Good,”[/color] he stated simply, deciding that he’d save himself the bother of chastising a man twenty years his senior. He saw the maître d' hovering close by out of the corner of his eye, so it was reasonable to conclude that one more uproar and they’d be asked to leave. [color=a0410d]“I’ll be in touch with you soon. Right now, I have an appointment to keep.”[/color]

With that, he stood up and gathered his cane and the file. [color=a0410d]“Have a good day!” [/color]