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Max stared wordlessly as Eris... shrunk, hoping that his mask covered up whatever flashes of confusion and surprise were appearing on his face. That was certainly something he hadn't expected to see. The simple absurdity of it was enough to get Max to hold his tongue, at least. He was still hesitant about getting the guard involved, but bat-Eris was already fluttering away before he was cognisant enough to protest.

The mage tucked the thread he'd been given into his jacket pocket and turned to Salem. A picture definitely helped, Max wasn't confident he could replicate the rune perfectly from memory. He wasn't sure how precise they needed to be in order to be identified, but erring on the side of caution was always a smart decision. 

[color=8585ad]"The girl was holding it, I think it's a piece of the murderer's outfit. At least, it doesn't match hers. Could be a weird focus or something too, but..."[/color] He finished with a shrug. Speculation was all they could do at this point. That, and get rid of this crowd. The prying eyes were really starting to bug him. Yelling at them might make the more timid ones scatter, but anyone with half a spine would just grow more suspicious. He needed to get rid of the allure of the unknown, hopefully that would cause people to lose interest. But what was he supposed to replace it with? If everyone heard they were out here drinking, they'd just attract people looking for a drink. If they started fighting, people would want to watch - or worse, break it up. He needed something people were fully aware of but didn't want to see.

Motherfucker.

[color=8585ad]"I hope you're drunk already, Flower Boy, I got a plan to get them to piss off,"[/color] Max grumbled as he advanced on Salem. Max himself wasn't nearly drunk enough for this, but it was a preferrable alternative to having to explain to whatever rubbernecking idiot finally worked up the courage to investigate behind the ballroom. Maybe. Probably not, actually, but he was rolling with it. 

He made a grasp for Salem's collar and leaned his face in uncomfortably close, halting just short of their noses touching. The metal mage ran his tongue over his own lips, locking eyes with his would-be companion. Max put in the utmost care that his body language said romance, but his dead gaze still said nothing but disdain. Hopefully it'd make Flower Boy take the hint.

[color=8585ad]"If they think we're being gross back here, they'll get bored and leave,"[/color] He whispered, [color=8585ad]"Pucker up, [i]darling[/i]."[/color] What the fuck was he doing?

[hr][@Hero][@Trainerblue192]