Day 264 - Thursday, September 11th

[papalobo]

[Max sleeps; has as he'd thought, he achieves nothing, and he's not even a small-talk source of comfort or somebody to soothe Ash's nerves before his two AM meeting with yet another Chinese teenager. Something about Chinese teenagers seems to always spell trouble for Ash, and now he's in a mess involving no less than four of them.

But Max doesn't move. If Ash comes to see him, setting that pill counter and the note about the smoothie, he may notice he hasn't so much as shifted a finger. Ash has had to turn to painting, but there's no need to lock that room before, or even for a long while after. The only one in this house besides him is a breathing corpse.

But Shawn's ready and waiting for him at one, prepared to be decked out a wires that Ling's likely to hang him with if he finds out about them.]

Comments

[jadedlynx]

It won't be the first time. Last time, they were nice enough to fake my death for me.

I discredit the people who claim they saw me. Then Ash Lynx stays a ghost.

[papalobo]

What about an alibi?

[jadedlynx]

For the bombing? I actually have one.

[ He should have been near Nadia's when it happened. ]

[papalobo]

Well, I guess we can worry about the after, after. First thing's getting Wu back. Second thing is getting a hint on Sing, I guess? Still all dead ends on him.

[jadedlynx]

[ It feels very much not like being in a gang. He's adding contour to Shawn's nose and eyes. ]

Ling wasn't even running his own operation. One of his brothers still might have him.

[ And Max still hasn't texted. ]

[papalobo]

If he had a reason to keep him alive.

[jadedlynx]

If he's alive.

[ Ash does know that's a possibility. Emotionally, he's preparing for it. Emotionally, he's doing his best for when or if it comes. He doesn't want for him to be dead. He doesn't want for him to be tortured. ]

Maybe he's dead. Maybe he's wishing he was.

[papalobo]

The princess might be, too. He's the one who'd be in the best position to get revenge for him. Us striking back at mainland China's not possible.

[jadedlynx]

He's more than likely suffering.

[ Ash knows that. Even if he heard of his death, he'd assume it was faked. ]

[papalobo]

Kid was too young to be put in that spot to start with.

[jadedlynx]

He was probably forced into a lot of stuff too young, but he's dangerous now.

[ But he wouldn't have given him over for torture. ]

[papalobo]

Am I pretty yet?

[jadedlynx]

This isn't fast. I have to make sure you don't look like yourself.

Turn on the TV.

[papalobo]

[He does so, assuming Ash wants the news.]

[jadedlynx]

[ By the time he's finished, Shawn is slightly darker with slighty lighter but longer hair. His eyes, thanks to the contacts, are somewhat more blue. Also also had a black wig slicked to look high class , eyebrows covered to look black, and contacts to make his eyes look darker blue. ]

We shouldn't be easy to spot now.

[papalobo]

Why do I get the feeling you play dress up a lot?

[jadedlynx]

I'm a memorable guy.

Now we can walk around town a little more and get close to the hotel.

[papalobo]

We getting info or getting in?

[jadedlynx]

[ There's no text from Max. Ash doesn't sleep well that night. There's a limit to what he can handle in his condition.

The next day, with makeup reapplied, fake ID and cards, they're checking in next door to their targets. Shawn has a new name and Ash an identity as his half-brother; at best, he couldn't look fully Chinese. ]