Daburu was dressed in a burgundy doublet to accent the red that fills his face when he gets too excited, probably about seventy percent of the time. The tightly fitted jacket and pants had micro hooks woven into the memory weave fabric so that if he needed to split, the doubles would have miniature versions of the larger forms' attire.

Berthold wore a skintight black pseudo spandex beneath a grey jacket and shirt, while Durella wore a similar black garment beneath a floor-length silver dress.

Leif and Gemma wore a matching set. White shirts with a black bow tie, allowing them to perfectly blend with the wait staff at this event. Bert and I figured their ability to pass as high falutin would be more than a little complicated. While people usually paid little to no attention to the wait staff as long as they managed to fake doing their jobs properly.

For myself, I crafted a doublet similar to the one I made for Daburu, but in a light blue adorned with black accessories. A black cape hung from my shoulders with an array of unique fabrics and materials stuffed inside for easy access.

I organized a great deal to ensure we were prepared for this event. The last thing I would let happen would allow a team member to disrupt the careful planning by doing things their way.

"Okay, I'm gonna split up now and find your friend," Daburu exclaimed in a fit of boredom.

"Hold for now. That isn't the plan." I spun to face my reckless associate to find three child-sized versions, each running in a separate direction.

I lifted my cuff to my mouth while attempting to regain my composure.

"Daburu is off script," I said into my cufflinks with a hushed voice. "Make contact if you find him."

I feigned a smile as an older man with a peacock mask waved in my direction, licking his lips.

"Copy, dude," Leif replied, his voice echoing through crystal receiver earings Berthold managed to obtain for us. "Hey, am I, like, supposed to let you know if I lose my partner too?"

"What? Where's Gemma?"

"Iunno dude. That's what I was asking."

"Gemma, where did you go? Come in, Gemma," I said in a hushed panicked voice.

A resounding silence was my only response.

"Daburu, can you hear me, Daburu? You gotta come back. This was not the plan." I attempted to reason with another one of my teammates.

Berthold and Durella couldn't help as they were moving deeper into the bowels of the mansion. Committing to radio silence in an attempt to go unnoticed. Fortunately, those were the only two I could count on to not fumble the bag.

Thoughts of Berthold's smug smile ran across my face.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Good evening," A deep voice called from behind me.

I turned to face the man in the peacock mask, hand outstretched for me to grasp.

"Second Sun Cecil, charmed, I'm sure."

I didn't notice at first, but the outline of each feather shined with a bright orange hue. On closer inspection, the border danced in place like a roaring fire.

I stood stunned for a second before snapping back to my senses.

"My apologies, my Sun," I grasped his hand and kissed the nine-pointed sun etched into his ring. "Salamano Hearston, it's an honor to be in your presence."

The Sun smiled as thoughts of lust passed showed on his face, "You shall accompany me this evening, Salamano. Consider yourself blessed."

"Wonderful," I lied through gritted teeth.

"Come on, you gotta finish that story!" A familiar high-pitched voice echoed from the other side of the room.

"Pardon me for a moment, my Sun." I bowed to the cloaked peacock and turned away before thin boney fingers dug into my shoulder.

"I must have not made myself clear enough, let me repeat. You will accompany me tonight, young Salamano."

"Oh, my mistake, my Sun," I replied.

Second Sun Cecil stuck his elbow out to lock arms. Reluctantly I slipped my arm through his as he dragged us deeper into the crowd.

"Squads B and C, I've lost Daburu and am being pulled off course. What's your status." I whispered into my collar.

"Hey, dude, so Gemma's still lost, but I found some killer crab puffs."

"Not exactly what I was looking for, but thanks, Leif. Squad B, status?"

"Yeah, we're here," Bert replied. I could hear Durella's muffled screams in the background.

"Status, Bert?"

"Yeah, so, good news and bad news. The good news is we've found the vault."

"Bad news?"

"We're currently being restrained twelve feet in the air while a giant mechanical spider moves toward us."

"Of course you are." I sighed, pressing on the bridge of my nose. I'm on the way. Hang tight."

"We don't really have a say in the matter, but sure."

"Salamano, there's someone I'd like you to meet," Second Sun Cecil called out as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and spun me.

"Right away, my Sun." As I spun to face one of the city's leaders, my eyes locked onto a familiar portly frame, and a chill ran up my spine.

"Salamano, this is Head Crafter Pheralynn DeBrazier, host of this gathering and fourth in the DeBrazier line. Pheralynn, this is Salamano Hearston, my delicious companion this evening."

She raised her glass in my direction, seemingly unphased.

"Pleased to meet you," I lied.

"Charmed," she replied through a knowing smile.

"So, Salamano what do you do for a living?"

"Currently, in between jobs, I take what assistant work I can here or there. However, I'd love to be considered if the crafters have any spots available right now."

"We did have someone leave us recently. It threw a good bit into chaos. But, don't worry, once all the dust settles, I'll come and grab you."

"Not before I do!" Second Sun Cecil interjected, gripping my shoulder.

"Of course, my Sun," I laughed. "Would I be permitted to fetch us some new drinks?"

He nodded, handing his drink off as I excused myself from him and the Head Crafter. I headed toward the bar until the Second Sun took his eyes off of me. Turning back several times I could see Pheralynn pull the Sun in close to whisper something in his ears. His gaze at my back shifted quickly from aroused to shocked to irritated, until finally he looked away to call several guards over. I ducked and dipped back through the crowd but could still hear the sound of heavy metal boots closing in quickly.

"Team C, you need to do your thing now," I called into my headset.

I was met with silence as I could hear more metal stepping closer and blocking my path.

"Team C, Go! Leif? Gemma? Now!"

Looming soldiers now surrounded me from three sides. Partygoers had separated around me in response to my screaming, escape growing more impossible with each second.

"Team C! Kill all the cunts!" I screamed with desperation.

A five-foot-tall wave of smoke rushed through the dance hall and was met with panicked screams from partygoers.

High-pitched manic laughter overwhelmed the panicked shrieks until everyone else was driven to silence.

"Give us everything you got! Or you rich fucks are in for a real bad time!"