cw brief gore mention

( natasha catches the sudden shift in his movements, hides a smirk under a duck of her head. they both know that she's right — alir will give himself away, eventually and it won't matter how convincingly he plays the political game when he's got one of his tentacles in deep in someone's small intestines. it's just whether or not they can get what they need first.

still, five's last words give her pause and her eyebrows go up. )

You've got to be kidding. ( flat. come on. they're right in front of the door, behind which messalina lurks. ) I'm coming with you.

( it's not a question, or a request. )