Facade

Chapter Six: Slip Up

River Molchalin

As Syx and Oliver dug into their breakfasts, visibly famished from the previous rooms, River and Nikolai did much of the same.

"I actually left a little prompt for them in their rooms," River said, muffled as he shoved a piece of his waffle into his mouth. The aroma from their steaming, freshly brewed cups of coffee filled the room. Nikolai set down his black mug, taking his time as he turned to River.

"What does it say?"

River set down his fork, slamming his hands down on his knees and dramatically leaning forward.

"It's the age-old question. Which is better: pancakes or waffles? Both? Neither? Or, is it meaningless trying to say one is better than the other if they can be made the same way?"

"You already know my answer." Nikolai nodded to his own plate of waffles, topped off with several, neatly cut up, glistening strawberries.

They turned their attention to the screens as Oliver examined the prompt from the table, then looked to Syx, who was busying himself with putting excessive amounts of whipped cream and chocolate on his waffles. Oliver's face twisted into itself in sheer horror as Syx continued to pile on more and more sweets, to the point where the fluffy waffles underneath were squished into oblivion.

"You seem to..." Oliver searched for the right words. "Really like that stuff, huh?"

"Yes." Once satisfied, Syx sat down, carefully cutting into the sugary waffle mountain. Still gawking, Oliver sat down across from him, mesmerized by how the entire thing hadn't toppled over onto the floor.

"It's not every day that I do this," Syx spoke again, shrinking slightly under Oliver's gaze. Or maybe it was because of the waffle tower. Syx twirled his fork around with his fingers, tilting his head to the side.

"Well, if you did that every day—" Oliver began.

"I'd be dead." Syx chuckled.

Oliver was at a loss for words. He looked around the room, then to Syx, who remained in the same position, not sparing him a glance.

".. So, uh, do you prefer waffles or pancakes more?"

Syx looked up, deadpan.

"Waffles."

And he went back to eating. Oliver hadn't taken much, for he wasn't a breakfast person. Watching Syx was enough to make him feel ill.

"And... How exactly does this help with what we are trying to accomplish?" Nikolai asked.

"It's like one of those personality tests with a deeper meaning to 'em." River nonchalantly threw himself back, placing his arms on the counter in front of them and casually leaning on it as his chair leaned back with him.

"Besides, it's a diversion for what's coming up. I mean, think about it— if we can get them on each other's good sides, this'll go a lot easier for the both of us."

"But that defeats the purpose of—" Nikolai stopped short, eyes wide with horror. River frowned.

"What's the matter?"

"River." His voice came out rushed and barely over a whisper. "River, the speaker."

A delayed response came from the blond man. He looked over his shoulder, taking on Nikolai's expression as he realized his elbow was resting upon the very button that would broadcast every word he said, every slight breath he took in. Although Nikolai made sure their voices would stay consistent for all participants with the aid of a voice modifier, he couldn't take back what he said.

River pushed aside his plate, wildly looking from one screen to the next; some people had brushed their conversation off, while others looked to their partner, confused. Syx in particular looked straight at the camera, as though he could see River through the camera. River stood from his seat, swallowing hard.

"I... I didn't mean to." He choked on his words, staring down at his hands. Nikolai reached out to him and he sat down again, frozen in the same position.

"Honey. Listen to me."

River inhaled, then exhaled deeply, bringing his gaze to Nikolai.

"We will be fine. We didn't know this would happen."

"But I— I messed everything up, didn't I? Didn't I?"

Nikolai shook his head.

"Far from it. You've just given those two more motivation to find you," he said, gesturing to Syx and Oliver's screen with his hand.

"As for the others... It may be nothing more than a red herring, so it works out."

River slowly nodded, a small smile coming to his face.

"Yeah. You're.. You're right." He broke out into a fit of laughter.

"I might throw something else at 'em."