【Ａｓｐｈｙｘｉａ】 seongjoong

The Auction Pt . 1

*Not Beta Read

"We're in."

Hongjoong spun on his heel and swiveled his head, taking in his surroundings in wonder. He had never been in such a fancy looking opera hall. Pillars of marbles stood proudly that blended in perfectly with the floor that was also laden with a red carpet that covered a set of wide stairs on the other end of the room. An elegant chandelier hung high above them and cast a luminously warm glow on the patrons there, all dressed elegantly in suits and gowns. Everyone there was dripping in the finest jewels while wearing opera masks like they were at a ball. It made Hongjoong feel rather plain in his plain and unassuming black one that covered his whole face, only his Ghoul eye being the only thing visible. They had opted out of his custom mask for the night as it might stand out too much.

"Stop looking around," A voice suddenly spoke in Hongjoong's ear. "This is high society, we are supposed to be blending in, not looking like a lost puppy that doesn't belong."

The red-head looked over just as the crowd parted just slightly. Though everyone was wearing masks, he recognized the blonde head of Wooyoung mingling in the middle of the ballroom. Like Hongjoong, he was also wearing an unassumingly plain mask that only covered his eyes made of black silk and lace. The blonde was a lot more comfortable than the other in this type of situation, seeing as he was a lot more used to it, and didn't have a problem showing part of his face to this crowd. Something told Hongjoong that this wasn't his typical mask, however.

The red head felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder and he turned to see a smiling Yunho. His mask covered the whole upper side of his face but came down into a sharp point on the right side of his face, vaguely reminding Hongjoong of the Phantom of the Opera. There was a smattering of blue and yellow stars that matched his Kagune trailing down the long side of his mask like a stream of tears.

"Relax," The younger said soothingly. "We aren't here to cause trouble, just recon."

The student released a breath from his chest he hadn't realized he had been holding up until now, the tension seeping from his body. "Then why are we talking in earpieces like we're about to assassinate the President?"

Yunho frowned. "San, Keonhee, and Seoho are keeping an eye on things outside. We have to do everything we can on our end to try and find the source of this drug and put a stop to it before this cult-" he spit the word. "Does any more damage."

Hongjoong mirrored the other's expression but didn't say anything else. He nodded, knowing how important this was. He also knew what finding this drug could mean. It may bring him one step closer to the people responsible for ripping his life upside down.

Not wasting any more time, the two of them split from one another, deciding that it would be best to cover as much ground as possible and scope things out. If possible, Hongjoong hoped that they could find the information they needed so they could leave before the auction started. He wasn't sure his stomach could handle watching people be sold like prime pieces of meat. He wished he could do something to help these poor souls but San and the others had informed them that there were over eighty people in attendance at this auction and the odds would be suicidal.

They had gotten word from KQ that the auction was in two parts. First, a sort of reception to welcome all the guests that were wealthy enough to come. Some would mingle and share stories while a string quartet played classical tunes in the corner. There was no dancing. Hongjoong was told that these auctions were strictly business affairs made for deals and as a show of power. The red-head had no idea that this many affluent Ghouls lived in Seoul right under his nose. Yunho had even told him that there may even be celebrities at gatherings such as this one.