─ staff room 'la rona'

" I thought I'd might find you here, " jessicas voice filters through the quiet room , the PR manager stepping fully through the threshold of the entrance with a box in hand. " I hope you're settling in well here, usually I'm able to do this welcoming process a little faster , I have been out of the counrty. BUT! Welcome to DSF, officially!"

Jessica could hardly contain her excitement, she loved getting new staff and she prided herself in making everyone feel welcomed upon arrival. The box she had in her hands was now held out to the stout man whose name she learned was Christian YU , but his paper work claims he prefer Damien and that's what she'll call him.

" So welcome , Damien. If you have any questions or concerns our lovely CEOs will gladly answer but in case they are ever swamped, I am always - well usually- around in case of emergency. I am Jessica Jung, PR manager amongst other things and yes, you may call me Sica for short, I don't mind."

The morning sun slanted through the blinds, casting a grid of light and shadow across the linoleum floor of the staff room. Christian's boots echoed as he stepped in, the only sound in the quiet space. The room held a faint scent of coffee and a hint of the rain that had passed an hour ago. The clock on the wall ticked steadily, a rhythm that matched the thumping in his chest. This was his sanctuary before the chaos began.

He hung his black leather jacket on the back of a chair, revealing the sleek body armor beneath his shirt. The weight of it was a comforting reminder of his purpose here. He'd failed to become an idol, his voice not quite hitting the right notes, but he'd found his calling in the industry all the same. His eyes scanned the room, checking the coffee pot was full and the schedule of the day was neatly pinned to the board. Everything was in order, just like he liked it.

@◈ nicolas bang ɴɪᴄᴏ⁻ᵐᵘᵃ Chris hummed softly, nodding. That made him check his own phone. He had time before he had to be anywhere. "Of course. Yep. That sounds like a plan. Make sure you eat something else later too... Okay?"

@◈ christopher bang⁻ᵇᵒᵈʸᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ Picking up his phone after getting his id card back, he glanced at the time. There was a gig he had to go to in the next few hours. "We can meet at the hospital tomorrow afternoon. I have to be somewhere soon."

@◈ nicolas bang ɴɪᴄᴏ⁻ᵐᵘᵃ Chris chuckled softly. "Or... Something family related." He hummed softly. He shook his head with a smile. "When should we get that done? I don't know how long it would take to get results back..."

@◈ christopher bang⁻ᵇᵒᵈʸᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ "Like the simluation theory?" Nico tilted his head being very real and serious about the results that had flying in his head. "Then the fbi or cia will come and wipe our memories away and separate us again."

@◈ nicolas bang ɴɪᴄᴏ⁻ᵐᵘᵃ Chris hadn't thought of a blood test... But... That seemed like it would give all the answers they needed. "I... I don't see why not..." He answered. "I think that would help clear up a lot... But..." He paused, sighing loudly. "What if it uncovers something we weren't supposed to know?"

@◈ christopher bang⁻ᵇᵒᵈʸᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ Nico sighed out of ideas. This was shocking and unexpected. "Should we.." Eyes that fell on the table picked up towards the other in all seriousness. "Get a blood test?"

@◈ nicolas bang ɴɪᴄᴏ⁻ᵐᵘᵃ Chris was floored. That's it... There... There was something they didn't know. But he didn't know what troubles this could cause their families if they did any digging at all. "So... What... What do we do? This is... Way too... Coincidental..."

@◈ christopher bang⁻ᵇᵒᵈʸᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ A hand placed over his chest. "M- me too. I was born in Sydney but my parents moved to Italy after I was born. I was raised in Milan." Taking his half eaten chip bag, he started to snack on them again.

@◈ nicolas bang ɴɪᴄᴏ⁻ᵐᵘᵃ Chris hummed softly, watching Nicolas pout and it made him chuckle. "Sydney... Sydney, Australia." He answered. He hummed, setting the fork in his hand down.

@◈ christopher bang⁻ᵇᵒᵈʸᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ Bottom lip jutted out in a small pout in defeat. All the answers were out the window as Chris checked them all off. Nico tapped his chin in thought for a question to ask. "Where were you born?"

@◈ nicolas bang ɴɪᴄᴏ⁻ᵐᵘᵃ That was so not the question Chris was expecting. "Even if I was... And wanted to... I couldn't do it when you're blonde and I have black hair... The change would be too drastic. People would notice." He hummed softly. "Ask another question." He continued eating, waiting for an question to come his way.

@◈ christopher bang⁻ᵇᵒᵈʸᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ "Only a little. I'm more of a horror movie buff." This wasn't a simulation? No parallel universe? Nico's eyes widen at Chris and he scooted back a little from the table. His hand slamed at the table surface. "Clone."
This had to be it. The other two were too ridiculous. "What questions do I ask a clone..? Are you going kill me and take my place?"

@◈ nicolas bang ɴɪᴄᴏ⁻ᵐᵘᵃ "Parallel... Nicolas-." He laughed softly, shaking his head. "Do you enjoy Sci-Fi films? I've been meaning to watch Alien..." He mused. "But no... I was thinking..." He hummed, stretching a bit before taking a bite of his salad. "I was thinking... Maybe... You ask a question now... And we see if our answers line up... Yeah?"

@◈ christopher bang⁻ᵇᵒᵈʸᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ "You should be proud of your stats, Chris." Nico fixed the chair and sat back down. Teeth sank into his knuckle when he propped himself up on the table by his elbow. With the response he got, lips pursed in deeper thought. "You're right." He sat back with his hands in his lap once more. "You're right." Another longer pause. Simulation theory was too easy. "Parallel universe."

@◈ nicolas bang ɴɪᴄᴏ⁻ᵐᵘᵃ Chris hummed softly, patting himself a little on the chest. "If this is a game... I have some sick ing stats..." He mused. "I'm strong, I fight, I'm built... I'm all good." He mused softly with a smile. "As much as I'm enjoying your theories, Nicolas..." He chuckled softly. "There may be better... Theories we can run with~."

@◈ christopher bang⁻ᵇᵒᵈʸᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ He pointed over at Chris then put his hands out on either side of him. An excited expression was painted on his features. "You see~ You and I aren't real. No one is really real. We are all part of a game. Like Westworld!" Nico broke the case. "And now we've met, we're a glitch in the system."

@◈ nicolas bang ɴɪᴄᴏ⁻ᵐᵘᵃ Chris stared at Nicolas, just letting him continue the crazy theory. It was making him want to laugh but he didn't want to seem rude. Especially since the other was so excited. He smiled, tilting his head. "The sims... I..." He paused for a moment, thinking about how he got literally stuck in a hoodie the other day. "You... That..." He laughed softly. "Why does that make sense?"

@◈ christopher bang⁻ᵇᵒᵈʸᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ His mind was racing a mile a minute and the excitement of validation made him jump from his seat, the chair knocking over to the ground in a thud. Hands were out in front of him the patting himself down. "Don't you see what this means, Chris? There is someone playing with us like a game. You know sims right? We are the sims."

@◈ nicolas bang ɴɪᴄᴏ⁻ᵐᵘᵃ Chris couldn't help but laugh at the other's theories. It was hilarious. He was starting to question if the other truly believed they were in a simulation. "Nicolas-We're..." He paused, deciding to let the other play out his theories. "Interesting theories... Very interesting..." He opened his container, humming at the salad in front of him.

@◈ christopher bang⁻ᵇᵒᵈʸᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ Nico brought his hand to his blonde stands then started to laugh in surprising shock. This can't be truely be happening to him. Right? "People say I'm crazy but I know the truth! You see?" Nico was quick to jump to conclusions about world theories and conspiracies. Having this only proves his crazy stories he hears on those creepy podcasts he listens to. Never the logical answer crosses his mind.

@◈ nicolas bang ɴɪᴄᴏ⁻ᵐᵘᵃ Chris leaned over, looking over Nicolas' ID and he leaned back, staring at the ceiling. He looked at Nico, raising an eyebrow, waiting for the other's explanation to the coincidence. He nearly burst out laughing, a smile replacing his confusion. "Of course. I should have known." He said, smiling still. "We're glitched... That's why you're blonde-." He was teasing the other with a playful tone of voice.

@◈ christopher bang⁻ᵇᵒᵈʸᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ Reaching over to the other's identification card, he read the name, saw the photo them the date of birth. Stunned, Nico takes out his own ID from his wallet to slide it over to the double. "There's only one explaination for this." Nico paused and leaned over. His was shushed like as if the walls had ears and certain people were listening in. "We're in a simluation."

@◈ nicolas bang ɴɪᴄᴏ⁻ᵐᵘᵃ Chris stared at Nico as soon as the year left the other's lips. "Are..." He paused trying to gather his thoughts to speak properly. "Mine... Is October 3, 1997..." He produced his ID to show he wasn't laying, laying it on the table for the other to see. "I..." He didn't know what else to say. He was truly afraid to continue the conversation and unearth some secret...

@◈ christopher bang⁻ᵇᵒᵈʸᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ "My birthday?" Nico sat back into his seat. Hands s down to rest on top of his lap as he kept his eyes on his copy. "Oct- October third." Nico tilts his head slightly to the side and paused for a moment. Slightly hesitant to say the year. However, plush lips parted abit. "Ninety seven."

@◈ nicolas bang ɴɪᴄᴏ⁻ᵐᵘᵃ Chris inspected the makeup artist with a soft hum. At least they agreed it was a weird situation. He let out a laugh. "Honestly... I never thought I'd run into a doppelganger..." He hummed. "Okay, okay... There's one question that may settle this." He paused for a moment, wondering if he should ask it. He sighed and decided to. "What is your birthday?" The question was so simple but could hold so many unanswered questions too. He wasn't sure if he was ready for them.

@◈ christopher bang⁻ᵇᵒᵈʸᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ Contacted grey eyes peered up towards the figure walking in minutes after sending his message. He was silent as the other went straight to the fridge then sat down across from him. He studied Chris for a moment. "Very." Was Nico's short response. "Should we just say what we are currently thinking?" Thumbs twiddled around with each other. The elephant in the room was apparent, that's for sure. "I know it's scientific fact that in the world many people look the same. But.. I never thought about running into my doppelgänger well... ever."

@◈ nicolas bang ɴɪᴄᴏ⁻ᵐᵘᵃ Chris hummed softly and waited for a response as he kept walking. He was just a few doors down from the staff room when the response came in. He let out a relieved sigh and walked to the staff room. He saw the blond at the table and let out a breath. "So... I wasn't hallucinating." He said with a small smile, walking over to the fridge. "This is still a little weird..." He sat at the table across from Nicolas to give him space.

@◈ christopher bang⁻ᵇᵒᵈʸᵍᵘᵃʳᵈ There was a buzz on the table where his phone lied and a small pop up message of from unknown number lit his screen. Nico picked up his phone and read the message. Oh... It wasn't a dream. This look alike was messaging him. Wiped fingers guide across the small touch screen to reply to the message.

》Hey..
》I'm currently in the staff room
》Are you near?