Chapter Text
Mr. Griffin was irritated.
This was not unusual, as he was known about the Society as a man of foul temper, but today in particular he found himself incredibly annoyed and frustrated. In his hands, he fidgeted with a telegram that had come to him in the night explaining that something of an old friend was visiting with demands of a sort. The demand was simple enough, but like any artist forced to display his work before its completion, Griffin did not look forward to showing off his work.
Additionally, the sender of the letter had promised to tell a very detrimental secret if Griffin did not comply, which convinced him that something suspicious was truly afoot. He thought of a ceremonial knife belonging to Maijabi that hung on the wall of their shared laboratory, of how he might fetch it if things grew dangerous. No, no the sender was not so violent a man as to need a knife to stop him.
Everything would go smoothly, it had to.
He welcomed the sender of the telegram with a terse nod before leading them into the Society. Being discreet, no one paid them any mind as they walked into the lab. Griffin was too preoccupied getting on with the showing and touring that he did not notice his guest turning the lock of the laboratory door.
"So, have you tried this extended invisibility process on a human being yet?" The guest asked, pulling at the watch from their pocket and beginning to turn the key.
Griffin scowled, "Do you take me for a cruel man? Of course not! The only person in this building suitable for this process is myself, given my... skin condition." His expression turned somber, looking to his machinery and animals with a sigh. "It's incredibly painful and one could potentially die from fear, I don't intend to force anyone to that."
"You don't, perhaps. Say, have I ever shown you my father's pocket watch?"
Griffin turned to look, frowning in confusion as the watch fell open. Inside, a small light was glowing and clockwork was ticking. "How is it lit like that?"
"Oh just a few bioluminescent chemicals," the guest hummed, pressing a button. Small lenses began to flicker across the light, three green and one red, four clicks, then the normal glow of the watch.
Griffin blinked, and suddenly found himself frozen, unable to turn away from these little flashing lights.
"Now, Mr. Griffin, would you mind showing me how to make yourself invisible?" The guest asked, a smile forming on their face.