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as the other two survivors ran out through the exit gate, pinging "i'm out of here!", aesop checked the status of the last teammate who was still stuck in the arena. the thief was close to being downed, and the embalmer still had one coffin remaining. 'a four man win is better than a three man win,' he thought, walking back onto the map before summoning a coffin. if the other got downed while he was embalming, he would just leave. simple as that. and so he began to embalm the dummy that came in the coffin, pinging a simple "keep it up!" as he worked. then it was complete, the dummy taking the form of the last teammate who was most likely trying to run and find the dungeon. then the telltale sound of a downed survivor rang through the arena, the doll jerking to life as his ability proved successful.
but before the other could send a thank you, aesop turned and ran out through the exit gate. he hadn't heard very good things about the thief, and he wasn't one for social interaction. he played his role as a support, and so now he is done. that's all there is to it for him. simply just embalm a teammate, then leave.
but of course, as he entered the arena, the thief came in right behind him. the thief began a shaky "thank you", but aesop simply just walked away from him. and he let out a sigh as he heard the other following, and he turned to look at him and said, "is there something you want?" the thief would then give a slight jump, and nod, "k-kreacher just wanted to thank you.." aesop shook his head, "there is no need to, as i was simply just doing my job. now i would like to be left alone, goodbye." he would then turn away and continue to walk. the other then followed, and aesop just ignored him. he just had to make it to his room, then he would get the break he deserved. and as he reached towards his door, darkness began to cloud his vision. of course. right as he was about to seek rest, he had another match. he was far past the point of suddenly darkness frightening him, and now it was just an annoyance to him.
then he awoke in white sand street asylum, glancing to see where his teammates were. tracy and norton were the furthest from him, and the nearest... of course. his already frowning face stretched into a bigger frown underneath his mask. the teammate closest to him was the thief that had already started to get on his nerves. he just shook his head, hoping he wouldn't stumble upon said thief, and ran to the nearest cipher machine, eyes narrowing as he fiddled with the bits and bobs of the machine. he would glance around as he decoded, and only the sound of the cipher machine echoed around the empty halls. he thought he was doing well, as his heart remained calm and he was able to land his calibrations.
but then a little spray was placed on the wall in front of him, and he heard the tell-tale sound of one of the dream witch's leeches springing to life. he then missed his calibration, the electricity snapping at his gloved hands as he jumped back from the machine. his heart then began to beat wildly, with one of yidhra's followers rounding the corner, its lifeless eyes locking onto his own. he found himself hating the cold, closed corridors of the asylum as he turned and ran down the hall, careful not to slip over any loose tiles. the follower gave chase, its pickaxe dragging across the floor with a terrible screech. he would throw himself over one of the holes in the walls, wanting to do something to slow down the witch's loyal follower. he then threw down a pallet to block the door way, dashing down the hall. he heard the drag of another pickaxe, the follower that was bound to him blindly gliding towards him. he knew his chances of escape were slim, and he was growing tired from his desperate run away from the hunter's followers.
he leaned against a wall, covering his mouth as he tried to calm his breathing. his heartbeat was already calming, and so he guessed that she had either moved on or was getting closer so that she could continue her chase. the creaking of a chest startled him, and he slowly turned the corner to peek out at what had made the noise. then he narrowed his eyes. of course, he just had to stumble upon the thief, who was currently roughly picking the lock that was on it. the clunk of his tool kit against the doorframe made the thief jump, and then mismatched eyes met the embalmer's gray ones.
"h-hello, mr. carl..." the thief began in a shaky voice, causing aesop to roll his eyes. "you can cut the act, mr. pierson," he spoke sharply, glancing down the hall, "i am not in the mood to hear you stutter and trip over your words." the other let out a short laugh, taking his time to stand up and pushed his hat back some, "you are awfully observant, aren't'cha, mr. carl?" the embalmer would just roll his eyes, "of course i am, those in my line of work have to be. but the only reason i am still speaking to you is to tell you that we are in a match with the dream witch, so you best be on your guard." he then turned to leave, but heard the older man walk and stand behind him, placing a bare hand on his shoulder. "you know, mr. carl, i would love to get to know you better," he said, leaning close. aesop crossed his arms over his chest, stepping forward out of his grip before turning to face him, "and why is that? especially right now, during a match."
kreacher would just give a 'hmm', scratching at his bit of beard that lined his chin, "this is the only time i can catch someone as elusive as yourself. you hardly talk to anyone, with only a couple of friends getting to spend some personal time with you." aesop let out a huff, shoe lightly tapping at the asylum floor, "and how do you know as much as you do about my personal life, hmm? our rooms are nowhere near each other, and those that i do spend time with are people that don't seek your company." the thief shrugged, cracking his neck, "the walls are thin, mr. carl, and the partners you choose tend to be rather loud." the embalmer boredly decided to observe his gloved hand instead, "then i see how you know, but why do you care in the first place? are you seeking out a different type of partner, with another man no less?"
kreacher then scoffed, "i'm not into men, i was just simply.. curious." aesop then formed a small smirk behind his mask, this time taking a step forward. he could feel the uncertainty drip from the others words, and despite hating most social interaction he could just not help himself when the opportunity to mess with someone showed itself, "are you sure about that, mr. pierson? i've seen some of the looks you've been giving to other men, the looks you've given me before. i think you're more curious about what it's like to sleep with another man and not my nighttime hobbies." the other looked away and he took another step forward, getting close to being chest-to-chest with the other, "that's it, isn't it? you're wondering what it's like to be with a man, hmm?" he pulled down his mask, flashing the other with a somewhat smug smirk.
then he found himself pulled forward by his collar into a surprise kiss, one he found himself not minding to return. he then took charge by grazing the other's bottom lip with his teeth, and his request for entry was approved, and his tongue was allowed to slip in the other's mouth. he draped his arms around kreacher's shoulders, their tongues pressing and mixing together as they kissed. he allowed the thief to place his hands onto his hips, and the kiss was further deepened.
then the drag of a follower's pickaxe echoed through the hall, and aesop pulled back, smiling at the blush that was a direct result of his actions. he gently removed his arms from the other's shoulders, then removed the other's hands from his hips. "the hunter is coming. you wouldn't want to get caught, now would you?" he said, stepping away and towards one of the doorways that came off of the hall. the other simply looked at him, and he pulled up his mask and gave him a wink, "maybe if you do good you'll get to see me again. but for now, goodbye." before the other could give a response he went through the doorway and turned the corner. and then before kreacher could make an attempt at following him, one of the dream witch's followers turned the corner, gaze locking onto the thief.
and then the thief had to kite while the others slowly finished decoding the last few ciphers.
and when he escaped with the others, aesop simply acted as if nothing happened, and the three had a pleasant chat as they left the thief to either find the dungeon or escape through the exit gate.