It was in the evening and the museum gala was in full swing. The air hummed with the chatter of high society socialites and museum patrons, all gathered to celebrate the acquisition of a new piece for the Egyptian wing—the very same artifact that the avatars of Khonshu were tasked with stealing back after the party. The grand hall sparkled with crystal chandeliers casting warm golden light over the formally dressed attendees, the faint strains of a string quartet mingling with the clinking of champagne glasses.

Currently Steven Grant was fronting in the body. He shuffled awkwardly through the party guests, tugging at the starched collar of his borrowed tuxedo and resisting the urge to muss up his carefully styled curls. The overwhelming sensory input—loud conversations overlapping from every direction, expensive perfume and cologne mixing in the air, the press of bodies in the crowded space—made his skin prickle with discomfort. His eyes darted constantly around the room, getting distracted by elaborate displays and interesting artifacts, making it difficult to stay focused on their mission.

He could hear the voice of Marc Spector in his head, sharp and critical, "Stay focused. We're here for the piece, nothing else."

"I'm trying, mate," Steven muttered quietly, glancing nervously around to ensure no one was overhearing him talking to himself. "It's bloody difficult... I'm not used to this spying business."

"Te dije que esto pasaría," Jake Lockley was the next to speak up in their mind, his voice带有不耐烦的西班牙口音. "Let me drive, we can get this over with already--"

"No," Marc countered harshly. "We do this quietly, no need to cause a panic with all these people around."

Steven frowned, frustration tightening his shoulders. "Can you both shut it for a minute?" he muttered under his breath. "You're not making this any easier..."

The display holding the new artifact was just ahead, bathed in dramatic spotlight, placed behind velvet rope barriers and thick security glass. Steven started walking towards it, shoes clicking loudly on the marble floor, when he noticed a figure standing in front of it. They were already admiring the piece, eyes trailing over the intricate carvings and gold inlays when Steven stepped up beside them, shuffling from one foot to the other like an awkward schoolboy.

"Having a nice evening?" he greeted them, forcing a cheerful smile that felt strained on his face. His fingers began to nervously fidget with the cuff links on his jacket sleeve, the cool metal pressing into his palms. "It's uh... It's nice, innit," Steven nodded towards the artifact, attempting to start a natural conversation while internally screaming at himself for being so awkward.

In the reflection of the glass display case, Steven could see Marc frowning back at him, clearly unimpressed with his approach.