In Caffrey Conversation, Neal is all too familiar with psychological manipulation. Rolf Mansfeld used advanced virtual reality technology in an attempt to brainwash him. Rolf knows that the White Collar team is aware Neal was subjected to the procedure, but he believes they are unaware of what memories were planted in his subconscious. In Lion's Lair, the White Collar team employs some mind control techniques of their own.
Warning for minor spoilers to Lion's Lair
Diana references the virtual reality procedure when she has Arkham Neal believe he traveled to the planet Celaeno when he was actually inside a wormhole the entire time. The second message is about Python, the code name for the leader of the criminal organization Ydrus. In Lion's Lair, Python is equated with Yig, a serpent god of the Cthulhu Mythos. In Arkham Files, Yig is one of the Ymar—a corrupt imitation of the Celaenian winged serpent Neal encounters. What are Rolf and Klaus supposed to make of that?
On the surface, one meaning seems clear. Python and Ydrus are corrupt entities who poison those who work for them. But what does Celaeno represent? In Arkham Files, the most powerful beings are from that sealed-off planet. Are Rolf and Klaus meant to believe it's a symbol for White Collar? Is there a hidden signal that Celaeno represents the new crew formed of Neal, Peter, Klaus, and Rolf? Peter gambles that Rolf is egotistical enough to think that's exactly what Peter would like to see happen.
The White Collar team will find out just how successful their messaging was in my next Caffrey Conversation story, The Musicians.
Lion's Lair on Archive of Our Own
Lion's Lair on FanFiction
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