Liberation

Liberation
Date of Scene:	22 December 2012
Location:	Traverse Town - VALKYRI HQ
Synopsis:	A morose Morrighan finds herself surprised at the appearance of LEXUS within VALKYRI HQ, who makes her an offer...
Cast of Characters:	LEXUS, Morrighan Alazne

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Morrighan Alazne has posed:
"Ugh...! I do not think I can take much more of this nonsense..." Came the grumbling of a certain dark elf, sitting on a chair in front of a peculiar looking console. Of course, she had no idea what in the world this strange metal beast was used for. The chair was just comfy!

It was not too long ago that the elven woman had elected not to return to Baron after the fallout of Manhattan. Instead, she chose to wander about the worlds, looking for some sort of better purpose. Instead, what she found was Avira. Needless to say, it did not end up pretty.

She was essentially kidnapped and forced to work for VALKYRI. It was dreadful work. Lowering herself to helping all of these worthless humans, and not a single gil!

Kindness of her heart? Ahahahaha! That was the most worthless currency of them all! But yet, here she was...

"...How much longer must I endure this torture?" She spoke aloud, resting an elbow onto the edge of the console and her chin in her palm.

Of course, she did not expect anyone or anything to answer her. The rest of this merry little female band of misfits were out, leaving her strangely alone for once.

How foolish of them to trust her to such a thing, really!

LEXUS has posed:
As Morrighan laments her situation, there is a clicking noise from a nearby window. Yellow eyes gaze through, silently watching.

Information is transferred elsewhere... And if Morrighan is paying attention, lines of text begin scrolling against the computer she is leaning on...

TRANSWORLD COMMUNICATION LINK ESTABLISHED

SURVEILLANCE NETWORK REPORTS POSTIVE CONTACT...
.............................
TRACEROUTE COMPLETE. ESTABLISHING SECURED NETWORK LINKUP...
HANDSHAKING...

LOGGING COUNTERMEASURES ENABLED
STEALTH MODE ENGAGED

LINKUP COMPLETE. END OF LINE._

A moment later, the screen displays a pair of violet circles, the outer line rotating slowly. She will find it familiar. "Lady Morrighan... Excellent. I was hoping to find you." The voice of LEXUS is heard, pleasant and quiet as the computer speaks to Morrighan. "Please ensure no one is overhearing the conversation, it would be... unproductive for us."

Morrighan Alazne has posed:
Rather zoned out, Morrighan did not actually notice all of these things taking place. In fact, her eyes were closed in boredom. "....." Another sigh escapes from her as she brushes her ponytail back and out of the way.

It's at this point that a voice jolts her out of her little trance. "...Hm!?" Straightening up, Morrighan's crimson eyes shot open as she looked about quickly. "What? Who...?"

Her eyes eventually find themselves back to the screen of the computer, seeing the familiar violet design on screen. "...Oh, you." The elven woman grumbled, straightening up in her chair. Heeding the program's words for now, she glanced about, and then got up to check the stairs. Nope. No one was here, but her.

With that done, Morrighan plopped back down into the chair, staring at the screen again. "No one is here but you and me." Folding her arms into her lap, she tilted her head slightly then, gravity causing her platinum hair to sway in accordance.

"...So, what exactly do you need me for now?" Indeed, her contact with 'those people' was limited. 'Those people' meaning the ones who orchestrated the fall of Manhattan. Thus, she was quite confused to find one of 'them' seeking her out personally.

"Are you sure that you were not looking for Baigan instead?"

LEXUS has posed:
"Baigan was not assisting the operation. You have shown superior initative, knowledge, and tactical capacity." The eye rotates slightly, and the distorted voice shifts slightly, wavering into a modulated, digital tone. "You did not return to Baron after the assault upon Manhattan. I was concerned for your well-being. Rightfully so, as I see. I can only assume your position here is not... voluntary."

There is another pause as the Eye of LEXUS spins. "I would like to offer you sanctuary from your vengeful captors, as well as extend to you an invitation towards a more useful arrangement between the Shadow Lords and yourself. One is not contingent upon the other. Either way, I would like to offer to have you set free."

Morrighan Alazne has posed:
Morrighan listened to LEXUS' words, her expression rather unchanging. Perhaps she was just tired, but she couldn't work up the usual vanity to laugh haughtily and agree with his compliments. "Is that so..." She mumbled, glancing off to the side momentarily to make sure there really was no one overhearing this.

"...Well, you would be correct. After those barbarians had their way with me in Manhattan, I found myself waking up in a dark field...I assume one of you had the good grace to not leave me to be devoured by the darkness." Speaking in a calm tone, the elf crossed her arms then, leaning back in her seat and staring at the eye on screen. The mention of a 'deal' by the progam before her elicited the raising of an eyebrow.

"Oh? Shadow Lords? Is that what you people call yourselves? Hmn, I see." Morrighan brought a hand to her chin then, rubbing thoughtfully as she considered how to respond to this. "...Well, it is true that I would rather not be here. But then, I have no else to do with myself." A sigh was given then as the healer shook her head, lamenting the situation mentally.

"Well then, what sort of 'useful' arrangement do you have in mind?"

LEXUS has posed:
"Leaving you to be engulfed in the Darkness would be a waste." LEXUS replies.

"I do not waste assets."

There is a flicker, and the Eye vanishes, replaced by the appearance of a penthouse suite overlooking a roiling, thunderous sky of strangely unreal clouds. A glowing neon city shines down below the bay windows, and the room is decorated in onyx, chrome, and neon. Geometrical morphic patterns predominate, in artwork and statuary. Sitting upon a chair, watching out the window, is LEXUS, as Morrighan has seen him. He swivels the chair, looking at Morrighan over steepled fingers. "You have nothing else to do with yourself? Come now, a woman with your talents and ambition could never be allowed to give up so easily."

He smiles. "I would like to sponsor you for membership into the Shadow Lords. You will gain access to our knowledge and support, gain the capacity to control the Heartless yourself. You will learn much... And in addition, you will be made liason to Baron. You will not need to give up your position with them, but you will have a superior place. You will be the one who people will go to to converse between us, not the... overly focused Baigan."

He gestures. "You will be able to pursue what you truly wish. You want to control a world, have it bow to your will? You can have it. Gain the secrets of the universe? They will be within your grasp. In acknowledgement of... And your continue assistance, you will be given great rewards."

He pauses. "Either way, I'm going to free you from this insipid captivity. If they honestly think they can hold you here, it is laughable."

Morrighan Alazne has posed:
Assets...

Normally, one would consider such a term applied to people to be insulting, but not Morrighan. In fact, it drew a smirk from the her. After all, she shared very much the same thoughts on the matter. "Well of course it would have been a waste to have done so."

The screen flickers and changes, revealing the form of the program in the appearance was most familiar with at least. What a strange living space he was in though. Suppose she couldn't really judge too hard though. "...I suppose you are right. I could approach any other organization I wanted and offer them my no doubt valuable services. However...I would rather not be hasty." The dark elf's smirk widened a little at that as then she added on to her statement. "After all...it looks like something far more valuable has appeared for my patience."

His explanations regarding the shadow lords, the heartless, and the promise of power was tempting. Very tempting. After all, it was something that she herself had strived for.

"Hmn..."

Leaning forward, the elven woman rested an elbow in her lap and her chin in her palm as she mulled over the deal. "While I am not over fond of Baron's incompetence at the moment, I suppose that it would be less of an eyesore if I were to simply do as you say; serve as the liason between the you and them..." Plus, the living situation was not exactly disagreeable either. But that was neither here nor there at this point.

A brief nod is given then and Morrighan smiles a rather dark smile. "...Very well. I do believe that I will accept this deal. I am not so blind that I cannot see a far more advantageous situation when it lies right in front of me now."

LEXUS has posed:
"It would not matter to me if you chose to abandon them. I merely look at it as a way to maximize your leverage you will gain with us." LEXUS replies. "Baron has been slothful. Their general lack of participation to a major operation that we had invited them to is almost insulting. But even in that there is opportunity. Opportunities like you. Opportunities to allow you to rise to the heights you /deserve/."

LEXUS gestures idly. "But that's neither here nor there. The real test is to see if you're able to grow into the being you really wish yourself to be, when provided the tools to do so. I will, of course, be monitoring your progress. Such things are of interest to me. You will have access to Hollow Bastion, our stronghold, to make use of as you see fit. Just don't anger Maleficent or Garland. They tend to be... irritable. You know how it is, since you're living with a conspiracy of monsters and madmen."

The Dark Virus chuckles. "I merely am offering you a mutually beneficial agreement. I hate seeing good potential go to waste. Now, let's get this party started, shall we?"

LEXUS tilts his head, and there is a series of modulated tones that emit from the computer.

A moment later, there is a clattering noise, and a portion of the upper wall caves in, revealing a large hole dug out by chrome-lined, chitinous Daemon Heartless. "Feel free to exit as you like. Do make haste, it would be inconvenient to commit significant forces at this time to a brawl in Traverse Town. My Heartless will screen your escape. Once you win free through the main gate, I will be able to take you to Hollow Bastion, where your membership can be... formalized."

Morrighan Alazne has posed:
Well, LEXUS certainly had a way with words. Morrighan's smile grew wider at his words and she nodded again, straightening up in her chair. "Well, I must say, you do have a way with words..." Upon mention of Maleficent and Garland, she raised an eyebrow. ...She had no idea who either of those two were.

Of course, a simple mental equation would provide her with the assumption that the two of them were either very power people, the leaders, or perhaps both. Indeed then, it would be imperative not to raise a fuss with them. "Oh? What is...?" The white mage mumbled softly, watching as the computer made a series of noises alien to her. And then came the cave in of the wall. Morrighan immediately looks off in that direction, observing the hole and the heartless for several moments.

"I suppose I should make my way out then." The elven woman replied, standing up from the chair. But rather than leave immediately, she chuckled in amusement as an idea came to her. "Aha...but before that~" walking over to a nearby pad and pen, Morrighan tore put a page and began to a write a note.

It reads...

'While I do so enjoyed being locked up and being made to assist your group at your whims, a more beneficial opportunity has presented itself before me. Do not bother to look for me. You will not find me. Bye~ - Morrighan L. Alazne

PS. The hole in the wall was not my fault!'

Finished writing, the note was placed in front of the computer. With that, Morrighan turned and began to exit out of the hole in the wall.

It was time for bigger and better things!

LEXUS has posed:
LEXUS vanishes from the computer, clearing his traces as he disconnects from the VALKYRI systems. The evidence left will be plenty to point at who was responsible.

Good. He takes pleasure in annoying Avira and her warrior women.

Morrighan has much to look forward to, indeed. Soon, she will find new vistas opening up before her...

But first things first. She has to get out of there. A simple enough matter.