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Post by { o p a l } on May 16, 2013 16:18:32 GMT -6
Chief Executive Officer Regina Nocturne strode through the complex in full regalia: a black military coat decorated with the pins and insignias displaying her rank in the Silence. Her walk was one of the two things indicating how on edge she was- it had become swifter with each step.
The other clue was her eyes, gleaming with wide-awakedness and suspicion. Her blades weren't even close to hidden, displayed at her hips for all her agents to see.
Kalyani was not at her side, instead the ocelot had created a moving perimeter around her human, slinking in and out of the Zodiac and ranging through the field, inspecting everything she came upon. She didn't appear to be in an entirely good mood either, picking up on Regina's tension and the charged air.
In fact, the air was figuratively charged with fear and excitement, yes, but it was also quite literally charged. Regina appeared to be exuding magic from the Zodiac, sending the air around her jittering with the possibility of electricity, causing hair to rise slightly and agents to stand at perfect attention.
They passed through levels of puzzles and wards, causing spirit animals to phase in and out of the Zodiac as they were forced to circumvent the wards. Along the way, Regina entered several passwords, each protected by a curtain.
The agents around them stood at attention as they passed, then fell back into working as Regina continued.
She hoped Vincent remembered what she'd told him before they came: to act like himself and remember with all possible accuracy his history. If she did something strange or unexpected, be on your guard, and make references to things that never happened before. Keep in constant contact with your spirit animal. Never trust your senses once you were in the Doppelganger's prison, and let paranoia be your friend. She'd also given him several passwords that would allow them to let each other know that they were still themselves- passwords that looked like conversations, but were actually carefully constructed with slight turns of speech that would queue in the other.
An executive two floors below her began to speak through the com. "Glad to see you're here, Chief. Can't say I'm not worried myself."
"Keep your tone, Agent." Of course, this was all a test.
"Er, I think you mean Executive." It was one of the easier passwords, but Regina accepted it nonetheless. He probably didn't want to use the higher ones just yet.
"Report on the situation."
"Well, we've got Mr. Mirrortoes still in his prison. 'Vacuated the entire holding chamber, of course, and thoroughly checked each one of the men who were inside. I've got entire teams reciting verses out of the handbook as they check the levels of the prison's holding units."
"Very well. I'll be down there in a moment."
"I look forward to it, Chief."
"Agent Profokev." She stopped before the man guarding a huge metal door. "Tell me what your first mission was and unlock it."
The man nodded, beginning to work at unlocking the door through a ridiculously large series of passwords, finger scans, more passwords, eye scans, and another couple passwords. One could never be too careful near the prison of a fae. "I was sent out to defeat a group of geists who were forming a minor hive mind."
"Did you succeed." It was more a statement than anything, demanding that he prove himself to be, well, himself.
"Yes, or else I wouldn't be here."
"How."
"I cornered them in a sewer and then cut them down."
The Chief nodded. "Very good." She stepped into the elevator, waiting for Vincent to catch up. "Time to put him through his first test."
Once the doors were closed, she turned to Vincent and, with a smug little smirk, slapped him across the face.
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Post by Wildsky on May 16, 2013 17:44:34 GMT -6
Vincent Chambers's POV
Vincent followed the Chief Executive frantically -- all of this security and crazy mess was starting to get him a bit scatterbrained. There was such a thing as too much security, you know.
Eyvindr wasn't having any luck either. While more experienced spirit animals could easily fade through the Spirit Zodiac, Eyvindr had difficulty with all of the enchants and runes on the place. Still, all was not lost as they both managed their way through it.
Finally, they got through. Vincent sighed in relief and looked up to make a comment about something, only to see a hand flying towards him. And it connected with his face! The sting went straight to his head, anger flaring through his body, but he laughed instead.
"What a bitch!" he exclaimed, grinning at Regina, even if his mind was working at a thousand kilometers a second.
'Eyv, can you speak to Kalyani? This is rather uncharacteristic for her.'
'Maybe... I dunno, I'll try my best.'
"Do I get to slap you in return? No, wait. I don't think I'd want to. You'd expect it after all, and we can't have that! Nah, I think I'll slap you when you least expect it." He laughed at himself, saying, "Oh, a wee agent slapping the Chief Executive Officer of the Silence!"
He didn't dare respond in a more obvious fashion -- the slip about him being an agent was more than enough for Regina to pick up on. He was an intern, and very much so. Still, he was the personal assistant to Regina... There was something about him that she liked. Or maybe his mind was simply deluding him.
----------------------The Doppelgänger's POV
The man -- no, not man -- the fey was grinning madly to himself in his "cell". Oh, how he loves the elegance of the runes that the humans have created, so perfect for warding off enchantments and keeping in what they wanted. In fact -- if he dare say it at all -- he might even enjoy it if they weren't so uptight about everything.
Still, did he not have an obligation to test them? He was a fey! One of the most powerful fey in the world, if one asked him. Still, wasn't that what he wanted? Fear, intimidation -- they made the mind fill in the blanks by themselves. But some would not be afraid nor intimidated, and those were the ones that he loved to play with.
"Who's that?" he asked the empty room in his voice, sounding so human. It had a very masculine tone to it, but there were elements of... uncertainty. He found personifying either gender specifically was so hard. "Someone here? Oh, I'd love some food! Perhaps a glass of wine?"
He was talking to no one, and he knew it. But soon, so soon, he would be talking to someone. Someone important, perhaps. Or maybe just another interrogator, coming to learn his intentions. Oh, they wanted to know his intentions, but he kept quiet, playing with only the most intelligent ones.
Or the ones who hated to lose. Strangely, the two tended to overlap. |
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Post by { o p a l } on May 16, 2013 20:57:03 GMT -6
An eyebrow shot up at his response. "Don't presume things, Vinny. You are not an agent quite yet." Vinny. It was a nickname crafted to infuriate him. She wanted to see how long it took him to break.
Regina was fully joined mentally with Kalyani, the two basically extensions of each other. Their shared amusement at Vincent's anger flashed between them, their thoughts travelling faster than lightning.
"I should probably talk to Eyvindr so they don't get worried."
"Aww, you spoilsport." Regina's eyes flashed with amusement.
Reaching out to the fox bat spirit, Kalyani made a small mental contact. "Greetings, Eyvindr. I suppose you're still trying to figure out trans-spirit telepathic communication? Well, this is it. Figured I should tell you that this is all a test." The ocelot licked her nose. "Regina needs to know how Vincent would react to high emotional pressure, should he get impersonated by the Doppelganger in the future."
"Hey, Kal. Watch him to make sure he doesn't actually try to slap me."
"Of course, Regina."
The elevator dinged happily at them.
Regina shot its control panel a look overflowing with loathing. "Oh, it's a monday morning. Let's go talk with the Doppelganger, you said. It'll be fun, you said," she babbled in a high, mocking voice. "Let's just go have tea and cookies for breakfast- oh, but we'll add in the Doppelganger because life isn't stressful enough already." She appeared to be talking entirely to herself. "Because that's just a brilliant way to start of your week, Regina. Nice going. 'Let's just get it off the bucket list.' Excellent reasoning. I'll be sure to remember that when you want to go and have a bubble bath with, oh, I don't know, the Cupid of Plague."
Kalyani sighed. "Regina, you're babbling again."
"Am I? Probably. Side effect of high stress, you know. Just going to have tea with the Doppelganger..." She trailed off, and a sharp bark of rueful laughter escaped her. "He was so oddly polite about it. It's probably about Tutu."
The ocelot coughed politely, and glanced at Vincent.
"Oh, yeah. You. Don't do stupid stuff, don't panic, stay reasonable, don't trust your senses. Everything will go peachy keen." She waved a tired, dismissive hand. "And stay out of the prison if you'd prefer. Don't matter to me." Regina smirked. "Reminds me of my fourteenth birthday, Kal. You remember that?"
"Of course I do. Don't start babbling again, it's unsophisticated."
"I know. It's a bad habit." She glanced at the elevator's panel with disgust. "We're almost there."
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Post by Wildsky on May 16, 2013 21:20:52 GMT -6
The Doppelgänger's POV
He laughed and sat in his chair, picking away at his clothes. "Miss Regina! Oh, my. We have a lot to catch up on!" he was talking to no one, but he didn't care. The elevator doors were behind the steel doors, which were coated in various runes to protect him. Still, the "prison cell" was a large room, where he ate, slept, bathed, and enjoyed himself.
He glanced in the mirror (oh, how obsessed he was with his own appearance for someone who could change it at a whim) and said, "I wonder where your parents are, Miss Regina. I think they would like this appearance... You know, I was always so unruly back then, with the tail and claws and whatnot. But blending in... It's so much easier."
He heard the elevator grinding to a halt. "Welcome to my prison, Miss Regina! Tea, coffee, a glass of wine? It's not the best way to start the day, but with me, anything will do!" He laughed madly at himself and then glanced at the door. "I've missed you. It's so lonely here. Bring me a friend!"
-----------------------Vincent Chambers's POV
Eyvindr let a physical sigh of relief. "Oh, thank you, Kalyani. He's so quiet -- I've never met another before. He thought that, hence the Agent slip... Do let her know that was intentional. He's not the one to get conceited."
He was silent for a moment before returning to the conversation. "He's... a dark individual, beneath the layers that he hides in. If something broke those layers, he'd be cruel and apathetic, towards anyone and everyone. And don't bring up his mother. Or if you do, expect a seething ball of hatred. Depending on what you say." He fell silent at that, letting the words sink in.
The elevator dinged happily and Vincent grinned in anticipation. "Shall we go, Regina? Don't want to let him wait -- don't think he'd be much appreciate that." He stepped forward, spatha on his side, and Eyvindr following him. "The security. It's so much! But, necessary... Anything important I should know before we go through those doors?" |
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Post by { o p a l } on May 16, 2013 21:36:28 GMT -6
As Kalyani absorbed the information given to her by Eyvindr, it soaked through to Regina.
"Thanks for your cooperation, Agent. Know that I appreciate it." The ocelot then spoke to Regina alone. "You heard the bat."
Regina smirked as the elevator slid to a halt. Her eyes were no longer worried, but now as hard as ever. She strode confidently up to the doors. "Well, I do believe we're here. Calm yourself, Vincent, and do try your best not to screw up."
"Anything important I should know before we go through those doors?"
The Chief half turned, and let out a scoff. "Weakness will get you killed."
"Showtime, Regina." Kalyani licked down an unruly piece of fur on her chest.
And the doors slid open.
Regina beamed at the Doppelganger. "It has been such a long time, indeed. Since my fourteenth birthday, I believe? I do suppose you'd love to hear news of the outside world... but tea first does sound exquisite." She motioned with a hand, knowing that all around them was a prison complex, with her Executives watching and agents arrayed all around.
The elevator doors opened again, this time with a push cart with tea and an assortment of other goodies on it.
"Mmm. Is that black raspberry? Do be a dear and push it over here, Vinny." She carefully shot a glance at Vincent to check how he was holding up. The Doppelgänger probably had realized how she thought of him as a pet. The Chief selected one of the chairs and sat, each painted a prison white to match everything else in the room. "Goodness me. I think we need to do a renovation in here. Perhaps a callback to the seventies. That would amuse me greatly."
Regina surveyed the area, not afraid to move her eyes from the Doppelgänger. With their heightened connection, Kalyani served just as well as her eyes, and one of the two always was keeping watch on the fae noble. "So, what's been bothering you, Lord Doppelgänger? Or is this just a courtesy call to stymie your loneliness? I certainly wouldn't blame you if it was the latter." She smirked. "Or perhaps it has something to do with your dearest fae friend ever?"
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Post by Wildsky on May 19, 2013 12:44:12 GMT -6
The Doppelgänger's POV
The man grinned at the Chief Executive. He sat in the chair and waved at the chairs in front of him, reserved exclusively for guests. He didn't get much guests, no, not anymore. The tea rolled in and the smells of it assaulted his senses. “Oh, how I do love tea. Please, sit, my guests. I can get you the tea.”
With a very genuine smile, he poured three cups of tea in the cups presented. “My, my. It does seem to be black raspberry! You have a wonderful sense for this stuff, Miss Regina!” He set the two cups on the table between the chairs and brought one over for himself.
“The seventies... Oh, I think I'd prefer anything over this dreadful white! Though, if I had my pick, I wouldn't choose the seventies.” He grinned at Regina and sighed. “As for the request for you to come? Oh, I suppose loneliness has a major part in it – oh, I haven't seen someone in far too long. It gets lonely in here, you know. And I am doing you a favor!” He took a sip of the tea and laid his eyes on the other one. He was a curiosity, but his eyes returned to the important one here.
“But, Titania, Trickster and Fae 'Noble', has a part as well... She's getting stronger, Miss Regina. Even with the countless runes you've put in my prison, I can feel it. The strength of her power is increasing. Your petty runes can't keep her in there for much longer. And once that happens... I won't be so nice.” An impish, grim smile came onto his visage. “So, here out my proposal! And perhaps, save yourself from whatever hell lies ahead.”
The black-haired man confused the Doppelgänger – it didn't seem likely that he was of any importance, but he was here, with Regina. He wished he knew about this man, anything about him. His curiosity was a pain in the ass, but it kept him alive, for countless years – even to him. His eyes glanced over the man, wondering the details of who he was, what he felt like, what his history was.
'Who... are you?'Vincent Chambers's POV
Vincent followed Regina silently, keeping the air of confidence around him. The Doppelgänger looked like any other human, surprisingly, but he supposed if he wanted to be accepted, he would want to be humanoid, at the very least. Regina's personality around the Doppelgänger surprised Vincent the most – it seemed like she would be more stressed, but, here she was, asking for tea and joking about renovating the prison.
And he felt the eyes of the Doppelgänger fall onto his body. Unafraid, he stared into the fey's eyes as well, and he noticed the slightest grin fall onto the fey's face. What is he thinking?! He wasn't afraid, but he was concerned. He knew to be concerned when a fey smiled. Or perhaps, the Doppelgänger was simply an odd fey – he had read that he willingly imprisoned himself if Titania was kept secure.
And then, the Doppelgänger spoke of the Trickster, Titania. And how she was getting stronger. It was very true, her power and control of the brownies were getting stronger everyday. Vincent was just surprised that the Doppelgänger was so concerned about it. Then again, he supposed that the Doppelgänger did imprison himself in the name of Titania. Was she really that powerful? Or was it something deeper?
And then, the fey laid his eyes on Vincent again. He could see the burning desire for something in the Doppelgänger, but he wasn't sure what. Vincent took the time to inspect the fey's body more thoroughly, and found nothing of interest, except that it looked completely like a human. Was he truly a fey? Or something more sinister?
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Post by { o p a l } on May 19, 2013 14:11:02 GMT -6
Regina shrugged and made a gesture of helplessness with one hand, taking a sip of her tea with the other (only after the agents outside had remotely analyzed it to ensure that there was no poisoning). "I must admit that you're right, Lord Doppelgänger. You are doing us all a favour by remaining here. We are helpless before your immense courtesy."
The Chief sighed at the mention of Titania. "Oh, Tutu. She will certainly be a nuisance." Running her free hand through her hair, a flash of irritation flew through her eyes, expertly masking her worry. "Especially if I call her Tutu to her face."
Kalyani growled softly. "You are correct, Lord Doppelgänger. She is much closer to freeing herself than you or any of the other Seelie Nobles are." The ocelot licked her nose. "The exact figures will have to remain classified, however."
Regina studied closely where the Doppelgänger's gaze fell. She knew him to have insatiable curiosity, and she did enjoy subtly infuriating people. Vincent's presence seemed to be doing just that: he was a mystery to the Seelie Noble, present for no apparent reason. "We'll have to keep him mysterious, then, if only for my own amusement. Perhaps we could later use him to throw the Dopplegänger off, though."
"A solid plan." Kalyani reached out to Eyvindr and spoke to the bat. "It would be wise to keep Vincent as mysterious as possible to the Doppelgänger. I will explain fully later, but for now, do try and remain a curiosity."
The Chief, meanwhile, leaned forward in her chair, resting her elbows on her knees and clasping the teacup in both hands. Her air changed from one of a friendly visit ever so slightly into a businesslike personality that all agents knew. "I do believe all five of us are fully aware of the danger that Lady Titania poses. While I do believe that the Silence could handle it, the figures are irritatingly high." Her pride and her secret agent sensibility both revolted at revealing this much, but she needed to get the deal done.
"So, my Lord Doppelgänger. What do you propose?"
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Post by Wildsky on May 24, 2013 21:37:54 GMT -6
The Doppelgänger's POV
The Doppelgänger smiled at Miss Regina's nickname for his nemesis -- Tutu. It fit perfectly, at least in his mind. Oh, the cleverness of humans. He loved them for that reason. He truly, honestly loved them. Well. As truly as he could.
They don't want me to know the figures... But what figures do they have? Certainly, telling by their prisons and telling by the increased brownie attacks that I've heard whispered about, it's clear that Titania can't be held for much longer. But do they want her to get out, so they can silence her? Or do they want to find out more?
"Miss Regina," he said with a smile, "I appreciate all that you've told me. As for my proposition, it's fairly simply, though risky. You know that I hold no army, not even a guard or minion at my command. But, I am the best at disguises. And clearly, you know more -- otherwise your prison wouldn't be so secure."
He took a breath and glanced at Vincent, "And now, you have a pet. Is he to fetch information, or are you being uncharacteristically kind and giving him a tour?"
The man shook his head and turned back to the proud Regina. "But, I digress. Do you know all of the Trickster's power? Do you know how cleverly she can wait for your prison to crack, and then she'll use everything she has to split that crack into a fatal flaw in the entire prison -- she'll use your runes against you.
"But of course you know this! You're the Chief Executive, you know simple things like that. But do you know where the crack is? I can feel it, Miss Regina. It's an echo in the Spirit Zodiac... And I'm sure that it will be reflected on the physical world. Give me a chance to inspect it. I'm far more experienced that any of you, and any of the fae that may be working with you. Let me go, but keep me on a leash."
The Chief Executive... Would she be cautious, and not take the risk? No, she loved playing with risks. But she hated the Doppelgänger. This would be fun. More fun than he imagined. Oh, how his boredom could be over! But only if he spun it right.
----------------------------
Vincent Evan Chambers's POV
Vincent heard the message from Eyvindr and mentally nodded. He changed nothing, he knew not to. The Doppelgänger knew to look for the slightest change, and the Doppelgänger was interested in what Vincent had now. So he simply stayed the same, keeping his movements, his actions, his breathing patterns, his habits, his emotions, all of it the same.
Eyvindr did as well, though he could more easily fade away. The Doppelgänger was interested in Vincent, but he didn't care about spirit animals, or so it seemed. He kept eyes on the room, on above, and on the door. He kept eyes on everything, for Vincent and for Kalyani. He kept the link open slightly, just barely, so she could tell if anything was out of place. There wasn't such thing as too much caution, and now Eyvindr knew why.
'He wants to be let go? Would Regina just let this? It seems so brash, so sudden, but... Regina said that this had to be important.'
'Don't worry about it, Vincent. We can speak with Regina later. Clearly he knows more than us -- or even Regina. Be careful, and be yourself.'
'When am I ever myself?'
'Vincent! Not. Now.'
Still, Vincent was happy with himself. He needed to lighten the mood; he couldn't keep up with this appearance if he didn't. But, he didn't particularly care one way or another. The stress was getting to him. He could keep this up forever, but how well could he keep it up? That was the question.
And he was concerned that the Doppelgänger knew this.
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Post by { o p a l } on May 24, 2013 23:04:52 GMT -6
Regina smirked at the Doppelganger's start. No proposition wasn't risky when it came to the Silence- everything had a possibility of epic failure, and every opportunity had to be analyzed for the consequences it might bring.
The best at disguises. Regina scoffed with a smirk. "Thank you very much, Captain Obvious. Yes, you are the Doppelganger! Congratulations, I'm glad you finally noticed." She took a sip of her tea. Of course, the fae and she were simply joking for now- for now.
"My pet? Oh, yes. He forgot his lunch at home, so I'm keeping him with me until his mumsie can bring in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich." In other words: I'm not about to tell you. The Chief focused more into the conversation. There had to be something huge coming soon, it had been too easy thus so far.
"But do you know where the crack is? I can feel it, Miss Regina. It's an echo in the Spirit Zodiac... And I'm sure that it will be reflected on the physical world. Give me a chance to inspect it. I'm far more experienced that any of you, and any of the fae that may be working with you. Let me go, but keep me on a leash."
And there it was: the punchline. It stunned Regina like a slap to the face, even though she'd quite frankly been expecting it.
She couldn't contain herself any longer: she began to snicker like a little girl, then slowly erupting into a roar of laughter that echoed throughout the prison. She could sense the agents hidden around them staring at her as her mirth died down.
Regina wiped a single tear away from her eye as she recovered from her joy. "Oh, job satisfaction is at several hundred percent right now," she commented happily.
"You-" she waggled an accusatory finger at the Doppelganger- "are by far the most enjoyable player in this game." The Chief took a moment to compose herself. "I will return in ten hours or less with my decision. But before I leave, let me say: well done. I applaud you most sincerely. You truly have my admiration, no matter which side of this conflict to end up on. This proposal is both so expected and so unexpected that you have made my week."
She stood, and motioned to Vincent. "Come, Vincent. We have work to do." She strode towards the elevator, and paused before the doors, glancing around one final time.
"And for the sake of the Zodiac, someone let this poor man choose a nice color of paint!"
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Post by Wildsky on May 25, 2013 22:50:23 GMT -6
The Doppelgänger's POV
The Doppelgänger sat back in his chair, content. "Thank you, Miss Regina -- and I do hope I get to redecorate this place... Horribly drab!" Still, he had much more to think of than just the colour of his prison.
------------------------------
Vincent Evan Chambers's POV
Vincent followed Regina, though silently, until he was able to drop his act in the doors. He took a breath and looked up at Regina, questions bursting through, and he wasn't sure how to contain himself. But, one was more important than any other at the moment. "Do you know what you'll say, Regina? I know barely anything about him, but it seems like a risk. Is it worth it, though?"
Eyvindr clambered to the elevator and came in and widened the mental link with Kalyani. "I'm more concerned with why we have to keep Vincent a mystery to the Doppelgänger. Perhaps I worry too much, and that would be true, but while Vincent is the tactician, I am the strategist. It is who I am to worry about these things." Eyvindr was more curious about Kalyani herself -- even if they both were just spirit animals, Eyvindr knew that Kalyani could teach her much more than he could learn on his own, and her particular position made it quite interesting.
Vincent leaned on the wall of the elevator and slowly collapsed down, needing a break. "I can do the fights, the charades, the dance, and the defeat. But he was something different to handle, Regina... He was something of elegance and horror, curiosity and trickery. Are all the nobles like that? Or is he of particular interest?"
In Vincent's mind, nothing could be worse than that. Perhaps he was right, but perhaps he was the farthest thing from it.
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