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Post by Raven8 on Apr 27, 2018 15:03:45 GMT -8
Ah, the stately beauty that wealth brings with it. A long, dark hallway stretches out into the distance, adorned with marble pillars on either side. Between them are paintings of obvious value, each highlighted by a small, dim spotlight affixed to the ceiling. Along the hallway is a red, velvet rug of opulent quality and value. The entire area reeks of money, and this is where Embera now finds herself. However, she is not alone.
Normal Navi: Ms. Embera, how good of you to accept this invitation. Please, right this way.
The Normal Navi, obviously the same one that had just previously bid her goodbye, now walks down the hallway and motions for Embera to follow as if nothing had happened before. And to make matters more confusing, the Navi that she'd just spoken with moments before was now nowhere to be seen...
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Post by "Bill" on May 30, 2018 16:14:47 GMT -8
*Embera was startled by the voice belonging to the man who not so long ago rejected her deal. Furious, she sneered, but chose to keep her words minimum until she understood what was going on.*
Embera: Where exactly are you taking me? Why does the bank have a "backdoor" mini-server? Though, with how nonchalant you're being, I take it any questions about what is happening are of no concern to you?
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Post by Raven8 on Jul 4, 2018 17:58:32 GMT -8
The Navi walks forward as Embera asks her questions, going down the hall and expecting her to follow behind. As the long, opulent hallway goes on, both the color tones of the decor and the lighting grows dimmer and darker.
Normal Navi: Exactly.
[smear:FFFFFF]The manager's words are precise and to the point, leaving Embera cold amid the ever-darkening hallway as he moves on. By this point in the walk, the only remaining light that Embera can see comes from the dim highlights on the paintings themselves. This fact also punctuates the exact situation that Embera may very well find herself in at this point. While the beginnings of this scene were highlighted by beautiful paintings of landscapes and cities, with each pair they've gotten darker and darker. An evening forest, an abandoned home, a steel fortress, a large group being spoken to by a single man surrounded by banners, a burning building, and a giant castle overlooking a small, mist-enshrouded ghost village are just a part of the ever-darkening theme. It continues until, at last, the manager Navi stops. Beore him, a set of lights flicker to life and highlight a large, purple and gold door with grotesque statues of distorted, smiling faces on either side. This is the point where the manager steps aside and motions to the door, his painted smile still present as his eyes lock on the solar empress.[/smear:aaaaaa]
Normal Navi: If you please.
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Post by "Bill" on Aug 25, 2018 3:03:40 GMT -8
*Embera continued to follow the Normal Navi down the hall. At first the only thing that seemed off was the eerie demeanor of the guy, as his cordiality did very little to mask the secretive creepiness of the events unfolding. It wasn't until they neared the very end that Embera had noticed that the artistic theming of the halls was changed. She felt almost like she was in some twisted fun-house. The unease slowly crept into her stomach, but she was confident enough in herself to deal with anything that may be on the other side of the door. Not wanting to ruin this chance after at least coming this far, Embera nodded to the Normal Navi and entered through the door.*
Embera: Thank you.
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Post by Raven8 on Aug 25, 2018 8:07:50 GMT -8
Once inside, the manager Navi returns Embera's thanks with a nod and closes the door behind her. Inside is a small, dimly lit room. The walls are adorned in an expensive gold and burgundy wallpaper of meticulous design. The floor is robed in an opulent silk rug that echoes the same burgundy and golden detail as the walls. From the ceiling hangs a large, elaborate chandelier with candles flickering just brightly enough to make out the scene that now lays before Embera. The room itself is several degrees colder than the hallway and strangely stuffy, with the air stagnating from all-around lack of movement or refreshment.
As Embera soaks this all in, the candles on the chandelier flicker brighter than before, casting just enough light to see a pair of wing-back chairs at the center of the room and a black screen on the far wall facing them, as if a private viewing theater. By this sight alone, the next step in this strange process becomes obvious.
Embera remains in the dark and silence for several minutes, awaiting the unknown as the candles above flicker. Until, at last, the screen floods the room with light and revelation.
On the screen, Embera is greeted by the wide, smiling face of a man... a man sitting at an opulent wooden desk surrounded by an office nearly identical to the room in which Embera now finds herself. Behind the desk is a visage that can be described as nothing short of off-putting; a face identical in every way to the wide-mouth grinning statues just outside of the doorway to this very room. Noticeably short and as wide as he is tall, the man looks out past lazy, beady eyes to Embera. His nose is covered by what appears to be a long, pointed cone of metal that points to the air as he leans his head back, revealing the stubble on his chin that lays before his dark purple bow-tie; a bow-tie that matches his tacky, bright purple business suit and yellow dress shirt perfectly. The strange, grotesque man raises a large hand gloved by a brown gauntlet of metal and leather to his head and brushes back his meager mop of dirty, blonde hair as he looks on and finally gives a laugh under his breath, addressing the solar empress with a raspy, gravely, yet also high-pitched and almost syrupy sweet voice.
My my, it's been a long time since I've met with a Navi of your reputation, my dear. Please forgive the rude welcome to this juncture, but we must be careful of what prying eyes see and spying ears hear, mustn't we? Now then, allow me to give a proper introduction...
The man folds his hands in front of himself on his desk in slow, deliberate fashion, still holding his wide, toothy grin as he continues.
I'm Lex Loath! Entrepreneur, philanthropist, and owner of the generous Electopian bank. It is a pleasure to finally meet you face to face.
Lex laughs under his breath, pausing for a moment before he continues.
Lex: Now then; shall we move on to the matter of business that brings you here today? My trusted ....employee.... informs me that you wish to procure my help on a venture. Would you be so kind as to elaborate for me, hmm?
Lex theatrically waves his hand towards Embera, motioning for her to have her say as he looks on through beady, unblinking eyes.
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Post by "Bill" on Aug 25, 2018 12:09:39 GMT -8
*The almost regal office and its musty decor relayed to Embera that this room was almost never used. She felt like she was in some haunted mansion as she moved to the well-crafted chair, its soft and cushy embrace paradoxically filling Embera with even more chills. As the door shut, she saw the screen lower and flicker on. Seeing the man she was looking for, Embera was startled that this dark secrecy was so fitting for him. The warm welcome from him was in an even starker contrast to the dark, cellar-turned-mansion she was sitting in. Not wanting to waste time, Embera professionally addressed the man on the screen.*
Embera: Thank you for seeing me Mr. Loath. How suspect that there is a sole proprietor to a National bank...
*She let the word settle as a sly smile escaped her lips. It was a sign that she was catching on to the nature of the seemingly kind gentleman, and all the same respected and didn't mind her suspicions at all.*
Embera: I'm glad to hear you are an entrepreneurial man, because I am seeking a an investor for a large building project I have in mind.
*Just then, Embera materialized blueprints and laid them out in front of her, copying and forwarding them to Lex's computer, linked with hers.*
Embera: As you can see, my goals are to establish a large fortress, nigh impenetrable, and able to retaliate against any possible intrusion. I need top of the line firewalls and a server switch that can kill the connection to the internet at a moment's notice. Naturally, a server running these securities are going to take up a lot of bandwidth, and I need enough liquid resources to cover the employment of several dozen mercenaries and their Operators. That is why I requested the amount enclosed.
*Embera made sure she cut to the chase in this venture, because if this man could help in the capacities she sought, then it was best to not beat around the bush.*
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Post by Raven8 on Aug 25, 2018 17:27:48 GMT -8
Lex listens carefully to Embera, betraying none of his thoughts through his toothy grin as he weighs the situation. The rather chaotic girl in front of him was already displaying herself in a manner that lines up with expectations, so now to see just how far those expectations go...
Lex: Aah, so this is what you're proposing, hmm? You've come a bit of a way to try and make this a reality, so tell me; what is you plan with such a project, hmm? In such a large project, I would like to see what exactly you believe will catch my... interest.
Lex folds his hands in front of his face, awaiting Embera's reply.
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Post by "Bill" on Aug 25, 2018 17:42:02 GMT -8
*Embera did her best to get a read on Lex as she watched him peer over her project. She listened as he spoke to her, hoping to pick up on some tell that would relay some thought to her. She found almost nothing. It was only when he spoke of "interest" that she realized he was testing her, prodding her himself for her position and alignments in this project. She decided to lay out a little more. Not entirely trusting the man, and at the same time, sure he wasn't a fan of getting authorities involved.*
Embera: The idea is to have a massive proxy network between Electopia and Netopia. I have insider information that the destruction of the bridge, and the razing of Element City was done by NIA hands. My goal is to establish a barrier to entry for hostile Netopian navis. This would ensure that any battling would take place in Netopia or on the proxy-server.
*At this point, Embera decided to put out her main course in this, hoping to entice Lex to her side of dealings.*
Embera: This destruction would almost certainly force servers on Netopia Net to shut down. Businesses in Netopia could stand to lose billions in a matter of days, if the destruction doesn't set their network infrastructure back a thousand years...that is...unless they were able to get assistance to rebuild from a certain....foreign bank? I present to you, a chance to practically OWN Netopia if you back my campaign against the NIA with this project.
*Embera laid her chips out, and knew that he would either take it, or leave it and was ready to go back to square one if need be. She was always one to blow up without a plan, and it worked so far; it wouldn't be unreasonable to do so again.*
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Post by Raven8 on Aug 27, 2018 17:28:59 GMT -8
Lex holds his hands folded in front of his bulbous face and white-toothed grin, not betraying his own thoughts on the situation. However, it is obvious that his interest piques at some point in the dealings. Something in Embera's presentation holds some form of benefit to Loath's plans.
Lex: Ho ho ho. Well well, missie. It looks like you have thought this through. But... we do have one little problem...
Lex unfolds his hands and leans back in his chair, looking to the ceiling for a moment as he re-folds his hands and taps his fingers together one at a time.
Lex: You see, you've given me your idea, and I assure you that I can do it... but then why would I need you, hmmm? I already have my own associates that could quite easily run the whole show for me. What can you bring to the table now that I hold all of the cards, hmmm?
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Post by "Bill" on Aug 27, 2018 18:45:37 GMT -8
*Embera was pleased to hear Lex's response being a positive one. She was not expecting to hear about any problems, however. Her eyebrow raised out of curiosity, as she listened to the sly man's dissolution of a partnership, her face become one of bewilderment and shock. He took it all. The man she thought was a shark, turned out to be a gluttonous fool after all. With her fakest, most over-exaggerated exclamation of shock and disbelief, mixed in with a hint of deadpan humor to drive the point home.*
Embera: Oh no! Please don't take my idea, Mr. Loath! Please don't save the net at no cost to me! Oh you dastardly, and...incredibly...shrewd fiend!
*Her fake look of shock went to one of condescension. She shook her head like she couldn't believe he would even imply that.*
Embera: What have you been losing up that metal prosthetic that would make you think that I wouldn't have unique and useful assets to contribute to this partnership that you would not be able to find elsewhere? I feel sorry for you if the general public has been so foolish that you think that...that is pulling a fast one on me.
*Embera folds her hand, her eyebrows now furrowing, losing her patience.*
Embera: I've been cordial. I respect your ruthlessness, really I do. You have the kind of drive to get whatever it is you want and I admire that particular kind of underhandedness. Clearly you didn't get to where you were through the sheer power of philanthropy, but I'm not one of your "associates." I'm seeking a "partner" in this venture. I assure you that, on your own, with just these blueprints and your own R&D, you will not stop the current powers preparing for a war, Lex. You're a businessman, not a gambler, so let's get back to our negotiations...
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Post by Raven8 on Aug 27, 2018 19:42:47 GMT -8
Lex just continues to smile his same smile, obviously entertained by Embera's little show of theatrics. In fact, possibly even more than she herself was.
Lex: Ho ho ho. Partner, you say? No, no, little missie. You seem to have a bit too high a view of yourself. Let me graciously show you just what I mean:
Let's say, for the sake of argument, that I am interested in this little business venture that you propose. I supply the server, I supply the coding, I supply the advertising, I supply the muscle. I only call someone a "partner" if they can give just as much as me. Ah, but all that you've given me is your demands for power equal to mine in a deal that you offer nothing but an idea for. So far you talk a big game, but all evidence says one thing;
Lex leans back and grins even wider, looking to the ceiling as he does so. The feeling of power in this situation was giving him something of a high, and he didn't mind gloating about it a bit to Embera, or anyone else for that matter.
Lex: it's all a bluff, little missie. I can forge my own blueprints, I can do my own work. But you can't offer me anything to make this little deal as a grunt, much less a partner. Sound about right to you, hmmmm?
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Post by "Bill" on Aug 27, 2018 19:54:42 GMT -8
*Embera shrugged her shoulders. It seemed she was talking to a brick wall after all. She was defeated in a way today. The only thing larger than Lex's greed was his ego, and Embera knew how to walk away.*
Embera: You got me. It was all just an elaborate ruse. I'll just take Purgatory and do my best out there. But I'm sure this is no problem that you can't just throw money at. Nice chatting.
*With that, she got up from the desk and began making her way to the door, leaving with her blades bouncing at her hips, taking her leave.*
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Post by Raven8 on Aug 27, 2018 20:04:58 GMT -8
Lex's smile grows even wider. He had vastly beaten Embera in this show of power and left her without a leg to stand on. She knew who was the boss in this encounter, and who had more weight to throw around...
...and now that these ground-rules were established.
Lex: Now now, missie. What happened to that strong will of yours, hmmmm? No need to be so hasty. Have a seat and let's... chat... a little more. I do have a few little questions for you now.
Lex pauses for a moment and re-folds his hands, turning his chair to the side and looking upwards again.
Lex: You offered up your idea, and held nothing back. And then you explained such riches and power that I would reap from it, and never eluded to wanting any for yourself. Most who sit in that chair only want the money and power that I can share, but you wanted something else... didn't you?
Lex's beady, lazy eyes slide slowly to Embera and lock on her own, giving a gaze similar to a snake staring down a cornered mouse.
Lex: I wonder; what could that be, my dear?
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Post by "Bill" on Aug 27, 2018 20:22:02 GMT -8
*Embera rolled her eyes as she made her way back to the chair. Her large, lanky body was able to kick her legs up to the desk and talk very casually to Lex.*
Embera: A few minutes ago and I'd probably spout off some righteous spiel on why I need to save the world. But we both know I wouldn't even talk with you if that were my stance. I haven't mentioned money or power for myself, nor have I mentioned any sort of prize I seek. How curious, isn't it? But how hard it is to indebt someone to you when there is nothing you are able to promise. Stings a little, doesn't it?
*Embera lounged almost defiantly, acting callous towards the sly inquiry of Lex. How ironic that a man of his....build, would be so....nosy.*
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Post by Raven8 on Aug 27, 2018 20:35:17 GMT -8
Lex: Ho ho ho; now we get to the heart of the matter, hmm? Lies and hidden agendas don't suit you well, my dear. Perhaps now we can negotiate unabated, hmm?
Lex turns his chair back facing Embera, looking down his metal, pointed nose as her as he continues his inquiry.
Lex: Now then. Since we have silly terms such as "partner" off of the table, let's change the tone of our little meeting, shall we? Think of this less as a meeting for your own project, and more... an interview, hmm? Let's say that I do go forward with your little idea. What can you offer me to be a part of it, and what would you want in return for your services?
Lex folds his hands and leans on the desk again, his toothy grin widening as he leans in towards Emera.
Lex: Because by this point, I don't mind telling you that you do indeed have my... interest.
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