exsilium | ‡1st Treasure‡

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‡1st Treasure‡

[The video feed sparks to life as Chloe taps repeatedly at the screen, offering the net a view of a woman with shoulder-length dark hair and bright eyes, wearing a stylish biking jacket and a few layers of leather necklaces with various little charms hanging from their ends. The city's skyline is visible behind her from a particularly high vantage point, and it's likely that she's found herself a resting place somewhere atop the roof of one of the taller buildings. She wiggles a few fingers lazily in greeting before speaking up with a distinctly Australian accent.]

Evening, everyone. Chloe here. New arrival, in case you haven't noticed. All right, somewhat new. Got dragged into this mess a few days ago and decided to take my time getting settled; never know what's out there if you don't bother to look first.

I was a treasure hunter back home-- one of the best in the business, I might add. Problem is I'm getting the impression that there's not much treasure to be found here on Alcatraz, and I'd prefer to stay sharp while things are relatively quiet. So here's the deal: if you need something of value-- for a price-- I'm more than happy to lend a well-trained hand and fetch it for you.

[She moves to shut the call down before adding, thoughtfully]

And in the meantime, if anyone out there knows a place that serves good drinks, I'm all ears. After all this I could sure as hell use one.

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[ What. the. hell.

Chloe needs a minute, or five. Are you joking. Are you seriously messing with her right now.

Also: who talks like that. Really.]

...I'm sorry, I must have missed the point of this prank. Did Harry put you up to this?

[People who from other computer game franchises, that's who. You know the ones.]

I would not term my birth as jesting... Not unless one counts the sickly humour of living with mother.

[Oh yes, sister from another mister. Or...Flemeth, as it were.]

Well you don't seem to be lying, and if you really are-- well, that is, if you really do sound just like me, then I can honestly say this is the most bizarre conversation I've ever managed in my whole life.

Yeees... And now I understand what that fellow from earlier was implying of me. This is all most peculiar.

[A glance is spared for Chloe's choice of attire, because what is it with people and their bizarre futuristic clothing? Dressing up in a mediaeval hood-bikini is clearly the more practical choice.]

You would be the... Not mage, yes?

Someone was telling you... [Chloe puts a hand to her forehead, chuckling bitterly as the realization hits her.] Oh, you spoke with Harry. I'm sure he just loved that.

Not mage? I'm afraid I don't follow.

Perhaps more so than I did. He sounds precisely like a man named Alistair. Someone with whom I... Perhaps 'enjoy' is too strong a term, but our relationship is similarly... Antagonistic.

Part of the reason being because his former profession was one of hunting said mages.

[Not meaning to show off, but flaring up an ethereal ball of energy in the palm of her hand just seems the most obvious way to get her implied point across.]

Needless to say, our forced later partnership was a little fraught with... Debate, every now and then.

That's a freakishly convenient coincidence... [At this point Chloe has to stop even attempting to process just what it means that their lines are crossed in nearly the exact same fashion. It's just too much. That plus Morrigan's pretty little show are basically shredding what's left of her train of thought. Denial is good. Denial means she can save the heavier questions for later.]

Fortunately for the sake of our sanity, if he's the kind of person that was out hounding your kind, then things aren't entirely parallel. For one, Flynn and I were business partners for quite some time; nothing about it was forced. Not until much later, at least.

Oh, even where I come from, our situation was... More unique than most.

[The ghostly light flickers off. At least, she was considerate enough to not turn into a giant arachnid.]

So long as you have not been beset by dragons or cannibalistic, subterranean monstrosities, had to endure the annoyance of singing bards or found yourself assaulted by the stench of dwarven undergarments, our paths should have remained relatively different. Even so... I find this more than just coincidental.

No. No, thankfully I haven't. And I don't imagine you've spent your life gunning down your enemies with a rocket launcher or a sniper rifle, though the tree of life and a host of immortal monstrosities does seem right up your alley.

[She pauses for a beat or two.] That Alistair of yours doesn't have any experience with grenades, does he?

Bow, catapult and explosives, I've experience of, but my preference is for... Well, I have my ways. From memory, Alistair favoured the sword, but since becoming King, anything could have happened.

Personally, I've always thought hot air to be his most formidable weapon...

[Chloe laughs, shaking her head.] That's him all right, though he's certainly no king. In his mind, maybe...

Can't believe I'm saying this, but for an alternate reflection you're more charming than I'd expect.

[Oh, there's that dark Morrigan chuckle... Mutual dislike is the best kind of peer-bonding!]

Well, if he's anything like Alistair, I can only assume the terminology used to describe you were positive character references - he's certainly called me worse in the past...

[c:]

My preferred title, however, would be Morrigan. 'Witch of the Wilds', if you're superstitiously-inclined... But I would hope one who shares my voice also shares a pragmatic view on things.

Oh sure, I imagine he painted a perfectly inspiring picture of me for you, considering how volatile our last conversation was. I'm surprised he didn't break his netbook the second you started speaking to him.

[Chloe snorts. Superstitious. Her. That's funny.] Morrigan will do just fine. I like the wilds bit, though. Any chance they pass out that title without an application?

No, that largely seems to come by virtue of being a daughter of Flemeth. And believe me when I say you do not want to have lived with that that prestige. I imagine your childhood was a good deal happier without it.

I don't know anyone in this business that's had a happy childhood, love. When you earn your living trying to avoid being shot by the person whose shoulder you were only just leaning on, it makes things remarkably complicated. Clients get greedy, partners want all the glory, friends decide having food on the table is a bit nicer than keeping someone around to talk to.

You know how it is.

Oh, I am no stranger to those of a more mercenary persuasion. 'Tis more that Flemeth is-

[No. Nobody gets to know that stuff.]

You can rely only on yourself. One cannot afford fondness, at best. More than this can be... Detrimental. That you understand this is refreshing, indeed!

[Chloe catches the pause, but doesn't press it; better to wait until they're on more familiar terms.]

Good to know I'm not the only one with survival on the mind, yeah. Then again, I wouldn't expect anything less from you at this point.

So tell me, what does a mage do to keep herself entertained in this place?

Aside from find amusement in Alistair's activities? Though, I've not done that for a while...

[Her own interests... So few ask about those. And opportunities to express them can be rare. Morrigan has to genuinely think about this for a moment.]

I like...

[Hmm...]

If not able to learn, then I wish to experience. 'Tis one thing to have read of ocean spray, but another to feel it against one's skin. My abduction, however... This was not long ago and in my attempts to force escape, there has been little time for exploration. In truth, I am as in need of it as you.

Ooh, just imagine the kind of damage two of us could cause.

[Honestly, considering the similarities between them, Chloe's surprised that Morrigan's already tried to get back home. In truth she hasn't even bothered to consider the prospect, much less hope for it.

She raises her hands in an exaggerated shrug.]

Well then, what are we waiting for? I say we schedule an excursion, provided you're up for a little adventure.

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‡1st Treasure‡

Oh boy here we go...

Team Claudia Black - assemble!

Do we get matching T-shirts??

They shall have matching pictures of Aeryn Sun SHOOTING PEOPLE IN THE FACE.

FANTASTIC. <3

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