The Hanging Gardens

Upon stepping out from the elevators, you enter upon a magnificent sight to behold: the Hanging Gardens. All around you, lush greenery envelop your senses in a medly of flowery fragrances, fresh air, and an almost overwhelming sense of peace. Exotic plants of all kinds literally make the place a jungle.

Alfghar stands in front of the flowers, waiting. Things have been going on in the tower that she did not intend to happen, and this caused her no amount of displeasure. . o O ( I should pay more attention to what goes on around here...)

The Medical Lab

This room is sterile and very metallic looking, giving the ethereal white look of the underground chambers a totally different appearance. On the south end of the room, a steel bench runs along the wall. The shelves below the bench contain instruments you've never seen before and above the bench, a similar metallic cabinet runs the parameter. The north side of the room is divided into two by a white curtain, separating the two neatly made beds that reside in both corners.

Justin awakens to what to you might seem the normal hums, hisses, drips and bleeps of a hospital ICU, but to him can only signify advanced technology of the sort only a very few people in the Realms deal in. He doesn't particularly enjoy the prospect of having lain defenseless in the care of any of these persons for any length of time. The safest thing for him to do now is to feign further sleep whilst he orients himself and formulates a plan, but who knows whether the medical tell-tales are as easy to fool as a living observer?

A nurse walks in to do her daily check on her patients, and pauses at the absence of the elf girl. "... Yes, they've moved her already... alrighty then..." She makes a check off of her writing board, then proceeds to make her way to Justin's bedside, reaching out for a pulse.

Justin's reputation, even with Darkwood, should've lead any sensible person, nurse or not, to understand that poking at him while he's asleep isn't a healthy move. If this news somehow failed to reach this nurse, her education arrived swiftly enough with the wrist lock and throw he bestowed upon her. The room was depressingly empty of potential weaponry, but no matter. A mage doesn't /need/ weaponry.

A frightened yelp manages to make its way out of the nurse's throat, as the assault came almost completely unexpected. She does manage, however, to retain consciousness upon impact against the wall on the opposite side of the lab. Stupified, her board clattered to the ground as she stared amazed at Justin. "You... You... You're awake... Well."

Justin mutters something. darkly, and surveys the room. Laboratory, it seems. Dissatisfied, at length he shrugs. "Yes, it would seem I'm awake. May I ask why this suprises you so?"

The nurse gathers herself, and manages to stand back on her two feet again. "Well, you haven't been for several weeks. Ahem," she retrieves her board. "Might I ask how you are feeling?"

Alfghar Something in Alfghars pocket starts to beep, and vibrate. Blinking for a second, she reaches into her robes and pulls out the mysterious black box, which is glowing and beeping like the end of the world is coming. . o O (Ahh, he is awake, finally. I guess I better go visit him, and try to explain what has happened...). Her image starts to shimmer, and fades away.

Justin nods, sagely. "Yes, I would imagine you might." He paces to the far wall to make a closer inspection of the assorted monitoring devices. "...I'm alive," he allows.

The nurse pauses. "Well, that's always good to know. Would you mind if I do a swift check up on your person?"

Justin frowns down at the inactive screen. Mmm... "I am in perfect working order, I feel it safe to assure you." He peels a sensor from his shoulder, and glares at it. "Unless you know something that I don't about my current condition, then I think further examination would be pointless."

Alfghar walks through the door to the medlab, the door closing itself behind her. "Have a nice nap, Justin? I guess...I guess I should probably answer whatever questions you have. And please...refrain from throwing the medical attendants."

Alfghar waves her hand at the nurse, "You may go now. I am capable of attending to the patient."

Justin's frown deepens as Alfghar enters. Yes, that'd explain a few things, wouldn't it. He clears his throat. "I should apologize, I suppose, only this /is/ Darkwood. You lot certainly don't trust eachother, I don't know why I should." More mutteri-- oh, hey, there's a though. "I don't suppose there are clothes to be had anywhere around?"

Alfghar hmms.

Alfghar thinks for a moment, "Yes, I can arrange that." She presses a button on the wall, and says, "Please bring Justins clothese back down to the med lab."

Shiroi appeared, wearing a crisp white shirt and a tailored black dress suit. In her hands are a a sorcerer's robe, for Justin, apparently. "Well, well. Awaketh my former evil school master. How are you feeling on this fine day?"

Alfghar snickers.

Alfghar asks: Ahh yes, that reminds me...Afterwards, I need to talk to you, Shiroi, about your...episode in front of the camera. But that is for later...Now, I am guessing that you have some questions for me, Justin?

Justin just sighs, quietly, as Shiroi enters with his robes. Yes, that really does explain rather a lot. "Just two, for the moment, I think. Where's Razz?"

Shiroi affords Alfghar a radiant smile. "All in good time, my current teacher in security."

Alfghar says: Unfortunately, I have no idea where Razz is. I have not been around as of recently.

Alfghar says: But, you can safely assume that she is not being harmed.

Justin raises an eyebrow at Shiroi as he pulls the robe over his shoulders.

Shiroi looked slightly thoughtful at the mentioning of Razz's name, as if she knows something of the current topic of discussion. Nonetheless, all she gave was a radiant smile.

Alfghar says: I am teaching her to be my replacement, Justin.

Shiroi curtseys gracefully.

Alfghar asks: And your second question is...?

Justin was afraid of something like that. "Well. I'm sure she'll serve admirably. She's got all the qualifications, she has." With effort, he puts aside his concern over Razz. In all likelihood she /is/ perfectly alright, and in any case he can find her himself soon enough. "Other question. Precisely how long have I been here?

Alfghar hmms.

Alfghar says: I would have to say about a month, or so.

Shiroi nods at Alfghar.

Justin mulls over this. "Damn." He shoves his hands into the robe's pockets, before he does anything with them. "Any word fro-- erm. Has anyone asked after either of us?"

Alfghar shakes her head.

Shiroi gives a thoughtful 'hmmm'. "I remember seeing Eladria asking around not long after you've arrived. I went to seek out the Blades, they seem to have settled where you had agreed upon prior to the attack."

Shiroi continued. "Seeing as how you were practically dead to the world... They didn't send any messages."

Justin ponders this. "Mmmmh..." Bah. Well, they'll find out soon enough that he's alive and well. Soon as he can get out of this place. Speaking of which, "I suppose you're under orders to hold us here? Stands to reason."

Shiroi shrugged. "I have no orders to keep anyone anywhere, really. I suppose you're welcome to tour the tower, where you're allowed. And try to break down the doors to where you're not allowed."

Alfghar snickers.

Alfghar says: I do believe that Justin knows a tad bit more about the tower than even you do, Shiroi. At any rate, no, as far as I know, there are no holding orders on you. You may come and go as you please. But if I find the door to my personal quarters broken down...

Justin coughs.

Alfghar says: ...If you wish to continue this conversation, let us take it to the balcony.

Alfghar says: The security is easier...bypassed there than here.

Justin says: No need. I think I should go see about Razz, actually, and then perhaps we'll see about rejoining the Blades.

Alfghar says: This is about Razz, Justin.

Shiroi nodded. "Good idea, the atmosphere is also a lot more... drab around here." She coughed at Justin's comment. "Let's talk about Razz on the balcony."

Alfghar shoots a glance over at Shiroi, and then looks back over towards Justin.

Justin frowns. "Something... urgent I should know?"

Alfghar says: Something like that. That can not be discussed in the current environment. Follow me, please.

Alfghar turns, and exits the room, heading for the elevator.

Shiroi bows, freeing the way for Justin to follow.

Justin mutters. One lie, already, and he's barely been up 10 minutes. "Very well..." He follows, still muttering.

The Hanging Gardens

Upon stepping out from the elevators, you enter upon a magnificent sight to behold: the Hanging Gardens. All around you, lush greenery envelop your senses in a medly of flowery fragrances, fresh air, and an almost overwhelming sense of peace. Exotic plants of all kinds literally make the place a jungle.

Alfghar exits the elevator, and steps over to the flowers. She picks one, inhales it's perfume, and turns to Justin, "As I said, Razz is not in immediate danger. However, Kesnick is trying to get her involved in some kind of plot to 'save the world', as he put it."

Justin coughs. 'Save the world.' "...right. Wonderful. And you have no idea whatsoever where she is, is this correct?"

Alfghar shakes her head.

Justin asks: Oh?

Shiroi hoisters herself over the railings of the balcony, dangling her feet. "Simply put, Eikigou is assembling the orb of darkness, bringing about the end of the world as we know it here. Kesnick is hoping to battle that power using Razz as his cannon..." She paused at Justin's question. "Sure, I have an idea."

Alfghar says: Not at this moment, no. Although, I would hazard a guess that my esteemed colleague would know a bit more than me...

Alfghar nods over at Shiroi.

Shiroi smiles at Alfghar.

Justin notes lie number 2. "And..?"

Shiroi makes a show of thoughtful considering. "Hmmm... Why would I want to tell you, though?"

Alfghar says: To put it simply: If you do not, I will put a katana into your back.

Shiroi winced. "Oh, ow, that would hurt, wouldn't it?"

Justin draws in the elemental power of the room like a breath. "If she gets to you first, yes."

Shiroi peered fearfully at Justin, making a show of shrinking in cowardice, sitting on the railing. "Ooh, none of you are being nice... It never occurs to you to ask nicely, does it?"

Justin shrugs elaborately. "Touche. However, it doesn't actually occur to you to /ask/, usually."

Alfghar says: Mind you, I am not doing this for my own health, or yours. I am simply trying to expedite the process of finding Razz.

Shiroi blinks innocently. "What am I suppose to be asking for?"

Alfghar sighs.

Shiroi then waved dismissively. "Oh, a few minutes' delay wouldn't hurt anyone any. Other than me, that is, and the person who tries to threaten me for it."

Alfghar . o O ( Really, I do not know why the put up with this sex object. Kesnick could just as easily hired an asnick could just as easily hired an assassin and a hooker. Hell, I would pay him for it if he dimisses this woman. ).

Shiroi smiles sharply at Alfghar, batting her eyelashes.

Justin shakes his head. "Okay. Would you /please/ tell us what you know about where Razz is? I really would rather we get through all this without anyone getting put back in the infirmary for another month."

Shiroi smiled sweetly. "Pretty please with a cherry on the top?"

Justin is not amused in the least.

Shiro cares very little for whether or not Justin is amused.

Alfghar hmms over at Shiroi, "Just...tell him. I do not feel like fighting you at this point, even though it will cause me no harm, no matter what happens. At any rate...what Kesnick is trying to do with Razz has the chance of destroying her. He is going to try to take off her runes."

Shiroi pouts at Alfghar. "But I don't like him. He was mean to me."

Alfghar says: He has reason to be.

Alfghar shrugs.

Shiroi ponders that. "True... Oh well, I suppose I'll just have to settle with the two other things that'll enrage him as much as not telling him where Razz is, then."

Justin just... sighs. Yes, so far as he understands it, unsealing The Justice would quite effectively destroy Razz. And Kesnick, he shouldn't doubt. Indeed, probably even himself. "Well," he ignores Shiroi, "would Mr. Vaspleck be likely to have her with him, somewhere?"

Shiroi tsked. "Why, he's ignoring me now. Very well."

Shiroi started humming a little tone while swinging her feet.

Alfghar shrugs.

Alfghar says: Honestly, I do not have the faintest idea. But, in all likelyhood, yes she is probably with him, somewhere.

Alfghar says: I guess that would be your next task, to find Razz. You know well enough that I try to offer as much help as I can, without compromising my...position.

Justin asks: May I assume that Kesnick is not subject to Darkwood security surveillance?

Shiroi hummed. "For the most part, he is the chairman."

Alfghar says: He is, actually.

Justin says: Oh? That makes things simpler, then.

Alfghar says: He also designed the security equipment, so he can avoid surveillance when he wants to. We will just have to see when we go to check out the surveillance cameras.

Alfghar finally puts down the flower, and looks over at Shiroi, "And, might I add, if you are going have another one of those...escapades, do the security guards the common decency of disabling the cameras beforehand."

Shiroi amused herself with strange glowings of her hands. "I wanted a tape of it, though."

Alfghar smirks in amusement.

Shiroi smiled disquietingly at Justin. "I think I shall give it to him as a Christmas gift."

Justin nods slowly. "That's more what I was expecting, though. Well, you'll have to see what you find, then." He is not going to ask about what Shiroi wanted a tape of, nor is he going to ask why she thinks he'd want to see it. Nope.

Alfghar says: Seeing as how you have a death wish, go ahead.

Shiroi shrugged. "Why else would I have done it? ... besides for the basic urge to torture cute little fluffy animals?"

Alfghar says: Now...about your...position.

Shiroi lifted her feet onto the railings, walking back and forth on it. "Yes?"

Justin says: Mmm. If you two have business to discuss, I think I might get started.

Justin sweeps a bow to both of them, and heads for the elevator.

Alfghar says: I will give you kesnicks location tomorrow, if I find it out.

Justin calls "Thanks." through the closing doors.

Shiroi called out behind Justin. "It's quite logical, where Razz is, really. She's at where they do all their research, experiments, and inventions."

Alfghar says: Your training has been coming along quite well, Shiroi. But you really need to learn something called 'tact'. I did not tell him that for a reason.

Alfghar says: I do not want him wandering around the research labs, nor would it be good for our health if he did.

Justin didn't hear it, in any case.

Shiroi spun around on one foot, still keeping her balance on the railing. "As if anything's good for anyone's health these days. If he has half a brain, he'd be able to figure it out."

Alfghar says: He is a fighter more than anything else, Shiroi. It would have crossed his mind eventually, but not until we could get Razz out of there.

Justin is a caster, damn you. A /caster/.

Shiroi paused. "Actually, I rather thought that he is primarily a scholar, from what I had gathered. Besides, where's the fun if nothing gets blown up a bit?"

Alfghar says: I do not relish the idea of spending the better part of a month in the infirmatory. I have other things to attend to.

Shiroi cocked her head. "I have better confidence in my survival abilities, then. When do you think that he'll discover that his wedding ring is being worn around my neck?"

Alfghar says: Probably when you seduce him.

Alfghar says: Or when you rape him, you seem quite adept at both.

Alfghar smiles slightly.

Shiroi laughed. "Heh! There's an idea!" She drew out the chain on which Justin's ring's being held, and spun it on her fingers.

Alfghar snickers.

Alfghar says: If not for the fact that Justin and I work towards the same goals, I would do so myself.

Shiroi says: Anyhow, I believe you had something to say about my positiion? Have they finally came to their senses and fired me?

Alfghar says: I am still employed here, if it answers your question.

Shiroi raised an eyebrow. "Which same goals are those?"

Alfghar says: We both strive to gain enough power to go back to our world, and save our people.

Alfghar asks: Rather...stupid, eh?

Shiroi eyed Alfghar with a hint of surprise. "Aah, I did not know that you were also from Delel. That is the world where Crulath attempted to save by knocking up our little elfling friend back at the R&D department, right?"

Alfghar nods.

Alfghar says: To put it bluntly, yes.

Shiroi started strutting on the thin railing bar again. "Well, then. Again, we strayed from the topic, was there something about my position that you wanted to inform me of?"

Alfghar says: Yes, your training is almost complete. Due to current circumstances, however, I will be staying a bit longer than I intended at first. Your training will now become...more tedious. What Velias has asked you to do, has been asked of me numerous times. Needless to say, I was not successful. This will be part of your training. I do not doubt your physical ability, but what you might need is stealth and diplomacy.

Shiroi pondered that. "Stealth... and diplomacy." Her lips twisted. "Whatever need do I have for diplomacy?"

Alfghar says: You have a nasty habit of being completely blunt with people. There are situations where one needs to lie, and be able to lie effectively.

Alfghar says: That is the only part of your training you are severly lacking in, and which I intend to fix.

Shiroi plopped down on the cold, hard railing. "Would you believe that I really did not know where Razz is being kept?"

Alfghar snickers.

Alfghar says: I think that you guessed correctly, though. Knowing Kesnick, he would consult everyone he could before attempting this undertaking. That would require at least a few days for planning and testing. Then, they would take Razz into the R&D lab.

Shiroi turned around to face Alfghar, smiling faintly. "I have not always been able to kill at will... I think I shall have no problem in lying."

Alfghar shrugs.

Alfghar says: And, as a side note, since you are now an executive, you have access to the company hookers, not to mention other willing executives. Try not to...ravage the guests, even if they do enjoy it.

Shiroi continued. "As for diplomacy... I am primarily an actress. It is only a matter of whether I give a damn or not. At times I'd rather see people fume than think nicely of me." She smiled again at Alfghar. "As for ravaging company hookers... where's the fun in that? They accept the act willingly. Razz was only enjoyable due to her innocence and naivety... And the fact that it would piss our good man Justin off."

The girl then beamed. "And she's so cute! Like a wee little kitten!" She cracked a portion of the railing in her hand. "... you just can't help but want to see her wail in confusion and fright..."

Alfghar nods.

Alfghar says: I would have to agree with that. If she was not a guest of Darkwood, I would have done the same thing.

Shiroi stared intently into Alfghar's eyes. "Anyone would want to do it. It is only a matter of whether they admit it or not. Some do it blantantly, some would express it subtly by squeezing them hard...."

Alfghar snickers.

Shiroi smirked faintly. "I'm sure Justin would feel it too, if he weren't such an uptight old man."

Alfghar says: This is the last bit of the sermon: Just...try to keep from crossing Kesnick, at least openly. It is not wise.

Alfghar shrugs.

Shiroi swung herself off of the railing, now slightly dented in one part. "I have a feeling my crossing him wouldn't be long now."

Alfghar says: I think he feels it, but disreguards it, for whatever reason. I can not tell if he really loves Razz as a friend/sister, or more than that.

Alfghar arcs an eyebrow.

Shiroi kept on smiling, though a glint of malice in her eyes. "He... regards Razz as a subsitute for the family that he had lost. His wife, his daughters, he hopes to make up for something by caring for her..."

Alfghar says: Seems rather futile to me.

Alfghar peers at Shiroi, "Here is a question for you: What do you plan on doing to him, since I guess that you are not going to let him go away without some kind of pain."

Shiroi grasped another part of the railing, clamping down hard and twisting it in one hand, so that it dented and groaned. "Razz is merely a symbol of responsibility to him, really. What else can you hope for him to think? She's a helpless little elfling, you can't help to care for her, if you're the type who gives a damn."

Alfghar nods.

Shiroi kept looking far off into the distance, still twisting the bar in her hands. "I'm not sure, really. The best laid plans have a way of getting fuddled. I shall dangle his wedding ring in his face and keep out of his way, that's one. Then I shall make him watch the tape, that's another... other than that... I'll play it by ear."

Alfghar snickers.

Shiroi smirked. "Then you had that wonderful suggest of violating his person. That may yet prove to have some worth."

Alfghar says: If I where you...I would tempt him, somehow. Walk around in your skimpy outfits around him. He is not wholely without a sex drive.

Shiroi then looked thoughtful. "That is, if there is time. And he despises me, I doubt my normal tactics would work on him. Flaunting my sex appeal would only discourage him, it would only work when he's managed to remove that stick up his ass."

Alfghar says: I think that might help out your cause, a little.

Shiroi tilted her head. "My cause?"

Alfghar says: Of causing Justin misery. You where doing a pretty good job of it earlier.

Alfghar says: It is getting late, so I must part. I will test you another time, Shiroi.

Alfghar nods at her, and Alfghars form begins to shimmer, and then fades away.

Shiroi released the twisted railing. "It shall depend, really..." She pondered. "I wonder if I can still catch up to him..." she murmured, and flickered completely out of view.