The Hanging Gardens Balcony
At the southern end of the gardens, you are treated to an even more spectacular sight than when you first set foot into the rooftop glade. Beyond the balcony stretches the most magnificent scenery you've laid eyes upon, as you can see for miles around the Relidilaid eyes upon, as you can see for miles around the Relidian region...out to the Aldian Ocean itself. As you look down from the balcony, you notice that it's quite a bit of a drop into the surrounding water that encircles the Tower...
Velias is sitting at the glass table over in the corner by the hedges, enjoying a cup of tea, and reading something out of the book he always carries around with him. His glasses are neaty set aside near the edge of the table, close to the coaster for the teacup.
Shiroi walks up, and stops about three paces away from where Velias is sitting, and curtseys. "You called for me, Vice Chairman?"
Velias looks up from his book to meet Shiroi's eyes, a bit surprised to see what she's wearing.
Shiroi stares intently at Velias, as if wondering what he's so surprised about.
Velias says, "Ah yes. I wanted to apologize for such a hasty induction into the corperation. I had wanted to oversee that personally, but I had to take care of a few things back home."
Velias sighs, "The life of a Vice Chairman is often a demanding one..." emote makes a show of listening attentively, and nodding solemnly as Velias speaks.
Shiroi makes a show of listening attentively, and nodding solemnly as Velias speaks.
Shiroi says: But of course, but of course.
Velias closes his book and sets it down next to the glasses, "But anyway, enough of my boring life, how do you like Darkwood so far?"
Shiroi smirks. "Not bad, I got to wear this adorable outfit," she stated rather sarcasticly. "No, really, it's quite cute. And I'm sure I look great it in, but there's something about the constant threats from my dear Mr. President that just - makes things less enjoyable than they should be."
Velias says, "Threats?"
Shiroi gives it a dismissive wave. "Merely promises of fates which are worse than death, and something about not letting another article of clothing touch my body should I not rein in my smart side..."
<>Velias says, "Ah yes, I seem to remember him saying such words...well that will just not do at all."Velias says, "I did not invite you to Darkwood so that the executives coudl try to change you into something else."
Shiroi says: He's not, by far, the first to make such promises to me, though.
Shiroi grins, "Heh heh heh!"
Velias says, "I wasn't kidding when I said you had potential. Darkwood is very speculative about who they take under their wing as executives."
Velias says, "Though, lately I myself have been quite dissapointed in the executives my father has deemed worthy of such a privilege."
Velias says, "You, however, seem to be exactly what is lacking in the current hierarchy."
Shiroi sighs accordingly. "Good help just do not exist anymore, do they?" She pauses. "Oh? Whatever do you mean?"
Velias reaches over for the teacup, and takes a sip from it, placing it back on the coaster, "I noticed you the other day talking with Matthew. You seem to be one of the only people around here who doesn't seem to care if you incur his wrath."
Velias says, "Even my own father treads carefully around him...it's rather pathetic."
Shiroi smirks. "Ah, well, a general disregard for life will do that to you. Though I was rather certain that I hadn't been doing anything particularly worthy of a smiting to him... And if I did... Well." Shrug.
Velias stands up and walks over to the edge of the balcony, placing his hands on the marble railings, he looks out towards the crystal blue sea.
Shiroi asks: Nice view?
Velias says, "One of the greatest in the land. My father spends his time up here alot when he visits the country. This place reminds me of a quote I once heard..."
Velias says, "'At these heights, one would do anything rather than decend again...even the wisest of men would be beguiled.'"
Shiroi leans on the glass table with one hand, and smirks. "Indeed, indeed. The more you get, the more you have to lose."
Velias chuckles.
Velias says, "Quite true, quite true. Yes, my father sees himself as some kind of god. These lofty gardens seem to reaffirm that to him."
Velias says, "...and he does have quite a bit to loose."
Shiroi shrugs. "Gods... bah. I don't particularly favor dealing with gods, being they true immortals or men who are close to being like gods."
Velias turns around and levels his eyes at Shiroi once more, "Yes, I quite agree. It's most...inefficient."
Shiroi raises an eyebrow at Velias. "And I suppose you have a different philosphy?"
Velias says, "Perhaps. Though right now this scheme is working, and everyone working within it is rather comfortable. Should something happen to disrupt that scheme, then yes, I would follow a different philosophy."
Velias says, "Even though our Executive Vice Presidents have an unlimited budget to work with, Darkwood still manages to take in a surplus of gil, which in turn gives us life."
Shiroi smirks faintly. "My, from what I've heard, I'd say that your loyalties lies quite a while away away from your father."
Velias chuckles, "Yes, I forgot, you haven't acquainted yourself here yet."
Shiroi says: Indeed, I am but an outsider.
Velias says, "Though you will notice in time that no one's loyalties lie with my father. Alfghar, Kaze, Tracha, myself, Walker, we all follow our own agendas."
Velias says, "Which differ quite greatly from my father's grand vision."
Shiroi asks: What is, if I may ask, your father's grand vision?
Velias says, "He believes everyone within this universe is propelling it to its own destruction, so he wants to correct it by becomming a god which can guide the universe off its path of destruction."
Velias says, "I don't agree with it, but I suppose I should be thankful for that philosophy, becuase I probably would never have been born otherwise."
Shiroi nods. "Order to chaos," she mutters. "Now, let me guess - you have no mother?"
Velias says, "Correct. She was killed by a rebel faction."
Velias says, "They had stormed one of father's corperate towers, and she defended it with her life."
Shiroi shakes your head.
Shiroi says: Well, as long as she thought it was worth her life...
Velias says, "She did, I'm qutie sure. All of Kesnick's most trusted associates share deeply in his vision, and my mother was one of them."
Shiroi says: But of course.
Velias says, "Though I'll never know for sure, as I was much too young at the time."
Shiroi says: Probably to your benefit.
Velias says, "That's what I've concluded."
Velias says, "But enough of this depressing talk."
Velias walks back over to the table, "You said something about Kaze threatening you?"
Shiroi waves that dismissive wave again. "Nothing I haven't heard before."
Velias says, "If you wish, I can relieve him of his duty to oversee you. There is a level of administration above this corperation, which reports to the Board of Trustees."
Shiroi says: The Board of Trustees.
Shiroi raises an eyebrow.
Velias says, "Seven people who originally funded the Darkwood project. My father was among one of the seven who they have appointed as Chairman."
Shiroi says "ah."
Velias says, "I've only met one of them besides my father, so I have no idea who they really are."
Velias says, "They were the ones who originally approved this venture to this country."
Shiroi asks: Coneria?
Velias nods.
Shiroi asks: Anyways, what of it?
Velias says, "I serve that board as the Vice Chairman, and as such, I oversee a small group of people sanctioned out of the hierarchy of Darkwood."
Shiroi nods.
Velias says, "In short, they do not have to report to the President, just the Chairman."
Velias says, "Walker is one of those people."
Shiroi says: Walker. Sounded like a mad scientist.
Velias says, "He's a bit...eccentric, but brilliant. Razz probably would have never recovered from her injuries if it weren't for him."
Shiroi smirks faintly at the mention of Razz's name. "She might've been better off dead, you never know."
Velias says, "Maybe, it's not really my decision. All I know is that my father has taken some interest in her, which is why we took both her and Justin in when Matthew delivered them to us."
Shiroi asks: What sorta of an interest?
Velias says, "Beats me. My father never tells me anything."
Velias says, "I just know when he takes interest in something...like any time he makes personal apperances."
Shiroi asks: Is that a hint of bitterness that I detect in your voice?
Velias chuckles, "No, I could never resent my father. I actually hold him in the highest reguard, believe it or not."
Shiroi smiles. "But of course."
Velias looks down, "...I would take a bullet for him..."
Shiroi merely smiles.
Velias looks up again, noticing Shiroi smiling, "What's that about?"
Shiroi keeps her smile. "Which?"
Velias says, "The smile."
Shiroi ask: You'd rather that I not smile?
Velias says, "It's not that...I'm just curious by nature."
Shiroi says: Ah, I find that it is often to my advantage to smile as often as I can.
Shiroi's eyes seems to twinkle, laughing... not merrily.
Velias chuckles again, "Yes, I can see I was correct when I told my father you would make a great executive."
Shiroi asks: Oh? By what do you draw that conclusion?
Velias says, "Nothing in particular. Just call it a hunch."
Shiroi nods. "But of course."
Velias sits back down at the glass table and motions to the seat at the other side of the table, "Would you like to sit down?"
Shiroi curtseys gracefully. "If I may, I shall," she replied, and took her seat.
Velias says, "Well, it's rather rude of me to keeVelias says, "Well, it's rather rude of me to keep goign on about myself like this. What about you?"
Shiroi says: What about me? I'm quite insignificant.
Velias says, "Yes, I notice you saying things like that alot."
Velias says, "May I ask you how you arrived here? Most people have some sort of story about how they were thrown into this world."
Shiroi paused. "Ah, well." Settling back in her chair, her eyes drift upward, as if trying to recall. "I lived in a world where most people believe not in magic, and sword play is more of an art form than a means of power or survival."
Shiroi continued. "I had been attending a rather prestigious facility both I was pulled out of that world and into this one, yes."
Shiroi says: The elements of magic were heavy in that place, though few besides the evil dean himself knew of it.
Shiroi chuckles.
Velias says, "I see."
Velias says, "A world where poeple didn't believe in magic..."
Shiroi says: But I digress. I know not how I had fallen out of that world. I merely did. I was dancing at a pub at the time... and I was lost in the crowd. I doubt my boyfriend had the presence of mind to come and find me, though.
Shiroi says: Yes, a world where magic existed mostly in fictions.
Velias says, "It's almost hard to believe. I wonder what it would have been like to live in such a manner. I've been to many words, but all of them utilized some form of magic."
Shiroi says: We have... rather advanced technology.
Shiroi says: Electricity is our magic.
Velias says, "I see. Well I'm no stranger to technology, though I must admit that this place pales in comparison to my homeland."
Shiroi asks: Your homeland?
Velias says, "But back home, there are no Ancients to oppose us, only people who want to make profit. As such, we were able to create a beautiful utopia of technology."
Shiroi says: Well, whatever level of technology you speak of, it must be nothing short of amazing.
Shiroi says: An actual utopia of technology. Now, that's something I'd never thought possible.
Velias says, "My home city is a utopia of crystal, marble, and glass, shining on the world like a brilliant diamond."
Shiroi snrks.
Shiroi says: Sounds like a dream.
Velias nods, "I doubt we will ever be able to create art like that here."
Shiroi looks out, towards the sky. "Art. Heh."
Shiroi shakes your head.
Velias says, "Hmm?"
Shiroi says: Just thinking on how some things never change, no matter which world you're in.
Velias says, "How so?"
Shiroi waves her hand dismissively. "It is of little importance. People will eat, and rest, and try to improve themselves by various means on a general basis. But I believe we were talking about my place in the cooporation."
Velias says, "Ah yes. Will you take my offer?"
Shiroi asks: Which offer is that?
Velias says, "To join my department, that reports directly to the Board of Directors."
Shiroi says: Hmm, that does sound like a nice promotion from being Razz's personal maid.
Shiroi says: Of course, Razz is rather agreeable to be with.
Shiroi asks: She's very cute, don't you agree?
Velias looks at Shiroi oddly, "Yes...I do see why Kaze is so infatuated with her."
Shiroi say: He is rather taken with her, isn't he? Poor man.
Velias says, "Anyway, it isn't my business to pry into such affairs. By the way, should you join me, you won't have any authority over Kaze, but he won't have any authority over you."
Shiroi smiles, once more. "That does sound rather appealing, yes."
Velias says, "And I'm sure if he tries to harm you, he'll gain the disfavor of my father and the board. Not that I wouldn't mind, really."
Shiroi smirks in amusement.
Shiroi . o O ( As if that'll stop him. )
Velias says, "Internal conflict always gets interesting around here. I'm sure my father would enjoy it as well."
Shiroi ask: What shall my responsibilities be, once I join you?
Velias says, "You will report to me, and carry out any duties I assign to you. Though I must admit that we have hit a dry spell this month, so you will actually be free to persue your own goals."
Velias says, "I must caution, though, that the duties I assign are usually combat based."
Shiroi says: Aah, yes, I was going to see if it isn't physically possible for me to sleep for weeks on end...
Shiroi says: Aah, combat. Wonderful.
Shiroi grins.
Velias says, "One of these days I will have to evaluate your skills in that area."
Shiroi says: I have no qualms with that.
Velias nods, "That is good."
Shiroi asks: Well, I'm glad to see that we've managed to settle this matter so smoothly. Is there anything else that you would like to inform me of?
Velias says, "Not at the moment. Any other matters can hold off until after the evaluation."
Shiroi nods, and folds her hands over her crossed lap. "Well, then. If you don't mind, I think I'll rest in this chair just for a bit longer."
Velias says, "As you wish...I'll put in a call with development and see if I can't assign a few workers to you so that you may have an office."
Velias takes the book, and the glasses on the glass table, pockets them, and walks into the garden towards the elevator.
Shiroi smiles. "My own office... now that is amazing..." she muttered, and closed her eyes.