Hyrule Adventures 2

Alpha looks around the area, sadly noting that there appears to be nothing else of interest in the Coliseum. That is, nothing of interest except the man telling him what to do. Never having exactly enjoyed obeying orders from complete strangers, he lets out a momentary sigh. A smirk forms beneath his hood as he calls back in a loud, commanding voice. "Who goes there!"

Taken aback by the commanding tone used by the shadow-engulfed Sheikah, the man decides that he is in no real danger. An Intelligent One would have better things to say than the exact same thing back, and a Cursed One wouldn't speak at all.

My name is Rais, and you're on my patrol route. The least you could do is show yourself.

Rais's voice portrays a sense of dignity. Clearly, he expects Alpha to show some courtesy by identifying himself.

'Ah, so he's not an Intelligent One. Just wanted to make certain.' Alpha chuckles as he stands up. "Very well then," he says, walking forward and into the light. He lowers his hood and spreads his cape back behind his shoulders. "I am Alpha, a newcomer to this Organization of yours." Seeing the dignified stance Rais holds, Alpha decides to humor him(self) by bowing slightly to the patroller.

Seeing the Sheikah bowing before him, Rais shakes his head and laughs. He pulls his hood down and reveals his face. His long, brown curly hair reaches to his shoulders, but does not cover up his ears, which both sport small gold rings. His hazy navy blue eyes show a stern spirit, but his crooked smile and carefree voice say otherwise.

Don't bow, Alpha. Even the Big Six don't like being bowed to. They told me there was a newcomer, but I thought they were still talking about that Hylian guy, Victor. Guess I should welcome you, so here goes: Welcome. But... what in the world are you doing here, in this District?

Alpha joins Rais in his laughter as he returns to his full upright position. "Pleasure to meet you, Rais. I just needed to clear my head. There's..." he pauses, trying to think of a way to say why he's out this far away from the castle without lying and without saying that he was angry at Fassix for probably discovering he was Wraith. 'That little secret could cost me my life in this place,' he thinks for the millionth time that day. "...there's a lot of information I'm trying to absorb all at once. I wanted some time alone, and this place seemed nice, quiet, and dark - perfect for a Sheikah."

Rais nods in approval. Then, realizing that this is a restricted area that is classified as a Danger Zone, the man's face pales slightly as he stutters a serious question. He appears to be worried about something.

Did... did you get into any trouble down here? This District is Alert Class 3, you know. What I mean to say is, were there any unfortunate encounters? You would have to tell one of the leaders about it. We have reason to believe that the Intelligent Ones' lair is near here.

After the question is asked, Alpha only waits the amount of time he would consider to be 'normal', as if pondering the question for a second. He simply shrugs in the end. "I didn't see anything too dangerous," he says with a jovial tone. 'Let's see if that riles Meridel's feathers, he thinks. "If there are any 'Intelligent' Ones around here, I haven't noticed them."

Alpha grins inwardly. One reason he's semi-lying is indeed to try and get Meridel's attention, or any other Intelligent One's attention for that matter - just to get a response, and to determine whether or not he's still being watched. But the other reason...he really doesn't want to have to 'report' to the leaders - his dislike of having to answer to anyone and all that.

Oblivious of Alpha's lie, Rais sighs in relief, satisfied with the apparent absence of enemies in the District. It is not so much that he cares about Alpha's safety, he is mainly worried about encountering a foe while on patrol.

Oh, that's good. I don't know how well you would fare against an Intelligent One. We fear them for a reason, y'know. So, you were just exploring and thinking? Doesn't sound like much fun. It's getting late, too. I'm going to head back to the castle. Maybe I'll see you later.

Rais turns away from Alpha and marches towards the Colosseum exit, tired from his patrol and relieved that he had not lost his life at the hands of a Cursed One.

"See you around," Alpha calls after Rais, then sags in relief as he can finally drop the friendly act. He gazes around one last time, making sure that there is nothing else interesting around the Coliseum. Not seeing anything worth taking note of, he draws his cape around him and his hood over his head. Then he too begins heading back towards the castle, taking the same path Rais had minutes ago.

As Alpha nears the canyon leading back to the center of the cavern, the unexpected happens. Meridel, in her false form (although it would have been her true form at some point long ago), appears in front of the Sheikah with a wild grin on her fair face.

An interesting technique. I am not referring to your 'Void,' but your ability to weave a web of lies whenever you see fit. Yes, we will have a great amount of "fun" manipulating you Alpha. Ah, fun. So long since I was able to experience joy, the emotion tied strongly to such an act. Alpha! I am asking you one more time, join us of your own free will. Many a life will be wasted if you continue to resist.

The woman that was once a Hylian but is now just a cursed shell of a maiden awaits a response from the Sheikah standing before her. Her face appears relaxed, it's false youthful vitality and beauty brightening the area artificially. Yet truly, even she is feeling much tension at this moment.

'Well, that had the exact opposite effect I was hoping for,' Alpha thinks, disappointment coming over his features for the first time that day. "If you know about my life as Wraith, which I'm certain you do, then you know that I have to lie every day of my life. Only way to stay off Hyrule's most wanted list. Don't act so impressed."

He sighs for a moment. She had to have added that part about wasting lives if he resisted her. If there's one thing that can make Alpha change his mind about something, it's having innocent lives on the line. "And what exactly does 'joining you' entail? What kind of experiments would I be subjected to?" He puts a great deal of sarcasm into his tone, but not so much that he completely blots out his enthusiasm.

A somewhat satisfied smile floats on Meridel's face. She realizes that victory in this situation is not yet hers, but she also knows that the involvement of innocent people will lead to a triumph.

It is simple. You would be lie an errand boy, but held in much higher esteem. On the side, we would be taking blood tests and confirming our research thus far. There would be little killing involved, it would only come to pass if you are caught. I might add that you will be our double agent in that castle, bringing us all sorts of information. Now that's not so bad, is it?

Alpha turns away, wishing Meridel would wipe that stupid smile off of her face. She hasn't won him over yet. "A double agent?" he sighs, annoyance creeping into his voice. "I've heard you already have several traitors in that organization of theirs. Why should you desire another one. Blood tests and research confirmation I don't mind - up to a point, of course - but betraying people who trust me is just like leading to their death."

Of course, the thing that annoys him most is that he would be an 'errand boy', a.k.a. someone who is forced to follow orders and do meaningless tasks. But one piece of good would certainly come from it: he could quite possibly learn the names of the other traitors - then later on he'd know who it was he needed to kill.

Our other inside men are weak fools, pitiful in every aspect. Except for one of them, you would be our only ace in the hole. The rest are dispensable. I realize you are a caring man, you do not wish to bring harm to those who respect you enough to trust you, but do as we say and I will ensure the safety of whichever members of their organization that you wish to keep alive. It is a no loss situation for you, Alpha.

Doing exactly as Alpha had been hoping for, Meridel's smile vanishes as a hazy silver mist surrounds her. She speaks in a loud, menacing tone as her body melds with the fog and disappears.

Twenty-four hours, Alpha. In one day I will be back to hear your answer.

The area is silent. There is no trace of Meridel, Rais or any other biotic life forms. Alpha is left alone in the dark to react to the encounter.

OOC: Uh, Blank, did you mean 'dispensible'? It doesn't make much sense the way you have it right now.

IC:
'Twenty-four hours, is it?' Alpha drops to the ground, sitting down to rest and think. 'Well, at least I've been given time to consider the proposal. Dang it! Those Intelligent Ones know me better than most, and I've never even heard of them before today. Good nightmare...'

Slowly, he gets back to his feet. "I promised I would never serve darkness again, and that I would always fight against it...but perhaps that was just foolishness speaking." He begins walking towards the castle again.

"I must choose which one is the lesser of the two evils, and I need to do it soon."