[center][h2][b][color=#23F794]N[/color][color=#21F19D]a[/color][color=#1FEBA7]t[/color][color=#1DE5B1]u[/color][color=#1BDFBA]r[/color][color=#19D9C4]a[/color][color=#18D4CE]l[/color] [color=#14C8E1]S[/color][color=#12C2EB]e[/color][color=#10BCF5]l[/color][color=#0FB7FE]e[/color][color=#10BCF5]c[/color][color=#12C2EB]t[/color][color=#14C8E1]i[/color][color=#16CED8]o[/color][color=#18D4CE]n[/color] [color=#1BDFBA]A[/color][color=#1DE5B1]r[/color][color=#1FEBA7]c[/color] [/b][/h2][/center]
[center][img]http://s8.postimg.org/yxi027ag5/The_Cowl_Word_Art.jpg[/img][/center]
[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/uvX201s.png[/img][/center]
[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/A0ETWbS.png[/img][/center]  [sub]banner credit to [url=http://www.roleplayerguild.com/users/hellis]Hellis[/url][/sub]

[hr]


[b]Location: Ironworks - Lost Haven
Time: Present[/b]

[color=a0410d]“Ah, [i]Mademoiselle[/i], it's good to see you again. No worse for the wear I'd hope?”[/color]

Odette had calmly watched the team of armed men go about clearing the room with The Cowl himself and his shadow, Specter, on his heels.

While the Cowl spoke she gave the criminal kingpin a well measured gaze while he presented her final reward and restated the conditions of their deal. Bringing into question Racheli’s current state along with disappointingly a large amount of skepticism in regards to understanding their deal. It rubbed her the wrong way he even had to ask let alone assume she would go back on something as sacred as a handshake.  

“[color=thistle]Minimal resistance is what I recall you assuring me when we spoke of this job, [i]Monsieur[/i] Cowl. Two witches,[/color]” She nearly spat the word, “[color=thistle]and metahumans came bumbling onto the scene.[/color]” Casting a sidelong glance at Racheli. “[color=thistle]Regardless, of all the [i]imprévisible[/i], unpredictable factors I never doubted in our success. Silence was imperative to the operation this evening.[/color]”

Standing from her resting place she strode among the men, the pause stretched to the sound of her boots. Giving Specter a weighted gaze before returning to observe the men they brought. They were armed to the teeth in no doubt the same way the Cowl had hoped to be prepared much like how Odette had thought her wards and traps would have been enough. Locking eyes with a few of them noting their unease.

[color=a0410d]“Is that what we said?”[/color]  The Cowl responded, his silky upbeat tone acting in contrast to the bitterness in Odette’s words. [color=a0410d]“Last I checked, I never said [i]anything[/i] about resistance, in fact I distinctly remembering you agreeing to help before I ever talked about what kind of opposition would possibly await you. Granted, I had very little information about that subject at the time, but thanks to your display and some eyes on the ground from my end, I gained some much needed insight into exactly what kind of enemies I have made today, so in that aspect it all worked out rather swimmingly.”[/color] The Cowl gave a confident, snide chuckle to punctuate his remark. [color=a0410d]“However, my question still goes unanswered; are we still in agreement to the terms at hand?”[/color]

Eying the red chest as the Cowl had presented it finally answering his question, “[color=thistle]Of course we still have a deal. It rather offends me that you assume I would go back on a handshake. When I seal a deal with a handshake it is as binding as a written contract. Furthermore [i]of course[/i] Racheli is alive. I have the patience to recapture a captive one hundred times over if it means they remain alive.[/color]” Odette’s tone was sharp and it was clear she was unimpressed. Her accent colouring every word.

[color=a0410d]“Easy there, [i]madame[/i].”[/color] The Cowl reassured her, raising an open palm towards the Fae-kin in a calming gesture [color=a0410d]“There is no need to be hostile,  I'm simply re-affirming our negotiations. Communication is always key, especially with the company you keep.  I wouldn't want the terms to be open to interpretation”[/color]

Giving the Cowl a withering look she carried on strolling back over to a pale and limp Rach she pried open her mouth for The Cowl to see. 

Racheli growled, muffled by Odette’s fingers prying her mouth open. Her teeth immediately bit down in instinct and her eyes snapped open, glaring at the woman. A few more dribbles of black tar oozed out and stained her already filthy front. 

Odette’s reflexes snapped her fingers away from Racheli’s gnashing teeth and swiftly back handing Racheli.

[color=a0410d]“Oh my, looks like she’s got a bit of fight in her still.”[/color]  The Cowl remarked, [color=a0410d]“One must admire the tenacity of our guest, and here I was hoping for a bit more relaxed captive.”[/color]

Rach felt her head jerk forward as the slap impacted, her face buried in the concrete. Oddly enough, Michael didn’t appear. His voice penetrated into Odette’s head with a displeasure in his tone, making sure she knew he wasn’t surprised at his host’s reaction. Only she would’ve been able to hear it. [b][i] “She was trying to sleep and you interrupted it. Now who’s being rude?”[/i][/b]  

Pulling a handkerchief from her purse and dabbing away the blood that spotted along the back of her hand, not the least bit surprised that Michael spoke up though from Cowl’s reaction he was not aware of Michael. Was the little apparition showing some stage fright now?

“[color=thistle]There are several notes I have in regards to Racheli. From an impressive healing factor to a telepathic virus that unfortunately does not shut up.[/color]” Odette said venomously. 

[color=a0410d]“Oh? Is that so?”[/color] The Cowl responded, his mask wrinkling as he raised an eyebrow. [color=a0410d]“I didn’t know viruses had enough capacity to speak, let alone to communicate telepathically.”[/color]

Michael chuckled, darkly. His next words were a bit of amusement and disappointment while he quietly mocked her.  [b][i] “Nice to see you’re heeding my warning well. Keep in mind, things will end badly for everyone involved.”[/i][/b] 

“[color=thistle]The virus itself is sentient. It is attempting to telepathically communicate with me as we speak, it is proving to be rather shy or too weak to reach out to everyone in the room.[/color]” Odette continued with a shrug.

[b][i] “Nice try, but a bit of a failure.[/i][/b] Michael commented, his image still didn’t appear and added. [b][i] “Also, good luck proving it.”[/i][/b] 

[color=a0410d]“Well, if you can let it know I would love to speak with it, that would be fantastic.”[/color]  The Cowl mused, taking a few steps closer to get a better look at Racheli, stalking her like a hyena approaching a wounded calf. [color=a0410d]“I’ve never spoken with a virus before, it could be fun.”[/color]

Rach naturally felt the Cowl’s eyes on her. Her head tilted up as far as it could go, heated with warning. Her blackened teeth bared and a small growl emitted. Her tongue was still knitting but it had managed to heal enough she could talk to be understood. [color=indianred] “Back the fuck off.”[/color]

[color=a0410d]“A pleasure to meet you as well, Racheli.”[/color] The Cowl responded, barely missing a beat to the woman’s threat, crouching slightly to meet her eye-to-eye. [color=a0410d]“I assume at this point you and your ‘friend’ are both aware of who I am, but if not, it makes little difference...we will not be acquainted for long if all goes well.”[/color]

For once, Rach didn’t retort back. She merely glared and held it, knowing inside who Cowl likely worked for or at least had connections to. The only thing that worried her, something she was pushing to the back of her mind, was how he knew her first name.  

“[color=thistle]I am frankly glad that she’ll be on her way soon enough. She tempts me to rip her tongue out again.[/color]” Odette hissed at Racheli barely concealing the bristle when her captive swore again.

Bending back up she held her hand out for the chest, “[color=thistle]In spite of the challenges this evening has presented the contents of this chest remain to be absolutely worth it.[/color]” 

[color=a0410d]“Of course, I am a man of my word, after all.”[/color] The Cowl admitted, giving one last, longing look at the chest before delicately placing it in Odette’s waiting clutches. [color=a0410d]“Don’t you worry, my lady, I gave you a memory worth having, as I respect the effort you went through enough.”[/color] 

“[color=thistle][i]Merci, Monsieur.[/i][/color]” 

While the two were distracted, Rach laid her head against the ground and tried to determine if she was healthy enough to make another escape attempt. Naturally being apart of her, Michael spoke and answered her question. [b][i]’No and it would be a rather bad idea.’[/i][/b] 

Naturally Rach gritted her teeth in anger over hearing her virus in her head. [color=indianred][i] ‘Get the hell out of my head, NOW.’[/i][/color] 

[b][i]’Just trying to keep you from doing something stupid.’[/i][/b] Michael stated calmly, his senses already telling him that Rach was going to ignore him. A fact that was a bit too true when she tested her restrains, pushing at it from the inside and applied strength to the situation. It failed naturally as sweat beaded off her thanks to the intense heat rolling into the room. Her forehead pressed into the flooring, mentally cursing her weakness and gathering strength to push past her limits. It wasn’t like anyone would care enough to save her afterall. 

[b][i]’I can’t argue you with there as much as I would like to, Racheli. In the end, the world doesn’t have a place for likes of you or me…’[/i][/b] 

Unseen by either Cowl or Odette, Rach fought back hot tears collecting at the edges which threatened to stain her already grimy features.  

[color=a0410d]“Right, now that the matter of payment is out of the way, I believe the matter of containment is in order.”[/color]  The Cowl said, snapping his fingers to signal one of the men to open a nearby oversized door.  Upon his signal, the men busily began to wheel in the containment device through the doors, the machine now beginning to whirr and hum as the walls began to glow, the box coming to life as it was wheeled towards the furnace. 

Odette’s hand gently swept over the top of the chest her eyes twinkled with victory. While her smile was humble in accepting the reward. Finally having her prize lifted her sourness almost immediately. Stowing away the chest carefully into her purse. The hum of the new technology being wheeled into the area was eye catching to say the least. The glow and hum reminded her strangely of the arcane stream but still rather artificial. 

[color=a0410d]“A little something cooked up from the materials I was able to bring in during the riots.”[/color] He bragged, watching for Racheli’s reactions as the containment unit was set down.[color=a0410d] “I call it ‘The Nullpod’...still a working title, but I figured I would need something like this when all these metahumans popped up.”[/color]

Racheli’s head scratched against the floor, trying to hide the tears evidence. It only stained her face with grim as he snapped her face to face the contraption being wheeled in none too quietly. This wasn’t good, her instincts screamed causing her to wiggle within her concrete restrains. 

He walked over to the container, laying his hands upon the surface as he spoke, eyes fixated on the device with a glint of pride. [color=a0410d]“Reinforced ceramic walls with kinetic fields to box in the guest, enhanced by some lovely charms and talismans provided from black market cultists and magi, enough to thoroughly withstand a blast of natural or supernatural quality.”[/color]  He motioned to the devices in each corner of the rounded box. [color=a0410d]“Of course, this isn’t complete without a biometric scanner that records vitals and brain patterns. Typically this is utilized to monitor one to make sure they stay alive, but I had the boys cook up something extra. You see, I’ve noticed one thing about weaponry...you can put pure concussive force to back up your armory, but that does nothing if the recipient is made of metal or has muscles thicker than titanium.  Yet, there is a natural component that most seem to have little resistance to.”[/color]

He chuckled, giving Racheli a brief look of cold satisfaction as he continued to scan the room. [color=a0410d]“Would anyone like to hazard a guess what that is?”[/color]

Of course, this was followed by natural silence in the room, the men either too spooked or indifferent to answer him.

[color=a0410d]“Sound, the answer is sound.”[/color]  the Cowl said, gesturing to the obligated crowd seemingly bolstered in confidence by their lack of input. [color=a0410d]“There is a science to sound that defies all material...turn on a certain frequency and you can shatter glass, amplify it and you can shred steel like it was tissue paper.”[/color]  He gestured back to the containment unit, speaking with bolstered confidence. [color=a0410d]“If the container reads any heightened brain activity or altered biochemistry, say the usage of certain powers, it will immediately emit a sound wave designed to disrupt the action.  It can come as pain, it can come as nausea, it can come as weakness.  It will respond accordingly depending on the effort delivered, turning the power up to the point where the captive’s brain is reduced to liquid in their own head.”[/color]

He turned to Rach, again offering her a cold, cruel scoff. [color=a0410d]“This, my dear, is where we will make your home for the next few hours until you can be picked up.”[/color]

[color=indianred] “And you’ll think I’ll let be that easy?” [/color] Rach snapped, her body still trying to worm itself out of the concrete. It wasn’t hard to imagine what that box would do to her if she let herself be put in and any chance of escape was out of the question. Unfortunately the heat seeped deeply in her skin causing it to sweat enough that her abilities weren’t obeying her desires and her strength didn’t do shit for the situation, her chest inhaling heavily. 

[color=a0410d]“Undoubtedly, my dear Racheli.”[/color]  He retorted, giving her an amused, arrogant snicker, bending at the knees to once more get on eye level with her. [color=a0410d]“You aren’t exactly in a position to argue, and I am not one to wait until shown otherwise.”[/color]

On a heel, he whirled about to face one of his men, who jumped when the Cowl turned to face him in mighty shock. [color=a0410d]“You, get the forklift and haul her in there, I want the box closed in two minutes.”[/color]

Racheli wanted to punch off that smug look right off the man’s masked face. 

The man moved immediately. His figure nodded understanding then practically ran to the nearest machine before he hopped in and turned it on. The motor made a loud, deafening roar while he began to move it toward Racheli. Like a towering behemoth, it lowered its forklift and scraped underneath and rested there. He then hopped out to seize some hauling straps which he fastened over Rach’s still entombed form, securing each one to ensure she was safely in place. Satisfied with the result, he hopped back in and moved her into the container with the skillful precision she didn’t expect. Placing her down, he removed the straps and tossed them to the side outside the box before backing the machine back out. Shortly the doors were closed, sealing Racheli within.

[color=a0410d]“Good, now that business is concluded…”[/color] The Cowl said, turning back to Odette as a cell phone was pulled from his pants pocket, the same low-tech, unmarked flip phones that were common among The Cowl’s group. “I believe I have a call to make to my business associate. You may see yourself out, madame, or I can have someone escort you if need be, though I would much rather prefer you to stay, I would certainly like to know what else you may have found if you are willing to share, perhaps over a drink if I were so bold.”

Odette watched Racheli be placed into the containment booth, the Cowl was rather confident in this well invested technology and she hoped for their sakes the preparation proved to be enough. While her luck was never in question the day had been rather [i]unlucky[/i] in spite of prep. Chewing on the inside of her cheek she wanted to slip away and wash her hands of the likes of Racheli but her instincts were keeping her rooted.

“[color=thistle]I would very much like to share my notes on Racheli, especially what I had picked up from speaking with her virus.[/color]” She replied to her associate, a resigned sigh through her nose. “[color=thistle]I would prefer to stay and see her exchange to the end, I have a dreadful feeling. Leaving now would beset me with unease.[/color]”

[color=a0410d]“Such dedication.”[/color]  The Cowl remarked, offering a sheepish chuckle and a shrug. [color=a0410d]“I can’t turn down such a generous contribution, so by all means stay and see it done.”[/color]

Squinting at him pleasantly and a smile to match at his offer, “[color=thistle]You are rather bold, [i]monsieur[/i]. We will have cause to celebrate when today is over. Perhaps in Paris?[/color]”

[color=a0410d]“A very tempting offer, [i]Madame[/i], but it may be a while before I visit Paris once more,”[/color]  The Cowl said. [color=a0410d]“I have much to do here in Lost Haven, and from the looks of it, business is really going to ramp up in this city.  If this truly is becoming the home for metahumans, then what businessman would I be if I were to leave this ground zero of opportunity?”[/color]

“[color=thistle]A drink in Lost Haven will have to do then. Perhaps Specter will join us as well?[/color]” Odette said flashing the shadow a perfect smile. “[color=thistle]I would [i]love[/i] to know what the shadow likes to drink.[/color]”

Specter barely seemed to acknowledge that he was being referenced, instead hanging behind the Cowl and keeping an eye on the transport of their target, the glint of his sunglasses flickering in the furnace’s heat as he watched Racheli get sealed into her ceramic jail.

Bach had sat patiently on her shoulder during the exchange watching the Cowl and Specter he pulled a face at the prospect of staying out as opposed to heading home directly. “[color=darkseagreen]I can think of a better way to celebrate. We have a memory to peek at.[/color]” He whispered into her ear. 

Odette shook her head then replied in French, “[color=thistle][i]Later, Bach.[/i][/color]”

[color=a0410d]“Right, but that will come later.”[/color]  The Cowl said, waving Odette off as he began to dial with free hand. [color=a0410d]“I have to alert the buyer that her package has arrived, she’ll hopefully be thrilled.”[/color]  He said, walking off to another room. [color=a0410d]“I will rejoin you in but a moment...for now…”[/color]  He glanced over to Specter, whose shoulders drooped at the inevitable order he was about to receive. [color=a0410d]“How about Specter keeps you company, yeah?  Despite his stoic demeanor, he’s actually quite pleasant to talk to.”[/color]

The Specter raised a hand to try and object, but only silence came from behind his trademark scarf as the Cowl slipped out of the room in a coy display of footwork as he slammed the door behind him, left with a furrowed brow and frustrated sigh as he turned to Odette.

Meanwhile, Jacqueline was sitting in her office at the hour. Her building was more hollow than a smoked beehive, most the employees chosen the safety of their homes compared to the steel structure of their work. Her green eyes shifted to size up the news’ current details over the whole event over the mad man’s threat when the phone ring. Her head turned to the direction then reached over to pick it up, taking the care before her assistant could, and spoke. [color=olive] “I wondered when you would call. I take it any possible complications were dealt and it wasn’t too much of an issue?”[/color]  

[color=a0410d]“Nothing I didn’t expect in a city like ours.”[/color] The Cowl responded, his tone dropping it’s upbeat optimism while keeping it’s elegance. [color=a0410d]“Your acquisition is ready and awaiting pickup in the old Ironworks. I’d suggest we use the opportunity at hand to our disposal to complete the transaction while the more prying eyes are concerned with the ravings of a madman.”[/color]

[color=olive] “Understood,”[/color] Jacqueline stated, noting the tone of his voice and slipping into business mode with her words. It seemed there something more to what he said but she knew better than to pry, at least for the moment. [color=olive] “My people will be on route to retrieve the package in less than an hour.”[/color]

[color=a0410d]“To add to that, whatever you intend to send to pick her up, send a security squad or two with it.”[/color] The Cowl warned. [color=a0410d]“The target was not acquired without opposition and there is no doubt in my  mind they are working diligently to locate this place and assault it.  Not to mention the issue that your prize may not stay in her containment field for long, she is much stronger and more dangerous than you or I gave credit for at this stage and she is rapidly improving. I trust the technology made to entrap her for only so long.”[/color]

[color=olive] “I did clearly mention we had little to no information over what happened when the virus took a host, so it’s only expected. However, it might be ideal for a trial run on another small project we’ve developing and if all goes well… they won’t be an issue. It might even solve both of yours and mine at the same time. As for the subject, we’ve contained it once before and it shouldn’t be much of an issue again.”[/color] Jacqueline was about to hang up when she then added little bit. [color=olive] “If things go well, you’ll likely find a suitable reward for the job and reap the results for your organization. If the subject provides too much resistance to contain or keep… cut her loose and we’ll pool our resources.”[/color]   

There was a silence from Cowl’s end of the phone, one of the very rare times he did not have an immediate retort. [color=a0410d]“Did...did you just…?”[/color] He shook his head, ignoring the context delivered in Jacqueline’s last words. [color=a0410d]“Very well, we will expect your men as soon as they are able.  Have them signal us when they are ten minutes out, you know what signal to use. I have the place fortified with my men as well as the Ironworks’ secret surprises, we will be on high alert until the delivery is off of Syndicate property.” [/color]

[color=olive] “Understood.”[/color] The line hung up from the other leaving Cowl to digest her words.