Light and Dark (Morrigan/Ask to Join)

There was little to be said regarding how little Morrigan cared for Izunia’s style of charm. Were it not for how useful his insights had been on the advancement of this project, the witch was certain an investment of time would have been spent in the makings of his undoing. Whatever world the man had come from, Morrigan wished to never see it, suspecting it to be filled with naught but souls similar to his ilk. For all the enigmatic man’s insight, he was unbearably if not insisting in his politeness. Almost of a level that could easily sicken her, fortunate it was that she retained the clarity of thought to remain discreet about these things. There was no question among either of them, Morrigan desired less of this man’s company than was required, yet only continued to endure it simply for the survival of the ambitions set in motion. Like with so many things before this venture, she did what she needed to in order to move ahead. Nothing was going to stop her, certainly not some uncomfortable stranger from a world that sounded so backwater like Eos. Whatever extraordinary secrets of science this Izunia held knowledge, Morrigan was going to make certain nothing was withheld from the progress of these plans.

So far all that was required were hearts, a thing more than easily come by given her recent methods. Though the hunt for them had gleamed so much insight further beyond what any were anticipating. The next step was simply to bide time until more specimen were brought in by Beaulieu through his network of contacts. The wait alone was beginning to grate on the witch’s nerves, though with the way she carried herself it was anyone’s guess just how she was feeling. Having already exhausted her options of leads to a desired subject for study, today had been more frustrating than she would have cared to admit to the likes of “the scientist,” if he could even be called such a thing. For all the direction he had given Smith’s lab rats for their guinea pigs, Izunia spent more time outside the lab than anywhere near it. In fact that was exactly the reason she now stood in this office, staring him down coldly from behind crossed arms.

”I wouldn’t know. All the fun I’ve had on so many of your little field trips, why the thought simply skipped my mind.”

The witch broke her stoic poise, stepping forward to the edge of the desk to stare the devil cold in the eyes, receiving naught but the same smug confidence in turn. Morrigan never turned on to the idea that someone was using her, if ever they managed to accomplish such a feat. Though with the amount of work she was putting into this little scheme under Smith’s nose was beginning to grow noticeable, so much in fact that it was easy enough to see where Izunia’s half of the deal was lacking. A few blueprints here and there, and it entitled him to a week’s worth of gallivanting and eating grapes? For every time she had entered this office since it began, she had only witnessed him to use the computer or phone even once. Yet so it was that every time a scientist, a messenger, or a worker was ever questioned regarding this man, he was always busy, always had orders for that particular individual, and never could that person divert from the strict timeline they needed to adhere.

That was when the phone on Izunia’s desk began to ring. For a minute the pair would stare each other down in silence, never once did their disposition change as on the phone rang. Morrigan eventually conceded defeat in the war of silence, stepping forward to seize the phone with a stern ”What!?” into the earpiece. The man on the other end, taken aback by unexpectedly hearing her on Izunia’s phone, would then stutter that he had news for the affable man with the red-violet locks. Morrigan sighed inwardly, before handing out the phone to her colleague in a begrudging manner. She watched on as he took the phone, almost delighted to be receiving a call, and began to chat up the man on the other end.

”Hello? Why yes, it’s me! Oh? Is that so?” Izunia feigned surprise, yet Morrigan retained the same unimpressed mannerism she kept since walking in the room. She didn’t have time for his pointless theatrics, only whatever news that he continued to keep from her. It was annoying, it tested her patience, and she wanted nothing more than to be done with this clown’s toying with her time. Though as he held the receiver back out to her, the witch would narrow her eyes out of further contempt. Now what!? ”It’s for you,” he would finally admit with a spry chuckle. Morrigan would snatch the phone from the man with an aggravated, exasperated sigh, paired with a look that said nothing short of “I wish you’d die.”

”Out with it.”

”S-sorry for bugging ya boss, but I think we got one.”

Morrigan almost froze at the sound of the words, her voice almost cracking.

”Y-you’re certain?”

The silence prolonged as the man affirmed the information. ”Yes ma’am.”

”Then ready a team, Corporal. I’ll join you soon.”

As she would hang up the phone, Izunia would fill the silence with another chuckle, warranting yet another glare from the witch. ”Ahh- so the games begin at last.” A confidently smug smile as the man sat in his chair, propping his feet upon the desk before waving Morrigan for the door. ”Perhaps we’ll finish this later. Off you go,” he so casually dismissed with a nonchalant tone. Morrigan would fume for a second, then turn silently on her heel to leave the room. After stomping out of the office threshold, the doors would slam themselves shut. Now wasn’t the time to lose her cool, this much she tried to realize as she stomped for the elevator. As the lift took Morrigan in, she would use the ride with the less than favorable tune to try and recollect her composure. She was going to need it for the hunt tonight.