maskormenace | 003 ✿ Video

003 ✿ Video

[ The video is of Raina. At work. On a Sunday evening. Lit by the glow of her computer screen, and even as the feed begins -- she's finishing off her typing. Workaholic, much?

But she does give her attention to the communicator then, offering a sweet, charming smile. ]

Hello, fellow imPorts. I just have a few questions for the community as a whole -- a curiosity, if you will.

[ Her fingers lace in front of herself on her desk. ]

How many of you are satisfied with the power set you received upon arrival? For some of us, powers are new and strange, things we have never encountered in our own world. But for others, we're used to having far more. Abilities that were lost in translation either because they were far too strong or far too destructive. Some abilities may seem relatively useless. Some may be uncontrollable. Some require more thought, practice, and skill than others. While some seem like almost something of a joke on the porter's behalf.

All of this to say, these abilities of ours don't really share a common pattern. But they have become part of our identity as a whole and something that has branded us all as imPorts. And like our identity, there may be things about them we dislike -- things we wish we could make different. So if you had the opportunity to change your powers or alter them in some way, would you? If you could enhance them and make them stronger, would you do that as well?

Please consider my questions something of a survey to measure who may or may not be interested in my next leg of research. Thank you for your time.

[ With a friendly wave, she cuts the feed. ]

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Oh? What about? That little dream of yours, perhaps?

Something like that. Of course, it would be better to discuss this in person. [His tone suggests that this isn't something that's up for debate.]

Are you at work?

[ You would think that being attacked once already would make her learn.

And you would be right.

Raina hesitates. ]

Yes. Though I am a very busy woman. Perhaps you can just state your business and I'll see when I can get back to you?

I assure you, it won't be long. imPort Cellular Research Center in De Chima, was it? [He remembers that from her last little post. He may not comment on the network often, but he keeps a very close eye on it.]

[ Raina frowns very deeply. ]

Yes. You're right. How sweet of you to take notice.

[ There are cameras here. She reminds herself. Security. ]

It's in my nature. But you won't need to worry. As long as you co-operate, all we'll do is have a brief chat.

I think that would be best, don't you agree?

[Ah, yes, cameras. He doesn't doubt that there will be a fair amount of them there, but he has his ways of dealing with such things.]

That all depends on what you're asking me to cooperate about. You aren't exactly being forthcoming with the details.

Do the details really matter? We've going to have a conversation, and it would be in your best interests not to try anything that would end it prematurely, or aggravate me. Otherwise, this could end very poorly for you.

Now, what room will you be in? You're welcome to try lying to me, but I'll be able to find you either way. [Sand has a way of getting around in all sorts of places, after all.]

Are you threatening me, Mr. Crocodile?

[ Raina's tone is unreadable -- a mingle between incredulous and entertained that he thinks he can. ]

I wouldn't think of lying to you. I'll be in my office. Just ask at the front desk where it is and they'll buzz you through.

[Crocodile says nothing else, instead hanging up so he can make his way over to find her.

Once he arrives at the imPort Cellular Research Center, he doesn't ask at the front desk. No, he'd rather not have anyone but Raina know about his presence here. He doesn't plan to hurt her, not initially, but he's not ruling out the possibility that he may have to. If he does, it's better for no one else to see him there.

He stays as sand, keeping himself very spread out and close to the ground so nothing - no people and no cameras - can spot him. Maybe some odd dust or sand that seems to come with a bit of a breeze. Strange, but certainly not a person, and certainly not a threat.

It takes a little time, but he eventually finds the location of her office on his own. The security camera outside the door could be troublesome for some, but he makes quick work of it. All it takes is a quick blast of sand, the lense shatters, and Crocodile makes his way inside the way he did through the rest of the building. Slipping through the cracks of space between door and frame, granules of sand gradually blow into her office until they create the large form of the man now standing before her.]

Raina.

[ Raina knew Crocodile was coming, but she certainly expected a bit of notice. As it is, she has the security camera feed up in the corner of her computer screen while her attention is focused on the communicator in her hand. She's distracted, talking to Chilton, but as soon as the security feed cuts out abruptly -- Raina catches it out of the corner of her eye and stops talking.

The problem is, she doesn't know what sort of powers this man houses. What if he snuck by? What if he's here to invisibly kill her? Raina goes to press the button to call security, only to see something astonishing happen -- granules of sand pooling together to form Crocodile.

Her heart pounds in her throat, but she does her best to appear calm -- casually tucking the communicator to the side but leaving the feed open. ]

By all means just let yourself in.

[ She quips with a roll of her eyes. ]

What do you want?

I want to talk, of course. Or did you forget that already?

But I won't dance around the issue. What you observed, while pleasant to me, would surely set off more than a few alarm bells for many of the residents and so-called heroes here.

Dream or not, it's information I'd rather not let slip. The people here know me as nothing more than a disagreeable man who also happens to be a business owner and a former pirate. For the time being, I'd like to keep it that way.

[ He says talk but his actions read threaten. Raina regards him for a moment before the faintest smirk creases her lips. ]

What I saw was no dream, Crocodile. What we shared? That was your future. And how empowered you were, how glorious.

[ Raina bolsters his ego casually, shaking her head in quiet reassurance. ]

If that's all you came to say, then you have nothing to worry about. I understand the need to hide your true nature until the time is right and I have no intentions of spilling your secret to the world.

[ She pauses and then her expression shifts -- from placating to wicked. ]

Of course, if I do you this favor, then I expect a favor in return. It's only fair, isn't it?

Do I look like the sort to do favours? [The threat of death or injury usually works just as well.]

But if you want me to indulge you, that depends entirely on what you have in mind.

Nothing degrading. Tempting though it would be to turn you into a test subject -- you're a man with far greater talents.

What I would barter for is protection. A one time deal for either myself or Doctor Frederick Chilton. If either of us came into danger, we would be able to call on your services just once and you would help us. I think it's a small enough sacrifice for me to keep your secret, don't you?

[He's quiet for a moment as if he's considering her offer. He eventually settles on a smile.]

Fair enough. I'll see what I can do to help, if you ever feel the need to call me. [Of course, whether or not he'll actually bother to come and help is hard to say.]

[ Then he'll just owe that favor for longer! Maybe with interest!!

But as soon as he smiles, she does as well. ]

See. You are getting the much easier end of the deal. Shall we shake on it?

[Or he could just threaten and torture. That's preferable to owing people.]

Of course. [And he'll just go ahead and offer her his hook instead of his hand.]

[ She gives him a look at his offering, taking the hook hand tentatively in her fingers. ]

So what was that earlier that you manifested yourself out of? Sand?

[A brief shake, and he brings his hook back to his side.]

That's correct. All sand.

What a useful ability that is.

[ She regards him the way a cat might study potential prey, determining whether the chase and pursuit would be worth the payoff of the meal. ]

I'd love to see it in action...

You just did. [Really, Raina. Do try harder.]

[ She gives him a look after his sass. ]

I mean turning into it. What I saw was you morphing yourself into your shape from it. And mind you, I was a little too startled to truly appreciate it.

[ But not TOO startled as her science mind is always there to take in the details. ]

You'll have more than enough time to see it in the future, I'm sure.

And how do you intend on getting out of here without raising an issue with security? I'm fairly certain you have to go out the same way you came in.

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