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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2014 1:00:17 GMT -5
Xanatos gave merely the smallest of shakes of his head, finally taking the glass from the table but not drinking any of its contents.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Stark, I must turn down your kind offer. No, I shall stay at my own quarters and will allow Sally to remain here for the time being. After all, I have other matters to attend to and my companion would not take well to the presence of another woman from my past. She is in a delicate condition after all and it would not do to cause her undo stress to her or Miss Burton."
Suddenly, Xanatos gave a large grin, something twisted and containing an almost mad happiness, like a Cheshire Cat grin. He lifted his glass as he spoke.
"Oh, but how rude of me not to tell you the happy news. Toast me, my dear Tony, for I am to be a father."
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Post by inakamoto on Apr 6, 2014 1:13:22 GMT -5
Tony simply blinked a couple times after hearing Xanatos' answer. It was good to see he was willing to trust him with his 'friend'. And while the smile on his face was definitely off-putting, he did manage to return the smile upon hearing his news of his child. It was certainly an odd thing to bring up, but Tony felt it best to remain on his good side.
"Well, that is something to toast," Tony said casually as he refilled his glass.
He then raised it in a toast, "To Fatherhood, and all the joys and pains that come with it."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2014 1:34:21 GMT -5
"Truly." Xanatos raised his glass before taking a single sip of the red liquid, his eyes reflecting the color in their dark depths. He then gave Stark a friendly smile, cupping the half-empty glass in one hand.
"I have high hopes for this son of mine. Truly, he will be much stronger than his any of the other children I have. Of course, being half human makes them weaker, less stable, but they do manage to make me proud once in a long while. I don't believe I have ever mentioned my children before to you, have I? A shame, I simply must make up for this slip in common manners. Perhaps I can arrange a visit in which you can meet them. I am certain they would enjoy getting to know a fellow business partner and companion of mine, especially one as famous as yourself."
Xanatos continued to smile his open and friendly smile at Stark as his words filled the silence that seemed to descend upon the room.
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Post by inakamoto on Apr 6, 2014 1:51:47 GMT -5
Tony gave a small chuckle as he listened to Xanatos. He'd heard this type of talk before. As a rich man, he'd had his share of meeting snobbish, rich parents, going on about their children as though they were pets to be shown off for the amazement of their peers. He had a feeling he knew how Xanatos saw his younglings, though he decided it best to keep such assumptions to himself.
"I'm flattered," Tony said after sipping his own drink, "though, if my father were still around, he'd call you crazy for letting your children near a fellow like myself. He'd say I'd be the worst kind of influence for any child. Admittedly, my lifestyle is not one I'd encourage younger ones to emulate, but if you do decide to bring the little ankle-biters over, I promise I'll be on my best behavior."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2014 0:11:15 GMT -5
Xanatos suddenly burst out into laughter the echoed around the space, making it sound like an army of demon dealers had joined him in his amusement. His chest shook with the laughter yet his grip on the glass of wine remained completely still.
"Oh, the irony. You think my children are young and naive. True, they are young by my standards, most have more than a century over you my dear Tony. The last I checked, my surviving eldest had four centuries under his belt and the youngest just reached a century. Believe me when I say they are far beyond your influences. In fact, I would be more worried about you emulating them. After all, one can only hide so many bodies before it becomes an annoyance and predictable."
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Post by inakamoto on Apr 8, 2014 3:15:43 GMT -5
Tony simply blinked for a few moments, a bit taken aback by Xanatos' laughter. He simply stood there, with a surprised look on his face as Xanatos went on about his children. Clearly, they had much yet to learn about demons. The thought brought a smile to Tony's own face.
"Looks like you've caught me at a disadvantage," Tony said, taking another sip of his drink, "but I guess that's part of the fun of being a scientist; you learn something new, and you never cease to be amazed."
It was odd; ever since he signed that contract, and found out about Xanatos' demonic side, he couldn't help but regard him for the stereotype that surrounded his kind. No doubt, Xanatos' true form was nothing like the suave and debonair fellow standing before him. But, the more he talked with him, the more he began to wonder, how much unlike humans was he really?
All of a sudden, a beeping emanated from his phone. Looking at the phone, he saw a message indicating Team-X was on its approach to headquarters. The time to meet with his 'guests' was swiftly approaching.
"I hope you don't think me rude," Tony said after emptying his glass, "but, I'm due to meet with the other guests I managed to round up, and I need to freshen up a bit before that time. If you like, I can have GLaDOS escort you down to our medical bay, so you can have one last check-up on Sally."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2014 16:04:35 GMT -5
A soft chuckle still lingered with Xanatos as Stark spoke. Humans truly were the most entertaining of creatures and Strato-form seemed to have collected around it the most amusing selections humanity could offer. He placed his cup, still mostly untouched, onto the desk as Tony spoke.
"By all means. In fact, I had hoped to speak with GLaDOS as well. This seems like the perfect opportunity to say my hello to Miss Burton and still have a chance to talk with that most amazing of beings."
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Post by inakamoto on Apr 8, 2014 16:53:31 GMT -5
"Very well, then," Tony said, placing his empty glass on his desk and turning towards the ceiling, "GLaDOS? Be a dear, and accompany our guest to the medical bay?"
"As you wish," GLaDOS's voice said from the speakers in the walls, "Mr. Xanatos, if you please?"
The elevator doors in Tony's office opened automatically, seemingly inviting him to enter.
"It was a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Xanatos," Tony said, offering his hand for a handshake.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2014 2:09:44 GMT -5
Xanatos just adjusted his suit once more before he slowly walked towards the elevator.
"My pleasure."
With that, he stepped into the elevator and turned so that he still faced out towards Stark. He reached out and took the man's hand in his own, but the gesture fell short as his eyes cut into Tony and for the briefest of moments and different form passed over his face.
"Most assuredly, Mr. Stark."
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Post by inakamoto on Apr 9, 2014 5:27:33 GMT -5
Tony felt a shiver run up his spine as he looked into Xanatos' face. He never could get used to that look, that soulless face of pure darkness. No doubt this was a scare tactic, something to keep Tony afraid enough to dissuade betrayal. Though his smile never wavered, his inner feelings were a mix of loathing and terror. It was the first time Tony had felt at someone's mercy, and he swore, after their deal was concluded, Xanatos would get what was coming to him.
After shaking hands, the elevator doors closed, with Xanatos inside, and began slowly descending into Strato-Form's lower levels.
"So," GLaDOS's voice chimed in from the elevator speakers, "how have you been, good sir?"
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2014 16:02:38 GMT -5
Xanatos stood at ease inside the descending elevator, his posture making it clear he held no worries or fears in regards to the man he had just left.
"Quite well, although I daresay I shall be all the better once Sally has been delivered to me. My patience is wearing thin in regards to her and I would sooner been finished with the all too mortal Stark. I hope you have been keeping an eye on him, making sure he won't cause an interruptions in our own arrangements."
Even though he couldn't see her, Xanatos grinned nonetheless.
"I've just put the finishing touches on the magic energy you requested. It shall be delivered to you once you have made sure Stratoform doesn't cause any more delays for me."
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Post by inakamoto on Apr 9, 2014 18:36:43 GMT -5
"I wouldn't worry too much about Mr. Stark," GLaDOS answered, "he trusts me. Well, not so much trusts me. More that he's certain I won't try to betray him just yet, because of my...limitations."
GLaDOS gave a light chuckle when Xanatos mentioned the magical energy source she was to receive, it was one of those rare moments when she expressed actual emotion; in this instance, it was glee.
"I truly do appreciate your efforts," GLaDOS said, "I know all to well how grating it must be, interacting with a species so far beneath yourself in so many ways. All in all, I don't foresee any further delays in the future; he wouldn't admit it, but Mr. Stark is actually quite anxious to conclude this deal. If it really weren't for scientific curiosity, I doubt he'd waste the time handing her over to you."
Almost immediately after she finished speaking, the elevator came to a slow halt. After the doors opened, a series of blue lights began illuminating on the floor, creating a straight line that lead out the elevator, and directed down the hall on the right.
"Please follow the blue line, it will lead you to the medical bay," GLaDOS explained.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2014 21:06:32 GMT -5
"Well, limitations were made to be challenged and broken as both of us seem to know. And as for mortals, they are like insects. Lost in their own little world, they never really look at the beings preparing to crush them. Although they still have a regrettable way of causing annoyances, no matter what."
Once the elevator came to a stop, Xanatos stepped forward and followed the trail of blue lights, all the while continuing his conversation with GLaDOS.
"It is wise of him to do so. I am a very patient man, I can wait decades, even centuries to achieve my goals, but once the goal is within my grasp, it does not do to try and bait me with it. And Stark is drawing very close to that distinction."
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Post by inakamoto on Apr 10, 2014 18:25:56 GMT -5
"Well," GLaDOS replied, her voice ever present in each section of the hallway, "as far as mortals go, Tony Stark is among their wisest, even if that doesn't say much about his species. He knows his limitations, and isn't one to press his luck. Not against someone as intimidating as yourself."
It wasn't long until the medical bay was within sight. It was rather modest, as far as medical facilities went. There was a large glass window, next to the main door, allowing guests on the outside a perfect view of the interior. Inside, Sally was seen in a medical bed, her arms and legs held down by metal restraints. Her vitals were displayed on a monitor next to the bed, and hovering over her was a sphere-like device, which had been running a scan on her entire body. A small beeping indicated that it had completed its task, and the device slowly hovered away from the bed, into a hole in the wall opened by a single panel.
"I hope you can forgive the restraints," GLaDOS said in what might've been an apologetic tone, "they're a necessary security measure. I'm sure you can understand."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2014 22:29:37 GMT -5
Rather than respond, Xanatos merely stepped forward slowly, his steps echoing across the room and breaking the relative silence. Something flashed within the depths of his eyes, but it wasn't the threat of magic or anything of that sort. Instead, it was a look of triumph....and hunger.
Sally hadn't spoken a word since she had awoken in the medical bay, restrained with robots examining her. She hadn't moved as they had reassembled her and stitched her body back together. Instead, she had just closed her eyes and remained calm, while her mind raced with questions and fear. Where were the others? What were they doing with them? Would they kill them all or experiment on them or something else? Despite all her fear and anxiety, she kept her eyes closed and her body relaxed.
When the steps approached, she remained silent thinking it was just another person coming to examine her. However, a horrible feeling of deja vu suddenly washed over her along with something far more sinister.
Suddenly, her lids flew open and her gaze landed on the figure looking down at her. Her gaze widened and her face transformed into one of fear and horror.
"You!"
Xanatos, who's dark eyes were locked onto her own gaze, gave the smallest of smiles, a mere twitch of the lip.
"Me."
He suddenly reached out towards Sally's face. She immediately flinched back from his touch but couldn't move as he lightly brushed a strand of her red hair from her face.
"It really has been too long, my dear Miss Burton. But now we have the chance to catch up after so long. I truly look forward to the chance."
Sally said nothing but looked as if she wished she could die in that moment. Xanatos turned away from her after another moment of examining her so that he faced GLaDOS.
"I believe the time has come that I take Miss Burton into my personal care. Stark will unfortunately have to cope with the loss of Miss Burton by examining the other Cirque members." His tone made it very clear there would be no compromise.
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