7116/A Morbid Welcome

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A Morbid Welcome
Date of Scene: 01 April 2019
Location: Unknown
Synopsis: Morbius is brought under the employ of LexCorp; unofficially.
Cast of Characters: Lex Luthor, Morbius




Lex Luthor has posed:
A few days have gone by since Morbius led his mob. When he woke up, he did so on a fairly comfortable bed in a very spacious and well designed bedroom, with curtains closed.

The apartment itself consists of a bedroom, a living room, a kitchenette, a bathroom, and a walk in closet. Windows -if Morbius cares to look- are in the bedroom and living room, and give a great view just over the rooftops of Metropolis. It has all the potential needs of Morbius from a detailed physiological examination via blood and other tests.

It also has a team of a dozen Team Luthor security on a rotating schedule to 'keep Morbius safe', with Mercy in charge of his 'guest quarters'.

Morbius has posed:
    Sleep was often difficult for Morbius to obtain, and easy to lose once he had it. When your main food source also happened to be the drug you were addicted to, it often dictated your schedule and the life you led. Even for Lex's team, however they kept him sedated, they'd even notice how close to waking he was sometimes, how he muttered in his sleep, and how some of his responses(like growing his claws and fangs) seemed to be automatic even when in a supposedly deep slumber.

    However, this was also the longest he'd slept uninterrupted since having his accident, and the man was slow to rise. But he'd been quick to investigate his surroundings, quick to remember the fight he'd had a few days ago.

    "I do not understand...I am captured?"

    He asked this directly to the blonde woman with the cool composure. Idly he eyed her neck with those blood-red eyes of his, but made no attempts at violence or escape, at least not yet. Really, it might be surprising to some how calm he was in this situation, how unlike a few days ago, when he was whipping thugs up into a frenzy. Perhaps he understood his lack of power in this situation.

Lex Luthor has posed:
"Mr. Luthor has generously given you temporary guest quarters in LexCorp Tower. You are to remain here until further notice." Mercy passively states as she stands by the bedroom door. "Attempt to flee, and he will spare no expense in hunting you down again." That cool composure remains as the statement is delivered. A hand goes to up her ear, "Sir, the subject is awake."

Up in his office, Hope stands by Luthors massive desk as the man is handling LexCorp business. Over the PA system comes Mercy's status update, and Lex hits the intercom button, "I'll be there in five minutes." Lex responds, moving to finish up a bit of work, before standing and heading for the Tower elevator, Hope at her place to his side.

Down in the apartment, Mercy takes her ear off the ear transceiver, and looks back to Morbius, "Mr. Luthor will be with you soon. You have full access to this apartment. Try to leave, and we are authorized to use any means necessary to detain you."

Morbius has posed:
    Even as Mercy spoke, Morbius was in the process of strapping and tying his tall, chunky boots, once again tall and imposing. Or, relatively anyway, but he felt better at least.

    If and when Lex finally shows up, he'd be greeted to the curious sight of Morbius, not standing upon the ground, but dangling upside down from the ceiling, his arms folded over his chest ominously. Clearly, like many Metahumans, this creature who had once been Michael Morbius had a flair for the dramatic. But the interesting thing wasn't that he was dangling from the ceiling; it was that his labcoat and his hair weren't hanging or dangling, instead they were following 'gravity' as if he were standing upright normally. It helped him look not as ridiculous in that position, as perhaps he could have. In any case, when he speaks, it is loud enough to project his voice all the way down to the floor, echoing along the walls. And even from far away, his eyes could easily be seen even in darkness.

    "When you had gotten the better of me, I assumed I was going to die. Capturing some...'thing' like me, is a very bold decision. And perhaps a foolish one."

Lex Luthor has posed:
Lex does indeed step into the apartment, Hope in tow. Two Team Luthor guards step inside with him, leaving two outside the apartment. Once he's in the bedroom frame, Hope moves to step in front of Lex; an obvious bodyguard position, with Hope in a martial stance, ready to strike at a moments notice.

Lex.... just stands there, arms behind his back in a semi-regal manner, as he studies Morbius for a solid ten seconds as he speaks... then, he smiles warmly, "why would I kill you? You've been an annoyance, true... but that just means you need an education." Lex gestures around the bedroom with his right hand, "you may consider this your home, for now. No one knows you're here; I made sure of that." Then, he gestures to Mercy and Hope, "These two are more than capable of subduing you, if you prove to be... willful, on this matter."

He brings his right hand back behind his back, and looks to Morbius, "I've read your file, and examined your physiology. I think we could potentially come to an arrangement, if you're open to negotiation."

Morbius has posed:
    "You've read up on me? You've studied me?"

    If he sounded incredulous, that's because he was. Instantly he was twisting and pivoting through the air, floating as gently and weightlessly as if he were a feather and landing right in front of the billionaire, and it was funny. In platforms like what Morbius was wearing, their heights were closer to equal. In any case, the creature's gaze met his, and as he spoke with that raspy voice, it was clear that he still considered himself the biggest threat in this room. Or perhaps this was all just posturing to save face.

    "If you had a million years, you'd discover the same thing. That I am a singularity, the alchemical union between life and death that should not be! Between blessed sun and cursed moon, I am the twilight of limbo, suspended in dusk. What offer could you possibly make, to undo the Living Vampire, to ease this wretchedness he must forevermore endure?"

    Despite what he was saying, he was not attempting to leave just yet...perhaps Lex had his attention after all.

Lex Luthor has posed:
While Morbius manages to get close, Hope intercepts him before he can get near Lex... and there's an intensity in her eyes as she brings up her hands; she's clearly ready to fight. Mercy? Her arm comes up, aiming right for Morbius, but nothing beyond that happens with her.

Lex, meanwhile, has raises a brow as he looks at Morbius, and listens to his speech. "What you are is a medical oddity that has yet to be fully studied." Lex continues, his smile returning to his face, "I have an interest in oddities, and you seem to have an interest in having your condition reversed. Is that a fair assessment?"

Morbius has posed:
    He saw Hope's seriousness, and though he outwardly showed no signs of concern, it was telling that he made no attempts to test or cross her boundaries. He knew the situation he was in, he understood that attacking Lex Luthor's bodyguard would have consequences. So instead, he feigned disinterest, looking at his claws idly as he paced around where he was allowed.

    "Certainly, I've a perverse fetish when it comes to impossibilities. After undoing what was done to me, I'll steal fire from the gods and kill Superman."

    For the first time since encountering Lex, for the very first time there was a bit of a twinkle in Morbius' horrible eye, a bit of a smirk across his thin lips.

    "You've been building up to this proposition. I must admit, curiousity is getting the better of me."

Lex Luthor has posed:
There's a victorious smile as Lex listens to Morbius. "Then I have a proposal for you." Lex places a hand on Hope's shoulder, and she steps to the side, giving Lex an unobstructed view of the Living Vampire. "I'm always looking for medical situations that are out of the ordinary for study." He chuckles, "I've even caused a few myself in my pursuit of excellence." His right hand comes back out and gestures over Morbius, "You were a gifted scientist before your... condition." Lex is carefully choosing words here to sound neutral.

"I'd love to bring the full resources of LexCorp to bear on your condition, to understand and reverse it. In exchange, I'd give you a home and a job in LexCorp... and keep you hidden from authorities." Lex raises a brow again to him. It's a non-verbal question there.

Morbius has posed:
    Morbius was carefully considering Lex's proposal, it seemed, and as he did, he moved toward the window with a gliding grace to pull the blind open and consider the outside world and the slowly setting sun. Inherently he growled at the sight, averting his gaze and instead, turning back to look at the billionaire directly.

    "If I can leave, and hunt when I wish, then I will accept your proposal. But..."

    After a moment of looking away, Morbius spoke again, this time with a tone of derision in his words.

    "Make sure you send professionals, who know what they're doing. All too often in medicine, it's the hacks who worm their way to the top. Incompetent butchers barely able to hold a syringe between their pig hooves."

    If Lex has read -anything- about Michael Morbius, he'd know about the man's infamous disdain for others in his field, and his tendency to insult and sometimes verbally abuse those under him and with less power and clout. Perhaps if he'd been more willing to work with his peers, he could have avoided the accident that turned him into this.

Lex Luthor has posed:
"You will hunt when I say you can hunt. There is a bigger picture to consider, but I will try to be reasonable about your... needs." Lex counters, "I'm pretty sure we can give you what you need without going out into my city to ruin it, when you can't." Lex then shrugs, "I'll be handling your case myself, for the most part... but let me make one thing clear."

He leans forward, those green eyes narrowing suddenly with intimidating purpose, "you will treat my staff with respect under my employ. If I get one complaint about your behavior, I will lock you in this apartment for a week for each one until you learn self-control." He smiles; a predators smile filled with menace, "am I being perfectly clear?"

Morbius has posed:
    Morbius met his gaze, for a moment. Then another. Then, he suddenly became disinterested, conceding the staredown as he held up a hand in surrender. Was it genuine? Who could know, but it seemed for the moment Morbius was going to play ball.

    "Of course, Luthor. I perfectly understand."

    From over his shoulder he spoke briefly as he started to retreat deeper into the apartment.

    "But speaking of my needs, I'll be needing something soon...something fresh. And no animals! Their blood is no good, it might as well be battery acid. Or a sewer rat."

    With his back turned on the group, his face scrunched in the horrid memory. The early years of survival were particularly miserable. Now the rules of survival were different, and he couldn't be sure which years he preferred...