Alright, another chapter. Just to let you people know, I have not abandoned my stories. I have just been going through a lot of personal issues as of late, and lost my muse for a bit. But I think it's come back .
Wolfsbane: Thanks for the review, I am glad you like it!
Thanks to all readers, and I hope you enjoy this. Things shall be picking up soon.
The evening of the bar meeting arrived quicker than Mona expected. She spent the afternoon coding, and was so wrapped up in her work that she lost track of time and would have been late, had Lisa not interrupted her at about seven. Quickly throwing on a black dress, lacy stockings and her "ass-kicking" leather buckle-up boots, Mona headed to the entranceway to join the Exiles.
The Merovingian was waiting, and gave her an impatient look as she approached. "Mona! Why are you late?"
"I'm not late. And I was caught up in coding," Mona replied, grabbing her black leather trench coat and sliding it on.
Her father seemed very pleased by this response, and didn't even rebuke to tell her that she was, in fact, a minute late. He then told her that she would be riding with the Virii Twins in his Mercedes, which caused Mona to growl in displeasure and remark that she'd rather ride with him.
"Oh, quit balking, ma Cherie. They're going to be with you for the rest of the evening anyway," her father said hurriedly as he headed for the front door. "And Mergo is coming with us, I need to have a private word with him."
Frowning but silent, Mona followed the Twins to the Mercedes and tried to ignore Sid's mocking look. Once in the back seat of the comfortable luxury car, Mona sighed and crossed her legs, then prayed to anyone who would listen that the Twins wouldn't talk to her.
Unfortunately, that wish was not granted.
"Still into picking up men from bars?" the Twin in the passenger seat asked Mona, referring to a restless period that had hit her about twenty years previous.
"Oh fuck off," Mona said, glaring at him. "You know I haven't done that in years."
"No, we didn't know that," he replied with a grin.
Knowing that they were purposefully teasing her, trying to make her lose her temper, Mona turned to the window and attempted to ignore them.
"I wonder if your father knows about those days," the Twin driving commented quietly.
"I'm sure he'd be thrilled—"
"Is it possible for you two to shut up and just drive?" Mona snapped. She regretted it instantly, even though the Twins did quiet down. But their lips curved upwards triumphantly, ridiculing her.
Finally they reached the bar, named Steady Sun. Mona nearly leapt out of the car, then remembered that the Twins would be flanking her all throughout the night. Resigning herself to a depressing evening, Mona stood at the entrance and waited for the rest of the crew to join them.
With the Merovingian and Persephone leading the way, the group entered the bar. It was dark and very open, with a bar in the centre and loud trance music playing. Unlike some of the cheaper bars and clubs Mona had been in, the music wasn't offending, but vibrated through the ground from high-quality speakers. The feeling of the bass reverberating in her body was energizing and wonderful, making Mona walk with purpose.
The majority of patrons in Steady Sun turned to look at them, which was no surprise. They were a large group, and many of them looked fairly different. Mona silently wondered why a human bar had been chosen for the meeting, and made a mental note to ask her father later.
The Merovingian had apparently been to this bar before, since he walked into the back hallways without hesitation, and none of the employees questioned him. As they headed down the wide hallway lined with black doors, the music began to fade into some barely noticeable background noise. They turned, headed up a flight of stairs, and into another hallway, and the music began to get a bit louder as they walked. Mona was beginning to wonder if they were ever going to get there when her father finally stopped at the end of the short hallway, facing double doors with silver handles.
Mona suddenly felt a sharp poke on her back, and turned rapidly. Directly behind her were the Virii Twins, looking completely unreadable. Waving at her from behind them was Lisa, her short red hair standing out brilliantly in the dark hallway.
"Exciting, no?" the vampire hissed. "An angel!"
Mona gave her a weird look. "Calm down, don't wet yourself."
She saw one of the Twin's smirk at this remark, and Mona had to stifle a laugh herself. Lisa frowned at her, but her exuberant expression returned seconds later as the Merovingian finally finished counselling with his wife and opened the double doors.
They entered a large and comfortably lit room with a long table surrounded by relaxing leather chairs. At the very end of the room was a huge tainted picture window that overlooked the bar, particularly the dance floor. Along the wall was a mini bar with glasses and bottles of assorted alcohol. There were already four people in this room, seated on the opposite side of the table from them, all quietly chatting amongst themselves. They stopped immediately upon seeing them enter, then stood and walked around to greet them.
"Good evening, so nice to meet you!" a tall man with shoulder-length curly hair said enthusiastically. He was wearing a suit and appeared to be the leader of the others, for he approached them first and held his hand out to the Merovingian. The two shook briefly. "My name is Arro. This is Roxus," he gestured to an average-height, slender man with straight black hair and intense eyes, "Elektra," he moved to a curvy and deadly-looking woman with long, wavy auburn hair and eyes hidden behind sunglasses, "and finally, Elliude," he finished at a muscular man with short blond hair and black tattoos covering half his face. All of them nodded in turn, but Elektra was the only one who smiled, a sly turn of the lips that made Mona slightly unnerved.
"It is nice to meet you in person," the Merovingian said, his business face coming on. "Of course, you know who I am. Beside me is my wife, Persephone," he motioned to Mona's mother, who was dressed in her usual seductive dress attire, "and this is my daughter, Mona."
Mona did her polite but short bow, then returned to studying the strangers. Arro was asking her father about the Exiles that had accompanied them, particularly the Twins, which were slightly infamous due to their inability to be defeated. Their conversation was blocked out as Mona got lost in her thoughts, something she often did, and something that usually drove her father insane.
Arro seemed nice enough. His smile looked sincere. Elektra also looked alright, despite that enigmatic grin. Roxus' lingering gaze on them all disturbed Mona, but she couldn't help but admit that he wasn't bad looking. And Elliude just looked like a bodyguard. Her lack of sleep was making her brain fuzzy, causing her to feel awkward and uncomfortable. Mona blinked and rubbed her eyes.
It seemed that the congregation was moving towards the table, for Mona felt the Twin on her right shoulder into her. Gritting her teeth but remaining calm, Mona moved forward and sat along the edge of the table, in between the two Twins, as was usual.
"Alright, let's get down to business," Arro began, leaning forward. "In two days my brother, Heller, will be deleted and sent to the Source. The offer has already been made: he works for you in return for being saved."
The Merovingian nodded, fingers pyramided in front of him. "Of course. But why is it that your brother is so special, while you are just a weaker Rogue program?"
"When I was deemed useless years ago, the deletion process had begun before I was able to escape to the Matrix. Thankfully it only took away unnecessary things – the powers that made me unique – and nothing that was vital," Arro said, a pang of remorse in his voice. "I am fortunate to have these three friends to help and protect me."
"They are loyal to you?" the Merovingian asked, studying the other Rogues.
Arro nodded. "Yes. We have bonded through our efforts to survive in the Matrix."
The Merovingian turned to address Elektra and Roxus, who were on one side of Arro. "Where do you two come from? How did you gain access to the Matrix?"
"I was one of the first," Elektra said first, her voice dark. "Brought through by bribing the Train Master hundreds of years ago."
Roxus grinned, revealing sharp teeth. "Forced my way in."
"That's extremely dangerous," the Merovingian snorted derisively. "Almost every program that tries to do that is found and destroyed."
Roxus shrugged. "Not me."
Giving the Rogue a pointed look, the Merovingian looked back to Arro and delved straight into the details of transporting his brother into the Matrix. Mona tuned out again, since she had heard and seen the transfer of programs many times. Quietly she rose and headed to the back of the room where the mini bar was. As Mona picked out an appropriate glass and began studying the variety of alcohol there, she became aware that someone else was approaching. She turned, expecting to see Lisa or Sid, and was surprised to see Elektra move to stand beside her.
"Evening. I see you are finding this as unbearable as I am," the Rogue said smoothly, also grabbing a glass.
Mona eyed Elektra with curiosity. "Mhm. Am I that easy to read?"
"Let's just say you're not trying to hide your feelings," she said with a chuckle. Elektra lightly snatched up a bottle of Cruzan rum and poured herself half a glass. "I've been hearing about your father for years. He's quite a powerful man."
Mona scoffed as she mixed her drink, which was coke and amaretto. "Powerful in his element, yes. The Matrix is what he knows."
"I'm guessing you and your father have some issues."
"Maybe," Mona sipped her drink slowly, not quite ready to divulge any life secrets with some Rogue she just met. "What about you?"
"I am a vampire in the Matrix. Previously was a mediator of cancerous diseases, but I was replaced very quickly," Elektra said. She leaned against the sturdy wooden table that held the glasses and bottles of fine alcohol and stared at the group before them. "I've been on the run my whole life. Sometimes I get the illusion that I'm safe…but since I met up with Roxus, and then Arro, I actually feel alright most of the time."
Mona frowned, staring at the floor. Another thing that separated her and the other Exiles was the fact that she had never been in the computer or attached to the Source. She had never had a purpose. Often Mona felt crushingly alone because of this, and had convinced herself that her life was completely useless. Her only special power was the connection to the code of the Matrix, which she could understand and manipulate to her will. But her father already did that perfectly fine, and so Mona was left to sit around pointlessly, becoming bitter and angry at her creation.
Noticing Mona's brooding silence, Elektra elbowed her lightly in the arm to try and snap her out of it. "Home life's gotta be interesting with all those Exiles hanging around. Probably a lot of action and exciting stuff happening."
"Yeah, it's definitely never dull. Well, not usually dull," Mona took another gulp of her drink, savouring the delicious mix. "I've got to witness a lot of interesting things."
"And those two with you," Elektra began, "those are the Virii Twins?"
"Who else would they be?"
Elektra was staring at them intently, though her sunglasses hid her eyes from view. "You've got some good-lookin' body guards, if I do say so myself."
Mona snorted. "Don't get any ideas. They're completely detached."
"I heard that they had been attacked by a virus before escaping the computer, but your father was able to remove it. And they're spectres, right?"
"Right."
Mona was used to people being interested in the Twins, and even some of them trying to buy them off her father (which would never happen). Thusly she wasn't surprised by Elektra's intrigue, especially due to their appeal on the female gender. Both the Twins only ever found their admirers entertaining, and rarely did it ever go further than that.
"Have you seen them in combat before?"
Mona shifted slightly, unconsciously. "Yes," she croaked. Seeing the Twins fighting together was like nothing else she had ever seen, and often left her utterly entranced. They were like fluid, absolutely beautiful and untouchable. And, of course, almost never failed.
The vampire was looking at her inquisitively with her sunglasses lowered, revealing eyes that were almost completely whited-over. Surprised, Mona was about to ask Elektra about her eyes when the Rogue turned back to looking forward and pushed her sunglasses back up.
"I'd love to see them fight," she said to herself.
They watched the conversation at the table for a bit, drinking their beverages gradually while in thought. Elektra had drained her glass of rum as Arro rose from his chair to make what looked like a deal-sealing hand shake with the Merovingian. Mona also finished her drink hastily, not wanting to take it back with her.
"Well, I guess we should be getting back," the Rogue said, then walked back to her seat, her blood-red trench coat sweeping along behind her. Mona followed, but did not sit back down, instead leaning on the chair she had been sitting in. Arro was thanking the Merovingian for his help and promising that he wouldn't regret it. Mona felt angry that people were always so grateful to her father; she believed he didn't deserve the praise. It just made his fat head fatter.
The Merovingian, who was also standing, adjusted his blazer and was smiling around, obviously pleased with the deal. He then spread his arms towards them and said, "Well, I'm in the mood for a bit of celebrating. Let us head down to the bar, yes?"
As all the Exiles rose from their chairs, Mona moved swiftly around them and intercepted her father before he could walk off. He looked mildly surprised to see her suddenly there.
"Uh, father," Mona muttered, feeling a bit awkward. "Could you possible call off your guard dogs?" She pointed discreetly in the direction of the Twins, who were standing off to the side, observing the Rogues quietly. "I'd like an evening without them."
Her father stared at her for a good moment, and Mona could see the no-way-in-hell look enter his eyes. Grinding her teeth at the injustice of it all, she intercepted his imminent rejection.
"I'll be around Lisa the whole time!" she said, exasperated.
Frowning, but looking more convinced, the Merovingian sighed. "Fine. Tell them to come with me. But don't wander off."
"I'm not a fucking child," Mona growled under her breath, but walked away feeling triumphant and excited. Grinning slightly, she sauntered up to the Twins. "You two are relieved of your duties. Go to my father."
The one to her right quirked an eyebrow. "Oh really?"
Mona narrowed her eyes. "Yes."
The other twin smirked. "A night all on your own. How will you manage?"
"I'll make due, thanks for the concern." Mona turned abruptly away from them and began searching for Lisa. She didn't have to look for long; the vampire was hanging out with Elektra by the doors, chatting intently. Probably discussing vampire things, Mona thought to herself as she headed over to the two.
"They're not coming?" Lisa asked when Mona joined them. She jerked her thumb at the Twins as they walked towards the Merovingian.
"Nope," Mona said through a wide smile. "I am free. Now let's head downstairs and get some drinks."
The three made their way back to the public area of Steady Sun. Near the end of the hall they passed Roxus and Elliude talking. The two Rogues stopped as the women approached, and nodded in greeting. While passing, Mona half-noticed that Roxus gave her a leering sort of look. She chose to ignore this as they headed for the bar.
"So what's up with the stringent protection your father has over you, Mona?" Elektra asked after the three had ordered drinks and were seated at the bar. Behind them was the industrial-style dance floor, where the lighting of the bar was turned off to make the area much darker. Silhouettes of people dancing could be seen, along with various glow sticks flying through the air.
"It's gotten worse over the years," Mona replied. "I used to be able to go out on my own and not even tell him where I'm going. But since the Agents have become more persistent about finding us, my father's had the Twins follow me everywhere."
Elektra furrowed her brow. "Why couldn't you just take Lisa instead?"
"I'm not as powerful," Lisa interjected as the bartender brought their drinks. "The Twins are unstoppable, from what I've seen. Oh, except for when they had to retrieve the Keymaker and failed. Wow, was the Merovingian ever pissed."
Lisa snorted to herself, then sipped her drink.
Mona turned to Elektra. "What's it like being a Rogue, anyway? I've never really carried out a conversation with one."
"It's nothing special," Elektra shrugged. "We're not really much different than Exiles, aside from the fact that we answer to no one. Of course, that comes with its drawbacks, seeing as a lot more Rogues get attacked by Agents."
"Very true," agreed Lisa. She was listening to them while watching the people on the dance floor with mild interest. "Kinda unfortunate, if you ask me. All the Rogues I've ever met have been quite nice."
"We have enough enemies as it is," Elektra commented thoughtfully, taking a gulp of her beverage. Lisa and Mona nodded solemnly in agreement.
The three were silent for a moment, studying those around them and enjoying the well-mixed drinks. Exiles and Rogues often found humans extremely entertaining to watch, and since they were amongst a large abundance of them at that moment, their evening would be filled with jokes about human nature. Already Mona had spotted Sparky, Dev, and Rem meandering slyly through the crowds, amused expressions upon their faces. They would all have to keep their fun and manipulation to a low, as usual, seeing as any wrong move could give them all away.
"Any idea why we're in a human bar?" Lisa suddenly asked, her attention on Mona.
"None at all. I want to remember to ask my father later."
"It's to keep us all safer," Elektra replied, surprising the two Exiles. "Arro suggested that we keep away from known Exile bars and clubs, and your father and him agreed on this place."
Mona quirked an eyebrow. "Oh," she said dumbly. "I should have caught on to that."
"Eh, it was something easily overlooked," Elektra said, and she pulled off her sunglasses to clean some dirt off them with her shirt. Seeing those strange whited-over eyes, Mona was reminded of her curiosity about the Rogue.
"What happened to your eyes, if you don't mind me asking?"
Elektra replaced her sunglasses, despite the bar already being extremely dark. How she could see properly was beyond any of them.
"I could ask you the same thing," the Rogue responded with a smirk, referring to Mona's alternating eye colours. "During my escape from the computer, I was damaged, as are many Rogues and Exiles. It's a strenuous time. Many of us lose something during the process."
Not having ever experienced transferring to from the computer to the Matrix, Mona shrugged. "I suppose I was just born with mine. Coding error or something."
"I think it looks cool," Elektra said.
"It is, most of the time," Mona said with a grin. "But I get really dumb comments if I forget to wear my sunglasses in public."
"I bet," chuckled Elektra.
"Oh hell! I love this song!" Lisa suddenly exclaimed, lunging toward Mona with such intenseness that both her and the Rogue nearly dropped their drinks. "We are dancing! C'mon!"
"Ahh fuck—Lisa, no!" Mona whined, but the vampire would not be deterred. Lisa dragged the stumbling Mona onto the floor and began to force her into a barely rhythmic dance, nearly knocking out a passing-by human in the process.
After another hour and ample more drinks, Mona's inhibitions began to lift and she happily joined Lisa on the dance floor. Her dancing improved as she became more liquid in movement, instead of stiff and unyielding. Elektra, insisting that she preferred to watch, sat at the bar and chatted with Roxus, who had joined her after grabbing a beer. Not too far away were the Twins, seated in at a relatively hidden table, enjoying martinis and watching all proceedings sharply.
Mona hadn't caught any sight of her father or mother, a fact for which she was thankful for. The Merovingian's presence would probably just ruin her fun, especially since she was edging on drunk. However, it might have been a good thing, since Lisa was becoming a bit too inebriated, and having the boss around might have made her slow down. After the Exile had accidentally punched a third human in the jaw while "dancing" (everyone involved would insist it was more like flailing), Mona forced her back to the bar to sit down for a bit.
"But I was having a good time!" Lisa protested, slouching onto the barstool.
"Yes…and it was terrifying," Mona breathed, the comment causing Elektra to laugh loudly. Mona was surprised to find herself almost out of breath and sweating from the dancing, and ordered another cocktail. It was then that she noticed that they were in the company of Roxus, who wasn't sitting but was instead leaning on the bar with one arm next to Elektra. He grinned at her, showing sharp teeth.
Smiling back, Mona turned away, knowing she was way too buzzed to carry on a normal conversation with a male. It was then that she spotted the Twins. They were standing, and in front of them was a young and vivacious blonde girl. The girl couldn't have been more than twenty-one, had a half-empty beer in her hand, and was fawning over them like a bitch in heat. Both Twins looked fairly uncomfortable, and Mona could have sworn that they were on the verge of making a run for it. She snorted, telling herself to remember to tease them about it later.
Roxus suddenly appeared out of thin air (or so it seemed to Mona). Nearly choking, Mona leaned back to compensate for the abruptness of the Rogue's arrival.
"I saw you on the dance floor. Looked like you were having a good time," Roxus said.
"Er, yes…" Mona replied, looking to Lisa for help. Unfortunately the vampire was regaling Elektra with some tale involving cars exploding, and didn't seem likely to stop any time soon.
"You're a pretty good dancer," Roxus continued.
"Mmm, really?" Mona said, turning back to face him. "I'm not exactly graceful."
"Nonsense. I thought you looked great."
It may have been her lack of sleep, the alcohol, or both combined, but Mona admitted to herself that Roxus wasn't all that bad, and that her initial unnerved instinct had been wrong. He had beautiful blue eyes and was very complimenting. If she hadn't been under the influence at the time, Mona might have caught on to his game. But by the end of the evening Roxus left with her number, and Mona went home woozy and a bit on the giddy side. Her father frowned at her state but said nothing, and the ride back to the mansion was surprisingly silent. Mona suspected that the Twins had seen her speaking with the Rogue, but was much too tired to care. Her bed called to her, and when she finally reached it around three in the morning, Mona fell into a deep and unshakeable sleep.