C.A.R.M.A had received a tip that someone recognized a Nephilim – or perhaps former Nephilim seemed better – member fighting in the Madhouse. These sightings seemed to be few and far these days with the supremacy group scattered after their defeat years ago. The ones that hadn’t already been captured were still pretty high up on C.A.R.M.A’s “most wanted” list, considering these particular Metas to be the most dangerous given their former associations.
He’d entered the arena just in time to watch the fights, searching out for this particular Metahuman with his telepathic abilities. Gotcha. He thought to himself as he pinpointed his target as the masked feline-like character in the ring. He opted to watch her fight for reference, figuring she wouldn’t be coming in quietly (like so many others C.A.R.M.A arrested, naturally), and it might suit him to learn how she worked in combat. Once the fight finished, Manny waited for a minute before gaining access for himself behind the scenes. One of the benefits of working for C.A.R.M.A included free roam throughout the whole Madhouse since many of the Meta agents used the facilities here for the occasional training.
“You’re right, it’s terribly rude of me. But maybe you can make an exception, considering who I am,” Manny said, pulling out his holographic C.A.R.M.A-issued badge to show Lilia just who he was. “Lilia Kijek, correct? I have orders to bring you in for being involved with the Nephilim attack. I’d highly suggest you do this the easy way.”
Lilia’s breath caught in her throat. She lowered her eyes from the gaze of the man behind her to a very interesting spot on the floor. She didn’t think she could completely lie her way out, maybe if she hadn’t gotten registered when she returned to Pansaw, but that was a lost cause. Of utmost importance, she knew, was to not think too long about it before she acted. Lilia had absolutely no clue who this man was, what he was capable of, what his abilities might have been; hell, for all she knew he could be a mindreader. But then again, he also had no clue what she was capable of.
With her back still to the man, Lilia sniffled softly ( but just loud enough for him to hear, of course ) and began toying with the hem of her shirt nervously. Next, she bit her lip and exercised the muscles of her throat, pushing her larynx down further and further, digging her teeth into her lip deeper and deeper, until she felt that familiar heat begin to prickle behind her eyes. One tear slid down her face, then another, then another, and there we go; the floodgates had opened. Allowing her breaths to come quicker and shallower, she brought both hands up to her hair. “Oh, god,” she whispered, letting her accent thicken around her words to really play it up. Her breath came out in short, wavering huffs, and she sunk to the ground, sitting back on her heels.
“I should not have listened, even when they threaten my family,” Lilia mumbled into her knees, just soft enough to give off the impression of speaking to oneself, but loud enough to be heard. “Even if it meant C.A.R.M.A. agent take me. Whatever they would have done to me would be better than what they made me do,” she spat out the last half of the sentence, letting shameful disgust infuse her words. Lilia slowly turned her body to face the other, still crouched low, and glanced up at him through disheveled bangs and tear-clumped lashes. “What happens now?”