>>41196444 >>41196375 >Meanwhile.... >Grinding her teeth and pacing back and forth in her room, Victoria fumed over the fact that was being barred by from going after her own sister. Even worse, the church were was smug bastards to deliver the news to her!
>"Compromise the mission." they said. Bullshit! There was no mission here! Only a damned bull headed sister that just couldn't stay out of trouble. They went to her superiors and they in turn had her under house arrest until the situation was dealt with. So she was stuck here while her little sister was out there with a criminal!
Idiots!
>They didn't know, this was exactly the moment those rats were looking for. A chance to get her out of the way long enough to get to her sister. Then they could use her sibling to control her.
...
>As ironic as it was to think it, she can only hope that Patick had a few decent bones in his body and would keep her sister safe long enough for the general to work her way though this and give chase herself. Because the church had a huge start on her and she had no way of telling who was among them was going to be sent. Or if they were even sane enough to actually not harm Melody in the process.
>'In the case of those like General Neige, it appears to be some kind of...mutation through environment, she's documented to have come from Frost Fade, a small locale known for it's blistering colds...Yet her younger sister has not been seen to share the same ability. One must assume, therefore, it's a factor inherent to General Neige that allows her to tap into ice magic in a way that no other can...'
>'What this means for concept control and it's further applications is...'
>Dr Jacen Valus stared at his research paper. He was struck with why he was even bothering with it in the first place. It wasn't as though it was going to change the Church's mind as to what he was allowed to research. It was also unlikely to persuade the general herself into allowing him to run some tests on her. He snorts at the memory. She should be happy to help society progress! And there was only a TINY chance of dying!
>But he continued writing it. It kept him busy in the hours where Mortdecai and Mr Whitsun were fulfilling their missions and providing him new figures to churn over. Writing something he actually cared about helped keep his brain from melting.
>His musings, however, were interrupted by a knock at the door. Strange. Mortdecai wasn't polite enough and Mr Whitsun didn't have the thought capacity. That could only mean a visitor. Jacen extracts himself from his chair and starts his slow, methodical stride towards the front door, which he opened promptly upon reaching it.
>>41196919 >The opening of said door reveals an oddly plain sight. Where one might normally expect some gruff church official or an angry researcher stood a young, relatively tall man, presumably either twenty years of age or close to it, with a somewhat dumbstruck look on his face which quickly turned into a rather simple grin.
Oh, boy! Hi there, Dr. Valus! You can't believe how long I've wanted to meet you in person like this, it's an honour, sir! If you don't mind, I've got something I need to talk to you about, I won't take too much of your time today, I promise!
>Jacen stares dumbfoundedly at the young man, who looked more like he should be 'hanging out' or whatever it was that kids did these days. It almost felt like a prank...But he knew his name. The only people that called him were...the other researchers.
>His eyes narrow down at the young man. Maybe one of them had put him up to this in some kind of joke. That'd be exactly the kind of thing those miserable shits would do.
...Who put you up to this? You can go back and tell Durall or Enzer that this isn't funny and that they should be spending more time on their actual projects.
!pR.BaFF/uk 29 Dec 2015 10:08:47 AM No.41197260>>41197264
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>>41197235 Put me up to...?
>The young man looked a little dumbfounded at the comment for a moment, before quickly managing to collect himself, waving his hands and shaking his head.
Oh, no sir! I must've given the wrong impression, I'm terribly sorry sir. My name's Ryan, I'm with the C.O.H.F. Outreach group!
>C.O.H.F. would be as familiar term to Jacen by now as the minty-fresh smell of his own breath in the morning - it was what the Church of the Holy Flame often chose to go by when they wanted to sound professional, or when they put on their 'business suits' per se. Given that the Church was a far larger organisation than a simple religious sect at this point, it was unsurprising to have a few different branches of it treat things in different ways.
>The 'C.O.H.F.', which was essentially the same thing as just saying 'the Church' no matter how you tried to turn it, usually didn't bother Dr. Valus much given that the Research and so-called 'Corporate' side of things didn't really mix that much, so when it came down to context, this was a very odd visit indeed.
I'm just here for a few moments of your very valuable time, we've got a super opportunity available and you were the first choice that came up!
>No doubt this was the recycled spiel similar to that of a door-to-door salesman, but by contrast the boy sounded particularly genuine, as though he really did respect Jacen in some manner or form. Certainly not your usual sleazy son of a bitch, that's for sure.
>Jacen resisted the urge to very audibly groan. His progress report on Mortdecai wasn't due for a while yet...And that was handled far more clandestinely, certainly not with a member of what was essentially the marketing team.Clearly they wanted something new from him. Maybe now they wanted an extra strength Holy Rod with which to ram up their backsides for the coming five hundred years...But the Church had a tendency to be...persistent. Especially when they wanted you to do something and your entire funding relies on the Church being generous with you.
>It was a curious visit, and an inquisitive mind should never let questions go unanswered. Jacen nods and gestures this 'Ryan' to come inside.
Ryan!pR.BaFF/uk 29 Dec 2015 10:28:18 AM No.41197265>>41197281
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>>41197264 Oh, thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time for this.
>Stepping inside, Ryan became particularly enthused with everything within - from the layout of the room, all the nooks and crannies on the walls, all the little devices and oddities that made up Dr Jacen Valus's home. It was almost like a crystal nerd being taken to their first magitek convention.
>That said, it didn't take him too long to find his way to a seat, settling down into it in a comfortable but not too 'make yourself at home'. His entire aura seemed to be 'polite, but relaxed'.
I'll get right to it so I don't take up much of your day - are you familiar at all with the recent events in Empyrean that surround a Mr. Patrick Frye at all?
>The boy was examining his house like it was the most interesting thing in the world. Either he was a really well trained salesman, or he was genuinely interested. Either way unnerved Jacen on a base level and made him ever so slightly thankful that Mortdecai had Mr Whitsun to help him learn how to socialise a little better.
>And then there was that escaped prisoner. Jacen had read a little bit about it, but not massive amounts. A tiny little article about some mage that had managed to find his way out of Empyrean. An impressive task, especially if he'd been hooked up to the suppressor.
I know as much as anybody else that reads the newspaper. Why? One prisoner is hardly worth the effort of such a large group.
Ryan!pR.BaFF/uk 29 Dec 2015 11:23:07 AM No.41197302>>41197320
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>>41197281 Not normally, no. Were this any regular situation I'd still be at my desk making sure the ancient rites were all properly catalogued and in the correct age-alphabetical order, but thankfully, or perhaps not-so thankfully in the case of the people involved, I was sent on this particular errand to see you, specifically. From what I was told in the case file, the situation is actually rather dire.
Here, take a look for yourself.
>Opening a small folder he had with him, Ryan spread out a few photographs of the man in question, none particularly recent, but among them were also newer pictures of Melody Neige.
We've reason to believe that, in the escape, Mr. Frye kidnapped the young Ms. Melody Neige, General Victoria Neige's younger sister and a member of Terminian nobility. She also went missing around the time Mr. Frye disappeared, and there are some varied eyewitness accounts that suggest the two were together the night of his escape.
As you can clearly see, this is far from a typical escaped prisoner problem. Word hasn't left those in the know about Ms. Melody's fate. I hadn't heard until I was told to give the news to you...
>This man, whoever he was, had just signed his own death warrant.
>General Neige was not known for being particularly pleasant anyway, but to kidnap her younger sister, as well as making a mockery of the Terminian military by escaping...Well, either he was a fool, or an idiot, or a foolish idiot.
...How unfortunate, for the young mistress. I hope she's all right.
>It was genuine, if a little awkward. He was still human, and thus still capable of sympathy, even if he hadn't exercised those muscles in a long long while.
>He eyed the photos thoughtfully for a bit, sizing up this 'Patrick Frye' person.
...So, you want this man recaptured and Ms Neige retrieved. Is that correct?
Ryan!pR.BaFF/uk 29 Dec 2015 11:50:31 AM No.41197338>>41197399
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>>41197320 If only that were all, sir. If this were a simply case of rescue and retrieval, quite a number of people would've been contacted for the job, or so I'm told. The problem concerns Mr. Frye's, erm... rather unique capabilities.
>One more photograph is presented to the doctor, a blurry one at an awkward angle, but it shows a shadowy figure amidst a sea of flame, albeit in a monochrome image.
In the weeks following his capture, soldiers at the scenes of Mr. Frye's attacks were debriefed as to the nature of the battles that ensued - we have two detailed encounters that he had with the General herself, and the results are, well... quite surprising. Being an expert in the field, I'm sure you're familiar with her unique Ice properties, so I won't presume to know much about the specifics of this, but in these two encounters General Neige managed to capture Mr. Frye by encasing him in ice.
The soldiers stress their astonishment at this was the reason why they faltered in their support of the General's efforts, but Mr. Frye was able to melt that ice. With relative ease, no less. We also have numerous reports that those who were in the vicinity of the first encounter received second-degree burns after merely being touched by the flames, whilst Mr. Frye always leaves completely unscathed.
The General herself has often refused to comment on what transpired, but from our records it appears she insisted on him being transferred to a prototype magical-reduction cell on the day of his capture.
Needless to say, it doesn't seem he's particularly worried about the consequences of what he's done to invoke the General's ire...
>Fire to thaw General Neige's ice? That burned so intensely, yet the wielder was unaffected?
>She INSISTED on a suppression cell on his capture?!
>This was staggering. Somebody out there with a mutation like the General's. Which meant that it was entirely possible that he could both replicate and induce the increased affinity for all five of the elements. The potential was STAGGERING!
>As Ryan continued to speak, the good doctor's face split into a smile so wide it threaten to cut his head in half. Not ONLY was this amazing fuel for his true passion, but it'd be a damn good stress test for Mortdecai's reflection ability. It satisfied the church's need for progress AND he'd finally be able to study a concept mutation in an official capacity
...Were I that sort of man, I would grasp you in a hug so tight that you would have breathing problems for weeks...As it stands, however, I will merely settle for saying 'thank you.' If the Church wants the...parties that I speak for to solve this particular conundrum, then I'm very happy to accept.
>His smile shrinks back to a normal, less psychotic expression
I thank The Church for bringing this opportunity to my attention.
Ryan!pR.BaFF/uk 29 Dec 2015 12:55:28 PM No.41197419>>41197442
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>>41197399 >He was about to continue further with what could be classified as ramblings or run-on sentences, but as soon as sound came from Jacen's mouth Ryan immediately stopped to listen to what he had to say, almost as though he were the perfect conversation partner, always aware of the right social cues and when to shut up for a moment.
>A good thing too, it seemed that things were going great! No sense ruining anything with silly words. Especially not with that slightly scary expression that was starting to build on his face...
O-oh, no, thank you sir! To be completely honest I didn't expect this to go half as smoothly as it just has, why, the West Patriarch would've caused some real problems for me had I not returned with positive news. Truly, I should be thanking you!
>Leaving the file on the table, Ryan stood, briefly fixing his clothes and giving a light nod in the doctor's direction.
You're free to keep the file, of course, whatever you need to help the search. I'm sure whatever it is you've developed to help solve this situation will right it in no time at all!
>Ryan's expression turned slightly less enthusiastic when the time came to impose upon Dr. Valus the technicalities of the arrangement. This was always the difficult part, trying to make sure everything was properly understood and adhered to. It was always the hope that no-one was the type to shoot the messenger.
Oh, but I do have to pass along just a couple of minute conditions - The Church asks for Ms Melody Neige to be returned directly to them, and no-one else, as unharmed as possible, in order to ensure that she be treated with the utmost medical care and debriefed properly about what she underwent.
You are also not to mention or reveal any of your involvement in this task, nor any information you find out, to General Neige - the Church worries that her emotional involvement regarding this problem might cause her to make rash decisions... in the worst case, they worry that she might end up seeing herself eliminated by Mr. Frye, so please, keep this and your findings to yourself for her personal well-being.
>After that, however, the Church agent's eyes lit up, having finally made it past the disappointing complications and onto the part that would hopefully make up for all of that.
However, upon success of this task, Mr. Frye and all related assets will be turned over to you immediately for you to do whatever you wish with, provided, of course, that your actions continue to benefit the kingdom of Termina. Personally I didn't really think that part was necessary to say, you're a great example to everyone of just how great the science of magic can be, but I'll get in trouble if I don't do my job right so I'm glad we could get the terms out of the way!
>He was listening, and yet not. The specifics were easy enough to understand. Return the girl to the Church, speak no word to the General herself. He wasn't in contact with her, and the Church were sponsoring the event, why would he not turn her over to them?
>He was more focused on the last bit. He would have carte blanche to do whatever he wanted with the man, and his concept mutation. Anything at all. He was breathing heavily already just thinking about it.
>He scarcely even noticed that the man was complimenting his work. Maybe he'd read one of his early papers...The one that got him into Termina's magic research quarter had been a document on the limits of concept shifting, and what a broader mind could accomplish compare to narrower views of the elements. He was satisfied, but really he could have looked at that more...
>...What was he doing here? Oh right, the job. He accepted, he had his limitations and his reward...Yes, that would do nicely. Jacen nods once more towards Ryan
Yes, that all seems agreeable...Don't thank me for you doing your job, it's what you have to do, and in this instance, you've done it quite well.
>He stands up. Was Mortdecai in the house? Things were relatively quiet, so it was possible he was out with Ragnar doing something or other, he'd tell them when they got back.
Very well. I have preparations to make. I'll let you get back to your work.
Ryan!pR.BaFF/uk 29 Dec 2015 4:40:45 PM No.41197632>>41197651
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>>41197442 A pleasure to meet you as well, sir!
>Gratefully taking the hand in both of his own, he gave the doctor a hearty though delicate shake (wouldn't want to hurt the hands of a scientist like that!) before backing up with a light bow. It seemed that wherever Ryan sat on the totem pole of the Church workforce, it was probably pretty low, even if he seemed to be the messenger for some pretty sensitive information.
I'll head back and deliver the good news, I'm glad this wasn't an inconvenience to you! You can rest assured you've the Church's full support on this venture.
>Ryan made his way back over to the door to let himself out, giving a last, brief wave across the hall.
Feel free to get in touch if you need anything, though I'm certain you've got it all covered!
>And with that, he was gone, almost like he wasn't there at all.