The Secrets of Tyrrus

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Kara smirked inwardly; this was easier than she had thought it would be. The Constabulary she was familiar with would be stand offish, too good to drink with the common people. They kept to their own and expected everyone else to do the same. She didn't try to catch the waitress's attention before Lucian did, letting him do the walking and talking in this place. From the way he moved and watched the room, he was comfortable here. She didn't frequent the same pub more than twice a month, kept her on her toes and most of the bar staff from ever recognizing her. Although purple hair sometimes did stand out a bit too much....Raising her eyebrows at the simple beer placed in front of Lucian, Kara turned to the waitress and ordered two shots of whiskey. She didn't like a slow start.

Waiting for the drinks to come back, she rested her elbow on the table, her chin on the palm of her hand, and studied the red haired man. "Is that uncomfortable?" She asked suddenly, gesturing towards his outfit. Hers was comfortable, loose fitting, and revealing in all the right places. Kara had never been fond of uniforms in the slightest, even on "military" men. Too constricting, and boring.

 

Ulrich was going through the archives in the search for the files that Lynda had mentioned it took him quite a bit to actually locate the files, as the files in question were buried within the archives.
Having finally dug up the files he left the archives and put the files on his desk. Before he started he wanted to grab a good cup of coffee to make sure he could keep paying attention while going over the files in question. He quickly made a mug of the greatest of mankind's inventions. And sat down at his desk. While it wasn't that much of a great task in his eyes, this forbidden magic seemed rather intriguing, maybe his colleagues had taken a little bit of freedom with the standards of writing reports like he himself used to and not make it as boring a read.​

 

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Dylan sighed as the sergeant spotted him, but didn't move or try to justify his being there. Mirabelle didn't miss a beat, however, and the policeman was not immediately accusing. That was good, he may be able to be convinced. "There's definitely magic at play here, and it's not something the constabulary are trained to deal with" he informed the sergeant. He still wasn't sure if he wanted the man with them, although Mirabelle seemed to think it was a good idea. Dylan supposed that wandering the Ministry would be easier with a constable sergeant.
"Uh, yeah the sergeant can go with you" said the Royal Guardsman.

 

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Well this should be good... Dylan had one quality that gleamed off his poker face, he wasn't a fan of the constabulary and his statement though subtle hammered it home. He was right of course, as a detective should be, most people are sub par when dealing with mages whether it was equipment or understanding; However Jebediah was not most people. Jebediah nodded to the royal guard and allowed himself to be led the crime scene standing in-between Dylan and Mirabella, pulling out his notepad he copies his interview notes and passes the copy back too Dylan "I don't think this is an open and shut case, she wasn't lying... and I've read about this kind of thing before, what do you think detective?" Jebediah kept a relaxed tone as he spoke. Jebediah was annoyed Dylan was here seeing as he must of snuck in and for all he knew Mirabelle wasn't likely who she said she was either but that didn't mean he was angry, infact he was grateful! If they would help him this case could be solved quickly but he knew he would atleast need to meet them half way, passing the note was the first step to what Jebediah saw as a safer Eredan, in exchange for their help he could get them into the places they needed officially, but would Dylan look past the badge to accept that?

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Mira watched the Sergeant and Dylan's exchange curiously. Dylan's firm statement that there was magic at play was most curious - After all, she had seen no direct evidence of that. However, her new boss did step to the side with a pained expression a few moments ago... Perhaps he had some reaction to the magic? But how come it had not affected her as well? It could not be that then... So perhaps he could sense magic somehow? That had to be it. Such an ability would leave him more vulnerable to the effects of any residual magic. When the note was passed over, she peeked at it curiously and skim read the note with practiced ease. That obviated the need for a discussion with the prisoner - They had a transcript.
"Do not presume to ignore me, Sergeant." Mira interjected, somewhat annoyed that the Sergeant's attention had been on Dylan. She was the one addressing him. Also, she had to secure her position in this deception. "The detective is here by my request. I insist that you keep me appraised of any discourse. We are all interested in solving this crime. With the information you have so generously provided, a further discussion with the prisoner is likely not necessary at this juncture. Therefore, to the crime scene it is." The noblewoman turned on a heel and moved over to the Royal Guardsman.
"May we please now be escorted to the crime scene? Our business with the prisoner is concluded." She stated. And it was true. They had seemingly found out about the presence of magic. If she could find a moment aside from this troublesome Sergeant, or at least the Guards, then she would request more details. Dylan did not strike her as a terribly good liar - She believed his claim. ​

 

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Dylan was surprised when the sergeant handed him the notepad, and skimmed through the conversation, and the sergeant's notes. This "L.Thistle" sounded like a prick, and Dylan realised that it was probably the man Kara had gone after. Oh well. Dylan opened his mouth to respond, and found himself interrupted by Mira. He allowed her to speak, and hoped that the self-importance she put into every word was just an act.
"Well I have some thoughts, if you actually wish to hear them. This is clearly a case of forbidden magic, not something seen around here very much. I learned a little about it back in New Haven" Dylan stated, as he dropped the butt of his burnt-out cigarette to the floor and ground it into the paving stones with his heel. "But the motive is unclear, unless Miss Harbrook is lying. But I assume you're smart enough to see through a lie like that, sergeant" Dylan eyed Jebediah without facing him. Dylan noticed Zephyr out of the corner of his eye "Wait just a moment... Ma'am" Dylan requested to Mirabelle, scrunching his face a little at the forced formality. Without waiting for any response, he strode over to where Zephyr was snooping "Hey kid. Find anything?"

Ulrich
Reading the reports is not as interesting as you'd hoped. However, you do find some interesting information. Forbidden magic such as this has always required the mage to be able to see the victim. However, if a forbidden mage has a blood sample or something similar from the victim, they can perform a ritual to manipulate them out of sight and from up to 30m away. Secondly you find that Forbidden magic is most commonly found among Hirokiri immigrants, for the foul practices are not illegal in that exotic country.

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Lynda, still very frustrated by her conversation with the Lord-Marshall, angrily stomped through the HQ. As she passed the reception desk, she knocked over a stack of papers. The receptionist wasn't sure if it was on purpose or not. She slammed the door to Ulrich's office open. "Ugh! The Gods-damned Lord Marshall won't give us clearance to investigate! He thinks this case is open-and-shut! When did he become such an idiot?" she ranted, before sighing and leaning against the wall "We'll just have to hope Jebediah has more luck. Anyway, have you found anything?"

 

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All to familiar to Jebediah, the squawks of a Noblewoman had his attention, she seemed defensive of her status but Jebediah had heard enough of this story "My apologies Lady Autumnfield, I was under the impression he was one of your associates given how the royal guard said there were 2 of you." Jebediah stated with a bland tone of voice; he didn't appreciate pretending to be stupid as he took a step over to Dylan as Mirabelle talked to the royal guard "So are you going to tell her she can drop this or..?" Dylan didn't seem to be listening as he read the notes. After hearing Dylan's synopsis Jebediah nodded agreeing as he turned his attention back to Mira "Dylan seems distracted with one of his operatives, here's the notes if you wish to go over them but you heard what he had to say" Jebediah past the notes as he paused to have a brief sarcastic thought "Say... Lord Gallahow will need question, don't suppose your status could give us an in could it?"

Despite everything today nothing was going to keep Ludwick down, despite having a minor fire, scaring an employee and loosing an Owl his workforce was in full swing! The pages were being printed; reporters returning with stories and type writer clatter flooded the halls! It was a good day... and nothing else would suddenly pop up to ruin it! "Sir?" a voice echoed from across Ludwicks office from behind a neatly stacked house of cards "What is it Alice? As you can see I'm very busy." Ludwick whispered down his nose "Sorry Mr. Gallows, you have a family member visiting" Alice said softly as if to avoid tipping the cards with her voice "AH!" Ludwick bellowed echoing out the silence "Bring him in it's been a while since I've seen Arthur" "Well it's not exactly A-" Alice tried to save the situation but before she knew the door swung open behind her "Don't worry yourself Alice! I heard let him in and stopped listening and like a good ease-dropper... HERE I AM!" Osmund Zaunus stood filling the door way with a dark green duster over his shoulders and special goggles over his eyes; as the door slammed open everyone turned to the house of cards, shaken but standing. "Osmund..." Ludwick muttered "What brings you to my office today." Osmunds face lit up as he lifted and slammed a suitcase on the boardroom desk, quick glance to the cards... still fine. "Well Ludwick sir! Kaylie refused to fund my latest invention and I thought you would be smarter then her and would hear out a pitch from yours truly!" He twisted the lock in the case as it popped open, "I see..." Ludwick stated as he turned to Alice seeing her already noting down to hire more janitors "Alice could you be a dear and fetch me and Osmund fresh coffee please?" Alice smiled and winked before darting out the room and swiftly as an angle. "Alright Gallow-boy, BEHOLD!" Osmund declared placing a small metal canister no larger then a food can on a desk, it looked like one too just with an antenna and glass sides "What is it?" Ludwick asked with some slight intrigue "Well I'm glad you asked it's a battery that charges with lighting bolts!" Osmund rushed around the desk opening a window letting in a gust of wind Ludwick dashed between it and his cards... Still standing! "If I've calculated this right, at this altitude it should pull the dormant energy from the clouds allowing it to charge without waiting for a storm!" Ludwick paused and stared at Osmund "Wait you don't mean..." He said as his eyes widened, he reached into his shirt pocket and put some small spectacles on as if to at least feel he compared to Osmunds goggles in a way of protection as suddenly a lightning bolt was pulled from the sky like a rod into the battery on his desk in a moment shaking the room! In that instant it was over, on the now scorched boardroom table was a can now flickering with Blue energy "So? What do you think Ludick- I er... Ludwick? Genius? I know!" Ludwick removed his glasses that has slightly fogged up and glanced back to his deck of cards still standing proud "Well... it was truly something." At this moment Alice swung in and passed a booklet to Ludwick "Ah my chequebook, thank you Alice." "Anytime sir." The two spoke too one another with a sarcastic voice as he flicked through the pages "Shall I make a check for 20,000?" Osmund recoiled "Oh I just knew you'd love it!" as the cheque was signed it was ripped out and passed to Osmund "I won't let you down! Thanks cuz!" Osmund packed up his case and ran out the door slamming it! The cards shook... but remained standing; "Fresh Coffee was the best idea you've ever had Alice." Ludwick said thankfully to Alice "Told you you'd need an expired chequebook every once and a while." She giggled and began to walk back to her office "Oh!" Ludwick jumped to say before she could escape the room "Order more of this glue, it's honestly amazing." He lifted the house of cards and placed it on the mantle behind him, Alice paused for a moment in disbelief but she soon remembered who she worked for and nodded in agreement; "Of course sir." She replied.​

 

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Kara grinned, then shoved one of the shots towards Lucian. "Since you asked so nicely, I suppose I could share." She raised the glass in a somewhat mocking salute before tipping her head back and knocking the liquor into her mouth, the comfortable warmth starting in the back of her throat and moving downwards. She set her glass back down on the table, motioning for another. "When you bother going in?" She asked, raising an eyebrow as her eyes turned back to her male companion. "So you don't like your job then." She winked at the metal eye, uncaring if it could actually see or not. Having an augmentation herself, it didn't bother her when other people replaced their own parts with metal. As long as they didn't try to invite her into some pity party, anyway. Kara didn't mind her own mechanical augment, except for how poorly it fitted to her. Cold nights, the joints attached to her skin would ache, and no amount of massaging would make that go away.

Thanking the waitress for the second round, she pushed the second shot into the middle of the table for Lucian to take or leave as he wanted, and let her finger lazily wrap around the rim of the cup. "The real reason? Do we have to be so boringly up front?" She sighed, before leaning forward. "Alright. My boss put me on assignment, and I didn't like who I was working with. So I happened to see a handsome fellow leaving, and attached myself to him for the sake of hoping to have some fun and get away from the creepy guy who writes my checks. So...." she grabbed her own shot and slammed it before putting the glass on the table. "Was I right in finding a kindred soul, or are you going to abandon a damsel in distress?"

 

Unfortunately after hearing about some sort of escape tunnels, there was nothing else that Zephyr heard that he could consider useful to his objective. Just useless chatter about practically everything but anything that could be considered helpful. It was a bummer and yet, part of him wasn't surprised by that. People tended to that in these kind of situations. Before further getting lost in his thoughts, Dylan had approached him. "Only thing I managed to overhear was a royal guard mentioning a escape tunnel."

 

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Kara smirked a little as Lucian explained his state of affairs. "I might have heard something about that." She murmured, running her finger around the rim of the shot glass as she waited for the waitress to return with the round. 'Although I can't say the company is always better than that of the police force." Glancing around the tavern, Kara shrugged. Her companion was apparently willing and able to handle his liquor, and he was replying to her, at least. Maybe she could start to get him to talk about things that interested her.

Winking, Kara waited for the third round as the warmth filled her belly and made her emotions slippery. "If you ever feel the need for feminine company, definitely wear the uniform. Most women like authority and the idea of being protected." Most. Kara preferred not to be told what to do, and she definitely didn't consider herself as the type to warrant protection. You don't have to be faster than the Constabulary, just faster than the person next to you.

She didn't roll her eyes at Lucian's response, but she wanted to, so badly. Of course a man would want a private contract. Could only guess what that euphemism means. She smiled sweetly, grabbing the third shots from the waitress and then snagging a separate drink that was definitely mean for another customer, but it looked refreshing. She winked at the waitress, setting a coin down on the tray for a tip before raising her shot glass to Lucian. "To unkindred spirits." She said, before downing it and setting it on the table, Lucian's own slamming technique having no effect on her own tranquility. If he wanted to show off, all the more energy for him to expend. Besides, she got a nice look at his arms that way.

"So in your line of poor, unrespected work, what do you do? I'll share mine if you share yours." She added with a wink.

 

Ulrich sadly was to be disappointed by his collegues as the reports were written in the dull standard of the constabulary, he had to take a few extra runs to the coffee machine to help maintain his focus.
Going through the reports he made small notes of any information he found in the reports by the end of it he had a few intriguing details that seemed to fit in with the case. Puzzle pieces that fit in right with his theory sure it meant that it would have to go exactly like that, but still, they were clues and his theory seemed to be gaining in strength.

He was still going over reports when Lynda strode into his office and not in a very pleasant mood, at the very least judging by the fact she felt the need to slam the door. He knew that at times like these it was best not to anger her even further. "I would say that in my eyes he has always been of questionable merit, but alas there isn't much we can do about his position." Ulrich said then looking over his notes of the things he had found. "It isn't much but I have found a few more puzzle pieces. For example while normally requiring a line of sight, if the mage has blood they can perform a ritual and manipulate the victim from within 30 meters, and well didn't the Grand Minister say the escape tunnel was blocked? Furthermore I found a note that it is more common to see the arts among Hirokiri migrants as the art is not outlawed there."​

 

The act was not unsalvageable, but at this point it was beginning to be troublesome. This Sergeant Crowne was annoyingly perceptive. A competent Constabulary officer was a rare thing. And at the very least, he seemed willing to co-operate with Dylan. By extension, that meant her, and so long as he let her keep up her act to get inside then this would all work out. Having a contact in the Constabulary would be useful, and this partnership could extend beyond the present case. While Dylan spoke to Zephyr, the Sergeant returned his attention to her. She scanned the notes. Interesting to be sure. She nodded, and then he came up with something he obviously did not mean. However, what he could not have realised was that it was quite possible for her.

"Theoretically, yes I could." Mira answered. "I have some Clockwork. It seems possible that I would be able to seek a meeting to consult with him on upgrading what I have to something of a higher specification." She read over the notes again. Implicating Mortimer Gallahowe... He was an influential man. If there truly was a case against him, then it would surely be difficult to prove anything, or find evidence. Which, she supposed, made her the ideal person to get them to somewhere that she could get that evidence. If this Officer were willing to work with them. Before speaking, she made sure that nobody else was around to hear what she said to him. It would not do for a Royal Guardsman to hear this part.
"Sergeant Crowne, I take it that you are not as reluctant to work with outside agencies as others in your organisation and the Royal Guard, considering you have not yet reported that I sneaked in help of my own?" She inquired quietly, maintaining her appearance although turning down the arrogance a little. If Dylan gave the go ahead then she would introduce herself again as she was, but until then she would continue to convince him of the veracity of her story. ​

 

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An escape tunnel? Dylan noted this down in his head. Lots of important buildings had secret tunnels, especially the very old ones. Many leaders maintained a healthy paranoia. "Right. Well I don't think I can convince the guards to let you in, so you can just stay out here for a bit. maybe track down Kara, wherever she's gone" Dylan gave an appreciative nod to Zephyr, then strode back to where the others were "Right, let's get going"

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A short while later Sgt Crowne, Mirabelle and Dylan had been escorted by Royal Guardsmen into the crime scene. It was a relatively small room, used only for conferences between Ministers. A large mahogany table lay in the centre, but the chairs around it had been scattered and moved. Two men and a woman, all wearing suits, lay on the floor with a single lethal bullet wound each. Bloody trails lead behind them, as if they were attempting to escape before they died.. Two Royal Guards lay dead at opposite ends of the room with bullet wounds in their heads, and expressions of surprise on their faces. Other than the wounds on the victims, there were no gunshot marks around the room. The dead guards were equipped with ceremonial spears, submachine guns, and revolvers, one of which was missing from its holster. A corner of the bloodied carpet had been lifted. "Well? What do you think? Was there magic involved?" asked a Royal Guard Sergeant.

Dylan looked around the room with a critical eye. Every so often he would see hints of a deep red flickering in the corner of his eye. Every time he did, he got a dull ache in his head. It was as if this vile magic was a poison, one that wormed its way into his mind whenever he saw it, as if punishing his curiosity. He turned to the Royal Guard Sergeant. "Yes. But that's not important right now"
"Uh, it seems pretty important to me"
"I'm sure many things do, it doesn't mean they are" the man seemed slightly offended by Dylan didn't give him a chance to respond "I heard something about escape tunnels, is there one in this room?"
"Uh probably. You'd have to ask the ministers..." the man trailed off as he turned to look at the two dead guards. "...or them"

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Lynda listened attentively, with a slightly concerned look. Her anger had died down, replaced with curiosity "Interesting. Well I'd love to be able to get a look at that tunnel, but without permission from the Lord-Marshall I don't see a way. Well... not a legal way. We'll have to wait for Sergeant Crowne to get back from questioning before we can go any further with that line of investigating" She concluded. However, the thing about the blood sample, had her thinking. "How could a mage have accessed the blood of an influential minister? Maybe we should be looking into Miss Harbrook some more."

 

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Jebediah pondered this question for a moment but really he already knew what he was going to say, he just worried it may cost him his position if this woman tried but in the end he decided it wouldn't hurt to open up a little "My Job isn't to safeguard the constabulary, it's to protect Eredan and its people... Anyone who does the same are good in my books." if he was a more vibrant man he may have made a grander speech but this was the closest he'd get before being ushered off with his new pair toward the scene of the crime.

Jebediah took a long breath letting the air scented with old parchment, expensive upholstery and a thin veneer of death! As far as crime scenes went it was certainty special but like most crime scenes Jebediah saw a puzzle that needed solving and began to pace around the room taking mental notes on everything he saw, after a short walk he found himself stood where he believed Lilian must of been when she pulled the trigger against the two guards "are there always two guards posted there?" Jebediah asked the guard making sure not too loose footing in his exact position "Yes." The guard responded shortly "Okay, I have a theory, if I could have everyone's attention!" Jebediah didn't look to check if anyone stopped to watch him as he pulled his gun from his holster and unloaded his 6 bullets and pocketed them before swinging the revolver shut and pulling back the pin "She used an issued revolver..." Jebediah raised his arm and pulled the trigger twice in quick succession at where the guards stood "Bang... Bang... two guards dead" he turned to the fallen ministers noticing there wasn't a clean shot "She then walked-..." Jebediah spoke his words keeping pace with his careful steps as he lunged up onto the table suddenly having a clearer shot "...-then shot 3 times towards the exit..." He pulled the trigger 3 times "Bang... Bang... Bang... she didn't miss." Jebediah paused as he looked at his receiver, 1 shot left... he pulled the gun to his chin then pulled the trigger one last time "Bang." He said simply enjoying the echo of his voice in the empty hall before slowly pulling away from the end of the barrel and moving himself holding his gun in place to look down the sight of his revolver; and sure enough as he theorised a small bullet hole had pierced into the ceiling; "She wasn't supposed to tell us anything." Jebediah grinned before pulling out a notepad and began to write quickly "I believe sergeant; your men stopped a murder suicide instead settling just for murder... well less paper work I suppose!" Jebediah announced loudly as he ripped the page from his notebook and passed it to Mirabella "What do you think Ma'am?" Jebediah winked toward her; Jebediah just had just been reminded of 2 things, 1. Why he has his Job and title; and 2. That Eredan was truly under threat from something truly evil... And he'd be damned if he was going to side idle while it took over! He made eye contact with Mira after she looked up from the notes he had passed as he whispered in a hushed voice as to not alert the guard "You can't always tell if someone is lying, but I know this! She didn't want to die."

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Kara shrugged, unable and unwilling to keep the playful smile from her lips. "I almost never say no to a challenge." It occurred to her, she didn't even know this man's name. But did it really matter? His laugh was nice, an upbeat change to the glacier surface he put out. Well at least I know you're human now. She hadn't though she'd ever heard a robot laugh, for that matter. He told her to wait, and then got up and walked to the bar. Kara rested her chin on the palm of her hand, elbow on the table as her mechanical fingers drummed against her cheek in a rhythmic pattern until he returned.

"Investigate stuff, and murder stuff." She ticked off her fingers with a grin. "So in the end, you handle a lot of stuff. Maybe I should just call you Mister Teddy. Since you're so cuddly and all. A shame that's not what you're best at." As the waitress appeared with the beautifully arranged shots, Kara smirked and cracked the knuckles of her human hand before picking up the first one, raising it as a silent toast to Lucian before downing it. She didn't keep up with him in speed, but quality mattered more to Kara than the quantity. By the end of it she was pleasantly drunk, and feeling more than a little spontaneous. "Say." She tapped Lucian on the shoulder before pointing at the exit. "We should bail. Because that gentleman...." She jerked her finger at an annoyingly loud man at the bar. "Used to be a special friend of mine, and it didn't go well. So instead of letting him ruin our fun time, let's go party somewhere else."

 

As he spoke Ulrich he noticed that Lynda seemed to calm down, a very good thing. He didn't want to think of what would have happened if he hadn't found anything and she would have been in the same terrible mood.
If they were going to leave the field work to Lucian and Sergeant Crowne, then that meant probably more desk work for himself. And while he did think Crowne was a good constable, he wasn't as fond of this critical task being left to the likes of Lucian. Maybe he was just looking for an excuse to get out of the office and into the field, but he wasn't too confident in the man's abilities unless he was being supervised by Lynda herself. Despite the moments of clarity and good observations he made, those moments didn't make up for the less excellent behaviour.

When Lynda brought up the blood sample he started thinking. It could have been retrieved under force, perhaps under the spell before the ritual. "It might have been involuntary. This is definitely worth looking into. Would medical records be worthwhile to look into, Ma'am?" It might be a decent place to start, see if recently she was being treated for something. Or whether there was an abnormality in her that could be exploited to acquire her blood. He felt that today wasn't going to be his favourite kind of workday, but he knew resisting it was pointless and if he could keep busy atleast the time would pass by a little bit quicker. The coffee maker was going to work overtime today and it wasn't really his problem, if they expected him to perform a dull desk job then they shouldn't be too hard on him for requiring a little bit extra help to stay awake and do his job.​