1981/Catalyst

Catalyst
Date of Scene:	08 April 2015
Location:	Danbur <DB>
Synopsis:	Elites find their way to the Athanor manor, where they are met by an angry mob and an eccentric alchemist.
Cast of Characters:	85, 232, 262, Lyria Mason, 673, 741
Tinyplot:	The Great Work

---

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lqpMUkt8DM

    It's early evening, yet it's already dark in this world as the Elites arrive through the warp gate at the top of a hill. But despite the approaching darkness a somewhat clear view of the valley is still possible. Farmlands dominate the mostly flat area, with scattered groups of trees in areas. Off in the horizon lies what appears to be a village, and a rather sizeable one at that where it's nestled between some hills.

    What might draw more attention however is a large manor at the end of a road. By the looks of it, it has seen better days. Paint is peeling off of the old woodwork, vines and weeds have pushed aside flowers in what once might have been a grand garden, and the house itself seems to be just as quiet as the area.

    If it weren't for the group of people gathered in front of the large house itself.

    It's a large crowd, and their angry voices and cries travel up the hill, easily heard even if the words themselves are mostly hard to make out. Some of them are repeated by several people, yelled loudly as they raise whatever they are carrying in their hands, whether it be lanterns, torches or weaponry.

    "ATHANOR!"

    "- not right what you're doing!"

    "This has gone on for long enough!"

    The house remains quiet despite all the noise going on outside, curtains drawn at all the windows.

D (232) has posed:
    The distress signal manages to rouse D from his usual brooding isolation. Its source is quickly traced, thanks in part to its lack of encryption, and in part to the Union's effective technology. As it so happens, the Hunter is not very far from a convenient warpgate, and with that knowledge bearing down on him, he can't help but react despite his general apathy for playing the hero.

    He goads his cyborg horse across one transdimensional barrier with his cape flying behind him like outstretched wings. The steed's charging pace doesn't match D's lack of concern, but setting an urgent pace lends him an appearance of care he can't otherwise muster. To appear empathetic is all that's required to deflect most questions; the cold-hearted dhampir learned and mastered this deception a very long time ago.

    "Quit being so dramatic. No one cares if you don't care about what you're doing. It's only important for you to do anything at all, right?" The disembodied voice carries a snicker, and draws D's eyes downward. "What? You think anyone else actually gives a shit about these random alarms? It's probably nothing."

    "It doesn't look like nothing." D redirects his gaze down the road ahead to the milling crowd. "That's a lynch mob."

    The Hunter hunkers down in his saddle, and completes his journey to the crowd's perimeter, his steed coming to a dramatic, skidding halt mere inches from a collision. His glare takes on a steely gleam as he looks over the crowd.

    His beauty firelit, his shifting focus an unrelenting force bearing down on the minds of the weak, he calls out in a cold voice: "What is your purpose here."

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    Kagenashi has never really been one to go and offer aid to someone requesting it, but the fact remains that she is an ever curious soul, and an unfamiliar voice will, now and then, manage to draw her interest.

    Such is why she slips out of the warp gate today with Munashi close at her heels. She's left Nageki behind, but her katanas are still mounted on her arms in case an attack comes her way. And judging by the angry mob forming outside that large home, such a thing just might happen.

    The nogitsune's mind is ever sharp. She knows that approaching the mob as she is right now would only lead to further wariness and concern; she looks nothing like them, after all, and if she's familiar with mobs in this sort of situation, they could find any reason to consider her a threat.

    ...oh, but there's D. Strange to see /him/ here, but...considering he's addressing the crowd, that should be more than enough of a distraction for her to slip through.

    Kagenashi seems to vanish in midair, but the keenest eye peering for any sign of her might still make out the ghostly, faint outline of her form, and she still shines obviously in the sight of those possessed of spiritual sight. It's in this silent form that she slinks down to the crowd, gliding along past them and moving ahead to the house like some wandering ghost. Munashi must take the path of weaving through the shadows cast by flickering torchlight, but she is as skilled as her master in careful, imperceptible movement.

    Once they both find their way to the structure, Kagenashi simply stands outside: it's Munashi who moves to find any cracks in the door or windows that she can slip through to find her way inside and investigate exactly what's gotten this mob so worked up.

Fiera Kitsun (262) has posed:
It's impossible to get lost if you don't have a particular destination in mind.

It's a rather Zen theory of navigation, and not one that Fiera usually holds to, but it *is* sometimes profitable - for various definitions of 'profit,' at least. In this case, it has the useful benefit of putting her near to the source of that distress call, so she's able to divert course and go to investigate without too much trouble.

When the red-haired Pokemon trainer reaches the village and the manor outside of it, Fiera is airborne, clinging to the legs of a Fearow; rather than descend straight at the crowd, trainer and Pokemon bank away so that they can descend somewhere behind the crowd. Once they've landed, Fiera recalls her Fearow and starts making her way towards the crowd, her hand resting on a couple of her Pokeballs, ready to pluck one and release its occupant if necessary.

She's hoping that it won't be, and she's not sure how the locals will react to a Pokemon - she'd just as soon not find out, particularly since most of her current team are relatively inexperienced ... 'relative' to the veterans she'd been working so heavily with before her forced vacation, at least.

Rory White (673) has posed:
    "A-ayack!" THUMP! Behind the gathered mob, Rory White faceplants into the ground. NORMAL GRAVITY, her eternal nemesis! The one thing capable of tripping her up out of completely nowhere.

    She didn't actually arrive via warp gate, but rather a brief-lived beam of blue light from the heavens that deposited her and a tiny number of human-sized robot drones (with arms and human-like torsos, but weird inhuman faces and often on treads or four leg assemblies) that parade behind her. And two that hover! Tiny Saucers the size of frisbees that are decked out with every kind of sensor imaginable. One floats high above, circling like a hawk or perhaps crow.

    Another orbits the far side of the house, hunting for a way in. Like an open window.

Lyria Mason has posed:
Lyria Mason had picked up the distress call but wasn't much more sure about what was up other than the confusing message. It was pretty garbled but she does catch however people in a mob outside which leaves the Levitani more than a bit cautious she know how a mob can get. So she's just not barrling in. D's however taken the lead here and asks what she was about to.

"Yes just what is going on here that has you all up in arms?"

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    The arrival of the dhampir is a cause for alarm for several of the people gathered in front of the house, and some of them turn, staring up in a mix of horror and awe at the imposing man on his dark street. A woman blinks twice before she raises her arm, pointing at him as she tries to sound confident. "You do not belong here, this is none of your business!" Another man further back in the crowd steps forward as well, a scowl on his face. "We're only doing what we should have done decades ago!"

    A loud chorus of approval rises from the crowd, and there's rattling with several lanterns and pitchforks. The response from one of the men is to Lyria and D both. "That man has shirked his duties long enough, him and his entire family! We do not pay taxes so the likes of him can continue doing NOTHING!" another voice chimes in.

    As more Elites arrive through they seem a bit confused, muttering amongst themselves and clearly discussing these new people who are strangers in these lands.

    Fiera and her fearow earn a harsh glare from some of the people, even more when the Pokemon goes back into its pokeball. Rory likewise earns a gasp of surprise from her sudden arrival. Are there whispers of 'witchcraft' going through the crowd? Quite possibly. And the robot drones too seem to not be well received for some reason.

    "Who are you people? Did you come from the capital to force more taxes on us as well?" a man asks with clear disapproval. "We have rights!" The mob joins in, all yelling and chattering, shaking their held items to make their annoyance even more clear if that is possible.

    With such an old house there are several options for Munashi if she wishes to enter the house. There are some rotten woodwork in places, and even some broken windows at the back of the house, though it can be tough to know just where she will end up. Is that a foul smell coming from inside one of the back rooms? It's not completely quiet in there either.

D (232) has posed:
    "I represent no capital of yours. I also do not care for whatever taxes your village owes, or whatever other debts your capital cares to collect. I have come in response to a cry for help, I assume from the man you've trapped inside his home. My name is D. I represent the Union."

    D's hellish cyborg horse produces an electronic-sounding as if to reinforce the Hunter's dim disdain for capitals and tax-collecting. Its yellow eyes blaze as brightly as the torches and lanterns wielded by the angry mob.

    "Tell me more of your purpose. What does this man owe you? Why does it require a mob, and not a more peaceful resolution? I mean you no harm," he adds as a definite afterthought, "and only care to mediate this dispute until it reaches a satisfying conclusion for all involved. If you will not accept such, then I suppose we shall /all/ consider what other measures are to be taken."

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    Kagenashi's attention is on the Elites beginning to show up; all of them, unfortunately for her, apparently Union or not affiliated with anyone. Of course she would find herself the only Confederate here tonight. Oh, well. She'll simply have to be careful.

    Munashi, meanwhile, is wasting no time. She flits and slips through the shadows, scanning alertly for any possible entrance she can find. That strange, vile smell is troublesome, however, just enough to draw her attention. The shadow formed into a fox's shape slinks around the back of the house, and her keen senses carry her to the window that seems to be the closest to the source of that smell. Maybe she won't find that source right away, but the broken window is a decent start: without another moment's hesitation, she peers over the edge just long enough to ensure that no one is inside before slipping into the room.

    Kagenashi has no interest in exploring herself. Munashi is an extension of all her senses, and while the shadow fox works, Kagenashi remains invisible at the front of the house, watching the proceedings and waiting to see what happens. Maybe she'll have to get involved herself, soon enough...

Rory White (673) has posed:
    Blink blink BOGGLE. A very worried Rory now stands up straighter. She's bad at body language except when it's COMPLETELY INSTINCTUAL, such as that is for an AGI! But she finds herself backpedaling and almost tripping again, but one of her drone servitors catches her and helps right her. "Thanks," she mumbles to an AI that doesn't even have emotions. A fact she'll ponder about later, because THIS is pretty crazy.

    A glance left, a peer right. "P... peace. Like this man said, a call for help came from this location... likely the person inside. Can you please tell me what is happening? I'm from... a different nation... don't know anything about the local events and have no demands at all!"

    Rory's drone slips through one of the broken windows and unleashes a quick ultrasound while Rory's second thread, undistracted by her interactions with the mob, surveys thermal readings...

    This thing is designed to scan entire skyscrapers and space habs. An old wooden structure shouldn't impede it much!

Lyria Mason has posed:
Lyria Mason is hearing things about taxes and she looks at them for a moment.

"I have not been sent from the capital, I'm in no way affiliated with your government."

The Mad pony looking creature seems to hate taxes? Okay that's got It and D a point at the very least. She listens to D's questions, he's nailing them pretty well but she does have a few ideas at this point.

"Look if we can settle this without violence I think this would be the best option for everyone."

Fiera Kitsun (262) has posed:
The mob's reaction is exactly why Fiera was trying to arrive as unobtrusively as possible - although, given her choice of travelling clothes, she was probably going to stand out anyway. She keeps a neutral expression on her face as she looks over the crowd, listening to the other Elites as well as the locals and trying to sift through her options. Then D suggests that she may be better-suited to help the mob work through its issues without putting those torches, pitchforks, etc. to any use more violent than lighting their way through the darkened evening.

"As the horseman said, we're not from around here and don't know what complaints you may have," Fiera says with a friendly smile, hand still resting on her Pokeballs as she keeps considering the options available to her. "I'm sure that if I *were* from your village, I'd be as unhappy with the taxes you're paying as you are ... I'd like to think there are other ways to raise your issues to the nobility. Showing up at the front gate like a lynch mob isn't exactly going to get you invited in for tea and a cordial discussion, is it now?"

She's vaguely aware of movement around the windows, but doesn't spare any of her attention to look more closely - or to have any of her Pokemon do so. Even if they spotted Arashi on the way in, Fiera doesn't want to show more of her hand than she has to by releasing additional Pokemon when she's the center of any amount of attention from the locals.

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    "He is an alchemist, agent of the state," one of the men explains to the Elites who clearly wish to know their plight. "An alchemist is supposed to work for the people who pay for his house, his stock and keeps him here in splendour while the rest of us barely have food to feed our children!"

    Another roar of approval rises from the mob.

    "The Union? What Union?" The woman from before looks to the people around her, shaking her head. "I wasn't aware the alchemists had a union..."

    The man isn't slow to answer the rest of D's question. "You think we haven't tried? We have beseeched him for years to actually do what he's supposed to do, but he never comes out of that damn house of his anymore! He even sends his sister out on his errands for him!" "And he calls himself a man?"

    "We are sick and tired of this going on, and we want a solution TODAY!" the man from earlier demands. "If you are here to help, then either step aside or do something about him!"

    Into the darkness of the house Munashi goes. The inside of the room seems to be empty, with nobody within sight nor earshot it seems. And once she is inside it should be easier to determine what sort of room this is.

    A workshop.

    Shelves upon shelves of ingredients, bottles and books rise to the very ceiling, with tables and desks set up in groups. And not just a few of them either. About half of the room is filled with tables, their contents covered with white and dirty sheets. There's the sound of something bubbling all around, and it appears that somebody is either busy cooking something. Or perhaps it's a chemical process in the various glassware set upon different burners? The stench is strong either way, and the room does not smell pleasant. It's sour, old, not properly ventilated either.

    But soon enough there are approaching foot steps...

    As the drone enters a broken window up on the second floor it gets a rather good look of things as well. The entry hall of the manor reflects the exterior.

    Dark.

    In a state of neglect.

    It reeks as if the house hasn't been properly aired out for years, judging by a strange smell that clings to the wallpaper and furniture. It's clear that this place has seen better days. Cobwebs have been left in peace and grown large with various spiders skittering in the shadows. The house seems quiet... except for a young woman that walks through the entry hall towards the hallway leading to the back room. She dressed in a neat black dress that covers nearly her entire figure. The dress is slightly tattered, and the white gloves on her hands are far from pristine. Likewise her hair is unkempt, hanging partially down past her eyes and with a passive look on her face.

D (232) has posed:
    Actions speak louder than words, and D has no more to waste on the angry crowd. With no more than a nod, he goads his horse forward, letting its horned head and glaring electric eyes do the job of parting the mob on his behalf. He rides straight ahead to the manor's door, and only there does he dismount, all silence and impossible grace.

    D takes a moment to tug the wide brim of his hat lower on his face before he attempts to force the door open with a single hand. "Mister Athanor," he speaks aloud, his voice no more than a murmur yet still capable of piercing the din of the crowd, "I am coming inside to discuss the concerns of your fellow villagers. If you are near the door, you had best stand aside."

    It's as polite as the Hunter can get in a situation like this. He knows better than to feed into the crowd's energy by arguing or attempting to discern more intelligence from their fervent grumbling.

Fiera Kitsun (262) has posed:
It's pretty obvious what's going to happen if the mob takes matters into its own hands at this point. Fiera smiles faintly, and starts making her way through the crowd as best she's able. "We'll do our best to address your concerns, then. This may take a while; I don't see a problem with a couple of representatives sticking around for the results of our negotiations, but the rest of you might want to head home for now - those negotiations might take a while. Hopefully not, but you never know."

D is clearly going for the straightforward approach; Fiera tries to catch up with him - and NOW she lets one of her Pokemon out: it's Arashi again, the Fearow taking to the air and circling over the property. Arashi's vision should be equal to the task of surveying the manor's perimeter for anyone trying to sneak in or out of the grounds, although Fiera's somewhat more interested in whether anything is visible inside from the Fearow's aerial perspective.

D (232) has posed:
    An errant breeze introduces a familiar scent to D's nostrils. His eyes tighten at their corners, suspicion briefly taking over his countenance before he brushes the distraction away. If she is here, she is not likely to cause trouble, though the question remains -- where /is/ she?

    Answers will come in time, he supposes.

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    Munashi looks about the room with silver eyes like starlight, taking in everything for Kagenashi to see. A workshop, that's blatantly obvious; the /manner/ of it is slightly concerning, though. Potions, maybe? Sorcery or alchemy? It's not something Kagenashi's unfamiliar with, but she's not certain just yet what this could all be for. And what is that smell, anyway?

    Footsteps approach, and Munashi is quick to dart under a table, melding into the shadows to watch whoever may enter the room.

    Kagenashi, meanwhile, lingers near the door outside. Things seem to be working out decently, at least, but...D's shift of expression does not go unnoticed. The invisible nogitsune takes a careful step back, silent as a ghost as she attempts to keep the distance between herself and him open. No, probably best not to provoke anything now, if she can help it.

Lyria Mason has posed:
Lyria Mason does not say more as things start to seem to smell like someone has been drilling holes in the hull here. Focusing on whatever it is they are up to? However she does think they'd need to find out what's going on. She looks to them and nods in agreement.

"Let's see what we can do about this for you. It may take a bit but I agree with my comrade I don't see an issue if a few people wait around."

With that she's chasing after D and Fiera. She has to wonder about this place and well she's pulling her goggles down at the state of things, after all if it's this much of a mess? Who know what else could be in here.

Rory White (673) has posed:
    Rory's face turns distressed, rather childishly, and she backpedals a few more steps. SUCH ANGER. She's never witnessed such anger and it is DEEPLY stressing her... even frightening her. What if this anger turns on her?

    She should go. She really should. "... Y-you aren't going to get any answers out of someone with this approach, you'll simply chase them off! Calm down, let's handle this calmly!"

    Well that's unlikely to get anywhere.

    But in the house, where a drone that cannot smell anything ais near a young woman... things are happening that might. The little Saucer zooms around on unknown means, floating just in front of the woman. Rory's voice emanates from it. "A mob has assembled outside your house... what is going on, if I might ask? We heard a request for help just now!"

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    As D steers his steed onwards the mob does not hesitate to move out of the way, allowing him to ride up to the front of the manor and dismount without any trouble. Sure, the dhampir does earn a few glares, but Fiera and Lyria's diplomacy prevents any mob mentality from rising further. They part more willingly for her, some of the people even looking slightly relieved. Why, are some of them even taking pity on Rory? While they aren't all calm they seem to have less anger in their eyes when they look at her. Even if some of them are still clearly not happy about the situation. The man nods his head. "I and the village council will remain waiting here, the rest will go home." Of course this does cause some loud arguments from some people, but they are quickly hushed by the others, and don't you know... the mob begins to disperse, heading on the road back to the village.

    D earns no immediate response to his knocking. Though downstairs, right outside of the workshop, the young woman halts. A second passes before she turns, her skirts whirling about her legs before she heads on towards the front door. Strangely enough she ignores the drone as it floats in front of her, not even speaking. It's almost as if she doesn't see it, not even batting at it as she walks to the door, either bumping the drone away or pushing it back towards the door if it doesn't move.

    The old door creaks open slowly, the hinges protesting loudly. Just past the threshold the Elites might catch a glimpse of the female figure before the door swings fully open, and she stands there, offering them a wide and bright smile. A smile that doesn't quite reach her green, lifeless eyes.

    "Welcome."

    Her voice is similarly lifeless, like an old, raspy recording.

D (232) has posed:
    D stops at the threshold; then, taking the woman's greeting for an invitation, he crosses it, the floorboards creaking beneath his otherwise quiet tread. His spurs emit a slight jangle as he continues to enter the household.

    The Hunter stops before the doll-like woman. He is a tall black shadow before her, almost as lifeless as she. His cold eyes regard her forced smile and the condition of her clothing and hair. After a moment of stoic silence, he sweeps his forearm across his waist, and bends toward the woman in a slight bow. "Greetings. My name is D; might you be Mister Athanor's sister? How shall I address you?"

    Something is very wrong here.

Fiera Kitsun (262) has posed:
Fiera bows politely to the woman who answers the door (partly because she doesn't have enough of a skirt to curtsey with). "I'm Fiera Kitsun," she introduces herself. And while she *should* let the young woman introduce herself in return, Fiera adds, "We have business, I believe, with the master of the house ... if you could show us to him, before the villagers grow restless again?" She looks a bit wry as she appends that last part.

Lyria Mason has posed:
Lyria Mason is moving along and seems the people are relieved, andmost are leaving. Okay this has got things to calm down a bit she's pretty sure things could have got very messy. However the woman whom greets them? Her voice and the look about her? There's omething very off putting about her. She attempts to be chipper however.

"Well met, we have some business with the master of the house."

Alarms are going off in the back of her mind, she wonders about it but she's got to wonder what had the people riled up aside from master of the house not doing his job?

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    The footsteps pass; Munashi lingers for a few more moments before slipping out from her hiding spot. Once she's absolutely certain nobody's there, she gets to resuming her search. First, to find out where that bubbling's coming from, and what exactly is at work here to produce this stench. Is there some sort of procedure going on, or is it simply the idle working of a skilled alchemist? Munashi slips into the shadows, climbing up the walls and slipping between items on shelves to look and look for some idea of what's going on in here.

    Kagenashi, meanwhile, at least seems spared for the moment. A woman has answered the door, and while everyone else is answering her, Kagenashi obviously does not step forward. Her movement gravitates her toward the back of the group, where she can stay out of their way and continue to peer around them to watch the woman and hear what she has to say.

Rory White (673) has posed:
    Completely ignored.

    Weird. Rory would be frowning but Thread #2 doesn't have a body so can't really do that. The expressionless drone remains silent in response to silence, interested only in keeping track of what's going on. Maybe D will get better results!

    ... In the meantime, Rory turns the drone's sensors towards trying to pierce into the basement...

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    D's greeting and introduction might be grand and polite. It does however not receive much of a reply besides that one word repeated again.

    "Welcome."

Fiera's request does make sense, but it too falls on seemingly deaf ears.

    "Welcome."

    Neither does Lyria earn a different result, despite her being chipper and repeating their request to meet the master of the house.

    "Welcome."

    Rory's exploration of the basement might be a bit tougher to do at the moment, as most of the doors in this place is closed and there's no clear indication of what door leads where, sadly. But luckily the group is not left without answers for long as there's creaking from above, heralding the approach of somebody besides the dull woman.

    Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K04k0sDMDc0

    Down the stairs from the floor above a man descends. A man that clearly owns the room by his presence, even if his appearance is not all that imposing. At about six feet tall and a bit on the scrawny side he is not exactly a symbol of health, especially not when considering the hue of his skin. Pale, slightly yellow, and his dark brown hair that has been pulled back in a pony tail makes it look even paler still. Even so the man spreads his arms out, the large sleeves of his tan tunica whirling about. His steps are sure, and he practically beams in glee upon seeing the Elites in the entry hall. When he speaks, his voice is recognisable as the one from the distress call earlier.

    "Welcome indeed! Alexa, step aside."

    The young man hurries forward, reaching out to push gently at the woman, who only blinks and doesn't seem bothered by this at all. Her gaze remains on the Elites, and she once again speaks. "Welcome." Then she is pushed aside again by the man.

    "I am Pius Athanor. Thank you for coming to my home and for dealing with those..." His pleasant demeanour cracks somewhat as a brief look of disgust crosses his face, and he is unable to contain the scorn in his voice. "... simpletons."

    By the bannister on the second floor landing there seems to be another arrival. A young girl in her mid teens, perhaps? While she is a bit on the scrawny side too she appears to be healthier than the man, and there's curiosity in her eyes as she studies the people who her brother is busy greeting. Her shirt is a bit too large for her, billowing out where it's tucked into her skirts. And as the people down on the first floor speaks amongst themselves she leans forward, one hand idly brushing some of her blonde ringlets behind one ear.

    Downstairs in the workshop Munashi is left to snoop some more, and well... where will she begin? There's so much bubbling going on there, and it seems like one glass sphere is bubbling over, its dark purple contents dripping onto the bench around it and hissing as it hits the hot boiler. The smells seem to be organic, everything from herbs to sulphur. Some of the concoctions on the various boilers are on a low setting it appears. Books are open here and there, but there is nothing particular that stands out in all this mess.

D (232) has posed:
    "I see I have made a mistaken assumption."

    D straightens from his slight bow to level his full attention on Pius. "Mister Athanor. My name is D. I am a Hunter from another land, and here as a representative of the Union. Despite my credentials, I have nevertheless taken your unusual housekeeper for your sister; my apologies for any affront."

    No warmth enters into D's careful, level voice. He speaks in an emotionless timbre, his words refined, but his voice too schooled to ever be thought of as friendly. "The villagers believe you owe them some services. You are indebted to the village, and have not made good on what is owed. Perhaps you would care to explain your side of the story?"

    All the while, he is becoming increasingly aware of another presence in the household. It's not just Rory's drones bothering him; it's something far more distinct, and far more /alive/. From the corner of his vision, he observes a flicker of movement, and his sharp ears pick up yet another creaking floorboard his party would not have been responsible for disturbing.

    What are you doing here, Kagenashi?

Lyria Mason has posed:
Lyria Mason is now getting very creeped out. This isn't right she doesn't like the feel of this, she moves ahead with the others and she pauses at the man as he speaks. She looks about at the young girl but seems to be wary of this whole thing. She also wonders about the nature of the woman who greeted them. She looks the man over for a moment and her expression remains neutral.

"Yes we managed to talk most of them down, but knowing your side of the story would help with things."

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    The house itself is old and decrepit, with parts of it rotting and falling together, particularly up in the attic and in the eastern wing. Large it might be, but only some of the rooms seem to be actually inhabited. The kitchen, the washroom nearby and the workshop itself seem to be the only places with real heat. And the only people alive in the house are those gathered in the entry hall at the moment. Though there is a rather strange heat signature coming from Pius himself...?

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    Boilers, concoctions...Kagenashi has had /some/ experience with such things, but she's nowhere near an expert on the subject. She can make out a few particulars of the smells, but the specifics - and, more importantly, their purposes - are harder to grasp.

    But books, those she can hopefully work with. Munashi beelines to one, peering over the contents of what it's opened to and using her paw to carefully turn pages if she needs to. Of course, she's going to make sure to flip back to the page it was left on before she moves to the next; don't want to leave any traces of her presence, if she can help it.

    Kagenashi remains hidden, but exactly how long she will continue to do so is questionable. She knows D is aware of her presence, and it's likely only a matter of time before he acts on it. Moreover, she's not certain of the capabilities of the other members of the party. They /seem/ to lack the keen senses needed to spot her, but looks can be deceiving here. For the moment, she'll simply start hovering just above the floor before taking the long route around the group again. Closer to that young girl coming down, in fact; in the worst case, that should prevent them from doing too much to her while she listens in.

Fiera Kitsun (262) has posed:
Fiera is largely happy to let D handle discussing matters with Pius Athanor, now that the man who called for help is speaking to them directly. On the other hand, D still seems like he's expecting a fight any moment now, and even to Fiera, the 'maid' seems ...

Well. If she didn't think she knew better, Fiera would figure Alexa is a robot. But this world seems more feudal, less technological - humanoid robots seem really unlikely. For now, she shrugs that question off, pushing it to the back of her mind, and smiles at Athanor. "Fiera Kitsun, also with the Union," she introduces herself. "That *was* your distress call we heard, I presume ... were you in danger from something more pressing than a mob of unhappy villagers who seemed ready to break in and do violence?"

Fiera smiles sheepishly, fingering one of her Pokeballs. "If it was just the disagreement with the villagers, you might want to explain to us ... well, as D said, your side of the story. - Oh, would it be all right if I let Foxfire out of her ball? She doesn't like being cooped up much, she's used to being by my side ..."

Which would also mean senses sharper than Fiera's own, at least insofar as scent and hearing are concerned, and a mind which can report those to Fiera through the link between trainer and Pokemon.

Rory White (673) has posed:
    Note 1: Alexa is creepy.
    Note 2: If this house is being paid for by anyone, it sure as hell doesn't look it.
    Note 3: Who builds out of WOOD anymore? Rory almost doesn't recognize the material she's scanning...

    "Weird." One of her threads says to the others. With the mob dispersing she manages to step daintily into the house after the others. The drone continues wandering the house, but Rory seems to have given up hunting for the man of the house since he just showed himself!

    Instead, the drone floats near the ceiling, observing the newcomer girl!

    Rory's body proper catches up with the others and Pius receives quite a baffled look from her. "What all of this is about I cannot begin to guess, but thankfully the mob dispersed! Voice ID matches the one who called for help... I'm Rory White of the Argonauts. What is HAPPENING here?"

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    A somewhat tired laugh escapes the lips of the young man, and he shakes his head at D's apology. "No apology needed, good sir. Alexa certainly takes no offence. She is unable to."

    His lips draw thin when D voices the plight of the villagers, and Pius swallows slightly as his brow furrows. "If you ask me I do not believe I owe them anything at this point. My family has never had a moment's rest thanks to them, those cretins..." Pius sounds bitter as he speaks.

    The young girl sees this moment to descent the staircase as well, taking careful steps as she hikes up her skirts with one hand and holds onto the bannister with the other, keeping her mouth closed for now and merely observing. And Pius turns towards her, his expression neutral.

    "Diane."

    "Yes?"

    "Be a dear and prepare some tea for our guests."

    The young girl nods before she turns and heads off one of the hallways and opens the door into the kitchen, beginning the task of boiling water and preparing tea cups.

    Pius turns again to Fiera, smiling brightly at her. "Oh yes, that was my signal! And well, not in danger besides that pesky mob. Though I am in quite a bind that I need assistance with. Now, with unification, I can get the assistance I need."

    His attention is grabbed by the unusual request, and he nods. "By all means, young lady! All of you, be welcome in my house! Though I do insist, come with me into the sitting room." And he will usher them all into the nearby room, which seems slightly more pleasant, with the stench being barely noticeable in here. A thin layer of dust covers the surfaces of the room except for the coffee table and part of the couch. Old portraits and paintings line the walls, gaunt faces staring into the air as if judging the party.

    In the workshop there are more than enough books to study. Though most of the books seem to be on alchemy, chemistry and anatomy. As a matter of fact, a desk seems to be filled with anatomy books and notes on the subject. Spread open they reveal a picture of intense study. They are rather technical too, certainly not a book for a simple layman. Luckily for the more thickheaded reader there are also some shelves filled with diaries, history books, general sociology and fairy tale books. So Munashi has a varied choice if there's something specific she wants to look further into when it concerns the books in the workshop.

D (232) has posed:
    The dhampir Hunter enters the sitting room. He pauses in the doorway to behold the dust and the other signs of neglect before he continues forward to claim one of the empty, ill-used chairs for his own use. Once settled, he returns his shadowed gaze to the supposed alchemist. "Mister Athanor, I mean no disrespect, but we cannot put aside the village's concerns just yet. Your fellows require appeasement, or the mob will return again in force. Though we can protect you, I think it far more wise, in this case, to do what you must to repay what is owed."

    "Only once that matter is resolved can we address any other difficulties you face." D crosses his right ankle over his left knee, and leans back into the old chair he's claimed. The chair lets out a comfortable creak.

    "You appear to be a man of some intellect. I assume you understand why we have what priorities we do."

Fiera Kitsun (262) has posed:
'She is unable to' take offense? Fiera can't help raising her eyebrows at that - but there are other matters to focus on; she'll have to either ask later, or just keep her own eyes and ears open for further 'evidence' on that matter. On that note, though, Fiera slips the 'first' ball off her belt, expands it from golf-ball-sized to softball-sized, and lets it open; a streak of light emerges, then materializes into the cream-furred form of a Ninetales; Foxfire 'yawns' slightly, then inclines her head to Pius. "Nine nine tales," says the fox-like Pokemon -

Which is 'audible,' thanks to the translation effect, as <<Your hospitality is greatly appreciated.>>

Fiera pets Foxfire on their way into the sitting room. "I'm afraid I don't know very much about alchemy, but if you need us to go looking for ingredients or something, we might be able to assist ..." She'll sit down at one end of the couch, after brushing dust off of the cushions (which makes Foxfire sneeze); that position should let Foxfire stay next to her without taking up any of the furniture, or getting in the way of other people. "'Might' is the key word, of course - we all have other obligations we need to attend to. What exactly is it that the villagers need from you right now?" she wonders.

Rory White (673) has posed:
    "'Pesky' is not the word I would use for a group of people ready to break in.. I... I've never seen so much anger! ... Humans can be scary..." that last part is mumbled to herself, as she's finding a seat.

    Her drone goes wobbling through the room soon, scanning any open book pages and all the titles. One of Rory's threads is quite fascinated with everything she's finding, but her main thought process is still focused on the matter at hand!

    "What are they so angry about?!"

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    Books, books, books. Munashi flips through whatever's open, and fortunately, her master is intelligent enough to make use of what's there. Of course, she doesn't have a specialized understanding on the subject that Pius must certainly have, but she can gather the contents. That desk laden with anatomy books is particularly interesting; not exactly the subject matter one would suspect an alchemist to focus on, is it? Of course, some knowledge of the human body must be necessary, especially if Pius is using this for any sort of medical care, but this amount of focus is...strange.

    That doll-like woman. Perhaps she is the result of Pius's studies? Kagenashi mentally pieces the situation together, or at least a plausible explanation for it; a person formed frmo alchemy, or perhaps resurrected, made to be little more than a machine of flesh. Of course the townsfolk would be offended by such a thing. And making such a person while supposedly neglecting their needs? That would certainly draw some ire.

    However, there's still something interesting to look into. Munashi flits aside to some other books, particularly the diaries. Those are always the clearest source of exposition, so what might she find in their most recent pages?

    Kagenashi, meanwhile, finds herself in an increasingly troublesome situation. The appearance of the Ninetales is startling, to say the least, but the nogitsune maintains her silent composure. She only regards Foxfire warily from where she continues to hide, and when the rest of the group moves, she follows. Or, rather, moves ahead of them, floating back ahead of Pius until they move to the sitting room, where she hangs back not far from the doorway to keep out of the way. She can listen from where she is at the moment, peering around the doorframe once everyone's settled in there.

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    As the Ninetales materialises in the room Pius looks shocked at first, only to step forward and watch the creature as it speaks to him, and in such a polite manner too. "How MARVELOUS!" he exclaims with genuine delight, turning to Fiera. "I could only imagine what wonders the multiverse has! New discoveries for great men and women to explore and learn of..."

    But yes, let's discuss matters further in the sitting room. Pius takes a seat in one of the chairs, folding his hands in his lap as he studies the guests. Again there's talk about the villagers, and the man once more appears a bit impatient, annoyed. "They are never satisfied, those vultures..." he mutters under his breath, looking from D, to Fiera, to Rory and then to Lyria. "They are simpleminded fools who do not truly understand my work. Nor simple manners, they hound me night and day while I am struggling with my magnum opus." He offers a solemn nod to Rory, his dark eyes studying her. "You know not, child, how scary they can be. And for such petty reasons. They want potions for the smallest matter that they can surely handle themselves. Homunculi and golems by the dozens, more than they can except one man and his poor sister to make..." A heavy sigh passes his lips, and he takes a moment to collect his thoughts as Diane arrives, carrying a tray of tea cups in her hands One by one the tea cups are handed out, the scent of lemon and strawberry quite sweet.

    "Alchemists are enlisted by the state, we get an allowance from them and work on the tasks that the village council give me. Except it's never enough for them. Besides..." Pius shifts his gaze to D, watching the other man. "Some priorities are more pressing than others. Why should I be stuck making love potions, cure baldness, transmute minerals they can mine themselves when I can actually do something meaningful? Do something that has not been accomplished before?"

    His voice breaks slightly, as if the man himself is under strain. Even Diane, who now moves to stand next to his chair, seems a bit down, her expression solemn. "Please. My brother only needs some time. It should only take a few months at most. Could you please help us...?" she beseeches them.

    Pius nods at Fiera's offer, reaching a hand up to rub at the spot between his eyes. "I do need ingredients too. Ingredients I am afraid I can't easily get in this world without the state knowing. And they wouldn't understand."

    The diaries themselves are many and by various people, though some of the newer journals seem to be sparsely filled in. There's even a medical journal there with records over the last eight months. And by skimming through the entries, things seem to have gone from bad to worse. The final entry was written in February this year, the handwriting rather neat:

    February 3rd: She started coughing at 5 in the morning, and the fever would not go down. We buried her at dusk.

D (232) has posed:
    The Hunter turns his head toward Rory. At her outcry, he nods.

    Humans can indeed be 'scary.'

    D takes the teacup offered to him. The steam wafts up from the tea's deep brown surface to fog his emotionless face. Little breath disrupts the steam's flow; it hardly eddies at all.

    To drink serves no purpose except to appear polite. The dhampir drinks anyway. It's not the first time he's bowed to custom.

    "I find it curious you are so aware of the Multiverse /beyond/ whenever the other villagers clearly are not. Our arrival was not welcome by all, and more than one villager suggested we worked witchcraft." D's vision is blurred by the rising steam, but his eyes have no trouble perceiving the emotion and pain both wracking Pius Athanor's features.

    "I suggest a bargain be struck. We shall gather the materials you need, provided you continue to fulfill your duty and satisfy the needs of your village, and continue to do so after we have contributed toward your 'magnum opus' -- of course, we'll need to understand the full nature of your experimentation. We are not in the business of aiding criminals."

    Perhaps either Fiera or Rory could say things more kindly. The Hunter prefers his blunt approach.

Fiera Kitsun (262) has posed:
"Homunculi ... ?" asks Fiera. She knows what golems are - not just the rock-type that evolves from Graveler, but the artificial sort of golem ... and then the pieces fall into place. "Wait, that's what Alexa is, isn't she? She acts so much like a robot, but this world doesn't *have* robotics technology ..."

D's bluntness prompts a wince from the Pokemon trainer, and Fiera scritches Foxfire's ears while the Ninetales just glances casually about the room, nostrils flaring briefly, and her ears flicking once. "It sounds to me," Fiera says as she gets back on track, "like the village has been bending over backwards to support you as per their obligations - whereas you're putting your 'magnum opus' so far ahead of your expected obligations to the villagers as to dismiss them." She purses her lips. "If it were the other way around - if you didn't have this grand project you're pursuing, if you were diligently providing the villagers with what they need, and what they want, and *they* weren't holding up their end of the deal - you'd be mad at them, you'd stop holding up your end. I don't know how much they're paying to support you in money or barter, but ... really, you wouldn't have had to call for help if you hadn't been neglecting your duties."

And then there's the matter of exactly what this magnum opus constitutes, but Fiera is more concerned with the immediate conflict that we waded into the middle of; sorting out the longer-term relationships can come after the immediate differences have been tended to.

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    Curious. Munashi paws through the diaries, but that last one seems particularly interesting to her. Only...what is it now, two months from that point? Assuming this world still follows that time period, of course.

    Kagenashi's eyes narrow faintly behind her mask as she listens to Pius speak. She mulls over the situation, possibilities working through her mind in rapid thought. Something meaningful...something not accomplished before...something which has brought them a great deal of desperation and sadness...

    ...troubling. Of course, she only has a /guess/ at what this must all be about, but if it's true, then she has to wonder how successful it could be with these methods. And, of course, there's the aftereffects to consider; the perceptions of those outside, the well-being of the subject, the longevity of the entire thing. She'll just have to listen and see if, perhaps, Pius will confirm her suspicions. Or, if not, maybe she will have to approach someone with this suspicion later.

    The desires of the villagers are the last thing on her mind. It sounds like everyone else has that in order. In the meantime, it seems Munashi's done enough for her tastes. The shadow fox gives the room a once-over to ensure that everything is as she found it, then slips out through the window again into the darkness outside.

Rory White (673) has posed:
    "Being bothered in the middle of work... I can sympathize, it is jarring! ... But if they are not appeased, I fear you will not make any progress on it. They seem intent on what they want... but I'm willing to try and help, perhaps. What is this project of yours, sir?"

Lyria Mason has posed:
Lyria Mason listens for the moment she takes the tea and she thinks on what's been said by both sides. She was about to say something but that might torpedo things. SO she remains silent as there's an attempt to work on a deal. She wonders about the comments they made on food eariler.

"I admit I'm curious about just what your working on."

She doesn't mind blunt she's a ship captain's daughter. Still after Fiera's words she does pipe up.

"There was a mention of issues with food and Fiera's right, if you were having trouble from them not living up to their end you'd have called the Capital..."

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    As stern and cold as D seems, his words do carry truth. And Pius, even as tired as he looks, seems to know better than to not explain matters.

    "The villagers are not learned men, Sir." It's a simple fact of life.

    "Instead of sending the travellers who visit our world away they ought to listen to them. And learn of the possibilities. Perhaps then they would leave me and my kin alone." He lets out a sour huff before he sits up straighter in his seat to hear the offer that the dhampir makes.

    A bargain.

    That does seem somewhat fair, even if he doesn't appear thrilled.

    Fiera's deduction is part of the explanation. "Indeed, young lady. Alexa is not a person, she is one of many golems created in this very house. I have made countless of them to serve the village. Yet, they are simpleminded," he says and gestures to Alexa where she stands by the door, her expression passive. "They can only do a few tasks, and conversation is beyond them. But..."

    About to continue, Pius halts when Fiera offers her opinion on the entire situation, and his eyes harden where he sits. "You make it sound as if I'm lazying about like a child wasting his time. And I do not appreciate that sentiment much." He sets down his tea cup on the table, looking rather irritated and edgy. "The money I receive is barely enough to pay for everything. Besides, my magnum opus is not something I have a choice to. I HAVE to do it. Even if it means I will face restrictions, lose my estate, my reputation..." There's more energy behind his words now, and Pius barely has time to catch his breath as he speaks. "Food, state regulations... it hinders men of the mind. The capitol can't keep up with the research that alchemists are making across our world, nor can they fully understand it. But I do! I know exactly what I must do and how I do it. I just need your help with the ingredients, provide assistance and knowledge from your worlds. Do that, and I will be more than happy to use part of my time to assist the villagers! But they can't learn of my magnum opus yet, not until it's done! Please! I swear!" Sincere he might be, and he nods his head. "I will tell you. Because you might understand it better. You are not like them."

    Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAbEabQcE2U

    Determined, Pius sits up a bit straighter in his seat as he reaches down past the collar of his tunica, pulling on a leathery string, revealing a small glass vial, an amphora hanging about his neck. As it's revealed it emits a soft chime, a soothing sound. The features on Pius' face softens, though the smile that crosses his lips is still not a smile of happiness.

    "I have to restore life."

    Behind him Diane glances down at her brother, swallowing and clutching the tray tightly in her hands, her knuckles going white. For now she remains quiet, through her nostrils flare and she does blink her eyes a few times.

    "Others can create golems and homunculi too. But nobody has ever been able to return somebody to life again. But I will," Pius solemnly swears, glancing up from the amphora and to the people seated around the room. "I am researching a manner to create a human body for a soul that has passed on."

D (232) has posed:
    Pius is a man gripped by feverish passion. Men have been driven mad by less, and D recognizes that Pius is already starting to succumb to a similar fate. Desire will soon overcome his logic and reason. Judging by the condition of the man, the girl, and the household, the 'magnum opus' had already overcome Pius's need to tend to his mortal affairs. Health and hygiene seemed to be given next to no attention at all.

    "You understand we will put a stop to your project should we come to judge it too dangerous to support." D's murmur is unrelenting. His glare is as keen and hard as the tines of the pitchforks raised up by the evening mob. "You will also take care to provide a household suitable for a girl your sister's age. Seek the food and comforts she deserves, even if you yourself do not partake. Open your doors to the village, tend to their needs, and you will have what you require for your experiments."

    D stands up from the chair; he takes the bargain as being struck. "I am a mercenary, first and foremost, and believe in contractual agreements whenever dealing with strangers. The paperwork will be drawn. You will be charged no fee save the regular return to your duties."

Fiera Kitsun (262) has posed:
"My apologies, good sir; I didn't mean to offend you," Fiera says apologetically, bowing her head where she sits. (She might be lying just a little - she certainly didn't mean to offend him THAT much, even if a smaller insult - enough of a jibe or a barb to get Athanor to think outside of himself - was part of the plan.)

And D lays down the law, or at least the terms of the agreement they're making. Fiera herself isn't a mercenary, but the terms that D is dictating seem to fit the situation - Fiera certainly can't think of anything she would add, and making the household suitable for Diane to live in is actually something Fiera might not have thought of. (Not that Fiera is much of an indoors girl herself ...)

As to the exact goal which Pius Athanor is chasing ... well, it's somewhat unsettling; Fiera's own beliefs on the subject of life and death don't leave a whole lot of room for people coming back to life. But then, she's not much of a fan of people dying anyway .... and ultimately, this isn't her world. That doesn't put all of her concerns to rest, but she's not going to push the question ... at least, not right now. D's proviso about 'too dangerous to support' seems adequate for that part of things, if it's necessary to put a halt to Athanor's research into bringing back the dead.

Now, if the skin on the back of her neck would stop crawling ...

Rory White (673) has posed:
    "... Bring life back to the dead? ... Even if there were a body... how would you restore the mind? Soul, if you will?" Rory blinks a few times. "I can see why the villagers are upset. They don't believe you can do something like it, right?"

    Rory doesn't sound like she has an opinion one way or the other.

Kagenashi (85) has posed:
    And there it is. Just as she gathered.

    Kagenashi doesn't shift from where she stays, but behind her mask comes the gentlest of sighs. It's a troubling situation, not just based on the goal Pius holds, but his dedication to it as well. Dedication to the point of self-destruction, and for what? Something that may not even be worth the effort and neglect that it drags behind it?

    Maybe she'll get involved herself later on. Perhaps she might approach someone who was physically here, or try to approach Pius himself. But, until then, it seems her work here is done.

    The nogitsune floats away to silently make her exit, the only trace left behind being the ghostly-faint odor of sandalwood in the air by the sitting room doorway.

Lyria Mason has posed:
Lyria Mason finishes up her tea at this point, and actually is doing it properly too.She listens to how driven the man is and is able to hide her concern at the mention of the villiagers. She listensto hm for a moment, she is concerned given how things normally go. D seems to be of the same mind but if he's not going off the deep end, like grabbing hume test subjects? She can see where D's going, keep the guy watched, and keep him in supplies so he's not tempted to go about it in nightmarish ways.

"I'm sorry if I came off rude as well."

She is concerned given how it could go but if he's not tapping into the darkness? Still she's shivers a bit it's unatural the gods on her world had their way and this works counter to how her own world works. She's glad for D's stipulation about if he goes too far there will be action taken by the Union about it.

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    "There is nothing dangerous about this," Pius responds in a firm manner, not afraid to meet D's glare with a sincere look of his own. "And Diane is old enough to handle herself." At that comment the girl nods her head, speaking up once more in a clear voice. "I have been assisting my brother for years, Sir. Do not worry. He is at ill health due to his job as an alchemist, it-"

    "Diane. Enough." Pius turns his head sharply, looking a bit nervous. "There is no need to make excuses. I knew well enough the risks of my job when I went down this path." Diane seems taken aback slightly, though she nods again.

    "Believe me," Pius continues, looking at Fiera, Rory, Lyria and then D. "I have done nothing to neglect my sister. I will do anything for my family. Anything." Even if it means dealing with the pesky villagers again. "With your assistance I should be able to spare some more time."

    Fiera's apology is accepted with a firm nod of his head. "Please, miss. Do not think so little of me that I do not know what I am doing."

    The mention of a body does seem to make Pius need a moment, and the hand at his neck shifts, his index finger tapping the amphora gently. "The essence, her mind and heart, is here. As for the body... it is buried in the woods nearby. It is useless, and what matters is the essence. I can make a body now with your help."

D (232) has posed:
    The bargain made, D decides to take his leave. "Very well. Once all signatures are put to all contracts, we will begin the hunt for what you require. Until then, I'll no longer strain your hospitality. Mister Athanor. Miss Athanor." D tips his hat, turns on his heel to bid similar adieu to his fellows, and exits through the door and through the foyer.

    Outside, the councilors are still gathered. The Hunter will explain Pius's intended return to duty, but leave any mention of other business unexplained.

    The Hunter departs by another road than the one he'd taken to arrive. The way he follows now is marked by a sweet, fast-fading scent, though by his brooding expression, it is not easy to discern whether or not he finds any pleasure in the journey. His steed vanishes around a bend.

Rory White (673) has posed:
    THIS revelation shocks Rory. Strange, magical Ego storage? Or something like it. Her eyes have gone wide. "... This does seem plausible. Though I know little of magic or alchemy... the science of my world, and bringing life back to the dead... is very different. But the premise seems sound! ... What sorts of materials are needed?" She leans forward in her seat, growing more comfortable with this now!

Fiera Kitsun (262) has posed:
Foxfire's ears prick up again, and she sniffs quietly at the air. There's a scent which stands out ...

Fiera doesn't seem to notice, finishing her tea and rising to her feet. "I do have commitments to pursue in other worlds, of course, but I'll gladly do what I can to help," she says. Even though her own instincts are doing a very hearty WTF?! at this point - capturing the soul of the deceased? ... Possibly not as dark an art as some forms of necromancy would be, but still - that goes even further against many of the precepts she was raised to hold tightly to.

As D said, though, if they need to stop Pius's research, they will. And Fiera has to wonder if the loopholes Pius has already leveraged might possibly cover her own misgivings ...

Pius Athanor (741) has posed:
    As D bids his leave he earns a sniff nod from Pius, though Diane actually seems to smile up at the man. "Goodbye, Sir."

    Now it's Rory who has Pius's attention, and the man seems eager to discuss his ideas when she reveals she has some knowledge on those subjects. "The essences of people are usually stored in this world as well, and we keep the essences of the great people, our leaders and greatest minds. There have been attempts to bring life to the dead before, but it's been in vain. But now..." He leans forward in his seat, resting his hands on his knees. "With the multiverse there is far more for us to use. Other ideas. Other angles to approach! It could very well be possible. It must be!"

    The promise of assistance has him set in a good mood, and he seems to nearly bounce in his seat. "If I can assist you in return, let me know. And I am certain Diane would not mind offering her assistance as well." At this the young girl nods her head eagerly. The smile on Pius's face can hardly look more sincere.

    "This is a most joyous occasion. Feel free to visit me at any time. My house is always open to those who wish to help me in my great work."