[Nexus] MURDER I: Causing Fear Since About Five Minutes Ago.

[Lady Serpentine]

[Main Room]

"True. But don't you actually need the thing to have blood for that? Considering that you could see through him and he wasn't bleeding, except for the head dripping pumpkin juice, I'm not sure it would work too well for either of us to try."

[BladeofObliviom]

((Actually, her healing doesn't require blood magic. It's normal mana-based magic, which she actually can use a little bit of. Of course, Rael might just not know that.))

[Main Room]

"It's healing, not domination. I can cast healing spells with lyrium instead."

She pulls a bright blue potion out of her bag.

"These are handy to have around."

[Lady Serpentine]

[Main Room]

"Hm. Apparently, your type of blood magic is rather different from mine. What's lyrium? Other than that, I mean."

[bladescape]

[Main Room -> Operative's Office]

Turiel will follow after Fade.

[BladeofObliviom]

[Main Room]

Lyrium? It's the stuff that makes magic function, where I'm from. It's basically raw, unfocused, concentrated magic. The Dwarves first found it in rock form. You aren't supposed to handle it in solid form: It will literally tear your internal functioning apart, in an irrepairable manner. Inhaling the dust is even worse. Distilled into a potion, however, it allows mages to use their magic to actual effect. Without Lyrium, magic would take too much effort for too little gain.

Blood magic is different: It's natural, reliable, and also forbidden. People are scared of its power, and I also think it's because the Chantry wants to keep us down. Since the Chantry controls the lyrium trade, they keep it away from mages unless we're being used to fight Qunari or something. But Blood Magic changes that: It gives a Mage control over her own powers, and takes away your dependence on the damn Chantry. Does that sort of make sense?

[Lady Serpentine]

[Main Room]

"Sort of. Though I'm not sure what the Chantry or Qunari are."

[BladeofObliviom]

[Main Room]

"Right. The Chantry is a religious organization that controls everything. There's a system of Nobility in place in the various kingdoms, like every world seems to, but everyone knows that the Chantry holds the real power, except in the Qunari lands and the Deep Roads.

The Qunari are enormous, bronze-skinned people. I admit that I never knew much about them, but they had what I've heard Nexusians call Gunpowder, where the various Chantry-backed Nations were still using Swords and Arrows. They have their own strange religion, but once again, I don't know much."

[Devixer]

[Operative's Office - Turiel and Fade]

The Operative looks between the two people, eventually settling his gaze on Turiel. "As Fade tells me, the reason you lost any stealth was because you couldn't let go of a book." Though there's no emphasis on words, it shouldn't be hard for Turiel to guess that the ghost is not pleased by that. "Care to explain that, Mr. Eseina?"

[bladescape]

[The Operative's Office]

Turiel smiles just slightly. "I wished to make a disturbance, to see what would happen. I succeeded in locating and managing to kidnap a useful member of the Hamlet.

The element of surprise was all that my actions cost us. Stealth was lost from Fade's aggressive approach to opening the gates."

Yeah.. He doesn't like getting told he did something wrong... Pity that.

[Devixer]

[Operative's Office - Turiel and Fade]

Unfortunately for Turiel, the Operative doesn't care about what he likes. "You wished to cause a disturbance. And there is some reason you had to tie it to yourself? I'm not finding much merit in such a thought." He turns to Fade. "Of course, you've also omitted a few key facts. It seems to me that both of you are to blame."

[Zefir]

[Operative's Office - Turiel and Fade]

"Well after he cost us the element of suprise I thought I draw all attention to me. And after all he ask me to break the door. As far as it go he was able to take a hostage. I still say here that this Riv guy has amuch stronger defense then I assume someone in this Univers has."

Fade seems not embrased or angry or something other.

[bladescape]

[The Operative's Office - Turiel and Fade]

"Even after the extra breakage of cover, I was not identified. If I were to walk straight into the Hamlet again, the only one that could recognize me would be the one currently in our dungeon." Turiel bites back the annoyance, breathing slowly for replying. "The guards that saw me died, the only villager to see me was kidnapped. I stayed out of sight the whole time. and I succeeded in my objective."

[Lord Magtok]

Ring Ring Ring

Hey Operative, it's Magtok. Guess what he's calling about?

Here's a hint: It starts with a "S", and rhymes with "Cupid bread pitmen drying in the middle of my bog-rammed cappuccino."

[Devixer]

[Ring Ring]

The Operative answers the phone, as always. "Magtok." He really hopes he's going to hear about Stu's mysterious disappearance from the casino. Unfortunately for him, such is not the case.

[Murkus]

[Operative's Office - Teq]

"I have reason to believe Reinholdt remains at GLoG. Although I didn't see him personally, the member I talked to was very paranoid and protective regarding him. My best recommendation is to keep a strict watch on the compound."

"As for Amil, I'm afraid I have very little. She apparently works for Remnant, but our employer saw fit to tell as little as possible about the target."

"I believe I have that much handled. Reinholdt's friend is in my custody." Teq elaborates, clicking to himself. "And Amil... that's convenient."

[Devixer]

[Operative's Office - Teq]

The Operative tilts his head a little, indicating inquisitiveness. "Convenient? Do you have a connection to Remnant?"

[Operative's Office - Turiel & Fade]

The Operative looks down at his desk, thinking about Turiel's words. "If you were only spotted by one person, then I can let this slide for now. Just exercise more caution in the future."

"In regards to your prisoner. Kill him. He won't likely give you information, and if he gets out, then he will give our location to others."

[Zefir]

[Operative's Office - Turiel & Fade]

"I can't deny the fact that they saw me since I drew all there attention. I more worry about the powers they got on his village. not only the facr these people had weapons, they also where able to throw mighty spells. I'm sure they are able to detect magic and I doubt these guys where on the higher end of the security ranks."

He turns his face to Turiel

"Also I wouldn't take it for sure you weren't spoted. These guy ot some good weapons. I bet they got cams as well."

Then he turns back to the operative.

"I got all ready for the story circles. If you have time I would discuss with you how they work and answer all questions you might have."

[Murkus]

Operative's Office - Teq

"I'm going to apply for a job there." Teq explains, a little warily. "Under a different name, of course."

[Lord Magtok]

Banana Phone

"Yep, me again.

Listen, at first I was going to call about the whole 'MURDER didn't hold up its end of the bargain' thing and that Julie and I had to do all the advertising myself at the last second. I was, as I'm sure you can understand, going to be a little miffed about that. I didn't give you a whole lot of time to come up with something though, so I'm willing to let that slide. Bygones be bygones and whatnot."

Magtok takes a deep breath, and then lets it out. Okay, now for the bad news, Operative.

"Then your assassin came and single-handedly obliterated any and all good will I may have had for your organization. He came in right in the middle of the show, made a loud and preposterous claim about his wife leaving him for Stu, and then challenged the flower to a fight outside. In front of everyone, making a huge scene and completely killing the mood Julie was trying to establish.

Look, I don't know how you screen these people, Casper. I don't know, and I don't care. However, the next time you send one of your boys anywhere near my property, I want you to screen the everliving **** out of them. A-grade assassins only when you're dealing with MagCorp turf. This includes hits on my interns, MagMart employees, and up to and including myself. The very best you've got, and nothing less.

Anyway, this kid, whoever he was, he fought Stu right in the middle of the Theatre or Cabaret or Nightclub or whatever the hell I'm changing the bolded location tag to. He fought Stu, Stu used his flamethrower-arm, and they both burned to death. Both of them. I hope I don't need to explain how incredibly stupid it is for a MURDER employee to fight someone in a public place and then burn to death with that same target as a crowd looks on. Stu and your kid fought, and then they both died in my casino in a big, stupid fire. We're still fixing up the carpet, offering people free tickets to Julie's next show, and...and-"

Magtok sighs in exasperation.

"Anyways, I'm not in a good mood right now, Christmas Future, and I hope I've made that clear. I'm not quite so furious as to start demanding reparations or willfully get in the way of your other contracts, but I am upset. I hope you take this into consideration when you decide upon your next course of action. Additionally, I hope that assassin wasn't a blood relative or particularly close to you, because I'm withholding his corpse and plan on doing freaky science experiments on it out of spite."

[Devixer]

[Operative's Office - Teq]

The Operative isn't sure how to handle this. Eventually, though, he decides on cautious optimism. "Well, I don't enforce you to work for me exclusively, Mr. Vraal. Just don't give information regarding your contract or status here to Remnant."

[Phone]

For a while, Magtok hears silence on the other end. Then, the Operative gives his response, in his laconic manner.

"Whoever went to your casino went unauthorized, and the contract was to capture Stu alive and unharmed. I don't know why he went with the plan he did, but I am not satisfied with it. I don't care you do with his corpse, because as far as I'm concerned, he is no longer a member of this organization."

"I apologize for that bit of incompetence known as whoever intended to capture Stu. If you need compensation, I will do my best to give it."

[Murkus]

Operative's Office - Teq

"I'm an old hand at keeping secrets, sir. MURDER won't be mentioned." Teq confirms, quite honest in that regard.

[Devixer]

[Operative's Office - Teq]

The Operative nods. "Good. I will not stop you from joining Remnant, then. Just remember your contract."

[Murkus]

The Operative's Office - Teq

Teq nods pleasantly enough and excuses himself from the room.

[Lord Magtok]

Phone

Magtok bites his lip, and then provides a rough description of what Lars looked like, back when he was still alive and stuff. He's not sure if the Operative is telling the truth about the attempted kidnapping being against his orders, but it doesn't hurt to give the ghost a little bit of room to worm his way out of Mag-Hate.

"Anyways, as I said, compensation isn't necessary. Really, I was more here to vent about the mess than anything else. I'm not one to hold grudges for this sort of thing, not when it would just get in the way of things like the Amil matter. If there's nothing left we need to talk about, I'll let you go.

Just understand that this is pretty much the first and last straw. Stu is a dunce, so I can understand underestimating him, but I can't allow that kind of thought involved in anything I'm paying good money for. You seem like a good guy, Slimer, and I'd hate to have to hate you over something as silly as money and the kidnapping of some smelly army girl."

[BladeofObliviom]

[Operative's Office]

The Operative will likely note a knock on the door, assuming that he is even there.

"Sir? I've come up with a better plan."

[Devixer]

[Phone]

"There is little else to discuss. I have an agent gathering intel on Amil, so you know. Beyond that, nothing." And with that, the Operative hangs up.

[Operative's Office - Sarah]

The Operative opens the door to his office, looking at Sarah. "Enlighten me."

[BladeofObliviom]

((I'm just handwaving Sarah knowing about the incident with Lars; If that isn't okay, just go ahead and pretend this conversation didn't happen.))

[Operative's Office - Sarah]

Sarah will nod, enter, and pull out a small device

"I've heard about the last attempt to get Stu, and apparently it resulted in a miserable failure. One of our members dead again, and Stu himself dead. Obviously, that latter bit is the real problem. However, I've managed to get my hands on a rather useful item. It would be expensive, but mind control is surprisingly useful for getting materials.

This is an Elixer of Life. It can resurrect the dead, at least enough for me to bring them to full repair with my own abilities. In any case, if we can obtain Stu's corpse in any semblance other than Ash, we have the Contract."

She smiles.

"To that end, it is necessary to first learn what Magtok did with the body. Obviously, since we have contact with Mag already, this shouldn't be a serious problem. From there, unfortunately, I have no more information. However, the body should not be incredibly difficult to retrieve short of delivery to AMEN, so I am confident in my planning."

[bladescape]

[The Operative's Office - Turiel and Fade]

Oh, yeah. Kill the source of information before a good long torture session? Not likely. First the torture, then death. "As you wish." Is all Turiel replies to the Operative.

[Devixer]

[Operative's Office - Sarah]

((I imagine the Operative would tell members about the incident, so the conversation isn't impossible.))

The Operative thinks about Sarah's plan. "It is a solid plan, Ms. Bloodchanter. I can think of a few flaws, though, to do with Stu, mostly.

"We're not entirely sure of the nature of his being. I don't think he is alive in the same way that you or the average human is. Resurrections on such a being might not be entirely effective.

"I advise not wasting your life elixir on Stu. Save it for someone who's actually worth the resources."

[Operative's Office - Turiel & Fade]

The Operative looks at Turiel, saying, "Make sure to complete the information I mentioned, Mr. Eseina. Other than that, you may leave."

[Zefir]

[Operative's Office - Turiel & Fade]


Fade if not stoped will go as well.