HALO 182: Wait, what if we ARE Lawbreaking?

[Felandria]

Felandria lets Ziselle outta the hug to continue his curious examination of her.

I'd imagine whatever he plans to do with his son will not involve those things.

[Reinholdt]

[Entrance Hall]

"If you wish to share with someone that is fine," Reinholdt tells Arlem. He's always willing to aid a person's burden by hearing them out. Sharing helps and all that. "Otherwise I do actually understand your position. I just... personally could use the daily reminder of how much more I need to do. Amongst my other reasons." Complacancy is the enemy and the lure of the naps has been strong.

"You're too pure Felandria," Reinholdt says to her with a heavy smile. "There was a time when I actively worked to bring those things about. I wouldn't trust a VIGIL that didn't perform due diligence on this matter."

He turns back to Arlem. "But it seems like the objection doesn't lie in the transfer itself, but in its security. To which I invite VIGIL come to look at what I set up. I do have extensive knowledge of breaking and entering, both through magical and mundane means. But I'm still only one cat and an outside eye would be handy if you can spot any weaknesses. Perhaps it could even be compared to the vault you currently have him in to see if anything you're already using could be added."

[Recaiden]

Arlem smiles.
"If you already understand, you understand." And thus don't need to be told.
At this point she takes a few steps and leans over to pick up Ziselle, whispering something telepathically to just him. The little one seems already tired out by all these new people and places.

"He's right. It doesn't pay to be too optimistic about the fate of the world. You have to actually make an effort to have it work out. So yes, an inspection of your mausoleum is in order. Probably by more people than me. And it raises the obvious question: can you break into your own security?"
"Come to think of it, I could stand to take a closer look at VIGIL's new vaults." They're probably shamefully insecure.

[Felandria]

Felandria stands up, and Mage Hands an object from her room into her hand.

It's something she's been working on for a while, and Ziselle is getting the very first one!

It's a Felandria Plushy!!!!

It looks a lot like her avatar, minus the pony and with a less revealing outfit, more of a tee shirt and jeans combo.

She hands it over to Ziselle.

Here you go, Ziselle, so you can remember me.

She then returns her attention to Reinholdt and Arlem.

If you're worried about this staff and wanting to keep it separated, I can put it somewhere nobody would be able to find it.

Either way, I gladly offer my assistance in whatever is required to ensure things go smoothly.

[Reinholdt]

[Entrance Hall]

"Theoretically I could break in, seeing as how being able to visit is a part of the point. For the points considered though, probably not. More importantly, breaking it out I couldn't do. But you'll see more of what I mean when you visit. Construction doesn't happen overnight so you can work out who you want to inspect it and all without too much of a rush." Gives time for Rein to talk to Zhareen and Vax too and figure out what's happening there. Though admittedly he can only wait for them to contact him.

He looks over at Felandria, growing a little concerned. "If you think VIGIL's vaults aren't good enough, I guess." Surely, she was talking about VIGIL's staff piece. "But I've been told the staff calls out to itself and to demons. Hiding it can work, but only for a time." It'll be found eventually.

[Recaiden]

Oh my goodness! A tiny stuffed Felandria! Look at its big empty eyes, the soft red fake hair! This will be an excellent merchandising opportunity.
Ziselle takes the plush toy with a delighted cry and waves it around.

"Breaking in is rather less of an impressive feat when you have the key. I'll take a look, and direct other security-minded members to do the same. Felandria, you could examine the mausoleum independently; more eyes can only help."

[Felandria]

(Empty? They look shiny and violet to me :) )

Felandria looks to Reinholdt, a bit confused.

Oh, I'm sure VIGIL's vaults are excellent, but you said there were multiple pieces, and if you don't want VIGIL to have two, I could take one and hide it on another world entirely.

And by hide it, I mean dip it in gold, then cement, then every other layer of whatever you can coat something with until it's an unrecognizable rock and embed it deep inside a mountain.

That being said, I'd be happy to inspect the mausoleum.

[Reinholdt]

[Entrance Hall]

Reinholdt frowns. "As I said before, I already have a deal in place for my staff piece. Malechenar seems more than capable of protecting it and I have found no evidence to not uphold my end of the deal. Believe it or not, I am trying to not further any reputation I have as a liar and a cheat." I'm pretty sure lying and cheating was how Rein ended up with the staff in the first place.

"Bring me something solid about their intentions and I might be persuaded to reconsider. Until then, VIGIL, which includes VIGIL members, won't get it." Since VIGIL's base can fluctuate, the core of VIGIL is in its members. As it should be. "Not even for an adorable stuffed Felandria." Tempting as such bribery would be.

[Recaiden]

"Just be sure you aren't trading it off against your reputation for causing disasters."

"Thank you, Felandria. Reinholdt, I'll look into the security and be in touch."
Arlem waves-

"Say goodbye, Ziselle, we're going home."
The child is much too occupied with the plush doll to even try to say anything.

-and turns to leave.

[Felandria]

Fel shrugs.

I can certainly respect that.

And I wasn't going to bribe you, I was just gonna give you one anyway.

And she Mage Hands another Fel plushy from her room for Reinholdt.

It was nice to see you, Arlem, catch you later.

And hopefully I'll see you too, Ziselle, enjoy your miniFel!

[Reinholdt]

[Entrance Hall]

"Aww, thank you," Reinholdt says, squeezing the doll once to test its fluffiness. The first thing that must be done with any plush doll.

"Goodbye Arlem. Goodbye Ziselle." He gives both of them a wave, before he falls silent, thinking the encounter over.

After a minute he turns back to Felandria. "Did you want to finish cleaning your room? We didn't get very far."

[Recaiden]

Yep, it's over.

Arlem heads to one of the teleporters and they both disappear.

[Felandria]

Yes, right, let's get back to it.

And I'm glad you like the plushy

She starts walking back towards her room.

And maybe after I can help you with other base stuff.

[Reinholdt]

[Felandria's Room]

The other kind of over. Like through. Except the other kind of through. The English language is the enemy.

"Hmm? Other base stuff? Such as?" Reinholdt asks Felandria, stepping back into her room and slipping the plushy somewhere inside his leather jacket where it disappears.

[Felandria]

[Felandria's Room]

The other kind of over. Like through. Except the other kind of through. The English language is the enemy.

"Hmm? Other base stuff? Such as?" Reinholdt asks Felandria, stepping back into her room and slipping the plushy somewhere inside his leather jacket where it disappears.

Fel shrugs innocently.

I dunno, whatever you might need help with?

Stuff you can't reach?

[Reinholdt]

[Felandria's Room]

"Well if I need any lights changed, I know who to call." Reinholdt doesn't consider his fey form particularly short, but he supposes everyone is short to Felandria. He tilts his head. "Do you have to duck all the time? That seems like it would be tiring."

[Felandria]

[Felandria's Room]

"Well if I need any lights changed, I know who to call." Reinholdt doesn't consider his fey form particularly short, but he supposes everyone is short to Felandria. He tilts his head. "Do you have to duck all the time? That seems like it would be tiring."

Not as often as you'd think.

I mean, I gained shape and size changing abilities in that Labyrinth, but I kinda like being the way I am as it is.

But I don't know what else you may need help with, if the base is as empty as you say, there's probably a buncha stuff needs to be done.

If nothing else, I could help you clean your room too.

[Reinholdt]

[Felandria's Room]

"What Labyrinth is this?" Reinholdt knows of many labyrinths, though perhaps not many with capital Ls.

"My room is pretty bare. I keep all my stuff on alternate plane of existence. Keeps it clean but also means there's not much to do there. So I've mostly been staying in Toby's head office as of late. I suppose it might be nice of us to clean up and organize all those important documents I knocked off his desk." But then, what's the point of making a mess to get attention if you're just going to clean it up yourself?

[Felandria]

[Felandria's Room]

"What Labyrinth is this?" Reinholdt knows of many labyrinths, though perhaps not many with capital Ls.

"My room is pretty bare. I keep all my stuff on alternate plane of existence. Keeps it clean but also means there's not much to do there. So I've mostly been staying in Toby's head office as of late. I suppose it might be nice of us to clean up and organize all those important documents I knocked off his desk." But then, what's the point of making a mess to get attention if you're just going to clean it up yourself?

The labyrinth run by a god named Steve.

And it would probably be nice to organize things.

[Reinholdt]

[Felandria's Room -> Tobias' Office]

"Oh. Steve. That explains things," Rein says as he looks around the room and nods.

"Well I guess that's it for your room. Let's go be nice I suppose." Rein turns to lead the way to the office he left in disarray earlier.

[Felandria]

[Felandria's Room -> Tobias' Office]

Thank you for your help.

She gives him a peck on the cheek.

Yes, let's go be nice.

[Reinholdt]

[Head Office]

"I dunno. That was pretty nice already. Might have filled the quota." Reinholdt says, referring to Felandria's kiss.

He looks around the office. "I'll collect the papers if you want to organize them?" He finds, she sorts.

[Felandria]

[Head Office]

"I dunno. That was pretty nice already. Might have filled the quota." Reinholdt says, referring to Felandria's kiss.

He looks around the office. "I'll collect the papers if you want to organize them?" He finds, she sorts.

That sounds like a fine idea.

I just hope there's not anything too sensitive that I'm not supposed to see.

[Reinholdt]

[Head Office]

"Nah. Paperwork important enough to be sensitive either never crosses the desk and gets securely filed immediately. I know cause I used to watch Quinn do paperwork sometimes at GLoG. Turns out a social structure fractured under the governments of barely even cities and no proper countries means few particularly damning papers out there. Except maybe the wanted posters from the MagMart photo kiosk."

Reinholdt starts scooping up papers and placing them on the desk for Felandria, working his meticulously from one corner of the office outwards, as if on a sensitive treasure hunt and wary of a potentially trapped room.

[Felandria]

Head Office

Felandria begins arranging the papers by department and date.

Well, I don't know what kind of paperwork VIGIL has to deal with, but I'd imagine most of it got burned up when the HQ got destroyed.

I don't exactly remember boxes of files being put anywhere in my house when they were using it.

[Reinholdt]

[Head Office]

"They were probably smart and didn't have any to begin with," Reinholdt suggests. "People tend to forget what you've done if you don't have it readily written down somewhere."

"GLoG has a lot of charity work so they have to keep track for those tax deductions I'm sure and HALO has a few outside contracts with Vulpania military forces that have to remain official. That's probably where they get all their paperwork from."

[Felandria]

Head Office

I'll be honest, it kinda bothers me how secretive they are about certain things.

I want to play a bigger role there, but they don't seem to entirely trust me to be any kind of leader.

I mean, I lent them my house for a while and everything.

Sometimes I feel they aren't using me to my full potential.

[Reinholdt]

[Head Office]

"Yeah? Well they were founded in an era where a secret could save a life." Pretty sure that's not an era, just a thing. "Have you told them this?"

[Felandria]

[Head Office]

"Yeah? Well they were founded in an era where a secret could save a life." Pretty sure that's not an era, just a thing. "Have you told them this?"

I mean, I've tried, to be fair, they do have other stuff to deal with lately, but it still gets under my skin.

[Reinholdt]

[Head Office]

"Ah, don't let it bother you. Responsibility is high and above overrated. Buck it! Live free! Do the good you want to do when you want to do it because you felt like it, not because other people told you to. If I listened to what people want me to do, I'd be sitting in a cage, twiddling my paws all day long. Nah. Get out there. Steal a cursed artifact. Knock papers off desks. Clean someone's room. Unpredictability is freedom and freedom is the freedom to do the right thing." Reinholdt collects the last of the papers and places them on the desk. "The only people you should listen to are the ones who lift you up."