[b][i]William Ascot[/i][/b]

William waved eagerly at Masami's coming, fascinated by the Kitsune's apperance and innate beauty. Then Galbrek won back his attention by revealing what price he wanted from the young Ascot. Due to the latter's hypnotic powers, the boy found himself nodding, and saying, "Yes, yes, that seems like a simple enough proposal. I'll stay with your bodyguards for the time being. Although note that Vernon here is already a loyal and good protector for me..."

Ascot trailed off, not realizing that one, he'd been had, and two, that Vernon was inactive once again. Nevertheless, he still had his sheathed sword strapped to his back, and the effects of the gaze would wear off once Galbrek was no longer looking at him. That, and he can also imitate one use of Michael's Body Art; the strength-enhancing one. So he was not totally defenseless, right?

[@Crowvette][@CavnderOHeart]

[b][i]Alexander Ascot[/i][/b]

On seeing Vittorio charge Alto with an expression of pain and despair that caused Alexander to sympathize with the former all the more, the Juvenile Investigations Officer can only open his eyes wide as he knew he had lost what control he had of the situation. But he was an adult, and he had to be better than what he was already showing. He would turn to Andreim and Lise, before saying, "My name is Alexander Ascot; Juvenile Investigations Officer. My brother goes to your school. I'm not here for the same thing you are; rather, my case is that of Vittorio Twinveil, the person trying to pick a fight with Alto."

He paused for breath, then continued, "My brother...he has an obsession with trying to stop Vittorio's story from ending in more tragedy than it has already. It overrides even what should be his prime objective, information-gathering. He has this plan to...no, I've said enough."

Looking at Andreim and Lise, the adult would say, "Michael here has agreed to help me save my brother from himself and his obsession with Vittorio. I thought I can reason with the latter, divert him to other leads...but seeing his obsession firsthand wrenches my heart with what I must do." 

He then turned to Michael in full and said, "Your Trap Art; it can restrain even Vittorio's astral form, right?"

Then back to Andreim and Lise, Alexander spoke, "I know of you two from Government records; your powers are the control of liquids and the creation of shadow servants, right?" A brief nod, and the Juvenile Investigations Officer would take a canister from his belt and give it to Andreim, saying, "This is mana-absorbing Sticky Foam, meaning that you can only move it with your powers for a limited amount of time. Lise's Shadow Servants can probably touch Vittorio's astral form, too. That works well alongside Michael's Trap Arts."

"So what do you say?" Alexander dimly realized he was making a mistake by thinking that the kids of St. Laurel's will automatically sympathize with him because of his story, or even willingly help him. "Will you help me?" 

This made his mistake deeper. Looking around to make sure that Clara was not around, Alexander would continue, "Please, I have a sneaking suspicion that [i]Mephisto[/i] was the real summoner of the Demon Lord that killed Vittorio's family and friends, but without proof, restraining Vittorio and then forcing him to make his personal mark on my Grimorie - long story - is the only way to defuse this situation without Alto killing him or him killing Alto."

Alexander clearly felt bad, bad for asking kids to do his dirty work. Bad for putting kids in harm's way. Bad for making Vittorio potentially turn his anger on Michael if the latter used his Trap Arts to help him. And that guilt permeated his every word and action.

[@RoflsMazoy][@Dezuel][@Bartimaeus][@Scarifar][@Gentlemanvaultboy]