[b]Eon Tower - Mid Morning[/b] [hr] It seemed that the magus made their respective choices, some opted to prepare by going to the library or consulting some of the tower’s staff. However, that was until one decided to voice her opinions on her superiors and to Evelyn. Scarlett was decidedly unimpressed by the veterans’ handling of Evelyn’s eagerness, using a few choice words to fully convey her feelings. Ruecian’s and Roze’s expressions did not change, at first, remaining neutral. Evelyn found herself unable to say anything, her lips twitching in frustration. At that point, Ruecian was the first to speak, his eyes now narrowed. [color=00aeef]“Finished? I gotta say you surprised me, earlier you were like a little kitten. Scampering around on the side of the tower like a critter, it was cute, really.”[/color] He chuckled lightly, wiping his nose with his thumb. [color=00aeef]“As for all that other crap you said, those are funny ways to describe common sense. Obviously she is, but she’s also a beginner who was invited here to hone her skills. A person who’s never even seen a monster has no business on that type of mission. She’ll be sent out there when we feel she’s damn well ready.” [/color] Roze was the next to speak. [color=8882be]“It appears that we agree on one thing, that the fact this mission was presented to us is a failure of administration. But perhaps you should question what administration is truly to blame. I will also say that while wanting to prove one’s self isn’t inherently bad, reckless abandon for the simple sake of delusions of grandeur is just stupidity. Perhaps you should learn to think before speaking.”[/color] They both watched, unfazed, as Scarlett made her way toward the library where Leon had left for earlier. Evelyn found herself speechless, having simply left the room in a quickened pace. She held her witch hat down to hide the frustration swelling on her face. She didn’t even respond to Talrus’s inquiry, brushing past him into the hallway. [color=8882be]”Evelyn-”[/color] Roze started, but Ruecian quickly interjected. [color=00aeef]”Don’t worry too much about her, she’s always been the type to brush stuff like that off pretty quick. If need be, I can talk to her later. Besides, it’s looking like you and I will be needed out on the field.” [/color] Ruecian began to also take his leave; Roze looked at the recruits who took the Necropolis mission, then beckoned Lanus and Renee to follow. The unexpected outburst aside, the group had made all their respective choices and were prepping to set out. Whatever they decided on, hopefully their respective quests would go well… [hr] [u]Croc Crush[/u] [@Polaris North] [@Enkryption] [@ReusableSword] [@The Irish Tree] NPC(s): Lapis Shavis, Scarlett, Tilnak, and Hector all volunteered to accompany Lapis on her quest to the ZoHo Marsh to address the Makara encroachment. However, Scarlett opted to make a trip to the library to study up on the nature of the creatures. The others could join her for a moment, or perhaps they’d rather pay a short visit to Researcher Naomi and benefit from her insight. Lapis would watch Scarlett make her way out of the room, glaring at her with a sharp gaze. She then quickly turned to Shavis. [color=6ecff6]”Hey, what’s your friend’s problem?! Where does she get off talking to my Brother and Eve like that?! What was all that nonsense she was spouting?”[/color] [@Enkryption] [hider=Another moment with the Collector] Scarlett, having made her way to the library, may have noticed Kiff in the background. He was currently rearranging some items on the shelf. [color=2e3192]”Good Morning, another one of the newbies decides to grace my library! Good to know I can expect to see some fellow scholars from the new team!”[/color] He said, although he didn’t even acknowledge that he realized that she entered the room at first. After he was finished, he then turned to look toward her to briefly look her over. [color=2e3192][i]Hmm. I don’t think I’ll be able to gain much from this one. She seems to be absorbed in her own world most of the time…[/i][/color] He silently said to himself. [color=2e3192]”Can I help you find anything? I’m not sure what mission you took, but depending on what it is I can make some excellent recommendations!”[/color] [/hider] [hr] [u]Badland Heist[/u] [@Inertia] [@Silverstein] [@PaulHaynek] [@FrogRFlowR] NPC(s): Evelyn Taltrus, Leon, Einer, and Asterope had thrown in their hats to accompany Eve to the remote magictech factory. The young witch had already left the room and made her way down the hall. She was biting her lip under her hat, the earlier scene weighing on her mind. [color=ec008c]”I’ll…I’ll show them. I’ll show them all!” [/color] It sounded as if she was ominously chanting to herself. She was so absorbed in her thoughts, she didn’t even notice Leon in the hallway and inadvertently bumped into him. [color=ec008c]”Geh! Wha- Oh, sorry…”[/color] The look of anger she had on her face was briefly visible to the estranged elf before it became more somber. She saw who she happened upon and decided it’d be best to veil her emotions. [color=a187be]”Goodness, young lady. It’s not good to be so turbulent before a mission.” [/color] Said a voice ahead of them. They would both turn to see [url=https://i.imgur.com/w2a2lOH.jpg]a man dressed in a five thousand gold suit with a prosthetic hand[/url] walking toward them. He looked at Eve for a moment, being able to see the frustration she was attempting to hide. He then turned to Leon, [color=a187be]”Kiff told me that you’d be one of the ones taking the mission at the remote plant, so I thought I’d try to track you down before you left. Seems young Eve will be joining you as well.”[/color] [color=ec008c]”Oh…you’re…Donovan, aren’t you?”[/color] Eve said. [color=a187be]”That’d be correct, young lady. Donovan Krausser, CEO and Chairman of Borealis Solutions, a pleasure.”[/color] He responded, holding out his hand for a shake. Evelyn returned the gesture. He then held his hand out to Leon; he’d continue his explanation whether the Fae accepted the shake or not. [color=a187be]”Allow me to continue. The plant in question belongs to a company by the name of Loghren Industries, an upcoming firm specializing in combat-based magical equipment. A few nights ago, their compound in the northeast highlands was broken into and several prototype weapons were stolen. These weapons specialize in absorbing raw mana; making use of this ability to cancel magical attacks and also add more power to their own. ” [/color] He made a heavy sigh. [color=a187be]“These tools were made in a joint venture with my company, and the original intent was for them to give people more of an advantage against apparitions. The issues this would cause for the image of both their and my company aside, these weapons in the hands of criminals will pose an even greater danger to the general public. You all have my deepest gratitude for taking this mission and I wish you success in your endeavors.”[/color] He finished by making a polite bow. [color=ec008c]”...Whether we succeed or not is not up for questioning. But, Mr. Donovan, if you don’t mind me asking, how did someone break into the compound and steal the items in the first place? One would think that such a location would have tight security in place to prevent such things.”[/color] Eve asked. [color=a187be]”Ah, that’s a good question. I’m afraid any input I have on that is purely based on conjecture. However, I can say that we’re obviously not dealing with low-level street thugs. The criminals who were able to break into the plant are professionals, perhaps even masters of their craft. They left no trail that would lead to their identity, and their break-in was nearly flawless. All I can suggest is that you lot be on your guard during the mission.”[/color] [hr] [u]Necropolis[/u] [@Blaze Gamma] [@Hammerman] NPC(s): Rue, Roze Lanus and Renee were led into the main lobby by Roze, afterwards meeting Ruecian there waiting for them. Aldin had opted to visit his mother in the infirmary before departing, once he finished his business they would soon head out. Rue took a moment to address the Fae couple during their wait. [color=00aeef]”I see the two of you have experience in dealing with monsters and the effects of miasma, so I’m not too surprised you decided to take this mission. Normally, it would’ve just been me or Roze tagging along with you on this little excursion, but since most of our manpower’s been divided among the other jobs…”[/color] He made a clicking sound, folding his arms. [color=00aeef]”That swordsman’s visiting his mother, perhaps you’d do well to make any last minute preparations before we depart? Once we’re on the field, it’ll be too late.”[/color] [hider=A Quick Visit] Aldin would eventually find his way to the infirmary; upon entering the room he would see his mother resting on the bed by the window. Beside her he would see [url=https://i.imgur.com/9K6ZgEr.jpg]a young woman standing over her, wearing an elegant dress with an ornate sash.[/url] She was placing a few solution glasses and medication bottles inside of a cabinet when she quickly turned to the new arrival. [color=82ca9d]”Oh! Hello there, you must Aldin, Ms. Rei’s son. She’s just fine; she has a rather peculiar illness I must say. But right now her condition is quite stable, along with her vitals remaining within acceptable parameters. Oh, but where are my manners? My name is Elaine Gardner, the Eon Tower’s chief medical officer and one of its thaumaturgical consultants. It’s a pleasure to meet you! ”[/color] She turned to Aldin’s mother for a moment, then back to him again. [color=82ca9d]”Would you like for me to leave the room for a moment so you too can be in private?”[/color] A small expression of surprise escaped Aldin's lips as he laid eyes on the lady in charge of the medical bay. He was so used to doctors and medics being wizened physicians in the backwater towns he had spent the most of his life in that seeing a young woman running that sort of thing was quite the shock to him. "[color=8882be]Ah, yes, that's correct,[/color]" he said. While his features didn't necessarily convey his relationship to his mother, Aldin was sure that she had enough forewarning just by his nature as a new face to put two and two together. "[color=8882be]Well, I don't need privacy, I just wanted to check in before I disembark on my first task here.[/color]" [color=82ca9d]"Oh, I see. Well, rest assured, your mother is in good hands! While this establishment may be small compared to what the Association has at its disposal, we have a healthy supply of the strongest and rarest medication that you can imagine. In addition, I'm rather confident in my abilities to add more...robustness to the medication I administer. But, please know that we'll notify you immediately if anything in her condition changes."[/color] She walked forward a bit, inching closer to the swordsman. She looked him down for a moment, as if pondering something. [color=82ca9d]"I'm not sure what mission you decided to take; I'm hoping it wasn't the one I'm thinking of. But, I must trust in your strength and judgement as you are now my comrade. But, do me a favor, and take this with you. I can only hope that you won't need it, and it not, so much the better."[/color] Gently taking the swordsman's hand, she placed the string handle of a mid-sized bag in his hand. If he opened it, he would see four ornate vials of some turquoise substance. [img]https://i.imgur.com/F8PzppE.jpg[/img] [color=82ca9d]"Those vials contain a concoction of my own making. You'll find their purifying effects to be quite potent, but regrettably I've only been able to produce a small amount at this point. As I said, however, I pray you won't have to use them."[/color] She then walked back toward Aldin's resting mother, looking over some of the medical equipment stationed at her bedside. [color=82ca9d]"I'll be here a little while longer, analyzing her condition. If you need me for anything else, please drop by personal office in the medical wing further down the hall. Would you like to remain here a little longer, or will you be on your way Sir Aldin?"[/color] She said, still looking over the woman. [/hider]