[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/hHAr97i.png[/img]
[right][sub]Locations: Vikena Estate's -> Guesthouse -> Athletic Arena
Interactions: Fritz [@JJ Doe], Leo [@Helo], Mina [@Tae][/sub][/right][hr][/center]
[hider=John and Fritz's collab]
John wasn't exactly in a rush to get back, so it was a pleasant surprise to have ran into Count Hendrix in the courtyard whom he had met the day before. He gladly lingered around to chat with him and Delilah, who was a delightful conversation partner as well. John accepted a cookie from the Count, didn't notice anything strange until he excused himself. That was when Count Hendrix asked him. 

[color=9354FF]“In your professional opinion, is it medically possible to determine if someone is or has been under the influence of magic?”[/color]

That stopped him in his tracks, but he didn't look back just yet. He looked down on the dirt beneath him first, then up to the sky, before slowly turning to face the Count. 

[color=5486ae]"Why do you need to know that, Count Hendrix?"[/color]

[color=9354FF]"There's no need for formalities. Please, call me whatever."[/color] the Count's sentence came to an abrupt halt. He blinked slowly at the space between him and John as his fingers touched his throat. When he put his smile back on, for a faction of a second John saw a hint of sadness. [color=9354FF]"Anything that makes you comfortable."[/color]

[color=9354FF]"Forgive me for answering a question with another question, Dr. Williamson,"[/color] the Count stepped closer to John, [color=9354FF]"but are you aware of the incident that happened after the ball involving the royal children and a few party guests last night?"[/color]

John rubbed his temple at the mention. [color=5486ae]"Yes, I am aware of that. Quite a mess for us to handle."[/color] 

It was a big ruckus amongst the guests and even some in the public caught wind of it. In fact the reason why he was to go back was because of a meeting with the royal physicians, which certainly would involve this incident.

[color=9354FF]"Have you had the chance to examine them or speak with them about what happened?"[/color]

[color=5486ae]"No, not really, but my colleagues would. I certainly would want to know what happened."[/color]

Fritz nodded, [color=9354FF]“I see.”[/color] His gaze wondered to the ground, eyebrows stitched together, and he rubbed his chin. [color=9354FF]“Unfortunately, I don’t know myself.”[/color] He was silent for a moment before he exhaled deeply. [color=9354FF]“And neither do they.”[/color] The Count returned his gaze back to John, who leaned his head slightly in response. [color=9354FF]“If and when you or your colleagues ask what the royal children and their guests remember, they likely won’t be able to give anyone a satisfying answer. Not purely because they don’t want to, but because they can’t. All of them. Can’t. Remember.”[/color]

The Count waited for what he said to sink in before continuing, [color=9354FF]“of course the memory loss could’ve been caused by intoxication, drugs, or trauma, physical or emotional... but for all of them to not have any memory of what happened during this afterparty simultaneously feels... unnatural, intentional... magical, even.”[/color]

[color=9354FF]“If this group amnesia is magical in origin, I fear what else might’ve been done to them.”[/color] Nothing in his tone or demeanor suggested that Count Hendrix’s worry was disingenuous. He was undoubtedly concerned, however, John’s gut feeling told him that there was something more to it. [color=9354FF]“Which is why I asked you whether it is medically possible to find out if someone is or has been under the influence of magic.”[/color]

John pondered this for a moment. A long moment in fact that it sowed the seed of doubt in Fritz whether or not he actually was wondering the science, or he was carefully choosing his answers. 

[color=5486ae]"Well..."[/color] John leaned onto the fence. [color=5486ae]"It's theoretically possible. If magic can create substances that can react with the overworldly elements, and nothing else does, then yes, you have a definitive way of detecting magic influence."[/color] His tone of voice initially was rather neutral, showing no clear bias or ulterior motive. But his next statement was less so. [color=5486ae]"But then, if anyone has that kind of knowledge, do you think they would stand well in this climate?"[/color]

It felt less of a warning, but more of sympathy.

Fritz’s face lit up as he listened to John. He seemed excited and intrigued by the prospect, like a child promised a day of a grand adventure. Then John watched that light be snuffed out from the Count as soon as he asked, [color=5486ae]“if anyone has that kind of knowledge, do you think they would stand well in this climate?”[/color] He wore the same smile and to the less observant nothing had changed in Fritz's demeanor. To John, however, he saw the void behind those black eyes. Not a single emotion resided in them. Either because Fritz was actively killing them as they arose or because John delivered the final blow to that dreamy child. [color=9354FF]“You’d be surprised,”[/color] he said in an even voice. 

After a beat, he spoke. [color=9354FF]“You’ve been studying this?”[/color] His intonation suggested that it wasn’t truly a question.
 
John's lifted an eyebrow. He knew exactly where this was leading. Even Delilah was looking a bit uncomfortable at the atmosphere between the two. But the doctor did not flinch at the dubious question. [color=5486ae]"No."[/color] Almost naturally, he replied. [color=5486ae]"It's a theory, or if I were to be scientific a hypothesis. Everything leaves a trace behind that could be found. That's how we do blood test to detect cancer and diabetes."[/color] The corner of his lips moved up a bit, forming a smile. [color=5486ae]"It's a game of detective that saves lives."[/color]

His answer was not anything special. It is a relatively healthy mindset that a scientist would have, and what a usual non-academic might find compelling. But his calm and serene response to such a question could also come off as a bit unusual, unnerving even. This did not feel like the same kind doctor the Count had met with the Duke the day before.

Fritz studied John, then nodded as if he understood what John was trying to avoid saying, before a more familiar expression returned. [color=9354FF]“Oh my! I’m not accusing you of witchcraft, good doctor! The last time I checked medicine is considered a scientific study.”[/color] He covered his mouth and looked around their surrounding, [color=9354FF]“unless… that is no longer the case? Have we reverted back to the era when science was regarded as black magic?”[/color]

He looked at Delilah and John apologetically, [color=9354FF]“I’m terribly sorry if I scared either of you.”[/color] The Count bowed to both of them, his hand over his heart. [color=9354FF]“I simply wanted to know if it is possible to detect magic through scientific means… without having to resort to using fire to fight fire.”[/color]

[color=9354FF]“And if there is…”[/color] he added, [color=9354FF]“I will not hesitate to support the research.”[/color] Fritz shot John a meaningful look.

The serene smile did not go away. John tilted his head slightly to the other side, his eyes matched Fritz's direction as the latter looked around. [color=5486ae]"I hope not."[/color] He simply said. 

[color=5486ae]"It is a valid concern, you're not to worry."[/color] John gave a reassuring reply to Fritz, but inside he knew that whatever he said here would not have changed what Fritz may have thought about him. That sudden defensiveness was certainly a peculiar response that the doctor did not ignore.

[color=5486ae]"It's a pleasure to know I have your backing, Fritz."[/color] John gave the Count a light appreciative bow. [color=5486ae]"Have a great day my friend. You as well Miss Delilah."[/color]

John turned around and made his departure. All in all, he was happy with the conversation. He got new information, he learnt more about the friendly Count, and uncovered things he ought to look into. Or rather who to look into.
[/hider]
[hider=Hidden Power]
After the conversation with Count Hendrix, John left the Vikena estate to head back straight to the guesthouses, where the majority of the royal physicians had gathered up. It was supposed to be a usual meeting every business trip they had, counting any issues, requests from their masters or any miscellaneous suggestions from the members, and if it were up to John it'd mostly be about that incident that happened last night regarding all the Varian nobles that went missing and proceeded to come back completely wasted. Lots of meaningless reports, but it's the life of a royal physician. He sighed internally as he arrived at the guesthouse. While this work was much less stressful, sometimes John wished he was back on the field as an Institute commissioner given the shenanigans he had to deal with here. 

As the door to the meeting room, a large room reserved by the guesthouse servants just for this purpose, swung opened, John noticed everyone or almost everyone had arrived, and they all turned his eyes on him as he arrived. He was taken a bit aback by the sudden attention, but held back his curiosity for now as he took the empty seat. Once he was seated, the Surgeon Dentist looked at him. 

[color=f49ac2]"Glad to see you here, Dr. Williamson."[/color] He said, surprising John by the formality. Despite being like two to three ranks above the totem pole compared to him, the Surgeon Dentist had always been an informal person, always on first name basis with everyone. Thus his mind quickly pivoted to him being the subject of the meeting. Was it the incident at the park this morning? But it was too early for the members to know anything about it, and besides why would it matter in this meeting anyway? 

[color=f49ac2]"Thank you for your duty to this commission. We will begin with the unexpected incident that occurred last night."[/color] The Surgeon Dentist spoke, half glancing to his paper. [color=f49ac2]"Four Varian nobles, whom are Lord and Lady Smithwood, Lord Ravenwood and Lady Lesdeman went missing after the ball, as well as multiple members of the Caesonian and Alidasht royal family. We don't know much details yet, as Caesonian officials are keeping things quiet for unaffiliated outsiders, so we cannot be sure what exactly happened at that time aside from that it is a party."[/color] He gazed over to the other members in the meeting room, some standing and some sitting at the long table before looking back at his paper, this time more intently. [color=f49ac2]"What we know for sure is that all members returned all with degrees of alcohol intoxication. All of which I hope is no major issue for everyone?"[/color] 

By everyone he meant the physicians assigned to the four noblemen and women, glancing at each person, expecting an answer. Having talked with Thea just a moment ago, John spoke up first. [color=5486ae]"No, there is no immediate danger of alcohol poisoning for Lady Smithwood. We will continue to monitor the situation over the next couple of days, but chances are she will be fine."[/color]

The Surgeon Dentist nodded at the report before turning eyes over to the others, who also reported things along the same line. A somewhat satisfied breathe was given before he continued. [color=f49ac2]"Good, that is potentially one less thing to worry about. However..."[/color] But that breathe was exchanged for a worrisome sigh. [color=f49ac2]"Those involved also could not remember the events of last night after the ball either."[/color]

Confusing looks were exchanged across the room. Could not remember last night? [color=bc8dbf]"Just those four or [i]everyone[/i]"[/color] Someone asked.

[color=f49ac2]"Everyone. Every single person."[/color] Was replied

John had a blank stare at that revelation. Fritz was indeed speaking the truth, which threw back to the conversation with him. Indeed, one person having amnesia from alcohol brain damage is a possibility, but everyone having amnesia is definitely suspicious. Other memory related diseases and conditions are either impossible for these people or too conditional to affect that many people at once. Magic would indeed be a possible or even likely scenario. What was on John's mind at the same time was a concern. If this were indeed true, it's a dangerous precedent. Who would even attempt this? On various monarchs instead.

[color=f49ac2]"It is information that I think everyone ought to keep in mind and investigate."[/color] The Surgeon Dentist concluded, which John agreed. [color=f49ac2]"For our other major news, both Prince Felix and Princess Beatrice had decided to return to Varian along with our majesties. They will be departing this evening."[/color]

Already? John was curious to why they didn't bother with this. And whether or not the prince had anything to do with Thea earlier. But just from impression alone, he clearly does...

[color=f49ac2]"As a result, I, Dr. Hunter, Dr. Snow and Dr. Juna along with their staff would be accompanying them back,"[/color] These three were the chief physicians allowed to treat the Varian monarchs. After several reforms by the queen, only select few individuals were allowed to have these special privileges, and they were the cream of the Varian medicinal prowess so naturally they were allowed in. But by that, the royal physicians corp in Caesonia would be significantly downsized, and most importantly, these guys were also the most senior council members of the Institute. So if they were to leave, another council member would have to take charge. His eyes immediately shift over to Dr. Zinchenko, the physician for Princess Sadie, and also a fellow council member, thinking she would be taking over the role. [color=f49ac2]"Thus, I will entrust Dr. Williamson with managing our Royal Physicians here."[/color] 

He immediately swung his eyes around back to the Surgeon Dentist, who wore a small smile on him, as if to say he was serious. Why though? He was not council member, and yet he was in charge of the physicians for as long as they stayed there. Over people like Zinchenko, who surprisingly looked like she expected this outcome. 

[color=f49ac2]"Dr. Williamson have had lengthy experience in personnel, resource and crisis management. I am certain he can take on this responsibility well."[/color] As everyone's eyes were directed upon John, the new acting head gave a firm nod for reassurance. [color=f49ac2]"Doctor, if you have any concern or requests, just send us a letter and we will provide as much support as we can." [/color]

Something suddenly clicked in John's head as he said that. That must've been why he was assigned the role. He doubted there are no others who are just as or more qualified to manage people, resource and crisis, but he doubted if there are anyone who had dealt with the stuff that he did.

[color=f49ac2]"Is there any questions or doubts you have in mind?"[/color] The Surgeon Dentist asked John, to which he simply shook his head. [color=f49ac2]"If not, then good luck. Meeting adjourned."[/color]
[/hider]
[hr]
Now that he was the acting head of the royal physicians, it wasn't just these doctors that he could manage, but also partly the Institute's resources and influences as well. It is not well-known knowledge to anyone who hadn't lived in Varian for a time, but the Institute of Science is not just a social club of scholars and scientists, but is a functioning part of the government, and whose influence can sway even the king and queen into action. It's an interesting role to be in for sure, and he was no strangers to it. 

After the meeting adjourned, John stayed behind for a bit to discuss the transition with the Surgeon Dentist, who had given him quite a bit of paperwork to go through. But as that too was concluded, he was met with someone outside the guesthouse. He looked more of a servant, and John was proven right as the man approached him, introduced himself and informed John about the situation. Apparently Mina was with Leo at the athletic arena, fainted afterwards and was convulsing, and he was needed. Him being needed was a little bit redundant, as John already felt his stomach sink when Mina was involved.

He hopped onto the first carriage with the servant and headed towards the arena. Once arrived, he let the servant took charge as he led the doctor to where the two were at. Mina seemed to be back up on her feet now, which was a good sign, but it had not wiped the subtle worries off his face just yet.

[color=5486ae]"Lord Smithwood, Lady Blackwood."[/color] He nodded to the two of them instead of bowing. [color=5486ae]"I'm informed of the situation. We should get back to the guest house."[/color] He told both of them calmly. That is where the doctors are, and the most convenient to check things up. [color=5486ae]"How are you feeling, Mina?"[/color] He whispered, inadvertently informally, as he held her upper arm, noting her particularly pale face. He then turned over to Leo sternly. [color=5486ae]"Can you tell me what happened?"[/color]