[center][h1][color=5486ae][b]John[/b][/color] & [color=f26522][b]Roman[/b][/color][/h1][/center] [hr]
Being the middle of the conversation with Sir Mathias didn’t snap John out of his usual watchful and observant gaze, and it soon detected the beholding of the northern blacksmith. A wordless message that doesn't need translation to a familiar acquaintance. 

John flattened his palm against one another in front of his chest as he addressed Mathias. [color=5486ae]”I’m sorry there’s someone I need to talk to. Hope to continue the catch up at a later time, Sir Mathias!”[/color]

He gave Mathias a last wave, a happier and more exciting one to Lukas before heading over to Roman, but circled around him a bit so that both of them were sideways to the crowd.

[color=5486ae]”You probably already knew what this was gonna be about.”[/color] John crossed his arms. [color=5486ae]”The lady that just left, Violet. I have some reservations about her.”[/color] He said, looking at his compatriot, occasionally glancing back at the crowd, knowing some certain individual there being a little nosy with his business. [color=5486ae]”Though I want to check with you first, how much do you know about her?”[/color]

Roman made sure they were just far enough away from the others as not to be rude but also not to be heard. Greeting his friend with his usual smile and happy demeanor. John was a trustworthy friend and a good logical advisor when he asked for his council on matters that were out of his ability. 

His tone however, was flat and did not match the smile he kept on his face, [color=f26522]“Lady Violet Damien, Mid twenties, eldest daughter of Count Damien who deals in secrets. Hobbies mostly include reading books and trying to avoid social situations that are forced upon her. Attacked by some manner of beast in her early childhood that gave her the scars on her chest.”[/color]  

he sighed but still motioned towards some of the stalls below them that were selling and making food for the evening. [color=f26522]“That was last night. Now she is cold, distant, monotone voice, pale skin, shaky on her feet and requiring a cane… the most worrying being her change in eye color from silver to red and the new scar across her face.”[/color] Roman knew what he was going to say next would have been seen as absolute insanity to anyone else, but not the Dr.

[color=f26522]“In my professional opinion on the battlefield injuries I have seen… she was most likely killed sometime within the last 24 hours… you can't hide a scar like that and she wasn't wearing any makeup last night. Yet again more evidence of heavy uses of magic in and around this city."[/color] He was blunt to the point and there was an underlying tone of being pissed off in his voice but his face did not show it.

[color=5486ae]”Astute observation.”[/color] Returned a plain but frank compliment from John. He expected much from his old friend, but his competence continued to vault over it. A faint satisfied smile formed, but his countenance soon matched Roman’s, his tone of voice lowered. [color=5486ae]”The first part is confirmed, albeit it is still a secret at the moment, at the behest of Count Damien.”[/color] 

Taking a deep breathe, John prepared for a rather lengthy explanation. [color=5486ae]”How did it all come to this? I stumbled onto Violet later at night after the ball near the library. At that point, she was already dead with an axe to the face.”[/color] He instinctively hesitated at the gruesome detail, especially considering Roman’s more affectionate attitude towards her, but knew he could not and should not lie at this moment and time, even how white it might have been. [color=5486ae]”So I let the guards know. Then Count Damien knew. And then even the prince knew. Arrest warrants issued.”[/color] Things escalated a bit beyond his initial expectation, but it was the royals. They had boners to pick with everyone. 

[color=5486ae]”That’s basically what happened last night. Now, given that her body was in their custody for the whole night, I suspect the Damiens themselves having something to do with it.”[/color] 

The lord listened intently while still holding the smile and occasionally glancing out at the festivities. The information given was indeed interesting and he would need to go over it more clearly later that evening with Erik to get a better summary of events from the other reports. he did not flinch at the mention of Violet's demise as it was what he figured had happened and appreciated the dr.’s honesty. Yet having a suspicion and actually hearing the facts was a whole different story, this only made his blood boil more at the confirmation.

[color=f26522]“More than likely to be the mother more than the father on the actual act of it. The count said that Violet and her mother left early in the morning to return to their home elsewhere. I advise that we both exercise caution, I will continue to pursue Violet. This way I can gauge whether her condition is dangerous to the rest of us.”[/color]  he paused for a moment to think again before he spoke. [color=f26522]“With how her father operates they will likely come out with some cover story and either pay off or kill the witnesses if they can't be influenced in other ways. Be careful John, my duties are to the protection of the royals and nobility but it also extends to you as well.”[/color] 

John did not know the mother, but from his brief experience with the Count, it seemed typical. The doctor would be quite interested in seeing what Calbert would be acting out in response to this, given how predictable he could be, but he refrained the morbid curiosity given how hard Roman worked to ensure their safety. 

The mother though. It’s an unknown variable that could grow dangerous just from the simple fact that they attempted necromancy to begin with. He better hope that once they got their precious daughter back, they’d stop. But the thing with magic is that it takes a lot of discipline to resist the temptation. Once you got something right, the rush of power and ego would be enormous. But it only takes one failure for even a whole kingdom to be brought down. That’s the dangerous part.

Again he paused and looked back at the others on the hill, he smiled at Sadie suddenly realizing he still had that flower to give her before returning his gaze to his friend. [color=f26522]“Do you have any information about the prince? I was told he would have been leaving tonight with the queen and king.”[/color] Roman didn't mind changing the subject but that information did bother him. [color=f26522]“I do not enjoy being miss informed about my charges.”[/color]

John let out a noticeable sigh upon the mention of the prince. [color=5486ae]”I got a notice to take charge of the Corp of Physician because our royals departed and we have no one to take else, and now he suddenly decided not to go, so I’m overseeing more work for little reasons.”[/color] 

Looking over to the silhouette of Prince Felix in the distance, he maintained a cordial smile in case they looked over. [color=5486ae]”I have no idea what he is up to. He said in a letter that he wanted to spend time away from his fiancee here, but then he decided to remain the next day. I don’t know if he has any schemes, or if he is just being mopey.”[/color] 

Given the prince Felix that he knew, it’s probably the latter. 

Speaking of if anyone has any schemes, Fritz.

[color=5486ae]”How about Count Hendrix? He’s been rather cautious around me today.”[/color] John stroked his chin, his eyes occasionally glancing around to see if he was being listened to.

Roman nodded with his words, that did sound like the prince and his antics. [color=f26522]"I’m sure we will see what comes of that tomorrow."[/color] He glanced at the count at the mention of their name, [color=f26522]"I haven't really seen much of him so far this trip, I’m sure he’s working towards something. Do you have any other concerns?"[/color]

John looked up and around, noticing the Count in the distance, deciding to drop the subject instead of bringing up the encounter he had this morning. 

[color=5486ae]”Not really, other than general unease I guess.”[/color] The doctor shrugged his shoulders, a sigh escaped his lips. [color=5486ae]”But it’s fine, I’ve had much worse actual unease than this. Thank you for listening though.”[/color]