[color=lightgray][h1][center][color=9AF781]Leo[/color] & [color=ab274f]Wulfric[/color] 2nd part[/center][/h1][b]Date:[/b] Sola 22nd [b]Time:[/b] Late afternoon[hr][hr] Wulfric led Antioch back the way they came. Gradually, he, Leo, and their steeds moved towards the north-west, onto a path through the forest. It was a leisurely ride now, as peaceful as it was private. [color=ab274f]“How have you been?”[/color] the prince queried. [color=ab274f]“Not facing too many difficulties due to being drugged the other night, I hope?”[/color] he questioned curiously. It seemed that those who’d attended had faced the worst of it during and immediately after the event. But he’d also been to preoccupied with his siblings’ wellbeing to pay much attention to anyone else’s. [color=9AF781]“Occasional headaches and wounded pride seem to be the only lasting effects. I’ll admit I’m a bit embarrassed to have stumbled into a scandal so quickly, but it’d be a lie to say I regret it. A new mystery curbs the appetite to continue to obsess over one that has regrettably turned cold.”[/color] The case of his missing father had no new leads to follow up on and every old clue had been picked apart until it too meant nothing. Last night’s mystery however was proving to be an exciting distraction. Wulfric tilted his head at that. It was indeed a scandal, though caused to them all by someone else. He was also [i]aware[/i] of Leo’s missing father, and the lord’s desire to find him. [color=ab274f]“Sometimes, even when you believe a trail has long gone cold, something can turn up unexpectedly.”[/color] He wasn’t saying that as a reassurance, or as a way of giving false hope. However, he thought that if Leo was seeking distractions elsewhere, then the issue he wanted to be distracted [i]from[/i] was not yet resolved to his satisfaction - and there weren’t all that many issues which were inherently unresolvable. [color=ab274f]“Personally, I do find giving my mind a rest or working on something else to be helpful. Upon returning to an old problem with fresh eyes, there can be all sorts of insights gained,”[/color] he added. Leo merely nodded, and went on to expand upon how he was tackling the current party-related mystery. [color=9AF781]“Lady Vikena and I have taken up the initiative to question last night's guest. Count Hendrix as well.”[/color] While he said the man’s name as he would any other, a slight change in expression indicated he was not fond of one third of the team. [color=9AF781]“Obviously none of us wish to step on your toes, but I’d at least prefer to ensure I’m not stuck with amnesia again.”[/color] [color=ab274f]“Understandable…”[/color] He wasn’t especially fond of the meddling, however, he couldn’t deny the attendees’ right to be informed. Though it was unclear how the other two had got involved. It did not escape him that Leo didn’t favour the count. [color=ab274f]“Did Count Hendrix say anything to you about the host as well?”[/color] he wondered. [color=9AF781]“He did mention suspected involvement of the Black Rose. A wild card, Count Hendrix, but highly observant, and perceptive. Never a bad idea to keep an eye on men like that.”[/color] Leo kept the majority of his distaste for the Varian count to himself. He believed in holding true to his word and Leo had agreed to leave his innate aversion toward the other man out of their shared investigation. He paused for a moment, [color=9AF781]“You said [i]as well,[/i] has Count Hendrix spoken with you about all this?”[/color] [color=ab274f]“Oh, yes,”[/color] he emphasized with a somewhat dry, dark amusement. A corner of his mouth drew up into an ironic smile. For a moment, he brought Antioch to a stop; they were now within an empty forest clearing far away from the city centre. [color=ab274f]“He approached me immediately after that morning meeting, which he appeared to have been listening in on,”[/color] he imparted. [color=ab274f]“He told me that the party’s host might be Marek Delronzo - owner of the Black Rose. Supposedly, he had learned of this via rumours.”[/color] It was clear Wulfric found it unlikely that the count had heard the name by happenstance alone. [color=ab274f]“Do you know why or how he and Lady Charlotte became involved in this…unofficial investigation?”[/color] the prince then queried. [color=ab274f]“And if you don’t mind, I would like to know who all you’ve questioned so far and what you have learned.”[/color] Leo could only wonder why Hendrix was so invested in all this as he pulled Menace to a stop as well. [color=9AF781]“He runs a trading company himself, I’d imagine ensuring Delronzo’s illicit activities are discovered would be a strategic way to lessen the competition. But that is speculation, I have no idea what his motives are.”[/color] Leo’s tone showed approval at this possible motive; it would be a smart move for the count to not only gain favor but to strengthen his own interests. [color=ab274f]“I had assumed the same,”[/color] Wulfric noted. But speculation wasn’t the answer he was looking for. Thankfully, Leo had more concrete information regarding Charlotte’s involvement. [color=9AF781]“Lady Charlotte offered to help look into my father’s disappearance during the ball. When we got talking the next day, I may have roped her into another mystery. After her own tragedies, and being [i]threatened[/i] by Count Calbert after the ball, I’m sure it provides a welcomed distraction and a bit of nostalgia. We spent many summers here searching out childish mysteries to solve.”[/color] He left out Charlotte’s suspicions about her mother’s death, which was hers to share if she wanted, but Calbert’s actions deserved to be brought to the prince’s attention. Indeed, it was that tidbit which piqued the prince’s interest. [color=ab274f]“Count Damien threatened her?”[/color] His eyebrows raised in mild disbelief. However, it was possible. But the question was, [color=ab274f]“Why would he do it?”[/color] he murmured quietly. He gave Leo a curt nod. [color=ab274f]“That is good to know,”[/color] he said as a way of thanking him. [color=9AF781]“I spoke with your sister first; she recalls all the events leading up to descending stairs into the party. As do I. She also mentioned this was not the first occurrence of these underground parties, though she does not remember what happened at any of them. She also mentioned seeing cupcakes on the floor. Those I’ve spoken with, and my own hazy scraps of memory, are like flashes from a mostly forgotten dream.”[/color] Leo paused to allow any follow-up questions and organize his thoughts about his conversation with Nahir. [color=ab274f]“Stairs?”[/color] Wulfric frowned. [color=ab274f]“So, we’re looking for a basement.”[/color] Quite suddenly, he was reminded of the secret archive in their castle, and how it was hidden with a combination of clever mechanisms and undoubtedly some magic as well. Delronzo could very well be doing the same. [color=ab274f]“After what happened, I did consider something similar might have happened in the past.”[/color] It was strange his sister had said it to Leo, but not to him, even though he’d asked her as much. [color=ab274f]“Does it seem to you that you have become able to remember more with time?”[/color] he questioned the lord. [color=9AF781]“It could be time, but it could also be a matter of focus. Trying to push past the mental block triggers these intense headaches.”[/color] It would be helpful if the memories all returned with time but Leo doubted it. [color=9AF781]“I know it’s a stretch but since cupcakes were mentioned I’ve been thinking of questioning the baker from the ball last night, Ezra Turner. Especially given the bizarre display he put on last night.”[/color] Leo offered up the baker as a person of interest, more than willing to grasp onto that tenuous thread mostly based on how deeply he disliked the baker. Wulfric nodded, agreeing that man should be watched. [color=9AF781]“I also spoke with Shehzadi Nahir, her memories included flashing lights and floating colors. When I mentioned my own memories, that of a clouded blue sky and strange, almost mechanical, music, she had an odd theory.”[/color] Leo paused, not entirely sure how to bring up the ‘magic trick’ theory without sounding ridiculous. [color=9AF781]“While it certainly sounds strange, everything I know or have heard about last night is almost equally strange. The Shehzadi mentioned magic as a potential cause for the weirdness of it all.”[/color] Leo did not mention magic in some hushed tone that showed any fear for such a thing, something he didn’t truly believe existed. He brought it up because he’d said he’d look into it, and because he was hoping for assurance that it was entirely make-believe. [color=ab274f]“Magic,”[/color] Wulfric repeated, lips pursing. Mainly, it struck him that Nahir must know of it, and mentioned it quite casually to another. Just who else knew? Was it liable that this would uncontrollably become public knowledge? The prince then sighed. [color=ab274f]“I have never known any drugs to cause the effects which you all have exhibited. Of course, that doesn’t mean that such drugs do not exist. As fantastical as it is…a similar argument could be made about [i]magic[/i],”[/color] it was clear he disliked this concept. [color=ab274f]“Take it if - [i]if[/i] - mundane means were to be ruled out; that is, if medical analysis proved that no drug or poison were found within the blood samples retrieved from my siblings…”[/color] He let Leo draw his own conclusion. However, he chose to add, [color=ab274f]“Let’s just say even something like that should not be discounted on principle alone.”[/color] [color=9AF781]“Well, that is not what I was hoping to hear,”[/color] Leo admitted with a sigh. [color=9AF781]“I’d prefer something that wouldn’t lead to flipping through fairy tales for explanations.”[/color] But if Wulfric was also willing to entertain the notion of magic, that was now two entirely practical people willing to accept magic as a possibility. [color=9AF781]“But if magic is real,”[/color] Leo let out a long whistle, [color=9AF781]“there’s a lot more to worry about, more than a few weird parties and lost memories. It would be the sort of threat that would require swift attention.”[/color] Leo let himself fully consider the possibility for a moment. He’d need real proof, to accept such a radical belief, but it would be a mistake to ignore such a dangerous threat. [color=ab274f]“Yes. Exactly,”[/color] the prince agreed with that assessment of severity. [color=ab274f]“However, if it exists, I believe we will not have to resort to sifting through fantastical stories. It isn’t witches or creatures from tales doing this, but humans. The effects are something tangible, so the cause must be something concrete as well. If there is something to this, we are more than capable of unearthing it.”[/color] He knew there was ‘something’ for a fact, but since Leo was keeping things on a hypothetical level, Wulfric did the same. It did not seem the lord [i]knew[/i] about magic, so he did not intend to confirm its existence as a fact. He prompted his horse into a slow walk, continuing on a path through the forest. [color=ab274f]“But leaving that angle aside for now,”[/color] he said, not keen to discuss magic anymore, [color=ab274f]“who else is there to question yet? I’m assuming Lady Charlotte - and Count Hendrix, I suppose - will speak to the remaining party goers if they haven’t already. I don’t know if you three intend to do anything more than that, but as you’ve noted, it could be dangerous,”[/color] Wulfric warned. [color=9AF781]“I believe Lady Charlotte spoke with the Shahzades after dinner while Count Hendrix was going to speak to the Varian guests. I’ve not met with them since so I don’t know what they’ve found out. I’m also not sure if either of them got the chance to speak with your brother or Kazumin, but the plan was to interview the guests and see what we could piece together from there.”[/color] Leo explained as Menace followed Antioch at a meandering pace. Leo felt more comfortable speaking about things he knew to be fully planted in reality over the hypothetical existence of magic. [color=9AF781]“Whether chemical, mystical, or mass hypnosis, this remains dangerous until we can understand how and why it was done. Even once you have apprehended the culprit, or culprits, who’s to say that someone else won’t try something similar? Even more disturbing, would anyone really go to all this trouble just to hide a party?”[/color] Leo paused and shook his head, [color=9AF781]“What’s the real goal here? A blackmail scheme? A test run before doing something worse? The more I think about it, the more it seems like it would be precarious to simply remain in the dark.”[/color] Leo explained, the goal here was answers, and the faster they got answers the better it would be for all involved. [color=ab274f]“Blackmail, sabotage, profit, experiments…”[/color] Wulfric listed a few possibilities. He understood the sentiment of not wanting to be in the dark perfectly well. However, he was wary of casually disseminating knowledge of magic. At the very least, he wanted to get a firmer grasp on it himself first. [color=ab274f]“It might not be amiss for the four of us to meet and share our findings in the following days,”[/color] he suggested. He did want to see what Hendrix and Charlotte wanted out of this. [color=ab274f]“But for now - unless you have any questions for me, or something else to discuss - we might as well enjoy the rest of our afternoon in nature,”[/color] he proposed. As dire as the situation was, there was not anything urgent they had to do at this very moment. Besides, as he’d said previously, an active respite like this was quite valuable. [color=9AF781]“I absolutely agree, any information I have shall be yours as well. This is your country after all.”[/color] Leo offered an earnest reply. Wulfric certainly had a mind for detective work and held legitimate authority in Caesonia, truly there wasn’t a single person he could think of that he’d rather add to the team. Since it seemed the prince had tired of discussing matters of secret parties and possible magic usage, Leo inquired about more pleasant topics; the latest trends in Sorian, which shops and restaurants were most worth checking out, and trading hunting stories. Nothing that would be taxing on the mind, but enough to keep a conversation going. [/color]