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The days following Binky’s recovery had been a whirlwind of activity. In addition to the expected debriefings, training sessions, and patrols, a second abducted G.E.M.I.N.I. researcher, one Doctor Webber, had also returned to the fold, a development which had captured Dr. Moller’s near constant attention. Indeed, it had nearly prevented Ashley from speaking to the director about potentially initiating a Freelancer outreach program as a way of possibly aiding in recruitment, an urgent necessity in Ashley’s eyes, especially in light of how woefully understaffed the Pax Septimus branch currently was. Thankfully, she had managed to secure just enough of Dr. Moller’s precious time to receive approval for the project, and the subsequent trial run had been rather promising, as had her efforts to unlock more of her Grimoire’s power. In particular, she had discovered its ability to tap into a hitherto unknown energy source, enabling her to use less mana when employing melodies. Thus, when Dr. Moller announced that she would be holding an important briefing for all active agents, Ashely couldn’t help but feel a sense of optimism at what would be discussed. Yes, she reflected as she stepped out of her apartment, things were really starting to improve in a meaningful way.

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Hi, Ashley!”[/color] a chipper, if rather nasally voice called as soon as she had closed her door.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Oh, hello, Olivia,”[/color] Ashley replied with a smile at the sight of her scrawny, bespectacled neighbor. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“How has your, um, field trip been going?”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“It’s been going great so far!”[/color] Olivia revealed, her azure eyes seeming to sparkle with excitement. [color=LightSkyBlue]“I’ve been seeing so much of the city, and learning a lot about its history, too!”[/color] she explained. [color=LightSkyBlue]“There’s this really beautiful library in the historic district that didn’t really suffer too much damage during the hurricane, and they had so many fascinating books on the city! Oh! And then there was this really cool bookshop run by this funny old man in a wizard’s outfit! Or maybe he was a magus? Or perhaps a sorcerer…? Anyways, he was super helpful! He told me all about a bunch of local myths and monsters! I was really hoping to see one, but the only exciting thing that happened was when these two guys in robes tried to get me to be a sacrifice in this ritual they were planning. It’s okay, though!”[/color] she hastened to add upon seeing the horrified look on Ashley’s face. [color=LightSkyBlue]“I told them that they could see an eldritch creature [i]without[/i] having to sacrifice anyone, and then I showed them Xolys! And then they both ran away screaming... I really don’t know why so many people have that reaction…”[/color] she added with a puzzled frown.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“U-Um, that’s… Q-Quite the story…”[/color] Ashley mumbled, still in a bit of a daze after listening to Olivia’s bizarre ramblings. 

[color=MediumSpringGreen][i]Who even [b]is[/b] this girl…[/i][/color] she wondered. [color=MediumSpringGreen][i]And who or [b]what[/b] is Xolys? At first I thought he was just an imaginary friend, but now…[/i][/color] 

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“U-Um, Olivia?”[/color] Ashley asked tentatively, her voice lowered to little more than a whisper. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Are you an esper?”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“No, I’m not,”[/color] Olivia replied with a shake of her head. [color=LightSkyBlue]“I’ve heard that term a few times since coming here, but I don’t really know what it means. Why do you ask?”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“W-Well, because espers are people with extraordinary powers,”[/color] Ashley explained. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“And I was wondering if you, or perhaps your friend Xolys, might possibly be one.”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Oh, I see!”[/color] Olivia said with an excited nod. [color=LightSkyBlue]“That sounds extremely fascinating! I guess they’re like this place’s version of Magical Girls, then, huh?!”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“U-Um, yes, I-I suppose you could say that…”[/color] Ashley replied cautiously.

[color=MediumSpringGreen][i]Magical Girls…? I can’t tell if this girl just has an overactive imagination, or if she’s actually being serious…[/i][/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Oh wow!”[/color] Olivia gushed. [color=LightSkyBlue]“In that case, I really hope I can meet one!”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“I-I wouldn’t be too eager for that, Olivia,”[/color] Ashley cautioned. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Espers can be very dangerous, and usually only appear in response to equally dangerous situations, so I wouldn’t advise seeking them out, even with your friend Xolys to protect you.”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Oh, don’t worry!”[/color] Olivia reassured her with an amused giggle/snort. [color=LightSkyBlue]“Darling Xolys [i]always[/i] keeps me safe!”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Okay, well, in that case, good luck, I guess,”[/color] Ashley bid her exceedingly odd neighbor with a departing wave as she headed for the stairs.

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Thanks, Ashley!”[/color] Olivia called. [color=LightSkyBlue]“See you later!”[/color]

[color=MediumSpringGreen][i]What a strange girl…[/i][/color]

[hr]

Upon arriving at GEMINI HQ, Ashley found only two of her fellow agents waiting for her in the break room. Even as she greeted Finn and Estelle with a polite and gentle smile, she couldn’t help but notice how the virtually empty room threw their distressing personnel shortage into sharp relief. Mika was probably around somewhere, but the girl’s pronounced anti-social tendencies were beginning to worry Ashley. Binky and the other researchers were busy working away as usual, but Ellie was suspiciously MIA, a fact that didn’t exactly bode well for an organization tasked with protecting a city as large as Pax Septimus.

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“How have things been going, Finn?”[/color] she asked the branch’s youngest agent in an amiable voice, before switching to a more subdued tone. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Have you made any progress on your… [i]investigation?[/i]”[/color]