[ Ah-ha. He sees the stance, and so he channels Kusanagi. ]
It's about the injured man you spoke to at the ball.
[ If he has the note from Jing Yuan (pending), he'll pluck it out of his book and wiggle it in the air. If not, then he'll flip open the page to the transcript, word for word. ]
This isn't a conversation we're having in the hallway.
[ It doesn't have to be in Ahito's room, but it's not happening here. ]
[How could it be that his information gathering is still his own responsibility smh.
He doesn't look pleased, but he does reluctantly step back to let Tatara in. He's free to take a seat on the couch or grab the desk chair or whatever.]
[He settles on the couch, because this is his own damn room thank you very much.]
In some hidden labs they were searching, apparently? He didn't mention a specific country or time, but... considering his arm was still injured and the other wizards were supposedly responsible, it's probably fair to guess it happened before any of us replacements showed up, but not too long ago, either.
[ The hidden labs concern him, but he has no idea where to start looking into them. Set aside for now.
The other key point of interest, however. ]
If there'd been multiple explosions, I think we would've heard about it. [ Especially if it affected someone high ranking enough to be invited to the ball. ] That seems to match up with when around the explosion in the East happened. The one we were just cleaning up. [ He studies Ahito for a second. ] Does that generally sound like it could fit in with what he told you?
[ Confirming before he moves onto the next bit of info he has. ]
[ Tatara nods firm at that. That is exactly what that implies, and the look on his face says he is not happy about it. ]
Which is why what I learned from one of your fellow wizards concerns me.
[ He flips to another page in his notebook. ]
Syrlya—Central wizard. He spoke to the City of Rain rep at the ball, and he said the rep reported Western forces taking initiative to "help" clean the place up without permission.
[ Does that mean they fucked something up? With a lab? Which spurred them to quickly clean everything up? ]
I could see that. But...I think he's the one leg up Central has over the West.
[ Even though he's not technically under Central jurisdiction...he's still considered a Central wizard. The people at the castle would be stupid to want to kill him.
That said— ]
That said, I think if anything happened to him, the one person they'd be pissing off the most is the crown prince. And I don't think they want to do that.
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after returning from the east
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You're back.
[No "welcome" or anything, merely a statement.]
What is it?
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Ahh, good! You're here. I was worried you wouldn't answer if I told you who was knocking.
[ His evilest ploy has worked.
His silly smile quickly vanishes, though. He holds up a red leather tome in his hand. ]
Do you have a sec? I need to talk to you.
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Fine. What do you want?
[Did Tatara think he was going to be let in or...]
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It's about the injured man you spoke to at the ball.
[ If he has the note from Jing Yuan (pending), he'll pluck it out of his book and wiggle it in the air. If not, then he'll flip open the page to the transcript, word for word. ]
This isn't a conversation we're having in the hallway.
[ It doesn't have to be in Ahito's room, but it's not happening here. ]
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He doesn't look pleased, but he does reluctantly step back to let Tatara in. He's free to take a seat on the couch or grab the desk chair or whatever.]
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[ Tatara steps in, and quickly makes himself at home on the desk chair. He crosses his legs, flips open his book, pulls out his pen.
When Ahito's settled (or chooses not to settle himself, whichever), he'll get straight to business. ]
The report I received from Jing Yuan had a lot of info, but since you're the one that talked to the man, I have questions for you.
[ He taps the page with his pen. ] Did he say where or when this explosion was?
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In some hidden labs they were searching, apparently? He didn't mention a specific country or time, but... considering his arm was still injured and the other wizards were supposedly responsible, it's probably fair to guess it happened before any of us replacements showed up, but not too long ago, either.
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[ The hidden labs concern him, but he has no idea where to start looking into them. Set aside for now.
The other key point of interest, however. ]
If there'd been multiple explosions, I think we would've heard about it. [ Especially if it affected someone high ranking enough to be invited to the ball. ] That seems to match up with when around the explosion in the East happened. The one we were just cleaning up. [ He studies Ahito for a second. ] Does that generally sound like it could fit in with what he told you?
[ Confirming before he moves onto the next bit of info he has. ]
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...It might be. But that would imply the western army was looking into hidden labs in the east, wouldn't it?
Not only that, but the site of the explosion could be where the labs are, too - or what remains of them.
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Which is why what I learned from one of your fellow wizards concerns me.
[ He flips to another page in his notebook. ]
Syrlya—Central wizard. He spoke to the City of Rain rep at the ball, and he said the rep reported Western forces taking initiative to "help" clean the place up without permission.
[ Does that mean they fucked something up? With a lab? Which spurred them to quickly clean everything up? ]
You should talk to him when you find the time.
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[Man... responsibilities, tho.]
...
Did Ithaqua tell you what he sensed in the Central palace?
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Oz.
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[ For various reasons. But deciding to move him would be so much worse... ]
If some people outside got wind of this, they'd be in huge trouble. [ And they, as the sage and sage's wizards, would probably have to intervene. ]
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[Explain that one to him, please.]
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[ He props his chin in his hand. ]
But I trust you and the barrier you guys put up.
[ It's true, but he's not confident that's going to make Ahito happy. ]
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[That's his main concern really.]
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[ He thinks. Central would be stupid to do that. ]
Unless you mean someone infiltrating?
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I could see that. But...I think he's the one leg up Central has over the West.
[ Even though he's not technically under Central jurisdiction...he's still considered a Central wizard. The people at the castle would be stupid to want to kill him.
That said— ]
That said, I think if anything happened to him, the one person they'd be pissing off the most is the crown prince. And I don't think they want to do that.
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...If you're sure. You'd know more about the country relations than me.
[Especially since he??? Seems to be doing his job now???? When did that happen]
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Whether I like it or not.
[ Ah well! ]
Either way, Central probably won't do anything to him. I go to the castle pretty often—I can keep you in the loop of how he's doing if you want.
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