Double Image

[Thexare]

(// Language warning - there is occasional use of crude language and metaphor. If you can't handle that, I ask why you're playing a game where terrorists kill thousands of civilians as a matter of routine.)

Eighth Arcanum Occult & Oddities was a strange little store. Bizarre sculptures sat on the floor in front of shelves full of tomes detailing ancient and largely-forgotten rituals. On another display, strange trinkets belonging to would-be sorcerers rested next to ancient artifacts of early human settlement of Sirius.

It attracted a very unique clientele. The kind who were convinced that there were spirits among humans. The kind who suspected alien infiltration in their local coffee shop. The kind who found a strange rock and were convinced it was actually an alien artifact. Normal customers also showed up, but the more "unique" customers were always quite visible. And the proprietor had cultivated a reputation for being willing to listen to any story, no matter how far-fetched.

The truth of Sirius is that most pilots will, at some point in their career, come across some form of Slomon K'hara activity. Some people were simply more willing to admit it. Many of them were wrong, but the one good lead was worth it.

It also funneled a surprising number of genuine alien artifacts into the store and, from there, to contacts in the deep Omicrons.

The owner, one Zachary Powell, was a similarly peculiar-looking individual. His shoulder-length black hair loosely framed his face, and he wore what would best be described as a modern interpretation of a wizard's robe; its open front revealed a runed necklace, and the tip of a magic wand could be seen poking out from the general vicinity of his left hip.

The chime above the door marked the arrival of another, similarly distinct woman. For the most part, she looked normal, though particularly attractive. Her simple tank top-and-shorts outfit, while not overly revealing, did little to hide her body, and almost succeeded in drawing attention away from her remarkably bright blue eyes. She made her way directly to the counter, leaned over, and in a soft voice audible only to him and blonde at the register said, "You and me are going to go out and have a wonderful evening. Right now. 'kay?"

He paused for a moment to consider, and realized that he had two very big reasons to play along.

The first one was that her tone indicated this was serious, not just an oddly-forceful invitation for a date. The second was that this was Mia Santini, Mirage agent.

"Go ahead, Zack. I've got things under control here," the blonde said, turning to Mia. "Just don't keep him too long."

"I'll have him back by four."

"It's already five!"

"I mean tomorrow," she said with a wink, pulling Zachary out the front door. She led him to her car, an expensive hoverspeeder model popular among people who like to drive where there aren't roads. As they got in and she started the engine, she said "I guess it's a good time for introductions. I'm Mia."

"I'm Zack."

"No you're not, let's try again. I'm Mia."

"I just told you, I'm Z-"

"Oh, Jake, did you really forget about Freeport 9? We had lunch, you showed me around, we shot down an uppity pirate. I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I'm not really an airheaded bimbo. I just play one sometimes."

Well. Shit. "So what's this about?" he asked, resting his left hand near the wand.

"And I know why you're going for the wand. Concealed laser, right? Well, don't worry. Hurting you is the last thing on my mind," she said with a coy half-smile. "Actually, I need your help." At some point during the conversation, she had started driving. Jacob wasn't sure when, or how he hadn't noticed; he was feeling increasingly out of practice as this went on. "See, here's the thing. I've been thinking about that fight. You were a Zoner, supposedly, but I've never seen a Zoner fly like that. Unflinching calm, but regret. That's not how a pacifist would fly. That's not how a Hunter would fly."

Oh no. No no no n-

"And your little charade here is way too good to go with any of that... unless you were with The Order."

FUCK!

"You're pretty good at putting on a brave face, too. But calm down, really," she said softly, putting her hand gently on his left arm. "I told you, I need your help. And even if you say no, I'm not going to rat you out. Honestly, your disguise is good enough I wasn't even completely sure it was you."

"... alright," he sighed, knowing he was beaten. "Where are we going?"

"There's a quiet little lake nearby. More of a pond, really, but who's counting? We'll talk there, so if you feel like you need to run away you can," Mia explained, smirking.

Only a few minutes riding in silence, other than the rock station playing on the radio (a misnomer, but one kept out of habit), had passed before they arrived. A small pond in a clearing, with no one else in sight - but clear sight to the road. Of course, Mia was very visibly unarmed, so the Order agent shouldn't have been concerned, but under the circumstances...

"Alright, Mia, what do you want?" he asked, standing just outside the car.

"Aw, c'mon, let's sit by the pond." Jacob sighed in resignation, which he noted was becoming a recurring theme, and sat next to her. "That's better!"

"To business, then?"

"You know, that attitude might explain a few things about your love life." A sharp glare was the only response. "Seriously! You're alone with a pretty girl, miles away from anywhere and anyone, and your first thought is business."

"Pretty girls tend to be suspicious. The prettier they are, the more suspicious they are."

"What about the ones workin' for you?"

"That'd be how I learned." Mia laughed and slid slightly closer to him - enough that he'd notice, and intentionally so. "But if we could get to the point please?"

"Oh, fine. Since you wanna be boring about this. Look, you... I think you can guess, but I'm from Malta. And I know about some... issues they've had with The Order recently."

"And your opinion of this is..?"

"It's... not entirely fair, but I know why. It's the Spirit Cults. They've basically taken over Maltese politics. That's part of why I got out when I did."

"So their support isn't universal."

"No, but it is pretty widespread. Most of the civilians don't know any better. Most of those who do know better can't act on it, because it'd cripple them politically... or get them killed."

"I see. Then Mirage's departure..?"

"Politics. Far more than just the Spirits; dad wanted something that would never come to pass." Seeing the questioning look on Jacob's face, she elaborated, "He wanted a civilized Nacion Maltesa. He wanted us to put our raiding expertise to use against the Gallic threat alongside Bretonia, to establish a proper industry and economy, to make peace with the rest of Sirius... and to reunite with the Corsairs. The strength of the Maltese, he always said, was our ability to adapt and overcome."

"Instead, they let their unfortunate circumstances define them. They lashed out at all around them, and deprived of new targets, turned their swords inward."

"Yeah. They see other humans as being beneath them. It's not an inherent aspect of cardamine use, though... blame human nature for that one."

"Seperate one group from the rest, and over time they'll see them not as other people, but as The Other, The Enemy."

"Yep."

"Mia, I'm not sure what you're asking. I can't change human nature."

"Of course not, I know that. Just... there's others like me, like my family. Disillusioned with Maltese politics, those who don't believe the 'Spirits' are benevolent. Not many, but they're out there. Can you... protect them somehow?"

"I... don't know. I'll pass it along, but I'm not in a command position. Unfortunately, because of Cardamine's effects, The Order won't be making any distinctions between transports and combat ships... and the slave trade is doing them no favors." He sighed, glancing at a bird that landed nearby, and continued, "I honestly don't think I can do anything at all without some names. Leaving the Outcasts entirely would almost certainly be required."

"Well... I guess that's a start," Mia said, quickly hopping to her feet. "Now, how do you feel about sushi?"

"... come again?"

"Well, you might've forgotten this too, but I said earlier we were going to have a wonderful evening, and I meant it. Wouldn't want your coworkers thinking you blew it, would we?"

[Thexare]

The next day..

"It's noon. Date went well, huh?" Lauren, the blonde from the previous day, asked as soon as "Zack" walked into the store.

"You don't know the half of it. Masayuki, can you run things? I'll fill you in later."

"Hm? Sounds like I don't really need to know."

"Trust me on this one, it's important," Mystic replied, walking into the back room with Lauren, another blonde woman, this one wearing glasses, and a quiet albino woman.

"So what's the story with you and Tits anyway?" Lauren asked as she closed the door behind them.

"Melissa." The albino looked up. "Get me the scanner report from 1645 to 1715 yesterday." She pulled the record up on the computer in the back room and projected the result on the wall.

Code:

1655 - bioscan normal 1x, DK inactive 1x
1701 - bioscan nonstandard human 1x
1702 - bioscan nonstandard human 1x, bioscan standard 1x, weapons-grade laser 1x
1710 - bioscan normal 2x
1711 - bioscan normal 1x

1701 analysis:

A string of code followed the final line.

'So it picks up implants now?" Lauren asked, an eyebrow cocked.

"Well I know where your eyes were," Melissa commented, before pointing at a specific segment of code and calling up the camera footage from Mia's visit. "If you'd look up, though, there was something about her eyes, something wasn't... normal. K'hara influence shows up that way. But according to this section here... it wasn't a Nomad."

"Cardamine," the other blonde, Alicia, said. "Among some of the Outcasts, it's produced unusual physical attributes. Another influential Outcast from a few years back, Mia Bonello, had discolored hair. "

"Glad we cleared all that up," Mystic said, noting a different section of code mentally. "That's the first problem solved."

"What's the second?" Lauren asked, finally serious.

"She knows." Silence. Melissa shook slightly, but Mystic put a hand on her shoulder and continued. "Only about me. That's why she pulled me away - she wants my help."

"What," both blondes replied flatly in unison.

"Maltese politics are, surprisingly, even more vicious than those of Liberty. Especially if you're one of the few that doesn't buy into the spirit cults."

"What does she want us to do, then?"

"Simple enough, Lauren. Help the nonbelievers and the political dissidents. A tall order... and one above our command, really."

"You actually want to help the slavers?" Alicia asked, incredulous. "Look, I know y-"

"I've always been fond of second chances, Blackmoon." Dead silence. Alicia stared at Mystic, clearly at the least highly agitated, and Mystic returned her stare with a slight, half-mocking smile.

"M- Jacob. We cannot trust them," Alicia insisted, a hint of pleading in her voice.

"My contacts are no longer with Malta. They have left, as disgusted with their compatriots as you are. They're even refusing cardamine now, switched to Stabiline... not that Cryer's much better." He paused, and smiled again. "Besides... we can trust their motivations."

"Wait... there's more than one!?"

"Of course, Alicia. I think you'd know the other, too... Emilio Santini." In that moment, Alicia looked even paler than Melissa. "As I said. They both left. Emilio freed all his slaves, gave them enough money to start a new life anywhere in Sirius. And Mia's been an author and illustrator for a few years already. Really, Alicia, I think you'd like her... almost as much as Lauren seems to."

"Dammit, Jake." Melissa's laughter seemed to be the point of the joke, since she was still a bit shaken. Lauren continued, "But that wouldn't have taken that long."

"She's a smart girl. As I said, she didn't know the rest of you are also... y'know. So, partially to keep up appearances, that date actually did happen."

"... again, it's after noon."

"Congratulations, you can tell time. Now we'll work on your multiplication tables."

"Dammit, Jake!"

[Thexare]

"So, what, Bretonia loses a game of football and ends up Gallia's bitch?" Alicia asked.

"Well, I mean, they're already in that state now. At least this way no one would have to die," Mia replied, shrugging.

"I take it you've never seen a football riot," the ex-Hacker said, shaking her head.

"That's why we have the soldiers watching the game!"

"I... guess that'd work."

Since her first visit, Mia had become a regular visitor to Eighth Arcanum, bringing with her a variety of artifacts acquired from a variety of black market vendors. Vendors, it must be noted, that had a remarkable tendency to show up in the emergency room at around the same time as her delivery. Most had no research value, and a handful were kept on-hand to convince new suppliers that Eighth Arcanum wasn't an LSF sting operation, but the assistance was still appreciated.

"So Zack, are we still going out tonight?"

"That's the plan. Got some stuff to talk about anyway."

They were using their 'dates' to keep each other up to date on matters involving the Outcasts, so Mia knew what he meant. And so did Alicia, for that matter - but Mia didn't know Alicia knew, so he had to keep the act going. Of course, he couldn't deny enjoying both the "I know you don't know she knows" game and the dates themselves.

Just then, the door chimed and an old man walked in, clearly distressed. He immediately went to the counter, where Zack recognized him as one of the rgulars.

"Hey, John. You alright?"

"They're- he- it's back."

"Slow down, it's alright. What's going on?"

"Sakyamuni. It's back. It's here."

Zack glanced over at Alicia and took a small disc out of his pocket. He rested that hand on the man's shoulder and said, "Alright, relax. I'll look into it." He waved over to Alicia, holding the disc up so she could see it. "You have things under control here?"

"Yeah. Careful out there, Z."

"Mia, you're with me. Let's go. I hope you have something light."

"The Rabbit's at the Spaceport. Light scout, should do the job." After they left the store, she asked, "So what's Sakyamuni? I'm guessing that guy wasn't a Buddhist."

"... Spirit."

"We should go, then. I'll drive, I know a shortcut."

--- ---

"Eighth Arcanum patrol, you're cleared for launch. We're picking up reports of strange activity off the lanes, be careful."

"Thanks, Sacramento. Mystic out." The DXM-31H Crow Seventeenth Star and EVO-1N Manaslu Rabbit launched and flew 'north'.

"Mystic, what's going on?"

"Magician, Sakyamuni was an entity I found in orbit of Manhattan. I intercepted and destroyed it. Given the dificulty in intercepting it - and the fact that it was reportedly invisible to common scanners - its return would be a bad thing... if true."

"You think it's not?"

"Raving old men are not the most reliable source... and I wouldn't be surprised if this was someone from command trying to test me."

"Oh, hey, what was that round thing you hit that guy with?"

"Ah, you saw that. Delayed-action sedative. About a minute after we left, he started a two-hour nap. Best way to calm him down. Thankfully, he doesn't have much feeling in that shoulder, so he didn't notice getting pricked. Now, when we get to the Sierra field, we're scanning for exhaust."

"That won't be hard, got some experience tracking spirits back home."

Their search led them to an isolated empty pocket, about a 6K sphere with no asteroids anywhere, where both their scanners started beeping.

"Magician, check your scans. I'm picking up something non-Sirian, but I can't narrow it down further."

"Yep. This is definitely, uh... we'll call it 'Spirit Dust'. We're looking at a... Sentinel. Cruiser type."

"... Sakyamuni wasn't an Irra."

"That's what you call 'em? Well, I figured that. If he was, we'd have launched bombers."

"Alright, can we get anything else out of this?"

"Hmmm... exhaust is about five days old, by current stellar drift patterns... beyond that, I can't get much. Looks like he was headed for the Barrier, but that doesn't help any. EW scanners only work within a few hours, so I can't get any more than that."

"Damn. Alright, save a log, we'll have to look into it when we get back." He paused, and added, "Hey, Mia... thought about working for us?"

"I like how things are now. I get to do the fun parts of working for you, but I can still mess with the other girls."

"As you wish. Let's head back."

[Thexare]

Unusually, today Mystic was dressed in a very normal outfit. A simple slate blue shirt, light khaki pants, and his hair drawn back in a loose ponytail. Across the court, Lauren wore a red tank top and a loose black skirt.

In tennis, after all, you need far more freedom of movement than Mystic's typical outfits provide. It was once again his ball, and he let loose with a forceful serve. Lauren would've been able to return it, were it not for a freak bounce off a stray pebble sending the ball off to the side.

"Hah! Fifteen-love."

"You lucky bastard!" she shouted, returning to position and tossing the ball back over the net. Second serve, this time returned gracefully. A brief volley ended with Lauren overextending, and being unable to catch up in time on Mystic's return shot.

"That makes thirty," he taunted, taking the ball back to his position. Third serve, surprisingly weak. The ball bounced too low; Lauren's return hit the net. "Now forty!"

"Just serve the damn ball."

"As you wish," he said with a smirk, smashing the ball at full force. This time, Lauren held back, returning from near the baseline. Despite a few attempts to get the ball over Mystic's head, this point again ended in his favor, for the game. Just as Lauren had taken the ball for her turn, she saw a familiar face.

"Hey, Mystic, looks like Tits showed up," she said, glancing over at their visitor.

"Yep! So did the rest of me, but I understand how you missed that," Mia replied, smiling.

"How'd you find us, anyway?" Lauren asked, a little confused.

"Oh, I just followed your car after I saw Zack getting in." A sharp glare from Lauren was the response. "Relax, I'm kidding. Alicia told me you'd be here. Thought I'd see how things are going," she explained, looking at Lauren and adding, "That outfit looks really good on you, by the way. Definitely your colors."

"Any news?" 'Zack' asked, to Mia's disappointment.

"Aw, is the act over? Fine, fine, since she knows. Elections in Kusari were held recently, Gallia's still crawling up Bretonia's ass, but all's quiet on the blue front. Weirdly quiet. If I had to guess, they're holding back until all the people are done fighting."

"There's some rumors out of Texas about something, but I don't have anything concrete yet... anything else?"

"Well, there's a lot of angry people at Freeport 6 lately, but I doubt that's anything important. You know how moody they can be. Now get back to that game, I wanna see someone that can finally beat mom and sis in doubles."

"You're in for some disappointment, then... Lauren's a lot better than I am. We're at one and five so far."

"... Well, maybe me and Lauren can win one. Keep playing, I still wanna watch."

[Thexare]

Siren's Call is a small bar in New Vancouver, built early in planning the colony's layout so as to ensure a quiet respite from the noise.

And by "quiet", I mostly mean "every night is karaoke night".

Zack had been looking around the town and heard that there were usually some very good performances, so he decided to stop in. It wasn't a terribly large establishment; big enough for its usual patrons, but that was about it. The main notable feature was the stage at the far end from the entry, usually used for karaoke performances though occasionally a local band might try their luck. Just after entering, he saw a strangely familiar face at a table in the middle, but he couldn't put his finger on where he knew her from. Much like Mia, she had somewhat short hair, cut a little above the shoulder, and extremely light skin, but her bearing was far different - more graceful and collected than the far more energetic Magician. Her attire wasn't particularly remarkable; a simple purple cocktail dress. Across from her, a tan-skinned woman with black hair sat, but he couldn't really make out any details. The lady in violet noticed Zack and waved him over.

"I was wondering when you'd show up," she said softly as he took his seat.

"I... yeah, sorry. Do I... know you from somewhere?"

"Mmm. Maybe," she replied, a gentle smile never leaving her face. "I'm Elia, this is Sally. We're travellers, just wandering around Sirius, watching and learning." Elia... the name sounded familiar. Comforting somehow. "And you are... hm. At the moment, you're Zack, correct?"

By the Lady, does everyone know?! Sally saw his reaction and put a hand on his shoulder. "Relax a bit, alright? I know the value of secrets, I'm sure you have your reasons."

Elia nodded. "We've been on your path for quite a while, you know. Never really meant to be, but Sirius is wonderful like that. The same few people tend to meet each other over and over, no matter where they go."

"So, wait... when did we meet?" 'Zack' asked, increasingly confused.

"Didn't I just say I know the value of secrets?" Sally answered with a sly smirk. "Come on, you're smarter than this."

"... Right, that. So what brings you two here anyway?"

"You'd never know from looking at the place, but they have a great wine selection. That, and the singing is usually really good here. I think a friend of yours is up next- ah, yep, there she goes."

Sure enough, Mia took the stage. Zack had somehow completely missed her presence, probably because the women at the table had taken all his attention. She stepped up to the mic, and...

'ALL ABOARD! Hahahahaha..."

".. not the song I would've expected," Elia admitted.

[Thexare]

The Santini residence on Cambridge was not a terribly extravagant affair, opting instead for more muted, elegant styling. The Eighth Arcanum Tennis Team - that is, Mia and Lauren - were here for a doubles match, and a few other agents were on hand for business. So Mystic and Emilio could meet face to face, and to convince Alicia that they weren't that bad.

Behind the estate sat a tennis court, small basketball court, swimming pool, and outdoor dining area. Emilio and Zack sat at one of the tables, with Alicia, Masayuki, Melissa, and Alyssa at the next one.

"You know how Liberty goes. The bureaucracy is efficient at feeding the bureaucracy. The Rogues now have two major groups - the Padua Rogues have started up again, though the Alcatraz band doesn't seem to be out lately. Which I appreciate, they were pretty violent even for Rogues."

"Yes, I know the type," Emilio replied as Serena set down a cup of tea for him and each of their guests. "Dealt with some like that myself in my day; they have their uses, but not for long."

"You're talking about business again?" Serena sighed, shaking her head. "You should try to relax once in a while, have some fun."

"Mrs. Santini-" Zack started.

"Serena, dear," she interrupted.

"- if you don't enjoy business, you're in the wrong one," he finished. She smiled and picked up a green tennis racket that was leaning on the wall. She and Tiana took the far side of the court, and Mia and Lauren took the near. The younger Santinis, as usual, each wore an all-black outfit - a tank top and skirt for Mia, a t-shirt and slacks for Tiana. Serena settled for a simple green tank top and white running shorts that would easily hold the attention of anyone in attendance. But Zack was a trained Order agent, and wouldn't be distracted by her long, toned legs, her perfectly-tanned skin, the way she bounced when-

Zack shook his head. Focus, Zack, focus.

Emilio laughed quietly and took another sip of his tea. "She has that effect on a lot of people. Mostly men."

"Suddenly I'm not sure the Outcasts really needed the cardamine to try to take over."

"Funny you should mention that - she's not from Malta. She was a freelancer working for the Hackers, I met her on a business trip. Back when I still made those trips, that is."

"I'm surprised you're willing to tell me that," Zack noted over the lip of his cup.

"Well, there's two reasons. One, the wedding was a private affair, and she wiped any records of it. To Malta, she was untraceable. Two, I know I'm not the only one to employ a former Hacker affiliate." He glanced over at Alicia with a smile, but not one she found at all comforting. "You covered your tracks pretty well, Blackmoon-"

"Sorceress."

"Whichever. But some of us were able to track you."

"What's your point?" she demanded.

"You can't run from the past, Alicia. Try as you might, it will always be a part of you. You can hide it from others, most of the time, but you can't hide it from yourself - that's why you're wound up like a children's toy. You've tried to bury it instead of moving on."

"Hah. You're one to talk."

"I am speaking from experience, yes."

"You're still running the same spy games and influence peddling you always did - you're not the only one with an information network. And you're still doing it to try to help the slavers."

Emilio had no response.

"Alicia, please, that's quite enough," Masayuki said quietly, trying to keep the situation from escalating.

"Hm. You do have a point, Alicia," Emilio said quietly, gazing into the distance. "We all want what's best for our people, don't we?"

Attempting to change the subject, Melissa spoke up finally, "Honestly, I still can't believe Serena's your wife. She looks young enough to be Lauren's lover or something."

"Goddammit Melissa I heard that!" Lauren shouted.

[Thexare]

Zack and Mia were out walking near Eighth Arcanum Occult & Oddities, enjoying the weather on Zack's lunch break. A clear sky and a gentle breeze made for a very relaxing day.

"No, see, it wasn't the bombs that took the base down. I didn't use enough powder," Mia said, shaking her head.

"What did, then?"

"Someone driving a truck was surprised by the explosion and ran into a support beam. The wntire base imploded on it."

"You're kidding."

"Nope. The Ibanez compound was brought down by a donut truck." They both laughed and walked around a family going the other way down the sidewalk. Unremarkable, just a man and a woman, and a brown-haired girl. But when she passed them, Mia stopped in her tracks, shaking.

"... Mia? Mia, are you alright?"

"I... Y- well... no. Can we talk? Back at the store?"

"Please."

---

About twenty years ago...

The Santini family - Emilio, Serena, and a young Mia - are gathered around a bed, with a doctor nearby. On the bed lay a teenager with light skin and light brown hair; she looked a lot like a paler Serena.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Santini, but I've done all I can for her," the doctor said, shaking his head.

"Then.... I guess I'm going to-"

"Anabel, please," Emilio pleaded, looking down at Mia.

"Please, dad. We... all know," the young girl said wearily. "Mia, come here please."

"Bella, I-" Mia started.

"Can't do anything about it. I'm sorry, Mia, but... I... I need you to do me a favor. Please."

"Anything, sis."

Anabel smiled. "Take... take care of Tiana. Be strong. She needs you."

"But I need you, Bella!" she pleaded, hugging her bedridden sister. Anabel returned her embrace as strongly as she could, but there was almost nothing there.

"No, Mia. You're a strong girl. And you have mom and dad."

"Bella, please... don't die..."

"It'll... be alright. The pain's... almost gone. Smile for me, one last time Mia. Please." Mia tearfully forced a smile just as Tiana, only a toddler at the time, clumsily walked into the room.

"Mia!" she called, completely oblivious to what was going on. "Mia, come on!"

"Mia, go play with Tiana. I... want to talk to mom."

---

"So I forced a smile, I joked, I laughed... all for Tiana."

"Then, all this time, it's been an act?" Zack asked, with Mia leaning over on his shoulder.

"No... not anymore. After the first few years, it was just who I was. But for a while, every night I cried until I fell asleep. I just... couldn't put Tiana through that. I had to look happy, for her. It's just... that girl, she looked a lot like Anabel." Mia sniffed, and leaned back on the break room couch. "Sorry, Z. Didn't mean to ruin your break."

He shook his head and smiled. "It's fine. It sounds like you needed to get that off your chest."

"Yeah... thanks. Can I... stay here for a bit?"

"Collecting your thoughts? I understand, it's fine. Shout if you need me."

[Thexare]

"There's a lady in violet here to see you, Z," Lauren said, poking her head into the break room. Zack had been reading a story about a small village founded just after an apocalyptic event, and the trials of its inhabitants. They had just slain a vicious void dragon, but there were still more trials ahead.

But that chapter would clearly have to wait.

"Interesting phrasing," he muttered, putting his tablet down. "I'll explain later," he added, noting her quizzical look.

---

"Eighth Arcanum welcomes you, Elia. What brings you here?"

"I found something I wanted you to take a look at," she replied, fishing from her pocket an ornate brass-colored pendant set with brilliant purple gemstones.

"I'd think you'd want a different color. You know, as an accent. Purple on purple is just redundant," Lauren commented, leaning on the counter.

"Mm. I'm curious about its origin, if you get my meaning," Elia explained quietly.

"Ah, of course," Zack replied, pulling a small laser-like pointer out of his right pocket and shining it on the pendant. Over the metal portions, it was a pale bluish color, with a hint of red in the center of the beam. Shone into the crystal, it illuminated the gem, casting a beautiful blue light inside.

"So what's that mean?"

"It's safe, I can say that. I'd get a different light if it wasn't. I'm going to guess the metal is some sort of alloy, but I'm not sure. The crystal's definitely Thelaryst, which hasn't been seen in any artifacts to date," he said, hastening and lowering his voice toward the end. Elia looked interested, so he continued at his normal pace and volume, "Thelaryst first became a popular decorative stone a few years into the artifact boom; it has a similar look to the stones in some artifacts, but it's a lot cheaper. Shortly after the ban, it saw a second surge in popularity, because it's legal. This alloy metal doesn't have the proper coloration, it's too light to pass for an artifact, which tells me it's relatively new - within the last twenty years, after Liberty's ban took effect. People wanted the style, but not the LSF harassment. Where'd you get this?"

"A smuggler was trying to sell it," Elia replied quietly, a sly smile on her face. "I talked him down to five hundred credits, he was panicking and wanted to ditch it. If it wasn't even an artifact, though.."

"Might've been a rookie, mgiht've been a theft, might've been an inept con artist. The good news is, you weren't ripped off. You won't make anything off it either though. I'd take it to the police in case it was stolen, if the police weren't the LPI."

"I see. Well, thanks for the information, Zack," Elia said, taking the pendant back. "I think that'll be all for me today. Another time, then," she said, turning toward the door.

"Okay, now what's going on with this girl?" Lauren asked, leading Zack to the break room.

---

"So what you're saying is, she's a dead ringer for the goddess you call the Lady in Violet."

"Yes."

"But she's not the Lady in Violet, because you made her up."

"Mhm."

"Does it ever occur to you just how goddamn weird your life is?"

"Lauren, I'm an undercover Order agent in disguise as a fortune telling security contractor and owner of an occult shop that entertains fantastical stories of alien encounters that typically result from high doses of hallucinogenic drugs, who is at the end of the day grateful for his peaceful, near-soundproof break room to get away from the nonsense. Yes, I think I know how weird my life is."