daybreakacademy | so many new things, it's like sensory overload

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so many new things, it's like sensory overload

Who: Emille and whomever
What: A. Emille makes herself at home in her office; B. Emille checking out the library; C. An ad posted on the Iris Network; D. Wildcard.
When: Early January, through January 8 or so.
Where: A. Anywhere between Savant and the research labs in the Citadel; B. The prophecy section of the library; C. Online; D. Wherever.
Warnings: None.

A. Moving in

[Emille's eyes had lit up and her heart had skipped a beat in anticipation when she first saw the immaculate white and silver laboratory area underneath Daybreak proper. Supercomputers? Check. A full stock of chemicals? Check. Tables for dissection? Check. Stasis tubes? Check. Check, check, check!

And, best of all -- Emille was appointed as the head of this lab, given free reign to do what she wanted when she wanted as she saw fit. It was all she'd ever wanted; the culmination of so many dreams. The large office directly in the back of the laboratory complex even had her name above the door in gold lettering, and it was enough to make her smile in approval. This was going to be the beginning of something glorious.

The office itself was spacious, with a computer underneath a window looking out over the lab immediately to the left of the doorway. The desk that the computer sat on continued to wrap around the corner to also occupy the entire left wall. Bookshelves lined the back wall, and a couch sat up against the right wall ending just where the door rested when swung open. It was no luxury suite, but it was fully functional for all of Emille's needs. The couch especially caught her attention, and amused her a bit -- yes, yes, scientists were well-known for living in their labs. Sometimes it just can't be helped. But the couch will certainly help when those all-nighters arrive, which she was sure they would.

Ever since then, Emille has been moving boxes of materials from the common room of the Savant faculty dorm all the way down to her office, bit by bit. She wouldn't admit it, but some of the boxes of books are quite heavy for her, and so she's leaving them for last. Or for anyone who takes pity on a child-sized scientist...]

B. Library lurking

[Emille's finally caught a break, and so she's decided to visit the library. She'd heard good things about the number of old and rare tomes available to the campus, but she had no idea about the collection of prophecies housed in the Hall of Pythia.

It's where she is now, perusing the titles, hoping to see if anyone's ever had any visions of Dragon daemons. Someone might want to point her to the prophecy index, though, before she spends all night here.]

C. UN: murakumo_emille | SUBJECT: Help Requested

Anyone interested in working in a state-of-the-art laboratory or learning about scientific procedures is welcome to join Head Researcher Emille in the Citadel's labs as a lab assistant. As an assistant, you will help with research projects, help keep the lab in pristine condition, and have the opportunity to do your own research.

Multiple positions are available. Students with previous lab experience are preferred, but anyone who is eager to learn is welcome. THIS WILL BE LIKE A JOB, so you will be expected to work and produce results. You will be compensated for your time.

Please reply to this ad or see Head Researcher Emille if you are interested, or if you have further questions. Thank you.

--Emille

D. Wildcard
Would you like to introduce yourself to Emille elsewhere on campus, perhaps when she doesn't seem as busy? Want to reply to her ad in person? Go right ahead! Or whatever else your heart desires. I'm down for whatever. Emille might not be, but she'll just have to deal with it.

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[Pursue, she says? This conversation is getting to a direction Lancer does not expect when he first assists her. He notices her expression changes, however expects it as he doesn't really have meaningful information for her.]

I see. That's some interesting way to hunt its prey I would say. But why are ya pursuing this Dragon? Job? Interest? Or some history ya had with it?

[and then Lancer stops as she asks where he's from. His expression also changes, cold and distant. She probably can feel the anger and frustration from him and the aura around him changes to something way more unpleasant.]

I... I was from Ulster, northern part of Ireland.

I suppose you could say all three. [Emille's voice turns icy as she continues.] I exist solely for the purpose of eradicating the entire Dragon breed. The bloodthirsty beasts deserve not even one drop of mercy. [The words of hatred come so easily out of her mouth, as if she's repeated them time and time again.] I am sure you are wondering how a tiny woman such as myself will be able to accomplish such a feat, but I will do it. I shall not fail.

[Her fire is cooled when she notices Lancer's change in demeanor. It seems that his homeland is a touchy subject for him. She nods in appreciation, as if to silently acknowledge the pain she notices in his eyes. She'll keep her statement short and sweet:]

Thank you. Ireland is a land of many myths, so I have high hopes for unearthing a version of the dragon tale your master told you. [A pause, then:] I hope you do not mind if I do some research on Ulster? [She doesn't want to step on any toes here.]

[She....has the same feeling as him. He doesn’t know what is it yet, but the amount of determination she has, Lancer couldn’t think of anything else but that reason. Is she...the same as him? He just shrug as he hears what she says. Probably because he doesn’t expect this interesting turn of event.]

Hmph, good spirit. I believe ya can do it too.

[and as for her second question... Lancer turns his back from her, not wanting her to see his bloodthirsty face.]

Ulster is already destroyed. So don’t waste your time researchin’ somethin that doesn’t exist anymore. But feel free to do as you like.

[His words. Cold. She can probably sense the anger and confusion in his tone as well.]

[Emille is just slightly surprised that Lancer takes her declaration so easily. She's always been questioned, or told that she was way out of her league, to be a non-magical human up against otherworldly creatures. The surprise manifests itself into a quick but determined smile -- finally, someone who believes her.]

Heh. It is the only spirit worth having. A life without goals is a life wasted. I hope you have an admirable goal as well, Lancer.

[Though she is caught off-guard by his comment on Ulster. As far as she knew, Ireland was still an extant country? One plagued by in-fighting over loyalties, but it was there on the map the last time she checked. Unless he's talking about an imminent destruction that hasn't happened yet? In any case, she has little interest in current or future Ireland, unless the Dragons visit.]

I am not sure I follow you about Ulster, but all I am interested in is its past. As long as records remain, research can be done. We must look to the past to decipher the future.

[The elevator they've been airing their emotions out in for the past few minutes finally comes to a stop, opening up into the Citadel. Emille steps out, looks at Lancer, and tilts her head to the left.] Please follow me this way.

[Finding someone as determined as her is also reassuring for Lancer. After all, his mission needs also laser focus and immense determination. She also has a point about researching the past, heck, that is what Lancer has been doing for the past month. It seems his mind is still clouded when other people is talking about it and his emotions get the best out of him.

look at the past to decipher the future, she says? what an interesting word of choice.]

If you are about to do research about Ulster, then expect me to tag along all the time. I also want to know the reason of my land's destruction. Ya can say that's why I'm here for.

[With that Lancer follows Emille to her office. He looks around and of course after all that conversation his happy-go-lucky side turns into a more serious and gloomy expression. It has just been a month since Ulster is just annihilated, no trace, nothing. Just picturing that over and over again has not been easy for Lancer.]

[Emille has certainly noticed that Lancer's emotional state has taken a 180-degree turn-around from when he snatched the box he just put down out of her hands not too long ago.

Her office is spacious, and there is an inviting couch against the right wall. She motions towards it.]

Please, make yourself comfortable, if you wish. Now that one task is finished, it seems that another is already at hand. You have mentioned twice now that Ulster has been destroyed. Could you possibly clarify this? It is not that I do not believe you, as your mannerisms do not betray your sorrow and anger for your land, but it seems unreal to imagine an entire portion of a country gone.

[She wants to help him, but this seems rather odd. Perhaps she has been too busy during her move to Daybreak that she hasn't paid enough attention to world events?]

[Lancer quickly helps himself and sits on the couch, lifting his head up and sighing a bit. Her office sure is spacious, but Lancer’s mind is just so occupied with Ulster he barely notices it.

And her questions are all but valid. Having an entire northern part of a country destroyed is a feat that is almost impossible to achieve, unless something really powerful or supernatural happens. However, Lancer is just as clueless as Emille for now.]

Wish I could explain to you what happened as well. I just finished my training with my master before I was ready to return to the Knights of the Red Branch. When I stepped in my homeland, it’s all ashes. Burned down. Bodies here and there. Though most of them are missin’. I traveled to different parts of the land, same result.

I would want this to be unreal too. But if Ulster is still standin’, I wouldn’t be here.

[The first time after he got into this academy, finally talking to someone about this. A person he just met on top of it all. Such turn of event.]

[Emille follows Lancer's lead and sits down at her desk, which is not too far in front of the couch. As she listens to his explanation, she is reminded much too clearly of her encounter with Dragons -- the fire, the screams, the smell of burning flesh and blood... At least he didn't have to experience that.

For a split second, she wonders if Ulster had been attacked by the Dragons as well, but she remembered that Lancer had no recollection of the orange Bloom flowers that the Dragons would have left behind. However... They do disappear once all the Dragons are gone from an area. No, the likelihood is too small. There were at least a thousand other beings in existence capable of such devastation. One step at a time. Facts outweigh speculation, so get them first.]

How awful. [A moment, to let the heaviness sink in.] I can understand your anger and confusion, as your story reminds me of my own. That level of sheer destruction was certainly the result of something otherworldly. The land was burned, which logically brings us to the conclusion that the perpetrator has power over fire, or something similarly combustible. But what I am not understanding is that people are missing. Have you done any sort of searching for them outside of wandering about Ulster? Online, or in other places? [~~Or, they could have just been eaten by Dragons.~~ No, hush.]

[He also has done numerous things in order to gain information. Online, talking to different parties, bringing it up to Ireland’s top dogs. But his efforts had no results. As if people are trying to hide something. It’s definitely not right - but he doesn’t know what. The pieces are all still missing. Connecting the dots will be impossible now.

But another interesting point she brings up is the similarity as her own experience. Bingo. Lancer feels the same way when she speaks, her past may be somehow similar to his - albeit not identical. But he decides to put it off once he finishes his story, so he can focus on what she has to say about her’s.]

I have considered all possibilites as well. Fires, mages, creatures. That’s how I stumbled upon dragons as well. They are still on my list of being the probable perpetrator, but I have yet found circumstansial evidences to conclude so. Or maybe my knowledge isn’t enough to deduce.

And I tried searchin’ for people as well. Connections, since I came from the royal family but it seems all is shrouded. Somethin’ doesn’t feel right. Feels like the stories people gave me were inconsistent at best. And the fact that they hid it from the news probably till now makes it even more suspicious.

[yes, dragons. It might be you. But Lancer certainly hopes not. Can’t imagine himself facing such creature.]

[Hmm, interesting. Here she was, trying to persuade herself that not every evil and destructive event in this world is caused by Dragons, but Lancer seems to be considering the thought. It's actually the slightest bit amusing to her -- the one time she doesn't immediately blame those cursed creatures, they may end up being the reason after all. Then again, there are little-D dragons too... But to destroy an entire land?]

I see. You are indeed already looking at Dragons as a possibility. I should have assumed as much, seeing how intently you listened to me talk about them earlier. The stars have done you a favor by bringing you to me. If you are interested in searching for daemonic evidence, or the lack thereof, I would be glad to assist you. If your hunch is correct, then this is an event that certainly cannot go unnoticed. [Really, regardless of who caused the destruction, it would be a major event. But if it's Dragons, then she'd be getting closer to fulfilling her goal.]

I am not surprised that you have found nothing, Lancer. As the event has not made world news, it is likely that there is someone or something in the background, manipulating the dissemination of information. I am curious to know if anything official has been said about Ulster, even if it is just a cover-up statement. [When her neighborhood was decimated by Dragons, the government's official report was that it was "an explosion caused by a gas line leak." That ended up killing everyone but her and leveling the entire neighborhood. Sure.]

[She seems to be very collected despite all the information he has been giving to her. He thinks normal people will freak out or straight out call it nonsense out of him. She is different though. Analytical and understanding - this kind of attitude is not normal unless she has gone through terrible things herself.]

I am interested in anything that can get me closer to the truth. Whether it is Dragons or not, it doesn’t matter. Since your expertise is in Dragons, we can cooperate to determine whether this incident was caused by one or not.

And as for the official news - as you said, when an entire part of a country disappears they don’t want you to find the truth. Someone or something is definitely pulling the strings, and that’s what I need to find out. Who knows what “it” will do to other parts of the world, right?

[and then he stops. It seems his story is over as is. Now...]

So what’s your story? Though you were surprised, you seem to handle all this better than most people I talked with before. I’m sorry if I overstep the boundaries but, it’s about Dragons right? And I assume something with an orange flowers along the line.

Yes, yes. The truth is the most important objective, Dragons or not. [It's as if she's having to remind herself. Though she selfishly hopes it's at least some kind of daemon, so she can put her research skills to the test.] We must figure out what happened, before even worse can happen. Yes.

[Emille's brows furrow at Lancer when he asks about her story, but for only a second. It would only be fair to reciprocate after he has told her his past, and he seems sincerely curious. If it is a step in the right direction, then it needs to be a step taken.]

My story, you ask? In all truth, it is similar to yours. I was away from home, and came back in time to see it destroyed by Dragons. [Come on, Emille, you have to tell him more than that. She takes a breath, exhales, and looks Lancer straight in the eyes.]

I am from Tokyo, Japan. I had finished an internship in the biological sciences when I came home for the summer to be with my family. Yet, one night, the fog was unusually thick, and that's when they came. It began with orange flowers carpeting our houses, causing my family to grow physically sick, and the panic set in. In the midst of our terror, awful winged beasts tore the roofs off of our houses and blew fire on everything. [She stops to inhale and exhale. It's what happens next that she can't take.] I managed to wedge my tiny body into a crawlspace, but I still saw them... consume my family.

[Emille shows no sign of tears, but she is lightly trembling.] The police found me the next morning, and told me that I was the only survivor. My neighborhood was completely destroyed, burned to the ground. Some bodies were there, and some were missing. I knew what had happened, but unfortunately, I had no proof, as the orange flowers were all gone.

[A sigh.] The rest is simple. I managed to join up with the Japanese government's supernatural organization, Murakumo, and they told me that Dragons had attacked my neighborhood. They taught me all that I know, and now I am here at Daybreak. Hard to believe that it has merely been a year-and-a-half since then... [She looks down as she trails off into silence.]

[Lancer's eyes grow as she tells her story. He surely doesn't such a similar yet different story. Sure, both of their home was destroyed, but she...she witnessed all of it. Even when it consumed her family. At least he hadn't had to go through all of that, though meaning he has even fewer clues to work with.

He turns his head away as she frowns, noting how much empathy he has for her as well. The pain she has gone through, the work and effort she has put in to be able to where she is right now...it must have been a hard journey. Lancer can even feel pain on his chest as he hears her story.

then he slowly stands up and walks towards her, squats down and taps on both of her shoulders and looks at her in the eye.]

I...can't imagine how would I react in your position, honestly. Ya are truly a strong woman and ya have earned my respect. What ya have gone through is harder than mine. That dragon - we will find it. I'll lend ya my help.

Might not look like it but - I'm good at both academic and physical activities.

[Then he stretches out and of his hands to her. Lancer has a lot more questions, but he understands just telling this story is a lot of burden even for her. He will take it slow, surely with time they will be more comfortable telling the details behind the events.]

It's a promise, okay?

[Emille is drained after telling Lancer of her past. Yet, she is still able to look him in the eyes when he comes over to her.]

I am not strong. The only way I am surviving now is through hatred and the desire for revenge. If I were truly strong, I would still be able to... [She grows quiet again, unable -- or unwilling -- to finish her sentence.]

Thank you for offering your assistance. In turn, I pledge to help you discover whatever happened to Ulster. I am no warrior, but I do have the power of technology under my command. [Rising from her chair, she takes his hand and shakes it as firmly as a tiny hand can while enveloped in a larger one.] It is most definitely a promise, Lancer. And you are welcome here in my office at any time.

Say no more. [Lancer understands the emotional burden he puts her into, and it must be hard to admit hard things she feels in herself. It's probably best not to press forward and of course - give her a time to herself for now. After all she just moves in and this random stranger is opening up old wounds. Yikes.]

Alright. Sounds like I got my first partner in figuring out what happens on my end as well. It was a good talk professor. I will definitely drop by from time to time to check in, such a nice office ya got here.

[Lancer stands up and starts stretchin' a bit before making his way out of her office. He stops just before he turns towards the elevator and turns around to her one last time.]

and uh...welcome to Daybreak. Hope ya feel right at home. [He waves his hand and starts walking again. A smile carved out on his face, but Emille couldn't see it.]

[Emille notices Lancer's kind tone in his response. She appreciates that he is willing to let things go for today. There will be time later for more. Much more.]

Yes, please do drop in when you can. I will always be looking forward to going after Dragons or figuring out your mystery, whichever occurs first. Please keep me in touch, especially if you come across anything new. And if I go ahead and conduct any research of my own, I will let you know if I find anything.

[She bows towards him in appreciation as he makes his way out the door. He seems to have noticed her gesture, as she hears him call out to her one last time. Emille exits the bow in time to see Lancer wave, and she tries her hardest to reply before he leaves earshot--]

You as well, Lancer...! [Just as Lancer said that he was glad to have a partner, Emille feels the same way. Today's fortuitous meeting is the first step towards something great.]

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so many new things, it's like sensory overload

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