Grey Cloaked Eminence investigates Fool's death

Characters in this scene: Mien Materialist, Grey Cloaked Eminence

Editor's note: This content was made before OMO's current guidelines and standards of play were implemented and thus may not be of the same level of quality or realism expected on OMO today.

Mien Materialist — 03/05/2021

The location Mien Materialist has picked out is the home of a minor member of the Hensley family of elementalists. Apparently, they owe the surgeon a favor, and are repaying it by providing a secure place to do triage.

Someone carrying a medical bag arrives at the front door. They're younger than Mien Materialist first looked, perhaps 25. Pale skin and blond hair, and a much slimmer and more androgynous frame, but their eyes are the exact same shape and color as Mien's. After a short conversation with the house's owner, they come in, set up as sterile an environment as they can on short notice, and settle in to wait for any injured members of the raid to arrive.

Grey\_Cloaked — 03/05/2021

Grey Cloaked Eminence enters the scene, slowly trodding down the area. She’s holding a wooden ring, thats become blackened like ash. She sits down in a comfy nearby area, as she contemplates Fool’s death. She then looks at Mien, knowing that Fool died at the same time Mien was treating his curse. She’s angry. VERY angry. But she hides it well. She sends a text to Mien, asking about what happened at the treatment before the fight.

Mien Materialist — 03/05/2021

Mien Materialist: Grey Cloaked Eminence, I am sorry for the loss of the practitioner known as the Fool. He appeared to have the attention of an extremely powerful force, and while I could remove his curse, I was unable to deflect this attention. I would be willing to schedule a meeting or a drop off point to return his personal effects to you and to his family. Payment for removal of the curse will of course be waived.

Grey\_Cloaked\_Eminence — 03/07/2021

Eminence looks pissed. Text: very well then. Might I enter your demense for investigative purposes?

Text: I’d prefer to find out who killed my beloved

Mien Materialist — 03/07/2021

Mien Materialist scowls at the screen, fingers steepled, then comes to a decision. Text: I will ask my apprentice to let you in.

Text: If, that is, you can agree not to disclose my demesne's location, or attempt to signal its location indirectly, without my express permission.

Grey\_Cloaked\_Eminence — 03/07/2021

Text: Very well. I can promise nondisclosure of the demense’s location, for entry.

Mien Materialist — 03/07/2021

Text: <directions to a clinic in Oregon> Very well then. I have my own theories as to the culprit, but perhaps I should let you investigate before telling you, lest I bias your opinion.

Grey\_Cloaked\_EminenceBOT — 03/07/2021

Text:Very well then. There should be a low enough population density for me to be there. I recommend not expecting or looking for me, if you want this to be done expediently.

\*Eminence appears the moment Mien eventually lets his guard down. She appears in a part of the clinic where nobody’s watching.

”Greetings.” She says, calm and calculated.

Grey\_Cloaked\_EminenceBOT — 03/07/2021

She looks to be a somewhat average height, and unassuming. Good looking, graceful, and draped in a grey cloak. She holds a clipboard in hand, and a fountain pen in another. She seems to be writing down information.

Mien Materialist — 03/07/2021

A young man walks into the storage room, and startles. Dressed as a nurse, dark skin, mostly bald. One hand covers his lanyard while the other rests in a pocket- Eminence hears the clinking sound of glass. After a tense moment, he looks down, warily pulls out his phone, then relaxes a fraction. "Uh, sorry, would you be a 'guest of a certain Eminence?' I just got word about you, if so."

Grey\_Cloaked — 03/07/2021

The eminence is calm and collected, though seeming a little stressed out. She pats him on the shoulder, and politeness judos her way into getting him to bugger off. When she finishes, she asks for instructions on how to reach Mien Materialist, already having thorough control of the young man.

Mien Materialist — 03/07/2021

The apprentice Heartless relaxes further. "My master isn't here right now. They've got some obligation in England. But I can open up the surgery room for you."

Grey\_Cloaked — 03/07/2021

Eminence relents. She asks to enter the surgery room, bringing out a briefcase in the process, full of investigative tools. She asks for privacy while working though if possible, from the apprentice.

Mien Materialist — 03/07/2021

He leads her through the clinic, evading questions from the few Innocent staff he passes, then opens a specific door for her. "Can't let you in to the storage shelves, I'm afraid, but-" he checks his phone again- "what you're looking for should be in this part anyways." Inside is a surgery, with jars full of strange objects and substances on the shelves. There are gaps in the shelves, and a pile of rubble takes up some of the floor space. A diagram has been drawn around this rubble, containing it.

Grey\_Cloaked — 03/07/2021

Eminence brings out her briefcase, and asks if she could take samples of the rubble, along with Fool's corpse, so she might be able to bury him. That way, the burial can be done properly, and so that she might be able to find the true killer. She asks this in such a reasonable, sweet, and polite tone that most couldn't help but relent.

Mien Materialist — 03/07/2021

"O-of course, ma'am." The apprentice stammers. "The body was- removed, but I can show you to him after you're done here, let you take him and his effects home." He doesn't seem to know what to do in this situation. "Um, do you want me to wait out here while you poke around?"

Grey\_Cloaked — 03/07/2021

"Yes, that would be appreciated." Eminence says. Eminence gives him a polite but strained smile, and then gets to work. She isolates magical samples, grinds a few up into their constituent elements, and starts recording the results. Eventually, once she's gathered enough evidence, and stuff of Fool's she eventually packs up her stuff, and puts her briefcase into her cloak. The cloak doesn't seem to bulge whatsoever.

Mien Materialist — 03/07/2021

The apprentice (he tries to keep his lanyard covered with his hand, but Eminence likely sees that his name starts with "Sa") holds the door open for her the whole time. When she's done, he leads her to the room being used as a morgue. "It- it's not really a morgue, we've never really needed one before, I mean this is the first patient we've lost since I've been here- Ah, sorry, you probably don't want to hear about that. It's this way." He opens a door, and enters a cold room with a body on a table. It is, thankfully, covered with a sheet, but the limbs clearly bend in ways that they shouldn't.

Grey\_Cloaked — 03/07/2021

Eminence decides to walk in casually, though, her face betrays her, as she sees her beloved in such a twisted state. A small tear falls from her eye. She then asks the apprentice, in a cold, somber, but polite tone for some privacy. She seems distraught, and her eyes seem oh so cold. Like someone who just saw their life crumble in front of their very eyes.

Mien Materialist — 03/07/2021

The apprentice closes the door and steps some distance away. He can't seem to stop fidgeting.

Grey\_Cloaked — 03/07/2021

Eminence....stops for a moment...then she collapses onto the floor. With no one watching, she weeps and balls on the floor....begging the world for some way to reverse this...for her to take Fool's place....grasping for any sort of way to bring him back.

The cry of a lady who's lost everything.

Eventually, she tries stops crying, in grim determination. *Fool wouldn't want me to be too distraught over his death.* Nonetheless, she still ends up bawling on the floor, if less dramatically than usual. Who she is, starts to unwind ever so slightly. *Weakened. Lesser. Missing something vital.* Her cloak that was once clean and elegant becomes a bit ragged. Orderly and well-written papers become a bit less neat.

When she simply had no ink left to cry, she stopped, for there was no liquid there to express her sadness. She seemed ragged and bare, in this. Her hand shaking, in a way that had never been done ever since her creation, she brings out a will from her cloak. *Fool's Will.*

Aside from a small echo of Fool, contained within the rubble, and Fool's diariries, this is all that's left of Fool's visions and dreams.

Eminence sighed. Her face flooded with tears that have already dried. *Very well then, as I always say. If this is all that is left of my Master, then I will follow this to the rest of my days* she thought. While no spirit heard it, nor judged it an Oath, it rang out in her brain like an promise nonetheless. She packed up her stuff, calmed herself, and freshened herself up. She would ask for his body for the funeral. She wouldn't let the wretch Fascination claim her beloved.

Mien Materialist — 03/07/2021

The apprentice is waiting in the hall when she finishes. "I- for what it's worth, I'm sorry for your loss. Al- my master didn't explain what happened in much detail, but from what I heard..." he trails off a little. "I don't think he deserved to go out like that. Um, did you want to talk to them about this, or do you need some more time?"

Grey\_Cloaked — 03/08/2021

Eminence looks at the apprentice, then accepts his apology. She then alllows them to talk about this

Mien Materialist — 03/09/2021

The apprentice takes out his phone again, makes a call, and after a moment, asks Eminence "If I put you in contact with my master for a conversation, will you give my phone back when it's done? And not tamper with it?" Meanwhile, in England, Mien sends a message to Silver asking for their Scalpel back.

Grey\_CloakedBOT — 03/09/2021

”I can do that, if you agree to put me in contact with your master.”

Mien Materialist — 03/09/2021

He hands his phone over. It's a Vroom call, with Mien's new face looking back at Eminence over the phone. "I take it you have seen the scene of the crime."

Grey\_CloakedBOT — 03/09/2021

Eminence replies “Yes. Yes I have. Whom do you think caused this curse upon my beloved? Which wretch?”

”Whom decided to take him from me?” Eminence sighs, a look of pure, determined fury on her face.

Mien Materialist — 03/09/2021

"The effect that killed him was rubble, rebar, the detritus of a ruined civilization. Meanwhile, the harbinger that participated in the King Leer raid, the same harbinger who placed a curse on him initially, had magic themed around civilization, with many of the same motifs. There was even the same black liquid present in both cases. However, I do not think it was the harbinger himself. Harbinger magic is expensive, and the Fool was killed *inside* my demesne. I think I would have noticed if the harbinger had paid the price to go through another practitioner's defenses and kill someone. I think it was his patron. Or one of them, at least- looking through old OMO posts, he seemed to have 3, or possibly 4 of them."

Grey\_Cloaked — 03/09/2021

”Well then. That does narrow down the suspect pool significantly, if The City is the cause of this. Sorry for any animosity I may have caused. Do you want to help me with revenge against them, Mien Materialist?”

Mien Materialist — 03/09/2021

"...Revenge is foolish. Wasteful." The surgeon's expression belies their words. There is anger there, and guilt. And just a trace of fear- a space that was supposed to be theirs has been violated.

Grey\_Cloaked — 03/09/2021

”hm. Very well then, Lacroix. I bid you good day.”

Mien Materialist — 03/09/2021

"Wait. You are perceptive."

Grey\_Cloaked — 03/09/2021

Eminence stops, and turns around. “Is there anything you want to ask? I am indeed perceptive.”

Mien Materialist — 03/09/2021

"...Do keep me apprised of what you discover. I want to know how this happened. How my demesne was breached. What I can do to stop that from happening again."

Grey\_Cloaked — 03/09/2021

”I could...but I’d prefer not to do it for free...I’m a very busy lady. I do like to think I’m reasonable with my offers, though.”

March 10, 2021

Mien Materialist — 03/10/2021

Dr. Lacroix leans in. "I am listening."

Grey\_Cloaked — 03/10/2021

”While I do indeed want many things, I can often sadly not do them all. Both out of time constraints, and personal limits on capacity. I can provide information on demenses, and other such info you seek. Aid, support networks, and other such boons. In exchange though, I do ask for favors, to call in when necessary. For immortals like you and I, a few favors is a very modest price, to ensure safety, is it not? Are you interested, Dr.Lacroix?”

Mien Materialist — 03/10/2021

"I would like a stricter definition of "favor". A curse removed? An injury treated? Or would you like some bottled curses of your own?"

Grey\_Cloaked — 03/10/2021

”A single curse removed, of my choice, that could reasonably be done by you.”

Mien Materialist — 03/10/2021

"And what, precisely, am I getting in return for one reasonable curse removal?"

Grey\_CloakedBOT — 03/10/2021

Eminence is subtly shedding diagrams, when Mien isn’t looking, making Mien slightly more pliable, and making Innocents not come into the area. “Advice on the breach, books from Fool’s library on the matter, and Contact info to others and Others who might also be of use. I can tell you’re still quite bitter about the matter, Dr.Lacroix.”

Mien Materialist — 03/10/2021

"All in exchange for one curse removal? Forgive me if this deal sounds too good to be true."

Grey\_CloakedBOT — 03/10/2021

”I like having options, Dr.Lacroix. Might you want to enter the library for the intel at Fool’s home, or shall I lend them to you, instead? If you want, I could give you some items to summon me, if you’d like. The price to you would be very little, for this.”

Mien Materialist — 03/10/2021

Dr. Lacroix looks thoughtful. "This deal is sounding appealing. Let me gather my thoughts for a moment." The doctor takes a moment to breathe, to calm down. They start writing up a contract to send to Eminence. One last check of their Self to make sure- the surgeon stops, opens their eyes, scowling at their webcam. "You should have known better than to try that against me. I assume you've done the same to my apprentice?"

Grey\_CloakedBOT — 03/10/2021

”Ah yes. A variation on the classical half sun connection blocker I designed. I do apologize for not telling you about it. I find it to be more thorough, than the original, as it can also work on Practitioners and Others, to a lesser extent. I did try to minimize it’s effects on you, by arranging them as so. Shall I teach it to you?”

Mien Materialist — 03/10/2021

"I am familiar with connection blockers already." Mien looks mollified, but their guard is up at this point. They delete the contract they've written. Too large, too sweeping, too many potential pitfalls. "Perhaps we should take a step back, make a smaller-scale exchange. One curse removal for one book on reinforcing the defenses of a demesne?"

Grey\_CloakedBOT — 03/10/2021

”Perhaps, then. I do prefer to take things slowly, and I do prefer my privacy. Shall I go fetch the book then?”

Mien Materialist — 03/10/2021

"If you agree to that deal, yes." Eminence notices that the apprentice is just now pulling his hand away from the pocket where he kept the glass object earlier- he may have reached for it again upon hearing Mien's sudden hostility. He's also forgotten to cover his lanyard- his name is Samuel Atkinson.

Grey\_CloakedBOT — 03/10/2021

”Very well then. I assume the deal is made, then?” Eminence starts packing up.

Mien Materialist — 03/10/2021

"Yes. Please, feel free to bring the Fool's belongings- and remains- home with you. Is our business concluded for now?"

Grey\_CloakedBOT — 03/10/2021

”Probably. You know you can contact me via DM’s and OMO, and such. Though, I prefer not to be overly public with my deals. Part of my nature, as an Other. I can probably pack Fool’s remains, myself.”

Eminence smiles, and places a pen and instructions on a table. The instructions detail that if the pen is clicked thrice in a row, unseen, unheard, and untouched by those who do not know of it, it can summon her. It also instructs it becomes mundane and harmless, if snapped in two. She then leaves,

Mien Materialist — 03/10/2021

Half an hour after Eminence has left, Samuel goes back to the same room to clean up, and notices the pen. He reads the instructions carefully, then pockets the pen. "Well, if she left this here, it was probably meant to be a gift, right?" He mutters to himself.