Aftermath - This space for rent

[BetaFlame]

Aleksei needed to speak with Glenn. Things had happened, and he needed to explain those things to him. He truly felt bad about acting on his own, but in part it really hadn't been his idea. Not fully. It had been planted in his mind and forced him to act. He was sure he had part in the plan making, he could see his own hand in some of it. But he could not believe that he would have consented to her death. There had to have been a way to redeem her--No, that was as line of thought he was not going to explore. Not right now.

Instead, he penned a letter.

Glenn,

First, I should apologize. I acted on my own, but not without good cause. The situation was reaching critical mass, and I could not wait any longer. Catch was becoming more and more interested in the creatures in my head. At one point going so far as to crack my head off the table. It appears I had been making this plan for some time, and didn't even know it. I can explain that more in person.

The axe is gone. The angel is gone. Its just me now. I assume you are not going to take my word for that, being the prudent man that you are, so I will of course submit to whatever testing you require.

I have included a complete report of what happened there. As much as I can explain. In short, it seems I had been planning this with the celestial in my dreams. We had built in hypnotic triggers to cause me to act should things get out of control, and command words for her to be able to trigger me into certain actions.

We took the axe deep into That Place You Don't Like the Name Of. We found a cave. I released her. She.. sacrificed herself to seal the axe inside the cave. The report contains more details. I got some of her blood on my hands.. and it seems some of her power imparted to me.

The benefit is.. I can still help with the darkness here.

The downside? Magic.

I would like to meet with you, firstly to get your questions out of the way.

Secondly, I would like to discuss a matter of a slight change in my position within Myrken.

Again, Glenn. I am sorry things happened this way, it was not my intent. At least, I don't think it was. Its kind of jumbled in my head. I wrote the report as soon as I could, just so I could keep the details clear in my mind.

Please let me know when I can meet with you.

-Aleksei

Truly, he hoped Glenn would understand. Glenn did not like magic, or magical things. Unfortunately, Aleksei was a magical thing. But this could play to their advantage this time. He was open about it. He didn't try and hide it.

The fact of the matter was, magical threats required magical defenses and magical knowledge. Aleksei had these. Aleksei wanted to use them for Myrken. This had become his home now.

He was changed now. Outwardly, there were almost no physical changes. Being a host to the being that had granted him the power had already altered him to some degree. But things were somehow sharper. Sounds seemed crisper, smells had more of an edge or bite. Colors were moper vibrant. In the back of his mind, he could feel the faint thrum of power, contained there within him. But all in all his mind was quiet. No whispers from the angel, no writhing Daemon batting at him. Even his split personality was silent. He felt different, even if he didn't look it.

He had been Touched now. Blessed. Empowered.

But most of all, he was free of the chains that had bound his fate before. But why did he not feel the need to change anything? Perhaps that was best left for another time. Right now, he was needed here.

Most of all, he needed another damn sword.

So he would go to work the forge while he waited for Glenn to send for him.

[Glenn]

The letter would be returned soon after.

Aleksei,

We work with what we have.

I'm not happy. If the threat was external, as in Catch, we could have taken steps. If you truly had little choice in the matter because of the elements possessing you and making you do incredible acts of idiocy, then it is my fault for not acting more quickly. It is my duty as governor to prevent my people from making complete asses of themselves, apparently. That said, this is Myrken. Our resources are limited. When it comes to magic, our resources are basically you, give or take Niall and this odd girl with a demon tail that you'll be seeing shortly, I imagine. I suggest gathering a few pretty rocks, just in case.

If you truly are well, I am pleased. If you're not, I will choke it out of you with hot irons and a large hammer. Either way, come in a day's time. I want to give your report the amount of attention it deserves first.

We'll see if I accept your apology when you get here.

Glenn

[BetaFlame]

He paused at the forge long enough to read the letter with a little smile. Hot irons indeed. Absently, his hand trailed to a wound on his side. It burned like fire. He needed to make a note to have it looked at. It could be infected, and he had to worry about such things now. Still, the improvements to his health and strength could not be understated. He should be healing in bed, but he felt very alive. After he had made good progress on the work of his sword, he called it a day.

Inside to bathe and rest, reclining with a book and hopefully Agnie later. If she was speaking to him.

In the morning he would rise as normal and take a light breakfast. He wanted to get the meetinghouse before Glenn was ready for him, he had some reading to do. A woman he had encountered in the Dagger the other night had concerned him. More than that, it had concerned Agnie, and that means he needs to get more involved. He would let Glenn's assistant know he was there. "No rush, though. I came to do some research as well. Can I have any files on Galacia? I assume Glenn has not revoked my access at any point?"

If they were granted he would sit to read and take notes till such time as Glenn was ready for him. It seems he would not get that year off he wanted after all.

[Glenn]

The Galacia files were being copied, for reasons Aleksei could surely guess. The Baie files, however, were there, if he was interested, though of course there were far more on cultists than the creature itself. Anyway, for once the Governor left him waiting. Lots of balls in the air these days. He would have some time to read and study.

Eventually, though, he'd be let in. "So," Burnie would look at him from the other side of his desk, not standing. There was brandy out on the table, an old Calomel tradition (though knowing the former Governor, it may well have been one stolen from someone, Helstone, perhaps?). "Do I have to check your teeth Aleksei? Actually, I thought it'd be fun to pour some of the holy water directly into your eye and see if it starts sizzling. If so, once we really exorcise, we can get you an eyepatch and a parrot." Young Glenn frowned slightly at that. "You know. I got Catch a parrot once. I wonder what happened to it. On second thought, maybe I don't."

[BetaFlame]

He laughs and shakes his head. "Check my teeth? Do I even want to know?" Aleksei slides into a chair and shakes his head at the Governor. "I'm me Glenn. I'm not sure how you can verify that, but I am sure you have ways. And.. a parrot? He probably forgot about it somewhere and it starved to death."

He just raises an eyebrow at the brandy. Ah, Glenn knew he didn't drink so it clearly wasn't for him. Instead, he just pulls out a small piece of cloth from it pocket and unwraps it. A small rune, done in perfect glistening silver. Perfect, if it wasn't stained slightly red on one side.

"I told you once I had runes carved into my body to hold the angel? This is all that is left. Otherwise, they are just scars. She's gone, Glenn. And since I am not bathing in the blood of virgins and babies, I assure you the demon axe is gone as well."

Perhaps that would set his mind at ease. He doubted it. Of course, he sounded like Aleksei. He looked like Aleksei. Except, maybe for this. A slightly frown. "The only thing that bothers me, Glenn. The whole thing was carefully planned. It was all laid out like a fine play. I acted and did what I was supposed to do. But.. I don't remember making the plan." He gives a little shake of his head then, and looks at the man across the table. "You read the report I assume? I did it, and still think it was remarkably stupid."

[Glenn]

Well, he didn't take a drink. That was probably a good sign. Still, another vial would be produced. "Here's the holy water, then. A drop on the hand. You know the drill. I have to be unconscionably nice to holy men in order to get this swill. Of course I'm going to make use of it at every opportunity."

While Aleksei would be doing that, his friend and erstwhile employer (erstwhile friend and employer?) smiled almost despite both of them. "I thought the plan was exceptionally stupid from the start as well, if it helps. Before getting to more serious business can we lead with something a bit less dire, such as: how do you feel? If the report is true, past some minor, complications, this is the first time you've truly been yourself in quite a while."

[BetaFlame]

He just smirks at the holy water and takes the vial. He pours a drop on his hand. He then (in the most dramatic fashion possible) clutches the hand to his chest "It burns.. No, I'm kidding." He just passes the vial back to Glenn and smiles at the man. Glenn might not appropriated the humor, but Aleksei did. He needed some good humor this morning. The Baie files were... well. Most people would have lost their lunch, he figures.

"How do I feel? I'm.. not sure, Glenn. Its very quiet, you understand? I am used to sharing my mind with someone. Its like having someone you can constantly speak to, bounce ideas off of. I feel.." For a moment, Aleksei looks a little sad, lost. He shakes his head quickly and tries to make it pass. "I feel alone. Ask me again in a month, and I am sure it will change. Right now, there is a lot of change I am trying to cope with. I do not think Rhaena will let me use this as an excuse not to help her at the school, however."

Aleksei smiled at him, touched by the concern, though. He just settled back in the chair and relaxed a little. He was sure the questions would be more interesting from here on out.

[Glenn]

Little humor here. Glenn tended to only like his own jokes, just like he only liked his own plans. It may have been different when either the joke or the plan was directed at a third party, however. This wasn't.

But then... Ah, look at that. Emotion breaking through the wall for the second time in a month that Aleksei has witnessed. It was in the form of a quiet nod, subdued. There was a difference between witnessing and understanding of course. "It's hard, being cut off from that." Was there even regret for what he had pushed for? Well, no that'd be a bit much, there was a difference between collaboration and intimacy and what Aleksei had, which was possession. "But, I know you've grown closer to Agnieszka, as of late," how close? That was a mystery, and one that Glenn was not overly interested in solving. "Normally, I'd say that was far healthier for you, to find a connection like that. With dearest Agony, there are caveats, of course, for both of you. You know what she's recovering from. Aeryn provided her with a freedom few Myrken Born girls get to have, installed within her a confidence and an opportunity, and then through his own selfishness and weakness, he took it all away, left her empty, drove her from her home in shame and loss. What she found to replace him was... unfortunate."

Had Aleksei expected this sort of a talk from Glenn? Here it was, though. "She's still recovering from all of that. You are still finding your way and now you have some major recovery of your own. Find what solace you can in her and provide what solace you can for her, and I'll be happy for both of you, but try not to rush into anything rash, Aleksei. That's all I'm saying."

[BetaFlame]

He just nods at Glenn, and considers what he says for a moment, then smiles and gives a little shrug. Aleksei does seem more.. comfortable. More human, at least. There is less of an air of otherwordliness to him now, but somehow he still seems more. More than just a person, more than human. "I understand what you are saying, Glenn. She and I are a good match in someways, and terrible in others. But the last thing I want to see is Agnie unhappy. Believe me, the last thing I want is to be run out of Myrken by a mob of her family and friends." And would Glenn Burnie lead that lynch mob? Probably not directly, he would probably be hanging out the torches in the background. "And believe me, I've already had an earful from her about my going off alone, and its a mistake I will be sure not to repeat."

He did find these sorts of things a little odd from Glenn. The man was positively the epitome of control most of the time. To see any outpouring of emotion from him was.. well a little strange. "As an off handed note here. The man you were speaking with in the Dagger the other night? Altias Bromn? He has his vision restored. I was unaware if you had heard."

[Glenn]

"Just be careful. We're going to have to keep an eye on you for a while anyway. I'm sure you have methods of testing, but they come from you so they're immediately suspect, when it comes TO you that is. Normally, in this situation, I'd come to you to help verify. Obviously, well, you see the issue. I'll do my best to corroborate your findings. In the meantime, I simply ask that you show more than reasonable levels of care. Considering how you reached this point, I think you're overdue to do just that." And there it was, emotion on, emotion off, and Aleksei none the wiser on WHY that occurred as it did. Back to control, though not without a smile.

The smile didn't fade as he mentioned Altias. "I had a hand in that. Another soul." Another soul saved, that was. Like Agnie, like Aleksei would have been if he had been given time to manage it. "I'm relatively sure we're not out of the woods yet, when it comes to that though. If you haven't yet, try to brush up on the Baie files, and especially the cultists. Renne, Dhrinn, Fawn, that entire sordid affair."

[BetaFlame]

He jerks a thumb over his shoulder, toward the outside of the office and at the desk he borrowed for such things. "That mess out there? That is what I was reading. The files I requested first, though, were already being used. A woman I met. She tried to tear my throat out. Galacia." He says the name with certain venom. He knows what lives inside that creature, and what she is. Just from that brief touch, that brief encounter he knew that she would be his next problem.

"For the next little while, I hope to spend some time reading these files, figuring out what the hell changed with me, and healing. I want to make sure there are no side effects from all this before I go eyeballs deep into the next problem."

He leans forward a little, giving him a little a smile. "Which, I suppose we should get to the root of the reason why I am here, then?"

[Glenn]

"Ah, yes, well, obviously I'm quite aware of her too. She's connected to Bromn so there's that. The reason why the files are out is that I'm having them copied in an attempt to get even more information. Hopefully we'll have even more soon." It was a rather sparse portfolio. Ideally, he would have Genny brush up so she can send Lamai a letter with the right questions, with his own name kept far, far out of it. "For now, ware you dreams."

Eyes. How fitting. Cultists and eyes. Holy water in the eye. Galacia scratching out an eyeball. It was always offputting with such a theme came up again and again, not for Glenn of course. Few things put him off these days. Still, it was to be noted. "Whatever you do in the healing, in the figuring things out, even in what you come up with in reading the files, make sure you keep others in the loop. Tell someone, as many people you can trust as possible. Agnie, people in the Inquisitory, myself. That's going to be key. The more you do alone, the more the risk."

So yes, why he was here. After that note, Burnie would nod for him to continue.

[BetaFlame]

He just nods at him, and gives a little shrug. He taps his fingers on the table for a moment, thinking of how to phrase this. "I agree, I'll send you regular updates with what I find. I might have another source of information. When you assigned me the Catch project, I had been corresponding with Baroness Lamai in Thessilane, since she was mentioned. Given she was on bed rest, I didn't think it would be prudent to visit her." He was sharing this as a gesture. He knew Lamai had.. problems with Myrken.

He leans back again and watches Glenn carefully. "Let's be honest with one another. I like it here, Glenn. I want to make it a better place. No matter what we might think of it, most of the problems we deal with that are external are magical problems. Given that I am the best qualified to deal with those threats, I would like to throw my name in for your consideration as Marshal." How would Glenn react to this? Aleksei was not even sure.

Of course, Glenn would not even want to consider it till he was sure of what Aleksei was.

Over all, it proved to be an interesting conversation.

[Glenn]

"I've already tasked Genevieve Tolleson to send Lamai a letter. Let's see if that bears fruit. I'd hate to overburden her currently on the matter of Galacia given her own physical condition." Then with a pause. "When it comes to your own situation, however, if you think she could help verify that you are, in fact, yourself, that's different completely. Just keep my name out of it if you're going to go that route. It could get unpleasant otherwise."

"Marshall." And then Glenn smiled, a slow to unveil thing, gradual. "It's a bit of a quandry, really, Marshall. I can't say I don't have a few options. Well, let's begin from the beginning. Do you actually know what the Marshall does?"

[BetaFlame]

"Well, in a general sense. They are responsible for maintaining, training upkeep and the administration of the local militia and/or constabulary. ." Broad, but accurate. "It depends entirely on if you are taking a civic or militaristic approach. "May I?" He gestures at the cloak, indicating he wishes to take it off. Something new. Without his magical temperature maintainer, he actually had to worry about such things now. Assuming Glenn gives his assess, he will unfasten it and let it drape back over the chair.

"Let's me be honest with you. I don't like my home country. Its oppressiveness and inherent lack of allowance of freedom are terrible things. They commit atrocities in the name of security. That is not what I want to bring you. But what I can tell you is this; I was a Hunter of Rodel. My job was to identify and kill magical threats. Be they mages, monsters or demons. I was trained in many of these techniques before my Binding." He still watches Glenn, and tilts his head a little. "So that is what I offer. How to identify magic, avoid it and defeat it. As a mundane."

"Let's be clear. I am not promising you a thousand soldiers immune to magic. Not everyone is strong enough for this. But even five? Ten? That would be a massive bonus."