Post by Vincent Laeretti on Nov 26, 2016 19:43:12 GMT -7
[attr="class","storyline"]
[attr="class","h1"]To Purge Evil
[attr="class","body"]Vincent has an extremely black and white view of morality, and tends to see anything that is not an act of good as an act of evil. There are some evils which can, of course, be redeemed with an appropriate penance, but there are others which can only be paid for in blood. Due to the circumstances surrounding the loss of his family, Vincent has an especially deep abhorrence for assassins, bandits, pirates, and extortioners of any kind - people who make their livings off of the death or suffering of others. He is hellbent on wiping such scoundrels from the world once and for all, and though his Lord Woodrow is primarily focused on pirates for the time being, Vincent operates a number of wide nets in the meantime in secret, with only Woodrow being aware of these covert operations. The goal, of course, is to have all the information necessary to prime the SSPB for a war on all evil once as the pirates are dealt with and Woodrow obtains the increased influence he requires.
An additional, personal goal (and perhaps obsession) for Vincent is to track down the specific people who killed his family, as well as whoever gave them the order, and to make them suffer a painful justice for their deeds.
Secrecy
Vincent is not a widely known individual, and he cannot be as such. The nature of his duties to Woodrow and his role within the SSPB is one of extreme secrecy, with only a few individuals within the organization knowing his name, face, and standing, and most others knowing perhaps only one of these details. His surname is not known by any aside from Woodrow himself. Vincent must keep his engagements either very private, or operate under aliases in most threads. However, perseverance and proof of trustworthiness can earn a character's way into knowing more of his personal details, and he will pursue leads that point him towards advantageous positioning in his goals.
The full summary of this storyline can be found in the spoiler tag below. This gets you up to date on all of the events so far. This summary was last updated on 09.27.17.
An additional, personal goal (and perhaps obsession) for Vincent is to track down the specific people who killed his family, as well as whoever gave them the order, and to make them suffer a painful justice for their deeds.
Secrecy
Vincent is not a widely known individual, and he cannot be as such. The nature of his duties to Woodrow and his role within the SSPB is one of extreme secrecy, with only a few individuals within the organization knowing his name, face, and standing, and most others knowing perhaps only one of these details. His surname is not known by any aside from Woodrow himself. Vincent must keep his engagements either very private, or operate under aliases in most threads. However, perseverance and proof of trustworthiness can earn a character's way into knowing more of his personal details, and he will pursue leads that point him towards advantageous positioning in his goals.
Locations
- Eersaeb, Submiere
As the home city from which the SSPB operates, Vincent finds himself here frequently. He also has his personal living quarters here, as it ensures no one outside of Lord Woodrow is aware of where he lives, or that he lives at all. Vincent receives pools much of his gathered intel here and disperses it through the SSPB via trusted agents or anonymous documents when necessary.- St. Lyra's Diner
One of Vincent's preferred locations in Eersaeb. This diner sits along the pier.
- St. Lyra's Diner
- The Charred Manor, Artavia
Vincent's former home, which was laid to waste by assassins eleven years ago. Due to the contributions the Laerettis made to Artavia, the government honored the site by preserving it - new walls and windows were erected, and it was externally made to look as it did before, with a commemorative sign identifying its significance. But the foundation, beams, and the interior are as unchanged as the day of the tragedy struck, blackened and burnt and only still standing thanks to Artavian innovation. Ash still floats through the air inside as a byproduct of the magical flames that destroyed the place. Vincent visits here every now and then to raid the secret laboratory built deep beneath the home - only accessible via a hidden passage, covered by an unharmed bit of flooring that was built to deflect electrical scans, so that even the government remains unaware of where the Laerettis kept their lab. The lab itself is in disarray after years of disuse, and did suffer some damages from the explosive fire that rocked the home above it, but lots of valuable prototype devices still remain here. Vincent tries to find regular time to come and visit so that he can filter through everything left of his parents' old work and perhaps repurpose some of it for the SSPB, but it is slow going. - Artavia
Vincent's birth place, Artavia is a major location in his story. It is where Tom has his Abandoned Hospital in the Mutant Fields, where he meets with Adria Tiira, and a safe haven from the SSPB for Vincent.
People
- Lord Markus Woodrow
Lord Woodrow took Vincent in and hired him at his own request after Vincent had lost everything. Taking advantage of the fact that Vincent had no one and that the world thought him dead, they agreed to turn Vincent into a weapon of secrecy, a man no one knew and whom none could see coming. Over the years, Woodrow has become very special to Vincent. He is not merely his employer, and Vincent is not merely his number one man; rather, Vincent now sees Woodrow as family, the only family he has left, and he is fiercely loyal and protective of him for that. To Vincent, everything he now has is thanks to Woodrow, and he will follow Woodrow till the end. Markus Woodrow - Endless Laeretti
Vincent's still-living youngest brother. Vincent is not aware that Endless managed to survive the night that killed the rest of their family, and has lived his life not realizing that he still has a form of family out there. When they were younger, Vincent was very overprotective of Endless, both due to his young age and because Vincent knew he was a Moonborn, and feared that Endless would get himself killed without a watchful eye. Given his current protective streak with Woodrow, he would not likely change his stance with Endless were he to learn that he was alive. Endless Laeretti - Thomas Dunn
A scientist who has captured Lord Woodrow's attention, and successfully cajoled his way into his good graces. Vincent is extremely suspicious of Thomas, and has a deep dislike of him. This is due to a combination of Vincent taking issue with the ethics of Tom's works, doubting his intentions of offering said work to Woodrow, and also, perhaps a bit of rivalry for the way Woodrow appreciates Tom's scientific endeavors. Vincent would like nothing more than to expose proof on Tom's shady dealings and have him put behind bars. Thomas Dunn - Tehodis Kitai
Asked to train officer Kitai in officorial conduct and self-defense, Vincent took a liking to Tehodis when she displayed more promise and potential than he had suspected. He sees her as a valued officer with a bright potential future, and is concerned for her well-being in light of recent events in her life (events stemming from his own Lord's indiscretions). Tehodis Kitai - Pelagia Xista
Pelagia Xista - ACACIA-GREEN
Acacia-Green - Adria Tiira
Adria is the Artavian general, and when she was a younger, low-ranking officer she was responsible for training Vincent as a cadet. They two became close friends until the Laerettis were killed. When he returns to Artavia for her help, she does what she can - but her allegiance must be to her country. - Allies of the SSPB
Elias Harel (Muerte), King Toran (Niseca), Feofil Peti (Niseca), Queen Meixner (Fiamont), Queen Nickell (Aissic), King Mydas (Submiere), and the council of Vieri are all allies of Woodrow and the SSPB in some way or another (large or small). - Enemies of the SSPB
Christel Lirrae (Enezenn, Dirys), and Ruiha Maytal (Liesdro) are both in opposition to the SSPB, or at least - in opposition to the SSPB's presence in their countries. - Minor Characters
Eliza Edroit is a scientist who attempted to sell her technology to the SSPB, but was rejected due to the high cost she demanded.
Plague is a pirate arrested by Tehodis Kitai, who Woodrow sent to Thomas Dunn to be a mind control subject. Vincent brought Plague to Dunn, and unwillingly gave the prisoner to the scientist.
Mr. Schumacher is one of Tom's patients that Vincent met with. The man had a brain tumor which Tom claims to have fixed. Vincent tested the man and found no signs of mind control.
Officer Edmund is an officer in the SSPB who seems to be more aligned to Vincent than Woodrow.
Tristan Cowell is involved through his involvement with Tehodis, who was kidnapped to be experimented on for Project Acacia. He is part of the reason the Artavian government has covered up their involvement in the project.
Objects
- Artavian Legal Code C027
This newly minted law in Artavia is the only law in the world that covers the aspects of mind control technology. It defines that the subject must be a volunteer, someone who has volunteered by someone who has legal authority over them, or a criminal who has not paid the due sentence for their crime. It applies to any use of mind control technology on Artavia soil, or technology used by an Artavian citizen.
Summary
The full summary of this storyline can be found in the spoiler tag below. This gets you up to date on all of the events so far. This summary was last updated on 09.27.17.
{
Click for Full Storyline Summary
} On the 2nd of The Scales of Judgment in 5152, Vincent meets with Tehodis Kitai for an SSPB assessment and training. The two meet at St. Lyra’s Diner on the pier, their first time meeting one another despite Tehodis being employed with the SSPB for several months.
At the diner, Vincent conducts a short interview. Tehodis answers his challenging questions almost perfectly. Most importantly, he questions her integrity and devotion to justice when it comes to social relationship. Her answer, and her insistence on the answer being correct, impresses him in his own pursuit of justice. Still, her resistance to lethal force does not suit his own ideals of justice.
After the interview, her physical training is to begin. They go to a firing range often used by the SSPB, which Vincent has privately reserved. He trains her in how to deal in self defense, and in physical apprehension of suspects. Tehodis fails again and again, until finally something clicks, and she manages to flip Vincent onto a mat. Vincent begins to theorize that her inherent magic, though she denies it’s existence, is the reason for her success. After several more attempts, he finds his hypothesis confirmed.
They move on to weaponry, and Vincent quickly catches on to Tehodis’ dislike of the very idea of them. He tells her that a criminal will not halt due to just a badge, and while she has been shown to be capable of defending herself, subduing a criminal is a different matter. He shoots at a target as he explains, nailing the target perfectly in the leg. He goes over the pistol with her, and after everything is explained, he assigns her to fire to incapacitate the target.
Tehodis tries, she does, but she admits that she can’t. She insists that she use something else, and that Lord Woodrow does not use a pistol. Vincent offers her other options, noting that she will require ample proficiency to be approved. She selects a rapier, which Vincent is capable of training her with. She fails in her first attempt - but they continue on, training for most of the day. Eventually, he dismisses her, and approves her use of the rapier. Before she leaves, he gives her his postbox number, so that they can continue their training - he sees too much potential in her for them to stop now.
Before they part, Tehodis asks Vincent if he has any family that she might have met, noting that she recognized him somewhat. Vincent is caught off guard by the question, but tells her that he does not. (Careful Tutelage)
Returning from his trip to Acheron, Lord Woodrow summons Vincent to his home. Woodrow recounts his trip to Acheron, describing to Vincent how Christel Lirrae of Enezenn, Dirys refused the SSPB’s aid, and informed Ruiha Maytal of Liesdro to do the same. However, he tells Vincent, Elias Harel of Muerte agreed to the SSPB’s conditions, and by mid-year 5153 Woodrow expects the offices in Muerte to be moving at full force.
Woodrow also explains his meeting with Doctor Thomas Dunn, and how pleased he is to have the man’s work under the SSPB’s control, as opposed to more dangerous powers.
Vincent is pleased about the developments in Muerte, optimistic to see justice done against Harel’s campaign against beastfolk. Vincent is less pleased about the scientist, mildly jealous, but moreso concerned over what he sees as a shady deal. He asks Woodrow what it cost them, and Woodrow responds to nearly nothing - particularly in comparison to another scientist Eliza Edroit’s ask. The SSPB gains exclusive use of Dunn’s technologies for mild funds, and the SSPB’s provision of a pirate subject.
Woodrow changes the topic of the conversation to Tehodis Kitai, segueing from her capture of one such potential pirate subject in Plague. Vincent explains Tehodis’ surpassing of his expectations, with a bit of surprise, and Woodrow expresses how he knows talent, and once saw it in Vincent himself - which he was clearly right about.
Vincent brings the conversation back to Doctor Dunn, insisting that there must be some ulterior motive. Woodrow offers Vincent the opportunity to bring the prisoner herself to Dunn, so that he can make his own assessment. He includes a barb to Vincent’s integrity, which Vincent silently fumes over. He agrees to Woodrow’s offer, however.
Vincent then moves the conversation to a missive they received from Feofil Peti, who is asking Woodrow to hold a meeting with Pelagia Xista. He agrees sourly, asking Vincent to book the meeting for the following afternoon. Vincent is then dismissed, though not without praise for his work in Woodrow’s absence. (Right Hand Man)
Two days later, Vincent travels to Artavia to meet with Doctor Dunn, bring the prisoner Plague to him, and make his own assessment on the man Woodrow has agreed to work with. Vincent arrives on an SSPB air ship with other SSPB officers and the captive pirate. Tom meets them at the docks, and the two share falsely pleasant greetings. Vincent’s initial impressions are negative.
Vincent informs Dunn that the prisoner won’t be handed off yet, as he has been sent to inspect Dunn’s facilities. The two takes Tom’s personal aeroplane to his facilities, as the place is not reachable by road or rail, and Tom insists there’s no way for a proper airship to land there. On the trip, Tom makes a point to pull off a dangerous and exciting maneuver, much to Vincent’s annoyance.
Tom flies the two past the fences guarding the Mutant Fields from the fields upon fields of buffer between it and proper society, before landing before the old Abandoned Hospital in Artavia. Vincent is immediately unimpressed, and concerned with the location. Tom is quick to defend it. He notes that he has never seen a mutant, that radiation tests returned negative, and he has erected powerful fences and doors to protect the facility in case the conspiracies turned out to be true - which they hadn’t. Vincent silently notes all of this, recalling his own experiences with the area, and his certainty that the rumours have validity.
Inside, Vincent finds the hospital to be pristine. At least, what remains out of use. He insists on seeing the areas in use, particularly the patients Tom has told him are present. Tom introduces Vincent to one Mr. Schumacher, one of his patients from Dirys. Tom explains to Vincent that the man had a brain tumor, which the doctors in Dirys were incapable of helping with. Schumacher seems to be in impressive condition. Vincent does a few of his own tests, and finds that to be the truth, though it only continues to raise his suspicions. One case is not enough for Vincent, however, who demands to see more of Tom’s patients.
Tom has eleven patients at the hospital total, each with varying problems with other the spine or brain. The last of which is a woman who had been unable to walk since a mine collapse years ago, who was now wiggling her toes. Vincent finds it all to be too perfect.
Tom shows Vincent the remainder of the space. As they pass Tom’s study, Vincent’s eyes catch a hard back copy of his own parents’ paper on the subject of flying transportation out on one of the coffee tables. He then shows Vincent where Plague’s quarters would be, with state of the art locking mechanisms to ensure her containment. He also offers to give Vincent the code. Vincent lets the offer pass, sure that he will not be giving Tom the pirate at all.
Vincent examines the room, noting the children’s books on the shelf, and questions their presence, challenging Tom that his mind control creates a mental regression. Tom combats this in two ways. At first, he clarifies that he has not tested on sentient beings, but that the idea behind his innovation is to add a higher priority motivation, like Enchantment magic. He chose the books, he tells Vincent, because patients following brain surgery can recover faster with children’s material. They create connections in the brain, and they also condition the brain. Ending the conversation there, Tom invites Vincent to stay for a meal, which Vincent agrees for the sake of working secrets out of Tom.
In the kitchen, Tom introduces Vincent to ACACIA-GREEN, though names her as Miss Lily Green, his assistant. Green is rather hospitable with Vincent, who recognizes that she is something strange immediately. It takes him a moment to figure it out, but he realizes that she must be a Merfolk - one of the old kind. She clarifies for him that merfolk don’t actually have names - also confirming his suspicions of her being a merfolk.
Green doesn’t eat right away, which raises Vincent’s suspicions. He questions this, and she responds that, as per proper table manners, the cook should eat only once all guests had, and since he had been taking notes instead of eating, she was waiting. Her tone indicates this seems to be a rude question. Vincent responds by pushing his plate away, and denoting his loss of appetite. This annoys Green, but Tom talks her down, and asks if Vincent minds if they finish eating, which he permits.
After a time of eating in silence, Vincent restarts his questioning, asking Tom what he does in his leisure time. Tom admits he has little, but he reads and works on his aeroplane when he’s able to. Vincent further questions Tom’s reading material, and Tom explains his appreciation for scientific papers, including local scientists like the Laerettis, who had tragically died. Tom brings the meeting to an end, then, seeing no further point in continuing if the talk was to be personal chit-chat, and Green clears after their meal.
At this conclusion, Vincent gives Tom his decision. He tells Dunn he is not fully convinced, and that he will return to Woodrow to discuss. Tom appears empathetic as he tells Vincent that he has been misinformed. The tour had been for his benefit, a favor. The contract already signed the pirate girl into his possession. Vincent demands to see the contract, and pours over it, already annoyed at Woodrow as the document is thick. Upon realizing that Dunn is telling the truth, Vincent sarcastically congratulates Dunn on both wasting his time, and obtaining legal amnesty from the SSPB. Tom tells him that all of it is a mere protection, and that - as Vincent had seen - everything under Tom’s purview was run well to code.
Tom offers to bring Vincent back to his vessel, and places a guiding hand to his back. Vincent reacts abruptly, striking Tom forcefully in the arm. The two stare at one another for a moment, and Vincent leaves Tom with a thinly veiled threat before leaving and summoning his airship to bring Plague in. He shoves Plague to Tom, and then turns to leave, going up a dropped rope ladder to his floating airship.
Back on the ship, Officer Edmund asks how well it went, to which Vincent responds that it went well for Dunn, but insists that any arrangement of Woodrow’s that is successful is good for them. Edmund obviously recognizes that Woodrow is not faultless. Vincent ensures that they will be back. (Battle of Wits)
On the 10th of The Winter Storm, Vincent finds himself in Artavia. He tracks and follows Adria Tiira who is spending a day of leave in the city of Restia. It soon becomes clear that the two know each other, and that Adria believed Vincent to be dead.
In Altuena the two continue their reunion, Adria knowing that in Restia there were too many who would clearly recognize her. It is revealed that when Adria was in her twenties, and was a low-ranking officer in the Artavia military, she was one of 14-year-old Vincent’s training officers. She had not thought much of Vincent initially, believing him to be spoiled and all too morally stubborn, but the more he worked and proved himself, the more impressed she had become. Adria even came to know Vincent’s family, including Endless - a fellow Moonborn. In fact, they were so close that Adria told Vincent of her dreams to one day infiltrate Storisina’s library, something he could certainly never approve of.
When the Laeretti family was killed, Adria had hoped she would hear news of survivors, but that news never came. It was all of these reasons and more that made Adria want to punch Vincent as he revealed himself. Ten years she had thought he was dead, and now he had shown back up. Adria realizes that he needs something from her, and he has the dignity not to deny it.
Vincent explains to her what has happened with the SSPB, and that it connects to the sordid history of cover-ups performed by the Artavian government. Vincent goes on to explain the situation with the mind control scientist, including Woodrow’s contract with the man. After hearing the full explanation, Adria Tiira recognizes full well the man Vincent is speaking of. Vincent confirms it by telling her Thomas Dunn’s name, and tells her that all of his attempts to find leads, or anything that could terminate the contract.
Adria Tiira knows that if she says anything, it can damn her country. It is a cover up, and the Artavia government is responsible for war crimes because of their involvement in The Acacia Project. Not only would this severely damage her country, but it could also start an all-out war between Artavia and Malscure, due to Tehodis Kitai’s kidnapping, and Imperator Tristan Cowell’s involvement with her. And so, Adria tells Vincent that there is nothing for him here, which he realizes means that there is nothing she can tell him.
Instead, Adria tells Vincent that Artavia is the only country in the world with laws against mind control technology, and that all on Artavia soil - or even Artavian citizens outside of Artavia - must abide by the regulations. She describes this as Artavia Legal Code C027, which defines that the subject must be a volunteer, someone who has volunteered by someone who has legal authority over them, or a criminal who has not paid the due sentence for their crime. It was helpful, and it is all she can give him.
The two turn to catching up before Vincent must return to Submiere, old friends together once more. (Hello, Old Friend)
At the diner, Vincent conducts a short interview. Tehodis answers his challenging questions almost perfectly. Most importantly, he questions her integrity and devotion to justice when it comes to social relationship. Her answer, and her insistence on the answer being correct, impresses him in his own pursuit of justice. Still, her resistance to lethal force does not suit his own ideals of justice.
After the interview, her physical training is to begin. They go to a firing range often used by the SSPB, which Vincent has privately reserved. He trains her in how to deal in self defense, and in physical apprehension of suspects. Tehodis fails again and again, until finally something clicks, and she manages to flip Vincent onto a mat. Vincent begins to theorize that her inherent magic, though she denies it’s existence, is the reason for her success. After several more attempts, he finds his hypothesis confirmed.
They move on to weaponry, and Vincent quickly catches on to Tehodis’ dislike of the very idea of them. He tells her that a criminal will not halt due to just a badge, and while she has been shown to be capable of defending herself, subduing a criminal is a different matter. He shoots at a target as he explains, nailing the target perfectly in the leg. He goes over the pistol with her, and after everything is explained, he assigns her to fire to incapacitate the target.
Tehodis tries, she does, but she admits that she can’t. She insists that she use something else, and that Lord Woodrow does not use a pistol. Vincent offers her other options, noting that she will require ample proficiency to be approved. She selects a rapier, which Vincent is capable of training her with. She fails in her first attempt - but they continue on, training for most of the day. Eventually, he dismisses her, and approves her use of the rapier. Before she leaves, he gives her his postbox number, so that they can continue their training - he sees too much potential in her for them to stop now.
Before they part, Tehodis asks Vincent if he has any family that she might have met, noting that she recognized him somewhat. Vincent is caught off guard by the question, but tells her that he does not. (Careful Tutelage)
Returning from his trip to Acheron, Lord Woodrow summons Vincent to his home. Woodrow recounts his trip to Acheron, describing to Vincent how Christel Lirrae of Enezenn, Dirys refused the SSPB’s aid, and informed Ruiha Maytal of Liesdro to do the same. However, he tells Vincent, Elias Harel of Muerte agreed to the SSPB’s conditions, and by mid-year 5153 Woodrow expects the offices in Muerte to be moving at full force.
Woodrow also explains his meeting with Doctor Thomas Dunn, and how pleased he is to have the man’s work under the SSPB’s control, as opposed to more dangerous powers.
Vincent is pleased about the developments in Muerte, optimistic to see justice done against Harel’s campaign against beastfolk. Vincent is less pleased about the scientist, mildly jealous, but moreso concerned over what he sees as a shady deal. He asks Woodrow what it cost them, and Woodrow responds to nearly nothing - particularly in comparison to another scientist Eliza Edroit’s ask. The SSPB gains exclusive use of Dunn’s technologies for mild funds, and the SSPB’s provision of a pirate subject.
Woodrow changes the topic of the conversation to Tehodis Kitai, segueing from her capture of one such potential pirate subject in Plague. Vincent explains Tehodis’ surpassing of his expectations, with a bit of surprise, and Woodrow expresses how he knows talent, and once saw it in Vincent himself - which he was clearly right about.
Vincent brings the conversation back to Doctor Dunn, insisting that there must be some ulterior motive. Woodrow offers Vincent the opportunity to bring the prisoner herself to Dunn, so that he can make his own assessment. He includes a barb to Vincent’s integrity, which Vincent silently fumes over. He agrees to Woodrow’s offer, however.
Vincent then moves the conversation to a missive they received from Feofil Peti, who is asking Woodrow to hold a meeting with Pelagia Xista. He agrees sourly, asking Vincent to book the meeting for the following afternoon. Vincent is then dismissed, though not without praise for his work in Woodrow’s absence. (Right Hand Man)
Two days later, Vincent travels to Artavia to meet with Doctor Dunn, bring the prisoner Plague to him, and make his own assessment on the man Woodrow has agreed to work with. Vincent arrives on an SSPB air ship with other SSPB officers and the captive pirate. Tom meets them at the docks, and the two share falsely pleasant greetings. Vincent’s initial impressions are negative.
Vincent informs Dunn that the prisoner won’t be handed off yet, as he has been sent to inspect Dunn’s facilities. The two takes Tom’s personal aeroplane to his facilities, as the place is not reachable by road or rail, and Tom insists there’s no way for a proper airship to land there. On the trip, Tom makes a point to pull off a dangerous and exciting maneuver, much to Vincent’s annoyance.
Tom flies the two past the fences guarding the Mutant Fields from the fields upon fields of buffer between it and proper society, before landing before the old Abandoned Hospital in Artavia. Vincent is immediately unimpressed, and concerned with the location. Tom is quick to defend it. He notes that he has never seen a mutant, that radiation tests returned negative, and he has erected powerful fences and doors to protect the facility in case the conspiracies turned out to be true - which they hadn’t. Vincent silently notes all of this, recalling his own experiences with the area, and his certainty that the rumours have validity.
Inside, Vincent finds the hospital to be pristine. At least, what remains out of use. He insists on seeing the areas in use, particularly the patients Tom has told him are present. Tom introduces Vincent to one Mr. Schumacher, one of his patients from Dirys. Tom explains to Vincent that the man had a brain tumor, which the doctors in Dirys were incapable of helping with. Schumacher seems to be in impressive condition. Vincent does a few of his own tests, and finds that to be the truth, though it only continues to raise his suspicions. One case is not enough for Vincent, however, who demands to see more of Tom’s patients.
Tom has eleven patients at the hospital total, each with varying problems with other the spine or brain. The last of which is a woman who had been unable to walk since a mine collapse years ago, who was now wiggling her toes. Vincent finds it all to be too perfect.
Tom shows Vincent the remainder of the space. As they pass Tom’s study, Vincent’s eyes catch a hard back copy of his own parents’ paper on the subject of flying transportation out on one of the coffee tables. He then shows Vincent where Plague’s quarters would be, with state of the art locking mechanisms to ensure her containment. He also offers to give Vincent the code. Vincent lets the offer pass, sure that he will not be giving Tom the pirate at all.
Vincent examines the room, noting the children’s books on the shelf, and questions their presence, challenging Tom that his mind control creates a mental regression. Tom combats this in two ways. At first, he clarifies that he has not tested on sentient beings, but that the idea behind his innovation is to add a higher priority motivation, like Enchantment magic. He chose the books, he tells Vincent, because patients following brain surgery can recover faster with children’s material. They create connections in the brain, and they also condition the brain. Ending the conversation there, Tom invites Vincent to stay for a meal, which Vincent agrees for the sake of working secrets out of Tom.
In the kitchen, Tom introduces Vincent to ACACIA-GREEN, though names her as Miss Lily Green, his assistant. Green is rather hospitable with Vincent, who recognizes that she is something strange immediately. It takes him a moment to figure it out, but he realizes that she must be a Merfolk - one of the old kind. She clarifies for him that merfolk don’t actually have names - also confirming his suspicions of her being a merfolk.
Green doesn’t eat right away, which raises Vincent’s suspicions. He questions this, and she responds that, as per proper table manners, the cook should eat only once all guests had, and since he had been taking notes instead of eating, she was waiting. Her tone indicates this seems to be a rude question. Vincent responds by pushing his plate away, and denoting his loss of appetite. This annoys Green, but Tom talks her down, and asks if Vincent minds if they finish eating, which he permits.
After a time of eating in silence, Vincent restarts his questioning, asking Tom what he does in his leisure time. Tom admits he has little, but he reads and works on his aeroplane when he’s able to. Vincent further questions Tom’s reading material, and Tom explains his appreciation for scientific papers, including local scientists like the Laerettis, who had tragically died. Tom brings the meeting to an end, then, seeing no further point in continuing if the talk was to be personal chit-chat, and Green clears after their meal.
At this conclusion, Vincent gives Tom his decision. He tells Dunn he is not fully convinced, and that he will return to Woodrow to discuss. Tom appears empathetic as he tells Vincent that he has been misinformed. The tour had been for his benefit, a favor. The contract already signed the pirate girl into his possession. Vincent demands to see the contract, and pours over it, already annoyed at Woodrow as the document is thick. Upon realizing that Dunn is telling the truth, Vincent sarcastically congratulates Dunn on both wasting his time, and obtaining legal amnesty from the SSPB. Tom tells him that all of it is a mere protection, and that - as Vincent had seen - everything under Tom’s purview was run well to code.
Tom offers to bring Vincent back to his vessel, and places a guiding hand to his back. Vincent reacts abruptly, striking Tom forcefully in the arm. The two stare at one another for a moment, and Vincent leaves Tom with a thinly veiled threat before leaving and summoning his airship to bring Plague in. He shoves Plague to Tom, and then turns to leave, going up a dropped rope ladder to his floating airship.
Back on the ship, Officer Edmund asks how well it went, to which Vincent responds that it went well for Dunn, but insists that any arrangement of Woodrow’s that is successful is good for them. Edmund obviously recognizes that Woodrow is not faultless. Vincent ensures that they will be back. (Battle of Wits)
On the 10th of The Winter Storm, Vincent finds himself in Artavia. He tracks and follows Adria Tiira who is spending a day of leave in the city of Restia. It soon becomes clear that the two know each other, and that Adria believed Vincent to be dead.
In Altuena the two continue their reunion, Adria knowing that in Restia there were too many who would clearly recognize her. It is revealed that when Adria was in her twenties, and was a low-ranking officer in the Artavia military, she was one of 14-year-old Vincent’s training officers. She had not thought much of Vincent initially, believing him to be spoiled and all too morally stubborn, but the more he worked and proved himself, the more impressed she had become. Adria even came to know Vincent’s family, including Endless - a fellow Moonborn. In fact, they were so close that Adria told Vincent of her dreams to one day infiltrate Storisina’s library, something he could certainly never approve of.
When the Laeretti family was killed, Adria had hoped she would hear news of survivors, but that news never came. It was all of these reasons and more that made Adria want to punch Vincent as he revealed himself. Ten years she had thought he was dead, and now he had shown back up. Adria realizes that he needs something from her, and he has the dignity not to deny it.
Vincent explains to her what has happened with the SSPB, and that it connects to the sordid history of cover-ups performed by the Artavian government. Vincent goes on to explain the situation with the mind control scientist, including Woodrow’s contract with the man. After hearing the full explanation, Adria Tiira recognizes full well the man Vincent is speaking of. Vincent confirms it by telling her Thomas Dunn’s name, and tells her that all of his attempts to find leads, or anything that could terminate the contract.
Adria Tiira knows that if she says anything, it can damn her country. It is a cover up, and the Artavia government is responsible for war crimes because of their involvement in The Acacia Project. Not only would this severely damage her country, but it could also start an all-out war between Artavia and Malscure, due to Tehodis Kitai’s kidnapping, and Imperator Tristan Cowell’s involvement with her. And so, Adria tells Vincent that there is nothing for him here, which he realizes means that there is nothing she can tell him.
Instead, Adria tells Vincent that Artavia is the only country in the world with laws against mind control technology, and that all on Artavia soil - or even Artavian citizens outside of Artavia - must abide by the regulations. She describes this as Artavia Legal Code C027, which defines that the subject must be a volunteer, someone who has volunteered by someone who has legal authority over them, or a criminal who has not paid the due sentence for their crime. It was helpful, and it is all she can give him.
The two turn to catching up before Vincent must return to Submiere, old friends together once more. (Hello, Old Friend)