Rekindle Network

--is this some kind of game to you?

[A stronger-sounding Cyntia could be overheard, although the feed lacked any semblance of visual that wasn't filled with so much static that only vague silhouettes could be distinguished.]

What, and it isn't for you? [A male voice retorted, though anyone who heard it before could likely place it as her assistant, Burnie's.] You can't tell me it hasn't presented valuable data on our dear subjects. After all, weren't you the one who followed my old boss's philosophy of "everyone is an unknowing test subject"?

[After a long pause, he laughs.] Oh, don't tell me... you're actually growing soft?

We've lost a valuable colleague today... one who, until you provided clues as to someone tampering with one of the energy containment settings, held a perfectly spotless record.

[She takes a few steps, and as the conversation continues, the feed comes into better focus--almost as though someone were attempting to clean the image for viewing. Her gaze is almost as harsh as the rain outside the windows.]

Combined with the sudden disappearances of a handful of our coworkers and the public attempt at my life... am I to take that as mere coincidence, Burnie.

[Burnie seems to back up slightly, his grimace even more dark when the sound of clapping could be heard just as the feed clears up perfectly.]

Bravo, Cyntia... It seems as though you're finally seeing the light.

A-Arjuna!? [Burnie nearly jumps out of his skin at the blond man who seemed to materialize out of thin air in a cloud of black smoke.] How did you-- The seal--

As broken as your colleague's faith in you. [Zeloph waves it off.] Honestly, I should be thanking you... Your little attempts to mess with your... "subjects", was it?

[Zeloph spits out the word as though it sickened him, much to Burnie's anger. As if unphased, Cyntia turned slightly to face the newcomer.]

And what, dare I ask, is the occasion that brought you to conjure yourself into my office?

Isn't it obvious? [He motions to Burnie.] My own sister may not recall my face clearly--time is a fickled thing, after all--but that doesn't mean that I don't have a debt to repay...

[As though the motion and eye contact was all it took, black strands of magic seemed to wrap around Burnie's neck. Loosely, at first.. but as Zeloph's speaks, the bind seems to grow tighter.]

Now give me one good reason why the miasma shouldn't separate your head from your shoulders...

[Burnie moves to grasp the strings of miasma, but as his hands make contact with the substance, it seems to have a burning effect on his flesh. He screams, and Zeloph seems displeased.]

Ever the hypocrite. Using lives to profit your own, but the moment another sees the benefit of using your personal homunculus as a subject... [Zeloph laughs darkly as Cyntia watches on in shock.] You don't change, Burnie!

Bugger yourself, you soulless vermin!

[Burnie struggles, motioning with one hand as the metal that made up the wall of Cyntia's office jutted forth to stab Zeloph through the abdomen. Yet there is no blood, only miasma leaking from the wound before he disappears in the very same cloud. The strands release their prisoner, but not before a clawed hand juts out of the dark mist to slam Burnie into the window.]

The song hath been heard... Approach mine sister or kin once more, insufferable worm, and I shall remind thou of the reason they call me... "Thunderer".

[The feed ends with the cloud of miasma slipping away through the air vents, Cyntia staring after it in shock, and Burnie gasping for air with burn marks the shape of a dragon's foreclaw on his neck.]

--word on the boss's status? [Hwan's voice nearly cracks over the network, which seems to have caught him mid-conversation.]

None, I'm afraid. [An unknown male responds, seemingly not concerned.] Far as I know, she's still under surveillance. Whatever they struck her with, it was amongst the most potent of outlawed magick. [A chuckle.] Bit ironic, don't you think? Surviving what she did, only to be blasted with the polar opposite--

[A bit of a whimper is heard before another voice, Mai's, interrupts them.]

Really now? Can't you tell the kid's still traumatized?

C'mon, man! [The male retorts.] It's been a hundred years, already! You need to learn to just let it go~

And you've been peeping into the memories of potential new visitors again. [If an eye roll could be audible, it likely would have been one of those moments.] Besides, bad enough that one of the few members of the team who knows how to operate the machine is out of commission... but now our lead tech engineer and the head of inner-city communications goes missing?

Y-yeah... [Hwan stutters.] Something doesn't seem right about that.

Downright suspicious~ if you ask me...

Except no one did, Mr. Sing Along. [Mai sighs.] Look, just... hear me out. We need to train more people to be able to help the Priestess call out for potential visitors. She's been overtaxed as it is after having to be awake forty-eight hours at a time when you guys put her in, and as her personal physician--

Yeah yeah, we know Doc. [the guy interrupts, his complacency leaking out in his tone.] "Not like the rest of us," "still needs rest" yada yada... You know how many times I've heard that? Besides, not like she doesn't sleep inside those "dreams" of hers, anyway.

[The feed as a brief stint of static as though the device doesn't like to be jostled while used, someone hitting a metal table almost supernaturally hard.]

That's not the point and you know it! [Mai yells.] Do you even realize what's at stake if she gets overtaxed to the point she loses control?

Watch it. [A fourth voice speaks up, tone darkened by a low anger at that voice.] Recall that you speak with the second-in-command of--

No, no... It is quite alright. [the second voice speaks up once more.] I see now why Cyntia chose you to oversee the priestess's welfare. You are very passionate in your role and are a good physician despite your lack of experience in this particular role. I hope you forgive my testing of you to see for myself what it is our leader saw in you, despite your... background.

[A gulp.] My...?

Oh yes, we are quite aware that you have a certain... talent for bending the elements to your will, especially after the death of your young son to the tragic aftermath of the Cataclysm. We also know of his father's... legacy. Or perhaps you had thought those records suspiciously removed from your personnel file?

[For once, Mai seems lost for words. There is the scraping of a chair against laminate flooring, before he speaks again.]

Cyntia was always one to look beyond such matters of course, but you know how I prefer to have a certain level of... understanding with my colleagues. Thus I will make it plain: Yes, I am fully aware of what is at stake should she lose control or be lost within those "dreams" of hers. The problem being with the discretion you propose, however, is that she is the only vessel capable of such feats. Should you or me be strapped in, we wouldn't even get the faintest whisper through to the other worlds we're all so curious about. That is why we hired you, after all... [And with an air of disgust, he adds:] Time Mage.

[The feed suddenly cuts with the sound of metal crunching and the words FEED LOST]

[ooc: this post is open for reactions and possible responses.]