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Event - Dogged

Dogged

The message goes out to everyone on ADI's network. It seems to be something captured live. It's Pam Ruan, head of HR who holds a prosthetic finger up to her lips before whispering, "Everyone's pushing for transparency right now, right? Figuring out where threats are coming from and sharing. I think that should come at all levels. Let's see what Nia's talking about with Mr. Zyrian Steel, hmm?"

The camera flips around as Pam clearly creeps closer to an office door. There are muffled voices, and Pam sets the phone face up before using one hand to shove the thing under the door. The video shows a sliding picture of the office's bland ceiling for a moment before coming to a stop. The voices become much clearer.

"-down in Wolf Trap," a masculine voice is saying. Presumably, Zyrian Steel. "There's just no need for that."

"Zyrian, this ain't a negotiation." Nia Lehrer's voice is familiar to most people working at ADI at this point. They've likely heard her speak in some pre-recorded training videos at the bare minimum. Nia's tone is no nonsense and clearly on the edge of snapping in frustration. "You're not hiring us. I'm sending my people down to Wolf Trap next month. We've got evidence of those signalhead things being on the march, one down that way, your kick off for New Horizons in the park, and evidence out of there about the Lullaby Girl from some of my people."

There is silence.

"You remember her? Ava? Or Amber, it seems like. She's the one you gave us those Lucidio masks to help train our people against. Frankly, I'd be surprised if you don't remember her, Mr. S." Another drawn out pause. "You ain't been straight with me for a long time. You ain't been straight with ADI since Tawnya was Warden. You tell me you need us in Buffalo, payback for helping in Wolf Pen and Cortana and the mobile med units, and not only do half the staff come back with crab claws and whiskers, but I find out you're using us for business politics." There's venom in her tone. "Or were you just going to stay quiet about Etcher's enterprises competing with your own software companies? ADI is not your personal attack dog. You are our client. And I thought my friend. But I'm about 30 seconds away from firing you from both."

Further silence, then a heavy sigh. "And I was going to offer to send you and your staff on such a nice retreat." There's the sound of a chair being pushed back. "Warden, I think you misunderstand the nature of our relationship. You are the dogs. I am the master. I hold your leash. Or have you forgotten just how much technology I've donated to ADI over the years, how many of your systems run on things I built? We've had a mutually beneficial relationship up until now- Well… you and I have. Tawnya got to be a problem before the end, too. But I made sure that was taken care of."

"You self-aggrandizing son of a-"

"You're a much more practical woman than she ever was, even with those shiny ideals you hold so dear. You'll compromise for the greater good, to protect what's yours. Such a good Warden, looking out for her charges."

"What are you talking about? And get your hands the hell off my desk."

"Haven't you ever wondered about the title? Warden. Odd name for a leader of any organization, even one like yours. But maybe not so odd when you consider your more eldritch masters." A scoff. "The Hunt always does pick out the most oblivious avatars, doesn't it? What does a Warden do?" A beat. "She controls the monsters, Nia. Sniffs them out and contains them. And she goes after the poachers coming after her prey. Tell me, have you ever noticed how you're always picking up on threats far afield with uncanny precision. It's been getting stronger, hasn't it? Tawnya was the same way. As was her predecessor, I imagine."

"That's not- I wouldn't ever…"

"Wouldn't you, though? Every time you sent your own dogs after a threat, reveled in it, you were being such a good Warden, instilling terror in the hearts of your enemies, ADI's enemies. So many cults know who and what you are and they fear it. Fear the Warden of ADI, famed avatar of the Hunt. Even now, I know you've compromised yourself. Have you considered what that's done to you? You let that Visionary kid stay alive. I rather think that might have been the start of your slide, hmm? Making exceptions, just this once.

"Now," he continues, voice growing louder and footsteps starting toward the phone, "I realize this is a lot to take in, to think about. Why don't you do that self-reflection while I attend to other matters? You are doing good work, puppy. I need a dependable pet to take care of all those nasty pests who keep trying rituals. But no need to worry about the New Horizons launch, really. I'll just-" Zyrian pauses and everyone will have a view of a middle-aged caucasian man with dark, slightly graying hair and a beard. He's wearing khakis and a Hawaiian shirt, and he's looking down at Pam's phone.

"Well… fuck." He stomps a heeled shoe on it and the transmission ends abruptly.

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[Rue shakes their head, only causing those awful wings to buzz in protest all over again, making them flinch before they can answer.]

I do not know! It - Oh, Eda. It happened this morning. It started as this terrible inch beneath my feathers before they began to sprout like this. But I have not been able to stop it!

[Eda can't help also wincing a little bit. It's really not pleasant, especially with Rue's own reactions.]

Have you gone anywhere new or... touched anything new? We haven't finished rounding up all those artifacts.

[She's not sure if any of them would cause something like this, but she's not sure where else to even begin to figure out what's going on.]

[a fair reaction]

No! Nothing at all that I can think of! I have been most cautious since all of that mess began!

[Rue has done what they can to shield others from the artifacts, not to be one of the ones who needed saving.]

Besides, it began within my own home, just this morning.

[Eda might almost be disappointed with that answer. It's not that she wants to assume they did anything wrong, but at least it might have been somewhere to start.]

What did you... do this morning?

[That might also be nothing, but she may as well ask. Maybe she'll notice some sort of connection they missed--that's her only hope. Even if artifacts aren't involved, maybe they did something differently from usual.]

[That's fair!! All of this would be much easier figured out if only Rue had done something so wildly out of character on this day!

But alas, their morning routine, up until today, has been something they've cherished as of late.]

This morning? Hm. [Rue's big eyes blink, their awful bug wings quieting down for the moment. Why is the morning so fuzzy to them?]

I remember waking up, after Knickolas, because I never wake up before him. But he had already gone out for an early shift, as he so often does, so none of that was unusual. Ah! But I remember that he left me a gift on my vanity. It was - oh, it was -

[They have to think just a touch too long to remember, before it hits them.]

Oh! It was this little brooch, the one on my hat? The beaded moth? I remember thinking it so strange he left it without a note, but it was such a gorgeous gift, I simply had to wear it, even before I got to thank him.

[At first, there's a frustrating lack of clues. And what seems like an equally unhelpful amount of detail, but then suddenly it clicks.]

He left it without a note and you just... assumed it was him?

[She supposes that makes sense as a first guess, to be fair. Things normally don't just show up without someone putting them there, especially in the private apartments. But then again, it's new, and the artifacts seem to be making their way all sorts of places, so maybe she's onto something.

She reaches to snatch the hat off of their head.]

Knickolas is always bringing me sweet gifts and it was our home, why would I assume otherwise?

[ADI may not be entirely trustworthy, but they sincerely doubt Pam would want right into their home in the middle of the night and come into their bedroom.

They hope.

But before Rue can protest further, Eda is reaching up to swipe off their chic little hat, taking a few nasty bug wings with it, as Rue had pinned it carefully into their feathers.]

Eda! That was quite rude. I would have simply let you see it if you had asked.

[While they have a point, Eda's still not convinced; she's not sure all the artifacts were planted, so much as potentially able to spread themselves once they were out of containment. Some of them, at any rate.

Either way, she feels a little bad when the bug wings come away with the hat. But just a little. Who pins a hat in place that much?}

...Sorry. If I'm right I didn't really want to wait.

[She takes a closer look at the little both, but doesn't touch it. It might be nothing, but it's a bug, so maybe? It was a guess with reasons behind it, at least.]

Feel any different?

[Um!!! Do you not know who Rue is????

But her question at least leaves the owlbear pausing at least for a moment, holding their breath while they wait for something to happen.

And for a moment, there's nothing.]

...No, I am afraid not. I appreciate your attempt to help, but I fear - [but then a slight gasp falls from their beak, staring down at the plucked off bug wings that have fallen to the ground, newly returned to feathers.]

Well, I tried—

[Eda is briefly disappointed when it doesn't sound like things are improved, but when she hears their little gasp and notices the same thing about the loose feathers.

She takes a deep breath before looking back up at them, not wanting to get her hopes too high—but if their feathers are going back to normal, she'll look extremely relieved.]

[It is more slow going than that, the sluggish shift of fluttering bug wings back into soft, moss-green feathers, but Rue holds up their own great paws and watches the transformation slowly take over them. Beat by beat, their feathers are returning, unscathed and whole, their beak opening in gentle surprise as they blink back tears.]

Oh, I - I can not believe -

[Eda looks surprised, and then quite visibly relieved as she looks them over. She glances back down at the hat she's still holding—making sure not to touch the brooch—and then back up at them.

While one problem is solved, there remains the unfortunately obvious fact that their glamour doesn't appear to have snapped back into place just yet. They might no longer be distressing to her now that the strange insect wings are gone, but that doesn't mean they won't upset any humans that might see them.]

...I think we ought to get you home. And then figure out how to destroy this thing.

[It doesn't look hard, but then again some of the artifacts have proved a lot more difficult than expected.]

[She will hear no complaints from Rue about it's destruction, though they'll be reluctant to destroy it themself, if only out of fear of brushing against it again.]

Please. I - I would like that. Would you lead the way? I shall - I know it sounds foolish, but I shall try to blend in behind you.

Well, I've heard worse plans. Just try and look like you own the place.

[If nothing else, as long as someone's acting like something is normal, other people tend to assume it probably is. Sometimes.

Which means she's just going to start heading back towards the ADI, and trying to look like anyone giving them weird looks must be the ones who have some kind of problem.]

[Normally, Rue would be all for that, but there's just no rebuilding the hit their confidence has taken today, shoulders slumped, posture withdrawn in on themself, as they scurry after Eda. Anything to get back to the safety of the ADI grounds where their very appearance won't cause such a terrible scene.

It feels as if Rue is holding their breath the entire time until they are finally safe and out of the public eye, a great, relived exhale at their beak.]

I can not thank you enough for your help, Eda. Truly - I do not know what would have become of me.

[And it's not comforting to see them this shaken, but Eda doesn't comment. Mostly she just does her best to steer them away from humans, and is glad they both get back without incident.]

Probably better not to think about that too hard. [While there are some humans she's incredibly fond of, as a whole she trusts them less the more she learns about them. What could have become of Rue isn't a train of thought she'd enjoy.]

But we made it. And you seem back to normal... how do you feel?

[They must agree wholeheartedly, thinking too deeply on the what ifs might drive them mad.]

Sick.

[By the time they arrive back, all of Rue's beautiful feathers have returned to normal, no trace of the insect wings left. But their beautiful dress is torn and muddy, their clasped paws equally filthy from walking on all fours.]

But otherwise, I feel like myself.

[Eda's glad that Rue at least looks back to normal, and seems to be back to their usual self, if not their usual mood. She's not entirely certain what the artifact was doing before, to make them act the way they were, but it was clearly bad.]

Yourself is a pretty good start. Let's... get you back to your apartment. [They might not technically need to hide now, but she suspects they'll feel better with a change of clothes and a chance to rest.]

[Bad is so correct!]

Yes, please. [Nothing can truly repair the hurt and fear in their heart, but being able to seclude themself away, to find small comforts within their own home and clothes, all of that will make all the difference.

They follow Eda - they hardly need to follow along so meekly anymore, but they can't help themself - letting Eda into the apartment once they arrive. Hob is nowhere to be found and Rue is at least grateful they'll have a chance to compose themself first.]

Thank you, Eda. For finding me. And helping me.

She follows them inside, glancing around for Hob as well, and finding herself also just as glad Rue will have a chance to settle down first.

Yeah, what are friends for?

[Even if having them is still a bit of a novelty. Partly she's still, even now, not fully used to this sort of sincerity, but partly she just wants to play things down until Rue manages to relax.]

You should get some rest. [Not that she's trying to leave, but she wants to make sure they at least sit.]

Yes... Yes, I think that I shall. But - [Their paws run along their own arms, over their feathers, up to their neck, just to be certain no more of those terrible insects exist.]

I think I will bathe first. I feel... Well, disgusting.

Yeah... I probably would, too. [Their transformation really was unpleasant.]

Do you want me to stay, or...? [She wants to give them space, but she doesn't want to leave them alone if it would make things worse.]

I think I should like to be alone. Hob should be home soon, so it will not be for very long.

But thank you, Eda. For everything. We will talk soon, I promise.

Okay. Just... call me if you need anything.

[But she'll leave, and do her best not to keep worrying about them for the rest of the day. And, of course, see about destroying a certain artifact as thoroughly as she's able to.]

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Event - Dogged

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