Emillion Communications Network

Rumors aside, I was wondering if you could check something for me.

I hope the holiday season finds you well. I find myself idling away with my leg in its condition. Do you think we can have our lesson here instead of the tower this once?

Might anyone have recommendations for books on central Ordalian history during the Imperial occupation and subsequent revolution?

[Riyeko]

Thank you very much for lunch - it was such a pleasant surprise.

[Pyr & Sky]

I have not seen you in some time due to [....] difficulties at work, and I apologize. Are you well?

[Penelope]

I have a favor to ask, if you are amenable.

[Kiernan & Lavitz]

Might one of you be available for a small job on Thursday morning of this week?

[Ade]
[after this]

It has been suggested that I contact you regarding a small escort job for this coming Thursday. It has been some time since we last worked together, but I would be glad to have your company, if you are available.

I seem to have found myself with an inordinate amount of treats from guising last Thursday, if anyone would like to relieve me of some.

[ TOKU. ]
Would you perhaps be amenable to tea sometime?

[ PEONY. ]
May I ask for your assistance with a task?

[ PENNY & CID. ]
I apologize for being somewhat scant as of the last several weeks. Are both of you well? How are your experiments going, Cid?

[ RENE, MERRI & LIONEL, seperately. ]
Has Scorpio been treating you well?

If only we were all fortunate enough to have family rise from the dead.

[Penny]

PENELOPE! GET YOUR COAT! Also, we're going to need to start getting the equipment together; do we still have that tent? Yes! I do, it's in the storage closet at the back of the lab. I may not have cleaned it since I used it to carry fish home, but I'm sure it'll wash off in the rain we're sure to have.

Anyway! I'm going to need my electrical prod, the cables, the storm tank, and a large enough tank to carry at least three of the flan in. Also, we may need to invest in a folding table, I think I may have used the last one in a fire, not sure, but I'm sure we can find one somewhere.

Oh forget the equipment, we'll just need paper, pens, that new device I've been working on for scanning. Also! My rod, as I'm sure a fight might occur; oh, wouldn't that be brilliant? We'll definitely need the tent though, and some packs of things like my magnifying glass, my heartbeat sensor. Not sure if it works, didn't the last four times, but I'm certain it'll work this time!

But we're still bringing the flan.

Oh it's going to be fantastic...

OH! BRING MY BINOCULARS! Also the soil sampler and reader, and oh I'm sure I'm forgetting something, work on a list! I'll be there shortly.

I think some of your flan have escaped.

I slipped on one that decided to make a nest in the bathtub and then proceeded to throw up for the next ten minutes, then proceeded to dry heave for the next 30. If you could find and remove them from the house proper, I would appreciate it and return home. For now, I have taken up residence at the Mages Tower until further notice.

[Ridley & Storm]
Would you like to have tea with me and Cid? I've been given a great recipe for some new cakes that I think you would both like. Please let me know if either of you are allergic to anything.

[Storm]
You are more than welcome to bring your friend Juliette as well, if you so wish.

[Siana]

My apologies if I have been quiet lately. Rest assured that I am working on the task you set me. I've some notes that may be of use, though I am afraid that I have not yet found anything that could be considered conclusive.

I hope you have been well?

[Merrion]

I find myself growing quite concerned for [...]

I understand you are well-acquainted with Councilman Liu of the Fighters' Guild? I am afraid I have never met him. What are your thoughts, before we meet with him on Sunday?

[Rosestein]

It has been some time since I have heard from you. I do hope that you and your brother are faring well. If you have the time and the desire, my door remains open to you.

[...] There is unrest in the Tenements, and I admit that I am concerned.

[Penelope]

I've stumbled upon a rather delightful recipe for strawberry-hazelnut muffins. Perhaps you might be interested? I do seem to recall that Cid has the occasional preference for sweets.

Men and women need convictions. Perhaps it's that that separates us from the animal kingdom; although, it would seem the laws of nature act of its own prescribed notion of conviction, but regardless it's a palpable and real measurement to the societal, mental, and emotional health of the human being, of any sentient being that can be able to grasp that sense of conviction.

Yet it is on some days those convictions are put to the test, and you begin to question each motive you've ever done. You begin to ask yourself, are the ways in which we battle everyday to make our lives better, more complex, even remotely worth it if there are people around who are killing, murdering, and simply depriving innocents of their livelihoods?

I realize, of course, that the opinion I'm spewing forth today is hardly timely, and comes on the heels of brilliant investigative work. That, really, I'm delayed in my response, but really it took time for me to come to terms with my very own convictions.

My convictions are my own, and anyone who knows me well will know them. That being said, it's at these darkest of times we begin to understand that our convictions must be altered, not changed but altered in such a way, that they change perhaps even the very fabric of the person you are. I have sat too long staring at my experiments, when I realize my brilliance could be used in far more notorious and useful of ways.

So, that being said, the person or thing responsible for these grotesque murders will be stopped. By me. I will, of course, require help, but I will not sit quietly in my study letting the world pass by when there are those being killed under my watch. My conviction is that no one should be allowed to die until it is simply their time, and it is with that strongest of convictions that I will make certain that such things do not occur so long as I have the power and ability to stop it.

So... without further ado, anyone with any... substantial information should come forward. I realize there are 'privacy' issues, so if you wish to discuss this in private do so, but know that I'm your best option in catching these killers.

[Private to Penny]

Have you baked any of those cakes you're so brilliant at? I've been craving them... OH! Nevermind, no time for that. Would you like to hear what I'm working on now?

[Private to Kiernan]

That brew is finally ready should you feel you want to try some!

After hinting about it the entirety of last month, Shika* asked me to move in with him. I haven’t answered him because I don't know what to say. I know, embarrassing for a woman my age to be so clueless! But I've never been interested in anything this serious before.

I suppose neither Shika nor I is getting any younger...

All right, here are the parameters - he’s smart, he’s funny, the sex isn’t the best I’ve ever had bad, I’m not getting any younger, & he cooks (and by cook, I mean Theodore Finch cook, I kid you not).

But he’s lazy, his family is overbearing, he’s lazy, & I don’t know that I’m feeling it.

Help me run a cost-benefit analysis, ladies?

*NPC, civilian scientist.

Cid Istrad is not throwing a party at the Sackheim Inn or anywhere.