>>5131797>>5131803>>5132362It takes a great deal of focus, but through your direct observation and brain-aching focus, you are able to relay a command to the Head Chimericist:
>BE LESSSS OBVIOUSSSSHenzler is wearing a false amulet against possession and mental manipulation—a real one would cancel out even your new ‘ectoplasm trick’ but you still don’t want her under any closer scrutiny than absolutely necessary. You have a few notes for this amateur actor, and she has no choice but to take them.
“Can you blame me for being shaken?” Henzler mutters, rubbing the bridge of her nose. “We lost IRREPALCEABLE personnel who I could actually TOELRATE. The replacements will require training from scratch, and may be incompetent. My research—DECADES of it—has gone missing. If word gets out about the demons—if Pavlov’s failure kills MORE people—I will no doubt be subject to scrutiny. We ALL will.”
There is silence from Henzler’s compatriots.
“So YES,” your puppet says, with genuine emotion this time for this is a frustration she truly, deeply feels, “I am SHAKEN and TIRED. But I am NOT incompetent.”
“Yes, well,” the Praetor says after a moemtn, “the remains to be seen, doesn’t it?”
“Oh, Lavernius, you utter twat!” snaps the Head Inquisitor.
“That will be quite ENOUGH, Magus Praetor,” the Archmage booms, authoritatively. “NONE of you have come out of this unblemished, frankly.”
An awkward silence lingers, and then the Archmage sighs, saying “You are all dismissed, to rest and return when you are fresher in mind and mana. Return when you are useful, and bring what wisdom you can muster. I will follow up on some leads of my own…”
“Sir?” the Head inquisitor asks.
“There was a nobleman at the Gala with some… Unusual notions. I gave little thought to them at the time, but… Well, nevermind. It’s a long-shot. If it amounts to anything, I will discuss it with you tomorrow.”
And so it is that the Magus Praetor, the Head inquisitor, and Henzler herself depart the Archmage’s office. Almost immediately, Head Chimericist Henzler responds to your next relayed command:
>COME TO ME, NOW 