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With a gentle *pang* the doors shut close and a grave silence befalls upon the detergent scented chamber and it's contents. Although you are quite happy with how it went - eith a new friend, an honest and well-connected one, no less, but it still hurts a little to take up the metaphorical arms and face the Panda in the room. Or rather in the air.
Simplicity was then... Now, Angelina's gone; you, Alex and Jaq are left alone; meanwhile the invisible clock starts ticking, sending a shiver down your spine. It's time.
With a scowl, you step away from the now devoid of life counter and head back to your desk.
There, Alex dismantles the makeshift walls of boxes and sorts them into two piles - one already empty, and one, ominously, not. It's the remaining quota for today. At the realization a tinge of worry starts welling deep within, and you frown.
"Even with reduction, we still haven't made it, madam." Alex confirms your worries, but sounds... Oddly upbeat. Tired, but upbeat. As if a pile of problems he drowns in were to disappear at any moment, or something of similar value occured. "Please, take a seat."
"Yes, do so. We have a lot to go over and little time." Comes Jaq's stern, high-pitched voice. but Alex clears his throat audibly, and she adds a little awkwardly. "...Please, do so, Aki."
Reluctantly sitting down on the chair opposite to Jaq's, you see what exactly she's doing - ordering several notes along the table in a line. All but one handwritten, you note, and lean in to see. "What are those? Information from your lackeys, official stuff, your own notes?"
Stopping for a moment, the diminutive blonde finally meets your gaze... And small torrent of emotions goes through her expression in a blink of an eye - from sadness, confusion, relief until it settles in a awkward, forceful smile. "Y-yes, the combination of the three... Good observation." She mumbles bashfully.
As you stare at her in mild confusion, she abruptly gets up and dives beneath the desk.
"Are you alright? The medications didn't help with the allergy?" You ask mirthful, but only the sound of a zipper follows, and soon Alex's heavy sigh.
A second later, Jaq emerges with her- no, your pristine lab coat that she stole some time ago. And gracefully puts it on. Sitting back she continues, again in stern tone. "I'm fine, as I said before, it's nothing."
At that, you roll your eyes, but relent. It's not really a big deal - what you need is real answers and you will get them.
"Let's start with what we know." She states, pointing at the largest, non-handwritten note. "The authorities elected to hasten the progress of their agenda, by a new secretive method. However, my scouts-"
"What scouts?"
Undisturbed, she continues. "However, my-" but Alex puts a hand on her shoulder.
Exasperated, he says. "Mistress Jaqueline established conta- bribed several students, but more impressively, several gua-"
"I will finish." Jaq interjects annoyed, shrugging his hand away.
