...Please reconsider, Dr. Witte. As Dr. Lenore's former colleague and close friend, your testimony is crucial to our inquiry.
Let me repeat myself: I transferred to a different team before her incident, so I never heard anything about this. I've fulfilled my obligation to cooperate with your investigation.
As for personal matters... I don't want to talk about Lenore with anyone, especially not with the Council's Security Director.
The visibly exhausted man grips the doorknob tightly, his gaze darting between you and Nirvatia, who are standing at his doorstep. Eventually, he furrows his brow and closes his eyes.
That's all I have to say.
The door closes in front of you with unmistakable finality.
Darkness creeps in as streetlights flicker to life. Sunlight rapidly fades after a full day of investigation.
You turn toward Nirvatia with a hint of resignation, only to find her composed aura remains undisturbed as she meets your eyes with the hint of a smile.
Why the long face, little raven? Tired?
Interviewing witnesses is like solving puzzles. We need to understand the shape of the locks around people's hearts and find the right key to open them.
The female Construct's fingertip lightly taps your chest, tracing the outline of a keyhole before touching its center.
Just because it's difficult to find at first doesn't mean it doesn't exist. We simply need to reorganize our thoughts and adjust our approach.
She casually steps forward and leans in, whispering into your ear.
We're being followed.
Look at the intersection behind me. Morigan says the man in the beige trench coat with the stand-up collar has been following us for three blocks. And he wasn't the first one.
Using Nirvatia's Inver-Device as cover, you glance over with your peripheral vision and realize the man does look somewhat familiar.
I've never been fond of shadowy games and interference. Regardless of who they are... we need to create a distraction to draw their attention away from the actual investigation.
That's pretty easy.
She gives you a sly glance, the corners of her lips curling into a smile.
Here, put your hand on my waist.
So decisive. Don't tell me you've been planning this all along?
Without warning, she blows on your earlobe softly, sending a tickle through you.
Your dazed look is quite delectable, but now's not the time. Just follow my lead.
That's more like it.
The woman in the black feathered dress smiles with satisfaction, tilting her head slightly in one direction.
Follow me. Let's find a better place to talk.
Stella Brew
Babylonia
Stella Brew, Babylonia
The lighting is dim and dreamy, diffusing into shades of blue and purple like twilight melting into a bioluminescent sea. Gentle music flows leisurely, threading through hushed conversations, punctuated by the crisp sound of ice cubes clinking against glass.
Linking arms, Nirvatia and you walk through the scattered crowd like two fish swimming in tandem, until you reach the bar counter.
The female Construct leans casually against the counter, and a bartender immediately approaches.
I've never seen you bring someone here alone before, Nirvatia. Your plus-one here must be quite unique.
Quite unique indeed. The Gray Raven Commandant is a notable figure, after all.
Ha, that's not what I meant.
The bartender, clearly well-acquainted with Nirvatia, gestures at the lack of distance between you two, gives you a knowing wink, and hands over two menus.
How about trying our signature cocktail? All drinks come in both human and Construct versions. And if you haven't had dinner yet, our appetizers are quite exceptional.
I'll have what you have. I trust your taste.
Besides... gathering information about you is one of my rare pleasures.
Already trying to uncover my personal favorites?
Bold birdies deserve encouragement. We'll have two of my regular.
Behind the upright menu, she gives you a meaningful glance, silently mouthing "they're still here" before turning to call the bartender over.
Have my private room prepared, please. Send all our orders there.
Sure thing.
After an impressive display of drink-mixing flair, the bartender slides two brimming coupe glasses toward you both.
Nirvatia lifts one glass with a playful smile, bringing the rim to your lips.
With a flutter of her lashes, the female Construct's eyes gleam with curiosity and anticipation, her intentions crystal clear.
Wanna try?
You recall her earlier suggestion about "making a scene." This is clearly not the time to hesitate.
Almost simultaneously, she leans forward, her pale pink lips grazing the opposite rim of the glass as she shares the drink with you.
A whisper only the two of you can hear accompanies the lingering taste on your tongue.
You catch on quick, little raven.
Now, let's throw those unwelcome "tails" the last few breadcrumbs.
Her dark gold gauntlet traces slowly down the contours of your arm, brushing over your pulse before sliding into your palm.
The private room should be ready now. The night is long, but the dreams are fleeting... We'd better make the most of it.
Stella Brew Private Room
Babylonia
Stella Brew Private Room, Babylonia
The soundproof door slides shut and locks behind you. Motion-sensitive light strips are awakened by the black-clad Construct's footsteps, casting a soft glow that is bright enough to keep drowsiness at bay.
Nirvatia sinks into the booth with languid elegance, absently running her fingers through her long hair before twirling a pale strand around her fingertip.
Impressive, Nirvatia. Those "tails" stopped watching the moment you two went inside.
I'll keep an eye on the outside, so call me if you need anything. Actually, better not. I get the feeling you're about to do something a mechanical raven shouldn't witness, so I'll just—
The raven's owner cuts the comms before he can finish, her fingertips drumming lightly on the cushion beside her.
Come sit and relax. I installed the signal jammers here myself... Now we can truly have some "alone time."
How are you finding the work of a Security Director, Gray Raven Commandant?
Your adaptability has surely been forged in fire. The Carthaki incident, now this...
When dealing with those with ill intentions, it's far easier to show them what they want to see than to work against their expectations.
For instance, "Investigation hits dead end, Nirvatia seeks comfort from partner"... They'll convince themselves of that narrative without us having to lift a finger.
But the more comfortably one lives in their self-deception, the more furious they become when that illusion shatters. I prefer to view that fury as the testament to my capabilities.
Under Nirvatia's slightly surprised gaze, you open the menu and read from start to finish, carefully selecting items.
Hmm, the more time I spend with you, the more I find your perspective... fascinating.
Soon, a small service robot knocks at the door of your private room. Its tray holds an assortment of savory and sweet pastries, cheese, and fruit, all prepared in perfect bite-sized portions.
The delicacies gradually melt away your fatigue and dissipate your stress. Nirvatia seems to genuinely enjoy watching you eat, waiting until you set down your utensils before addressing the actual business.
Don't stop surprising me, little raven. Now, let's lay out all the information we collected and take turns asking each other questions. Perhaps we can reconstruct the events and organize our thoughts together.
Witnesses, evidence, involved parties... For this puzzle, I'll make the first move.
The black-clad Construct projects recordings of today's interviews from her terminal before rising to her feet and pacing to the opposite side of the room.
She plays each recording in sequence, filling the room with statements ranging from blunt to tactful.
As you can see, they're asking for the test results for this collaboration urgently. I'm a busy man. I simply can't spare the time.
You must remember how we all secretly envied the amount of resources Professor Walden invested in Lenore at the time, Nirvatia... Of course, that investment came with immense pressure.
To be honest, it's been so long, and since the professor specifically assigned her to the project, I wasn't in any position to access or question the details as an uninvolved party.
As for personal matters... I don't want to talk about Lenore with anyone, especially not with the Council's Security Director.
As a Task Force commandant, you've traveled to many places and interacted with different people in ways that differ from my own.
Truth often hides behind difficult dilemmas. In your opinion, why have our witnesses chosen to remain silent?
He is in charge of a collaboration that Professor Walden negotiated. If something happens to Walden, there are two possible outcomes for him.
The bad outcome: the collaboration is terminated, and all his efforts are wasted. The good outcome: he proves his innocence and takes over Walden's position. Several others are in similar situations.
Indeed, her reaction proves that we don't currently have enough evidence to give neutral parties the confidence to be forthright.
He believes my investigation led to Lenore taking her own life. If I approach him alone, he probably won't say a single word to me.
Self-interest, information, sentiments...
What would make someone set aside their immediate concerns and find enough courage to confront their painful memories?
What enlightening answers. I'll give them serious thought.
Your turn to ask questions.
The female Construct tilts her head slightly, staring at you with intense focus like a bird that's spotted something shiny.
In a way, she bears a striking resemblance to the mechanical raven that's always by her side. With that flash of insight, you recognize the most crucial clue.
Memories brew in her crystal-red eyes as Nirvatia slowly lowers her lashes, then gently raises them again.
With an almost imperceptible sigh, she smiles faintly—impossible to tell whether it's tenderness or melancholy.
That chapter of my life... I've never had the right opportunity to share it with you until now.
A naive, solitary bird who believed her voice, tempered by suffering, was enough to speak for those who were wronged. Her wings burned away by righteous fury, she fell into another world with a different set of rules.
That day, I walked into the Science Council clutching my damaged virtual pet console. It wasn't Asimov who guided me to the laboratory... it was Lenore.
She... was the one who first taught me the technology to remake Morigan.
