((A sequel to [RP Story] Desolate Diplomacy))
[Site Alpha, ████████, Lordaeron]
“And zat koncludes our lesson on mind affecting anomalies” said Benedikt cheerfully, addressing a room of frightened DIS trainee agents, two of whom had abandoned their desks to rock back and fourth in the fetal position on the floor.
“Any questions?” he added.
The class remained silent.
“Very vell. Zere’s koffee, vater und some pulled quilboar sandviches in zee break room. I recommend you all relax for a short vhile” he said as he made his way to the exit, where he was immediately accosted by a large bird.
“Must you inflict actual psychic attacks on my students?” crowed the bird.
“I guarantee you I’m showing konsiderably more restraint zen any A.S. vill.” replied Benedikt casually as he continued down the hallway.
“I’m not so sure. What designation did the Argents give you initially again?” asked Anwe, remaining in bird form and hopping along after Benedikt.
Benedikt rolled his eyes, “Vell if you vant somevone who pulls zeir punches zen stop asking fur mein help”.
“Oh? Who else might I send for? Perhaps Executor Holmstein could explain theoretical reality bending to them instead?”
Benedikt chortled, “Zat’d certainly be entertaining. Perhaps next Kathyrn kann give a lecture on zee importance of vorkplace safety”
The two continued to banter as they strolled until a flying skull, painted with violet arcane symbols and filled with all manner of engineering devices, zoomed at them. It stopped within inches of Benedikt’s face and began vibrating.
“Must everything have such a macabre design? Was there any reason these servitors couldn’t be made to look like songbirds?” grumbled Anwe.
“It’s a Kaligari kreation vould you really vant him mucking about vith innocent little robins?” replied Benedikt as he gently pressed the symbol painted on the frontal bone.
A scope lodged in the skull’s left eye socket whirred in response and projected an image of High Magistrate Bloodhawk.
“An’She’s sake was his face cursed to always sneer?” muttered Anwe.
“I can hear you, Runetotem” barked Cinderion.
Benedikt sighed, “Zere’s a reason I keep you two on different ends of zee kontinent. Vhat do you need Cinderion?”
“Prime Governor, you recall your arrangement with that little human hovel in Grand Hamlet, correct?”
Benedikt nodded.
“Well it would seem they’ve forgotten their place. The shivarra sentries I’ve on the border reported a considerable influx of experienced mercenaries marshaling in Raven Hill.” Cinderion reported.
Benedikt rubbed his chin in thought, “Presumably zis has more to do vith zee increased Goblin presence in Stonard zan us. Ever since Silithus Alliance seem to materialize if vone of zem so much as digs an outhouse hole.”
“The reasoning for their presence is ultimately irrelevant. Research in the Guardian’s Library is perilous enough as is. I don’t need any Blue Devils poking in to further frustrate our exploration. They’re a variable that needs to be eliminated.”
Benedikt groaned, “So much fur an armistice. Very vell. Venture to Stonard und see if you kan’t entice our little green friends into dealing vith zee brunt of zis problam. You’ve mein permission to shift Graveguards from Site Theta as needed”
“Understood” replied Cinderion, bowing as his image flicked out.
Benedikt rubbed his temples, “Looks like you’ll need to find a substitute”
Anwe sighed, “Another week, another violent gesture of futility over nonsense”
“Indeed. But vone I von’t allow to be inflicted on our efforts. Best of luck vith zee trainees” said Benedikt as the pair reached the surface.
Anwe shifted into his true form and gave Benedikt a pat on the back. He smiled and nodded at Anwe before dissolving into a black gloom that twisted into the sky and sailed southward.