conversations: human
conversations:  There you are, standing at the front gate of Frederick Alexander's mansion. Past the ornate iron grill gate, you can see the entire front courtyard.
  You can see the path of white stone bricks that circles around the pond in the center as it leads to the front porch of the impressive red brick building. The white stone path is outlined with a long, short hedges. On the other sides of the hedge barriers, a variety of sculptures stand proudly on the finely trimmed green lawn, made from hedges, marble, stone, and bronze. There are even metal statues that are animated by exposed mechanisms!
  
  Throughout the courtyard, you can only see two automatons tending to the hedges. It doesn't take long before the automaton one of the automatons notices you and approaches the front gate. The approaching automaton is dressed in black dress pants and a black unbuttoned overcoat, with a white dress shirt under its red vest.
  
     "May I help you?"    It asks as it arrives at the gate.
conversations: Drakeburn:
conversations: human
conversations:  Victoria whistled to herself. Now this was a fancy place. That was a good sign. The pay should be pretty damn good here. Certainly worth the extra travel to get here, and that had not been cheap. As the automaton noticed her, she gave it a friendly wave.
  
   "I do believe you may. Mr. Alexander has contacted me vis-a-vis some manner of potentially lucrative employment. Would I be correct in saying that this is his residence ?"
conversations: Mekboy:
conversations: human
conversations:  "It is."    The automaton replied.
     "And I would like to know who is asking, Miss....."   
conversations: Drakeburn:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Miss Victoria. Hold on, I've got a letter here somewhere." 
  
  After an awkward second or two of rummaging in an inside pocket, she produced a slightly crumpled letter with a flourish and handed it to the automaton.
  
   "That ought to contain the requisite details." 
conversations: Mekboy:
conversations: human
conversations:  There's an unmistakable clicking coming from behind Victoria, who is met with the cast shadow of a stranger coming from behind. The shade belongs to a an aged man, still clinging to a crop of thick black hair even as it was invaded at the temples by a rising gray. Salt-and-pepper speckles his jawline, the man obviously missing a few days' worth of shaving.
  
   "This is the residence of Messer Alexander, correct? He sent me a letter stating he wished to see me about some kind of business." 
  
  The man nods politely to the woman beside him.  "Miss." 
conversations: Terço_Real:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Sir." 
  
  Victoria nodded back, keeping her face cheerful and trying not to betray too much. Now would they be working together, or were they competing for the work? He didn't look particularly like he was the fighting type, but that didn't really mean much.
conversations: Mekboy:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Ah yes, of course."    The automaton says after taking a quick look at the letter.
  After it briefly hands back the letter to Miss Victoria, it turns its attention over to old man.
     "Why yes, this is the Alexanders' residence. You must be Captain Alphonse. Master Chadwick has been expecting you. Both of you actually."    The automaton gestures to both of you before opening the front gates.
conversations: Drakeburn:
conversations: human
conversations:  Wait! Wait!  Morgy yells as he approaches, feet barely touching the ground as his wings flap, propelling him along.  I've arrived! Don't leave without me! 
conversations: JNAProductions:
conversations: human
conversations:  "What the rush!?"  Erik laughs at the rushing Morgy as he strolls towards the gate at a leisurely pace drinking from a bottle of clearly alcoholic liquid.
conversations: The_Admiral:
conversations: human
conversations:  A grey labor automaton trudges up to the front gate. Mechanisms whir and click loudly as it looks about the place; it's clearly been a quite a while since the automaton has received proper maintenance. It holds a letter in one pincer-like hand as it walks through the gates with everyone else.
conversations: Dudeons:
conversations: human
conversations:  "You must the be the rest of Mr. Alexander's invited company." The automaton says as it lets the other arrivals through the gate.
  It closes the gate before it leads everyone to the front doors of the mansion. When the finely dressed automaton opens the doors, you can see the foyer of the mansion: polished pale brown ceramic floor tiles, a red velvet carpeted stairway with bronze railings, statuettes of wood, stone, and bronze rest on pedestals against the beige walls.
  
     "This way please."    The automaton tells you as he gestures to the stairs.
  Following the automaton, you are led upstairs and past a wall of pictures. These pictures range from automatons of all shapes and sizes, to skyships and portraits of a man with combed over white hair and a short beard. You cannot help but to notice that he is posing with a variety of tools.
  
     "Here we are."    The automaton announces as it stops at a large portrait, large enough to touch the floor and the ceiling. In the portrait is the same white bearded man, only this time he is posing with a teenage boy with short brown hair.
  The automaton touches something on the frame of the painting, and you can hear the sound of rotating gears as the portrait swings inward of the wall, revealing a secret room!
  
  Most of the walls are made up of bookshelves, with the only part of the room that doesn't have bookshelves is a barred fireplace and a window.
  In the secret room you also see a wooden desk with many chairs, a few antique wooden chairs on one side, and larger leather chair on the other side, with its back turned.
  
    "Please, come in and have a seat."   A voice from behind the chair calls out.
conversations: Drakeburn:
conversations: human
conversations:  Morgy pulls out a chair and takes a seat.  Mr. Alexander, I would assume? 
conversations: JNAProductions:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Yes I am."   The voice answers as the leather chair turns, revealing the same young man from the portrait on the secret door. Only, he appears slightly older than he did in the painting.
  
    "Would you like anything before we can discuss business? Tea? Cucumber sandwiches? Biscuits? Wine?"  
conversations: Drakeburn:
conversations: human
conversations:  Gasoline, if you have any. I was in a rush to arrive and may have used a tad more fuel than I'd've liked. Failing that, I can also use charcoal, coal, wood... Really, anything remotely combustible.  Morgy grins, shrugging his upper shoulders.  I'll understand, though, if you don't wish for me to... "Eat" in your presence. 
conversations: JNAProductions:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Well, in that case,"   The young gentleman begins to say.
    "I'll have some gasoline provided after the meeting. It is no trouble to get, since my father is an inventor."  
conversations: Drakeburn:
conversations: human
conversations:  You're far too kind. 
conversations: JNAProductions:
conversations: human
conversations:  Stone sits in one of the chairs after being requested to do so. He seems to be sitting on the very edge of the seat, as though he wants to touch as little of himself as possible to the chair.
  
  " I do not require anything, sir, " Stone says, adjusting his posture. Feet flat on the floor, equidistant. Hands placed on each knee. Direct eye contact with Mr Alexander.
conversations: Dudeons:
conversations: human
conversations:  Alphonse remains standing, waiting for the only woman in the room to take a seat before he does. The clicking o his jackboots carries all the way into the study's hardwood floor.
  
   "I wouldn't mind a libation, since offered, Messer Alexander. Wine would be a wonderful way to start our meeting; whatever is available will be fine, thank you." 
conversations: Terço_Real:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Nyet, I already have all I need."  he replied chuckling heartily as he took another swig from his bottle making himself comfortable in a chair.
conversations: The_Admiral:
conversations: human
conversations:  Was the Captain waiting for her? Very gentlemanly. Victoria helped herself to a chair.
  
   "Would you perchance have coffee available?" 
conversations: Mekboy:
conversations: human
conversations:  "bah, coffee weak drink, get to point, what is job offered?"  he added, actually curious as to what was the job.
conversations: The_Admiral:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Of course."   The young man replies, giving a nod towards the finely dressed automaton, who bows in response and leaves.
  
    "Now allow me to introduce myself. I am Chadwick Alexander, owner of Iron Way Industries. My father, Frederick Alexander, is not only the owner of this mansion estate, but he's also the founder and former owner of Iron Way Industries. That is, before he retired to become one of the best professors at Silver Peak Academy."   
conversations: Drakeburn:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Da, da, so what is job?"  he asks again, this person was giving the standard Empyrean leadup, bah wasting time.
conversations: The_Admiral:
conversations: human
conversations:  Without her noticing Victoria's mechanical hand tightened around the arm of the chair. The drunkard was beginning to get on her nerves.
  
   "Well it is a pleasure indeed to make your acquaintance, Mr. Alexander." 
conversations: Mekboy:
conversations: human
conversations:  Chadwick looks slightly annoyed and offended by Erik's impatience.
    "I was just about to get to that, Erik."   Chadwick responds, shrugging it off.
    "As I was saying, a year ago my father started talking excitedly about some kind of breakthrough. He said that it was biggest discovery and feat of technology in all of Ethereal. What it was exactly, he didn't quite say. All I know is that he set out towards the West. If he wanted to test this technological breakthrough or , and hasn't returned ever since..."  
     "Your refreshments."    The automaton announced, entering the room with a bronze platter in each hand, with cups and glasses on small dishes on one tray and bottles of wine and a steaming kettle. The automaton sets the platters down on Chadwick's desk, where he pours the drinks and offers Miss Victoria her coffee, while handing Alphonse his glass of wine.
conversations: Drakeburn:
conversations: human
conversations:  West, nowhere near Nimbus, good he thought as he replied,  "And you want us to find your father da?" 
   
   Spoiler 
  
  He's supposed to be a walking russian stereotype, is this considered Compelling Stereotypical Nimbus?
   
conversations: The_Admiral:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Indeed."   Chadwick replies.
    "I require a team to set out and investigate my father's whereabouts, and bring him back. For his return, I'll pay each of you a million Marks. I trust that you'll cooperate with each other to accomplish this task. Now, are they any questions?"
    
   
   Spoiler 
  Well, as far as world building goes, I've only had the idea to make Empyrean inspired by England. At first I didn't think so much about Nimbus, but then I thought of them as prideful of their tech, that they usually prefer tech over magic (with some exceptions).
  [Note to self: Figure out what country Strato should be inspired by.]
  [Another note to self: Make Gale inspired by Asia.]
  
  And by the way, Marks are pretty much paper money, while Pieces are coined money.
   
conversations: Drakeburn:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Da, how do you propose we get there and what is his last known location?"  Erik asks already considering problems with the expedition as he leans forward stroking his chin.
  
   
   Spoiler: OOC 
  
  So that's a yes? Fate point?
   
conversations: The_Admiral:
conversations: human
conversations:  Victoria took the cup in her human hand. She'd accidentally shattered enough cups with her other one, and she'd rather not cover herself with scalding liquid again. She took a sip. It was very good - then again, that was sorta to be expected.
  
  Her eyes went wide at the mention of the pay. That... that was a lot of money. A girl could go a long way with that much. Glancing around at the others, she blanked her face. Hopefully no one saw that.
  
   "This coffee is excellent, Mr. Alexander. May I ask, is there anyone who would perhaps want your father out of the picture?" 
conversations: Mekboy:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Unfortunately, the fact that he set out West from Empyrean is all I know."   Chadwick answers with a sigh.
    "As for his enemies, my father doesn't have enemies as far as I'm aware of."  
   
   Spoiler 
  Uh, nope. There is a difference between being a stereotypical Nimbusian, and being just plain impatient.
   
conversations: Drakeburn:
conversations: human
conversations:  We all have enemies. You have no records of where he might have set off? Maps, charts, anything? 
conversations: JNAProductions:
conversations: human
conversations:  "None that I can find I'm afraid. Whatever notes, maps, or clues that may lead to my father's whereabouts, he might have taken them with him. The last I've seen him, he left this mansion around 3 o'clock in the morning."   
  
  Chadwick's automaton pours another cup of coffee, and gives the cup to him.
  
    "Thank you, Otto."   Chadwick says before taking a sip of his cup of coffee.
conversations: Drakeburn:
conversations: human
conversations:  Chadwick takes a moment to clear his throat before he continues.
    "Now then, is there anything else you would like to discuss before we close the deal?"  
conversations: Drakeburn:
conversations: human
conversations:  Are there any resources you can put at our disposal? 
conversations: JNAProductions:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Of course."   Chadwick answers.
    "I will be more than happy to provide the necessary provisions and repairs before you set out to investigate my father's disappearance. Although providing anymore resources after your departure from Empyrean will be difficult to accomplish."   
conversations: Drakeburn:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Now then, let me ask you something. Will you accept the job? I won't lie, this mission may become quite dangerous. Chances are that more than one of you won't make it back alive. But this isn't just a job to reunite a young man with his father. This is about bringing back not only the most respectable professors in Empyrean, but also one of its finest engineering minds."  
  Chadwick stops talking for a moment to pull something out from his desk. Then he gets up from his chair and places the contents on the desk: a contract and several pens.
  
    "Again I will ask, will you participate in this mission?"   
conversations: Drakeburn:
conversations: human
conversations:  I will,  Morgy says, grasping a pen and signing his name.
conversations: JNAProductions:
conversations: human
conversations:  Victoria scanned the document in front of her. You only needed to be burned on one contract before you started reading them properly.
  
   "Everything seems to be in order, Mr. Alexander. I will endeavor to ensure that your father is returned to you safe and healthy."
   
  Taking the pen in her mechanical arm, she signed her name.
  
  'Miss Victoria'. No last name, and in her usual spidery, slightly crooked handwriting.
conversations: Mekboy:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Da, da, I accept."  he replied curtly, signing the dammed papers and taking another sip from his flask.
conversations: The_Admiral:
conversations: human
conversations:  Stone had sat patiently, simply listening to everything Chadwick had to say.
  
  " Affirmative, sir, " Stone says, taking a pen and writing 'Stone' on where the signature was required. The name wasn't very binding legally, but it was what people called him so it was the best he had.
conversations: Dudeons: