Pondering the Orb

Normally, this sort of discussion would be taking place in Alne, or at the local tavern, or... anywhere somewhat less secure than 'the Doctor's personal office,' but recent events have required the use of more security measures than usual. If there /are/ sensitive topics being broached, as they so often are in these sorts of talks, it's best not to let anyone in an invisibility cloak overhear.

Prophylaxis sits at his desk, waiting for his guests to arrive. He pours tea into a trio of delicate porcelein cups, a caddy set out for milk and sugar nearby.

Hopefully this... leads to some sort of solution for his Raging Robot problem. If not, they might have to beat her the hard way.

It is the padding feet of Rama that announce the presense of the expected arrivals. The lynx peeks his head in, sniffs around, walks a few steps inside, sniffs some more, and then turns around and gives a yowl which is likely some sort of signal. Only then does Mikage enter, offering a nod to the good doctor, "We're clear, at least as long as they don't have some kind of anti-smell cloak as well." Rama huffs air out of his nose and sits down, leaning to one side to lick at a forepaw. Miki reaches to scratch at his fluffy head, "Good boy."

Then, she turns stands there, somewhat awkwardly. By now, many would realize that while she is more than capable in combat, social overtures are something that this particular Adventurer isn't as strong at. She seems to hesitate, uncertain how to start this discussion.

So, she turns her head and looks to Cyrus, expecting the Alchemist to be able to manage something that, at least, resembles some kind of social graces.

Cyrus looks ever the less a bit grumpy as he enters the demense of one of the Leaders of the Scale Emblem Alliance. Wearing his coat and using his cane to add to that air of dignity to him. Waiting for Mikage to get in, and a potential Rama, he's the one to politely close the door behind himself.

He takes in a deep breath, then lets out a bit of a sigh. His tail keeps making these subtle twitching motions along its end. He doesn't particularly introduce himself. He just considers the office itself as if it were rigged with boobytraps.

That's when he spots Mikage eyeing him from the corner of his eyes, and he touches a his mouth. "Ahem, right. Cyrus Frost." He introduces himself. "And this is Mikage. I believe you two are already quite familiar."

The youth then sits down, one of his ears flicking. Prophylaxis may sense that this irritation he feels isn't aimed at him. He's not throwing him looks or irritated <at Prophylaxis>.

This feels more like a general anxiety.

"Oh, that's a good idea," Prophylaxis notes at the mention of an anti-smell cloak. "Not the smell-invisibility, but posting some animal companions at the checkpoint. Detecting invisible infiltrators is more important now than ever before. Please," he gestures at the seats across from him, "Have a seat. I've prepared some tea as well. Let's speak freely."

If nothing else, the doctor seems... oddly relaxed. Or perhaps, this is simply the power of a man who has stared the most stressful possible circumstances in the face, broke into a billion little pieces, and put himself back together bit by painful bit. He has passed through the crucible and survived, and now...

Now, he can tackle crises powered nothing but spite and caffeine.

"It's a pleasure to finally properly meet you in the flesh, Cyrus. Yes, Mikage and I have been on man an adventure before, though I believe today's meeting has little to do with 'adventure' and more with 'survival.'"

"Ah but first," The doctor pauses, fishing under his desk for... a satchel that he shoves across the way. "I understand that the situation with Mac Anu is... stressful. Please, take these. I've prepared a few potent potions, and a certain crystal that you should keep on your person whenever possible. Hopefully, they will keep you safe. Now..."

He passes something /else/ across the table. A very detailed drawing of a human-shaped machine. "...This is what we're dealing with. She's named the Tear of Ice. I'm... hopeful that we'll be able to find a way to remove her as a threat soon."

"Canine and feline companions might be best for that kind of work." Mikage suggests, as if that was not an obvious point, already. "I'm sure you've got your own fair share of animal handlers in Scale Emblem, so it shouldn't be too hard to recruit some." At least, she assumes as much.

In most past encounters, Prophylaxis has usually been witness to Mikage as a combatant, but she seems far more awkward and uncertain in social settings. His own experiences might lend some insight there, suggesting that she might not have had as much social experience in the outside world before coming to Yamato. Still, when invited to do so, she sits down, Rama joining at her side and flopping over. Meetings were not of interest to the cat, it seems.

She looks across as the supplies are offered, perhaps expecting Cyrus would know more about such things than she would, being a potion-crafter, himself. "It's... not just that." Mikage offers, but she seems hesitant, uncertain how much should be said or not. So, she just reaches out a hand to lay it over one of Cyrus' in a way that is more familiar than just traveling companions, the two are obviously quite close. "He's had bad experiences in the tower, we'll leave it at that."

When the drawing is offered up, that is when her attention really seems to focus, though. The Ranger leans forward, looking at it more closely. "Is it as powerful as the other one that we know about?" She asks, likely being intentionally vague in her question. "If it was, I imagine we'd have seen far more damage than what you were explaining over chimlink."

"Something as powerful as such invisibility must be rare. If more of their people had it, you would undoubtedly have a far bigger problem on your hands." Cyrus remarks as he settles in and slides one leg over the other. Discomfort remains in his posture. Enough that he doesn't touch the tea at all.

The youth looks at the bag being pushed his way, he takes it, turning it towards him. He looks at some of the potions, but he skips them all in favor of the crystal in question, and flicks it between his fingers, before getting a closer look.

He quiets during the analysis, pausing only when the paper is pushed over. "A Machina." Cyrus remarks casually. "The Tear of Ice..." He squints a bit. "Why does that sound familiar?" He raises one hand, scratching behind his Snowleopard ear, before he decides he's not sure yet.

He seems to calm his fidgeting when Mikage lays a hand over his own, and the male turns his hand to take hers. A small soft look shared between the two of them. He's still feeling anxious, but Mikage is with him.

"Maybe an early model? Machina are known for their ability to absorb magic, and then retaliate by using it - if it is more powerful than the arsenal available to them. If you're being able to deal with it, perhaps it hasn't got that functionality."

"I'm sure I could wrangle up a few," Prophylaxis says, of potential cat-and-dog handlers. "It's not a thought that had occurred to me, until I realized what that rat bastard had up his sleeve. They won't find us so easily taken by surprise next time." The doctor huffs, clearly a little bit miffed about the fact that this entire situation is even /on/ his plate. But he blames Potimas for it, first and foremost, and the thought of whacking the bastard over the head with a sufficiently large rock helps somewhat.

But his expression softens as Mikage explains... certain circumstances. "Ah. I apologize, if I had known, I would have arranged for a different venue. Next time I'll make sure to prepare a room in Castle Reach." At least Cyrus might be able to keep himself distracted with that gem. It seems to be a <<Resurrection Crystal>>, though its description is quick to clarify that all it does is provide a window for a critical injury to be healed before the wounded truly die. It seems true resurrection is still beyond even a Legendary Moonlight Doctor.

"You've heard of her before...?" He asks, curious. "I believe that she might be one of The Four, a series of four Machina that took part in the Crystal Tower Rebellion. But other than her complete immunity to cold and water, name, appearance, and the missing crystal in her throat, I've little to offer in terms of intelligence on my end."

The doctor thinks for a moment, then displays his own Machina Relic, the Kein-Eintrag. "This is what the device at her throat looked like. It had a slot for a fist-sized pearl of some kind, unlike this one. But if the functions are similar, it may be that her lack of magical adaptation is due to missing this critical component. Mikage, I believe you use that gem to... modulate your weapon's elemental affinity? Or something like that? May I examine it?"

"As someone who has started studying the ways of stealth and subterfuge in the game, I can say that I hadn't even heard of a way of causing true invisiblity up until now." Mikage shakes her head, looking slightly uncertain as she considers the implications. "It's a dangerous prospect, since it means they could have spies anywhere, but... I imagine it isn't common. Or at least, I hope it isn't."

Her blue eyes look over towards Cyrus, both as he seems to find familiarity in the name of the Machina, but also because Prophylaxis mentions the 'Four' and the 'Crystal Tower Rebellion'. "Isn't that... what you talked about with my stone?" She asks, knowing that the Cait Sith is likely a far better source for that kind of lore than she is.

Looking back towards the picture, Mikage reaches back and pulls a strange rod from a holster at her back. At first glance, it looks like a leather wrapped bit of metal, but those who have seen her fight would know that this transforms into a bow known as 'Dawnbreaker'. At the center of it, she has slotted in a pale blue stone. Carefully, she removes it from the slot within her weapon, extending it forward to be examined.

"I've used it as a focus for my elemental spell power since my guild and I stumbled on it before the Apocalypse."

"Tenth Floor." Cyrus simply explains to Prophylaxis, to join in with Mikage's explaination a bit belatedly, and leaves it at that.

Cyrus slowly releases Miakge's hand, so it can be available to them both once more, and nods in agreement. "Correct. The Crystal Tower Rebellion. An event that, according to my research, Gilgamesh was involved in." The snow-leopard Cait Sith answers.

"Though this drawing and that device of yours look different." Cyrus points out. "Based on this drawing, whomever removed the Pale Blue from that spot did so with a lot of violence and some rough tooling." He points out. "I am not sure it can go back in there. But it might be worth capturing the target, rather than killing her." He sounds almost like he's joking about that last part.

Capturing that thing seems most certainly out of the question. "Seems like it may be a good thing it doesn't have that Gem anymore, if you are right. Let's hope you don't find any Machina further up the Tower with it still stuffed in their socket."

"Ah, say no more," Prophylaxis nods. 'Tenth Floor' indeed. That creature was... certainly a challenge and a half. Before they managed to find its weakness, defeating it seemed nigh-on impossible.

The stone is presented, and Prophylaxis gazes into its depths, pondering its sheen, admiring its luster. His eyes glow with a light that might be greed-- or maybe just the activation of an Arcane Eye spell. "...Oh," he says, sagging back in his seat. "...We've been fighting something that had its heart ripped out of its chest and it's still giving us this much trouble... I wish there were some way we could get it to stop-- Machina are... intelligent. Brutally so, even. If there were some way to communicate with her, to repair her, I'd take pursue it in a heartbeat."

...Perhaps inquiring with Gilgamesh would be worth it.

He presses the Pale Blue back towards Mikage, then. "...I actually wonder if we have not already encountered another," the doctor adds. "The boss of the Sixth Floor, Dee Eight, contained within it a body that looked /very/ similar to the Tear of Ice. Another Machina, though perhaps not one of the Four. It would seem strange that another Machina would appear in the Tower that was unconnected with the Four, though."

He scratches his chin slowly, as if actually considering Cyrus' joke as a genuine suggestion. "...Capture it. Do you know of any means of non-lethally disabling a Machina? If she does not have her main power core, could we... drain her reserves? Avoid casting magic at her and force her to exhaust what energy she has left? Or would she have a secondary power source?"

While Mikage is certainly the least craft-savvy of those gathered, she at least can at least see what is in front of her eyes. "I use machina gem slots in my Elemental Machine weapons, but this..." She taps the drawing and shakes her head, "This is way too damaged to actually function. Besides..."

She casts a glance to Cyrus, and then one back to Prophylaxis. "If The Pale Blue was actually a power core, and it works anything like how it does with my weapons, then this would only make it /more/ powerful than it is. I'm not sure that's something you want, especially if it's currently going haywire."

Taking the gem back with careful fingers, she slips it into a different slot, this one in the sword that she wears at her side. The two weapons both have connections to the Elemental Machines, though the sword seems far lower level than the more recently built bow.

"I... had only really heard of the one on the island. We've been occupied with other things and news from the Tower doesn't always reach as far as our Alliance. Even if it does... well." She gives a rueful look. "As I'm sure you're aware, news is always a bit skewed by who tells it."

"It's still a Monster." Cyrus points out to Prophylaxis. "Though you'll be far more interested to hear what we figured out in Ninetails about them." He taps the desk, looking to Mikage for a moment, then back to Prophylaxis. "Based on what was seen during the retreat, it turns out that the 'Guardians' of Root Cities are exactly that. They're Machina."

He leans back a bit and glances aside to Mikage, considering what her thoughts are on the matter, then to Prophylaxis; "In other words, they may be more common than you think. If you've been fighting weaker versions of them, count yourself lucky. Even if they may be bound by rules sometimes."

It doesn't seem like the Snow Leopard thinks that Prophylaxis can convince it of anything. "Maybe if you find an Oracle... you could try talking to it. But I would not expect too much." Of course, Cyrus has a bit of a pessimistic outlook on Monsters. Even with the knowledge of Spatjahr and her 'aid' to the Adventurers.

"And no. That was in fact a joke. I recommend killing it. I think the main thing you have going for yourselves is that only Machina can repair other Machina - from my understanding. So... Guerilla tactics."

"It's strange, isn't it?" Prophylaxis waxes, his tone turning contemplative. "'Monster.' That designation is... Seemingly arbitrary. What is and what isn't a Monster seems to vary. Even something we would normally call 'Monstrous,' like a Machina, can have non-Monstrous instances. Where does the difference emerge? Is there a way to transform something into a Monster-- and likewise, is there a way to remove something's status as a Monster...?"

"Well anyway, as it so happens, I do know where to find an Oracle," the doctor says, sitting directly across from one. "If nothing else, we might be able to glean something from Tear of Ice before taking her down. If she can't recover and is essentially on a time limit, then there are measures we can take-- as you say, Guerrilla Warfare. Kiting a mob is something that many of us have abundant experience in."

Even if it's capable of shooting death beams.

The doctor thinks for a moment, then... extends a strange metallic tendril from his arm. "...You know. I made this /from/ that parasitic monster on the sixth... If it was draining a Machina at the time, perhaps I can use it for the same purpose...?"

At the mention of 'finding an Oracle', there is a distinct look that Mikage gives Cyrus. Confusion is the dominant feature and it is written in her expression quite clearly. Still, she seems to not give voice to the source of that confusion, only turning back to Prophylaxis with a lift of her eyebrows as he mentions having access to his own Oracle. That... at least, solves that problem.

"As a Were Fang, I know the thin line between what is monstrous and what is not all too well." Mikage's voice is softer at this. Most have never witnessed her monster form, perhaps for good reason. "But, in my experience, monsters are only 'friendly' so long as there is something that it wants from you, or something you're doing that suits their purpose." She shrugs then, "But, I'm no expert on the subject. I prefer to work with animals. At least you know where you stand with them."

Then, she is looking back between the two, as if uncertain what to make of the strange display of that metallic tendril from Prophylaxis, or the suggestion of a possible use against the Machina. The young woman may have a lot of experience in fighting, but she is clearly not the 'ideas' person among this pair of Adventurers. Not that she isn't intelligent, just... it is applied quite differently.

Cyrus isn't so sure on what Prophylaxis is saying. Largely because he has no experience there. "I don't know. Monsters are monsters. I've never really thought about it too far. The main differentiator between Beast and Monster seems to be the ability to tame a Beast." He expresses. "But I would be careful if you think that just a piece of wire is going to help drain a Machina." He points out. "There's a big difference between a piece of equipment, and a giant monster."

Spotting Mikage looking his way, Cyrus tilts his head a bit to the side and then shakes his head. Having raised it and bringing her attention to it seems to specifically be his goal here.

"Mmm, perhaps it is a pipe dream," Prophylaxis nods, withdrawing that strange metal tendril. "...I do think there's something there, however. Something you might want to keep an eye out for, in your travels," the doctor takes a long sip from his teacup, the promise of sweet caffeine keeping him upright for a while longer yet. "Are you familiar with The Beast? The presence of its worshippers seems to be marked by altars of bone and teeth which emit an unnerving presence-- and strip adventurers of their Protection. Curiously, it seems that there are some monsters that are opposed to the Beast, though many seem to carry its banner high."

"I think monsters are perhaps more complex than we give them credit for, though I'm absolutely not going to put my people on the line to push a fruitless negotiation. Still, if we can get the Machina to stop without a fight, that would be absolutely ideal." He shrugs, then, "If you happen to have the chance, perhaps try to Oracle some... less /overtly/ malicious monsters, see if they have any opinions and thoughts that might prove interesting. Of course, don't put yourselves in harm's way in the process."

Unless it's to find a spider god, he thinks to himself, but does not put to words.

"Oh, before I forget," Prophylaxis starts, "Cyrus, you might know the answer to this. Do you know who built the Machina and why? Were they on the side of Gilgamesh and the others during the Rebellion, or were they their foes?"

"If nothing else, I've learned that there is a lot more to this world than any of us know. I've traveled most of Yamato and still don't feel as if I've even scratched the surface." Mikage's expression shifts to a thoughtful one as she shakes her head. Once more, she seems to look to Cyrus as her source of Lore knowledge. The girl just doesn't seem to really latch on to that kind of information, even in the best of times.

"I haven't, but..." Her head tilts.

Then, at the prospect of trying to speak to monsters, her brows furrow, looking back at the doctor. "It might be worth looking into. Though I probably don't want to know what most monsters are thinking." She smirks, "Probably something about our toes looking tasty."

The girl quiets again at that point, obviously uncertain if her humor would even be well received. Instead, she takes some of the tea and drinks it, looking just as awkward in that moment as she had when she first entered.

"The Beast? Ah, yes. That thing that started showing up after the Apocalypse?" Cyrus inquires. Though at the mention of it being able to rip away the protections inherent to Adventurers, Cyrus scowls a bit.

"See this is why I don't like the tower." He explains to Mikage. "It seems like it just brings all kinds of nonsense like this." Not like the world outside the tower is better. But it's clear that Cyrus' previous experience makes him judge the Tower as far worse than everything else regardless.

He then looks up and shakes his head to Prophylaxis. "I don't know. I mean, based on the information we have... Bonedrewd maybe? It seemed to be after Mikage here for bearing Relics it made. And if her Relic belongs to the Tear..." He motions his hand, making a connection that to him 'seems' obvious, before touching a hand to his mouth to cover up a spray of amusement.

"Ahem." Trying his best to look decent in a social situation, but his tail and the shaking of his shoulders shows that Mikage's joke was well received.

"Ah, it's true. Our home is also home to all manner of bizarre things. Like the whale that eats the memories held towards anything it devours. And a floor that's full of nothing but crazy monster hunters and various dinosaurs. Well, we haven't run into a Leviathan floor yet, so at least we have that going," Prophylaxis says with a joking tone. Then: "There is indeed an abundance of mystery in this world, both inside and outside of the Tower. We've certainly encountered acolytes of the Beast outside of Aincrad as well, so it's a mystery where that worship began. Still, important to keep an eye out for, if not just from a practical standpoint."

The possibility of Bonedrewd having created the Machina, though... Is somewhat troubling--

Mikage makes a joke.

Cyrus nearly loses his tea over it.

Prophylaxis looks from one to the other and back again, then: "Be careful Cyrus," he advises, tone absolutely static and unchanging, "It seems someone may think your toes seem tasty."

There is a curious look when Cyrus mentions Bonedrewd. It is not a creature that Mikage enjoys thinking about, perhaps because of that interest that he had in her particular set of relic items. Her hand instinctively rests over that pale blue stone once more, lightly trailing over it with her thumb.

"There is likely some sort of connection there, that much he's right about. The creature said he made The Pale Blue, so I imagine he's somehow involved with the Four Machina in the story." That is as far as her knowledge goes, however. "But... you're right. It is something we should keep an eye out for. Maybe it will help in tracking down new Lore, right?"

She looks to Cyrus, obviously trying to support his interest rather than acheiving her own in that. Of course, when Prophylaxis makes his comment in return, Mikage sinks in her chair a couple of inches and gets a distinct bit of color on her cheeks. It's very much the expression of a young woman who is likely dealing with her first real relationship. Poor girl.

"A..anyway. If there's anything else we can help with, you have my chimlink so feel free to contact me. Or Cyrus, or whatever." She stumbles over words. "We'll try to keep an eye out for anything that might be helpful but... I'm not sure we've got any better solutions for the Machina problem than you might have in your own armory."

Cyrus grins, and motions his hand. "I am already used to that toe hunter." He points at the Lynx laying on the ground, before leaning back and resting his cheek upon his hand. Smiling at her as she suddenly starts blushing. "Huh? What?" The comment had completely gone over his head, it would appear! Of course, with a few more seconds given, he goes; "Oh!" Before that blush rises to his own cheeks.

"Ahem." He coughs to his hand, and literally just 'says' the word ahem. "I think this is all we can do to help you here." Cyrus agrees.

Ah, to be young and in love. Prophylaxis sips his tea nice and slow as if basking in the incandescent blush radiating from the two across his table.

It's one of those rare joys available only to Those Old Folks (though Prophylaxis isn't... /that/ old, really).

"Very well! I appreciate all of the information you've brought to my attention. Please, take your time to enjoy your time in Tolbana if you like. It's safe here, or as near as we've been able to manage. Such things are in short supply, these days."