Thaddeus sat behind a large desk with various paper piles stacked atop it. There was a large velveted armchair behind that he reclined in comfortably.
Brand, Tommen and Rosie were all sat on plastic chairs that reminded Brand of his time in school. The room was mostly threadbare and hard concrete like the corridor outside, but there were a few bookshelves on the walls overflowing with stacked tomes.
Thaddeus looked at the trio expectantly for a long time. He had invited them in and insisted they sit. Around ten seconds passed as the two groups looked at each other before Thaddeus spoke up.
“Well? You wanted an audience with me, did you not?”
“I wanted to know what you know about Kelvin and Ember.” Said Brand.
“Is that so? And why should anything I know concern you?” Said Thaddeus, half amused.
“The goodness of your heart.” Said Tommen. Brand couldn’t tell whether Tommen was mocking the man.
“Not much left I’m afraid. All worn down. I’m trying to hold on tightly to what remains, not simply give it out willy-nilly to every Tom, Dick and Harriet that starts a fight with my guys outside and then comes into my office with a list of demands. Which reminds me, introducing yourself is among the basics of courtesy.” Said Thaddeus.
Brand suddenly felt a little rude. His heart rate was still fairly high from the beginning of the confrontation with the bouncer earlier, and the tension had followed him into this room. He relaxed a little, realising that Thaddeus - whatever else he may be - was just a man.
“I’m Brand, this is Tommen and Rosie. Kelvin and Ember are old friends of mine. I thought you might know where they’d be.” Said Brand.
“I’m Thaddeus Frittchard. It’s a pleasure to meet you. As for knowing where your friends are, I don’t. Last time I saw them was… Well that would be telling, wouldn’t it? Why don’t you help me figure out how you knew I knew them, and I’ll see what I can remember.”
“Talked to the owner of a shop in Quartz Creek. He says Kelvin and Ember were looking at QBEA. I ask around here and find out you’re the only game in town - the only one paying, anyway.” Brand told him.
“Tried those sops at the academy already, did you? Hah! All that supposed prestige, but completely unwilling to do what it takes. The founders of that college certainly had the stones for it, let me tell you, else the institution never would have lasted half as long as it did.” Thaddeus laughed mirthfully as he said the sentence, but settled into a pensive sadness as he seemed to sink into thought. It lasted half a second before he continued. “Well anyway. You’re right, they did work for me for some time. Investigating QBEA indeed.”
“But they’re not working for you anymore? Do you know where they went after?” Brand was getting a little agitated. He wanted to know if Thaddeus had done something to them. Normally he could control himself but Kelvin and Ember set off his emotions.
“I’ll be honest with you. You seem like a good kid. I hired those two to go on a few expeditions to QBEA. The first few were short, making sure they could double check information for me, confirm some ideas of mine. Regular stuff, making sure they could do the work I wanted and survive. The two were interested in QBEA anyway, we had some interesting conversations actually. And then I sent them deeper into QBEA, giving them some coordinates and info few know about. Their first proper test, to bring me some actual research, to advance my work. And do you know what they did? They stiffed me. They took a look at what I asked them and then skipped town. Can you believe that? I’d paid them upfront too. And to think I was actually worried when they didn’t come back in time. I liked them, and adventurers who are genuinely interested in such things can be so hard to find.” Ranted Thaddeus.
“They wouldn’t have done that without good reason.” Brand told him.
“What good reason then?” Thaddeus laughed.
Brand stayed silent, both of them knowing he didn’t know.
“That’s what I thought. Well maybe you’re going to find out, eh? How about you go to QBEA, bring me back what they were supposed to. That might jog my memory a little, help me remember where they went.” Said Thaddeus.
“If they didn’t want you to see something, why would I?” Asked Brand.
“Because this time, I’m not paying up front. You want to know where they are right? I can see it in your eyes. You’ll do it.” Said Thaddeus. Brand stayed silent, so the man continued. “Frankly, they owe me. And now you’re going to deliver on what they failed to, if you want to know where I saw them last.”
“How do I even know you know where they are?” Asked Brand suspiciously.
“They owed me work for payment rendered. Do you know what happens to people when they cross us? My men chased them for a while. Almost got 'em once or twice too. If you want to know where they went after here, I’m the only one in Shingle City that can help you out.” Thaddeus said amused.
“You better not have hurt them.” Snarled Brand, standing.
“Protective pup. If I’m not mistaken they were both stronger than you are now when they fled from me, so I do admire your bravery.” The sitting man laughed.
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“Why don’t you go to QBEA yourself then? If you’re so strong.” Asked Rosie.
“There’s a lot of people that don’t like me in this town. In some others as well. I’d hate to be caught out alone in the middle of a Databeast hotspot by people who would find it trivial to make it seem as if a Databeast had finished me off. The retinue I’d have to bring wouldn’t be worth it, would it? These are the basics, people. You really don’t know what Shingle City is like, do you? A set of country bumpkins wander into my office. Are you going to QBEA or not? I’ve been nice enough to answer all your questions, how about you show a little respect and answer one of mine?” Thaddeus demanded.
Brand looked at Tommen, who nodded back at him, then at Rosie who did the same.
“We’ll do it.” Said Brand.
“Hah. That’s more like it. Let's see if you can, first. None of you even have a Databeast yet, right?” Thaddeus asked. The trio didn’t respond, playing silent. “Thought so.” Said Thaddeus. “But if you can’t handle it, there's no skin off my back. I’d hate to see some promising youths bite off more than they can chew, but what can you do? Well, I want my information, so try not to die. I’ll give you a couple of test runs first, before I decide you’re ready for the big stuff.”
__________
Later That Day
Brand, Tommen, Rosie and Ravena were sitting at Argyles, waiting for their meals and mulling over what they’d gotten into.
“So you’re actually doing this?” Ravena asked. “I’m not judging, I just want to know. It’ll make things a lot easier for me knowing where I stand.”
Rosie and Tommen looked at Brand. It was his choice here. They were going along with what he wanted and suddenly he felt unprepared with the mantle of leadership. He didn’t know how he was going to play this.
“I think so… I don’t like Thaddeus. I don’t like that he sent people after Kelvin and Ember, and I don’t like that they obviously had some reason not to give him the info that he wants, and I especially don’t like that I don’t know why. It feels like a betrayal that I’d be giving this guy something that they refused to. But I don’t have much of a choice. If I want to find them he’s by far my best lead.” Said Brand.
“I think if you don’t do this, somebody else eventually will.” Said Rosie. “I think we just have to do it and hope Kelvin and Ember knew that Thaddeus would get what he wanted and aren’t too cut up about it.”
Ravena nodded. “Rosie is right. If it’s not you, it’ll be someone else. Personally I’m suspicious that he already has the information, or that he’ll be sending you after something new. Or maybe he’ll just work you to the bone in exchange for information that he doesn’t have anyway.”
“That’s fair. As a matter of fact, I prefer that. It’d feel less like a betrayal of them if I’m getting different info for Thaddeus.” Said Brand.
“My main worry is this.” Said Tommen, leaning in. “What if Thaddeus tells you where Kelvin and Ember are, then gets some guy to tail you just in case you really do catch up to them. You heard him, they’ve crossed him and he doesn’t take kindly to that.”
“Very good point.” Said Ravena. “There shouldn’t be a moment where you let your guard down, or stop thinking about ways he could play you. I know I’m biased, but he’s bad news.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Frankly, I don't mind spending a bit of time investigating QBEA. It’s almost exciting.” Said Brand.
“I don’t know that we’re there yet though.” Said Tommen. “We might be okay going there with Ravena around, but I imagine she can’t protect us forever.”
“It’d still be risky with just me. I tend to shoot from the back, and Clerk doesn’t even have his Juvenile stage to evolve into yet. If one of you guys could run tank then it'd be different, but as you are now I worry that I wouldn't be able to to weaken something enough for it to be able to seriously injure you.” Ravena explained.
“Well when we fight, Tommen and I tend to lock the Databeast down by crowding it with his staff and my shield.” Brand said.
“It's not the worst idea if you were able to coordinate extremely well. Even then I think you're a little under leveled. An encounter or two like with the Anugent or a Flungeon might level you up quickly enough to get to 7. That'd probably make it safe enough to go to QBEA.”
“Those were difficult fights!” Rosie exclaimed.
“There's very few safe ones. But it would be different with me there. I can deal a lot of damage. The problem is finding Databeasts of that calibre outside of QBEA. Maybe we could skirt the outskirts and pick off a few things there.” Ravena said.
“If you're willing then we'll never turn an offer like that down.” Said Tommen.
Ravena shrugged. “Well I need to level with Clerk anyway, so it'd benefit me too to take on some weaker Databeasts. Having you guys to play frontline would help a lot with keeping him alive. Stock up on potions and it could be quite productive.”
“It's decided then! We’ll conquer QBEA!” Declared Rosie. The four cheered and raised their glasses to that.
They made small talk and Ravena told them about Shingle City until their food arrived. Delicious slow cooked barbecue meats of all kinds. Brand's mouth was watering. It was the best their BITs could get them - literally. Much of the food consumed in Excoria was made with BITs, the little units of data could be converted into most anything if you had the know-how, technology, and required materials. They chowed down and it was some of the best food Brand had ever tasted. He said as much to Ravena.
“Makes you glad you came, eh?” She replied. “This is why I always come back to Shingle City.”
“It has definitely made the trip here worthwhile.” Said Tommen. “Though attuning our element stones was pretty great too.”
“Attuning your element stones can be done anywhere though. You can only get this at Argyle’s.” Ravena countered.
“Shingle City is an interesting place. I’m glad we came, even if we could have attuned our element stones elsewhere.” Mused Rosie.
“Glad I could show it off a bit. Anything else you want to do while you're still here?” Ravena asked.
“Well Professor Dalton mentioned a massage place.” Said Brand.
“We can do that tomorrow, before we leave.” Said Ravena
“And I've always wanted to go to the Excel Arena.” Brand followed up.
“Ooh yes!” Rosie exclaimed.
“That would be cool.” Said Tommen.
“Well we should go then, tonight!” Chimed in Ravena excitedly “I know a guy who can get us tickets. He told me if I ever get a Databeast to come fighting in the arena, and he was only half joking. He'll be pleased when I show off Clerk!”
The four paid up their meals and headed on towards the Excel Arena. Brand was excited to see the fight advertised earlier when he had passed the building, between Jessie’s Hy-Rex and Tristan’s Triffidera.