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5:00pm
Leaning back with a ponderous hand on his chin, Jasper mused aloud, "A hall of mirrors..."
"Indeed," Taylor retorted, her tone laced with exasperation from repeating the same thing ten times over. Beside her, Leroy settled down and offered her a steaming mug of coffee, which she accepted eagerly, still shaken from the day’s earlier ordeal. Leroy reclined, gazing into the void; even after two cups of coffee, he couldn't dispel a persistent sense of dread.
Intrigued, Jasper leaned in eagerly and queried, "Could you guide me there?" His keen gaze darted between Taylor and Leroy.
Taylor began to respond, but her words were abruptly cut off as she coughed violently on a swig of coffee. Leroy promptly thumped her back in assistance, despite Taylor's flailing dismissals.
"I'm—fine. It's just—hot!" she spluttered indignantly as she stood to distance herself from the monk’s well-meant but overbearing help. Jasper observed the scene with zero amusement before returning to business. He settled his stare on Leroy,
"Recall the path?"
Shifting uneasily where he sat, Leroy dropped his eyes to his clasped hands,
"I might..."
Rising to his feet decisively, Jasper gave a cursory nod to Max who promptly stood as well,
"Lead on."
Reclaiming her spot at the far end of the sofa from Leroy, Taylor inserted firmly into her cup,
"Don't bother asking; I won't join you."
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Jasper cast her an unfazed glance,
"That wasn't in question," he declared plainly.
Taylor shot back a scathing look before sulking into her cup. Jasper swiftly returned his focus to the crucial issue at hand and away from the prickly priestess; addressing Leroy again,
"Thompson, we'll be right behind you."
Standing with visible reluctance—Leroy had no interest in revisiting that place so soon—but he obliged. Followed by Jasper and Max, he navigated through an intricate series of corridors; they occasionally misstepped and retraced their steps. At last arriving at that particular portion of the theatre marked by an unmistakable tightness in Leroy’s stomach,
"We're here..." His admission was softer than intended, but Jasper moved past him without acknowledging any trepidation and was trailed by a silent Max.
Faced with one of the grand mirrors reflecting centuries-old splendor, Jasper reached out—a pale hand grazing its cold surface—with an intensity that bordered reverence. His gaze was transfixed as if seeing beyond mere reflections while Max observed quietly from aside.
Leroy scrutinized Jasper with a mix of envy and wonder, a ritual that unfolded with each new mystery they encountered. To the contemplative monk, Jasper's behavior bordered on mystical — was it a form of introspection aiding his cognition? His conclusions post-contemplation were always laced with peculiarity. In an almost rehearsed motion, the chief of GPI pivoted to lock eyes with Leroy,
"These mirrors — they don't belong to the era of this theater..." he declared confidently, sliding one aside to unveil an impeccable section of the wall, "If these mirrors were truly as aged as they appear, there would be blemishes here, but their placement is undoubtedly recent."
A crease appeared on Leroy's forehead,
"What led you to investigate...?"
Both Jasper and, unexpectedly, Max fixed him with a gaze that silently implored discretion. Nevertheless, Leroy's curiosity was piqued. As he parted his lips for further inquiry, another voice sliced through the tense air.
"Jasper!"
The trio swiveled in unison to face the corridor. John and Mandy treaded toward them with purpose.
"Jasper," the clairvoyant repeated as she stopped squarely in front of him.
"Hello," Leroy chimed in nonchalantly, "we've been in dire need of your insights today..."
Mandy offered a regretful glance towards the monk before redirecting her attention to Jasper,
"We've stumbled upon something — it concerns Shiloh Keller," she intoned gravely.
Jasper’s eyes narrowed with interest,
"Go on."