Outfit of the day:

”…What do you know of it Colonel, you are shielded from the atrocities of the dark races, I’ve even heard your mentor is a demon. You speak to us in platitudes saying you are a champion for us humans. How about you let your actions speak for once.”

The sergeant would finish his rant, Ittindi had recently taken over the Ministry of Communication with his promotion. Everything was going according to his plan, until a mysterious figure had released an announcement scaring most of the human citizens across Fiore. This sergeant represented their fears, and they had to be heard. Ittindi didn’t mind being his men’s punching board, after all he had did it as a butler for so long. Only 40-60% of their emotions had an actual bearing on the truth, the other was a hurt person wanting to hurt others. Sadly, Ittindi stoic face only seemed to prolong the rant, and he couldn’t afford to check out lest they think he really was for the dark races. It couldn’t be further from the truth, but Ittindi cared about the impartiality he presented, not to mention he had some non-humans in the Rune Knights being inspired by seeing General Saturn.  He’d adjust his tie today he was sporting a red jacket, with a black vest and tie accompanied by a basic white pull up, his hair a mess from the lack of time he had preparing this morning before being called upon by men in his new Ministry.

After a couple of hours of testimony from members in the Ministry of Communications, Ittindi needed to blow off some steam. He didn’t have any jobs lined up as a butler today, instead he’d walk over towards the briefing room seeing if any of the departments needed someone in the field. He’d stumble onto a briefing about a potential gang of vampires that had recently appeared, conveniently right after the speech. Ittindi saw Seargent Adler’s name on the roster and decided to see if there’d be more to it. He suspected a politician or someone in the Rune Knights had hired vampire mercenaries to gain recognition in the raid.

He'd wait for the briefing to be over, then walk into the room looking for Seargent Adler. A lot more difficult with the constant saluting with his new position, before people avoided him, but now that he ran a Ministry the change in attitude had been immediate. Once he managed to find her he’d approach speaking in a flat tone.

”Seargent Adler, I was hoping I could tag along on this operation again. I’ve been under some stress with new promotion and would love to stretch my legs in the field.”

Ittindi’s had a couple new artifacts since the last time they worked together, though he doubted he’d need much besides his armor. Hopefully he wouldn’t have to die near her, thinking back to Lady Lumikki’s response he understood that others didn’t view his sacrifices as simply as he did. He would mentally be running through all the Rune Knights involved in the operation to see if any triggered any memories for him.

He'd have to be sure not to kill any members this time even if their criminal coefficient triggered his dominator, it also meant that he probably wouldn’t want to use his spear. Just weaker shots from the dominator, perhaps he’d use the new capabilities unlocked, either way this would be his first operation as a Colonel, even if he would remain unlisted on the orders. Though he was sure others would write him in their reports.

Ittindi had been so focused on the rant from his fellow Rune Knights he hadn’t even bothered to notice that everyone in the briefing room was in finer dress than usual. It was all quite elegant, he would look Sergent Adler up and down, as she mentioned it was a plains clothes sting operation. He hadn’t been selected often for undercover operations, due to his need for formalities, this one seemed to be one he’d be excellent at. Luckily for him, he’d follow Sergent Adler and would speak once they had turned the first corner heading in the direction of the Rune Knights headquarters garage.

” Wonderful, a sting that I won’t stick out like a sore thumb. Where is that style from Sergent Adler it compliments you well. “

Ittindi eyes would start to dart to all the compatriots participating in the sting. He hoped that if it was one of the Rune Knights were corrupt they’d be threatened by his presence possibly planning some kind of accident or violence against him. That would allow his danger sense to pick it up, but the way to the garage was filled with typical small talk.

”Yes, it’s so rare that my outfits come in handy besides in my other line of work. I’ve heard some rumors about the operation as well. I’m afraid you’ll have to be the lead on appearing as a couple when we’re out there. I don’t have any experiences in the area.”

Ittindi spoke casually not noticing Sergent Adler’s sheepishness, still thinking about taking out his frustrations on a couple of dishes he had back in his room. Not to mention some aggressive mopping, one of the best therapies was cleaning. First he needed to get his head into the game, he’d look up at Sergent Adler as she asked about how he was doing. An odd question, the only ones who usually asked it were Lady Lumikki or the Young Master.

”I’m doing below average not as bad as that Darkfang Raid or when I fought that avatar of a god. I had no idea that it was incompetence and laziness that made a Colonel’s job seem light. It’s a decent amount of work if you care about the office, it’s taken away from my main job of being a butler.  Something you’d do to note, your work ethic seems similar to mine. What about you Sergent Adler? I’m expecting to see your promotion to Captain any day now.”

Ittindi would say while walking over to shotgun, to sit down, brushing off the seat to be extra sure. He didn’t have the time to come clean the fleet of cars, since he was a captain. He knew how they only washed the outside, vacuuming the inside was something only done when needed.

”Ah that’s the beauty of fashion. Impracticality is part of the look; do you know the difference between a look and style? I assume you do with your paring, but I do enjoy the science of it all. You know what they say, perception is reality.”

Fashion was more than just picking an outfit, matching certain appeals to your overall wardrobe to create a style of elegance. That was Ittindi’s goal to maximize both elegance and servitude whenever he stepped out of his room. Though he believed in perception is reality, it mattered that one could observe and grasp all the information around them. That’s how he knew that something was fishy about the whole situation happening in Era, there shouldn’t have been creatures of the night so organized this quickly.

”Hmm, personally I’ve always favored the Victorian style of clothing, the modesty leaves room for the imagination.”

Ittindi would answer without thinking too much about why Seargent Adler was asking, they didn’t seem to be far from the spot when she mentioned two important facts. The first is that she didn’t have much experience in dating, that was odd to him, normally he was the odd one out there. Then the more important one, one of the largest reasons he was always spotted in undercover. The dropping of formalities, it was something he could do, it took more effort than he cared to admit.

”You’re right of course Anikka, we should be less formal, you can call me whatever you’d like. Lets do this!”

Ittindi would hop out of the car when they arrived, it was a fancy enough district.  He had been here a couple of times looking for baby jewelry for when Lady Lumikki and the Young Master conceived their first child. Part of the High Gardens, one of the more affluent areas of Era, and while their were fountains and greenery more cared for than most of the children residing in High Gardens. The real elegance for Ittindi was in its clean buildings so pristine that you would think the brick was some kind of marble. Even the roofs seemed to be cleaned every day. A shame that most citizens would never see this area of Era, as they stepped out the vehicle, it wouldn’t be hard for Ittindi to look as if he belonged. He’d curiously look over to Seargent Adler to see if she was uncomfortable, then offer his arm to her whether she wanted to hold hands or loop around his mattered little to him. Once they were walking down the streets Ittindi would make a loud conversation, hoping to be heard.

”Darling, were you thinking a ring or a necklace tonight?”

Ittindi figured the shorter his sentences the easier it’d be for it to be convincing, he had no idea, thinking back to his conversation with Colonel Tōga and the Young Master at the bar about couples. His danger sense already starting to prickle, Ittindi looked a little on edge, though he had to convince himself to not immediately look around observing his surroundings. Rich people didn’t do that believing that it absurd that anyone below their class would deign to talk to them with no reason.

” If you think so Anikka, the modern man loves the more revealing fashion. Perfect for an operation like this, I’m sure they won’t be able to keep their eyes off you.”

Ittindi oblivious to what Seargent Anikka was flustered by his remarks, instead thinking that it was due to his presence. There were many effects of his rank increase, he had seen many of his former squad mates distance themselves from him. Not that Ittindi was one for punishment or revenge for all the superfluous comments when he was their rank. He also wondered if it was partially his fault for saying that Seargent Anikka should be promoted. Afterall, he was one of the pillars of the Rune Knights probably best that he keep his mouth shut about those things, unless he was doing the promoting himself.

After he finished asking Seargent Anikka about jewelry she had her own suggestions. Ittindi tried to think of what one of his more charming employers would say, when the idea struck him. Rich people wouldn’t bother deciding between things they would just get it all. He had to get better in character, so used to serving others that the idea of asking was natural as well. The rich didn’t ask for anything they “took” it by means of their wealth in various ways.

”Twas a joke Darling, of course we’ll get both an Earring and a necklace, why I would buy the whole store if you wished it.”

As they continued to walk, it was hard for Ittindi not to break character and laugh from Seargent Anikka’s next comments. Perhaps the royalty operated differently in her home country of Bosco? Ittindi couldn’t quite recall what country she had come from, he hadn’t looked into her background outside the service. He felt that if he could repent why couldn’t others? Her heart seemed in the right place for all his assessments earlier in her career.

”Yes of course Darling only the best for you, lets go.”

He’d hear her mark one of their potential targets, and his danger sense was indeed prickling. His heart racing knowing that he was this much closer to finding the corruption. That meant they’d be taken soon, and sure enough, it was right when they were crossing the last alley on their street to make it to the store that it happened. 5 cloaked individuals, 6 if you count the man tailing him started to surround the pair.  First he needed to create some distance, with Seargent Anikka already so close, he’d activate one of his strongest spells.

The 6 vampires shot some kind of blood magic spike trying to hit from every angle, they’d’ find nothing there. Ittindi would sweep Seargent Anikka and already moved 1 meter behind adjacent to the original scruffy clothed tailer. Then they’d blink out of existence again, at least that’s how Ittindi imagined Seargent Anikka observed his time stopping abilities. In another 6 jumps, 3 seconds in total, they were 8 meters behind the whole group.

”Light them up Anikka I’ll give you supporting fire. We must leave at least one alive in any case. I trust your judgement.”

Spell used:

”Here comes the supporting fire, I’ve been wanting to test this out.”

Ittindi would pull out his dominator from his coat pocket, and it would register the vampires as minor criminals not necessary for any extreme conditions. However, Ittindi didn’t want to spend to much time on blood suckers, he might lose his temper and have more drastic responses. Better for his lower ranks to not see that side of him. His weapon would transform to it’s more deadly version, Ittindi using his rank to bypass it’s limitations as its color was as red as the blood the vampires sought. Firing off 3 shots in quick succession none being the strongest the gun was capable of, they would each explode catching any vampires that Seargent Anikka hadn’t yet dealt with. Their screams, and sudden silence confirmed for Ittindi that the problem was solved.

He'd let the gun’s redness be visible to Seargent Anikka as he watched her deal with the one vampire in particular the shot on his abdomen would leave him on the ground reeling in pain. Ittindi would walk over to him, pistol if it could be still considered one in it’s fully unlocked form, aimed straight at his chest.

”You saw what this can do don’t move, now tell me quickly or I’ll have to escort you back my prison, who hired you? If you answer properly the rest of your crew can go free, and I’ll only keep you in the holding until I verify your information. Otherwise, you can all rot in jail over what should have been an easy mercenary job. “

Ittindi would give the man, well vampire a minute to consider his offer. He’d start to groan before he’d speak barely a whisper, it seemed Seargent Anikka had shaken him up more than Ittindi thought. A captain in the making, he’d lean in secretly hoping the man would try something. At this range his blood would splatter over the cobble streets, and Ittindi would have to spend an hour cleaning it up, the street cleaners never did a satisfactory job for murder. Instead he’d get a couple prominent upcoming politicians in a group known as the Vulcan congregation. It was much worse than he suspected, he enjoyed their Human supremacist values. A shame, they had gone to far, why not rely on what was already bad they stepped out of bounds and Ittindi would have to correct it later.

”Good Job Seargent, THE REST OF YOU LEAVE WHILE MY PATIENCE IS STILL HERE. NEXT TIME I CATCH SIGHT OF YOU IT WON’T BE PRISON YOU’LL HAVE TO BE WORRIED ABOUT. Come lets put him in the car I’ll ride in the back to keep an eye on him.”

As the rest of the vamps stumbled to get up using each other to stumble away back into the darkness. He’d ride back in the car upset at the possible revelation, even worse if the vamp proved to be correct he’d have to let him on the streets a pyrrhic victory indeed.

” Another splendid job Seargent Anikka, I will need to call on you again soon in the future.”