radio ;

[omnivident]

So, does anyone else find the never-ending winter annoying or is that just me?

[ Yes, he is kind of fed up with the constant cold, sleet, and snow. It's May for Pete's sake. ]

Ahem, besides that...[ a momentary pause-- he really doesn't want to be considered crazy for what he's about to say. ] did anyone else get visited by a small child that didn't say anything?

Private to Klaus

Sir, are you, uh, busy right now?

Comments

[omnivident]

No, I didn't notice anything else.

[ The fact that it can be a number of different things unsettles Leo just slightly, considering the fact that it could just easily turn out to be a bad thing as it could be a good thing. ]

Someone gave a suggestion that it could be some sort of telepathic projection...another said that it could be a spirit. Both seem equally likely, though, don't they?

[purered]

[It was food for thought, that was certain.]

There's too little to say anything for certain, but...

[Klaus had a hunch. A small hunch, but it was there, niggling at the back of his brain.]

...If you see the child again, can you ask if his appearance has anything to do with the shrine Valdis discovered?

[omnivident]

Valdis? [ He stares blankly for a second, before the memory clicks back. That's right, the news that his boss had given a couple weeks ago. ] Uhm, yeah I'll try...but like I said, it didn't speak to me, so I don't know if I'll be able to get an answer.

[ Oh well. If it happens, it happens, right? It would definitely help a lot with their investigations, should he get an answer.

But there's still a look of apprehension on Leonardo's face-- there's something else that he needs to say. ] There's, uh, something else I want to talk about, if you don't mind.

[purered]

[Klaus gave a small nod of his head, looking attentive as ever.]

Of course I don't mind, Leonardo.

[omnivident]

Alright, this is...probably gonna be weird and it actually happened a while ago! Couple weeks, actually. I just didn't know how to tell you-- or if I should.

[ He's still unsure over whether or not to do it, actually. But then again, he doesn't want Klaus to be hurt by that woman. ]

There's this lady, China Sorrows. Do you know her?

[purered]

[Aaaaaaaaand there's the blush, spreading from his cheeks to his ears. He had the decency to look abashed, however, when he tugs at his collar.]

I do. We've worked together on a number of occasions.

[omnivident]

[ Well China's a fucking liar, isn't she?

Leo tries to keep his expression as little sour as possible at his boss' response, but the look on the others' face is like tasting something bitter. This was going to be quite difficult. ]

Right. Well- she- we met a while ago when I was checking out the energy webbing and....[ Okay, Leonardo, just pull the bandage ] long story short I ended up finding out the hard way that she uses magic to charm people into liking her to sweet talk whatever information you might have out of you.

[ That was all said in one breath, so now he's going to take a moment to breathe and, well, yeah. Hopefully Klaus won't be...too...upset...? ] Also she knows about my eyes now.

[purered]

[A beautiful perfect liar yes indeed.]

[The flush in Klaus's face faded, and he actually blanched. For a moment he looked flabbergasted and as if he were about to protest. As if this were the most absurd thing he'd heard.]

[But Leo wouldn't lie - at least not about something like this.]

[His eyes fell to the floor, and his shoulders, always straight, seemed to collapse as though some massive weight had dropped on them.]

My god...

[He buried his face in one hand]

...I'm such a fool.

[omnivident]

[ Dammit.

The moment that realization washed over Klaus' face is also the moment that Leo felt like he had just gotten a knife through his gut. He feels ashamed of himself for upsetting his boss but also angry for what had happened to him. Stupid China and her stupid charming magic that she used as she pleased.

Now a heart was broken and Leo had to pick the pieces up. ]

No, sir, you definitely aren't. The tattoos that I saw on her had a strong magical aura...I'm guessing that it's either where the magic come from or how it's amplified. Either way, she's really good at using her magic. [ Boy, he's just going to stare at this floor. What a nice floor. ] I'm sorry I said that...for you finding that out, too.

[purered]

[Klaus was quiet for some time, though he did give a small, mute nod as Leo explained what he'd seen.]

[Finally he looked up. Klaus wasn't exactly crying, but there was a mistiness to his eyes that more than betrayed whatever internal conflict he was having.]

Please, Leonardo - there is no need to apologize.

[He took a deep, shuddering breath.]

Thank you. ...For telling me this.

[omnivident]

[ Well, he did just singlehandedly destroy whatever schoolboy crush Klaus had; he can't help but feel at least a little bad.

( spoilers: he feels very bad ) ]

You're welcome, sir...[ wow he feels awkward. Very, very awkward. ] If you want, uh, someone to talk to or something...erm...I'm here.

[purered]

[You did a good thing in the long run, Leo.]

[Taking a long, deep breath, he manages to collect himself. At least he manages to collect himself outwardly. It's always hard to tell what's going on in that head of his.]

That is kind of you, Leonardo. I may take you up on the offer at a later time. For now...

[He trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck.]

...For now, I would like to be able to process this a bit longer.