The Ivory Press [Central Circuit News]

@⚜ ♕ Emily Mei  “Uhuh…” Sen answered absently, swiftly jotting down notes in his journal. He barely registered the other's voice until she was right at his desk. Glancing up, his signature smile lit up his face at the sight of her inquisitive expression, her question striking just the right chord of curiosity. “Gather?” he echoed, leaning back in his chair with a casual air. He reached into the deep pocket of his long coat, his movements deliberate, as though savoring the moment. With a flourish, he produced a hand sized, white, egg shaped gem, its surface faintly glowing with an eerie red pulse, like a heartbeat.

“Grabbed this beauty on my way out of the ruins. Before they collapsed, of course.” he added with a wink, his grin widening. He conveniently left out the part where he’d been seconds away from being flattened by falling debris, or how he’d had to dive through a crumbling archway, clutching the gem for dear life. No need to concern the female with those minor details. “What do you think?” he asked, holding the gem up so the pulsing light reflected off the glossy flooring. “Think Bible will be impressed, or will he just demand to know why I didn’t bring back the automaton too?” He asked with a playful tone, while his eyes admired the gem like the first time he laid eyes on it.

@♦ Sen Mitsuji The loud bang was nothing new to Emily as she stayed by her desk, eyes looking up at the human. Shaking her head, she continue to write down what Bible had asked her to do. Being his assistant was supposed to be easy but how can it be when one is so particular about getting him evidence. The dipped feather scribbled down the rest of her thoughts from this morning's meeting before she stood up and stretch, watching the human once more, this time interacting with the other workers.

"Near death experience?" Emily asked out loud making her way over to his desk, her heels clicking against the glossed flooring. "You were gone because you went on a near death experience with pirates?" Maybe the human had a better grasp of this job than she did. Getting paid to travel. That does sound much better. "I do hope you got more that just this one article, Sen. Bible may be expecting more that just a recap of your journey. What else were you able to gather?"

@❦ Kim Hyo-jong ¥✔ She grins at him, holding his hand in hers. "I know you didn't. Maybe this is just me also being reckless and needing a reason to see more than just working and..." Emily nudges her shoulder against his, "for me to stop being nosy like you called me on multiple occasions, publicly." She recalled all the small banters whenever people had gathered in the tavern. "Oh, a full time Pain in your . That sounds like a fun challenge."

Emily looked at her coworker's desk contemplating on where to start. Taeyeon did write the columns therefore she should know more about the disappearing or at least have some interviews or observations from others. "Let's see what you." She sat down flipping through piles of parchments, glancing over the scribbled ink. Only one was useful but even the comment back from Bible was showing that it was not on his radar too much just yet. "Damn him and always needing every evidence ." She folded the parchment before freezing in her spot.

"."

A ringing went off as chills ran down her back. "Dawnald." she quickly try to put the paper back in place before going back into her boss' office. "I got one, but we gotta go." Her gazed locked towards the front of the building. They probably have approximately less than 3 minutes before whoever just broke her barrier speel makes their way up to the Press level. "Someone's here.....outside in the front trying to get in."

What was the penalty for breaking and entering her job. No, what would Dawn go through if they get caught? So many thoughts ran through her mind. Who was here this late at night beside Bible? Her boss can't possibly be here tonight of all night, right? "Dawn. Come on. We got to go. Or at least get you out of here." She shove the folded parchment into his hand. "We have less than 3 minutes before he get's up here."

[OPEN ]

The door to the press burst open with a loud bang, startling the clerks and writers hunched over their desks. In strode Sen, his boots leaving trails of dirt and soot across the polished floors. His coat was torn in places, his hair windswept and matted with grime, and the faint scent of smoke and sea salt clung to him. “Miss me?” he called out, grinning ear to ear, holding his battered leather journal high above his head like a trophy. Without waiting for a response, he marched over to his desk, sending a precarious stack of papers flying as he slammed the journal onto its surface.

“Ladies and gentlemen.” Sen declared, leaning dramatically on the edge of the desk, “I present to you the tale of The Skyspire Ruins! Complete with pirates, an airship chase, and an absolutely terrifying automaton guardian.” He waggled his eyebrows for effect, the excitement in his voice infectious. One of the editor, an older man with spectacles perched at the edge of his nose, peeked out from his office. “Mitsuji, for the love of all things inked, take a bath before you ruin the office!” Sen waved him off, plopping into his chair and flipping open the journal, his grin never faltering. “Bath later. Right now, the world needs to hear about my near death escapades and how I totally or probably saved civilization. Or something close to it.” He shrugged before scribbling furiously, dirt smudging the pages as he muttered to himself, already reliving the wild adventure in his head.

@⚜ ♕ Emily Mei  The mist outside the carriage was thicker tonight, curling like a living thing around the wheels, muffling the sound of the world beyond. The distant glow of the Ivory Press sign flickered through the fog, barely enough to guide me forward. The air felt… wrong. A tension I couldn’t quite name clung to the atmosphere, heavy with the weight of unspoken words.
Emily sat across from me, eyes as red as her mood, like a flicker of wildfire in the dark. "Dawnald," she said, using that name that only she dared. "Thank you for putting up with me. Let's find your sister, even if it means... possibly losing my job." She laughed softly, a glimmer of defiance in the sound. Her hand brushed mine, casual like we weren’t on the edge of something dangerous.
My fingers tightened around hers before I realized what I was doing. I hadn’t asked her to risk anything for me. But she had. And here we were. "I didn’t ask you to lose your job, Em," I muttered, my voice a low growl, "but if you do, I'll make sure you’re employed as a full-time pain in my ."
She shot me a look, half-exasperated, half-amused, before quickly casting the barrier spell. Her red eyes flickered, and the familiar hum of magic crackled through the air. It would shield us from unwanted company, but only for so long.
I stepped out into the dimly lit hallway of the Ivory Press, trying not to let the cold gnaw at me. The walls closed in as we moved deeper into the heart of the building, the air thick with dust and the faint scent of ink. "One hour," Emily warned, her voice low and purposeful. "Everything has to look untouched."
I nodded, but my mind was already racing, tracing the potential paths of this search. "Got it," I said, teeth gritted as I scanned the cluttered office space ahead.
But then it hit me like a punch to the gut.
Thirty minutes.
Thirty minutes left.
"," I hissed, frustration boiling over. My hands slammed against the desk in frustration. I don’t have time for this.

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@❦ Kim Hyo-jong ¥✔ The red of her eyes darkened at his questions. "Oh, I dont know. Maybe I'm just thinking out loud, Dawnald." She smack his arms. "It's not a bad idea if it meant information on your sister...and other missing people." She recalls the her boss and a fae prince talking bout a missing brother.

She looked out the carriage as it led them to her workplace. Emily couldn't believe that she's breaking in. All the what it's came to mind but it's not like she couldn't find another job if she gets fired right? She had many talents that she accumulated over her life. it. It was for her friend. She needs to find the only other person that is the closest to family for her and Dawn.

Diverting her eyes to Dawn, she watched him for a bit. It was his sister who brought her into their life. They were always the more extroverted one compared to Dawn. "Dawn, I..." She knows she can be a bother to him. "Thank you for putting up with me. Let's find your sister, even if it means...possibly loosing my job." She jokingly mentioned before patting his hands.

Standing outside the doors to Ivory Press, Emily quickly mumbles the barrier spell that will trigger if anyone else comes in as she guided them towards the office. "1 hour. And everything must looked as if it wasn't touch before we leave. Got it?" She let her red orbs light up her Boss' office for him as she looked at her desk and the reporters desks.

@♅ Choi Dongwook Emily felt a shift in No Man's Land energy letting her know either someone trying to find something about this land or someone has stepped foot on it breaking her healing bond. With a hand to the land, she opened a portal to that energy shift only to be surprised to see the Ivory press office with her boss' back to her. Stepping through the portal, Em took note of how late it is. "Boss man. Why are you still here?" Patting his shoulder, she stepped forward to get a better look at his mess on the desk. "Ah....yeah. You won't find much on it." She leaned against the side of the desk looking at him with whatever visible light her orbs added in his office. Thankful for the red orbs, the fire kitsune side put much needed lighting compare to her smoky black ones.

@⚜ ♕ Emily Mei  I rattle the giant cube of ice in my glass coat in demon whiskey loaded with two ethereal boosters and throw it back. A satisfying sigh alleviates my lips, and I set the glass down and then return to my scrolls, accompanied by the large stack of papers on my desk. The office was empty as staff members had gone home long ago, and I'd sat in this dark- office for what felt like hours. The continuous research on the origins of this so-called No Man's Land is nowhere to be found in the history of Heleo. Perhaps the text was long forgotten and burned for all I knew. Frustration plagued me as I brought two aggravated fingers to my forehead and massaged my temples. "This be a lot easier if I had some in help. A bread crumb or something."

(PAYROLL DONE!)

@♅ Choi Dongwook ￥✔ Its south of Cenral across the sea. /She explained to him. Something that she just learned without having to take her portal like she had the first time./ Its not in the best condition but its healing and getting better than when i first set foot on it.
/listening to her boss, Emily can see that he really wasnt trying to come off the way he did. But then again, maybe it was just that she didn't want people to doubt her since it already seems like the council was not sure how she will do already. his suggestion brought her attention back to him before grinning at how this might work/
Yes...oh my god. That would be better for now. If i have my boss who's definitely know more and can guide me, i can totally show them that I can rule this No Man's Land and see it grow.
Hybrids will be a safe space and trive. Just watch. /she was super determined now./
So what do you say Boss, Wanna be a part of my team....wait...its Advisor. Would you like to be my awesome advisor for now? It'll be fun.

@♦ Kim Yerim @♅ Choi Dongwook ￥✔ <you have been paid for the month of Jan. Sorry that it took so long. Thank you for being active in your job and paying citizen tax. ~love, Emily>

@♅ Choi Dongwook ￥✔ *nods and walks into your office and closed the door as she went inside*
*sits on the chair in front of your desk*
why, yes, sir. i did struggled at first but i got used to the pressure whenever you give me new reports for the newspapers.
*smiles widely*

@♦ Kim Yerim /I motion with my index finger to join me in my office./
Please close the door behind you.
Take a seat. /I did the same making myself comfortable behind my desk./
Do you like working here, Yerim?

@⚜ ♕ Emily Mei  /I watched you with great skepticism embedded in my gaze. I exhaled a long breath, merely listening to you and seeing your sudden burst of passion./ No man's Land? Where on Heleo is that? /I paused at my question, thinking over all the archives branded into my brain regarding Heleo's geography. In the end, I can only think of the old Ruin south Pythian Desert./ Listen, I’m sorry II'my have come off across a bit.
/paused, trying to choose my words tactfully./
Insensitive, and I don’t feel that it's appropriate for me to meddle in the affairs of other worlds, but if you go up there and face that council alone. /I hesitated, unfortunately not seeing any other way to properly prepare you for what awaits you. They will eat you up alive, and some possibly literally. If you want, I will temporarily host as your advisor until you find someone your trust thats more suited for, you know.
Hybrid needs, it would be immoral for me to be biased against your people, and I don’t wish for you to meet a grizzly demise.
/I gave you a sincere stare./

@♅ Choi Dongwook ￥✔ Well....I see how you feel about this matter. /She crosses her arms, his words only making her want to do better for the hybrids/ you listen, all I know is you talking to me and then me appearing with the other royals and then I'm suddenly a princess of Hybrids of the No Man's Land. The land choose me. So there's gotta be a reason why I was allowed.
/She holds her hands up/ I mean no disrespect though. I'm just saying, a new age is com...
/Frowning at the comment bout her needing a whole entire class/ god damn it. I literally thought I was done studying when I was in the human realm. /Sighs disappointedly/ if I know someone, I wouldn't be asking for advice, boss.

@♅ Choi Dongwook ￥✔ yes!
*muttered softly as she looked at him before straightened up when he wants something to discuss with her*
yes sir? what is it?

@⚜ ♕ Emily Mei  /I blink a few times, literally gobsmacked./
Thats impossible there is no Hybrid Ruler? They've only been known as nomads for years. Hybrids of no territory origin, who would the Royal Council ever allow it? Th-They, allowed you to be there?
/I asked moreso to myself than so to you./
An advisor? You would need a whole entire class on Royal politics, let alone an advisor. /Looks at you for a moment, then a doubtful expression takes place./ You do know someone that specializes in politics and Hybrid studies, right?

@♦ Kim Yerim Excellent,
/I snapped the paper shut and then placed it on you're desk./
Give it one more pass through and I'll have Emily ready to print them tomorrow.
/I began to walk away, then paused, then my heels once more./
Oh, there is one more matter I would like to discuss with you.

@♅ Choi Dongwook ￥✔ /folding her hands neatly in front of her, Emily tapped her fingers together letting the big boss finish his question before smiling and repeating herself once more but in so to convince herself at this news as well/
I poofed into the royal council and found out.....I'm a princess. /She popped her hands up as if it's some sort of celebration/
Ohhh speaking of which....you know anyone that can be an advisor for me. Apparently being a royal means I need an advisor. It was weird being the o my one who had no idea what's going on and having no one to be my second.

@♅ Choi Dongwook ￥✔ *looks at him and nodded*
yes boss, i made the entire article about the festival with the neutrality of it. no biased content have added.
*smiles widely*

@⚜ ♕ Emily Mei  /A perplexed brow lifted as I patiently shoved my hands in my pockets. The moment you appeared once more, a title wave of questions came to the forefront of my mind./
I'm so what in Cain and Abel hell did you bloody say?

@♦ Kim Yerim /A skeptical brow lifted./
Do I even dare ask what type of mortal shenanigans you were up to
that caused a disruption in your sleeping partner?
/Looks over the two pages/
These contain content material from the receive Festival, yes?
/reads over the articles./

@♅ Choi Dongwook ￥✔ I thought my job was to assist you with things around the office??? I didn't think it also involve me finding you sto----
/one moment she was in front of her boss and the next she poof into thin air, summoned into the Royal Court before reappearing back in front of him, fixing her out of place hair/
Well....that was different. Sorry boss. Got called for some kind of council duties.....apparently I'm a princess of some sort. but yes....I guess I can try harder to be of some help.

@♅ Choi Dongwook ￥✔ *she scratches her head and looked at her boss*
s-sorry, i didn't sleep last night because--
*yawns before continuing*
i finished the two articles you gave to me boss.
*walks back to her cubicle and picks up the two folders with her finished articles*
here boss! it's finished!

@♦ Kim Yerim /Annoyance plastered arouse in my features, bringing my fingers to the bridge of my nose./
Miss Kim, I know you’re new to the big city, and you would love nothing more than to get paid for less than mediocre work performance. But please, if you are going to sleep, do it somewhere other than on the clock. /I cleared my throat and adjusted my necktie./
Have you gotten those two articles done for me? The following paper is due to go out soon.

@⚜ ♕ Emily Mei  /Looks down at the pen and paper that have fallen into my lap. An annoyed scoff leaves my lips before I dust my tie off and focus my eyes on you./ Miss Mei, please, if your going to do magic, at least be scaled and selfless enough to share your gifts with this company. It’ll at least give me a reason to want to keep you around. /Glances at you./ Have you received any new tip-offs as of late?

@♅ Choi Dongwook ￥✔ *was about to doze off from her desk when she heard her name*
oh shoot-
*she scrambles and gets her notes and pen before dashing towards the office*
hey boss! what's new?

@♅ Choi Dongwook ￥✔ /received the page looking at it/ oh my. what does he need this time
/Cast a spell as I got up from my seat going to your office with a pen and paper floating after me
Ohhh this is getting easier.
/Casually walks into your office without knocking only for the pen and paper to fly towards you hitting against your chest with a small thump
Ohhhhh...hiya boss. Sorry bout that.

@⚜ Emily Mei  @♦ Kim Yerim /pages both of you to come into my office./