Marcus: Phew. The reflections she created were real enough, but not perfect.
Marcus: The reflections had neither shadows nor breath. Most importantly, they didn't have her passion and subtle movements.
Marcus: I "read" the truth from these details ... She meant me no harm. Maybe it was just a little trick she was playing.
Marcus: But, I ...
She steadies her breath, looking down at the figure on the ground.
She inadvertently used too much force. Kakania is still on the ground, supporting her hat with one hand.
Her lips tremble incredulously, shocked by her own failure.
Kakania: This is ... That was ...
She lunges toward Marcus, who reflexively withdraws her hand.
Kakania: I knew it! Your arcane skill is incredibly unique, you can discover what's on the inside by observing what's on the outside.
Kakania: You are born to be a psychiatrist!
Marcus: Huh?
She clings tightly to Marcus's hand, as if she's found a long-lost relative.
Kakania: Look at you, you are so tiny, and they gave you this big coat. How can they do this to a child?!
Kakania: How about you quit the Foundation and be my assistant? Your perception would be invaluable in this line of work. After all, we search for truth from foggy memories and vague descriptions for a living ...
Marcus: Ah, Miss ... The book ...
Marcus attempts to withdraw her hand, politely but stiffly.
Kakania's enthusiasm remains unchanged.
Kakania: Forget the book! A new academic field is opening its doors to you! Let's go inside. Oh dear, I forgot your tea!
Marcus: Gosh, she's babbling like a parrot.
Marcus: Ah ...! It's Madam Hofmann!
Marcus: Ma'am.
Hofmann: Marcus, the "Spider Tail" has shown me your direction. How did you get that far? What is that place? An arcane fluctuation?!
Marcus: I'm with the targe- ... Ms. Kakania. In her clinic. I'm safe, the investigation's going well! Ma'am!
Hofmann: ...
Hofmann: Stay where you are, I'm on my way! And take care of yourself, you hear me?
Marcus: Erm, yes, ma'am ...
Kakania: Was that your supervisor? She sounds rather harsh. I do have to question the Foundation, hiring underage children and all ...
Marcus: ... Just in time!
Marcus glances at the doctor, who is now lost in thought, lightly flicking her skirt. An almost invisible thread lands on the green fabric.
Marcus: Well, actually, Madam Hofmann is ... very kind to me.
She lifts her head, trying to further divert the doctor's attention.
Kakania remains unimpressed by her answer.
Kakania: Well, you have seen it all for yourself. Me, my clinic, my arcane skill—I showed you everything. Have they cleared up your doubts, Ms. Marcus?
Marcus: Just one more question.
Kakania: Please go ahead.
Marcus: About ... "The Circle."
Kakania: Eh? Did you go through all this trouble just for that?
Kakania dramatically raises her hand, settling down into her soft chair.
Kakania: You could have asked me earlier. I am the founder of "The Circle."
Marcus: Wh-what?!
Marcus nearly scalds herself with the hot tea as she brings it up to her lips.
Kakania: You're awfully excited. Are you an admirer?
Kakania: Joking. It's just a little group a couple of friends started out of interest. Completely legal, nothing nefarious.
Kakania: We're committed to changing the arcanists' current situation ... more committed than the Foundation.
Kakania: There will be a non-profit exhibit soon, and all donations will help lower class arcanists get their license, which should have been your responsibility!
Her words are sharply pointed, only to stop abruptly as she recalls the identity of their target.
Kakania: Oh, sorry, I get carried away. I should persuade you to join us, not attack your current job.
Marcus shakes her head, feeling all-together fortunate now to not be involved in the disputes of this era.
Marcus: And the painting in this exhibit ... will be The Salvation?
Kakania: That's right, you've been to the Secession Building, and that's a masterpiece which will be hard to miss.
Kakania: That was Theophil's final piece of work, the Golden Isle being its subject.
She lowers her head a little while refilling her cup with fresh tea.
Kakania: It was big news at the time ...
Kakania: The island hidden from all people in the Aegean Sea, the ancient arcanist settlement, the strange current and magnetic field around it, the animals only heard in stories, and the shadow of modern society cast upon it ...
Kakania: Well, those are just hearsay. People have all kinds of speculations about it ... A military base, a mythical kingdom, the apocalypse ...
Kakania: The Foundation knows it better than any of us.
*clink*
Kakania sets down the teacup, her focus calm but impassioned.
Kakania: Ms. Marcus, I've told you everything I know. If you trust me, please tell me one thing.
Marcus: I'm sorry, Ms. Kakania, I can't ...
Kakania: Are there really our people on that island? If so, how did they protect themselves in these changing times?
Kakania: This is my only question. As an arcanist, and as a human being.
Marcus: ...!
Kakania: The arms companies are turning the Balkan Peninsula into a proving ground for their new weapons—that was how they discovered this island.
Kakania: You work for the authorities. You must know something. Please, I just want to know if ...
Kakania: If there's any more of us in this world, suffering, silenced, and helpless.
Marcus: ...
Kakania: ...
Kakania's passion dims over the prolonged silence.
Kakania: Fine. You work for the Foundation, after all. I shouldn't have asked.
Kakania: It's just that I'm hoping for at least one rational person in such an irredeemable bureaucracy. Someone who doesn't think it's just a bunch of deranged lunatics over there.
Kakania: ... Which is a stigma the arcanists have carried around for centuries.
Marcus: … No, we are not crazy!
Kakania: ...!
She clenches the fabric of her dress, lifting her head in a trembling outburst.
Marcus: I, I don't think the arcanists on the island are crazy either!
Kakania: Ms. Marcus?
Marcus: Dr. Kakania, I know there has been discord and resentment between humans and arcanists, but not everyone is like Mr. Karl.
Marcus: We're from the headquarters, where many like you are fighting for the rights of arcanists.
Marcus: When it comes to caring for our people, we're not so different there.
Marcus: That was what the Foundation was for. To defend the interests of the arcanists, and to keep the world safe and orderly. Till this day, we continue to strive for this goal.
Her heart thumps hard in her chest.
She shouldn't do this ... but, but, she can't ignore the question any longer either.
Perhaps it's worth it! Her "reading" tells her that this is a worthwhile ally. They have had no fundamental disagreements between one another.
Just this one insignificant piece of information ... if it might bridge the gap in their positions ...
Time stretches on.
Kakania: ...
Kakania: My sympathies for all that is happening.
Marcus: Erm?!
Marcus receives another embrace.
Kakania: We could've been very good friends, if you weren't working for the Foundation.
Kakania: I know you meant every word you said, I can see how you burned with passion. "The Circle" was founded for the same reason.
Kakania: But I will not change my view on certain things.
Marcus: Ah ...
Kakania: But on second thought, I have friends working in all kinds of places ...
Kakania: We have a big house, plenty of wine and refreshments, there is more than enough room for a new friend.
Kakania: I would like to invite you to the Secession Building and to be present at the opening of the exhibit, Ms. Marcus.
Kakania: And we can talk more about what you said afterwards.
Marcus: That'd be great!
Marcus: But ... my ment- ... um, my supervisor ...
Kakania: Hmm, that is tricky. But a minor like you requires the presence of a guardian, and you told me that she's "kind" to you ...
Kakania: Well, she can come with you. We must abide by the law, after all.
Kakania: It might help to clear up misunderstandings if she's there.
A hug comes once again.
Kakania: Alright, I have to inform Heinrich that we have two more guests coming ...
Kakania: Oh, shoot!
Kakania: I have an appointment today! I almost forgot the time. I have to go. I know what you're going to ask, but patient information is confidential!
Kakania idly wags her finger. Her thoughts seem to have drifted on to future treatments.
She hastily caps her pen, handing the invitation to Marcus.
Kakania: I shouldn't keep you any longer. See you soon, Ms. Foundation!
Kakania: Welcome to "The Circle!"
A gentle knock sounds at the door.
Marcus: Oh, I, I should go ... Thank you, Ms. Kakania.
She turns and hurries away, the door opening just in time.
Isolde: ...?
Marcus doesn't stop, nodding and gliding around the newcomer in a fast, fluid motion.
Isolde: ...
