Secrets of Redemption [Eitan]

[Tobias]

Two days ago...
The day before, Tobias had been rummaging around his father's room, looking for something. However, he knocked his father's journal over. Papers flew all over the place as he cursed out "Oh for fuck sake! Why!" He said in a demanding tone as the tone was similar to a spoilt brat. He rolled his eyes and tried to put the paperwork away until he came across the map of the Zorrothy Residence. It appeared to have a hidden room, which was behind the Library. However, he had not seen such place. There was only a book shelf.

He went down the stairs and looked at the map for a moment. He squinted as he shook his head "No, there isn't a room here. Clearly, there isnt." He looked curiously at the map as he looked back at the large bookshelf in front of him "Or is there?" He raised an eyebrow as if calling for Eitan's help would benefit the matter.

Ash, 70th 121

Tobias had discovered his father's journal containing information on a secret room in the house, a room that appeared to have not existed in the structure of the house. The map he had found concluded such a matter, but it appeared to be nowhere. It was the library. Tobias had peered confused for a moment as he looked at Henrietta "Henri... Has father mentioned anything about hidden rooms in this house before?" Henrietta popped through and shrugged "No no, Dearie... I'm pretty sure there is none. And If so I would've known about it." She laughed.

Tobias raised an eyebrow as he thought about it carefully, walking back and forth as he waited "Hmm... Perhaps so." He said, looking at the map as he raised an eyebrow. Tobias felt as if he had the right to know about his father's secrets, adoptive or not. He was the one who raised him with the morals not to lie. Clearly, there was already a hidden lie "Henrietta... If you hear a knock, could you direct Eitan to the living room and also bring the guest some refreshments" He asked kindly as he nodded "Alright, Dearie..." She said with a smile as he continued to ponder about the hidden secrets. Was there something hidden behind the bookshelves and bookcases of the library? There was only something to investigate further.

[Eitan Angevin]

The timing had been strange, but Eitan was used to it juggling his career with the military, the Order, and the obligations of his class. He had seen Tobias at the club on the morning of the 68th, received a note from him that evening. The Noble Gambit had needed him on the 69th and the 70th, and then there had been supper with Stefan and Delia, with Brenner and Jane, who might marry Brenner, and with Lucrece, who he hoped to marry. He had sent a note ahead, though, that he would come by after supper, and he was as good as his word. It had been amusing to toy with Lucrece a bit, as well. She had wanted to come home with him for premarital sex, and so he had teased her into a bit of a frenzy and then begged off for "Order affairs." She was a wild thing, but she was a patriot and begrudgingly allowed herself to be deferred.

Delia had smirked at him. His sister knew him too well.

He hadn't been to the Zorrothy residence before. He had known their name before he met Richard, and then Tobias. They had both been somewhat familiar to him before he actually met them, as well. The blue bloods did tend to flow in the same circles, whether they knew everyone or not.

Eitan rang. A maid saw him in and bustled him to meet the master of the house now that Richard was imprisoned. It was a grim remembrance, and he would do what he could for Richard and for Tobias, and hope that his diligence was reciprocated. When the maid announced him, Eitan smiled. This was perhaps the first time Tobias had seen him out of uniform, and his cravat was missing, his collar rakishly open. He was neatly put together, but one could see that he had had a drink with his dinner even if he wasn't tipsy. He was relaxed, though attentive to whatever business called.

"Hullo, Toby," he said, even his use of the nickname a bit more relaxed. This was Tobias' home, after all, and not the Hall of the Reconciliators. "Reporting for the investigation. What have you got for me?"

[Tobias]

Tobias was already seated with his back to the chair as he looked over for a while at the map piece in his hand as Tobias appeared to be quite annoyed. However, when Eitan came in it appeared that his annoyance was lifted. Tobias didn't like it when people kept secrets from him, he thought that his father was an open book, but it appeared that he had secrets. What kind of secrets? Dark ones? Skeletons in the closet? Those were things that Tobias wanted to know. His giant armchair masked the figure of Tobias behind him, that was until he stood up. He was also out of his uniform with a white shirt, buttoned up to his collar. He was smarted, but casually dressed as he sighed "Y'know theres one thing I don't like, that is one thing. Lies and secrets. This place is full of them" He gave him the map of the house.

Everything was intact, except the strange room behind the book case of the library. However, it appeared that there was no link between the library and the room. Everything seemed to be intact "That's why, you're here. To help me uncover what it is, I may not like it but I deserve to know. I trust that you'll always be concrete with me about things that concern our professional relationship, even if I do not approve of such a request I ask that you don't keep anything from me." He asked "As they say, liars are always caught out" He said with a sigh, frowning "I also wanna see my father at some point; I don't know if I'm overthinking and please hope I am." He was clearly stressed out by the situation as he took a deep breath and exhaled through his nose. His shoulders relaxed as they was released from the tense moment.

He looked at Eitan sternly for a moment as he side-eyed the library "Surely, there something in the library, I don't know but from what I know from story books and novels from pleasure reading, there has to be some kind of device, a secret door. If you believe in such things" He shrugged as he rolled his eyes "I don't know maybe I'm just mad, have you come across any sort of cases like this?" It was clear Tobias was trying to rationalise his madness; perhaps it was the stress of being perfect, the stress of being in the reconciliator force, or even just general stress. The point was, it wasn't him. It was diminishing him further.

[Eitan Angevin]

"You chose a strange profession for someone who dislikes secrets," he said with a crooked smile. But from what he understood of Tobias' past, the choice had been between the profession and execution, so he didn't belabor the humor. He hoped that at some point things would be rectified such that everything wasn't fraught for the younger man.

He took the blueprint and perused it, tracing his journey from the front door with Henrietta to this library, then looked at its perimeter. Then he paused and looked Tobias in the eye.

"There are things that I know that are classified," he began slowly, "and those I cannot share with you. But I believe that knowledge is power, so anything that you can know pertaining to our work, you will know. As for personal things about me, well, you will have to ask and I reserve the right to not share everything." His smile, at least, was friendly. "As for seeing something like this before, I did find a hidden room during an investigation. Well, it was shown to me by a party interested in me releasing those kept within. And in the interest of being forthright, I'll tell you that after the man was arrested and he had no heirs, his property was acquired by the Order, who sold it to me at a price I could afford because they want me to maintain my position in society so I can keep an eye on our blue bloods. So, my house has a secret door in the wine cellar that opens into a long corridor that leads to a secret room. Not sure what to use it for now. Perhaps a sex dungeon?"

He smiled, but then looked closely at the map for a moment before he began to walk the perimeter of the room, occasionally banging his fist against the wall to listen for odd echoes.

"Any clues? Favorite books or something?"

[Tobias]

"Chosen is a strong word, Eitan; I wouldn't say it's the correct one either" The tension in his voice echoed as he looked to the side, frowning as if there was already a hint of regret coming from him "My ambition was to join the Air Corps; I messed that one up, already..." He said as he painfully sighed before rubbing the back of his neck. It was a mixture of guilt and embarrassment that enkindled him. It was something he wished to be free of; yet it was apparent that the mentorship between him and Eitan was the answer.

Tobias listened further to the long speech that Eitan; it was clear that they would have to work together on such a important matter; when he mentioned about Eitan having seen a secret wine cellar from when he brought his house; it was clear that Tobias appeared to be somewhat uncomfortable. Another flashback moment came to him; from that very painful forsaken night. He looked away to try and hide the discomfort for a moment "A sex dungeon? Like..." He gulped at the thought as he decided to change the subject on the conversation.

"All I ask, is just to be concrete with me if something's wrong, if something bad happens, or if anyone tries to tarnish my name. I know out there; theres someone waiting for me to fail, waiting for that I told you so moment. I'm not gonna give them what they want; if they want me to fail, I'll do my absolute best to succeed." He made eye contact with Eitan as he took the moment to let everything sink into Eitan's head. It was clear Toby wanted redemption; even if there were people in the order trying to stop him, he was determined to fight if he needed to. However, the thing he needed to fight was his emotions.

His Trauma.

It was eating him from inside out; ensuring that Tobias wouldnt be able to enjoy simple pleasures in life without looking back at what he endured. Yet, he didn't wanna tell Eitan. Not yet. It wasn't the right time "Lets... Look around" He looked around the book cases; in search for the buttons.

"Favorite books? Hmm... Try Matilda or The Flower Girl; they were some of my dad's favorites" He asked as he directed himself through to the section; It wasn't until he found a book hanging out of it's shelf that he looked curiously as he pushed it back in. He heard a click "Eitan... Did you hear that?" He asked curiously. There were four other books hanging from their shelves at the highest point of the library. It appeared that a ladder would be needed to reach them "I must've done something... Look around more" He asked.

[Eitan Angevin]

"People speak ill of the blue bloods every day," he reminded him, "but I will pass along anything I hear if it seems more than just malicious gossip." Of course, anything he heard among the Reconciliators might be more than mere gossip. Of course, he would keep his ears open; that was his job. Perhaps he would ask why the mention of a sex dungeon made him blanch, but not just yet. There was a mystery to be solved.

He certainly heard the click, and his head swung around to track what was happening. Tobias' hand was on a book, and a few others pushed out in response.

"Hold," he commanded, sharp as a whip crack. He set the blueprint down and went to read the title of the book Tobias had pushed back into place. He pointed up toward the four volumes that had moved in his peripheral vision. "I saw from the other side of the room. Those moved. Write down this title here, and I'll read the ones up there."

That said, he moved the ladder into position and quickly scaled it with all the skill he had accrued making his way on the airships of the Air Defense Corps.

"There must be clues in the titles or something. We have to find a pattern, and you're better equipped to do that since you know your father." As soon as he was close enough, he read off each title, giving Tobias enough time to write them down before moving on to the next. When that was done, he peered down. He would repeat them if necessary, but he was giving Tobias the benefit of the doubt that he could recall them long enough to write them down.

"Ideas? If not in the titles, the authors, or we can open the books to look for clues, but if it's a puzzle lock, it ought to be something he would know from what's on the spine of the books."

[Tobias]

Of course, people spoke ill of people all the time. It was the common thing to spread gossip, to tarnish someones name to collect the spoils of that once prestigious family. It was everywhere with Tobias and he made it much worse. The target on Tobias' back was much bigger than he had realised, but with Eitan's help he would discover his true self. For now, it was only a matter of time as he grabbed a notepad on the desk and started jotting down the author on the binding "Try the books with the author of Rosa Beneditz" He stated to him as he wrote the author's name on his notepad.

"This title is The Matchfolk, I remember my father reading these to me when I was young..." He said with a sigh as he reminisced on the days he was a free man, not ever worried about the prison of a life he had thrown upon him. However, there was no time for adding to the pressures of the thing. He eventually pushes the author's names in as he heard another click on the bookshelf "Oh?" Tobias looked curiously at the books on the ceiling, wondering if Eitan had figured something out "I think I heard another click, something is definitely behind these walls.

Tobias started to think; it was anxiety that interlaced him as he sighed. What was hidden behind that door? Was it something his father had hidden on purpose? Was he meant to know? The prospect was terrifying as he looked at the bookshelf, as if it was a monster towering over him. Tobias was overthinking hard as his memories became distorted. He entered into some kind of trance, like he wasn't paying attention for a moment.

"Any sign of the Rosa Beneditz collection?" He asked.

[Eitan Angevin]

"On it," he said, and began to look for the name Tobias had supplied. It was his responsibility now to train Tobias how to investigate things for the Order of Reconciliation, but this was an opportunity to observe him in action, let him take the reins, and see what came of it. Surely they would have time to debrief later and he could offer constructive criticism, whether they found this secret door or not. Patience was an important virtue for an investigator, as Eitan himself had learned. They might not solve this tonight.

It might even require a visit to Richard Zorrothy if such could be arranged. Eitan had some pull as a Watcher, but he didn't know if he had the authority to approve his own visit to the Reconciliator who had fallen from grace for his son.

He also heard the click and immediately leaned back to see if he noticed any change in the configuration of the books or the room. Some of these things were overly complicated puzzles; others simple enough that one merely needed to know where to look. He didn't know the Zorrothy family well enough yet to know which was more likely, though his search for Rosa Beneditz seemed to indicate the former.

"Huh." He leaned back into the ladder and at last found what he was looking for. Eureka!

"Rosa Beneditz," he said. He pointed it out so Tobias would see where it was, but he didn't mess with it until Tobias told him to. This was the Aspirant's personal investigation and Eitan was merely there to assist him. The best leaders knew how to follow, and Eitan wasn't the sort of leader who would ask someone to do something that he wouldn't if the need arose. That just wasn't his style of leadership.

[Tobias]

The clicking sounds can be heard as Tobias notices some wheel dials turning on the side of the bookcase. He inspects them closer as it appears the locks are being unlocked with the movement of the bars. With awe he smiled as he turned to Eitan "Ok... There are some books that need pushing below; I want you to push the ones at the top, push them in. That'll probably open a door behind this case." He said as he looked over at the wheel dials "Father has definitely been a sly old fox" He said as he wondered what was behind the door "Wait, actually... Theres just one dial." He asked curiously as he looked "What if we've been thinking about this wrong." He said as he looked curiously.

"What if it's a puzzle that we've just been messing up all the time." Tobias eventually pressed a book of Rosa Beneditz down below as it clicks, but moves the dial upwards "Try yours, Eitan... And tell me the name, so I can write it down" He said as he wrote down the name of the book he had pushed "Lets see, so we have The Moonwalker,Tales of Captain Pastley, and the last one, Eitan?" He asked as he looked up at Eitan "Give it a push, lets see if this door opens." He said with a smile as he stepped back, wondering what was behind it. It was the moment of truth. The anxiety and excitement rushed through him.

So many thoughts went through Tobias' mind right now; it was unbearable to be left in the dark for so long. He wanted to know what was behind the door. Was he meant to find out? Who knows, all he could do was simply wait.

[Eitan Angevin]

As to the mechanisms, Eitan couldn't speak to that. He had only been here a short time, had only looked at the blueprints long enough to understand what Tobias was getting at. If he was trying to crack the code himself, he would still have been grilling Tobias for answers and context as this was a puzzle from Richard's brain or, perhaps, an elder ancestor. Investigatory skill was all well and good, but Tobias was close to the source.

He paused when Tobias told him too, waited while he figured out the dial, and then nodded.

"This one is called Voyage of the Dusk Dancer," he informed him. "Rosa Beneditz."

But, given the confirmation, he finally pushed the book in. He felt the click through the book. He didn't attempt to pull it out for a better look at the mechanism because these things could be trapped. His task done, he climbed down the ladder to stand beside Tobias and wait to see what would come of the combination of clicks and spins. For a moment, he turned to gauge Tobias' mental state. He seemed excited, but agitated. He hadn't learned to school his features into an inscrutable mask of calm yet, but there was time to train that into him as well. He ought to have learned it from his youth as a blue blood, but not all bloods were of the same vintage.

Or perhaps he just trusted Eitan enough not to bother with a façade, which was heartening to think. Tobias was a bit of a loose cannon, which could be dangerous. But that unpredictability could also lead to innovative thought if someone could learn to work with him properly.