Breakfast

We begin breakfast.

Lupin, Nemo, Victoria, Dorian, Elliot, and me. A six-person meal.

"By the way, what are you people going to do? I heard everyone's individual plans last night, but..." Victoria says. "Do you have a concrete plan to how to actually achieve your goals? If so, I'd like to help."

Our goals.

Lupin wants to stop the terrorists.

I think Nemo is serious about the moon.

Victoria is hiding from the government.

Dorian is...

"Dorian, why are you allowing us to stay here? Do you know about the treasure I got from Small?" I say.

"Ahah, I'm hardly short on funds." Dorian says. "I have only one reason for accepting you all here, and that is because it amuses me."

"It does?" I ask.

"Back when I beginning to bore of society, I encountered Lupin and Nemo, who needed a place to stay in London." Dorian says. "I saw them and had a gut feeling that they would lead me to something fun."

"Ah, yes. That was when we were at that bar, trying to figure out how to smuggle ourselves into the central government." Lupin says. "This man suddenly comes over to our tableland says, 'Perhaps I may be of assistance'."

"Isn't that kind of your fault for talking about something like that in public?" I ask.

"Never underestimate the power of being confident. As long as you're not trying to hide, people will assume you're joking." Lupin says.

"But Dorian took it seriously." Victoria says.

"Ahah. When one is bored out of one's mind, one tends to be quick to notice things that might be of interest." Dorian says.

"Yep. So, then he kept bugging us, asking us to let him in on our plans, swearing he wouldn't tell anyone. We finally gave in." Nemo says.

"Have you two known each other long?" I ask.

"Not really. We've only been together for the past year do so." Lupin says.

"Something important was stolen from me. I came all the way to London chasing after the thief." Nemo says.

"She thought I stole it, and attacked me." Lupin says.

"It was a battle of wits! I was one step ahead of her the whole time. Finally, she begged me to let her join up with me." Nemo says.

"Liar. You're the one who came crying to me, pleading for me to help you find your precious property." Lupin says.

"I don't know why Nemo would want to work with you, but I don't quite see why you would want to work alongside her, Lupin." I say.

"Oh, well she said she would help me with my plans, too. So we decided to team up for a while. I regret that now, of course." Lupin says.

"What are you talking about?! There's nothing to regret! I've been super-useful to you!" Nemo says.

"I see. I think I'm starting to see the entire picture, little by little." Victoria says.

"Ahah. Every person has a history." Dorian says. "Victoria, I think it's time for us to hear your story. So you've created a homunculus before Caleb, and it killed twelve people. As the one providing you with shelter, I would like to know the details."

"Who, me? In my case I ran away from the government." Victoria says. "After I created Evelyn, my mentor, Septima Pretorius, approached me. She suggested that I work with her to create a mate for Evelyn. The government fears that my knowledge will be leaked to other nations. That's why they're trying to capture me."

"I see. Very interesting. But I don't understand why you felt the need to rob graves or create a homunculus." Dorian says. "As daughter of a wealthy and politically connected country squire and one of the best students at the University of Oxford, you likely led a life of comfort and had access of the best research facilities."

"I can't speak about that. I'm sorry." Victoria says.

"Everyone has one or two secrets that they never wish to divulge. I'm fine with that." Though Victoria's refusal to speak darkened the mood, Lupin easily lightens it. "Now that we know each other a little better, let's talk about the future. Caleb, you wish to meet Septima, and my objective is stop Septima's plan. To accomplish either of those, we'll need to find Septima's whereabouts. With that in mind, I think our best bet is to look for clues pointing to Septima here in London. What do you all think?"

"No objections here. I agree, with so many people here in London, this is probably the best place to look for anything." Nemo says.

"I have nothing against it either." I say.

"I already agreed that I would help you with whatever you do. I'll do the best I can to assist you." Victoria says.

"I shall do all I can as well to support you. Please, don't hesitate to come to me for help." Dorian says.

"It's set, then. Obviously, we're going to have to do this all while avoiding Progenitor, who are after this young man." Lupin says.

I nod in reply. If I am caught, it will create an opportunity for a global terrorist attack. I don't want to be involved in such a thing.

"Progenitor? The special government task ****? That's something that doesn't come in conversation every day." Dorian says.

"Well, that's who we're up against. I hate to say it, but odds are that we're going to be bringing in some trouble around here." Lupin says.

"Ahah, don't worry about it. When I accepted you all into my home, I accepted that you may cause some problems." Dorian says.

"A son searching for his missing mother, and a covert government **** searching for him. It's so mysterious!" Nemo says.

"Though the reasons why may be different, I feel that you and I are in a similar situation, Caleb." Victoria says.

"So, moving onto today's plans. The first thing I want to do is take you to see a doctor, Caleb." Lupin says.

"You do?" I ask.

"Do you remember when I said that London has a great many doctors? I'll make sure you see an exceptional one." Lupin says.

"That is a good idea, but there are people after him. And it would seem that Progenitor is already aware he is in London." Dorian says. "They are no fools. There is a chance that they may have already alerted any doctors that you would wish to see him."

"Don't concern yourself with that. I'll take care of it." Lupin says.

"But..." I look over at Victoria.

She had just examined me earlier this morning.

What results could be possibly get by going to another doctor?

"That's a good idea. Though I have some medicine training, I'm no doctor, just an alchemist." Victoria says. "But, maybe... No, let's first hear what your doctor has to say. There are many things I can't believe just yet."

I try to ask what she's talking about, but Victoria brushes me off with a smile. Whatever the case, following Lupin's plan, we head out to see the doctor in question.