The man was a scientist in a Shadow Clan uniform; not at all unusual in a Lindblum aircab station. What was unusual was that a small child was holding his hand at the moment. The child was hard to make out; mostly hidden under a heavy silver cloak.

Still, if this was a kidnapping, that seemed extremely unlikely, since the kid seemed to be holding the man's hand, rather than the other way around.

When I have left, you will board the next cab to the central air station, and board the next ship to Mobliz.
The man nodded subtly.
Then, you will kill James Derrida.

If the command seemed odd, the other hid it well. Of course he would kill James Derrida. Why would he do otherwise? James was a terrible, terrible monster.

The man nodded again, totally understanding his assignment.

The child shifted under his cloak, taking his hand back, perhaps to cross them.

Call Rjinns and tell him to hurry up.

Almost as if the child was calling Beetlejuice, Rjinns appeared at that moment using a scroll. The Nu Mou looked down at the child.

"My, my... I hadn't expected anything quite like this," he mused out loud.

Like what, exactly? Carry on.

The scientist moved to go board his air cab, and the child turned to face Rjinns, still hidden under its cloak.

Let's get lunch.

"Erm...all right, if you say so. I'm a bit famished anyway."

Rjinns couldn't help but wonder what the scientist was up to, though...

The kid would take the mage's hand as they walked.

Do not mind him. He has his orders.

"...Wait, did you just read my mind? You're one curious little kid."

Indeed, the Nu Mou hadn't dealt with mind-reading before. It was a foreign thing for him, skilled though he was at magic.

You have no idea. Still, maybe I will teach you. Here is a nice cafe; some soup, if you would.

"Sure thing."

Rjinns opened the door to allow them to enter, and walked up to the counter.

"One bowl of beef stew and one bowl of curry, please."

Rjinns would quickly be satisfied in his order, and the child hopped up into its chair, grabbing his spoon.

Thank you.

"No problem."

Rjinns took his bowl of curry and began eating.

The child moved the bowl into his lap, out of view. In that way, he was able to dip into it with his claw without Rjinns noticing.

How goes the war?

"On my unit's front? Not too well, although Liassa did discover some interesting tidbits about the weapons on Dollet's ships. And I've heard Tetran and Dascar have their hands full in Mobliz at the moment."

They will not for long. I expect that will become a non-issue within the week.

"I see, I see."

Rjinns took a spoonful of curry, chewed up the solid bits, and swallowed.

"...Spicy."

No you don't. But you will. What can you tell me of the black mage?

The Nu Mou seemed perplexed.

"I've never worked with the Black Mage before, so I couldn't say. He's been gone for a long while, though."

That simplifies things. When we are done, you are to go to the local garrison and take command on Cluny's Authority.

"Understood. Our lord's wish is my command."

The kid put his empty bowl back on the table.

Rjinns finished soon afterwards, left the payment on the table, and exited the cafe.

"Now, if I recall, the garrison is this way..." he mused to himself, looking to the east.

The... thing... followed.

~A few minutes later...~

The door to the garrison opened.

"Greetings! I am Rjinns Wande, a leading Shadow Clan official, and I'll be taking control of this here garrison. Got it?"