Legacy: Part 3

“What are you hiding from me Theo?” Strike slide to the bar, and whisper.

“I must say, Strike,” Theo chugged a glass. “I didn’t think it was in you to whisper.”

“I've never seen Renee have this much fun at a party.” Strike replied. “Lucas likes you, the professor he’s never met. Hate Lyngarod, the professor he has met.”

“Perhaps Renee’s new found ability to hold herself together has more positives than we realize.” Theo said before taking another drink. “Did you have a point?”

“That’s another thing.” Strike replied, slamming the table. “Where did that come from?! I know you know.”

“Really now Strike, I don’t even have powers.” Theo replied. “What would I know?” 

“For someone so powerless.” Reginald said approaching both. “You seem remarkably attune to my own.”

“Gentlemen honestly,” Theo replied as both Reginald and Strike glared. “For the first time in her entire life Reginald ‘the clockwork’ finds an event that links to Renee ‘the shapeless’ and you’re wondering why I thought they would be good for each other?”

“Not everything Reg links is good.” Lucas replied walking up with Renee. “But rarely does whatever he finds excites him.”

“Speaking of research.” Theo said.

“Lucas, seems to read a mixture of desires, surface thoughts, and emotions.” Renee replied. “He knows where to steer the conversation to get CLOSE to what he wants, but can’t always do it.”

“I didn’t get the sense of wanting to shift, I'm told we all connect Renee with.” Lucas continued. “But more than a few times she walked away, and came back as a new girl to… push things along.” 

“And he can tell immediately.” Renee finished. “Shifts right back into it without a care in the world.”
 
“Unlike us,” Theo replied. “Truly remarkable.” 

“And the sword?” Strike replied.

“I only told the higher ups that a better understanding of these two ever shifting powers could lead us to the sword faster. Not that it would produce results with—”

“You insisted on this place, this date and time, and you know whoever I'm working for now demands results.” Lucas said. “So why don’t I just hear about who I'm supposed to be talking to?”

“Within the hour a Miss Yarnon will be arriving.” Theo Replied. “She has more information than she has ever let even Renee know.” 

“And she took a liking to a certain form?” Lucas continued. Renee shifted her red hair to a dirty blonde, and began adjusting her figure with the sways of her hips.

“Nowhere near your taste, as you can see, but I'm sure we can manage.” Renee replied.

“Theo…” Strike began. “We were told repeatedly not to interfere with her or what she is working on.”

“I suppose the time has come to reveal the cards.” Theo replied.

----2 DAYS AGO----
Voice 1: Renee desire and happiness will not lead us to her remarkable powers.

Voice 2: Ever the fool in this play of ours.

Voice 1: WHAT?!

Voice 3: that the shapeless controls her power at all is step forward in a way we have never seen.

Lyngarod: Theo and I agree. We’ve never seen her do it before. It is by all means
an evolution in her power.

Theo: An evolution that makes her more aware, and more observant.

Voice 4: it has the will to bring to the sword, perhaps?

Theo: We do not know that yet, and a simple test drive will not--

Voice 2: it’s fortunate then that you are not requesting “a simple test drive”.

Voice 1: produce results Theo. Or even “the fool” well have had enough.

----PRESENT TIME----

“They cut off after that.” Theo replied. “They always cut us off, and I’m beginning to question which side I joined all those years ago.” Theo looked at the group of four in front of him. “So what I ask of you now will not be easy or safe, but I have come to think it is for the best.”