A truth unveliled

Madeline was deep in thought when the knock on her door pulled her from her work. She looked up, recognizing the familiar figure of Rosalie through the glass. Madeline’s office was organized, every piece of equipment and every file in its rightful place, a reflection of the disciplined mind that occupied the space. Despite the interruption, Madeline was always open to hearing from her team, especially when it concerned something as significant as Ael's case.

Come in, Rosalie, Madeline called out, her voice calm and steady as she set aside the report she’d been reviewing. She offered a small, welcoming smile as Rosalie entered, though her eyes were already curious, sensing that this wasn’t just a casual visit.

As Rosalie explained her findings, Madeline listened intently, her expression shifting from curiosity to intrigue as the details unfolded. The modifications to the artifact were unexpected, and they opened up a new layer of complexity to Ael’s actions.

That’s fascinating, Rosalie, Madeline said, leaning back in her chair and folding her hands thoughtfully. The fact that the artifact was altered three times, each change reflecting a shift in intent... it’s not something we can overlook. It suggests that Ael was conflicted, possibly even trying to undo the harm she’d already set in motion.

She paused, considering the implications. This changes things. If Ael was attempting to mitigate the damage, it could indicate that her actions weren’t entirely malevolent, or at the very least, that she had doubts about what she was doing. That kind of internal conflict is important to understand before we make any final decisions about her fate.

Madeline stood up and began to pace slowly, a habit she had when she needed to think through a problem. We need to look at this from every angle. If Ael did indeed have a change of heart, it’s possible she was coerced or manipulated into her initial actions. Or perhaps she realized too late the full extent of what she was doing. Either way, it’s something we need to investigate further.

@Rosalie Rutherford