<JETMODE> *On the top floor, near enough the stairs to the cafe that the priests can nip out for a drink of coffee -- or whatever -- and be back at their posts before anybody's noticed, is one of the more ornate and wealthy temples in the Arena. It's home to not only a thriving congregation and priesthood, but also David Pacheco, who oversees the activities of all the temples, not merely his own.

<JETMODE> *The man himself has an office on an upper floor of the temple, safely away from the humdrum bustle of the staff. He's actually in a fairly good mood today, as well. As far as he knows, things are going very well for him.

<TIAMAT> *Teal's had a long day, and he's a little disgruntled by the time he gets to the top floor -- that's a lot of stairs, after all. He takes a moment to catch his breath before entering the temple, but promptly makes his way through to Pacheco's personal office, nodding briefly to the priests and priestesses he passes along the way.

<TIAMAT> *He pauses again to compose himself a bit before knocking on Pacheco's door.

<JETMODE> *Pacheco's voice sounds absently from within. "Come in."

<TIAMAT> *Teal slides in quietly, shutting the door behind him. "David. I hope I'm not interrupting anything..

<JETMODE> <Pacheco> *glances up* Not at all. I was doing a little background reading. *sets his book aside*

<TIAMAT> *Teal nods briefly -- and tiredly. "I've got some good news -- you remember the strange scares we've had lately? With Amelia and Cecil and the others?

<JETMODE> <Pacheco> Ah, yes. *he quirks an eyebrow* Good news?

<TIAMAT> *Teal nods again, smiling a bit. "We finally cleared it up -- turns out Jimsey, the black market dealer Gem and I have been tracking, was using a young artist from the Riverrun Center to ... steal their souls. *shakes his head a bit* It was all rather bizarre, really, but it's been settled now. Jansk -- the artist -- was able to return everyone to their former state.

<JETMODE> *Pacheco's face freezes for a moment, as if in shock, then he very painfully forces a smile. "Is.. is that so!"

<TIAMAT> *Teal studies him curiously for a moment. "Yes indeed. Unfortunately, Jimsey ... eluded us ... though we are searching for him.

<JETMODE> *Pacheco nods. That news, at least, was not unexpected. "Let me know when you find him." He pauses, a strange look in his eye. "Was this Jimsey the only one behind the attacks, or was someone giving him orders?"

<TIAMAT> *Teal shifts slightly. "We're still investigating, but as far as we can tell, Jimsey was the one behind it all.

<JETMODE> *Pacheco relaxes, lifting his hands to his temples a little shakily. "Indeed." He pauses. "At least the people have been returned, no?" He's trying very hard not to grit his teeth on those words.

<TIAMAT> *Teal nods. "It's quite a relief. *he pauses, studying Pacheco a little. "Are you all right, David?

<JETMODE> *Pacheco drops his hands abruptly. "Quite all right, Devan. Quite all right. It's been a very long day, and I'm tired."

<TIAMAT> *Teal sighs a little. "Too true. I just thought you'd want to know immediately -- if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave.

<JETMODE> *Pacheco nods. "Very well. Thank you.. for your work."

<TIAMAT> *Teal nods. "Of course. *pause* Take care, David. *he exits silently.

<JETMODE> *Pacheco stares at the door, after he's gone, grinding his teeth.