Hal just pinched the bridge of his nose.

"That is... distressingly pragmatic of you." he said.

"It's depressing, is what it is." Jake commented.

"No family or anything?" he asked her. "What, does being one of my closest friends mean nothing?" he asked further.

"Jake, I'm sure that's not what she meant." Hal responded.

"Then what DOES she mean?" Jake asked, looking at Izea afterwards.

"What DID you mean by that?" he asked her.

"Is... just..." he stammered, before just shaking his head and looking away.

Jake was silent... before sighing.

"Izea, you don't-" he started to say, before Hal interrupted.

"It's clear we're not changing her mind." he told him. "And she IS capable of taking care of herself." he went on. "Jake, go home and get ready for your evening. Have Anya calm you down." he finished.

Jake responded simply by standing up and walking past Izea.

"You'd better survive this." he told her as he did.

"That's all I'm saying."

Jake was silent once more, and left, with Hal sighed.

"Right." he said.

"There's a photographer that goes by the name of 'Valentino Vaughn'." he told her. "Though his read name is Antonio Vaughn Russo." he continued. "He operates within the world of mages and non-humans." he went on.

"And he has a penchant for... well... photographing and modelling those that are... considered to be very unique and different in this world." he then told her further.

"Basically, if you don't LOOK human, he wants to photograph you. His intent is to 'show the world the beauty of those that are non-human', in his own words." he informed her. "And by that, he means human mages and such. He's not planning on outing them to the world at large, obviously. His work is sanctioned under the Council and Triad, so that much is above the line." he assured her.

"However, it's rumoured that he has... a very nasty temper, and there are unofficial allegations to him abusing the women he contracts to work for him." he revealed to the goblin.

"Unfortunately, none of the women that have been supposed targets of this abuse will come forward, and the only reason this is even known, and the reason we're being asked to investigate, is that in the past year, friends of the supposed victims have come forward and asked if there was any way to prove it, or show that this is happening. And there have been over 10 separate requests for this, so we cannot ignore it." he reasoned.

"10 in one year is... certainly an alarming number." he muttered.

"So we need someone to essentially catch his attention, and go undercover as one of his models, and see how he operates. See if they can catch him abusing one of these young ladies, and see if we need to interject." he then told her.

"All that's known about him is his family history, his residence, his workplace, basic things... and that he seems to be a mage that is proficient in electricity." he continued.

"I have the file right here." he finished, digging it out and sliding it over to her.

"There's a cafe that he frequents." Hal responded.

"We think it's where he goes to fuel his creativity, and possibly scope out his talent." he told her.

"We plan to have someone stake it out, wait for him to arrive, and then when he's getting ready to go, we'll have our plant just happen to pass by the back door to the place, where he'll exit." he continued.

"Don't worry, that entrance is hidden from the public." he assured her.

"You'll be given something to disguise you, make you look like a child, but it'll be a ring... so you can act like you've lost it, and are frantic to find it." he finished.

"That work for you?" he asked.

"Essentially." Hal replied.

"He needs to think he's caught you at a time where you're vulnerable, and feeling scared, and trying to hide who you are." he told her.

"Granted, the scenario we're cooking up will be a good reason to, but it will hopefully fuel his passion." he went on.

"He's pretty forward with his requests, apparently. So he won't beat around the bush." he continued.

"How soon can you be ready for this?" he asked.

Hal shook his head.

"You ARE of age, yes?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Then as long as you make that clear to him, then it should be fine." he told her.

"See... the photos he takes are... well, they're glamour shots, and many DO involve stereotypical things like swimsuits and such, but none of this work is of an over sexual nature." he continued.

"As far as we can tell, he seems to be about letting beauty shine through, in the most platonic way possible." he went on.

"His image is in direct contrast to these rumours. That's what's so puzzling about this." he continued.

"Regardless, as long as you aren't a minor, he'll ask you to work for him."

"Head to R&D." Hal replied.

"I'll phone the night staff there." he told her.

"They'll get your info and such, and in the morning, you'll be called in for testing and fitting." he went on.

"You should have your ring by late tomorrow, and we'll do the stakeout the day after." he told her further.

"If nothing else, head down there now." he then said.

"We need to get these wheels turning."

She had an earpiece in one of her ears, and someone was speaking to her.

"You're looking for a man that looks like he's in his mid-to-late 20's." they said.

"He'll have jet-black hair, down to the middle of his back." they continued.

"May or may not be wearing sunglasses, but should have silver earrings as well." they added.

Sure enough, she saw the one in question, in a corner table, looking VERY bored and disenchanted with everything.

He also looked at his watch and sighed, before seemingly finishing the drink in front of him.

"Got it." they replied.

"Good luck." they told her, before she deftly removed the piece.

As she did, the target did, indeed, get up, and heaved a sigh.

It was clear he wasn't happy, and was ready to leave.

If this were to be done, it was to be done now.

"Ugh." she heard him groan.

"Plain. So plain."

He was silent as he witnessed this, before looking around.

Seeing nobody there, he approached and looked at her. As he regarded her, he couldn't help but be shocked. Surprised. She was clearly different... a goblin? Was he mistaken? Was he seeing things? Who was this person? WHAT were they?

As these internal questions filled his mind, he felt something... stirring inside him. Something he enjoyed. Was it the creative spark? Was this his passion starting to flare up once more? He wasn't sure, but he knew it seemed like this individual needed help, and he was the only one around who could do so right now.

"Ah... excuse me, Miss?" he addressed her, his voice almost... silken. "Is there a problem?" he asked.

"There something I can help with?" he asked further.