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Field Note Entry #1: Stop the presses
Potential headline: Missing people and erratic meks: a connection?
Field notes: Finally, a new big story to write about! I haven't been this excited since a director asked me if I wanted to star in a movie! Ahum, to cut to the chase, a few months ago a group of adventures went to the plains of Northen Fontaine to explore rumors that had gone from mouth to mouth, only to never come back. This isn't unusual, uninhabited places are always dangerous and rumors usually come from Treasure Hoarders looking for easy money, but what was unusual were meks appearing in that same area. They behaved erratically, attacking unsuspecting travelers and even continuing service when they are cut clean in half, as if remote controlled. For now those are the only two leads, so more research is necessary before any conclusions can be made.
[Sidebar: Me and Aether have finally moved in together! No more traveling alone for months, now he will accompany me wherever I go. When he's not doing commissions or searching for answers about his sister. He's such a sweetheart, listening to my enthusiastic rambling. The rumors were true, he's as good as a boyfriend as he is with completing commissions]
Potential photo: A closeup of a mek sliced clean in half, with its contents removed to prevent any possibility of it activating again. Even with most of the mechanics out, there is a clear distinguishment between each part of the robot and what it could do, as well as a place in the back that seems to have imploded on itself. Rectangle shaped, potentially the remote control system that was detonated from afar. It all shows whoever made this is smart and experienced.
Field note entry#2: Dispatching
Potential headline: Must learn: how to deal with a rogue mek.
Field notes: Since my last time writing there has been a stark increase in machineries that behave not normal. They pose a danger for travelers and unsuspecting people living in the area, so I've asked the Traveler if he could demonstrate how to deal with them when, while I was looking around for more intel, Travelers asked me for advice. Rumors do travel around fast here! Or did they see the movie and figured I was fast in connecting clues?
He was on board with it immediately (wanting to show of his muscles to me, that goof) and gave them a demonstration with a sparring Mec. For those curious, here is how: slice of their legs first, those are their weak spots. Thin and far from their body, making it easy to destroy one. And that is enough, as their motorotics are dependent on all of their legs. After that you can walk up on them and turn them off whichever way you wish. But don’t drop your guard! I or the Traveler are not responsible for any injuries in any way, shape or form.
[Sidebar: I won't say this to him in person, as he already has an ego the size of a Geo Vishap, but Aether's body is amazing. Ahum, I will spare you the details, but his muscles bulge like crazy, and the shine when he sweats!? Stop the presses and let me get a sample of that. And this is the rewritten sidebar, my original was much more vulgar. Charlotte out.
Potential photo: A mid-action shot of Aether slicing a dummy mec's legs. It is a bit blurry as he moved unbelievably fast, but his smug grin and working muscles are seen clear as day. On the side there are a few people who were watching in amazement, all the female and even a few male adventurers fanning themselves, and not because of the hot weather. Why, I leave you to figure out for yourself, but don’t think too hard about it.
Field note entry #3: Heading out
Potential headline: Illegal stuff afoot; a rebellion from below?
Field notes: Loyal readers, there is a new lead! As I'm writing this I've already packed my stuff to prepare and move out. What is it, you may ask? Well, a day ago one of the missing people had been found, malnourished and with no recollection of what happened. Their last memory is finding an underground factory. Yes, you heard that right! This is a scoop of Teyvat proportions. Someone has been building something illegal for their nefarious purposes. And whoever it is, I'm going to find out soon, even with Chevreuse advising me not to. I believe my field research skills and fighting style is more than enough for me to stand my ground, and I can act now as well.
[Sidebar: At the time of writing this, Aether has been away for a day for a mission, so no goodbye kisses or going together. But that makes coming back quick all the more thrilling, especially since he always is so affectionate when I’m not home when he returns. So my plan is to move in, take a few photo's with my trustworthy kamera and head back to show him what I found. Aether loves to read my field notes, and he's a great spotter of mistakes and sentences that would leave more questions than answers]
Potential photo: A disoriented person sitting on a medical bed. They look pale, there is an indent around their head from a foreign object and their hair is messy and greasy, as if they had to wear a strange helmet. Hypnotism, or something else?
Field note entry #4: Big, bigger, biggest.
Potential headline: A factory, years in the making; help from the Fatui?
Field notes: I have found the factory! It took two days of looking for clues and following erratic mecs without them spotting me, but I'm not one of the leading journalists and best movie detective in all of Teyvat for nothing. Chevreuse would probably tell me to get the hell out of there and report to her, but now that I’m here why not explore more? There isn’t a soul around here, and the mecs don’t come close.
The Traveler would definitely be proud of me, and then probably compliment me in such a way my monocle would slip off spontaneously. But back to the factory.
It is wedged in a mountainside, blended well with the rocky grey. On first impressions it looks Fatui build, which begs the question if they are connected. Will find out more soon.
[Sidebar: This is the first time I'm feeling nervous during an investigation. Who would imagine a strong, independent woman like me would rely on another that much, huh? Or maybe it's because I'm going in without proper disguise? Nah, probably the former. I'm so excited though, this is going to be a bigger scoop than that of the Hydro Archon, I can feel it in my bones!]
Potential photo: An image of an inconspicuous wall side. On first look, it might be nothing, but if you squint you would see faint outlines of human handiwork and spots that don't match the surrounding areas, like it has been hastily painted over.
Field note entry #5: Going in
Potential headline: Icy looks and snazzy fit; who are these mysterious people
Field notes: Luck was on my side, dear readers! Just as I was about to try and see if there was a door, a worker walked through an exit I hadn’t noticed before and went to have a smoke. While leaving the door open! I could’ve snuck in, but I got an even better idea.
As I'm writing this he's subdued in a nice layer of ice while I’m wearing his clothes, which are not dirty and seem to be made of very expensive material. My assumption is that they were one of the higher ups, being able to walk and act around freely. And they were carrying a notebook with notes about the people inside in them, as well as of different pipes on different days. An inspector job while also keeping tabs on the others? The perfect disguise. Time to see what they're making and who's the boss.
[Sidebar: Aether would definitely be impressed with how I took him down. I was like hiya, and he was like wha? And with a few karate strikes and blinding flashes of my Kamera he was unconscious.
Oh, and he would definitely flip his shit if he saw me wearing this overall. Simple but adorable in a tomboyish way. Chiori too, but negatively then. Hehe, not exactly reporter standard with my writing and acting, but I can always refine it]
Potential photo: The Kamera went off mid-fight, and despite the blurry mess near the corners it shows what happened well. A mid-action photo of the worker flying through the air while I slammed him on the ground, my hair flowing and monocle nearly flying off.
Field note entry #6: High-ranks and deep tanks.
Potential headline: Outing them right under their noses; takedown of the century?
Field notes: Charlotte, reporting back. It has been a few days and a lot of studying before I went in, but I can say for sure that people don't suspect a thing. The high ranked man I took down was definitely new, and the inspector job I assumed he had was right on the nose.
But enough about my great detective skills, as my suspicions were true. The missing people are working here, under some kind of influence and wearing strange clothes and visors that seem to keep them in trance. Not all the time, as they all are locked inside a room at night and gassed down in the morning to add the visors back. I had to join one day as well, and while sabotaging things would risk my disguise I did shorten the time of hypnosis on one of them. Not sure how long though.
As for the clothes, it seems like they make them stronger to carry more and work longer. But that is just a guess from a not well-informed reporter. Will report more soon!
[Sidebar: Got my own locker too, now I can store my monocle and clothes without having to worry about someone finding them. I had to go outside the manmade cliffside factory to dig them up, but nobody batted an eye. Seems like the newbie had trouble adjusting and was allowed out more than the others. I feel kind of bad for him, as I saw a picture of his family in his locker. But then again, shouldn't have picked this kind of work.]
Potential photo: A sneaky zoomed-in picture of a worker carrying a box full of meks. The meks symbolism is clear as day, seen by their mechanical clothes in the same color and cogs all over. Their headgear looks like a helmet with goggles, almost resembling the headgear of Fontaines special agents.
Field note entry #7: The boss?
Potential headline: Suspicions and revelations
Field notes: Not writing much today, almost got caught taking a picture by a woman in all-black clothes and a lot of make-up. I managed to not get caught by pretending to examine one of the meks and noticed a few bolts missing, which actually helped in keeping my identity a secret as I pointed that out. Was it the slave of whom I sabotaged the visor that did this? Archons, I hope I haven’t ratted them out this way.
Anyway, I think the woman is the boss around this place, as she asked me how I was doing. Again, almost slipped up by almost ignoring her when she said Matthew, but I knew that it was his name. After that she left, but I still think I feel eyes on me. Write back soon, loyal readers!
***
Experiment entry#1: Field testing
Subject: Healthy, no signs of brain damage.
Sample thoughts (temporary name): W-what happened? I remember is that vile woman inviting me over to her office, which turned out to be a trap, and then went to prepare me to be another slave there. But she seemed to have changed her mind. This is quite the conundrum. This is even worse than that time those Treasure Hoarders caught me and almost sold me were it not for Navia to rescue me. At least I can control this things legs, but that's all. Ugh, I hate what they did, and even more that I was awake the whole time and wet myself because my muscles refused to cooperate. What must they have been thinking?
I’m in a strange contraption, which I assume is a mek that I control. Are they using me as bait, or to test a new way to use them? Either way I’m going to be dead meat if someone from Fontaine finds me now.
Okay, stay calm girl, Aether will come and rescue you. In the meantime I should get used to these controls and then explore the area. Maybe there are some clues around here.
Experiment notes: Our creation works! And that reporter is none the wiser we can see her thoughts. Honestly, the plan was to control her, but when we found her journal I decided differently. This girl is the Travelers girlfriend. And you know how to prevent anyone else from interfering with us again? By making the Traveler kill her. Matthew was against keeping her conscious - that reporter could escape, he warned - but I waved that worry away. She's interlinked with that thing, any wrong move and it's bye bye to her breathing, food supply or excretion. And with the added plugs she can't even think straight.
Image: The first photo of the landscape as the woman wakes up. See how it's upside down and not everything filled in yet? This is before the brain fills in the gaps and turns it around. Hmm-hmm, the experiment is a definite success, and with our mass production soon we will swarm the lands with these meks. That should teach those faich Fontainains a lesson.
Experiment entry #2: Clever girl
Subject: No signs of brain damage, on edge in multiple ways but somehow fully aware and no change in her reactions.
Inner enigma (experimental subject header #2): I managed to scout the whole area in a day, but no way to get off this island. I haven't slept all night, yet I don't feel tired. Did they put something in that tube to keep me alert? Tried to ask people for help, but Aether thought them a bit too well. They instantly charged at me to destroy my legs, I've never run as fast in my life. Will still try though, one of these days they will alert him.
This situation is truly dire, I regret not telling Aether where I went. No no, chin up Charlotte. No use in feeling down.
Experiment notes: Oh how the tables are turned, bet she regrets messing with us right about now. But by the Electro Archon’s creations, this reporter is more handy than we though! She managed to get full control of the meks legs in a day and even managed to make plans despite the constant flow of aphrodisiacs. It's as if she's used to being teased constantly. Theory is that she and the Traveler had a deeper relationship than we had accounted for, since everything barely makes her flinch. Further research is necessary to make sure future soldiers won’t go haywire as well.
Image: A high-action shot of a group of invaders rushing to attack my precious creation. They target the legs, a definite weak point in my design. Newer versions will no longer have this flaw, that is I am sure of. Legs should go under the body, or even be completely dropped in favor of caterpillar tracks. Might take longer to fabricate, but way more durable.
Experiment entry #3: Secret code?
Subject: Brain activity in slight decline after three days of constant cognitive work. Still edged, no difference in reaction like the days before.
Subjects thoughts: This is scary, I know they are watching me, studying me even I assume. I hear scribbling somewhere inside the mek whenever I think, so they're writing down my thoughts. And I figured this visor is not just to control me if they wanted, but whenever I blink it makes a picture. Now it’s really time to put my detective and journalism skills to the test.
Remembering what Aether thought me was easy, but figuring out how to enact it is a different thing. Those lunatics are probably wondering why I constantly think in long signals and short signals.
Where are you, Aether? I need you. Please.
Experiment notes: She caught on faster than I predicted, these reporters aren't to be underestimated, especially ones that apparently have been starring in a movie. She should be dealt fast with before she figures out how to escape, these imperfect creations seem to always have a few flaws I’m not prepared for.
It won’t be long before this experiment will end though, as the lack of sleep begins to wear her down and the Traveler has been spotted heading towards this area.
Hmm, those flashes are troublesome. Her thoughts say its a pattern to get someone's attention, but no existing patterns match hers. And worse of all, it ruins the data we get. No matter, the data we have is enough already.
Soon they will meet, and I will enjoy every second of their downfall, especially to be the first person to read another’s last thoughts before death takes them. That will definitely improve our control over our volunteers.
Image: No suitable shots were recovered, either they were blurry or flashy. The only one was that of a beautiful bird that caught the subjects attention, but that one is worthless. Tomorrow will bring better results.
Experiment entry#4: Subjects close, begin with interference.
Subject: Clearly tired, brain shows sign of decline. Still nothing lethal, nor will it affect the subject long-time if she is allowed sleep between now and a day. Edging is getting to her.
Subjects thoughts: Aether! I saw him walk in the distance, he's looking for me. Oh Archons, please come this way soon. I need you. I want you. It's been almost a day, and he's still not on this island. I have so much to tell him, if only those leeches didn't listen.
He set up camp! First morning light I will meet him, and then he will hopefully not strike right away. I'm coming soon. Ugh I sound so desperate, but I want him.
Experiment notes: Subjects thoughts are getting scrambled, but she continues to flash her eyes in that pattern. Theory is that its the one thing keeping her going and not break down. We will let her do what she has planned, but when she meets she will be in for a surprise. Time to teach those noisy Fontainians a lesson and then make them too scared to even travel these grounds.
Image: A clear, still shot of the Traveler in the distance, his sword ready and looking around. Is this twink really the one that killed a lot of our members, helped Archons and saved nations? Looks are deceiving, and for future workers cautious is advised.
***
They are close. Set the data to constant flow, I want to see every last second of her demise. Even the thoughts, yes.
Subjects thoughts: Aether! He's finally on the island. How should I, ngh, approach him? I can't exactly waltz up to him and flash the eye to get his attention, that will surely result in me being sliced in half. Wait, why is the mek suddenly walking? Oh mierde, they can control this thing remotely. Switch plans, switch plans!
Look at her struggling to survive; heartrate spiking, brain scrambling to find ideas and body struggling in a desperate attempt to break free. How long will it continue to trash around when she's sliced in two? Ten seconds, twenty seconds? Will she still be able to speak when the Traveler removes the gear, or will he stare in her blank eyes, realizing his mistake? The drama is too good to move away from.
Subjects thoughts: Oh, now they let me have control back, right when he sees me. You got this, Charlotte! Just take a small step forward and- [Danque]! He just sliced two of my legs of in the blink of an eye. Look at my face, Aether! Please, don't kill me without even knowing it, I have so much to live for! I still want to marry you, have babies with you, travel the world with you!
The final moment is at hand, see how her life flashes before her eyes. All woman think the same, marriage, children, cozy home. Tsh, despicable.
Wait, what is he doing? Why is he talking to the mek, and not slicing it apart like any other? It is those flashes, but not to worry, we can take back control. In the meantime make sure our best analytics memorize that code, it will be very useful.
Subjects thoughts: He understands! Not entirely, but he knows I'm in their hands. Ugh, if only I knew all the vowels and consonants in morse code.
Oh good, he's writing it down. I'll repeat it slowly. What was it again? Oh yeah.
Write that down, now! This will be useful for future missions, if the Traveler and her are the only ones knowing this code than we have the advantage in everything. Send a dispatch to the area, we have control back but without its legs we can't do anything. And why is no-one taking control of the mek? Do that, stat!
Subjects thoughts: Yes, that's it! Remove the head so they can't listen on anymore. Careful, I still want to keep my head, hihi. I'm coming-
We lost contact?! Make sure that team gets there faster and dispose of them! If they escape we will have the entirety of Fontaines special forces knocking on our door.
What do you mean, they got away? Vanished before your eyes? What, the Traveler got flight or teleportation now. Yeah sure, and I'm a honest citizen. Hey, who's still broadcasting these notes!? What, you put a brainwashed slave in control?! Get him and make sure to wipe their memory before –
***
Field note Entry#8: Back, thankfully.
Potential headline: Secret ally and The Traveler, my love and savior.
Dear Miss Charlotte, I hope you see this. I thank you for messing with the controls of the helmet and giving me freedom to act. There was unfortunately little I could do to help you, but luck had it they put me in charge of the controls. Hope you’re
Field notes: This cut-off message was the last thing written down in the notes that were plastered in the mek. I’ve decided to add them to my article to pay respects for his help in freeing me. His sacrifice shall not be forgotten.
That was an intense week, I slept for almost two days straight after that debacle. To put it shortly, dear readers, I was trapped in one of those meks while given all the necessary things to survive. So next time you fight one of those machineries, don't strike them clean in half! There might be a person in there, controlling it against their will. The Traveler saved me though, and even made sure I was cared for. The doctor said there would be no long-lasting effects, and I'm glad for that. Oh, and we now know where their base is, Chevreuse and her team are already on their way.
[Sidebar: Merde, Aether read all the notes and my thoughts, and he's very pissed. I just managed to convince him not to go on a revenge streak and instead let the professionals deal with them. I barely remembered what happened after he freed me, but my needy aches have almost gone away and Aether seemed to be disheveled as well, so it was something that affected us both. Going to stop writing now, he's looking gloomily out of the window and I think another round might be necessary ;). More updates soon, I hope]
Field note entry #9: How can a whole mountain of people disappear!?
Potential headline: Mystery people ran away; hideout left with them. But another surprise was left behind
Field notes: things are getting strange, dear readers! The entire cliffside is gone, leaving a gaping hole. The only trace of their presence was found by Chevreuse, and was one of the missing people who had no memories of what happened. The same person of whom I messed with the helmet! He unfortunately doesn’t recognize me, so I can’t even thank him properly for rescuing me.
A dead end, others would say, but as a journalist and part time actor I believe it to be new opportunities for investigation and to find the real mastermind behind this. Who knows if they have bases in other nations. More updates when there are more clues!
[Sidebar: Promised Aether to not go out on dangerous missions without telling him first. I wasn't planning to do that anymore anyway, especially with Chevreuse almost arresting me for messing with affairs as a regular citizen. Aether did a good word for me, but I have officially ruined it with the Captain. No interviews with her anymore. Oh well, risks of being a thorough reporter.]
Potential photo: A sharp well-taken picture of the cliff side. It look hollow, the factory having taken more space than initially thought. On the foreground sits the dazed person, being taken care of by Chevreuse, looking professional and with her musket on her back. The man himself seems to be coming from Inazuma, which means he’s far from home. Did he leave before the Vision Hunt Decree, or was there another reason for him to be so far from home?
Field notes entry#10: Those ***holes!
Potential headline: Mistakes were made; strange flashes in Natlan and reports of people missing there.
Field notes: Those people stole our signals! They have been using them for a while now, and only recently me and the Traveler found out about this. With that however we have located their new hideout, and he is going with almost the entire Fontainian and Natlan' special teams to take them out once and for all.
Oh, almost forgot to say that it had been almost a month since my capture and freeing, and in all that time nothing really special happened. More updates soon when they have been caught and arrested.
[Sidebar: Ever since I nearly died (got therapy by the way, hooray for Aether's connections), Aether has been more lovey dovey with me, and especially more interested in special things. Now that he knows I can take a lot on my plate he also has become less homing over me, and sees me more like an equal. Really thought the opposite would happen, but he surprises me pleasantly each time.
Potential photo(s): Pixley, almost barely seeable, but the code is definitely noticeable. Four of them, spelling loot when you decrypt them. There are more, with their hideout flashing the most. Those clever bastards (excuse my language) sit in the suns direction, letting you think it's just the reflection.
Field notes entry #11: Hah!
Potential headline: People freed and the cause arrested; past grievances with Fontaine revealed.
Field notes: The people responsible for this have been caught. A day after my previous note the special units and the Traveler went in and destroyed the place, and he even almost killed that woman. Chevreuse managed to stop him, thankfully, and bring her to justice. Apparently her reason for doing all this was, and I quote: “show the people of Fontaine that we can dispose of our weak flesh and become one with Pneuma and Ousia.” She even has robotic limbs! With that this investigation has come to an end, and I will now write a detailed report.
[Sidebar: I consoled Aether when he came back, telling him I will be there for him always. That was apparently the final straw, as he bawled his eyes out. I stayed with him until he felt better and we watched my(!) movie after that while hugging and spooning. It was strangely cute to see him so vulnerable, but I only want to see him like that again with positive things in the future.]
Potential photo: One of the head cause of all this, named Miss Leroy. She has her legs only cuffed, while her metal arms are carried in a special patrol units arms behind her. She has a crazy look in the photo, spouting all kinds of nonsense that would even make the paparazzi think twice about writing it down. Charlotte out.
***
The typewriter dinged one last time as Charlotte finished her report, and she leaned back on her chair, stretching with a satisfied hum.
She had done it, made sense of the biggest clusterfuck of notes and potential photo's she and that woman had made. While she hadn't used all the notes, the clues the woman left in them were too juicy not to write down.
'I see you're done, time for a break?' His warm and callous hands touched her shoulders as he spoke, and Charlotte turned to him with a tired smile.
'That would be lovely, Aether. Same place as always?'
He nodded and stepped back so she could push back her chair, after which Aether held out his hand with a small bow. 'Ma bella journaliste.’
She chuckled. 'Is that an exclusive scoop just for me?’
‘Yes,’ Aether said as they headed out, ‘because I want to be the only one holding you.’
Her cheeks grew red and to hide it she kissed him on the cheek, and he kissed her as well, but on the lips instead. It made her even more flustered, which was exactly his goal.
‘Mon ami, I can’t go out like this.’
‘You can,’ he whispered, ‘because you’re front-page material.’
She had no arguments against that and they left their shared home to head for a cafe, chatting and holding hands all the while.