After toying with Matilda for a bit, Isaac soon went back to what he was doing prior to her call.
He returned to the suitcase, and, upon seeing the familiar figure of Druvis tending to the plants outside, he initiated a conversation.
"Today's the day." Walking towards her, Isaac spoke slowly. "Sotheby's father just arrived."
"Did you escort her safely to him?" She asked, not looking up, while watering the plants she had planted.
He scoffed. "Of course I did. But now that she's with her father, I don't think the Foundation can harm her in any way now."
Then, tucking his hands into his pockets, he let out a soft sigh as he looked up at the sky. "...do you think Ms. Vertin would allow this decision? Sending Sotheby to SPDM, I mean."
"I think Vertin can understand." She nodded before standing up. Then, turning around and looking at Isaac, she continued. "It was for the best. Sotheby is too young to be caught up in all this. She needs her family's assistance."
"I suppose you're right." He nodded lightly. He then changed the topic. "As for Regulus... to be honest, she's doing much better than I thought. If she doesn't do anything too troublesome, then there shouldn't be anything dangerous that could happen to her."
He paused for a moment before continuing with a question. "How about you?"
Druvis listened to him without interruption, nodding briefly in between. Then, after he finished speaking, she answered his question candidly.
"During my interaction outside the suitcase, I've come into contact with representatives of the Foundation." She explained. "They told me that, due to our circumstances, we would soon be put under a process of sublimation via lectures by the SPDM."
"Lectures. What an eloquent word." Isaac lowly chuckled. "Behavioral conditioning seems more like a fitting description."
If what she said was true, then that meant that Constantine was now planning to forcefully assimilate everyone in the suitcase by teaching them how the members of the Foundation operate.
But of course, that won't be easy. Everyone in the suitcase doesn't want to join an organization that is fractured inside where — at any moment — they, who are different from normal humans, could become canon fodder.
If the Mankind Caucus gains more influence within the Foundation and successfully implements their needs of a tighter control over the arcanists, then there is a greater chance that they will definitely suffer.
For mankind's fear is also what pushes them to be worse than beasts.
Their fear of arcanists — especially after the first Storm — have only grown since then. They need to control them somehow to preserve their own lives.
Everyone knows this — well, except Sotheby, of course. She still needs to learn, case in point.
Isaac thought for a moment before speaking. "I think we'll have to lean into the possibility that they'll be more aggressive with this one and won't take no as an answer."
"There's no doubt about it. Unless you and your partnership with Madame Z finally bore fruit, then we could only wait." She said before closing her eyes. Then, after pondering for a few moments she continued. "But of course, I won't be doing that."
He smirked. "I know you wouldn't. Have any plans?"
"...I'll form a network of connections. I've always been good at that regard even in the past." She glanced at the sides as she spoke, as if remembering a memory. "The Foundation is teeming with many people inclined to politics. If I play my cards right, then we could secure some people who could serve as our allies."
Isaac whistled softly after hearing her words. He then clapped thrice. "Brilliant. If you do that, then we could hold our ground better. But how would you do that?"
She briefly pondered before answering him, her tone growing more thoughtful with every word.
"I'll start by attending the lower-tier assemblies — the ones most people overlook. Policy reviews, budget drafts, oversight briefings... they're filled with minor officials and assistants who don't seem like much, but they're often the ones holding up the entire structure. I'll observe, listen, and approach the ones who seem dissatisfied or overlooked."
Her gaze sharpened slightly. "Discontent is fertile soil. If I offer them attention, recognition — maybe a few favors — I could build rapport. Not alliances yet, but soft connections. Give them what they lack, and in time, they'll lean toward me. All it takes is patience and the right openings."
"Scary. Seems like you really are good at this." Isaac raised a brow, clearly intrigued now. "So you're aiming for a grassroots political network?"
"Exactly." She gave a small nod. "It's subtle. It won't draw attention like outright lobbying or declarations. But once it's in place... a single word from me, and we'll have enough ears and hands in just the right places to quietly stall, divert, or reinforce whatever we need."
Isaac nodded, clearly impressed. "You're setting up a silent resistance. Or... no, more like a safety net."
"Both." She replied almost immediately. "A network that ensures we're not isolated. If things go south, we'll have people ready to delay the blow or shield us entirely. And if we push, we'll have allies to do so in unison."
Isaac gave her a grin, crossing his arms. "You sure you weren't a politician before? For some reason, I don't think a normal broke aristocrat is this good."
"I'm not. I've just been near it a lot. And..." She said with a small shrug. "Just never frequently gave it a try."
"Then here's to making history," He said, extending a hand playfully.
She didn't shake it — instead, she gave him a wry look. "Let's not jinx it."
He chuckled. "Fair enough. But if this works, I'll owe you dinner. The expensive kind."
"You don't need to do that. However..." She replied coolly, then added with a soft, subdued smile. "A simple meal could work."
Isaac laughed. "Aha, of course, my lady. Spoken like a true political operator."
With this in place, even if Isaac wasn't present, Druvis could handle the relationships of the suitcase well — not that she needed him in the first place to do that though, it seems.
The two of them continued to chat until the sun finally dipped into the horizon, bringing forth dusk and eventually nightfall.
A few days would pass with them planning their next move, while dealing with occasional problems.
But with this, they finally have another card up their sleeves.
---
The sunlight of a fresh morning dawned on the suitcase, bringing forth a new day.
Isaac woke up in his cabin as usual, did his routine, before going to the main building to make breakfast for the others.
After making breakfast, he was just about to eat, when suddenly, someone entered the suitcase.
"Hm?" Noticing this, Isaac stopped his fork midair and turned around. "Who could be entering at this hour?"
As he asked himself that question, the figure that entered descended the stairs and soon revealed their figure.
Seeing who it was, a look of surprise appeared on his face.
"Ms. Sonetto?"
The chief assistant of the Timekeeper, Sonetto, had appeared. After being away for a long time due to the Foundation's orders, she had finally returned.
Seeing Isaac, whose fork was piercing a pancake, look at her, Sonetto lingered before replying.
"Mr. Isaac, it's you. Where are the others?"
"...asleep." He gave a succinct reply. Then, pointing at the plate of freshly cooked pancakes, he invited her. "Have you had breakfast yet? Come, let's eat."
"Erm, I..." She hesitated for a moment, but upon smelling the delicious smell of the pancakes, she surrendered. "I... will be here briefly. So excuse me."
Then, walking over and sitting down at the table, she spoke to him, her tone a bit formal. "Mr. Isaac, I have something to speak with you about."
Isaac, with a casual air, slid a plate toward her. "You can tell me while eating. These pancakes aren't half-bad today — might even be a little fluffy."
Sonetto blinked at the plate, then at him. "This is... I didn't come here for breakfast."
"And yet..." He cut into his pancake and popped a bite into his mouth. "You're sitting at the table with a fork in your hand."
"I—" She looked down, realizing she had, indeed, picked up the fork almost by reflex. Her stomach gave a quiet but timely protest. "...I skipped breakfast due to the early summons."
"Then you're just in time." Isaac gestured encouragingly. "No one should carry official business on an empty stomach. It dulls the judgment."
Sonetto sighed, giving in. She took a small bite — and her composed expression gave the faintest flicker of surprise. "This is... very well done."
He grinned. "Why thank you. Glad to know that my pancake game hasn't turned dull."
Chewing thoughtfully, Sonetto set her utensils down just briefly to speak. "Mr. Isaac, I must apologize if this seems sudden, but I wasn't simply passing by. I was sent by Laplace... specifically, by Laplace's directive office."
Isaac raised an eyebrow while pouring syrup onto his second pancake. "That sounds... heavy for this early in the morning."
What did Laplace even want from him?
"They instructed me to deliver this message personally." She paused, then continued. "You've been summoned for an audience. They wouldn't disclose the reason, only that your attendance is non-negotiable."
Isaac didn't flinch — he simply took another bite, chewing slowly as he processed the words. "Well. That's definitely not what I expected to hear with my breakfast."
"Forgive me for bringing this up to so early." She added with a faint grimace. "I would have waited, but the instructions were... strict."
"No need to apologize." He said easily. "You're just doing your job. Still, couldn't they have waited until after breakfast?"
Sonetto gave him a very faint look — something between exasperation and reluctant admission. "I did... Barely."
Isaac chuckled. "Fair enough. Just let me finish my pancakes, and I'll be ready to face the mysterious summons of bureaucracy."
She hesitated, then took another bite of her own breakfast.
"They really are good." She admitted softly. "I'm sure the Timekeeper would also like this if she were here..."
"I accept your praise with full humility." He replied with a faint smile present. "I think Ms. Vertin would like it too."
For a brief moment, the tension of the early summons melted away into the comfort of warm food and easy company — a short reprieve before the weight of responsibility came calling once again.
Once more, he loved this serene feeling.