Conqueror of Daylight

Chapter 36: Life Of The Party

The morning's light cast a serene glow over what was set to be an extraordinary setting within Strickler's familiar office. The day's agenda lay open on the desk, marked off in anticipation of the events to unfold, highlighted by the ominous glow of the Inferna Copula.

"Okay," Jim initiated the plan with determination while Strickler, portrayed in their collective imagination, appeared worn by the day's burdens, his forehead cradled in his hand as if bracing for the challenge ahead.

"We wait until he's asleep," Jim proposes, as the vision of their stealthy operation begins to take shape. With her shadow staff in hand, Claire confidently added, "I use my shadow staff to get us in," envisioning their silent procession into the dimly lit room. Y/N, alongside Jim and Toby, prepared to follow, each step measured and silent.

"And I ever so gently remove the ring from his finger," Jim continued, his hand hovering over the coveted Inferna Copula with the care of a master craftsman. However, Toby's practical inquiry, "Hold up there, Mr. Storyteller. Do changelings even sleep?" momentarily derailed their well-laid plans.

In the blink of an eye, their mental rehearsal took a dramatic turn as Strickler snapped to alertness within their imagined scenario, seizing Jim's wrist with a startling vigilance. Jim's shout and Strickler's growl momentarily froze the scene, a stark reminder of the precarious nature of their endeavor.

"Good point, Tobes... New plan," Jim quickly adapted, signaling their mental regrouping to forge an alternate strategy.

"We spike his coffee with extra strength cold medicine," Jim proposed next, the mental image of Strickler succumbing to the induced slumber vivid in their minds, his head hitting the desk with finality as the last of the coffee spilled over.

"I use the shadow staff," Claire reiterated her role, ready to cloak them in shadows for their undetected entry. Eager and ready, Toby added, "And I bring my Warhammer in case that doesn't knock him out," imagining his imposing figure prepared for action.

Y/N, determined, declared, "And I'll make sure we're not caught off guard," amulet in hand, glowing red as a testament to their preparedness for any challenge that might arise.

As they mentally navigated through their plan, Claire raised a practical concern, "Wait. What if he's not alone? His office was guarded last time." This introduced a new layer to their strategy, envisioning a goblin perched atop a bookshelf, its laughter echoing menacingly across the room, ready to disrupt their mission.

"Okay, fine. We spike the coffee," Jim conceded, adjusting their plan to account for the new obstacle. The scene in their minds replayed the addition of a potent liquid to Strickler's coffee, ensuring his deep slumber and allowing them to enter the office boldly without the previous caution.

Claire again confirmed her role, "Shadow staff," ready to envelop them in protective shadows. Filled with anticipation, Toby declared, "I use my Warhammer to take out his goons," picturing his hammer colliding with the goblin, effectively neutralizing the threat.

Jim then focused on the final objective, "Then I ever so gently remove the ring." His fingers reached for the ring, the culmination of their plan within grasp when Toby's speculative question paused their progress. "But what if it doesn't come off?" he pondered, throwing a spanner into the works.

"Why would it not come off?" Jim questioned, the simplicity of the task now clouded by doubt. Toby's imagination ran wild with possibilities, "I don't know. Maybe it's glued on, or he added a few pounds." Claire's frustration was noticeable, "Why would it be glued on, you dingus?" she retorted, her patience thinning.

Toby defended his caution, "You said to be ready for every precaution." Their plan, once seamless, now faced the whimsical hurdles of their collective imagination.