Lauriel

One of our best employees hasn't turned her reports in. Again. Please track her down and retrieve her paperwork.  Come see me in my office for more details.
- Chief Mudrock

1.) Head to the Zeiss Central Factory and acquire more info from Chief Mudrock
 * Bonus BP! Consult with Kilika about the request
Kilika: "Do you have something to report?"
           [About Job]
Estelle: "Yeah the way it says... Again seems a little odd? Do. you know what's going on?"
Kilika: "Ah. Lauriel has once again neglected her duties."
Estelle: "Eh?"
Kilika: "You will learn all in the course of your duties. But I will say this, you are not the first bracers of Zeiss to accept this request and I doubt you will be the last"
Estelle: "Ooookay then. We're off"

2.) Conversation with Chief Mudrock
CM: "Ah Estelle, Joshua, what can I do for you?'
Estelle: "Excuse me sir, we're here about the request you filed?"
CM: "Ahh I see. Yes well let me explain "
Chief Mudrock stands up and brushes down his shirt before beginning to pace
CM: "Despite his fame, Professor Russel is not the only genius on my staff here. In fact I'd say most of my workers were exceptional! But some of them take after him in more ways than one... Lauriel is one of our finest researchers, an expert on orbements and works directly with Professor Russel as an assistant and apprentice of sorts. However she's also taken up, his worst habits of getting fixated on a project and forgetting to turn in any paperwork!"
Chief Mudrock shakes his first and stitches his portrait to a yelling sprite before calming down.
Estelle: "Uh... Okay? How can we help?"
CM: "Ahem. Yes. She's not in her office so I'm sure she's wandered off somewhere to gather 'live data'. Please go track her down and make sure she's alright and if you can get a report on what she's up to out of her."
Estelle: "Okay got it! Any clue which way she's gone?"
CM: "Hmph, she might be on the road towards Lieston. Last I heard she was working with tactical orbments."

Outside Mudrock's Office
Estelle shakes her head
Estelle: "Kinda weird isn't it? Most employees wouldn't get bracers sent after them if they skipped work. They'd get fired."
Joshua: "Genius has its privileges"
(If in party) Tita: "Heehee ... You're right but... Lauriel is the only person who can keep up with Grandpa when he's got a big idea."
Estelle: "Wait really? She's as smart as he is?"
Tita: "I mean...I don't know... She's really smart but Grandpa is..."
Estelle: "Yeah... Well I guess if she's that smart..."
Tita: "And she's super nice! She hangs out with me sometimes and is always super helpful when I need it. So let's go look for her before she gets into trouble"
Estelle: "Awww... Yeah! Let's go!"

3.) Proceed down Ritter Road.
Halfway between Soldat Army Road Branch and Santkheim Gate
Sounds of fighting and monsters roaring
Estelle: "Hear that? Come on! We need to check it out"
Joshua: "Move!"
Party rushes forward to find a young woman wearing a checkered white and black coat standing before three monsters. She is holding a tactical orbment in her hand, which glows brightly before letting out a loud sound, after which the young woman yells in pain and drops to the ground.
Tita: Lauriel! No!
Party enters combat with Lauriel as a NPC at half health, Lauriel does not move during the fight but will use a speed boosting support craft every other turn.

After fight
Lauriel lays collapsed on the side of the road, groaning in the grass. Tita rushes over and begins frantically checking on her while Estelle and Joshua stand to the side.
Lauriel: "Hey no, sweetie what are you doing here this place isn't safe."
Lauriel attempts to sit up but only succeeds when Joshua steps in to help.
Lauriel: "Oh thanks mister man...  you're a bracer." Her head turns towards Estelle "I guess you both are, thanks for the save. What brings you out here?
Joshua: "We've been tasked to look for you, ma'am "
Estelle: "Miss Lauriel? Chief Mudrock asked the bracers guild to come find you and make sure you're alright, you're late on your paperwork."
Lauriel begins to laugh, falling back on the ground
Lauriel: "Hahahahaha, that's rich. Oh I must really be behind this time. Damn, lucky timing though, even I couldn't have predicted this one..."
Lauriel sits up again and stands, patting a still worried Tita on the head, giving the two bracers a somewhat intense look, undercut by her clear exhaustion
Lauriel: "But what's everyone's favorite worker mouse doing out here with you?"
Tita: "Oh oh! Don't be mad, they're escorting me to Elmo to fix the pumps. We heard you were missing and I wanted to make sure you were safe"
Lauriel: "Oh. That's really sweet of you. Thanks dear."
Lauriel: "I don't suppose I could ask for some introductions and a favor, my good bracers?"
Estelle: "Oh! I'm Estelle Bright, Junior bracer and this is Joshua"
Joshua: "Joshua bright, of the same affiliation. What do you need? Pardon me for saying this but you look like you're about to collapse."
Lauriel; "I mean... I wouldn't put it like that really. I've gone longer - "
Tita bonks Lauriel
Lauriel: "Alright fine, could you two take me back to Zeiss? My tactical orbment has overloaded itself. I was testing it's limits and well, I found them"
Estelle: "Oh wow, I didn't think that was possible?"
Lauriel: "Not normally! This is an experimental model meant to handle increased energy outputs, to see if we can get even more complicated Arts to pass through them without well... Going boom"
Joshua, somewhat pale: "That sounds... Dangerous."
Lauriel: "Science usually is! What do you say though, escort?"
Estelle: "Of course. Let's get you back quickly"
Estelle: (Before something else blows up...)
4.) Return to Zeiss and report quest