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Oh that. Togusa leans back in his chair casually. "I started asking myself what was a potential causal effect of all this. We have been looking at the latest chain of cause and effect. The application shows up, horses turn into birds," Togusa waves a hand back and forth to indicate cause and effect. "But what else has been happening in this city, before that?" Something prior to that cause.

"Major renovations on the city's entire subway system. Nobody allowed down there, it's really dangerous. Except that a shut down subway would also be a way for Retrospec to have snuck packages and people and dogs and maybe even a building into the city without being seen." Togusa spreads his hands out. "I have zero evidence to back this. Not saying they had anything to do with the subway being shut down, also, mind you? But that it provided a window of opportunity for Retrospec to begin operations."

"I see," he muses, unfolding the map. Glancing over it, he considers what Togusa has just told him.

"It's possible, though even Retrospec would have difficulties moving larger objects frequently without someone taking notice, surely." But how was he to know for sure? With all that was happening, Ardyn was liable to believe that Retrospec employees were able to turn invisible, at this rate. It would go well with the rest of the inanity happening around them.

"Any plans on this being investigated further? With minimal effort, it wouldn't be difficult to keep surveillance at its entrance. If there's any suspicious foot traffic coming back and forth, it'd be caught eventually."

But he's listening. He at least recognizes that Togusa is right in that they have to check to know for sure that it's not getting used. But how to get down there without being seen, themselves?

"I took the liberty of contracting a pair of private investigators within the city. I wasn't able to requisition Department resources for this, and Detective Gabranth seems- reluctant to use his rank for it." Togusa's opinion of the man keeps wavering between massive respect and frustration that he isn't utilizing the greater freedom of movement that is precisely what Togusa craves about the Detective rank.

"So I wasn't going to wait," Togusa continues. "I spoke with Viktor Nikiforov, he and his partner are going to keep an eye on the building. Admittedly, I had to hire them privately, but they should be getting back to me within a week."

He has no reason to not show interest in this potential lead, even if it may end up being nothing. Ardyn Izunia gives off an air of being rather carefree and unflappable, but the truth of the matter is that he's just as concerned about all these changes, perhaps just as much as any given officer on the police force. It's merely difficult for a stranger to see past his wry remarks and sometimes frustratingly puzzling sense of humor.

To his credit, his conversations with Togusa always have an edge of earnestness to them. This is no exception.

"In that case, I take it you'll let me know what the results are. I may not be able to aid you in any capacity, but let me reassure you that I'm just as interested in seeing this through to the end."

There's a palpable pause, though Ardyn hides it with the way he casually adjusts his cuff of his sleeves. "Why do you think Detective Gabranth feels reluctant to throw his weight around on this matter?"

Togusa knows what an honest statement sounds like out of Ardyn, and there is a small smile when he gets some support from him. "Thank you. On one hand, I feel poorly for bringing you into this, but enough of your family has been involved, there's no way I'd try to cut you out. If Retrospec didn't want you around, it's too late for that. And, believe me, you're already helping a lot."

Ah, but what about Gabranth? Togusa hmms and puts a hand to his chin. "He's been advising me to keep my head down, but to continue looking into things. The problem is that around the network, my name is the one that keeps coming up when people have questions. So it seems like I'm going to get noticed no matter what I do, but I'm also-" Oh, how to put this? Togusa waves a hand like he's trying to get the right word. "Reluctant's a good way to put this. Reluctant to make it seem like I'm trying to take charge on an unofficial investigation above people who have more rank than me." Gabranth included.

A spike of gratefulness rises at Togusa's first few statements, and Ardyn smiles. He's sincerely glad to know someone who is helpful, concerned, and headstrong (in just the right amounts) as Togusa. His ex-student never fails to impress, one way or another.

But for now, it only makes sense to move the conversation forward, re: certain people's reluctance. The professor makes an audible attempt to keep any particular bias out of his tone, though how successful he is depends on the listener.

"And yet being reluctant is the last thing I would expect from anyone in authority. Retrospec has invaded privacy, is almost certain the cause -- or at least, the instigator -- behind the memories and physical changes, and since its appearance has caused literal universal changes around us."

A pause, and not just for effect. He exhales.

"Shouldn't this provide motivation instead? I know you all have bureaucracy to think about, and several who won't believe this fantastical story, but you can see why from an outsider's perspective it feels like... stagnancy."

It's not intentional that Togusa's form grows slightly more tense as Ardyn speaks. These are thoughts that have gone unacknowledged in Togusa's own mind, the utter frustration at people who have the ability and authority to really help people and who choose not to use it, or worse, to abuse it. But, not Gabranth. He's not like that. Is he? Fynn's objections echo in Togusa's mind, as well, the accusation that Gabranth has forgotten what it's like to be a lower-ranked officer, spent too much time on top. Togusa can't just brush it off because it rings with some truth.

But Togusa holds out his hand. They're hitting up on one critical difference between Ardyn and Togusa, and the reason why Togusa ended up where he did. "Procedure is important. Without the structure that the law gives us, there's the temptation for every officer to trust their judgement above the judgement of everybody who's come before them."

But he stops, and that hand forms a fist. "But then what do you do when you come across a situation like this? One that the existing law hasn't prepared for? One that nobody could have conceived of? We have to find that balance between acting within our own personal codes of justice and the code that the law has set out for us. I can't allow myself to do nothing while people are getting hurt. But there are parts of the structure of the Department that I also can't turn my back on."

Ardyn listens, not interrupting, as Togusa explains. He certainly does not feel that he is wrong, for finding balance is often the ideal in just about any situation -- and yet, that's a rather idealistic way of thinking, isn't it? Perhaps some would consider it strange that Ardyn, professor of law, would think in such a manner. In reality, he believes flexibility and compromise is key in the world of law; nothing ever remains set in stone, changing constantly with the times, tweaked by the whim of the zeitgeist.

"Balance, then? I'd be a fool to argue against the rationality behind what you've said. Being cautious is hardly ever a failing," he says. "And yet, I also agree that no one could have prepared for a situation like this. In that sense, how does one judge what is balanced, and what is merely being too cautious? Too stationary?"

A shrug of broad shoulders. Despite his words, he'd never push Togusa into doing anything he'd be uncomfortable with, and doesn't mean to suggest as much.

"Difficult to say. As of now, Retrospec has the advantage. Acting when our backs become pressed to the wall may be too little too late, and that time might come before we even realize what's happening."

Ardyn has unknowingly found the precise issue. It was Togusa's idealism unwilling to bend in the face of what would have been required of him as a lawyer that sent him to a field that was more absolute. But it's that exact same problem that's coming up here. Should the law change to fit the situation? How about when there is a situation the law has not accounted for?

"The whole point of this is to bring them under accountability under the law. Because they think they can act as they please, subvert the entire system. You're right in that they have the advantage. But we can't fail to act out of-" a shrug, "fear of their retribution? The worry that they have so much control over our circumstances?"

"Circumstances, not us." He glances back up at Ardyn. "I guess, maybe a push is in order. I've already spoken to some people, and maybe I'll have to make it more widespread. The balance is in remembering that our first job is to the people. There are people who need protecting from Retrospec."

"And if I can't get my superiors' attention, maybe enough citizen complaints will." Togusa leans back in his chair, stretches out his arms. "Oh, Gabranth is going to be pissed if I manipulate the system like that. But if it's the only way to get anything started?"

And that turns Ardyn's smile into a wry one. Sharp and lopsided, as Togusa would've been used to seeing during the professor's many lectures at university.

"I think seeing a push would be enough to reaffirm that the police department is doing what they can in the face of all these mysteries. Besides, who said anything about manipulation?"

A chuckle. "You said it yourself; your job is to the people. And if the people complain, if they make their voices heard, one would be under obligation to respond, wouldn't they? The Detective would have absolutely no reason to be upset."

And that gets Togusa to outright laugh, his irritation from only moments ago forgotten. "Oh, just because Detective Noah Gabranth has no reason to get upset doesn't mean he won't get upset." Togusa shakes his head. He will completely acknowledge why his superior officer is difficult to work with.

"There's a chance that we've already gotten enough extra help with this latest update, though. I counted a new detective, two new officers, and a member of our CSI team. But at least I want us to let the Department know what we're doing. Even if we've got the numbers to act on our own."

"I'm still going through some unofficial investigations, there are some leads, mostly of information that people have probably overlooked, to go through. It's man-hours more than anything else." He sighs and shrugs. "But, for some reason, again, it's my name that keeps coming up."

"A stubborn sort of man, isn't he?" Good for you, Ardyn, you left your criticisms of his character rather vague and generally without undue bias. Gold star.

He effortlessly moves on.

"If the investigations are of an unofficial capacity, you know of a lawyer-slash-professor who would be more than willing to put in some effort, should his schedule allow it. Maybe then my name can annoyingly crop up almost as often as yours."

Togusa's smile softens, remains very genuine. The whole situation feels strangely lonely, as if it's supposed to be all on the Department to protect everyone else from Retrospec. But maybe it doesn't have to be. "I'd appreciate it. As I've mentioned before, it's far too late to tell you to butt out."

"That," he nods towards Ardyn's coat, where the map is hidden back away, "might be coming into play sooner rather than later. All I need is the right opportunity."

Interest sparks in him almost immediately at those words. Ardyn straightens in his seat, looking at Togusa quizzically, but certainly not with any amount of hesitation.

"Is that so? Should I ask for the details?"

"At least, somebody needs to go down there and check, are people being kept out of there because it is actually unsafe and there is active construction? Or is there something being hidden down there. Is Retrospec taking advantage?" Togusa smiles a little. "And they can't keep us out of every entrance all the time. Looking into something like this is right in the job description, isn't it?"

Well now, this is an exciting sort of proposition. Sign Ardyn up; he's ready to do a little exploring in dark, abandoned subways for the sake of potentially unravelling the mystery.

"You're right, it is. And I'd hate to discourage you from doing your job." That is definitely not a mischievous intonation in his words.

"I'll gladly help. The more pair of eyes, the better, hm?"

Oh really? Togusa leans forwards in interest, because this is something he'd like to see. "Getting the Professor out of the classroom? Like I said, I'll take all the help I can get." But this is going to be some help he will be fascinated with.

"I'll be sure to let you know when I give it a try, then." When, not if. As soon as he gets a clear opportunity, Togusa will go for it.

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