A chill ran through Mason's body. [i]Probably just a breeze,[/i] Mason figured. They were eating ice cream outside so it seemed plausible. Though, it wasn't a particularly chilly day.

"Are you cold, daddy?" a tiny voice asked. Mason smiled down at his little daughter and shook his head. "No," he told her, motioning her to hop off his lap so they could get up. He finished what was left of his cone and knelt down. His daughter carefully wrapped her free hand around her father's neck as he helped her adjust on his back. She wasn't heavy but it dawned on him that she may soon grow too old for piggy back rides. She was five now and was already growing to be quite independent. She won't want her dear old dad walking her around all the time. Until then, however, he would make use of the time he had before meeting up with Kennedy and the others. You only turn five once, anyway. He let her enjoy a few rides around Soldier's Field before deciding it was time to go. He started for his ex-wife's house, daughter in tow, stopping by a passing toy store so that she could pick out a present. Unsurprisingly, she picked out the largest Songbird plushie she could find. Mason carried it the rest of the way, listening to his daughter talk about how she would play with her new toy, having it free the Lamb and lock scary ol' Comstock in a cage atop the Monument. He couldn't help but feel proud.

After walking his daughter to her mothers, saying his 'happy birthdays', exchanging 'I love you's and 'goodbye's, and calling back to say "See you soon", Mason finally trekked back toward Soldier's Field, this time passing Crolean's Ice Cream Parlor. He pondered the occasion of his summoning, hoping that whatever it was it wouldn't take up too much of his day. Maybe someone had put up a reward to catch a suspicious dark-haired man lurking about the local primary school. He scoffed at the thought and made his way to The Fellow Traveler, a tavern located in Soldier's Field's lower portion. He often went here with his fellow Vox comrades after they had set up a small base of operations within the bar. He had come here before with his new cohorts after joining the Knights of Songbird to have a drink or two. He took a seat in the back of the bar and sipped at his Merlot, which he had purchased upon entering. Despite his scruffy appearance, Mason liked to drink classy.