[u]North Side Apartments[sup]™[/sup][/u] [i]Near North Side, Tenebrae [color=lightgray]Time: Late Night[/color][/i] [@Blizz] [i]”If it means Tenebrae doesn’t get destroyed, then I’m in. But still, how are we getting there?”[/i] The doctor's gaze seemed to drop. "Well, the thing is... I haven't thought of that yet." It was a lie, of course. He [I]had[/i] thought of it. But now... He leaned toward Ellie, face tense. "I have a favour to ask of you tomorrow morning. I mean, uh, if you're okay with it. There's a package I want to give you." He took out his phone and began tapping through some screens. "I'll arrange to have it delivered. It's a small underwater drone, it should fit on your motorcycle. From there, it will uh, if you could, um, just drop it into the water along the shoreline of the Loop." Dream raised an eyebrow. "Reconnaissance right before a mission?" The doctor stammered. "I-it's the best I got. Time's not on our side, but I assure you I'll think of something before we start." Dream studied the doctor before nodding. "Then I'll rent some scuba equipment. It won't be ideal, but we can swim there if we have to. It's a plan B while you come up with plan A." He nodded. "Y-yeah, that sounds, uh, fair." "Ellie," Dream glanced her way, "How about I take you for that coffee tomorrow evening?" *** True to the doctor's word, after he and Dream left Ellie's apartment for the night (and they all caught a few hours of sleep), Ellie received a knock at the door early in the morning. Laid out on the carpet in front of her door was a large, steel briefcase, unlocked, with a delicately placed drone inside, pressed against the case's foam walls. The drone itself seemed to be a few generations ahead of technology, with a sleek design and a strong motor. It would be perfect to survey the lab and, hopefully, find a point of entry for her and Dream to slip in unannounced. All that was left was to slip it quietly into the ocean. [hr] [b]BREAKING NEWS[/b] Location: All media outlets, Tenebrae [color=lightgray]Time: Early Morning[/color] [@Lady Seraphina], [@Shu], [@Blizz] A brawl broke out at the Love Street last night, or as the locals like to call, the 'Haven'. Footage taken from the fight shows the bar erupting in panic as a woman throws a lit Molotov cocktail at a man, who then catches fire. Mild damages were also inflicted on the bar, like the scorch marks on the floor. The two suspects fled the scene shortly after. Police arrived at the scene later that night, however, the bar's owner is not pressing charges. *** Scandal at the museum! Owners found the safe holding the to-be-veiled Queen's diadem empty last night. Police were called to the scene when the night guards heard an explosion on the third floor. Two suspects fled the scene, one described as wearing ninja clothing, the other bearing a red crescent emblem. Police, at this time, do not have them identified. If anyone has any information, contact your local police department immediately. *** Local jewellers found their doors and windows blown open last night, along with half of the cars along the street. However, nothing was stolen. Police only have footage of a masked suspect in the store, and then a bright light appears at the edge of the camera. Choppers sweeping the area report a streak of light shooting down the streets toward Near North Side, and police have reason to believe two suspects are behind the bombings. However, at this time, police do not have these suspects identified. [hr] [u][url=https://goo.gl/maps/Pw9ho4hGnSC6Nsrv9]Navy Pier[/url][/u] [i]Loop, Tenebrae [color=lightgray]Time: Early Morning[/color][/i] [@Blizz] "My my, what do we have here." said a smooth, silvery voice. Behind Rainsinger stood a tall man, just over six feet, with a strong build and black garb covering his muscles. A silver chain clasped a large, black, flowing mantle on his shoulders, a prominent collar sweeping his neck. Gleaming silver hid his eyes and nose in a simple, elegant mask, and his ash-brown hair had thick curls, beautifully framing his face. "I would mention that the park doesn't open until ten, but then again," his smile widened. "We're not here because we follow rules." They both stood under the pier's ferris wheel, gleaming with water like a spider's web at dawn. Then man took a step forward, gaze intent on Rainsinger. "What I want to know is," a chill seeped into his voice. "What a man like you, one of the most powerful meta's in Tenebrae history, is doing back from the dead. You go by many names, Rainsinger. Or should I say... [i]Mr. Danvers.[/i]" A howl of wind swept up between them. He appeared relaxed, the contrast only showing in his sharp, discerning eyes; he knew Rainsinger would be the type to talk first, especially with the way Rainsinger fondly walked through the pier's attractions like a sailor with a bittersweet heart. He had lived long enough to see some of Tenebrae's history, and couldn't help the curiosity in him, staring at this superhuman. What would cause the ocean's trident to come back to port? [hr] [u][url=https://goo.gl/maps/rCVuusY6QE7jrdXt7]Cloud Gate[/url][/u] [i]Loop, Tenebrae [color=lightgray]Time: Late Morning[/color][/i] [@Lady Seraphina] Her boots shone with what remained of last night's rain, kicking pebbles off the slicked sidewalk. On her back lay strapped a guitar case, and her face remained shadowed by the Shadow Knight's hood. Hands in her pockets, she strutted up to the raised platform, ignoring the tourist's photo she was clearly photo-bombing. As she shrugged off the guitar case, an Initial D jingle sounded from her pocket. She tossed her hood back, revealing a flaming wreath of red hair and a colourful mask atop her eyes. "Hey, you finally awake?" She said, pressing her phone to her ear. [code]"Don't you pretend you're not in trouble, Myriad. What the hell are you thinking?"[/code] "Relax. You need bed rest, and I was free. Besides, she doesn't like you, sir." A theatrical shrug. "You just can't help a woman's heart." [code]"What? I don't care if she—Ugh, listen, this lead is dangerous. You know she can easily overpower you if things don't go according to plan."[/code] She sat down on the steps, setting the guitar case beside her. "Your regard for me is too high if you think I have a plan, sir." [code]"Oh my g--"[/code] Muffled grumbling came from the other side of the line. [code]"Fine. But I'm putting some men on extraction detail. And lay low, Chronos got his badge shown on the news earlier."[/code] "Alright, sir. So, that means you're letting me off the hook?" [code]"Not even close."[/code] She laughed, "Glad you're feeling better, sir." After the call disconnected, she popped open the guitar case at her feet. Inside lay a gleaming, jet black acoustic guitar, which she took into a practiced grip and gave the strings a quick strum. Perfectly in-tune. She glanced over at the passersby to the streets of Tenebrae, eyes open for a certain Valkyrie ghost. And then, she began to play. [hr] [I]Location: Unknown, Tenebrae [color=lightgray]Time: Daytime[/color][/i] [@Shu] It was a few minutes later when Kara’s phone lit up. On the incoming call screen was a photo of an old Chinese man with a grey beard, flowing hanfu robe wrapped around his full belly. In one hand he pressed a wary black cat to his chest. This was the call Kara had been waiting for. “Hello, Miss Shadow,” said a gravelly, spirited voice on the other end. “It’s been a long time since I’ve heard from you. Why don’t you come down to the jade shop when you have a moment? I—hey! Where do you think you’re going?” The voice moved away from the receiver as the sound of crates knocked over in the background. A long, drawn-out meow could be heard. “At least look at me when I’m talking to—,” the voice sighed. “And there she goes. What am I going to do with that cat.” The sound of a smile returned to his voice. “No bother, I’m sure you’ll see her before you leave. I’ll set a pot of tea for you and we can catch up. And, obviously, discuss my new shipment of goods.” With that subtle hint, he chuckled. “Come now, old man Shen wouldn’t forget about paying his respects to the [i]Queen[/i]. I’ll leave the door open for you.” *** The Jade Arts Emporium, situated on Oak Street in Near North Side Tenebrae, was the kind of store you'd shop at to find a souvenir for your millionaire grandmother back home. Most of its glass shelves were lined with ornate jade, gold and precious stone creations. Just to window-shop, one could easily get lost in the mystic quality. But, more covertly, the store had a locked back door filled with strange and highly illegal goods. Of course, Mr. Shen behind the front counter had the key, neatly tucked away in his hanfu. [hr] [u]The Perfume Gourmet[/u] [i]Oak Street, Near North Side, Tenebrae [color=lightgray]Time: Daytime[/color][/i] [h3][u]Dream[/u][/h3] The last customer left with their bags of packaged Wonderlust and Versace before the afternoon lull set in. Dream, dressed in her business professional attire, set about dusting the shelves in her glossy-floored shop while her assistant counted receipts. "Miss Epherel?" The young girl pressed her round glasses to her face, squinting at the door. "I think I see a cat scratching the glass." "Hm?" Dream said, glancing to the door. A small, thin black cat stared back, yellow eyes like daggers. Dream stared flatly back. "Give me one good reason why I should open this door for you." "Because, darrrling, I bring news that will shatter your whole world." the cat purred through the glass, voice high and garbled. Dream didn't move. "Please, I'll be five minutes." the cat said, winking. "Only five minutes." Dream opened the door, beckoning the cat in. "Wait in the showroom, and [i]don't[/i] break anything." The young assistant stared nervously as the cat leaped upon the receptionist's desk, sitting perfectly poised while Dream went into the back room. A minute later, Dream came back carrying a small plate filled with canned tuna, and the cat smiled. "You always know how to treat your guests, darling." the cat said before taking a bite. "So, what's this news." Dream folded her arms, leaning on the desk's raised counter. "Always to the point. That's what I like about you." The cat mused, eating the rest of the canned tuna before turning towards Dream. "You might want to consider closing shop. They've caught on to you, and it's only a matter of time before they approach you." Dream's heart panged in her chest, and she pursed her lips. "Who?" "Oh, wouldn't you like to know?" The cat teased. Dream only glared, and the cat chuckled shyly. "Okay, okay." her voice dropped a note, eyeing her assistant warily. "It's the Hunters. The you-know-who of the you-know-what." Oh, didn't she know? The Hunters were the reason behind a large part of the disappearances lately. Dream's face pulled into a grimace. It was their sick pleasure to aggressively investigate until they uncovered a meta's secret identity or unreported powers. They certainly had an edge with their own meta's sleuthing—telepathy, or a type of psionic [i]talent[/i], she figured. Her hand unconsciously ran over her face, pressing back the hot, angry tears that wanted to escape her eyes. All her years of hard work to make a life for herself, her secret, normal life. The shop, her home, everything registered under Malyn Epherel... could it really? Dream strode across the floor and opened the door wide. "Thank you, but we're closed now." The cat eyed her mischievously, hopping off the desk. "Taking my advice so quickly, I see." "Who wouldn't, Madame Fauxpaw. Please, send my regard to Master Shen." The cat paused at the door, looking up at Dream sympathetically. "You know, darling... we could protect you." "Absolutely not." The cat simply shrugged. "We will see. Have a good day, you two." As the door closed behind the cat, Dream flipped over the 'closed' sign and locked the front door. Her assistant stood up, knocking her chair back in her haste. "W-what's going on, Miss Epherel?" she asked. Dream came closer, putting her hand on the girl's shoulder. "I want you to listen very carefully to me, Anne. You should go home early today and start looking for a new job." The girl's eyes began to tear up. Dream patted her shoulder, "Hey, take it easy. You're not in trouble. You'll be paid a full day's wages today, two weeks' wages, plus all your vacation pay." "That's not what I'm worried about," Anne said. "Is what that cat said true? Do you really have to close shop? You can't, I don't want to work anywhere else." Dream tilted her head, then nodded. "Fine. I'll contact you after a week and let you know if the store's out for good or not. So for now, consider it an unexpected vacation." The girl seemed to relax at that. "Okay, Miss Epherel, I'll go get my things." Dream stood in the showroom alone, eyes staring unseeing through the glittering bottles and illuminated shelves. The renowned Madame Fauxpaw, known well in the vigilante community for her spy work—who even knew Dream's own secret identity, as she did countless others—wouldn't normally tell a lie. It would be best to investigate this for herself and pray the cat was wrong. But then again, when was a spy like her ever wrong?