[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ZJtTvde.png[/img][/center][hr] Dusk had settled in St. Portwell. A purple wind had arrived in front of Kari’s house, and the three had appeared. Kari loudly yawned as she stretched her arms upwards. [color=eac6ae]”See, that’s faster [i]and[/i] less of a pain in the ass than flying, isn’t it?”[/color] Kari smiled at Selena. Yoko, meanwhile, had deployed the holographic display of Goro’s Wayfinder… the map wasn’t as detailed as Kari’s. Yoko turned to Kari as she said, [color=fce420]”Wilson,”[/color] Yoko began. [color=fce420]”Why does [i]this[/i] seem less detailed than…”[/color] Yoko pulled Kari’s Wayfinder out of her pocket and deployed the map. It was, unlike Goro’s Wayfinder, a three-dimensional map of the All-Verse. [color=eac6ae]”Oh? That?”[/color] Kari shrugged. [color=eac6ae]”You, my friend, are holding the original replica. Made with Goro’s Mass Production Spell.”[/color] [color=fce420]”Oh…”[/color] Yoko said, pressing the central gem on Kari’s Wayfinder to turn off the holographic display. [color=eac6ae]”... The original Wayfinder should be with Goro,”[/color] Kari shrugged. [color=eac6ae]”But, this is just as good… even though it’ll give you a vague estimation at times if you hit me up, I can help you and guide you better.”[/color] Wilson… always willing to help. What a great friend ([color=fce420][i]I don’t deserve it[/i][/color]). Yoko sighed before she turned to Selena, still holding the Wayfinder. [color=fce420]”Should we start with the closet one?”[/color] Yoko asked. [color=eac6ae]”It might be leading you to the… Blackmores,”[/color] Kari huffed, then rolled her eyes. [color=eac6ae]”Though, I also know that Goro was trying to get Ashley to give up the Apparition Killer, so maybe she knows.”[/color] Kari shrugged. [color=5658ff]”We might as well. If Stone is [i]willing[/i] to put up with us after this long. Does it say which artifact is nearby [i]exactly?”[/i][/color] Selena asked, looking over at the map. Kari put her hands behind her back, then awkwardly laughed, [color=eac6ae]”... You know, Goro and I overlooked that. Because you know,”[/color] She shrugged. [color=eac6ae]”The plan was to get [i]all[/i] of them, you know.”[/color] [color=5658ff]”...Fascinating.”[/color] She was just a [i]bit[/i] underwhelmed at something so simple being overlooked. [color=5658ff]”Then I suppose we’re paying the Blackmores a visit.”[/color] Kari rolled her eyes. [color=eac6ae]”... Have fun with that.”[/color] She walked back towards her house, only to come to a stop as she said, [color=eac6ae]”I know you’re both probably aware, but [i]please[/i] be careful. St. Portwell is probably just as dangerous [i]now[/i] as it was when we were fighting Stiggy.”[/color] Kari took a moment to push her glasses up her nose as she continued, [color=eac6ae]”There is a new faction, Das Sonnenrad, roaming the streets, especially at night. I know you two are capable, but, uh, please, just be careful. Promise?”[/color] Yoko smiled, before jamming herself in the chest with a thumb, [color=fce420]”... You know me!”[/color] Yoko laughed. [color=fce420]”No promises!”[/color] [color=eac6ae]”... Oh lord,”[/color] Kari rolled her eyes. [color=eac6ae]”If - [sub][i]or when[/i][/sub] - you get into some trouble or get stuck, just hit me up, and I’ll see what I can do.”[/color] [color=fce420]”Will do, Wilson!”[/color] Yoko shouted as Kari rolled her eyes again and retreated into her house. Yoko turned to Selena, and figured it was time to pay the Blackmores a visit. [hr] It was a short walk to the “Blackmore Manor”. A walk because Yoko refused to get an Uber. When they walked through the gates, and approached, Yoko knocked on the doors - aggressively. “Who’s bangin’ on the doors like they are the police?!” Amanda shouted. “... Amanda! Get the door!” Victoria shouted from within. After some running, Amanda threw the door open - wearing a black tank top, some Adidas sweatpants. She looked at them, and tilted her head. “How can I help you two?” [color=5658ff]”Amanda Blackmore,”[/color] Selena pulled the hood of the Graymoon Cloak down off of her head. [color=5658ff]”I hope we weren’t disturbing you. We were in the Sycamore Coven together.”[/color] Amanda laughed, “... So were a lot of people, hon.” Yoko rolled her eyes, then put a hand on her chest, [color=fce420]”I am Yoko Hatanaka,”[/color] Yoko then gestured to Selena. [color=fce420]”And this is Selena Phoenix. We are looking for leads on my brother, Goro Hatanaka.”[/color] “Oh?” Amanda said, “Maybe ‘Toria or Drake knows something, lemme ask!” Amanda poked her head into the house, then shouted, “... ‘Toria! It's Yoko and Selena, they want to talk about Goro!” “Tell them to come in!” Victoria shouted back. Amanda gestured for the two to come in, and led them through the Blackmore house. To the living room, which had a black sofa (with Nikki on it), across from a wide screen TV. Next to it was a single seat sofa, with Victoria sitting on it. She was wearing green sweat pants and a black T-shirt… Which was bulging due to her being eight months pregnant. “Yoko, Selena,” Victoria said, “How are you two doing? You two seem to be doing well.” [color=5658ff]”We are. We’re looking for Yoko’s brother, he’s currently missing.”[/color] [i]Technically[/i] missing. Neither of them actually had a blue if Goro was just hiding or actually in danger. “Goro,” Victoria answered. “I know… I’ve been trying to find a lead on him myself but I’m currently…” Victoria tapped herself in the stomach a few times with her hand. “... [i]Encumbered[/i].” She laughed. While she was talking, Amanda hopped on the sofa and started playing video games with Nikki. Yoko narrowed her eyes, somewhat envious that Victoria got to experience the joys of motherhood. Though, there was no point in asking her if she had leads because she probably would have told them. What Yoko did instead was brandish Goro’s Wayfinder, and deploy the map. She pointed at the general area that was around the Blackmore House. [color=fce420]”This artifact was made to find my family artifacts,”[/color] Yoko raised Goro’s Wayfinder. [color=fce420]”It's telling me there might be some here.”[/color] “... Does it differentiate between artifacts made by Goro at all?” Victoria asked. [color=fce420]”No, because Kari and my brother overlooked that,”[/color] Yoko answered. “It might be detecting The Memory of Adam,” Victoria shrugged. [color=fce420]”... The [i]what?[/i]”[/color] “The sword that Goro made with our help,” Victoria shrugged. “Well, it was all Drake’s idea, but me, Amanda, Jade, and Drake helped.” She paused, then shrugged, “I honestly forgot what it does.” [color=5658ff]”I’m going to take a guess that it represents the spells he used in life,”[/color] Selena mused. [color=fce420]”We can have Wilson look at it,”[/color] Yoko also mused. “It’s not necessary,” Victoria said. “Ideally, we never have to use it again!” She laughed, before she flicked her wrist. “Not just that, you’re trying to find your brother. I have some contacts through work, I can ask them and see what they know. Only issue is that I’m on maternity leave.” [color=5658ff]”Something tells me that this is going to be a problem,”[/color] Selena told Yoko. [color=5658ff]”Finding these artifacts along the way, only to realize they aren’t [i]Hatanaka[/i] artifacts.”[/color] [color=fce420]”I mean if my brother made it, it's a Hatanaka artifact.”[/color] Yoko began, then shrugged. [color=fce420]” So it's working as intended.”[/color] She smiled. “Maybe you can talk to Ashley,” Victoria suggested. “I know she kept in touch with Goro…” [color=5658ff]”Ashley Stone…”[/color] Selena gave Yoko a side-eye. [color=5659ff]”We didn’t see eye to eye very often, at [i]all.[/i] I’d be surprised if she doesn’t slam a door in our faces.”[/color] Yoko shrugged. While Ashley was far from Yoko’s favorite person in the Old Coven, they had to try. [color=fce420]”I’m certain she’s willing to let bygones be bygones.”[/color] She shrugged. “I’ll tell her you’re coming,” Victoria noted, “Should save ya’ll from any kneejerk reactions.” [color=5658ff]”Thank you, Victoria. I had no idea Ashley stayed connected with the paranormal world after so long.”[/color] “She keeps in touch with the people she likes,” Victoria shrugged. “I’m still perplexed on why she’s so obsessed with holding onto the Apparition Killer…” [color=5658ff]”It’s a powerful artifact. Anyone would covet something with that potential… Leverage, safety, any number of reasons. I’m sure we’ll have a chance to ask.”[/color] Victoria just nodded her head. “… Just don’t give her too much hell.” [hr] As directed by Victoria, they found Ashley’s apartment which was in south St. Portwell. Selena managed to convince Yoko to take an Uber instead of trying to take public transportation halfway across the city. It took a few flights of stairs before they made it to apartment 431. Yoko knocked on the door, and they heard someone walking up, and it was a moment before Ashley opened the door. Wearing blue Adidas shorts and a white tank-top. “… Yoko, Selena,” Ashley said, “Victoria called me, so let me nip this in the bud: I don’t know where Goro is, I don’t know where he went.” [color=5658ff]”When did you last speak to him?”[/color] Selena asked. “A few weeks ago, when he was bugging me for the Apparition Killer,” Ashley answered, “I told him to get bent.” Selena looked at Yoko, silently. Yoko stared at Ashley, clenching her fists, before she said, [color=fce420]”… Why?”[/color] “Because, I’ve been holding onto it just fine so far,” Ashley said. “Everyone keeps acting like I don’t know what I’m doing.” [color=fce420]”… You’re severed, Stone,”[/color] Yoko answered. [color=fce420]”You don’t want anything to do with magic, yet you hold onto one of the most powerful artifacts in the All-Verse.”[/color] Yoko shook her head. “… And I didn’t ask you,” Ashley answered. [color=5658ff]”What [i]are[/i] you doing, then? Is there a chance the Stygian Snake is returning?”[/color] Selena narrowed her eyes at Ashley. [color=5658ff]”Are you in danger?”[/color] “Stiggy ain’t coming back unless one of you do something stupid,” Ashley answered. “But, I have shit to do; I don’t know where Goro is, I’m not giving up the sword. Get bent.” She punctuated that with a slam of the door. Yoko looked at Selena, then at the door, before she stepped towards it and started banging. [color=fce420]”…Get back here, you stupid, American!”[/color] Yoko shouted as she banged on the door. [color=5658ff]”Yoko, Yoko-”[/color] She put a hand [i]firmly[/i] on the smaller girl’s shoulder. [color=5658ff]”Don’t make a fool of yourself.”[/color] Yoko stopped, and turned towards Selena, [color=fce420]”I’m not making a fool of myself…”[/color] She began. [color=fce420]”… I’m going to shove my foot up her ass!”[/color] Selena sighed, disappointed already. [color=5658ff]”Fine. Through the front door, then?”[/color] [color=fce420]”… Where else could we go?!”[/color] Yoko asked. Selena smirked, and raised the hood of her cloak over her head. Yoko blinked and there were suddenly three Selenas standing side by side. [color=5658ff]”The windows, a fire exit, anywhere with a hint of subtlety. While one of these two goes through the front.”[/color] [color=fce420]”Let’s-”[/color] Yoko was about to say before she was interrupted by a phone call. She pulled out her phone: Kari. Yoko, naturally answered and didn’t even get a chance to greet her friend before she said, [color=eac6ae]”… Yoko, what the fuck?’”[/color] [color=fce420]”I-“[/color] [color=eac6ae]”Yes! I was watching you!”[/color] Kari answered before Yoko got a chance, before she continued. [color=eac6ae]”For the love of God,”[/color] Kari began. [color=eac6ae]”Just turn and walk away! Jesus! Are you trying to get arrested?!”[/color] [color=5658ff]”If it’s any consolation, I would’ve made sure she’d be long gone by then.”[/color] One of the three Selenas chimed in. [color=eac6ae]”Just go!”[/color] Kari shouted, and Yoko sighed before she said, [color=fce420]”… Fine,”[/color] Yoko then hung up the phone. She turned to Selena, dejected, before she ran down the hall. [color=5658ff]”Now what?”[/color] the one Selena asked, following her. Yoko didn’t respond, not until she made it all the way to the park across the street from the apartment. Well that didn’t go well, Yoko figured that she could find one of the Hatanaka artifacts. She pulled Goro’s Wayfinder out of her pocket, and deployed the hologram. It was simple to use: it had a touch interface like a phone! She swiped around this shitty map of St. Portwell until she found it… A space in the wooden north of St. Portwell where it gave a vague estimate of several of the Hatanaka artifacts. Yoko rubbed her chin, pulled out her phone, before calling Kari, and when she answered she put it on speaker, [color=eac6ae]”… Yellow,”[/color] Kari said, [color=fce420]”Wilson, hello,”[/color] Yoko said, [color=fce420]”What area is this?”[/color] [color=eac6ae]”Give me a minute to cross-reference…”[/color] Kari was silent for a few moments, before she added, [color=eac6ae]”… Oh.”[/color] [color=fce420]”Oh?”[/color] [color=eac6ae]”Yes, oh.”[/color] Kari began. [color=eac6ae]”That is the Temple of Charming and Graceful Individuals.”[/color] [color=5658ff]”The cult?”[/color] Selena made a face. [color=5658ff]”They tried to steal my cloak once.”[/color] [color=eac6ae]”Yes, the cult,”[/color] Kari laughed, [color=eac6ae]”Leon tried to recruit me.”[/color] [color=fce420]”So, we’ll just go in there, and take back my artifacts,”[/color] Yoko said. [color=eac6ae]”… They have guns and magic,”[/color] Kari dryly noted. [color=5658ff]”I was willing to play fair with Stone, but… I do not have a high opinion of “families” like them. But I assume you already knew that, Kari the All-Knowing.”[/color] [color=eac6ae]”… And I’m not saying you do,”[/color] Kari began. [color=eac6ae]”I’m saying they’re dangerous and you need to use some discretion…”[/color] Kari was silent for a moment. [color=eac6ae]”.., Yoko.”[/color] [color=5658ff]”Discretion is more my field than yours,”[/color] she said, bluntly. [color=5658ff]”I have an idea to speak with Lynette Richoux without putting either of us at risk.”[/color] [color=fce420]”And what will I do?”[/color] Yoko asked. [color=fce420]”I’m a woman of action.”[/color] [color=5658ff]”You’ll be raiding their storage area with me, while I talk to her to distract her.”[/color] [color=eac6ae]”And I’ll be keeping an extra set of eyes on you,”[/color] Kari said. [color=fce420]”Sounds fine to me,”[/color] Yoko shrugged. [color=fce420]”I doubt they’ll let us just walk in, however.”[/color] [color=5658ff]”They’re the Temple. As I recall, they were obsessed with us, I’m sure they’d spare a few minutes out of their oh-so busy schedules.”[/color] [color=fce420]”Well…”[/color] Yoko didn’t really have anything to say. [color=fce420]”If you have everything figured out, then let’s go.”[/color]