[center][h1][b][u][color=yellow]Ken Shimazu[/color] & [color=orange]Sarah King[/color][/u][/b][/h1]
[i]Inside the Lucky Noodle, with Steve Donahue, Kenzo Yamamoto,,& Julia Kray[/i][/center]

[indent][color=yellow]"I understand, Detective,"[/color] Shimazu spoke with an aire of professionalism, hinting to his prior life with the PCPD. [color=yellow]"You're obliged to follow standard procedure."[/color]

Sarah's face contorted into visible discomfort when the Detective voiced his decision. She felt every inch of her body quiver beneath her skin. The muscles in her legs twitched nervously; though she stood still to her spot, she felt as though they might run off on their own, leaving the rest of her behind. The pulse of energy returned to her arms as she considered another expulsion of Chi as a distraction while she made a break. But a timely meeting between her eyes and Shimazu stayed her hand, aided by the departure of Donovan. She breathed, and the power that had started to gather to her palms receded into her. Her legs fell calm again, though the subtle shaking from the center of her chest continued. She began to speak, but hung onto her words, mouth hanging open. Once more, she looked to her Sensei. 

Her mentor offered a slow nod; it was safe to speak honestly here. 

Her body eased. If the Detective was good by her Sensei, he was good by her. [color=orange]"My name is Sarah King,"[/color] her first words came out with a noticeable tremble. [color=orange]"I live over in Mapleview. I've been working here for the past six years, part-time. I've already told you what I saw happen. Like I said, I was working down in the storage room when the Blue Dragons came around, and then the other guy, or monster, whatever he was, appeared and snatched our friend Maddie. I tried to stop him, but I... I wasn't enough..."[/color] A single streak of water descended Sarah's right cheek as the last word escaped her.

Shimazu beamed at Sarah, gestured reassuringly, and turned to Steven. [color=yellow]"To reiterate, for posterity's sake, I'm Ken Shimazu, resident of Little Asia, and proprieter of the Lucky Noodle. There was an altercation here earlier, instigated the Blue Dragons, and involving myself, my employee, and several patrons. But I do not wish to pursue legal action or charges over it; justice will find them before long. Shortly after the Blue Dragons left, another individual arrived, assualted Ms. Kray, and then escaped with Madelyne Crane as a hostage. He seemed intent on taking her in particular. He seemed to have an affinity for shadows?"[/color] Shimazu pointed to the faint shade cast beneath his feet by the overhead lighting. [color=yellow]"He grabbed Madelyne Crane and vanished through a shadow."[/color] 

[color=orange]"Yeah. That's how he showed up too."[/color]

[color=yellow]"I will suggest, Detective, that if you put out an APB for this man, you include not to engage with hostility... I'm not certain his actions are entirely of his own volition; think of it in terms of a demonic possession. It may be possible to bring him in peacefully if he isn't provoked."[/color]

Both Shimazu and Sarah then turned to Julia, who seemed to know more about the man in question. [color=yellow]"Is that accurate? The shadow part anyways?"[/color] Shimazu asked, breaking an awkward silence.[/indent]

[CENTER][sup][h1][center][img]https://c.tenor.com/_dREp7THfQIAAAAd/tenor.gif[/img][/center][b][center][color=black] Z H A N G, T A I W U[/color]
[color=6ecff6]Z H A N G, T A I W U[/color][/center]
[/b][/h1][/sup]
[color=lightgray][sup][i]The Void Hideout, Nighthaven; with Amara[/i][/sup][/color][/CENTER]

[indent]Taiwu sat quietly and studiously while Amara spoke. He observed carefully as she demonstrated the varied forms of magic. It was an impressive show if her skill and power, and unquestionably enlightening. However, he couldn't identify any of the magic she had shown him with the particular brand of power Shimazu's kid had exerted against him. Perhaps Amara had seen his puzzled, grasping grimace, as she then offered another avenue. A blood sample to study the girl's power more closely. Taiwu's frown curled upward into a grin at the proposal. [color=6ecff6]"Yes. I can arrange for that."[/color] He finished his tea, and set the cup down. He stood up, and bowed respectfully. [color=6ecff6]"I thank you for your time and hospitality. Once I've acquired what is needed, I will deliver it personally. And I will inform Xiao Feng to maintain a truce between your sect and the Blue Dragons, as to head off any potential unpleasantry."[/color] 

With the meeting adjurned, Taiwu began down the aisle and exited the cathedral. Once outside he took up his phone and dialed the driver who had dropped him off. [color=6ecff6]"My business is concluded for the time being."[/color][/indent]

[CENTER][sup][h1][center][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/fff51bc06d0de75c0c92afc560d30f56/5ee10285e4d49654-8d/s400x600/ceae43f33b978cd2a2c37e1e7846b4f74a7ad550.gif[/img][/center][b][center][color=black] T H E R E S A  T O R R E S[/color]
[color=white]T H E R E S A  T O R R E S[/color][/center]
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[color=lightgray][sup][i]Angel’s Bar, Mapleview[/i][/sup][/color][/CENTER]

[indent]The walk back to the 70th Street hideout was uneventful; it was a short distance from Angel's, tucked off in a non-descript back alley, well and away from prying eyes. When she entered she saw the fruits of their morning labors spread out along folding tables with her gangmates counting the momey stolen. Off to the side Theresa could see a pile of marked bills growing. Disappointment struck her looking at the pile. [i]All that and only three quarters of it will be worth a shit.[/i] She walked over to Fred, the accountant. 

"Hey Fred." She stood beside him as another dye-stained set of bills landed on the pile. "Tell me we're gonna turn a profit off of that bank job." She grabbed a bound stack of marked money and a flipped through it like a card dealer. "Nothing useful in this once the dye is on it... by the way, is Val around?"[/indent]

[center][h2][b]Katherine Tran & Horace Wolfe[/b][/h2]
[i]Veridian Technologies, with Diana Smith[/i][/center]

[indent]"Roger." Wolfe responded through his headset. He retrieved his security communicator and radioed to the HQ. "This Wolfe. I have confirmation that the threat has been neutralized in the Atrium. Begin procedure for ending lockdown. PCPD and DSHA will be inbound." He pocketed his device and returned to the headset, saying "I'll be right up." Securing the room as he left, he began up the stairs to the main floor. 

Meanwhile, KT peered around the corner from her hiding spot. Seeing the woman incapacitated, she walked toward Artemis. "Whew. That looked like a close call. Guess you gotta be an adrenaline junkie to vibe with this life." She looked down at the woman, who was out cold. "Sorry I couldn't do more. But hey, we have a lead on why she did it and who for. Maybe we can... you know, take advantage of that. I mean, you're, err... [b]in really good with[/b] Diana Smith, richest girl in town. And if money doesn't talk loud enough, I can try a few of my other tricks." KT tapped the side of her head with her finger.[/indent]