"Well, let me tell you what happened on my side. I was ushered off to a representative of the Order, she checked my credentials and suggested I limit my movement around the city. I should check in at the headquarters tomorrow, also because I am curious what has happened so far. She did not have or reveal any more information about the city really. But from what I can tell, there is still sufficient order and the different organizations are not interfered with. So I would like to go to the Order and see if Lasrane is still showing up at the meeting point and has more stories to tell. Other than that, I am ready to help you, Yuu, if you need us."

Yuu flops himself on a couch, and watches as Vanyra makes her checks. His attention shifts to Zelpuz when he starts detailing out his journey through customs, and expression to help. The young man nods to the Mespah in thanks, "Thank you, both of you. You've both put yourself in danger returning, and I... genuinely, thank you. I'll tell you tomorrow what happened to me today, but I think I first want to scout my home. I need to know what the situation there is, it will better ground my thinking ahead."

"You may want to hear what we learned at the Guild first," Vanyra offers.  "It sounds like whatever fight the factions started is still going on.  There are unannounced curfews and blockades being put up anywhere at any time.  We don't know if someone has the upper hand or what has happened with any of the Families.  And we don't know if we can trust the police or the military."

Putting her hand on Yuu's shoulder, Vanyra continues, "I'm willing to help you figure out what happened to your parents, but you can't go alone or publicly to do that.  And since we're helping you, you need to tell us what you know so we don't get captured or worse," Vanyra jabs Yuu in the ribs, "OK?"

Yuu nods excitedly, "Let's go spy it out tonight? Then we'll know a little more what's going on. Oh and ya, the army and police are dangerous to trust. At least until we figure out who attacked my home the night we fled."

"All right, we can do that, what's your plan? Sneak in to your house and see who's there? And when, should we get some rest first?"

"Going in might not be safe. I think we better scout it out over the course of a few days. See who comes in and out. I'll also start getting in touch with a couple friends... Xander and Marcus? I think you've met them. And yeah, let's get some rest here, and start off in a few hours?"

"That sounds fine," Vanyra adds.  "So Yuu, what did you learn today? If you thought that rib poke hurt, wait to see what I do next if you keep being cagey."

"Hm? Well, I learned Carter's Ice Cream still makes the best ice cream this side of Ossylia. And I learned that tomorrow we'll learn more than we know today, I guarantee. And tonight, I hope, too."

"If you only want to scout who goes in and out, why do you want to go at night? Wouldn't people be sleeping or does your family have the habit of night time conferences?"

"I'm not sure I want to be in the neighbourhood during the day... too many eyes about in a neighbourhood that knows me very well. Scouting it in the dark, at least gives me a chance to see the situation without threat of recognition."

"OK, but I bet if we dress you in beggar's clothes, maybe add some dirt and you step in some dog poop for authentic smell, nobody would recognize you during the day either. But we can start tonight. Do you want us to come?"

Yuu's face twists at the idea of stepping himself in dog droppings. "Erm... my neighbourhood isn't known to have... beggars just wandering about. And... actually, I really want to go see now what's happened, not even sure I can sleep until I know, now that I'm so close.""

The young mage ponders a moment. "I think having your support is safer. But instead of moving together, we should keep spread a bit. If you keep an eye up high, and Vanyra, if you moved ahead about a block... I think you're way better at sneaking than me... we should be able to work our way through. The curfew thing seems kind of random, so safest to act like it's on unless it's super clear we're in a place it's not."

"Right, well, you could dress up as someone else, but let's go when it's dark." Zelpuz scratches his chin, "So how do you plan on staying in contact if we spread out? I could act as medium, but we need some signal if I loose contact to regroup. When do you want to start Yuu, as soon as it's dark?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:43, Sun 19 Mar 2017.

"I'm fine going whenever," Vanyra adds, walking back up to Yuu and leans over to look down into his face.  "Right after Yuu tells us what he is keeping from us."

Yuu sits in though for a while, pondering the depths of his mind for the myriad of things he knows but has not revealed to Vanyra or Zelpuz; The Frensen Theory of Quantum Dimension Transference, the designs of his nether pheromone spray, the location of journal in his room, the events the last time Marcus, Xander, Saya and himself were all on the town together, the waterfall incident back in Hasheli, and the list went on. But he couldn’t see how any of these were of immediate relevance to the task of ascertaining what has happened to his parents, “I’m not sure to what you’re referring. There are many things I know, but have not told you, but I don’t see how any of those are of relevance to our task at hand, and I would prefer to keep many of them to myself, thank you. What I can share is the layout of my family compound and the surrounding area so that we may be ready for whatever may come.”

With that the mage pulls out a large piece of drafting paper and a pencil from that unfathomable satchel of his and begins sketching an area map. The basic layout of the walls, streets and houses are somewhat familiar to Vanyra and Zelpuz, as they had visited previously, but Yuu goes into greater detail to identify surrounding structures, the names of the neighbouring Houses, their presumed political affiliation and house guard strength, and finally the major rooms, entries and guard posts of his family estate. As it turns out, if you’re going to monitor somewhere it is a good idea to have someone from there assist in the planning.

Given their combined abilities and knowledge of the area they identify a half dozen primary observation posts, with each one within line-of-sight of at least one other, assuming they’d be able to see each other through their stealth mechanisms. The big unknown is the presence of the military, or other actors, that Yuu spied upon his flight a few weeks back. It is a reasonable assumption that someone would be monitoring the area covertly and/or overtly, and thus caution must be exercised. The last bit of business to define is exactly what pieces of intelligence they are looking for.

"So that's the physical lay of the neighbourhood, with added details of my own compound and main areas." Yuu says, waving his head across the rather detailed map.

He continues. "What we're looking for is... well, is my House still standing? Do we still have House guards and are they still wearing Jin colours? Is there a camp of guards surrounding my House suggesting a House arrest? Are the neighbourhood patrols wearing city guard colours, or something different? And... if there are street spies, can we figure out who they are?" The mage takes a breath. "Basically I have no idea what to expect or what we'll see. And... I guess most important, if we can, are my mom and dad still safely inside?"

Still with her hand on Yuu's shoulder and having bent down from her 6'1" height to be staring directly into Yuu's face from mere inches away, Vanyra puts her other hand on Yuu's shoulder and squeezes his shoulders forcefully while sternly saying, "You still haven't answered my question.  I am not going out there until you tell us what you were talking about earlier with what you learned today.  I am not going to let you risk our lives by not sharing information. Do you want me to hang you out the window next or are you going to answer my question?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:14, Sun 26 Mar 2017.

Yuu offers a sympathetic smile, "Is Myrria your friend?"

The red coloration in Vanyra's skin fades somewhat and she answers, "What? Yes, of course. Why?"

"And you care about her?" he continues.

Vanyra stares at Yuu waiting for him to continue.

"And you would do anything to keep her safe from threats?"

"You better finish your thought," Vanyra states.

"My thought was finished, the question is yours to answer."

"Actually, I am quite interested in Myrria's safety as well" Zelpuz chimes in. "What do you know that is relevant to Myrria and her safety?"