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[h2][u]C O M M U N I C A T I O N   B R E A K D O W N[/u][/h2][/center]
The family that Abdel, Niallus, Oksana, and Johann had so roughly questioned finally caved before the latter's empathetic display. It all came pouring out and matters began to piece themselves together. Johann was quick to fill the others in and a group decision was made to pursue the Cola Brothers, to whom most arrows seemed to point. If there were intriguing questions and some moral imperatives surrounding the Resistance, and the mystery of the one-legged woman and her involvement still to solve, the infamous gang of hoodlums still seemed the surest bet. After a few goodbyes and apologies to the family they had 'accidentally' terrorized, the quartet set off for a warehouse they'd been directed to, hoping to meet up with their peers.

Meanwhile, Ashon, Seviin, Xiuyang, Dory, and Lunara had put paid to the bandits who'd tried to rob them and, while two had escaped, the remainder were held at knifepoint or something like it. These were smalltime crooks and not the sort of people to risk their necks being defiant or threatening. They qucikly recognized that the people who they were currently tangled up with were rich and powerful and appeared to possibly have support from Ersand'Enise. Much as they might've resented those who dwelt behind the white walls, they craved their acceptance, wanted to join them, and feared them all at once. If the yasoi hoodlum currently before Ashon had thought to mock Lunara or rally support, he'd lost that notion at Seviin's casual display of power, Ashon's offer of generous monetary support, and Lunara's and Dory's apparent willingness to kill. 

Meanwhile, the eeaiko who Xiuyang and the priestess had cornered shrugged at an offer Xiuyang had given to join her at his own risk. [color=7bcdc8]"Eye doon't see thet Eye heve mauch choice,"[/color] he admitted, [color=7bcdc8]"Baut yoo aur sentenceeng yoorselves end praubebly mee too deth oor saumtheng lyke eet."[/color] he pursed his lips. [color=7bcdc8]"Eye waus paurt oof te Broosers. Wee cauntroolled thees paurt auf tauwn oonteel te Colas mooved een aun aus."[/color] He shook his head. [color=7bcdc8]"Yoo send mee elone too taulk too yoor peepel, Eye praubebly die aun te wey."[/color] His eyes flicked Seviin's way momentarily. Yet, there was no support to be offered or compromise to be had and, while he offered a few scraps of information, he was adamant that he would not turn on his masters without some reasonable guarantee of safety. When this was not forthcoming, he walked or, rather, stumbled away, desperate to find a binder for his inner ears.

At least his yasoi counterpart appeared to have fewer reservations. If he did not buy, for even a second, that the twenty-ish year old hyparishman was Jaxan's father, the bandit understood that he was powerful and had money, and that spoke louder than anything else. [color=cyan]"Oh, you're either looking for the Colas or the resistance,"[/color] he replied to a slightly threatening query. [color=cyan]"The one is connected to the crusade against the Tarlonese land-grabbers, but they're rough and mean - almost criminals themselves. If you don't give them every spare bit of change you have, you're in bed with the land grabbers and an enemy of the yasoi."[/color] He shook his head. [color=cyan]"Some of the local guys and I put together our own outfit to protect the people around here, but..."[/color] He scowled and clenched his fists. [color=cyan]"Fucking Colas moved in on us and they're [i]professional[/i] crooks if I ever seen any. They're the only alternative to the resistance and we've been forced out."[/color] He sighed. [color=cyan]"That's why we robbed you kids."[/color] There was a note of apology in his voice. [color=cyan]"Wasn't anything personal. Things are drying up and we're trying to fight the good fight here."[/color] He shook his head. [color=cyan]"Even for the yaniis here. These assholes and their street wars are turning them against us yasoi, moila."[/color] It was not long before Ashon, as well, had learned about the warehouse and imbibed a warning not to go there unprepared, for the Cola Brothers were not to be trusted. With that, the group of five set off on the short remaining journey.

It was not long before the two parties were in contact through Abdel, using his tethered range, even if the others remained effectively apart. It was a frustrating matter of slow and imprecise communication funnelled through a single overworked mage, and as they both drew close to their destination from different angles, it soon became evident that, while figures matching the descriptions they'd expected were inside, the doors also appeared to be booby trapped. Communication began to break down. Decisions needed to be made quickly. The Cola Brothers - at least some of them - waited inside. A boy's life - and possibly their own - hung in the balance!

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