[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/G2P70nU.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/3ak3oib.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/lbPeBwf.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/8YqjhLI.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/AtGSCjW.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/4XfybSC.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/Rgwg7I3.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/xBbcHgL.png[/img][h1]The Rich Clique[/h1][/center][right][b]Interactions:[/b] Not an annoying-ass Coven.[/right][right][b][code]The Harbor Louge.[/code][/b][/right][hr][hr]]


[h1][b][i]”... HOW CAN YOU ALL BE SO STUPID!?”[/i][/b][/h1]

Johnny’s voice could be heard through the unusually empty Harbor Lounge. He grasped both sides of his head as everyone sat on the sofa before him, stuffed on there, touching shoulders to shoulders. Johnny released his hands and took in a deep breath,

“... Why are you acting like this is the first time we did something dumb?” Gabe spat, looking up at him.

“Usually, when ya’ll did something dumb,” Johnny said, “It was all when we were kids, and we could laugh all our dumb bullshit off when we grew up! But we can’t!” 

He took in a deep breath, “And of all the places you could have gotten into a fucking wizard fight, it just [i]had[/i] to be at Dollhouse’s doorstep...” He seethed.

“I mean…” Lin said, not even making eye contact, then shrugged. “None of that was in the plan.” What was notable was the [url=https://i.imgur.com/2ztWLyJ.jpeg]necklace[/url] that hung from her chest.

“Yeah, how the fuck were [i]we[/i] supposed to know Emily G. Reed’s clique were going to pull up?!” Gabe shot back.

“By slowing down and using your heads,” Mika said with a roll of her eyes. “What would have happened if we hadn’t shown up?”

“Nothing, Mom.” Gabe sarcastically said with a roll of her eyes.

Sage, who had been silent, finally spoke up, “Look, look, look, we’re all stressed and trying to process what happened. We’re not going to get anywhere by pointing fingers.”

“Look, I’m just a [i]little bit[/i] pissed that we made up an actual plan,” Johnny put his hands together, “Then you six just say [i]‘fuck it, we ball’[/i] and then do this.”

“... I mean, it’s not like it interferes with our plans at all, Valos,” Mika rolled her eyes.

“Stop trying to play Devil’s Advocate, Mika!” Johnny hissed. “They went after Blakey’s kids, and started a whole thing with Emily’s band of retards. That’s [i]unnecessary attention[/i].”

“Bro, we were cornered,” Gabe shrugged. “George came after us! The fuck were we supposed to do?!”

“If you had acted with more foresight, we wouldn’t have drawn unnecessary attention. It’s not just about the immediate fight - it’s about the consequences.” Mika noted.

“Johnny’s right about the attention. But we’re past that now,” Sage injected with an awkward laugh. “So, what do we do now, oh-wise leader?”

“What I said before,” Johnny said, “We lay low, get inducted into the Elite, then figure out how to handle Blake, and then maybe take over the Elite.” Johnny grinned.

“... Good grief,” Mika said with a roll of her eyes.

“What?” Johnny laughed. “It’s clear these oldheads don’t know what they’re doing! Need some new blood to give them some direction!”

Lin glanced at Gabe, then Sylvia, then shook her head, then stood up, “... If we’re done with this, I’d like some food.”

“Sure thing-” Jake tried to say before Johnny grabbed his collar. 

“Me and you, let’s have a lil’ word…” Johnny then turned to Lin. “Remember, we’re sticking together here so that Wolf Fucker doesn’t axe any of you.”

“I think I’ll be fine-”

“Nope.”

“But-”

“[i]Nope![/i]” Johnny said, “You’re a Valos now.”

“I’ll accompany my sister,” Mika said as she walked over, “We need to talk anyway.”

The group began to dissipate as Mika and Lin left the Harbor Lougue…. Lin and Mika stepped out of the Harbor Lounge into the cool evening air and replaced the upscale ambient of the lounge with the gritty city streets. The two were silent…

“... [i]You did all of that,[/i]” Mika began in Cantonese before leaning forward and flicking that pedant Lin had. “[i]And you didn’t have this on? Are you crazy?! You’re a target and yet you refuse to use your greatest resource![/i]”

Lin shook her head before she replied in Cantonese, “[i]... I had it on the entire time.[/i]”

Mika came to a stop, tilting her head before Lin elaborated.

“[i]I used that trick that you told me about, duct taping it underneath your breasts or inside your thigh,[/i]” Lin said. “[i]I’m only wearing out in the open because I’m getting to a point where I think I can tell Jake and the others that I have an Abstraction again.[/i]”

“... [i]Do not tell him where you got it from,[/i]” Mika hissed, “[i]Or our plans. You’ll get us [b]killed[/b].[/i]”

“[i]And I won’t,[/i]” Lin said, “[i]I don’t like lying to my future husband, but it’s for his safety.[/i]”

She sighed, grabbing the pendant “[i]I’ve been reading everyone’s minds the whole time… this might be the key to solving this Father Wolf nonsense. Thankfully, nobody in our circle is Father Wolf, but I wonder if Sycamore, 8th St, or one of the other factions knows anything.[/i]”

Mika raised an eyebrow, “[i]Then what are you suggesting?[/i]”

“[i]Maybe they would be worth investigating,[/i]” Lin said, “[i]If I can get close enough to read their thoughts, I might be able to figure out if they know anything about Father Wolf. It’s a long shot, but it might be our best lead.”[/i]

Mika looked skeptical. “[i]And how do you plan on getting close to these factions without arousing suspicion? You know they’re not exactly welcoming to outsiders...[/i]”

“[i]I don’t know yet,[/i]” Lin admitted, “[i]But we have to start somewhere. I’ll need to be careful and use my abilities discreetly, but that hasn’t been a problem so far, now has it?”[/i] She smiled at her sister.

Mika rolled her eyes.

That was when a curious oddity happened. Something straight out of a fantasy, or old folklore. 

There was a ringing of a bell, and soft mewing. A small, high-pitched voice, purring words that could be understood.

[i]”Oh Maneki-neko, oh Maneki-neko,
With your bright white fur,
And your soft sweet smile,
Won't you come by and say hello~?

Oh Maneki-neko, oh Maneki-neko,
With your wide, pearly eyes,
And your taste for gold coins,
Won't you give me a dinero~?”[/i]

And, padding into their view was a small, white cat, a red collar with a large bell around their neck. Their brilliant blue eyes gazed up at Lin and Mika.

[i]“I wish you well, blessing swell~!”[i] purred the cat, giving a Chinese lucky greeting. [i]“Fortune smiles on you both today, I have a message for you from the other side~!”[/i]

They both looked at the cat…

“... [i]Something to do with Father Wolf?[/i]” Mika asked, taking a few steps back, reaching into her purse for her Taurus.

“[i]Hold on…[/i]” Lin paused, and the Arrowhead glew for a moment before saying, “[i]It has no thoughts.[/i]”

“[i]We should go.[/i]” Mika said.

Lin awkwardly smiled at the cat as she stepped back.

“[i]What’s the message?[/i]” Lin asked, “[i]We can hear you from over here! Do not worry![/i]”

The cat merely smiled, sitting back on its haunches so as to appear less shocking. Its tail curled cutely around its front paws as it spoke.

[i]”Yes, I have a very special message for you, Lin Liu. From your old friend Kari Wilson~!”[/i]

The cat nodded to emphasize its point, eyes closed, before it raised a paw. [i]”You just have to do one thing for me. I have to make sure you are [b]the one[/b], after all. All you have to do, is tell me-”[/i]

Its blue eyes opened. 

[i]”-A little about what's on Kari's notes.”[/i]

Lin froze for a moment, her heart skipping a beat. The mention of Kari Wilson was enough to send a chill down her spine, but the cat’s request, however innocent it might have sounded, had red flags written all over it.

She glanced at Mika, who had visibly tensed, her hand still hovering near her purse, ready to draw her weapon if needed. Lin kept her expression neutral, a forced smile playing on her lips as she tried to think quickly.

“[i]But Kari’s dea-[/i]” Lin cut herself off. “[i]I don't know what’s in Kari’s notes, unfortunately. Is there another way to access this message?[/i]” As Lin spoke, she stepped back. 

“[i]We should leave,[/I]” Mika said, “[i]Now.[/i]”

“[i]Sorry, I know nothing about Kari’s notes. Maybe you’ve been… [b]Misinformed?[/b][/i]” Lin smiled as she stepped back further.

The cat paused, before smiling slightly. [i]”Don't be sad, do not worry! When you remember, I will be waiting~! All you have to do is call!”[/i]

And just as the cat finished speaking, a hard [i]thud[/i] slammed into the back of Lin. A small child, a street urchin with her hood up, looked up in shock.

[b]“S-sorry miss, didn't see you.”[/b] The child said in a hurry.

Unbeknownst to Lin, the impact had allowed a small listening bug to be placed on the inner side of her jacket, disguised as a button.

The child stared for a moment before they started to slink further down the street. The cat, meanwhile, was calmly licking its paw.

Lin stared at the child as it ran down the street… before Mika wrapped her hand around her bicep and pulled her towards The Harbor Lounge. She had fully drawn the Taurus magnum as she ran as fast as she physically could… 

They cat only watched, patient, before turning, and walking down the sidewalk.

[hr]

“... So, the cat asked you about Kari’s notes?”

Johnny asked as their group was hastily reassembled back at the Harbor Lounge. The wind blew, and he looked at the ocean as the waves danced and crashed against the cliffside. Johnny paused for a moment as he rubbed his chin. “Okay, that whole thing was [i]weird[/i], but if it had something to do with Father Wolf…” Johnny said as he turned around, and his eyes landed on his younger brother, Jake.

“You probably would have been dead,” Johnny said, observing the uncomfortable faces.

“Hear me out,” Sage pipped up, raising his hands. “But, I don’t think it has anything to do with Father Wolf.”

“Then who could it have something to do with?” Mika asked as she narrowed her eyes. 

“You should be asking Lin [i]that[/i] question,” Johnny said, eyes landing on Lin.

“I [i]was[/i] close to Kari in the Elite,” Lin said, “But, I don’t know what’s on those notes… Or….”

“I bet it has something to do with the Coven,” Gabe said, crossing her arms. “It sounds like some type of trick those assholes would pull.”

“But, that raises the question of [i]why?[/i]” Johnny tilted his head. “Do they know something we [i]don’t[/i] but [i]should?[/i] Are they plotting on us? Did they cast some kinda weird ass spell on Lin?”

“... [i]She’s a [b]bomb![/b][/i]” Sylvia shouted, laughing, but Johnny wrapped his hand around her mouth.

“Sylvia! Shut the fuck up!” Johnny roared. “Jesus, you tryna’ get us arrested!?”

“Good grief,” Gabe said. “I hate .”

“Maybe it’d be worth snatching those notes from Blake,” Johnny said, “If they’re valuable enough to have motherfuckas’ coming after us for them, they can be [i]leveraged.[/i]”

He shrugged again, “Against who, I don’t know, but they can be used against [i]somebody[/i].”

A half-smile crept across Lin’s face as she said, “... Yes, I think we should.”

“We’re basically Elite already,” Sylvia said with a shrug, leaning back and folding her arms behind her back. “Getting them can’t be that hard, right?”

“Nothing’s ever [i]that[/i] easy, Sylvia,” Johnny added. “Especially when shit’s getting [i]more[/i] complicated, but I have an idea.”

“Well, we ain’t sittin’ here for our health,” Gabe said with a shrug.

“We meet up with everyone’s favorite [i]Isaac Kane,[/i]” Johnny said. 

”... Who?” Gabe asked.

“Information Broker,” Mika answered for Gabe and the others. “Very good. Very professional. Very [i]trustworthy[/i]. He can help us.”

“We gonna meet him on Wednesday,” Johnny said, “But, until then, it’s becoming [i]obvious[/i] that more people are after us…” He rubbed his chin, before he sighed.

“So, we’re going have to stick together. As in, one bigass group. At all times.”

“Awwwww, the fuck?!” Sylvia shouted.

“Yes, I [i]know,[/i]” Johnny rolled his eyes. “But, that whole thing with Lin and Mika could have ended [i]very[/i] badly. As in, they could have gotten murked right there.”

“I think it’s weird…” Sage piped up again. “All of this started with a [i]cat.[/i] We just going to like… gloss over that?” Sage’s voice cracked.

“It’s magic,” Johnny shrugged. “It’s probably someone’s Gold Lux trick or something.”

“Either way, someone is making moves on us,” Lin added. “And we need to be one step ahead of it.”

“... Or we’re going to be one step behind and get [i]fucked [b]all[/b] the way up,[/i]” Gabe shrugged. 

“Which is why we’re going to meet with Kane, snag those notes, then figure out what the fuck the Coven wants with us,” Johnny said before he looked at the group. “So, we’ll stick together, lay low, and don’t get shanked!”

He laughed.

“Easy as pie, right?”

[hr]

A content ‘hum’ reverberated through the nose of a man standing on the rooftop of a building opposite of the Harbour Lounge. Long, dark hair whispered in the cool wind under a full sky. A long, dark trench coat covered a posh suit. 

In his ear, a bud that was connected to the bug on young Lin's jacket. All the little juicy details that left the lips of Lin's little group were there, ripe for picking.

A cold smirk crossed the face of Elias “Fox” Castles as he passed a thin envelope to the street urchin beside him.

[b]“You did good, Dolly. Stay low for a little while, and take the long way home. Get yourself something hot to eat tonight.”[/b]

The street urchin nodded, hastily pocketing the money, before hopping down the fire escape.

As the child fled the scene, the white cat from before made it to the rooftop, obediently walking into a carrier set at Fox's feet. 

Fox shut the carrier door, then pulled out a cellphone, speed dialed a number, and pressed it to his ear.

[b]“Yes, sweet sister-in-law? I have the most delightful news for you…”[/b]