[Rinrou]

"So you'll be looking at the rings. The rings are what Laurel smuggled and have the most expensive drugs in them," Snow explained, "If you get too far in over your head, leave quietly, don't look for us." She tucked her hair under her hat, "We ready to head out?"

[Kaliko]

Everyone seemed as ready as they'd ever be.

[Rinrou]

"Let's leave separately and meet back here at... 2 at the latest," she nodded, "I'll head out first, good luck." And disappeared out the door.

[Kaliko]

So they continued to leave one by one every so often and went to explore the black market to see what they could find.

[Rinrou]

Then black market was packed. When Raven started asking questions about the rings he was immediately asked a variety of questions pertaining to what exactly he was looking for. Snow had already slipped into the background, asking around for clues to Laurel's whereabouts.

--


“Well, this is an interesting development,” Dalila noted as she leaned her chin on her folded hands, “We never expected you to come to us.”

“Shut up,” Laurel spat.

“Why did you come here I wonder?” she continued, unphased, “A… broken heart perhaps.” Laurel glared at her, eyes filled with hatred. “Oh my, who would have thought sweet little Laurel could glare like that?” she chuckled.

“What are we going to do?” Akil asked from Dalila’s left side.

“You’re going to show our guest to her room,” she replied.

“But-“

“Do as I say,” the cruel woman ordered without raising her voice. Akil bowed.

[Kaliko]

So Raven tried to find one of the things Laurel had been dealing.

Blaze was mostly in the shadows, keeping an eye out for trouble. Mostly Yin Long trouble though.

[Rinrou]

Eventually, he spotted one of the rings Snow had described.

[Kaliko]

So, Raven tried to buy it and then ask where he might be able to get some more.

[Rinrou]

The seller seemed a little suspicious of Raven and started asking more detailed questions.

[Kaliko]

Raven answered the best he could, but he started needing to use the cheat sheet.

[Rinrou]

When the buyer started pressing him more, Frei suddenly stepped up and slipped her hand into Raven's. "He's here with me," she said blankly, "He's still a little new so don't bother him." It sounded slightly like a threat.

It took the man a moment to recognize Frei and then he nodded, "You understand with all the undercovers around, a man's gotta be careful," he explained to Raven.

[Kaliko]

Raven nodded a little to the man. "... I-I'm so sorry," he said as he turned to Frei, trying to play of the surprise as a little bit of fear. "I-I promise I'll do it right next time."

[Rinrou]

"I told you not the make a scene," Frei stated too calmly before letting go of his hand and vanishing back into the crowd.

The man showed Raven a few other pieces that were similar to the ring, "The girl who usually delivered these has vanished," he sighed, "She was the most consistent. It really is hard to find consistent smugglers," he mused sadly.

[Kaliko]

Raven rung his hands a little, trying to play the scared of Frei card. "... That's a shame," he agreed.

[Rinrou]

The man nodded as he pulled out of the next piece, "Heard she's back in town though, hopefully she'll come back and work again."

[Kaliko]

"Huh, that doesn't happen too often," Raven replied as he looked at the next one.