Searching for the Smiling Mask Again

One answer to the riddle was wrong. The clue of “clowns” in retrospect was a bit too obvious for it to be Yoro. Once more, they were also attacked by Shadows at the carnival, showing signs that Limbo was growing and reaching into their world. She did not have time to merely start guessing where, but she also had to choose quickly. If “clowns” meant “foolish people”, then maybe they are gangsters. This area has plenty of them, and certainly are rather foolish or troubled as it were. But this place was large. Even when she decided to contact Gabby and Kogami about this, she was not very sure about this area being right. Though it seemed to make some bit of sense, so she might as well take her chances, even more so when she has her allies with her. She would wait at one end of the strip mall, waiting for the other two to show up. She stressed that they would need to hurry as soon as possible, and mentioned that Kogami bring a disguise, such as hair dye, or some sort of attire that he did not normally wear, and something that would not stick out. The other option for where the fools could be in this part of town was either the club, or the plaza outside. But working at the club, she had taken some extra break time to look around it, and she had not seen anything different, so she felt she could rule that option out.

She took this time to think about the possible repercussions of this in case they were wrong. The Shadows could appear; they had to be ready for that at any time. Once more, if they were wrong about this location, and the Plaza, what else was there? Where did the fools gather? For once, Lorielle would be rather deep in thought, pondering possible places. ‘Yoro is out of the question naturally. Nokawia I cannot think of any places like the riddle describes, except maybe for the Shrine.... Iwaigodai…? Perhaps, but all they have is that large corporation. That surely is not where clowns go to right?’ she thought. Shibakuzoi has a Casino, that could be a place, but that may be pushing it. But was she pushing it? She had so little to go on. She ruled out the school entirely; as while it did make sense, not only did Scarlet not take them then, and gave them a hint to another place, but with the investigation, it seemed rather risky. Hayabusa did not make her think of any places. So it was down to those areas. This seemed the best choice for her, so she would remain here for a bit, and wait for her friends and see if anything would change. Perhaps they would need to consider the Plaza should they be wrong. The mall was rather empty of many people, as it tended to be at night, save for certain ruffians and other people. Was this the answer?

Kogami was wearing his normal street clothes with his hair died black as usual, he then arrived at the mall shortly and casually. He acted like he belonged here, and that was good enough to keep him in plain sight as a natural customer. Kogami then alks next to lori and takes a seat on a nearby bench, unmoving, as if he was waiting for lori to move or make a signal or something.

It appeared no matter how long they waited, even when Gabby could not show up, nothing happened. She noticed Kogami show up, ready to go. And it was starting to frustrate her. Maybe she really was on the wrong track. She gave an annoyed shake of her hand and shaking her head no. She would then walk past him slowly. "Wrong again," she said before leaving the area. Where could it have been? She needed something. Something that could get her somewhere. She was failing her allies and she did not know how to remedy that.

((Exit))

"Hmm....." Kogami wondered why this man was so hard to find. He gets up and starts to leave.. "maybe i need to do something"


exit