Yang couldn't help but feel mystified by how strange Earth was compared to home. It was soon discovered that Torchwick's little demolition had not only been planned, but it was entirely legitimate – at least as far as the city's authorities were concerned. Permits had been filed for and approved, which Karrin had learned of from her former partner at a place called Special Investigations. The brawler had also endured an uncomfortable, lengthy grilling by Harry. She had no idea who Salem was, but did not like the idea that someone was in control of the Grimm. She could only tell him the little that she knew about Roman and his hench-girl, Neo. Her explanation had given the wizard no answers, and he'd given up in frustration.
They had gone back to Karrin's place and spent the rest of the evening talking about what came next: The journey back to Remnant. If Harry could figure out how to get them there. They batted ideas back and forth behind the meaning of Molly's cryptic hint. Try as they might, none of them could come up with anything. When they gave it up, it hadn't been too late, so Harry asked Yang to stay with Murphy while he went to 'wheel and deal' for the information he needed. The stubborn man had insisted that he was fine to drive, but Karrin had matter-of-factly informed him that the giant goose egg on his head said he was taking a cab, and that was that.
They were sitting in the living room; Karrin took the time to strip down her rifle, which she described as a 'bull-pup' automatic. "So Yang," she said as she slid the barrel housing off, "what should we know about Remnant?"
Yang pondered the question for a moment as she cleaned one of the barrels of Ember Celica with a stiff bristly brush. "I'm sure there's all kind of stuff. It's kind of hard to think where to start. Did you have anything in mind?"
Karrin finished taking apart the boxy little rifle, and Yang was surprised that there was so little to it – the thing almost seemed like a toy. "So let me shock you with how predictable this is going to sound, but how about laws? Vale's a kingdom, right? With a proper king and queen?" Yang laughed, but it was half-hearted. When she didn't answer right away, Murphy looked up from her equipment. "Is something wrong, Yang?"
She stared down at her hands and the weapon in them. Ember Celica had been stripped down to expose the inner gearworks, but the mecha-shift was largely self-cleaning and didn't need much attention. Ruby had been so clever, even when they were both very young. It was killing her that they'd been apart for so long. "I just…" Yang began, not looking up from her idle hands for a moment as she tried to put what she was feeling into words. "I'm really worried. What if Harry can't figure out this thing? I mean, don't get me wrong, you guys have been great and all." She couldn't bring herself to say it.
Karrin put down her things and scooted closer so she could put an arm around her shoulder. "You're homesick, and worried that you'll be stuck in unfamiliar territory." Yang nodded mutely, still unable to look Murphy in the eye. "I won't bs you, hon. It could go that way." A single tear slipped from the corner of her eye and slid down her cheek before dropping to her arm with a quiet splat. "But in all the time I've known Harry Dresden, he's rarely let me down, and then never without good reason." The tawny-haired woman squeezed her hand and gave Yang a little shake. "And hey, if you do wind up having to stay, it isn't like you can't make the best of it while he keeps trying. Heck, you could join an ultimate fighter circuit to pass the time; you'd clean house."
Yang laughed weakly at that and dashed the wetness from her face. "I don't know, something tells me Harry wouldn't approve." She and Karrin shared a laugh.
"Oh I wouldn't be so sure about that. You'd have me in your corner, and he'd probably fuss about it, but give up in the end." Yang tried to imagine Harry as a towel boy and couldn't shake the silliness of it away. Murphy tried to get it out of her, but the more she tried, the harder Yang laughed. She broke into her own hearty laughter once Yang managed to gasp out bits and pieces. They eventually subsided, and Karrin flopped back against the couch. "That's more like it. Worry will only make old women of us if we let it." She grasped her wrist in one hand and stretched her arms over her head and looked at her watch. "You know what? Harry said he'd probably be gone all day. Let's finish cleaning up and get outta here, go do something fun."
Yang perked up at that suggestion. "Oh yeah? What does someone do for fun in Chicago?"
Murphy stood and moved over to the desk on the far wall. "So many things, Yang Xiao Long. I think we'll start at the Navy Pier." She pulled out a pad and pen, scribbling on it for a moment.
"Boats?" she asked, doubtfully. She supposed that could be fun, but that wouldn't have been her first choice. Then she remembered that there weren't any – scratch that, there probably weren't any water-bound Grimm.
"You'll see, trust me," she replied. She stood up and returned to her rifle, and began to make short work of it with a toothbrush and polishing cloth.
"Okay, if you say so. It's your town, Karrin." She did her best to sound upbeat, and to put her worries aside. They finished in companionable silence over the next few minutes, and left shortly after. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, after all.
A/N - At last, the end of the first act! I know it's quite a bit shorter, but let me set you at ease. I've got the next three chapters fairly well-planned out, and over the course of the month, I will attempt to post one chapter a week. I'd like to thank all of you who've stuck with me so far. All of the discussion, reviews, and words of encouragement have been uplifting and kept me going when pretty much everything else in life seemed to just be awful. Now that I have a better job back in the tech sector again, I will do my very best to keep telling the stories I have going. It's only fair - you guys took care of me, so I gotta return the favor as best I can, yeah? I'd also like to thank RapidFyrez and LydiaRogue again for all their help and patience when I ranted or didn't make sense (my old-people logic is weird, as Rapid would say). I've also decided that until the new job stabilizes, I'll have to hang on to my old one for a while longer. Since this is necessary to make sure my bills are paid, that means I'll need to put my plans for Artificial Outlaw on hold for a few weeks at the very least. So until next time, see you! :)