Preparing The Endangered Animals:

For the longest time, Carmen had heard rumors about Countess Cleo always hosted a secret and illegal supperclub, using endangered or rare animals. Menu was always changed every year just like the guests that she hand chooses to attend. Nobody knows the chef and the kitchen stuff that prep the food or the people that act as the serving staff. Even the location changed as to keep the law enforcement, Animal rights groups, and ACME from interring with them. Was something Carmen wanted to stop form happening this year and not becoming repeated event for years to come. Just the plans she was about to pull through after slowly coming together with her pulling out the first part. Shadowsan was left to act as her middle man between Ivy and Zac with Player mining for information as they moved.

Ivy and Zac were sent to find where Isamu and Āwhina , Which led them under false identities to travel to the door step of a animal sanctuary in Perry, FL. Siblings were taken to fenced in compound miles outside the outskirt to the town. Large sign above the only entrance leading in and out of the closed gate told them where they were after looking up. After pressing the intercom to speak to who ever was incharge about passing through to visit the people inside. Only opened a small part of the gate in the form of a doorway by a open men dressed in denim and plaid. Mumbled about the two needing to the get their rears inside before he turned away for trespassing on private property. Was that was needed to get the two going when Ivy noticed the rifle strapped to his back and darts hanging off his vest.

"You looking for Isamu and Āwhina?" He asked them.

He pointed on how to get single house among the large buildings and spacious cages they were have to walk passed to find them. Finding words or even muster the energy to nod their heads before they walked off to search was hard for them. Ivy swallowed while she grabbed her brother by the arm and pulled him behind her while figuring the path. Since she did must of the navigating as the passed all kinds of habits filled with animals that were scarred or mauled. Barely gave a second look to the red headed pair of humans passing by them with one struggling to get free of the other. Just tighten the hold his sister had on him with each corner they turned and cobble stone path they walked. Until they came across a ranch style home with a modest second floor and a sign out front saying this was the house. Up the stairs Zac was pushed by his sister to walk the steps and knock on a closed door where he was greeted by Isamu and Āwhina to explain why they were here. Isamu just stood with a bokken in one of his hands and watching what the two were doing. Āwhina tilted her head to the side of his own rather curious why they were being visited out of the blue.

"I miss a important?" Āwhina came to ask.

"We come in?" Ivy was the one that spoke.

"..." Zac was being stared down by Isamu.

Isamu was the one that allowed inside the building while informing them of the rules his Aunt and Uncle that run this place had. Ones that left Zac further become quiet since he could feel the building tension as he tried to avoid eye contact. Ivy just wanted to get in and settle down before talking about anything that had to do with why they were here. Smell of food that was being made had her dragging her brother inside behind her with Isamu's eyes still on him.

"We were just about to seat down for..." Āwhina was cut off when Zac's growling stomach told her all she needed to know.

This living room Ivy and Zac were shown to sit by Āwhina when she noticed that Zac hadn't said a single word was worrisome. Just the two stopped in their tracks when they noticed the living room area was sunken with steps leading down. Large pillows and cushions surrounded most of the rugged flooring that was put down with a low legged table in the center. Masks from different tribes that lived in the rural parts of the 7 continents littered the walls as decorations. Most of these masks were mostly animals themed in some way or another when one looked more closely. Got mixed reactions from the siblings since Ivy wanted to know where each one came from as Zac was little scared.

"I have to checked my food," Āwhina left them alone. "Itko, tone down the grumpy."

"We miss something?" Ivy asked not understand what Āwhina meant to her cousin."

"Ever since he started Iaidō and Iaijutsu," Āwhina spoke as she walked away. "He's been a real grump."

"We're here as support," Zac finally spoke. "Your dad must be proud."

Isamu tucked the bokken away on to a wooden Tanto Stand Display Rack on a near by table before even attempting to seat. His shoes were left on the outer ream of the steps leading to the sunken in area everyone was sitting. Had Zac wondering how he could move on surface of something with the consistency of quick sand within a careful matter he moved. Way Isamu would flop down in a far distanced corner with relief when he laid back and sighing on his lips. Ivy pulled out her phone to put Player on speaker phone and let him do must of the talking between the three.

"Ever heard of underground restaurant hosted by Countess Cleo," Player's questions had Isamu's attention. "Where endangered creatures are on the menu?"

"Yes, since my late grandfather on my mother's side turned down a friend's invitation to attend one," He recalled the disgust his had. "Go on."

He ended up being told about Carmen wanting to do and how Player casted a digital-net throughout the web . Making sure he covered he darkest parts of online world with certain key words that people used in their personal emails and PMs. A few chatrooms between people talking about attending or trying to invite someone to this event. Search results turned out information of a where and when this was happening without a who or how. Billy helped with sorting all the data before he was now sharing with Isamu after revealing to Ivy and Zac what is he found.

"We kinda need your help?" Zac summed up why they were here.

"So..." Ivy elbowed her brother.

A sigh escaped Isamu's lips when he thought of why he was here with his cousin then hanging out with people that sat before him. Had him remembering how his late grandfather reacted to how animals were treated and ended up as a meal. His eyes looked at an Asena mask hanging on that wall behind Zac's head before deciding to answer.

"...Ok, but I need to lay down a few rules." Isamu shifted his eyes.

He had to lift one of his hands to Zac to keep him from cheering to loudly since noise alone alert the grounds keeper and his workers. Who he pointed out was responsibility for the animals and what came with caring for them. Who seemed to already know the two unwanted guests were and didn't call the cops on them when they stepped on property.

"He's a veteran zoologist with a passion for animals." Āwhina walked back into the room. "Anyone hungry?"

"Starved." Zav and Ivy answered her.

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11:10:41 PM

Paris, France

Wicked Savor Gourmet

Tucked within the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood within a house that was rented for the one time event. Where bustling of animals in their pins, that kept them from running a around on kitchen staff and the cleaners. Not liking how they were being poked and probe for how they were going to be turned into the nights dinner. Come of the animals were being carefully handled since some had a poisonous sting as a defense. Others had a sharp teeth and claws or fangs that could wound someone not being watchful where they step. Left someone dressed to blend in within one of the crew that were to check over the contained animals.

The List of animals they came across:

Last Female Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle from China's Suzhou Shangfangshan Forest Zoo

New green pit viper species discovered in Arunachal Pradesh in India & named Trimeresurus Salazar

Rare 'Blue Dragon' Sea Slugs

New species of what's known as fairy wrasses, named after Wakanda

Ant-worshiping spiders found in the Chihuahuan desert in Mexico

Newly discovered species called Dipturus lamillai

Goblin Shark

Coelacanth

Popa langur

Mountain fer-de-lance viper
Myotis nimbaensis, a new species of bat in Guinea's Nimba Mountains

Pangolin

List of animals taken animals was a frightening number that took Isamu a moment to process. Ivy and Āwhina had to help Zac pronounce half the names of the animals when he slide his thumbs down the screen. Freaking out when told few of them were sea life and asking why people would even want to seat that kind of thing. Left the two to tag team in calming him down enough that Player ended up telling them man in pale green-Grey shirts and pants with a black belt. Found sneaking in and out in broad daylight of local zoos and refuges without drawing attentions.

"Seems we all made it." Carmen greeted them.

Isamu ended up whistling at the disguise she decided to wear in order to get pass the Cleaners and Countess Cleo. One that had her hair dyed a completely color and styled in different way then she usually wore her hair when on a heist. Zac looked at Āwhina for some type of hint about being the one to dressed Carmen up a Swiss royal with blond hair. She just kissed him on the chest while fixing the collar of his waiter uniform without saying a single word. Ivy was thoroughly impressed with Āwhina's skills in changing up Carmen's looks to wear they couldn't make her out.

"You all know your roles?" Carmen looked them over.

Ivy and Zac were going to be apart of the wait staff from uniforms that Āwhina put together as she was apart of kitchen staff. Jump suit and boots on Isamu went on to tell them he had come from animals pins where The Cleaners henchmen were. Soon be taken off to show off a absolute contrary outfit that was a mixture of Japanese hoari with tuxedo. Made Zac look back at Āwhina with his finger pointing in a flexing matter at what was revealed to them. Ivy gave a thumbs up before Carmen ended up taking offered to her by Isamu when he fixed his hair and eyes with contacts.

"Here." He hands over a became busy on a stolen smartphone he snatched from one of the Cleaner's subordinates. "I sent a one sided message to ACME about where they could find a member of VILE's faulty. Along with the missing number of endangered and rare animals that been recently stolen from around the world."

Carmen was the one that led the way for him to disappear with her into the main dining room while Zac and Ivy followed. Into character they all had to play with Countess Cleo asking Duchess Lea Asta had found the plus one that wondered one. In a perfect Hachijō Japanese dialect when speaking and nodding his head in acknowledging her with his posture; undisturbed. Followed Carmen to what was her seat to pull the chair out for her with his eyes seeking out the menu. What his eyes found looking over the dishes that animals were going to turned with a silent snort he hid.

The Menu:

Hors d'Oeuvre:

- Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle Appetizer Meatballs

- green pit viper Bruschetta

Soup:

-French Onion Soup Gratinee w/mountain fer-de-lance viper meat

-Goblin Shark fin and Potato Soup

Fish Dish:

-crispy Dipturus lamillai

-Baja fairy wrasses tacos

Meat Dish:

- Braised Corned Myotis nimbaensis

-Popa langur meat roll

Main Course:

-Coelacanth Risotto

- Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle Hamburger

-Parmesan Pangolin

Salad:

- 'Blue Dragon' Sea Slugs Couscous Salad

Dessert:

-chocolate covered ant-worshipping spider

"One of those times, I am glad ACME with Sûreté are going to be here in 6 minutes and 44 seconds." He shared with Carmen. "Don't put to much of a show on."

What seemed to be a sensual smile that appeared on her face from being teased

He had being close to Carmen looking like he was whispering into her ear in such a intimate way that everyone got jealous. Blush that crept cross Countess Cleo's face at what she couldn't believe were young lovers being opened. Got better when Carmen made Isamu with draw from her a lot more slow by grabbing him by collar of his hoari. Drawing his lips closer to his own to fake a almost kiss to end up telling him that he needed to stick to the plan. One that had Ivy and Zac were going to cause a distraction of kitchen staff and The Cleaners while Āwhina had mess to make.

"Get ready for when chaos breaks out," She'd ended up pulling away from him.

"I say bring it." He whispered back.

He ended up sitting right next to her by stiffly moving when he left Carmen's side to when he pulled his own chair out. Keeping his hands to himself the whole time he moved in an almost robotic matter that seemed to mother the Countess. Not that she wasn't a happy about someone from Japanese Nobility with a link to the Shogunal Fujiwara family. Who held the rank of Baron (Danshaku) that he had inherited from his late great-grandfather just last year. She kept quiet about his almost rusty social skills at a formal dinner when acting as a plus one with a Swiss Princess. Since she would stand with smile gracing her face and slowly rose from her seat after Isamu sat down. Welcoming everyone that was able to attend her supper club. Pointing out this year's gathering of animals for their feast was one her personal chef put a lot of time into. Along with the usual Citrus fruit called Buddha's hand, being used a palate cleanser.

Lifted one of her gloved hand that held the leather bond menu in hand to inform everyone what animals were appearing in what dishes. She insisted everyone took a quick to look over while she had version of bloody Mary served to them. Using blood from wild boars that were illegally hunted outside of the designated areas and other harvested ingredients. Came in uniform glass after being carefully mixed by the mixologist that stood off to the side where a simple bar was. Handed out by the wait staff that came in a double line from the kitchen where yelling could be heard. A disguised Ivy and Zac were the ones that eyes belonging to Carmen and Isamu spotted with out openly giving them away.

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11:48:47 PM

Historic Venice estate on the Grand Canal Veneto, Italy

For a safe get a way from the hands of VILE and ACME after saving innocent animals from the gloves hands of Countess Cleo. Carmen and her crew were whisked a way by Isamu and his cousin to the company of his wheelchair bond Aunt Dyeus and her live in nurse. All within the vacation home of his godfather for next few nights until they moved on. Zac escaped into the large kitchen were he found Āwhina cooking up some Boston, MA based dishes. The Apple Tarte Tatin, Boston cream pie, and Sweet potato & corn clam chowder had his stomach growling for the first taste. Which he was allowed to have after finding out the materials were carefully gathered by nurse that worked/cared for Isamu's aunt. Ivy was given a full spa treatment from a exclusive mobile spa business one had to be a VIP member. She was being given the full work over from full body massage to a complete medi- pedi cures with long soak.

Carmen preferred to have a lengthy conversation with Isamu's aunt while admiring her pet in the form of a male African spurred tortoise. That has been in her care since they grew up around him when he was his father's private pet. Watching him eat chopped up blend of organic vegetables and Japanese strawberries was center of the conversation. Over numinous refills of tea from a glass tea pot in a opalescent tea cup the color of a pastel red cup she held. The blend was lemongrass and white tea leaves that Isamu's aunt was sharing with Carmen over their chat. One was filling the other in about Isamu beginning to practice the Japanese Sword Martial Arts with quite a dedication to it. Not once letting up after after asking Shadowsan to teach him and never once missing a moment to practice his drills.

"He started around the time of your last caper," Aunt Dyeus happily recalled. "He even started looking into joining a Kendo club."

"Aren't a lucky girl." Carmen laid her tea cup down.

She used the excused she needed to go to the bathroom when she didn't hide nor hair of Isamu since they arrived just hours ago. She knew Zac and Ivy were being spoiled thanks to Āwhina while her cousin was somewhere in this building. She ended up calling Player to get a hold of Billy for her to be asked where Isamu could be found within his godfather's house. She was directed to the upper floor to the renovated attic turned into a large lounge for mostly private use. Got how to get up there since staircase was hidden on the upper floor and number code was needed for the key pad. Didn't stop Carmen when she traveled that long way to be slightly challenged by a camouflaged passage. She liked before going up those stairs and typing up the code and gaining access to what ever Isamu was.

"Hello sleeping beauty." She was amazed with what she found.

In a pair of drawstring pants with Gi styled shirt on and his elongated hair in a loose braid with leather strap. His slippers laid off to the side and loose button up sweater was draped over back of a selection sofa. He stretched out sleeping position with his back turned to Carmen and a head supported by a armrest. A hand woven quilt was covered him up to his neck while he was soundly sleeping a way. A bokken was laying on the floor next to the legs of the selection sofa with fingerless black tekko. Didn't turn Carmen a way when she ended up making her way to him while pulling a cushion behind her. She placed beside the armrest to seat on the cushion with a yawn on her lips and sleep setting in. she reclined into the soft surface telling the sleeping Isamu in a fading voice how truly luck he was. Before she knew it, she would ended up falling asleep with her head resting beside Isamu's without a care. Not disturb by Zac or Ivy when the two were informed about where to find their fearless leader and her wolf.