Despite the early morning, the sun was already hot and beating down on the group as they made their way toward the mall. Rat laughed as he skipped along the pavement, wearing his usual attire of a dusty brown tank top and similarly-colored shorts. Hana often wondered if he owned multiple pairs of the same clothes, or if he simply chose to wear the same outfit every day. She assumed it was the former, as the boy didn't smell particularly bad, but occasionally she caught a whiff of what she assumed was teenage B.O. whenever he was around. "Ah, it's been quite a while since I've been here, eh?"

"Yeah," Brigitte said, "'cause last time we came here you tried to set the plants on fire. I briefly considered not bringing you along, y'know."

"Oh, lighten up, mate!" Rat giggled and wrapped an arm around the newest addition to the group, Lucio. "I couldn't just stay home and leave my dear ol' roomie to suffer without me."

The dark-skinned boy laughed nervously. "Uh… Thanks, Jamie."

"Anyway," Lena spoke loudly to be heard over Rat's chatter, "We're here, so everyone knows the drill, yeah? Stick with a buddy as if we're still in primary school and be back by noon!" She grabbed Emily's hand and dragged her off to one of the nearby stores. A candy store, by the looks of it. Hana made to follow them, but was stopped by Brigitte's hand on her shoulder.

"Trust me, Hana, you really shouldn't bother them when they have their… alone time. Third wheeling, not fun." She left in the opposite direction with Zarya and Mei.

"Wait, what am I supposed to do?" Hana yelled after her.

"Anything, really!" The red-haired girl shouted over her shoulder. "Just don't die or anything, 'kay?"

Hana scanned her surroundings, considering her options for the next two hours. Her gaze eventually landed on a small frozen yogurt shop a few doors down from where Lena and Emily had gone. She turned to Lucio and Rat, the only two people who had not yet left. "Uh, do you guys wanna maybe go there?" She jerked a thumb at the sign in front of the shop.

Rat nodded enthusiastically, and Lucio shrugged. "Whatever suits you, Hana."

Fifteen minutes later, Rat was on what Lucio had only described as a "sugar high." The hallway was filled with the sounds of running footsteps, cackling laughter, and the occasional bang, which Hana assumed was Rat running into the walls. Exhausted, she covered her face with her hands.

"Jamison, please. We're getting weird looks from people."

"Looks? That's amazing, mate! I am the comic relief after all." Another bout of maniacal laughter, and Hana sighed in defeat.

Lucio placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Ah, he'll come around. In the meantime…" He paused, gesturing to a nearby music store. "Wanna come with me?"

"We won't lose Rat, right?"

"Nah, he's pretty easy to find. Besides, he's mostly harmless, I don't think he'll actually hurt anyone."

Hana laughed. "Lead the way then, Mr. dos Santos."

A soft jazzy tune played as Hana and Lucio entered the store. The cashier smiled and nodded in greeting, which Lucio returned. The boy made a beeline for the electric piano in the back of the room, Hana following in his wake. She inspected the CDs and records lining the walls. I've never seen half this stuff before. Must be old. She was interrupted from her thoughts when a pleasant melody rippled through the store, originating from the back.

Lucio's fingers moved across the keys, quick and fluid, as if he had been playing his entire life. He probably has, Hana mused. His playing was almost magical, enveloping her in its warm sound, and she found herself drawn to him as if he were calling her. When she reached him, the song abruptly stopped.

"...Hana?"

Hana opened her eyes, realizing in her stupor she had wrapped her arms around Lucio's shoulders. She quickly jumped off him, face reddening with embarrassment. "Oh! I- uh, didn't mean to do that, it's just that your playing-"

He smiled. "I know, you're good. You just surprised me." He returned to the piano and began to play another melody, one that Hana recognized. She recoiled in mock disgust.

"Is that- Is that the Crazy Frog song?"

He grinned. "Yeah, it's actually one of my favorites. I know it annoys people though."

She stared at him in disbelief. "You, my friend, are utterly despicable."

Moira looked down at her smartphone for what felt like the fifteenth time. "...Tibet? We're in Tibet ? Why aren't we in Seoul?"

We were in Seoul two weeks ago, Moira. Fareeha let out an inaudible sigh. He wasn't there. Or anywhere on the entire Korean peninsula, for that matter.

The banshee coughed. "Right. And do you mind telling me why we're here of all places, in the literal middle of nowhere?"

I sensed a presence, Fareeha replied. Besides, Lhasa is a few minutes away, and we need a place to stay for the night.

"A presence? You dragged us all the way out here because of a presence ? This is the last time I let you lead the way, Amari."

You can't tell me you don't feel it too, Moira. Now get up, we should find a motel or something before dark.

Moira closed her eyes and concentrated. "Now that you point it out… I do feel something. Mythical energy, most likely."

Exactly. I'm hoping it's Yeon, although I'd be surprised to find him all the way out here. Fareeha leapt into the air and began to fly, Moira following after her.

The motel was dark, dusty, and rather empty for a motel along a popular traveling route. Moira approached the desk. "Two rooms, please. One for me and one for my companion."

While the attendant prepared their rooms, Fareeha scanned the lobby and tapped Moira on the shoulder to get her attention. It's a lot stronger here.

The banshee nodded and was about to reply when the sound of heavy boots echoed in the stairwell. Moira stiffened. "Fareeha, we need to go-"

"Go where, O'Deorain?"

A man stood in the doorway, half covered by the serape draped over his shoulder. He was dressed in old-fashioned American cowboy garb, complete with the hat and boots. Brown hair framed a bearded face, from which dark eyes gleamed from underneath the hat.

Moira turned around and faced the man, a calm, collected expression adorning her face. "Jesse McCree. I didn't think you were one to frequent this area."

"What I do and where I go is really none of your business." Jesse's eyes shifted to Fareeha, who was standing behind Moira. "'Reeha? The fuck are you doin' here with this witch?"

Fareeha began to sign, then gave up, remembering Jesse had never learned the language. She elbowed Moira, and the banshee explained for her.

"We're looking for Yeon."

"That's a mighty poor explanation, banshee. You and I both know Yeon ain't been in contact with us for quite a quite a while."

Fareeha released another silent sigh and grabbed Moira's smartphone from her pocket, ignoring her protests. Her fingers flew across the keys, telling Hana's story and her relationship with Yeon, and she stuck the phone out in front of her. Jesse's eyebrows furrowed as he read the text.

"I see." He glanced up at Moira and smirked. "Never took you for one to settle down, O'Deorain."

The remainder of the night was spent catching up with Jesse, much to Moira's apprehension. His companion, Hanzo, joined them soon after, explaining that he and Jesse were traveling to Nepal to find Hanzo's brother and his teacher.

"I wish to… talk to Genji. I would like to pay my respects." He paused. "If you two would like, you may accompany us on our trip there. Yeon will likely be somewhere in the steppes anyway, and I've heard rumors of the Hunters' guild growing in number."

"The steppes?"

"That is where he was last seen. A couple years ago, I believe."

Moira thought for a moment. "If we find him…"

He'll most likely not be in an agreeable mood, Fareeha signed as Moira translated. It would be nice to have backup. Especially if the Hunters are increasing in number again.

Hanzo nodded. "Very well. We leave tomorrow morning. I aim to reach the temple in three days' time."

"Wait," Jesse interjected, "Does that mean I gotta travel with Moira ?"

"Yes. You can tolerate her for a few days. It's better for us to travel in larger groups, if we want to stay safe."

The werewolf groaned. "To think I would have to spend that much time with her…"