The Festival of the Blood Moon was finally underway. The capital building was a magnificent sight, a monument of marble and jade that almost shimmered in the scarlet light of the full moon. Below it, in the city's square, the celebrations were well underway. Fireworks screamed into the air and exploded into wonderful shapes and colors, setting the joyous mood for all in attendance. Red lanterns hung from every corner shop and were strung over the walkways. The grand stage in the center was host to a variety of plays that told the many stories of the fantastical cult that inspired the legends.

The capital building was operating on a skeleton crew, as most of the workers had left to take part in the festivities. As a result, many rooms were as silent as a tomb. Karma's bedroom faced the city square, and thus was swiftly overtaken by Caitlyn and Vi's stakeout. The councilor contended with meditating quietly on her bed as the two Piltover enforcers took turns watching the trees for any puffs of smoke. Every light in the room was snuffed out in an effort to hide them as much as possible, depending on the warm lights of the festival below to pull attention away from the cold and dark building. Only incense sticks burned, filling the bedroom with a sweet aroma of a tree sap native to Ionia.

Caitlyn lowered a set of binoculars from her eyes to get a better sense of the tree line. Rubbing her tired eyes, she took another swig of the hot coffee beside her. She coughed a little as the slightly bitter liquid ran down her throat. "I asked them to add sugar." She muttered as she rested her elbows on the windowsill.

"You should have mentioned that you need to be able to feel the sugar crunch between your teeth as you drink it." Vi suggested.

Caitlyn rolled her eyes. "Not this again."

"What, it's true. I once drank some of your coffee by accident and nearly choked on it. It was like trying to drink syrup."

"It's not that sweet!" Caitlyn protested.

"Look, I'll have Karma drink the kind of coffee you like, and she'll prove it."

"Deal."

A slight smile touched Karma's lips as she listened to the two banter. It brought levity to the tension in the air. It was why she chose this specific incense. The smoke of the mari tree's sap was valued for its ability to calm people's nerves without also putting them to sleep. "I'll be happy to assist in that manner, but may I ask what exactly you're looking for? I don't think you'll see anybody in the tree line."

"We're looking for smoke, we'll be able to see that despite the terrible lighting." Vi asked, jerking a thumb out the window towards the scarlet moon hanging over the landscape. "Jinx isn't a subtle person, any of her usual antics in the forest will lead us right to her."

"And you know this will be here?"

"Not many other options." Caitlyn replied. Next to her left hand sat an open notebook with potential targets for the Cabal to strike, all within a fifty-kilometer radius of the location Jinx and Jhin were freed. "I narrowed down all of the possible locations they can strike, down to three. Shen and Kennen are watching those while we're here."

Karma considered. "The shrines? Do you think they'd go there?"

"If they did, then we're going to have a quiet night." Cait replied, leaning her elbows on the windowsill as she ran her gaze along the tree line.

"Perhaps they went to one of the smaller villages nearby." Karma supplied.

Vi shook her head. "Not how they do things. Jinx wouldn't be able to resist the fireworks and bright lights of the festival."

"And based on what I read about Jhin," Caitlyn took a swift sip from her coffee, frowning at the contents, before continuing, "he wants his works of 'art' to be seen and admired, but he needs preparation time. The smaller villages would be of no interest to him. The shrines on the other hand are frequented by shrine maidens on a fixed schedule. It'd be simple for him to sneak in and set up a… canvas as he calls them. He'd target one of those or try to snipe you or one of the councilors from a nearby building."

"Either way, Jinx will come here." Vi asserted. "If they are dispatched together, we can count on them not splitting up."

"Precisely. He won't risk leaving her to her own devices, he'll keep her close until he's ready to act."

"So either we capture Jinx alone or with a bonus."

"You two certainly thought of everything." Karma said, impressed. "Do you need anything from me?"

"Just to stay away from windows." Vi stifled a yawn. "If Jhin's gunning for you, don't give him an easy target."

Karma nodded faintly. "Do you plan on staying up here all night? It'd be a shame if you missed out on the festival."

"Unless we get confirmation from Shen or Kennen that they have Jhin and Jinx in custody, we aren't moving from our post." Caitlyn reiterated.

"In that case, I wish you both a good night." Karma said, as she slowed her breathing down to almost imperceptible levels.

Vi watched her, utterly baffled. "Did she just… fall asleep while sitting up?"

"She's fallen into a restful state whilst meditating, yes."

"Weird."

"I'm sure it'd be useful. Sleeping at my desk would probably be more comfortable."

"Pass. I like my bed far too much."

"I've had trouble sleeping for a while, not going to lie."

"Probably because you put enough sugar in your drinks to kill most mortals."

Caitlyn didn't bother responding besides letting out a sigh. This was going to be a long night, and she had to get through it with bitter coffee.