Pandora Rell

"I heard about the kidnapping incident on the news. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time watching the trial! It was incredible! It's like something you'd see on TV! Monsieur Cat and The Metal Mercenary have some competition for epic action sequences, only this one was real! After the fact, we got five new prisoners. After their prosecution, I felt safer than I've felt in ages. After waiting for such a long time, we finally caught the man who killed one of my inmates. That makes you feel happier than you would expect, I'll tell you. Things have been relatively calm since, but I'm not complaining. Overall, life is going well! Maybe that agency will help to catch more criminals in the future! I know I'll try and watch their trials!"

Felicity Amaya

"Apparently, the agency who helped to defend me made it onto the news a year after the fact. I didn't think they were going to end up being such a big deal, but it's cool with me! It means I can go around telling people that I knew Cotoli Morix's agency back in the day. Speaking of agencies, I wound up being hired by Blocker Law when a new owner took over. Sky and I work there together now. Plus, Morix Law Offices managed to catch the criminal behind my case. Well, they held off the trial until that young woman could burst on the scene and show them what for. You know, come to think of it, she seems familiar... Doesn't she look like that girl who helped defend me a year ago? What was her name again? Ah, that's right. Venus Rinko... Oh, well. I'm sure it's just a coincidence."

Sky Amaya

"My sister was hired by Blocker Law after the head of the agency died. One of the other lawyers took over following the murder. We've been working side by side since then. Of course, I have a bad feeling about all of this... Call it a gut instinct, but I don't think this agency is going to be surviving for much longer. It hasn't been as stable as it once was. Ever since the death of the owner, it seems to be slipping into a downhill spiral... Of course, that's all theoretical. We'll just have to see... If the agency does disband, maybe I'll have to move to another agency... Maybe Morix Law Offices would be a good option. I hear they get involved in many large cases and often come out on top with even more of a reputation than before. It sounds like it could be fun to me."

Julia Kirigiri (D)

"The sudden betrayal of O was a shock to Interpol. We had been working alongside her for a long time, and suddenly we were given the truth that she was a spy all along... However, Interpol is starting to slip back into a routine. Chaos no longer reigns now that M is in charge once again. It was rough while he was gone, but we're fine these days. I can't say for sure if things will remain this peaceful, but all we can do is wait and see what the future will bring. Until then, there isn't anything we can do about it... Now, it's time for me to go see Q. Apparently, he has a gift for me. He mentioned it after M's trial as we were leaving the courthouse. I don't want to keep him waiting any longer than I have to. I know how antsy he can get..."

Sebastian Walker (Q)

"It's been difficult adjusting to life at Interpol since the murder. We're now allowed to drop the Oracle case. Between Y's death and O's exposure, nobody wants anything to do with Oracle now. I guess that's to be expected... We've officially gotten rid of all the double agents as well. They were prosecuted a few days ago. With D's help, we were able to push what information they sold and to who out of them. D and I are going to be tracking those people down over the course of the next week. Everything is returning to how it once was, which is a relief to me. I hated how messy the office got... Of course, it isn't entirely perfect... We still have to deal with Griffin on a daily basis, which isn't fun, but I guess it's better than it would be otherwise..."

Buddy Bradshaw (X)

"I'm happy I was able to help Neptune save the hostages. She was adamant about it the instant she heard O had been taken by the assassins... It was the most stressful day I've seen in a long time, but I think it was worth it. We were able to return so many people back to their homes. In fact, we're even helping one of the hostages recover. Her name is Clarith. She apparently didn't have any family to go back to. Neptune begged me for hours to let her stay with us... I'm just glad the masters of the house didn't have any strong objections... She's a sweet young woman. I'm happy she's safe now, even if she's rattled following the abduction. I hope we can get to know one another better soon, though that might be hard given how protective Neptune is of her... I wish I knew why that was."

Drew Self (N)

"It's a relief to have M back at Interpol. I was technically in charge while he was in the detention center, and it was incredibly stressful. I'm not meant to be the actual leader of the company. I'm more of a sidekick kind of guy... He's been cracking the whip down on everybody lately though. He's determined to return things to the way they once were before we had spies within our walls. From what I can tell, he's doing pretty well. I'm glad things are starting to return to normal. I can't say when the chaos will settle for good, but we're on the right track. I just hope D and Q have luck in going to find the people our double agents sold information to... We don't need our secrets getting out. That would cause another train wreck I'm not prepared to deal with, and I honestly doubt I'll ever be."

Joe Ashen (M)

"Interpol is somehow still standing after my days in the detention center. Color me surprised on that front. I'm working with the best agents over the country, but they're wrecks when I'm not there to look after them. Sometimes, it feels more like I'm running a daycare than an international force of agents... I guess it comes with the territory. They're good at what they do, at the very least. I'm glad I got the chance to work alongside them, even if they're about as safe to leave alone as a child obsessed with eating glass shards. We've gotten rid of the traitors at the very least. That's a good step for now. I can teach them responsibility another day. I'll make that my future project now that I'm back where I belong. It'll give me something to do, which is always a positive."

KJ Jett

"I know it's been a long time, but I still feel awful about Venus' death. There wasn't anything I could do about it, but I still miss her. I ask Chrysalis practically every time I see her if she's been able to contact her yet, but we haven't had any luck. I wish I had the chance to say goodbye, or to ask her why she got tied up in this Oracle business. I would give anything for a chance to talk to her... I guess there isn't much I can do about it now. I'm sure I'll get my chance one day. Until then, I'm going to continue my training to become a real bailiff one day. I'm sure she'd be proud of me... Venus, if you're out there watching me, somewhere, somehow... I hope you're happy with the way I've taken my life... And... I really miss you..."

Sora Lin

"After the hostages came home, Cotoli called me and told me that apparently his two new workers heard about the project... Chrysalis was pretty upset about it since they found out against her wishes, but there isn't much we could do about it. They were bound to find out sooner or later... Speaking of Chrysalis, I'm happy she's home. I was terrified of what could happen while she was being held hostage, but it all worked out fine, so there's no need to freak out right? I should probably thank Neptune sooner or later... I'm sure I'll see her at some point. She's become an unofficial member of the Oracle project with all she's done. Maybe she'll show up at the next meeting to talk about what happened during that case. I should ask Chrysalis... Until then, I'm going to hang out with Ghastly and Niamh. They're taking me out to lunch today!"

Vito Cruz

"I was busy on another case during that last murder at Interpol, but I heard about it from the people who were involved or saw the trial. It caused quite a stir. I wish I could have been there, but Chief Prosecutor Bespoke insisted on putting me on another case with Prosecutor Shield. He insists that we need to learn how to get along. We get along just fine, thank you very much. We're the same type of person. I swear, you argue one time, and everyone thinks you've become enemies... I really wish people would stop pestering me about it. When will they learn it isn't their business? I thought it was obvious you should leave things you aren't involved in alone... I guess that's a lesson Chief Prosecutor Bespoke needs to teach everybody else, so it's good to know I won't be the only one getting lectured."

Roberto Shield

"Lily told me all about the case after the trial ended. I was busy with Prosecutor Cruz. Chief Prosecutor Bespoke has been intentionally putting us together on a bunch of cases since our big argument a few months back. He says he wants to foster a strong relationship with our coworkers. I think it's ridiculous. Why can't he just leave us be? Then again, I may just be bitter about missing out on that last case. I heard it was a big one. I got a lot of details from Lily, but I still feel like I'm missing out on a few things, like she knows something I don't... I can't say for sure if I'll be able to press it out of her, but I want to try. It might give me something worthwhile. I guess I won't know until I try, so I might as well get onto that."

Niamh Wood

"I'm feeling all sick after what happened with the Interpol case... I can't stop thinking about what Ms. Murdayre said. She was talking about Ashbrooke... I'd rather not talk about it. I feel dizzy just thinking about it... If you want my opinion, I think the best thing to come out of that case was the ending and the knowledge that everybody got away safe... I'm relieved it's over. I wish I had felt more confident during the trial though... I was supposed to learn how to prosecute from Da—erm, Chief Prosecutor Bespoke, but I wound up just shuffling paper around. I wish I had spoken up more... I guess I'll have more opportunities in the future. Maybe he'd be willing to help me next time a case comes up... I just hope that case isn't quite as stressful as the recent one... I don't know if I'll be able to take it if it is..."

Anton Burke

"A lot h-has changed since the Interpol case... For one, D-Daddy and Chrysalis have m-moved in with Polly and me! We're all living under o-one roof now! I-I don't think I've ever been happier... They always s-seem to be whispering t-to each other about something, b-but I don't mind much. I'm just g-glad we're all here together... I d-do wonder what they're talking a-about though... Maybe they'll tell me o-one day... Oh, well. Until then, I-I'm just going to enjoy our f-family bonding time! W-We're going to play a-a board game tonight... I-I wonder if I'll be a-able to win... I think I-I'm a pretty good at the Monsieur Cat game... What c-can I say? It's a lot of fun... I-I hope we'll be able to watch it t-together one day... Only time will t-tell, I guess... I'll j-just have to wait..."

Polly Burke

"Our little company of ragtag legal fighters has grown larger because of the Interpol case. I don't know how to feel about it. On one hand, it's always good to have more hands on deck, but it does make me nervous. You never know what people are really like behind a smile. Killers can put on a pretty face but still be killers. That's one thing I've learned since becoming a prosecutor... I guess there isn't anything I can do to change it now. I can't exactly go back in time and keep our secret from getting out. I'll leave it be for the time being, but the second they show signs of being suspicious... God, no wonder Cotoli is always telling me to relax... It says a lot when even walking anxiety is telling you to calm down. Maybe I do have a few temper issues after all."

Vera Wattson

"I missed the second half of the trial since I was working at the crime scene. From what I heard, it wound up being rather interesting... I suppose I can look through the case file later. It's not quite like being there and seeing it yourself, but it can be an alright substitute from time to time... On a lighter note, I've been growing closer with Toby. He seems to get flustered when I enter a room. I'll have to ask his daughter why she thinks that is. She'll have a better guess than I will. Speaking of, she should be ready to start working on cases again soon... It's been far too long since I've worked alongside her. It'll be a delight to get our group back together. Plus, there's a new detective in-training I'll be helping soon. Maybe our party can expand by one person once he arrives..."

Toby Erikson

"I've been able to relax a little after that big case at Interpol. I doubt I'll see any cases that wild for quite some time, which is fine with me. While I do like excitement, it can get exhausting if it's constantly a thrill ride. It's important to maintain a solid balance. I'm sure things will get a little lighter in the future though. My daughter, Mukuro, is ready to help me with cases again. It's always better when she's at my side. Maybe Vera can come along. She's always shooting me those longing glances when we're in a room together... I hope she hasn't noticed how flustered I seem to get when we're close... I can't help it. She just makes me happy, and then my face gets all red, and suddenly I can't stop my nervousness... That... That isn't a weird thing to say or anything, right?"

Ervan Frost

"I'm glad I've had some time off from judging. I've been able to spend more time down at local cafés. I've met a lot of nice people in between trials. In fact, I might have finally found the one... Eriko says I'm being dramatic, but I think she's just jealous. She doesn't understand true love when she sees it. She also thinks I need to hit on people less, but I don't think she gets that either. It's part of my nature. I can't just get rid of it. I'm sure she'll understand someday... Until then, I'll just have to wait... I should probably get going, though. I'm supposed to watch a trial Eriko is judging in half an hour. I don't know what it's about, but I'll be able to figure it out after I get there. I'm sure she'll gladly fill me in on the details afterwards if needed."

Eriko Frost

"Following their capture during the Interpol case, Occisor was judged by yours truly. I refused to let them go free for any longer, so I went into action. As of right now, they're all set to get the death penalty for their many murders. They won't be executed for a few years now because they need to serve out part of their sentences, but I'm still calling it a win. After all they've done, I think it's only fair that they rot in prison for what they did... Damn, I'm going to be late. I have to meet with my brother. That troublemaker is always screwing around at some café or another. At the very least, I can try to ground him by giving the details behind the case I judged. He seemed pretty interested in hearing them when we last spoke, wanting to know all about the crimes of Occisor's members."

Ophani Diaphan

"I've been given a promotion since the Occisor case at Interpol headquarters. Apparently, the higher-ups were impressed with my work during that dark situation. As glad as I am for all that, I like doing quieter cases. It keeps me away from the public eye and helps me avoid questions about why I wear the mask or if I'm a superhero... I swear, people can be so ridiculous sometimes... I guess I can go along for the time being. Hopefully, I'll still be given chances to judge regular cases. Maybe I'll get a few more with the lawyers at Morix Law Offices. They seem to be good at sniffing out strange cases, if their previous few cases haven't already made that clear to everyone. If I can preside over those trials, I'm sure I'll never see a dull moment. In other words, it sounds perfect to me."

Ghastly Bespoke

"The hostage situation from Chrysalis made me lose so much sleep... In between calming Sora and Cotoli, I've barely had time for any naps. While that may not sound bad, I'm passing out at my desk nearly every day now. Polly keeps chewing me out for it, but she doesn't understand how stressful that case was for me... Maybe I should set her up with a prosecutor with a calming aura... I would suggest Amy Kalles, but she unfortunately already knows that's an alias... Perhaps one of the new recruits will give me what I need, as no other prosecutor seems to get her sufficiently relaxed. I'm practically praying for that at this point. I don't know what I'll do if I have to keep listening to her constant pestering day in and day out... Noise canceling headphones might not be such a bad investment, come to think of it..."

Neptune Mercure

"I've been getting tons more cases since the last incident at Interpol. It's practically impossible to catch a break, since it seems like everybody wants time with the amazing private investigator who saved the hostages of the Interpol case from the deadly clutches of Occisor. If I had a dollar for every head line I saw that looked like that or similar, I wouldn't be here. Instead, I would be on my yacht partying it up. I suppose I can't complain though. As busy as I am, income is coming in pretty steadily. I just wish I had more time to spend with Buddy, Clarith, and Chrysalis... I feel bad for not being able to talk to them as much anymore... Oh, well. This has to calm down eventually, and I'll have all the time in the world then. At least, I hope that's what'll happen... I need some peace and quiet after this mess."

Cotoli Morix

"The Oracle project seems to be going better than ever before. Well, at the very least, it's going the best it has since Venus died. The help of Lily, Deirdre, and Yuri is doing wonders for the project. We've outed three corrupt attorneys just this month thanks to their digging. I'm thankful for their assistance more than I would have anticipated I'd be. I don't know what we'd do without them. I guess I can see what else they get into working as part of the Oracle project in the future. I have faith they'll only become better with time and experience. I don't think I can thank them enough for their help. I owe a lot to them... I guess it's strange, having a business owner be indebted to his employees, but I don't mind it much. I rather like the family dynamic we all share."

Chrysalis Starr

"I've made a steady recovery from my head wound since the case ended. Apparently, I had a concussion, which isn't surprising, but still irritating. I just want to get back out there and keep on with Oracle work. Of course, all this time off has given me a while to think things through, and I can't stop wondering where Pieter is. I might start with looking for him when I can dig around again. I can't wait for him to come back to us and see how much progress we've made. I hope he's proud. I've been incredibly productive since our last meeting. Plus, I want to ask him more about Occisor... Maybe he'll be more willing to return now that they're in prison... I guess I won't know until I drag that stubborn brother of mine out of the hole he's been hiding in all this time."

Yuri Rinko

"I'm following in my sisters' footsteps and working in the Oracle project! It's way different than what I expected. I was thinking it was full of underground meetings between shadowy figures wearing cloaks and using voice changers, but in the end, it was just a band of normal people talking about how to lock up criminals. Granted, I'm not complaining. I think it's cool regardless. I bet Venus and Cassidy would be happy to hear I'm doing so much to help out the people around me. They spent so much time and energy trying to make a better future, and now I'm doing what they once did. Even if they would be mad about it, I'm proud of myself. I'm happy to be part of something larger than just me. It makes me feel special... I don't think I'd give it up for the world. Funny thing to say about a spy organization, right?"

Lily Shield

"When I started working at the agency back in February, I never expected things would end up this way, but at the same time, I don't really have objections. I've found a group of wonderful people to share my time with. I've made friends along the way and shown the world what I'm made of. While it is going to be getting harder from here on out, I think we'll be able to face it. The legal system won't know what hit it! I think Robbie is getting suspicious though... He keeps asking me if I'm hiding something from him. I guess I'll have to touch up on my secret-keeping skills before I go out joining any other secret spy organizations. I can't have him learning what's going on behind the scenes. Something tells me that could be a recipe for disaster. Call it a gut instinct."

Deirdre Brigit

"While life didn't exactly go the way I had anticipated it to, I think it's alright. Something tells me things are going to work out in the end. I don't know what's been feeding me that concept, but I think I'm going to trust it if it's gotten me this far. I don't know where I would be now if I hadn't been hired to work at the agency, but I doubt it would have taken me on this unforgettable journey towards peace. I'm happy to be part of the Oracle project, which is something I never expected I'd say. Life surprises you sometimes, huh? This is only the beginning though. Something tells me I'll be seeing a lot more excitement in my time at Morix Law Offices. Only time will tell what comes next, and admittedly, I can't wait to see what's around the corner for me and the others."

September 2

Unknown Location

Unknown Time

Unknown Perspective

"I got a job."

When the woman with gray hair entered the room, I looked up from my place sitting in front of my laptop. She slung her backpack over the couch before sitting down beside me. "Unfortunately, it's going to make me move. I don't want to leave this place behind since it's been my home for years, but I think it's time I carve my own path in life," she told me.

I smiled. "I'm glad to see you're so determined to make your life your own," I said, reaching out to take her hand. "Did you finally find someone willing to hire you?"

"Yes, but it's not nearby, as I said before. We'll have to move. Well, at least I'll have to move. I don't want to force you to come along if you're happy where you are," she said. "I know my mom is coming with me at the very least. She doesn't want to stick around here anymore."

"I can understand why she would be so adamant about leaving this place behind. It isn't exactly healthy for her. Are you going to be sharing a home once you arrive?" I asked.

"I think so. I can't bring myself to leave her after all we've been through together," she admitted. "If you want to stay here, I won't stop you. You can take the apartment for yourself after we're gone. I'll gladly hand the keys over if that's what you want. I don't want to force you into anything."

"You aren't forcing me into anything. You've been nothing but great to me since we met, and I appreciate all that you've done. I'll gladly go with you wherever your new job is. There isn't anything keeping me here but you and your mother. I don't know if I'll be able to stomach leaving you now," I answered.

She couldn't help the blush that crept onto her cheeks. "You sure do know how to embarrass me... Is that your job or something?" she questioned.

"You know that isn't my job," I reminded her. "Even if it hasn't exactly done me much good in this foreign place..."

"I'm sure it'll help you out where we're going," she grinned. "We're heading to America."

I gasped. "Really?" I asked. I knew she wasn't cruel enough to joke around with me that way, but I still couldn't believe it. I hadn't seen America in two years now. Last time I was there, I wasn't even sure if I would actually be going back. I thought that was going to be the last I saw of my home, but the universe thought otherwise.

The woman nodded. "Yep. I got a job in a busy city. It's going to be hard to make a life in a place like that, but I'll take that challenge over life here. It's better to try and make your own life than be tormented at every turn, you know?"

I nodded. "I must agree. When are you set to start working there?"

"A few months from now. However, I want to settle in as soon as possible... Okay, maybe I'm just making an excuse to get away from this place. I don't know how much more of it my mother can take, and I'm getting fed up with everything we get here too," the woman admitted. "I'll have to figure out an apartment over there, but I'm sure it'll be okay. You can help me look around online, right? We both know you know tons more about America than I ever will, so we might as well use that to our advantage."

"That sounds good to me." I set the laptop to the side and stretched out. I had been sitting on the couch for ages now, and I needed a break for my cramping legs.

The woman didn't even have to look at the screen to know what I had been watching. "You're watching the videos of the abduction again, aren't you?" she asked.

I didn't respond, so she continued speaking. "I knew it. You keep watching it over and over... It's been a month, but you can't help it. And yet, you won't tell me why it's so important either... Come on, talk to me. You know I won't judge you for it."

I clenched my hand into a fist and shook my head. "Maybe another time. I'm not feeling up for it," I lied, praying she would drop the subject like she did most other times it came up.

She didn't press it, which I was thankful for. "Now, let's get to packing. There's a lot to do, and I don't want to put it off. The sooner we get to America, the better. I'm eager to get out of this place at long last," she said instead.

I nodded and headed for my room, but I heard her speak softly while I walked away, making me stop. "Will you talk to me one day?" she asked.

I hesitated. "I... I don't know," I admitted, not wanting to lie and give her false hope.

She paused thoughtfully and walked to my side, taking my hand into hers. "Well... I guess it's your secret to keep for now..."

She started for my room now and gestured for me to follow her. "Come on. Let's get to it. We have a lot of packing to do... Pieter."

QUIET AFTER THE HURRICANE

END