A/N: I noticed in the previous chapters there were a couple of formatting issues. Hopefully I'll be mindful about correcting them here on out. This chapter is a bit of doozy, as it sets up the story differently.

"Lady Luxanna?"

Lux woke with a start to light knocking on her door - a habit developed out of fear for the day the Mageseekers came to take her away. "Yes?"

"A missive arrived for you, though I know not of the details. However a messenger from the Illuminators delivered it in person and stressed you should receive it right away."

Hope gave way to disappointment, a part of her wishing it would be a summons back to the Laurent manors. Ever since her visit yesterday, her mind remained firmly fixated on the little orb of light hidden away in a secret chest in her study. A part of her felt horrible for tapping the genteel servant of Fiora's, but another needed to be certain she didn't relay any suspicious information to her mother…

–

Lux leaned against her door shortly after closing it, hand clutched to her breast. Her mother demanded news of her visit upon her return, but she managed to deflect it for now stating she needed some time to rest after the long trip. Taking a moment to secure her door, she rushed over to her study and pulled out a small box from a locked drawer in her desk. She set it on top, running her fingers over the runes embedded on the ornate chest. A gift from the Illuminators upon her induction, but she would take the secret with her to the grave. The blonde opened it and unfurled her fingers to reveal a small orb of light.

The chest captured it immediately, and the runes glowed from the spark of magic. Her room filled with magic and provided her with what looked like an elegant study - Fiora's study to be specific. Lux sat down in her chair, watching as light-filled renditions of the duelist and Nera play out in front of her. But no matter how many times she went over the brief conversation, she couldn't pry anything of value and simply assumed that Fiora had no interest in involving herself with the affairs of the Crownguards.

"But Nera did say she would be available…" And Nera seemed trustworthy enough.

–

Augatha was far from pleased by Lux's summary of events as the blonde had no information to give, but made no further efforts to press her for more information. And even if her mother did try, the blonde had no idea if their meeting would take place. The timeframe was too vague and she dared not send a missive inquiring about an open time slot, leaving the Laurents to respond if they ever did.

"...Lady Luxanna?"

Lux shot out of bed and hastily threw on something modest, almost skipping to the door when she realized she left the poor manservant hanging. He handed her the sealed envelope and bowed when she bade him a good morning.

The blonde skimmed the contents of the letter but found nothing divulging the nature of the summons except it was urgent and penned by none other than Radiant Kahina. She was needed at the headquarters before sun high, which afforded her a generous breadth of time to arrive. Checking to be sure no one up or down her hall was in the vicinity, she locked her door and made her way back into her study.

Lux discarded the letter somewhere on her desk. She pulled open the drawer hiding her little secret and set the chest down, placing a finger on the lock and letting her magic flood it. Like all the other times before, the room turned from listless white to golden hues. She plopped herself down in her chair and watched the scene play out before her once more - though this time instead of trying to analyze their conversation, she started studying the minute details the orb had captured.

Everything in the room screamed well-tidied and practical. Not a single item seemed out of place and everything had a purpose; from the bookshelves hosting a myriad of books to a stand supporting and displaying her prized rapier, it was clear the duelist held no love for personal effects. No photographs sat at her desk, nor were the walls covered in any sort of paintings. The only things that stood out to the blonde were the impressive display of various liquors and a few arrangements of flowers here and there.

Shiny, blue eyes followed Fiora's hand as she went to pick up the drink. Even in such a simple gesture, Lux could see the way her muscles flexed and how her fingers held the glass. Delicate, poised, and yet so controlled it almost felt as if she contemplated taking a sip. Did Fiora drink? Inebriation felt out of place when it came to the duelist; the blonde couldn't imagine her trying to duel people intoxicated. But she was reminded of all the trials Fiora endured, and Lux scoffed at the notion. "That's impossible…someone of her caliber could surely enjoy a drink or two every night."

The thought sobered her, and Lux surmised if the woman did indeed drink, she was just as human as everyone else.

…but why was she so concerned with that tidbit of information though?

It wasn't out of place for her to try and connect with others, even for someone as distant as the Laurent. Maybe it was her habit of finding different angles to tackle a situation, and this was no different.

Regardless, she tucked that bit somewhere in the back of her mind. She needed to get ready for a trip into the capital.

"Radiant Luxanna!"

The blonde beamed as she rushed up the stairs to greet the knight at the top, beaming and curtseying when the woman clad in armor saluted her. "Radiant Kahina, it has been a while!"

Kahina returned the warm greeting with a smile of her own. "Indeed it has. Business always keeps me away, though I had reason to return not long ago." The missive rushed back to the forefront of Lux's memory. "Both myself and Myrtille actually."

That gave her pause. "It must be serious for the both of you to be involved."

The Radiant knight nodded solemnly, offering an arm through the doors of the building. "Come, we can discuss in more detail regarding my morning message."

Unlike most of the buildings in the capital, the Illuminators' headquarters stood out in the midst of marble and petricite, its gilded design allowing the sun to wreathe it in a gentle glow. The halls and auditoriums were open to allow unfiltered sunlight through and provide a stark contrast to a sea of white walls outside. The only exception to their open design were the offices - the only spaces required to be enclosed and away from the public eye.

And for good reason too.

Lux stepped into the office belonging to Kahina's mentor, and when her eyes alighted upon the woman, she saluted. "Radiant Myrtille."

"Luxanna, my dear." Suddenly Lux found herself swept up in a tight hug. "Please, you know well formalities are for the war room and not our halls."

The blonde chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of her neck. "Heh, sorry. Old habits and all. Kahina knows what I mean." That earned her a nudge from the Radiant Knight. She took a seat when Myrtille offered and waited patiently for the other two to settle.

Kahina spoke first. "The request came from Sona, my sister."

Lux bit her bottom lip, worry written across her face. "Has something happened?"

"To some extent. The inquiry is actually for a healer she works closely with, someone who goes by the name of Mina."

Lux inhaled sharply. "I know her. We're familiar - she tends to my mother."

Myrtille pursed her lips. "Then this might interest you. Mina's daughter has been missing for some time, which was only brought to light recently when she encountered Eldred."

"Of course it would involve Mageseekers…" muttered Lux, who already had an idea of where this was going. Of all the Mageseekers to run into, it had to be the one running their operations - and happened to be married to her aunt Tianna. "What happened? Do we know?"

Kahina nodded. "Sona said Mina confided her fears. Apparently her daughter had been out of contact for a while, far longer than normal but when she said she ran into Eldred, he asked her of her daughter and her health. Her answer appeared to satisfy him with her uncertainty, which leads me to believe there is some foul play at work."

"The intel I've gathered from our informants on the ground have confirmed as much," Mrytille added, her expression grave. "A few Illuminators facilitate transfers to and from our nation, and one of them confirmed that Mina's daughter regularly travels between Piltover and Demacia. It was during a return trip home she suddenly disappeared, and subsequently missed her usual departure for the City of Progress."

Lux frowned deeply. "How long has she been deemed missing?"

"A few months." Myrtille passed some papers to Lux. "Normally she returns at the beginning of the summer months when the weather is more amenable and departs in the fall just before the winter. According to Mina, sometimes she doesn't return during that time period and given the sparse communication Demacia allows in and out of its borders even for family members abroad, she didn't think to question her daughter's whereabouts. Until now it seems."

The blonde soaked up the details on the pages, but her head tilted curiously at the photo attached. "She… looks nothing like Mina? Kepi, is it?"

"Kepi is not her blood daughter, per say but given how close they are, some call them mother and daughter," the elder Radiant explained. "I am familiar with Mina's affairs as well, given the fact I approved her request for sponsorship for Kepi's family. That is why I have some involvement in this." Myrtille folded her hands together. "Voidsent besieged Shurima's tribes for a while, and we sought to alleviate their woes by offering a sanctuary from the conflict. However some of their people are involved with ancient magics, and it was only a matter of time before her family came under scrutiny. To avoid further persecution, her father Kasim enlisted as a Mageseeker under one condition - devote himself wholly to the excision of mages."

Lux's stomach turned, putting the pieces together quickly. If Kepi had magic…

"He would turn in his own daughter?"

"The possibility is there but we have no confirmation of her interment. Which is why we called upon you, Lux." Kahina continued. "While our work as Illuminators knows no bounds, it stops short of the Mageseekers. You are the only one within our ranks who have extensive history with them."

A somewhat bitter truth. She looked down at the papers, then both women. Why was she constantly finding herself in unpleasant situations? "I can't guarantee I will be welcomed in their halls either. Although I've cleared my name, they still harbor suspicion that I was involved in his escape.

"But-" she continued before either Radiants could answer. "-my duty is first and foremost an Illuminator. I shall have an answer by afternoon's end."

Kahina breathed a sigh of relief while Myrtille looked like she could sink in her chair. "You have our gratitude. Please, tread carefully if you must. The Mageseekers grow bolder by the day and it may be soon they start pointing fingers in directions they have no business to."

The last time Lux visited the complex was prior to Sylas' escape. It felt strange, alien almost, to be walking up their steps now but she had to put her duty as an Illuminator first. Much to her surprise, many of the occupants steered clear of her and paid little heed to her presence. A few did whisper as she made her way to the receptionist, only to stop when she looked in their direction.

The feeling of being watched sent a shiver down her spine.

Just like the first time she stepped into their halls, the air reeked of desperation and despair along with an overwhelming sensation of..zealotry.

To purge the nation of "mages."

'So much for being welcome,' she mused grimly, clutching precious paperwork to her chest. Lux pushed those thoughts out of her head when an unfamiliar man approached her, dressed in part armor and part robes. While she didn't receive a pointed stare from him, his eerily keen eyes made her wish she hid under layers of plate armor. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit, Lady Crownguard?" Courtesy, perhaps out of necessity given the fact she was a Crownguard.

"I come as Radiant Luxanna on behalf of an inquiry from the Illuminators." Lux held up her badge in plain sight, voice loud and clear for anyone who might have questioned her presence. "I was made aware of a missing charge under the care of our members, a young woman who travels frequently between Demacia and Piltover."

"Ah, you must speak of my daughter."

Lux immediately put up her guard - Kasim. "I do."

He hummed quietly, folding his arms and tapping his chin. "I find it oddly suspicious that the Illuminators would send you of all people here, given your prior… engagements with certain former prisoners in our complex."

She nearly flinched at the accusation in his voice, but held her ground. "Yes, it would seem strange to send me rather than the ones who work with special persons traveling between nations." Her agreement on the notion took him off guard. "However, the case was assigned to me for resolution. I do have an official search warrant from Elder Radiant Myrtille for my inquisition, should you require proof."

Kasim scowled, dark eyes burning an intense hatred into her skin. Lux knew she had him in a bind. "I would not question an Elder Radiant, it would be folly to do so."

The blonde bowed her head respectfully. "As a happy coincidence, I actually came to request you, Mageseeker Kasim. You are listed as her father on record and I thought to approach you first. It would quicken our methodical process of elimination to narrow our search. I only have a couple of questions to ask, if you may humble me with answers."

He folded his arms, but made no indication he protested it.

"Were you aware your daughter has been missing for some time?"

"Yes, I am aware she has not contacted us in some time." Lux raised an eyebrow. Why would he not immediately report her missing?

"Has she submitted herself for curing?"

"The nerve of you-!" Kasim's voice rose a decibel, drawing more attention from passing Mageseekers. His bristling intimidated Lux, but she kept her composure. "How dare you insinuate my own daughter is accused of being magic-afflicted," he seethed between gritted teeth.

"I am not accusing anyone of being magic-afflicted." She held up the papers in her hand. "I'm reading the questions on paper, as this is an investigation sir." Lux held her breath, waiting for any further reaction from the man and only continued when he remained deathly silent. "I must ask again; is Kepi–"

"She is not here," he interrupted, though Lux did not miss the bitterness lacing his tone. "If she were, the appropriate paperwork would have been submitted to the Illuminators, not to a random Radiant waving around a sheet of paper."

Lux bit back a retort, instead opting to remain as neutral as possible. So much for being a father. "Of course, my sincerest apologies." She gave him a small salute, desperate to end the conversation as quickly as possible. "Thank you for clearing up things on your end. The search for your daughter should proceed apace."

His face twisted a bit, almost into a snarl as if he wanted to throw an insult but given their audience he stopped himself. Lux celebrated a small victory in her head. "Should you receive news of her whereabouts, I would be most glad to hear them first."

"We will be sure to notify you the moment we locate her."

Kasim didn't stay around after Lux wished him a pleasant afternoon, souring her mood. She wasted no time in leaving the gods forsaken building, eager to hurry back to the safety of the headquarters. But even when clear of the gloomy establishment, the feeling of being watched never left.

Lux turned around to get a glimpse of her pursuer only to find common citizens moving about their business. Believing it to be paranoia from her visit, she continued until the sensation returned. Lux didn't dare look back this time, and instead took a turn down an alley different from the path back to headquarters.

Two second later, someone almost collided with her and the blonde managed to snatch their wrist before they could escape.

"P-please! I mean no harm."

Lux came face to face with a masked woman, draped in blue, black, and white - the uniform of a Mageseeker. "May I help you?"

"You are part of the Illuminators? A Radiant?" The desperation in hushed tones tipped her off. There was something intense about the woman's eyes, deep and unnervingly sharp. They reminded her of–

Lux's eyes went wide. "You're-"

"-just a Mageseeker." The woman pulled her hood up, obscuring her features from the light. "Just another Mageseeker, for now."

Lux could feel her head spin. This was about to get complicated, quick.

'Why is it always me?'

There was no place suitable for a conversation in the capital without drawing unwanted attention. The safest place she could think of was the Illuminator headquarters. Lux didn't need to lead the 'Mageseeker' in tow through the halls, seeing she was intimate with its layout as the Crownguard was. The uniform did give some members a bit of hesitation and prompted Lux to reassure them they weren't there for any sort of witch-hunting.

Myrtille on the other hand knew immediately Lux was up to no good when she spotted her accompanying the hooded figure. "Your Radiance!"

"You better have a good explanation for this Radiant Luxan– oh." Lux looked back to the woman behind her, who just removed her mask. "This…okay, in my office, now."

Several minutes later - with Kahina posted at the door to ward off nosey bodies - all three women were in Myrtille's office. The elder Radiant perched herself on her desk instead of her chair, arms folded across her chest as she took in both women in front of her. "Of all the places to find you, how in Goddess' name did you end up under our noses?"

"My apologies, Radiant Myrtille." The Mageseeker rubbed her nose in embarrassment. "It's a bit of a complicated story.."

"You better start explaining Kepi."

Lux, for the better part of the conversation, simply listened in without much commentary. Kepi in fact had been apprehended by Mageseekers upon her latest return from Piltover. She was informed her family had been detained for questioning, but something about the way they kept watch on her felt like a trap. She managed to escape before they could reach the capital and remained largely in hiding since, using a uniform she 'borrowed' from one of the units in order to move around the city without arousing suspicion. And judging by the nature of her escape, they were keen on tracking her down again without causing panic among the citizens about yet another escaped 'magic-afflicted' person hence the lack of a report.

"How have you been managing all this time?" the blonde finally asked when Kepi finished her tale.

"Here and there, odd ends and such. I've been struggling more and more as of late as the Mageseekers have turned to pressing inquiries and searches amongst their own members. It was a matter of time before I would be discovered, until you happened to walk in." The woman cast her gaze towards Lux. "I knew I had to do something, say something or else my gambit would be up."

Myrtille pinched the bridge of her nose. "You had your parents worried for so long. Why didn't you attempt to contact them sooner?"

Kepi ducked her head. "The less they know, the less likely they turn to them for questioning." The elder Radiant left the matter at that.

"More importantly," Lux interjected, drawing attention from both women. "You are amongst friends, I do hope you know that Kepi."

"Whatever you ask, I shall answer in earnest." She clutched her chest. "I owe you that much for saving my hide."

"I am curious though." Very carefully, Lux held up a hand and allowed a bit of her magic to pool in her palm. It dazzled the woman into a wondrous reverence.

"Can you do something like this?"

Lux returned home, exhausted with coordinating resources and finding a way to sneak Kepi out of the capital. She had been stealing away in unsuspecting alleys and on rooftops, but doing so for months on end took a toll on her health. The blonde could secretly house her in her room for a brief period, but a more permanent solution needed to be found especially with the coming turn of seasons.

But the day wasn't quite finished with her yet. A maid stopped her on her return to her room. "Lady Crownguard. Pardon my interruption but while you were away for business, a gift arrived for you today."

Coupled with exhaustion, Lux could only stare at her in utter bewilderment. "A gift?"

"A bouquet from a strange woman with long white hair and green eyes. I don't suppose you are familiar?"

Only one woman she knew fit the description. "Possibly an admirer." She feigned a giggle, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Does anyone else know of this?"

"No, milady. She urged for utmost secrecy and requested it be delivered straight to your person." The uncanny resemblance to her own request through Nera confirmed her suspicions.

"Where is the bouquet?"

The maid pointed down the hall. "I've left it in your room, milady."

Lux smiled and gave her a small hug. "Thanks, and if anyone asks, just say one of the gardeners left it there on my request. The last thing I need is fending off angry suitors." She rolled her eyes to emphasize her point, earning a knowing wink as the maid scurried off.

When she slipped into her room, the first thing she did was rush over to her window and open it wide. "Gods, any longer and I may have contemplated letting go."

Lux reached out and offered a hand to the woman dangling off her railing. "Sorry, a maid stopped me on the way back." A couple of grunts later, the blonde managed to haul Kepi into her room before anyone could catch them.

"You live here? My entire family could fit here." Lux groaned when the Shuriman native gawked in awe at her bedroom. Being as spacious as it was, she didn't have a use for all the space since she made a point to be away as often as her family permitted. "Sorry, it's been a while since I've been in such a luxurious space."

"It's more cumbersome than anything else." Lux gestured towards the bathroom. "If you need a shower or anything, please help yourself. There are spare towels if you need."

Kepi pulled off her borrowed cloak and left her shoes by the window. Lux would have protested going barefoot given the marble floor, but the other woman beat her to it. "A Shuriman custom. It is rude to walk around in other homes - or your own for that matter - with shoes on."

"Ah." Lux wasn't entirely familiar with other cultures aside from Noxus. "Right, um. If you need anything I'll be in my study."

While her temporary roommate took care of her personal needs, Lux spent that time wrapping her mind around the bouquet on her desk. She never pinned Fiora as the type to send flowers as gifts, nor have them delivered by someone else in her stead. The arrangement did give her pause.

'Begonias and lavenders?'

Two starkly different flowers, and both with deep-rooted messages. She only knew this from years of lessons ingrained into her in the event a proper suitor could be arranged and her life turned domestic. Others would send her roses and colorful things without divining their meanings. So when something seemingly ordinary landed on her doorstep, it caught her attention better than arrays of random flowers.

'Are they trying to tell me something?'

Drawn to the two, Lux decided a bit more research was in order. She had a botanist's book somewhere among the shelves in her study, a parting gift left behind from her last mentor. Off the top of her head, she knew lavenders were a common plant used by Demacian healers to aid with a number of ailments. They represented everything Demacians strove to be - devoted and graceful. They embodied the essence of healers - the need to be calm and tranquil in the face of everything from small wounds to life-or-death situations.

But more importantly to many mages, lavenders represented a higher calling and a need to be spiritually connected with the world around them.

Begonias on the other hand bode ill - a warning for dangers to come. The rebellion stressed much of their nation's resources and raised tensions within their people; the threat of imminent war was not lost upon her.

The book in question lay open on her desk, with Lux pouring over the contents of its pages. It confirmed the meanings behind each of the flowers present in the arrangement, but their symbolism wasn't what she looked for. Instead, the blonde read through their caretaking methods.

"Lavenders grow in full sunlight best, while begonias prefer the shade…" she murmured under her breath. "Both are hardy and resistant to a multitude of things, but will die if suffused with too much water."

And that's when it hit her.

'Lavenders are the symbol of mages too, for a reason…'

Nera knew. Somehow, she knew Lux had tampered with her clothes and left a mark of magic upon her person. But if she figured her out, then there was a chance the servant was a mage.

The blonde placed a hand on her chest, willing her heart to calm down. This couldn't be a coincidence - there had to be a reason for sending flowers instead of a letter. Anyone could read a letter, but only those who took to introspection would understand the message left behind.

'Just like the begonia, a symbol of deep thinking.' Nera expected Lux to decipher it.

'There's no way. There's absolutely no way-'

"Those are some pretty flowers." Lux's head snapped up when Kepi's voice interrupted her thoughts. The woman picked up one of the begonias and smiled to herself. "Did you know they're more beautiful in the shade than the light? I've seen begonias in a multitude of colors, but never this vibrant."

Lux stared at the begonias, her mind racing faster than her heart.

'Vibrant… like the colors of the rainbow. Colors that create light - light found in the shade.'

One thought led to another, and another, and Lux couldn't reply to Kepi's concern of her stupor.

'Magic. This is all related to magic, and a beacon I cannot ignore.'

"Luxanna? Please, you look like you're about to faint!" The blonde snapped out of her reverie when she felt Kepi's arms around her. She hadn't realized she held her breath for so long and took a long, steadying breath before sitting back upright. "Gods be kind, you look like you might have seen a ghost."

"I… I might need a moment."

Said moment turned in two nights of explaining everything that had happened to Kepi. The rumors her mother pushed her to investigate, her visit to the Laurent manors, the message behind the flowers. Lux cursed herself for confiding in a woman she barely knew more than two full suns, but something about her peaceable demeanor and quiet ruminations made her want to trust Kepi.

And thus far, the Shuriman native had not given reason to betray that. Secrets begot secrets and Lux in turn learned more about Kepi and her situation. Indeed, her family fled Shurima in the wake of the Void swallowing parts of their homeland, and came as refugees to Demacia. But her bloodline could be traced back to ancestral mages of the Shuriman kingdom. The need for protection grew more and more dire the longer the Mageseekers kept combing, and was the primary reason why Mina enlisted the aid of the Illuminators.

Of all the nations, Piltover was one of the few Demacia had neutral relations to. It made sense to send their daughter away for as long as possible under the guise of studies. Her wellspring of luck dried up this time when she returned home, made much more obvious by her skittish tendencies at every little noise.

"Hey Lux?"

The blonde hummed distractedly, staring at the flowers now perched on her windowsill while upside down on her bed. "Hm?"

Kepi popped up in her vision from her spot on the floor. "Let me come with you when you meet Fiora."

The sudden request threw her off. Lux flipped onto her stomach and rested her chin on the back of her hands. "I'm not sure it's a good idea. And besides I don't know where I'm supposed to meet her."

"Please," Kepi begged. "I do not want to overstay your hospitality. At the very least allow me to repay you for the kindness you've shown me."

Allowing Kepi to join her was both a logistical nightmare and a physical impossibility. Even with a cleverly put-together disguise, there was no telling what could happen and the less involved the girl was, the easier it would be for Lux to wiggle her way out of any situation. Still, she couldn't keep her here forever - someone was bound to be suspicious of her double portions snuck out of the kitchens. "Fine, fine. Just promise me to stay out of sight. And I mean it. If we're meeting her in the city, it's going to be crawling with all manners of patrols and Mageseekers."

"I know. I've memorized their routes and change of shifts." From her pockets, she procured a folded piece of paper with scribbles all over it. "If anything is good about Demacians is that they're very consistent with schedules. I didn't get this far by wandering around blindly."

Lux studied the parchment with genuine interest. "Wow. We have that many people on guard duty?"

Kepi pointed to the top shelf in the blonde's study. "You have an entire row dedicated to Demacian law. How can you marvel at a single schedule when I know you can recite half those laws on a dime?"

Lux had time, way too much time growing up, spent on reading. If there was anything to be gained from all her time in such a stringent household, her vast collection of books served as a veritable source of information second to the libraries found within the capital. In fact, it had been on her insistence (read: overbearing zeal) to have an addition to her room which resulted in the study being added. Such a drastic change led many to believe she scorned the duties of a home chasing worldly knowledge, while others applauded her dedication to being a Demacian citizen through and through.

For her, Lux believed Demacia could rise to even greater heights. Just not in the way they forged for many decades, centuries even, to this point. She would use her knowledge not for the execution of old practices, but towards the goal of a united nation.

And if she had to start with Fiora, she would at least give it her all.

"...Lux, earth to Lux~"

Kepi chuckled quietly when said woman waved her away. "Are you always this much of a daydreamer?"

"Yes, and no. I was thinking about Fiora." Lux didn't miss the way the Shuriman woman wiggled her eyebrows and threw her pillow at her. Kepi didn't bother with dodging the incoming projectile and feigned injury as she stood up with it in her hand. "You wound me, milady!"

"Oh sod off." Lux caught the pillow tossed back at her and watched Kepi pick up the bouquet.

"There are better ways of thinking about loved ones," Kepi teased, pulling a flower from the bunch. "While it's not a rose, you can–"

"Hold on." Something caught Lux's eye. A slip of paper shook loose from the bundle when Kepi pulled out one of the begonias and she shot over to pick it up from the ground.

Her eyes went wide when she realized what was written on it.

'The Grand Plaza, high noon'

"Perhaps in three days' time, you may be able to catch her."

Lux could faint. "Oh gods. It is going to be in the city."

A/N: As you can see, I've moved around some OCs and redid the narrative significantly. A few OCs are being removed as I mentioned in the previous version, and this chapter helps set up the precedent for subsequent chapters.

I hadn't meant to rush this one out, but I ended up working on it all day anyway so here I go to pass out after staying up all night for it.