A suite at the Crimson Blade costs Caio a weighty purse full of coin. Nevertheless, the opulent confines stand as a testament to luxury and indulgence. The door is polished mahogany adorned with intricate carvings depicting scenes of heroic battles and mythical creatures. A discreet brass plaque proudly announces the suite's exclusivity.

Upon entering, the spacious living area unfolds before you. Sunlight filters through rich, burgundy-coloured drapes, casting a warm glow on plush furnishings. A lavish sitting area features a large, overstuffed sofa and armchairs, upholstered in fine burgundy and gold fabrics. The centrepiece is a coffee table made from a polished slab of redwood, adorned with a meticulously crafted map of the realm. Fine art and tapestries adorning the walls, curated to complement the suite's aesthetic.

A step beyond the living area leads to the sumptuous bedroom. A king-sized canopy bed, draped in layers of crimson silk and gold accents, dominates the space. The headboard is a masterpiece, intricately carved with scenes of knights in shining armour and majestic dragons. The mattress is adorned with the finest linens, promising a night of unparalleled comfort. One of the suite's highlights is a private balcony accessible from the bedroom. It offers a breathtaking view of the bustling city below and the spires of Five Towers. A small wrought-iron table and chairs provide a perfect setting for a private meal or a moment of quiet contemplation.

After storing their gear in a corner and stretching, Alaris spots the map table and gazes at it in wonder. Their fingers run along the carved borders and terrain, slightly awestruck and blessing the Lady for the beauty and love that went into creating such a wondrous world. "Look at this... I wish Nikolai was here to enjoy this map."

     "Oh! Well, this is nice!"

     Astrid slowly moves through the room, allowing a finger to trace along the luxurious appointments. She stops at the sofa and drops her belongings at her feet before hopping up slightly to get into the seat. She sinks into the cushion letting out a long breath allowing the weariness from their travels to fade away. 

     "So, I guess we'll see if Jonathon can give us any ideas." The cleric reaches into a pouch within her azure robes to retrieve the copper wire she uses to contact those great distances away. She rolls the wire back-and-forth between thumb and middle finger before her lips as she considers her words. 

     "Hello there, Jonathon, this is Astrid. We've met with your friend here in... here, where you sent us. We know what we need to find, but not sure where it may be. Do you know of any secret hiding places He has - some sort of personal demiplane?"

It doesn't take Jonathan long to respond.

Hello Astrid, it's good to hear from you. I'm glad that you were able to track down Six. If you're referring to my father's apartment, then it did once have a door in Five Towers, but he's locked me out. My key will no longer open any of the doors.

      Astrid stares off into the distance and nods as she receives the reply, and then brings the copper wire back to her mouth. 

     "Oh, really!? One here in Five Towers? Do you know where this door might be, or what to look for so that we could locate it? Is there anyone else besides Valentine that might have a key? Also, are you aware of any defences that we may encounter?"

"The last time I used it, it was in the white quarter on Alabaster Avenue," Jonathan explains, "but, without a key, it's merely an ordinary door. My sister, Clarissa, would have one. The entire place is warded against those who do not share father's bloodline."

     "What building on Alabaster has this door? And, uh, not that we're going to do anything rash, but where would we find your sister if we would need her key?"

 "Number 13... As for Clarissa, last I heard she'd been sighted in Beschcadik, but that could change quickly."

Having rested onto the plush sofa, Shiva had been looking over the map on the redwood table before her. Lost in thought as her eyes wandered from city to landmark to body of water, she wonders if Ling and Nikolai would recognize her once she'd completed the task that would save her life and maybe even her soul from the pits of the Abyss. The one-sided conversation that Astrid had been having with Jonathan only got a portion of her attention, as the more advanced magics at play here are far beyond her, but she got enough context to see where things were going.

"Clarissa could see our Others and our origins. For all we know she's even tracking the conversation in this room. She freaks me out and if we're going after her, we'll need a lot of info." 

“Trying to steal a key from Clarissa is a last resort in my opinion.” Caio replies as he begins to pace around the lavish interior, hands clasped behind his back. “Chasing her to Beschadik would not be an expeditious trip, and for all we know she could jump back through one of their doors by the time we get there. Besides, if she isn’t already scrying on us as you say, targeting her at all would certainly put the Valentines on high alert. We must move with discretion, and hope that at the very least they do not consider us a threat enough to keep tabs until it’s too late.” He stops his pacing abruptly. “What do you do when you can’t find your key?” he pauses, as if expecting someone to answer. “You pick the lock. This is the largest city I’ve seen since Beschadik. Certainly there must be an arcanist who specializes in warding magics who could at least get us in the door. A locksmith, if you will.”

     "Beschcadik, hmm?," Astrid speaks again into the copper wire. "I don't know if you're aware but your father has maybe located a device of great power - a codex or runestone of Azrael - in the Eazim Forest and Clarissa might be going that way to retrieve it. If you have some way to slow her efforts then I would do so. The Six were very concerned when they learned what your father was after. 

      If we were to gain access to this door by some other means, would you be able to help us once inside?"

Quote from Sphynxyy >>

“What do you do when you can’t find your key?” he pauses, as if expecting someone to answer. “You pick the lock. This is the largest city I’ve seen since Beschadik. Certainly there must be an arcanist who specializes in warding magics who could at least get us in the door. A locksmith, if you will.”

Alaris perks up at Caio's question and energy. "Or you find the spare. There's always a spare. Where would Valentine keep his spare key in this city?"

Quote from Saute_Monkey >>

     "Beschcadik, hmm?," Astrid speaks again into the copper wire. "I don't know if you're aware but your father has maybe located a device of great power - a codex or runestone of Azrael - in the Eazim Forest and Clarissa might be going that way to retrieve it. If you have some way to slow her efforts then I would do so. The Six were very concerned when they learned what your father was after. 

      If we were to gain access to this door by some other means, would you be able to help us once inside?"

"That's... concerning," Jonathan remarks. "I could accompany you," he confirms, "but I fear that my father may be expecting me."

     "Hmm, right," Astrid replies once more. "I'm sure he would be. No need to endanger yourself I'd think... I know that a key can be just about anything. What kind of key is used to gain access? Do we need the actual blood of Valentine's family to enter?

     I wish I could narrow down where in Eazim that your father may have found this device. All I know is that the during the Imperial gala they were happy with the progress the 99 Hundred -  the group they used to help locate it - had made."

"I'm not so sure it's in Eazim at all," Jonathan replies, "the Imperial gala was in Beschcadik. As for the door... although you are right that it isn't necessary, my father enjoys the symbolism of literal keys. Morgenstern blood is only necessary for those without an invitation."

     "Oh, yes. I just meant that I know the 99 Hundred have some business in Eazim as well. Though, I don't know if that's where they were looking for this codex... Thank you for all the information. We'll be in touch as we make progress."

     Astrid stows the copper wire back into her pouch and turns towards the others. 

     "So, there may be an actual key to unlock this door of Valentine's here, but we need blood of the Morgenstern's to gain access. Clarissa isn't the only one we know that of the same bloodline. And honestly, any attack against her would place him on edge." Astrid pauses to pour herself a cup of water. "You know, we do know another of his family that could help with access... Nimue. I do hope she found her way by herself." 

“Nimue…” Caio echoes, “Yes, a brilliant idea, Astrid. Can you reach out to her?”

Shiva watches as the others plan, only understanding portions of the conversation, as the arcane aspects lied distinctly outside of her wheelhouse. She'd forgotten about Nimue and her relation to the Morgensterns, which only showed her just how much had happened in the last few weeks. It was exhausting to think about. 

"Feeling left out?" 

"Not really, they've got this covered and I barely understand the parts having to do with magic. I wish there was more that I could do to help, but I know what my job is in the group." 

"You know, you're more than capable of learning more about magic yourself. Like your Caio said, you seem to have a habit of limiting yourself. It took me a long time to accept it, but we are capable of so much, Shiva. We can be whatever we choose. And that's quite literal for you now, considering the change you plan on undergoing."

Shiva wrinkles her nose in indignation. "I don't limit myself, I work with what I've got. But I take your point, I could learn it. You know, you can spend so much time just trying to survive that eventually anything that doesn't immediately help that starts to feel like a waste of time. I've been free for 10 years, but I still live like that."

"So what you're saying is that you..."

"Ok yes, you dick. I limit myself. Like Caio and Ari and Nik and the others have all said, I can be more than what the world thinks of me. It seems like every time I think I understand that, it changes." 

"You're growing, hun. One day it'll be the simplest thing in the world. Then you'll be right back to wondering what the **** you're doing. It's what being alive truly means. It's what being free means." 

"...thank you. This has all been really difficult, and I feel like I've been beating my fists against a wall for a long time."

"You're welcome. I remember feeling the same way when I was younger. I didn't have to go through what you've endured. You're getting there in your own time."

"Yes, of course." Astrid takes out her trusted communication device.

"Hello, Nimue...? This is Astrid. I hope your travels have been safe since we last saw you. We know where an item is located that could deal with your cousin, Valentine. But we are needing something from you to gain access this item. Would you, uh... Well, where are you currently?"

This time, when Astrid enacts her incantation, she hears a ringing that reverberates and grows steadily louder, overlain with a garbled, choppy blend of voice-like sounds.