Up in smoke (Invite)

[Lucifer]

She nodded slowly.

"I understand. It's okay. I didn't think you would be able to, which is why I hesitated to ask."

[Kaia Galanos]

If her mom wasn't in the picture, she'd risk it...but...

"Well, let's see about my alternative, then." Kaia would say, taking a breath as she fished into her pocket and pulled out a Qi crystal, holding it up to her.

"This is a prototype, but it's based on the shield used by Project Judgement in his attack a while ago. You heard about it, right?"

[Lucifer]

"Yes, I remember the attack. I had intended to be at the ball myself, but I had other commitments."

She tentatively reached for the crystal.

"May I?"

[Kaia Galanos]

Kaia would hesitate, but, the woman had been honest with her so far. She would nod, letting Priscilla take it.

[Lucifer]

Priscilla would take the crystal and hold it up to the sun, examining the way that the light glinted off of it and how the crystal absorbed the light. Her lips pursed in thought as she slowly spun the crystal in her delicate fingers.

"Did you create this crystal prototype? Or was it given to you?"

[Kaia Galanos]

"It was given to me."

She'd need to do way more studying before she could even begin to understand using Qi crystals. It wasn't really her forte.

[Lucifer]

"It is a rough prototype to be sure. And it would probably serve less than Zeus' crystals to power my vehicle. But I am intrigued by its design. So I am willing to trade the crystal for the lead you seek."

[Kaia Galanos]

Kaia would sigh softly in relief. There wasn't much she'd be willing to part with, but she felt like she could get away with not having the crystal anymore. They had given out more after class...There was still a chance she could get another if it was still relevant to their class.

"It's your, then."

[Lucifer]

She would tuck the crystal away into a pouch. Satisfied with their trade she would follow her part of the bargain.

"From what I understand, the killer is about our age. It was kind of a coming of age thing, from how I understand it. Barbaric, I know. But people are nothing if not consistent. You probably know more about who his enemies would be than I would though. I can tell you how to reach out to the kind of people that can give you more information. But I want to know, just how far are you willing to go to get your answers?"

[Kaia Galanos]

"As far as necessary." Kaia would say without hesitation.

"It's not like I hold any love for the previous Phobos, but you're making it sound like it's more than just a grudge kill. That alone should be investigated further."

[Lucifer]

"If that is the case, then if you enter The Great Walled City, go east past the main gate. You will find a tree made of metal tucked into the shadows. Leave a sack of coins and a location. Wait there until the moon has passed its prime and begun its descent. If you go alone and have no trickery in your heart, you will find your opportunity."

[Kaia Galanos]

Some people might find that a tad weird, but Kaia was no stranger to offerings, summonings and prayers. If anything, it made total sense, even though she wasn't sure what she would be inviting.

"Does the sum of coin matter?"

[Lucifer]

"The more you offer the higher quality you can expect."

[Kaia Galanos]

"I guess that's a given." she'd cross her arms and nod.

She runs through the steps once more in her head, grimacing at just how much she needed to remember.

"Alright, I think I got it."

[Lucifer]

"Then I think we are both satisfied with the arrangement."

Which was a pleasant change after how disappointing Olympus had been.