Now's the time (RyanGM/Miya)

[Kaia Galanos]

After having finally made her way to the Great Walled City, Kaia had briefly split ways with Miya in order to follow the directions she'd received to the letter. She'd be able to meet up with her new partner at an inn or hotel or something whenever she was done. Hopefully then, they could carry on with their mystery.

After having gone through the gate, the one she was FAIRLY certain was the main one, she'd start heading for the east in search of the metal tree. Since it was supposed to be in the shadows, she focused more on darker areas...but really. Is a metal tree that hard to spot?

[Lucifer]

She was not bothered entering the city as trade hustled and bustled around them. People in chains marched through the streets, vendors called out their wares of all types. Kaia would find her way through a maze-like system of alleyways and streets to eventually find a lone tree made of metal in the shade of the wall. The area silent, eerily so when compared to the hustle and life of the rest of the city. It felt like the street was holding its breath, and invisible eyes watched her through any of the haphazardly built shacks piled on top of each other that made the squalid living places of this sector.

[Kaia Galanos]

It was definitely a large contrast to what she had seen. Like leaving a loud party and finding yourself outside in the quiet, chilly air.

Only you were being watched by some creep in a side road, too, or something.

Her confidence didn't waver, however. She knew the moment you showed any nerves or fear, places like this would swallow you up. She remained vigilant of anything amiss, but otherwise carried through with her task.

"That tree ALMOST kinda looks real." she'd murmur, recalling her previous thought about it. She was lucky to find it, and not only because of the confusing paths she had to take.

No matter. What was the next step again? The coin? Yes that was it.

She'd take out a sack of coins and hesitated a second. Any old person could come by and take it. It wasn't pocket change. Would she be screwed out of her money? There must be some kinda code to not touch the money under the money tree, right?

Worrying about it wouldn't get her anywhere, though, so she'd clench her jaw and leave the money, taking a pen and paper to write the location they should meet. Probably somewhere discreet right? What sort of places like that had she seen on her way here?

[Lucifer]

There were lots of little corners in the maze of alleyways. They were probably private...ish?

Outside was a whole lot of sand and little else. So outside at least she knew she'd be alone!

[Kaia Galanos]

Since she wasn't fully confident she could find the spot she'd write down if it was within the city...on top of not feeling like any place was away from prying eyes...

Outside sounded best. Just her, the sand and this...person. Who is said to be able to help.

She writes down that she'd be waiting a little southwest from the city, since there wasn't much in terms of landmarks she could work with. But it was a desert. It probably wasn't that hard to find a person standing among the sands.

After leaving the coordinates, Kaia would head out to that very location. She at least had brought supplies so she wouldn't just die waiting out there...so she'd set up a small camp and waited, her eyes mostly watching the moon and its placement.

If she didn't know much of patience, she was learning it now.

SO BORING.

[Lucifer]

Hours and hours passed by. Day turned to night and the moon was starting to rise nearing it's Apex. What is she doing as midnight draws near?

[Kaia Galanos]

After kicking sand stopped being fun, she just quietly started praying. Not for anything to be given, just for a sense of comfort. The quiet did wonders for keeping her thoughts clear and she'd been long overdue in terms of finding any sort of peace.

Something would happen any minute now, if she had done everything properly. Best be at her best when it does so she doesn't lose what she'd gained.

[Lucifer]

The moon peaked and midnight came only for there to be silence. Kaia could not see anyone else in the moonlight and the desert sands.

Roll a D20 + Perception

[Kaia Galanos]

Kaia would bring her hands down and look around, frowning at the lack of anything happening. She'd stand up to have a better look around, listening for...well anything at this point.

"Did I fuck it up..?" she'd murmur to herself.

---

@jedi's made death up rolled 64. (15, 49)

[Lucifer]

She didn't see anything, but she did hear something, like someone moving through sand. But it was quiet and close.

"Hehehe, no. Young meat did not make a mistake. We have come to ask the name of who you wish killed."

The voice was nasally and young. With a certain sinister amusement to its tone.

[Kaia Galanos]

She would stay still and quiet when she heard something, looking around in confusion even as the voice piped up.

"Wait, hold on. WHAT? No, someone told me I could get information like this."

Or something along those lines.

[Lucifer]

The voice almost snickered.

"You put the money in the tree of iron. You must choose for whom it's fruit blooms."

[Kaia Galanos]

"Firstly, what does that mean?" she'd ask.

"Secondly, I'm trying to find out who killed Phobos, I don't have names..."

Not like she'd hire a hit on the ones responsible, either.

[Lucifer]

"It means you paid us to take a life."

[Kaia Galanos]

"Why would she?!"

She looks around and frowns.

"Can I ask for information instead of an assassination?"

She assumes assassins were people Priscilla said could give her information...