The group went on a relaxing walk around the city again.
They hadn't managed to find anyone who might be giving speeches.
But once they asked around, it was clear that Lapis had been more active lately than in the past.
This suggested they were preparing for sothing big—sothing that required more mbers.
Myra, as usual, said she didn't know about anything like that happening in the near future.
Thankfully she was already getting used to these surprises and didn't lose her spirits. All these idle days weren't for nothing.
The group also went to a nearby theater to see if they were performing Eve of Freedom any ti soon.
Unfortunately, there were none taking place today. At least Rose bought the book version at one of the stores.
She will investigate it in detail once back ho.
Finding nothing, they prepared to head back, but not before trying one last thing.
From their investigation, Myra began thinking that sothing might happen soon, so she proposed visiting Joey to see if he had anything to say.
He was a mber of Lapis and should know sothing.
...
"So you have contact with one of the mbers directly?" Rose asked with suspicion.
They explained to her what happened on the day they t Joey.
"And why didn't we go straight to him then?" She held her forehead with helplessness.
"It's not that simple..." Myra hastily defended herself.
"It would be difficult to get any information from Joey peacefully, and he is Alvin's friend." She explained.
"I would rather not sour our relationship with one of the best healers of the city because of this."
Cyril at the side nodded in understanding.
Previously he fought Joey, but they managed to end that encounter in a friendly manner.
Joey even promised to work together with them in the future, so torturing him for information was out of the question.
So they decided to ask him just in case. If nothing is wrong and all this movent is only because of The Black Tulip, then it's fine.
But if sothing else is going on... then they must find out what.
...
So the group traveled towards Joey's mansion.
His house was in a rather chaotic neighborhood of mages, so they walked slightly more warily.
Lest they get involved in so mad scientist's experint.
"Maybe Rose would've liked that..."
Before long they found the right place; the gates were locked just like last ti.
Cyril casually approached and knocked on the tal doors.
Soon, in a threatening voice, soone yelled from the courtyard.
"Who's there!?" A young voice.
"We are friends of Joey. Open up; we want to ask sothing," quickly replied Cyril.
There was a brief silence on the other side, followed by the sound of sothing dropping on the ground.
"It's you!" the voice quickly turned more fearful.
It seems like this was one of the young punks from last ti. Back then Cyril had barely started in his technique, so it might've been a bit more painful for them.
"Fear has its perks..."
Still, after a slight delay and so big movents, the gates were opened.
What greeted the group was a slightly unusual sight.
In front of the gates in two rows on the sides stood all of the young punks guarding the place, holding weapons warily.
"G-Go on in; the boss expects you inside." One of them said.
Cyril and Myra walked in without any issues; Rose hesitantly followed after them.
The thugs followed their movents with wary eyes, still upset over what happened last ti, but they didn't do anything in the end.
When the group entered the mansion itself, they were imdiately greeted by an enthusiastic voice.
"Cyril! Myra! ...And another friend of yours! Welco!" Joey said with his hands spread to the side in a hugging motion.
Cyril always found it weird how this guy was keeping himself so optimistic all the ti. He might even give Cedric a run for his money in this regard.
He led the group to a sofa in front of a fireplace, where the group quickly introduced Rose, and everyone took a seat.
Every other young Lapis mber quickly left the room, leaving them so privacy.
"What heroics have you been up to lately?" Joey said with awe.
"Nothing special." replied Myra on behalf of everyone.
She continued cautiously. "We've heard Lapis is on the move lately.... Anything you can share with us?"
Joey quickly shut himself up, his smile turning into a neutral expression.
"You promised to work with us, rember?" Myra added.
They sat there in silence. Joey turned his head to the sides, contemplating what to say.
"Honestly, I am not too important for Lapis. The higher-ups don't tell much. I am here only to look after so people." He said with wondering eyes.
"Sounds like excuses."
"But... I do feel like the atmosphere is different lately. The person who usually cos over to check up on is really on edge." Joey sighed with helplessness.
Thinking this was a chance Myra pressed on, "If you worry about sothing bad happening, just share so clue with us. We'll check up on it and won't involve the guards."
Finally Joey smiled. "That's what we agreed upon after all. Alright..."
He explained in a whisper. "From what I pieced together, Lapis is soon going to receive help from a third party to do a job. Whoever it is, so people are not too happy about this cooperation."
"This is worth exploring..." Myra quickly replied, her face serious.
"We can try infiltrating so Lapis cells and find out more; for that, we require you to help us access their eting." She looked at Cyril.
Quickly understanding the signal, Cyril pulled out the now clean pamphlet, letting Joey take a look at it.
"Oh, one of these. It's been so ti since I saw one..." He mumbled with nostalgia.
"Usually it's sothing directly related to the subject at the end of the paper. I haven't watched 'Eve of Freedom,' but sothing in there must point to a location," Joey said with conviction.
"That's no help at all! How useless," Rhamn said in frustration.
"...Though that would an we still have to go see the play. That might be fun."
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