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Season 19, Latesiesta
Avila Guzman stepped into the darkly lit office on Mcdowell street, closing the door that read "Eye of the Storm, PI" on it. Soft jazz came from a nearby radio. She would have found the ambiance amusing if Karim's message hadn't seemed so urgent.
"You wanted to see me?"
Karim was facing the window, looking out over the overcast city.
"They're onto us."
Avila hung her jacket up and walked over to the credenza, pouring herself a glass of iced coffee.
"You made me come all the way across town to tell me something we already know?"
Karim shook their head.
"This is bigger than before. My sources tell me they're planning something. They don't like that you, me, and Sparks are all in the same place now. We're making progress too quickly."
Avila turned to them. "Wait, why is Sparks involved in this?"
"They're a barista of the Holy Order, just like you. They stand to lose or gain a lot by us blowing the lid off of this case."
Avila furrowed her brow. She didn't like that her partner was suddenly caught up in things. "Okay, so say they're onto us. What does that mean? What do we do."
Karim walked up to their wall of notes and pulled down a screen. On it was a calendar full of dates with weather icons overlaid on them.
"It means we have to watch the weather patterns for more than just coffee, now. If the big wigs have their way, you, Sparks, and I won't be on the same team by the end of the season. I've got a pretty good idea of what the next week is going to look like."
They tapped a few dates.
"The days to watch out for right now are 75 and 81. Eclipse and feedback. Eclipse is at the Meadow, feedback is at the Cookout. Two very low fortification stadiums." They turned to her. "Magi has that sound system set up in case something happens to MaX, right?"
Avila nodded. "Yeah, though we haven't had to use it in a bit."
Karim started pacing. "If it's outfitted to contain someone like MaX, do you think it could house someone like Sparks?"
Avila gave them a blank stare. "I'm not sure I follow, Sparks can't go all digital like MaX can."
"Not yet they can't."
Avila raised an eyebrow. "What are you saying?"
They sighed. "I'm saying that if Sparks gets incinerated, they may assume the form of an electricity spirit, like the one they met on their journey. If we can outfit the speakers to contain electricity the same way they can sound, we might be able to circumvent them going to the hall."
Avila was silent. She knew better than to bite back, Karim and Sparks were friends. That didn't make it easier to hear them discussing their potential death so casually.
Karim continued. "We'd have to discuss it with them, of course." They looked back at the calendar. "Though I'm not sure how we'd channel their spirit to the speakers in the first place."
Avila pressed a button on her left arm. Two rods unfolded from her shoulders. "Well, lucky for you I picked up some modifications in the Hellmouth. I haven't had a chance to test them much, but they are what they look like: lightning rods." She frowned. "I... I'll talk to Magi about upgrading the speakers. I just hope it doesn't come to that."
Karim placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know. I don’t either. But it would help us to be prepared. I don't trust the league right now."
She nodded. "When do you ever?"
They smiled. "Yeah, you got me there."
Avila looked back at the calendar. "I swear, if I get feedbacked again, it's going to be some kind of record."
Karim nodded. "Just going on past experience, I wouldn't be surprised if that's what happens. The league is used to you feedbacking at this point, doing it again wouldn't be out of the ordinary." They were quiet for a moment. "It's better than the alternative."
Avila put her glass down, a distant look in her eyes. "Yeah. Well, if that eclipse game is on day 75, I better start working with Mags on that speaker upgrade." She ran a hand through her red hair. "Gods, I don't even know how I'm gonna bring this up to either of them."
Karim tried to find the words to comfort her, but they didn't come. They silently cursed the entities. Nobody should have to tell their loved ones one of them might die or be ripped from their homes, all for a stupid splort.
Their train of thought was cut short as Avila wrapped them in a tight hug. "Thank you, weather eye."
They patted her on the back.
"Anytime, battle angel."