A chilly day at Hazakurain

Well, isn't that just the worst possible situation? Godot smiled charmingly. "Alright, alright, lead me to the coffee, then. Sister, while we wait, perhaps you could fill me in on the history of this temple? I'm afraid I don't know much." Perhaps he could piece together a mental map of the complex from its history.

"Sure thing, Mr. Godot," Sister Bikini smiled and led him off to the Training Hall, rambling on about how the old acolytes of Ami Fey had come to build Hazakurain.

So far, Godot wasn't hearing much on the buildings, only the people, so he intervened to try to steer the conversation his way. "I didn't even know I didn't know that," he said in awe. "But with such a unique history, I'm rather surprised the architecture is so traditional. How did that happen?"

Sister Bikini smiled as she continued to make the coffee. "Well, you see, the acolytes wanted the training on the other side of the river, where it's more peaceful and secluded. So they built a garden, a Training Hall, and the Sacred Cavern over there."

Iris poked her head out of her room, checking to make sure the coast was clear. Giving a small sigh of relief, she stepped into the hallway, staff in hand, and her mother's directions tucked safely into her pocket.

Godot had seen a path leading towards a bridge when he was wandering. So that's where Mia was. "I see..." he nodded, seemingly captivated by Bikini's story. Then he sat bolt upright. "I'm sorry, but, uh, could you point me towards a restroom perhaps?"

"Sure thing, it's right down the hall to the left," Bikini chuckled, drinking her coffee.

Iris bit her lip as she snuck out of the Main Hall, unsure if she could go through with this. Then she thought of the innocent people Morgan would kill if she didn't do it, Phoenix included. She swallowed her fears and headed towards Dusky Bridge on her snowmobile.

"Thank you," Godot said with cleverly feigned relief. After he'd turned the corner away from the hall, he took off towards the bridge. He'd heard an engine, and there were tracks in the snow. Iris had a significant lead on him.

She'd left the snowmobile by the bridge. That was good as it meant she was now on foot, and Godot knew he was faster than her. He didn't even notice the cold burning his lungs as he sprinted across the bridge.

The far side of the river was mostly devoted to training, and by now, Godot could actually see Iris outside one of the halls, fumbling with the lock. "Iris!" he shouted, barreling towards her. "Hold it!" Watch it. She does have a sword.

There it was. Godot slowed to a walk and held his hands out to show he was unarmed. Now that the cat was out of the bag, he could talk freely about what was going on. "Iris, what are you doing? What's going on?"

"Mia and Maya aren't to be disturbed," Godot pointed out. "I'm here because I know something's up. I saw that sword of yours earlier in your room."

"Your duties include a sword?" She couldn't see Godot's cocked brow, but his tone made up for that. "It's your mother, isn't it? Trying to set Pearl up as the successor again?"

"Don't you see that no one has to die? What are you so afraid of? Your mother's still in jail, what can she do?" How did she send that sword in the first place?

"You should have called the police," Godot shook his head. "But we can still make this right. Just step away from the hall."

Godot dove for the sword. Disarming Iris was the first order of business, then he could call the police.

Iris wasn't very good with the thing, and Godot was easily able to doge the thrust. "Iris, all I want is for everyone to be safe. You need to believe me that the authorities can help you."