ela

'We will be connecting with three other nomadic cities. This will be the prelude to the Kazimierz Major...'

Looks like I picked a bad time to come here.

The ground is damp, as though rain had just fallen.

Ela looks up at the darkened sky, but she could not tell whether the sun was being blocked by dark clouds that had yet to disperse, the towering skyscrapers, or the bright advertising boards on the walls that are lit bright like it was midnight.

'Even outside tournament season, our abundant sightseeing and shopping attractions will make your trip more than worth your while.' Let me see...

Visit 'Słoma Food Company HQ'... 'Słomaland'... 'Słoma Prime Mall'... 'Słoma Night Expo'...

And two 15% off Słoma coupons.

Is there no other place that I can go?

Is that it?

You should have taken one brochure each from Słoma, Mieszko and Rose Paper Union at the entrance, Miss Ela.

And who might you be?

You were previously employed at Dossoles by Reynell Kowalski, whose whereabouts are presently unknown. Where is he now?

I don't know.

Are you sure?

I haven't seen him since I left Dossoles.

Nevertheless, we would much appreciate your assistance. He left behind a considerable amount of assets in Kazimierz when he disappeared irresponsibly.

As someone who has had dealings with him in Dossoles, your statement will help our cause in the division of his assets... and yours.

You mean I'll get a bunch of cash.

We will compensate you, commensurate with—

Looks like I really came at a bad time.

Let me make this clear. I haven't seen him and his fox ears since I left Dossoles. I don't want anything to do with his 'business' or 'assets.'

Ela walks away from the man dressed in black and gets on a taxi by the roadside.

In her hurry, she drops the Słoma tourism brochure in a puddle on the ground, dyeing the puddle a bright shade of pink.

...Why did you come to Kazimierz, then, if you didn't want to get involved?

Good thing the hotel's not far from the city gates...

Excuse me.

...They're still following.

Is that a quiet alley up ahead? Just what I needed.

Can't call it a coincidence anymore.

(Whisper) First time the modified GRZMOT Mine sees action. No need to thank me.

Come quietly and you won't have to get hurt.

Y-You there! What are you doing?!

Who's there?!

Tsk!

Ugh...

You awake?

I didn't think you would be able to deal with that guy on your own... where did he go?

Ran away. Couldn't go after him with you on the ground like that. What's your name?

Rafał. I'm a reporter. What about you?

Ela.

I've heard that name before... you were Reynell's bodyguard in Dossoles, weren't you?

Guy's more famous than I thought.

Reynell Kowalski always makes great headlines, after all.

Rafał takes out a cigarette and tugs it behind his ear.

Can I ask you a few questions? Before the incident—

Enough questions. Are you able to make it home?

Sorry, I'll be going.

Time to drop by the Rhodes Island office. Here's hoping nothing weird happens from this point on.

Make a right there.

I said, make a right—

Sorry, I was listening to the tournament results. I made a killing on this one. I'll turn the next corner.

I thought there were no majors going on right now.

Small tournaments happen all the time. There's an arena quite close to here. Would you like to take a look?

Not interested.

Come on, let's go, everyone who comes here goes there—

Take me to the destination that I asked for. There, you missed another turn.

Sorry, sorry—

Don't apologize. Just slow down; the next turn is coming up.

I said, slow down—

Ela tries to open the door, but it is locked tight, and the driver continues to look absent-minded.

Suddenly, she is reminded of Reynell, who landed safely in a pool after jumping from a great height.

This is Kazimierz, not Poland. She is an outsider. Who knows what Originium Arts can do in the hands of these people?

She glances at the driver's right foot, and takes out a gun.

No sudden moves.

What the—

Ela reaches out with her foot and stomps on the idle pedal.

The wheels lock and skid, but manage to stop before the intersection.

A large truck rumbles through the intersection that the taxi would have driven through.

Now, I want an explanation—

Hey, where did he go?

Just a driver who got carried away after winning a few coins. He wouldn't have gotten away if anything happened to you.

I have reasons to believe he used Originium Arts or some device to escape. I drove the car over. It's right there. You can examine it.

Really? Where is it?

Right there, in the parking lot—

It's gone?!

Lady, I understand you may have been feeling emotional, but you can't just go around accusing people without proof.

I saw it with my own eyes, officer! That truck passed right in front of the nose of the taxi that she was in and almost hit it!

And who are you?

A reporter passing by! There was someone stalking this Miss Ela over here, forcing her to use force—

Get out.

This is going in the papers, I tell you!

You write whatever you want. Now, get out!

So you were stalking me too?

I—alright, I'm sorry. You were Reynell's bodyguard, after all. I thought you might have something to offer.

And you were hoping I would be thankful for your 'help' when you saw the car accident?

Sorry.

Wait, Miss Ela. First the stalker, then the accident. Don't you find it suspicious?

I don't need you to tell me.

I have an idea who the culprit is!

Who?

Reynell's uncle, Bogdan Kowalski.

He had been demanding his share of Szczepan's inheritance. With Reynell missing, he probably believed you were here to handle the assets for Reynell, and decided to dispose of you.

Dispose of? Is Kazimierz a place where you can kill people on a whim?

Of course not, but the rich and powerful can always find someone to do their dirty work.

Thank you for the heads-up. It might be helpful.

Are you leaving?

Quite the contrary. I'm not changing my schedule just because of this. Besides, those who treat human lives so callously need to be taught a lesson.

What are you planning?

Keep looking for clues. There's bound to be something.

There's one right here. Abetting murder.