Zero shrugged. "Please, if I thought that was aimed at me, I wouldn't've just stood there." He twitched an ear as the crow's wingbeats grew distant. "...As for when, as soon as possible. The seclusion is nice, but I do get bored."

----
Rookie stepped out from around the corner. "Eh, doing my own investigations on these guys' movements," He said somewhat shyly, gesturing towards the building. "Maybe espionage if things start looking ugly. How about you guys?"

Sarah nods once, "I understand that. Maybe I shouldn't be saying this but I do know someone whose looking to hire someone with your expertise. She's near Press Gardens. If you go please be careful Mama Winter isn't known for kindness."


"Sabotage if things get ugly," Luna responds, "and the same as you are."


A penguin in a nice suit calmly approaches the Press. He hoped to avoid any conflict before he delivered the message.

"I've heard of her, actually. Crime boss. If it weren't for the Press there, she'd likely have the entire zone under her thumb," Zero noted. "...Hah. Her group is tightly knit, though. I'd have to watch for fine print so I don't find myself in anything binding. But you think she'd hire?"
----

Rookie waved his tail. "Oh, cool. Uh... Since we're here, you guys wanna team up?"
----

Sakura hummed a tune to herself as she organized some of her notes; an assortment of ideas for articles, interviews, and columns for the coming weeks' issues. She paused as she passed by the window, taking note of the penguin approaching the Press.

Srarah nods once, "Yes I happen to know she's hiring. Her little penguin butler and some guards came by the guild before the guild was destroyed and that paper is still circulating. She wants someone who can not only kill but can solve a case to take the warrant. She wants the mobian who killed her husband to be put down."


The penguin calmly approaches the Press door. He didn't want any trouble, in fact what he was proposing might just help both sides. Taking a deep breath he knocks on the door before straitening his bowtie for the hundredth time.


"Sure. What do you think Clik," Luna asks.

Sakura sighed, setting her notes down and walking downstairs. "I'll handle it," She said calmly, in case somebody else decided to get the door. She placed her wing against the handle, held it there for a moment, then pushed the door open, regarding the penguin with a neuteral expression. She bowed politely in greeting.
"Konnichiwa. This is a surprise. What brings you here?"
----

Zero twitched his tail with a slight grin. "Hah. Very interesting. I suppose that settles it, then."

"Konnichiwa Ms. Sakura," The penguin bows, "I heard you might be looking for a story and I want to help end this feud before anyone else is killed. You know should why Mrs. Winter wants the Press so badly and its not because of the land. She also invited one of your reports Joe, to come to the manor for her side of the story. Don't worry during these sort of events the Winter clan is held to a code of ethics if you're worried about his safety."


"Don't get overconfident Zero. She's not known for kindness," Sarah reponds.

Sakura thoughtfully lifted a wing up underneath her narrow bill.

"I am looking for stories, yes. It's my job as the director of the Press. That said... I'm afraid your offer would reflect poor leadership on my part, especially if I were to bring one of my employees along. Despite your assurances about Mrs. Winter's intentions, if I've learned anything from gathering stories, it's that anybody can tell a lie."

She paused, then sighed. "I'm not trying to imply that I believe that's the case, but I am saying that if the situation is a matter of urgency, I'll need a bit more assurance before I accept your invitation. It's only wise given our relationship." With that, she reached under her kimono, removing her concealed katana from her belt and handing it to the penguin.

"But until then, I'm at least willing to accept the extended olive branch. Take this to her, and tell her that I'll come to retrieve as soon as everything is arranged."
----

"Neither am I," Zero responded simply.

The penguin looks at Miss Sakura's blade, "It's wonderfully crafted I'm sure but bringing this back would not be a sign of peace or security. There's a rule about weapons being brought in from outside sources, the simple explanation of it is, the master was killed by an outsider's weapon that had a hidden trap in it, if I bring this to Lady Winter it would be an act of war. I understand and am glad about your caution. The matter is not urgent and if you change your mind Master Kini knows how to contact me."

He pauses, "If you're afraid for someone else I would recommend a more neutral location then the citadel but at the same time Lady Winter is offering a chance to see the citadel and it's rich history, the history that connects to this place. You can go alone if you would like but Lady Winter thought it we be considerate to allow you to bring someone else for comfort or as another witness."



Sarah shakes her head, "How good are you at solving cold cases? Mama Winter's husband was murdered a couple of months before the war started."

"I understand," Sakura replied, strapping the katana back on. "In tha case, I'll come alone. I doubt Mrs. Winter would like the publicity of me bringing one of my journalists along, anyway. Joe espiecially is... passionate, about his work."
---

"...It'd be difficult. I wouldn't do it without compensation before hand, and a hefty pay afterwards. But again. I always delivered," Zero responded.

"espionage it is" clik retorted. "We should probably do it soon, either before they leave or someone else shows up" she looked at Rookie, "since you seem to be pretty good at sneaking around, plan is send you in first to try and figure out what probably illegal items they seem to be stealing. Then give a signal and me and Luna will try to cause a little bit of chaos and probably destroy some property"