WyldCards like Simon were sometimes hard to identify, but there were people who looked for such things. Strange occurrences, peculiar behavior. There were people who specialized in tracking down WyldCards before they became aware of their true abilities. Ace and Arra had the power to prevent this, to save these people, to give them options. So this was the path they decided to pursue. To seek out people who might become targets of various organizations intent on recruiting or using rogue WyldCards for their own questionable agendas.

Ace had learned allot about the organizations in question. After all, they had access to all the resources of the Arcana, including meticulous records and detailed information on various groups and individuals, both active and inactive.He’d actually become quite capable at the task. After all, he had been the one who tracked down the pair of WyldCards who served as his contingency, and assisted with the rescue of Helen. With the resources available to him, and the combined power of the Arcana he’d shared with Arra, it was possible he could track down every WyldCard on the planet. Especially, in this age of media. Of course, the simplest thing for him to do was to track the potential activities of the groups in question. This would allow him to stay just ahead of them. So the two of them looked into every incident Ace could find, involving unusual events, strange phenomena, odd behavior, or mysterious disappearances. Until they found the case of Simon Latimorr. A man much missed by his neighbors and co-workers, who were all but devastated by his sudden disappearance. An event which would occur less than a month from now.As it was, it wasn’t always easy to determine which group was responsible, but the MO generally pointed to likely suspects. Regardless, what was important was their ability to get to the intended target first.

Alester was still their mentor of sorts, and at the very least he was always glad for the distraction. He had tried to stay occupied with the business of guiding the new Arcana, in part to avoid the difficultly delicate situation with Helen, and the idea of confronting his own failings. Alester called a meeting to discuss the matter of Simon Latimorr, who seemed to be living off the fat of the land. In many ways his actions seemed just shy of villainous, but Alester understood he was simply finding a way to cope with his new reality. It was even possible that he had simply gotten swept up in the tide of an ability he neither understood or had any ability to control. Yet no scenario made approaching him any less dangerous, at least not without better understanding his power. But they had to get to him before others did. Allowing him to be locked away was but one of the possibilities which concerned Alester. Even worse, someone could leverage his power for their own gain.

As Alester was explaining the situation to everyone, it occurred to him that this could easily be the work of a Jinn, or at the very least a wish. Perhaps he was being a little jumpy, but it was prudent to address the possibility. In the end they could not know for certain what they were dealing with, without a closer look. Alester could see only three possibilities for dealing with such a scenario. Either Liza or Thomas had the ability to get close enough to assess the situation. while Liza could go unnoticed, Thomas could take on an unassuming form. On the other hand, it was unlikely Cleo would be affected by a power even remotely related to her own, allowing her to take a more direct approach. Of course no one was comfortable sending Liza or Thomas in, and in particular Alester was dead set against sending even a possible pair of Arcana to face a potential demon.Then again Leo and Brit were the most suited to dealing with a demon, but that was a what if scenario, rather than the one before them now. For now they had to determine what they were really dealing with.

In the end it seemed only one choice was left open to them. It would be up to Cleo to recon the target. She would play the role of the damsel in distress, and make her way into the targets home. There she could investigate the situation, and perhaps get to know a little more about Simon Latimorr. Alester could make sure she had a way out, and insure the cavalry was near by if needed, even if this was only a small comfort it was something. So they investigated the building, using Alester’s power, to access the emergency exit. They determined the layout, and the location of the target’s apartment. Then Alester used his power to recreate the hallway, while everyone readied themselves for the mission ahead of them. Though most of it rested on Cleo’s shoulders, at least at the moment. Leo assured her that he would be there if she needed him, that nothing could prevent him from protecting her. This did comfort her, greatly. Because she knew that he meant every word and more. What lie unsaid between them lay completely bare to their hearts, a truth that need not be spoken. Their lives seemed now and forever bound to one another.