The search for the freaking owl in a city of millions continues as my search has reached a dead end. I have no idea where to look for an owl in human form spouting wisdom all day. In a city as seedy as this, with info brokers and tons of other kinds of people around that doesn't exactly make this an easy task. For one I have no clue what this guy is supposed to look like, for another, I don't have any idea at all what he would do on "vacation." It's not like I can ask people, "excuse me, where can I find a 5,000 year old, shape-shifting owl?" without either looking like a guy on something bad, or without having the cops being called on me. This job is definitely a case of easier said than done, Athena could have given me at least a point to start looking.
I let out an exhausted sigh as I sit at a park bench and Blair jumps on to the spot next to me.
"Man, this city is so big! How in the world are we going to find Iolo?" Blair asked.
"I don't know, Blair. I hit a dead end. How can she expect me to find one guy in the middle of a city with over ten million?" I wish I could ask someone, but no one would believe me if I straight up asked them if they have seen a 5,000 plus owl that belongs to an ancient Greek goddess and can shape shift.
"Sounds like someone needs some information. Well I can help you with that. I specialize in information." said a smooth voice behind me. I quickly turn around to notice this guy behind me, his hands in his jacket pockets. I instantly did not trust this guy, something told me he was more dangerous than anything I encountered thus far.
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"And you are?" I asked, both Blair and myself on guard, Blair hissing and fur standing on end. This guy was dangerous, and I was not willing to stick around long enough to find out how deadly he and his silver tongue can be.
"Just a friendly info broker, just taking a stroll in a park until I heard your predicament. I may have some information you need, friend." He said friend like one would call a stranger, no emotion behind it other than self interest.
"OK." I said, getting my body ready to move at a moment's notice, "I'm looking for a friend of a friend who went missing a few weeks ago. He is a bit of a night owl and older than he looks, and he has a certain aura to him, like he is wiser than he lets on." I explained, there's no way I'm going to tell this guy the whole truth about Iolo, who knows what he might do with that info. "He went on vacation and my friend hasn't gotten any contact from him in ages."
"Well, this is an interesting one," he said smiling and a thumb and index finger on his chin, as if in thought. "I may know a place where your friend might be but it won't be easy to get into. It's a hotel reserved for the elite, so security is tight, there are also surveillance cameras everywhere. It's the perfect place for someone to hide out for a while." He explained.
"That much info is just what I need. How much do I owe you?" I asked. He merely chuckled and said, "this one's on me. Consider it a gift from one fellow human to another. I love Humanity!"
With that I took the info and headed off in the direction Izaya told me. That guy gave me the creeps, and neither of us held those thoughts to ourselves. Blair expressed disdain for the guy in some choice words I'd rather not say here. But this was the only lead I had so I had no choice but to investigate.
By the time we got there it was nearly sunset, with the sky turning a bright orange and thousands of windows lighting up the buildings around us. Izaya had not been wrong about the building. It was a ten story high-rise decorated in marble and mostly concrete. It definitely wasn't designed by a Japanese architect, this was more something you see in the wealthy part of Los Angeles, spotlights, red and gold banners, the works. Security was no slouch either, armed guards every fifteen feet, each with ear pieces and brandishing batons. Either someone important was visiting or an important event was taking place. Getting in won't be easy, that's for sure.
Well, this is what I get for accepting a favor from a goddess and learning new info from a shady guy like Orihara. Since it was nighttime, stealth would have to be my best bet. doing so would prove difficult thanks to the security surrounding the place, and I certainly can't fight them all for several reasons. one reason being there are too many for me to take on right now, another is because it could cause a big panic with civilians nearby. My best bet would be to distract a guard and disguise myself as one of them and get in inconspicuously and make my way up to the owl. Problem was I had no idea what floor or room he was in, and I doubt the security guards would know and it would seem suspicious for me to ask the front desk.
If I were a god on vacation, where would I be? I would definitely think myself too high and mighty to be anywhere but the top floor. I looked at the top floor and saw three possible places. One room was a villa that was being used to host a massive and wild party, with strobe lights, presumably loud music, and lots of alcohol. Another room was similar but was quiet, with the lights on and seemingly no activity from the occupant aside from a silhouette walking across the window every few minutes or so. The last room had a single light on with only a couple as occupants, probably a newlywed on their honeymoon. I had to get to the top floor, but how?
Blair tapped on my shoulder and pointed to a fire escape on the side of the building, with the ladder being about twelve feet off the ground and minimal security aside from one guard watching the place. Going to that alley would be no problem if i stick to the crowd and sneak my way there.
Time to put my plan into motion. Using a crowd of people walking by I was able to blend in until I got to the alley on the other side of the street where the guard was. I quietly snuck behind a dumpster to get being him to hit him in the back of the head with the hilt of my sword. his brain hit his skull and he was out like a light. Before his body hit the ground, I grabbed him and leaned him against the wall. I have only a few minutes before he wakes up, so I have to act fast. I wall jumped to grab the ladder, it shook but thanks to the busy streets the sound was muffled so I was able to climp up onto the first platform and make my way to the roof of the building, making sure to be as stealthy as possible as to not make noise or grab any attention.
On the roof I noticed a door to the building, I grabbed the handle and sure enough it was locked. Thankfully I was able to get the door open by using my enhanced strength to turn the handle enough to bust the lock while keeping the opening mechanism fully functional. If anyone notices they'll probably think it was a faulty lock. Going through the door I managed to get into the hallway of the top floor, which was just as fancy as you'd think, with white and gold wallpaper and red carpet with electric candelabras as hall lights. Now which room? If I were a servant of one of the Olympians, I would think that it would be loud and busy with all the arguing that must go on, so I would go relax at a place to get away from it all and not make any more noise. Party room was out, as was the newlywed room, which left me one option. This room was at the very end of the hall on the left far away from the party, Room 1006.
I knocked on the door and after several seconds I heard a very annoyed, "Who is it?"
I thought of the only excuse I could think of, "Housekeeping!"
It seemed to work as a minute later the door opened to a tall, well built man about 30 standing before me. I asked, "May I come in?"
He said, "What is this about? I'm on vacation, you see?"
Well, time to get this over with.
Author here. Sorry guys if I've been so quite the last couple years, I've had a lot on my plate and had severe writer's block. I hope you guys think this was worth the wait.
