It's early in the morning. Ika and Mako are taking on an unusual activity for the two of them - a couple's walk. Though they appreciate each others' company, it has been such a long time since they got to walk side by side - Mako, for the most part, feels like she got enough of that. "You know, Maks, the weather is kind of nice this time of... day." Mako nods, agreeing. "Yeah! It's always sunny near The Neon these days." "Oh, that reminds me!" Ika fished through her satchel and pulled out a small note. ``` Dear Ika and Mako, I appreciate everything you two have done for our clan! As a thank you, I'd like to treat you two to a picnic! Meet me in the middle of The Neon when the sun strikes the highest in the sky. Kindest regards, Velvet ``` "Velvet's invited us to a picnic. It's getting close to the High Strike- it is called the 'High Strike' and not 'Noon', right?" Mako chuckled into her hand. "Your lingo is very interesting, sweetie. But yes." Mako had to calculate a few things in her mind. "Nice of Vel to invite us over for a picnic, eh, Ika?" Ika laughed a tad, just a tad. "I'm just hoping that she made lots of potatoes!" Mako turned around, putting one fist on her hip and pointing her other hand at Ika. "Since when do *you* like potatoes so much?" Ika shrugged. "They remind me of a simpler time, I guess." The duo continued walking down the path towards The Neon. It was a simple dirt path, laden between dense brush and trees, just close enough to a jungle, but not quite. You could hear a lot of sounds - birds chirping, the rustle of leaves, and a... strange laughter of sorts, something a bit mischievous. Ika stopped in her tracks. "Did you hear that?" "I didn't hear anything, sweetie." Mako put a hand on Ika's shoulder. "Are you alright?" Ika instinctively reached for her sword, but fisted her hand before she could grab the hilt. "I'm fine, I'm fine. Just, wary, is all." "There's nothing to be scared of!" Mako grinned, trying to appear the best for her lover. "I'm here. Everything's fine. The bad times are over, okay?" "I, uhm..." Ika reached for Mako's hand, who in turn accepted it. "Let's just continue on, okay?" Treading on through the path, you'd eventually reach what's known as The Neon - an up and coming settlement being constructed out of the remains of a battered landscape. Ika and Mako have played a large part in the construction, but everything would move on steadily, with or without them. At the front of the settlement is a large gate, and though the door on the front, which was made of some local wood, was usually open, it is currently closed. "Ika, look!" Mako pointed towards the door, and the two investigated it. Upon it was a note. She identified its author immediately. "It's from Toby!" ``` Dear pesky lesbians, The synths and I have taken over The Neon Kingdom! Velvet is now a permanent guest at one of my seven Synthetic Hotels! I dare you to find them if you can! ``` "We gotta find Velvet!", Mako exclaimed, with less than the usual amount of urgency. Ika addressed the viewer, pointing at them. "And *you* gotta help us!" Mako continued, pointing a finger up. "If you need instructions on how to get through the hotels, check out the [enclosed instruction book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Library_of_Babel)."