They step out into the parking lot, and the bass from the festival thins to a dull pulse behind the brick walls. Cool air cuts through sweat and stage heat. Sodium lights smear across parked cars and damp asphalt.
Thadeus reaches the edge of the lot with Elizabeth at his side. The backstage corridor gives way to open space, a quieter pocket where the crowd noise becomes distant and manageable.
Elizabeth Bathory
That is better. I can breathe again.
A few dancers drift past the far entrance, still laughing, while the festival keeps moving without the strain of moments ago. The tension does not vanish, but it loosens.
Thadeus Jovanović
The lot is calmer than the stage, but not empty.
Marla Brewer
I need a minute to check the rig again. If anything else goes weird, I want to catch it fast.
Elias
I can stay close. Just in case somebody decides to get stupid again.
Nearby, Marcus Thorne lingers at the edge of the lights with his camera lowered, watching from a respectful distance rather than pressing forward.
✓ Quest Accepted
Find out why Marcus Thorne is watching them
“Thadeus, sensing Elizabeth tense up a bit seeing Marcus again, decides to confront the man directly. "Was there anymore questions you had for us Marcus. My friends and I are getting ready to leave for the evening." Marla and Elias see Thadeus address Marcus, and decide to stand by Thadeus in support.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Thadeus Jovanović
Was there anything else you wanted to ask us, Marcus? My friends and I are getting ready to leave for the evening.
Thadeus keeps his tone even, but the words land like a firm hand on the conversation. Marcus stops shifting his weight and lifts his chin a fraction.
Marcus Thorne
Fair enough. I was watching because I thought your name might connect to a piece I am working on, and then Elizabeth Bathory showed up in the same orbit. That is a hard coincidence to ignore.
Marla comes to Thadeus's side, phone lowered now, while Elias steps in on the other side without crowding him. Their quiet support tightens the little circle between the cars.
Marcus Thorne
I am not here to stir up trouble. I just want the story straight, and I needed to know whether you two were tied together before I filed anything.
Marcus glances past them toward the festival lights, then back to Thadeus, and the cost of the exchange shows in the flash he triggers by instinct before lowering the camera again. The brief burst washes the group in white and makes the parking lot feel suddenly exposed.
Quest Complete
Find out why Marcus Thorne is watching them
“Thadeus asks Marcus if he could meet with him tomorrow and discuss things, over lunch at a local diner. Marcus agrees, and offers him Thadeus a handshake. Thadeus accepts, noting Marcus's hand is exceptionally cold, unsure of what to make of that information. He watches as Marcus walks back towards the music festival. Elizabeth looks at Thadeus, "What was that about?" Thadeus responds, "I'm having lunch with Marcus tomorrow. I'll find out more about Marcus and see what his intentions truly are." Elizabeth looks slightly concerned, but recovers herself, agreeing to the idea. Thadeus then turns to Marla and Elias, thanking them for the exciting evening and having his back. Thadeus and Elizabeth hop into her truck, wave to their friends, and drive back home, their home.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -1)
Thadeus closes the distance with Marcus and asks if they can talk tomorrow over lunch at a diner. The reporter’s guarded look loosens into a measured nod.
Marcus Thorne
Tomorrow works. Lunch, somewhere public. That sounds fair.
Marcus offers a handshake. Thadeus takes it, and the cold in Marcus’s fingers catches him off guard, sharp enough to notice under the festival heat.
Thadeus Jovanović
His hand is ice cold.
Marcus turns back toward the music and starts away, camera hanging low at his side. Elizabeth watches Thadeus instead of him, waiting for the meaning to settle.
Elizabeth Bathory
What was that about?
Thadeus Jovanović
I am having lunch with Marcus tomorrow. I will find out more about him, and what he wants.
Concern flickers across Elizabeth’s face, then eases. Marla and Elias stand with Thadeus a moment longer as he thanks them both, and their tension finally drains into tired smiles.
Then Thadeus and Elizabeth climb into her truck, wave back to their friends, and roll out of the lot toward home, with the next conversation already waiting ahead.
✓ Quest Accepted
Find out Marcus Thorne's intentions