Case File 2018.07.16
Alex took to searching Liam's study looking for something, anything, to help him deal with what he'd experienced in that nightmare. Outside of Nedd, he'd also mentioned it to Ken and Rhea, not sparing any avenue that might get answers. Nedd eventually found him in mid-search and pointed out that there was nothing to be found in the room that could help him. He didn't like not knowing what to do or how to deal with this and asked Nedd for advice.
She pointed out that whatever it is couldn't cross through the Castle threshold, while pointing out that there are other avenues that something can gain entrance. That was a reason there were not an abundance of mirrors in the Castle itself. Though still things could come at one through dreams. Nedd pointed out that Delilah, the one he saw in his dreams, was likely placed there as a distraction to keep him unbalanced. Alex didn't agree, it didn't make sense to him that she'd be a distraction that was fighting off the attacker from last night.
It was obvious that Alex was frustrated and that of the few facts he could state, it was real and not just his imagination. Nedd took this into consideration before stating that if there was anything targeting him, that there would be few options. He could learn a defense, that while not good on the long term would let him wait it out a bit... or he could try seeking whatever it is out himself. Being Alex, he opted for the option of looking for the culprit. It would take Nedd some time, but she'd try to help... given that if he couldn't accomplish finding the source and dealing with it within five minutes-- they'd have to stop and find some other way. He agreed to her terms and would do his best to keep himself centered before they make the attempt once she had everything prepared.
Ken was in the study, reading and doing his best to continue on in the absence of Liam. Wanting to do something to be more prepared and falling back on a routine he knew. Rhea found him there shortly after returning home to the Castle for the evening. She felt a bit divided, wanting to check upon Alex after his nightmare, but also wanting to make sure Ken was doing okay as well. Of the two younger members currently guests of the Castle, she knew Alex could manage a fair bit. She hadn't been present at the sessions Liam had been giving them, so Ken she wasn't as certain of just yet.
He'd noticed her a few moments later after she'd spoken, but finishing his place before turning his attention to Rhea. He didn't want to be a burden and felt that his training would be on hold near indefinitely with Liam currently missing. She assured the young man that they'd find him, but wanted to make sure Ken was in one piece when they did. She hadn't been impressed with the car hitchhiking incident stunt, but even the rest of that was chaos in the end. He'd heard enough about that day on the drive back. She was more interested in what he'd been up to currently.
Ken was trying to figure out what else he could do for the moment. Expecting to be pulled into the chaos at some point and wanting to be prepared. Perhaps there was no real way to fully prepare, and despite the fact that she'd rather him not get involved... it'd eventually happen. Whether he pulled another stunt to get involved or something decided to involve him more directly in a situation. It reminded her about earlier years in her own stumbling. She asked him what he'd been doing to prepare himself at addressing any areas he wasn't so strong in-- Ken didn't give a clear answer to that. Freezing in the middle of a situation wasn't ideal, it could happen to the best of people, but being able to recover and act could go a long way. She'd decide to work with Ken when she could to help him address those areas he had less experience in... he wasn't a fighter, but he'd need to know how to deal with some of the things they'd encountered.
Elsewhere, in the little Mexican town of Kaua, Gwen was doing her own investigation into trying to locate Liam. The small town, slowly overtaken by the Reds within the past couple of years, she hoped to play the part of naive tourist and see if she could learn anything. It had started to become a hub of Red activity and perhaps someone would let slip information regarding a particular Senior Council while under the influence of the area's heat and tequila. She just had to be patient and listen.
