Chef returns to the group with the help of Copper as they turn in for the night. The group catch up on the events that had taken place on the train before turning in completely. In the morning, they pack up their things and proceed to head deeper into Kather's property. Here is where they see her shop built into a cliffside with a large crater 60-80 feet away. Before heading to the shop, the team decided to check out this large crater. Shiloh was able to determine that the crater was a meteorite of some kind. The rock was still present in the shape of a large rose that was cracked open to reveal a purple crystal geode inside. Surrounding the crater, Erato was able to familiarize himself with the Black Roses and vines that seemed to be growing within this space. He had seen plants like this before and knew that they were extremely rare. Often these plants were used in necromatic properties. He wanted to take a sample for himself, but the rest of the group encouraged him to wait to speak to Kather before doing so.
Jo'Han and Shiloh were the first to approach the shop however it appeared that the shop was closed still. They knocked on the door but no one answered, however they were met with sounds on the other side. Jo'han peered inside a window to see a clutter mess of a shop and a body lying on the ground. He informed the others of what he could see and questioned whether or not this was an opportunity to break in and enter. Before breaking out the thieves' tools, he turned the closed sign around to open and got to work. Successfully he was able to unlock the door, but upon opening it he was met with a burning hand on the knob. Using other means to open the door without triggering any further traps, they all managed to get inside.
Upon entering the shop they were met with a cluttered shop of odd things and antiques. They were able to make note of runic symbols that manifested on the ground. Shiloh was able to determine that two of the symbols were a Firebolt and Acid Splash type of traps. With intellectual thinking and experimentations, Shiloh had grabbed onto his shield to try and see if he would be able to rip the piece of wood out and fuse it to his shield. Activating the run, a nozzle appeared and sprayed him with acid from above him.
They walked further into the shop where they poked around at some of the odd items. They came across an alchemy container with a strange viscous orange gel. The gel came to life after it was poured out onto a petri dish. It quickly moved away from Shiloh who was examining it and hid behind a chest. Chef got closer to examine the creature and sparked a battle with the chest and a nearby cabinet. The furniture pieces attacked the team and were broken into splinters in the process. Chef grabbed a hold of the gel which retaliated and tried to engulf him. He let out a scream just as she was about to suffocate him which sent a chill up her spine.
Kather come onto the scene and scowled the now humanoid shaped gel Johanna. She sentenced Johanna to a time out in the jar before apologizing to the visitors. She questions what they were doing in her area and what they were looking for. To which they responded with how they wanted answers. They gave her a run down of everything that was going on, but at the mention of Copper things changed. She questioned the party on their loyalty to the King of Divelinson and what they thought of overall.
Each one gave a unique answer but all generally had some type of disapproval of the King's current actions. She brought the group to the back room where it was revealed that the cavernous innards was a hideout of the Shooting Star Pirates. Captain Kather informed the group that she was allied with Dria Voxville the daughter of Mond Voxville. She was believed to be dead and yet she was currently acting as a part of the Guild of the Lost. This was the supposed "Shadowy Figure" that they were after. She informed the group that they are more than welcome to stay with her crew believing that Dria was going to turn up in a few days. She had some odd jobs here and there for them that they could do in the mean time but they needed to pitch in with any housekeeping.
They stepped aside outside and came to the revelation that Dria was not behind the events that took place at the academy. After a discussion they decided that it would be best for Jo'han to reach out to Trick Aka the "Bazooka Cat". The call was made and something didn't sound right. After giving Trick information without disclosing the who and the where only the what, Trick informed them that they should not tell Calani. Calani being the ass kisser that she is, was someone who shouldn't know this information. He asked if they were in a safe location but Jo'han didn't disclose that. When asked if he knew anyone off of the grid, he informed them that there were people. During the call Trick also informed Jo'han that his wife Winda was still on the search of his missing mother Mrs. Dough. Jo'han proceeded to call is wife who informed him that she was tracking a Frecia Vessel that was heading to Tyrillion. The trail went could after the vessel exploded but she wasn't going to stop there. Jo'han shares the same information that he already shared with Trick and denied her offer to come and help.
After hanging up, the group determined that they didn't agree with the king's actions and were wanting to wait to speak with Dria themselves. This in return might make them rebellions despite being affiliated with the Guild. With the idea of losing their payment, they decided to wait.