Stupid O'Clock In the Morning, The Queen's Chambers, Sidra, Glacia, Kaeleer

[glacial_queen]

Beep. Beeeeeeeep

Normally, Karla could sleep right through her phone's text notification, especially if it came in the silvery light of pre-dawn on a night when Winsol celebrations had kept them awake until just a few hours before. Which wasn't to say that Karla could be generally counted upon to wake up for her phone, but it was even less likely

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[not_a_parakeet]

"Mmm... Karla?"

It wasn't that Warren hadn't been concerned for Jonothon's well-being, really. But he certainly hadn't been losing much sleep over the other man's absence. Jono was a big boy, and presumably, he could handle a trip to visit a friend for Christmas. He'd been doing the superhero shtick for months before Glacia's war had even started, after all.

So when Karla started bustling around the room, he wasn't exactly flying out of bed himself, but he was at least taking a moment to roll over and look her way.

"What is it?"

[glacial_queen]

"Word from Jono," she replied shortly, pulling her hair back into a tight braid. "The word, by the way, was 'help.'"

[not_a_parakeet]

Well, that got another eye to open, right there.

"... That's a pretty telling word. Did he say what's going on?" Yeah, he was actually sitting up, now, and even shifting around to reach for a pair of pants. Apparently, Jono warranted a pair of pants.

[glacial_queen]

"Of course not," Karla snorted, now pulling on a sports bra and black turtleneck. She was gearing up for a fight. "That would be helpful. He said he was on an island off the coast of San Francisco, though. Nice for a few things to remain constant between worlds."

[trigons_child]

Raven had gotten Karla's message and quickly dressed and hurried to the Queen's Chambers. She knocked on the door, worried about what would necessitate a summons at so late an hour. Whatever it was, it had to be important.

[glacial_queen]

"Got a text from Jono," Karla said abruptly, tossing her phone at Raven. "Read the text and then make whatever last minute preparations you need so we can leave."

Fortunately, it was a short text.

[trigons_child]

Raven barely glanced at the words when she caught Karla's phone. It didn't matter what they said, only that Jono needed help.

"I am ready now," she said.

[glacial_queen]

"The picture, Raven," Karla insisted. "Look at the picture. It's important."

[heromaniac]

Finally! Momoko had the text from Karla that Jono had been heard from and that BLOSSOM was needed. And of course, that meant she was at the Portal site long before it arrived, her things in a small bag she hoisted over her shoulder.

"Remember..."

"I promise! Every eight hours." She kissed Jaime rather soundly. "Though the idea of seeing you come storming in after me, all suited up, is pretty tempting..."

"Don't joke." His face was serious and Momoko sighed, smiling as she tapped his cheek.

"I am serious!" Momoko watched his face grow darker, sadder, and she hugged him hard. "Jaime. I promise to text or call when we find out anything. It may be nothing."

"And that's why you're loaded for bear?"

Momoko frowned. Stupid Scarab scan. "I'm hyper, not stupid. I don't know what I may need."

"Never ever said you were stupid." Jaime pulled back to kiss her Just as the Portal shimmered into view. "Contact me every six hours

[glacial_queen]

"Got a message from Jono," Karla said, vanishing the last of her supplies. "It consisted of a location, a word, and a picture. The location was Alcatraz, the word was 'help,' and the picture was..." She paused, shaking her head. "You should see the picture yourself."

[heromaniac]

"Alcatraz? Isn't that a prison... Wait, help? Jono actually sent the word help?" She set her bag down and held out a hand for the phone, her face way past serious. Jono didn't ask for help. "What's the picture?"

[glacial_queen]

Which was why Karla had flung herself out of bed and foregone coffee to make sure they could get to him that much faster.

"It's his X-ray," she said, voice soft. "Of what's left of his skeleton."