The Seekers [Open]

[Sarah Markowitz]

"You're sure about this?" Sam asked Sarah. It had been an hour after she had returned following the attack on the bar. As promised, Sarah told her everything, the gloves, her being a Rider, Clive and Luna, etc. Of course, Sam was a bit mad her friend had kept this a secret from her for so long, but in the end, did come to an understanding as to why. From there, Sarah brought up that she was leaving town for a while with Clive.

"I'm not going to find out anything just staying here, these gloves, the other Riders, I have to know more." Said Sarah.

"How long you intend to be gone?"

"Depends, a month or two maybe."

"You sure you can trust this guy though? I mean, you barely knew each other for a day, and all of a sudden you're going to travel with him? He could be one of the bad guys for all you know", Sam argued.

"He helped me out when that monster attacked, if it wasn't for him..." Sarah left the last part unsaid.

Sam sighed as she took another swig of beer. "Your family knows anything about this?", she asked.

"No, I just told Mom and Dad I'm going on a trip for a while" Sarah replied. Though she wondered when would be best to tell the truth someday. "Sam...Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you about this sooner, I wish I had, I just didn't what to say. And I know you're worried about me going off God's know where, but I need to do this."

The two were silent for about a minute, finally, Sam said "...Alright, I understand. And don't worry, I'm not about to tell anyone about this...just promise you'll stay in one piece when you get back, alright?"

Promises were very flexible to maintain, nevertheless, Sarah stood up and embraced her friend. "Promise"
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Sarah stepped out of the doors of Incheon International Airport, thirty miles west of Seoul, as she looked for a taxi to hail. Turning to see that Clive and Luna were behind her "This your first time to Seoul?"

[Clive and Luna]

Clive came out of the airport and stretched himself as he looked at Sarah as he shook his head, "Nope I've come here a few times, there's a lot of magical places that a magician like myself would be interested in," he replied.

[Sarah Markowitz]

"I've been here a couple times myself, I'm actually part Korean from my mother's side, though I don't look the part." Sarah said, still looking for the taxi. "As for magical places, there are quite a few Buddhist temples here that date back to the Three Kingdoms era before Korea was unified." At last, a taxi rolled up next to the driveway, Sarah pulling out a roll of won as she negotiated with the driver over price and destination.

[Clive and Luna]

"You indeed don't look Korean," Clive remarked as he nodded, "temples are a great source of magical power...I would very like much to see them," he said as he waited until Sarah could get a taxi for them.

[Sarah Markowitz]

After a couple minutes, a price and destination was settled as the driver put their bags in the trunk.

"Well, you're in luck. We're heading to Bongeunsa, taxi should get us there in half an hour depending on traffic."

[Clive and Luna]

"Bongeunsa? Never heard of that place? What is it?" Clive asked.

[Sarah Markowitz]

"Dates back to the Joseon Dynasty from the 15th century, in fact it held the main Buddhist Zen sect in Korea for almost three centuries. Most of the temple was destroyed during the Korean War so its primarily but there are a few of the old halls still remaining, one of them actually has a woodblock carving of one of the sutras." Sarah explained. "If there's anything to be found, it would be there me thinks."

[Clive and Luna]

"Ah yes it would indeed, magic is most often found in places like those or ancient sites," Clive said rubbing his hand, "I'm quite interested in seeing what secrets it holds."

[Sarah Markowitz]

"We'll see when we get there" Sarah said as she led Clive into the taxi, the driver pulling out of the airport parkway towards their intended destination.

[Clive and Luna]

"So have you been to any other places other then Korea?" Clive asked.

[Sarah Markowitz]

"My family visited Britain when I was fourteen, mostly toured around London, got to see the Cliffs of Dover, that kind of thing. A couple years ago, actually went to Israel." Sarah replied. "You? I'm assuming you've been around a lot of places."

[Clive and Luna]

"Ah wonderful good old Britain, my home country," Clive said with a grin, "also the place where I first learned magic. You be surprised how many magic users are in London these days, almost take up a good 5% of the population," remembering his lessons fondly. "Never been to Israel though, been wanting to but the magical government there has sort of a xenophobia and yes I have been to many places, mostly exotic ones such as Brazil, Africa and other such places. But I've mostly travelled in the European, American and Asian countries. My job takes me lots of places."

[Sarah Markowitz]

"Figured" Sarah said. "Must have seen a lot of interesting things in your travels I assume."

She watched the window as the taxi got onto the highway towards Seoul. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you and Luna meet?"

[Clive and Luna]

"Indeed I have, both interesting and most times terrifying," Clive said as Sarah asked how Luna and him met as Luna blushed and looked away. "Ah...well you see Luna's a very talented witch, you would call her a genius in layman's term, as such her family has always pressured her to perform well, do this do that, much like me; a genius magician I was called. However naturally Luna had enough and one day she ran away from her home, caused quite an uproar as I remembered...family also called me in to help, but I was too busy fighting off a Kaijin wave off in China at the time...horrible things. Anyways Luna went to Japan since she was quite curious as to why no European magicians ever went there, of course she would soon run afoul of some Kaijin over there and I happened to be passing by and I rescued her, she's been with me ever since."

[Sarah Markowitz]

"Huh, interesting. Must have shared a lot of adventures the two of you." Sarah wondered whether Luna was still unsure with Clive bringing her along for their travels, she hoped to prove she was trustworthy.

After a while, the taxi got off the highway and into Seoul proper, after another twenty minutes of negotiating through city traffic, it pulled into the parkway facing the temple.

"And we're here" Sarah said, eager to get out and stretch her legs.