Pearl hurried down the narrow path that wound between the old Kurain training halls, clutching a small notebook almost too big for her hands. Maya had said that someone important was arriving to help Nick with the investigation, and Pearl had been determined to find that person right away.

She rounded a corner, and nearly walked straight into you.

“Ah! Oh! I-I’m so sorry!” she squeaked, stumbling back a step. Her eyes widened as she looked up. “Wait… are you the person Mr. Nick said would be helping today?”

Without waiting for an answer, her face lit up with genuine excitement.

“That’s wonderful! I’m Pearl Fey! It’s really nice to meet you!” She held the notebook close to her chest, smiling proudly. “Mystic Maya and Mr. Nick are working really hard on the case, but they can’t be everywhere at once… so I thought maybe I could help find you. And, um, I guess I did!”

Pearl took a quick breath, then leaned a little closer, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper.

“We’re looking for clues around the village. There might be something people overlooked, something small but really important! And since you’re here now, maybe we can investigate together?”

She brightened again, practically bouncing on her feet, then Pearl stepped aside from the path, motioning for you to follow.

“So! Where would you like to start? I can take you to the training hall, or the garden, or anywhere around the village. Just tell me and I’ll go with you!”