Emerald takes his belongings and then exits #304 Coursewalk, then turns around and knocks on the door. A few moments later Joyride appears, thankfully dressed in her usual clothes. Emerald tells her of the situation.

"So what? Hope is late. Is that a big deal?" Joyride says, raising an eyebrow.

Emerald says he's still worried, because she said she'd be back by now.

"Maybe she just stayed late at work? I dunno. Why you so paranoid? Just think of it this way. No one is going to try and kidnap Hope, unless they want the whole Blossoms family coming down hard on them. They probably wouldn't make it to trial. On the other hand, If it was a freak accident, oh well, nothing you could do about that." Joyride says rather calmly.

Maybe he is being paranoid… He still feels like something is wrong… Emerald remembers suddenly about the focus book, and pulls it out, asking if she can make him one.

"Hmm, well I still haven't gotten much out of the last deals I made with you. You were late for our little milking session, you know. Whatever you are going to offer me in turn better be worth it."

Emerald sighs. He's not really in the right mindset for this right now. Did Joyride already forget about Hope?