Journal 1
To: Madame Zeroni
Dear Grandmother, I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to share some details about my journey to Peru, which has been nothing short of extraordinary so far.
From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the rich tapestry of personalities that make up this vibrant country. The people in our crew are incredibly diverse, each with their own unique stories and customs. Despite the differences, there's a warmth and sense of community here that makes me feel almost like I’m at home. It's a comforting feeling to be surrounded by such welcoming spirits.
However, not everything has been perfect. The person who invited us on this expedition, Mr. Larkin, seems to be struggling with a serious issue. I've noticed signs that they might be battling an opioid addiction. It's heartbreaking to see someone so consumed by this, and I fear for their health and well-being. I'm trying to be supportive, but it's a delicate situation, and I'm unsure how best to help.
On a brighter note, Mr. Elias, who has been incredibly kind and helpful has offered to take me to the local library tomorrow, which I'm eagerly looking forward to. The prospect of delving into the history and culture of Peru and this intriguing pyramid through its literature is exciting. He is also writing a book on a Death Cult, Ha! How cool! I hope to learn more from him as we get along.
I think of you often, especially when I encounter moments of mystery and wonder. Your wisdom and guidance have always been a source of strength for me. I wish you could be here to experience this adventure with me.
Take care, Grandmother. I look forward to sharing more of my journey with you soon.
With love,
Iris
Journal 2
To: Madame Zeroni
Dear Grandmother,
I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to share with you the events of my second day on this expedition, and let me tell you, it was quite a doozy.
We started the day with some casual shopping around the hotel. The crew and I stumbled upon a delightful young girl named Rizzo. She was a bit younger than me but remarkably fluent in English. We struck up a conversation and she seemed quite pleasant. However, tragically, I have to use past tense to describe her because she's no longer with us. I'll explain more about that shortly.
After our shopping excursion, we headed to the museum to meet with Professor Sanchez. We were eager to gather any insights he had regarding this expedition and Mr. Larkin's involvement. Professor Sanchez appeared genuinely interested in preserving the artifacts and joining us on our journey. However, Mr. Larkin seems to have conflicting views. Im not too sure how I feel about either of them. Professor Sanchez actually says his student assistant is helping him and what do you know, its Rizzo!
Mr. Sanchez asked us to locate Rizzo in the museum's basement, where she was conducting research. To our shock and horror, when we found her, it was a scene unlike any I've witnessed before. Rizzo lay on the ground, almost mummified like, with a significant portion of her chest missing. The sight was truly astonishing and unnerving, Grandma. It's as if some evil force lurks here in Peru, unlike anything we've encountered in the bayou. (Is it wrong that it makes me kind of excited?)
At this point, we've sent Abby to fetch Professor Sanchez. I'll keep you updated on any further developments. Please keep us in your thoughts and intentions, channeling positive energy our way as we navigate through this unsettling situation.
With love,
Iris
Journal 3
To: Madame Zeroni
Dear Grandma,
I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to share with you the latest events from my adventure here in Peru. It's been quite intense, to say the least!
Firstly, I must tell you about what happened to Professor Sanchez. Similar but not quite to what looked like what happened to Rizzo. We encountered something dark and bizarre. A larvae-like creature emerged from him and attacked our friend Declan. It was a terrifying moment, but thankfully, my sewing and first aid skills came in handy. I managed to wrap it up tightly and secure it so Vincent could deal with it safely. Sadly to say, Professor Sanchez is now deceased.
Abby, in her brave attempt to save Declan, accidentally nicked his face pretty good when the creature jumped on him. Luckily, Declan is alright now and received treatment at the hospital. The whole ordeal was incredibly intense and filled with action, as you can imagine.
There are even darker elements at play here, Grandma. It seems there might be some sort of cult involved, though I'm still gathering information on that. Does the name Mendoza ring any bells to you? It's surprising that there hasn't been any mention of this in the literature I've read so far.
Despite these challenges, I'm excited for the adventures that lie ahead. Peru is proving to be full of mysteries and unexpected twists. I can't wait to see what unfolds next, though I promise to stay cautious.
I miss you dearly, Grandma, and wish you were here with me to share these incredible experiences. I will write again soon with more updates. Take care of yourself.
With love,
Iris
Journal 5
Puno
Do NOT like long car rides, but LOVE ginger ale... maybe because I am a ginger?
LOVE red lobster biscuits, got to take some to grandma on our way back
Larkin seems like he is getting worse and I still cant get over his tattoo... but we got some direction from Elias' friend Nayara, she reminded me of grandma ALOT with her jokes.
We need to return this gold artifact.. it only seems like the right thing to do, is to do right by the spirits. Maybe it would make life easier here on this land people call home.
I wonder if that number 410 will pop up again.. its got to mean something.
Abby is becoming a good friend I think and she loved her reading! Grandma would be proud.
Declan and Vincent seem to be good guys but want to jump the gun pretty quickly haha they are smart but gotta be careful with those two. At least we got some herbs for his injury. Really wish she had some spells to add to the grimoire now THAT would've been awesome.
I seem to be gaining everyone's trust so far I think we've got a good group and can get through this excursion.
Journal 6
To: Madame Zeroni
Dear Grandma,
I hope nothing has changed about home, as I am starting to miss how normal it is there and that's saying a lot. It’s been quite a journey, and I can’t help but think of you as I write this.
The adventure started off with a sense of excitement and wonder, but things have taken a darker turn. We had an encounter with one of Mr. Jackson's friends, who reminded me so much of you, and it was strange because after our visit, we learned that this person had passed away. It’s unsettling how their presence felt so familiar and then suddenly, they were gone.
Lately, I’ve been feeling an eerie presence that I can’t shake. We suspect it might be Mendoza or that he is a part of the Kharisiri, the spirit that’s said to haunt these parts. I can’t escape the feeling that something is following us. It’s hard to describe, but it’s like a heavy shadow over everything.
I keep thinking about Nayra and the gold we have with us. I believe that returning it to where it belongs might help us in some way, maybe even help this city find peace. The spirits here seem restless and spiteful, and I can’t ignore the sense that something needs to be set right.
I miss home dearly, but I also know there’s so much to learn and understand out here. Please keep me in your thoughts. Your wisdom and guidance mean a lot to me right now. I hope that whatever I’m facing can be resolved, and I’ll continue to seek out answers and make things right.
Take care, Grandma, and thank you for always being a source of comfort and insight.
With love,
Iris
Journal 7
To: Madame Zeroni
Grandma, too many people are dying around me. I feel so dark and hollow trying to figure all of this out. If I die, please, please tell everyone about the Kharisiri and our mission. I think we are secretly being taken as sacrifices to this pyramid but I want to find out in a twisted way of what this all means and how this darkness exists here. Please send all of your guidance and keep the spirits protecting us.
Love,
Iris
4 YEARS LATER
Now 32, Iris’ life has taken on a rich, new dimension since her harrowing yet exhilarating journey to Peru. Residing on Bourbon Street with her wise grandmother, Madame Zeroni, Iris has transformed their slow historic home into a vibrant hub of mystical activity. Her once-innocent psychic talents have matured into profound abilities, guiding a diverse clientele through life's crossroads with a blend of wisdom and empathy. Iris has found herself drawn to a charming client named Sebastian, whose frequent visits have stirred a flutter of affection in her heart. Oh and also giving her some self defense lessons since hearing of her epic adventures and that her and her grandma are by themselves in this rumbunctious city.
As she navigates her growing feelings, the thrilling yet daunting echoes of her Peruvian adventure continue to resonate in her work, fueling her passion for helping others. Together with Madame Zeroni, who remains her rock and mentor, Iris weaves a tapestry of old-world magic and New Orleans charm, drawing inspiration from both her past adventures and the lively energy of her present surroundings.
Journal 1
To: Madame Zeroni
I hope this letter finds you well and surrounded by the familiar scents of our shop. As you know, I’ve ventured to New York City for my latest expedition, and I’m absolutely enchanted by the dazzling lights and the bustling atmosphere! It’s a far cry from our warm Louisiana, though—this cold weather is something else! Thankfully, my dear friend Abby, who was on the previous trip to Peru, lent me a jacket to help brave the chill.
We’re supposed to meet our other friend, Jackson Elias, at the Chelsea Hotel, room 410. When Vincent talked to him he mentioned that Jackson didn't sound the same.. I can’t help but feel a twinge of anxiety about that room number. It haunts me from a premonition that never seems to fade. I can’t shake the feeling that something is amiss.
When we arrived, my heart sank. We found Jackson tied to a chair with his guts out and something carved on his face, and three men with knives searching the room! In the chaos, Declan shot one of them, but the other two escaped through the window. My mind is racing, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it all.
Please send my love to Sebastian when he comes to check on you and the shop. I’m grateful for his presence; I know he’ll keep you company while I’m away. It seems I’ll really be putting those self-defense lessons to good use!
I miss you dearly and will keep you updated as our adventure unfolds.
With all my love,
Iris
Journal 2
Get story straight in case cops ask
Try and fix Abby's wound
Figure out why I cant recall this symbol that was carved on Jackson's face
Shanghai - matchbox and faded picture
Vincent has some enemies..
Go to library and find out more info on where Jackson has been to collect these clues and find out his plan to carry out this expedition in his honor, rip..
Journal 3
Late night thoughts:
That guy Jonah knows all of us.. kinda creepy but I don't know how i feel about him. i do know he was Jackson's friend or he wouldn't have this info about him or what he was up to.
Still trying to figure out the connection with this old photo, now we know Jackson was in Hong Kong there is a clue.
That book is in that Carlyle's safe i just know it.. that rich family is hiding something and the expedition members may still be alive and possibly in the cult or something... I don't know.
On a lighter note, shopping is exhausting but Abby sure does have good taste. And speaking of taste THIS PIZZA IS AMAZING! This beats grandmas gumbo any day. I will be eating this the whole time I'm here.
Journal 4
To: Madame Zeroni
Dear Grandma,I hope this letter finds you well. I had to attend the funeral of my late friend Jackson today, and I have to tell you, it was a strange and unsettling experience. Only two other people were there—Carlton, his lawyer and Willa, his secretary. They were helpful in some ways, offering bits and pieces of information, but there was something off about the whole situation. Neither of them seemed to know exactly who might have caused his death, though I can't shake the feeling that there's more to it.
I can't help but wonder if it ties back to this bloody-tongued cult that we've been reading about. The more I think about it, the more certain I am that there’s something sinister at play, but I don’t have all the details yet. I’m planning to look into it more, and I thought maybe you might have some knowledge or insight on it. You know how these things seem to circle back around to the past, and I trust your intuition to see through the veils others miss. If you can find out anything, it might help piece together what really happened.
As it stands, things are still delicate. There was a reporter and a cop at the funeral, so we need to keep our story straight. We don’t want to draw too much attention, especially since some people might start asking questions. The last thing we need is to raise suspicion.
Please give my love to Sebastian and let him know that I am safe—for now, at least. I’ll keep my head down and try to figure out what’s going on, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that we're only scratching the surface of something much deeper and darker.
Stay safe, and I’ll be in touch when I know more.
With all my love,
Iris
To: Madame Zeroni
Dear Grandma,
I hope this letter finds you well. I’ve managed to get another lead on the Carlisle family—more specifically on the sister who lives at the estate. I’ve done my best to find us an invitation to one of their galas so we can gather more information and, hopefully, find out about the safe Mr. Jackson kept rambling on about. I’ve never been to a gala before, but Abby has promised to help me look presentable. I’ll make sure I don’t embarrass us, ha.
In the meantime, there’s been some progress on another front. We came across a business card for Emerson Imports, with the name Silas scrawled on the back. So, Declan and I did what anyone would do in this situation—we got Mr. Emerson absolutely obliterated with some truly awful whiskey. I didn’t think Declan had it in him, but he really stepped up. After many rounds, we managed to get the information we needed, then hightailed it out of there. Of course our taxi driver, Charles, was waiting for us since we were paying him with whiskey, something I would imagine happening on Bourbon street if everything wasn't so close to get to.
Turns out, this Mr. Silas runs imports to a place called The JuJu House, which is located in a part of town that looks oddly familiar... it’s got a vibe of those old voodoo shops back in Louisiana. What’s more unsettling is that JuJu House imports directly from Kenya... and as we all know, that’s where the Bloody Tongue Cult originated. The hairs on my neck were standing up as soon as we got close, and I’m itching to check it out—but, of course, I’ll stay cautious. For all we know, this could be one of the cult leader’s safe houses, or perhaps it’s just a place that’s aware of them. Either way, something feels off. I’ll be on edge until I know more.
Please, keep yourself safe in the meantime, and let Sebastian know that I’m eagerly awaiting the next time I’ll get to see him so we can have our own adventures. I can’t wait to share all of this with you once we’re together again.
With all my love,
Iris