He understood what was happening the moment he laid eyes on the text Garnet had sent him later in the day, after the initial shock of Nariko's disappearance had died away and they all went their separate ways to deal with the sudden change in their arrangement and their household. The loss cut to the core and, now that three out of the original five members of Cosmic Indulgence had taken a hit from Santiago's whims and violent rages.

Enough was enough.

A small warning had been sent out to someone he cared about to be prepared in case something happened....

It was time to up the ante. He was tired of this.

Arriving at 8 on the dot, Koumei-- in a ragged jacket and scuffed shoes that befitted a street festival more than a jazz bar-- found Garnet easily in the crowd. Her impressive height and distinctive hair made her easy to spot, and he wove his way through the people to join her.

"...I take it that you're as tired of seeing the kids get hurt as I am," he said simply. There were no questions in his voice.