4/10/2025 Kick Recap - "Diverging Paths, Same Destination"

Lang finds CJ in the Rest while having his coffee. CJ is proud to have done her homework, handing Lang a recap of yesterday. Lang reads through CJ's particularly written thoughts about yesterday, including (offline lang) their time doing some community service at Nu Epsilon. He laughs at her inclusion of his teasing and the mention of their drug use while doing the work. She notes that they ran into Opal and tried to pressure her for her 25k buy in. Lang remembers that they ran into Bonbon (the clown), who isn't a clown anymore. He threw lots of suspicion on Edgar during the food service event. Lang laughs about telling people that CJ shits herself in social situations, and they are both happy that the Lakers and the Leafs won yesterday.

Lang and CJ stop by Cypress to show face, Lang speaks with Saab at Blarney's about decorations of the property. Clark and Luciano come by, Clark is happy to see Lang since getting out of prison. Clark shows them an event happening called the 'Gang Olympics', Lang offers to support in any way he can. They discuss Nino running for his 4th term as mayor, Luciano jokingly suggests that Lang should run, but Lang refuses. Lang wants to get rid of all his cars, Saab and Jonah are assigned to sell them all. On the way to visiting Nu Epsilon, Lang retells CJ about the time he stole all the money from the Cerberus accounts and lit it on fire. They watch someone getting raided in the southside, McNulty passes by to apologize for antagonizing Lang about the Lakers while he was serving his time.

Lang calls Edgar to meet before potentially never seeing him again tomorrow, CJ isn't happy with it but agrees to sit in the basement on guard. Edgar tells Lang that he's been building a relationship with Delver because he's been allowed to use the Orb. Edgar is slightly suspicious of certain Cypress members because they have worked for the Faceless in some way before. Edgar and Lang meet in the upper part of the restaurant and discuss the 'meat and potatoes'. Lang and Edgar find Gigi very suspicious, but Lang shares that he only trusts CJ and Saab with these related details. Edgar explains that the Orbs are connected, based on his experience in Purgatory, and when he heard a Faceless plan from the one Delver has. Lang isn't sure how the guild are connected, Edgar retells him about the mention of Lando and the voices of the Guild while he was in Purgatory. Edgar likes Delver, and trusts him because of the help he's provided, but doesn't prioritize him. Lang tells Edgar about his history with the Guild, and how they all betrayed him, except for Yeager. Edgar isn't sure if it was Lang they betrayed, or what inhabits him. Edgar asked the Guild about the some things, but they refused to give him more information declaring their sworn oath to the Stormlord. Edgar heard an old news recording about a bombing event, and connected the reference to what Lang had told him before. Lang finds the timing of everything very suspicious, warning Edgar about building a relationship with the Guild. Edgar thinks that the Faceless have built connections with every gang in the city, he believes that Lang needs some kind of ally before it's too late. Edgar tells Lang that Beric is an asset, Lang fakes like he isn't aware of this. Lang tells Edgar how suspicious he's grown of Nu Epsilon, and Eliza of Kifflom. Edgar will investigate further, Lang let's him leave while he sits with his thoughts.

Lang and CJ chat about what was discussed, her frustrations with Edgar with holding information until it can be used. Lang thinks Edgar uses information like sleight of hand. He values the strategic way of maneuvering conversations because it allows him to explore new details about subjects he already knows. Lang can't shake the feeling of Gigi knowing what's going on, and his concerns with Delver and the Guild. Lang wants to try to maintain their Cypress presence, too.

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Saab calls to say he's sold a few of the cars, Lang and CJ return to Cypress to chat with some of the North that's hanging out. Saab shows off a cardboard car he made, Skipper tells them that the Lumber Company isn't selling furniture anymore. Lang finds Zeek and Clark in the road, joking about him doing drugs for his injury, every day. Clark wants to bring meetings back to the South, Lang suggests a united Cypress meeting. Clark offers for them to come by tomorrow, but he'll be away in Vegas. Lang tells them about his terrible experiences, including Yuno sleeping in a closet. Jonah shows them a gun he got from a Mime, Clark and Lang joke about a GNX being a good vehicle and relate it to the rap beef of last year. Lang and CJ go visit Eliza and the Kifflommers.

Lang shows Eliza the money he's donating to her, she's astonished. They chat briefly about the gardening event later. Lang trolls CJ in front of Eliza, and Lang is assigned to a dog community service event.

Luciano calls to see if Lang's free to chat, they meet at the water tower. They check in, catching up on everything that's happened. Lang recaps the 'temporary don incident', and the failures leading to the end of what good the North had. He describes his concern with Martin's choice, and expecting the obvious outcome. Luciano agrees that if Martin leaves, there might be a lot more blowback than what they're prepared for. Luciano reflects on the day Lang blooded out Larry and Bubbles, how he had a shoot out after talking to them and the rest of the 404 at the apartments. Lang and Luciano debate the differences in how loyalty is earned these days, but Luciano is satisfied as long as their leadership is constant. Luciano mentions that the storm may follow Cypress, but the storm always settles. Lang looks deeply at his cane resting at his side, letting Luciano's words soak in. Luciano thanks Lang for everything he gave him, from their earliest days, till now. Lang tells Luciano that everything he was given, he's earned. Lang is hopeful to work together with Luciano again in the future. Luciano wishes Lang luck with whatever he's up to these days, and leaves.

Lang takes his time leaving the water tower, calling Saab to meet. Lang and Saab meet in the Vinewood alleys to discuss how much responsibility Saab is meant to take. Lang realized today that he's going to be a lot more busy than he thought. He still wants to include Saab and Skipper on things that require help, like the potential kidnapping on Monday, but otherwise he's burdening Saab with leadership. Saab is proud to show that he can not only handle the burden, but prove to everyone that he's capable.

Lang returns to the Rest, setting up a whiteboard and calling CJ to join him. Lang details targets like Shang, Trygg, Beric, Delver, Gigi, and Nino. He cross marks different phases, and puts question marks around the people for reasons to be explored. CJ arrives and Lang details each person with her, discussing how dangerous they are to them, and how dangerous they could be with the information they have. CJ asks about Delver, the Guild, and what the Orb is that people have mentioned. Lang explains that the Guild had an Orb in their comic book across the street, he originally thought was just nerd roleplay. It turns out, that the Orb is capable of tapping into other Orbs and sharing whatever it hears across the network. He's not sure why the Faceless have one, nor does it seem like they know what it does, since their own discussions have been leaked. Lang goes through the phases, still unsure about a lot of what he's written on the board. Lang confides in CJ about his chat with Luciano, and how he felt like he lied about Cypress being a higher priority.

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They are interrupted by a radio broadcast, Lang and CJ walk over to listen. The radio delivers a distorted report of the death of the Jetsam company owner, but the radio frequency begins to tear and the message is garbled up. Lang and CJ argue about the radio, Lang decides to check out the Kifflom event happening.

Lang and CJ head to the Nu Epsilon building, Pixie calls to get a schedule for their next therapy visits. They run into Beric outside the building, who asks if Lang's time has been helpful for his character. Lang hates the Kifflomers, and tells Beric that this is a new way to torture inmates. They are guided down the street to the Kifflom event, finding the rest of North Cypress gardening with Eliza. Lang isn't surprised to see Skipper and Jonah, but Sofia doesn't seem convincing. Lang quizzes them, curious about their sudden involvement in Kifflom. He is made to hug a tree on camera, eventually making Hank do the same. Eliza takes Lang for a walk, approaching a new tree. Eliza has Lang envision different things about the tree, taking a dark turn when she has him visualize a person that he's killed instead. Lang thanks the tree, Eliza believes that Lang has made amends. Eliza asks if Lang plans on planting more trees, or cutting them down. Lang wants to relax under the shade of a tree, that surprises her. Lang compliments her innocent thinking, but she mentions that her strange history would have him consider otherwise. Lang breaks the tension by mentioning that he's a serial killer, or was a serial killer. She still finds it funny that he's mentioned it several times in their short experience of knowing each other.

Lang wishes everyone at the event well, and then heads to bed.