4/21/2025 Kick Recap - "Bigger Man Than Me"

Lang picks up CJ from the airport, she laughs about leaving with some books. Lang notices Ember (the clown) at the airport, returning from her honeymoon. Lang takes CJ to the Rest and has her read through the recap he wrote her. They discuss Edgar flip-flopping, but CJ suggests checking the USB again. They slowly find their way to the Cave, Lang finds a section of the website labeled "Assets" and has CJ collect photos of all that information. They meet North Cypress at the Observatory to hear the new mayor announcements.

Nino wins for the South, and Princess wins for the North. Saab pulls Lang aside to chat about what happened over the weekend. The Clown that Lang gave the bomb to on Thursday, blew up the food stall after they left. Hydra was told that it was Cypress and Harry Brown who gave him the bomb. Saab wants to clarify if it's okay that the city thinks that Harry is a bomb connect. Saab helped with the wedding, someone bombed it, but it all worked out. Saab joined Edgar for a dinner he held for the Guild. Edgar and his people started acting dramatic at the dinner, Jay gunned down James Kelly, Saab was stunlocked. Edgar asked for Saab to have another dinner sometime in the future, but Saab was unsure. Jay has a warrant for 7 murders, Trepas is mad at Hydra for snitching.

Lang and CJ drive down to Cypress, Saab wants to have a North meeting in the Refinery. Before everyone arrives, Saab tells Lang that Liya hasn't been around in over a week, Lang thinks she's probably avoiding Martin since the incident. Skipper, CJ, and Jonah arrive for the meeting. Saab thinks the EMP launcher can be modified based on his experience with one over the weekend. Jonah is at 99% on his fent, they're hoping to do another test run today to shake off the scuff. Crimbo Son came by and molotov'd 4-5 cops, and shot Cassie from the Saints. Saab wants to have the animal fighting event this Friday, which means advertising and preparing for it. Lang says that he has a meeting tomrrow, and depending on how that goes, they may not see him for a few months. CJ wants him to elaborate, but they move on (assuming it's basketball related). Skipper re-tells the story about the Trepas-Guild dinner. Skipper suggests showing them that they're just as crazy as they are, Lang asks more about the Guild, but nothing comes of it. Skipper had a good time in the Death Race that was held over the weekend, he didn't die because he believed in the Stormlord. Lang asks about Martin, he texts to meet, Skipper thinks that the mayoral race was their last hope at having Martin stick around in the city. Lang doesn't mind recruiting a few people to have enough for jobs and group related activities.

Lang meets Martin in the Nest. Martin begins the talk by giving Lang credit for how persistent he is, and how hard things get. Martin admits that he could have tried harder campaigning, but was unsure. Now that the mayor ship is out of his hands, he doesn't feel like there is anything left for him to do in the city. Lang isn't sure what to say, but offers some semblance of understanding to Martin for sharing his perspective. Martin doesn't want to leave Cypress, he questions what Lang's plan is going forward. Lang admits that he's over the gang life, but he still appreciates the groups for handling events or hanging out. Martin won't be around much, he might travel or spend time in his apartment. Lang jokes about Martin splitting off and starting East Cypress, Martin fuels it by taking all the good Besties like 4Head. Lang isn't actually against the idea, but it's unlikely it happens. Martin asks if he returns, could he transfer to South Cypress - Lang would allow it. Martin gets up to leave, suggesting that merging with the South is still a good idea, Lang considers it. Martin calls to give Lang his sports car, they meet at the Forge to transfer it. Lang wishes Martin luck on his trip, Martin thanks Lang for everything.

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Lang takes the car to Mosley's and calls Jonah to come paint it for him. CJ and Jonah arrive, Lang tells them that Martin will be traveling for the future, unsure when they'll see him next. Lang changes into a new old man outfit and calls Edgar, but he's buying stuff at the pawn shop so he'll call back later. Lang picks up CJ and they run into Max while getting gas. Max compliments Lang's style and hands off his deck of cards for them to use at Blarney's. Lang offers Max to come by and teach Saab how to use them for gambling sometime, Max is interested. Lang and CJ head to the abandoned barn to meet Edgar. On the way, CJ tells Lang that Norman tried to enforce her deal with him, and Isaac overheard so he wants a follow up chat with her. Saab called because Harry wants to meet urgently, Lang tells him to handle it as he sees best.

Lang questions Edgar's issue with whatever happened at dinner, but Edgar thinks that's just gang life drama. Edgar shares that when they met last, he voiced out-loud his internal concerns and thoughts, but he's present and it's not deeper than that. Edgar tells Lang about the meeting with the Faceless, and how Lang is governed by Shadow as his higher power. Edgar claims they appear to be satisfied with his answers, but gave the impression that they already knew what Edgar shared. Edgar reflects on being told of Talon from the Faceless many months ago, so it seems they have been investigating for a long time. Edgar is awaiting further instructions, but he feels like this was simply a trust test.

The Guild still believe in the Stormlord, and take instruction only from him. They want to discuss giving Edgar access to the Orb, but it otherwise rests in their previous house. Edgar asks about the betrayal, Lang tells him about certain members of the Guild leaking all of their secrets and breaking their oaths once they were in conflict. The Guild told Edgar that they're looking for Lando and Stag, because they want them present if they are to use the Orb again. Edgar thinks that they are eager to teach people about the Stormlord, suspicious of them actually being on the same side as Lang and CJ. Lang is bothered by them ignoring the conflict, seemingly returning after years and acting like they didn't break their oaths. Trey wasn't part of the initial group, but Edgar finds it crazy that he seems to always be perfectly aligned with what Edgar wants, even before he says it. Edgar and Lang discuss where the Oracle falls in everything, but Lang's only interest is the return of the artifacts. Edgar takes photos of the book before they agree to leave, Lang wants to come by the guild house and see how they react.

Lang and CJ debrief about the meeting, CJ is concerned with Skipper being targeted - Lang can't worry about Skipper beyond how he feels. Lang has CJ put everything up on the boards in the basement, he shares that Martin may be joining the South if he returns. Lang reflects on how dark and lifeless the Rest has become. Lang and CJ discuss hypotheticals, lamenting in the 'life they're in'. Lang reminds CJ that the oath she will take eventually has her replace Lang in duty. The Rooster's Rest comes first, before all else. Lang and CJ leave to get some food.

Lang tells CJ about Martin's suggestion to fold North back into the South, CJ tries to press people for talking shit about Lang at the food court. They head to Paleto to chop some trees. CJ gets texted from her mute therapist, Lang thinks he could be the Oracle, so they go meet him. Edgar calls with an urgent meeting, it has to be more secretive than the last place so they meet at the University track.

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Edgar arrives extremely spooked, they are looking for Victor Blackwell. Edgar continues by saying that everything he's heard in the Orb is actually from the future. The Faceless tell Edgar that they were going to ask Edgar to look for Christopher and Amanda in the city, but they haven't told him yet. Edgar asked about the Oracle, which seemed to enrage the Faceless. Lang gets up to look around, Edgar is jittery and suspicious. Lang thinks that the Oracle is trying to flip other assets, and that he worked for the Faceless previously. Lang reminds Edgar that the Oracle twatted out Kifflom before, so that's why it's a lead - Edgar has a eureka moment.

Edgar thinks that the Oracle will lead them to the return of the artifacts. Edgar mentions Trey's idea to break into Nu Epsilon. Lang gets frustrated at hearing that Trey is involved at all, so he warns Edgar about trusting him further and having to sever their relationship. Lang returns to the Rest and tells CJ what he's learned, she's just as surprised. Lang needs the information visualized so they can examine it closer, he heads to bed.