Second.

[azumods]

ENCOUNTER 2. Saturday evening arrives, and with it the time to follow through on that invitation. Upon entering the resort area, the group will be greeted - inasmuch as the emotionless can properly greet anyone - by staff that evidently works there. They don't appear to be affiliated with Team Galactic, at least not outwardly; they're all dressed similarly, but not in Galactic uniforms, and their hair is down and noticeably not covered in identical wigs. They seem to have retained some aspect of individuality, in other words, as opposed to being absorbed into what appears to be the Team Galactic hivemind, and while they don't seem genuinely pleased to see the lot of you, they'll smile politely as they usher you in, albeit in an odd, uncanny-valley sort of way that doesn't reach their eyes. A purely mechanical reaction, their bodies smile while they do not. It's probably a little difficult to say whether that's preferable or not to the usual blankness you may be getting accustomed to. However, they seem cordial enough as they escort all of you further into the resort proper, past several bungalows that likely contain a few rooms apiece for people to reside in for the duration of their stay. The walk will take you up a few sets of stairs built into the rock formation the resort is built upon, leading eventually to a restaurant that likely overlooks Lake Valor from the north side of the building - it certainly seems elevated enough, and the positioning is right. The seating area itself seems to have been prepared in advance for your arrival; rather than several separated tables, there's one long arrangement draped in white, with twelve chairs arranged down each side - twenty-four total - and one at the head of the table. That one appears to already be occupied with your host for the evening; the smile Saturn is offering is soft but it isn't nice, disingenuous in a way that's only slightly less unsettling than the mechanical expressions of the staff. "It's good of you to join me." His voice is likewise soft but it isn't nice; just the same, he'll gesture at the rest of the table easily. "Feel free to have a seat, and keep your Pokémon out if it pleases you; this used to be a battling establishment, so the staff is more than accustomed to things like that." Food will be brought out shortly after people are seated; there are no arranged seats, so you're free to sit wherever suits you along the table. It's likely noticeable once things are laid out that either the people here don't hunt or Saturn is aggressively vegan; either way, there's no meat involved and nothing that would insinuate that Pokémon were harmed in any way to obtain what's in front of you, though the food is still decidedly nicer and more substantial than anything you've had for the past week - high-class and freshly-prepared, and not...you know, relying on berries and nonperishable stuff from a department store shelf. "Enjoy yourselves." Saturn's voice is still even, still calm to perhaps infuriating levels regardless of whatever the atmosphere in the room may happen to be, "since I did say that this was intended at least partially to apologize for the incident at the lakefront. And of course, you're welcome to ask whatever you like, seeing as you did have questions and I'm no longer strictly on company time. After all, a peaceful solution to this entire...situation is what we're all striving toward, isn't it?"

Comments

[niceoppai]

[Chelsea fidgets and frowns, picking at the food.]

This is a little obvious, but why call us here to begin with?

[azumods]

I was under the impression that that was clear...?

[He doesn't seem troubled, at any rate. Kind of patronizing, maybe, but by now it's likely clear that that's just sort of his personality.]

If you're expecting me to unveil some sort of trap that I clearly believe to be clever despite this entire thing really not lending well to it, I'm going to do no such thing. Consider it a matter of personal curiosity, if you must consider it anything at all.

[takestheblame]

That depends on what's your idea of a peaceful solution.

[What exactly's going on in that mind of yours, Saturn?]

[azumods]

It does, I'll admit.

[He shrugs a little.]

If you think this ends with me re-integrating you, this is a lot of effort to go through just to do something that I can technically do at any time, don't you think?

[discutio]

[It felt, perhaps, more right than ever that he was in his correct uniform--all basic Lucian black with mirrored visor making his expression as hard to read as possible. At his side as ever sat an Absol with her Chingling passenger perched atop her head.]

You have our gratitude for your hospitality, Commander. [Negotiations were easy. Simple, straightforward no matter how dangerous the atmosphere.]

I think, first and foremost, an outlining of terms would be wise. In other words, what is it you consider a 'peaceful solution to this situation'?

[azumods]

[The initial comment will get a brief nod of acknowledgement; it's appreciated. The question, however...hm.]

That's something that depends on you just as much as it does me, I think. I admit curiosity with regards to what, exactly, you plan on doing with yourselves now that this has all...happened to you in the first place.

[enjoymyatelier]

[...honestly, he's still really hungry for a nice goddamn plate of sausages, but the idea of eating Pokemon is still kind of weirding him out, so. He's gonna get a nice mushroom dish for himself and set aside some fruit and nuts for the Pokemon to have later, given that he's still not entirely used to the idea of letting animals eat with you at a restaurant, even if he's gotten more used to it outdoors.

He's taking very small bites at first, though, trying to determine... well... something...]

If you're being free with information, then may I ask when we arrived, exactly?

[...he didn't make a very good first impression but neither did fuckin' Saturn, he's had practice being civil with people whose faces he wants to rub into the dirt]

[azumods]

[...You know, he does look unbelievably tempted to say something condescending, but for once in his miserable life he will refrain.]

I imagine the period of lost time you're experiencing is unsettling to say the least, and it isn't intentional or anything that I planned for. Is the concern that it's been years? Because I can tell you that it hasn't been - you had just passed the assessment stage of things, if I'm remembering your group correctly, and you hadn't been integrated long at all. A couple of weeks at the absolute most; enough to have received assignments based on aptitude, but not enough to have been deployed.

[greydients]

[Even with the fact that she's got plenty of food in her backpack, it's taking a lot of self-control to stop Rey just grabbing one of everything available on this table and shoving it straight into her mouth. Old instincts die hard, and it's rare for her to get vegetables to eat - particularly ones that look and smell this good. Regardless of that, though, she doesn't want to risk looking uncultured in front of Saturn, and she's not quite sure she should trust all this beautiful food.

She fills her plate, but doesn't quite reach for her fork just yet (as much as it pains her).]

How do we leave this place? Sinnoh, I mean.

[If he's going to offer free information, Rey isn't going to mince words.]

[azumods]

If the matter is left up to Master Cyrus, you don't.

[Jesus, Saturn. That said, it's still said evenly, perhaps a bit too calmly for the words being given.]

The process involved in bringing you here isn't one that I have control over, or access to. Unfortunately enough.

[hyruglyphics]

[ Perhaps as just a small, small bit of cheeky defiance, Zelda comes into the room with both Miphanus the Beldum out (as always) but once she takes her seat, she also lets out the as yet unnamed Lickitung.

... Which, of course.

Goes to eat everything. It's tongue shoots out to grab a large section of offered food, slurping it into it's endless maw. It knows only hunger, dispassionate and emotionless.

She ends up laughing at the sight of it, even if it'll no doubt means she gets to eat a little less herself. It allows herself to break her own tension, smiling for Saturn and for the room. ]

... I apologize, do you mind? Nothing I've cooked seems to sate her.

[ Though despite her warm tone, the implication is she was being... cheeky. And would have let the lickitung out anyway. ]

[azumods]

[He just shrugs a bit at that, though he gives the Lickitung a bit of an...odd look before he replies.]

I'm not the one preparing it, after all.

[ventulus]

[ ... He looks at the food, and well, at least he's assured no one or nothing was harmed in obtaining it. He has that much faith at least, and doesn't hesitate to take some fruits, vegetables as well as some stuff for his partners.

Ventus tries to think of something to ask, and he's blanking, so. He decides to start...somewhere. ]

How long have you been doing this? Teaming up with Cyrus and everything, I mean.

[azumods]

I've been a member of Team Galactic for many years now.

[...He looks really young to be saying something like that, honestly, which has connotations that are either unsettling or unfortunate; either way, it is what it is as far as he's concerned.]

I joined in the interest of bettering myself, and of seeing what would come of Master Cyrus' goals. I've seen what he's accomplished in that time, it's...very impressive.

[anythingforyou]

[Camilla's kind of glad that she had managed to work down some of her aggression after the meeting yesterday; she's never liked the idea of being in enemy territory on such terms. The smiles that everyone is giving just reminds her of those strained days in the court, and Camilla is at least returning them, though they're only somewhat nicer than the ones she receives. If this is the game their playing, she'll play along; she's not going to allow her emotions to overflow for this sake.

Of course, Camilla's not eating anything either. The last thing she needs is the possibility of poison, even if it seems all too outside of his style. And really, that infuriates her ever so slightly.

She's simply sitting at the table with her Glameow in her lap, running her fingers through the creature's fur while everything gets underway.]

I must admit...I find it rather surprising that you're treating us with such hospitality. I wouldn't have thought you such a gregarious host.

[...Hmm.]

You're certainly different from most of the people here. It's a rather curious thing.

[It's a bit of an unspoken question, really, about why he still has his emotions.]

[azumods]

[...Camilla, that was all, like. Impressively backhanded. Quite frankly, he approves?]

Is it...?

[That said, he's still going to make you ask if you want answers, because he's like that.]

[radiantflame]

[Morag hesitates to try any of the food at first, because anything here could be a trap, up to and including poisoned food. When no one keels over immediately, she takes a few bites.]

You're not on company time? So, do you truly intend to help us?

[azumods]

That depends on what you consider "helping."

[He pauses for a moment, thinking.]

Mor...ag, wasn't it?

[semistableman]

[Well, at least there's no meat in the food. Bucky didn't use to be a vegetarian, but he sure as hell is one now.

He pointedly hasn't said anything at all, but he has a starly sitting on his head and a s skiddo at his feet, so he is apparently doing his very best at a Dr. Dolittle impression at the moment.]

[azumods]

[...You know what, sure.

Godspeed, Bucky.]

[omissions]

[Ari has been listening quietly for some time now, before he finally speaks.]

Thank you, for the food and providing an opportunity to speak with you rather than fight here. It's appreciated, sir.

[azumods]

[...Huh. Well, that's appreciated, at any rate.]

Of course. I'm permitted to use resources as I see fit; it wasn't much trouble, in the end.

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

[Sena tentatively pokes at the food, still not entirely convinced this isn't a trap. The employees remind him a little too much of when Hiruma "tried" to act nice during the school festival - it has all the motions of being friendly and welcoming, but the dread of something lurking underneath the surface is all too apparent. It's too plastic.

Monta seems to know enough to mimic Sena regarding the food; but Vee has no problem with standing on the table and eating right out of Sena's plate. Hey, if you're not eating it, the Eevee has no problem of taking advantage.]

Um...thanks, I think?

[Sena scratches at his cheek nervously.]

I'm just wondering, though...you wouldn't have done this without some kinda benefit to yourself, right? [Maybe it's the thought of Hiruma that brings this question to mind - the devilish quarterback never did anything without a reason, after all.]

A-and us being like this isn't what this Cyrus person wants, right? So...I don't get it. Why give us a chance like this?

[For such a timid-looking guy...that's a surprisingly bold question, isn't it?]

[azumods]

Master Cyrus wouldn't be too pleased if he knew, no.

[...he would be in so much shit, sena]

However, my interest now is in bringing this to as peaceful a conclusion as we can. I don't see why I should do otherwise.

[divinedescendant]

[Emmeryn has gotten dressed up for the occasion—her full regalia is too involved to put on herself and she can't ask that of anyone here, but she lets her hair down and puts the green cape over her nice white dress and long gloves and just accepts that she's going to be kind of cold no matter what, it's whatever. It's fine!! She's all polite smiles, as warm and calm as ever. Duma is in her lap as always, although she'd waited to make sure letting other Pokémon at the table was going to happen before she allowed it. ]

Good evening, Saturn. Thank you for accommodating us tonight. Small luxuries like this have been missed while we were on the road.

[azumods]

Believe me, I remember what it was like. I did the whole "adventuring through the wilderness" thing before joining Team Galactic, myself.

[So, you know, there's that. Hi, he remembers you, you are the very polite lady that kind of shooed everyone immediately out of his face back at the lake. It was appreciated.]

[azumods]

[For a good long while Saturn just...doesn't say anything; this isn't appropriate, it isn't befitting someone of his station,he shouldn't be talking like this at all much less to a group of total strangers and honestly, he doesn't want to talk anymore because for the time being he can't trust himself to control what he will and won't say. He doesn't need this, he doesn't want this, he shouldn't have to be comforted like he's some sort of child.

So for a long time he's just silent, and he's turned most of his focus inward and he's trying very hard to get his breathing under control - to just manually force a rhythm into place and tick off seconds in his head, and as time goes by he can feel himself start to calm down, his pulse pounding less heavily in his temples and his wrists, his breathing settling and evening out into a calmer, more consistent pattern and even if he doesn't trust himself to speak he at least feels a bit more capable, a bit more like himself, settling back into that same cold oblivion that he likes to locate for himself while he's doing his job.

He's done this for five years. He can do it for a bit longer.

He'll return Toxicroak to her ball then, rising from his position at the table easily; he doesn't falter, and his demeanor is more or less back where it should be when he speaks.]

I believe I promised all of you usage of this facility for a little while; spend a couple of days here. Pastoria City really isn't far at all from here, but I imagine you'll need the rest. I don't really care what you do from there.

[You should probably check out the lake once you're done in Pastoria, though. Just saying.

He's quiet for a moment longer before he continues.]

I meant what I said. One day we're going to meet each other on the field as enemies. I won't back down, and I'm going to give it everything I've got. Toxicroak and I both will. I can promise you that.

But I joined Team Galactic because I wanted to see the world change. I've already seen it happen once.

Maybe I wouldn't mind seeing it happen again.

[niceoppai]

[Chelsea slowly and cautiously gives a smile, one that grows as time goes on. She nods excitedly.]

I know we won't back down, either. Just hold on for us!