First.

[azumods]

ENCOUNTER 1. Your searching of the building won't be for nothing; in the end, it is a building, and buildings are wonderfully finite spaces. Eventually there's an exit, and the exit isn't sealed; in fact, compared to the impartial corridors of the rest of the place, the doorway leading out seems surprisingly professional. There's a reception desk and a small waiting area, and a vending machine in the corner - it looks the way one would expect the entrance to a professional corporation to look, as opposed to something housing the large number of strange people that seems to inhabit the building. The wind is cool as it hits your face when you make your way outside - because surely, you do want to make your way outside? - and you're greeted by a city enveloped in the darkness of late-night; the building you woke up in is elevated, overlooking the rest of the buildings below from the highest point in the city. There are cobbled steps leading down to street level proper, however, and if you want to turn to get a better look at the building once you're down there, you'll find that it's not particularly inconspicuous, all things considered. There are buildings once you're down on street level, several of them; almost all of them are dark. Whether they're abandoned, closed for the night, or simply housing sleeping occupants is a bit difficult to say at the moment; however, one building seems to be lit up brightly - isn't as massive as the place you just left but it's large enough, and perhaps most importantly there's a woman standing outside of it. She's standing tall and still, and were it not for the large amounts of blonde hair cascading down her back and framing her face, she might be difficult to see - she's dressed all in black, in a long duster coat and pants, and her arms are folded across her body as she watches the building. Her expression is calm; it's difficult to tell much else without approaching her, to see if she's exactly like everyone else you just left behind, but as soon as you approach and she's able to take a look at the rest of you... She smiles. The expression is gentle, understanding, though there's a hint of concern in her features; it easily reaches her eyes, and she tips her head while studying those of you she can see in the light from the building behind her. "Well! You are all a sight for sore eyes." When she speaks her voice is warm, affectionate in a manner that one might expect from a friend or maybe an older sister; she glances behind her, toward the lit-up building with its orange roof, before she turns back to you, beckoning you inside after her. The room you're led into is large and open, with a courtesy desk with a large set of machines behind it, and a woman stationed there as though it's her job; the blonde looks at her for a moment, pursing her lips as though bothered by something, and it isn't difficult to see why - the woman is one of the strange ones, one of the ones that don't seem to respond properly to much, stock-still and dead behind the eyes. She doesn't address her, though; she just gestures as though inviting all of you to sit - there are benches near the wall, though some of you may not mind taking the floor. There are stairs nearby, and that's where she takes up station herself, walking up a couple of steps before turning and settling on them, hands on her knees. She smiles again when she addresses you, though the expression is a little subdued. "My name is Cynthia. I'm sure you have a lot of questions; we have a lot to catch up on."

Comments

[azumods]

[And once the more pressing questions are out of the way, Cynthia will speak up from her spot on the stairs; the smile is back, though it's a little tired-seeming.]

I'm glad to see that you're all so enthusiastic - I know this is all a little confusing right now, but I know you can do whatever you set your minds to.

Find the Lake Guardians, and take care of your new friends in the meantime. Those would be your main goals for now. Before you set out, though, I think you should spend a few days here. Gather clothing and supplies at the department store, and see what other things you can find in town that will be of use to you.

I'd love to stay and get to know all of you, but I have things I need to look into, and it's safer if none of you are with me. Stay together, and when you're ready, move toward Lake Valor to the south.

I'll be here for a little while longer, if you want to chat. We'll go our own ways in the morning.

[She's quiet for a moment, though, once that's out there; again, her expression softens a bit.]

And...thank you, to all of you that offered to help. I know it might not seem it right now, but I really am grateful.

[niceoppai]

No worries! I think we can manage. Everyone here seems pretty smart and capable.

[azumods]

I think so too. I'll be sure to show you those pictures before I leave.

[niceoppai]

Thanks! I mean, they probably stick out if they're so important, don't they?

[you say that and you still think they're humans, chelsea.]

[takestheblame]

Should we really stay in the same town than the people who did this to us? [Kiryu crosses his arms] It's obvious none of this was planned on their part, wouldn't they look for us in this city first?

[He's supposing they would, if only because what's happening to them must be so unexpected it's the kind of thing to solve as soon as possible]

[azumods]

[When she smiles at that there's a slight hint of deviance in it; she's got you guys.]

The rest of Team Galactic is subject to the will of Cyrus and his Commanders. There's only one Commander in this city at the moment.

Don't worry, I'll keep him busy for you.

[takestheblame]

Thank you.

[That's one thing less to worry about! It's so good to know someone has their back]

[eudaimonikos]

[Hm. Michael's not exactly the most empathetic of people, but this looks familiar to him. He's been in that position before, the native going off to take care of dangerous things on his own. And Eleanor told him...]

Be careful.

[azumods]

[Oh... Tally that one up to "another thing she didn't expect," but the surprise this time is certainly a pleasant one.]

You too, sweetheart.

[eudaimonikos]

Thank you!

[He is disproportionately pleased at having conducted this exchange! He's so good at this shit you guys]

[divinedescendant]

Safe travels, Cynthia. May we meet again in safer circumstances.

[azumods]

Thank you. And likewise - just keep your heads up, okay?

[greydients]

[It takes a lot for Rey to fight down her concern for the other members of the Resistance, but once she's managed to get her bearings and absorb all of the information they've been offered, a familiar sense of resolve takes over. If this is what has to be done to return her to her friends - and help the odd inhabitants of this world - so be it.

When Cynthia mentions that she needs to leave them though, Rey can't hell but feel a heavy sense of loss. Her kind, almost...motherly demeanour is calming, and despite the circumstances Rey feels completely at peace in her presence.

She reminds her of General Organa, and Rey doesn't want her to go.]

Will we see you again?

[azumods]

[...Oh...]

I'm sure you will. I'll be looking forward to it, okay?

[greydients]

[!

Oh. Well, that's...new, isn't it? Actually looking forward to seeing her...

Rey is tempted to ask Cynthia to promise it, but she manages to bite back the urge. There's something about the woman that makes Rey believe her.]

I hope so. I mean, me too.

[...one day she will work out how to do this whole 'affection and friendliness' thing properly]

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

Right, we'll do our best! If we work together, then we shouldn't have a problem, right?

[Like a team! Yeah!]

Do...do you think the Lake Guardians would want anything to do with us, though? I mean, they're the ones who escaped, right? So...how do we find them?

[azumods]

Just go out to the lakes and see what you can find. It'll make sense from there, I'm sure.

"Doing your best" is all I'm asking. I'll want to hear all about it when I see you again, okay?

[radiantflame]

[Morag had stood back and allowed the others to ask questions, taking in the information as the chat continued. It's a lot, and she still has questions herself, but Cynthia, as helpful as she's been, is in the dark about some things as well.

She's concerned. If what they've been told is true, Morag has been absent from Alrest for quite a while. And this Team Galactic is a threat to her world, as if it didn't have enough problems on its own. Her thoughts briefly turn to Brighid, to Rex and Pyra... but there's no point in dwelling on their fates just yet. She will return to them. Somehow.

In the meantime...]

Likewise. It's good to have an ally who is native to this world.

[She turns to the others. There are two dozen people here that she's going to have to wrangle now. And she thought she had her hands full before.]

You have your orders. No one is to leave this city for the time being.

[niceoppai]

Wow, drill sergeant...

[radiantflame]

[drop and give her 20]

We have an arduous task ahead of us. It would be in our best interests to acclimate to this location. And- [She tugs at the sleeves of the garish uniform.] -I think we can all agree getting out of these would do wonders for morale.

[semistableman]

[His look is harsh, and something in his stare makes it look like he is much, much older than he appears.]

I don't take orders from anyone.

[discutio]

Calm yourself. We're not establishing a hierarchy here, and that is not up for debate.

[omissions]

[Ari had stayed quiet during all of the questioning and discussions before: too many people talking like that would have likely drowned him out if he had tried to interject anyway, and in the end, most if not all of his immediate questions were answered anyway. So instead, there's a bit of a pause, before Ari finally says something to her.]

Thank you, for answering those questions. You've been very helpful.

[It's the least he could say to her.]

[thunderwolf]

[Once the discussion has winded down and the group begins dispersing to prepare for their journey ahead, Eustace approaches Cynthia. He was one of the quiet ones, taking everything in and carefully watching how things played out. It's a confusing time for everyone, and this woman just happened to be there when they arguably needed her most...

In the end though, he didn't get a bad read on her. They have a much better picture of the situation now, and a clear objective. That's certainly preferable to nothing. He'll work with this for now.]

...Thanks for the info.

[After all Cynthia did, he figures he should at least say something.]

[perfectselfie]

Please be careful, all right?