Fourth.

[azumods]

ENCOUNTER. Perhaps it's a good thing that the people of Floaroma Town seem to be exhibiting curiosity, because that's how you end up getting the tip. It isn't much, in the end - a question of where you're going from one of the ladies in the flower shop, followed by a brief look exchanged between them and a soft shrug. There's a mention of the Valley Windworks just across the way, a short walk from here, and something inside that will shave a week's time off of the journey south. Something that should put you right in the heart of Jubilife City, should you be able to gain access to it. It's likely clear that whatever would be blocking your access to such a thing likely isn't going to be pleasant; it doesn't take them long to tell you that Team Galactic has owned the Windworks for a while now, but at the same time it's only ever staffed with low-tier employees on the chain of command - the Commanders themselves haven't cared about it since they took over, and the grunts... Well, for one reason or another, they haven't been changing with the rest of the world. It likely seems obvious, when put that way - the people of the town haven't lied to you in the entire time you've been here (they aren't many things, but at the very least they are honest), and if they're correct about this, that's a week's less travel that will need to be done. Over a distance this large, every day counts; as such, you might as well check out the Windworks for whatever it will bring you. As it turns out, the townspeople were right about several things - the Valley Windworks is only a short walk away, surrounded by tall electricity-generating windmills that are turning away at a good clip in the windstreams traveling through the valley; upon entering it, it seems fair to say that it really is generally only staffed by grunts. In light of the changes the world has undergone, their appearance may be a bit jarring, a reminder of what the entire place used to look like - they're completely dead-eyed and listless, lacking any sort of individual initiative, and while they look up as you enter and their eyes track you as you move, they don't seem inclined to do much about you as a whole. Unfortunately, the ladies in the flower shop seem to have been mistaken about something - it seems that one of the Commanders, at least, seems to care very much about this place, given that she's waiting for you in the lobby. As with the others before her, she looks distinctive from the others in both her style of dress and the fact that she's still emotionally intact; she's small in stature, the heels on her boots doing nothing to help that fact, and she's incredibly slight in comparison to Jupiter. She also seems displeased about being here; the smile she offers in greeting is sharp, and it's not a pleasant look. More along the lines of baring teeth. "It's pretty rude of you guys to barge in here like you own the place. Not like I was expecting much from you people, anyway. I'm Commander Mars, and it's about time we met."

Comments

[enjoymyatelier]

[Ah.

You know... in the weeks since Kayneth had learned he was supposed to be assigned to someone called Commander Mars, he had spent a lot of time trying to figure out something smarmy to say about the whole deal. Except, uh.

Oh, no.

Oh, no, she's cute.]

...well, with the grunts, the lights are on, but nobody's exactly home...

[azumods]

[kayneth probably doesn't deserve this.]

Yeah, and? You're acting like you haven't seen anyone like this.

[enjoymyatelier]

Well... I'd be lying if I said I didn't expect to run into you at some point, but I wasn't expecting here...

[gekkaju]

[Atsushi has his Wimpod held close to his chest as the group enters Valley Windworks, knowing good and well that despite his training with Camilla he'd run away as fast as he could if he were set down right now. And if they're going to be facing up against these guys at all...he at least doesn't want to let them see that.

He just hopes the others can take care of it if any battles need to happen...

The grunts leave him feeling particularly uneasy, and he finds himself lingering on their faces as if to try and find some sort of life there. Some spark. Something. Having lived in Floaroma for so long...those kinds of blank expressions are burned into his mind. He'll never forget it, nor will he forget how awful it makes him feel.

As for coming up on Mars herself, Atsushi isn't sure if he should say anything at all. It would probably be wise to just let the others do the talking, but the sight of those grunts had gotten him...agitated, somewhat. So after she says her piece he's replying before he can stop himself.]

Given how much the reputation of you and your people seem to precede you, we're not exactly excited to see you here, either.

[azumods]

We own this building, so I'm not sure why you'd show up here thinking you wouldn't be dealing with us.

So why are you guys here anyway? Somehow I doubt it's because you want to chat with me.

[gekkaju]

[Hey at least that's only something they just now found out.]

I'd say it's to find out what you intend on doing here, but I don't think you'd just tell us that outright.

[greydients]

[...ah. Oh dear.

The name of this new person does give Rey pause; she knew Mars was next in line in commanders for them to meet, but that doesn't mean she was ready for her to appear in the vicinity of her new favourite town. Her appearance is...unexpected, but it isn't enough to drive away the conversation she had with Jake a few weeks ago.

Mars; the planet named for the God of War.

...

...best to proceed carefully; Rey isn't exactly all that keen to earn a demonstration of why this woman has been given that name in particular.]

...I'm Rey. Glad to meet you.

[...it's not completely untrue - at least she knows what Mars looks like, now.]

[azumods]

That makes one of us.

[She's still smiling, but the expression is definitely not pleased.]

[greydients]

[...honestly, the smile kind of makes that reply worse, and inwardly, Rey flinches. Not for the first time, she misses Saturn's bizarre hospitality. At least he'd offered them food and a pretense of civility.]

Are you normally based here? We were told you specialize in fieldwork.

[thunderwolf]

[Eustace can't say he's all that surprised to find a Commander here regardless of what the group was told. After all, they've been changing things up and Team Galactic are more than likely aware...and on the lookout more than ever.]

We're not concerned about rudeness with you people.

[Might as well use the same phrasing, since neither side is particularly fond of each other. Anyway...]

Were you expecting us?

[azumods]

I figured we'd run into each other at some point. After all, I've got a question for you.

[She glances at everyone before returning her attention to Eustace. She's still smiling, but there's definitely nothing pleasant in her expression.]

What did you do to Saturn and Jupiter?

[discutio]

What makes you think we did anything to them at all?

[thunderwolf]

[There's a very slight flicker of intrigue in Eustace's expression when Mars asks that.]

I take it you haven't heard from them in a while.

[anythingforyou]

[...

Gods, it's fucking surreal to be dealing with someone so short in command. She's obviously not Elise's height, but Camilla can't help but raise her brow a bit when confronted with this...sassy lost commander, holy shit.]

I wouldn't say that we were expecting much company at all, really; do pardon us for the intrusion. Perhaps it's better that we met now, instead of later.

[Camilla's at least attempting to remain cordial, even if it comes a little cold and with her hand covering her mouth a bit.]

[azumods]

[Mars shrugs a bit in response to that, though she's still smiling.]

Doesn't really matter either way. We were going to run into each other at some point.

[anythingforyou]

I suppose it's a pleasure, then, for what little it's worth.

[Camilla isn't exactly intimidated, but she knows better than to say something to the effect.]

[azumods]

[Once things have quieted down a little (in no small part because Mars has stopped yelling), Mars takes a moment to look around at everyone. The smile's been wiped off her face, but her expression's still nowhere near pleasant.]

So, we've verified that you probably had nothing to do with Saturn and Jupiter's disappearances. I'm willing to let that go for now.

But you've been very vague about what it is you guys are trying to accomplish. So what is it you guys are trying to do?

[discutio]

I don't think it much of a secret at this point, by any means.

We seek to restore this world's will and spirit. To that end we've been directed to the three lake guardians for help.

[azumods]

[For a moment, Mars just sort of stares, like it's taking her a bit to understand what he's saying.]

Why? Master Cyrus' vision for this world is flawless, he's created a world without strife, without any meaningless conflict. He's succeeded in making this world a better place, and you'd undo all of that? Why? What reason could you possibly have?

[azumods]

[Well, she's heard a lot of arguments and opinions today. Mars looks around at everyone again before speaking up.]

You all are an interesting group. Some of you are more interesting than others.

[She doesn't look at anyone specifically, but that smile's back on her face. It's less angry now, though, more excited, maybe. It still looks like she's baring her teeth, but she isn't nearly as worked up anymore.]

We're never going to agree, but it seems you guys are willing to fight for a different future for this world. I'm sure we'll meet again, and when we do, I'm not going to go easy on you. But for now... Well, I've got bigger things to deal with.

[Mars turns toward the Galactic Grunts and raises her voice.]

Let them explore freely, don't get in their way.

[She then turns back toward you all.]

I'm not going to wish you good luck because I don't want you to succeed. I'll be looking forward to battling you guys.

[And with that, Mars takes her leave.]

[discutio]

I suppose that could have gone worse.

[i mean yeah, we could be getting our asses kicked]

[still, he is just generally Displeased about this and doing what he can to hide it]

Let's find whatever it is we're after and go.

[eudaimonikos]

[..........]

Handy how they're all willing to wait until we're a credible threat to battle us. What on earth do you think she's going to go do right now?

[greydients]

Hey, I'm not going to complain that they're waiting. She looked like she wanted to do us some damage.

[Seriously, Rey feels like she's releasing a breath she didn't realize she was holding.]

Maybe she'll keep looking for Saturn and Jupiter.

[enjoymyatelier]

...I mean, given the pattern, probably go radio silent because Cynthia non-lethally sicced that dragon on her.

[gekkaju]

[You all are an interesting group. Some of you are more interesting than others.

Yeah Atsushi looks...fucking worn down, after all of that.]

Is...this how all of this usually ends up going?