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

[radiantflame]

We spoke with them for a bit.

[Well, she's not lying.]

[azumods]

Yeah, I'm aware of that. What did you do to them after that?

[anythingforyou]

Absolutely nothing. We wouldn't have been able to due to being exceedingly outmatched. They simply went back to their prior business once we had finished speaking to them; what happened afterward was out of our hands.

[Like, what, were you expecting us to take them hostage, we are entirely too weenie-hut juniors for that]

[azumods]

I'd be surprised if they couldn't handle the lot of you. That's what makes this so baffling. So what did you do.

[It's not a question anymore.]

[anythingforyou]

I'm telling you, absolutely nothing. Really, Saturn was the smarmiest individual alive to ever deal with, and while Jupiter was marginally better? I'm glad we simply let them go on their merry little way after all was said and done.

[Like? What are you expecting here, Mars.]

The only thing we did was talk to them. I'm not altogether certain what sort of answer you wish to hear, when that's the sole thing that happened.

[azumods]

It's nice you guys are sticking to one consistent story. You've had plenty of time to work it out since you met Jupiter. But surely you know "we didn't do anything, we swear" isn't going to fly.

[anythingforyou]

Look, if you want an extravagant lie, I'm sure we could whip something up in a flash, but that isn't going to satisfy you and I'm quite certain that you know it won't.

[Camilla's doing what she can to hide her own frustration at Mars stubbornness, because really, this isn't helping. Just. Gods.]

Quite frankly, you're overestimating us.

[azumods]

You don't have a very high opinion of the group, huh? Shame you seem pretty defensive of that stupid lie.

[anythingforyou]

[Oh, that gets a bit of a return smile that isn't so nice. That hit a bit of a nerve.]

Oh, gods no. This group is more suited to diplomacy than violence, you know, and I have more faith in their ability for the former than the latter. I'll thank you not to speak so crassly of them again.

[On one hand she knows she shouldn't be letting this get to her, but on the other, no? No.]

[semistableman]

[At least Bucky has learned not to have a procession of Pokemon following him around, because it would mean he stands out even more than he already does.

That being said, Flora is the only one currently at his side, and she looks ready to take his request of knocking into him at the first sign of trouble seriously.]

We didn't do anything.

[azumods]

Wow, so convincing. I've totally seen the error of my ways and will absolutely let you roam around in here unchecked. Please forgive my terrible behavior.

[She says all of that in the most deadpan voice, all without that smile leaving her face.]

You guys aren't trying at all, are you?

[gekkaju]

...if they did have something to do with these guys' disappearance, what good would it be doing them to keep it a secret knowing they'd probably end up having to answer to you at some point anyway?

[Atsushi interjects, frowning.]

It's clear that everyone is just as surprised about this as you are.

[azumods]

So you don't know what happened either? And you're willing to blindly trust these guys? Yeah, that sounds like it'll end well.

[voluptugust]

Dear, I know plenty about acting, and I can tell you for sure that this isn't an act. There isn't a person here that looks entertained.

[Her voice is gentle, despite her words. This... Isn't really what she expected. Not at all.]

If we were crafting a lie, it would be much better to act as if we had some sort of leverage, don't you think? I do believe you said yourself that your friends could take us out if they wanted, and I imagine it's the same for you as well.

[If this is a lie, it sure as hell is a weak ass lie, in other words.]

[azumods]

Yeah, I've got no doubts that my Pokémon could handle all of you. That's what's confusing me. Jupiter's strong too, and she certainly wouldn't go down without a fight. So how did you guys manage to defeat her?

[ventulus]

We just talked things out, and even if we didn't agree on things, no one got hurt or anything. The last time we saw her was at Snowpoint City, and actually, she said she hadn't seen Saturn in a while either.

[ Which was concerning in its own way, he thinks. ]

But, really, that's about the last time we've seen her, so we don't really know what's going on with either of them.

[voluptugust]

I understand this world is looking a bit bleak these days, but is there anyone else that would possess enough will to do such a thing? I can't speak from my own experiences, but I do believe everyone when they say they had nothing to do with it. They seem more the type to break in and get spooked by ghosts.

[gekkaju]

[Atsushi grits his teeth, feeling a hot wash of shame suddenly overwhelm him.]

I trust them more than I trust the people who are doing everything they can to destroy this world, the people, and all the Pokemon living in it.

[azumods]

Oh please, like you could even pretend to understand Master Cyrus' goals?

[gekkaju]

I never said I did understand. I don't understand much about a lot of what's going on here.

[At...least he's being honest??]

From my perspective though, what's being done here isn't right. The way the people in Floaroma town have been...

[...]

I don't know why you're looking for some sort of fight here, like you want to hear them admit that they did something terrible to the other commanders so you can...destroy them, I guess? Why are you even trying to get an explanation out of them when you're certain you think you know what happened already?

[He's legit surprised she hasn't just launched a full assault with her massive group here and wiped them all out already since she seems to think it'd be justified.]

I know people don't just disappear. But it's not fair to insinuate these guys did something just because they contacted them last, especially when it's clear that they wouldn't even have the means to do so. Don't you have a little more faith in your partners than that...?

[semistableman]

[He looks less than impressed.]

The truth tends to be unexciting.

[Jupiter bailing admittedly is pretty surprising, but eh.]

[azumods]

I can't believe you guys marched in here and decided the best course of action was to play dumb. This is probably the stupidest plan I've ever seen, so good job there, I guess.

[semistableman]

[He actually looks kind of insulted.]

I don't have a reason to lie about something like this.

[azumods]

You can pretend it upsets you all you want, but you're not leaving here until you've told me what happened to them. Sticking to your lie is just going to make this more painful for all of you in the end.

[semistableman]

Suit yourself.

[Look he knows better than to attempt actual diplomacy rolls.]