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

[azumods]

[That actually seems to have caught her off-guard and for a moment the smile fades.]

Hiding? You really think either of them would turn their backs on Master Cyrus like that? What did you guys talk about?

[takestheblame]

Was it your boss who said they were missing, then? It's not that they haven't contacted you?

[Well if Cyrus says that then that'd be kind of different[

[azumods]

They haven't been in contact with me, no. That doesn't answer my question.

[takestheblame]

[Alright, let's see...choose the words carefully]

They met us to talk about us and see how much trouble we could be. They both determined we were uncapable of doing anything, so they left us alone.

Whatever they did after they left isn't any of our business.

[Nothing Kiryu said was a lie, but judging by how Mars has reacted towards the rest of the group here, he doesn't really have any hopes she'll be deterred]

[azumods]

I've noticed how none of you are giving any actual information on what you guys talked about. Sounds like you've got something to hide.

[takestheblame]

The general gist was them saying we were too weak and that going against Team Galactic was useless. Our response was agreement and that we'd stay out from their way.

We hardly talked about anything else.

[azumods]

Yeah, you guys have done a great job of staying out of our way.

[Pointed look around at the Team Galactic Grunts...]

[takestheblame]

The Floaroma residents told us to come here if we wanted to arrive to Jubilife faster. They meant we should use the river for that, I guess.

[Well, no. Kiryu's thinking it may be a transporter. But Mars may not take kindly to 'hey, so we gonna break into the windworks to use your technology']

Were they mistaken?

[azumods]

[She narrows her eyes at that.]

Did they? That's interesting.

[And not a good sort of interesting, from the sound of it.]

What do you want to go to Jubilife for?

[takestheblame]

Tourism.

[Well it's an entire world they don't know, so...yeah]

[azumods]

Do you really think I'm going to believe that?

[bloodspent]

Jupiter threatened to beat the one-armed guy's face in.

[helping!]

[semistableman]

[Thanks, Jake, you're a pal.]

[bloodspent]

[well i mean

she did]

[eudaimonikos]

She also told us about how half the ghosts are dead humans!

[Yay!]

[azumods]

...That raises a lot of questions, but I'm glad you had fun?

[what... does she do with this...]

[eudaimonikos]

Caught a Gastly afterwards, that was fun.

[Michael don’t tell people that’s why you did that...]

[semistableman]

[Is Bucky supposed to be surprised?

Because he's not surprised.]

[azumods]

They're good Pokémon. Never raised one myself, though.

[...this is fine??]

[azumods]

She only threatened it? I'm actually a little disappointed.

[mars]

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

[Sena's been largely quiet during this whole thing, if only because he's not entirely sure just what he can contribute to this mess other than more denials that won't be accepted.

But this? At least here he can give some information.]

U-um...Jupiter and I, we'd agreed that at some point we were going to battle...with everything that we both had, so...

[His voice squeaks even when he tries to assert himself, but something about his next statement is filled with determination.]

I...I don't think she'd vanish before that kind of thing would happen. She wouldn't break that kind of promise, I think...

[azumods]

Jupiter wanted to battle you?

[She looks confused by that more than anything, but it actually gets her to settle a little.]

I can't see her leaving something like that. I don't know why she'd have an interest in you, but if she promised to battle you, then...

[Hmm. She looks like she's considering it, at least.]

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

K-Kinda surprising, right? I-I didn't expect it either...

[Sena scratches the back of his head and looks like he wants to apologize. Excessively.]

...it was kinda in the heat of the moment, but I think we saw eye to eye on some things. Or at least we could understand. That, um...we can't pursue dreams without stepping on other people's ambitions too. So it was supposed to be that kind of challenge, my goals against hers.

[He looks kinda scared when he says his next bit.]

I mean, that upcoming battle, it feels like I've agreed to something really scary...like...really scary...extremely scary...

[yes, we get it.]

...but, um, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to it, a little. So, I really don't think Jupiter would have disappeared without finishing things between us. Really!

[azumods]

[...huh.]

Your goals against hers... Yeah, I can see that. Sounds like it'd be at least mildly interesting to watch.

But she's gone now, and I have no idea what happened to her. So I don't know if you'll get that battle.

[swiftasacoursingkawa]

Like...no idea at all?

[Sena actually looks kinda worried at that. He really doesn't think Jupiter's gone for good, but at the same time it's hard not to fret about somebody you know just vanishing, even if they are an enemy.]

Was there really nothing after she talked with us? L-like, no clue where she would have gone?