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]

No.

[That actually gets the smile to vanish.]

[greydients]

[...huh. That's interesting. Rey had originally suggested Cyrus' involvement as a way to move attention away from their group, but Mars' reaction wasn't quite what she expected.

It's probably ill-advised, but...]

You seem very sure of that. There's really no chance...?

[azumods]

None. Master Cyrus would never do something like that.

[It's definitely agitating her more than the rest of the conversation, but she looks absolutely certain in what she's said.]

[semistableman]

What makes you so sure?

[The question is pointed enough on its own, but his actual tone is pretty well devoid of emotion.]

[azumods]

I've worked for him for quite some time now. I've seen how he works, and I know how he acts. I know he'd never do something like that.

[semistableman]

I believe you.

[He does, regardless of whether or not she believes him. At least, he believes she wholeheartedly believes Cyrus wouldn't turn on his own followers.]

[azumods]

As you should.

[greydients]

[She certainly does. Interesting....]

You must know him very well.

[azumods]

[Unlike Bucky's question, this actually gets her to settle a little.]

I do. I've been working for him for awhile now.

[greydients]

[Rey isn't sure if this is genuine appreciation for Cyrus, or just another form of Saturn's 'please stop me I'm too loyal'.

...well. Only one way to find out; she can't deny she's intrigued.]

He's a good boss, then?

[azumods]

Of course he is. He's the best boss.

[She sounds so proud...]

[greydients]

[...ooookay, that. was a lot more positive than she expected, um]

What makes him so good? Genuine question, I'm curious. We don't know much about him.

[azumods]

I'm almost disappointed that you haven't had the pleasure of talking to him. He's incredibly smart and his vision for the world is unique... And he's accomplished it, which is much more than you can say about most people.

[greydients]

I hope to have the pleasure some day.

[Preferably right before they defeat him, but. probably shouldn't mention that.]

On his vision for the world, though...can I ask why you, Saturn and Jupiter aren't like the other members of Team Galactic? When it comes to your spirit, I mean.

[azumods]

Because Master Cyrus decided it was necessary.

[...that's the whole answer, apparently.]

[greydients]

[....yep, that sure was the whole answer, wasn't it.]

...he didn't give you a reason?

[azumods]

Does it matter? What Master Cyrus wants, he gets. I'm happy I have the opportunity to work for him.

[greydients]

I suppose it doesn't matter, no.

[...

...]

...doesn't it stand to reason, then, that he might have summoned Saturn and Jupiter without telling you, because he felt it was necessary?

[azumods]

[Oh, that...

She does not like that. The smile's gone and her posture is tense, hands clenched at her sides. She doesn't look away, but it looks like she's trying very hard to work something out in her head and it takes her longer than usual to respond.]

...Master Cyrus would have told me if he was going to punish them.

[That's what she settles on, but she doesn't sound quite as sure of that.]

[discutio]

...If I might, would he have told you as much if punishment wasn't his intent? Perhaps he required them for another reason.

[azumods]

Maybe, but I don't see why he wouldn't say anything about it to me.

[semistableman]

[Ohh, he does not like that at all. If something has happened to Saturn, it's their fault.]

Maybe he assumed you would understand his reasoning.

[azumods]

Well, of course, I understand Master Cyrus better than anyone, but that doesn't mean he'd do something like that!

[greydients]

[...a-ha. Now this is getting interesting.]

He may not have punishment in mind. I don't know him personally, but I can think of a few reasons a leader might summon their closest associates.

[...

Alright, breathe. All this verbal tip-toeing is tricky, but she's getting there.]

...I'm not trying to speak ill of your master, Commander Mars. I'm just...trying to introduce some alternate scenarios for why Saturn and Jupiter have disappeared. Believe me, I'd like to know the answer as much as you.

[azumods]

Yeah, but even if he did summon them and they disappeared after that, he'd tell me. There's no way he'd leave me in the dark like this.