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

[discutio]

[Ignis frowned, adjusting his glasses and thinking for a moment. Why then would Cyrus call those two without bothering to tell Mars?]

If he didn't tell you, then is it possible...that he summoned them for a reason you'd not have been able to have much input about? After all, looking at it from a perspective of things Saturn and Jupiter have done that you haven't until today, there is only one thing I'm aware of.

Could it be that Cyrus wants to know about us specifically?

[azumods]

...I guess that's possible... But it still doesn't explain what happened to them.

[discutio]

Could they not still be wherever Cyrus is located himself?

[azumods]

They've been gone for awhile now. He would've told me if they were going to be out of contact with me.

[discutio]

...hm. I'm beginning to understand why you're so insistent upon the point, that doesn't make any sense. And you've not seen either of them since they spoke with us? Did they say or do anything strange before then?

[azumods]

No, everything was normal. Well, as normal as it can be with you guys running around. They got in contact with me shortly before going to speak to you all and then... nothing. I haven't heard from either of them since.

[discutio]

I can't say I recall hearing them say anything indicating they'd fail to return, either.

[That was actually legitimately concerning, and it was starting to show on his face. More so in Saturn's case, all things considered. Was it possible Cyrus knew about their second interaction? No--probably not, else it would just have been him and not Jupiter who disappeared as well.]

...I don't understand that at all. Why call back two commanders and not inform the third...? It doesn't make tactical sense.

[azumods]

See? So whatever happened, Master Cyrus had nothing to do with it.

[discutio]

I didn't say that, Commander. I said that it didn't make tactical sense. Or at least that it fails to from my perspective. I imagine there's quite a lot about Cyrus that we haven't yet learned or don't understand, his plans and intent the least of them.

[azumods]

Yeah, and I do know him and I'm telling you he wouldn't do something like that.

[discutio]

Alright, alright. But that does put us back a step in not having any other suitable explanation yet.

[azumods]

Yeah, I know.

[...]

I'll handle it, you guys can turn around and leave. But if I find out you all had anything to do with their disappearance, I won't be so nice.

[discutio]

With all respect and as courteous as the offer is, I don't think we're liable to leave quite so easily. There's something we're looking for here.

[azumods]

Oh yeah? Surely you don't think I'm just going to let you look around freely.

[discutio]

I didn't expect as much, no. But we'd truly not wish this to come to a confrontation. Perhaps there's some manner of agreement we could reach?

[azumods]

I guess I can spare some more time to listen to any ideas you might have. I'm not saying I'll actually agree to anything, but I'm willing to listen.

[niceoppai]

Well, we kinda want to figure out what happened to them too, considering we sorta got blamed for it when we didn't even know it was going on. So isn't it good if we put things aside to deal with that?

[azumods]

They're a part of Team Galactic, so Team Galactic will handle it.

[niceoppai]

I mean, yeah, but Team Galactic's as much our problem as we're yours, and apparently so is this.

[discutio]

I think that's more than fair. As it stands, I feel we share a common concern; I for one would like to know what what may have happened to your colleagues as well as assure their safety if possible.

[azumods]

I doubt you really care all that much. We're not exactly friends. I'll handle it myself.

[discutio]

If you'd allow me to finish, I'd appreciate it.

[ignis...]

What I was going to say is this. On our current course, it's very likely we'll again cross paths with one or both of them. So if you'd allow us to leave here with what we seek, then I think we would all be willing to pass on the message that you've lost contact and they should reestablish that promptly.

[perfectselfie]

You sound awfully worried for someone who doesn't call people friends.

[enjoymyatelier]

...

How about this... I don’t know if we will, but if we do happen to encounter them, we let them know they should contact you? I’ll admit, I’m used to colleagues back home suddenly going missing, and while I don’t generally care that much for them, it can be mildly disconcerting that they’re just gone.

[azumods]

It's a nice offer, but surely you don't think I'm going to let you have a look around here just for something like that.