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

[semistableman]

Not to mention the Pokemon who have been injured, tortured, all in the name of a perfect world. It’d be horrible enough if they were like the animals of my world, but they can understand what’s happening to them. They can explain and understand their own pain.

[azumods]

Again, sacrifices have to be made. It's not like things were any better before.

[voluptugust]

Before there was passion! Drama! Excitement and joy. A colorful canvas, beautiful in every mismatched splotch of paint, not a depressing smear of grey.

Are you not driven by passion yourself? You seem rather vibrant to me.

[azumods]

I'm still like this because Master Cyrus needs me to be. I'll gladly join the others when he's ready for me to. I believe in this world he's created - I can't imagine anything that would be better.

[voluptugust]

I have no doubt that you believe in it, if you've fought for it this much. But do you truly feel satisfied by such a sight? Can you truly feel satisfied pulling the life from your very world?

[...]

Or what about Master Cyrus, perhaps? Does he seem at peace with this? You two sound awfully close.

[azumods]

Of course I'm satisfied with it. I serve Master Cyrus, and this is his plan. I'll do everything in my power to make sure he always accomplishes everything he wants to do.

[semistableman]

Was it worth it? Flora [he motions to the skiddo at his side] has made it clear to me this world can’t last, that “spirit” us how things should be. As has Uxie.

[Just casually namedropping a god.]

[azumods]

Of course it's worth it. I've never once questioned Master Cyrus' plans. You can't seriously tell me that a world with war and pointless conflict is better than one without.

[semistableman]

And torturing peaceful creatures into doing your bidding is really the way to accomplish peace?

[azumods]

[Shrug!]

It's for the good of the world. Again, sacrifices have to be made.

[semistableman]

But your God clearly didn’t go along with it willingly, from what I’ve heard. Are you saying Cyrus knows better than the creator of the world?

[azumods]

Yes.

[...that sure is a thing.]

[semistableman]

You know, where I’m from, when people say that sort of thing other people tend to have unkind things to say to that.

[He might not be religious anymore, but he was still raised Catholic.]

[azumods]

Nice of you to keep your mouth shut.