i am a cage in search of a bird

[crocodiline]

[ The figure inside the frosted glass snaps her fingers, and the glass falls away, sliding into grooves in the ground below. Inside, behind additional bulletproof glass, sits a woman, legs up on a transparent glass desk, absentmindedly petting a... whatever this thing is.

Say hello to your mastermind, everyone! ]

Hey there, everyone. Nice to talk to you in person - my name is Cipher, welcome to my city. Sorry I took so long to show up in person. No need to get up on my account - how about we talk business?

[ Let's drive. ]

Comments

[crocodiline]

Well, it's for efficiency, not looks. Haven't exactly had a lot of company down here.

[sastruga]

You have mirrors, don't you?

[crocodiline]

These things stop being quite as much of a concern when you aren't trying to impress anyone. And I can't say I expected all of you to get so hung up on it.

[sastruga]

It's our first real impression of you... I'm not sure what you were expecting, really.

...You could monologue again, if you want.

[crocodiline]

I had a little more hope for all of you than you had earned, maybe.

[ A sigh. ]

I could, but who knows if you'd all absorb it or if you'd just be staring at my hair the whole time.

[sastruga]

[And Mafuyu gives her one of her nice fake smiles.]

Don't worry, I'm great at multitasking!

[crocodiline]

[ She gives a single tsk. ]

Now, Mafuyu, that's more insulting than anything else you've pulled on me here.

[sastruga]

Hm, I'm sure I don't know what you mean~

[she's so BRIGHT about it...]

[crocodiline]

Ouch.

[ She doesn't laugh, but there's an exhale from her nose that's like one. ]

Fair enough.