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

[onemillion]

Are you alright?

[Both from teleporting and from falling on your ass...]

Where... were you all anyway?

[sixthnonsense]

Ross!!

[Rossiu, I am so sorry. But Hagakure is immediately jumping up and pulling Rossiu into a big bear hug.]

We never left the city! We were in some kinda...huge warehouse? There was a replica cruise ship in there that we got locked in. Crazy, right?

[onemillion]

[OOF.... W-Well, that's fine, he's being aggressively hugged and he looks like he's never had to deal with this before in his life. Give him a moment...]

It really is. I had no idea you all were still here... We got your letters, by the way. Thank you.

[He definitely had a very emotional moment about them in the privacy of his room, but here and now? He just looks pleased!]

[sixthnonsense]

[WHY HAS ROSSIU NOT GOTTEN AGGRESSIVE HUGS IN HIS LIFE, IS HAGAKURE GONNA HAVE TO MAKE UP FOR THIS--

He does release Rossiu eventually though, though keeps his hands on his shoulders as he grins at him.]

Yeah, it threw us for a loop when we found that out. I'm still tryin' to wrap my heard around the whole vita-chamber process, but hey. I'm glad they exist, 'cause I wouldn't be gettin' this second chance with all you guys.

[His expression changes to a more soft smile.]

No problem. I'm real glad you got to read 'em. [...] I know it's probably not your scene, but I hope you're planning on takin' Dee up on his offer to hang out sometime. I don't wanna lose contact with you, y'know?

[onemillion]

As am I. I'm really glad you all are here with us.

[The second part gets a wry smile from him, though.]

I'm going to be very busy when I return. I can't let Simon down, after all, and the world won't run itself. Still, I would like to keep in contact with you, and I'll endeavor to ensure we've a means to do just that. I plan on going back as soon as I can, however.

[...but maybe you guys can convince him to stay for just a little longer!!]

[sixthnonsense]

[It gets a good-natured laugh from Hagakure at least.]

I get it, Mr. World Leader. You really do have a lot on your plate, and I sure don't envy you. But I know you'll handle it like it's nothin'. You've more than proved yourself here, wouldn't you say?

[Even so, he's giving Rossiu a devious look.]

You better be prepared to be forced into a vacation sometime, though. Dee says he can warp just about anywhere.

[Okay, maybe interdimensional travel is a little tricky. But they've got the Lutece Machine, they'll figure it out and kidnap Rossiu for a BooBies trip yet.]

[onemillion]

[kidnapped to BooBies is the most hilarious possible ending and i love it.]

Believe it or not, I do understand the value of taking a break. [Now more than he did before arriving here...] So I'll try to take some time off, after my friends have succeeded at saving the world, of course.

[And ensuring that everything will be okay in his absence... And making sure that Guinble and Kinon don't overwork themselves... and also officiating Simon and Nia's marriage though he doesn't know about that one yet!!]

[sixthnonsense]

[Dramatically squinting...]

Do you, though?

[He breaks the act with a laugh.]

Nah, I believe you. I'm looking forward to hearing all about your world-saving adventure. Yes, I'm adding you to that! Don't undersell yourself, Mr. World Leader!

[onemillion]

[That gets a laugh out of him, okay!!]

I'll try not to. I won't be there fighting with them, but I'm sure they'll have plenty of stories to share when they get back. I'd be delighted to tell you all about it once we have the time.

[sixthnonsense]

Hey, someone's gotta be Mission Control and hold down the fort!

[He remembers Rossiu saying something about the Antispirals, but the details are a little fuzzy by this point, so-]

Where exactly are they headed, anyway?

[onemillion]

They're headed to confront the beings that are attempting to kill us all - the Anti-Spirals. Exactly where they are in the universe is unknown to us, but Simon developed a way to teleport across vast distances to those important to him - and they have his fiancée, so he'll be able to reach her.