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

[visiblepattern]

[GOOD GOD HELLO- ]

Ah - yes, you certainly are!

[Forrest, no.]

It's good to see you again - I've missed you!

[sixthnonsense]

[Hello. c:

Forrest is also getting pulled into a hug, especially after saying he missed Hagakure because wow he is oddly emotional about being missed--]

Awww Resty, I missed you too!! I hope you've been holdin' up okay!

[Or as best as one can. He knows the murdergame survivor pool life.]

[visiblepattern]

[yeah well

that hug is getting very fiercely returned, okay]

I've been... Well, I think saying I've been holding up well is overstating it quite a bit, but it feels like none of that matters now that everyone is here again.

[...Also oh god, um- ]

I...may have your prayer beads, they went through so many people but I've got them now...

[sixthnonsense]

[Oh!! This is very nice... He's gonna squeeze back until they pull back.]

I wouldn't say it doesn't matter, 'cause this crap really takes a toll on you. But the silver lining is that it is finally over and you don't have to endure any more of it.

[He is going to be praying very, very deeply that no one gets kidnapped for another one of these right after.

And speaking of praying... Hagakure blinks a few times when Forrest mentions his prayer beads, then holds up his arm where they are currently attached.]

Huh. That's...weird. I guess I have two sets now! Thanks for takin' care of those in the meantime, Resty. I think I know what I'll do with 'em.

[...]

Whaddya mean by them going through so many people, though...?

[visiblepattern]

Ah... Dandy had them, and then he died, and then Jonathan had them, and then...

[...You get the idea.]

So what's the plan for you, after this?

1/2

[sixthnonsense]

Oh. Uh... Huh.

[Dandy taking them makes sense, but he's very confused about their trajectory after that. Oh well! He has them back now.]

[sixthnonsense]

[He perks up at Forrest's question, though.]

I'm gonna be with Dee from now on. He's bringin' me back to his ship, and once we make sure my mom's safe 'n' sound, I guess it's the alien hunter life for me!

What about you, Resty?

[visiblepattern]

...I think I'm going back with Adaman for a while. I don't think it would be good for me to go back to the war immediately... I think spending some time away from that might help in some way. I don't know.

[He smiles, though it's a little sheepish.]

I don't really feel up for any more fighting. Not right now.