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

[withagun]

Mr. Riebach...!!

[ Hodaka's awkward and weird about hugs. But. Ah... Brett does sort of seem like he needs one? Awkwardly he gives one. ]

Mm- hello. Hi. Thank you.

[inaclearing]

Oh - hey.

[The hug is kinda unexpected, but Brett lets it linger for...well, probably longer than he ought to, given how awkward Hodaka is about it. He probably did need that.]

No, it's fine, don't - don't even mention it.

[withagun]

[ He shakes his head, just a little. ]

I want to. I wanted to...say the things I did, in person.

[inaclearing]

[Brett's mouth twists a little. Because...well, obviously he's been blaming himself for all of that. If he'd only paid more attention, or -

But he can also see how that's not helpful to say directly to Hodaka's face. So.]

That letter was - [He takes a shuddery breath.] - I think we all really needed that. Thank you.