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]

[Rossiu approaches Adaman a bit later, after he's helped Aiba retrieve her memories, and also retrieved a certain leafy companion...

Please enjoy your reunion with Leafeon, he'll be nearby when you two are done catching up!!]

[timegazer]

[OH GOD HE ABSOLUTELY WILL, Rossiu might be privy to the sight of Leafeon just proceeding to completely and utterly body Adaman onto the ground, making all sorts of excited squealing noises. Adaman can't help but laugh as Leafeon just kind of whines and seemingly yells at him a bit--]

Fee fee feeeeeeee!

My friend, my friend, I understand--I'm deeply sorry for worrying you and leaving you behind, it's alright you--

[They're both absolutely gonna be curled together once Rossiu gets back over nearby--for as much as Leafeon doesn't elect to be held often, Adaman's back up from the ground and promptly holding Leafeon close and inclined to not let go while Leafeon just kind of buries his face in his trainer. That's about when Adaman notices Rossiu nearby, grinning bright.]

Rossiu! No need to stand off to the side--come over here, friend! I would quite like to catch up with you!

[onemillion]

[It's wonderful to see them reunite after all this time, and it's absolutely what they both deserve. Of course, Rossiu does join them when Adaman calls out to him, moving to sweep his uniform jacket aside so he can sit down nearby.]

It's been quite some time, Adaman. I'm glad the two of you were able to reunite and that you seem to be doing well.

[timegazer]

[Adaman grins when Rossiu joins them on the ground; Leafeon perks up and greets Rossiu in kind as well, and Adaman chuckles at the statement.]

I can certainly tell that he's missed me quite a bit. But he must have been taken care of well, if he's got this much energy to be greeting me once again with! Truly, I could not be happier--from the bottom of my heart, I deeply thank you and the others for looking out for my partner.

[Leafeon definitely smiles, and with the way he's looking to Rossiu...well, that can wait a moment.]

But truly, it has been so long. I do hope that you are doing well, my friend--I always knew you to be a strong example of a leader, but your making it this far has proven it more than ever! This I am certain of!

[...Though if Rossiu does look beyond Adaman a bit, he might notice something peeking out at all of them? A small...blue fox? A little more cautious than Leafeon, from the looks of it, but perhaps a touch familiar looking...]

[onemillion]

I've done all I can - both for Leafeon, and the others. I wouldn't say my leadership is what got me this far, but I have learned a lot from this experience.

[Mostly to stop doubting himself, because he's managed to keep his cool in extremely stressful situations twice now. Sure, one of those times his reaction was definitely worse, but that just means he still has room to improve on dealing with stressful situations. Or something like that.

He's noticed the little blue friend though, and after inclining his head a bit, he turns his attention back to Adaman.]

Who is this? Another companion of yours?

[Who's that Pokémon!!! He can tell this is a Pokémon, okay.]

[timegazer]

Aha! I knew Leafeon seemed to have taken a shine to you for a reason!

[Even so, Adaman nods his head; that much is certainly fair. Even his own leadership skills couldn't really save him where he went, so he had to learn a bit too.]

But you seem so much stronger. Even more confident. I am quite happy to see such a suitable look on you, my friend.

[Adaman claps Rossiu on the shoulder gently with a free hand, but when he points out another companion, Adaman pauses to turn and see--]

Oh--Glaceon, you're still here?! [That gets a noise of complaint from Glaceon. Of course she is, you cad!!] Ah--my apologies! The little miss here belongs to the leader of the Pearl Clan; she came to assist us, on the other side. I'd have thought she would have been returned to Irida by now...

[Still, she does come out, slow but sure to join the party. More reserved, that's for sure.]

But for the moment, I would consider her as such. She's quite a powerful girl; Irida trained her very well.

[onemillion]

[The first part earns a genuine smile; he's still not really great at accepting praise, but he's delighted to hear it. But oh, look at Glaceon, how precious...]

Pleased to meet you, Glaceon. Thank you for helping Adaman and the others.