//TESTDRIVE.EXE

[reparator]

"I'm the reason half of you are drunk at the moment." (CEO-SAN, NO...) "I'm the reason half of you are drunk at the moment." (CEO-SAN, NO...)

//TESTDRIVE.EXE The lights flicker overhead, music blaring from the speakers as you step inside, every sound drowned out except for that hypnotic tune. The walls are painted in an array of hypnotic colors, saturated to the point where your attention doesn't know where to land, and all kinds of screens hang from each corner, showing flashing images of ads, gadget after gadget appearing in a second to show you the best of what Ceres has to offer. Dancing bodies flank each side of the large ballroom, bodies with eyes that look hollow and their faces too symmetrical. They'll occasionally glance at you and smile, maybe even engage and offer to take you to one of the private rooms in the back. However, their words are interrupted when the lights suddenly turn brighter and focus on the center where a raised platform sits. A man appears in the center, one hand raised to silence the music while the other holds a microphone. "It's been some time, hasn't it? As you may or may not know, I am the CEO and founder of CERES, Julius Vincere, and you can say, I'm the reason half of you are drunk at the moment." He chuckles lightly before continuing, "For a second there, I was worried we wouldn't make it, but I placed my confidence in all of you. I knew you'd surpass my expectations when I first brought you here, and you were able to utilize our tools to perfection. As you may have suspected by the gallons of champagne being passed around at my behest-" He pauses to reach out for a glass, snatching it from one of the wait staff passing by before raising it to the crowd. "We've finally obtained our first victory here on Cerealia. The colony is ours completely and will be fully functional from this day forward. Please enjoy all the luxurious amenities we have put together, and join me in journeying towards a new and better future. Together, we will expand our territory here and reach even further horizons. And by all means, don't be shy with the staff. They're also here for your entertainment." He gestures around the room, smiling before taking a sip of his champagne. Applause echoes from the crowd while Julius steps off the stage, handing the mic to one of the staff before pausing for pictures and interviews from reporters. You stand in the crowd as the lights dim once more, lost in a sea of people and wondering where to go next.

//SCENARIOS.EXE PHASE I [ 1801 ] The screens lining the walls inside even extend into the bathrooms and the back rooms, playing commercial after commercial, all CERES themed, as you mingle with the other guests, but occasionally, the image transforms into a flash of something else. It appears for a split-second. There's the face of a woman, lips parted in a soundless cry. She looks to be in pain, fingers pressed to the screen. It's so quick that most don't register it, barely even notice it's there unless they focus. The party continues without incident, otherwise. Because it's a pretty damn good party, isn't it? There's plenty of food, strong drinks - hey, no one under seventeen is allowed to drink - and many decorative people. Just ignore that feeling of being watched! You're just so good looking, after all. PHASE II [ ???? ] A room sits in the back with several helmets characters can wear to upload themselves into ViViD, a state of the art virtual reality game, and enter one of the game stages to participate in a team mission. They can sample a few minutes of gameplay as they enter a short battle with one of the NPC creatures. They'll quickly become familiar with the state-of-the-art technology as all pain and wounds experienced inside will feel real and will appear on each character's body. But what an awesome game it is. With amazing digital quality surround, it's a world like none other... but be careful not to fall too fast! (Those monsters even smell real, don't they?) Feel free to talk to Vidia, the game host, if you need help getting things going! PHASE III [ 2134 ] The evening is wearing on, the dance floor is becoming more crowded. The music seems oppressive by now. People are feeling charged with adrenaline, or feeling the intensity rise in the mood. Maybe a new partner is the right choice to go with- or maybe you can talk to a wallflower. But one thing is for certain... The loud vibrations disguise the fact that something is moving over the vents. You can hear it in the background, the rustling sound that agitates your ears. But hey, maybe it's nothing, right? After all, it's just a party... Maybe you'll want to go into the back rooms for a bit to... explore your new friends? The rooms (and your companions) are quite pretty and cozy, and can be adjusted with holograms to create a room for your desired mood. After all, it's a little too noisy when you're not alone, but the sudden silence might get oppressive too... [ Feel free to get intimate or just get out of the party and sleep off the drinks, but remember, anything above PG stuff must go into your own journals and under NO circumstances will unwanted propositioning be allowed or any non-consensual activity lest you want to be locked in a cold box on top of a huge ice cube for the rest of the night. Naked. Please use your own discretion, the minimum age for intimacy is 15-16. ] PHASE IV [ 0243 ] In the quieter corners of the party, it becomes more ever-present until something falls on your eye. It's red. Warm... As you gaze up, you see a dead body faced down, the half-sliced face lying against the ventilation screen. The body's eyes remain open, staring down at you. Screams and sounds of shock sound, and the party halts. As the security filters in to investigate the body, the rustling only grows louder. It's then that they suspect something is in the vents. It's crawling avidly across the ceiling, and lights fall one by one, exploding against the ground. There's barely a moment to register the chaos before the last knight of CERES appears. You can choose to run. You can choose to engage. The knight won't let you leave its sight alive. But you know you have to do something. Be it protecting the innocents there, or fighting off the creature that seems to only be there to harm you and your friends, old and new. And you do want to protect this place, because it's just been won... don't you? BONUS [ whyo'clock ] There's a ball pit hidden in one of the auxiliary rooms. All invited parties are given a maximum of one hour to have fun time in the ball pit. They must not exceed their one hour or they will be forcibly removed by the security droids. Please keep all food and alcohol out of the ball pit. Do not have any genital parties in the ball pit. The ball pit is sacred to CERES. [ The party will be long, so take your time enjoying each scenario... and dreading it. At the end of it all, things will be calmed down and you're free to enjoy the night as you please. Remember to keep things PG (the FAQ below elaborates!), and absolutely no forcing any R-rated things with anyone below 15-16 (so be sure to ask their age, right?) or the droids will have a little fun chasing you around! Do enjoy the pretty views of the gorgeous digital city though. Which seems strangely quiet, but at this late hour, why not, right? ]

//RUN.EXE Welcome to CEREALIA's first test drive! Please forgive our appearance as we are going through the final stages game completion. While most pages are under development and/or hidden from the public eye, please don't feel discouraged, since knowing everything doesn't always make the experience. Your characters will know as little as you. For your convenience, we have compiled a mini-FAQ - please read it thoroughly before playing. Thank you! FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS HOW DID MY CHARACTER GET HERE? You may have been just been doing their day-to-day activities - be it swimming or fighting demons - but the next moment, a crack and blinding light - now you're here, in your best attire, celebrating. The memories of your at-home activities fade away like a fleeting dream, and it's replaced with the feeling of happiness. ( You haven't forgotten your past, just that anything you were doing seems far too distant to be important. ) Must be something in the air. You can't remember clearly fighting for CERES, and whatever this Julius Vincere is telling you might be complete bullshit for all you know, but something influences you to play along anyway - if you think about it long enough, perhaps you had fought for CERES after all...? WHO/WHAT IS CERES? WHAT IS CEREALIA? You mean... you don't remember? After all the help you gave it? WHAT FORMAT CAN WE USE FOR THIS TESTDRIVE? Action (brackets/prose), video/voice, and texting are all available via your CEREVICE at this moment. Most functions are currently undergoing a system update, but as long as it is still connected to the Auralia Network, it will be available for communicative uses. WHAT IS ViVID? An amazing VR game! The demo version of ViViD will be here to play, aren't you excited? It's played with headsets that immediately allow you to experience full-body simulation, without having to move out of your seat! You can enjoy the demo world, design your own, play alone, play with a team, but remember, the boss must be beaten! Please check the phase ii thread for details and interactions! SO... PHASE III? Sexy things can happen, you're getting hot and heavy on the dance floor, and there are rooms in the back that can be decorated to your mood, after all. REMEMBER, the age of consent is 15-16, please use your own discretion and don't upset people. For the test drive, any situation that goes above PG (beyond kissing/grinding/light making out... We're lenient) must go into threads in your own journals. Any creeper behavior or unwanted advances will get an IC boot into the Frozen Locker with "Let it Go" on repeat. POWER LIMITATIONS? Actually, no, the characters don't have any of their abilities locked or otherwise suppressed. More info will be i the official FAQ, but so long as you don't destroy the entire game ( and we trust you can use your powers responsibly— as does CERES! ), limitations are nonexistent. OKAY, WHAT ABOUT PREVIOUS GAME MEMORIES? It's completely acceptable to bring a character that has been in a previous game to Cerealia! THE NAME LOOKS FAMILIAR. . . Yes, a loosely related setting concept with a place called CEREALIA was pitched for an ExitVoid phase before the moderators decided to close the game for good. A few of us got together with the original pitchers of the idea since we thought it really awesome and with a lot of potential and decided to try our own thing with it! ARE THE GAMES RELATED? Nope. Not at all, it's been rehashed from the ground up and built to stand on its own as an original place and game. We'll keep coming back to this, so don't worry.

Comments

[messor]

Of course, there is. The world out there is limitless, and the ones connected to it are spread out far and wide.

[ He gestures for her to come closer, drawing her near the windows. The shades were pulled apart earlier, so now, he can point out to the landscape, letting his hand move in front of the glass to show her all the buildings that lie in the distance. Beyond that are bodies of water and twisting trees that tower close to the skies, the planet covered in them as far as the eyes can see. ]

You don't have to think solely of what's between these four walls. There is always more.

[ And he knows her curiosity will be piqued if only given a glimpse of it all. Everyone has a natural inclination to explore and discover. ]

Soon, you'll be allowed to journey through it all. Does the prospect entice you?

[messor]

Who's to say there isn't an ocean out there already? You've only seen what's inside this room so far. You've yet to step outside of the building. The very thing you search for might be waiting for you.

[ It's a bit naive to think this room is all this land is. The world they're in now is far bigger than the imagination has room for, and he's sure she'll come to recognize that soon enough. The possibilities have no limit, and she's thinking too narrowly at the moment. It's his own responsibility to expand her mind and let her understand what she is in relation to what exists outside and beyond.

He smiles fondly as he brushes his fingers over some of the hologram designs floating around. ]

It's easy to be captivated, but this was only ever supposed to be just a glimpse of what we can do. Something to draw everyone's attention. There is always more we can discover and build.

[ He's still, at heart, an inventor and a creator, after all, and he hopes she understands and shares in his restlessness. ]

[cutsnoslack]

[There's a clear enough path in the street to under the power lines, and nothing looks too inclined to snag them up if they fall through there - so Leo raises one arm to point out the spot.]

When I give the signal, draw him to this spot!

[And that's all he stays put long enough to say before he runs back towards the side of the nearest building, hopping up on a nearby parked car, jumping up to catch the railing on the fire escape with one hand and pull himself up to start climbing.

The right vantage point, some exceptionally good aim with a thrown weapon, and he should be able to cut those cables so they fall right into that thing's face.

Piece of cake...hopefully.]

[messor]

[ He chuckles gently and shakes his head at her insistence. A fascinating, young woman. He's all the more grateful to have her here in his presence. ]

That won't be necessary. I was hoping to keep violent incidents to a minimum this evening, and you've already convinced me well enough that you're not a woman to be trifled with.

[ He appreciates that kind of self-assured stance where one would generally show fear and hesitation. He knows they're stepping into the unknown, and where as some might be excited by the infinite possibilities that lie before them, others might be afraid of the lack of concrete answers and explanations. Which path they choose to take here is what will ultimately decide their fate. ]

I can already think of a few positions I would like to see you in for our cause. I hope you'll consider them, but we have time to discuss it. Tonight is more about pleasure than business.

[ He gestures around to the music, the lights, the inviting smiles, and the screens displaying all sorts of visuals dancing before them. ]

By all means, don't hold back on my account.

[mermaiding]

Not the same. [it wasn't her ocean, after all. At least, she didn't think it was, giving him a skeptical glance.

Her gaze follows his hand, taking those implications in. It's impressive, but she can't help be feel a sense of amusement. It didn't seem to matter where she ended up, humans (for she assumed he was one) all seemed to be the same.]

How very human of you. But-- [Here she turns to poke at his chest, her chin lifted arrogantly. Do you know when to quit? Do not get in over your head. Humans do that too often, never happy with what they have. Fix and build and expand. Why fix what is not broken?

[Oona shrugs and shakes her head.] But, discovery... Yes, understand discovery. Seen many things, lived many lives. Always something new. Can appreciate that, at least. Simply know limits-- that is my advice to you.

[virginous]

[ Bastard.

Fortunately Four was observant, another trait of hers that she held highly above her other siblings, and noticed quickly that he wasn't very concerned about her temper. At least he wasn't like Five, who would constantly tease her until she's throwing whatever object she can get her hands on, but the way he looks so unconcerned reminds her of Three, and that only brings a sense of annoyance; fortunately a mild one. ]

Is there? [ But her annoyance is swept away all at once, being replaced with the curiosity similar to a child's. ] Bring me to them, [ The order comes swiftly, and she doesn't look as if she was going to take no for an answer. But she at least adds; ] please.

[regives]

[ Ah, that's right, the two of them were basically attached to the hip the first time she saw the both of them. And then how Shinpachi was taking care of him after the drinking incident, too... it really doesn't surprise her to learn that Sanosuke is aware of his "party tricks". Especially since they came from the same world, it was obvious that the two of them were close. Really, him not being aware of the other man's behavior would probably surprise her more than anything. ]

So... [ There's a hint of mild curiosity in her voice, completely brushing off the thought of finding that huge manchild for a moment. ] So he's just kidding with being able to break things with his... y'know.

[ His ass.

She's trying to imply his ass but like hell she's going to say that. ]

[wastrel]

[ He is so used to skeptical looks focused in his direction, but he doesn't argue with her when she asks him to sit with her. He's been on his feet for a while anyway, right? Besides, it's totally polite. Rubbing his hands against the legs of his pants, Zhao is a bit worried that this isn't Orochi's doing. Not that he'd prefer it; but Orochi would be something they're used to. But he nods at the comment about it feeling foreboding - he can sense that too. ]

Well, I can manage the playing along part, if they want someone who has no idea how to do anything here. Did you see some of those things out there? [ The screens especially, not that he knows what to call them. ] I wonder if they're the answer... I saw something strange on one of them too.

[ But he shrugs, chuckling lightly and moving a hand to scratch his head. ]

But that might've just been me.

[unpresidential]

[if nothing else, nam soon is grateful for the fact that she doesn't press or pry. most adults, especially the teachers, were prone to questioning him about these things — even if they knew it would be met with a silent gaze.

he'll remain quiet for a moment as she grabs another drink — of course, nam soon himself does nothing. it doesn't seem like they'd make much of a fuss if he were to drink, but he's not that far off from turning 20; he can wait at least that long if he can keep track of dates and make sense of whatever is going on right now.]

So it's not just me. Are there other people like this, too? [if he looks vaguely concerned, it's because he is. but it's not the sort of alarmed feeling that he should have over the obviously strange situation, but more that it lights a little hope in finding someone who is very important to him.]

[unpresidential]

[well, he's kind of got a point there. nam soon's head tilts to the side a little and he nods.]

I don't think anyone would ask for that. [because it's weird. against his better judgment (since he so rarely does this), he asks a question he probably knows the answer to.

you know, for reasons.] Were you a turtle first?

[unpresidential]

[fables? well, he isn't quite sure he'd consider it exactly that, but maybe she's on the right track. nam soon doesn't answer right away, if only because he takes a long pause to think about how to word it.

such is the life when dealing with a person who isn't very talkative, but it's obvious he's not just ignoring her, at least.]

I've seen it in movies. And comics. [this goes on the assumption she'd know what either of those are, but nam soon isn't really considering any other possibility right now.] Probably in other books, too.

[unpresidential]

Don't feel like it right now.

[which is probably funny in and of itself when considering how embarrassed he felt over ji hoon and yi kyung's turnaround not long ago. but when it comes to heung soo, unless it's with regards to the past, he finds it hard to really be embarrassed about any of their actions or skinship. it just is what it is.

it's normal, it's comfortable — it's what they do, so why should he feel embarrassed by it? nam soon knows there's no reason for it. he also knows that the only reason heung soo is even bothering to argue the point with him is stricty to try and deflect anything. he's more than aware that someone can just come strolling in the room at any time, but he can't find a reason to be bothered by it when they're not actually doing anything wrong.

so instead, the smile on his lips widens a bit, and his shoulders quake slightly from a subdued laughter; knowing heung soo is getting this worked up for the sake of appearances makes him feel a little bit lighter, if only for the normalcy is procures.]

Aigoo, a bastard like you could just scare anybody away with that face if anything happens. [meaning, of course, that heung soo's intimidating glare would keep anyone from saying a damn word that could lead to embarrassment.]

[regives]

[ She's going to ask them about it.

That thought is pushed into the back of her head, however, just like she was trying to push away the desire to just let loose and have fun. To stop worrying for a moment and allow herself to celebrate, but the fact that the only ones she was familiar with were people from other worlds gave her all the reason to keep herself from doing so.

She gives him a quick look after he speaks, the corners of her mouth forming a small grin before she lets out a breath. ] If only it were easier...

[ But he's right, there's no point on her dwelling on it all now. Not because, hey, this is a party, but because there was still a majority of her that knew that she would be fine. ]

But, for now, I'll promise not to make that sort of face... as long as you promise to share, alright?

[ THAT MEANS YOUR FOOD THERE, PAL. THE ONE YOU KINDA SNATCHED AWAY FROM HER. ]

[tuberculosis]

Is that what you're worried about?

[that earns little more than a laugh from him — a hearty, amused laugh. it can't be helped, because being concerned about hurting people is generally not on his list, especially not when he's generally regarded as some ruthless killer akin to a thug.]

It's not really my fault if someone gets hurt, is it? They should be paying attention where they're going! Anyone could slip... and really... it looks pretty safe in there. [his gaze narrows a bit, and it's definitely relly difficult to tell just what he's thinking. it obviously seems kind of malicious, but all the same, still playful. clearly, he just likes not making it easy for other people.

even with her wading through the balls, he's only shrugging, eyes darting around the area to see if anyone else is coming.]

Anyway, there's no rules about it, so it shouldn't matter very much.

[unathletic]

[ He just shoots her another look because.. no..?? Not in front of him, anyway, please don't do that to his poor virgin eyes. It's just so weird to him since he's pretty sure most girls would actually insist on something like that not happening rather than the other way around.. what the hell is up with people at this party, seriously.

In fact, he doesn't even know what to say to that for a moment or two, it's just that weird. Instead he just stares, but he knows he's got to say something or she might just really start taking her dress off then and there and that's just going to be an uncomfortable situation for everyone involved. Especially him. ]

.. Is this normal to you?

[ THAT'S REALLY THE ONLY THING HE CAN ASK HERE... this is just too weird for him, he's a normal high schooler, what did he ever do to deserve this other than being a general bastard for a while in the past. ]

[nostatus]

You could say that again.

[ With a sigh. All this stuff he's found about modern times in Zelien just confused him, really.. only the movies were sort of cool, even though they threw him for a loop when he thought they were real and started attacking the screen during a horror movie with monsters.

... Cool aside from that, though. ]

I was in this one place before.. but it ain't half so bad here. [ Nothing trying to kill him yet, anyway, and the details of that place putting him up against the people he cares about is pushed enough to the background by Cerealia's influence for now that he can't think of that as quickly. ]

Even if I'm not sure what the hell's going on just yet. But the free food's pretty good, yeah?

[ He's actually serious instead of just being a dumbass - it's just that he prefers to view this a little more optimistically instead of freaking out. Keeping your head cool is important in these situations, so he might as well stay relaxed for a few more moments unless all hell breaks loose. ]

[nostatus]

Whew, at least this means she's out of the crying danger zone.. right? Because he sure doesn't know how to deal with crying girls, and Yuki's a lot cuter when she smiles, so his shoulders start to feel a little less tense when she starts talking about that. See, this is something constructive - something they can work on, at least. If she wants her brother, then he'll sure to hell find her brother in this place if it'll get her to smile again instead of making a sad face like that.

"Nah, you never mentioned your brother to me before." Her friends, though, and maybe her brother was just somehow included in that group.. he never did ask many details about it, if not just out of a sheer fear of upsetting her again.

"What does he look like? C'mon, ya shouldn't lie around there like that!" If not just because like hell he's going to let shady guys take advantage of her, she was almost like a little sister to him last time around. Even if she apparently already has a brother, whoops. "Let's go look for him together."

[tuberculosis]

Does Hajime-kun really think I'm that uncaring of a guy? Really... sometimes these things matter.

[of course, they only matter to him during irrelevant things like this, if only because hijikata isn't the one saying what they're supposed to (or not supposed to) be doing here.]

4

[windfire_donuts]

[Up until the point where the screaming began, one particular attendee had done a sufficient job of hiding in the corner (despite glowing like a Christmas tree), too disinterested to take part in the revelry. Once or twice he'd be mistaken for the native robots, but he was always quick to correct the mistake.

Once the excitement began, however, the mechanical mystic leapt into action, thoroughly ignoring Kaguya's warning and rushing straight at the creature and sending it flying into the wall with one well-aimed kick.]

Kaguya. You're in the way.

[Which is about as close to concern as Nezha's going to voice, even as he hovers protectively between her and the creature climbing back to its feet.]

[mistified]

[ If she was into intimidating her, she'd be a lot louder, that's for sure. After some long moments of staring at her, going wide-eyed at her response, and then- finally breaking into a bright smile as she reaches out and grabs Oona by the shoulders without really thinking, delight in her eyes. ]

A mermaid! A real live mermaid!! Are you serious?! No wonder you felt different!! You're talking about silly things but they make sense when you consider you're a mermaid, and-

[ She pauses and looks thoughtfully at her, withdrawing her hands almost as quickly as she grabs her and looking her thoughtfully. ]

So, do you get a tail in saltwater, or does any water do? What about your gills? ... or are you hiding claspers down there...

[ Excuse her excitement, she's just so floored. And yes, she believes her... well, she's a "witch" so- how could she not? ]

[maddeninghatter]

The way I see it, we've got a choice. Either follow that... that thing, whatever it is, or...

[ He grins, horribly. She's holding his arms and so it's very easy to step forward, right next to her. In his best creeper voice: ]

Or we use this room in the way it's intended.

[ The room lights continue to darken, and the music swells, becoming more lush and sensual. ]

[mermaiding]

['Feel' different? Was her skin a different texture than a human's somehow? She cast her own arms a wary look as if expecting to suddenly see scales or something, looking up again at Megumi withdraws.]

Clas-- [She makes an incredulous expression and shakes her with an exasperated noise] Too curious! Humans and your questions!

[Not that she particularly cares, she doesn't mind talking about her people, and there's always a bit of a thrill at watching someone become so awed.] Have gills, but cannot see. Marks in human form gone. [She gestures to the scarring around her neck-- faintly Megumi might be able to see three darker lines, almost tattoo-like, to show where her gills would have formed.]

Removed tail before. Turns... [Oona pauses, trying to figure out how to word it, and speaks slower] Tail turns into scale, to carry. But scale was taken-- need it to turn back, so cannot turn back yet.

[regives]

[ "Grace your dreams"... somehow, she feels like there's a double meaning to that, and that's exactly why she doesn't bother to think over it longer than she already has. And it's not exactly hard to jump from that to his comment after it, in which him calling her a "hero" sounds... wrong, for some reason, even as a piece of her was so willing to believe in it.

But that's all difficult to concentrate on when he brings his hand up. She could have sworn that she felt her heart skip a beat, ultimately out of surprise that is made a little too obvious than she'd like when she looks at him. But she calms, lifting a hand and gently grabbing his before pushing his hand away from her face. ]

Basel. [ Answered quickly, her eyes glancing to the food and then back to him. ] I'll be fine... I thought I was hungry before, but I guess not.

[ Which is a terrible lie, but oh well. ]

I guess your heart is just going to stay broken for the time being, then.

geh, I hate html fail so damn much....

[pure_confidence]

[ when all the world was reduced to rubble, prying was sometimes the last thing one wanted to do (or wanted to have done to them). The memories were still far too raw. ]

I'm afraid you're the first one I bumped into this evening, but I imagine if two of us have had the same experience, there are bound to be others just like us.

[ or else it was all a dream and she'll wake up in a few minutes with a pounding headache from crying herself to sleep again and a day of tedious paperwork to look forward to. One day, that will seem less like living in hell, especially as she's seen true hell out there on the battlefield.

But, sadly, at the moment that seemed more like home. At least there she had friends to watch her back and a clear enemy to fight. Now she was just back to banging on the wall, waiting to be let back in.

Glancing back to Nam Soon, she rolled the stem of her glass between her fingers, thinking. ] I don't suppose you've acquired any other acquaintances, have you?

[pure_confidence]

[ Heaven help Peggy if she ever goes on a date with Shinpachi then... But his vague approach to the situation was frustrating and her smile fell ever so slightly as she narrowed her gaze on the overgrown lump of man. Thankfully, she's quite used to dealing with such (good natured) oafs. ]

The free food is practically a given in situations like this. Either we have something they need or they're hoping we'll ignore whatever plot they're hatching elsewhere while we eat.

[ she smiled brightly at Shinpachi ]

Perhaps you'd have an idea of which option it might be, Mister... [ she raised an eyebrow and after a minor pause denoting the distinct lack of name with which to call him, she moved on. ] Of course, that's assuming that other place you speak of has anything to do with this one.

[ should she be less subtle? She's more then willing to oblige. ]