♜ 3

[vengefulagent]

[on his way back to the spacestation, the big windmill slowly churning just behind the mansion, something lying on the ground catches Washington's attention. normally, he would have ignored such a thing--after all, paper hadn't been used in the production of newspapers and the like for centuries back where and when he's from--if it weren't for a

Comments

[grandbellknight]

[When Croix arrives, he's back in his full armor. He also is not alone.

About half a pace behind him stands a beautiful young woman, poised and proud, giving off an air of authority. Her saber is in its sheath, but still plainly visible - she's even gently resting her hand on the hilt as she walks.

Croix picks up the pace when he finally spots Wash, and though the woman behind him huffs a little in annoyance, she does not fall behind. She does, however, seem to be eying Wash down, scrutinizing him...]

Washington. [He nods.] I heard your request on the CAT. Did something happen? [He's a little focused - introductions later! Unless the Lady protests. Which she might. Erm.]

[vengefulagent]

[he looks at Croix curiously, then at the woman, and back again. he didn't hear any transmissions recently involving their sudden arrival in town and from the looks of her, she seems the type who would have let her voice be known]

Something...like that. Who is this? [returns his attentions to her, but doesn't say anything more. his hand tenses somewhat as he lets it hang at his side, within reach of his pistol--just in case, of course.]

[grandbellknight]

Oh. Sorry. [He steps to one side and gestures to her with one hand.] This is Lady Cloche, the Holy Maiden.

I was wondering if you were going to properly introduce us, Croix. [Cloche spares Croix a slightly exasperated look, then turns her attention to Washington and nods once. She flashes a small smile. It's not at all unkind, but it's still more than a little bit haughty.] Hello, Washington.

[Croix might have twitched a little at being lectured. Good thing he's not facing her, so she couldn't see it...]

[vengefulagent]

[but he sees that twitch and can't help raising an eyebrow at Cloche.]

Well, at least Croix introduced one of us beforehand. [of course, she could've learned his name a moment ago when they first arrived; but if she was so set on proper introductions, wouldn't she have waited for the other half of the introduction?]

If you don't my asking, how did you get here?

[vengefulagent]

[he looks between the newspaper in his hand and her expression--yes, he notices her reddened eyes--and tucks the newspaper back under his arm for now.] I received some...interesting news. And from the looks of things, you did as well.

[vengefulagent]

[he doubts it is over, but decides to move on for now and if they come back to that subject, well... he'll cross that bridge when he comes to it.]

A trick, huh? I'd say this is could be called a trick.

[holds out the newspaper. his first clue that's something's wrong is the very paper itself. it's the UNSC Gazette, which while it didn't produce anything on actual paper, was shut down several years ago due to the heavy loses of journalists in the early years of the war and how the remaining few quit as time went on. this particular headline reads as follows: "UNSC Shuts Down Inhumane Covert Project", and in a tag line above a picture that depicts a dark-haired man with his face mostly obscured being hauled away by military police on either side of him, it reads: "All active soldiers reassigned, including those unaware of the true fight that went on until recently." the article itself talks about the project and the findings by the sub-committee chairman, and includes interviews with soldiers. like this: "One man, who only