Log:Aspire Arena Open House

Aspire Arena Open House
Participants Billy Ray, Haruki, Jon, Dielle, Zephyr, Mason, Max, November	29 March, 2017 Mason and the gang hold an open house at Aspire Arena to welcome potential new members.
Location Aspire Arena and Obstacle Course (FB04)
Aspire Arena is free for all who wish to try it out this evening. There are healthy beverages from the juice bar, snacks from the cafe, and staff on hand to talk about the various different features of the complex from the use of the arenas to the gym and obstacle course. Equipment is free to use, and staff are on hand to give each group a bit of time before allowing the next group in to take part in everything that the facility has to offer. Membership signups and subscriptions to the gym or other services are also available. Mason may be a Winter but has become accustomed to the necessary evil of sometimes having to be social with groups of people. He seems to be bearing up well enough as he greets people that come over to talk to him. As the proprietor of the establishment, he stands off to one side of the various folks describing the facilities and services offered with a mug of some warm beverage in one hand, or at least what was once a warm beverage in one hand, shaking hands and greeting people. Zephyr's never once come to terms with being social, but she is also fully capable of it as long as things are nice, and calm, and quiet. Or she has people to hide behind. For now she seems to be using a cup of hot chocolate like a shield, watching the groups come and go with wide eyes and the sort of uncertain expression of someone that really does, probably, maybe, want to be social, deep down. Just can't make themselves move. Haruki steps in, looking around curiously, if a little lost. He's amongst the groups but not with anyone in particular. Dielle is sitting on a stool near the cafe, to pass out hot drinks or make smoothies and chat with folks. She's smiling and for once, has foregone her cowboy hat, although she's still got the cowboy boots on. Billy Ray has on a baseball cap - 'Big Greens Tractor Shoppe' it reads, and it appears lovingly cared for but very old, shoved down over his mullet. His scraggly beard is clean and he has a pair of jeans and boots, a flannel shirt worn over a white tshirt and a hip length coat. He steps in - short, but his movements are fluid and languid, belying a sort of inner grace even if he's slouched down and moving carefully into the area, looking left and right. For those that are Lost, his Fame 2 ties to his reputation as a great gunsmith, weaponsmith, token maker. Jon was coming down the stairs and seemed indifferent to the place being packed with people he didn't know. It was sorta his whole life. He arched an eyebrow coming upon Haruki looking a bit uncertain. He stopped far enough away wearing a grey t with EEX branded across the chest like the flagrant frat boy he was, gym shorts, and a serious pair of sneakers. He said to the Japanese man, "Hey, how's it goin man. How's it goin?" For a guy who says very little he was surprisingly comfortable in crowds. Around the room, people are coming and going. Small groups are being allowed into the obstacle course, a few at a time so that they have time to make their way through before the next group crowds up on them. All things considered, with the number of people there for the free food and drink and all -- it seems to be running fairly smoothly. Haruki's startled for a moment and has that whole 'do I know you' confusion written all over his face before he's smiling in response to Jon. "Good, good. Yourself?" He's dressed down, in casual clothes perfectly suited for clambering about, and a good pair of sneakers. "This looks like an amazing place!" he says enthusiastically. Mason makes his way over to those who recently entered, pausing to greet Billy Ray and Haruki. "Welcome to Aspire, let us know if you have any questions." His voice is somewhat soft-spoken but he seems friendly, or at least pleasant. Billy Ray glances at Mason and at the tables, "No beer?" he asks, the drawl thick in his voice. After a moment he sticks out his right hand - he's short as the day is long. "Billy Ray, bubba. Nice to meetcha. Y'all done got a pretty good place here. For the runnin' and jumpin' and whatnots. For that fancy French runnin' thing, the park thing, right? New to town, been gone a bit, did mah high school here ol' way back." Zephyr sips at her hot chocolate, trying to muster up the courage to go out and be social. There are people! New faces! Faces that are important to know. But for now, no. She just seems to hang back, uncertain about how to go about it, or who, perhaps, might be less frightening to say hello to. Dielle gets off her stool, grabs a hot cider, and goes over to stand next to Zephyr. "C'mon. I'll make sure that if anyone bites, it's me. Let's go bother some folks!" She grins at her motley mate, and has, for a wonder, modulated her tone of voice to be gentle and shit. It's sooooo weird. Although Max has no plans on trying out any of the equipment at Aspire Arena this evening, the enchanted mortal shows up for support! And there's free food and drink (healthy drinks but hey still delicious probably!), who could resist such temptation? Wandering inside, those bright blue eyes of hers glance around and she's somehow both surprised and not surprised that there's a lot of Changelings milling about. As per usual, she's dressed rather casually - a jacket with a hoodie underneath, leggings, and sneakers, with her hair worn down and groomed into loose curls. Those that get close enough to her might pick up on an 'herbal' scent about her, her eyes a bit pink and glazed. After glancing around, she spots her favorite colorful unicorn and starts to make her way over. "Hey Dielle. How's it going?" she asks with an easy-going smile. "Thank you!" Haruki replies to Mason. He's all smiles and enthusiasm. "Parkour?!" he replies to what Billy Ray's saying. "Is that french? And fancy? Is there an area for doing that?" He looks around as best as he can. He spots Max and he's oh so pleased to see her, waving in her direction. Jon shot DL a look and a wry grin like 'that's all you, darlin' written all over his face. Presently he was greeting Haruki and broke a faint smile. "Hey, any day we can say taht is a win. Name's Jon, one of the trainers. "They got a killer juice bar. hockey rink that a way, derby and free skate out there, and what I like to call the Jumanji room that way. You got a name, neighbor?" Christ on a cracker might be the most he's said all week. Someone was in a good mood today. He looked around for familiar face and also to see if Max was gonna show. "Not so much parkour here, though we do have a climbing wall in the obstacle course, both indoor and outdoor," Mason says in answer, gesturing down the long hall past the gym that leads to the indoor section of the obstacle course, the outdoor being beyond that. "Though right now, until it warms up, just the inside is open." He watches people as they come and go, keeping an eye on the proceedings while he answers questions in the lobby area. "If you haven't given it a try, you should. It's a lot of fun to see how far you can go." "Huh. A'ight," says B-ray to Mason with a nod. He offers the other man a grin and looks around, making his way over to the climbing wall. He shrugs off his coat and his boots, reaching into his pocket for a tin of Copenhagen. A snap snap snap and he puts in a pinch, putting it away and turning his baseball cap backwards. He peers up at the wall and starts humming a song under his breath as he begins to climb up, the 5'5" form moving up the wall - or trying. Zephyr finishes off her drink, setting the cup to the side before she starts away from the position she has decided was safe for lurking. She moves over towards Dielle, loitering next to the rainbow unicorn. Dielle smiles reassuringly at Zephyr and says, "Max! Hey! Feelin' any better? I'm glad you're here! By the way, this is my friend, Zephyr. Zephyr, Max. Max, Zephyr." She kinda stares at Jon for a moment and says, in a low tone, "Who gave the social pills to Jon? Where can I find a stash?" "Haruki," Haruki says to Jon. "What sort of training do you do?" he's looking interested in that, actually in everything mentioned. He nods at Mason. "The obstacle course? I definitely want to try it. It looks fun." Billy Ray gets about six feet up or so - whistling something that sounds like a rap song - before he goes butt over teakettle off the climbing wall and lands on his back. The good news is, he's small so the thud isn't too long. But his small fists do smack the mat as he sits up and frowns, "Dadgum it, sumbitch it," he mutters, a string of curses under his breath as he pushes himself to his feet and stares definitely at the wall. To those who can perceive the truth of the matter, the entrance has acquired a deity who, at first glance, bears an unnervingly close resemblance to one of the True Fae, subtle echoes of ancient and inhuman power, pervasive, invasive, whispering sweet, sweet danger-signals to the hindbrain. On second glance...still inhuman, and still powerful, but obviously not a Kindly One. A walking talking transparent ice sculpture with queerly liquid hair who lives in her own permanent kaleidoscope, complete with frosty glitter, yes. To those who see the pretty lies, she's just a six foot tall, abnormally pale woman who looks like she should be walking down a runway wearing $40,000 clothes, streaky hair thigh-length, oddly heavy, pin-straight and absent even the faintest hint of frizz. As for attire? Stars of tiny clear rhinestones and silver glitter glint through the fluorescent rainbow mesh of her broad-necked shirt, cheerfully winking from the ice white bra she wears beneath it. The shirt itself is baggy, loose and long, draping down past a boyish waist to end in a swallowtail hem, and its tie-dyed mesh stands out all the more against the low-cut black leggings hugging lengthy legs. Those who look closely may note a distinct lack of navel on that boyish body. Yes, those who see only the mask, also. Fluorescent pink and purple running shoes complete the outfit. She drifts about the lobby rather than approaching anyone right off, eyes bright and inquisitive, studying the decor -- and those already present. And the fire, if the fire is there tonight. Because fire. So shiny. A wave with a gloved hand is given to Jon from Max. She seems to be holding up pretty well! Although she does seem to be a bit antsy. So many fun things to do in the building with her unable to participate. "I'm doing as well as I can be," she replies to Dielle with a light smile. Looking over to Haruki, she waves to her fellow mortal as well. "Hey! How's my favorite magician?" she questions him, grinning. The grin doesn't last though, wincing just slightly as she sees the metal man Billy Ray take a tumble. Max is about to comment when she sees a newcomer wander in. A brow raises and she glances to the few Lost she's familiar with to gauge their own reactions. Instinctively she takes a step away from the direction of the apparently Other-seeming one. When introduced to Max she offers a quick smile, "Hello." Zephyr nods a bit, her hands tucking into her pockets, then pulling out before she finds another pair of pockets to tuck her hands into. She glances in Jon's direction, then shakes her head very faintly at Dielle, evidently not knowing who it was that gave Jon the social pills. A pause from the lanky, small Georgia boy as he peers at the wall. He senses something however and his eyes widen. he grabs his coat and his shoes, shoving the latter on and moving his way along the wall - laterally, away from November, keeping his eye on her as he moves as far away as the wall will let him, his brow crinkled. Fortunately there are thick pads that are there to prevent injuries from falls, and they pad Billy Ray's landing. Still, one of the staff checks on him to make sure that he is okay and didn't twist anything the wrong way on the way down. A group of teenagers come out of the entrance to the rinks with brightly colored rollerskates slung over their shoulders, chattering among themselves and going over to grab some samples of the various juice blends. People come and go, some drifting out with pamphlets and appointments with trainers, others heading out after having enjoyed their free stuff with no intent of returning. Mason gives a welcome to Max as well as he passes nearby. It's the appearance of November, however, that catches and holds his attention for some time. While his expression doesn't waver, there's certainly a degree of curiosity as he watches her move through the room. Then he turns toward Max and says, "Welcome. Is there anything we can help with, any questions we can answer?" Dielle widens her eyes as Billy Ray comes down from that wall. "That looked like it hurt," she comments. She doesn't think twice, just steps in between Zephyr and Max and the newcomer, and then smiles at said newcomer. Screw it. She walks over to her with purposeful strides and says, "Hi! I'm Dielle! Welcome to Aspire Arena. It's a pretty good place to work out or go skatin' or...well, I'm kind of a treadmill kinda girl, and Jon, if you call me a hamster right now, I promise, I will run you /ragged/ tomorrow morning, when we go running again." "I'm good," Haruki replies to Max. He's about to ask her about herself, and his gaze follows her over to November and then away. Uh what was he saying? Before he can recapture the strand of his conversation, he pulls his phone out and checks it with a frown. "I need to dash." There's some disappointment as he says this. Jon looked to Haruki keeping one eye on November playing it cool, cautious, perhaps curious. Hard to read a damn Snowskin. "Hey, Haruki, good seein ya. should come back and roll sometime." And then there was a Billy RAy on the wall. And then there was a Billy Ray not on the wall. An eyebrow arched up and he said to Mason, "Good thing we had gravity installed in teh building or he'd have gotten stuck in the air duct. Solid investment." God he had a wicked deadpan. To be fair there was an air vent , several, above to code. He was, however, striding over letting B-Ray have space but eyeballing for any obvious injuries. The little inventor is truly good at avoiding scary things, and when Dielle moves to put herself between her, Max and November, she moves to hide behind the unicorn. There, however, is a very small mep when Dielle heads over, and Zephyr glances at Max, eyes wide, "Did you...did you want some hot chocolate?" It probably doesn't help matters that the sight of someone scuttling away from her prompts a sharpening of the edges between the icy creature's slowly drifting colours, crisp and acid-bright, and a soft, delighted laugh. Yep. Transparent lips curve in a slow, slow smile brimming with anticipatory mischief, but. But but. There is a Dielle, helpfully sparing Billy Ray from the Trickster's ambiguous attentions. November responds to the peppy greeting with the extension of one slim hand, held at an angle which could just as readily await a kiss as a shake. If accepted, the hand is just as icy as it appears to be, and given temperatures, likely gets its frost melted in Dielle's grip. "November an Nua. If there is a way to fall on my posterior I haven't yet discovered, I am certain I will find it." Well. She -sounds- friendly enough. And human. Ish. There's something subtly off about the voice. Billy Ray backs himself into a nice corner, eying that wall like he may be considering trying to grab it again. He shrugs on his coat, as if that small coat may give him some measure of protection.He then glances at Jon as he looks at him, and sketches a quick, super quick skittering glance at November. "Y'all done see what I see right," he whispers to Jon. "Like, yo man, I know I ain't had that much bud tonight. And I ain't got no stuff on me to fight off no, you know, THAT kinda person. What kinda dadgum town is this turn't into?" Jon looked over at November and watched her carefully for a moment noting a few things, the mantle, the name, and the strangeness. He blinked and looked up to Tom and said quietly, "I don't think it's any different than someone might say bout you or I, coz, for other reasons. Just... different. I don't think there's a direct present danger?" He paused and frowned at Billy Ray "YWait, you holdin and not sharin? Moreso, you a'ight? That wall is kinda a bitch for me too." Dielle takes November's hand and gives it a firm-but-not-crushing handshake. Clearly, she's not the hand-kissing type. She also doesn't hold it too long. She's also not put off at all by the cold, but given the two Snowskins in the room, she's used to it. "Tell me about it. S'why I ended up as a bartender at a strip club instead of a stripper. First time I tried to audition, I fell off the heels and damn near broke my nose. Thank goodness it was New York City and not the first time they'd seen it." Seeing as the others weren't reacting negatively to November, Max relaxes a bit. Then she glances over to Zephyr at the offer and nods. "Sure, some hot chocolate sounds good. Probably better than that healthy juice stuff," she replies with a playful grin. "So you help run this place? Just helping your friends for the night or what?" she curiously asks of Zephyr, studying the woman over just briefly. "Holdin'? Da fu...oooooh," says the dimunitive Billy Ray. "Oooh, no man, no man. I meant the Bud, Budweiser, beer man. Tho, tokin' ain't a bad idea if shit like that -that- walks 'round here. Weren't here when I was here in high school, y'all." A consideration for the much taller Jon and B-ray offers his hand. "Yo dog, stuff gets real, I'm totally tactically situation' myself behind you, know what I'm sayin'? Billy Ray Johnson, bubba. New back t'town and whatnot." A pause, and he whispers, "Seriously, that level of, y'know, jes' ... walks around an' whatnot? Like, all normal and stuff? Bro, I ain't even got a recoilless rifle in my car or nuttin. I'm gonna have to change up m'whole GAME. For reals. If this is like, normal." Mason looks over toward Billy Ray and says in that quiet inscrutable voice, "I don't see anything to be alarmed about." There are mortals present, a lot of them, milling about, and Connor glances around the room for a moment before looking to Billy Ray again. He grew up in town, and he's been here long enough that those he hasn't met, he's usually heard of. When Billy continues on he says to Jon, "Maybe you could show Billy the gym." "I.." Zephyr hesitates a moment, then she shakes her head a fraction, "I don't really do much, just...make certain that anything broken gets fixed. If I can fix it." She moves to fetch Max a hot chocolate, dumping in a bunch of marshmallows without thinking to ask if she even wanted it, and holding the cup out to Max, "But Connor runs it, and Jon does....um..Jon things?" Jon waited and when DIelle was comfortably giving November her attention he mouthed to the tall Snocone ("She. Ham-ster') and made a tiny hamster wheel gesture to emphasize, though before she turned (hopefully) he casually gestured to the Texan noting to Billy Ray, "Shit, yous should talk to Dielle if you got arms. She loves that shit. Damn fine shot too. Enough so to keep me honest." Piffle. Why react poorly to someone whose very presence evokes hints of memories and nightmare scraps no Changeling wants to live again? Picky, picky. To be fair, even mortals keep their distance, though their unease assuredly has other reasons behind it. November returns the shake, her own grip that of a well-practiced politician, polite and brief. She considers Dielle, then Dielle's legs, taking a step back, and lifts a hand to twirl it in the air in silent request for a pirouette. Whether or not the glittery woman obliges, she blithely notes, "The long-haired fellow by the wall would like me to call you a hamster. If you -were- a hamster," she muses, "you would be the fairest hamster of them all... or desperate to get the glitter glue out of your fur." She frowns to herself, then shakes her head, hair rippling where it drifts behind her. "I gotcha bubba, I gotcha, my bad, my bad," calls B-ray to Mason. He still keeps Jon between him and November, and eyes the other man. "It got a chamber, a trigger, a receiver I kin make that sumbitch shoot flatter'n a squirrel tail on Sunday," he tells Jon, "Damn near one of the single skills I got, y'know what I mean?" Dielle snickers and yells out, "Jon, you are SO BUSTED!" She does so while turning her head, so she doesn't blast November's eardrums out. Woman has some lungs on her. She turns back and explains, "Well, thanks for that, but I'm more the horsey type than the hamster type. I just prefer treadmills when there's too much rain or snow is all. He likes to give me crap. You been around here long, November? Is this your first time in Aspire Arena? What kinda sportin' things you like doin'?" Max gives Zephyr an appreciative look as she takes the hot chocolate, taking care not to accidentally touch the Lost. A sip is enjoyed while she listens and takes a slow glance around the area. "Jon fixed me up last night. Good guy," she compliments with a light smile as she returns her attention to Zephyr. "So, you're like a repair man then? Repair lady?" She smirks playfully at that. "Fixing stuff up can be fun. I'm out of commission for this kind of stuff for a monthish." She makes a gesture around to indicate the various options for physical activity. "So, I'll probably be finding more stuff to do with my hands for awhile." Mason's attention is on Billy Ray for a moment, though he nods in return when the man calls out in his direction. He begins to make a slow circuit of the room, talking to some of the folks interested in scheduling some rink time for a kid's recreational hockey team, and then passing a family that signs up for membership for the gym and roller skating lessons for the kids. He does keep an eye on the others around the room, though and eventually circles back to where Zephyr, Dielle, and the others are gathered. Hosting is exhausting. Whatever was in that mug he's carrying around went cold long long ago and not just because he's a snowskin. He apparently employs the same method of armor as Zephyr. "I fix things." Zephyr agrees, her hands once more tucking into her pockets, "But I like to tinker, just...you know, in general? Make things." She glances around, chewing on her bottom lip almost nervously, "I don't know that Connor would really want me to tinker too much with some of the things here. Sometimes I forget to put them back together." Jon blinked back at Dielle folding his arms, "Dunno what you're talkin about." His ear went to Billy RAy commenting and he said just as evenly, "It frightens me I know what the hell you mean, man. That's pretty fly." He looked back to Mason and nodded. Everything was checkin out and there was a faintest of grins, "When you and I gonna race the course anyways, man?" "Yep. I reckon a good man knows what I mean," says Billy Ray with a flash of a grin. He reaches into his pockets, coming out with a battered notebook, a small one, and scribbles an email address (2legit2quit@gmail.com) and phone number, ripping off the paper to offer it to Jon. "Still gettin' all settled an' whatnot, findin' a place to live, meetin' folks, you know how it is, man. But pass that round. Folks need science wit' a capital S, weapons work, whatevs, y'all just done let me know. I'm gonna head out, find a pitcher a' beer. Mebbe you intro me t'yer friend sometime, y'reckon?" A polite, "Thank you," follows Dielle's choice to turn her head -before- blasting that yell over toward Jon, the Ancient's colours idly swirling through a blend of hues suspiciously similar to those of the unicorn in absentminded mimicry. November's smile is slow and sure again, but she restrains herself, the giddy energy of her mantle almost painfully intense until she damps whatever thought prompted that smile. "Mmm. Years. Founding member." Vague, given the humanity around them. Twisting in place to wave off generally southeast-ish, the tall, inhuman woman agrees, "First time here, but I run Ninth Spectrum Paintball down in the Snake Creek area. Not that I am particularly talented at shooting things with them..." Dielle says, "Oooooo, paintball! Now I know how I'm gonna get Jon back! Gonna paint him as many colors as I have in my hair!" She rubs her hands together and snickers. "Anyway, you should come meet people. That, right there, the long-haired walking stone wall is Jon. Jon, this is November. Over there are Zephyr and Max, and that other guy with the mug is Connor. Connor owns this place." "Oh, the more creative type, hm?" Max smiles all curiously and friendly-like at Zephyr. "We should totally exchange numbers. I'm not exactly the tinkerer type myself but I like painting. When I'm not freerunning..." There's a wistful look toward all the fun activities around them. "I should probably head out before I'm tempted to go against Jon's advice and run around here," she says with a laugh as she looks back to Zephyr. "It was nice meeting you, though!" Mason lifts his mug as he grows closer to the group and says, "We should all go and play paintball sometime. I haven't been since I was in high school." This, he says to the group gathered together. Having done what he feels is his due diligence to at least look like he's being social, he retreats to those that he knows. He lifts his mug when his name is mentioned. "Nice to meet you," is said to both November and Max, not having heard Max's name earlier. "Have a good evening and come visit us again." "It was nice to meet you as well." Zephyr replies, a shy smile appearing for Max, "You can come back any time, when you are better. If you want, I'd love to see some of your paintings." She glances at Mason, offering him a smile, "It's going well, isn't it?" Jon points a finger to Max and tilted his head. "No power lifting right now. No benching city buses and you can maybe, /maybe/ race llittle old ladies." He gave Max a wink and a nod. "Glad to see you're feelin better." "Only the little old ladies? Well, I guess that'd be okay. They probably have candies and cookies in their pockets!" Max replies with a laugh. Looking back to Zephyr, she gives a small nod with a smile. "I'll bring sometime around sometime. But only if I can see something of yours, too," she tells her, grinning. A wave is given to everyone else before the enchanted mortal turns and makes her way on out! November murmurs a sotto voce, "I have glitter balls too," to Dielle, expression as smooth, bland and perfect as ever. More than one can play the unreadable Snowskin game in this arena. "And neon. So much neon." Enabling unicorn revenge on Jon? Nooooooo. Never. Ahem. (Yes. Yes she is.) The model-slim Ancient matches names to faces, though determining specifics of where she is looking is all but impossible, icy eyeshapes as transparent as the rest of her, for whatever good transparent eyelids do her. "And you? Have you dwelt here long? I travel somewhat, so I am not always present at introductory gatherings." Max's departure is observed with neutral interest and a brief crisping of borders between hues. "I love you in a way entirely appropriate for the workplace," murmurs Daisy back to November. It's very heartfelt. "I've been here about...a year and a half or so? Kinda lost track. But I've been keepin' my head down for most of it and not really talkin' to most people, y'know? College. Full-time job. I peek up every so often, but I'm tryin' to do better about that." She looks over at her motley-mates, and one can almost see her twirling a non-existent moustache. "It seems to be," Connor says to Zephyr when she asks about things going well. As it gets a little later, people start to drift out more than they drift in and some of the crowd begins to thin. "We got several people interested in rentals, and others in memberships. I think it was a good event to have, and perhaps those who return will brin gothers with them." He glances between Dielle and November, one brow raised just a little bit. No good can come of this. That is what his expression says for just a moment before it smooths over once more. "The girl that just left, Max, she says that she paints, and does that running stuff." Zephyr drifts closer to Connor, her hands remaining shoved as deeply in her pockets as possible. "I bet that others will come, especially if they realize how nice it is here." Jon hung thumbs in teh pockets of his gym shorts. "Grew up here.Left once...that was a poor life choice. Back. School." He watched DL and November and his eyes squint for a brief moment. He turned to Zephyr and tilted his head and asked, 'Zeph, you okay there?" Not that there was something wrong, but that she was considered so he'd asked. There were a lot of folks tonight. No, no. EVERY good can come of this. Connor is just wrong. Glitter solves so many ills. Just ask the living ice statue who trails, you guessed it, 'diamond dust' snow. I.e. ice glitter. Still, with so many others beginning to depart, the hour growing late as it is, November slips her fingers into her leggings' waistband and draws out a black business card covered in boldly colourful splatters of embossed paint around the Ninth Spectrum business name. It has a mobile number written in tidy handwriting on the back in, you guessed it, silver glitter ink. "Give me a call when you want to rent a range, Dielle. Urban, capture the castle, or forest. I'll fit you into the schedule." With a smile for the others, the Ancient holds the card out for Dielle between two fingers, waits for it to be accepted, and dips her head in a polite farewell before pivoting on one fluorescent-sneakered foot to head toward the exit.