Welcome to Gaia! ::

The look on Aprife's face was enough of a yes? without actually opening his mouth that he figured Muerte would get it. Thing was, he didn't expect an answer to the inquiry despite not quite understanding that supposed universal language. That was fine. It was another quirky Muerte thing to do.

What he did notice, though, and understand a touch better was the look on Stryke's face. His voice may've been muted, but his feelings were obvious in the way he frowned like the bigger kid on the playground had just stolen his lollipop. It was kind of funny, actually. He didn't hide his grin—but when did he?

"Something wrong?" he asked, looking between Stryke and Muerte.

Poe was ready. He was trying so hard to be more ready, to be better and stronger and able to protect others. He arrived at the meeting with his hair out of his eyes, goggles up, and his fleshy hand firmly holding onto his younger friend's. He mumbled quick greetings to the officers as he passed by, a grin on his face as he turned back to Wander, hopefully reassuring.

The upcoming mission - or whatever it was - had to be important, if Byakko called them all in to help. He would do whatever he could to help the Initiative. His friends. He glanced around at people in the room he recognized, before taking a seat by some empty chairs, looking expectantly toward Byakko.

"I wonder what she's got to tell us," he said to Wander, leaning down slightly so she could hear him better.

Gl!tch~

bring in the girl!!

For Wander, Poeias's words seemed very far away. She came in with him, guided by their entwined hands, but the possibility that she could have come in on her own was incredibly unlikely. Even with the ever-present Abby lounging on her shoulders. Wander had never done anything like this. She had been to a Bloodfest, but nothing that involved big meetings with all the important adults...leaders...and all of that. She felt small. Out of place. But she wanted to help...

Wander found it hard to shake off all the pressure, though. Maybe it was because of how Byakko's message was worded? Wander didn't even know what the Initiative was going to do for the push into space... And yet her thinkpan kept crackling, making her barely able to pay attention to the outside world. Jeez, everything around her right now looked so serious, didn't it. Couldn't screw up here.

But what if she did screw up?

"Ahhhh...." Wander stared into the abyss as she did something akin to responding to Poe.

Muerte looked up at Aprife, and then back to Stryke, and then up at Aprife again, and then belated to Byakko who had (thank god) left the circle of conversation. A strange (almost sneery) expression lifted over his face, the slight curve of his lips in something like a snarky smile.

"I'm not aware of anything, no." He said offhandedly to Aprife as he fished the aforementioned watch out of his pocket, "Oh but you know, this is a good opportunity. I was going to return this sooner, but you know, I'm very busy. Thank you so much for letting me examine it."

The way he said it obviously implied that there was nothing consensual about the taking of the watch at all. Still, it was better to get it over and done with before Stryke did something embarrassing like slip out to Byakko, god forbid Muerte get his a** thrown off the side of a balcony for a third time. Also, it was kind of funny, and besides the fact that he really was done with the watch.

Anyway.

"As I was saying. Your legs are too long." He turned back to Aprife, "And you left me behind. It was very rude."

Stryke's eyes widened in a mixture of annoyance, and utter irritation as his nostrils flared slightly. His gaze flickered to Aprife as he asked if everything was alright. "oh...yeah jussst...fine." He managed to say, gritting his teeth. His tone was dripping with sarcasm. His arms crossed over his chest.

He wouldn't have gone to Byakko over this..it was between himself and Meutre. Although he had been tempted to ask Aprife to get it back. The yellowblood and green seemed to be close. However much to his surprise, that sneering b*****d actually pulled out his watch.

"how kind of you." Stryke grumbled as he snatched it back, holding it close as he looked at it...before quickly pocketing it. While he was still glaring he had calmed down enough to relax back against his chair again, looking considerably less pissed with the other troll.

Keionx Rutace

Keionx dusted her hands off as she entered the meeting tree, ducking her head in a brisk bow to Byakko as she entered. She'd never really interacted with the leader directly that much, but she had Keionx's respect.

She noticed Stryke, her pumpbiscuit giving her a doubletap as she realized he hadn't been around that much at all. She'd heard rumors, but she had refused to listen to them. She had lost people before - she didn't want to lose hope. And here he was - hope. And busy, it seemed, with a new rank. Good for him! She gave him a smile of greeting, as if she'd known all along that he would be back.

Caiden got a nod. Apirife, she only knew by reputation (and bumblebee) so no greeting there. Voscil and Reemus were there, too - good. They were good people.

A child - one of the mutantbloods - was also there. If he needs someone to play lusus... she thought, reminding herself to offer that to one of the young mutants, if they wanted her help. A flare of recognition - Athera got a wave. Tis likeliest to be her... if she wishes it. At the same time, though, I may beith needed elsewhere. Tis likely. Well, it wouldn't hurt to go to the snack table and say hi either way. She approached and, with a quick movement, snapped up a cookie.

"Athera!" she said in greeting. Well, boomed. Keionx could do things quietly, but she... didn't. "How fairest thee?!"

Despite the consistent renovations and upkeep throughout the Outpost, the "Town Concil" sign remained as faded and tattered as ever. Most any "official" city would have swapped it for something with LED's, or at least structurally sound first thing. The notion made Rasali like the signage all the more. It reminded her where they all started. The Phoenix Initiative still wasn't anywhere closed to finished with its business, but Rasali allowed herself to feel a bubble of pride all the same. It wasn't often they'd managed to corral so many residents into the city hall at one time. It felt festive. The baked goods were certainly a nice touch.

Rasali had been sneaking a couple--one into her jacket pocket, the other into her mouth--when she realized the crowd was beginning to settle into their seats. She dusted crumbs from the edges of her lipstick and hustled towards the center of the hall.

"Hey Stryke!" she chirped. Her hand hovered in front of her face to protect Stryke from the last bite of cookie she'd taken. She swallowed and transitioned the motion into a small wave to Aprife and Muerte. "Hi Aprife! Doc." She nodded with a smile that gave no indication whether or not she was aware of the tension, or was just steadfastly ignoring it.

Rasali pointed at Stryke, then the chair adjacent to him, then back to Stryke again. "My seat, right?" Without waiting for a response, she turned and threw herself into the chair. It squeaked, but held strong.

"Don't mind me, guys," Rasali added as she produced the other cookie from her pocket.

Sonnie looked around the meeting, a pained look on his face. Everyone was talking. There was so much, too much talking. His head twitched in nervousness, scanning the room for a friendly face. There- Wander and Poe. He ducked past the others, feet padding softly as he walked. Not even touching the others to get through, he'd be hard to notice unless someone was looking out for him.

Making it over to his friends, Sonnie stood in place, offering a kind look to them both. "Hi," he squeaked.