Ellis
Through the front gate arrives a certainly odd creature, dressed in a fine bout of armor made of both leather & pieces of fine steel overlapping - scale mail.

Atop this curious' creature's head lay a lone pair of brown goggles, and on their back a rather simplistic backpack. With them, they lug an intricate metallic suitcase, made of indescribable material — two small satchels are attached to the waist of their armor, seemingly serving little purpose to what meets the eye, alongside a pigskin carrying water. The creature itself is cat-like — no, not a catgirl, but rather just a tabaxi with more cat than humanoid features, standing at around 5'6" With primarily black fur, a white muzzle, and 2 gray markings above her yellow — cat-ish — eyes. Under her right shoulder is a simple journal, unrevealing of its secrets to the general public, aside from the owner's name splayed across it. 

`'Tabby Browncoat'.`

Their left arm — the one lugging the suitcase — has a strange gauntlet surrounding it, made up entirely of real gold. Evident to any bandit who knows a thing or two about precious metals. 

"Hi!" So not only is she cat-like, she also speaks.. "This is the place, right? The Vektet?" The cat speaks with a lot of inflection, cheeriness, and a very, very slight lisp as her tails flicks behind her. "I heard this place had some really interesting magic — do you think it has a War Mage's staff??" Her eyes glitter with excitement as she speaks in a very rapid manner, turning and quickly pressing a button atop her strange luggage.

. . .

The luggage quickly unhinges itself at the top, making a gear-like creaking sound as it fully extends, revealing a pretty large automaton, standing at a staggering 7 feet tall, over its previous height of just 2 feet. Its eye let out a hum, as the machine itself actually powers on; its white LED-eyes taking a moment to scan the surrounding area for any 'leads', yet does not seem to talk like the feline owner does. Phew.
Thelma
Alois' eyes silently gazed as the group of "Invited guests" Made their way towards the gate. With his arms neatly folded behind his back, he stood upright, perfectly still — without a hint of movement — and a slight grin, present only for courtesy, as each made their way settled before him. *—With the exception of Gaige, that was.* The red irises within his almost pearly, artificial eyes briefly stared with intent at each of the new arrivals at the moment that they came within his proximity, scrutinizing each of their figures from top-to-bottom, as if verifying their identities. Alois was to be polite when he could — but never to be incorrect; initial courtesies would have to wait until *After* He ensured these were, indeed, the mercenaries that they invited, and *Only the mercenaries* That they invited.

For this time-slot, that was.

**Kuouo,** Who had arrived slightly earlier than most other mercenaries, queried Alois, who had remained motionless up until that point. With an acknowledging, slight bow, and his persisting grin of courtesy, he turned to face him.

```cs
 I am Alois, your guide, and the one with whom the letter disclosed you were to meet. As a representative of 𝘖𝘥𝘺𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘴 Corporation, I have been eagerly awaiting your group's arrival. Our scouts personally sought each of you out for your unique and substantial competence in this field of work."```

Pale he was, unnaturally pale, and the complexion of his skin was as if he had thoroughly powdered it. But he wouldn't verbally acknowledge that, instead placing a hand to his cheek, remaining silent, and smiling. Then, he turned away from the bandit, lowered his hand, and stared off into the distance, as if the conversation never even happened. His speech was fluid, elegant, with a hint of nobleness, and professional, yet lacking of any intimacy typically seen in a conversion shared from one person to another.
_ _

To the catlike lady, **Tabby**, Alois gives a nod of the head, and polite, yet empty chuckle in acknowledgement of her latter query — on the presence of a staff of some sort...?

```cs
 correct. This is the Vektet, as reported."
 Apologize, but there perhaps may not be something so specific as the staff you seek, madame. There is assuredly, however, the unique magics that you may have heard of. Them, and much more."```

Alois laid his palm of his pigmentless right hand upon the breast of his embellished garb, his smile persisting as he finished his answer. Though, again, he turned away from her, disregarded the presence of her technological construction, lowered his hand, and stared off into the distance, as if the conversation never even happened.

*```cs


He seemed to come to attention.
_ _

```cs
 that man off the premises." 
Alois spoke unempathetically, motioning towards Gaige. The group of faceless soldiers surrounding the gate slowly enclose on Gaige. If there was a case to be made for him, it would have to be made swiftly.

 Rest of you, please follow me. I will make introduction once more: I am Alois, your guide. I will be assisting you with the embarkment procedure of the Vektet, and will further assist you once we have reached its interior."```


So he spoke, making a curt turn 180-degrees, pacing towards the Vektet. Were they to follow — anyone but Gaige, of course — the soldiers would prove to be no impediment. They'd be allowed free passage through the militaristic perimeter formed about the base of the Vektet, and granted further insight on just how its interior looked. Tents covered the perimeter, each in different colors — apparently denoting their staff-specifications — with construction workers, security officer, and researchers roaming through the premises, each attending their own individual tasks. Growing closer and closer to the Vektet, a subtle, yet clearly tangible chill begins to permeate the atmosphere.
_ _

```cs
 I will brief you on some basic details that we've ascertained to be true of the Vektet, the challenges you may face, and the equipment that you'll be utilizing. First, however, I'll need you each to sign a few papers."```

Alois spoke, encroaching on a foldable plastic table, atop which several documents and pens laid. He stood to the side of the table, politely motioning the following group towards the hoard of legal waivers remained. From a brief glance, and even a thorough inspection, they'd be revealed to be **Waivers severing *Odysseus* Corp.'s liability from any potential injuries or even *Fatalities* Within the Vektet.** Further, there were contracts possessing possession and nondisclosure clauses that **They would not be permitted to take anything out of the Vektet without express permission from *Odysseus* Corp., and were not permitted to speak of anything they saw within once they left.** Compliance with the contract and succeeding to clear a single floor would, individually, grant them with a sizeable reward, whereas violation would be met with **Major fines and penalties.** Likely a standard type of contract, for this type of deal.

```cs
 signing of both documents are mandatory, if you wish for Odysseus Corporation to assist you in the exploration of the Vektet. Once you all have signed, I will assist you with the entrance process."```
Ken
Carefully and subtle, she lightly followed by keeping herself behind everyone. It wasn't the time to socialize, and if the opportunity presented itself, she'd have to think hard, but swiftly on it. *Talking* To others, less it be dire circumstance, wasn't her strength for a multitude of reasons, and required great thought process to execute *Properly*. Alois, the pale guide, seemed all business based on his interactions with respective goat and cat humanoids, as well as the rude stranger. All else could be made note of, at a later time.

Meanwhile, underneath her hat, from anyone who cared to pay attention, she'd push an inhaler against her lips. The woman attempted to be secretive about it, but it was evident that it was in correlation to her heavier breathing since arriving— perhaps even a medical condition— and an obvious weakness, at that. Her hope that she'd 'blend in' wasn't *Exactly* Accurate, but the characters around her certainly helped maintain a lower profile for the most part. Nobody knew of her, or what she could do, which was good.

A document, that needs to be signed. An understandable measure, being the likely danger of such an expedition, albeit a slight level of concern for her. The concept of what failure entitled was. . . Troublesome, but also the lack of mutual trust when it came to corporation like such in America— or anywhere, these days— meaning, she could only feel the need to read the paper in its entirety. Even so, she was here, and for valid reason, as she made a quick move to jar past the crowd, and be the first with a pen in her hands.

*. . .*

An *Impulse*, that went against her entire approach. However, she already had the writing utensil, it'd be strange not to begin writing. Too strange, as she attempted to read, but stumbled every so often.

And still, not a word from the woman.
Debra
"Sir, if I may ask, will both Shade and I have to sign, or will we be counted as the same entity?" Josh said, doing a partial salute.
Adrienne
"Yeah what he said." Shade said, doing a small wave.
Ellis
Upon news that such an artefact was likely not present, Tabby visibly deflates a bit, before bouncing back with the remaining enthusiasm she had left for what could possibly be the inner workings of the magic in this place. She pulls out the notebook from under her arm and reaches into one of the very small bags on her armor's waist, pulling out a small pen from Edison. She flips through easily hundreds of pages, before scratching something off of the book and closing it back up. The tabaxi then takes said book, and stuffs it into the impossibly small bag, which happily accepts it, as if somehow it were natural for such an object to just disappear when entering the lining of the carrier. The pen, likewise, is also dropped into it; vanishing as well.

Before, of course, she sees the papers and rather swiftly pulls the pen back out again. Cat's got a preference! She quickly reaches for the documents, scratching her name down in rather basic print — not too messy, not too tidy. 

Worry not, Tabby's not a thief. Right? Right. At least, she doesn't think she is. Right? Right.

The cat turns and stands at the gentleman — Alois' — side, awaiting further instructions. Her robotic pal quickly scoops her up, setting her atop its shoulders. "I'm ready!" The cat mews rather excitedly. *Magic is always so intricate.*
Philip
*```Huh? There ain't no way—```*

The voice yelling at the guards was all too familiar to the bandit. As the man wrapped his arm around the goat, he couldn't help but feel a platonic intimacy between the two. There was no longer any doubt as the familiar stranger backed away and revealed himself with the dorky *Woosh* Of his cape:

```bash
"Gaige, back after an extended vacation! Good to see you again, thief." 
```

Although the bandit thought it was odd for some *Actual* Stranger to acknowledge him in the middle of a conversation, he smiled towards the helmeted man's compliments after they walked away.

He turns his attention back to Gaige, holding his paw out and shaking his old friends hand.

```fix
"Holy shit Gaige — After the Syyth battle you... You jus' disappeared! Ya can't just fuckin' duck out after the two of us saved the whole fuckin' world from bein' destroyed ya know! I knew you didn't die, there was jus' no way... Even if that bow drained the holy hell outta ya."
```
At this point, Kuouo took notice of the others — The golden-gauntlet armed tabaxi cat, that of whom he was unsure of whether or not they were of monster origins, the quiet woman keeping to herself, the monster duo making loud observations of others, and of course, the helmeted man from earlier...

*``Yeah, it'd definitely be cool t' have Gaige on this team. We gotta catch up after all...``*

The goat looks at the Oddyseyus Corp. Soldiers slowly encroaching on Gaige before swiftly leaping to his defense, lightly shoving all the soldiers back and grabbing Gaige by the arm. He enthusiastically drags him all the way to the cheap plastic table, slamming his paw onto the table to make himself clear,

```fix
"I'm officially vouchin' for my guy Gaige here! I dunno how you guys dunno, but he's also someone who valiantly fought against Syyth in the final battle for the world. Make him a contract or somethin', I don't care! Jus' know he's insanely powerful!"
```

He stared Alois down in the eyes with a smirk... As the table bent and pens rolled down onto the ground.
Daniel
He watched as Kuouo's eye lit up at the sight of the cloaked man, "Been a long while, goat!" He lightly flinched at the goat's abrupt, violent shaking of his hand. Gaige listened as Kuouo elucidated his feelings about his return, "Right, Syyth. It really has been quite a long time since then huh..." His voice lowered to an incomprehensible murmur, "Felt like just yesterday." He shook his head to regain focus, unclasping his hand from the bandit's. "Oh damn! I completely forgot about that bow. A friend of mine ain't got any idea where it might've went after that battle unfortunately. Ah well—it's nigh impossible for any of us to use in the end. Good to see you again anyhow, Kuouo." Gaige reminisced on the world-threatening attack five years ago.

His thought process was interrupted without warning, his eyes widening as the bandit dragged him away from the soldiers and to the desk. Gaige's ears were wide open at as Kuouo vouched for him, shutting his eyes and grinning with a chuckle. "Fought against Syyth... Check. Insanely powerful? Mmmm check," Gaige echoed Kuouo's words, opening his eyes. "See, shorty?" Gaige gave a slight chuckle, "I'm not as useless as you like to think, so why don't you let me head on in? It's just as the thief said: I am something of a 'hero'." The cloaked man's ego grew with every word he spoke, but with the gracious support of the bandit, he was confident Alois would have to reconsider.

_ _
"Though, I've had my fair share of contracts in the past not work out in my favor. Do I truly need to sign some paper? Why not just think of me as a... Wildcard or something? The support of your corporation or whatever is unnecessary for me." He spoke with the utmost confidence in his own abilities, "Can't you just, let me slip in contractless? If it makes you feel better, I'll immediately split away from the group and go my own path. Doesn't a higher chance of seeing me dead make you ecstatic?" Gaige offered a somewhat morbid alternative, crossing his arms. Gaige was speaking as if Alois had already agreed to allow him in. The man's ego continued its skyrocket throughout the conversation.

He gave a deep sigh, "If I _really_ have to, I'll sign the damn papers, but I'll be furious if this ends up biting me in the ass, shorty." He said with a stern facial expression, awaiting a response from the overseer.