<a class="username" data-user-id="5269" data-username="Lura" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/5269/">Lura</a><a class="username" data-user-id="8638" data-username="promethean" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/8638/">promethean</a><a class="username" data-user-id="7000" data-username="Stalzyn" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/7000/">Stalzyn</a><br/><br/><span style="font-family: 'Didact Gothic', 'sans-serif'">One by one, the four strangers designated to be Viotto’s travel companions showed up to the runway, each one interesting in their own specific way. He offered an understanding nod to Sam when she commented on wanting to get on the plane and out of sight for any cameras that might’ve been watching, his eyes following her as she went up the steps and disappeared inside. He greeted Estere, shaking her hand and then motioning to the plane as if to say “by all means”, watching as she, too, climbed aboard. Viotto was actually offering a small correction about the pronunciation of his name to Gas, explaining to him that it was pronounced <i>‘Vi-ah-to’ </i>and not <i>‘Vur-to’,</i> but also encouraged him to get on the plane and get situated, informing him that two of the others had indeed arrived already. Lastly, the final passenger arrived, Christopher, as he’d introduced himself. “You’re the last one.”  Viotto told him, reaching down to pick up his own leather messenger bag and bottled water, nodding up to the plane, “If you’re all set, let’s get going then.”<br/>
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He allowed Christopher to walk ahead of him, then headed up himself, turning back to the door and pulling it closed, securing the lock. With one last glance out the circular window of the door, he turned to the four of them seated in various spots of the cabin, no one directly next to someone else, which he’d expected. They were strangers after all. <br/>
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“Greetings again, everyone. I’m glad you were all able to make it.” Viotto smiled, setting his things on the seat closest to him, “I’ll be back in just a moment to speak with you all properly, but I have to speak to the captain first. Excuse me.” he nodded to them, then opened the door up to the front of the plane, closing it behind himself. Two women and two men, it was balanced rather well if Viotto didn’t include himself, but it would only stay that way if none of them got cold feet and chickened out...or if they didn’t pick up another traveler along the way. “We’re all set to go.” He told the Captain--a man who went by the name Amrit, and was an old friend who agreed to take him part of the way, given that only the first half of this journey could be covered by air. The other half would require a ship.<br/>
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<i>“I’m still just dropping you and the others off in Stanley, correct?”</i> Amrit asked, glancing back at Viotto and waiting until he nodded to get the plane turned on and started, “That's still the plan. There’s going to be a boat there waiting for us, and we’ll be on the water from then on.” Stanley was the capital of the Falkland Islands, about five hundred miles off the coast of Rio Gallegos, and away from any and all prying eyes that'd know or care about where they were headed. <i>“I still think you’re all types of crazy, Viotto.”</i>  Amrit said as he pulled the plane towards the runway, starting the slow crawl to gain enough momentum to take off, <i>“You must have some kinda death wish, same as those folks in the cabin.”</i><br/>
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Chuckling, Viotto patted Amrit’s back, shaking his head, “What? Scared you won’t get your money if I die? I told you I’d pay before taking off, so unless you crash this plane before we arrive you’ve got nothing to worry about.” With that, he turned away, going back out to the cabin to speak with Sam, Estere, Gas and Christopher. Thankfully no one seemed to be getting on someone else's nerves, yet anyway, and any conversations they might’ve been having ceased when he was standing in front of them all.<br/>
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“So,” He started, “Captain’s going to take us to an island a couple hundred miles away from Rio Gallegos in Argentina, then from there we’re going to be travelling by boat for the rest of the journey. That island will be our last planned stop, so if you need to stock up on something or just remembered you forgot to bring anything, that’ll be the place to grab it. I want to keep us on a tight schedule for as long as possible, because I don’t know the exact amount of time we’re going to spend navigating strange waters--or how much time we’ll spend in the Emerald Jungle itself.” He didn’t speak as if he was speculating about the island's existence, Viotto had nothing but certainty and conviction in his voice, there was no question about whether or not the island existed, <i>or</i> if he’d be the one to discover it. Those were just facts in his mind, things that wouldn’t be left up to chance or labeled hypotheticals. “So, does anyone have any questions? Second thoughts?”<br/>
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The group didn’t look easily shaken, but Viotto knew all too well how some people cracked under pressure or when a situation seemed like too much to handle. If any of them voiced even the simplest complaints, he’d be leaving them in Stanley with enough money for food and a plane ticket home. He didn’t have time to waste on people that would only become a liability once the going got tough. There was no telling what they’d encounter out there, what they’d see and experience, and even have to defend themselves against. If he’d had a say in choosing who went on the trip, he wouldn’t be considering these things, but the people before him were complete strangers, giving Viotto no choice but to try and vet them now, before it was too late.</span>