The group was dissolving rapidly, talking amongst themselves, a few brave enough to speak up and try to confront Wryn about where they’d been taken and how they’d been taken there. Cassius still wanted answers, but seemed content to play this off as a bad dream; Edmée knew otherwise. She knew all too well that this dream would wear on for the rest of her days, much like her own had done. It’d taken time—years, in fact—for the full gravity of her situation to set in, but when it did…no longer did she pray that it were a dream as those prayers went unanswered and laughed at.<br/><br/>Instead, she wished for the end of time.<br/><br/>As Wryn seemed to be more the subject of their anger and upset, she stepped forward, clearing her throat to catch the group’s attention. Though the sound and action itself was small, it carried, a talent she’d picked up over the years to compensate for the one thing that’d been drilled into her from birth:<span style="font-style: italic">“A lady of breeding ought never to raise her voice any louder than the... gentle hum of a whisper in the wind.”</span>Once she was certain she had their undivided attention, even Wryn falling quiet as she glanced in his direction, her soft, sad gaze falling on each in turn…she spoke.<br/><br/>“I know that this…is where you wish not to be….” A pause followed as her brow furrowed, the French lilt in her voice prevalent, trying as she sought to convey her thoughts properly. “…I know, too, that you will understand not what is asked of you, even after it is asked.” Another glance at Wryn before she gestured to a gate, a gate that didn’t appear to have been there only moments before. “…But to continue to question what is not understood in the highest sun is not wise. Those of you who need drink, it shall be given. Those for sustenance, be assured it will be received. You’ve a place to sleep and to try to relax, despite the task laid at your feet…”<br/><br/>Her eyes glanced in the direction of the men who’d seemed most at odds, lingering no more on one over the other. “You may not wish to follow, but I wish you do…if only so that you may further seek answers out of the sun and instead in the few comforts we’ve provided…”<br/><br/>Though she waited a moment for some sort of a sign, she wasn’t certain that they would follow, so she took off on her own. Her steps were slow, still tired and drained from what she’d performed moments prior but determined to get those willing inside; Those who chose to straggle would eventually come…as they always did.<br/><br/>At the sound of increasingly steady followers, she led the way forward, out of the arena and seamlessly into their “new home”. No matter how many times she gave this rattled-off informational tidbit, it never got easier, felt any better. It felt like she was leading them to their slaughter. “<a class="postlink" href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bKoAd4YrGgM/SrKh0V-kN2I/AAAAAAAABqM/0Lgk7vfFkxc/s400/great%2Bhall%2B2.JPG">This</a>is the Great Hall. If ever any of you are not competing, you are most welcome to socialize here, to get to know one another…While some may think that unwise, given the circumstance…getting to know one another may be a blessing…” Her hand gestured toward the bookshelf off to the side, head nodding in its direction. “That shelf will provide you with any book of your dreams. Whatever your mind can concoct, it will pull forth.”<br/><br/>To demonstrate this fact, she closed her eyes, her hand adding a gesture as a small book appeared on the shelf. Walking over, she took hold of it, of Shakespeare’s book of sonnets and held it momentarily to her chest. “Moving on…”<br/><br/>She took them through the Mess Hall, briefly took them onto the terrace to show them the gardens in which they could get fresh air, and continued on toward the Barracks. “These rooms…will likely be your most important while competing…Your bedrooms…Barracks, as they’ll come to be known by you, addressed as such by those like I who serve the gods…” Another pause as she stopped outside a door. “…Cassius, I need you, please, as well as one volunteer if anyone would be so kind.”<br/><br/>Cassius rolled his eyes and stepped forward, glancing at the movement that followed. Ace.<span style="font-style: italic">Unsurprising,</span>came an apathetic thought as he shifted to give the man girth.<br/><br/>“Each room is meant for you and you alone. No one can enter your room…but you.” Looking over at Ace, she bowed her head. “Would you please attempt to open that door for me?” Only after he’d attempted (and failed) did she speak again. “These rooms are unlocked by the mark you’ve been given upon your hand.”<br/><br/>Cassius rose his brow, skeptical, reaching forward to open the door and finding it willing to comply without much fuss. He shot Edmée a mildly impressed glance, only to then shoot one at Ace as though to urge him to try and go through it now that it was open. That look thus prompted her to look at Ace with another look of apologetic plea. “If you would please attempt to enter the room…” When it was clear that Ace couldn’t get in, despite his attempts, she spoke again. “These rooms…will be the safest places you’ll have. Only I, Wryn, and others of my kind can get into the room, apart from you.” Then, after a thought, her gaze lowered. “This may not seem a comfort…but you’ll soon learn that we are not your enemy.”<br/><br/>Rather than stay with the group, Cas wandered further into his room, plopping down on the bed and sprawling out.<span style="font-style: italic">Not too shabby…</span><br/><br/>“Anything you require, it is our job to see to it you’re taken care of. Just…think of me, and I’ll be there to help you. Or Wryn, or any other you wish to speak to,” she added, walking further down the corridor. “That is…really all that I can offer you, and I…” Cutting off the last, she instead shook her head. “I’ll show you each to your rooms, and you’ll be free to move about as you wish, free to get familiar with your surroundings and those you will now be seeing a plethora of…” Glancing back for the first time since her final piece, walking at a slow pace, she offered one final sentiment. “I’m certain you all still have…a great many questions. Are there any that I may help address about what I have just informed you of, or anything else I’ve mentioned with this tour?”