Spectating the exchange between Ace and Shizuka, both Lin and Rika remained silent as the two bickered. Both equally confused at what they were referencing, Rika was the most surprised about Shizuka’s decision to stay with the two strangers, while Lin’s expression had not changed. The young girl’s decision was not an easy one, as she would have been on Shizuka’s side of things had her reasons not been considerable. Still, she held nothing against her for her choice. Rika on the other hand rolled her eyes at the decision but kept silent about her disagreement overall. The reason behind working with them was silly, and just displayed how desperate Shizuka was, but it was her choice to make like it was everyone else’s. For that reason, the Masaki said nothing when all was said and done. Whoever Capell was, it was clearly a tender subject between both of them.

Lin rushed forward to give Shizuka a tight hug, nuzzling her head against her chest and providing a comfortable warmth to her,[color=f26522][b] “Be safe, Shizuka. We’ll see you soon!”[/b][/color] she assured her friend before reluctantly pulling away and allowing her to set off on her own. 

[color=fff79a][b]“Take care of yourself.” [/b][/color]Rika could not help but hope for the best for Shizuka, even if she disagreed with her choice.  With the matter of the strangers settled, Lin and Rika reunited with Aeva who had stood in silence. Her expression hadn’t changed at all. All Rika had noticed was that the mysterious woman’s eyes lingered on Shizuka for a few moments longer before she had continued.

[color=a187be][b]“As I said, the Caribbean.”[/b][/color] Aeva looked among the three presently taking her route to the world. [color=a187be][b]“Of the three of you, Rika has the best pull in that world based on her familial connection and experience. I recommend you allow her to take the lead in that world.”[/b][/color] Rika’s expression changed to curiosity, but before she could interrupt with her share of questions related to this new information, a rift beside Aeva had slowly opened out of thin air. From the hole that was created, a tropical set of trees beside a mansion could be seen. [color=a187be][b]“You’ll begin at Port Royal, and from there the world leader will find you. Until then, do nothing reckless.” [/b][/color]

Lin’s visage shifted to bewilderment, her hand slowly being raised. After Aeva nodded, her question was given.[color=f26522][b]“World leader? Like …an Emperor, or King?”[/b][/color]

[color=a187be][b]“Not quite,”[/b][/color] Aeva looked towards the portal,[color=a187be][b] “it’s because of people you’ve encountered here – Okal, Osa and Alem for example – that success here was guaranteed. By my definition, a world leader is someone renown and has almost unrivaled influence, someone that can change the status of the Empire’s occupation and make it concrete, or crumble at its foundation. Okal did not have physical power, but he had information and knew people. Osa provided you a safe haven to recover from your last battle at Hollow Bastion, as well as provided much needed food and water. Alem cared for Asahina and kept her from the Empire’s hold until she could meet with you. Each of them are individuals who encouraged your success on this world and it is because of their aid that you managed to perform so well.”[/b][/color]

Lin nodded her head, seeming to understand Aeva’s reasoning, [color=f26522][b]“So Okal, Osa, and Alem are world leaders by that definition?” [/b][/color]

[color=a187be][b]“More or less. The Empire is set on absolute power, at the same time underestimating the power of local knowledge and strength. They cannot face your intelligence, and so they take desperate measures to keep up with you, as you all witnessed at the palace.” [/b][/color]

Rika snickered. What happened in that dungeon wasn’t getting old any time soon.[color=fff79a][b] “You’re right, we can’t overpower them but we can definitely outwit them.”[/b][/color]

[color=a187be][b]“You can overpower them …in due time.”[/b][/color] Aeva’s eyes touched on Lin momentarily before she resumed looking towards the portal.[color=a187be][b] “However, with the Caribbean, your success is determined strictly by working with a world leader, unlike here. You were fortunate enough to encounter leaders here without stress, but the Caribbean is much more bloodthirsty and cruel. Operating here without the aid of a trustworthy leader is next to impossible unless resources are already present. The Empire has those, and now so do you.”[/b][/color] 

[color=f26522][b]“The resource, as in the world leader?”[/b][/color] Lin asked. 

[color=a187be][b]“Yes. Let me conclude by saying that this world is going to test your abilities beyond all others. Stealth, morality, battle, the ability to listen to an order without question, and so on. What has occurred here was just a warm-up for you. You still have much to learn and grow as comrades, and individuals.”[/b][/color] Aeva paused, glancing to Rika. [color=a187be][b]“A man of power and influence will be your world leader here, with few to rival him.”
[/b][/color]

[color=fff79a][b]“Is he handsome?”[/b][/color] Rika asked. Her tone presented complete seriousness, as did her face. 

[color=a187be][b]“He’s familiar. Any final questions or concerns?”[/b][/color]

~-~

[color=fdc68a][b]“I feel like that’s a loaded question, so I’ll just say that I’m happy with my marriage and leave it at that.”[/b][/color] Shinobu chuckled. Ryoko and his wife, Nikuya, were old friends too. They had some common interests, but more specifically they had the same temperament. He’d almost consider them sisters if it wasn’t for a few glaring differences between them, namely their ability to interact with others and play nice. With Reno winking at Ryoko in response to her nonverbal request to have him go screw himself, Shinobu and company waited for her to cut to the chase, with Reno resorting to verbal goading more than patience. 

[color=ed1c24][b]“We’re fresh out, and the suspense is killing me. Come on, get to it.”[/b][/color] He mumbled impatiently, bringing his hands to the back of his head and resisting the urge to yawn, if only so she didn’t begin to act on her irritation of him. 

Touching on the events that took place in Hollow Bastion and then Agrabah, all interest in Ryoko’s story was locked in once she had mentioned that this ‘Nomis’ had chosen to destroy a landmark of another world, all for the sake of wiping out a rebel cell. Shinobu’s face tightened as his whole body grew tense at the news. Tseng and Elena exchanged looks, with Rude looking at Reno, and Reno at Rude. The Turks gathered had their share of emotions hearing that, yet when their eyes fell on Shinobu they had seen him battling with his own responses deep within. He was silent enough that everyone was beginning to grow uncomfortable, even Reno who had picked himself up and moved out of the way of the desk while whistling quietly. The Mayor was a man with a healthy temperament, yet it was when he fell silent that things usually tended to be broken. 

After a long period of staring at Ryoko, Shinobu closed his eyes and clasped his hands together in front of his face. 

[color=fdc68a][b]“I’m going to ask you several questions, Ryoko. I don’t want your offense. I don’t want excuses. And I especially do not want short, vague responses. I only want the complete truth as you know it. Are we clear?”[/b][/color] He paused, taking a deep breath as he lined his questions up for her in his mind. All lighthearted goodness in the room was overshadowed by the tension emitted from this one man. Not even Reno could save the mood if he wanted. [color=fdc68a][b]“My first question: where were you when this imbecile began to open fire within a civilian location, especially one as important as the Palace?” [/b][/color]