[Center]COLLABERATIVE POST BETWEEN LETTER BEE & RUMIKO[/Center]
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Cypress woke in a room more...hospitable than the one she had been held in. Unlike the cell that Aperture had held her in, this room actually had a bed, a big fluffy piece with pillows and silk sheets. Cypress also found herself in pajamas, instead of the 'shock suit' that she had been wearing. There was also a nearby table with sandwiches and tea, a television, and a computer. On the ceiling there was a large StuCorp label; an open declaration of who brought her here.

How long she'd been out Cypress didn't know but as soon as she felt that she was free of the torture suit she began jacking up her ability to it's max. So when she opened her eyes she almost dropped everything within her range down to zero friction till she looked around puzzled. She was in a comfortable bed and someone had dressed her in PJs and she briefly thought of it as all a trick.

Her suspicions were still running high so she wrapped herself tightly in a Zero field that would deflect attacks on her person. She was though oddly dressed ready for combat as her training swept the room for every advantage. She saw the StuCorp logo but that did little to relax her emotions

The door opened, and a handsome, red-haired, green-eyed man, with tan skin, wearing a formal suit, and looking as though he were in his early 20s (he was actually 30), with an expression of youthful enthusiasm that made him look childlike instead of childish, went through. This was Gary Stuart, the Metahuman CEO of StuCorp; while DIrector Taylor was also a Metahuman, the latter was secretly so, while the former flaunted his status openly. His A-class power? The ability to create portals of darkness, which only worked on inanimate objects, and can penetrate at least four of Avalon's Anti-Meta defenses. Either way, he spoke:

"Hello, Cypress," he said affably. "I see you're awake. Now, let's get down to business."

"I am not here to hold you against your will, nor am I here to coerce you to do anything you don't want to. But, I won't lie; circumstances will force us to work together anyway." He then turned on the television, and showed Cypress a recording of the Anti-Metahuman activist's message, as well as its chaotic aftermath. After waiting for her to absorb the relevant information, he then continued:

"Right now, this is the only place you're both safe and comfortable in. Again, you don't have to do anything for me. If you want, you can stay here in comfort, constantly maintained by me and my company, for an indefinite time. But," he smiled, "you won't want that, would you?"

Cypress allowed Mr. Stuart remain standing as she sorted out her situation and when he seemed determined to make a presentation she took a seat on the edge of the bed. She listened as he played a recording of what seemed only a little better than a KKK Grand Dragon's message of hate. The man went on and on about how people like her were against humanity and needed to be controlled or destroyed. It seemed that she was being used by these haters as a propaganda doll as well and the riot they went into was as bad as any she'd ever seen.

"Right now, this is the only place you're both safe and comfortable in. Again, you don't have to do anything for me. If you want, you can stay here in comfort, constantly maintained by me and my company, for an indefinite time you won't want that, would you?" He finished saying

[B]My, my it seems so much has changed while slept and I seem to have been vilified in the bargain.
It's so good that you offer me your hospitality at no expectation of myself as well. 
Though it does sound a bit Catch-22
I mean if as you say I am free you add that I would be in danger if I did leave. Then I am offered a gilded cage in which to reside.
But you were correct in deducing that I couldn't remain still will there is a crisis a foot.[/B] she says as sweetly and honestly as possible.

Standing the air around Cypress shimmers as if she were blanketed by heat waves.
[B]I will require full disclosure of any information on any subject I am engaged in directly or indirectly. 
I will cooperate but not follow orders in any engagement as I expected to be treated as an equal partner and not a subordinate.
Sorry if I should sound so demanding but in light of recent experience I don't want any misunderstandings[/B]

"Done," spoke Gary, "as for the Catch-22, I am a CEO after all. Also, it does help that I only have hazy notions of what to do with you - wait, I have an idea!" He then smiled. "You see, some of the braver Pro-Metahuman groups are staging counter-protests in the city, and let's just say that it is...political suicide to actively defend them; it would be bad for public relations. However, there's nothing saying that one cannot distract the Anti-Metahuman gangs and protesters from harming their opponents." Gary was sure that Cypress was catching up to what he planned for her.

He then pulled out his smartphone, and, with a few presses, projected a map showing the various trouble spots in the city. 

"What do you say to diverting the mobs and rioters from harming their fellow citizens? If you don't want that job, well - Erueka! You can also help my friends pursue Nightingale - who turned traitor - and Elijah, who are running away right now. Or perhaps look for Ruby who seems to have been successfully turned to Aperture's side. Or, perhaps look for the person behind these riots in the first place - so many ideas!" He said enthusiastically. "Problem is, I don't have ready-made dossiers. So, basically, I'll just lend you my smartphone; it contains all the info you need."

Cypress listened to Gary talk and couldn't help but realize how cobbled together the group she was joining was. She hated to admit it but one thing AL had going for it was an anal attention to detail that bordered on Obsession.

It was while thinking of AL that Cypress remembered an asset that she once met that worked only on assignment contracts; Miss Elliot Sinclair was her name and her Meta ability was so unusual that she was scary.

[B]I think I know of someone who might be very helpful as an investigator. I met her when I was home visiting the Judge. Her name was Elliot Sinclair and I've never heard of anyone with her talent. Miss Sinclair is a Genius, Omnilinguist and most importantly a Psychometrist. With her ability to look into the past Miss Sinclair is a detective without peer.
When I met her she was working on a strange missing persons case that had led her to Yahzoo. She followed the trail to New Orleans and uncovered human organ distribution network that was responsible for 100s of murders.
I once mentioned her name to the Lab and they said they didn't have much use for someone with her talent.
Now that I think of it her ability to see into the past would make anyone with something to hide nervous. That makes sense now why AL didn't even want me to invite her on the property.[/B]
 Cypress say as she thinks about what Sinclair told her back then.

1 YEAR AGO

"Cypress I can't tell you how lovely of you to help me with my work this has been though you surely needn't. It's not often that I get to work under such protection as you provide. If not for you when those scum found me too close to their operation I'd be filled with bullet holes" said the sweet english girl as she hugged Cypress.

Cypress laughed saying [B]It was nothing really, all I did was shield us with a zero friction field.
What you did was nothing short of amazing, with you around no murder ever need go unsolved, no crime can escape exposure, me I'm just an elementalist but I've never heard of anyone like you[/B]

"Modesty is a charming trait Cypress and you even more lovely because it is so honest." Sinclair then kissed Cypress surprising her

Then as Cypress turned red from embarrassment Sinclair said "For you Cypress I would cheerfully any aid or service you require of me if only to enjoy your company."

After that Sinclair gave Cypress a private why to get in touch with her that she said only her family, the crown and very close friends knew but even then they might need wait for her but for Cypress she'd come on the wings of Mercury.

Cypress looks at Gary and says [B]I know she'll come if I ask her to and even if she can't stay long her help would be invaluable[/B]

As she remembers her parting with Sinclair Cypress Blushes deep red"

"That..." spoke Gary, "that would be great! I'd love to meet Ms. Sinclair." He then smiled. "Sorry for the lack of preparedness, but, well, we're the underdogs; we're supposed to roll with the punches and make up our own responses. So..." he continued, "does that mean you've decided to look for the agitator?"

Cypress smiles answering [B]Why certainly I will look for the person that has tried to paint me as some monster against humanity but first I'll need to secure help [/B]

"You'll have it," spoke Gary.