A greater explanation of who and what Aeva was had been put on hold. The focus of the rebel group were all placed on the newer arrivals: a pair of adults, one familiar to Lin in a negative light, and both unfamiliar to Rika. To allow Ace the opportunity to grow, as well as the rest of the group, Aeva stood in silence and waited for the exchange between the youth and the unfamiliar to go on. 

The assassin and the great warrior in training were listening with care. Much more than Ace and Shizuka, they were observing the mannerisms of the strangers to break down the positives and negatives, if any, in their appeal for assistance. Rika's posture expressed a lack of caring; her posture was no longer straight, arms crossed over her chest and head tilted to her left in a mixture of disbelief and loss of appreciation. There were some holes in this presentation that were glaring, almost blinding the blonde after the woman of the pair began to tear up. Unable to help but roll her eyes and slowly shake her head no more than three times, Rika glanced back towards Aeva for a moment, finding her patience astounding in a situation such as this. Aeva looked back, prompting the two to have a silent exchange in expression, practically communicating through them. Determining that Aeva had not been in any hurry and was letting this play out, Rika pointed to herself. Aeva gestured towards the pair, offering a silent approval of her voice in these matters. Just as the guy began to wrap up his big exposition as to what the hell he was doing here, Rika cleared her throat to keep Ace, Shizuka, or anyone else present from interrupting.

[color=aba000][b]"So, that presentation of yours, kind of weak."[/b] [/color]she bluntly stated, placing apathy in the tone of her voice and the shrug of her shoulders. If left up to Ace he would probably fail to understand just what was wrong with all of this, or worse, he'd probably let his emotions for the guy being Empire completely decide the outcome of this laughable attempt to get recruited. Hopefully he would keep silent and learn a little bit, as she hoped Shizuka and Lin would. 

[color=aba000][b]"It's good to value your abilities, but the shock value of someone who used to work with the Empire having knowledge of who the Princesses are? Nonexistent right now. The fact is, we know who they were, you knowing isn't of any consequence to us, or a boon. Congratulations, you know what we know."[/b][/color] The green glow of Rika's faultfinding eyes looked to Flora. [color=aba000][b]"Your girlfriend almost saved you. Almost. Ace apparently asked you to take care of a little problem before, which I wasn't present for, and you apparently failed in that task. So riding on the coattail of an emotional outbreak was probably your best chance. Heck, it might even work on some of them, but then ...you shot yourself in the foot."[/b][/color] Her attention returned to the male. [color=aba000][b]"You don't suggest to join forces with people and then build yourself up at the same time. You came to [i]us[/i]. You need [i]us[/i]. All that attention to Ace is cute, yet his role as leader is subjective, pretty much a kindness. Everyone here gets a say on this decision, so your best chance was to offer your attention to everyone present. And-- can I just say something else real fast?" [/b][/color]

Holding up her hands, the demeanor of a judgmental assassin had turned to one of unbound cheer. She was recalling something in recent memory, the build-up of laughter practically becoming contagious again when she thought about it. The loss of Asahina aside, it was going to be funny to her for the rest of her life.

[color=aba000][b]"We are dealing with possibly the worst --[i] the WORST [/i]-- strategic leaders that the Empire can offer. Hell, maybe even the worst of all time. I suppose you were missing in action when they crippled their own base of operations and rendered that bloodsucking factory inoperable of their own accord?"[/b][/color] The laughter died, yet the grin was still on display, no sign of dying down just yet. [color=aba000][b]"But you want to know what [i]really, really[/i] killed you? It's the fact you can't help but underestimate each and everyone one of us when it comes to this info of yours, and I doubt you know the full extent of what we are all capable of to begin with. No strong foothold to make your companionship desirable, going in a subtle circle about how your information is [i]so[/i] important, how we'd be crazy to pass this opportunity up -- none of this helps you. What helps you most is stepping off that high horse and coming down to the level of everyone else, of properly valuing the people you actually seek out for assistance. Sucking your own dick is a great talent, yet it's not useful here. You couldn't even offer any legitimate intel before you did so. Beautiful." [/b][/color]

Rika clapped her hands together just once, peering around at her comrades. [color=aba000][b]"Was that everything or does someone have something to add? Because my vote is pretty damn clear right now." [/b][/color]

Lin's hand had shot up immediately, although her physical attention had never left Cerden. Highly unusual for her, her eyes had been narrowed slightly to capture every inch of the man's attitude and choice of expression. Throughout Rika's monologue, she was left to look into her own heart to make a decision she could feel comfortable with. This was a decision that everyone should come to, not only one. She believed in Ace's decisions and believed in him, yet her previous feelings about Cerden had not changed. Nor had he. Lowering her hand, the young warrior offered her own opinion on the matter.

[color=f26522][b]"You're conceited. The way you smiled about our group losing two people, people important to us and those not present, was disgusting and shameful. And not only that, but the way you speak of pride getting in the way is most ironic, especially if you consider that you did not intend to humble yourself upon announcing your intentions. Not once did you offer any condolence for our predicament, even when you had made clear that you share it." [/b][/color]The normally peaceful, balanced Meilin was shaking lightly, fists balled tight at her sides. In her eyes was unmistakable contempt. [color=f26522][b]"After last time, after you arrogantly observed as innocent people were put at risk and stood by, I believed you might have seen the error, that you might have opened your eyes to the helplessness of others." [/b][/color]

The silence that followed was deafening. For Rika, it was something major when the sweetheart of the group was being realistic about everything. She smiled still, her cheer replaced by approval. 

[color=f26522][b]"I dedicate my life to helping others, but you're ...impossible. If you changed, if you could humble yourself, I would have gladly forgiven you."[/b][/color] Lin lowered her head in thought, wanting to choose the next set of words carefully. The passion in her voice had not wavered, even now. [color=f26522][b]"For now, I say no. I do not wish to travel with you, even if it is for a short time."[/b][/color]

~-~

The deep brown eyes of the Mayor stared back at the distraught visage of his sudden visitor. His guest was shivering with fright at the abrupt appearance of this young, beautiful woman with a stare so hard it could kill were it directed entirely at him. Meanwhile, as the colorful group of his personal unit came to join just behind Ryoko as if waiting for an order from him, Shinobu raised a hand to halt any sudden action from them. He stood up quietly, his firm form easily towering over his guest. Extending a hand, the intimidation that the Mayor carried appeared only due to his size; pleasantly, and with an apologetic tone, his address to the guest was brief but meaningful. The majority of their discussion had already been concluded, fortunate for Ryoko considering he had valued his word being kept. If you scheduled time with him, you got it. Offering thanks, the man had grabbed his things and quickly left the room. The Turks had not let his wide range to stay clear of Ryoko slip by them. The redhead snickered quietly and closed the door behind him, moving past Ryoko and taking the seat the man left. All at once the desire to be professional had left him. Strange to those that might not know him, Shinobu had said nothing about the casualness of his guard's actions. 

[color=a0410d][b]"You know, only two women in my life could get away with that comfortably."[/b][/color] Shinobu took a seat once more, gesturing an open hand towards one of the free seats that weren't taken by his guard. As if on cue the redhead moved to place his feet on the desk, which prompted an immediate look of dare from Shinobu, resulting in the young man trying to play it off by stretching his arms and sinking into his chair.

[color=ed145b][b]"One of these days she's going to make me actually have to escort her out of the building," [/b][/color]Reno joked, offering a wink to Ryoko. Rude, Tseng and Elena had taken placed in different areas of his office. Rude had settled beside the door, Tseng comfortably stood beside Shinobu, while Elena had stuck her tongue out at Ryoko before moving to the free side of Shinobu's flank.

[color=a0410d][b]"Calling worked too, by the way."[/b][/color] Shinobu stated, [color=a0410d][b]"I'd offer you a drink but I'm currently out of stock ...and given that look in your eye, something tells me you either want to drown in booze, or kill someone. Let's hear it." [/b][/color]