"If you don't mind me being so blunt, but why are we here? You bring us here and offer us things,  but you neglect to actually say why exactly we were summoned. I don't think I'm the only one who got a little....I guess...gift in the mail. You wouldn't offer up information like that without a price." Nina flashed a smile at Ryker. They wanted answers, and she was ready to give them.

"Silent Wheel, Inc. wants to hire you for a series of assignments that would send you to desolate and abandoned places throughout the world. We have need of data and, in some cases, items to be found there. According to the contracts, you would be paid $150 a day for the first assignment, plus travel expenses. Half of the expected pay up front, and the other half when you complete the assignment. We expect this first assignment to take four days, but will consider the next two days as part of the assignment to total 6 days of pay. These next two days we expect you to spend getting your affairs in order for the trip. Any additional time this may take will be paid for when you return. On the second assignment, pay will go up to $225 per day. Upon the third assignment and every other after that, $300 per day." She stepped out from behind the bar and walked toward the mantle.

"There is very little we needed for the actual interview, which has been completed. You arrived on time, you are not showing outward disdain for each other, and you are all cautious about what it is you're experiencing at the moment. None of you noticed the griffin head mounted on the wall, but that is alright. We can train a better sense of observation into all of you." She indicated upward to the massive bird head mounted on the wall. It was large- large enough that it could fit the heads of two people in its beak. Cedar stared up at it, shocked she had missed it. Something seemed off about the bird head, beyond the size. The eyes, the shape of the neck... it definitely reminded Cedar of a cat of some kind.

But that could easily be manufactured.

"All equipment necessary for the assignment shall be provided by the company. All medical expenses will be taken care of by the company. Should you pass away or disappear during an assignment, Silent Wheel, Inc. will make a $10,000 donation to a charity of your choice, which we ask you indicate on page three." She took a leather briefcase out from under a long coffee table and produced a stack of papers- one for each of them- which she laid out on the coffee table with expensive pens set on top. She held several envelopes in her hands, thick ones. "Should you accept the assignments, you will leave today with these. They contain documents with details of the first assignment, and the $450 up front salary payment, in cash." Cedar's breath caught. She could really use that money.

"I realize this may seem odd. But do realize, we are willing to send you around the world, allow you access to things most humans will never see in their lives, challenge your perception of the very fabric of existence, and provide you with the comforts you currently do not possess- or will soon lose." She eyed Chronus as she said the last part of her statement. "Please do not take that as a threat, sweetheart. We are just aware of many details of the lives of Leyden City residents."

Cedar took a slow, constant drink from her cocktail until the glass was empty as Nina spoke. This was crazy. Was it crazy? This was crazy.

[color=Brown][i]You're about to be homeless. You've not had a job interview in months. Can you afford to walk out?[/i][/color] She thought to herself. And she knew she couldn't. She sighed.

[color=Brown]"Is that why you sent me the camera lenses?"[/color] She asked, keeping a grip on the empty martini glass with her arms crossed protectively over her chest.

"Yes," Nina confirmed. "You were chosen specifically for your ability to document the locations we will be sending you to. You," she indicated to James, "Were chosen for your skills in nursing. You," to Chronus, "Were chosen for your skills in sound, music, and energies. You," to Ryker, "Are uncannily good at disappearing, a trait that best associates you with protection and hiding. We nearly didn't find you to deliver the letter. And you," She finally indicated to Sara, "Are so determined to survive that we trust you to be able to do whatever is necessary and make whatever choices you must- however difficult they may be- to make it back to us."

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