[center][h1][color=AE6967]Petra Nisbet[/color][/h1][/center]
Having successfully navigated her way to the castle, or more accurately followed someone else there, Petra positioned herself at the not quite back of the crowd. Some part of her was shocked by the size of the crowd, far larger than any she’d seen before. Then again given this was meant to represent all of humanity maybe the crowd instead seemed too small. Was not just fighting demons but actually descending into the abyss where most people drew the line or after four crusades had everyone else finally caught on to the fact that their chances of survival were less than great? Maybe people had gotten word of how unbearably hot it would be in advance and collectively decided to stay home. 

Whatever the reason was Petra was unable to find it before the announcer's voice sounded out, pulling her from her thoughts. He was loud and dramatic, theatrical in a way that some might find obnoxious given the circumstance, but rather than be bothered by it Petra instead let herself enjoy the spectacle. If she was in all likelihood throwing her life away she might as well enjoy her time up until then. Even with that attitude, however, sorting three hundred people into their respective groups and making sure they all made it to the correct places was no quick ordeal and Petra quickly found herself growing bored, only barely managing to pay enough attention to listen for her name out of the many being called and almost not noticing as the generals took their leave, leaving her, the announcer and seven other individuals behind. 

Petra was confused. Looking around there were far too few people remaining to form an additional group and she was pretty sure she’d counted the full ten groups leaving. Had they all missed their names being called? The introduction of Virgil did little to alleviate Petra’s confusion, nor did his subsequent explanation of their apparent covert mission into the abyss. Was this meant to be some kind of suicide mission to weed out the bad apples from the recruits? Taking a glance at the others Petra shook her head, some of them looked pretty strange but they all looked capable, certainly when compared to a few of the others that’d been in the crowd, herself included. Besides, assuming Virgil's explanation was to be believed, if the aim was to weed them out then there would have been no reason for them to be given any training at all. But what then was the criteria had they been selected by? Another question that would have to wait to be answered, Virgil had asked them all a question, given them each the choice to join this mission or leave now, and having already made up her mind to participate in this crusade, it was probably smarter to spend her time trying to get a feel for each of her soon to be companions. 

For the most part, they seemed better equipped than Petra, some carrying gear valuable looking enough that Petra felt almost worried standing too close to them, lest someone accuse her of trying to steal. Otherwise, they largely seemed to fall pretty much in line with what she’d come to expect from her brief time in Zion, some who appeared much like what Petra was used to, but also a few who clearly hailed from very different cultures and environments. Their responses were equally as varied, though far more informative. Some kept it short, other’s long and grandiose. Some asked questions, much to Petra’s relife. While a couple expressed their devotion to the lord, a fact that irked Petra, though for the time being she contented herself to frowning in both cases. The only real constant between their responses was their acceptance of the mission they'd been given. 

Finally, when only she and one other man were left to respond, Petra decided it time to voice her own response. [color=AE6967]“I also accept. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect those living out there.”[/color] Petra pointed towards out towards the exit as she said that last part before sweeping her arm across in a large arc and unable to help herself shot an accusatory glance in the directions of both the priestly looking man and the bird masked woman who'd expressed god as their reasons for being here as she did so but refrained from saying anything further.