[Center][img]https://i.imgur.com/5RY6ghJ.png[/img][hr][hr][b][colour=6f4a50]Event:[/colour][/b] Metropolis [b]|[/b] [b][colour=6f4a50]Location:[/colour][/b] Wánggǎng, ReTan[hr][hr][/center]

[b]Part 1[/b]

Maura was up next to be questioned by Ming and Zihan. She mulled over on how to respond as she listened in on Yalen’s answers. There was a thought she had, and perhaps… she moved herself up to the investigators, and being female, mainly spoke to Zihan.

After taking a deep breath, she approached with a calm and measured tone, she began to make her case. [colour=C0C0C0]“There is a truth you will never hear from the others. The enemy was severely underestimated.”[/colour] She looked toward the pair as she waited for her words to be translated. [colour=C0C0C0]“The Traveller is a menace, not only of the Twin-Continents, but also of Callanst too, and this is for good reason. This isn’t because we are not as good as ReTan, but because the Traveller is a disease which festers in the wounds and causes society to rot.”[/colour] 

As she spoke, Maura used her hands to gesture towards the building and the surroundings, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. [colour=C0C0C0]“The Grey Ghosts dragged an old man out, Mr Bao, treating him as nothing more than a mouse to beat and set as a public example, all the while completely unaware of what was in front of them. If it wasn't for our intervention, the enemy would have gone unnoticed and allowed to continue.”[/colour]

[colour=C0C0C0]“Even though we held the old man, in place whilst the ghosts bound him. It was a brief moment of distraction as we healed Captain Zhu’s wounds that he easily escaped, and displayed the use of the gift far beyond what was expected of him.”[/colour]

Maura continued to make her case, using her hands to emphasize her points.
 [colour=C0C0C0]“When you have seen the brutality of the traveller in action, you will realize how insidious the actions are behind it. My good friend was riding a horse, when the traveller incited a mob to attack her, to attack us. An innocent girl, whose crime was to look richer than the common folk. Her head smashed open upon the road. You want to know who the traveller sent? An orphan, indoctrinated as a martyr. The Traveller wanted us to kill a child in revenge, to turn the commoners against us, incite them into revolt. The orphan cried and begged to be killed when we refused to do it.”[/colour]

[colour=C0C0C0]“The Traveller is more than a person, it is an idea. A very dangerous and powerful one.”[/colour] she explained, [colour=C0C0C0]“It is the idea that people are equal, and those on the top are the enemy to be toppled, and that violence is the only answer. It is an idea which is supported by the weapons to create this world, the means to turn those meek like mice into roaring lions.”[/colour]

Maura, concluding with a case for her own abilities and those of her companions. [colour=C0C0C0]“We may not be as strong as your best fighters, but we have insight and perspective, we understand who our enemy is, and this knowledge is invaluable in this fight. We ask for your trust and your confidence in this matter.”[/colour] She finished, looking directly at those listening.

Zihan regarded Maura steadily. Either this one was an asset or a danger. She had dealt with many politicians in the past and she was not sure yet. [color=f6989d][i]Regardless, one to be kept close.[/i][/color] It did not matter that she was largely wrong.

Part of her resented these... children, to be perfectly honest: how they'd just been dropped here via a portal, given a ticket right into the heart of Retan's inner workings for the sake of politics and because their families were likely important. They hadn't had to prove anything or go through any of the rigorous tests that she had. She also had no guarantees that they were the best for the job or even qualified, or... that they were even - in truth - allies. 

Yet, a case had just been presented to her. At least they brought a new perspective. They were also here with goals, or... at least [i]this[/i] one was: determined little thing with a calculating mind in a broken body. [color=f6989d]"The Traveler is insidious,"[/color] she agreed, doubting the translation would come out smoothly but not strictly caring. [color=f6989d]"A disease, but make no mistake: he is an [i]imported[/i] one, and far more familiar to your people than mine. Retanese do not push for this self-concerned equality you Easterners are so preoccupied with. We accept our roles with grace and a sense of duty to those around us and understand that all are important in the functioning of a society, or at least we always have, until recently."[/color]

Zihan scowled. [color=f6989d]"If you are willing to be part of the cure and you have anything to offer, I would be foolish not to employ you in this struggle. However, I warn that, if the cure should prove worse than the disease, we will act to protect ourselves."[/color] She clasped her hands at the small of her back. [color=f6989d]"On the morrow, at the station. The Speaker will give you the details."[/color] With that, she was finished with this one and ready for the next. 

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