Sparks was the first to ask a question out of the group of pilots, and Ritsu answered promptly: "Yes, documentation has been sent to you via your personal devices regarding Solaire and the Project. This includes maps of the ship, manuals regarding the facilities, the training schedule, and miscellaneous files. I recommend everyone reads through them carefully," she noted, her eyes sharply drawn to Griffith as he was the next to open his mouth, causing her usually professional demeanor to slightly crack into a scowl.

Lorenzo smiled as the brash young man suggested a direct competition between the pilots, and chuckled mockingly as he then brought up weightlifting. "As amusing as it might be to see, a simple test of strength is not adequate," he answered. Ritsu then followed up: "However, I will forward your suggestion to Sergeant Ken, and ask if he can accommodate more strength training to the program." Elora audibly sighed in reaction. [i]I'll probably get crushed under the first weight lifting machine I try...[/i]

Next came a question of living spaces from the blonde pilot, which was followed by responses from both Rhylaen and Arrish, the former having seemed to slightly surprise Lorenzo with her grasp on the language. Ritsu rolled her eyes as Griffith then proceeded to reply in what she considered an uncivilized manner, with Arrish being dragged further into the argument. Lorenzo took another sip of his medicine offered by the Lilim, seemingly enjoying the show. 

"ENOUGH!" Ritsu raised an authoritative voice as her arms were crossed before her, her patience having been worn thin. 
"You are pilots of the Galactic Federation, and brought here to fight against the Cruxi menace, not argue and bicker among yourselves like children!" She furrowed her brows, and her glasses glinted menacingly off the ceiling lights: her glare on Griffith was like stinging daggers. 
"Whether you like it or not, you need to work together and learn to fight as a cohesive squad if you are to be victorious on the battlefield, each and every one of you: man or woman, human or Tevranian, it matters not. We are all equal in our mission to see this galaxy liberated from the invaders. And to that end, I will do what I must to see this project through. If I see or hear any more discriminating or otherwise unruly behavior, I will [u]not[/u] hesitate to initiate immediate disciplinary action." She walked right up to Griffith. 

"Do I make myself clear, Cadet Burnhardt?"

She stared at him for a moment, and Lorenzo took a moment to write a note on his own device. Regardless of if or how he would respond, she would continue: "Now, to answer your question: the pilot cabins are private, so by default you won't be sharing rooms. However, if you desire more conventional accommodations, there is an empty room in the barracks with several free cots and lockers."

She then moved on to answer more questions, the next one having come from Aurora. Lorenzo stroked his beard, his single eye having noticed the enmity emanating from the pilot's gaze. However, she couldn't tell if his previous scathing remark was done to purposefully rile her up or not. The old man was an enigma. "Mmm, yes, we could spare time on hands-on activity with the Framewerks. Whether it is maintenance work or test runs in Solaire's proximity. VR can't fully replace real experience, after all. Who knows, maybe you could use asteroids for target practice, haha!" Ritsu nodded. "Very well. We will take this suggestion into mind with the schedule, Cadet Briars."

Meanwhile, Elora gasped in surprise as Serah greeted her in a familiar manner, only to afterwards blink as she clarified that there was a strange familiarity, which startled her: she had, in fact, felt the very same feeling inexplicably. She then realized she forgot to answer the jubilant girl.
"Oh, my name i-is...Elora. Elora Liu'un. Um, n-nice to meet you," she added afterward, and managed a weak smile despite her trepidation. "I hope we'll get along."

Deep inside, Elora was terrified. After all, that face...She had seen it in her nightmare.

A final question to the lieutenant came from Ava, which actually caused Ritsu to look uncomfortable by the question before her usually stoic expression formed, and she adjusted her glasses. However, it elicited an amused cough from Lorenzo. "Young lady...Didn't I mention it before? My work here, including the very Project you young souls are enlisted on, is classified, and does not fit into the conventional structure of the Galactic Fleet." He then stepped closer to Ava, slightly craning his neck up to look at her face.
"But I can tell you this much: if you devote yourselves to this fight, overcome your doubts and fears, and face the Cruxi with all that you got...Then there is a chance you can do it. You can win this war." He turned around. "...I need to get back to work. Ritsu, you handle the rest." And with that, the old man started slowly walking away on his shaky walking stick as he was led by the hand by the Lilim.

Ritsu glanced back at Lorenzo, closed her eyes, and then opened them once more as she faced the group. "Now then, you may have the rest of today off to unpack your belongings and settle down, but training will start in the morning at 8 AM sharp." She saluted the pilots, her eyes particularly tough on Arrish, as if wordlessly reminding him to look back at her eyes.

"Dismissed!"

Elora saluted back with a shaky arm but a slightly hopeful smile, and then proceeded to bring her luggage to her private cabin. She pondered about whether she would want to go and take a shower immediately: she felt sweaty, and she hoped she could make the trip before the other women.