A chilly arrival (Pregame, Monday 9th, afternoon closed)

[Frozen Shadow]

Despite the agreed time and location, Shadow had actually arrived in the morning and stayed on the outskirts of the city. Venturing in quietly from time to time over the few hours to get an idea of the place, checking where things were and mostly avoiding contact with anyone. Once it was time, she flew over to the location she had on her map (an actual paper map) and landed again on the outskirts. It wasn't quite as busy here, and her instructions had this noted as a 'staffing' location. Aka, a larger gathering of stronger people.

It had her on edge.

Keeping to the shadows, and avoiding too much contact, she finally located the address mentioned on her notes and approached. Her large hood up hiding her face.

[Dapper Dog]

Janet-Forester.jpg (37.42 KiB) Viewed 1690 times

Waiting out front was Special Agent Janet Forester, she is on her mobile, her free hand on her hip as she had a conversation with an unknown party. Behind her was the home of Dr. Eskander. She did not seem to notice Frozen Shadow yet as she ended her call, curtly.

For now, she tapped at the screen seemingly answering texts.

[Frozen Shadow]

It was only as Shadow got closer did she finally speak.

"I'm here."

Her tone was as cold as usual, but quieter as if not wanting to draw attention. She had a black hoodie on with no marking or symbols, the large hood over her head and a pair of black slightly scruffy jeans, as well as a backpack with her old black skateboard between the backpack straps.

[Dapper Dog]

She continued tapping and added, “Good, best behavior, minimal snark. Just relax this should be easy, and mind the children they will probably mob you.”

“Got any questions?”

[Frozen Shadow]

There was a pause for a few moments before she spoke again.

"Can all children be kept...away. For the moment."

She certainly didn't seem to be relaxing at all.

[Dapper Dog]

“Are you going to turn this into a winter wonderland, Miss Gibson? If not, then it’s beyond time you learn self-control. So, I repeat, are you a danger or will you control yourself?” Now she gave the Elite her full attention.

[Frozen Shadow]

The girl tensed more at that, and took a few moments before speaking.

"I am in control of myself. I just don't want...to be mobbed. Yet. And that's not my name."

[Dapper Dog]

She frowned and then responded, “Miss Mimi, I will warn the children for your piece of mind. Any other concerns, best to tell me now.”

[Frozen Shadow]

The girl seemed to calm more at that, even lifting her head a little more so that her face could be seen. She wasn't wearing a mask here.

"Nothing else I can think of. I..." she paused, looking down again briefly before finally adding softly "I trust you've got everything else covered" without any tension or coldness in her voice.

[Dapper Dog]

“That’s my job,” she said in reply as she walked towards the door. She entered and quickly greeted the family, Dr. Eskander and his wife were chatting in the kitchen. The two kids came racing down the stairs but the special agent intercepted them and guided them outside.

Their mother followed outside with some food on a tray to put on a grill outback.

[Dr. Eskander Alshiza]

Dr. Eskander started pouring some water for himself and said, “Welcome Mimi, I hope you have been settling in. Are you thirsty? We are doing kabobs today and got some naan in the oven. And burgers because the kids love burgers.”

“So what do you think about the Institute?”

[Frozen Shadow]

The girl readjusted her hoodie before entering, only looking down at the ground and keeping hidden. The sound of children running had her backing up a bit, and she waited until they'd been guided away before following into the kitchen. She had stayed close to the door though.

She only slightly looked up when spoken to.

"I'm ok."

There was another pause.

"I haven't been to the institute but I think it's...." she stopped herself again, looking slightly in the direction of Janet, before turning back in the direction of the man and his wife. Keeping her eyes on the ground and trying not to look too tensed up.

"I haven't seen it. I only arrived this morning."

[Dr. Eskander Alshiza]

“Well, it’s a wonderful place, though I might be a bit biased,” he said with a chuckle. “I know this may be all a little daunting for you, but I give you my pledge that my staff and I will do our level best to make your stay a fruitful and enjoyable one. All I ask is you give us a chance and be earnest and honest with my team.”

“Special Agent Forrester has briefed myself and Ms. Kim about your situation. I am sure she will be looking forward to working with you to generate a plan of success.”

He took a drink of water and then said, “As you know I am the President oof the school, and have been with the UNJE for two decades… probably more. My specialty was Psychology, but now I mostly grounded in Academics and working with young Elites, like yourself, to realize their full potential.”

“Sure you don’t want a glass of water, or maybe some cola, sugar free?”

[Frozen Shadow]

There was a brief moment of silence as the girl processed what was said.

"Thank you" she finally said, although there was a bit of tension in her voice "I promised I would...behave. So I will. I'm here to watch and see that you're not the same as the others. If you know my situation then..." she trailed off, and looked away again.

"It doesn't matter. We'll see how this place is. I'll not be in the way though."

She turned back again.

"I don't want any food or drink."

[Dr. Eskander Alshiza]

He grew more serious and added, “What you suffered was abhorrent and stands against everything I consider good and just. You are valued here, and you can come here at any time if you need to speak and I am sure Ms. Kim will say the same.”

“This can be a fresh start for you, and a huge opportunity to really change the trajectory of your life. I hope you seize it and run with it.”

[Frozen Shadow]

Shadow clenched her fists, which as they were hidden under her hoodie sleeves meant it wouldn't be easily seen but was likely obvious in her body language.

"That's what they all say" she replied in an angry tone before pausing and taking a small breath.

"Sorry."

She looked down at the ground.

"I know what you are doing. I'm...I don't trust easily. Sorry. Please tell me more about...the institute."

[Dr. Eskander Alshiza]

“No harm done, and I apologize if I triggered you. The Institute is state of the art, it’s a thirty billion investment in the future of our planet. We have a campus wide artificial intelligence named ADINA that can assist you with just about task you can imagine. We have assembled some of the best instructors and mentors to assist you in finding success. I personally love the Refuge, great jogging trails. The dorms are roomy and each has their own bathroom. Plus the food is amazing, which is why I need those jogging trails.”

He chuckled and added, “It’s a real adventure here and I am sure you will discover for yourself what makes this place so special.”

[Dapper Dog]

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“Has my husband tried to humble brag about his running career,” the woman returned to the kitchen. “Anyway, the name is Sharetha darling and you are always welcome here. Did he offer you something to drink? The food is almost ready so please say you will stay for supper?”

[Frozen Shadow]

The woman returning to the kitchen had Shadow moving further away, briefly looking up at the newer person before going quiet again for a moment and looking down.

"No food or drink" she said after a moment, before taking a breath.

"That is a lot of money to spend on exper....helping people" she corrected quickly "so it's very big and has lots of testing. I don't think I'll explore much, maybe look from the outside and from the grounds. I don't want to go into the places people are staying in. Are there many people there?"

There was another pause before she added "I don't need a lot of space to live."

[Dapper Dog]

Eskander is about to intervene but his wife is… well she is a loving mother to all.

Smother-Mother mode activated. Sharetha gets even closer and says, “Oh you poor child, are you okay, you sure, we have plenty to go around. Now you don’t have to be around people if you don’t like I am sure his little school has remote options, like virtual schooly things and online whatever. Like the tiktoks, or something?”