[Game] Lord Windos' PokeRole Adventure: Celadon City Vandel

[Lord Windos]

Spoiler

"Arial, be quiet for a minute and stand watch.  Don't need any disturbances right now."

Well then, back to Alexandria and the questions she's posing...

"Not quite a rescue team, but you could say that's one reason we're here even though it's not the main one.  We arrived about...two and a half hours ago.  I'd received intel from one of my incredibly skilled informants that there was something nefarious going on in this research facility, and that it wasn't as mothballed as everyone thought it was.  National Guard's struggling to keep the Nuclear types contained.  Decided to pay the place a visit to try and deal with the root of the problem since the NG can't seem to or won't try to do so themselves.  We're a small group of three, but we're not dead yet, thankfully."

Now then, as for the more relevant questions...
"Didn't force open anything.  Found a key card in the main lobby.  Door was unbarred as well.  Morphine overdoses are dangerous things, as I'm sure you're well aware.  The fact that I'm even speaking with you face-to-face at all is nothing short of a miracle."

Reiner pulls up a chair.  "No doubt you have further questions, and I'll do my best to answer them, but I need to ask you to remain as calm as you can.  Some of the answers aren't going to be pretty, and freaking out in this place would be ill-advised, as I'm sure you're aware.  The cafeteria is completely overrun with nasty critters, and I'd rather not attract their attention."

Alexandria, to her credit, seemed to be able to easily follow along and digest the fact that you and the party are basically an ad hoc mercenary group picking up the slack from the National Guard, intensely listen, nodding occasionally, and hanging off on your every word while not commenting for the most part. She did interrupt you once during your briefing, looking rather annoyed/huffy despite still adjusting to the reality of actually being saved.

"The NRF is not conducting or engaging in any 'nefarious' research, sir. Just because our facility main focus is.....was investigating and experiment with Nuclear Power and energy did not make it and everyone working here a mad scientist bent of global devastation, like that damn CURIE. Honestly, they've given such a horrible name to Nuclear Research that the NRF was forced to continue operations quietly, lest the fearful and ignorant public start forming fearmongering mobs and persecute me and my fellow researchers...."

"*Huffs*…Sorry about going off on a tirade like that, sir. I know I shouldn't have taken it out on you, but I'm so sick and tired of the stigma that follows my profession, and....the constant stress that the Outbreak has engendered in me...got to me for a moment. Please, continue...."

Your next few answers, however, serve only to confuse the bullish woman, causing her to look at you disbelievingly.

"What? No, that's impossible. Not getting a Keycard - I don't doubt you.....found it on the remains of one of staff here, after you gained access to the Entrance - but the door and being drugged. I-I don't remembering disassembling the barricade last night, and...and I definitely don't remembering......overdosing on Morphine, so those can't be the case. *Looks down* T-That was only s-supposed to be a....last resort, if I...couldn't....handle...it, like the....others."

You almost didn't catch her muttering that last part, as she stared at lap and squeezed her hands even harder together, avoiding you gaze and shrinking in on herself, as if not to be judged.

She 'perks' back up when you drag a chair over and asked for her to remain calm for upcoming revelations, to which at first she could only stare at you frowning for a few second, before she let out a *Snort* and her expression became....grim as she shares that smile with you, which is just as ghastly now as you say it the first time.

"Yes, I am. More so than you, as a matter of fact, though that is not something to brag about. After....living through almost three weeks of this.....hell, one learns to become.....numb to the horrors, and inured to the....stress. Freaking out is entirely counterproductive, and only serves to attract.....unwanted attention, and causes people to make....ill advised decisions. Those that managed to evade being hunted down by the....specimens didn't learn how to cope, or couldn't anymore....."

The minotauress pauses at this point, her gaze becoming cast in shadow as she languidly motioned to her....colleges.

"Well, that speaks for, doesn't it? Or....it doesn't, really."

Surprisingly, a few chuckles bubble up from the Researcher, but they are dark and humorless, like a tar pit.

"...If only they held out, just a little longer, if Chris hadn't come up with that stupid, stupid idea...."

She morosely whispers that under her breath, though you easily pick it up, due to you heavily scrutinizing her condition. A few seconds later, she resumes speaking,  ceasing that hideous smile and mellowing out somewhat, her tone returning to its default mode: clinical, bookish, but affable enough.

"....Sorry about that. As I was....alluding to, I believe I am capable of handling any gruesome or bizarre truth now, no matter how.....extreme they might be. So long as its possible to happen, anyway. Regardless, I really only have one pressing question right now, and the rest can be sorted out at a later, more convenient time: When can your team and myself escape the NRF? Soon, I hope, but let me here your answer first before we start going off on tangents."

Straight to the point, she is. Refreshing, normally, but maybe not so in this case...