S a l e t é I V

XXXVIII - Nichoir - Un

"We've got it all worked out, so you ain't got nothing to worry your pretty little heads over. I've been doing that thing that Monet sometimes does, uh, what do you call it... Thinking?"

Spears was the one to greet them at the factory door that afternoon in the first twist of the day, with Captain nowhere to be seen. 

As it turned out, the boy who usually served as the guard was further inside with the others, him and Chief now going through several preparations of their own for the trek across the underground that was ahead of them.

Come to think of it, this would be the first time since the complex had been destroyed that they would be going so far out, wouldn't it? The thought was a little daunting for Cassie, though the presence of the young man now leading them inside curbed any apprehension.

All of the factory children were down on the ground floor that day, the only exception being Gunner. He'd perched himself on the edge of the second floor platform as he looked down at them, watching and listening from there. 

As they arrived at the main chamber, Chief was giving out a few words of encouragement to the others as he strapped his backpack on, Captain doing the same with the one he would be taking.

Instead of continuing on any further, Spears turned to the Jouets as he began to relay the plan they'd come up with.

"We figured that seeing as you're gonna be going in a three, we'd bring dopey over there with us too so we could even it out." He said, pointing to Captain with a thumb over his shoulder.

"We also figured that it'd be kinda stupid to just walk right on into a Sabre sponsored gig, or whatever, so we're gonna play it safe, and by that I mean I'm going in first."

"What?" Klavdiya asked, not following yet.

"When we get there, I'm gonna go in and show my pass and all of that, have a look about and what not. You know, scope the place out, make sure no funny business is going on. Then, if it's all legit, I'll come and get you guys." He explained, entirely nonchalantly.

"And if it isn't...?" Zisel asked, of course being the one to express concern first.

"Then I've only gotta worry about getting myself outta there instead of getting all of you lot out too. Even if I end up stuck, don't sweat it, it'll take more than a bunch of goons in silly costumes to hold me down." He assured her, cracking a genuine smirk.

Cassia admired his attitude - she really did - but she wasn't going to be able to not worry about him.

"And I'm not listening to no arguing either." He began, suddenly sounding stern.

"I'm going first, and that's that. Either that, or we don't go. Your choice."

"If those are the terms you've decided upon..." Monet replied, seemingly admiring his bravado in her own quiet sort of way, whilst also holding some of that same concern too.

"They're here!"

Sweets was the one to reveal their arrival to everyone else, the young miss jumping up from her stool near the candles as excitement took hold. They'd been so preoccupied with their own discussions and speculations that they hadn't noticed the Jouets right away, even with their full roster, the natural darkness of the old building helping to mask their forms.

That concealment was no more as she and Sleeves came rushing to meet them, Shipshape, Swoopy and Sunshine hanging back to give them some space. Chief and Captain looked their way as well, the boys moving to finish up their preparations swiftly now that they were aware of their guests.