The Ranch

Luncheon (2)

Along with the sound of chewing and clinks of silverware on plates, there's a few different conversations going on.

A researcher swirls his fork in the air as he talks," It was a very impressive tournament this time around. The ratings will be high. And who woulda thought, it's all due to your team."

By "your" team, the researcher means a team of newbies.

"Giving us all the credit would be an injustice to the other teams." Victor shows a polite smile as he dabs his mouth with a napkin.

"Even so, you have to give yourselves credit where it's due. Your performances were the most entertaining of the bunch." A researcher nods to himself.

Galone stops his talk with a fellow sponsor and turns to the team,"You're all still new to the island. Is there anything you're curious about?"

Finally. This is what the team wanted when entering the tournament. More specifically, it's what Sherlock, Kai, and Victor wanted.

They're still new to the island and there's some things you can only find out through experience. These scientists have been on the island a while, so they should know a thing or two. They also have a good impression of the team, so they might be more willing to say things.

But they don't want to jump straight off the deep end. They need to start slow. Sherlock decides on the first question," We were curious about how the language difference is fixed? Why can we all understand each other?"

The researchers perk up their ears.

"Ohhh, so they've already noticed?"

"Quite inquisitive fellows, wouldn't you say?"

Galone answers their question," Yes. You've probably noticed that everyone speaks the same language. All written words are also automatically translated into something you personally understand. This is due to an invention created when the island was first brought into being. We don't know who created it, but some of us do maintenance on it every once in a while."

"It's a barrier of sorts. And the lad covers the entire island. Marvelous, isn't it." Scovalof meets their gaze with heated eyes.

"And it's all thanks to the sacrifice of only a single-" The researcher is cut off by a hand that covers his mouth. The other sponsors glare at him and he doesn't speak again.

There's a short period of silence before the team continues asking questions.

"Why are there only men on the island?" Abel asks.

"Oh, they used to scout girls as well, but mixing genders caused a lot of problems. After some research, our ancestors found that males recall-...are more apt for island life. So from then on, only boys were scouted." The one that was answering paused in the middle when he got glares from the others. The team could tell he changed his words.

There's this weird atmosphere that started after that first question. Henri sits on the sidelines, eating from his plate casually, seemingly not caring about the conversation. He smirks when the man pauses, but no one notices.

Gaylord talks for the first time since his introduction, "But very, very rarely, if they are special enough, they'll overlook a few things."

A researcher sighs a melancholic sigh, not thinking before saying,"If they're really great, they'll be taken directly into head-" Grumbledor is on the man's right. He nudges his shoulder, causing the man to bite his tongue, but he doesn't dare get angry after realizing what he was about to say.

The man fakes a cough,"My apologies." He hunches down, trying to lower his sense of presence. Henri's smile remains stationary throughout the whole ordeal.

Sherlock, Kai, and Victor make eye contact.

"...What is the headquarters exactly?" Kai hesitates to ask.

A hush falls over the room. The sponsors look between each other. Finally, Galone speaks up, "...you must've noticed by now. Those able to come here aren't normal. Why do you think that is?" He stares into Kai's eyes.

"It has a purpose." Pierre shrugs at the obvious. Galone looks at the red head.

"It must have an end goal, one that hasn't yet ended." Lucien mutters.

Galone looks between the children that haven't even hit puberty yet(accept for maybe Theodore). He shakes his head with a sigh. Even if he wanted to tell them, he can't.

Technically, they're not supposed to know anything either, but headquarters let's them be. Your bound to figure out a few things the longer you stay on the island, they can't just off all of us.

"Improve yourselves. That's all you can do right now. Don't go around snooping into something you shouldn't. Lest you be." He drags his finger across his neck.

"Curious butchered the cat, kids." Scovalof wags his finger around.

"...I don't think that's the-nevermind." Kai decides to shit his mouth.