Prologue: The Commission

[Jon]

Michael wanders towards the door, half-evesdropping on the conversation. Christ, and she thought I was dangerous? I'm not the one getting chewed out by the Queen.

[Halbarad]

The Queen breaks into a wide smile. "It's not the first time I've heard rabbit jokes, believe me - although very rarely to my face, at least any more."

Sailor Moon looks slightly bemused, and Mars just shakes her head a bit - but you can see she's fighting a smile as well.  "Good luck with your mission, Rowan. I'm looking forward to hearing back from you." Serenity gives the young summoner a nod, smiling as she dismisses the redhead.

[Ebiris]

Rowan continues glowing crimson as she bows deeply. "Thank you, your Majesty. I hope I'll have good news when next we speak."

Accepting her dismissal, the summoner takes a couple of steps backwards before she turns and leaves the throne room, only hurrying to catch up with the rest once she's out of the Queen's sight.

That went... really well, actually, she thinks, rather pleased with herself.

[Halbarad]

Alena is waiting with the rest of the group, easily visible from the entrance to the throne room - although Michael seems to be lagging behind the others a bit. When Rowan and Michael join the other two, she nods.

"The rest of the day today is your own," she says, leading the group back through the hallways of the palace towards the grand entrance. "You'll need to be here by 10 AM tomorrow, however, for your initial mission briefing with Dr. Mizuno - she's the head of the survey project. We also suggest that you pack your belongings for the trip - we have rooms prepared for all of you here in the palace while you're undergoing your basic training for the mission, and you're encouraged to make use of them while you're here - it's a good deal cheaper than a hotel, at least." She smiles a bit at that.

The four arrive at the silver doors after a short walk, and Alena hands out badges to each of the surveyors-to-be - each with their name and a picture, one you recognize from when you submitted your application, although Michael's is a surprise to him - he has no idea where they got it. The top half of the badge is metallic silver, with a golden stripe below it; the top of the badge simply reads 'Research'. "Simply show these at the gates when you arrive tomorrow morning, and take a seat in the main waiting room by the entrance." She points to a door off to the side from where you now stand. "I'll be here at 10 AM sharp tomorrow to take you into the research division, so don't be late! Anyway, enjoy the rest of your evening - and we'll see you all tomorrow."

She smiles and bows once, and the massive doors behind you swing open.

[Ebiris]

Rowan briefly debates. While she does have her home here in the capital, and a nice enough home it is, too... how often will she get to stay in the royal palace in her life?

Pocketing her badge, she nods to Alena and the others. "I'll see you all tomorrow, then," she offers, leaving the palace before taking the subway home to pack. And of course be interrogated by her mum over what the Queen was like. Rabbits... she snorts quietly to herself, amused by the faux pas in retrospect. At least the royal family were certainly nice enough about it.

[Carthrat]

"Uh, Rowan, wait up!" calls Arkian, taking has badge and rushing after her. "Are you using the subway?"

[Ebiris]

Rowan pauses at the gate to give Arkian a curious look. "Yes. My house is only a couple of stops from the palace. Why do you ask?"

[Carthrat]

"Oh, yes, my hotel is on the subway line," replies Arkian, shrugging. "I figured we may as well catch it together.

What did the Queen say to you?"

[Ebiris]

"If you like," Rowan shrugs amiably, waiting for Arkian to catch up before continuing on out of the palace.

"The Queen was just saying that she's been following my progress and has high hopes for my performance on this mission."

The summoner elects not to mention anything about the rabbits, however.

[Carthrat]

"Ah," replies Arkian. "Following your progress as a summoner? You must be quite the talent."

[Ebiris]

"I never really thought I was anything special," Rowan admits, blushing. "But it is a rare enough skill to begin with..."

[Carthrat]

"What have you been doing up until now, though?" asks Arkian, curiously. "I mean, what was your occupation?"

[Ebiris]

"Academia, mostly," Rowan smiles. "I only got my Masters in History a few months back. If not for this mission I'd probably have gotten a research and teaching position at the University.

"Even with leaving the university, I've pretty much spent the past few months doing research of my own for some other papers I've been working on. Those likely won't get published until after the mission - not that I mind, since what I learn on the other worlds can be incorporated, and the prestige of this mission will make publishing a LOT easier."

Concluding, Rowan glances at Arkian. "Mind if I turn the question back at you?"

[Carthrat]

"Something different every month," replies Arkian. "Before I found I earned this mission, I was aiding in housing construction in Haven, of all things. But I was a journalist only last year, and I somehow got involved in a jewlers the year before that, and I think at some point I drove a firetruck, and before that I was a pilot.."

He smiles a slightly embarrased smile. "I even joined the army, though god only knows why. Nothing seems to really hold me for long."

[Ebiris]

"Oh, my," Rowan chuckles. "I suppose at least it gives you some diverse experience."

As the pair descend into the subway station, she adds, "And you're a Geomancer as well?"