Magna City Shining Congress – Main Lobby

[Jackie Cat]

A civilised world is not only ordinary society and its comings and goings. Civilisation must have its bright spires and halls of power, its works of art and genius, its gleaming aspirations to greatness and enlightenment. What a wonder, to see educated and civic-minded individuals coming together, not to feud and vie with one another, but to put the resources afforded them towards the common good of the world!

With a flash, Articuno brought the Wayfarers another thousand miles and two time zones east, arriving with a brisk drop in ambient temperature in an enormous foyer of sorts. The Saint's signature frost soon melted away in the temperate Alexandrian air of the east coast. In three directions were wide and tall archways to what looked like a buffet, a lounge, and an indoor pavilion.

The bright reception halls of the Shining Congress were a shock to the eyes for any accustomed to Frontier Town's drabs or to Novelux's pale and austere grandeur. Here was rich red carpeting, marble columns in the style of the Arcadellen Renewal, electric lighting, framed paintings and artifacts, dapper valets serving platters of appetisers and sparkling wine, air conditioning, indoor fountains, a live band – all attended by adherents of the Covenant, each with their silver lantern lapel pins.

Bright-eyed youths gave each other earnest accounts of their ongoing work, which may or may not have been an inexpert form of flirting – whoever's accomplishments in technology or charity or societal philosophy being the greatest therefore having the most appeal. Wizened luminaries conversed in the manner of statesmen, speaking of regional capitals, fellow senators, and the looming retirement of the last knights of the founding. Several of the Teardrop Station staff were here too, though keeping with each other more than mingling, and clearly a little over-awed themselves by this – the gleaming heart of the Covenant.

And also here, of course, were the Wayfarers, who immediately earned themselves glances from many in the area. There couldn't be more than a few hundred real members, discounting staff. It would be no surprise if regulars at the Congress recognised most Covenant by sight.

"Please do enjoy yourselves," said Articuno, mildly. "The catering is complementary – just be sure that you're gracious about it."

 

[Jackie Cat]

Laura had been anticipating a return to the Covenant since the Wayfarers were displaced across the continent. She'd been preparing mentally, asking after every stray story of a possible CDE agent in hiding, training with Malachai and whoever else would spar with them – anything to stay productive. Time not spent working towards the inevitable mission felt somehow... un-earned.

She hadn't expected it all to happen so suddenly and all at once.

Sada and Betel, who Jade had parted with in some tinker-town in Prosper, had apparently headed east, back towards the Congress. Sada, in all her optimistic ingenuity, had decided to create a Waypoint just outside the Congress, to obviate the need to take Articuno Airlines there. Then, only hours after the two of them stepped (and floated) into town, so too had a messenger from the Covenant: Bobby, the Hypno gentlemon who'd sat at the head of the Roundtable.

"Why, I do give you all the best of wishes, both mine own and those of my dear friend Arthur, the aforementioned fellow bein' the one who made the request of my time and sensibilities to deliver y'all an invitation. Now, see, Arthur has been not insubstantially laid up of late, but by rights and mercies he's feelin' well enough about now to finally entertain some guests, as it were—"

Bobby was a 'mon of many, many words, but the bottom line was that three or four representatives for the Wayfarers were expected at the Shining Congress at their earliest convenience, to meet with Lord Arthur for afternoon tea and 'an inquiring discussion about their respective inclinations and intentions'.

And so, after some ensuing discussion about whether to accept, that they had to accept this one chance to meet with Arthur himself, who should go (and who shouldn't go), how they should handle themselves (politely), and so on... they'd arrived. With Betel present, alongside Professor Sada of all 'mon.

"I have met with Arthur before," remarked Sada, as the group entered the antechamber of the building. "It was an interesting experience. I am afraid I do not have any particular insights for you, however—as we have established, the nuances of social interactions escape me, and I believe the technical details of our discussion would escape you. Even so, I can tell you that I found him agreeable and hospitable to speak with."

"That's reassuring," lied Laura. "Thanks."

"You are very welcome!"

Laura had been expecting some heads to turn at the arrival of the 'Lighthouse', the Porygon2 amongst their small party. Betel had been strangely – uncharacteristically – insistent on their inclusion in the group. 'I desire to meet the individual who ordered my creation,' or something like that. But no, the Congress was hardly the bustling hive of activity it had been last time. In fairness, that had been a party, but even so, Laura had expected more people present. The place was practically empty.

Up ahead, it looked like Gladius had made it back safely. The Zoroark was here, in his guise as Ser Iridium, the Lucario knight.

There was no sign of Matthias.