Encounterlogs
Trevors Odd Encounter Sr Lauren 240416
In the Pulse Fitness Center, Trevor's routine workout takes an unusual twist when Matilda, a mousy-looking woman and a member of the Sapphire Martyrs, approaches him with a recruiting pitch. She unveils a chilling prophecy suggesting Trevor plays a crucial role in Earth's impending destruction, prompting him to strike a delicate balance between seeking information and maintaining his cover. Matilda's attempt to rope Trevor into joining her group reveals the cult's belief in an apocalyptic future, where select individuals marked by the sapphire sigil are destined to save other worlds from a similar fate. Despite Matilda's fervent appeal, filled with ominous warnings and a sense of dire urgency, Trevor remains skeptical, engaging her in a conversation that veers into the hypothetical realm of zombie apocalypses and the value of physical fitness in survival scenarios.
As the conversation unfolds, Gabriella, a teenage gym-goer, becomes inadvertently involved, offering her insights and questioningly probing Matilda's assertions. This leads to a broader discussion about the Sapphire Martyrs' belief system and their recruitment criteria, focusing on obedience and the willingness to sacrifice for the "greater good" of otherworldly salvation. Matilda's frustration mounts as her efforts to convince Trevor and Gabriella are met with curiosity rather than commitment, ultimately culminating in her abrupt departure following a reprimand received through her hidden earpiece. Left in the wake of Matilda's exit, Trevor and Gabriella reflect on the encounter, with Gabriella expressing a twinge of curiosity about the cult's interest in Trevor and the premises of their apocalyptic prophecy. As Matilda retreats, she leaves behind an open yet enigmatic invitation to the duo, hinting at the possibility of their involvement in the Sapphire Martyrs' grand, albeit murky, plan for redemption across the cosmos.
(Trevor's odd encounter(SRLauren):SRLauren)
[Mon Apr 15 2024]
In the Pulse Fitness Center
The walls of this spacious, well-lit gym are adorned with motivational quotes and vibrant teal accents, igniting a sense of determination. The dark gray floor boasts a resilient rubberized surface, absorbing each footfall with a slight rebound. Mirrored walls stretch across the left side, offering a reflection of dedication and progress. The air is filled with the energizing hum of people pushing themselves to new heights, while upbeat music provides the perfect rhythm for intense workouts.
It is noon, about 58F(14C) degrees, and there are a few dark grey stormclouds in the sky.
(Your target is confronted by a member of the Sapphire Martyrs who is trying to recruit them. This recruiter reveals a chilling prophecy that suggests your target will play a key role in the destruction of Earth. Your target must navigate this conversation, trying to glean as much information about the Sapphire Martyrs' plans while maintaining their own cover. They may choose to feign interest in joining, sabotage the group from within, or attempt to dissuade the recruiter from their fatalistic path.)
The steady hum of treadmills and the clang of metal against metal provides the soundtrack above the upbeat music that booms throughout the area, and the vibrant energy of the room envelops gym-goers in an energetic embrace, the fitness center illuminated by the lights of the spacious gym and even more so by the large floor-to-ceiling windows that line the wall, providing a view of Paine street. Trevor's feet pound against the rubberized surface of the treadmill where he works up a sweat, each step a rhythmic cadence repetitive enough to make one zone out.
Alas, it is not to be. It being the afternoon on a Monday morning, there's not a lot of people willing to brave the gym, only a sparse few other individuals present here. Amongst them, one in particular has been casting glances over at him since the moment he entered, a mousy-looking woman who doesn't seem as though she visits the gym with any sort of regularity. She's tall, if a little overweight, and eventually, once enough glances have been cast his way, she makes her way over to indulge in the biggest sin of gym-kind: striking up conversation. "Hi. Trevor, right?" she asks him, a tap upon the side of the treadmill announcing her presence to him in case he's zoned out enough.
It does not take a genious to notice that Gabriella doesn't work out too often, but apparently she is one of the Pulse Fitness Center subscribers, or at least someone coming into the the gym properly equipped, with the plan of working out, burning some callories or something like that. She does not seem to know Trevor or the mousy woman, she just looks around with that look of someone who isn't not quite sure where to start her workout.
Trevor was entirely focused on his workout, zoned out as his feet slapped against the treadmill. It takes him a second to even realize someone was speaking to him, a hand reaches out towards the machine, accompanied by a soft 'beep' as he lowers the speed. A head turn towards the mousy woman, "Yeah, I'm Trevor. What's up?" He's friendly enough, despite the cardinal gym-rule being broken.
"Hi, I'm Matilda," she seems a little shy, for someone who had enough courage to engage Trevor in conversation in the first place. There's a second of distraction when she notices Gabriella enter, the mousy woman seeming to hesitate for a couple of seconds, as though she's reconsidering this course of action. A couple more seconds of staring at Gabriella, then Matilda tells Trevor, "You work here, right? I've been trying to bump into you. I'm, uh, part of an organization that reaches out to interesting newcomers in Haven. Like an, um... volunteering group... kind of thing." There's a hopeful smile flashed at the man; great, so not only does she not want to keep the conversation centered around exercise topics, she also wants to give him some sort of weird sales pitch.
Ah, gyms have rules! How cute. Gabriella does not seem bothered by them being broken - but then, she isn't exactly aware of them existing, in the first place. After an eye scan of the gym area, she walks over to what might be the most recognizable machine on a gym - a fixed bike. She does notice someone looking at her and looks back, spending a couple of seconds curiously observing her before the teenager's attention returns to the bike, which she climbs on, but then takes some time checking out its buttons and menus, trying to get aquainted with it before starting to pedal. She could get ready for it - perhaps she should, but - teens, right? - she gets a text and so, instead, she starts texting back.
Ah, gyms have rules! How cute. Gabriella does not seem bothered by them being broken - but then, she isn't exactly aware of them existing, in the first place. After an eye scan of the gym area, she walks over to what might be the most recognizable machine on a gym - a fixed bike. She does notice Matilde looking at her and looks back, spending a couple of seconds curiously observing her before the teenager's attention returns to the bike, which she climbs on, but then takes some time checking out its buttons and menus, trying to get aquainted with it before starting to pedal. She could get ready for it - perhaps she should, but - teens, right? - she gets a text and so, instead, she starts texting back.
Another beep from his machine and it off it goes, having fully worked up enough of a sweat to not be annoyed by the interruption. Trevor moves easily across the gym, beckoning Matilida to follow, he's completely at ease as he listens to the sales pitch being thrown his way. He stops in front of Gabriella who's found herself a bike "You got any questions?" he asks, wincing slightly when the phone comes out. Instead, he turns back to Matilda. "I do, yeah." A single nod follows the words, as if finally realizing the full pitch. "A volunteering group?"
Gabriella glances up from her phone, then tucks it up, not seeming to realize it has somehow offended Trevor. "Oh- yeah, no, I'm fine, thanks... this seems pretty easy" she claims, pointing to the bike's buttons. But then she actually asks him "..so, people usually do a bike ride for how long?" She hasn't even started and is already thinking about when can she stop...
Trevor raises an eyebrow, "Oh, no, sorry. You can text. I just didn't want to be rude and ask annoying questions while on your phone." Trevor replies quietly enough to be heard over the sounds of the other gym-goers. "It depends really, on what you're comfortable with. You can start slow."
The way Matilda's face falls is almost comical when Trevor walks past her and towards Gabriella to address her instead. She follows anyway, even if she looks a little affronted by being put on the proverbial backseat, but one of them works here, and so Trevor's gotta do what he's gotta do. "Yeah," she answers him, lifting up an amulet with a blue, teardrop-shaped gem hanging from it, a symbol that may or may not be familiar to Gabriella. "It's an, ummm..." There's a pause when Gabriella speaks up, her attention diverted towards the conversation. There's a shuffle, awkward. She's clearly not experienced with whatever pitch she's trying to do. "It doesn't matter anyway," she blurts out to Gabriella, somewhat haughtily, folding her arms across her chest. "Going to the gym or working out or all that, it's all pointless when the world's going to end."
Up and down a gear, a setting for inclination, and a chronometer - the high tech side of the fixed bike isn't, really, too high, or hard to understand... or even needed. Gabriella stares at Trevor enquiringly, as if expecting him to know she needs more than that - how the hell should she know what 'slow' means? But she doesn't focus on that, really, as her attention turns to the other woman again, and a small frown forms on her face. Quietly, she asks, "Is it?" She glances around and then back to the woman, adding, "if a pack of zombies come in here, don't you think whomever runs faster has an advantage?"
Gauging the reaction of Gabriella, Trevor expands slightly further. "Slow as in starting out with shorter rides, to work up the experience. There's no set amount of time you should bike ride." Chewing his lip in thought, he offers up, "But if you want a number, try ten minutes, see if you can handle that, yeah?" Then tossing a throw away nod towards Matilda, "Technically, she's got a point. Don't gotta run faster than the zombies, just faster than the others - or longer than the others."
"Inside a confined space like this? There's barely any place to run to without going through the zombies, we're all dying together." the woman returns without missing a beat, glancing back over her shoulder as though there may, in fact, just be a pack of the aforementioned zombies coming in through the door, now that Gabriella's mentioned it. There isn't, thankfully. Not yet, at least. "Plus everyone know you can't really outrun zombies where there's a billion of them everywhere. Getting food and water and a safe place is more important." She's not supposed to be arguing zombie apocalypses though - the frown on Matilda's face deepens, the woman seeming even more distraught the longer this conversation goes on. "And that's not how the world is ending anyway. You're a White Oak student aren't you? Always people like you going around thinking you know better. None of you know better." She may as well start stomping her feet at any moment now, with the tantrum that's being thrown here. Trevor gets her attention again, now: "You were a soldier, right? I reached out to you because I thought you would help with what's coming."
Gabriella oofs at Trevor's suggestion, but she does press the chronometer button, moves her feet to the pedals, and then... pushes, clearly surprised when she notices that the pedals don't just move - the high gear the bike is set up at making this an hard start. The other woman speaking is a great excuse for her to stop before starting without looking too much of a fool. While tapping several times in the 'GEAR -' button, she says "well, running from zombies was just an example, it all really depends on what sort of end of the world are you thinking of... if it is a meteorite crashing on earth, the sort of preparations needed will be different... but in any case, being fit can't hurt, right?" Being told that she doesn't know better stings, Gabriella having the self-pride and self-importance that is as misplaced as thypical of people her age. "So if you know how is it going to end, why don't you tell us? I mean, if you have proof, surely, they'll start teaching that in college instead of making us want to be prepared for everything..."
That fact about his past has Trevor spin on Matilda stomping close. Throwing a side-eye glance to Gabriella and her continued discussion of the possibl end-of-the-world scenarios, it's not one of judgement, it's just what it is, a glance. "I used to be. Not anymore." He stands straight - like a soldier waiting for inspection from a superior. "What-" he sighs, his curiosity is most likely going to be his downfall at some point. "What is it you think I can help with?" A hand gestures towards Gabriella - almost as if saying 'keep biking'. "Didn't get a lot a of training in stopping the end of the world."
Matilda bristles from Gabriella's words, as though the girl's self-importance is about to set her off into a self-important spiral of her own, but Trevor's words have her calming down, just the slightest bit. She does absolutely side-eye Gabriella while she's figuring out the cycling though, just to be a bitch. "It does not require training, but your background will be helpful. It is not... /this/ world that will be saved, but many others. ALL others." she tells the ex-soldier, pausing for a couple of seconds to collect her thoughts before she continues on.
"Prophecies." she starts, attempting to sound all wise and knowing - her demeanor leaves something lacking, alas. The next of her words carries some more weight, though, and she clasps her sapphire amulet close to herself between her palms as she recites from memory, "There are prophecies that speak of the end to come, many of them. One of them - OURS - it speaks of a time when the veil between worlds shall thin, and the threads of destiny shall unravel. In that fateful hour, the earth shall be purified in the flames of sacrifice. Many shall be chosen not by birthright or divine decree, but by the whisperings of fate itself, those marked by the sapphire sigil shall stand as beacons of darkness, their destinies entwined with the annihilation of all that is."
There's a clearing of her throat after as she gazes most regally at Gabriella and Trevor - did they get that? They better have been hanging on to her words.
Gabriella is somewhat meefed by the woman's comments, and then Trevor's gesture... grownups, hmph! But still she seems to comply, shutting up, resetting the chronometer, and starting to pedal once again. This time, she pedals with ease - too easy - the bike in the lowest gear possible which means that she has herself spinning those pedals too fast, without resistance meeting her movements. She might do this with ease, but if she keeps pedaling like this she won't last ten minutes... She listens to the woman, and then slows down her cycling a bit, moving a finger to tap 'GEAR +' once, and the she asks, a bit tiredly already, "so being fit doesn't matter, but you need soldiers?" How much of the words say she really interiorize is... debatable.
Trevor was in fact not hanging onto the words, but he did listen. It's the Canadian in him to at least be polite enough to listen. For now at least. The proselytizing will probably have him ignoring the woman soon enough. Running a hand through his sweat slicked hair, he grimaces at his hand and frowns at Matilda. "Right, so... you need soldiers? For..." glancing upwards, at the sky - to whatever being is up there. Not that he believes in it. "God? Your God, or.." he trails off, looking over his shoulder at Gabriella and offers a reassuring smile.
"Or something else entirely? Do your soldiers get to be the beacons, or is that reserved for the 'special chosen ones'." A frown forms on his face, hearing it all before. But at least he offers Matilda the chance to give a little more 'oomph' to her pitch. "What exactly are you looking for? What exactly would you need from me?"
There goes all the regalness, *pop* like a bubble being burst at not being met with awe and applause and immediate agreement to her proselytizing. The woman glares at Gabriella outright this time, there's really no other way to put it. "We need those willing to follow orders and understand what we are doing is for the greater good," she returns in answer to Gabriella's question, turning up her nose. "We need those who are willing to sacrifice, for in the crucible of sacrifice lies the promise of redemption, the promise of SALVATION for all the worlds!" She's getting to be loud - too loud, and much too strange, even for Haven standards. There's heads turning from nearby, of other gym-goers who may not have been paying too much attention to the conversation before now.
The stares from others, at least, are enough to remind poor Matilda that she should be a little more inconspicuous. She reigns herself in, though Trevor's line of questioning almost pushes her off the ledge again. Almost. "God is not real." she tells him outright, with a sad little shake of her head. "A God would never have allowed all of this to happen." The last question, though, has her seeming hopeful again. "You will help us, then?" she asks in return, without actually answering Trevor's question. "Everything will be explained to you, once you join us. You will understand what we must do to save all the worlds. I can take you to my superior." Now. She means now, with the way she's looking at Trevor. He should probably dissuade her of that before there's attempts to drag him off and away to the headquarters of something that may or may not be a cult (It's definitely a cult).
On the second gear pedaling is still very easy, but it gets easier for Gabriella to pedal not as fast as she was feeling forced to before. She remains in that setting now, as she considers more about Matilda's cult. But there she goes, being a thorn to the cultist's attempts of recruitment. "Wait so... is it all the worlds, or all the other worlds?" she asks for clarification - it turns out she has been paying attention after all, like a good student.
Stepping away from Matilda - clearly he's not satisfied by the lack of information provided in the crowded gym that has people now sort of staring at them. Trevor should probably be more understanding of that, but, unfortunately he's not. He wants the information. "I didn't say I would help you. I'm... curious." The word is said with a little reluctance, "In what you have to say. You're like most of the preachers," that word is said with a tinge of disdain. "I've met, and been preached at by, but at least you entertained the concept of zombies running around here and eating everyone first."
"And besides, you don't seem to be about God, or whatever, so you've got that going for you." He wanders over to Gabriella, checking on her progress, perhaps a little unneeded with how easily it seems to be for her now. He turns back to Matilda, "Not particularly interested in meeting any superior though. If you can't sell me on it, I don't want in."
"It is all the worlds that aren't doomed. There is no saving this one." SRLauren claims, her annoyance at being questioned negated by the fact that Gabriella had actually been somewhat keeping up with her rambling thus far. Trevor, on the other hand, is the one who gets to be the recipient of her ire now. "I'm not /preaching/." she tells him, huffing. "I'm trying to do my part to save all the worlds that can be saved. It's not a fucking sales pitch." That part does have her more than a little offended, it would seem. "The world is ending, and people like YOU just keep thinking of yourselves, of what's in it for YOU. Don't you understand--"
She cuts off abruptly, at the sound of something unheard. A pause - the woman stares into space for a couple of seconds, then reaches up to press at a button of her hidden earpiece to speak into it, "Matilda answering. I was following up on- what do you mean I'm causing a--" She shuts up, and glares at Trevor and Gabriella both now. Someone seems to be in trouble. "Fine." A single, clipped word. She removes her hand from the earpiece.
Her next words are spoken with her head held high. The reminder seems to have been enough to get her back on track. "If you want to know more, you can reach out to me in my office at 72 Elm's Bane. Just remember: the end is nigh, and when the time comes, it will be us who save what needs saving and gain redemption. Consider that, when you are finished being selfish." And with that, she makes to leave.
((OOC: Meant Matilda* instead of SRLauren in the first line. We can wrap it up here, feel free to STALK to let me know if you'd like to be dropped off somewhere!))
considers Trevor's brief attention to her workout as a sign that she is about to be criticized for still being on this gear, so, with a tap, she engages the third. Her leg movements get longer, slower. "I am curious" Gabriella, calling out to the about-to-leave cultist, admits to the same as Trevor, but then goes on "-why are you trying to recruit Trevor here, in particular?" Is Gabriella miffed about apparently not being of interest to the cultist? Trying to know if the invitation to visit them extends to her? "Is it because since he used to be a soldier, you think he's going to follow orders without questioning them?" She doesn't raise much her voice, and apparently only annoys more Matilda on her way out - Gabriella knowing that her question might remain unreplied.
Trevor smirks at the departing woman, "We already got climate change and shit. The world already is ending." He calls to her, albeit quietly as to not disturb the other guests. Matilda is gone and can't even hear it anyway.
Matilda, while on her way out, is already lifting her hand to her earpiece to speak into it, seeming flustered now that the annoyance has passed. She pauses at Gabriella's voice, glancing back for only a second. "If you want to join us, you can too. As long as you understand what needs to be done and put aside your selfishness. We are working for the betterment of many worlds." That's her last pitch, a non-answer as well as any before she slips out, grabbing her gym bag along the way and leaving the two to figure out their workouts in peace.
As the conversation unfolds, Gabriella, a teenage gym-goer, becomes inadvertently involved, offering her insights and questioningly probing Matilda's assertions. This leads to a broader discussion about the Sapphire Martyrs' belief system and their recruitment criteria, focusing on obedience and the willingness to sacrifice for the "greater good" of otherworldly salvation. Matilda's frustration mounts as her efforts to convince Trevor and Gabriella are met with curiosity rather than commitment, ultimately culminating in her abrupt departure following a reprimand received through her hidden earpiece. Left in the wake of Matilda's exit, Trevor and Gabriella reflect on the encounter, with Gabriella expressing a twinge of curiosity about the cult's interest in Trevor and the premises of their apocalyptic prophecy. As Matilda retreats, she leaves behind an open yet enigmatic invitation to the duo, hinting at the possibility of their involvement in the Sapphire Martyrs' grand, albeit murky, plan for redemption across the cosmos.
(Trevor's odd encounter(SRLauren):SRLauren)
[Mon Apr 15 2024]
In the Pulse Fitness Center
The walls of this spacious, well-lit gym are adorned with motivational quotes and vibrant teal accents, igniting a sense of determination. The dark gray floor boasts a resilient rubberized surface, absorbing each footfall with a slight rebound. Mirrored walls stretch across the left side, offering a reflection of dedication and progress. The air is filled with the energizing hum of people pushing themselves to new heights, while upbeat music provides the perfect rhythm for intense workouts.
It is noon, about 58F(14C) degrees, and there are a few dark grey stormclouds in the sky.
(Your target is confronted by a member of the Sapphire Martyrs who is trying to recruit them. This recruiter reveals a chilling prophecy that suggests your target will play a key role in the destruction of Earth. Your target must navigate this conversation, trying to glean as much information about the Sapphire Martyrs' plans while maintaining their own cover. They may choose to feign interest in joining, sabotage the group from within, or attempt to dissuade the recruiter from their fatalistic path.)
The steady hum of treadmills and the clang of metal against metal provides the soundtrack above the upbeat music that booms throughout the area, and the vibrant energy of the room envelops gym-goers in an energetic embrace, the fitness center illuminated by the lights of the spacious gym and even more so by the large floor-to-ceiling windows that line the wall, providing a view of Paine street. Trevor's feet pound against the rubberized surface of the treadmill where he works up a sweat, each step a rhythmic cadence repetitive enough to make one zone out.
Alas, it is not to be. It being the afternoon on a Monday morning, there's not a lot of people willing to brave the gym, only a sparse few other individuals present here. Amongst them, one in particular has been casting glances over at him since the moment he entered, a mousy-looking woman who doesn't seem as though she visits the gym with any sort of regularity. She's tall, if a little overweight, and eventually, once enough glances have been cast his way, she makes her way over to indulge in the biggest sin of gym-kind: striking up conversation. "Hi. Trevor, right?" she asks him, a tap upon the side of the treadmill announcing her presence to him in case he's zoned out enough.
It does not take a genious to notice that Gabriella doesn't work out too often, but apparently she is one of the Pulse Fitness Center subscribers, or at least someone coming into the the gym properly equipped, with the plan of working out, burning some callories or something like that. She does not seem to know Trevor or the mousy woman, she just looks around with that look of someone who isn't not quite sure where to start her workout.
Trevor was entirely focused on his workout, zoned out as his feet slapped against the treadmill. It takes him a second to even realize someone was speaking to him, a hand reaches out towards the machine, accompanied by a soft 'beep' as he lowers the speed. A head turn towards the mousy woman, "Yeah, I'm Trevor. What's up?" He's friendly enough, despite the cardinal gym-rule being broken.
"Hi, I'm Matilda," she seems a little shy, for someone who had enough courage to engage Trevor in conversation in the first place. There's a second of distraction when she notices Gabriella enter, the mousy woman seeming to hesitate for a couple of seconds, as though she's reconsidering this course of action. A couple more seconds of staring at Gabriella, then Matilda tells Trevor, "You work here, right? I've been trying to bump into you. I'm, uh, part of an organization that reaches out to interesting newcomers in Haven. Like an, um... volunteering group... kind of thing." There's a hopeful smile flashed at the man; great, so not only does she not want to keep the conversation centered around exercise topics, she also wants to give him some sort of weird sales pitch.
Ah, gyms have rules! How cute. Gabriella does not seem bothered by them being broken - but then, she isn't exactly aware of them existing, in the first place. After an eye scan of the gym area, she walks over to what might be the most recognizable machine on a gym - a fixed bike. She does notice someone looking at her and looks back, spending a couple of seconds curiously observing her before the teenager's attention returns to the bike, which she climbs on, but then takes some time checking out its buttons and menus, trying to get aquainted with it before starting to pedal. She could get ready for it - perhaps she should, but - teens, right? - she gets a text and so, instead, she starts texting back.
Ah, gyms have rules! How cute. Gabriella does not seem bothered by them being broken - but then, she isn't exactly aware of them existing, in the first place. After an eye scan of the gym area, she walks over to what might be the most recognizable machine on a gym - a fixed bike. She does notice Matilde looking at her and looks back, spending a couple of seconds curiously observing her before the teenager's attention returns to the bike, which she climbs on, but then takes some time checking out its buttons and menus, trying to get aquainted with it before starting to pedal. She could get ready for it - perhaps she should, but - teens, right? - she gets a text and so, instead, she starts texting back.
Another beep from his machine and it off it goes, having fully worked up enough of a sweat to not be annoyed by the interruption. Trevor moves easily across the gym, beckoning Matilida to follow, he's completely at ease as he listens to the sales pitch being thrown his way. He stops in front of Gabriella who's found herself a bike "You got any questions?" he asks, wincing slightly when the phone comes out. Instead, he turns back to Matilda. "I do, yeah." A single nod follows the words, as if finally realizing the full pitch. "A volunteering group?"
Gabriella glances up from her phone, then tucks it up, not seeming to realize it has somehow offended Trevor. "Oh- yeah, no, I'm fine, thanks... this seems pretty easy" she claims, pointing to the bike's buttons. But then she actually asks him "..so, people usually do a bike ride for how long?" She hasn't even started and is already thinking about when can she stop...
Trevor raises an eyebrow, "Oh, no, sorry. You can text. I just didn't want to be rude and ask annoying questions while on your phone." Trevor replies quietly enough to be heard over the sounds of the other gym-goers. "It depends really, on what you're comfortable with. You can start slow."
The way Matilda's face falls is almost comical when Trevor walks past her and towards Gabriella to address her instead. She follows anyway, even if she looks a little affronted by being put on the proverbial backseat, but one of them works here, and so Trevor's gotta do what he's gotta do. "Yeah," she answers him, lifting up an amulet with a blue, teardrop-shaped gem hanging from it, a symbol that may or may not be familiar to Gabriella. "It's an, ummm..." There's a pause when Gabriella speaks up, her attention diverted towards the conversation. There's a shuffle, awkward. She's clearly not experienced with whatever pitch she's trying to do. "It doesn't matter anyway," she blurts out to Gabriella, somewhat haughtily, folding her arms across her chest. "Going to the gym or working out or all that, it's all pointless when the world's going to end."
Up and down a gear, a setting for inclination, and a chronometer - the high tech side of the fixed bike isn't, really, too high, or hard to understand... or even needed. Gabriella stares at Trevor enquiringly, as if expecting him to know she needs more than that - how the hell should she know what 'slow' means? But she doesn't focus on that, really, as her attention turns to the other woman again, and a small frown forms on her face. Quietly, she asks, "Is it?" She glances around and then back to the woman, adding, "if a pack of zombies come in here, don't you think whomever runs faster has an advantage?"
Gauging the reaction of Gabriella, Trevor expands slightly further. "Slow as in starting out with shorter rides, to work up the experience. There's no set amount of time you should bike ride." Chewing his lip in thought, he offers up, "But if you want a number, try ten minutes, see if you can handle that, yeah?" Then tossing a throw away nod towards Matilda, "Technically, she's got a point. Don't gotta run faster than the zombies, just faster than the others - or longer than the others."
"Inside a confined space like this? There's barely any place to run to without going through the zombies, we're all dying together." the woman returns without missing a beat, glancing back over her shoulder as though there may, in fact, just be a pack of the aforementioned zombies coming in through the door, now that Gabriella's mentioned it. There isn't, thankfully. Not yet, at least. "Plus everyone know you can't really outrun zombies where there's a billion of them everywhere. Getting food and water and a safe place is more important." She's not supposed to be arguing zombie apocalypses though - the frown on Matilda's face deepens, the woman seeming even more distraught the longer this conversation goes on. "And that's not how the world is ending anyway. You're a White Oak student aren't you? Always people like you going around thinking you know better. None of you know better." She may as well start stomping her feet at any moment now, with the tantrum that's being thrown here. Trevor gets her attention again, now: "You were a soldier, right? I reached out to you because I thought you would help with what's coming."
Gabriella oofs at Trevor's suggestion, but she does press the chronometer button, moves her feet to the pedals, and then... pushes, clearly surprised when she notices that the pedals don't just move - the high gear the bike is set up at making this an hard start. The other woman speaking is a great excuse for her to stop before starting without looking too much of a fool. While tapping several times in the 'GEAR -' button, she says "well, running from zombies was just an example, it all really depends on what sort of end of the world are you thinking of... if it is a meteorite crashing on earth, the sort of preparations needed will be different... but in any case, being fit can't hurt, right?" Being told that she doesn't know better stings, Gabriella having the self-pride and self-importance that is as misplaced as thypical of people her age. "So if you know how is it going to end, why don't you tell us? I mean, if you have proof, surely, they'll start teaching that in college instead of making us want to be prepared for everything..."
That fact about his past has Trevor spin on Matilda stomping close. Throwing a side-eye glance to Gabriella and her continued discussion of the possibl end-of-the-world scenarios, it's not one of judgement, it's just what it is, a glance. "I used to be. Not anymore." He stands straight - like a soldier waiting for inspection from a superior. "What-" he sighs, his curiosity is most likely going to be his downfall at some point. "What is it you think I can help with?" A hand gestures towards Gabriella - almost as if saying 'keep biking'. "Didn't get a lot a of training in stopping the end of the world."
Matilda bristles from Gabriella's words, as though the girl's self-importance is about to set her off into a self-important spiral of her own, but Trevor's words have her calming down, just the slightest bit. She does absolutely side-eye Gabriella while she's figuring out the cycling though, just to be a bitch. "It does not require training, but your background will be helpful. It is not... /this/ world that will be saved, but many others. ALL others." she tells the ex-soldier, pausing for a couple of seconds to collect her thoughts before she continues on.
"Prophecies." she starts, attempting to sound all wise and knowing - her demeanor leaves something lacking, alas. The next of her words carries some more weight, though, and she clasps her sapphire amulet close to herself between her palms as she recites from memory, "There are prophecies that speak of the end to come, many of them. One of them - OURS - it speaks of a time when the veil between worlds shall thin, and the threads of destiny shall unravel. In that fateful hour, the earth shall be purified in the flames of sacrifice. Many shall be chosen not by birthright or divine decree, but by the whisperings of fate itself, those marked by the sapphire sigil shall stand as beacons of darkness, their destinies entwined with the annihilation of all that is."
There's a clearing of her throat after as she gazes most regally at Gabriella and Trevor - did they get that? They better have been hanging on to her words.
Gabriella is somewhat meefed by the woman's comments, and then Trevor's gesture... grownups, hmph! But still she seems to comply, shutting up, resetting the chronometer, and starting to pedal once again. This time, she pedals with ease - too easy - the bike in the lowest gear possible which means that she has herself spinning those pedals too fast, without resistance meeting her movements. She might do this with ease, but if she keeps pedaling like this she won't last ten minutes... She listens to the woman, and then slows down her cycling a bit, moving a finger to tap 'GEAR +' once, and the she asks, a bit tiredly already, "so being fit doesn't matter, but you need soldiers?" How much of the words say she really interiorize is... debatable.
Trevor was in fact not hanging onto the words, but he did listen. It's the Canadian in him to at least be polite enough to listen. For now at least. The proselytizing will probably have him ignoring the woman soon enough. Running a hand through his sweat slicked hair, he grimaces at his hand and frowns at Matilda. "Right, so... you need soldiers? For..." glancing upwards, at the sky - to whatever being is up there. Not that he believes in it. "God? Your God, or.." he trails off, looking over his shoulder at Gabriella and offers a reassuring smile.
"Or something else entirely? Do your soldiers get to be the beacons, or is that reserved for the 'special chosen ones'." A frown forms on his face, hearing it all before. But at least he offers Matilda the chance to give a little more 'oomph' to her pitch. "What exactly are you looking for? What exactly would you need from me?"
There goes all the regalness, *pop* like a bubble being burst at not being met with awe and applause and immediate agreement to her proselytizing. The woman glares at Gabriella outright this time, there's really no other way to put it. "We need those willing to follow orders and understand what we are doing is for the greater good," she returns in answer to Gabriella's question, turning up her nose. "We need those who are willing to sacrifice, for in the crucible of sacrifice lies the promise of redemption, the promise of SALVATION for all the worlds!" She's getting to be loud - too loud, and much too strange, even for Haven standards. There's heads turning from nearby, of other gym-goers who may not have been paying too much attention to the conversation before now.
The stares from others, at least, are enough to remind poor Matilda that she should be a little more inconspicuous. She reigns herself in, though Trevor's line of questioning almost pushes her off the ledge again. Almost. "God is not real." she tells him outright, with a sad little shake of her head. "A God would never have allowed all of this to happen." The last question, though, has her seeming hopeful again. "You will help us, then?" she asks in return, without actually answering Trevor's question. "Everything will be explained to you, once you join us. You will understand what we must do to save all the worlds. I can take you to my superior." Now. She means now, with the way she's looking at Trevor. He should probably dissuade her of that before there's attempts to drag him off and away to the headquarters of something that may or may not be a cult (It's definitely a cult).
On the second gear pedaling is still very easy, but it gets easier for Gabriella to pedal not as fast as she was feeling forced to before. She remains in that setting now, as she considers more about Matilda's cult. But there she goes, being a thorn to the cultist's attempts of recruitment. "Wait so... is it all the worlds, or all the other worlds?" she asks for clarification - it turns out she has been paying attention after all, like a good student.
Stepping away from Matilda - clearly he's not satisfied by the lack of information provided in the crowded gym that has people now sort of staring at them. Trevor should probably be more understanding of that, but, unfortunately he's not. He wants the information. "I didn't say I would help you. I'm... curious." The word is said with a little reluctance, "In what you have to say. You're like most of the preachers," that word is said with a tinge of disdain. "I've met, and been preached at by, but at least you entertained the concept of zombies running around here and eating everyone first."
"And besides, you don't seem to be about God, or whatever, so you've got that going for you." He wanders over to Gabriella, checking on her progress, perhaps a little unneeded with how easily it seems to be for her now. He turns back to Matilda, "Not particularly interested in meeting any superior though. If you can't sell me on it, I don't want in."
"It is all the worlds that aren't doomed. There is no saving this one." SRLauren claims, her annoyance at being questioned negated by the fact that Gabriella had actually been somewhat keeping up with her rambling thus far. Trevor, on the other hand, is the one who gets to be the recipient of her ire now. "I'm not /preaching/." she tells him, huffing. "I'm trying to do my part to save all the worlds that can be saved. It's not a fucking sales pitch." That part does have her more than a little offended, it would seem. "The world is ending, and people like YOU just keep thinking of yourselves, of what's in it for YOU. Don't you understand--"
She cuts off abruptly, at the sound of something unheard. A pause - the woman stares into space for a couple of seconds, then reaches up to press at a button of her hidden earpiece to speak into it, "Matilda answering. I was following up on- what do you mean I'm causing a--" She shuts up, and glares at Trevor and Gabriella both now. Someone seems to be in trouble. "Fine." A single, clipped word. She removes her hand from the earpiece.
Her next words are spoken with her head held high. The reminder seems to have been enough to get her back on track. "If you want to know more, you can reach out to me in my office at 72 Elm's Bane. Just remember: the end is nigh, and when the time comes, it will be us who save what needs saving and gain redemption. Consider that, when you are finished being selfish." And with that, she makes to leave.
((OOC: Meant Matilda* instead of SRLauren in the first line. We can wrap it up here, feel free to STALK to let me know if you'd like to be dropped off somewhere!))
considers Trevor's brief attention to her workout as a sign that she is about to be criticized for still being on this gear, so, with a tap, she engages the third. Her leg movements get longer, slower. "I am curious" Gabriella, calling out to the about-to-leave cultist, admits to the same as Trevor, but then goes on "-why are you trying to recruit Trevor here, in particular?" Is Gabriella miffed about apparently not being of interest to the cultist? Trying to know if the invitation to visit them extends to her? "Is it because since he used to be a soldier, you think he's going to follow orders without questioning them?" She doesn't raise much her voice, and apparently only annoys more Matilda on her way out - Gabriella knowing that her question might remain unreplied.
Trevor smirks at the departing woman, "We already got climate change and shit. The world already is ending." He calls to her, albeit quietly as to not disturb the other guests. Matilda is gone and can't even hear it anyway.
Matilda, while on her way out, is already lifting her hand to her earpiece to speak into it, seeming flustered now that the annoyance has passed. She pauses at Gabriella's voice, glancing back for only a second. "If you want to join us, you can too. As long as you understand what needs to be done and put aside your selfishness. We are working for the betterment of many worlds." That's her last pitch, a non-answer as well as any before she slips out, grabbing her gym bag along the way and leaving the two to figure out their workouts in peace.