As is to be expected, Alphinaud has a relationship with the Swirlyroll and its totalitarian regime, administered by the ever sharp-eyed Linda, that complements that of his sister's-- similar and yet not a true reflection. He hardly minds a uniform (though he truly wishes it were a more flattering outfit), and fussing over the small details, now that he knows how best to mind them, satisfies something deep within him.

A true pity they cannot keep their weapons closer, that is an opinion shared with Alisaie, for the food court is an ever-changing sea of personalities and quarrels. Beefs, their colleague Krystal has named them, these problems that are perhaps more shallow than the geopolitical problems he's used to solving-- and yet no less intense.

He's been expecting another day of gooey pastry and bringing empty trays to sparkle when the creature appears. There's barely a moment to spare, to recognize the look of it from that night in the woods, before he's once again running after Alisaie as she plunges headlong into danger.

And then he careens into her, just barely keeping himself standing as he takes in the new world around them. "What is this place?" he asks, turning to what must have been their doorway, only to find it gut-droppingly closed.