Byakuya was content with Kyoko's assessment. Even Zenyatta had ascertained the right idea. Byakuya nodded at the pair knowingly, looking satisfied.
"Precisely. A gathering would also put everyone in one place for the evening, so I'll make sure to ask everyone not to leave once we've begun. Trust is of vital importance at this time, so those who wish to stray from the group will need to be made to understand..." Byakuya looked off to the side, his eyes trailing the line of trees circling around the great old tree and wondering what truth the foliage hid.
"I'll be able to ascertain the unruly among us."
He looked back to find the "Ultimate Hextress" stripping down Kirgiri with her eyes, making Byakuya truly feel sick inside. What an awful feeling it was to feel the urge to throw up. The idea of throwing up food so carefully prepared and eaten was truly frightening.
"You can get a move on whenever you'd like," Byakuya deadpanned. He looked at Tharja as if inviting her to leave his presence. He would have said more if not for the sudden voice that boomed throughout the camp.
"Everyone! The sun is setting and it's time to eat! A bunch of yummy food has been prepared... so come down to the Visitor Center and enjoy! Please, let's all eat together!!"
The idea of food was tantalizing for the Ultimate Affluent Progeny.
"Well then, it's time, and not soon enough. I have an Ultimate Appetite befitting one with a status such as mine."
***
The sun settled quickly, and soon the camp was bathed in soft moonlight. The wind had picked up, brushing against the trees and carrying whispers to the group of so-called students. Whether or not something really lurked in these woods, the foreboding atmosphere that the evening brought could give even the most stoic non-believer pause for concern. Hopefully Byakuya's concern about a possible danger lurking in the camp was little more than paranoia.
The Visitor Center was lit up, white lights adorning the roof of the building as if it was made up for Christmas. The lights were on inside, so everyone that entered would be greeted by the bright sight of the mammoth exhibit sitting in the lobby. A hastily made sign scribbled on in pink crayon and the smell of food directed everyone to a cafeteria area. A large window took up the back of the room, showing a display of the forest outside, brightened by moonlight. Though the area was small, Usami had somehow managed to fit enough tables and chairs into every nook and cranny to fit the large amount of students. Even Citizen Snow got a table all to himself.
Across the cafeteria's entrance sat an archway, separating the eating space from the kitchen. No one was inside, so who cooked the food sitting on display in the kitchen was ultimately a mystery. The food in question was lined up on the back counter of the kitchen like a buffet, ready for the group to poke and prod at. Dinner selections of all kinds were available, sure to satisfy just about everyone. Hopefully.
Standing in front of the wide window was Usami, who was practically beaming at seeing all her students.
"You're here! Usami is so excited! It's important for growing students to eat proper meals so that they can develop both their bodies and minds!" The rabbit giggled, clutching her tummy.
"It's even known that eating in a group is a wonderful way to socialize!"
However, before anyone could make a move for the food, Byakuya barreled his way to the front of the pack.
"I need to perform a food inspection! I, as your leader, will take samples to ensure the food is safe for consumption!" Byakuya charged into the kitchen, his immense footfalls shaking the room itself. He started grabbing at the food at rapid speeds, moving faster than anyone would expect of someone his size.
As food was being stuffed into his mouth, Byakuya spoke,
"I am retaining my bodily functions... I still feel alert and aware of my surroundings... No sudden pain or even indigestion... I believe I can safely determine the food to not be poisoned." Byakuya waited to finish the last of the food items he'd tossed into his mouth. He wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand before turning around and facing the others.
"All right, then... proceed to grab your food items in an orderly fashion. Once you've sat down, wait in the cafeteria so that we may all participate in a debriefing. Please do not leave once we have begun."
Byakuya himself grabbed a sizable portion, somehow still hungry even after all the 'samples' he had taken. Diana was picky with her food, looking like she honestly wanted to be anywhere but here, but she had to admit that she was ravenously hungry. She specifically chose to find a seat next to Neon, hoping to continue their earlier talk. Jude, who still was exasperated from the mess that was the forest group, silently grabbed only the food he felt he could consume before sitting down in the cafeteria.
Once everyone was seated, Byakuya left his seat to move to the front of the room where Usami stood. The rabbit shook and quickly moved aside to allow the boy to speak.
"I understand that some of you may not be too happy with my natural ability to lead. That is fine. I will not dismiss your concerns, for I would likely feel the same if I were in your lowly positions. However, I look around and still see the same failures that I witnessed on the bus. We are like chickens with their heads removed, lost among each other. That is the true reason why I am standing here at this moment: to give you the direction you so sorely lack. All groups need a leader, that much is certain! Here, right now, I promise once again that I will lead everyone back to their normal lives!"
With an undeniably intense expression, Byakuya lifted an arm and pointed at the group sitting before him.
"If anyone else spoke these words, they would ring hollow, but I am Byakuya Togami, and I am destined to bring these promises to fruition!"
These words seemed to set Shane off, who stood in anger.
"That's fucking bullshit, man, and you know it."
Shane knocked over his chair as he left the room, leaving his plate of food untouched.
"Hmph. No matter." Byakuya looked unconcerned as he crossed his arms.
"If just he is absent, that shouldn't pose a problem. He can't do anything alone, and I doubt he would have anything useful to say anyway... Now, listen up, due to a lack of communication, can I determine that we found nothing out about this camp? Aside from the mysterious circumstances and the force that keeps us from leaving, is there nothing out of the ordinary to be found here? Speak now and express your thoughts."
Nigel just scoffed at Byakuya's little speech.
"He really thinks he's in charge, doesn't he?" He would've remarked about fat white guys always thinking they were in charge... though Nigel had never met a white guy called
Byakuya before.
Shuten-Douji was sitting next to him, reunited with her sake plate... She was drinking from it, but the people around her couldn't be quite sure what it was.
"The cub thinks it's a lion, it is what it is. That line of thinking will put him at odds with the hyenas soon enough."
"Riiiiight..." Nigel remarked at the oni.
"U-Uuu..." Usami had backed away, shrinking into a corner of the room.
"This camp is safe, I promise... Usami is here to protect everyone..."
