Sol Tower Elevators

The trapdoor spider lays in wait, underneath the surface of the soil. The funnel web spins a tunnel of silk. The huntsman compresses itself underneath a plate of bark on gum tree.

Claustrophobia is a foreign concept to all arachnids. Perhaps that is why Midas chose the elevator. Perhaps this is also why no one wanted to get into it with him, too. Rising in elevation while not 'moving' felt natural to Midas, and the natural scent of the building eased his mind about the altercation beforehand. It couldn't mean that much, could it?

The pitch. First impressions. The beginning of a new chapter, one that would truly define Midas as the Money Spider. That's where his mind had to be. His monstrous appearance would aid his desire to stand out among others, as it did during university. One superior had told him that if you asked someone if they'd have an acromantula defend them in court the immediate answer would be no. But if you showed them a list of the top laywer profiles in Wing City, then Midas', they would sure as hell be looking into his the most.

Midas the Money Spider. Wing City's best and hairiest. Midas twirled around the prototype business card in his pedipalps. It was an idea he dreamt of, and one he knew could be achieved. Sliding the card back into his front pocket, Midas cleared his throat as the elevator went up, up and up.

He hoped the same could be said for his prosperity.

The elevator opened to thin squares of a thick obsidian marble with silver accents. The area was spacious as humans liked it as it carried all the hallmarks of a business space rather than a living one. The opposite table had more serving materials than anything else. There were scented candles on top which were unlit though they were something vaguely vanilla. The ceiling was both decorative and functional that the sound absorbing material that left the room's echo numb. The chairs were a synthetic silk but the wood from old-fashioned joinery. Nothing about the place was cheap even the floor rose up to form a composite sound-isolating layer. This location was built for secure dealing. In this case it was for an interview for a client with particular needs.

As the door opened Mr Indigo put his hat in a drawer and spoke hidden behind platform and desk, "Hello, Mr. Money Spider. Have a seat, would you?"

One of the chairs far resembled a bucket seat in two parts. It had a small adjustable rack connecting them in between and rather than stamped with a make had been signed with a hatch pattern. This chair was a handmade furniture to support things with a cephalothorax and abdomen. Peeking out from behind the large desk beside Mr. Indigo was a second.

The elevator doors came to open. After a brief but painless blinding, the visual introduction to this room became enamouring. It felt less natural than the lobby, but the presence of authentic wood maintained the Money Spider's company. The ceiling also carried an abstract appearance but the Spider liked to think was a web. It was delightful.

Moving forward, Mr Indigo made himself known as the Spider was caught off guard, raising his two front legs instinctively and instantly. Lowering them, the Money Spider apologised, "Oh, I am sincerely sorry for that, sir. The scary Spider didn't realise you were there. Unmoving shapes, the Money Spider's one weakness, aheheh." A palp moving into his front pocket, the Spider produced a folded pair of sixteen lens glasses and equipped them. "It's nice to meet you. You can refer to me as Spider if you'd like. Names are always such a bother. Oh, my..."

The Money Spider chuckled as he observed the custom seating. The sound he produced was akin to a series of cracks and hisses, though abruptly stopped as he fully took in the man in front. "How marvelous." he began, "The Money Spider hasn't actually seen anything like this before. I expected nothing of the sort, truly, though the Money Spider is humbled by the welcome it provides." Attempting a bow, the Spider positioned his right pedipalp under his head, mimicking a gentleman's salute. Taking the seat, he finally realised just how much of a fool he has appeared. Panicking slightly, the Spider offered out his right pedipalp for a handshake and spoke with pride and sincerity.

"I am the Money Spider. Thank you for seeing me." Placing his briefcase upon the desk, he opened it to reveal all sorts of university assessment results and certificates. "The Money Spider is the best there is, sir."

Mr Indigo's Smile was a measured thing to disarm and the light beard arcing up on one side with his smile. Hands clasped he sat up straight looking over the physical profile displayed on his monitor well out of view. He cleared it to show the report on the skillset of 'Spider' instead which had a good deal of experience which was welcome given the short list of individuals that fit the criteria.

"Oh? No, my mistake! Too many of my years stalking from behind cover, perhaps. It's always better to fire the first shot in business, eh?", Mr. Indigo said with a smile.

Mr. Indigo stood with nothing but the soft slight of a chair though the ever so slight stiffness of the chest belied the finely tailored suit included a reinforced synthetic weave layer to deflect small arms. His lean muscular physique pushed the slightly stiffer material away from underneath. Tugging the elegant inner-stitched gloves taut he reached down to take a firm grip on the money spider's offered palp. The iron grip pressed thin cestus plates inside the leather glove into "spider's" palp for a moment but Mr. Indigo made an effort for his strong handshake to not cause injury.

Mr Indigo nodded at the Money Spider as he picked up the papers. He commented idly while reading, "The chairs are a new import, actually. Fungal cellulose with a network of lignin nodes. Each hand-made. I've never had to periodically refertilize my furniture before."

"You have done well in your studies. How much experience do you have in integrating incompatible legal structures between cultures?", Mr. Indigo asked.

When making their handshake, the Money Spider took note of the exoskeleton-esque material in Indigo's glove. He thought it was amusing that humans had to recreate and manufacture what the Spider took for granted. Physical alterations always caused distaste in his eyes, but the Money Spider had no fear in the face of physical adversity. As most physical adversity came in the form of squishy humans with ineffective knives. Nevertheless it would be the men in the tower who truly came out on top. In this moment, Mr Indigo was the man in the tower and the Money Spider was a mere caricature trying to break free of creative limitations. Twiddling his palps, the Money Spider realised he was drooling the smallest amount of venom from one of his fangs. Attempting to fake a cough, he quickly wiped away the excess substance and proceeded to answer.

"The Money Spider must admit, work experience has been limited. Though I take it not many would have an answer for such a task. The Money Spider has read C. Norton's book on the subject and knows very well that if an incompatible legal structure can be integrated, it is not incompatible. If you mean to meld two differing legal structures from two pre-existing societies?" The Money Spider chuckled, "Well that would be very amusing if it were an acromantula colony." then returned to proud composure "I suppose it depends on the scale and the structures. Take G'ael and Midland. The Money Spider doesn't think it would be very hard at all to impose a court system on G'ael assuming one had necessary leadership."

"The Spider would hate to be a pain but I must ask for specifics, Mr Indigo. What would you have the Money Spider do?"

Mr. Indigo gave the faintest smile, "Good to hear you have more than just papers to offer, Money spider. To be frank I would not have called you here if you weren't fit for the job however trust but verify is always prudent. Still, I'm afraid this won't deal with the Acromantula but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by your duties. A media producer for which we agreed to headhunt required a legal and business liaison with Wing City for two of their content creators. You may be needed also to interact with them on-site as well which created unusual physical requirements they were unprepared to solve to which you are uniquely suited."

Indigo leaned back in his chair, "Have to heard of Stanton Castillion? He a hit on the nature feeds I understand. He and his new partner will be leaving for the bush soon. They may need specialized research equipment for which their local supplier may have no existing contractors for. You will responsible for locating sources for and negotiating their payment within the resources of their supplier. You will also be responsible for filing all necessary legal papers to protect their ongoing research from foreign political interests."

He pushed over a small pad that contained Stanton's latest feed about setting up a research station in a dusty locale he hadn't disclosed, "You will be working with his partner, Miss Sienna."

He looked up and to the left while looking mentally for miss Sienna's point of mental contact, ((Miss Sienna. Could you come down to meet the Money spider?))

A voice came suddenly over a transceiver left on Mr. Indigo's desk. The accent had an elegant soprano tone without any hint of breathiness, "I'll be right down. What did you say these were, Onigiri? They're so delicious! You spoil me like Stanton does, you flatterer."

Mr. Indigo just gave the money spider a knowing glint and chuckled, "She'll be a moment cleaning up I think. She's a spoiled feisty sort to fit her bright red hair but meticulously clean. I'm sure you'll get along."

The Money Spider listened attentively, interjecting when appropriate. It would be almost impossible to determine if he was really holding eye contact with Mr Indigo, as his jet black eyes seemed to remain perfectly still. "Uniquely suited, intriguing. Well that's certainly interesting. I must admit outside of my home the Money Spider does not intentionally partake in arachnid activities."

Mr Indigo made mention of Stanton, casting the Money Spider's mind back to a particularly cheesy presentation at Wing City University. "Castillon? Biologist of a sort, yes? Pretty sure he was used as an example of success when I was at university."

He continued to nod as Mr Indigo briefed him, the Spider becoming more willing as he felt as though he had something good here. His work was paying off, this man in front of him was giving him the keys to a bright future. Then Indigo informed him he was going to be working with someone. The moment he mentioned the name the Money Spider became hesitant. Would a human be ok with working with someone like himself? These doubts were pushed away when her voice came through, however.

"She sounds delightful! Haha!" The Spider cleared his throat, "Oh, Mister Indigo, the Money Spider can do this. If someone else can give you a hand, know that the Money Spider can give seven more. Assuming no further horrific zombie outbreaks or cosmic terrors become unleashed, ahah." The cheery demeanor of the Spider began to fade as his eyes narrowed. "This Miss Sienna, though, I didn't want to bring this up but... The Money Spider has never worked with someone else, not in the sense of a partnership. You seriously think she'd be alright in working with me?" His facade returned as he tapped all his 'feet' on the ground. "I'm all legs!"

As the Money spider tapped his legs on the floor there was movement through the upper railing as Sienna came downstairs. What looked like stockings in a tight patterned swirl down to black tips upon the carpet at least until the second joint appeared with the other seven legs. The stairway was a wide ornate one by human standards so Sienna didn't have any difficulty quietly moving down the stairs. There was a smooth shuff sound from her feet as there were no tarsal claws to clack. As she smoothly rounded the corner the principal eyes came into view with their faintly visible iris moving the pupils about in tandem to look about between indigo and the money spider. White silken sensory hairs dotted her well-brushed body waving idly in errant breezes. The hair around her eyes was more of a faint amber that matched the carapace of her smoothly bristled pedipalps. The opposing thumb on one flipped out and revealed the two fingered 'hand' as she stretched it stretched upward to wave.

The transceiver on Mr. Indigo's desk sounded again with her sultry and very practiced human English voice though the pedipalp 'hands' gesticulated, "Hello, Money spider! I am Matriarch seeker Sienna Oculi of the Gardeners. Our kind don't have vocal flaps so unless it's no bother for me to touch by mind I'll use the transceiver. Anyway, I think we make two peas in a pod! As the human saying goes! I like it, rather."

She moved closer flourishing with a hand and leaning a inspecting eye toward the Money Spider as her honeyed voice continued on speaker, "Though we're closer to Crustacea subphylum than Chelicerata like yourself. I do try to pick up some of dear Stanton's taxa pads to understand his needs. Mr. Indigo tells me you're qualified for this duty. Certainly, you look like a good strong sort suited to our buildings! I handle most of the business drudgery on site for my dear Stanton. Still, there's things one can't quite do from Sopitos but you will be able to reach me directly. Matriarch Oculi has ready one of the new quietus-enabled gardener communicators ready for me."

She headed over to the second chair much like the one provided for the Money Spider though it was already adjusted for her. She relaxed into it wiggling her thorax into the padded bucket seat then stuck her black leg-tips to its underside.

Mr Indigo interjected continued while Sienna got situated, "Mr. Stanton has a bit of stage personality for his show. He's a far more stogy fellow when working his research papers but not unapproachable."

The hair around the Money Spider's head stood on end. He tilted his cephalothorax upward, trying to get a fix on Sienna with the eyes on top of his head. At first he couldn't figure it out, the chemical mix in the air contradicting what he expected to see. Soon each step made itself known. A brief moment of excitement overwhelmed the Money Spider, before it was replaced by increased awareness over his words.

He stuttered, exaggerating the salesman-like voice he puts on. "Hm? Oh, ah, yes, hello! I-The Money Spider hadn't expected this. Touch by mind, you say? The Money Spider thinks we ought to keep using the transceiver for now, ahah."

As he listened to the abstract voice, an agitation within the Money Spider (or perhaps more suitable, Midas) kept pulsing back and forth. He knew what it was. He kept it contained. Focused on his breathing, and the character of his words. "A Gardener, how surprising! The Money Spider could tell, no doubt. No horrid acromantula would have such a warm face to lay eyes upon."

He found it funny that she mentioned him as the strong sort, knowing full well that by acromantula standards he was quite pathetic. She moved around to sit in one of the custom seats hiding behind the desk, something the Spider had noticed but not concerned himself with. Still, this new development was remarkable for him. The company of one even remotely like himself was very refreshing.

"The Money Spider finds that showmanship and presentation are the key to success in all manner of interactions. No doubt this Stanton is worth working for. If the Gardeners are comfortable with having the Money Spider work with them, you have yourselves a superb addition to the team. What sorts of facilities would be provided? The Money Spider doesn't get an office does he? Haha!"

Once settled Sienna pumped her two-fingered hands upward in the Gardener form of a nod as the speaker went off again, "Ah, a flatterer as well! Thank you! The Matriarchs will like you. As it suits then I will use the transceiver! A contractor of the Gardener Matriarchy is entitled to free travel on Sopitos. Matriarch Volla can furnish a location for you at the precipice on Sopitos if you would like an office on Sopitos for business. The precipice is maintained at Terra's gravity and atmosphere pressure."

Sienna tilted her head focusing on a message from Matriarch Volla in Quietus. Mr Indigo took the moment to interject, "We have agreed to pay you in Terran currency as it is more convenient to Matriarch Volla to trade in resources at the present time."

She rubbed the thumb and forefingers together on one pedipalp-hand, "Yes, we are not rich in land or currency off-world our trader markets atop the precipice are new. Matriarch Volla cares for our land and buildings she would know. She maintains our only ansible communications building. So you may call her directly; she is making an encryption card for you. Though we are a psionic species so you can reach her through any high soldier if you like."

The flat of her pedipalp hands held upward shuffled sideways in a shrug, "The children of the Matriarchy here have bought safe houses for all Gardeners in the city but contractors may use them too. They're good boys. I suppose Matriarch Volla could refit an office for you there, hmm? One of their rooms should suffice though the buildings are usually full of Gardener mercenaries."

The Money Spider rubbed his palps together and twitched his fangs briefly, his version of a more childish smile. The truth was that he believed himself to be moving far too quickly, like this was some kind of surprise party. Luck was unknown to the Money Spider, just hard work and a payoff. A part of him felt like he was taking advantage of their generosity, but he also honestly believed he could use such resources to the best of their ability.

The Spider continued to listen, and acknowledged Indigo's words with a nod.

Responding to Sienna's words he spoke, forgetting to use his title out of genuine excitement "I hope it causes no extra trouble. The Money Spider thinks an office on Sopitos would be most suitable, why yes. A place where the Spider can tend to his work indoors. The possibility of befriending other Gardeners like yourself is also very exciting." Immediately he regretted his last sentence, wiping his eyes with his palps. "Not to say the Money Spider gets lonely, or that that would even be a problem, of course. Immensely glad a telepathic spider isn't in the runs for the job, ahahah!"

The Money Spider could feel Sienna's presence placing a pressure on his mind. There was this young, pretty thing just in front of him that so closely resembled him but wasn't. Like there was a split in reality and Midas belonged to a parallel dimension. Acromantulas were flesh eating beasts of a dark magical origin. Their society's didn't allow for civil discussion, they would feast on human flesh instead. Clear it, Midas. That's not relevant. You're the Money Spider. This is the best day of your life.

"So, Mister Indigo." He said, much calmer with the intent to change the subject. "What's the next step? The Money Spider can take any documents to study in the interim, if need be."

Mr Indigo pondered internally as Sienna spoke if it was wise putting one of this particular Acromantula race in a position of power but most races didn't take air pressure changes well and acromantula biology could likely tolerate the high fluorine density of the biosphere. Not to mention an ability to climb around sheer wall faces and claustrophobic Matriarch demesnes. The Gardeners hadn't taken much interest in business or law as trade was traditionally a Matriarchal duty, Volla handled it all, and they prefered to delegate a task of Sienna's size if they could. His list of takers for the role was rather small and most of the remainder full of rather dangerous individuals or neophytes. So such as he was Mr. Indigo thought Midas was the best option as he was acceptably qualified otherwise not that research hadn't done a full dossier on Midas for what the investigators could find. Indigo thought it was a plus that Midas had confidence and some self control around the young Matriarch Seeker. It was really his only concern.

After a few days going over her needs he found Sienna an intelligent if overly obliging creature with little suspicion or jealousy unlike the task-oriented minds of all other male specimens. It seemed the Matriarchy's mindset little supported hostility though possibly a recessive trait from Bvetin or a side effect of their Dreamer's own personality type he wasn't entirely sure. A connection to contractors on Sopitos gave them due cause to petition for an operational presence there on the Precipice. The position of currency exchange gave them an in on resource arbitrage to Volla and an excellent chance of permission from High Matriarch Bvetin. The Gardeners didn't suffer tourists. As it didn't do to have Logicroad there left to its own devices and a growing control presence. Thankfully the Matriarchy was singularly difficult to bribe much less threaten. A third of the population carried emplacement-class weaponry and worked for half the mercenary companies that existed.

Who knows what fresh hell Logicroad was up to digging out or creating and while the Matriarchy did keep Logicroad on a leash. Sol Enterprises had their own interests in investigating Sopitos after Mr. Indigo arranged some non-intrusive long range orbital scanning by trader but further research rather relied on it not being turned into some new apocalypse. Mr. Indigo convinced CEO Arcus Sol that Logcroad needed a choke chain instead to keep them from appropriating these worthwhile avenues to investigate. If nothing else the giant dyson ring around their planet the Gardeners didn't even allow Logicroad to enter. Logicroad had a reputation. Perhaps the Matriarchy had a growing suspicion the varied precognates that they all were.

Mr indigo looked at Midas for a moment then winced and gazed upward from sudden tinnitus, "I take it you'll accept the job then. Good. Is that sound you, Miss Sienna?"

Sienna raised one palp-hand flat to thin air as the tone became clearly audible then peaked as a thin comms encryption card squirted into reality quickened directly from Sopitos. The touch of Matriarch Volla's prodigious mind was something that suffused the air. A brooding Matriarch unlike the Seeker that Sienna was. A fleeting moment within the smell of ozone near the Quickened zone might even pass a sense of color to Midas from Volla's awareness of the scene. It didn't last long if it appeared at all.

She fumbled at the card in the air her palp-hands were fuzzy and didn't cling. It danced from hand to hand with no failing of the svelte voice before she looked to Mr. Indigo, "Ah! Oh! Wait! There, I got you. Ah no well by proxy Mr. Indigo, Matriarch Volla was sending this directly. Little plastic devils don't take well to my grips. Here's the card for Mr. Midas, Mr. Indigo, if you would?"

Mr Indigo reached over to transfer the card from Sienna to Midas then offered a datapad with a ruggedized secure credit chit installed.

A raised brow already made note to add to their file on Gardeners for Arcus, "Interesting. Hrm. Well, you'll need this for communications to Sopitos with your needs for an office. Though I suspect you will have to arrange personal transfer to the planet yourself. I have worked with Sienna ahead of time to determine their expedition's needs and I've prepared list of supplies they will require and others by schedule."

His voice was steady and precise hands laced, "We've transferred a budget of credits for these goods from their publisher, an advance on their weekly salary, and a small signing bonus. Do get a good price and have the goods moved to Sopitos. Sol Enterprises reserves the right to do internal audits of budgetary accounts. Standardized employment papers to Matriarch Volla compliant with Terra laws is provided according to Terra national standards. The sponsored paperwork provides a license to employ mercenaries for personal protection as necessary on Terra through Matriarch Nemesis. Your authority to use mercenaries on Sopitos is by fiat of Matriarch Nemesis."

"Oh, without a doubt I accept, sir." He said, maintaining strong eye contact. He took a moment to wipe each lens of his glasses with his two palps. A wave of reassurance rushed through him with the confirmation that he most definitely had the job. There was no going back now. This was the beginning of a new era, one that the Money Spider knew he would have to earn.
The Money Spider received the card and took the datapad, recognising it as a symbol of responsibility, work and success. As if he were just given the keys for a plane that could take him anywhere. While his palps didn't have 'fingers' like Sienna, he was able to stick/unstick things to the tiny setule hairs that covered his body. He looked at it, and switched it on and off to get a gyst for the device. Promptly, he fitted both items into his front pocket.

He held back a chuckle in response to Sienna, intending to lose focus on her. Returning eye contact the Money Spider responded to Indigo "Of course. That can be sorted with ease."

The Money Spider tilted his had at the mention of his right to employ gardener mercs. Perhaps surprising to one who didn't know him, but Midas found physical confrontation very unappealing. The premise of employing defence on his behalf was something that greatly interested him. Nevertheless, the Money Spider focused on what was important. "Oh, Indigo, the Money Spider assures you the money will be spent with the greatest amount of efficiency. My namesake isn't hyperbole, you know. Anything you want spent or bought, the Money Spider can find the best numbers for." The Spider began to pack his papers back into the suitcase, and closed it shut. "So, I suppose the Money Spider should get to clearing out his apartment, no? Clean out the cobwebs and such, ahahahah. And I may contact you two via the datapad, yes? The Money Spider takes it that communication is key as the motif goes."

The Spider's legs begin to make slow movements, restless with a desire to stretch.

Sienna clapped her mandible-arm palms together with sandpapery noises from the thin hair covering her transceiver broadcasting cheer, "Oh good! Welcome to the extended Gardener family, Money Spider! It's good to have someone watching the budget I have my hands full in the field making sure dear Stanton doesn't fall off short cliffs or starve himself. Perhaps a few things you need to know then we'll be off, yes?"

The Matriarchs had a habit of precognition though it wasn't always conscious. Silver threads of consciousness pulled Midas's name from the aether and replaced 'money spider' in her mind.

She gesticulates with a shrug of her mandibles, "We're not hard to buy for mundane needs. Honestly, Midas, for my food you can get Gardener hardtack from Matriarch Rhia in Brillion. It keeps quite long. Gardeners are herbivores so only dear Stanton needs meat."

Her head torques rapidly in a vibration showing disgust, "I find that smell of cooking meat... hideous but I cook it for him anyway. A good steak now and again keeps him happy. His research hovercraft has a small stove I learned to use and someone needs to cook for him. Spices would be nice. The heat fan makes it moist and warm on the ceiling as long as I can take the smell. He's vegetarian most of the time whether he likes it or not."

She balls and shakes the one-jointed mandible-arms as her black leg tips disconnect so she can stand excitement coming from desk voice, "I like do so like a good fresh vegetable too though from time to time if you could. Stanton won't eat the hardtack he says it has too much sugar. They use water so it is an essential as there is little on Sopitos. Matriarch Oculi does not yet know why the land is so dry because some of the Matriarchy remembers lakes."

One pointing finger of each outer mandible-hand prods the ends of the hard ridged inner ones as she moves sideways out from the chair, "Ah, that's the simple things."

The two outer mandible-arms reach together and a pair of fingers peck at each other as she skuffs to one side of Midas's chair while rotating toward him, "I have no business left on the planet but for a certain misunderstanding at the hotel they put me in. I made pancakes to eat with this soy milk from a store but misjudged your gravity. A few times. Less than a dozen I'm sure. There is a matter of a cleaning bill. Once I deal with it I can help you move your things then go to the space port."

The transceiver made a small blue nimbus of coronal discharge then leaped from Mr. Indigo's desk onto Sienna's back. The faint glow moved to straps that threaded across the back of her cephalothorax to anchor underneath. That faint blue glow evidence of her finer telekinetic control.

She raised one of the middle rosy legs to bob the knees upward, "If I'm rested I can swing around a four-door vehicle in this low G you know! Not while up a wall but certainly for furniture."

Mr Indigo just smiled and said tersely, "You can contact either of us if you need to, Money Spider. Miss Sienna like most show hosts is always ready for the opportunity to be loquacious."

Indigo immediately opened Sienna's research file on his desk and made one important change. The notion that an adept seeker could already move metric ton or possibly more while on Terra rose her threat level considerably. He wondered how much power a brooding matriarch really wielded.

Sienna just turned her head then pointed with all her four fingers at her primary eyes then pointed with them at Indigo.

Marking brief notes on his new datapad, the Money Spider made sure to separate information into categories as he listened attentively. He laughed at Sienna's jabs at Stanton's diet and her story about the hotel. Her presence was at once uncomfortable and relieving. Something new. Once again, the Money Spider was able to get a glimpse at the gardener's psionic abilities. To his knowledge, the nature of it was a result of scientific evolution. He would have to ask if any gardeners were equipped with venom.

Pulling himself out of his chair, he relaxed his legs. The Spider then let out a long breath akin to an athlete preparing himself before a sprint.

"Why of course, Mister Indigo. The Money Spider will receive a full list of necessaries and have it sorted before my skin sheds!" As he headed to the elevator doors, the Money Spider stopped to turn himself back towards the gardener. "Oh, and Miss Sienna, you must let the Spider teach you the loopholes of hotel dining. You needn't pay a dime for a malfunctioning pancake ever again, hahaha!"

The Money Spider would then depart my means of the elevator, so that he could excitedly return home and prepare for the job ahead.

Now what is going on here?

Arcus slithered, storming his way through the elevator door.

He took a look around, wondering what had caused all of the noise. He'd been working on this deal for far too long, bringing him now to the height of his bloodlust.

Where's Dante?

he commanded, demanding answers.

Tento Flare has arrived, coming from Sol Tower.

Tento Flare has left the area, heading up into Sol Tower Atrium.

Tento Flare has arrived, coming from Sol Tower Atrium.

Tento Flare has left the area, heading out into Sol Tower.

The Rocketeer has arrived, coming from Sol Tower Atrium.

The Rocketeer has left the area, heading out into Sol Tower.

Arcus Sol pressed the button on the elevator in frustration, sliding his hands into his jacket's pockets as he waited for the ascent. He had a lot on his mind, but not the least of which was the sustained period of peace on Terra which was holding back sales of his mega-corporation's wares.

Arriving with a ding at the Atrium, he glided out the door into the arboreal haven to look out over Wing City in contemplation.

Arcus Sol has left the area, heading up towards Sol Tower Atrium.