[h1][img]http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah281/Q-C0ntinuum/BlessedWraith%20Weaver%20-%20Copy_zps7aq7ebmi.jpg[/img] BlessedWrath (Weaver)[/h1]
[h2]Masaru[/h2]
Masaru simply bowed, though the gesture was far from the deep flourish of his ancestry. It gave him the flavor of a man trying to chase after his heritage, and never quite catching up to it. Ordinarily, he'd have smiled at the two young ladies in the infirmary, but it had been grim news that had brought him here.

"Josiah tells me," Masaru said, turning to Wilson. "That your new team is already missing some vital pieces. Are we no longer doing the caution and stealth thing?"

Wilson's lips were not quick enough to stifle an exasperated sigh. He looked up at Masaru from his desk and willed him to feel bad for what he just said. When that did not have the intended effect, he frowned and elaborated on the situation.

"I can help to prepare these people for the changes in their lives. I can help them to stay safe, to develop and use their gifts, but I can not prevent every change in the wind which might get them into trouble. I had labored under the insane notion that going shopping was still safe in this world."

Masaru simply folded his hands behind his back and waited for the rest of Wilson's tirade. It was difficult to say which bothered Wilson more: Being interrupted, or being so expected to rant that his audience held their questions until the end of the tour.

"I'm sorry," Wilson abruptly changed course. He laid down his clipboard and folded his hands in front of him. "You couldn't have known what happened. I only just found out myself, and only the bare bones of the situation."

"Samantha and Christian apparently pursued a pickpocket for several blocks. They were separated from the group, who obviously felt it was necessary to rehearse a remake of The A-Team in response to the theft of Samantha's card. Josiah can fill you in on the details."

"Let it suffice to say that, not only did our new team not find its two missing members, but those two members are now in the hands of an unknown party -perhaps even associates of the thieves they were trying to fight- and, as far as we know, completely off our radar."

"Now," Wilson allowed himself a breath, while carefully selecting his next words. "I know you don't agree with what happened during your participation in The Sierra Project. I know you left to go find yourself. I understood and respected that choice enough that I didn't send my team to go get you back."

He leaned forward, wearing his most serious face. "But this is not The Sierra Project. These are not soldiers. They are civilians. Poorly-prepared, ill-equipped, and almost totally defenseless civilians. They did not sign up for this, nor were they recruited by a military selection board. They were forced into it by a cruel amalgamation of chance, fate, bad luck and bad timing. It's our fault, Masaru, and I aim to see they're made ready for what's going to happen to them as a result."

Masaru said nothing during Wilson's explanation. He simply stood there, waiting for his turn to speak. His face wasn't altogether whimsical either.

"I will help you," he replied quietly. "I need some supplies, some information, and a place to start looking. After that, as you well know, there are no guarantees."

Wilson cast his eyes at Garret, then made the "get him what he wants" gesture toward the supply room. On their way out, Wilson called for Masaru's attention one last time.

"I know this doesn't mean you're rejoining our team, Masaru. I know you're only doing this because you want to help. I won't try to make you stay. Just...please...find those two and find them in one piece. We're responsible for them. They deserve to live."

Masaru nodded curtly and followed Garret through the door.