"This is the place?"
"Yep. This is the place."
A young Senti male stood outside the impressive building, orange eyes scaling and admiring the architecture. A local Yamataian directed him to the building when the foreigner approached. The Senti expressed how he became lost looking for the building, and the gentleman was kind enough to lead him to the front entrance. When they arrived, several people entered and exited the building. Uniforms, suits, and casual wearers wove in and out of each other as they traversed the expansive base. While the clean streets and campus grounds were pleasing to the eye, they didn't command as much attention. Not like the fortress before the newcomer and his guide. The Senti turned to the older man, holding out a gloved hand with a genuine smile on his face.
"Sir? Sir." He extended farther when the old man turned around and met the outstretched hand, "Thank you for your help. I appreciate it."
"You're welcome, Mr. Janik. And welcome to Kyoto. These are some good people. If you let them, they'll take good care of you."
"Thank you, and thanks again."
With that, the guide's polite bow straightened tall. He fixed his beret to his balding head and turned around. He waved goodbye to the foreigner as he went on his way. Mr. Janik returned the friendly wave, watching the man leave before his gaze gravitated back to the building. A deep breath swelled his chest, and booted feet took their first steps down the walkway. The distance to the entrance was a longer than he anticipated. It gave him time to muster courage and adjust his winter clothes. When the gazes of onlookers stuck to him and weighed on his conscience, he pushed past it. People really had no idea how judgmental their looks could be. Especially when a new face felt so out of place already.
Upon entering the building, another weathered man sat at a desk, likely performing administrative work. A quick glance around the lobby surprised the Senti. There were a decent amount of individuals here, waiting to be spoken to or otherwise summoned. Yamatai must've become a popular recruiting force, if this said anything. He pushed long, black strands of hair off his face, hoping they would catch behind his ears. The shorter strands fell forward to frame his face once more. He sighed as he fixed his long braid and stuffed it between his tan sweater and mud-brown coat. When he felt he'd brushed up some, he walked up to the semi-circular desk and approached the gentlemen seated there.
Mr. Janik placed his hands on the edge of the cool countertop, standing silently and waiting to be addressed. The secretary looked like an intimidating man, someone who'd been through a great deal in life. Someone who cut to the chase instead of beating around the bush. He knew people like that, and the Senti wouldn't deny the rise in heart rate as he spoke up.
"Uh, hello, sir-" a waver in his voice quickly steadied- "My name is Morivai Janik, and I'm interested in becoming a member of Yamatai's Star Army. Unfortunately, I'm unsure where to begin, and was directed here by one of your citizens. I was hoping you could help me, or give me some direction."
