Mole hunt

[Vid]

Of course Groot gets a hug, before the loner can start objecting. "I'm glad we've passed the test," Vid admits, face bright, "now the fears of moles can be put to rest". Stepping back, he grins foolishly, arms wide to indicate the small crowd gathered there. "Will you talk to everyone? When will Tanner be here?"

[Walter Ewouts]

Walter escorts Madame inside, and finds a place inside from where they can observe the entire room. He pulls up a chair for Madame, and then takes a seat himself.
" So....let's see what they will come up with ".

[Madame]

Not saying a word, Madame calmly walks in and let's her gaze scan the room intently before she is guilded to a tacticly placed chair. Her jaw slightly clenched as she simply nods at Walter in confirmation of speaking to her and keep her eyes on the others.

[Johan]

Groot clearly shows discomfort. Hugs still are not his thing, although not as bad as in the beginning. Things were so much easier on his own. He shakes his head, as he looks around the room.

"Thanks all for being here" he starts. "We will wait a bit longer for Tanner's group to arrive. They should be here any moment. When they arrive we, mostly I, will explain what is happening, and how we go on."

He sighs for a moment, and then continuous "I do understand the frustration, questions and all. Please give us a moment to explain and clear things up. After that ask any questions that you have, shout, yell at me etc. But for now, lets wait for a moment for Tanner's group, and then we will give the needed explanation."

[Charlie Tanner]

Finally, Tanner walks in- followed close behind by a Duncan and a Parker in tow, looking perhaps only marginally more amused than he does by this whole situation- which is to say, not much.

"This is it," he confirms; apparently 'his' group had the smallest turn out. And also no mole.

Tanner makes no effort to meet anyone's gaze, and it's unreadable behind his mask of general indifference where he lies on the scale of pensive and thoughtful or brooding and pissed off.

He nods once in greeting to his fellow 'conspirators' before assuming a perch near and behind Groot.

[Johan]

Groot nods to Tanner, Duncan and Parker. "Good to see you here."

He sighs, as he starts pacing from left to right. Why does this have to be this way. There are so many things happening, and this whole mole thing, losing Parker and the general atmosphere of things that could happen any moment, with no form of control, really doesn't sit well with him.

Then he faces up and sighs one more time before he starts "Welcome everyone. Good to see you all here. Some of you are tense, and I do not blame you. Tonight was a test. For everyone."

He lets his word sink in for a moment, looks around, and continuous "As you all might know, there seems to be a mole in our mitts. We had hoped that this time, we might lure them enough to take the bait, but so far, they didn't. Or, in the best case, there is no mole."

He smiles a bit, just a little bit of hope is showing in his posture and face.

"Since the attack, we all have been busy to make sure we get ahead of the inquisition. But somehow they managed to know what we are up to, or so it seems. By following the things that have happened we" as he looks to Vid and Tanner "have come up with a plan to hopefully find the leak so we can plug the hole and get the upper ground against our enemy. There were safety measures in place for tonight, so that the risks would be minimal, but there was still a risk. I am happy that you all came so we can look each other in the face and go from here."

He sighs one more time, as he looks around "I get that you all have questions, so lets hear them so I or we can answer them."

[Duncan Ackerley]

"Or the mole's smart enuff to keep to themselves for t'nigh'," Duncan dryly adds to the speech, lingering at the precipice. He doesn't look very amused by the whole ordeal, arms crossed over his chest and leaning with his shoulder against the doorframe. "I've go' the feeling this plan or more poorly execute' than was hoped on."

He looks over to Groot, Vid and Tanner, lifting an eyebrow. His tone of voice clearly isn't degrading, he simply seems irritated by the outcome of the plan more than anything else it seems. Or maybe he just doesn't like to be in this big a group of people and speak publicly. "I apprecia'e the attempt'n all. Go' the feeling it was a li'le poorly execu'ed but that 'appens. If they've go' a proper mole they sure's hell shouln' be this stupid."

[Fleur]

A soft thud sounds from a corner as Fleur closes the book she was reading.
Was she there the whole time or did she just walk in?

She looks first at Duncan and then to Tanner, Groot & Vid.
"I am just glad we didn't get attacked and all of us are safe"

[Madame]

Madame watched the last kindred walk in and kept her lips firmly sealed. The rest of her posture just as tense as she listened to both Johan and Duncan.

Her eyes suddenly flitting to where the thud was heard and narrowing them as she saw fleur.

The slight but thoughtful frown gave way for a more agitated look as she turned her attention back to Johan.
"I indeed have few questions” she said keeping her composure. “But let's start with one I personally find rather important. What security measures were in place?”

She spoke clearly but without raising her voice, keeping her gaze fixed on Johan as she did. “Because I am very curious to know what you had in place to defend us from an army.”
Her eyes went from agitated to cold as she continued. “You speak of trust, but when I give you a chance to gain mine, you use us as bait in a poorly executed plan. So I think it's only fair you now tells us from a to z what exactly was planned and what you are planning from here on.” a small smirk appeared on her lips. “Since all present have passed your test.”

[Selma]

Selma - who entered quietly just before Tanners group - sits down at an unoccupied table and listens in silence. She really hopes something will happen or some explanation, some plan will be given.
She gives Madame a sharp look after that last sentence. What test? Or was that sarcasm? After all, what haa anyone here done to prove their innocence? She sure doesn’t see any cause for trust.