Bluff or Fold

Mayberry Homestead - Wyoming
Joint Post

Cyrus cautiously took the water canteen and nuts. He immediately started gulping down some of the water. Mushroom water made this stuff taste like the fountain of youth. He sized up the man standing in front of him too, not really knowing what to make of him. This guy was right around the same age as the people he was looking for. Cyrus' employers had told him the group was mostly young people.

"I appreciate the hospitality brother man," he said whilst taking a break from the precious life elixir. He returned his attention toward the direction of the voice, "No offense ma'am, but I don't know you from Adam. And I never told you my friend's names. So how am I 'spose to believe you'll know who to tell?"

Ben tried to say something witty, but stumbled with his words because of his stress levels. He settled for, “Welcome.” Meanwhile Ben was using his telepathy to try and get a read on the stranger. He was but a fraction of the potential that Lydia had, he being a tier 3 telepath, but it is what you can do with what you got that counts and his ability, like any, was effective if used well in context. Ben furrowed his brow, like one does when a headache pounces, because he was experiencing a static like interference to his reading of Cyrus’s mind. This informed him that the man before him was most likely a gifted, either a dream walker, telepath or telekinetic. This made Ben all the more anxious.

Tessa replied back with attitude, “I will tell those in charge. Or you can save me the trouble and tell me your friends’ names.” Tessa then heard in her mind Ben’s voice, warning her of his discovery. On the one hand, this news was good for Cyrus’s chances. On the other hand it made him more of a threat too.

Cyrus felt a slight pinch in his temple. A feeling he recognized from his days with E.A.S.T. One of these two was a telepath, likely the the man. Cyrus had tried figuring out how to block telepathic reads, but it was too much effort. He did know, however, that his forcefield would have been detected by the telepath and that they now knew he was also mutated. So... all cards on the table?

Cyrus took another big swig before capping the canteen, then responding, "Those in charge? So there's more of you here then? And YOU are not the one in charge? That was a mighty convenient Freudian slip for me don't ya think?" Cyrus jeered at the woman behind the lights. "Let's put all of our cards on the table shall we?"

Suddenly, all of the motion lights shut off in unison. With the exception of those at the far ends of the lawn. Now all parties could see each other. The woman Cyrus had been talking to was quite attractive, though she looked older than Cyrus. Probably a mom if he had to guess.

"My name is Cyrus, Cyrus Riddell. Don't worry about your lights my friend, I just unscrewed the bulbs. Figured we should all see each other's faces if there's to be a sincere conversation. If you would so kindly take me to Mr. Mayberry, I'd be happy to tell you everything I know."

Cyrus' voice was almost sing songy, like he was giddy about the situation. Cyrus knew when the the telepath dinged him that he was in the right place. So now they'd have to either call the bluff or fold.