Meeting the founder

The redhead cheerfully led Peggy into the commune, towards one of the grander looking tents. It wasn't the largest by any means, but then the others seemed to serve as dormitories. This one seemed to house only one person.

The redhead guided her through the entrance, and Peggy stiffened slightly when she saw the man sitting there.

Severe features, a face that didn't seem well-suited to making any expression other than a scowl... It was the one the SSR's files had called Smith, the HYDRA-connected cult founder. Peggy quickly schooled her expression; she hadn't expected to run into him so soon.

Mentally she went over what she knew. HYDRA-connected, but also rumours he'd defected to the Soviets. None of that had ever been confirmed, so he'd kept his post, but equally it wasn't confirmed he'd been in HYDRA technically speaking. If it were, it would be so much easier to deal with this.

"Hello sir," the redhead said, beaming. "I've brought you someone that wants to join our family."

"Have you now?" Smith said. There was only the faintest trace of hs accent. "Hello, my dear."

"Hello?" Peggy said.

Try to sound bewildered, not like she knew who he was...

"You, too, wish to be free of the distractions of the outside world?" he said.

"Yes," Peggy said. That much she could answer.

He smiled, and gestured for the redhead to leave. He turned his attention to Peggy.

"Joining is simple. I need you to do one thing," Smith said. "I need you to focus. Can you do that?"

Peggy hesitated. Well, she might as well act the part; she'd have to sooner or later.

She nodded; Smith smiled.

"I need your complete focus," Smith said. His voice was oddly calming. "Focus on what it is you want to be free of. On how coming here gets you away from all of that."

Despite herself, Peggy smiled. Well one way of the other she was getting away from her coworkers. For a moment she could vividly picture herself joining in her, enjoying her time-

Where had that thought come from?

"Focus on shrugging off all your worries," Smith said. "You enjoy being here. You enjoy being naked; you are only happy when you're naked. Ignore that embarrassed voice in the back of your mind."

Inwardly, Smith thanked that doctor he'd run into a few years back. Fennhoff, or something. The skills he'd learned there made putting together a cult easy; and the nudity only attracted more people to come and stare curiously, and ultimately talk to him themselves.

Completely casually, Peggy started to undo her blouse. he was right, nudity was much more comfortable, she was much happier when she didn't have to bother with all these uncomfortable clothes.

Still, she didn't hurry, she let herself relax as she slipped her top off and undid her bra, then stood to push her panties, skirt and stockings down all at once.

"Focus on your contentment," he said.

Peggy smiled. She barely realised she'd moved at all as she sat down again, now entirely naked.

"Open your eyes," Smith said.

Peggy did so. She blinked a few times, shrugging. Something in the back of her mind was bothering her but... oh, she'd work it out later.

"Don't you feel much better?" Smith said.

"Much," Peggy admitted, casually baring her tits.