tsab2 minis

(1:34:19 PM) Earthflame: Although there apparently are some clothing shops in the old city of Kervras, it's much easier to find more recognizable styles in the new city, amongst the mostly standard prefabricated TSAB structures. Although there's still something a little unusual here. While some have taken inspiration from the local fashion, modern flavours of the hats and finely ornamented jackets many of the locals
(1:34:19 PM) Earthflame: wear, likely once an adaptation to the planets higher incidence of rainfall, others they spot around are wearing various loose, lacy garments, often accompanied by an unusual amount of eye makeup that might be somewhat familiar to Ivory, from knowing Anai back on Midchilda.
(1:35:04 PM) ***Ivory raises an eyebrow. "That is...odd."
(1:35:37 PM) Med: "It looks... interesting," Med says, following Ivory. "Loose clothes look comfortable."
(1:37:35 PM) Ivory: "It's not really usual for this planet." She looks about for the shop in question.
(1:37:47 PM) Earthflame: The origin can soon be found... It is another prefab, but its owner has done everything to make it not look like it, with two large jackal headed statues standing at the foremost corners of the building, on either side of large window displays where dummies in Akheti garb recline on benches or lean against ornate columns, sand on the floor and subtle movements giving life to the scene. The
(1:37:47 PM) Earthflame: facade has been replaced by faux-stonework, adorned with Akheti hieroglyphs, and the name on the sign reads 'Zerzura'.
(1:38:29 PM) ***Med peers at it. "... I want to see what they have," she says, walking towards it.
(1:39:08 PM) Ivory: "...you do?" She follows, a bit confused.
(1:41:08 PM) Earthflame: Bells chime as the door opens, their sound somewhat different from bells they might hear elsewhere, such as the ones of Saint Church cathedrals. Inside the decor remains much the same, faux-stone paving on the floor, dummies in white cloth and jewellery everywhere, although it's not quite what the natives of Akhet wear- There are signs of modern materials and manufacture, as well as odd hybrids
(1:41:08 PM) Earthflame: between the authentic clothing and modern TSAB fashions, incorporating the style in a way that's perhaps easier to sell.
(1:42:45 PM) Med: The amnesiac girl, in her simple, faded white-and-rainbow splashed dress, peers around some. "I'm just curious," she says. "It seems... interesting."
(1:43:14 PM) ***Ivory nods, heading in with her. "Alright, if you like it."
(1:44:51 PM) Earthflame: "Ah, hello!" Comes a heavily accented voice, a woman with deep brown skin approaching them with a smile. her outfit is... Interesting, a white skirt draped around her legs, with a high open slit, and a simple band of gold falling from her shoulders to her chest, seeming potentially indecent, or even illegal, but it Is covering everything up... Even if it seems like it'd be far too easy for it
(1:44:51 PM) Earthflame: to not. "Welcome to Zerzura! Can I help you with anything?"
(1:45:40 PM) Ivory: "Ah, yes. My friend was hoping to look over the fashion here."
(1:45:57 PM) ***Med stares a bit at her, blinking. "Oh, uh, hello. I was... hoping ot buy some clothes, and things."
(1:46:37 PM) Earthflame: "Of course." She gives a slight bow, her clothing seeming to defy the laws of physics. "I am Sahin Harir, and I'd be happy to help you, miss...?"
(1:48:07 PM) Med: "Um. You can call me Med," she says with a nod.
(1:48:29 PM) Earthflame: "It's nice to meet you, Med. And your friend?"
(1:48:56 PM) Ivory: "Ah, Ivory Maddalen."
(1:49:12 PM) Earthflame: "A pleasure to meet you as well."
(1:50:21 PM) Ivory: "Likewise." She nods
(1:50:26 PM) ***Med smiles softly. "So, ah... I don't know anything abou tclothes, I guess, could you... help?"
(1:50:26 PM) Earthflame: "So, Med..." She pauses. "...Nothing at all? Surely you must have some tastes. Your current dress is quite interesting, I've not seen that style before."
(1:50:52 PM) CelestialDoggie_ [[email protected]] entered the room.
(1:51:07 PM) CelestialDoggie left the room (quit: Ping timeout).
(1:51:12 PM) Med: "Uuuuh. I'm just not really sure? I, um. I don't have any clear memories... this is all I've worn to my knowledge?"
(1:52:11 PM) CelestialDoggie_ is now known as CelestialDoggie
(1:52:49 PM) Earthflame: "...Ah!" She smiles, looking a bit uncertain. "Well then... We'll find something that suits you! Do you have any initial thoughts?" She smiles, gesturing for them to come with her.
(1:53:40 PM) Med: "Um." Sh efollows, pursing her lips. "Something lighter, I guess? Easy to move in? Jewelry seems very nice," she says. "And no shoes."
(1:54:07 PM) Earthflame: "...No shoes?" She chuckles at that. "It's often the fashion back home, but you might find that difficult here... The floors are cold and rough."
(1:54:38 PM) Med: "I, uh. I've been handling it well so far," she says.
(1:54:39 PM) Ivory: "Not to mention rocks."
(1:56:29 PM) Earthflame: "Well, if you're sure." She nods again, pondering as she flicks through a rack. "Light, easy to move in, no shoes, how about..." She looks to Med again, judging her sizes before pulling a selection off the rack. "There's a changing room, just through there." She points with a smile.
(1:57:13 PM) Med: She nods, taking the selection and going to change! As always, she stands on her tiptoes as she walks.
(1:58:03 PM) ***Ivory stands off to the side, letting the others do fashion. It's not really her cup of tea.
(1:58:05 PM) Earthflame: Sahin turns slightly towards Ivory, speaking softly. "...That wouldn't happen to be the girl who was dragged out of the lake, would it? I've been hearing some rumours going around..."
(1:59:13 PM) Ivory: "I can't comment on exact details...but she's suffering from Amnesia, so please be gentle with her."
(2:00:16 PM) Earthflame: "Of course." She nods with a soft smile. "Although... How will she be paying?"
(2:02:34 PM) Ivory: "I will be paying." She shakes her head.
(2:03:20 PM) Earthflame: "Of course." She bows her head again. "This is kind of you."
(2:03:38 PM) ***Med comes out! She's wearing the set of cltohes provided... and blushing a bit, but she is smiling. Loose pants, a bikini top and cloth hanging off her shoulders, pearlescent jewelry holding cloth to fingers and toes. "How do I look?" She gives a little twirl!
(2:04:04 PM) Ivory: "Very different." She raises an eyebrow
(2:04:53 PM) Earthflame: "You look wonderful!" Sahin smiles, sincerely enjoying her work it seems. "I think it very much suits you!" She pauses again, pacing around her. "Although... I think I must do something with your hair..."
(2:05:30 PM) Med: "Oh? It, uh, is dragging a bit... I don't think I want it cut?"
(2:06:08 PM) Earthflame: "Of course, but... If I may?" She moves, getting a selection of bands and clips...
(2:06:26 PM) Med: "Oh, ah, go ahead, sure!"
(2:06:51 PM) Earthflame: She nods, getting to work. "This isn't usually part of the service... But it's a quiet day, and I think it's a necessity to complete the look~"
(2:08:23 PM) Med: She nods, biting her lip. "Well, ah, do whatever you need to do!"
(2:09:02 PM) Earthflame: She hums to herself as she works. "So... What are you thinking of doing with yourself, Med?"
(2:09:17 PM) Med: "Um. Overall, or clothes wise, or?"
(2:10:23 PM) Earthflame: She laughs. "I'm just making small talk, answer however you like."
(2:11:21 PM) Med: "Oh, well. I guess I'll be staying with the people from the TSAB? They've been very nice so far..."
(2:17:24 PM) Earthflame: "The TSAB is nice... If a little bit bossy."
(2:17:32 PM) ***Ivory nods "She has been assigned to us by the First Arrow."
(2:18:01 PM) Earthflame: "I've heard of her... But I've not had much to do with the Archerien. They don't seem to care much for the newer parts of the city."
(2:18:44 PM) ***Med bites back what looks like was going to be a rather impolite response. "They seem to take... some things... very seriously. But, well. I was going to stya with the TSAB, and from there... I don't know. I've mostly just been... reading since I was found. Catching up."
(2:20:54 PM) Earthflame: "Of course..." She chuckles. "It was much the same way for me... One day I was running a little clothing shop, the next the city was under attack by a star demon and the light of the gods was falling from the sky. Then we learned about the TSAB and, well... Things changed."
(2:21:35 PM) Med: "That... certainly sounds exciting?"
(2:22:58 PM) ***Ivory nods. "I've read the reports."
(2:23:17 PM) Earthflame: "That would be... One word for it. Terrifying, confusing and shocking would be another... Realising that we weren't the only people in the world, not the lone survivors of the divine wrath that scoured our world... It was a lot to take in."
(2:24:17 PM) ***Med nods again, trying not to interrupt the woman working on her hair too much. "There is a lot to take in," she muses. "I'm only about a third of the way thorugh the encyclopedia I found..."
(2:25:24 PM) Earthflame: "But... New knowledge brings new opportunities. Like my shop." She smiles. "I was lucky enough to be able to read, and to be good at languages and math, so I found out about their scheme for offworld businesses, and subsidies on economically slowing worlds... So here I am, sharing my culture with others and making money to send back home."
(2:26:27 PM) ***Med smiles. "That sounds amazing," she says. "I wonder what I'll try to do. I honestly don't... really know what skills I have. Other than, apparently, a lessened need for sleep and speed reading. That's useful. Maybe I could be a secretary?"
(2:27:07 PM) ***Ivory chuckles. "You don't need to decide immediately."
(2:27:27 PM) Med: "True."
(2:27:43 PM) Earthflame: She nods, ruffling Med's hair. "Finding your own path is important... And you said you were only a third of the way through. There's plenty more you might find an interest in."
(2:28:22 PM) Med: She blushes a bit, nodding agian. "That is true," the three-eyed girl says.
(2:29:59 PM) Earthflame: "Hmm... Have you got any thoughts about makeup?"
(2:30:35 PM) Med: "Not as of yet?" She says, holding up a hand. "Maybe, uh, something similar to my tattoos?"
(2:33:06 PM) Earthflame: "Well, Akheti makeup often focuses on the eyes... And a third one is quite an interesting thing to experiment with... But I probably shouldn't go all out with that today." She pats Med on the shoulder, stepping back. "And that's your hair done."
(2:33:55 PM) Med: She nods. "I can come back?" She offers. "See what you can do with me? Um. Probably once I have some money of my own, as well." She purses her lips, glancing to Ivory. "You've been very kind but I wouldn't want ot be a freeloader all the time I'm here..."
(2:34:33 PM) Ivory: "It is fine. I can write this up as expences." She smiles.
(2:35:09 PM) Med: "Still," she says. "A job or... something. It couldn't hurt to try to find one, anyway, right? Once I've settled in."
(2:35:47 PM) Earthflame: "Hmm... Well, if you like the idea of it, when you're feeling more settled... I wouldn't mind having a shop assistant." She gives Med a smile.
(2:36:46 PM) ***Ivory chuckles. "I'll find you the book on worker's rights."
(2:37:15 PM) ***Med nods. "I'll think about it! It does sound nice, but well," she says. "Like you said, I do need to settle down more... feel things out. Figure out more abou tme."
(2:41:06 PM) Earthflame: "Of course. It's important to understand where you stand, before taking your first steps forward." She smiles. "That all being said... Shall we move to the till?"
(2:41:44 PM) Med: "Ah, yes, sorry! You have a business to run, I shouldn't be monopolizing your itme like this..."
(2:42:11 PM) ***Ivory nods "Alright."
(2:44:17 PM) Earthflame: "As I said, it's a quiet day... Not that I mind. Business rent and tax is very cheap here, and the subsidies make it very easy to turn a profit. I suspect most business find the idea of having their staff and products isolated for quite a long time every few years offputting, as not many others seem to have taken up the offer." She moves over, ringing it up- The clothes are moderately expensive,
(2:44:17 PM) Earthflame: although not excessively so. And then she cuts off 10% with a smile at Med. "A preemptive employee discount~"
(2:45:02 PM) ***Ivory rolls her eyes, paying for it swiftly.
(2:46:25 PM) Earthflame: "Please, stop by whenever you like." She smiles, giving them a wave.
(2:47:13 PM) ***Med smiles softly, nodding. "Thank you, ma'am!" She says.

-----------

(3:42:37 PM) Earthflame: The end of another shift... Pini stretches before pulling on her jacket, the somewhat short girls hair cut in a pixie bob style, with surprisingly long limbs and dextrous fingers for her height. "And well earned rest... Well. For some of us." She glances at Lana. "You're still stuck babysitting those Midchildans, right? Along with little miss mystery girl?"
(4:14:37 PM) FeldiAway: "That's right," Lana sighs. "And the First Arrow didn't make any of that easier..."
(4:20:51 PM) Earthflame: "She's seemed really stressed lately... I wonder what's putting so much pressure on her?" she shrugs, pulling a pair of shades from a pocket and flicking them on. "I get the feeling she's not going to even read my report on the scene by the lake... Even though it's the best mystery we've had in ages. Even better than the vanishing cakes conundrum."
(4:26:04 PM) FeldiAway: "Ah, the mysterious disappearance of forty cakes.  A terrible crime." Lana chuckles, pulling on her own light, black jacket.
(4:28:16 PM) Earthflame: "I'm still working on my theory... I still don't buy that the chef is just an awful sleep-eater." She chuckles to herself. "...What's she like? That girl who fell out the sky?"
(4:31:27 PM) FeldiAway: "She's nice. A little odd, but other than the extra eye-" Lana touches her own forehead where Med's eye would be- "that's all because she has no memory of, well, anything. She's a quick study though, but she also doesn't seem to be very...aware of herself."
(4:33:16 PM) Earthflame: She nods. "I was hoping she'd have answers, but no luck... Nothing about the incident makes sense. Air traffic control didn't pick up any unauthorized flights, but our magical sensors didn't detect a teleport signiature either. A little background fluctation, but nowhere near enough to be a teleport. And then there's what happened to the building... You saw it, didn't you? How a chunk of it
(4:33:16 PM) Earthflame: just seemed to stop existing?"
(4:34:30 PM) FeldiAway: Lana nods. "I have my own theories, but there's no way to test them."
(4:34:41 PM) Earthflame: "Oh?"
(4:37:58 PM) FeldiAway: "It could have been done using technology like the Hyperions use, or it could be that someone swapped-" she gestures holding something in both hands and then crossing them over- "space.  Or both. The actual burst of magic or energy could have been at the initial casting or even at a third location, so only the equalizing of the background magic of the transplanted area and our world's would have been detected here."
(4:38:15 PM) FeldiAway: casting site*
(4:38:48 PM) Earthflame: "...Wow. I'd never have even thought of something like that." Pini gives Lana a smile. "But you've always been a hotshot when it comes to magical theory."
(4:41:15 PM) FeldiAway: Lana smiles back. "Only when it comes to space-time related magic, really. It is what my branch of the family has specialized in for centuries."
(4:42:20 PM) Earthflame: "...I feel like most magic relates to space or time in one way or another."
(4:43:08 PM) FeldiAway: Lana's smile gets teasing at the edges. "I didn't want to brag."
(4:45:11 PM) Earthflame: "Didn't stop you doing it~" She smiles. "What are you up to this evening? More babysitting the offworlders?"
(4:48:16 PM) FeldiAway: "I probably should, but Ivory, the provisional Enforcer they sent, has been keeping me updated on what they've been up to. They just went to see meet the TSAB scientist and uncle Droug."
(4:48:44 PM) FeldiAway: "I might be able to leave them all with Ivory.  She seems sensible."
(4:50:53 PM) Earthflame: "She sounds a lot better than the two layabouts they've left us with up until now. Shame she's only here for a season."
(4:53:12 PM) FeldiAway: "It doesn't take much to be better than those two. Being awake more than two hours a day already makes her better than Simca."
(4:54:20 PM) Earthflame: She snorts at that. "I wonder if those two will even bother to meet up with the offworlders before they leave again. I don't know if they ever got in contact with the last lot... But that was before your time."
(4:57:06 PM) FeldiAway: "They didn't even contact the last group? Wow." Lana shakes her head and leads the way out of the changing room. "No wonder the First Arrow has such a terrible opinion of TSAB."
(4:59:58 PM) Earthflame: "Yeah..." She bites her lip at that, looking away.
(5:01:19 PM) FeldiAway: Lana looks over, frowning as she sees Pini worrying her lip. "Anyway, what are your plans for the evening?"
(5:01:52 PM) Earthflame: "I've booked some time with my bird. Here's hoping I don't get knocked out the sky by any more flying girls."
(5:02:29 PM) FeldiAway: "Well, if you do, she's your responsibility. I've already got one."
(5:03:12 PM) Earthflame: "You wouldn't want to collect them all?" She chuckles.
(5:05:03 PM) FeldiAway: Lana rolls her eyes. "I already have four trainees to take care of."
(5:05:14 PM) FeldiAway: three trainees to take care of too."*
(5:08:41 PM) Earthflame: She laughs at that, patting Lana on the back. "Good luck with that. Hopefully you can keep them out of trouble."
(5:11:53 PM) FeldiAway: "I'm sure Ivory can corral Cyrus and Med. My sister...I don't think there's been any magic invented that could keep her out of trouble."
(5:12:08 PM) Earthflame: "...That bad, huh?"
(5:21:07 PM) FeldiAway: "Maybe she's mellowed after running away. But she decided to fly around to beat the car to the barracks, so I don't think so. She's still the same as she was."
(5:23:08 PM) Earthflame: "A right proper tearaway?"
(5:23:16 PM) Earthflame: She smirks. "So much for noble decorum."
(5:26:06 PM) FeldiAway: "She's never had that." Lana sighs. "Which made growing up with her fun. Until she left."
(5:26:21 PM) Earthflame: "...Maybe this is a chance to reconnect?"
(5:28:04 PM) FeldiAway: "...maybe. My family still wants her to come back."
(5:28:30 PM) Earthflame: "That must be difficult, for both of you."
(5:33:10 PM) FeldiAway: "It used to be. I can't speak for her."
(5:34:03 PM) Earthflame: She raises a hand, squeezing Lana's shoulder. "...You should talk to her. You might not get another chance like this. And... It's not like you can really avoid it. It's a small planet."
(5:35:39 PM) FeldiAway: "And I live in the same barracks as her. It probably is just a matter of time."
(5:42:47 PM) Earthflame: "I'd get it over sooner than later." She pauses. "...At least, that seems like the right thing to say. No clue if I'd actually do that, if I was in your position. Saying is a lot easier than doing."
(5:47:35 PM) FeldiAway: Lana gives Pini an even look. "At least you're being honest," she says with a laugh.
(5:48:58 PM) Earthflame: "To a fault." She grins, slapping Lana on the back. "Meet up for drinks later, if you're free and after I've given my bird her excercise?"
(6:04:13 PM) FeldiAway: "Sure, that sounds like fun. And gives me a night's reprieve from that talk."
(6:05:00 PM) Earthflame: "Well, I'll be flying her for a few hours. Who knows what you'll get up to?"
(6:06:50 PM) FeldiAway: "Hopefully not that."
(6:07:15 PM) Earthflame: "Let's see if you're that lucky~"
(6:13:39 PM) FeldiAway: "The way you say that I wouldn't be surprised if she's waiting to ambush me at the barracks."
(6:14:09 PM) Earthflame: "Well, let's see what we find behind door number one~" She grins, pushing open the station door.
(8:14:00 PM) Charlotte: The door bounces, and there's a quiet, feminine "Oof!" before it continues to open. There, standing wide-eyed and quickly moving a foot out of the way, is Charlotte, blonde hair pulled in its usual ponytail, and wearing a light jacket over a loose tee and shorts.
(8:14:56 PM) FeldiAway: "You've got to be kidding me."
(8:15:54 PM) Charlotte: Almost instantly her expression drops. "Well hi to you too, Lana. I'm just on the way out so I won't bother you any more than I already have."
(8:16:49 PM) FeldiAway: "No, it's...Pini and I were just talking about you." Lana says quickly, looking pained.
(8:18:25 PM) Earthflame: "...Hi! I'm Pini." The girl extends a hand.
(8:20:24 PM) FeldiAway: Lana gestures awkwardly at Pini in way of greeting and explanation.
(8:21:34 PM) Charlotte: She blinks. "--Oh. Uh. Hi, Pini, I'm Charlotte. I was...actually supposed to find Goa, but she wasn't here, so I was actually for-real gonna leave, but..."
(8:21:34 PM) Charlotte: Her own expression quickly looks just as awkward, and she looks anywhere but at the pair. "Uh. Well, I...hope I can live up to whatever you were telling her about me?"
(8:22:29 PM) Earthflame: "Ohh, I think the boss pulled Goa aside for a last minute discussion, but they shouldn't be too long. But... I'm gonna leave you two and go keep my date with my bird. Nice t'meet you!"
(8:23:53 PM) ***Charlotte just blinks again while Pini makes her escape. She glances at Lana. "Date with her bird? Is...there's some real weird euphemisms on the homeworld, huh?"
(8:25:19 PM) FeldiAway: "She means her helicopter. There's probably nothing sexual going on there," Lana says dryly, fucking up the landing with an awkward tone near the end as she looks back at Charley. "...we should....we should probably have a talk."
(8:28:05 PM) Charlotte: "She has a--!?" Charlotte cuts herself off before she can be distracted from the topic. And, of course, with Lana bringing that up, she just goes back to awkward again. "Y-yeah. Yeah, okay. Um, where at?"
(8:30:24 PM) FeldiAway: "If you're waiting for Goa...there's a courtyard. Follow me." Lana turns and starts leading the way.  The courtyard isn't far. A small garden surrounded by a circle of brick trail, with three benches equidistant from each other. Lana sits at the nearest, placing her palms together and holding them between her legs, back bowed a bit as Charley sits.
(8:33:52 PM) Charlotte: At least she sits at the opposite end of the same bench, and while her posture isn't as hunched it's by no means comfortable (or proper). Silence stretches out between them for a while, while thoughts whirl in her head, each one trying to get spoken, until finally she allows one to slip free. "So, uh...how'd you end up here? You have some pretty serious rank, though, that's awesome...I always knew you'd be a better officer than me."
(8:37:27 PM) FeldiAway: "I'd gotten as far with my training as I could, but I'd always lagged behind where they wanted me to be with the bow, so our family sent me here, so I could learn from the First Arrow.  She is the best bow user in the family.  Even if I'll never have the rare skill, they hoped some of her skill would...rub off on me, I guess."
(8:37:58 PM) FeldiAway: "And they wanted me to develop deeper connections with the main family." She says, as an aside.
(8:41:43 PM) ***Charlotte has a pretty good idea why that is, and it makes her fidget slightly. "O-oh...uh, were they...planning on taking over or something?"
(8:42:50 PM) FeldiAway: "On taking over?" Lana looks over at Charlotte, the fingers of her hands lacing together as she sits up a little.
(8:43:56 PM) Charlotte: "I mean...there's nobody here, Lana. Half the buildings are just empty. It would be super easy to just...float some cousins in before the place gets blocked off and just...take everything. You know?"
(8:46:19 PM) FeldiAway: "That could," Lana says. "But that make it kind of hard for me to marry into the main family, wouldn't it?" She asks rhetorically, in a wry tone.
(8:46:24 PM) FeldiAway: they could*
(8:47:01 PM) ***Charlotte blinks again, and her mouth drops open. A blush spreads across her cheeks. "What?! M-marry?!"
(8:47:23 PM) FeldiAway: that might make it*
(8:51:12 PM) FeldiAway: Lana huffs out a sharp laugh, sitting up completely. "Nothing is set in stone, but..." She looks away from Charley, out at the beautiful garden. "That's their plan.  If you'd been here," she says, dipping her head in Charley's direction, "you would have been the one they'd be arranging this for. It probably would have gone a lot smoother. You have the family skill, after all, while I don't."
(8:52:04 PM) FeldiAway: "But you weren't, so," her expression twists before settling into a grim smile, "I get what would have been your arranged marriage too."
(8:53:56 PM) Charlotte: "Oh, Saint-King," she groans, wiping a hand down her face. "Lana...I had no idea...I told you you should have come with me! Agh, this is why they're so dumb back home! Who does this anymore!?" She bangs a fist on the bench, and hisses as the bench bangs back--except it has the advantage of not feeling pain.
(8:53:56 PM) Charlotte: "...Dumb..." she mutters, shaking the hand out, and then she looks over at Lana. "...'Too?'"
(9:00:58 PM) FeldiAway: Lana looks over, though only at the hand. "I have what would have been your familiar too.  She's nice.  I should bring her round to meet everyone. She's been wanting to meet you." There's an emphasis on that 'you' that feels uncomfortable.
(9:04:16 PM) Charlotte: "...Lana. I've had Caith since we were in our early teens. She's been in the family for...generations, except that they'd forgotten her. Now, I won't say that that was on purpose, but given they're forcing this...marriage thing on you, it wouldn't surprise me at all. And no one had bothered to say anything about a familiar before I met her. You know Mother and Father as well as I do. They don't do surprises."
(9:13:34 PM) FeldiAway: Lana gives a slight nod and looks back at the garden as Charley stops shaking her hand out. "They don't. Remember when dad tried a surprise party on mom when you were... eight? She didn't speak to him for weeks." She chuckles softly, a smile on her face.  From the less formal 'mom' and 'dad', it seems like all three must have become closer while Charley was gone.  It was always 'mother' and 'father' growing up.
(9:16:49 PM) Charlotte: The thought doesn't escape Charley's notice, but remembering the story still makes her smile wryly. "Or the one time--and only one time--when she tried to surprise him with her having another kid? I think I've seen stone be more expressive. And then mom killed the joke by saying it was infertility instead."
(9:20:05 PM) FeldiAway: "I don't know.  I thought that made it funnier." Lana laughs again, this time with genuine humor.
(9:30:59 PM) Charlotte: "...Yeah, okay, I'll give you that." She smiles, and runs a hand through her hair.
(9:39:44 PM) FeldiAway: Lana looks over at her. "You're happier, aren't you?"
(9:54:06 PM) Charlotte: That makes her go quiet for a long moment or two, clearly thinking it over. "...I think so? I missed you, like you wouldn't believe...but I think you and I both know that staying there would have been a really, really bad idea. I wish you had come along. It would have made us both happier."
(9:58:54 PM) FeldiAway: Lana shakes her head. "I don't think it would have been, but it is the choice you made.  And all I need to know is that it turned out well for you." Lana gets to her feet, but doesn't take a step. "I'm happy for you, Charley.  I really am. But no matter how much I missed you, no matter how tough things got those first few months after you left-" Lana turns to face her, "I would never leave our family. That's my decision."
(9:59:16 PM) FeldiAway: "It was my decision then, and it still would be, and is, now."
(10:03:21 PM) Charlotte: Charley's jaw tightens, and then she droops. "Yeah. Okay, Lana. It...it was good that we talked, I guess. I..."
(10:03:21 PM) Charlotte: Words fail, and she gets to her feet as well, not meeting Lana's eyes, not even as she shuffles past. "...Just. Let me know when you want me to meet your familiar." And then she's moving again, retracing her steps back to the facility's main doors.
(10:04:23 PM) Earthflame: "-Oh, Charley, Hi!" Comes a voice. Goa apparently just arriving- Or finally revealing herself?
(10:05:32 PM) ***Charlotte lifts her head, blinking slowly. "Oh, hey, Goa," she says slowly, then smacks her cheeks. "Uh. Sorry about that. All done talking with the First Ar...row?"
(10:06:24 PM) FeldiAway: Lana watches her leave, and only when she's gone does she let herself fall back onto the bench, looking up at the sky above. "I can understand why you left, but you never understood why I stayed..." She whispers to the air. "Or respected that..."
(10:07:20 PM) Earthflame: "...Yeah? How'd you hear about that?" She glances across to the distant Lana, not saying anything, but still clearly trying to figure something out...
(10:08:17 PM) Charlotte: "Well, I came in to find you but I couldn't, so I was about to leave when I ran into Lana and...Pini? And Pini said that's what happened."
(10:11:31 PM) Earthflame: "...Right." Goa glances again, and then shakes her head. "Come on then, it's this way." She can't help taking a final glance towards Lana, turning away... Suppressing her curiosity enough to not ask it directly.

-----------

(7:16:46 PM) ***Ivory is walking towards the Hyperion outreach center, her parasol over her shoulder. She's fit...but the lack of public transport is already starting to annoy her with this planet.
(7:19:19 PM) Earthflame: There is more in the new city, but still not much, walking or bicycles still favoured by many of the natives. The Outreach Center stands out among the prefabs, located near some museums and TSAB administrative blocks, with a design that calls back to both modern Hyperion and its ancient golden age, a solid metal construction emphasising durability and efficiency, with a marble facade of columns
(7:19:19 PM) Earthflame: and sculpture... Some of which look suspiciously like the muses.
(7:22:28 PM) ***Ivory raises an eyebrow, heading for the doors. Well, they've certainly inherited Desdemona's ego.
(7:30:01 PM) Earthflame: The entry hall is all steel and glass, straight lines and rounded corners, with a few holographic displays on Hyperion around for visitors who need basic information on the world. It's a decently large building, with a small seating area off one side that could be used as a lounge or for talks and social gatherings, what looks like a decently sized museum on the other, stairs up to conference
(7:30:01 PM) Earthflame: rooms and other things, and a large door at the back leading to a VR suite.
(7:31:36 PM) ***Ivory mutters to herself. "I'll admit, I was expecting more decadence."
(7:47:42 PM) Earthflame: She can see a couple of people, although not Theia, or even Aphrodite or Hedylogos. A tall woman with greying hair and a Hyperion military uniform, with quite a bit of metal on the chest, stands talking to a girl who reminds her of Altea, perhaps also from Francisco? Her hair is dark and she unconsciously fidgets, fingers stroking along silver lines glinting through her skin on her arms, and
(7:47:42 PM) Earthflame: more are visible on her legs... Enhancements? She wears a skirt suit in a charcoal grey tone with neon strips highlighting the hems and collar of the jacket and a white shirt beneath, along with a pair of aggressively sensible shoes.
(7:48:35 PM) ***Ivory heads up towards them, though not close enough to interfere with thier coversation.
(7:50:52 PM) Earthflame: The older woman nods to her, the girl turning around, blinking large brown eyes but then stepping forward, smiling at Ivory, her accent softer but still reminiscent of Altea's. "Ah, hello. Welcome to the Hyperion Outreach Center." She extends a hand. "I'm Rafaela."
(7:51:40 PM) ***Ivory takes it, shaking her hand. "Ivory Maddalen." She smiles slightly.
(7:54:16 PM) Earthflame: There's a faint look of reconition on the older womans face, but she hangs back as Rafaela nods. "It's nice to meet you. Can I ask why you're visiting us today? Interested in learning about Hyperion?"
(7:58:09 PM) ***Ivory chuckles. "I was hoping to see Theia, if she is around."
(7:59:16 PM) Earthflame: "...Oh!" She blushes. "I'm not sure, I haven't seen her today..." The older woman speaks, her voice deep and self assured. "I think you should talk to Aphrodite, Enforcer Maddalen. She's upstairs."
(8:00:09 PM) Ivory: "...oh?" She raises an eyebrow.
(8:03:06 PM) Earthflame: "She handles assignments, so she should know where Theia and Hedylogos are." She extends a hand. "Lochagos Myrina Neorion. I know you by reputation."
(8:05:42 PM) Ivory: "I'm surprised I have one, honestly. I'm only a provisional enforcer." She takes the hand, shaking it in turn.
(8:06:48 PM) Earthflame: "Even a loose connection to the Casus Belli incident is worth acknowledging." She gives her a slight nod. "Thank you, for your part."
(8:07:23 PM) Ivory: "I didn't do much." She shrugs. "That was the hard work of others, I just wrote up reports afterwards." She nods to her. "Where would the stairs be?"
(8:08:38 PM) Earthflame: "The levitation panel is there." She points to a panel on the floor, adjacent to a part of the railing that swings open. "...But that's just for showing off. The stairs are this way-" She moves to poke open a door. "Her office should be easy to find."
(8:12:32 PM) ***Ivory nods, heading for the door and the stairs instead and heading upstairs. "Thank you."
(8:13:20 PM) Earthflame: It is easy to find, one of two main offices, the other marked 'Hedylogos'
(8:17:07 PM) ***Ivory politely knocks on the door.
(8:17:40 PM) Earthflame: "Come in~" Comes a sweet and melodic voice.
(8:20:55 PM) ***Ivory opens the door, stepping inside. "Hello?"
(8:21:48 PM) Earthflame: Aphrodite smiles, sitting in an extremely smart skirt-suit at a large glass and steel desk, which is currently blank. Her walls are decorated by pictures, a mix of ancient Hyperion artworks, more modern pieces and photographs of notable buildings within the dome. "Enforcer Maddalen! It's such a pleasure to meet you."
(8:22:53 PM) Ivory: "Well, we met briefly at the bar. Though we didn't have much chance to talk." She nods to the hyperion muse.
(8:23:48 PM) Earthflame: "There are meetings and there are Meetings~" She grins. "A casual drink in a bar is one thing. Your visit to our center is something else entirely~"
(8:24:22 PM) Ivory: "Of course, though I'm not here in any official capacity."
(8:26:46 PM) Earthflame: "You're on world as a TSAB delegate, and from what I hear about Enforcer's it's hard to really stop working." Still, her smile is friendly, gesturing towards a rather abstract looking seat before the table.
(8:27:43 PM) ***Ivory takes a seat. "Still, I'm here to visit a friend...and there is very little for me to do, work-wise."
(8:28:37 PM) Earthflame: "Ahh, looking for Theia, are you? I'm sorry to say she and Hedylogos are out at the moment, visiting one of the local schools."
(8:29:00 PM) Ivory: "...ah, my apologies. When will she be back?"
(8:29:47 PM) Earthflame: "You've nothing to apologise for, all are welcome here, and I'm not doing too much at the moment either..." She flicks up a schedule. "Classes should end within the next half an hour or so, so they shouldn't be long after that. Please, stay and chat while we wait~"
(8:32:03 PM) ***Ivory shrugs. "I suppose I can do that." She nods to the other woman. "The building is very interesting."
(8:36:16 PM) Earthflame: "Isn't it just?" She laughs. "Precision engineered to be the best advertisement for Hyperion we can manage~"
(8:36:50 PM) Ivory: "I sort of assumed. It does seem very much a desdemona creation."
(8:37:34 PM) Earthflame: "Not just her. She took consultations from all sorts of historians, psychologists, philosophers and architects. I think she might even have actually listened to some of them~"
(8:40:09 PM) ***Ivory nods. "It's a very pretty building."
(8:41:05 PM) Earthflame: "It's far more than just pretty... But enough about me." She chuckles softly. "How are you finding Maeziou? I know you've not been here long, but it is an odd little place, isn't it?"
(8:46:26 PM) Ivory: "It is...quaint."
(8:47:29 PM) Earthflame: "Now that's a polite word for it." She smiles, stretching. "But it's not a bad place to spend some time... Even if being trapped here is a bit unsettling."
(8:51:43 PM) ***Ivory nods. "I wasn't quite expecting being posted here."
(8:52:37 PM) Earthflame: "I'm quite sure there are far worse places to go. Even if that blot in the sky is just a little worrying, for all that I know I shouldn't."
(8:54:46 PM) ***Ivory shrugs. "I was honestly hoping to be sent somewhere a little more...testing."
(8:56:17 PM) Earthflame: "Ohh, nearly getting hit by a deranged cyclist for the third time is certainly testing..."
(8:57:03 PM) Ivory: "Not exactly what I meant." She shakes her head.
(8:57:47 PM) Earthflame: "I know~ But a jest is good for the heart. And perhaps, after all the excitement a while back, they thought a good test for you would be some boredom?"
(9:00:44 PM) ***Ivory sighs. "As i have told a few people, I wasn't really involved in that. I mostly just wrote reports afterwards."
(9:01:31 PM) Earthflame: "Theia seems to think you quite the hero~"
(9:02:19 PM) ***Ivory raises an eyebrow. "That is news."
(9:03:11 PM) Earthflame: An eyebrow quirks. "Ohh? She talks about you quite a lot... Perhaps it's all stuff you both already know."
(9:03:22 PM) Ivory: "...she does?"
(9:03:52 PM) Earthflame: The eyebrow quirks more. "...Clearly you two have some things to talk about."
(9:04:29 PM) Ivory: "We mostly watch shows together or talk about history or play video games."
(9:04:50 PM) Earthflame: "I'm sure Theia enjoys that a lot#"
(9:04:52 PM) Earthflame: *~"
(9:07:09 PM) Ivory: "I suppose so?" Ivory tilts her head slightly.
(9:08:12 PM) Earthflame: She pauses, trying to get a read on Ivory... If she's serious or just playing.
(9:11:18 PM) ***Ivory seems to be serous.
(9:16:51 PM) Earthflame: She doesn't react, smiling again. "So, why are you coming by to see Theia? Just hoping to catch up?"
(9:18:20 PM) ***Ivory nods. "It's been a few weeks since we've caught up."
(9:20:30 PM) Earthflame: "That should be nice. She's done well getting up to speed, but this kind of work is very new for her."
(9:21:28 PM) Ivory: "She's told me a lot about what she was built for. Somehow I doubt there is much cause for shooting things with missile launchers...and the city is a no-fly-zone."
(9:22:12 PM) Earthflame: "She did a wonderful job flying around with a fireworks canon during one of our public displays."
(9:22:19 PM) Earthflame: *cannon
(9:22:27 PM) Ivory: "That I sadly missed." She smiles slightly.
(9:22:55 PM) Earthflame: "I'm sure we'll have another one at some point~ Old Belkan worlds, it seems, have a Lot of strange local holidays."
(9:25:10 PM) Ivory: "Each Saint King tended to make new ones." She nods "So they started to stack up."
(9:25:56 PM) Earthflame: "I can see that doing some very unfortunate things to an economy... It's no wonder they only half-celebrate most of them, kids and casual workers day off rather than a real one."
(9:27:25 PM) ***Ivory nods. "The TSAB has planning organizations for it, rather than royal whim." She smiles
(9:29:13 PM) Earthflame: "And we have Athena planning ours~" She smiles. "Of course, when you're mostly concerned with organising events, more holidays is more work, not less."
(9:29:59 PM) Ivory: "I suppose that is your concern." She chuckles
(9:31:08 PM) Earthflame: "I do hope you come along to some... And I'm sure Theia would enjoy having you there- Ah, would you like anything to drink?"
(9:31:58 PM) Ivory: "Tea is possible...though if I recall correctly Hyperion is more one for canned drinks than tea?"
(9:32:50 PM) Earthflame: "We are, but I can do tea~ How do you take it?" She stands, moving to a wall where a section rotates, revealing a small area for making drinks.
(9:35:46 PM) Ivory: "Milk and sugar, please."
(9:37:39 PM) Earthflame: She nods... Not doing anything, the facility entirely automated. "So, any plans for what you're going to do, while you're here?"
(9:38:10 PM) ***Ivory sighs. "For the moment, I have no idea. First Arrow is not likely to give me anything of note."
(9:39:03 PM) Earthflame: "She's just a bit standoffish... But all the reason for find your own things to do, Mm?"
(9:40:13 PM) Ivory: "I will need to look, I suppose. I get the feeling I am going to have a lot of time for hobbies."
(9:41:29 PM) Earthflame: "I would say so." She nods, returning with a cup for Ivory, which looks near perfect.
(9:41:55 PM) ***Ivory takes the cup. "Thank you. "That will be...rather a change."
(9:43:30 PM) Earthflame: "Well, if you ever feel boredom is too much to bear." She gestures. "I'm sure I can think of something~"
(9:44:48 PM) Ivory: "Dare I ask?" Her lips quirk up as she takes a sip of the tea.
(9:46:32 PM) Earthflame: "I wouldn't want to give away the surprise~" She laughs, before waving a hand as she takes her own seat. "But really, it's nothing insidious. I've got a few plans myself, locations of particular beauty or historical interest I've been wanting to visit, and company is always welcome."
(9:47:11 PM) ***Ivory nods. "Having met Doctor Desdemona and Lady Azhur-Rouze, I am careful of surprises."
(9:48:02 PM) Earthflame: "Oh, how I envy Aphrodite Alpha... She was sent to Midchilda, you know. I hear she and lady Azuhr-Rouze get on like a house on fire. She's been over to visit her daughter, too."
(9:49:53 PM) ***Ivory raises an eyebrow
(9:50:27 PM) Earthflame: "Although this place has its characters too~ Have you met Sahin yet?"
(9:51:36 PM) ***Ivory nods. "A friend of mine needed clothes. We didn't speak much but she seemed...ambitious."
(9:52:48 PM) Earthflame: "Oh yes she is~" She laughs. "She's already applied to open a branch on Hyperion~"
(9:53:13 PM) Ivory: "...really?"
(9:53:48 PM) Earthflame: "Oh yes~" She laughs. "Why should only Midchilda get to enjoy new trade opportunities?"
(9:54:38 PM) Ivory: "I suppose so, still that is very fast."
(9:56:16 PM) Earthflame: "This is a woman who was running a single small clothing shop on a primitive world up until only a couple of years ago... She adapts extremely quickly. She's already partway through a correspondence business degree."
(9:57:46 PM) ***Ivory shakes her head. "I'll have to amend my report on her."
(9:58:10 PM) Earthflame: "...Report?" An eyebrow quirks again.
(10:00:18 PM) Ivory: "Well, I need a hobby."
(10:00:58 PM) Earthflame: "I thought that was part of an Enforcer's job?~"
(10:03:05 PM) Ivory: "If asked. I wasn't asked to do so, it is something to keep my mind moving."
(10:04:04 PM) Earthflame: "I don't think that counts as a hobby."
(10:05:16 PM) Ivory: "I will be sure to note that when writing the profile on you." She smirks slightly.
(10:06:02 PM) Earthflame: "Ohh, I would Love to read that~" She laughs, spreading her hands. "But I've got nothing to hide~ Ask me whatever you like~"
(10:07:42 PM) Ivory: "Oh, I'm still working out the right questions." She shakes her head. "Perhaps later."
(10:08:29 PM) Earthflame: "Give me a call anytime~"
(10:08:48 PM) ***Ivory rolls her eyes
(10:11:54 PM) Earthflame: "You will eventually~" She smirks.
(10:12:18 PM) Ivory: "I will resist as long as possible." Her voice is as dry as the sahara.
(10:13:41 PM) Earthflame: "All will be assimilated~" She grins, posing a bit. "That's why I look like this, after all~"
(10:14:35 PM) Ivory: "Like an overstuffed sausage?" She smirks, despite her voice remaining dry.
(10:15:38 PM) Earthflame: "Hmm... I'll have to contact our engineers. It seems this sort of appearance doesn't compromise the will of All TSAB females." She grins.
(10:16:20 PM) Ivory: "A flawed design, I'm afraid. Enforcers, in our duty of the miniskirt police, are immune to such things."
(10:17:14 PM) Earthflame: "Miniskirt police, Hmm? Are you here because I'm not complying, officer~" She grins, enjoying the banter.
(10:17:18 PM) Earthflame: *?
(10:17:50 PM) Ivory: "Technically we don't have authority over Hyperion individuals. So I will have to simply make it a strong suggestion."
(10:18:39 PM) Earthflame: "So what you're saying is... You want to see me in a short skirt?~"
(10:19:04 PM) Ivory: "It is a duty and sacrafice, not a pleasure."
(10:19:27 PM) Earthflame: "We'll see if you're still saying that afterwards~"
(10:23:01 PM) Ivory: "I imagine I will. I cannot see any reason to change my mind." She looks right at the Hyperion woman, smirking.
(10:23:59 PM) Earthflame: "You smug TSAB types... You don't realise the full scope of what Hyperion can do~"
(10:24:42 PM) Ivory: "Hyperion's greatest advancements in these areas pale compared to what Belka has unleashed and we are still here."
(10:25:11 PM) Earthflame: She blinks at that. "...The accuracy of that double meaning is almost eerie."
(10:25:34 PM) Ivory: "Thank you, I'm a little proud of it." She nods
(10:25:59 PM) Earthflame: "You Are fun~" She smiles. "I'm glad I managed to catch you, before you swan off with dear Theia~"
(10:26:38 PM) Ivory: "I must admit, I had expected you to reach the end of your tether by this point. You did strike me as rather highly strung."
(10:28:03 PM) Earthflame: "I am~" She laughs. "But one has to retain flexibility in this kind of work, rather than getting bent out of shape over some light teasing~"
(10:28:59 PM) Ivory: "Oh good. Starting another war...that would look bad on my report."
(10:29:15 PM) Earthflame: "The last one didn't technically ever start, thankfully."
(10:29:41 PM) Ivory: "And I would like to keep it that way." She nods
(10:34:58 PM) Earthflame: "Agreed." She smiles. "It's what I'm built for... But I chose this life, rather than being born to it. I dearly hope our peoples can find a lasting peace, and even more than that."
(10:36:27 PM) Ivory: "That would be nice."
(10:38:58 PM) Earthflame: "It's why Hyperion sent their best~"
(10:39:28 PM) Ivory: "Ah, yes. Where did you say Theia was?~"
(10:40:15 PM) Earthflame: "...She really is. One of the best." She nods. "It's why I thought it might be a good idea for her to come here. A place where we can treat her like the hero she is. Even if others might still not see it."
(10:40:55 PM) Ivory: "She's a good person...if a little tempremental."
(10:41:22 PM) Earthflame: "That too~" She giggles. "But I think it's part of her charm."
(10:41:58 PM) Ivory: "I'm lucky to call her a friend. Though she still denies that any mages are her friends."
(10:42:42 PM) Earthflame: "That's something else I'm working on~" She smiles. "She finds it surprisingly hard to tell a classroom of enthusiastic schoolchildren that she hates mages~"
(10:43:38 PM) ***Ivory laughs. "That would do it."
(10:44:13 PM) Earthflame: "She's surprisingly good with them. I know she has a few pictures of her they drew up on the wall of her office~"
(10:46:22 PM) Ivory: "That is very cute."
(10:46:59 PM) Earthflame: "I'm sure she'll have some more today, especially since..." She smiles. "Come with me~"
(10:47:29 PM) ***Ivory raises an eyebrow but stands up.
(10:49:28 PM) Earthflame: She leads her to the balcony, overlooking the lobby... As a man in white opens a door, and a woman steps through... Blonde hair in light curls, laurels and flowers in her hair, tasteful makeup and a flowing toga-styled gown... It's Theia, but looking unlike Ivory has ever seen her before, the clothing clearly carefully tailored and designed for her, accentuating her body shape, exulting in it
(10:49:28 PM) Earthflame: rather than hiding it. The scarlet blush on her cheeks only somewhat spoils things. She hasn't yet noticed Ivory...
(10:50:28 PM) ***Ivory raises an eyebrow. "Well, that is new."
(10:51:43 PM) Earthflame: Hedylogos moves in behind her, the handsome man clad in his own toga, laurels and all. "They were visiting the school in ancient Hyperion dress, to help out a history lesson~ The local schools have been very happy to include some of our history in their curriculum. Let's head down~"
(10:53:17 PM) Ivory: "Alright~" She steps sideways...and vanishes into Aphrodite's shadows without warning.
(10:54:27 PM) Earthflame: She is momentarily startled, blinking around... Before letting out a small huff, stepping forward as the floor rises up to meet her, let her gracefully descend. "Theia, Hedy, welcome home~" Theia looks up at her, trying to pout, but there's warmth to the smile, as Hedylogos laughs and squeezes her shoulder. "You did well today, Theia."
(10:55:05 PM) Ivory: ...and Ivory steps out of Theia's shadow.
(10:56:02 PM) Earthflame: She squeaks, spinning round- And freezing, blinking in shock. "I-Ivory?!" And there comes the crimson again. Out of the corner of her eye, she notices Hedylogos reacting... But for a moment, he'd slipped into a Myrmidon unarmed combat stance. Although they're PR Myrmidons, they Are still Myrmidons.
(10:58:13 PM) ***Ivory notes that mentally. "It's good to see you again Theia."
(10:59:41 PM) Earthflame: "It is!" She smiles awkwardly, brushing a hand through her hair. "I... Didn't think it would be now, though... Did I keep you waiting?" Somewhere, Aphrodite is miffed she's not being paid much attention, while Hedylogos remains close, quiet and smiling softly, giving Theia another gentle squeeze on the shoulder.
(11:00:27 PM) Ivory: "Not long, I was just talking to Aphrodite. She's a little dull but she's nice."
(11:02:24 PM) Earthflame: "Theia~" Aphrodite coos, coming around Ivory's other side. "It's always nice to see you smiling. You and Hedy seem to have had a new day~" She gestures. "But I suppose your friend here will be stealing you away from us?" She shows no Outward reaction...
(11:05:27 PM) Ivory: "If she wants me to."
(11:06:04 PM) Earthflame: "Well, Theia?~" Aphrodite beams a smile at her. "Is your handsome prince here going to whisk you away?~"
(11:06:09 PM) Earthflame: Theia looks like a deer in the headlights.
(11:08:15 PM) Ivory: "I was more interested if she'd like to go get tea. I've have some already but you are the best company here~"
(11:09:13 PM) Earthflame: "There's a delightful little coffee shop nearby~" Aphrodite smiles... Taking Theia by the shoulder, turning her and slipping an arm through Ivory's. "I'll see you two later~" Theia blinks, slowly looking up towards Ivory with a slightly nervous smile. "I... I guess that's fine?"
(11:09:39 PM) Ivory: "Unless you'd rather change first?"
(11:10:44 PM) Earthflame: Aphrodite seems about to speak... But Hedylogos touches her shoulder, and she pouts for a moment, before seeming to accept defeat. Theia breathes slowly... And quirks her arm away from Ivory's about a moment. "I... Yeah." She smiles a bit more normally. "...Thanks, Ivory. And it is nice to see you."
(11:11:54 PM) Ivory: "Likewise. This will be a bit of a reverse to how it was before. You have duties and I don't have much to do."
(11:12:48 PM) Earthflame: "It's not much in the way of duties, but- I'll just go get changed." She hesitates, hovering for a moment as she looks at Ivory...
(11:14:09 PM) ***Ivory looks back, not saying anything.
(11:15:25 PM) Earthflame: Does she look faintly disappointed as she turns to hurry off?
(11:16:45 PM) ***Ivory looks a tad confused, then shrugs and turns to Aphrodite. "Thank you for your hospitality."
(11:18:43 PM) Earthflame: She looks a bit disappointed to. "You're welcome, Ivory. As I said, come by any time." There's something a bit off though, as Hedylogos leads her away...
(11:19:11 PM) ***Ivory tries to work out what is off.
(11:19:29 PM) Earthflame: It feels like she had some extra expectation of Ivory...
(11:20:01 PM) ***Ivory makes a note of including it in the report and to work out what it was.

-----------

(12:33:36 PM) Earthflame: After consulting with a medic in one of the local surgeries, Med has been referred to the industrial estate of the new city, one of the few tech startups occupying corners of far larger than necessary buildings. This one is Lifeline Analytics, a genetic research and development business run by an older man, Mezeg Osee, who was more than willing to make an appointment with her.
(12:39:05 PM) Med: * Med has decided to go out to a hospital to see about... well, a medical checkup. It's probably important; she's elected to go by herself, under the logic she needs to not rely on the TSAB people for everything, even if they are really nice.
(12:41:09 PM) Earthflame: Preliminary checks by the surgery doctor gave her an all clear for obvious problems... But the eye is something she should see a specialist about. Such as the old man, hair greying to almost white, who opens the door of the stuffy little clinic even before she arrives. "Ah! You would be Med?"
(12:41:21 PM) Earthflame: He walks with a slightly crooked back, skin thin and face deeply lined, but his smile is warm.
(12:48:44 PM) Med: She smiles; still wearing what she's thinking of as her 'good clothes'--the ones she bought, not the one sshe was found in. Her mask is hanging at her waist still. "Ah, yes. You're Dr. Osee?"
(12:51:31 PM) Earthflame: "Yes, yes. And you would be Med the mystery girl?" He chuckles to himself, gesturing. "Please, please, come in."
(12:52:03 PM) Med: She nods, hopping up and following. "That's... descriptive, yes Doctor."
(12:54:37 PM) Earthflame: The office is small and cramped, with a workstation and a lot of filing cabinets in the little office, along with a medical suite and a lab off to one side. Although the building is unoccupied, he doesn't seem interested in expanding beyond his corner of it. "So, what can I do for you today?"
(12:55:43 PM) Med: "Um, well," she says, rubbing the back of her neck softly. "I... don't actually know anything about me," she says. "Where I came from. What I am. What's the deal with the tattoos and the mutation."
(12:56:19 PM) Earthflame: He nods. "Of course. It must all seem very strange... And I understand from the referral that they couldn't figure much out?"
(12:58:10 PM) ***Med nods. "Yes," she replies.
(1:00:23 PM) Earthflame: "Well." He smiles, reaching up to pat her on the shoulder. "I suppose we should get started. I have rapid sequencing tools here, although more detailed results will take a while."
(1:01:55 PM) Med: "Oh? What do I need to do?"
(1:02:54 PM) Earthflame: "I'll just need some blood and tissue samples, but then I'll do a more thorough general inspection, if that's alright with you?" He gives her another smile, gaze lingering on her for a moment.
(1:06:46 PM) Med: She nods slightly. "Sure," she says. "Whatever's needed; I'm... curious about what's going on, so..."
(1:07:24 PM) Earthflame: "I think everyone is." He chuckles to himself, leading her to a seat. "Not much happens here, so when something does... Well. People talk."
(1:08:19 PM) Med: "It does seem like everyone I've met has heard about 'the wierd girl they pulled out of the lake' already," the rainbow-haired girl murmurs, sitting down.
(1:09:26 PM) Earthflame: "It's to be expected, considering... Well, this will only hurt a bit." A syringe finds his hand, taking her arm and expertly finding the vein, although he waits for her nod before going ahead.
(1:12:30 PM) Med: She nods, watching him work.
(1:16:00 PM) Earthflame: Silver piercing pale skin, deeply red blood drawn out, then carefully moved and inserted into a computer system. "There! That's all it takes." He gives her another smile. "Initial readings should just be a few minutes, but... Tell me, Med, is there anything in particular you want me to look at?"
(1:23:21 PM) Med: "Well... can you try to tell where I'm from?" She asks. "Genetically or whatever, at least?"
(1:24:18 PM) Earthflame: He chuckles. "That was always my first thought. But I meant the rest of it... Your tattoos, your eye? I know they looked over it, but I want to be thorough."
(1:25:05 PM) Med: "Oh, well." She bites her lip a bit. "Sure, you can take a closer look at everything. It can't hurt!"
(1:26:52 PM) Earthflame: He nods, starting on it while the system processes the sample...
(1:36:15 PM) Med: Her tattoos have one immediate issue--for one, they're... not tattoos, in the traditional sense. They'renot made of ink; it's more like some sort of ground glass or mirror that's been embedded in her flesh, leaving a rainbow reflection that shifts and moves--that's not the only glass in her, either. The tattoos travel up her arms and down to her back, where the mirrors are more easily seen,
(1:36:15 PM) Med: the large, eye and geometric patterns scattered across her flesh easy to see. The eye in her forhead seems to track seperately from her other two, fully independant; it usually follow them, but occasionally does not, and it very rarely blinks. It does seem to be fully functional, though; her vision gets a little worse when it's closed, improving back to usual when she opens and uses it. She
(1:36:16 PM) Med: has mirror-panes along her sides; flush to the skin, they don't reflect what one would expect, instead a scintillating rainbow light. There's a small glass shard or gem that seems implanted at the base of her neck; it's cut into a great number of facets like a gem, and seems to shine with some sort of internal light. Some of her eye-tattoos--notably, the ones on her palm and the backs of her
(1:36:21 PM) Med: shoulders--appear to close when one isn't looking directly at them, but according to all recordings they don't actually move--only to the physical eye, and then only when they're in the corner of vision do they seem to close.
(1:39:57 PM) Earthflame: "How curious..." He murmurs, taking a lot of notes, before bringing up a display when the machine finally bleeps. And just stares at it, furrowing his brow. "...This doesn't make sense..."
(1:40:38 PM) Med: "... Hmm?"
(1:41:23 PM) Earthflame: He raises a hand to scratch his hair, frowning. "...For all I know, you're from Al-Hazard. I mean... There's recognizable sequences here and there but nothing coherent, nothing complete..." He turns to stare at her. "...I've never seen anything like it."
(1:42:53 PM) Med: "Ah," she murmurs. "Just more questions, then. I... was kind of expecting that." She sighs. "I have this feeling nothing about figuring me out is going to be easy."
(1:43:50 PM) Earthflame: "Well... I'll let you know if I figure out anything more." He smiles, resting a hand on her shoulder.
(1:44:43 PM) Med: She smiles back, shifting back and forth a bit. "Thank you, Doctor," she says, closing her eyes for a moment. "It's... I'll admit it's a little frustrating."
(1:45:07 PM) Earthflame: "I can understand that... But don't focus on the past. I've spent far too many years doing that... What matters is keeping your eyes on the future."
(1:47:15 PM) Med: She quirks a rainbow-colored eyebrow.
(1:47:36 PM) Med: "I'm going to have to get used to the eye jokes aren't I."
(1:47:46 PM) Earthflame: "It's a figure of speech." He waves a hand with a chuckle. "A past isn't what defines you, Med. It's what you do now that matters. So... What do you want to do?"
(1:49:18 PM) Med: "Well," she says, frowning. "I'm still not really sure? I'm staying with the TSAB people for now, and they've been very kind to me, but I don't want to be a freeloader on them, I know that much. I've finished reading the encyclopedia I found, so I'm mostly caught up to what's... availiable, more or less? But I don't really know what my own skillsets are. I seem to be fairly intelligent at
(1:49:18 PM) Med: least?" She shrugs.
(1:49:47 PM) Earthflame: "Then... Why not go find out? Just try to do things, to see if you can?"
(1:53:08 PM) Med: She scratches her head a bit. "That... is a fair point," she says. "I hadn't considered that."
(1:54:03 PM) Earthflame: "There's much the young often fails to think about." He gives her a wry smile. "I'll send over a report after anything else, but you seem completely healthy... Glass in your skin and all."
(1:55:23 PM) Med: She nods. "Well, that's good," she says, standing up. "I guess I'll go... start doing things?"
(1:58:50 PM) Earthflame: "You might want to look into further education, too. The TSAB has free courses available in a lot of things... And you never know, this or that might trigger some memories."
(2:02:58 PM) Med: "That's true," she says. "Are those courses going to be avaliable now, though, with the blackout thing?"
(2:05:12 PM) Earthflame: "Data can still get through, with some interference. But I'm sure there's plenty stored locally, too."
(2:06:04 PM) Med: "I'll see what I can pick up then!" She smiles. "Thank you, Doctor. I"ll let you get to it."
(2:07:23 PM) Earthflame: "Keep in touch." He gives her a wave and a nod.
(2:08:36 PM) Med: "I will!" She turnst o leave, already pulling up a list of TSAB courses and random hobbies she can start trying out.

-----------

(1:48:27 PM) Earthflame: It require a return to the Archerien, but technically the small set of rooms off to one side is Enforcer property. It's not much, though. A large room with two desks, a storeroom off to one side and an interview room off to the other, which seems to be doubling as a second storage space. Enforcer Trabant's desk, absent its named occupant, is messy, with stacks of paperwork and the remnants of
(1:48:27 PM) Earthflame: various fast food purchases. A small notice on the desk declares that he is out to lunch. The sign actually has dust building up on one edge, it's been there that long.
(1:48:28 PM) Earthflame: The other occupants desk is slightly more tidy... If only because all the papers have been merged together into a makeshift pillow, the ashen haired woman in a scruffy suit lying on it, soundly asleep.
(1:53:59 PM) ***Ivory enters the rooms and looks about, blinking. This is...not as is expected.
(1:56:13 PM) Earthflame: The woman snores. For all the grey in her hair, she looks pretty young, probably less than a decade older than Ivory, although it's a bit hard to say. The office is mostly like the two desks, messy and cramped. A sofa sits awkwardly in one corner, completely out of place.
(2:08:27 PM) ***Ivory stands up straight...and shadows swirl around her. Ivory's hair shifts, becoming blonde and in a long ponytail tied with a black ribbon, her eyes red as her outfit shifts to a black dress suit with the emblem of a full enforcer on it. "Enforcer, what are you doing?" Her voice rises in a commanding tone.
(2:18:26 PM) Earthflame: There isn't an immediate reaction... And then one eye slowly opens, grey as her hair, coming to focus on her... Widening, every so slightly.
(2:22:37 PM) Ivory: "This isn't your room Enforcer Simca, why are you napping on duty?" She narrows her eyes at the girl.
(2:24:33 PM) Earthflame: ...And then the grey eyebrow quirks slightly. "...There's no way you're Enforcer Harlaown. The latest briefing docs had a report by her from Mid, dated too recently for you to have travelled here since then, especially with the Tenvalanv..." She almost yawns out the worlds. "...But whoever you are, it's a good disguise."
(2:25:34 PM) ***Ivory sighs and sheds the illusion, returning to her normal look...though looking a big grumpy still.
(2:26:41 PM) Earthflame: "You would be... Enforcer Maddalen?" She straightens up a bit, yawning and rubbing her eyes, fumbling for a mug and nearly knocking it off the desk, before taking a swig of what must be at best lukewarm coffee.
(2:27:16 PM) Ivory: "Yes." She doesn't correct it to provisional like most times she's done it.
(2:28:48 PM) Earthflame: "Nice to meet you. Why are you here?" She slumps back in her chair, chugging the remnant coffee and then making a face, slowly rising and hobbling over to the storeroom... They have a coffee maker in there?
(2:29:31 PM) Ivory: "Because these are the Enforcer offices."
(2:30:10 PM) Earthflame: "...You want a desk? You could probably use Trabant's..." there's another yawn, and then the gurgle of a coffee maker.
(2:32:08 PM) Ivory: "...I'm not sure where the papers would be stored if I did that."
(2:33:35 PM) Earthflame: "Just shove them in the interview room with all the others." She wobbles out again, having finished off half the mug of coffee before she's even back at her desk. She looks up at Ivory, a mug of sticky tar in her hand, blinking tiredly. "...Oh. Did you want some?"
(2:34:53 PM) Ivory: "I'm fine." She rubs her temples, taking a deep breath.
(2:46:43 PM) Ivory: "So, what is happening here?"
(2:54:24 PM) Earthflame: "...I'm working?" She drinks more coffee, looking completely serious.
(2:54:47 PM) Ivory: "In your sleep?"
(2:55:04 PM) Earthflame: "What, can't you?"
(2:55:56 PM) Ivory: "No, I can't. I tend to be awake for doing my work."
(2:56:46 PM) Earthflame: "Huh. That must suck for you." She finishes the mug, putting it down and running her fingers through her hair with a groan. "Why are you here again?"
(2:58:21 PM) Ivory: "Because I was assigned here and I assumed work would be being done in the office."
(2:58:53 PM) Earthflame: "Like I said, it is." She rubs her eyes. "Things work differently 'round here. You'll figure it out."
(3:05:10 PM) ***Ivory takes another breath. "I see. So what cases are currently being worked on?"
(3:07:36 PM) Earthflame: "Uhh..." She ruffles in the pile. "...Someone in one of the startups came to us because they weren't sure all their paperwork was up to date? They were worried about getting into trouble, so we're looking into it for them."
(3:08:39 PM) Ivory: "...right. Anything I can help with?"
(3:12:28 PM) Earthflame: "Uh..." She ponders. "...Wait a sec." She roots around for a device, pulling out a slim black oval on a loop of cloth- And it speaks up. [Oh, you're actually awake?] "Shut up Sid, I just need my contact details." There's a ping, and Ivory gets the data. "There. If you need anything, let me know."
(3:14:38 PM) ***Ivory takes it...and walks out, checking it over.
(3:15:43 PM) Earthflame: "Ivory!" She hears Simca's voice as she reaches the door.
(3:17:15 PM) Ivory: "Yes?"
(3:17:57 PM) Earthflame: "Seriously. If you need anything, call." Her voice is a lot more clear and awake for that... And then she yawns, and Ivory hears papers rustle. "...Also we should meet up outside of work some time."
(3:19:40 PM) Ivory: "Yes, I suppose." She heads out, stomping slightly.

-----------

(9:00:47 PM) Earthflame: It's not exactly interesting, but getting her device in touch with the barracks's internal network is something Charley has to deal with eventually... Only, there's something odd, the display that comes up isn't a new user interface... It's a confirmation for an attempt to delete something, started but never completed and left hanging while the room was empty. It looks like a diary app, and
(9:00:47 PM) Earthflame: the date roughly lines up with the end of the last rotation...
(9:01:24 PM) You are now known as Charlotte
(9:03:05 PM) ***Charlotte blinks. That's a little...odd, to say the least. She looks around the building quickly to see if anyone else is around to check with on it. Failing to find anyone, she gives a mental shrug and returns to the display. A prompt hangs in front of the text, asking if she wants to continue with erasing the electronic journal.
(9:04:18 PM) Charlotte: Curiosity wars with, and eventually wins against, any thoughts of privacy. The last owner is long since out of here, and it's not like Charley'll ever meet them anyway. She clears the prompt away and sets to reading. Maybe they'll have some explanation for why the old homeworld is so much weirder than she had ever heard it was.
(9:06:34 PM) Earthflame: ...The last journal entry is a bitter one. How he should have known better, that it wasn't possible... That she'd never have come back with him. He swears he'll leave this stupid world behind and never look back... Which, apparently, also included not double checking he'd actually deleted it.
(9:08:43 PM) Charlotte: Well that's rough. And it puts Charley in a melancholy mood, bringing that conversation with Lana back to the front of her mind. Still, one entry does not the whole story tell, and she backs out to the dates, selecting an early entry.
(9:10:49 PM) Earthflame: The dark mood fades over time, showing how things weren't always so bad... In the weeks before that there's uncertainty and sorrow, all the way up to about a month before the date he left, with a duality from day to the next... Talking about how he thought she'd agreed to come back with him, feeling betrayed... Asking the question why Saezhi, why?"
(9:15:22 PM) Charlotte: Oh, great. Charley huffs through her nose as she reads. Apparently this guy thought he really had a thing going...with that stuck-up First Arrow, of all people? Geeze, how silly had he been? It seems pretty obvious to Charley that anyone left on this forsaken planet is more Belkanly Belkan than even the most obtusely Belkan Belkan in any stories, with "family first" this and "it's mine" that.
(9:15:22 PM) Charlotte: No wonder he'd been so angry at the end. Trying to get these locals to concede anything is like trying to pull a brick out of a wall with your lips.
(9:15:22 PM) Charlotte: It never quite registers with the blonde that she is equally stubborn, though perhaps in other ways.
(9:16:48 PM) Earthflame: ...And yet, going further back, the story isn't quite so simple. It seems, at least for a while, she'd agreed to go offworld with him, and the way he describes her is completely unlike the girl they'd met not long ago... Up until one point when things went wrong.
(9:18:45 PM) ***Charlotte checks to see if he bothers describing "things" or if he's just a mopey sot.
(9:55:49 PM) Earthflame: The incident itself is talked around rather than described directly, but she can glean some clues... Something about Saezhi talking to her mother?
(10:04:28 PM) Charlotte: Well, if "like mother, like daughter" carries any water, it's no wonder, is Charley's sarcastic thought. She puts the griping out of her mind and goes back to reading entries.
(10:07:32 PM) Earthflame: ...It's oddly sweet. A bit of an icy initial reaction, but they warmed to each other over time, talking, going out, coming to know each other... It really is striking, just how sudden Saezhi's demeanour changes, at least how he describes it.
(10:11:20 PM) Charlotte: ...and he'd been right here, too. Not even the dubious "benefit" of a few years' absence to have the change happen. Agh. Now she's just going in mental circles. Maybe some of these other journal entries will help take her mind off that.
(10:17:40 PM) Earthflame: The guy seems pretty nice, overall. A young TSAB officer, Rhamant Gilbern, bright eyed and bushy tailed... Mostly bored, at least at first, and then only really finding interest in his interactions with Saezhi right up until it all goes wrong... It's not particularly interesting, overall.
(10:19:08 PM) Charlotte: Blegh. Well, that was...mildly interesting, if only for the insight into why the First Arrow is such a hard-nosed...well, Charley's mom had told her that wasn't the kind of word proper ladies used.
(10:19:08 PM) Charlotte: She closes the diary and makes a face at the empty space the AR window used to occupy. After that she needs a good solid run to take her mind off things.