Sot Meets Evika

[Reynolds Station, transport bay]

(Scatterhome): Poet says, "Ok. I'm out for now Scatterbugs."
(Scatterhome): You say, "Stay frosty, Poet~!"
(Scatterhome): Evika says, "Until your return."

You say, "Have a chill time!"

[Poet logs out. Evika is here]

You say, "Ye look a lil chilly there yerself. Fury, yeh?"

Evika cocks her head at you.

Evika says to you, "I am."

[Handed them a packet of rustweed-flavored flashfire boom-bites.]

You say, "Great! Them bites'll probably be safe enough then."

You say, "Kithfolks mostly have th'stuff t'handle th'best an'worst I can throw at 'em."

As they open their packet of flashfire boom-bites, a fiery explosion fills the air with stinging peppers and cigarette smoke, which Evika waves away before tucking into some thickly-spiced and bite-sized pieces of zhubeef jerky.

Evika says, "It is agreeable."

You say, "Yeh remind me a lil o'm'teacher, come t'think o'it."

Evika says, "I seem to be evoking memories in the denizens of Scatterhome. It is... what it is."

You say, "Right, right... Ye've come a long way from Delphi - how are ye findin' th'Homes? Folk bein' nice enough?"

Evika says, "I have yet to be accosted by corporate assassins, and others seem to pay me little mind. It is easy to operate here."

With surprise, you say, "Ah, yer a businessfury? Unusual mix there! Wha's yer market?"

Flatly, Evika says, "It depends on what needs doing in the vicinity."

Scratching the folds in his chin with a four-fingered hand, you say, "Well tha's smuggler fer sell-swording if ever I've heard it."

Evika says, "It pays the bills, insofar as there are any bills to pay. It is easy--and cost-effective--to operate in this sector."

You say, "Tha's th'benefit o'th'Homes. Krell certainly finds th'rest o'them agreeable enough."

Evika nods thoughtfully.

Evika cocks their head.

Evika says to you, "You mentioned a storefront."

Rummaging through his satchel, you say, "Mmhm! Sure did. I'm runnin' a TT-site fer Deep Gulch Hotel."

You say, "S'a boutique steakhouse sorta."

Retrieving two pieces of candy from his satchel and holding one out to you, you say, "Aha! Do ye want t'try some o'm'first ever candies?"

You say, "It's very sour!"

You say, "I love th'way people make a face. Th'air pressure jus' pulls th'cheeks in fer a party-winning pucker every time."

Evika says, "I find this also agreeable. Stimuli are better when they are notable, given my... condition."

Tilting his head, you say, "Yer condition? Oh, yeh, Furies have a hard time tastin' spicy."

You say, "That's why I made... an extra hot version o'th'inferno beetle cake."

Evika says, "I have a hard time feeling in the... emotional sense. Is this a quality you know to be common among furies?"

You say, "Th'opposite! Furies have a hard time keepin' their emotions under control."

Evika says, "I see."

You say, "Us Seers tend t'have trouble makin' feelings happen right."

You say, "I'm definitely kith-addled, but not th'same way as Poet, or Gazer."

Evika says, "I was told there was a fire in me. But all I feel typically feel is..."

Evika says, "...cold."

With an empathetic smile, you say, "S'a hard thing t'explain, right? Different fer every person. Maybe yer so good at callin' star-kith that ye just' don't notice any heat any more?"

(Scatterhome): Aurora says, "I managed to collect 17 crystals."

Evika says, "Perhaps. I had not considered the idea. There are others who are more adept at using kith that do not share my symptoms."

Eyes shimmering black, you say, "I love th'cold, personally. Don't mind feeling' some heat wash over me from time t'time, but m'natural state is... chilly. S'kinda hard t'hide sometimes."

You say, "Not everyone channels kith th'same way, o'course."

You say, "Gwoss is usually on fire, fer instance."

You say to Aurora, "Oh, ye look like ye could use a good meal! Want any steak?"

Aurora says, "I'm well thank you."

Afesotinuilar begins to rummage through his bag for any food to share regardless.

Aurora says, "I'm fine, I'm simply old not hungry."

Aurora moves her robe a little to try and make it a little less form fitting.

You say, "Well, I'm no' about t'forcefeed yeh! Happy t'share some new snacks if ye like though!"

Aurora says, "I will be fine, I only wished to drop off some crystals."

Aurora says, "I shall leave you both to, whatever it is you are doing."

Aurora says, "Do either of you fly ships much?"

Aurora says, "Or need Agility?"

You say, "I fly fer fun mostly."

Aurora says, "No problem."

Aurora says, "I Have some spare chips I have no need for."

You say, "I have a lil baggie fer th'ones I don't use."

Aurora says, "I will keep hold of them for now, I'm sure someone will have some use out of them."

You say, "I wanna grab a drink. Wanna come fer a walk?"

Evika says, "Very well."

You say, "Ah, I didn't put th'rum in!"

Evika touches the terminal briefly, and their brow raises.

Evika says, "Ishbi Restoration."

You say, "Bit o'a backwater. Th'Restoration team is greenin' it up, tryin' t'build up local businesses, invigorate th'neighborhood."

Evika says, "I see. Your business is in benefit of this restoration?"

You say, "I'm even livin' there now, though I'm yet t'hire a Matar builder t'personalise th'room."

Nodding, you say, "Oh yeh, the TT-shop is mostly runnin' t'advertise th'nice stuff we wanna do there."

You say, "The Warren family is takin' th'lead there. I'm th'only Matari workin' w'em."

Evika seems to look through a wall to a distant point.

Evika says, "My birthplace was a similar neighborhood."

You say, "Lot's o'people come from all sorts o'places. Mine was a happy an comfortable childhood."

With a smile, you say, "Even if they don't want me round no more, I was lucky."

You say, "Oh, mm, wrong one..."

Smiling into his cup, you say, "We all gotta come from somewhere, ay?"

You say, "We all gotta go someplace too. Lotsa people forget that."

Evika says, "I am here. But I do not have a destination in the broad sense. In Koryphi, I did. My parents felt very strongly about our neighborhood, dedicated their lives to its improvement."

Evika says, "I... felt, six years ago. More than I do currently."

You say, "As a Seer, I know that we're all going t'th'same place. We all gotta die someday. It's... th'weight o'all that is... it's hard t'carry."

Evika says, "I am not a scientist, but I was once informed that matter cannot be destroyed. My matter will persist after death, so I do not fear it."

You say, "Two things make it easier. Enjoyin' th'ride, an servin' a purpose."

Evika says, "Purpose..."

With a nod and a grin, you say, "I ain't much o'one fer servin' purposes."

You say, "Matter matters, but once yer dead, yer part o'somethin' greater in my books. All gans know th'dead are sacred, and they're more than jus' bones an'meat in th'end."

Evika's short fingers touch the trade terminal again. They seem to fairly scowl a hole in it for a moment.

Evika says, "Ishbi. I have labored here before."

You say, "I done some work there from time t'time. Worked w'th'ranchers."

Evika's gaze snaps to you.

Evika says to you, "Is there labor to be done in favor of this Restoration?"

You say, "Hard t'say. It's not like there's a big ol' rock on th'shuttle dock. S'about keepin' spirits up and futures bright and hands busy fer more than th'handful o'people ye meet in th'street."

You say, "I been freshening up th'food an'drink offerings, painting murals an'menus, feedin' th'wrens."

Evika says, "Is there something I can do?"

You say, "I recommend talkin' t'Marcella an'Nathaniel about tha'. I reckon we could definitely use some help growin' th'place."

Evika nods slowly.

You say, "What sorts o'jobs are ye good at?"

You say, "Was gonna ask what ye enjoy but I got a feelin' ye might not vibe w'that as much heh."

Evika says, "You understand me quickly."

Evika says, "I do not have formal training in anything but simple labor and..."

Evika fingers an Ursus VX90 kithblade.

Evika says, "I seem to be more adept at destroying than creating."

You say, "Amaian in a nice gown an' a flaming sword? I don't picture ye workin' th'meat plant. Maybe we could clear out some bosoth an' morkwings, push some beasties out t'claim space. Gather hides an' meats from em even t'make some really unique local flavor."

You say, "D'ye have any skill in samplin' food an' drink?"

You say, "Nathaniel is a bit rubbish at tastin' things."

Evika's face scrunches in thought a moment, searching for the "correct" words.

Evika says, "I am inclined to eat or drink whatever I am given. I do not have the capacity for artistic language, but I can measure a thing's subjective worth."

[Bought a steak-cut barbecued cactus paddle and handed it to Evika]

You say, "Fancy givin' me a breakdown o'that then?"

You say, "Let's see yer analysis in action."

Afesotinuilar smiles reassuringly.

Evika says, "Very well."

Piece by piece, Evika chews on some steak-cut cactus, each morsel covered in a dried burgundy-brown coating of herbs, spices and sauces.

Evika says, "It is agreeable. It is not too sweet to discourage me from eating more. It is... moist. Pleasant, as far as the word carries meaning from me."

Nodding slowly, you say, "Standard barbeque really. I wanted it t'be self-saucing - th'dried coating an'glaze mixes w'th'juicy cactus t'sauce in th'mouth."

With a laugh, you say, "Well, yer a fair sight better at taste-testing than Nathaniel is!"

Evika says, "I will take your word for it."

You say, "He uses maybe a third o'th'words t'say even less than ye'd expect. Still, he's very passionate about what he likes."

Gesturing to your gown, you say, "Ye've got an eye fer fashion, perhaps?"

Evika says, "Before coming to this sector, I was told by my--"

Evika's eyes shift with some uncertain emotion as words seem to catch in their throat.

Evika says, "Someone once told me that I have a "particular style"."

Drifting in a circle around them, feet never touching the floor, you say, "It's a very visually dramatic style. Exquisite scarlet against yer cobalt scales an' flowing fins."

Afesotinuilar nods in approval. "Have ye ever considered tailorin' fer yerself?"

Evika says, "I..."

Evika says, "I have, for reasons I have not discerned yet."

Clapping his four-fingered hands with delight, you say, "Ah, wonderful! Is that gown an original?"

Evika says, "I did not design it, if that is your desired information. It was inexpensive, and listed on the trade terminal. I decided to wear it in lieu of a ruined jumpsuit."

Evika says, "It does not bear any particular brand or maker's mark."

You say, "Well, good taste at least. Perhaps ye'll be able t'craft somethin' finer when ye've got th'practice."

Evika says, "Perhaps."

You say, "Have ye designed anythin' jus' yet? I can't wait t'see what ye come up with!"

You say, "Something smart, austere, dramatic. It'll be grand!"

Evika says, "I have not. I may attempt it, since the prospect seems to enthuse you."

With a smile, you say, "A new perspective is a wonderful thing."

Evika says to you, "I will make a note to show you, when I have the means and have created a design."

Afesotinuilar slowly grins a wicked grin, rummaging about for a cup.

You say, "Oooohohooo, I've got somethin' fer ye t'taste-test."

You say, "It's rated -very- poorly so far. Regional Uycheon dishes don't get far it turns out!"

[I filled a cup with the ever-popular pickled vorstenoot cider and handed it to them]

Evika says, "Uycheon. This is a place within the Ascendancy, correct?"

You say, "Yeh. S'where Tukkav come from."

Evika sips on a watery white liquid that foams and bubbles on their upper lip.

Evika says, "It reminds me... it... it is..."

You say, "Normally by now, people are throwing stuff and shootin' at me fer makin' them drink it."

Evika says, "It is agreeable to me. I did not expect it to evoke memory, but it does. Memories of a home outside of my station, in a city beneath an ocean."

Afesotinuilar smiles softly.

Touching the rim of the cup before enclosing it in frost, you say, "I'm glad. It wasn't made w'malice in mind. It was made fer th'taste
 o'a homely seafood meal."

Evika's otherwise passive face glitters as a single tear rolls down their cheek. They touch their face, and look confused to see
fingers come away wet.

Evika says, "It is powerful. I see why others may have reacted as they did."

Evika wipes their cheek as nonchalantly as they can.

Politely looking away while you compose yourself, you say, "I'll have t'share all m'aquatic foods with ye in th'future. Nobody else seems t'like them!"

Evika says, "I would be inclined to accept."

You say, "I think I'm gonna tackle sashtar next maybe, if I can find a good supplier o'fish."

You say, "Zhubeef sashtar jus seems... wrong. Seafood or bust."

Evika says, "Perhaps I will forgo fashion design for a career in fishing."

Evika smiles wryly.

You say, "Oho, an acquisitions expert, ay?"

Afesotinuilar rubs his chin-folds with a four-fingered hand.

You say, "I might be Matari, but I'm a bit rubbish at findin' them acquisitions types. As much as I love havin' th'best, I'm not th'toughgan type that can get it."

Evika says, "I have been known to acquire, but I expect there is much I could learn."

With a grin, you say, "Well. I have t'get t'a meeting. Tryin' t'get some talent fer the MENU company - if yer an author, lemme know -
 so I should get goin' fer now."

Levitating up to bow dramatically with a flourish, you say, "It was lovely t'meet ye, Evika. I hope we get t'meet again real soon."

Evika says, "Until our paths again cross."

With a chuckle, you say, "Ignore th'mindsim - everyone calls me Sot."

Evika says to you, "Very well, Sot."

Afesotinuilar levitates off the ground, seemingly drawn through the spacestation on an unseen current.

[I depart]