“now do you have one of my tokens on you?”"I'm going to assume you mean this as it has a picture of your hat on it."
He says as he produces his coin and sets it on the table.
"That's the one, lets you take away with you something from my shop. Something wounder full."
He go on to place three things on his counter.
1: A Superhero out fit, with a label that says "compassionate man"
2: Some thing long that you can see he lifted onto the counter in front of him but is invisible.
3: A Ball of wool.
"I know you aren't her. But you are my sister. I at least want you to know the offer is there."
a small framed woman in a dark hued kimono can be seen in one of the offices, in a dark corner by herself, filing papers stack by stack. the way her multiple smaller stacks were sorted. if would seem she were making piles. the appearantly youthful reaper took a sip from a still cold opaque bottle. seeming to become invigorated by the substance as if it helped her focus and fight her cravings.
the woman was about 5 feet tall and very slight of frame. were she in the classroom and not the office, she could be mistaken for another student by an uninformed newer member.
"I know you aren't her. But you are my sister. I at least want you to know the offer is there."
She nodded. "I'll think about it. And talk it over with James. He deserves a say in this."
"I missed you. Even after what you did. You're my little brother and I love you. I just...no, we all need you to come back from this dark place you've gone and remember that we're not your enemies. Honestly, Taron, you threatened to eviscerate Dad. Who has been dealing with the deaths of his friends, colleagues, students, and countless innocent people. His words were harsh, but it's understandable."
"I've got a pair of giant robot suits and pilots to take 'em up. They're equipped with all the bells and whistles. Cloaking. It doesn't work for a ship, but this is smaller than a ship. They won't see them coming. Energy blades. For quiet destruction. Maneuverability like you've never seen in space. And an arsenal designed by Mom. On the off chance they need more firepower. They've done well in all the preliminary tests, but we don't exactly get a lot of stuff to practice on for a real field test. I can send them up, have them ambush the ship...if all goes well the warship will suddenly develop an explosive case of mechanical problems without ever seeing what hit them."
He doesn't answer for several seconds.
"...Do these pilots know what they're getting into, and do you trust them to get the job done?"
Time for AIs gos fast, they think faster, act faster, most of all minds.
over a few pico-seconds Rosa and the minds has a chat."
"Rosa, I have just picked up a ghost ping seeking to link to some thing on world, fast and simple but still"
"Which way?"
"Off to on, seems the data lock out here shoot down the link before it could become two way"
"would they have spotted an active link?"
"The chance is slight but, still."
"Would you have spotted it"
"Of course"
"&£^£&, could they"
"Again, the chance is slight, that like most civs have a fear of letting AIs like myself have full control of there systems"
"in other words the orga over site will not spot it"
"Highly unlikely but, but even so, deep look with full AI control would see some thing worth looking at in more detail."
"Do you know from who to who?"
"I have an idea but as I am not running the security of this world not much point me knowing."
"We just need to know, we keep out of it remember, Home is not like otehr cives based on balls of rock, if a war starts we just move out of the way, but untold numbers of lives will be lost, do you want to live with that?"
"Point taken"
"what about our visitor"
"He will hit system in around 1 hour, it looks like a path is opening up in the security grid to let him in. Hows that being done I have no idea, Its like magic, it also seems to be closing behind him"
"O very funny, ok let me know where he shows up, you and me will have to go silent for a but until we see if my real selfs data from Queitus as right, then we may have to have a chat"
"Ok back to work, bring up sim 4"
"I've got a pair of giant robot suits and pilots to take 'em up. They're equipped with all the bells and whistles. Cloaking. It doesn't work for a ship, but this is smaller than a ship. They won't see them coming. Energy blades. For quiet destruction. Maneuverability like you've never seen in space. And an arsenal designed by Mom. On the off chance they need more firepower. They've done well in all the preliminary tests, but we don't exactly get a lot of stuff to practice on for a real field test. I can send them up, have them ambush the ship...if all goes well the warship will suddenly develop an explosive case of mechanical problems without ever seeing what hit them."He doesn't answer for several seconds.
"...Do these pilots know what they're getting into, and do you trust them to get the job done?"
"Mom doesn't like it because they're students, but yes, they know what they're getting into and I trust them to get the job done."
"Mom doesn't like it because they're students, but yes, they know what they're getting into and I trust them to get the job done."
He hangs his head and exhales.
"Alright - make it happen, but make sure those two don't do any hotdogging stunts...just hardcore sabotage. And we'll say a large litany of prayers for their success and safe return."
To Johnny this was what life was for, open space and speed, he had asked LCU "Ride the storm" of they could do some nova skims before heading to the odd planet he had been told to seek, he had hopes of finding something there and should have gone there with no stops but, space vast and open space with all its sights, he could not help it, 'Storm' felt the same way, its what they had gone on the first time they had meet, running off from a super lifters coming into life part to hit a near by star cluster for the shear joy of flying around it at madly dangerous pathways in H-Space. hes step mother had of disproved but he and storm where backed up that very day and headed off with out saying a word to play in the upper layers of a sun.
Now they where late, the small data card as an Dragon Empire date on it and they where late.
"I'm hitting what seems to be an extended security field, looks like we have found what we here looking for"
Johnny was linked to 'storms' senses and had a look at what he was talking about.
"Grip this things light years wide"
"ye cool, must be one mother of a power system running that, look"
A pattern came up.
"We seem to be expected, they have made a opening ME size just so I can fit in, its closing behind us"
"Ok then we are here, can you scan any thing ahead?"
"One big world, lost of shielded placed, mad energy readings, lots of null areas, a number of data grids, scanning system, having fun with them and some pop music v radio short range."
"any thing to worry about"
"Nope, we may get jazzed out the blue sky at any moment and looking at the power spikes down there, my shielding would be as much use as a wet paper bag but they do not seem to be shooting yet"
"card gave a planet side location, you found it yet?"
"O yes, its the place where all the death my zapping seems to be located, so best head down there then"
"yep bet you shinny backside"
"here gos"
"Storm dropped into normal space at just under light, then showed down even more as the world game into view. The path now was convoluted and complex but not impossible to follow.
"I think they may be testing my maneuverability with the root down, Johnny, sneaky, Ill start to drift, best they not know that a"
Johnny had stopped listening and was looking at the world and the place they where heading.
"Lets have a slow look over the place from the air, before we land, I want to see just whats there"
"good idea, slow fly around it is then"
Above the school and silver shape, hovers and moves around from location to location.
“now do you have one of my tokens on you?”"I'm going to assume you mean this as it has a picture of your hat on it."
He says as he produces his coin and sets it on the table."That's the one, lets you take away with you something from my shop. Something wounder full."
He go on to place three things on his counter.
1: A Superhero out fit, with a label that says "compassionate man"
2: Some thing long that you can see he lifted onto the counter in front of him but is invisible.
3: A Ball of wool.
"They look cool but what do they do?" As he asks analyze dewomer on all and he has see invisible constant.
"Mom doesn't like it because they're students, but yes, they know what they're getting into and I trust them to get the job done."He hangs his head and exhales.
"Alright - make it happen, but make sure those two don't do any hotdogging stunts...just hardcore sabotage. And we'll say a large litany of prayers for their success and safe return."
"Copy that, Dad. Field test is a go. I'll keep you posted on their progress."
"They look cool but what do they do?" As he asks analyze dewomer on all and he has see invisible constant.
“now do you have one of my tokens on you?”"I'm going to assume you mean this as it has a picture of your hat on it."
He says as he produces his coin and sets it on the table."That's the one, lets you take away with you something from my shop. Something wounder full."
He go on to place three things on his counter.
1: A Superhero out fit, with a label that says "compassionate man"
2: Some thing long that you can see he lifted onto the counter in front of him but is invisible.
3: A Ball of wool.
"Do. Do is it not plane to see, my young Kitizon, why the outfit is from now sadly passed away hero, some say how ever hes powers lay in his suit, what they are I have no idea, its not my size, but it seems your, I think it has a lable, that may help"
"this" He hold up something you can not see " Is the late great, Mark Tilbers Air guitar, some say he was the greatest Air guitar player of all time, and the his spirit still lives in his Air guitar.
"this" He holds up the ball of wool and bobs it around, you feel an urge to swot it with your claws. "Is a the great claw attractor, any thing with claws, well you will see" Ruby puts it down.
So what will it be me lado, thats all I know about the things.
He had finished dinner and was on his way back to his room. It had been a pretty lousy evening. He was still terrible at interacting with his peers. He was startled by a beeping from his wristband. He swore and started running, transforming into a wolf as he ran to get there faster.
The firebird caught up to him about halfway there. ::Weird time for a test, huh?::
::I don't think it's a test,:: he thought grimly. ::This time of night with no warning...It's probably the real deal.::
::Oh s~~@.::
::Yeah, exactly. So no stunts this time.::
He wasn't even sure how this kid had ended up as a pilot. Aside from his obvious personality problems, he didn't even get along with Jiminy. But that didn't seem to bother Jiminy too much when he picked him for this.
Dennis was waiting for them when they got there, pushing open the large doors so the mechanical flight suits (they really needed a better name) could be wheeled out for launch.
"Hurry up, you two. We've got an actual emergency this time. We need you in the air as soon as you can get strapped in."
Have reaches for the doomsday device but is stopped by a zap from Skeets to the back of his neck and he pauses looking at the items with his arcane sight and true seeing 1d20+23 trying to discern their true function, while he does so Skeets actually asks ::what do they do?:: Dave starts and asks "yeah, what do they do?"
"Well Meldo this here Sent they say makes you irresistible to the lady's,
good for nights out on the town so I am told.Now the suit of paper armor knows all you know, never forget any thing ever again, what ever happens to you becomes text on its paper sheets.
Some say it has great power, come say its tricky, but well you will have to use it to find out.And the box, No idea, never opened it, but the man who sold it me say it was a doomsday device like no other."
HE smales at you.
Dave turns to the stuff intently and and distractedly says "meldo?" He goes back and forth between the musk and the box indicesivly he mumbles to himself "I can memorize just about anything already, so I don't really need the listed power of the paper armor, plus it kinda looks redicilous... Now then the musk, I've been meaning to find some cologne, hmm how irrisistable is it, if its like mind control then that's a bit amoral... And the box.. Domesday device means bad I shouldn't open it but I got to know what's inside.. And a doomsday device could come in handy... Eeh which one to pick cologne, box, cologne, box erhhh"
"Do. Do is it not plane to see, my young Kitizon, why the outfit is from now sadly passed away hero, some say how ever hes powers , I think it has a lable, that may help"
"this" He hold up something you can not see " Is the late great, Mark Tilbers Air guitar, some say he was the greatest Air guitar player of all time, and the his spirit still lives in hbis Air guitar.
"this" He holds up the ball of wool and bobs it around, you feel an urge to swot it with your claws. "Is a the great claw attractor, any thing with claws, well you will see" Ruby puts it down.
So what will it be me lado, thats all I know about the things.
"Well I only play keys so the guitar wouldn't be very helpful especially with claws and if I get the wool I'll end up completely obsessed with it so it would appear that the super suit is the best option and it looks cool too. Thanks." He picks up the suit. Examining the label intently. "Say would you be willing to trade a couple bits of jewelry I've collected for some other cool stuff no candy tho that kinda drove langs baboon crazy."
Ace grabs several plates of a variety of different foods, meats, veggies, some pasta, all sorts of yummy. He's clearly worked up a hell of an appetite. He and Ginni sit down, and Sadie and Morrivan join them, the girls arriving hand in hand
The four of them chat about the concert, with all of them agreeing that FAIN was by far the best. Ace once more quips that trolls should really stick to reggae, as whatever the heck that opening band performed was ghastly.
After they eat, the four of them make their way to the observatory(or where ever Tyrrin's telescope is). He knocks on the door "Hey Tyrrin. Its Ace, and I've brought some friends. Not sure if you still need help or not, but I'd love a chance to star gaze, if you'll let me"
"Say would you be willing to trade a couple bits of jewelry I've collected for some other cool stuff no candy tho that kinda drove langs baboon crazy.""If not candy then sorry not really, my stuff has an odd price, and coin and gems I have all I need, now if you have an item, well we can talk, but if not Candy is all I have"
She talks you to the door wile saying this, well nice meeting you,
"sorry but my shop is closing now, if you ever need candy how ever just think of me, I may show up, well bye for now"and with that he shows you out the door, you look at the suit then back at the door that's now gone.
Dave reaches for the box then hesitates and grabs the musk
"Say would you be willing to trade a couple bits of jewelry I've collected for some other cool stuff no candy tho that kinda drove langs baboon crazy.""If not candy then sorry not really, my stuff has an odd price, and coin and gems I have all I need, now if you have an item, well we can talk, but if not Candy is all I have"
She talks you to the door wile saying this, well nice meeting you,
"sorry but my shop is closing now, if you ever need candy how ever just think of me, I may show up, well bye for now"and with that he shows you out the door, you look at the suit then back at the door that's now gone.
Confusedly to the wall where the door used to be " K bye then."
He floats back to his room staring intently at the suit and tag using analyze dewomer to see if he can figure anything out about it.
"good choose-ing there, well its late and I have to to close up, but it was nice to meet you and I do hope you have a good year at the school. "
He shows you the door then stops, reaching into his pocket he brings out a small cog, and hands it you.
"This is a Cunningham Cog, that craft of yours did not seem to have one and they are very tricky to make, I just about forgot I had one until just, No idea where it go's but I know that model needs one, your a smart lad, I der say you can find out where it fits, Well good luck with fixing your craft."
With that he shows you the door and out back on to you ship, you look down at the cog then back but the door is gone.
Confusedly to the wall where the door used to be " K bye then." He floats back to his room staring intently at the suit and tag using analyze dewomer to see if he can figure anything out about it.
"I know you aren't her. But you are my sister. I at least want you to know the offer is there."She nodded. "I'll think about it. And talk it over with James. He deserves a say in this."
"I missed you. Even after what you did. You're my little brother and I love you. I just...no, we all need you to come back from this dark place you've gone and remember that we're not your enemies. Honestly, Taron, you threatened to eviscerate Dad. Who has been dealing with the deaths of his friends, colleagues, students, and countless innocent people. His words were harsh, but it's understandable."
"I was going to fix it. I'm just a little high strung right now. People weren't supposed to die, Ephebe, and not like this. "
Dave snatches it "oh my god you found one where? I have been looking everywhere for one of these, thanks man, oh here's your disk" Dave places the disk on the counter. "Thank-" he looks up"you? Where'd he go?.. How'd be get on my ship.. Eh I can still get some work done" he does fourty five miniutes of work before grabing a few scrolls of neutrolize poison. He then heads to his room and opens the door.
"I was going to fix it. I'm just a little high strung right now. People weren't supposed to die, Ephebe, and not like this. ""I know you aren't her. But you are my sister. I at least want you to know the offer is there."She nodded. "I'll think about it. And talk it over with James. He deserves a say in this."
"I missed you. Even after what you did. You're my little brother and I love you. I just...no, we all need you to come back from this dark place you've gone and remember that we're not your enemies. Honestly, Taron, you threatened to eviscerate Dad. Who has been dealing with the deaths of his friends, colleagues, students, and countless innocent people. His words were harsh, but it's understandable."
"I know, Taron. I know. But supposed to and reality rarely match up. Remember what Master Quo used to say? Plans are like houses built on sand; they collapse as soon as things shift." She shrugged. "I've been reading her journals. I had to at first to figure out who was who. Did you know she had an entire book of quotes collected from Master Quo? Fascinating reading. Mind-bogglingly weird, but fascinating."
"Some things can't be fixed, Tare. Stop trying to put a brave face on. Let Dad see that you're scared and sorry and that you understand what you did. That you actually feel some remorse....And that it's maybe starting to trickle into your head just a little that you're not actually alone. You're part of this family. We could have helped you. It didn't have to be like this. It's going to take a long time to rebuild trust. Good thing dragons are long lived."
"You had better see this"
Rosa brings the image up, she could see a sliver shape moving around in the air above the lake, it looked like a sleek missile.
"Seems the subject of SC's and 'Quietust' little experiment has arrived.
The locals seem upset, looks like they are scrambling intercepts, could turn nasty should we help"
"where the followed?"
"at the speed they came in, no way, and they are small, most would not even pick them up, Storms seems to know his stuff, and I know you have not answered my question, do we help?"
"No, we don't brake cover, what do you think the LCU will do?"
"Well, they are an odd lot, and I have not meet this one, so not 100% , but I think it will do what I would"
"Which is?"
"understand its on a all but declared out of bounds world of the S, behind a security net it can not get back out of, facing powers that can wast it in no time flat, with that understanding in mind it will wave a big white flag from its back side and sorry we give up!"
"Yes that’s what I thought, but if the pear of them do some thing dumb, we do nothing got that, no interference or showing we are even here, if they are to dumb to do the smart thing then they are to dumb for what SC set up."
"You'er are a hard lady"
"I'm a robot, at what point dos soft come into it"
"So very bitter, well Ill keep you informed, any way the boy in SIM 8 just got himself blown up"
Rosa went back to her job.
After floating through the halls Tybalt finally makes it back to his room around the same time Dave does "dude the weirdest thing just happened to me there was this guy and he had a red hat and he gave me this suit and its got some kind of weird psion powers and I've gotta get inside and put on I'm your roommate by the way Eeeeeeee!"
Ace grabs several plates of a variety of different foods, meats, veggies, some pasta, all sorts of yummy. He's clearly worked up a hell of an appetite. He and Ginni sit down, and Sadie and Morrivan join them, the girls arriving hand in hand
The four of them chat about the concert, with all of them agreeing that FAIN was by far the best. Ace once more quips that trolls should really stick to reggae, as whatever the heck that opening band performed was ghastly.
After they eat, the four of them make their way to the observatory(or where ever Tyrrin's telescope is). He knocks on the door "Hey Tyrrin. Its Ace, and I've brought some friends. Not sure if you still need help or not, but I'd love a chance to star gaze, if you'll let me"
Tybalt as you put the last bit of the sit on you look around and See David, man he's had a hard day, you don't know why, but you know he will tell you, he could really do with some one to hear he problems, but 1st he needs a hug, look at him, working hard all day on his ship, new day at school, must be really taught on him, yes a good hug will help then ask him all about his day, dos he need any thing, you can help, you just know you can.
"You heard what he said though... He didn't seem to like the fact I'm temporarily a girl much either."
"You heard what he said though... He didn't seem to like the fact I'm temporarily a girl much either."
"I heard. I also heard Grandma chew him out for it. And it sure wasn't because she agrees with what you did or is at all happy with you either. He's being extra harsh because he thinks you don't understand or care about what you did. He's trying to get through to you. Parents are people too. Something to remember in the future when your kids are complaining about you."
"The gender change thing, I don't know. Maybe it was just one more crazy thing than he could deal with right now. Maybe he would have gotten over it quicker in other circumstances."
"I do think it's not fair that you look like a normal teen girl and I can pass as a middle schooler though," she fake pouted.
"Just one of the perks of being good look when male too." Taron replies, a smile appearing briefly.
After floating through the halls Tybalt finally makes it back to his room around the same time Dave does "dude the weirdest thing just happened to me there was this guy and he had a red hat and he gave me this suit and its got some kind of weird psion powers and I've gotta get inside and put on I'm your roommate by the way Eeeeeeee!"
"heh, I think I met him, somehow he got on my ship, through the wards, and I got this really important piece for my ship, oh and some cologne-" he gets an idea, there appeared to be pleanty of the substance, maybe..."if you want I'll let you have some tomorrow,"
"Just one of the perks of being good look when male too." Taron replies, a smile appearing briefly.
"Well, I see your sense of modesty hasn't changed at all." ;)
"After you go and try to start making things right with Dad, and make no mistake that's going to be a time-consuming process, come see me. I'll see if Nala can remove that curse you picked up from my little friends."
"I got cursed? Could have sworn that didn't bleed through the stored energy."
"Maybe. . . but that's not important right now tell me about how your day was, hows your ship going, whats up with your crystal dude, how long a trip was it to get here, are you tired, hows your girlfriend, why do you smell like rocks, why is the back of your neck red, is there something wrong, who did that to you I'll end them, oh my gods whats wrong with me I don't think I cared about this until just now, do you need anything fixed, I'll unpack your stuff if you want, anything I can do to help, whys it hot in here do you need it cooled down, I'll do anything for you! He speaks very rapidly frantically walking and shifting everywhere almost always uncomfortably close.
"I got cursed? Could have sworn that didn't bleed through the stored energy."
"The aschen are very creative with curses. You can't see it, but it's there. Oh so subtly messing up everything around you....you know, maybe we should go see Nala first."
"... Um.. The ship is is going ahead of schedule.. Skeets... Is fine I don't remember coming here very well, I was like 8, um Skeets stopped me from doing something stupid,and I smell like rocks because well...I'll tell you later, but are you ok?"
"I'm not entirely sure but enough about me tell me about yougkh$#%&" He walks past a hat rack that yanks the cape and chest piece off together. "Gah what just happened?!"
"Don't know, but it was amusing, I'm guessing that wasn't the kind of powers you were looking for eh"
"The aschen aren't family, right? Becuase if even one of my children turns out to be tone deaf beacuse of them..."
"Gah this thing is weird all I know about it even after doing the magic stare thing is that it's psionic the tag says compassionate man and that apparently it makes me nice and overbearing." He says as he yanks off the rest of the costume and flopping down onto his bed. He uses mage hand to hang up the costume and his striped adapted uniform while laying on the bed.
The halls of the school had became calm after the concert but many of the students had returned to there respective rooms. It was rather dull to Salis he had no one to observe but it gave him time to conduct his research.
The library was clam as usual. He gather six books and sat down reading through them. Each one, save one, is on a subject of history pertaining to magic. To most they would be a dull read but to him it was as if the world was lost to him. The last was on technology. It was a subject that he had only dealt with a few times, however upon coming here it seemed as if every day there was some sort of tech that was visible to him. It had became apparent to him that he would have to start learning to use these technology contraptions if he was to be able to do his duties here. He thought to himself. Perhaps I should get a crash course on them from Rosa.
Ace grabs several plates of a variety of different foods, meats, veggies, some pasta, all sorts of yummy. He's clearly worked up a hell of an appetite. He and Ginni sit down, and Sadie and Morrivan join them, the girls arriving hand in hand
The four of them chat about the concert, with all of them agreeing that FAIN was by far the best. Ace once more quips that trolls should really stick to reggae, as whatever the heck that opening band performed was ghastly.
After they eat, the four of them make their way to the observatory(or where ever Tyrrin's telescope is). He knocks on the door "Hey Tyrrin. Its Ace, and I've brought some friends. Not sure if you still need help or not, but I'd love a chance to star gaze, if you'll let me"
"You are welcome to come in Casil, but there is something of a situation at the moment." Tyrrin calls from her seat at the console.
When the quartet enters, they can see the warship on the screen, with various readouts and heads up display information on screen as well. Tyrrin isn't even watching the big screen, but is focused on her consoles. "I do not know how long this situation will last. There is an enemy within close proximity to Agartha. I'd prefer if our wards were not tested right after I've completed the first prototype."
Dave raises one eye "ok,'I hope the spray isn't similarially screwed up.. If the ship part is screwy I am going to strangle someone.. Anyway I'm going to bed, this one is yours right, ill take this one" he casts prestigeitation to get rid of some stray cat hair. Before getting the datapad and reading on the bed.
If she sensed any discomfort, she did not display it in responding, "It is good to know a guardian and keeper of your sun. I suspect, perhaps, where I am from, we have similar beings that may claim such. I've never met one. Though, we do have a goddess who is represented by such. She is called the Dawnflower, one of my country's patron gods." At this point, Anahita seems to be remembering something, which lasts a few moments while she peers off during it.
Popping out of her mini-trance she turns back to Ardiente and smiles. "Are you then, Firebird, attending this school as well? What will you be sutdying?"
"Not our only sun, nowadays." Ardiente intones, matter-of-factly. He wondered if Anahita thought that the Firebirds were symbolic guardians, rather than literal ones. But a goddess of the Sun. That did seem glorious.
"As to my studies... I am mostly interested in mastering the abilities in which I already possess great proficiency. Meditation, Unarmed combat, Flight Training are all on my class list. Though I am also interested in theater, so I am taking drama as well. I have had enough of music lessons at home."
Rosa is heading back from the medical ward when the SIMMIND pings her.
"I have an update and its not good news"
"All right what did they do?"
"Nothing, this is not about out young visitors, that hunter fleet in 873843629-JJHe looks like it had a ship brake off that is now headed this way"
"well it was only a matter of time, whats the family doing?"
"going out to meet it, looks like there may be some shooting war after all."
"And you sore its hostile?"
"Not 100% but even if its not, wrong place wrong time is still very bad"
"Ok let me know what happens and if I should worry, I'm not convinced its a hunter until I see more than a chance fly by, and what of the kids?"
"Just landed and heading into the school."
"All right bring up battle room in SIM 1 lets have a real time overly, this is where we find out who can do what, if we are going help we will need this, Full tactical tracking"
Rosa TPed into the room to speed things along.
"So, you are guardians and keepers of more than one sun, fascinating. How do you manage to travel between these ..suns?" It's there that Ardiente, depending on his ability to read humans, might realize that she's not quite sure herself, how that happen, but open minded to the possibility, since it's being discussed.
Pushing some bits or parts of her tray around, she studied the human figure in front of her with a bit more of a squint in her eyes. It was obvious to him, at least this much, that she was studying him intently, with curiosity. Certainly not any large cat like study, but, perhaps similar in a fashion.
Nothing else overt was going on, and when the few people came and left, in their various sized parties, it was a quick glance, then back to the firebird with interest.
"The aschen aren't family, right? Becuase if even one of my children turns out to be tone deaf beacuse of them..."
"The aschen are bound to my service for...well, a long time. They keep running up their contract. In large quantities they form a superweapon known as the Infernal Engine. Which is one of our best lines of defense should the Empire attack Agartha. Provided they're deployed away from any civilian populations. One Akhenaten Incident was enough. So, no, they're not family, and yes, they're annoying and occasionally deadly and can wipe out civilizations if you're not careful with them, but they're necessary to keep your children safe."
"And they're mostly bearable provided you give them sufficient quantities of coffee."
