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Hmm, college. I remember those days. I spent most of my time occupying various administration buildings... oh, nothing. Yeah, let's head out to this place.
Yes, thank you! We're here to meet a postdoctoral student named Whaloss at Qabarat University of Xenoarchaeology and Xenoanthropology. I don't think we'll be here more than a few days. A week at most. No imported life-forms aside from this charming, enterprising Skittermander. He gestures vaguely to all of Pippimi.
He sighs at the last bit. Yes, no void death indeed. You can only get it once in life, right? Like the chicken pox? I've already had both!
Back on the ship Zoran tinkers with his Holoskin trying out different racial profiles before settling on an older human form.
Perhaps I should make one to look like Nor to startle the others...I don't think I could stomach it.
Thinking it would just be best to use something simple for this trip he merely changes into his typical negotiator attire over his second skin. A uniform mixing function and formality in a turquoise color. He then works his disguise to make him see older rather than undead.
"That should do. Time to join the others."
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"My colleague is correct. This is merely a short trip to share information with contacts within the University. It will be a quiet trip. However this is my first visit to Qabarat personally so if you could spare any information about the locale and any occurrences." Zoran says to the two lashunta.
Zulu spends the star journey fiddling with the science systems, tailoring the scans and consoles for better efficiency under combat conditions. As usual, he spends little time with the group socializing, except to discuss technical minutiae of various ship systems and engineering with anyone who happens to be working near him, or broaches the subject. Conversations riddled with his frequent, extremely uncomfortable, pauses as his mind wanders to different subjects.
Reaching Quabarat he passes customs with his customary, brief answers, truthful and to the point.
Pippimi stops by at a augmentation clinic and purchases a synergizing symbiote with her newfound wealth. This particular symbiote looks like a cute pink bow which sits atop her fuzzy blue head. In reality though, its tendrils are linked up with her adrenal glands to maximize efficiency in times of intense action!
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Pippimi spends the approach to Castrovel glued to the ship's viewscreens, marveling audibly at the planet. "Castrovel look even more pretty than in travel guide! This looking more and more like vacation and not work. Anyone else want to take day and go to beach? Chiskisk not have to know..." She grins at the rest of the group.
She adds to Lenny's introduction by piping up from out of frame "Hullo hi customs person! This is Pippimi! Very charming, Pippimi agree. Maybe stay longer than week. Oceans very beautiful and maybe good also for swimming?"
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"Davrin not thinking of doing something mean to University people? Please no! They not deserve that!"
"What? I never do anything nasty to my clients. Unless that's what they request. I mean, I'm all about service!" He sweeps his hat off and gives Pippimi a bow.
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"Good day, custom officers! Clearly you know who we are. Roaming the region with our new found fame, picking up businesses if you know what I mean. The esteemed University seems like a good place to start!" Again, the cheeky grin.
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The agent smiles. ”You are in for a wonderful time here. Though, I warn you to stay within city limits. Many newcomers wander outside the walls for a bit of a nature hike. They rarely come back the same, or with all of their organs. Those jungles are not as tranquil as they appear.” The guard smiles. ”The walls are high for a reason! But the beaches are nice! The water is much nicer than the jungle.” With that, they let you go.
Your Castrovelian contact, Whaloss, is waiting to meet you just outside the spaceport. A male damaya lashunta, he quickly answers the phone and comes by to pick you up. Even for a damaya, he is tall and thin, almost to the point of seeming gaunt. His clothing is a stylish blend of local silks, though the overall ensemble shows considerable wear, as though he has relied on this nicer outfit for formal meetings for many years. Nonetheless, he positively beams with antennae-twitching excitement to meet you. ”Hello, saviors of the Drift Rock! I loved your show! So impressive, you are! I cannot wait to show you around Qabarat!” As an advanced student of xenoarchaeology, he has collaborated with members of the Starfinder Society before. ”I am eager to hear about your recent findings! The rock was such an exciting piece of history and you experienced it first hand!”
Meanwhile, Whaloss hails a robo-taxi to carry the group into the heart of Qabarat and to the university. As the taxi wends its way deeper into the city, trees give way to elegant towers of carbon fiber, glass, and steel, each artistically sculpted to create a stunning forest of dazzling skyscrapers. The Qabarat University of Xenoarchaeology and Xenoanthropology is just north of the downtown commercial district and consists of about 10 buildings scattered over a campus of groomed lawns and gardens. Along the way he makes excited small talk. ”So, what brings you to Qabarat?”
"Hullo Whaloss! This is Pippimi, nice to meet you!" Pippimi rolls on up to their guide and shakes his one hand with three of her own, almost pulling his spindly arm out of its socket because she's not quite adjusted to her new strength. "Drift Rock no big deal. Just zombies and tentacle dogs that wanted to eat work team. We maybe not good at reading fancy symbols from ruin on Drift Rock, but VERY good at making once-dead things double-dead." She nods sagely.
Not long afterward, Pippimi bounces in her seat in the robo-taxi, excited to see a new city and perhaps catch a glimpse of the ocean in the process. She keeps her eyes on the window even as she responds to Whaloss' questions.
"Like Pippimi say earlier, we not good at reading fancy Drift Rock symbols. Looking for help from University. Also, Pippimi looking for who on Castrovel needs good quality and reliable easy-assemble weapons products. She sure someone here need!"
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Whaloss nods. ”Yes, I did notice those strange symbols! I knew I should have gotten my doctorate in foreign studies! But hey, Professor Muhali, the head of the linguistic anthropology department, knows all about that stuff! Her office is in the Alsima-Karei Hall!" He directs the taxi to an eight-story building. As you get out of the taxi, you notice that the lobby is currently home to a small pack of journalists! They are insistently trying to convince a receptionist to let them upstairs. ”HEY THERE!” ”WHERE IS AILABIENS 21:2?” ”GIVE US THE RACIST!”
Whaloss looks at each of you, just as lost as you. ”Uh...I’m not sure what’s going on. But I’m not sure we can get in right now! I guess we could ask Ikimsi, the secretary.”
Forcing your way through the crowd of journalists, you overhear two of them discussing an incendiary lecture that Dr. Ailabiens 21:2 gave. Apparently some interpreted it as a defense of violent xenophobia; the media is here primarily to secure interviews and comments from ranking academic staff.
The receptionist, Ikimsi, a male korasha lashunta, is out of his element dealing with the media. ”Sorry, y’all, I can’t let you past the lobby. If I open those doors, the reporters will squeeze in after you! It’s all I can do to keep them at bay on the ground floor!” He is smashing a big red button under the desk. ”I keep paging for support from the security team or dean, but no one is coming!” Ikimsi seems very overwhelmed.
"Hullo hi bloodthirsty reporters!" Pippimi rolls up to the reporters "You here for interview, yes? Maybe can interview Pippimi instead? She not xenophobic brain-freak, but maybe also good for interview. Can tell about exciting new products available!"
During the trip to the university, Zulu is his customary silent self, raptly observing and cataloguing everything he sees and hears.
As they push through the mob Zulu watches his companions fail to reason with the reporters, and lacking any social skills to speak of, he reverts to a prior career as a professional fighting man. Occasionally they had to deal with passive mobs, and sometimes even without shooting.
Modulating his normally emotionless monotone into something with a bit more authority, and just a inkling of menace he gets big and starts waving the crowd back, intoning
"Secretary indicated non entry. Back up, you are in violation of hospitality. Security has been informed. Cease and desist."
Zoran steps up beside Zulu and begins to speak to the reporters.
"Do you believe this is how you are going to get change? Blocking the University entrance and possibly starting a dangerous altercation because of one man when people are trying to access the building. You...we are better than that. As a Borais I know all too well discrimination but we have to pick our battles carefully or we only get painted as greater villains. Please clear the way and give me your information. I will at least try to get you an interview if you do that." Zoran begins trying to reason with the others.
Pippimi rolls up next to Zoran, eager to try again. "Yes, Pippimi agree! Maybe you come back tomorrow? Tell all contact info and Pippimi give call back when University say it OK to begin interviews. Zoran very convincing, he definitely make sure you get what need." She nods with more confidence than she feels.
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As Zoran speaks, all eyes turn to him. The cameras' red lights begin to blink on during his passionate speech, and the crowd is silent. When he finishes, the journalists are quiet for a moment before bursting into conversation. "A borais? I couldn't even tell! I must find out who sponsors his makeup!" "Could it be the borais from the vids? Ooh, he has a skittermander helper just like the Drift Rock Survivor!" "Call Kimo4 news with the scoop first!"
There is a small group of journalists who refuse to move, desperate for their scoop. They are distracted by Davrin, and chase after him! "No you don't! We were here first!" Thankfully the halfling is used to losing the angry spouses of his customers, and evades them easily.
Now that the journalists are no longer clamoring to get upstairs, Ikimsi looks at your with thanks. "Alright. Thank you so much for that. Who did you need to see?" Whaloss steps forward. "Professor Muhali, Linguistic Anthropology." Ikimsi checks the professor's calendar. "Well, Professor Muhali is currently very busy, but..." He looks outside at the crowd and smiles. "Since you were so helpful... I don't see why the next year's budget can't wait another week." With the professor’s schedule rearranged, he creates an official appointment for you. He presses a key and the locked doors open, allowing you to leave the lobby! Whaloss leads the way to Muhali’s office on the fifth floor.
As the head of the linguistic anthropology department, Professor Muhali has one of the nicer offices in Alsima-Karei Hall. Her door is unlocked, and Whaloss knocks to announce you. You hear a female voice from within. "Come on in! Odd, I thought the finance team was this afternoon."
This office is clean, roomy, and orderly. A large desk stands imposingly before a broad window that offers a charming view of a nearby park, and a small table in one corner has a quartet of chairs arranged evenly around it. Near the door is a wide examination table covered with broken fragments of stone, many of which bear incomplete words or letters written in a spiraling text. Several tiny fountains throughout the room burble soothingly and shimmer with soft light.
At the desk is Professor Muhali, a female damaya lashunta with a stern face. She is dark-skinned for a lashunta, with pale green facial markings and purple hair cut in an asymmetrical style. She looks up from her work with a sigh. "I'm sorry, I'm very busy now do to the recent PR issue. My assistant tells me you're here with a research question?"
"Hullo Hi Professor! Yes, Pippimi part of finance team!" She grins smugly at her own joke and waits to see if the professor will get it. But she gets impatient a few seconds later and adds "OK, Pippimi not really on finance team, but she definitely more familiar with finance than other team members, probably!"
She rolls up and extends a pair of paws to shake the professor's hand. "Nice to meetchu! We here to ask about Drift Rock mystery symbols. Chiskisk of Starfinder Society say smart people here can understand them and explain where they come from. Maybe explain adventure of crazy adventure man Halkueem?"
Upon the mention of a PR issue, she adds "PR? PR? Pippimi PR EXPERT! Maybe can help?"
"Good thing that problem is dealt with. Now on to more pressing matters." Zoran says as they finally escape the crowd.
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As they are introduced to Professor Muhali he listens intently and laughs at Pippimi until she mentions Chiskisk...he flinches remembering to keep their involvement quiet.
"Yes, Pippimi is correct. We are the crew of the Sunrise Maiden that explored the Drift Rock. Our inquiries eventually led us to this establishment to get the markings translated. Any help would be greatly appreciated and I would be willing to offer my services as well. Zoran Duvhal, negotiator." he says with a bow to the lashunta.
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Clank helpfully supplies a roll of strange characters on sheets of paper that are all taped together. "Sadly, this was not a culture that had good annotation of their code; they even used spaces instead of tabs and all lowercase variables. I'm still not sure how such a culture managed to come up with something so advanced and yet primitive."
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His deception skills having failed him, Lenny decides to meditate on his sidereal influences and shift them from graviton to photon during the ride over to Professor Muhali's office.
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Yes, imagine the interesting things that could be learned from these. You could be putting your name on some pretty ground-breaking discoveries here.
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The professor looks to Pippimi, a bit overwhelmed by the big blue ball of fun. ”Uh… well. While the Drift Rock is very interesting, I’m not in any position to assist you or instruct my department to assist you—not until I can resolve the current debacle. And as for that CHARLATAN, I have neither the time nor the inclination to discuss that showboating amateur’s exploits.” She takes a deep breath, getting back under control. She massages her temples softly. ”However, my colleague Doctor Olmehya Solstarni has a strong interest in the ruins of Ukulam.” Muhali examines a screen and scrolls through several pages. “According to my records, though, she departed on personal leave two days ago.”[b]
She stops and thinks. [b]”Chiskisk… where have I heard that name before…” Thankfully, Zoran interrupts her trail of thought! ”It is tempting. My first thought, when watching the feed, was of all the graduate papers which could be written in just a single room of that asteroid!” She looks down her nose at you. ”And there you were, shooting the place up.”
Her scholarly anger is sidelined as she grabs the rubbings that Clank had made. ”Interesting… You should bring these back in a few weeks. I’m sure some of our doctoral students would love to process these and input them into our archives. But not today.” She shudders. ”I’ve turned off the building’s internet, to prevent another...incident.” She waves off the other attempts at flattery and bribery berfore turning back to Pippimi. ”A PR expert, you say? I must confess, my colleagues and I are scholastics, and not great at this sort of thing. Tell me, what would you do if, say, an employee of yours advocated for genocide?” She gives you an uncomfortable looking face, one that would not look out of place in a toilet stall. ”Ah, I’ll just give you the whole story. A scientist cannot make a conclusion without all of the data!”
“One of my colleagues, Ailabiens 21:2, gave a rather incendiary public lecture last night in which he examined a war from nearly a millennium ago and used the cultural fallout from it to rationalize the genocide of the formian species.” She pauses a moment, to let that sink in. ”Even before the lashunta city-states and formian Colonies signed peace accords thirty years ago, such brutal conclusions would have been dismissed. Now he is fomenting hate crimes under the guise of ‘pure logic’ and anthropology. This is not what the university stands for, but it’s what the public now believes. I’ve placed him on academic leave and restricted his access to university resources until we can clean this up.” By the end of the tale, her face is red and her voice is tight. It is clear she is not happy with Ailabiens 21:2.
As usual when having polite discussion with living beings, Zulu stays silent and watches.
"That is a problem, on the surface, that is easily fixed. This situation could very difficult very quickly if the group outside returns or gets more roiled up. My vote is for taking the job. Everyone else?" Zoran talks through the specifics looking to the others.
If the group agrees he has a few more questions for Muhali.
"If we are to fix this we will need to know where Ailabiens 21:2 is located." he asks.
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Pippimi rubs the fur on the sides of her head with three paws, mulling over the Professor's problem. "This Ailee-bilee sound like trouble. Pippimi used to dealing with problem coworker though. First step is sending mail message with quote of employee handbook as not subtle reminder! Coworker always ignore, but very important step. Look good for upper management!" She raises a finger from one paw.
"Two step is leaving message in person. Pippimi like to use very flowery paper note, make most vesk coworker uncomfortable with cuteness." She raises a second finger.
"If not work. Then time for disciplinary challenge. Go to troublemaker desk and do good roar to get attention. They usually not come out right away, so Pippimi have to go in. Get good hold on troublemaker with paws and pick up. They fight, but not fight very hard because weak from embarrassment. Is Pippimi special technique!" She nods. "Carry through office and bring to office gym/disciplinary center. Say what rule coworker broke, then offer chance to redeem selves through honorable combat. They not refuse, so just fight and win. They learn lesson very quick, yes!"
Looking up at the professor, Pippimi frowns "You not try any of this yet, Pippimi thinking."
"Hehehe! Lenny always invited!"
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Professor Muhali sighs and delicately massages the bases of her antennae. “You’re persistent. Maybe that could come in handy. What the university needs right now is to smooth this over quickly, and Ailabiens 21:2 is not listening to anything I say. He has not quite violated enough protocols to be dismissed; firing him would otherwise be good for optics. I think the media would settle for a public apology. If you can convince him to do that, I should be able to handle the rest.” She frowns and looks to the group. "Actually, your protocols are similar to our own. We sent him an email asking for a retraction. Then we met in person. But... that's where the protocols end."
Whaloss raises his hand happily. "I could help! I know where his office is!" Muhali looks back at her computer, mind already elsewhere. "Excellent. If you manage to deal with his royal stubborn-ness, then we can talk about your research."
You all head down a floor and across the building, to Dr. Ailabiens' office. Whaloss skips knocking on the door, seeing as there... isn't one. Dust, debris, and discarded papers litter the floor of this disorganized office. A single chair stands in the corner, and the desk and shelves are crowded with books, scrolls, statuettes, and loose computer hardware. It is a model of disorganized chaos, containing a mishmash of texts and cultural artifacts from across the Pact Worlds and beyond. Above it all is floating Ailabiens 21:2, a contemplative. His enormous brain crackles with energy, holding his withered body above the ground. Because he flies using psychic powers, the contemplative is nonchalant about the filthy floor, which crunches noisily under your feet. With little else to do with his time, Ailabiens 21:2 is willing to entertain visitors, communicating almost exclusively through telepathy while doing so. "Hello, newcomers. I assume you are here for my superior intellect. Ask your questions, though I doubt you will understand the answers."
As is common practice among contemplatives, Ailabiens 21:2 abandoned his childhood name for one based on a favorite quote or intellectual hero — in his case, the second article published by the radically anticonventionalist scholar Ailabiens in the year 21 ag, which contains the famous line, “When the past is unknown, we must make a tradition of challenging so-called tradition.”
Clank recognizes the reference immediately; why, how, or where he came across such information he definitely didn't know, but he catches the Contemplative's meaning. He glances about hoping that someone that was better at smoothtalking that electrocution might speak up, but he does slip in, "When the answers are unknown, we must make a saga of challenging so-called sages"
Zulu tilts a head to one side as he studies Ailiabiens 21:2.
"Contemplative. Fascinating. Oversized brain. Psychic levitation. Tag for further research." he mutters softly to himself as he records the conversation, lacking skills to help convince anyone of anything, unless it's a computer.
The contemplative only strengthens the distaste Zoran feels for him but business is business...for now.
"Discovering the unknown past is our goal for this mission and we aren't the most traditional group. However we can set aside the works of Ailabiens for the moment as we have another bit of business to deal with." Zoran says walking forward on his cane while sweeping around the debris.
"For a being of superior intellect you must understand when to strategically speak of your pursuits of knowledge. The statement made on the Formians from before was brash and improperly backed causing an uproar aimed at the university. This is only going to impact your ability to research further. The smart thing to do is to make an open apology to appease the...*cough*...lesser masses." Zoran says with a tight grip on his cane.
Business is business. Even when unsavory.
Pippimi sidles up and pats Muhali on the elbow when she explains that she'd provided an email and then met in person with Ailabiens. "Is OK, Pippimi know that some managers not cut out for conflict resolution. You still good researcher, Pippimi sure!"
"No worry. We handle for you!"
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Pippimi clearly doesn't know what to make of this giant floating brain. Will it just... squish? if she grabs it? Unlike a vesk, it doesn't look like it could take much of a disciplinary beating. While she's struggling with that dilemma, the rest of the group takes the lead by saying various cryptic and complicated things.
Despite only understanding half of the exchange, Pippimi adds "Muhali professor very worried about your workplace performance. Very worried! Trust Pippimi, she can tell this kind of thing. Muhali and Pippimi on your side. But difficult to be on your side when you make enemy everywhere. Maybe better to say nice thing for now?"
"Zoran very smart, maybe can give suggestions on how to apologize!"
She tries to back Zoran up.
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The contemplative considers Zoran in silence for nearly a minute. “My search for knowledge is what got me here! I am on track to attain tenure at this university in several more years—requiring practically twice as long an observation period as a lashunta would, I might add, likely because my assessors are compensating for inferiorities, real or perceived. This incident reflects an egregious stain on my record that challenges my advancement and scholarly recognition here. She must agree to erase this insult from my file. I have spoken with the professor about the matter, and her judgment is clouded by stress and emotion. If she truly cared about scholarly integrity, she would debate my assertions. Instead she stoops to censorship in violation of the university’s free speech principles. She has turned off the NET!” The being is practically screaming in your brain, it's small hands wriggling with frustration. He sighs, mentally, and takes a breath, physically. “Professor Muhali has suspended me, and barring the unlikely intervention by a dean, only she can undo this. Your convincing her to do so would allow me to help you with whatever ulterior motive you are sure to have. Even if my theory on the extermination of the formians was correct.”"
He turns to Pippimi, looking down on her. Though the furball has far more body mass, his floating height does give his brain-like form some power in a debate. "My performance has been exemplary! No other professor publishes half as many papers! These people have taken offense at simple facts. And offense indicates a narrow perspective in the listeners. I analyzed ancient lashunta armies’ strategies against their formian neighbors and concluded that the former’s conditioned sentimentality inhibited more effectively destructive actions against their long-time enemies. The audience found my conclusion upsetting.” Ailabiens 21:2 bobs thoughtfully before adding, “Other species are endlessly fascinating in their qualms.”
He sighs, physically, before continuing. "I find the prospect of making an apology less degrading than enduring an academic suspension. I am willing to make this gesture in a convincing manner so long as you can convince Professor Muhali to make three concessions:" Three withered black fingers reach out to count the points. "Cancel my academic suspension, restore myaccess to the university’s restricted collections - AND THE NET, and pardon the whole incident in my tenure review file." He bobs up and down in the air, happy with his points.
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That's awfully forward thinking and practical of you, Ailabiens. I think we can reasonably take this offer to Professor Muhali, except for one detail. She will probably want to know how you intend to handle such theories in the future. Likewise, I expect that you would prefer to not be right back in this situation down the road as well. Are there reasonable caveats you can provide with your lectures in the future, such as: You are not encouraging violent reaction and that you prefer reasoned, measured discourse as the reaction?
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Davrin stares at Ailiabiens 21:2 for some time, contemplating something. Eventually, he shakes his head. "Nah..."
"Ah, tenure, the holy grail of all academics. So she has that hanging over your head, does she? Well, looks like both of you are in a lose-lose position here. Certainly, we can bring the conditions back, although I'll be perfectly honest - you aren't exactly in the best position to bargain right now, but hey, one will do one's best. But my kind friend Lenny here has a really good point. If all this blows up again, hey, we aren't going to be here to mediate, then where will you be? Sure Muhali might get a slap on the wrist for poor management, but she's got her tenure. What can they do to her? But you, my kind, sir... Tsk, tsk."
Pippimi frowns at her incredibly soft team members, who seem to be willing to entertain this guy's demands. She approaches right up into his face, paws on her hips. "You have big head if you think Muhali give in! She boss here. You just low ranking floating brain person that think he very smart. But really so not-smart that not even able to realize what honorable thing to do is."
"Now, Pippimi give you chance. You make apology, or Pippimi grab you and roll-roll you to nearest supply closet for time-out, then go and see if Muhali want to give you mercy."
She wriggles her paws, ready to grab. If it looks like he'll do anything other than give in, Pippimi will grab him and roll him to a supply closet, true to her word.
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The contemplative looks at Lenny, sparks shooting off from his brain. "I suppose that would be an easy thing to add. But why include such a rudimentary and obvious comment? So unnecessary." He floats down to your level."Preferred reasonable discourse is the only possible answer." Ailabiens 21:2 then turns to Davrin and begins to hum a single note. "Hmmm..." Then, he is interrupted by six tiny blue hands grabbing his weak legs! He comes crashing to the ground, clenched in Pippimi's grip! "Wait! I just had such simple requests! How can I apologize if I am in a closet?"
"Pippimi feel like she talking to intern, needing to teach ABC basics." She hoists the contemplative over her head. "You did bad thing, boss not happy. Honorable thing is to apologize to boss and make amend. You not agree?" She pauses, but only long enough for him to agree.
"You go apologize, then if Muhali good and merciful boss, she give you back things you want. If you not want to apologize, closet for you until you change mind!" She huffs a little. No vesk (or skittermander) at Blastwerks would ever act as petulant as this giant brain fellow. And if anyone ever did, they'd be out and looking for a new job in a flash. It was VERY unprofessional. Pippimi was frankly a little embarrassed on Muhali's behalf that her coworker was acting this way.
Zulu watches in rapt attention as the group persuades the contemplative into a perfectly reasonable set of concessions to make everyone happy and achieve their goals, only to have their little furball of wrestling skill inexplicably start her ground game for no apparent reason.
Biologicals can be so fascinating.
The android stays silent, hoping for more new and I testing developments to occur.
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The contemplative gives Pippimi a bit of a shock, like that of a static electricity build up. "Fine, I'll say whatever you want, but I won't like it!" The brain begins to spasm, overwhelmed by emotion.
You feel like he will be more helpful in the future if you help him get some, or all, of the concessions he asked for.
"OW OW OW!" Pippimi almost suplexes the contemplative before she realizes that might seriously injure the guy (unlike her vesk colleagues, who are made of sterner stuff). But hearing that he's willing to apologize, she releases him and beams at him.
"OK, you learning, great! Pippimi happy to hear you willing to apologize! Remember, you on hook for apology no matter what Muhali say." She nods reassuringly at the contemplative, then hops up to slap him reassuringly on his tiny back.
"Now that discipline in order, time to go let Muhali know!" She gives a thumbs p
And hearing Lenny's comment she looks at him in honest astonishment. "You thinking this hard-line Lenny? Other middle managers at Blastwerks much, much tougher than Pippimi..." She pauses, remembering some of the more violent approaches some managers had. "Pippimi get told off once for being too friendly with troublemakers."
"I...I...I am glad you have come to agreeable terms." Zoran says looking around at what just transpired and realizing he has to adjust his tactics with the exuberant skittermander around.
He then realizes the contemplative is on the defensive and they may make an ally if they help him.
After the group starts to leave he looks back at Ailabiens.
[smaller]"I will see what I can do about your requests."[smaller]
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In the hallway he lets out a sigh.
"Pip, if we are going to do go the good borais-bad skittermander route you got to let us know...and possibly be less physical when our target is a giant gloating brain."
He laughs as he realizes how different things have become but then let's the others know he plans on trying to get some concessions for the contemplative.
"I want to request at least some of the concessions, still. I was watching him while you worked him over and it looks like he is on the defensive. We could make an ally of him in case we need his help in the future. Worth trying at least...even if his stance is...disgusting."