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Naboh makes a show of slinging his rifle across his back and moving slowly toward the meeting, mimicking the aliens' 20 foot distance.
Psst! I think they're more curious than scared.
He taps his chest and says clearly, "Naboh".
He says it again, slower.
Naaaaaabohhhhhh. Hey, I don't think they're getting this.
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Id approaches the one introducing itself as “Dystane”. ”Dystane?” he says aloud, intoning warmth and curiosity. He gently presses the spell gem in between their hands and concentrates, causing a white light to emit from between their digits. The gem dissolves into wispy embers of light, and Id speaks again, his voice altered by magic. ”Greetings, Dystane. My name is Id-Sinitis, and my friends and I represent the Starfinder Society. Do you understand me?”
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Remi walks right up to the person - Dystane? - and continues to avoid any threatening gestures.
“Can you understand all of us now?” she echoes Id’s question, becoming quite excited at the prospect that they might be able to truly communicate. “I am Remi. We’d like to know who you are. And what that creature was that attacked us. And- oh, I have so many questions!” She pauses to take a breath.
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Padme' sits on a sand dune ideally sipping at some water while the others talk. Had your weapon in your hand the whole time? I need to re-analyze my "fight or flight" protocols. This was most certainly an error in action if not judgment. Hope Remi and Id-Sinitis have this under control. Padme' puts the cap back on the 2 litre container noticing that she had already drunk 1/2 of the water. Stowing in the container in her backpack..Padme' waited for Remi or Id to motion her back over to the conference.
The being looks at Naboh, points his finger at Naboh and repeats, "Naaaaaabohhhhhh" It then points to itself again and says, "Dystsane"
The various combinations of gestures to indicate peace and friendship from Id, Remi and Padme' seems to have convinced Dystane that your intentions are not hostile because as Id walks up to indicate a desire to touch Dystane, Dystane does not retreat and allows it.
Once Id does so, Dystane replies to both Id and Remi, saying, "Woooaaah!! Far out man! Yah, I can totally understand what you're saying! What a trip!! How'd you do that? That's some major mojo you got there! My name is Dystane, by the way...happy to meet you Id-Sinitis and Remi."
Dystane looks over at Padme' and says, "Thanks for putting that blaster of yours away. We wanna make love not war. Saw you take a big beat down tho, you okay man?"
Dystane then looks further past Padme' over at Naboh and waves, saying "Waddup Naaaaaabohhhhhh!! Love the long but cool-sounding name!"
Addressing Remi's question regarding the attack, "Yah that thing is called a Sand Brute. Gnaaaaaarly right?!?!? They don't make good eats but some of our younger kids sometimes lay the beat down on them in a ritual of strength. Cut off the mane and wear it, that'll show how righteous you guys are!"
Dystane continues, "Hey, you all seem like cool cats... wanna come chill out with us at our crash pad? Better than burnin up out here and best to avoid another sand brute creepin up on ya. You can come rap with the rest of the tribe!"
Dystane replies to Dyukela and Naboh, "You know... our pad! Our digs... our crib... ummm... our home! It's very chill. People hang out and vibe with each other... y'know... mellow out. If you can come, it'd be groovy! It's only about a half hour walk that way."
Dystane points in a direction opposite the way you were going, away from the force field.
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Padme' sits on a sand dune ideally sipping at some water while the others talk. Padme' puts the cap back on the 2 litre container noticing that she had already drunk 1/2 of the water. Stowing in the container in her backpack..Padme' waited for Remi or Id to motion her back over to the conference.
After obtaining the desired samples from the creature, Sev assembles its gear, making certain that its weapons are stowed. Noticing Padme by the sand dune, Sev approaches. "Captain, you do not appear to be experiencing any malfunctions. I trust that you have not been adversely affected by the encounter with the creature."
Sev glances over at its shirren companions interacting with the aliens. "It appears that there is some sort of bond between beings of similar composition and structures. You and this unit" Sev says as it points to itself, "are of similar composition and structure. Perhaps there is some sort of bond between us?"
Just then, the android cocks its head as its internal processors register the facts that one of the aliens is speaking in galactic common and that it claims to maintain a habitation within close proximity. Analysis: Mission objective of doing everything within our power to make peaceful contact with the inhabitants of this planet appears to have been achieved. Likewise, the presence of the force-field city, the appearances of these creatures, and the similarities in their language with that of the automated transmissions would most likely qualify as "something interesting" to Venture-Captain Arvin. Recommendation: Report to Venture-Captain Arvin. Despite its internal processing, Sev states nothing aloud, instead waiting for a response from Padme'.
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“Oh, your home! If that’s what you meant, we’d be glad to go! Erm, I think,” she hedges at the end, realizing that she shouldn’t get so caught up in the excitement that she speaks for the entire group. She does find it strange that Dystane’s home is away from the force shield, but she files that question away to ask about later.
“One thing about that spell, though- I assume it only works for you, and I’m not too sure how long it will last?” She looks to Id for confirmation, since she doesn’t actually know how the spell functions. “But we do have a device that should be able to translate basic phrases, so some of your friends can communicate too, at least a little bit. That’s how it’s supposed to work, at least.”
She looks around at where Padme' is resting and Sev is speaking with her, and Remi calls out to them, “Hey, are you feeling better yet? Could you bring the translation device over so we can see if it has collected enough to start working?”
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Padme’ looks up at Sev+. There’s really not much to say, the heat, the battle, was overheating both my organic and synthetic circuits. I will be fine. As far as your analysis of us being similar, your are correct of course if you’re stating the obvious. I’m an android life form much as you are. I fail however, to correlate many of our other functions other than both being members of Starfinder. Our programming is different, as is our primary functions. I’ve embraced my organic side, while you still hold on to that, which is machine in you. This does not make for a likely pair. However, there is an old saying of the humans, “opposites attract.” We May investigative this at a future date. For now I need you to get that translator online, if you are able. Thank you Sev+...that will be all.
Padme’ walks back over to the group and introduces herself. She leaves out any reference to words like Captain or leader. To Remi she states, I’m fine now thanks, Sev+ will be bringing the translator over shortly. Am I to understand they are inviting us to their compound?
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Correlation failure.. The words repeat in Sev's positronic mind. This unit is dissimilar to the other beings in the galaxy. Sev slowly picks up the translator device and joins the others conversing with the aliens.
"Recommendation" the android interrupts, though neither its tone nor facial expression betray any sense of emotion. "Before we proceed further, the Starfinders findings to date should be conveyed to Venture-Captain Arvin."
Speaking to Padme', Dystane says "That's right dude! Come bum with us a while! But we shouldn't hang here too long - don't wanna give the fuzz another chance for a hit and run." Dystane points at the Sand Brute corpse. Then Dystane gestures to his fellows, "Also, we're a hunting party so we gotta get back with our stash! I'm sure our peoples are jonesing for some munchies right about now. Plenty of time for us to sit and space out once we're back at the pad! I'll intro you to Brother Koseemo and Sister Alomir! They're two of the coolest cats amongst us all!"
Hearing Remi's agreement to go, Dystane says, "Far out!" Looking at the rest of the Starfinder party, Dystane says, "Everyone's down?"
Dystane and his hunting party lead you through the wasteland with no incident. The terrain is rugged, so you spend time concentrating on travelling rather than conversing, but you do learn that they call their race 'ghibrani husk' and that Dystane is female
Also, your party does explain the purpose of the translator device to Dystane so as they're leading you, they do provide enough conversation in their native language to the device in order to calibrate it, allowing you to use the device for further communication.
After about 30 minutes of trekking, you reach their home, which is composed of a network of caves. Dozens of beetle-like aliens crawl in and out of the many caves that dot the face of this otherwise drab cliff. Most of them are dressed in simple leather frocks, while the few with crude weapons are covered with sturdier armor. A small garden filled with sickly plants is visible off to one side, next to what looks like the opening to a well. A handful of children sits in front of a pair of older aliens, who are both wearing brightly colored necklaces. They appear to be either telling the young ones a story or teaching them a lesson.
Dystane and her hunters approach first, ahead of you. As they move closer the enclave spots them and a loud, collective friendly cheer goes up. Hunters bringing back food are quite popular, it seems. However, once the enclave notices your party following them, the cheers die off suddenly and you instinctively stop moving forward.
Dystane quickly moves up to two other Ghibrani Husk and begins what appears to be an animated conversation out of your earshot. Soon, however, all three of them turn towards you and gestures for you to move forward and come closer.
When you approach the three of them, Dystane spreads her arms wide and says, "Welcome to our humble abode. It ain't much but its home!" Dystane then, with reverence, makes some circular then up and down hand gestures towards your party, speaking in Ghibrani which your translator outputs as: "May Mother Touloo bless these great warriors and as we welcome them into our home as guests. Please grant them peace and salvation as you've granted us."
Dystane then switches back to Common (via your share language spell) and addresses you directly, "This is Brother Koseemo and Sister Alomir. They're the head honchos of our tribe." The two of them speak something in Ghibrani, which Dystane translates, "They say they're totally stoked you came to crash. Hearing that you busted up a sand brute is unreal!"
A moment later, your translator outputs the same statement from the two leaders as, "We are happy you have come to visit. Hearing that you defeated a sand brute is amazing."
Listening to your translator, Dystane says in Common, "Huh, that's funny. Your translator uses strange words but close enough!"
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Before everyone reaches the destination, Dyukela comments"Very little grows in this wasteland. Survival can't be easy."
When they reach the caves he says:"Life is very difficult for them. It is apparent that food and water are extremely scarce and the tribe is just barely able to acquire enough to satisfy their basic needs."
Dyukela asked Dystane: "Is Mother Touloo your goddess?"
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After preparing a highly detailed message outlining the party’s progress and mission findings, Sev forwards it to the AI aboard Pegasus for transmission to Venture-Captain Arvin. However, while the android had earlier travelled in front of the party, it now lingers somewhat behind as it travels.
As the party is welcomed into the cave dwellings of by ghibrani husk, Sev surveys the primitive structures as the aliens speak.
When Dystane comments on the translator’s use of “strange words”, Sev interjects. ”Technological components do not always… correlate well with those that are organic.” notes the android with a twitch of its head. ”Nevertheless, the device’s programming ensures that it will continue in its efforts to make connections between the ideas that you seek to convey and the words that it retains within its processors.”
”Perhaps my technological components can be of assistance in making such connections. You reference an entity, a Mother Touloo, that you is not known to us. Your actions imply a reverence or worship of this being. We are aware of the worship of certain deities by sentient species within the Pact Worlds where we originated. If this Mother Touloo is a deity of note, perhaps she is known elsewhere by another name. If you were to tell us more of this Mother Touloo, it may be possible to determine whether that is the case.”
”In addition”, the android continues, ”it would be instructive if you could tell us more of the origins of your kind. Are you beings, indeed, native to this world as you appear to be?"
"Our orbital scans detected life-forms within the urban center not too distant from this location. Do you know whether the life-forms within it are natives to this world?"
"With regard to your habitations", Sev offers as he looks around the arid dwellings and spies the desiccated vegetation, "there exist technologies capable of assisting you in your efforts to obtain food and water, which appear to be in limited supply here. A properly employed psychometric device could draw moisture from the air and produce an estimated twenty-four percent increase in yield beyond that of your botanical cultivation area. Such technology would, presumably, be readily obtainable by any civilization that set in place the orbital defense that our crew encountered on approach to this world. Do you not have such technology available to you?"
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Id nods to the two tribal leaders. "I admire your ability to survive in these hostile environs. You are lucky to have the blessing of your goddess to help you, for the land certainly does not. As we were arriving here, we noticed a large city encased within a force field. Who resides there, and would it not be prudent for you to live there instead of out in this unkind wilderness?"
Id reveals his dermal implant, flashing the Starfinder sigil. "Our Society would love to learn more about your people, your planet, and your way of life. How might we build a strong relationship between our two communities?"
Replying to Dyukela, Dystane says, "Yah sister, Mother Touloo is our goddess... She's smashing, you dig?"
Listening to Sev speak, Dystane says, "Whoa whoa whoa! Hold up there my man! All in good time! Right now, the tribe is about to hold a special rite called 'The Welcoming' to bring me and my hunting party back into the fold. It would be outtasight if you all could join us! Then after, we can sit, chill, and you can lay all those questions on me. Whaddaya say?"
Turning to Id, Dystane says, "Radical man! Trippy lights you got there in your hand! Say you'll join The Welcoming and we'll take our first step down the funky path of friendship together! Whaddaya say?"
Via the translator, Brother Koseemo and Sister Alomir echo their desire for you to join although, as you noticed, the device seems to remove some of the "flavor" from their words: "Yes, please join us in The Welcoming. Your presence will bring much joy to all."
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Listening to Sev speak, Dystane says, "Whoa whoa whoa! Hold up there my man! All in good time! Right now, the tribe is about to hold a special rite called 'The Welcoming' to bring me and my hunting party back into the fold. It would be outtasight if you all could join us! Then after, we can sit, chill, and you can lay all those questions on me. Whaddaya say?"
”In good time.” Sev contemplates. Analysis: Time is the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole. Conclusion: Time is not “good” nor does it have any other an alignment. Commencing auditory corrective subroutine…
As the Sev is about to correct Dystane, it registers her words: “… if you all could join us!” Join… correlate… belong…, the words run through Sev's positronic brain.“Affirmative.” the android says, ” This unit will… join you… prior to making any further inquiry.”
Via the translator, Brother Koseemo and Sister Alomir echo their desire for you to join although, as you noticed, the device seems to remove some of the "flavor" from their words: "Yes, please join us in The Welcoming. Your presence will bring much joy to all."
The android nods toward Koseemo and Alomir. Query: How does the mere presence of this unit produce an emotional response of joy? The android opens its mouth as if to speak, but instead its mouth simply closes. Override engaged. Delaying running of inquiries until completion of ritual… Sev’s facial actuators take a slight, upward turn. … the ritual in which this unit has agreed to “join”.
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Remi laughs out loud when she hears the echo of the flat translations spit out by the machine, and how different it is from the strange and flavorful speech of Dystane. Wouldn't it be interesting to learn their language for real? she can't resist dreaming.
She sobers when their guide invites them to join in their rite of welcoming. The chance to see a local ceremony... a culture unaffected by races among the Pact Worlds, as far as we know... maybe learn more about this goddess they worship...
Remi doesn't even hesitate. Whatever it is, must be worth experiencing. "Of course we would love to join you! And I hope we will be able to build a, er- funky friendship together."
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Padme' tries to get a feel for this group of malnourished aliens. She's particularly focused on how they feel about her group. She takes out one of her rations and the remains of her water bottle and places it before the two elders. A gift so that we can start are friendship off well. If you do not like the flavor there are other varieties.
Brother Koseemo and Sister Alomir give a great look of surprise upon seeing Padme' offer up the gift of food and water. Via the translator, they say, "Padme', you honor us greatly. Here in the wastes, there is no gift more precious than food and water for it is these two items that provides and sustains life. Please, we must insist you and your friends join in The Welcoming."
As the other party members chime in saying that they'll attend the welcoming, Dystane says, "You're all coming then? Far out!!"
Dystane, Brother Koseemo, and Sister Alomir lead your party into the cave network. The interior of the husk’s cave is spacious, with plenty of natural handholds leading up to other tunnels into the cliff. A large bonfire burns in the center of a cleared-out space, providing light but making the cave quite stuffy.
Dystane looks at Naboh and says, "Naboh, I don't know what a beer is but I'm guessing it's some kind of luxury item? C'mon man, take a look around. Does it even vaguely appear as though we have the slightest hint of luxuries here? But what we DO have is the grooviest funk and soul music this side of the wasteland! Probably on the planet!"
As you step inside, it seems as though the entire tribe is converging here. You can see that many of the ghibranis are carrying drums, and assorted instruments made from stone. A few moments later, they begin playing an uplifting tune with rhthymic beats. The remaining ghibranis not playing instruments face each other in a couple of straight lines and proceed to start a formalized processional dance.
Right before Dystane wanders off to join in on the dance, he says, "And aside from the funkiest music, we've got the market cornered on doin the hustle!"
After a while, you are each individually approached by a separate husk ghibrani who gestures you to the dance floor, clearly welcoming you to join in on the dance.
Anyone who does not join the dance receives a look of obvious disappointment and the ghibrani husk will invite you to join one more time before giving up.
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Padme' observes the traditional tribal dace with fascination. After a few moments Padme feels she understands some of the movements of the dance. When one of the ghibrani approaches her gesturing to dance she reluctantly stands and acquiesces to their wishes for her join them on the dance floor. We must be scene as embracing their cultural norms. Padme' then starts to gyrate, in intimation of the husk ghibrani.
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Hustle Sev notes, The act or an instance of jostling or shoving. Postulate: The movement of the husk ghibranis appears to be ordered, fluid, and synchronized.
Sev rises to "join in" the dance. Analysis: Physical contact with dancers will result in jostling and shoving. The android keeps its body rigid, moving only its limbs in short, jerky fits. When it bumps into one of the dancing husk ghibranis, Sev responds by flashing an inelastic smile.
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Remi is delighted to watch the dance, as strange as it looks. Her antennae wave gently in time as she begins to catch the rhythm of the drums.
Having taken a few courses in dance at university, she feels a professional desire to prove her ability to pick up the new movements, not to mention the chance at cross-cultural appreciation! So when a ghibrani approaches, she jumps up readily with a smile on her face and follows along.
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Id's head bobs up and down to the music as he watches the ghibranis dance. An infinite cosmos of wonder and discovery, and uncaring multiverse that trudges on through time...and these people, struggling to survive, find such joy in simply moving along to organized sound. They are remarkable creatures. We all are. Id's bobbing becomes a full body sway, and he moves his arms to mirror their hosts.
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Dyukela first stood and watched. "No, I can not do it, the dance is not my thing, but everyone around me is having fun ... I could try it ... I have nothing to lose."
He walked up to the dance floor and began to move. He started to like it and started doing moves for which he did not even know he could perform them. This is crazy fun!
Padme', Twik, Naboh, Id, and Dyukela pull off The Hustle flawlessly, making their way around the cave dance floor with each other and other ghibrani husk tribe members. After about ten minutes, the five of you even manage to synchronize your dance moves like a well-trained boy band - much to the delight of the ghibrani husk.
Remi absolutely amazes everyone with not only pulling off the dance, but also improvising some additional fancy footwork and arm swings into the routine. Pretty soon, other ghibrani husk are mimicking Remi's dance moves, spawning off a new variation of The Hustle! In the not-too-distant future, the ghibrani husk will call this new variation 'The Remi Hustle' or 'The Rustle' for short.
Sev stumbles and doesn't quite get the steps but as the ghibrani husk are having such a good time dancing that no one laughs or ridicules Sev. In fact, the opposite happens. A half dozen ghibrani husk take it upon themselves to dance exclusively with Sev, teaching him the steps until he can pull off a rudimentary Hustle without falling over like a clumsy robot, at which point they all cheer at a job well done!
Somewhere while in the middle of the dance floor, Dystane swings by and says, "You guys are sooooo rad!! The entire tribe has chatted and all agree - each one of you are now considered honorary members of our tribe!" And then she swings away continuing to dance.
As the celebration continues, your party takes a breather to the side. While you rest, another ghibrani steps into the firelight. She is thinner than the others, dressed in shimmering fabrics, and has a few bandaged wounds. But most strikingly, she sports a pair of membranous wings, unlike any of the other ghibranis!!
She makes her way towards you and you see that other gibranis husk treat her with respect but not reverence - she seems to be considered a guest but not considered above any of the other gibranis. When she reaches your group, she looks you over for a moment then gestures to her throat and mouth. Her hands light up with energy and she points to Padme's throat and mouth.
At that moment, Dystane swings by again mid-dance step and says, "Waddup dudes! This is Klarima, she's a ghibrani membrane. She wants to use magic to talk to you... same way that Id used magic to talk to me! Oh..woah!!!" At that moment Dystane continues her dance step whereby her dance partner swings her away from you guys.
Klarima looks at your group expectantly and again points at her own throat and mouth, then holds up three fingers.
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I think it should be the captain as our leader, Id because he can easily share the conversation without repeating it aloud, and Dyukela as our mystic.
Y'know, I got a cousin who's a natural telepath. You ever been woken up from a nap by a voice in your head claiming to be Pharasma? Ha, ha, very funny. I got her back, though -- I lined her shoes with axle grease right before a big date. Hoo, did she howl!
Id points to himself and Padme'. Klarima touches Id and Padme' who now suddenly find that they understand all the Ghibran spoken around them. Naboh steps forward and Klarima reaches out to touch Naboh but right before Klarima does so, Naboh points at Dyukela. Slightly startled, slightly amused, Klarima then touches Dyukela who can now also understand what all the ghibrani in the cavern are saying.
Now that you can understand what all the ghibrani husk are saying, you note that they speak with the same 'flavorful' vocabulary as Dystane. It wasn't just Dystane. It appears the translator strips down and simplifies the speaker's words.
Klarima introduces herself, "You are unlike any other sentient beings I have ever had the pleasure to meet! Perhaps the same is true for you with regards to meeting my kind? Surely we have much to teach one another! Now if you don't mind my asking, who are you and where do you come from? Am I correct in believing you are not all of the same race? And what do you seek here? That is, what is your purpose for visiting us? Of course in the spirit of friendship and mutual exchange, you must also have many questions for me! So please ask away chaps!!"
She looks at Remi and adds, "Oh and by the way, please tell her that she absolutely MUST show me those dance moves of hers! Tell my dear girl 'good show!' Absolutely smashing!"
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Sev’s facial actuators appear to have frozen in place in response to the cheers of the ghibrani husk. As a result, the android sports an odd and perhaps more than slightly off-putting permagrin.
Tribe contemplates the android. A unit of sociopolitical organization consisting of a number of families, clans, or other groups who share a common ancestry and culture. Analysis: This unit does not share a common ancestry with the ghibrani husk. Conclusion: To remain connected to the ‘tribe’, this unit must assimilate ghibrani husk culture.
When Klarima reaches out to the party, Sev turns toward its fellow crew members, “Our main cat, Dyukela, appears to be hip to what this bird is up to, my fellow dudes. Accordingly, this unit will continue to... chill out... while the remainder of you engage in efforts to investigate what is goin' down from Klarima.”
As the others speak with Klarima, Sev attempts to determine what may account for her physical differences from the other ghibrani.
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Remi watches the others receive a gift of shared language with a twinge of jealousy, but she tamps it down. It was a logical choice, so let them enjoy it. At least we still have this, she thinks, and sets up the translation device next to them so she can follow the gist of the conversation.
When the machine passes along Klarima's message, Remi beams with happiness. She turns to Padme' and says, "Tell her I'd be glad to! That was the most fun I've had in years. Oh, and ask about the force shield," she adds, finally coming back to the question that has been niggling at the back of her mind.
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"Remi, Klarma said that you absolutely MUST show her those dance moves of yours and that you are Absolutely smashing!"says Dyukela to Remi.
Thank you for choosing me! I'm Dyukela!"says Dyukela to Klarima.
"Maybe this is a rude question, but can you tell me why you look different from others and why are you wounded?"