The council has been meeting all day, going over water projections from the new wells, decontamination efforts and other projects. Tasha doesn't have much to say on any of that, as she sits in one of the seats reserved for the JEF, alongside Eli Zerachiel. Across from her are Lyle Cromwell and Gustav Altieri of the Expedition, while to her right is the newest member, the Champion of Emerald, a Naga representing the Winged Citadel (and by extension the Knights Templar) along with the red-headed human woman Riddle Smith. Strength-of-Stones is there, with his adjutant Scholar-to-Aliens for the Silent-Ones. Senator Cornelius comes with his own chair, with Rapatia attending to him for the Confederates, and Ssssistho-Sephra and Dr. 'Kessa Drake' coil on cushions to weigh in for the Celestial Empire.
Finally, Mr. Cromwell (who is acting chair this week) calls the standard business concluded, and says, "We welcome back Cadet Argentine, sitting in today for Captain Akkers, who is going to give us a report on the incident involving the Magi Titans a few months ago. You have the floor, Ms. Argentine." He nods and gestures to Tasha.
With Tasha mostly recovered from her battle months ago, and with so much new information at hand, the young woman decided it was high timme that their sponsors learned the truth -- at least, most of it. having made the appropriate preperations with both Gabriel, Eli, and the PHTO Council, she stands now before the representatives and their collective aides in the same room Eli had used shortly after Tasha encountered Harmonia. The room has been darkened to aid in projection clarity, the projector displaying an assemblage off various fantastic and disturbing images as Tasha steps forward, spreading her hands.
"Thank you for coming. I know you're very busy," she greets the assembled persons, waiting for the low chatter to die down so she can speak uninterupted. "I apologize for my tardiness in bringing this to you. As you may know, I was injured several months ago dealing with an artifact we had recovered from Sinai's surface. What you do not know are the details of that battle and what they mean to this world, and it is this I am here to explain. First, the artifact itself:" Pausing to point at the image of a golden, godlike Silent-One angel in metal, Tasha explains, "Balthasar, the second brotehr of my Melchior and also known as The Seraph Titan. prelimary tests were being run to determine the safety and viability of its technology for future use. As a hybrid between many systems, I believed this machine could be used for something greater than war. However, during the test flight we were attacked."
Tasha pauses again to point at the next image, this one apparently from her own viewpoint as she holds up a hand defensively against a being of lava, metal, fire in the form of a winged man somewhat like her, its face contorted in rage. "Entity Abaddon was the attacker. This is his avatar as he appeared to me weeks earlier, while I was sleeping. According to an AI contact of mine, he also appeared to her at some point in the past as well. In all cases his objective remained the same: to seduce the target in to compliance, and, to recruit them in his bid to anhiliate all alien life on this world -- and if possible -- the other worlds of the Primus System. That is, us."
Shifting her hand to the next image, the Seraph appears twisted, ruined by a infection that warps its frame in to a reddened mess, its face contorted and hostile as seems to look uon something equal to it in height. "Abaddon made contact with me again in the Seraph, offering me to 'join him' for the purpose already mentioned. When I refused, he initiated, for lack of a better term, a electronic attack on the Seraph's systems from its Sifran components. I resisted as I was able but could not stop him. I attempted to self destruct the machine manually in several ways but was prevented from doing so. I almost succeeded in the last attempt when help arrived."
The woman's hand doesn't move, but she does tap the same image again. "Melchior was dispatched to my location and prevented my forcing the Seraph in to the gorge. A struggle broke out between the two machines shortly after I lost all control of the Seraph. Reacting to the danger my Melchior was in, and needing to exit, I detonated my suit's power supply by penetrating it with my survival knife, blowing the cockpit hatch wide and injuring myself in the process. I was then recovered by my Melchior, allowing me to do battle with the Seraph."
The young woman steps forward and rotates the projector's image reel, showing a new image of the broken ruin of the Seraph from a viewpoint of several stories up, both its scimitars and Melchior's own shaard either lying in, or embedded point down, in the ground around it. "Abaddon was defeated and the Seraph destroyed. I was then flown to recieve medical aid."
Tasha turns from the image, spreading her hands again. "Some of you may remember the name Abaddon from when I spoke of him months ago, though you may not have believed he existed at the time. I admit, I wasn't sure either. But now we know. But what is Abaddon? Retroanalysis of his words and nature suggest he is a spirit-like being. That is, a Sifran construct that, spirit-like, exists in an uncarnate state and is similiar to other entities of that type found on other worlds. However, his words lead me to believe his is much, much older than the otehrs I have encountered. Simply put: I believe he is a Sifran defense daemon that has been awakened with the return of 'magic,' the Sifran reality-intervening network system. His familiarity with Sifran artifacts, hate for us, and suggestion he serves the Sifrans -- or Makers as refered to them -- suggests these worlds do not necessarily welcome us and are largely dormant, as he implied others of his kind were either sleeping or destroyed."
"This, then, may explainw hy Sifran artifacts react the way they do when utilized by us: the system itself is hostile to us, but it is not fully 'awake,' not aware, allowing it to be manipulated in what is known as spellcasting. Furthermore, in my first encounter with Abaddon he implied that the system was already beginning to return this world to a state of greenery it has once been in. He believed in time he would win anyway due to this, but remained adamant in trying to remove us earlier."
Tasha pauses to forward the reel again, showing a floating snail-like entity and a massive plate-like being hovering over the lava wastes. "My encounter with these aliens, brought from another universe, as well as the rising H2O levels around their excavation site confrms this: Abaddon will return to greenery steadily over the next hundred years. I don't know if Abaddon had any control over this or was simply safeguarding it, but either way, it will happen. This means an increase in resources for us all, but also the possibility that the creatures in the canal -- indeed, all canal life -- will leave the canals and spread across the world -- and that would mean Abaddonian civilization would be at an end."
The cadet waits for a moment fir the murmuring to die down again before she continues, saying, "It may yet be possible to interfere with the process, or even control it. Failing that, we must consider alternatives to dealing with the ever-rising monsterous population." The woman pauses again, her gaze scanning across the mix of uncertain and apprehensive faces that now fill the room. "The JEF will continue to investigate all aspects of the information I have revealed to you today; We are not without leads but they are unconfirmed at this time and speaking of them would be pointless until more information is gathered and assessed." She pauses again to nod to Eli before reaching over to shut off the projector. The lights go on, and then she turns back to her audience to say, "This concludes my presentation on the events of the Seraph Incident. I will now accept questions." Her ears perk forward, ready.
"So you say Abaddon's surface will be like the canals then, or will it be our plants that thrive instead?" Cornelius asks, leaning back in the seat of his wheelchair.
"Considering the life in the canals is native and quite possibly intentionally created, it seems probable that the conditions will suit the canal life. The canals themselves may have been purposed to preserve life during the Abaddonian dormancy. However, that doesn't mean out own plantlife won't be able to use the hydration. It may simply require some effort on our part. If we're quick -- relatively speaking of course -- we may be able to head off expansion from the canals," the cadet explains, hands tucked behind her back.
"There is also the possibility of interfering with the hydration process," she adds in afterthought. "We're still exploring what that process is in its entirety, but we are aware of at least one facet that can be manipulated -- however, it presents its own dangers that must be investigated as well."
"It has often been suggested that the canals should be firebombed," Strength-of-Stones says via his vocoder-glove. "This was not feasible due to the necessity of preserving the water, should it be needed. It may be time to reconsider this, if we know that pure water is going to be available."
"Eradication is one route," Tasha agrees. "While I would hate to destroy unexplored life, the risk they present to sentient life on this world is too great to ignore. Note, however, the life may be created by process, even protected by the same process, so eradication may have unforseen side effects."
"We don't know if this greening will involve decontamination of the existing flora and fauna," Riddle Smith notes. "If there is some sort of metal chelating process involved, then the canal life may become less toxic and.. ornery."
"We sssstill do not know where the daikaiju origiNate," Ssssistho points out. "They are the greater threat, and locating their sssSource iss critical."
"It's possible. We could attempt to ask the planet," the now mostly Vartan suggests. She then nods, then says, "They may be bioweapons. Abaddon clearly knew about the process of greening, which suggests there are other Sifran elements at work. He -- it -- may not have been the only security daemon at work. Or, there may be a more conventional system."
"We Confederates have studied the kaiju extensively," Cornelius notes. "We found no evidence of engineering, per se, but it is the ability of the creatures to integrate metal into their structure that allows for their great size. But we do no believe there is enough iron oxide in the canals to account for the size of these creatures. The giants must come from somewhere else, somewhere with a much higher concentration of metals."
"Hmm," goes Tasha, who reaches up and scratches her head. "In my travels past mapped territories I've noted some interesting formations, but nothing that fits that description. With the Council's approval, I can investigate further. It shouldn't cut in to my studies, as I can handle any out-of-classroom research from my Titan."
"Heh," Gustav grunts. "You've gone after the Phantom, so now you want to find the Kaiju Sea as well?" the Karnor asks.
The red woman grin lopsidedly at that. "What can I say, I'm a sucker for danger," she admits.
"Did you encounter any other Sifran-fusion devices on your visit to Sinai?" the Champion of Emerald asks, with nary a hiss.
"No, the Seraph was the only one," Tasha answers, inclining her head to the representative.
"We have not been able to check on the activities of the Forbidden Zone creatures," Scholar-to-Aliens signs. "Surely you will remedy this gap in our knowledge before chasing after other monsters?"
"Ahh, right, yes, I can do that," Tasha agrees, ears canting back. "The 'monsters' are actually part of the hydration process. They'reorganic excavation units, extra-universal. Or meta-universal. Possibly pseudo-extra-universal. Where ever they come from, we can communicate with them to some degree and can begin analyzing them ASAP."
"I hope that doesn't mean we have to squeeze them for water," Rapatia notes with a beak-grin. "It would be useful to have one for study of course, assuming one could be safely brought back."
"That's the problem, you see, they're from another universe. It's quite difficult to assess their hazard level given their foreign constitution. However, quite remarkably -- and possibly intentionally -- they appear to be comprehensible by this universe's tools. They even appear to use similar materials and structure, though with some oddities," the cadet says. She then cosks her head to the side and adds, "I suppose one could be coerced in to range for study. They don't appear to be sentient, and display behavior similiar to animals of our worlds. Given their controller has been destroyed, we may be able to present as a new guide."
"So.. are they alive or are they machines?" Cornelius asks. "Then again, that's a dumb question until we have one to study."
"Yes, you're quite right. We just don't know much about them. I certainly wouldn't risk bringing them near any population centers, but I can have them investigated out in the wastes," the mostly Vartan agrees.
"Well, see if you can lure or isolate one of them, or train it to go to a particular spot where we can have a team waiting," the old Eeee suggests. "If they've lost their 'controller' they may be working on a hive-mind instinct level."
"I'll see what I can do," Tasha agrees. "I'd like to be present for the analysis anyway. Anything else?" Her ears perk.
"Do you know if any other technology is susceptible to Sifran override, or is it just the Silent-Ones' optical brains?" Kessa asks.
"Abaddon appeared capable of connecting to Khattan Trade Emirate technology, although he did not demonstrate an ability to attack through that medium. In both cases, he simply made contact. Note however that one system was purely mechanical, while the other was techno-organic, that is, a cyborg," the cadet answers.
"So the common element is a mind of some sort," Kessa suggests. "Interesting."
Tasha nods to the question, saying, "Yes, I agree. In particular, it appears Abaddon favored a mechanical interface, but sought out minds. My thought on this is that it was reaching out to minds similiar to its own due to its limited understanding of alien thought process. His attempt to recruit me was, at best, crude and direct. Or to look at it another way, anyone here could have mounted a more persuasive approach; His method was simple and aggressive."
"That is, he favored mechanical mines of logic, but also approached me due to my interface -- he was, however, not unsophisticated in his contact," the red woman adds.
"I'm glad that you think we are subtle," Rapatia says with a chuckle.
Tasha smiles at that. "I included myself as well. It's simply that he was direct, but lacked any awareness of my values. He -- it -- seemed aware of some of my thoughts and memories but did not use them in a particularly creative way. It was, at best, a bully that seemed unconcerned -- even irritated -- by not having its way. Failing in its recruiting, it ... " Tasha pauses, then shakes her head. "Forgive me, I'd like to make a redaction: I was incorrect about that which it could control. While it used Sifran systems to mount the atack, it is likely it could invade any sufficently complex mechanical system -- and it could also invade an organic mind, as it attempted with me."
"But could it have actually controlled you?" Riddle Smith asks. "Was it just communication, or something more?"
"If it could control mindssss directly, it would have no need of perssssuasion or communication," Ssssistho points out.
"And as you saw, it could invade inert metals and other non-computerized components," Tasha adds, then turns to Riddle and spreads her hands. "It seemed to want to corrupt me in the same manner as the Titan, to turn me in to "Enyo," its partner. Enyo translates to "Destroyer of Cities," its intended purpose for its terminal weapon, that is, me. However, it seemed to require my agreement to invade my mind, possibly due to my firewall, but not necessarily. Given its behavior later, it appears that it intended to force its way in to my mind after it had secured the Seraph."
"Gaining a body made it stronger then?" Smith asks. "It doesn't seem that it could affect anything else before that. We would have been overwhelmed with canal creatures if those were under its control."
"I agree. I believe its access to the Sifran, for lack of a better term, network was limited. It appears these worlds are currently not functioning at their maximum potential and that Abaddon was limited in its tools. It is possible it once had a body, but lost it at some point and continued to exist as a pattern within the Sifran SPF weaving," the cadet confirms.
"Which brings up the other question: could magic provide a defense against this sort of thing?" Riddle asks.
"I'm only speculating here, but I believe so," Tasha notes, spreading her hands again. "Abaddon appeared to be what is commonly known as a "spirit," that is, a life-like pattern within the SPF weaving. You could consider it an AI that existed within the subtle manipulation Sifran reality-interceeding system."
"So, as magic utilizes a manipulation of the Sifran reality altering technology, so too should it be able to target beings that reside within that weaving," the cadet concludes.
Most of the council members turn towards Riddle Smith and the Champion of Emerald. "Have the Knights approached any mages yet about joining or teaching or such?" Rapatia asks.
Tasha perks her ears at the question as well, turning to face the Knights representative.
"We don't generally approach off-worlders like that," the Champion notes. "There may be mages among the Sinai branches of the Order, which may be amenable to visiting. I do not know how the order of mages operates. I have heard it suggested that we strive to cultivate our own mages, outside of the order that operates on Sinai."
"We have had ssssome successs along those liness," Ssssistho admits, and looks to Cromwell. "As has the Expedition."
The Silent-Ones remain silent about any forays into magic they may be aware of, as do the Confederates.
"To chime in on the JEF position on the matter, we do not have any mages, though we have some contacts with the Mages Guild of Sinai. Currently, we are interested in recruiting a mage but at present we do not have any leads as to how. The Mages Guild jealously guards its access to magic," Tasha notes. She then turns look between the Celestial and Expedition representatives, brows raising. "Oh?"
"When the mages from Sinai first arrived here, they were few in number and.. their interests stepped on the toes - metaphorically - of the joint interests of the Celestial Empire and the Expedition," Cromwell relays. "I believe they were using 'scrying' magic, but certain members of both nations respective clergy were able to detect and deflect these attempts."
"I've spoken with individuals that can confirm the existence of religous-based magical arts. My, well, my own religion is known to have a few such individuals, primarily dedicated to the craft of fire and forging, although I didn't have a chance to meet any of these people. They are apparently rare," Tasha offers.
"The Mage's Guild of Sinai have gone to some lengths since those spying attempts to improve their image on Abaddon," Strength-of-Stones signs-says. "Some of you had witnessed what Earth Magic could do during the initial securing of the Pit of Himar. And we have seen similar with the Celestial Life Dome, if on a much larger scale. I am certain the Mage's Guild will be willing to sell us services, provided there is no local competition."
"We need to conduct tests," Cornelius says. "Find out who among our people has this talent. Which I'm sure our nations are doing already of course, but we need to have our own talent here in the Pit and the Citadel."
"It will depend, then, on our world's stance on the matter. Do we use foreign assistance, or develope our own programs," the red woman says, glancing across the collectrive members of the Council. "The JEF will of course adhere to the Council's choice on this, or, barring a lack of consensus, review the options available to us."
"I'm sure the Expedition will make a token gesture of employing mages, just to show they're open to it," Riddle Smith notes with a smile. "But we all know that we're going to be cultivating our own. It's on our nature. The nations will want their own mages, loyal to them. We'll want our own here too, and in the Knights and the JEF. The balance of power needs to be maintained."
"If the Council permits, I offer my overview of the situation as someone who has intercated with the guild, magic, and politics on both worlds," Tasha offers.
"What is your opinion then, Cadet Argentine?" Cromwell asks. "This used to be part of Sinai, after all. If the Mages are to favor anyone, it should be us. Are they trustworthy?"
"Please note this is my honest opinion as an inhabitant to Abaddon. I may be from Sinai, but my loyalty is to this world, the JEF, and our sponsors. That is to say, you can expect my fully loyalty in this, despite whatever misgivings I may otherwise have. Ultimately I serve Abaddon, and, my opinion will align with that."
The red woman notes. She tehn turns to face the Council fully and says, "By in large I agree with Riddle Smith. The Mages Guild is an entity primarily concerned with profit and taking care of its own, but the mages themselves have their own loyalties and demonstrated in the Coalition War Sinai had several years ago. If we were to employ mages as a long term strategy, it would be costly, and, ultimately, deterimental. They would establish themselves here and slowly but surely become impossible to displace as the greatest magic power on this world, as they did on Sinai. Furthermore they would acquire our technological know-how, our sole edge over them in the magical field. Thus, I believe it is best we develope our own projects. It will be cheaper, prevent further overshadowing by Sinai, allow us to tailor our, for lack of a better term, techno-mages, or technomancers, to our own peculiarities and free us from restrictions, allowing us to develope magical talent as we please, for the betterment of us all."
Tasha then taps her headm head cocked. "It would be good to demonstrate some concession, that is, hire them for now, but don't allow them to establish themselves here. Prevent the formation of a Guild structure here, or at least keep it to a minimum in a restricted area, as it is now. The more foothold they gain, the harder they will be to unseat and the more dangerous their wrath when they realize we have other plans."
"It would be helpful to know how they test people for talent," Smith notes.
"That should be easy enough, though I believe that sort of work is more suited to your own, well, subtleness," Tasha notes, brow raised.
"You mean something more than just asking?" Smith asks with a grin. "I'll leave that to our compatriots who already have mage contacts then."
With that, Tasha's other brow goes up. "Are you suggesting the JEF should engage in espionage, Senator? We'll certainly consider it, but such a request has consequences beyond simply gaining the information. For one, it's outside our charter, and two, it places us as the fall-guy in the event of retalitory action. I'll definitely need the Council's combined approval, and then our leader will need to approve it."
Tasha then tilts her head. "Well, not entirely outside our exploratory charter, but it does enter in to grey territory."
Eli gets an odd look on his face, perhaps recalling that Remiel's likely fiance is a member of the magical fraternity - so it clearly isn't beyond his exploratory charter.
"Whatever your choice, we'll need a clear order and confirmation by our captain," Tasha repeats, hands folded behind her back as she looks between the representatives.
"Not at all, Cadet," Smith says. "I daresay none of us engage in espionage. But we probably know people who do."
Tasha nods, then spreads her hands. "It's a bit more complex than having friends who do, as we also must concern ourselves with the opnion of this Council and we do not wish to overstep our bounds." She then turns to Eli and says, "You understand, don't you, Eli? Maybe you can explain it better than I? I'm new to this sort of thing, and I prefer to be direct."
"Those of us in the JEF are soldiers and scientists," Eli says. "The only one of our crew that might have been a decent spy died 6000 years ago and didn't leave much information behind. So unless the information is something we can smell, we aren't going to be much use in that regard. We've had experience with Mages though, and have friends among them. We can simply ask if it's a big secret or something."
Tasha nods at the man's explaination. "And politically it's a bit rough, but we'll manage if that's what's required. Now that i think about it, I'm sure Rephidim Temple would be thrilled to learn of another mage-project, especially one that includes technological know-how. We may find allies there, and we, well, we have some contacts there."
"That would be another off-world influence though," Cromwell points out. "In any case, it is a matter for another meeting."
"Alright," goes Tasha, who inclines her head to the Senator. She then turns to the assembled and asks, "Are there any other questions regarding my presentation or other matters?"
There's some shuffling and silent thinking going on. "I can't think of anything more to address at this moment," Cromwell says. "We may have more later, once we've all had time to chew it over and talk to our advisors."
Tasha nods to that. "Then without any further questions, I will now quit the floor. Thank you for listening." The young woman ooffers a short bow, then returns to her seat.
"Well, if there's no other new business, I move to adjourn," Cromwell says. "It's pizza night in the cafeteria."
Nobody offers any other topics, so the meeting is closed, and the minutes are locked away in a strongbox for the time being.
"I feel like if I do anything more than walk down the street these days, it's world-threatening," Tasha whispers aside to Eli. "And I don't know what to think of it, but, gods, I do think I'm getting used to it. Getting used to being that kind of person."
"You'll get over it once you have to complete two research papers in a week that are due at the same time," Eli says comfortingly.
Tasha's ears flatten as she sinks in to her chair. "I think I miss the time when the worst I had to deal with was a giant monster," she says with a groan.
The Winged Citadel has a lot of rooms, but most of them are used for specific purposes. The student dormitories are something of an afterthought, using whatever spaces were left that could be partitioned up, and often share facilities with the actual barracks used by the military Knights. This makes for something of a maze when it comes to finding a particular room. But Tasha does find it eventually, room 67-B, section F, level 5. It's got a simple bulkhead door with a mail slot, similar to what she saw at Hakeber's pod.
Bedecked in assorted dufflebags containing most of her clothes and possessions, Tasha makes her way towards the door. Checking her scrap paper note one last time to confirm that she has the right place -- and there were many wrong places --- she then reaches to knock. "Hello?" She calls afterward. "Anyone inside?"
"Who is asssking?" a reptilian voice hisses through the mail slot.. which also emits a bit of smoke when pulled open.
"Aldara Tasha Argentine, I'm supposed to bunk here." She glances at her note again and, seeing it really is the correct address, she then asks, "There hasn't been a mixup, has there?"
Several bolts are heard to slide back, and the door cracks open a bit to reveal a gray Naga with red stripes.. and red eyes. "Oh, you are the new one," it says, and opens the door for Tasha.. into a very dark room.
"That's me, new," Tasha admits, peering inside for a moment before hauling her dufflebags up and heading inside. "Is it always this dark?"
"Not alwaysss," the serpent admits, and turns up the light a bit. "We don't want to usssse up the bulb," it explains. What is revealed is.. a student room, certainly. It smells like smoke and chalk, since the walls are covered in chalk numbers and symbols and equations. The floor has one piece of furniture; a rather battered looking giant cushion. There's also a hookah on a small table, the source of the aromatic smoke, and one line runs upwards to the mouth of an Eeee hanging from an exposed ceiling joist.. and possibly asleep. There is a hallway leading deeper as well.
"Huh," goes Tasha, not quite sure why the dorm resembles certain dens of iniquity she saw on Sinai. It takes her a moment of looking around before she finally asks, "I take it 67-B is down the hall?"
"We are all 67-B," the Naga explains. "Last room isss yours. I am Scroff." A claw points upwards to the hanging bat. "That is Fringe."
"Ah, hello!" Tasha offers the two. "I'd shake your hand but I'd drop my dufflebag. Down the hall, huh ... " The red woman glances at the hall, then says, "I'll just go unload all of this, then I'll be back. Are we three the only people here?"
"I hope sssso," Scroff says. "I do not check Fringe's room, so cannot ssssay with certainty."
"Alright. Well, nice to meet you. I'll be back in a moment." Offering a incline of the head before she goes, Tasha shuffles her way deeper in to the dorm, glad to finally be able to divest herself of her not-exactly-light stuff.
The last room is.. well, square and metal. There are shelves, a desk, a cot and some storage, along with lamps and a chalkboard. There's even a shuttered window, and overhead some sort of adjustable fan.
"Looks good to me," Tasha murmurs to herself as she puts her duffle bag collection against the far corner, deciding she'll unpack later and glad she brough the hammock she purchased while on Sinai. She then walks over to the window, testing the shutter to see what kind of view she has.
The shutter provides some narrow slitted views of.. well, the desert outside of the Citadel. Actually's it's more of a serious of square views, since there are heavy vertical bars outside the window. One of them looks like it was chewed on.
"Hrrm," utters Tasha. She decides she probably won't be spending too much time in her room unless she needs to study alone, finding the square room to be a bit too cage-like for someone who grew up in the freedom of an airship.
The shutters are closed again and soon the buddflebag-free Tasha is back in the front room, smiling. "I'm glad that's done. Anyway, I thought I'd come and say hello, and talk, if you don't mind?"
"I do not mind," the Naga claims, coiled on its cushion. "Are you a female?"
"Apparently," Tasha answers with a wry grin. "Though I get "sirred" a lot in my armor. is it really that hard to tell?" She then glances around for somewhere to sit.
"You have had grafting done, ssso it would be presssumptuous to go by partsss that may not be original," Scroff claims. "I am also female. I know that mammalsss have trouble ssseeing this with Naga."
"I used to, but I think I'm beginning to pick up the scent-signs and tell the difference. It's just that I didn't have much exposure to Naga before," Tasha admits. She takes a seat, continuing with, "But it's a bit smokey in here, so couldn't really do that. Oh and this," she gestures at herself, "is all natural, or as natural as you might consider magic. Anyway, I was born like this."
"Was your mother surprised?" Scroff asks next. "And have you chosen your name yet?"
"Oh, very. I was so small when I was born she didn't even know she was pregnant until it happened." She then tilts her head and asks, "A name? Is that a Confederate custom? Maybe Vartan?"
"It is a tradition among the Templars," Scroff explains. "Do you think someone would really have a name like Scroff?"
"Ah, well, I didn't want to presume. I have several friends with non-standard names, or non-standard-outside-of-cultural names. For example, my Silent-Ones name is 'Winged-Gift,' but this sounds like I need an entirely new one," Tasha says.
"Did you never have a nickname?" Scroff asks. "It helpsss if it can be shouted across a noisy room."
"I've been called a lot of things, other than Tash, not really. You mean something like 'Dragonslayer'?" Tasha asks.
"Or Enyo," Tasha jokes, her expression wry.
"Dragonslayer is a bit dessscriptive," Scroff notes. "It should be distinctive but.. meaninglesss. A name that sssays nothing about you."
Fringe suddenly sneezes.. but goes right back to sleep. Or whatever state he or she is in at the moment.
"Wow, um, I'm a bit at a loss. I guess I'm not that creative," Tasha admits with a shrug and a grin.
"Perhaps.. ah.. Scarlet?" Scroff suggests.
"Juggs," Fringe offers, eyes still closed.
"What?! No," Tasha insists! "Um, Scarlet, that's red isn't it? How about 'Red,' that's what a friend of mine used to call me, now that I think on it."
"Red is simpler," Scroff agrees.
"You should not mind Fringe, he is a botanist, and insane," Scroff claims.
The mostly Vartan woman nods. "Red it is then." She then looks up, squinting, "I see someone is awake. A botanist, huh? Why does Scroff say you're insane?"
The Eeee opens an eye to look at Tasha, and says, "Because I am insane, perhaps? I study canal plants."
"Scroff, however, is mad," Fringe claims.
"That sounds like a useful endeavor," Tasha insists, "Your field will be in ever-increasing use in the future." She then looks back to her Naga companion and asks, "Mad, huh? What's your focus?"
"Mathematics," the serpent replies. "I am not mad though. I am jussst.. perssistent."
"She has been trying to solve the same equation for two years," Fringe insists.
"Not a bad trait in anyone. What equation is that?" Tasha asks, turning to glance at the walls.
The Naga flicks out her tongue at the hanging Eeee.
"Do you want any help?" Tasha asks after a moment of staring at the incomprehensiblet-to-her sprawl.
"It hassss to do with ballistics.. I think," Scroff says. "There are many missing partsss. It is a puzzle."
"Well if you want help, I can probably do that. Maybe even solve it." The red woman smiles, then says, "As for me, I'm a Titan pilot. JEF pilot-cadet, with that group."
"Oh, one of the recruitsss?" Scroff asks.
"Actually I'm the founder. Well, second founder. I was the one who brough the idea to our leader, Captain Gabriel T. Akkers, and then pushed for recognition by the PHTO Council. I chose that route after the discovery of ancient technology that I deemed best used for the betterment of this world and the others, and to honor the sacrifice of those who came before by continuing their efforts in the hopes we might one day complete their task," 'Red' explains, spreading her hands. "My low rank is due to my relative lack of training compared to our other members and by choice. I know I'm not qualified to lead, or hold high position, so I instead asked that Gabriel do it and accepted the rank he thought was fitting."
"And now you are.. here?" Scroff asks, eyeing one of the hookah lines. "Why?"
"To learn so that I may be worthy of my position, and so that I may be prepared for the struggles that lie in the future," the cadet replies.
"What are you studying for that?" Fringe asks. "Besides choir, probably."
"Well there's choir, but right now I have a "joats" class arrangement so that I can explore various field before commiting to a speciality," Tasha replies. "I'm a little nervous, to be honest. I've never been to a school of this kind, and most of my training was either in the field or provided by our senior members in a intensive crash-course."
"Freshman then," Scroff notes. "You will get used to it all. Or go mad or insane, but that only happens to 5 out of 8 studentss."
"I thought it was 5 out of 13?" Fringe asks.
"No, just like the number 13 for some reason," the Naga counters.
"Very comforting," Tasha notes with a roll of her eyes. "I've already passed the crazy-stage from, well, my other adventures, so mostly I need to worry about failing. I'm nervous about that, I mean, if I can't live up to expectation against our other exemplary members, it's going to be uncomfortable."
"Do not worry about such things," Fringe says, reaching down to pat Tasha on the head. "There will be much more worrying things to deal with. Do you smoke?"
"Uh, thanks," Tasha says regarding the "more worrying things." "Smoke? Oh! Yes," she continues digging in to her pockets and producing a cigarette case. "Alcohol, my oldest friend, and smoking, my new one."
Instead of waiting for Tasha to fish out a cigarette, Scroff offers one of the nipples of the big water pipe.
Tasha hesitates a moment,t hen shrugs and puts the pack awake, accepting the pipe. "I haven't seen one of these since my visits to Babel and the Emirate on Sinai," she admits, leaning in to take a puff with some skill.
It's surprisingly mild, and there's nicotine and.. caffeine? Did Fringe figure out how to grow caffeinated tobacco?
Tasha exhales a smoke cloud, leaning back in to her chair. "This is a unqiue blend? It seems that some component are common to both worlds, but there's more to it than that?"
"I grow the tobacco in used coffee grounds," Fringe claims.
"That's an ... interesting technique," Tasha offers, then shrugs and has another puff. Finally, the days stress seems to fade for the busy cadet; Between politics, a new, strange place to live, ther looming studies and everything else, she's felt wound tight. "By the way, I don't really mind the low-light. I was just curious about it. Don't let me interupt any of your habits, I know it must be a bit of a chore for someone like me to come in and change everything."
"We prefer the low light," Scroff notes. "Fringe doesn't need it at all, and my eyes are sssensitive. Also.. Fringe uses coffee grounds because soil is expensssive."
"Ah, that's right. I sometimes forget about the difference in soil quality. At least the Pit should see adequate hydration soon," Tasha notes, head tilting. "I'm sure I'll get used to living here, too. I've only been on this world a few ... No, quite a few months now. But most of that I spent sleeping."
"Fringe will have to ssshow you the laundry and bathroom facilities," Scroff says. "The onesss I use would not be practical for you."
"Thanks," says the increasingly languid Tasha, who feels that between the casual conversation, smoking, and rest, that her body is winding down. Council sessions are always nerve-wracking and having participated in what may be a major undertaking -- not to mention contention point -- in the future of magic unexpectedly didn't help matters. But at least I'm finally here, she decides, thinking she'll leave it at that for today. For now, it's enough. I wonder what my mother would think, to see how far I've gone.
Tasha says, "How's that?"