Tasha isn't surprised to be taken to Katherine's deluxe apartment. She is a bit surprised to be left in the care of Mr. Invention, however, while Katherine goes to change. The tall Karnor looks over Tasha's armor, and says, "We can do better. Please remove the armor while I draw a bath for you. I still have your measurements."
He leads her to one of the bathrooms, and gets the water flowing - the tub is pretty big, as would be expected of a high-profile apartment (and being in a former starship probably means there are on-site water reclamation and recycling systems).
"Oh, um, sure Mr. I," Tasha murmurs, ears canting back from the request. While she knows 'Mr. Invention' is a perfect gentleman -- perhaps even literally given the suggestion he may ahve been artifically created -- the young woman still can't quite shake her nervousness over having such requests put so casually. Still, she isn't one to argue -- at least, not with Mr. Invention nor his mistress Katherine Vesuvius.
And so, with the soft clinking of armor and the slide of metal-on-metal, Tasha disengages her armor, leaving her in her undersuit. She idly rubs at her left upper arm with her right hand as she stares the water. then, with a shrug, she runs her finger down ehr undersuit and steps out of it, sliding in to teh tub and leaving the suit drapped over the edge.
Mr. Invention gathers the armor and accessories, and takes them out of the bathroom, leaving Tasha to try and relax.. along with a shelf full of colorful bottles. Bath oils? Bubble soap? Maybe even shampoo.
The whole experience makes Tasha feel very decadent -- a feeling equally foreign to the rough-and-tumble young woman. At first she isn't quite sure what to do with herself, worrying she might ruin this or that, or take too much from the generous hospitality Katherine has always showed her. But as she goes about cleaning herself, she can't help but be drawn to the sheer volume of smells that emminate from the collection of soaps, shampoos, oils and things she can't even begin to guess at. It's all very alien to her; Items from another world. She hestitates.
But then, she is an explorer. Wiggling her fingers and deciding Katherine would probably want her to enjoy herself, not to mention smell like something better than dust and exhaustion, she goes about sniffing the various bottles and soaps.
They are all very floral.. which on Abaddon means very artificial, no doubt. Although one of them smells suspiciously of engine oil. There's a knock and then Mr. Invention leans in. "Are you doing alright?" he asks.
"Oh!" Tasha leans back, instinctively not wanting to be caught showing interest in flora scents, then sheepishly grinning at how stupid a reaction it is.
I left The Rake behind, she reminds herself. Shaking her head, she decides to prove her intent to adopt to her new life by saying, "Sorry, um, could you help me with these? These um, oils, and, I think these are shampoos? I understand the shampoos, but, I'm not sure what to do with the rest. Or, what I should use. What would be good?"
The Karnor enters and points out a light green bottle. "This is one of Miss Vesuvius's favorites for her hair. It adds some softness and volume, but also tends to induce curls. The vanilla one is also very popular and mild - it will not strip away your natural oils, but will very effectively hide your scent."
"If I said, 'volume of what' and 'what are natural oils,' would you laugh at me?" Tasha asks as she looks back, tilting her head up so that her head is actually upside down as she looks at the man.
"Because I'm thinking you don't mean how much my hair can hold as a container," she then adds, grinning a little but smelling embarassed.
Mr. Invention actually grins slightly. "It means that your hair seems fuller and more bouncy," he explains. "Preserving the oils means that it does not cause undo damage or brittleness."
"Oh. Hair is a lot more complicated than I thought!" Tasha grins a little more, then shrugs before leanings forward again and picking up a few contains to examine. "But what isn't these days? How about you just tell me what to do and I do that, otherwise I think I might be here for a very long time, and I'm going to feel really bad if I break something or end up smelling like a Saskanari fruit salad."
The man chooses the green bottle, then takes the sprayer from the wall and wets down Tasha's hair. "Try not to splash," he requests.
"I won't," Tasha promises. She settles in with her back to the man, then asks in a soft, uncertain voice, "I'm not very classy, am I, Mr. I?"
"Class is a matter of wardrobe, manners and elocution," Mr. Invention claims as he starts to shampoo Tasha's hair. "In short.. it is an act. In private, people are people."
"I'm not even sure what elocution means," the red woman admits, trying to keep her head from shifting from avian instincts. "But, I suppose you're right. You probably knew this, but, when I came here the first time, when katherine invited me week -- no, sorry, months -- ago, I was really nervous. This world," she waves a hand around at the room, "is so far oitside of what I'm used to I feel like I don't belong here. Like I'm ruining it just by existing in this space. Not so long ago, no one would have let me in a place like this. It might as well have been another universe."
"Nobody really expects change," Mr. Invention says. "Here on Abaddon, we try to keep change slow. But the older folk still have seen a lot of change in their lifetime. You've no reason to feel poor or out of place - you are our guest. You have impressed us. We see the value of your company, whether you do or not. Otherwise you would not be here."
"Then I owe you an apology for letting my self-esteem problems color my view of being here," Tasha offers, glancing back just enough so he can see her smile. "I really do like being here, you know? Not just for Katherine -- I don't think I need to say I like that? -- but for you and Miss Necessity too. You're such wonderful people, interesting and diverse. I envy that Katherine has people like you in her life."
"I'm sure you have people that fulfill the same needs," the man says, and finishes the shampooing. The sprayer is brought around to rinse. "I am also sure Katherine has a notion of what she'd like you both to wear to the party, so unless you want me to fluff you dry..?"
Turning back, Tasha settles her head again and adds, "After the accident, I lost a lot of my confidence. Losing Bal, having that thing manipulate and use me, feeling like I should have done better, tried harder ... It may be the brain damage, too, to be honest." The young woman pauses to consider the question put to her, then shrugs a little. "Why not? I know you wouldn't hurt me, Mr. I. You've trusted me enough to let me be here, so, I think I should return that trust."
The tub drain is pulled, and Mr. Invention produces a vary large and very fluffy towel. "I'll have to leave the wings to you, I'm afraid," he admits. "I don't have experience in how to dry feathers."
"Usually I shake them out, then fan them in the air for a while. I can feel the difference in weight, so it's as really just instinctive. You can use oils too, but they're probably different than these and I never could afford them before," Tasha explains as she stands spread-armed and legged, for easy fluffing. "Do you know where we're going, by the way?"
The towel attacks Tasha in a flurry, drying and fluffing while barely touching the skin. "Up one more level, on the bridge."
Tasha closes her eyes through the fluffing barrage, grinning in a goofy way. "The bridge, huh? I guess I can never escape that place," she notes, sounding quite amused.
"Did you know I'm an actual bridge officer?" The red woman then asks.
"What is your official position?" Mr. Invention asks.
"I have several, largely due to our lack of personnel -- so I'm uncertain how long I'll actually retain these positions. But, my actual rank and position is: Pilot-cadet and JEF Bellerophon navigator and communications. My position is right boom subsystem command chair, bridge," Tasha answers.
"Then you should not be too overwhelmed," Mr. Invention says, and 'boops' Tasha on the nose with the towel after he's done fluffing her. "Miss Necessity will do your hair, if you want to head over to the salon room."
"On my way. And hey?" Tasha turns around, leaning smiling with her hands tucked behind her back as she looks up at the man. "Thanks again, Mr. I. You're the best!" She then untangles her right hand and gives him a wiggle of her fingers as she heads for the salon room.
Katherine is already there, laying in one of the articulated chairs while Miss Necessity brushes and curls her hair. It's natural colored at the moment, instead of the metallic silver she uses for performances. Her fur is also looking very soft from a recent washing. "Ah, there you are," she says. "Take the other chair. What're your favorite colors?"
After taking the chair as bidden, Tasha settles back and looks over to the starlet, still smiling from her earlier conversation with Mr. Invention. "My favorite colors?" She asks, head tilting to the side. "Well, um, I guess those would be red, black, gold and white. And maybe blue. Oh! And silver." Her smile widens as she wiggles her ears, Silent-Ones style.
"We'll have to try a few of those," Katherine says. "I think wrap-dresses will be good. Maybe silver for me and gold for you?"
"Like the sun and the moon? Though, to be honest, I think you're more like the sun," the younger woman replies.
"But I have silver hair, and you have gold," Katherine notes. "Plus we'll match!"
"Oh, I meant in personality," Tasha insist, using a wing to gesture at the other woman. "You're so popular! Everyone loves you! I just fight monsters -- I'm sure Captain Frane is thinking of ways I failed to fight the last one perfectly as we speak, and I'll hear all about it tomorrow. He's right of course, but still!" The wing goes back down, then the younger woman grins. "Gold if fine, though. Whatever you want Katie."
"Just relax and leave it all to me," Katherine says.. and by that apparently means leave it to Miss Necessity, who works on Tasha's hair. It really does seem.. lighter, and there are curls added in decorative places. In the mirror, Tasha realizes she's never looked quite so.. feminine before.
"No one is going to mistake me for a man now," Tasha observes as she watches the mirror, her tone somewhere between defiance and amusement. As she continus to watch, the amusement slowly shifts to a kind of surprised awe, her eyes widening and ears going up. "If I didn't have the scar, I ... I wouldn't even recognize myself! Oh wow. I dodn't think, I mean, I remember last time but ... " Not having the words for it, she just waggles her right wing at the mirror again, indicatively.
Miss Necessity returns, with powders and brushes, and begins to work on Tasha's face. She tries to find a good color to shadow Tasha's eyes. "Red fur.. you'd think it would be more common on Abaddon," the woman says, and tries some gold.
"I though that too, but you don't see it very often, do you? Mine is, um, customized I suppose you'd say -- you remember what I said about Nora and I, right Katie?" Tasha glances over, but then her expression shifts from curious to sudden concentration as she blinks at the other woman, head tilting despite the work being done, and confusion momentarily shadowing her face.
Then, she asks out of the blue, "Katie ... Have we ever met before? Before the race track, I mean?"
"I think I would remember you," Katherine notes. "Wasn't that your first visit to Expedition City? I had been working at New Zion for some time before then. Why do you ask?"
"I'd remember you, too ... It's just ... " Tasha pauses, frowning, then shakes her head again. "I should back up. Yes, that was my first visit to Expedition City. I ask, because I had been doing some brainwave experiments with Dr. Zerachiel, and during that I heard Nora, which I somewhat expected. Nora and I are in tune with each other and connected by more than just red fur and a habit of being smartasses. But, along with Nora, I clearly heard you. And I don't know why."
"Me?" Katherine asks, looking away from her mirror (she's able to do her own makeup apparently). "What did I say?"
"I ... we, were singing. My voice, your voice, and Nora's. It was an old song, I think. Nora was encouraging me, or at least i think she was -- our interactions are always obfuscated and often masked in symbolisim. Nora doesn't exist like we do, so I think it's hard for her to be direct. But even so, I don't know why I heard you. If I was just hearing the voice of people I love, then there should have been others. Instead, it was just you. And I don't know why," Tasha explains.
"And it's all rather strange. Unless ... " The young woman bites her lip, hesitating, then says, "I heard rumor, so please don't be mad about this? I'm sure I'm wrong, but, I heard this rumor that Mr. I. is a robot -- an artifically created being made for a purpose. And while I could see that being true, I wondered. Mr. I. Is very scary, but, there was someone around him that was even more so -- in a good way of course! But, someone who could influence people much more strongly, who was, um, a lot closer to perfection. Someone like you."
Tasha then holds up a hand. "But I'm probably wrong, right? Not that I would mind either way -- I mean, I'm artifically created, so why would I mind? It's just, I thought, maybe ... Maybe it was you. Maybe that's the connection. Maybe it's why you like me, too? I mean, part of why. Like and ... Um ... to like. But I'm sure I'm way off course, right?" The red woman laughs, albiet uncomfortably.
"I see that I'll have to bring out my embarrassing baby pictures," Katherine notes. "Still.. I didn't know you'd ever heard me sing? Do you have one of my records?"
Miss Necessity whispers, "I assure you Mr. Invention is flesh and blood.. I'm very sure of that.."
"No, I don't. I-" Tasha blinks at the whisper, then she suddenly giggles, biting her lip until she manages to recover. "O-okay, well, I mean, um, I didn't mean a literal robot, made of metal -- and not that I mind those sorts either -- I just thought that maybe thatw as the connection. If I were going to make a 'superior' Karnor, using the Karnor Elite would be my first choice -- and I know Nora's DNA records are on file. But, um, anyway, forget I said anything? I talk too much when I'm nervous, anyway."
"Well, you've got nothing to be nervous about!" Katherine claims. "But you really do have some odd dreams. Perhaps your subconscious is just more creative than you suppose?"
Mr. Invention arrives with a clothes rack, although the clothes seem to be single pieces of often metallic cloth. "Here are the wrap-dresses," he notes. "You both look quite presentable, if I do say so."
"It's good to know we're presentable while naked," Katherine responds, and winks to Tasha. "Ever worn one of these? They aren't very common, but I wouldn't be surprised if you saw something similar on Sinai."
"Maybe," Tasha hedges, head tilting. "But remember, I was created for a reason. I still serve my creator's wishes, and I listen to her voice. She doesn't ask much of me, but that doesn't mean I can't hear her -- sometimes lterally, but usually figuratively. By the way," the red woman glances towards the door, "I always wondered why I look like this instead of pure Karnor. My creator is old, and wise, but I know her heart is still there somewhere. She's still Nora. And you know how I realized that?" Tasha pauses to call out, "Mr. Invention?"
"How did you realize it, Tasha?" the man responds, holding up what looks like a gold robe.. except that it's backless save for a neck strap.
"If you grab my datapad, I'll show you," Tasha responds, though her eyes are fully on the robe-like garmet. "Is that for me?" She asks after a second more.
The man nods. "Turn around and I'll put it on you," Mr. Invention says. "Then I will fetch your pad."
Tasha stands up, holding her arms out. "This is where I'd probably say something like this is too nice for me, but I'm resiting that impulse," she notes, smiling.
The dress goes on like a robe, and then the to open sides are wrapped around one another and tied behind Tasha's back, making for a very form-fitting (and a bit low-cut) dress. The neck strap acks as both a choker and to hold things up, since the back has to be open to accomodate Tasha's wings.
Tasha looks down at herself, then turns to look in the mirror. Her ears go up, even as her eyes widen. "Now I'm really resisting that urge! It's so beautiful ... " She then twists this way and that, getting a better look at herself. "I never knew I could look like this. You're all so nice to me ... Um ... " She pauses, grinning even as she bites her lip, her right hand reaching for her eyes. "I-I might cry. S-sorry."
"Don't cry, or we'll have to redo your makeup," Katherine says, half in jest. She stands next to Tasha in her matching silver wrap, showing the difference in the two women's builds. In the tight dress, Katherine seems less curvaceous than the hybrid, but taller and leaner. "We're quite a pair, wouldn't you say?"
"We are, aren't we?" Tasha agrees, smiling as she looks up at her compliment. Even as she does, she still fights the urge to cry -- but for once in her life doesn't feel self-concious about it. Her eyes blink rapidly as she look up at the taller Katherine, seeing again just how beautiful the other woman is.
Mr. Invention returns a moment later, having gone to the next room to retrieve Tasha's data pad, which he hands over to her.
Tasha accepts the datapad with a mumur of "thank you." Dressed as she is, there's a change to the younger woman. Her posture has begun to relax, and her voice isn't as loud as it usually is. The act of accepting this other part of herself, that she's can like it, that she doesn't need to put on a rough edge or a self-deprecating attitude in order to exist here seems to change her towards the demure.
After manipulating the datapad for several seconds, Tasha reaches over and places the datapad against the mirror beside the sink. There, towering over what appears to be a starship hold, is a red-and-gold Titan in the shape of a Karnor woman with wings. "My creator loved this Titan," the red woman explains, her voice softer now, "If she had just needed a copy of herself, she would have used a Karnor. Nora is practical at heart, but she's passionate about what she loves -- and she loved this machine more than almost anything. So, I know her heart still exists: She made me in her image, that's true, but she also made me in the image of what she loved most -- even if that would have made her work harder."
"Is that a Terran Gryphon?" Katherine asks, momentarily succumbing to her own tech-lust as she leans in to get a closer look. "It must be sixty feet tall.. did it have a name?"
"It is. One of very few. It is the Gryphon created to represent the Karnor people, during a time when they were just emerging from their infancy as a creation in to being a free sentient species. It was given to the Karnor Elite -- the most physically and mentally refined of the Karnors -- as their symbol. It is the Themis-Skoll, land-air-space ranged mobility Titan. Nora was one of its backup pilots," the gold-dressed woman explains.
"Themis is the goddess of natural order in an ancient Terran religion," Tasha adds by way of explaination. "Skoll is a wolf from another mythology, his name means 'hungerer' if I remember right. Skoll chases the sun, and would some day devour it. Themis maintains natural order."
"And so you could say, that the Themis-Skoll represents maintaining a new natural order of wolves who chase greatness," the red woman concludes.
"Where is it now?" Katherine asks. "I'd love to see it!"
"It's, um, it needs to be salvaged. Retrieving it is on my list of things to do. I've been planning on recovering it in secret, to return it to Nora, or to provide as a symbol to the Karnor people and our crew. But as much as I hate to say so, it's recovery is not as important as some other duties -- protecting Abaddon and researching more pressing issues is of greater concern. I'm sure as an officer you know what I mean," a more gentle Tasha replies.
"Oh.." Katherine says, nodding but looking disappointed. "Can I have a copy of the image? I'm sure we can photograph the screen."
"Of course you can. The way I see it, every Karnor deserves to know about it. I'll even release the image and its existence to you, personally, for inclusion in any media you want to use. The Themis-Skoll was made for Karnors, as a symbol of their pride. And you, you're someone much of the Karnor population looks up to -- so I think you're the one to share this history with the world. I'll provide my notes about it later, as well as its history -- but not blueprints for obvious reasons," golden Tasha promises. She then reachs over and picks up the datapad, handing it to Mr. Invention. "We can do that later though, as it may take some time and I'd hate to make us late."
"Oh yes, the party!" Katherine says. "It's probably already started, but we can be fashionably late." She winks again, and tugs Tasha towards the entry hall. "This'll be an experience for you, I'm sure."
Tasha obidiently follows along, as she so often does when Katherine takes charge. "W-well, I'm sure it will be fun," she notes as she tags along, adding in an anxious tone a second later, "Is there anything I need to do?"
"Just enjoy yourself," Katherine says. "And don't show any fear!" They don't go far from the apartment, just to the elevator. There Katherine inserts a key that unlocks the panel, and selects the top level.
"Oh, a code-key," Tasha notes as she watches the panel being manipulated. "I see the ship still has at least some of its old security, but I the elevators are new. I ... Am I rambling again? Is that showing fear? It is, isn't it ... " She shakes her head.
"Just remain as calm as you can, and stick by me," Katherine says. The trip is short, and the doors open. There are big Karnor guards on either side, but they are dressed in business suits, looking a bit like Mr. Invention, except that they're armed with pistols. Beyond is.. well, the bridge. It has a sweeping view of the city, like the observation dome, but on a much grander scale. The curved windows are at least 20 feet high, and the ceiling is even higher. Crystal chandeliers hang down and illuminate the room, which has a thick red carpet. There aren't any consoles or other relics of the ship's past, aside from the captain's chair. A banquet is laid out, and everyone is well dressed, with the men all wearing some form of tuxedo.. even the Nagas. A quartet of musicians provides live music.
"Oh wow," Tasha whispers to her compliment, eyes wide as she takes in the modified bridge. "It's so beautiful ... and with the skyline and the city lights ... ah ... " She sucks in a breath, the experience reminding her of the first time she saw New Zion at night. The shining lights, the glittering buildings, and a careful, almost effortless elegance that made the whole world look brighter.
Katherine takes hold of Tasha's elbow to make sure she keeps steady. "Time to mingle," she whispers, and whisks the hybrid out into the room. There are clusters of people, and Tasha actually recognizes several of them! There's Villem and his wife, chatting with a colorful Naga woman wearing.. well, it's a dress, actually, but to Tasha it resembles an cook's apron a bit. Another cluster near the buffet has Professor Fester holding what might be a lecture with several other men of various species. There are Silent-Ones and humans and Karnors and Eeee and Vartans.
"I recognize some of the people here," the golden woman murmurs to Katherine as she walks along beside her. "That's Viceroy Villem, he's the pilot of Vastille. We fought the Tesla together. And the Naga over there is Professor Fester, who's the one responsible for coming up with the idea to fire the linear cannon at the daikaiju. I don't recognize the other, though." Her voice is uncharacteristically low, and soft. It even surprises the speaker, as Tasha never realized she it in her. As they continue, the red woman realizes that there may be a whole other 'her,' buried somewhere beyond all the posturing, insecurity and doubt.
A server comes by, carrying a platter of delicate looking drinking glasses with something pale and bubbly in them, and Katherine takes one. "Sparkling wine, Confederate," she says to Tasha. "You might like it, if you don't let it tickle your nose."
Tasha gingerly picks up a glass and, after glacing at Katherine to see how she goes about it, has a sip. "It's good," she whispers, smiling a faint smile as she makes the effort to not grin as widely as she might.
Katherine brings Tasha towards a smaller cluster of people. She recognizes some local notables from the marching band performance: Archon Seeker-of-Secrets, Lady Vallaraneta bar Rafial and Minister Hask'rachin - all of them partially obscured by the wings of the Vartan in front of them, his back to Tasha.
Katherine's partner tilts her head to the side as she sees more familiar faces, another reserved motion as she decides that reserved motion and measured conduct must be a part of class. She otherwise stays in the tall woman's shadow, letting her control their movements and following her lead. Far from her comfort zone but intrigued and increasingly at ease, she further realizes she's beginning to enjoy the experience on a level that is both deep and satisfying.
As they get closer.. it becomes clear that the local bigwigs are talking to Captain Frane, wearing a tuxedo. "The Champion of Iron should recover quickly," the big Vartan tells them. "There was some electrical burning from his armor, but.. ah, Miss Vesuvius. Cadet Red." He nods his head and raises his glass to the pair.
"Oh, um, hello Captain," Tasha replies automatically, smiling nervously and canting her ears back a little. She then glances to Katherine, in effort to resume following her lead.
"I also wanted to thank you personally for leading the defense when the Champion became incapacitated," Katherine tells Frane. "I don't suppose you'll be staying long enough to give us a choir recital?"
"Another time, perhaps," Frane notes. "We have a lot of materiel to move, and quite a bit of it is need of repair. We will start pulling out by rail tomorrow."
Tasha looks forward again, smiling with somewhat less nervousness as Katherine Vesuvius takes the lead. Despite looking a bit vapid, her ears are up and she's listening. Tomorrow ... She repeats, making a mental note to be ready.
"Ah, Miss Tasha," Lady Vellaraneta says, smiling. "It was you and dear Villem that made this operation so successful, I understand."
Being addressed directly, Tasha hesitates a moment but decides waiting any longer for direction might be considered rude, and so answers, "Oh, I don't know about that. Professor Fester, along with our Chief Engineer Fred Kohler, are the ones who made the different, and the Viceroy's part was much more risky. They're the ones who deserve the credit, I think?"
"I'm sure there is plenty to go around," the Eeee woman notes. "The bounty on Tesla should keep the University funded for nearly a year I think."
"The bounty?" Tasha asks, head tilting slightly.
"The daikaiju are recognized as a threat to all," Frane notes. "As such, there is a bounty on their destruction, supported collectively by the various nations. It also serves as encouragement for them to provide support in fighting them, since they can recover a share of it then. I'll leave it to the Anti-Kaiju Administration to figure out who gets what. I'm sure your JEF organization will be well rewarded for the use of Melchior and the mass-driver weapon."
"The Captain will be glad to hear that. I didn't realize there was a bounty, but I'll take that in to consideration in the future, as I'm sure that won't be the last kaiju Mel and I see." She glances to Katherine for a second, then looks back and asks, "Would it be possible for me to speak to the Anti-Kaiju Administration for purposes of coordinating efforts and establishing early-warning systems?"
"We already have an early-warning system," Frane notes. "That's why we were warned of Tesla's approach. I can pass along a note, however, that the JEF would like to coordinate with them."
"Oh, I meant something ... Well, alright. That sounds good," Tasha murmurs, nodding her head a little and canting her ears back slightly.
"I see Villem is chatting up Cam'terra," Minister Hask'rachin gossips. "Although truth be told, I wouldn't mind some of those bioroids back at the Life Dome.."
Lady Vellaraneta seems about to say something in reply, but remains silent. The conquest of the Confederate Life Dome by the Nagai might still be a sore subject.
Tasha looks down at her hands, folding them infront of her. She's aware of what happened to the Confederate Life Dome, and the Celestial's dominance, and she isn't about insert herself in to that conversation. What's more, she genuinely feels bad for the Confederate people, even if she has heard unpleasant things about their behavior in the various conflicts and some suggestion that they deserve their fate.
As the silence stretches on, though, she can't help but want it to end. And so, she asks without looking up, "I've never met Cam'terra?"
"She's the coordinator for the Fireflies," Frane explains. "I think she's married to the captain.. not sure."
"She is," Katherine confirms. "It's the only way he could get out of attending these functions."
"Oh, I see. Their flight was very impressive," Tasha murmurs, finally looking back up again. "The whole battle was very impressive. It's the first time I've been part of a cooperative effort of that scale."
"I've seen larger ones, but those were wars of course," the Minister notes, then sips from his glass. "Can't say I miss them."
Tasha nods slowly, wondering if she had made a mistake in bringing the battles up. And so, she resumes watching her hands.
"Well, since we're not going to be stomped flat, I'm sure that means the city can reconsider some of those building and reclamation projects that have been set aside.." Katherine suggests, which gets the trio discussing this among themselves.. thus freeing Frane and the women to head towards the buffet. "I don't really care for these parties," Frane confides. "I should be working.."
The red woman glances to her instructor, ears perking and brows raising. "This is the first time I've attended something like this," she admits, sounding more anxious than she had with the others. "How am I doing?"
"Haven't spilled drink on anyone yet or had anything pop out of your dress, so you're doing fine," Frane says, and Katherine has to cover her mouth to hide a giggle. "Can you dance?"
Tasha reddens, though she has to muffle a giggle as well. It takes her a moment to recover, then she answers, "A little."
"Good, you can teach me after we eat something," Frane notes. "Talking to civilian authorities builds an appetite. How do you say thin, Miss Vesuvius?"
"Lots of exercise," Katherine claims.
"A-alright," Tasha agrees, looking a little bewildered at the idea and giving Katherine a glance before looking back.
"It's a waltz," Katherine assures Tasha. "If you're dancing you can't be pulled into conversations, you see," she points out with a wink.
"T-that's handy to know," Tasha agrees, smiling uneasily as she considers the pending dance with her instructor -- and wondering if she'll be graded on it. Deciding she'd best not think about it too hard, she asks, "Was my Titan piloting satisfactory? I still think I could have done better."
"Obviously it was satisfactory, since you are alive and your machine still functions," Frane notes as they reach the long buffet table. There are a lot of things Tasha has never seen before. Even the Vartan looks a bit confused. "You did well, Red. Followed orders, didn't get in the way of cannons or other Titans, coordinated well. Didn't panic."
Katherine helpfully begins to fill their plates with things she thinks they'll like.
At first Tasha's ears go down at the apparently dismissive review, but when Frane goes on, they go right back up again -- and she even starts wagging. "Thank you, sir," she says with a hint of pride, and a smile. She even accepts the plate and has a bite without hesitating, smiling around the treat.
It's some sort of fried wrap filled with meat and vegetables. There's dipping sauce too. "I wish I'd been able to see it," Katherine says. "Will the official footage be made public once it's developed?" she asks Frane.
"Unlikely," the captain notes. "Footage of exotic weapons is not made public, by any military."
Once she's finished her nosh, which she decides is quite good, Tasha notes, "I suspect the daikaju may be semi-sentient, or at least extremely aware of air pressure changes and atmospheric disturbancs. I tried to communicate with it, but there was no response and I didn't let that get in the way of combatting it. It's a shame though; As a member of the JEF, I'm supposed to be exploring and meeting aliens but lately I've mostly been fighting them." She then glances between the two and asks, "Is that to avoid scaring the public? Maybe public outcry or even development?"
"People need to know that the threat is gone," Frane explains, after downing a meatball. "They do not need to see it obliterated by a space cannon that leaves a half-mile crater. It would not help your organization's image as a research and exploration focused group."
"Oh ... Um, yes, I can see how it wouldn't," the gold-dressed woman notes, sheepishly. "I guess I still have a lot to learn about interacting with the public -- and parties." She gives Katherine an apologetic smile, then turns back to Frane and notes, "There's something else I wanted to ask you about, um, I don't know how to put it so I'll just be direct: I've been considering leaving the Academy."
"For how long?" Frane asks, focusing his large predatory eyes on Tasha.
Tasha actually leans back at the stare. "A-a while; Maybe forever? I just don't know if I fit in there, Captain. I feel like I'm always behind the others, like there's so many things I don't know that everyone else takes for granted. I did, um, alright on my own, so I was thinking of returning to that -- maybe, um, finding a tutor. I don't know if I'm not ready, or, um, what, but it's been bothing me. Besides, the JEF has plenty of highly educated people. I'm s-sure there's something else I can learn to do." By the time she's done speaking, the woman has actually leaned back a little farther.
"Hmm," the big Vartan considers. "You are not a Knight," he points out. "You have taken no vows to be broken. Do you appreciate the education that you did receive? My lessons will stay with you, yes?"
"Of course!" Tasha says, without hesitation. "I've learned a lot! And working with everyone else, I really enjoyed that. I liked meeting all the people and seeing how you all got along. Um, i think I had forgotten how to work with others, and, um, I like the choir lessons, too. Um, I'm actually going to miss attending the school a lot, it's just that I'm not sure I belong there -- at least, maybe not yet?"
The younger woman's easr then cant backwards as she bites her lip, then admits, "Now that I talk about it, it's actually making me really sad to say I'm leaving."
"I expect you back," Frane says. "Some things you can only learn with others. Keep that in mind," he advises. "Get a good tutor. Do what you need to do, and when you are ready to devote the time I will still be around. Now, you at least owe me a dance. You're the only woman here where I don't have to worry about stepping on your feet."
"Well, how can I say no to that?" Tasha remarks, smiling a little. She then turns to Katherine and says, "I'll come find you afterwards?"
"I'll be by the buffet, don't worry," Katherine says. Frane leads Tasha to the dance area, closer to the quartet. Despite claiming he doesn't know how to dance, the man leads anyway. The steps seem simple enough.
After a few repetitions, Tasha falls in to the rountine. At first the idea of dancing with her hard-beaked instructor makes her anxious, but soon, as things begin to fall in to a nice, comfortable pace, she realizes that she's begun to relax.
"I'm sorry about when we first met," she admits out of the blue, following the man's lead as she looks up at him. "The truth is, what you said hurt a lot more than I was expecting it to, because you were right and I didn't want to believe it. I don't think I understood it at the time, so, it was easier for me to just be mad at you."
"Then am I a good instructor," Frane says, with some actual pride. "If I am not shaking you up, then how will you learn the lessons?"
Tasha considers that a moment, then smiles, head tilting. "I hadn't thought of it that way," she admits, sounding impressed. "It was the same with choir, but for other reasons. In my explorations I occassionally come across things that are far beyond us, even to the point of being what some of us would consider to be divine, even godlike. Gods ... And demons. I'm still afraid of what it all means, and where it's going. I was never unhappy with the choir, just afraid of what it meant by growing too close to 'god' and the 'divine.' I had already lost a god, too, and that was part of it."
"Don't need faith in god for choir," Frane notes. "I have faith in people. Divinity comes from working as a group, being part of something bigger. Gods don't save you on the battlefield, just your team. So learn how to be connected to them, yeah? You have a team you're going back to, right?"
"We're too few to be considered a team most of the time. We're all devoted to keeping the JEF functional and addressing the mountains of problems left to address." The golden woman pauses, then smiles wryly. "At least, that's what the others do. I seem to handle public relations on a direct level, and, well, dealing with more physical problems. But I have Mel, and he's supportive. Usually. But even when he isn't, he is." She then tilts her head the other way. "I'm not sure I'll have him with me if I seek a tutor, though. One of the possibilities is quite far from here, but his ... their insight is, um, well it's probably nearly unmatched. That's if they will humor my request."
"Besides, one of them lives in a dangerous area. I wouldn't want to risk anyone," the cadet adds in note.
"Too dangerous for a Titan, eh?" Frane asks. "I assume you get tutoring from one of your Karnor Elites, or your Captain."
"When they can," Tasha confirms. "But they're all even more busy than I am -- the Captain in particular. I often feel bad I'm out here while he's working, but it can't be helped." The young woman sighs at the difficulties of long-range relationship then shakes her head and says, "As for too dangerous, well, I'd be heading back to Sinai. I know this, un, well lets call him ... her? Lets call 'it' a being. This being is even more hrash than you, so I'll probably be missing your lectures in short order, but its knowledge should be extensive and its ability extraordinary. It may even know how to deal with magical hostilities, including so-called 'spirits,' which I have found to be frightening enemy."
"Ah, the world of miracles and wishes and unlimited water and food," Frane says. "Hope I can retire there. Know good places, with.. beaches and seas and barely dressed women?"
"As a matter of fact, I do -- if you like felines anyway. But don't be too quick to consider Sinai a paradise, in many ways the world has regressed even farher than the people of Abaddon have. In fact, very few people on Sinai know where we come from, how a machine works, what the Expedition Fleet actually was or even that we came from another world. It's beautiful, and there's much to see and do, but it's also horrible in some ways. It still has wars, there are still people starving despite the food, and very few people get any sort of education. They think the Expedition was a magical time ... They ... " Tasha pauses, then tilts her head and smiles wryly again. "Well, don't let me ruin it for you. It is a nice place, just ... Don't think it's a land of miracles and endless food. The people are every bit as dangerous as they can be here."
"I guess you can see where my loyalties are," the woman admits, wry grin increasing. "But if you ever need a guide, I'll help."
"Hah, still sounds interesting," Frane says. "When do you plan on leaving? Or do you have to send a message first?"
"I'm not sure yet, but I'll need at least some time to talk it over with the Captain and arrange supplies. I was planning on traveling by myself, which will let me fly part of the way and avoid the cost of air travel, but as you can fly, it wouldn't be that difficult for you to join me. I just can't let you follow me in to the Beast Lands," the red woman answers.
As the dance continues and switches to something slower, Tasha finds herself relaxed enough to lay her head Captain Frane's arm. "I shouldn't need to send a message, although ... " She purses her muzzle a moment, then says, "I should. There's a city on the way I want to stop over, which I think you'd like. You could stay there until you decide to head home. I'll be continuing after I speak with its rulership."
"Thanks for the invite, but I can't just take off on sabbatical like that," Frane notes. "Not until end of the current term, anyway. Don't know any other flyers?"
"Hrrm," goes Tasha, who tilts her head as she thinks. "Most of the Vartans I know have duties similiar to ours, so they'll all be busy. Even both our cadets will be too focused on their learning to go with me, and I certainly to not want to risk their lives unduly. My familiy lives on Sinai, but coordinating with them might be difficult and I don't want to request the entire airship just to take me somewhere. I do know a Vartan clan on Sinai, but they have their hands full at the moment and would be an even longer trip so .... No?"
"Besides, no one can follow me in to the Beast Lands," Tasha adds a second later. "The land is actually toxic."
"How are you able to go there then?" Frane asks, reasonably. "And aren't you pals with what's-her-name.. The Potato-Head Vartan.."
"I'm going to fly using map, compass and navigation skills of course. Before I became a Titan pilot, I was an airship pilot. Plotting my way across Sinai is an old habit by now." The red woman explains, smiling a little in pride. "And, um, which woman is this? I'm sorry; I've met so many people lately I'm probably forgetting names."
"Unless you mean Rapatia?" Tasha ventures, ears perking. Well, one ear; The other rests against Frane's arm.
"Yes, Colonel Rapatia," Frane says. "She seems.. adventurous."
"Can I really ask a Colonel to follow me to Sinai? A PHTO representative?" Tasha asks, her head lifting as she looks to the man with wide eyes.
"And won't that cause concerns of favoritisim?" She asks a second later.
"You asked me, an instructor at the Winged Citadel of the Knight's Templar," Frane points out. "But she may at least be able to introduce you to someone to accompany you."
"Oh. I'm sorry, Captain, I didn't mean to sound ungrateful. It's just I was surprised and, um, was worried about causing an incident for the Council." Tasha smiles apologetically, laying her head back down. "But you're right, maybe she can. I could also ask Archon Strength-of-Stones. He'll probably be hapy to send someone to Xenea, he really does like the native architecture."
"Silent-Ones can fly on Sinai?" Frane asks with a chuckle. "Or is the exhaustion finally getting to you?"
"Maybe it is," Tasha admits, head shaking against the man's arm. "But I thought that maybe, maybe we could travel on regular transportation to Xenea, and from there, I'll fly the rest of the way myself. But maybe someone will want to come along? I'll have to think about it carefully."
Tasha then reaches her hand from Frane's side, covering her muzzle as she yawns. She blinks, then shakes her head. "Maybe you are right. I suppose the battle took more that I thought?"
"Well, you should have Katherine put you to bed then," Frane notes. "Or do I need to order you to get some sleep?"
"No, sir." Tasha releases a hand to salute from Frane's arm. As she lowers it, she smiles and offers, "Before I go, thank you for taking the time to teach me -- and for the dance." She tehn leans over and gives the big Vartan a kiss on the side of his beak; A careful, polite kiss of close friends.
"Please remember that on your class review form," Frane notes, then smirks and winks. "Get some rest now, Cadet."
"Yes, sir," goes Tasha, who smiles brighter. She steps back as the dance ends, copying how the others curtsey, then turns and makes her way back to the buffet.
"That was a long dance," Katherine notes.
"We had a lot to talk about," Tasha notes as she walks up to Katherine, smiling up at her. Her smile then wavers a moment, and she asks, "Was... that not something I should have done?" sounding a little nervous now.
"Hmm?" Katherine says, an eclair halfway to her mouth. "No, most people use dancing as a way to get some privacy."
"Oh," goes Tasha, who eyes the eclair with a suspicious look, highly certain that Mr. Invention would disapprove. "Then I suppose everything is fine, then. How are you doing, Katie? I'm sorry I left you alone for so long."
"Oh I'm just fine! I talked to the Viceroy for a bit," Katherine says, and then wolfs down the treat. "He and his wife already left though. I'm surprised you're still able to stand up, really. Did you know his wife is named Vystalia? They'll probably name their son Vincent or something.."
"They must really like the 'vvv' sound," Tasha remarks, who stares at Katherine's muzzle with a mix of surprise and amusement. "Do you attend a lot of these parties?" She then glances back to the dwindling guests, tail wagging as she smiles a little more. "I think ... I like them."
"I do, sometimes it's part of my job though," Katherine notes. "They are nice quiet affairs, nobody taking photos and no reporters. But the food is always good!"
"I think I could get used to attending these," the gold-dressed of the pair admits as she looks back. "It's such a nice change from the dirt and fighting, don't you think? It reminds me there's a civilization behind everything I'm doing, and it's nice to see the faces behind the the ebb and flow of Abaddon -- even if they do intimidate me."
"They're just people, like anyone else," Katherine says. "Just remember that everyone farts if they eat too much broccozini, high and low alike. Which reminds me that I really shouldn't have eaten so much broccozini tonight.."
Tasha gives Katherine a very odd look, ears back. "That's ... That's something, all right. Are you ... Are you drunk Katie?"
Even while she's sniffing at the other woman, Tasha notes, "And they may be just people, but people are beautiful, Katie. I've spoken with gods, and demons, and things so alien there's nothing to compare them to -- because they don't exist in our universe normally. There's nowhere like home, Katie. And nobody like your people -- whomever you've decided that they are."
"No, just.. I really like broccozini when it's done right," Katherine admits, and makes big eyes at Tasha. "You won't tell Mr. Invention will you?"
Tasha's ears go up and eyes widen at the face, and for a moment she looks like like prey caught in the charge of a rotbiter. "O-oh, n-no," she promises, ears then canting back.
"That said.. we should probably both be thinking about sleep," Katherine says. "You can have the guest room so that.. you know.. you actually do get some sleep.. and don't have to worry about the Curse of the Broccozini.."
At that, Tasha just lays her ears back all the way, looking, if anything, somewhat disappointed as she bites her lip.
"I'll make it up to you when we're both well-rested," Katherine promises, and offers Tasha an eclair.
"Oh, um, well thank you," Tasha says, sounding and looking considerably happier as she accepts the eclair and begins to nibble at it, following after Katherine as they head out. As they walk, the gold of the pair notes as she pauses in her meal, "And Katie? Thank you for taking me to this. I don't know if I'd have had the courage or the means, let alone the skills to attend something like this otherwise."
"Well, someone has to be your mentor and watch out for you," Katherine notes. "So why not me?"
"Why not?" Tasha agrees, smiling contently and feeling, if just for a little while, pleased with life. She settles in beside the older woman, looking forward to a good rest and no longer dreading the future quite as much as she once had.