Dominating the center of the room is a folding table with a model of Elamoore and the surrounding areas, all the way out to the Confederate Quarter. The model is made of folded paper, it looks like, and shows an aqueduct running from the new wellhead to the edge of the city.
Strength-of-Stones is still working on it using a pot of glue and some tweezers when Feather-Tail shows Tasha and Liza in. The Archon doesn't react to their presence yet, so the Savanite girl (she prefers that to Silent-One, to make it clear she's from Sinai) shows them to a beanbag chair.
With Rapatia having departed to avoid the paperwork of attending another government's embassy, Tasha finds herself alone with Liza for the time being. Before their arrival she, too, had returned to her office; rather than remain, she picked up a small, velvet lined pouch of rather interesting things.
Directing Liza to follow her, Tasha makes her way over to the beanbag chairs and promptly drops back in to one for a very comfortable seating. Even though she's well rested from last night, she still hasn't recovered from the soreness incurred by her cross-continent flight, nor all the walking. The beanbag comes as a welcome relief to a road-weary explorer. "Liza, dd you have a chance to learn about the difference between Silent Ones and Savanites?" She asks, sounding a little distracted by her reclining.
"Not much," the doe admits, standing next to Tasha's chair. "From observation, they seem to wear masks to identify themselves. They also seem slightly more robust in build, but with slightly shorter legs - they probably don't get to run as much as those on Sinai have. Their level of modesty is quite different, apparently.." This last observation may have to do with Strength-of-Stones wearing just his mask and a toolbelt. The speaking-glove device hangs from it as well.
Tasha tries very hard to supress a grin -- she does not do very well. "The Archon is, um, well he's an adherent of more radical styles. That is, he's a political outlier. That's true of most of the represenattives placed here: nearly all of them are fringe politicians or else eccentric in some way, such as being very open with other nations. It's why they're here, it makes them well suited for a multinational organization," the cadet explains, head having rolled over so she can watch Liza.
"Silent-Ones are, as a rule, generally very modest and tacturn. The mask they were identifies them and is considered their real 'face,' because Silent-Ones are nearly identical and don't have the diversity Savanites probably gained from high SPF exposure over generations," the hybrid woman concludes.
"So.. we are not being rude by keeping our clothes on, are we?" Liza asks. Feather-Tail shakes her head behind her. After all, she isn't wearing a mask, but also wears a dress.
"It's also acceptable to be rude some times, to follow your own culture," Tasha contributes, grinning a little more openly. "I take the comfort of my people very seriously, Liza." Rolling her shoulders, the young woman tries to push herself up but aborts after a moment of effort. "I think all the walking I've been doing has made my wings lazy. Well, at least we were able to acquirethis bag full of ancient Sinai artifacts." It's said casually to Liza, but the hybrid woman does watch the Archon out of the corner of her eye.
The Silent-One's tail does stop its metronome motion. Then the Archon stands a bit straighter and looks back over his shoulder with a smile and a curious look. "What can I do for you, Winged-Gift?" he signs.
Tasha lifts her own hand to sign back, making it the first time Liza has seen her sign. "I have these very interesting artifacts I thought you might like to look at; they are very old and I thought of you." There's some excess wavering of her hand, the equivilent to a teasing tone. She also repeats what she signs out loud, just in case her new personal assistantis unable to follow. "And, since I am here, I had equally interesting questions about meeting with a certain group of scientists and researchers focusing on a even more interesting corridor in space and time. I hear they desire a spaceship. I also have qustionf or you, about the Star Religion. I have been thinking."
"Thinking always leads to trouble," the Archon replies with a grin, then flips on his glove. Liza isn't really showing it, but it's pretty clear she does not have a good grasp of Formal Silent Sign. Once it's on and activated, Strength-of-Stones signs, "Is your companion one of the ancient artifacts?"
"Not this time, not everyone I run with is an ancient or elder thing." Tasha replies, wagging her hands at the Archon in mock-admonishment. She then pulls out the velvet bag from one of her many belt pouches and hands it off to Feather-Tail for delivery to the Archon. "My dragon fortune," she then explains, gesturing at the bag-in-transit. "I will want it all back, but maybe I can be convinced to share? Can you put in a good word for me with the moon base and its people? I am very interested in that hyperspace corridor. I also need to speak of other things, and I can be very useful."
Realizing her companion migth need a description or explaination as to why she's here, and also noticing she's become so accustomed to Liza's presence she has begun to expect she'll be nearby without actually needing to be actively aware of it, Tasha signs, "And this is my personal assistant and maid, Liza."
The bag is sifted through, then placed on a clear table edge while the Archon gets a jewelers loupe from his tool pack. He uses his left hand to move a worklight over and also to pick up one of the coins to examine, so that he can continue to sign with his right. "What happened to your other rabbit, the mostly-white one with black spots?" he signs.
"He grew very tired of me and wished for a peaceful and danger reduced life," Tasha replies, although her vocal repeat comes as, "He wished to return to his apothacary work and was pleased and grateful we were able to accomplish great things together."
"The markings on this coin are of interest," the Archon notes (he must be going by Tasha's spoken replies, since he's too occupied to look at her signs). "At first glance it appears to be stamped with a simple sun - a point radiating straight lines. But the lines are not all the same length, and the lengths vary. It may be a numerical mark."
"The cache I discoverd the coins and other objects could contain objects from all the way back to the early years after the original Expedition made planetfall, perhaps with a few hundred or a thousand years. That is my guess based on the spirit I spoke with," the cadet explains even as she tries to push herself to sit up. The effort progresses slowly.
Liza offers a hand to Tasha.
"I've seen this markings before," Strength-of-Stones signs. "I will need to check my reference books though."
"Thank you, Liza." Tasha rises with help; she's rather heavy too, not all of which is apparent simply based on her outward appearance. By this point Liza knows her employer to be much stronger than she seems, part of her Vartan hertitage. "Check away. I will enrich my spirit." Turning to Feather-Tail, the hybrid asides, "And my spirit is very dry," before winking at her.
The Savanite girl bows and leaves the room to fetch refreshments. The Archon turns his attention to Tasha again as he heads for his bookcase. "You wish to talk to the moonbase?" he asks. "I can probably get you the radio channel information."
"I need to do more than talk, I need an introduction to the Planetary Defense Cooperative. Someone who higher up than Rapatia, with my clout. Somone who is very interested in the sort of things I find. A friend. A handsome and spiritual man, and also a clever builder. One who has honored me, and who I honor ... " The line of compliments continue, Tasha's muzzle twisting with an ever-growing smile until she looks positively fiendish.
"So, you want ME to introduce you?" the Archon asks, drawing a heavy looking book from the case with his other hand.
"Someone who is also wise and observant," adds the young woman, who finds herself liking the Khattan way of speaking just for the fun of remaining polite and complimentary while still being able to tease someone.
"That would require a trip to Star City," the Archon notes, as he sets the book on a podium and begins to flip through the pages. Feather-Tail returns in the meantime, pushing a tea service. She then goes about preparing the tea.
At the news, Tasha grimaces. Star City, that's a day or more travel and again back. I'll need to check with Age, Treachery and Spy and see if I have enough time. Hopefully my Horse and it's crew can endure waiting for a litle while longer. It wilm be worth it if a hyperspace corridor is located. "If that needs to be done then I will do it, but I must check with my Gabriel and with others to see if I have the time. My stay in the Pit cannot be too long." she explains, head cocking to the side. "I will also inform you now that I am planning a raid on the Kampfengruppe capital. If this will be a problem for the trip, our association, or in any other way I can leave now and find another way to reach them."
"I did not see that last sign," the Archon claims - basically 'don't tell me about the raid or I can't deny knowing about it'. He then becomes engrossed in his book, while Feather-Tail serves Tasha and Liza some tea.
"I did not sign, my hand is just weary from traveling," Tasha returns, finishing the 'do not share' literal and figurative handshaking. She then glances up and smiles at Feather-Tail, accepting her tea and thanking her before settling back again -- perhaps with the promise of needing to also be helped up again. "Once I speak with my associates I will see if I have the time. I do not mean to be rude, but there are people relying on me for ... " About to sign 'orders,' the young woman wnders when it came to be that she felt comfortable and casual about directing people -- and when it was she ceased to both list after and feel the prestige of leadership. "Orders. That is, direction. I am sure you know what it is to be very busy!"
"There is never enough time," the Archon signs, and then taps a page with his left hand. "I have found the symbol. It is part of the numerical system of a fallen First Ones civilization."
"Oh?" Tasha actually says rather than signs. Her ears flick, and with a sudden push she's up and seated. "A First Ones civilization? Do you know which one, and if so, anything about them?"
"The Great Ibis Civilization," Strength-of-Stones signs. "That is our name for them. They are also know as.." and here the translator glove has difficulty, as the name has to be laboriously 'sounded out' in sign. Eventually it speaks: "Qwackoo."
"I am not familiar with the ... " Tasha also has to switch methods as signing the alternative name threatens to cramp her hand, so instead she says, "Qwackoo," and signs, "Ibis Civilization. That they were in the Primus System is very interesting, however. The coin may be from the late period before the Sifra destroyed much of the First One civilization, and now that I consider it, it is also interesting to me that First Ones and possibly Old Ones have lived upon these worlds even during the height of Sifran power. It means these worlds were not occupied with sufficent force to halt colonization, if any at all, and the Sifra were not aware or did not consider them a threat by their presence on their world. I wonder what changd, but I digress. What more can you tell me of them?"
"They may be related to the Vartan," the Silent-One replies. "Some believe they were pets or beasts of burden for the Great Ibis Civilization, and only became sapient after their masters were long gone."
"I have heard that story too, but not the name of their precursors. This is very interesting! According to what I have heard, it was Horus, Progenitor of Vartans, who found us in a universe devoid of sentient life after the advent of the Progenitors in to our reality. He liked them and uplifted them; it is a similiar story to the Naga Celestials, who were uplifted by Ahriman among the ruins of their precursors. It is said they used the technology they found to advance quickly." Tasha scratches at her nose, ears flicking. She thinks for a moment, then asks, "Do you know more, have more artifacts related to the Ibis?"
"I have not seen any artifacts," the Archon signs. "The Khattans keep them close, and try to collect any that are found. Since the supposed homeworld of the Ibis is a Vartan colony, it unlikely that any artifacts are available for study outside of their sphere of influence."
"Then I will have to just go there myself and find what I can," Tasha decides, her hand gestures defiant. "But that is for later. I have other questions: I have noticed the smiliarity of creation mythologies between sentient species, and I am curious about the Star interpretation. If i remember right, Star worshippers believe that if they wordship the Star, it will protect and guide them? That those who do not will be cast out in to the 'dark'?"
"There are many variations, depending on which particular school of faith one belongs to," Strength-of-Stones signs. "Some sects do not believe there is a dark place. Some are very militant about spreading their version of the Faith. Some worship ritual, others ideals."
"I have been speaking to being from the dark," Tasha explains, even lifting her hands and making wiggily, presumably tentacle-y, hand gestures. "Those that dwell in Dark Space, or what is also called D-Level Hyperspace. They do normally exist in time and space; they have their own time and space composed of gravity and dark matter. They told me what they believe is the origin of life: that the Ogdoad found the islands of light, the material universe we call reality, and were drawn to it. They sewed life; one of the greates at first were the Sifra. I have heard our reality called the fortress, and the Sifra fear their old masters and keep them out -- the light keeping out the dark. I have wondered if the Sifra are related to the Star."
"And if so, that would mean that the darkness is the reality beyond the Maelstrom -- Dark Space," Tasha concludes.
"It is often futile to look for religious truths in harsh reality," Strength-of-Stones signs. "Unless these Dark Ones consume or collect souls, the connection is tenuous. There were no records of the Sifra at the time of the Star religion's formation, either."
"But Neith was there, and Neith, Progenitor of Silent-Ones, is said to aspire to be an angel of the Star. As one of those who fought the Sifra for control of the universe, she would be aware of them -- and may have passed that knowledge to her children. It is possible the Progenitors were unaware of the Ogdoad and Neith changed alliance our of fear or strategy," Tasha suggests, head cocking to the side. She pauses in siging to drink her tea, then hesitates before she signsher next, "I have been told the Dark Ones can consume something that is thought of as a soul: the spirit of we from Primus. I know they can. I have heard from the Titanians that they can also change the nature of a soul. The Sifra also seem to have a similiar power."
"Then I am glad these beings are long gone," the Archon signs. "Only we should be able to change the nature of our souls, through our own actions."
Tasha's brows furrows, then she tilts her head the other way. "They are not gone," she notes.
"Then they are silent," Strength-of-Stones claims.
"They speak if you know how to listen," Tasha says, reaching up and tapping her own noggin. "I am very interested in them and the others as well. This is why I ask, because I am looking for fact in truth. I have found some answers, but not enough." Leaning back, the young woman takes anotehr sip, then changs topic by askimg, "Has Tomorrow's-Hope forgiven me?"
"Be careful where you step, and who you disturb," the Silent-One cautions. "And what does Tomorrow's-Hope need to forgive you for?"
"I threw him to Age and Treachery," Tasha notes, smiling a little. She then also notes, "I know the dangers. The gods write on more than old stones," and smiles a little less.
"You will have to take that up with him, I'm afraid," the Archon signs.
"Perhaps in a duel," Tasha remarks, ears wiggling. "In my defense he was forward and he knew I am with my Gabriel. I must take a stand." She takes another sip, then notes, "Speaking of standing, I should get going so that I can check my schedual. I will need to know if and when you would like to leave. If there is something you like in the pouch, please keep it as a gift -- although I would like the coin and the green figurine is a gift for a friend."
Strength-of-Stones returns the coin.. but picks out an amber gem, which he looks at curiously. "This may be amethyst, but may not. May I have this analyzed?" he signs.
"You are welcome to it. I would be interested in what you find," the cadet replies, smiling. "What is not of special importance will be sold. I have decided upon some luxury in life."
"You cannot have my chairs," the Archon warns, setting the gem aside for now and handing back the back of loot. "Do not let luxury make you soft."
"Your chairs do not favor wings. I will discover ancient Vartan chairs, or Ibis, instead," Tasha chides, grining lopsidedly and wiggling her ears all over again. She accepts the loot and cocks her head back, eyebrow raising. "I will try not to, but I cannot let frugality make me soft, either. I cannot do it all, I must have help and I must relax. The road is dangerous, and hard, and there are many terrors. I have been told to take better care of myself, so that is what I am doing."
The young woman then stands and offers the Archon a little bow. "I am sorry I have been a poor Knight to the Pit. I am a poor student to the Pit as well. Perhaps some day my sister can take my place. I apologize in advance for that as well."
"There are MORE of you?" Strength-of-Stones signs, with an exaggerated expression of shock to his mouth.
Tasha grins even more as she straightens. "She is even smarter and more sassy, you will regret my loss. It is my secret plan to make you all remember me fondly and appreciate my return."
"And she will have a Vykarin for an assistant, I imagine," the Archon says, then makes a shooing gesture.
Tasha offers a more elaborate bow this time, then waves her assistant to follow before making a show of hurrying from the room. "We are reaslly very good friends," she insist to the Lapi as they flee from the building.
"Will there be many naked Silent-Ones?" the Lapi asks. "Who is Tommorow's-Hope? Who are Age and Treachery?"
"There will be fewer naked Silent-Ones, especially when we reach Star City. It is the home of the major Silent-Ones factions and neither are very ... " Still in the embassy as she makes her way to the Titan pilots training area, Tasha looks around to ensure no Silent-Ones are listening. Unable to find a quiet moment, she simply finishes with, " ... open. We will need to work on our formality, that will impress them most. Tomorrow-Hope you may meet in a moment, Age is Rapatia, Treachery is Miss Riddle Smith. Don't call them that; one is fiesty and dangerous and the other one is Rapatia."
The way to the basement is clear, and the first part of Tasha's reply is proven premature, as there are lots of naked Silent-Ones men. Some are sparring or wrestling, and others are training on body-building equipment. Nobody is getting a massage at the moment, however. So it's just a matter of picking out the proper pilot among the nearly identical bodies.. which means looking at their masks, of course.
"I forgot to mention they train naked," tasha admits a moment after stepping inside the training hall. "Um, this is actually the special training area of the Titan pilots of the Pit of Himaar, at least those part of the Silent-Ones order of pilots. A Titan is a giant humanoid -- and sometimes not -- machine of metal and more exotic materials. You will see them sooner or later, including mine; I'm also a member of this order otherwise I wouldn't be allowed down here." She then begins walking, peeking here and there. "They're not that modest, so don't worry about them. They're all a bunch of hot shot glory seekers!" The last part she says more than a little loudly, grinning.
That last description hits home, as everyone they pass tries to show off in some way - more for Liza than for Tasha though. The doe has an amused look on her face as a result. Eventually Tasha finds a familiar mask by one of the weight machines, 'spotting' for the pilot using it.
"They're used to me and know I'm not available," Tasha explains, gesturing at the posing men as if they were a display. "We foght together, though, so I have to put up with them." She then walks up behind her destination, clears her throat, and suddenly declares, "I am very sorry for throwing you to old women Tomorrow's-Hope!"
Everyone stops and turns to look at Tasha and Tomorrow's-Hope. The pilot signs, "They were young in spirit, yet mature in their desires. They made me miss breakfast. What do you offer as recompense?"
"I, um, I won't do it again?" Tasha notes, her right hand going to her thigh as she shifts her weight. In a lower vocie, she adds, "You did flirt with me, though. It complicates my relationship." Her brow gos up. "But I forgive you, as I am a noble and honorable pirate."
"You won't do it again?" Tomorrow's-Hope signs, and his ears droop a bit. "Perhaps you will throw me to your small companion."
"Oh, you're okay with it? Well I can arrange that anytime. It help me a lot, because I can use it to bargain with those two. They're a sneaky lot." Tasha shifts her weight the other way, then gestures towards her assistant. "This is Liza, my personal assistant. What you two do together is yours to decide, I just hope it won't interfere with Liza's duties -- or yours! If the Pit is destroyed because of me, I will feel very bad."
The pilot, bows and takes Liza's hand. Then he kisses the back of it, leaving the doe all a-twitter.
"Yes, he's very charming," Tasha remarks, head shaking as she also resists an eye roll. "They all are. Very famous among the Silent-Ones." She then waitd for introductions to conclude, and then tells the Knight, "I may be leaving for Star City soon. If you'd like to retun that way, or any of you, I can probably arrange that. I also need to tell you I won't be around very much in the future."
"We managed to hold the Pit before you arrived," Tomorrow's-Hope notes with an ear-wiggle. "More glory for us while you are away. Star City can be cold. And they do not serve alcohol. Pack accordingly."
"Things happened before me?" Tasha makes a show of covering her moth, agast. "Really? Wow, a new discovery." She winks, then drops her hand. "I will be collecting glory out there, maybe I will bring you some. And thank you for the advice. You've also reminded me of something."
Fishing out her datapad, Tasha turnsd to it and says, "Harmonia? Gabriel please."
It takes a few moments before Gabriel answers. "Should I be concerned about the naked men?" he greets with.
"I'm always surrounded by naked men, you know that," Tasha explains, waving her hand dismissvely even as she holds back a grin. "But that's not important. How do you fel about the Ravager? isn't that old thing just taking up space?"
"You mean the Reaper?" Gabriel asks. "It's the only thing in the hangar that didn't get knocked over by the cannon blast. What about it?"
"Right, that. Well, I'm heading to Star City soon, apparently. I'm also not going to be around much to help defend the Pit of Himaar. Since that thing is just a political disaster waiting to happen, why don't we take the initive and offer it as a semi-permanent defense for the Pit of Himaar?" Tasha suggests, waving her hand in wide circles as she talks on her datapad. "It'll also allow room for a shipment, for my other projects, and help with good will and maybe impress some people in Star City. In this way we can avoid a political squable -- or war -- and get it in to use where it's most needed -- after a, uh, debute in Star City so we show proper respect. Since I'm a official Knight with a mask and everything, I can probably claim ownership and not be offensive, and then I can lend it out."
"Well.. we can't keep it anyway," Gabriel agrees. "But how do you plan on moving the damned thing? We'd need one of those Titan Transports like they used to move the troops from the Winged Citadel."
"Moment." Tasha turns to Tomorrow's-Hope and asks him, "Do you think the Knights or the Star Empire would be willing to contribute a Titan transport if it involved the world's largest, most ancient Silent-Ones Titan as once piloted by a hero of old?"
"Not the one I destroyed," Tasha is quick to note. "That wasn't an actual Silent-Ones Titan anyway. Something else. This once's official."
"Maybe," the pilot replies. "Where is it?"
"Tartarus Base, within a canal," Tasha replies.
"That is a long trip," Tomorrow's-Hope notes. "Can you bring it here in the sky basket?"
This requires Tasha to return to Gabriel, or more specifically, Harmonia who she knows is listening. "Can we?"
"With assistance," Harmonia confirms. "A pilot will be needed."
"So I either tuck my wings and figure it out, or we'll need a local pilot. What do you three think?" Tasha inquires, looking between Tomorrow's-Hope, Gabriel and Harmonia who lurks behind the machine. "Can I do it or should I bring someone?"
"I volunteer," Tomorrow's-Hope signs, and puts his left hand on Tasha's shoulder just to make it clear.
"What a hero," Tasha remarks in a dry, head shake accompanied voice. "Other opinions?"
"I'd say let him do it," Gabriel says. "He's a known hero and all. And that thing can kill you if you aren't careful."
"Oh right, Titans can kill you if you're not careful," Tasha remarks, rolling her eyes and then sticking her tongue out at Gabriel. After that she simply says, "Tomorrow's-Hope has got it then. You'll need to leave the Pit for a few days to a week, so you know what to do, right?" She asks the volunteer.
"Pilot," Tomorrow's-Hope signs, standing very erect.
"Pilot," Tasha agrees. "I may not have my own Melchior along, so I may just end up sitting on the Reaver's shoulder. It's not in the best shape and is ancient, but with the right backing it could be restored. It's also a much larger Titan than you're used to, fifty feet or more, so try and be as prepared for that as you can be. We'll need to inform the Archon too, he can, um, sanctify things or officiate them."
"Do I have to ride with you on the shoulder?" Liza asks.
"I'll contact Vesuvius," Gabriel says. "He'll need to give permission and all that. I can probably get a PHTO visitors pass or something for him."
"Only if you want to, but you'll probably need to stay below for the ceremonies," Tasha tells Liza, turning to her briefly. She tehn turns back to the other and suggests, "What about contacting Katie, um, Miss Vesuvius? She's known to peform across the world, and this would be her kind of event. It'll help her career, make the event more spetacular, and it'l give me a chance to talk to her -- also she'll kill me if I don't invite her. Or worse, Mr. Invention will."
"Once I have things worked out for the delivery, you can call Katie and have an actual timetable to offer," Gabriel suggests.
Tasha bounces a little on her hooves. "Wonderful! It's going to be great. Although ... Not exactly what I was expecting to be doing before departure." The hybridwoman gives a little shrug, then bounces a little more. "Exciting though. You'll come along, right Gabe? You're more respectable and austere than I am."
"If it means standing up on a platform and looking official.. I can probably manage that," Gabriel says with a chuckle. "But if there are dancing girls, you cannot blame me for them."
"As long as you don't blame me for the naked men," Tasha agrees, waving vaguely behind ehr at all the man meat.
"Oh.. right. Tomorrow's-Hope, I expect you to wear pants during the journey," Gabriel says through the screen. The Silent-One salutes in response. Liza looks disappointed.
"You don't have to wear pants for Liza, so long as it's not in the open. I have a new responsible look to maintain, right Liza?" Tasha asks, turnign to grin at her assistant.
"Do you need me to dress him then?" the doe asks. She removes a measuring tape from one of her pockets, prepared to use it on the spot apparently.
"You two better stop before you scandalize me. Gabriel!" Tasha looks to her datapad, "I'm going to drag my assistant out of here, then I'm going to meet with the others and make sure everyone knows what's going on. Then I'll be back to plan and pack."
"I'll see you later then," Gabriel says. "Don't get into too much trouble or create too much more work for me in the meantime!"
"No promises!" Tasha blows Gabriel a kiss before switching off the connection and stowing her datapad. She then turns to the two with her and says, "Tomorrow's-Hope, I'll need you to explain to the Archon because if I do it he'll give me that exasperated look. Remind him about the rock that should help. Oh, and it'll be exciting. You'll need to pack and get ready too; meet me torrow or later this eveing and we can go over the Titan's control scheme. Liza?" She turns to her assistant now. "You'll need to go shopping for both of us, i trust your ability, taste, and discretion. Try to learn as much as you can about Silent-Ones culture, too." The hybrid woman then claps her hands together and nods, "Alright! Lets get to it."