Travelling at maximum speed means doing without certain things - like freshly washed clothes or bodies. Shojo doesn't complain, however, even though he's burdened with a few extra pounds of books from the Storm Keep archives, each with information about ancient Varta and the Vartans. The only real break comes at Abu Dhabi, while Tasha gets them onto a sand trireme heading to Gateway. It's slower than the Titanian rocket-powered sled, but has the advantage of actually being in port and ready to sail.
The pre-prepared special passes get them through to Abaddon at the earliest opportunity, and a quick check with some contacts let Tasha know that the Dainty Mauler left a few days before - meaning they've gone fishing in the Star Sea again, and are likely at Caltrop to sell off most of it. She's gotten used to the relativity of time when it comes to the Star Sea, since the Mauler will always emerge from it at the same instant it entered, regardless of how long it spends fishing. It means she probably has a week to get ready before the Titanians return.
It's still another day of travel back to the Pit, arriving at the rimtop train depot well into the evening. Even Shojo seems worn by then, expressed by a further lack of expression - he's too tired to maintain the illusion of being normal by that point. At least getting down to Elamoore is just a matter of (mostly) gliding, and then trudging that last hundred yards to the door of her room in the Council building.
The door is opened by Liza, of course, who takes one quick look at Tasha and says, "I'll draw a bath for you. Will you need help pealing.. uh.. taking off your clothes?"
"Please," is all Tasha can really manage to say. They're part way through the 'unpeeling' process when she even thinks to add, "Check on Shojo after I'm settled; see if he needs anything. A meal and something to drink wouldn't hurt either." And then she's sinking in to the tub, her brain shutting down for the moment.
Even from the bathroom, Tasha can hear the door open and close as Liza goes to check on Shojo as requested. For the moment, Tasha is alone, and possibly thinking about dinner herself. After so long flying and trudging across Sinai (and Abaddon), this is the first real chance to relax since the Viceroy's party.
Once her subordinate is seen to, Tasha decides it'll be time to see to a meal herself. Whether to call on Liza or go fetch the meal herself remains up in the air as she lays back until just her head is above water. Normally she might be uncomfortable with her wings tucked so tightly beneath her -- and submerged to boot -- but any discomfort is brushed aside by the pure pleasure of letting the muscles soak in warm water. The feathers, well, she'll just have to preen and fan a while.
Now that she's comfortable the inevitable desire to reflect comes. As usual it's reflexive, unbidden, and somewhat unwelcome -- especially now that she's trying to relax. Yet, work never truly vanishes, it just waits patiently (or otherwise) for her to notice it again. I'm free of the pact. Horus will want to know. I need to inform him of what the Source said and decide what to do about the Ogdru-hem. He should know about the Source's warning, too. I need to finish up my introduction and in-or-out speech for the Horse's recruits. A week isn't a long time with travel. It'll be close.
Despite her musings, Tasha hears the door to the room open and close again. The water hasn't even begun to cool yet, so she can't have zoned out for very long. Or else Liza found Shojo passed out.
Despite Shojo's apparent toughness, Tasha worries about the man. There are depths to him she doesn't fully understand, both emotional depths and medical complexities she hasn't learned the limits of. She could have pushed him too far this time; she knows that even among Vartans such lengthy flighs are uncommon, even rare, reserved for special couriers, military scouts, reckless moments and other activities best left to the professional -- or the desperate. Then there's the psycological strain of what they're dealing with. She's learned to endure, and much of that the hard way through brushes with insanity and breakdown, while many of those under her command have yet to reach that point. She can only hope they can weather the storm -- or that her speech will scare away anyone who can't or won't.
There's some more sounds of movement, and then a voice from the door of the bathroom, saying, "First Ones, you really did blow yourself up!" It's a bit dry, but still a Lapi voice.
It makes Tasha reach for her clothes, where her utility knife rests. She doubts someone with ill intentions would announce themselves so loudly, but she doesn't like taking chances either. "Who's there?" She asks as she drapes a towel over the tub, her knife concealed beneath it along with her nakedness.
The intruder clears his throat a bit more, and his voice sounds familiar. "Someone who doesn't care if you're naked, Tasha," Aaron replies, and enters the bathroom fully. He looks a bit grizzled, and has an extremely oversized backpack. Despite the Abaddonian cloak, his face and hands aren't covered. He's looking at Tasha's taloned left hand though, his own black-furred left hand twitching a bit. It's an odd coincidence that the buck's black markings (left eye, hand, ear and foot) match up with Tasha's own Vartan bits. "Your mother didn't really do your new look justice in her description."
Tasha's expression cracks in to a smile in fits and starts, too dry and too tired to manage the change all at once. She isn't exactly sure she's really seeing Aaron or had fallen asleep, dreaming the meeting. Halucination, too, seems equally likely. As with much of her new life, she decides to go with it until circumstance suggest otherwise. "An old lizard tricked me and I fell for it, but at least I passed the test. Failure would have been worse. Hi, Aaron," she greets him. The knife gets dropped beside the tub and then the young woman begins to settle back again.
The buck unstraps his backpack.. which stays in place, floating in the air with the straps dangling down. Aaron ignores it and comes to sit kneel down next to the tub.. and feels over Tasha's transformed hand. "I don't know why I'm so shocked by this," he admits. "I never thought you'd get hurt."
Tasha eyes the floating pack for a moment, mentally cataloguing it away to join the assessments of place, resource, mysteries and biography. The impetus to record all, especially the useful, strange, or unknown is a skill that all explorers eventually develope. With that done, she lowers her gaze to her hand.
"It's a rough business some times." The explaination is casual, tired, but perhaps most startlingly to the older man: unconcerned, boardering on dismissive.
"Just so long as you still try to avoid as much roughness as you can," the Lapi adds in. "Are you happy?" he then asks.
Tasha thinks to comment on the avoiding of roughness, but lets it slide. She doesn't want to worry Aaron any more than he is already and if her hand is enough to startle him then the rest she decides is best left in the dark. She won't lie, but she doesn't have to volunteer either. "Right now?" It's an airy, distant reply.
Tasha knows what he means, faceciousness and exhaustion or no, heading off the counter by answering it first. "I think so, Aaron. The work I do matters. It matters to me and it matters to this world. I have people who love me, I have my friends, my career, I'm even fairly wealthy now." The last coming with a hint of surprise, even Tasha finds it hard to believe. Poverty seems to have been built in to her identity. "So, I think so. I think I'm happy. At least, I feel happy more than I used to. It's not all always that way." And so she wiggles her taloned hand.
"Alright, I suppose that means you're still fairly sane then," Aaron notes with a nod, then leans back after letting go of Tasha's hand. "You haven't asked why I'm here yet. Where you expecting me? Or did you notice me on the train?"
"It seems like a lot of things just happen. The why of it's only important if it is." The young woman reviews her words, finding them lacking but too tired to correct them. She knows Aaron is smart enough to get the gist of it, anyway, and so leaves them be. "Then you saw Shojo too. He's my subordinate." Her head tilts. Did she see the man? No. In hindsight she didn't see much of anything, lost to her thoughts and to the road.
"That other Vartan was with you?" Aaron asks. "A subordinate. I'm not sure how your mother would react to that. She sold the old bar to a Karnor with a peg-leg, by the way. Half of why I'm here: your mother is terrible at letter writing."
"She never really learned to write. Or read." And neither did Tasha. Prior to her contact with Nora's PersoCom and the memory download the hybrid could only partly speak Standard and could barely read and write. Vartan was her only fluently spoken language and even that was run through with accent and dockhand jive. That her mother did caution and relocated comes as welcome news. "Good, I'm glad she left the Fallen Friend behind. I'll miss the old tavern, but I won't miss the danger and the dirt. Mom's tough, but there's Tashly and the baby now. There's no reason to risk it anymore." A pause as she collects her thoughts, then, "Shojo's a good man. I have a whole crew now, Aaron. I own a ship. There's a lot that the papers and the official releases don't go in to, and we like it that way."
"Official releases?" Aaron asks. "I found a 'comic book' in Gateway about you fighting a giant monster. Anyway.. yeah, Tashly showed up at my door one day. My first instinct was to feed her. But she said you gave her my address, and.. a few weeks later, Desdimona is part owner of Pub Science 101, the only bar in the Scholar's Quarter. She still works the bar every so often, even though there are mages that come there to drink. Tashly doesn't get groped as much there either, apparently, but does get bigger tips. They're both house-sitting for me. So.. I'm here to let you know how they're doing now."
"Well.. that's a quarter of the reason I'm here, anyway.." the buck adds.
This makes Tasha smile that much moreand with correspondingly greater effort. She had considered using her newfound wealth and influence to improve their situation outright, but knew the effort was doomed to failure. Her mother would have neither accepted nor understood her daughter's newfound wealth and power -- and if she did there would be a cost in worry. Instead she opted for the Vartan arguement of family while manuvering just enough on her side. If things had gone worse, she'd have pushed harder. She certain there are Abaddonian elements that would love to have a inconspicuous meeting location on Rephidim Sky Island and she knows their benefactors would pay well for the priviledge. "Oh?" Her eyes crack open; she isn't quite sure when they closed.
But then Tasha remembers there were other questions. It seems so easy to let more trivial matters slide when you're tired and have considerably more weighty matters to attend to. "The official releases, government and news. I'm just Pilot-Cadet Argentine to the world and we keep the more sensitive information in the dark. It's necessary. It's good. I like the comic, but I like being Pilot-Cadet Argentine, junior member of a paramilitary multi-national organization and not terribly important more."
"Ah.. so politics and stuff," Aaron says. "I didn't realize the public followed any of that here. But I just got back. I did visit Caroban though on business, and ran into an old friend. We shared what we'd been up to over dinner. Between her interesting friends and mine, you came up. Which is another quarter of the puzzle - that thing." He points to the hovering backpack. "You sent her something to play with, she did something with it, and now I'm bringing it back."
"Ah. The topogoric must be translating. But what?" Tasha sits up, elbow planted on the side of the tub as she rests her head on the hand and examines the backpack. "Mages. Obviously it's pulling from the SPF, either enacted actual power or direct influence. Eli's going to be excited and think of the manfacturing potential."
"I just left it running because the pack was heavy," Aaron notes. "Iona didn't really want other mages transporting it. Something to do with the techniques she used and mage politics. I know they did a lot with gravity manipulation when they were building up Caroban, but I've never seen this sort of enchantment before. If it could scale up.. it'd be a pretty big deal. Maybe too big of a deal though."
"Everything is too big until it isn't," Tasha insists, waving the matter of metaphorical largness of with both hand and word. "The world will adapt and if it can't the application can be specialized until it can. Our ancestors learned to use gravity manipulation technologies and so can these worlds."
"You don't understand Mages Guild politics though," Aaron says. "When airships started using mechanical engines, there was talk about limiting helium to just those ships that used Air Mages. Of course, it turns out that engines need regular enchantment by Chaos Mages, so the Guild didn't execute their plan. Otherwise the airships using combustion engines would be forced to use hydrogen in their gas cells. Engines that might explode if they're being run too close to the surface. So.. magic that can replace the gas cells means a lot of lost Air Mage income, and so on. Mages still have to listen to the Guild. It's also problematical because of the source of Iona's technique.. but, you should get the picture by now. This stuff isn't likely to be used on Sinai."
"That's acceptable." Another wave of the hand. "We're not chartered to share technologies with Sinai, only Abaddon and then only with the Expedition, Confederacy, Celestials and Star Empire. Disruption and influence over Sinaian politics is beyond our scope and -- very frankly -- not something we really want to deal with. We are up to our noses in other matters and we still have our patrons to please as well. Then there are other issues." The young woman sinks a little at other issues. "Anyway, not our or my problem right now. Not that I don't care about Sinai -- I do -- but out interaction is on other levels. Don't worry about us."
"Which brings up quarter number three," Aaron says. "I worry about you. And Hakeber. If you could get yourself hurt, there's no telling what sort of trouble Hakeber could get into. I want to check up on her as well, for my own peace of mind. Are you still in contact with her?"
The young woman's expression darkens at the mention of Hakeber. She notices it too late, too tired to catch her slip, and so leaves it be. "Hake-bear -- Scholar Hakeber -- has agreed to join me on my missions. She has an important role, but there were always risks. There always are risks. I don't like it, but Hake has suffered in her own way. Still, she'll probably be happy to see you, just don't press her on what's happened. She's still recovering." Sitting up again, Tasha lifts her head and barks, "Datapad!" There's a chirp from somewhere outside the bathroom. "Locator mode!" And so the chirp becomes incessant along with a low rumble. Witht that the young woman lowers herself back in to the tub. "Please get my datapad. I'll need it to reach Hake."
Aaron gets to his feet with a groan, and wanders out into the main room. It takes a few moments before he tracks down the pad in the pile of things Tasha shed. "Is it waterproof?" he asks as he brings the device back to Tasha.
"Uh-huh." Tasha holds her hands out, accepting the pad. She places her hand on its surface a moment, then lays it aside to balance on the tub's edge. "My authorization, communication mode. Harmonia relay, Bellerophon, internal network, Hakeber's datapad. Go." There's a beep and she turns to Aaron. "It'll take a little while. Anything else you have on your mind, Aaron?"
"Well.. the fourth quarter," Aaron says, leaning over to watch the screen. Then a window pops up with Hakeber's face in it. "Hey, are you back or waiting for pick up?" the young Karnor asks.
"I'm in the tub back in the Pit being accosted by a dusty bunny," Tasha replies. Hakeber's viw is mostly of the ceiling, though a familiar lapine face hovers to the side and the hybrid is quick to reach over so that Hakeber can see her wave. "He wants to say 'hi.'"
"He?" Hakeber asks, then grins. "Heeeey Aaron! Why are you taking a bath with Tasha? I don't get to do that! Wait.. that means you're in the Pit too! How long are you here for?"
"Technically I'm not taking a bath with her, I'm with her while she takes a bath," Aaron points out. "We've only ever showered together before, and that didn't even involve water. And I'm here.. until I want to go home again. I've got some stuff to.. uh.. work out."
"You gotta bring him to the Citadel, Tasha," Hakeber says. "Riddle's always bugging you about bringing her a buck, after all."
Tasha considers complaining about having to leave the tub but the water has grown cold and there is, as there always is, work to do. "Datapad. Ping Liza and Shojo's datapad, text to Liza: We're returning to the Citadel in ten minutes, please help me get ready. Test to Shojo: Leaving soon, ten minutes." The towel she laid over the bath is grabbed and so the young woman pulls herself out of the tub. "Well Aaron, looks like we're leaving. I'll carry you over."
"Wait, don't I get a bath?" the road-weary rabbit asks. "Or do you think I look more rugged this way?" he then asks. He does look 'rugged' in the sense of a rug that's been walked over a lot.
Tasha gestures at the vacated tub. "It's all yours, be ready in ten minutes." She tehn wraps the towel around herself and walks over to sit on the toilet seat, legs crossed, head on her hands. "Liza will be here in a moment to tend to me, she can get you too if we have time. We'll be bringing the sample with us. The Belle is docked at CItadel."
After looking at the cooled, dusty water.. Aaron goes to the sink instead and focuses on washing his face and ears. "Who is Liza?" he asks. "Another subordinate?"
"My personal assistant, my maid, and my omnipresent reminder I forgot to do something," the Cadet replies. "Right now that reminder is going to be that I didn't eat and I need to take better care of my hair."
Liza does show up in a few minutes, and freezes when she spots the strange Lapi and the floating backpack. "Is there an emergency, Tasha?" she asks. "You haven't eaten or slept yet."
"They want us back on the Belle. I think they're concerned about our time table for departure. That or they want to see if I broke anything. This is Aaron." Tasha gestures to the aforementioned Lapi. "He's, uh, he's like my uncle. You can thank him for how nice I am these days, among other things. We're catching up Hake wants to see him." And then she waves the same hand at the backpack. "And that's a sample we need to bring back. It's, um, you know, magicked."
With the mention of magic Liza actually seems to relax a bit. At least enough to ignore the backpack and go about Tasha's grooming. "Where did you find her?" Aaron has to ask, after doing what he can for his own fur. At least it's white again instead of slightly orange.
"Up north, in Titania. A little village outside the main wreckage site, in beautiful and cozy hotel. I was investigating the Titanic relics." Tasha takes to being groomed with patient -- if somewhat resigned -- comfort. From what Aaron remembers, it's a very different posture than when she had been subject to the same months ago. At the same time she keeps her head on her hand, staring both at and somehow through the man with a gaze that never seems entirely here. That, too, is new. "She did such a wonderful job I knew I had to have her with me and I just couldn't handle everything myself. Liza makes sure my mundane affairs are in order so I can focus on my work."
"Wow," Aaron replies. "That is.. really odd, I admit. You always seemed to enjoy the mundane affairs. It's worrisome that you need that much help. But.. well, probably too late to take the time off and go to charm school yourself."
"Tasha's schedule is both fluid and rigid," Liza comments, and uses some hairpins to quickly manage Tasha's mane. "Do you want your uniform for this?" she then asks her employer.
"Oh, probably," goes Tasha, which isn't entirely an answer so much as a probability of one. Luckily Liza knows that probably may as well be yes. It's a tired yes. "And don't worry about my, uh, refinement. I have Liza and Katie working on that. It's just I'm so busy. PAs and speeches don't come up nearly as much as 'Tasha, go fetch that artifact in the middle of nowhere.'"
"Hey, don't come down on fetching things from the middle of nowhere," Aaron says. "That was most of my life, after all."
Liza goes and fetches the clothing, then clears her throat loudly to get Aaron's attention. "Oh.. right, I'll wait in the room!" the buck says after finally getting the message. He grabs the backpack and pulls it behind him like a very odd balloon.
"He acts more like a brother than an uncle," Liza comments as she helps Tasha get dressed.
"It's most of my life too," Tasha points out. "That and puzzling out ancient mysteries, conspiracies, and ineracting with aliens. You didn't plan this somehow, did you?" Aaron gets a mock-suspicious look, then she sticks her tongue out at him before standing and holding her arms out. "Well, maybe a brother. The important part is that he was there for me when a lot of people wouldn't have given me a second glance except to see just how strange I look. He was willing to believe in me when I didn't believe in myself."
"So this is all his fault?" Liza asks with a smirk as she buttons Tasha up.
"I think so," Tasha agrees, sounding conspiratorial. "I might have been set up." Buttoned and ready to go, the hybrid offers Aaron a salute. "See, I clean up well too, at least when Liza's around. Liza, could you make Aaron more presentable? There are probably reporters lurking around."
"What's wrong with my rugged adventurer look?" Aaron asks, and pats himself down to loosen up more orange dust. "I even made sure to get an armored codpiece this time. Unless you think I need a sword?"
"I don't even use my sword that often," Tasha insists, which isn't much of an answer either. She wanders over to the door and waves people over. "Hokay, if that's it then, lets get going. Liza you're with Shojo, I'll carry Aaron. Gods know I've done it before."
After strapping into the backpack again, Aaron claims, "It will be a lot easier this time at least.."
Somehow, Bellerophon looks bigger in the Winged Citadel hangar than it did back on Tartarus. Mainly because things are a bit closer in the hangar. There's a bit of coughing when Hakeber hugs Tasha and Aaron, due to the buck still having a lot of dust to shake out. "You look like you still have all your original parts," Aaron notes to the Karnor, and actually smiles.
Tasha resists a teasing joke at Hakeber's expense, knowing to the wrong ears it'd come at her expense too -- if it stops there. "Hake has enviably been able to mostly stay away from having to do field work, at least field work that isn't in a place surrounded by books." She then gestures broadly at the Bellerophon, explaining, "We're based here until we have our own building. It puts us closer to a major distribution center, works for the Knights, and keeps us closer to 'the loop.'"
"And keeps Hakeber sober?" Aaron asks.. after sniffing the Karnor. "Huh.. you have a human boyfriend now, Hake?" he then asks.
Wide-eyed, Hakeber shakes her head. "What makes you think that?" she asks.
The Cadet coughs at that, trying very hard to resist grinning. "Wow Hake, I leave for a few weeks and things develope."
"When you live in a city like Rephidim, you learn a lot of scents," Aaron says, and taps his relatively small nose. "But it's not recent, more... a roommate?" He then looks to Tasha, and asks, "Is there a human in your crew now?"
"Some kind of human. Did you know humans have breeds, like Gallee do?" Tasha begins to walk and with that comes the inevitable wave for them to follow. "There's Cadet Celeste is on board, of course. She's nice, I like her."
"So you've actually started recruiting people?" Aaron asks. "What've you been up to that you get stay on the ship now, Hake?"
"Oh.. translations, mostly," the Karnor replies carefully. "I've got all sorts esoteric knowledge that is useless anywhere else."
"Oh sure. I know we're amazing and all, but we can't run everyting ourselves forever. Besides, we need to expand if we hope to make the JEF more robust and to take on new challenges. We're even thinking of expanding in to manfacturing, having a front office, R&D, that sort of thing. Really grow from a handful of people in to a solid organization." Clearly, Tasha has been learning from Katherine again; even Hakeber has never heard her reference to expansion as growing before. "And Hake helps us with strange new finds. Speaking of which, I'll need to detour once we're on board. I need to report to my, uh, co-worker."
"How's the rest of the.. crew?" Aaron asks, with a certain emphasis. "And where do you want this delivered?" He reaches back to pat his backpack to indicate what 'this' is.
"Oh the crew is as well as you'd expect. Lots of adjustments, lots of getting used to things. We had a scare a bit ago, but, uh, we mostly resolved that." Tasha pauses at the ramp, turning to the others. "Hake, take Aaron and grab Eli, won't you? He'll know which bay we're supposed to place the artifact, and probably want to examine it first anyway."
"He's probably down in one of the labs," Hakeber says, and tugs Aaron along. "Do you need me, or should I chaperone them?" Shojo asks.
"I need to review some things with you, so you're with me. If you're not up to anything weighty, though, I won't insist. You could get soem rest instead?" The hybrid replies, knowing she needs to tell the man as both her first Vartan experiment in dealing with Horus and because she's slowly acclimating him for what the future holds. Yet, she doesn't want to push too hard too fast. She's still learning the limits of leadership, both her ability and how far to push.
"I'm fine for now," Shojo claims.
"I can get you both something to eat," Liza notes. "Just tell me where to bring it."
Tasha nods, decidingto take his word for it. "Off we go then. Did you manage to read any of those books, did the elders tell you anything about my previous visits?" The Cadet pauses to exchange words with the sentries that always guard the ramp, returns their salute, then heads on up. "Liza, forward the food to the Titan Bay. We'll be working there. You'll need to get my OK to enter if the bulkhead doors are closed, since we'll be working in private."
The doe nods, and heads back towards the Citadel access areas.
Soon enough they're in the ship, Tasha and Shojo heading one way and Aaron and Hakeber the other. It isn't until Tasha has reached the Titan Bay and the bulkhead has thumped shut that the young woman turns to face Shojo. "Long explaination or short one?" She prompts, knowing they're both tired.
"Can I have both?" Shojo asks.
"Which first then?" Tasha asks with a smirk, knowing one logically would proceed the other.
"Short?" the Vartan suggests.
"I didn't come back from the Hall alone. I've been given a partner for the work that is to come. You know him. We all know him, in a way." The young woman glances back at the machine, then thumbs up at him over her shoulder. "The Melchior doesn't just resemble our maker anymore. Our uplifter. Deep inside, near the core, Horus Progenitor of Vartans and Vril-ya Archon is waiting for me."
"Why?" is the Shojo's eventual reply. It's impossible to tell what the man is actually thinking though, since his expression is fixed.
Thankfully Tasha is used to dealing with expressionless or emotions-challenge beings, or she might find herself struggling to formulate an appropriate response. "Because the universe has a problem. A big one. And because my pact with a being of the dark is complete. It needed to be completed, but Horus seems to have special interest in the results. Horus will also be joining us in space, he and I will be the core of our overall mission and the source of our tasks."
"And you trust him?" Shojo asks, turning to look at Tasha now.
Tasha arches a brow. The matter of trust hadn't occured to her. It's not that she trusts Horus, but rather that she didn't expect another Vartan to jump straight to the matter or trust regarding him. She had expected, on some level, a certain reverence or at least famlial appreciation. "Somewhat," she answers belatedly, having to really think on her answer. "I believe him when he says we -- Vartans -- are the one and only thing he is supremely concerned with. I get the impression he's wasted away and lingered in doubt and resentment for a long time. I think he needed to hear some hope, to see a new way to proceed and maybe to be reminded his children are more than trees in a forest. That his time isn't over, so long as he exists."
"What is his state, precisely?" Shojo asks. "Is he.." and here the Vartan pauses, and looks through the closed bulkhead doors. "Is he like the rest of the crew?" he asks. "Something between alive and a ghost?"
"He's an ember. The remains of a mightier being, but still himself. He is a Vril. The Vril are extra-universal beings that come from a reality very different from ours, a reality made of a kind of energy which he describes as: "The fire of the soul." A kind of burning light, but it's not light, and it's not fire, it's an energy foreign to our reality that can touch other souls, even things like concepts, matter, and other things besides. It can influence our reality and seems to be the source of their extraordinary abilities. But they can't exist as energy freely, it straisn them. They wear stonelike suits -- or maybe more like shiplike suits -- and reside in them. The Archons are like that. They're also beings who can merge and split with each other, losing and gaining individuality. Horus was created from Atum's vril-energy." As she talks, Tasha gestures back at her Titan and wonders if Horus can hear her. Unbound by conventional rules, she can't know the extent of his reach, nor his co
ntrol over the Titan.
"I did not get far into the old books," Shojo says. "There was reference to Nephilim, but I assumed at the time that was a term for the Ogdru-hem creatures, or something unrelated. They bred with Vartans to create giants. But the Archons are also giants."
Tasha blinks at this, it's been some time since she heard the word nephilim. In hindsight, she never was quite certain what it means. Still isn't. "It's probably another word for one of the many cross projects between the powers. Vril-ya, Ogdoad, First, Old, and so on. There's the Star Seeds and the Outsiders too. Anyway, if that's everything I need to fill Horus in, in case we need to change plans."
"What happened in that mountain?" Shojo asks. "Is there something about the completion of your pact that impacts us?"
"I met with a being from outside our reality, but not like the Vril. A dark being. I made a pact with it for the Origin Marker of Vartans and it marked me. It's why I can speak to certain beings, because their touch changes who they touch on a fundamental level. Until my pact was complete the being had some manner of hold over me and my soul. Horus ... Horus didn't want that to interfere." The young woamn straightens, reaching up to ub her neck where the bite had once marked her compact. She glances off, to the Melchior. "See, Shojo, I'd have died back there fighting the Seraph. Killed myself, really, fighting something I thought was a real threat to everyone. To stop it. And if Horus hadn't taken over the Melchior I'd be gone now, and maybe a lot would be worse besides. So he wants something from me and he's going to get it now that the dark being's hold is gone."
"But he doesn't have a pact with you," Shojo clarifies. "You just.. owe Horus for saving you?"
"That's about the whole of it. But I'm here to make this work and not just between Horus and I, or even Horus and Vartans. We must work together to deal with the bigger issue and for that I need his help and he probably needs mine. Besides, he did save me. I do owe him my life. The Progenitors don't interfere lightly," the young woman replies. "Sooo, I don't really know what he wants. But, I'm willing to work it out and give it to him. For everything, for us, and because I owe him."
"When he controlled Melchior," Shojo asks, "did it use up the last of his energy? Is that why he is just an ember, or does he have energy still that can be used?"
"I think he had a bit left, but not much. Not enough to do anything serious like operate a Titan sized Archon suit or ... Remember much. He's not in the best shape right now, but hopefully we can fix that with time. He probably lost much of his energy just existing, but also fighting, traveling, navigating all the dangers. I don't think he destroyed himself like Eve did, but he probably used some of his energy to make his child, Thoth, with Ahriman too." Tasha turns back to Shojo and nods a little. "I know what you're thinking, though. How useful can he be? Is he? I'm still working that out, but Atum thought he could do it, and his information and abilities are not something we can get anywhere else."
"It raises the question of.. well, if you had to, could you use up the last bit of him?" Shojo asks. His expression doesn't change, but there's just enough tremor in his voice and cadence that Tasha can tell the notion is upsetting to the man.
Tasha leans closer to Shojo, then squints. "Are you ... Do you think I'm trying to kill Horus? What for, why would I kill Horus? I didn't give him the big pep talk just to trick him, if that's what you're thinking!"
And then the young woamn leans back, eyes wide. "Is that the kind of person you think I am?"
"No," Shojo says, and even shakes his head. "But what if he asks you to? You said his only concern is for Vartans. Does that mean he would sacrifice what's left of himself for us?"
"I think it is important that you ask him that," the man adds.
"I don't need to." Tasha straightens, looking down at herself and tugging her uniform back in to place in the same way Gabriel tends to, and for similiar reasons. It's the officer's version of stalling for thought while putting on a good example. "I don't sacrifice people if I can help it, Shojo. He's our creator, our uplifter. Whatever else he wants, I'm not beholden to his wishes. I have to think about us, about Vartans, and about me. I've made the choice to throw someone I cared about away for the 'greater good' -- whatever that really is -- and now I wonder if it was the right choice. The best choice. I won't do it again, not if there's any other way. If our crazy old farther wants to do something crazy, then I'm going to darg him right back here and remind him his children don't want to lose him. He needs to understand us."
"He will want us to not need him," Shojo points out. "It is hard for parents to accept when that happens, but is also what they most want from their children I think. My parents don't know if I am still alive, but they were proud when I left on my own to join the Knights Templar. Because I took control of my life. Please keep this in mind when dealing with Horus."
"I told him once he belongs with us. That he can be with us without ever having to do anything. But if he won't believe, I'll just have to yell at him." Tasha reaches up and taps the Vartan side oher face. "Besides 'Grandpa Atum' gave me authority to shepard him. I'm not like the other Vartans, I have Atum's backing. Maybe that will be enough. Besides," the hand falls and she thumbs back at her Titan again, "I can be very pushy -- and nosy."
"I suppose pushiness will have to be enough then," Shojo says, and gives one of his practiced smiles. "What is my part in this? Do you need a sacrifice to contact him?"
"I prefer to sacrifice people who haven't been mentored by me. Otherwise it means more work." Tasha winks, then waves Shojo to follow her as she approaches the Titan, gesturing at it with the same hand later. "I just wanted you to know the score. See, I don't know how other Vartans will handle this if I ever have to reveal his presence and I anted to try with you, first. You're also going to come with me -- you are, aren't you? -- and you need to know how big things have gotten. Most of the crew will only know we're a mysterious ship with mysterious purpose, but for many of the inner circle, you're going to have to face things like this. I'll try and shield you guys, but I can't hide it all. I couldn't for Hake."
"I'm hardly a representative example of how Vartans will react," Shojo notes. "Very few are likely to remember Horus, much less worship him."
Tasha stops before the Titan, craning her next to look up. "But we're all Vartans, and deep down we all feel the tug of families and clans. Whether that makes us hate people like Blackwings did, or try to bring them together like I've done, we all feel it. Kem found his in the Phin, you in your work. It's what brings us together, that same feeling, even if the way we feel it is different. Horus is at the end of that road. It was his love for what we were and could be that made him chose us. Somewhere in Horus is the desire for that. And that is what will connect us to him."
"And you'll yell at him otherwise," Shojo adds.
"Hey, I did get told to by Atum. Well, it's more Atum said to see he completes his mission, but that's close right? Besides, I have his job now. If I'm going to have a god's job I want to have a god's ability to yell at people abd stick my nose in things. Plus extras." Shojo gets a wink, then Tasha waggles towards the bulkhead door. "Liza will be coming sooner or later, let her in will you? Go ahead and eat without me if you're hungry. If something bad happens, notify Remiel and the crew and drag me to sick bay. You know the drill." Shojo gets a pat on his arm, then the young woman is walking away and building speed.
Shojo dutifully goes to wait by the bulkhead door.
Soon Tasha is in the air, such as it is in the Titan Bay. It's a brief but somewhat harrowing flight to the top of the Titan, though the entry is considerably easier with the machine in its flight alignment. After dropping in to the cockpit, she seats herself and awaits the control arm. From there, it's a "Hi Mel," and a menu dive to the hidden place where Ser Heraphel once existed.
The borderless, white 'sea without lees' surrounds Tasha again, and as before she feels alone here, at least for the moment.
Tasha wonders if Horus chose not to meet her to mess with her somehow. She determined they definitely have some sort of power struggle between them, or at the very least a kind of butting of heads or battle of wills, despite their obstentesibly being on the same side with the same goal. It's made for an interesting exchange; the young woman must always be prepared to stand her ground in the face of a once mighty being, her species creator-uplifter no less. Even though the nature of Atum's request made this arrangement predictable, it's another thing to live it.
Tasha takes a moment to adjust her uniform again, then clear her throat. She doesn't want to appear nervous or give the impression that she's waiting on him, as Liza might wait on her. Equals, it must be about equals -- even if they're not. "I've returned," she announces. "I have information. Are you too busy to meet me? I can come back later, when I can spare the time."
What information do you bring? the voiceless voice asks.
"You're doing that 'voice from the sky' thing again. Atum didn't do that," Tasha insists, folding her arms. From the ground her own Titan rises, smoothly and seemlessly rising from the endless white floor until the head cleans and the outstretched hand intersects her feet, lifting her in the air as the Titan rises.
Is it so important that I be manifest? Horus asks. My body is long gone.
"I suppose not, it's just hard to look at nothing. Mel's usually the only voice in my head and even dark beings give me an avatar. We're very visual." But then the young woman shrugs her shoulders, settling down and leaning back against the replicated Melchior's lower thumb, arms behind her head. "But since w're being comfortable this time, hokay, have it your way. I'm going to lay down; I'm exhausted."
After wiggling a bit, inwardly amazed she even has to do that to get comfortable here, the Cadet gets situated and then gets down to business. "Alright. First, the Source said the Ogdoad can be defeated by eliminating their Ogdru-hem. I didn't likt that idea, so I asked if they could be freed. The problem is they're built to do it and will do it whether they're free or not, if the situation is right. And the Ogdoad only need a few."
Many have been destroyed by previous cycles of galactic civilization, Horus relays. However, they have also been used as an excuse for genocide against other starfaring species.
"I really wish that surprised me. It still makes me sick, though. It's even worse then you think the Ogdoad were probably happy with that outcome. Since we'll have to deal with the current Galactics our best option is to rely on my contacts and their contacts and to try and coordinate with Vulcan's children, the Titanians. I'm already considered an 'honorary' Titanian so I have some pull there too. I might be able to, um, leverage having Atum's authroity to get even more Titanian help." Tasha rolls her shoulders. "We'll see how that goes. Um. Lets see. I completed my obligation and the pact is complete. As you can see I wasn't eaten, so I guess we're friends? Strangely the Source gave me a warning before I left: Beware the empty places and the Darkness that Shine Brightly."
Sound advice, Horus claims. It is best that you have no liens on your soul before continuing.
"What does that mean, though? The empty places? Atum warned me about the Null, but all I know is that it's some sort of multi-reality wandering super entity. The god of the Waybuilders. We're supposed to be on the same side, but maybe it's so advanced it wouldn't even notice us?" Tasha unholds a hand to scratch her nose. Even here the dryness haunts her, if only because she must expect it. "And why did you want my soul free? What are you up to?"
The empty places are empty for a reason, and to be avoided, Horus claims. The Shining Darkness, the Null, is not complex, but fundamental to all existence.
Without your soul free, I could not fully trust you.
Tasha resists an eyeroll, not only because it would be rude but because she doesn't truly wish to offend Horus. Rib him, challenge him, perhaps. But not alienate or offend. "So, it's part of all realities then. Fundamental. Not a species that developed beyond the Waybuilders or one of them, but somehow part of everything." That's certainly weighty. She's met beings from other realities, but none one from all of them. It may well be what Katie considers to be a 'true god.'
Tasha considers this as she listen, then nods slowly. "I always wondered if I could trust myself after that, but the Source never pulled a trick on me and in the end didn't chose to devour me either. I know it considered it. I could feel it. I hope it considers us allies, or friends, if it understands what that means." Her head shakes. "Well, it's done. My soul is free, I've told you what I learned, and the advice. So that just leaves what you wanted from me; somethign you couldn't get while I had the pact?"
I wanted you to fulfill your obligation, Horus claims. After all, you are supposed to fulfill mine.
"Oh. Well that's a lot less ominous. And here I thought you wanted something you couldn't get from me otherwise. All that talk about saving my life and owing you. Well!" The Cadet sits up suddenly, stretching. "I guess that's that then!"
For the moment, yes, Horus replies.
"Well, great. Just don't expect me to let you die in some suicidal last stand or something like that. I keep my promises if I can, but I like keeping my family alive more." Tasha rises, reaching over to pat the Melchior's thumb. "You probably have a lot of important pseudo-god things to do, don't you? Unless you want to say 'hi' to Shojo?"
I can only communicate with you, in this place, Horus claims. I have nothing to do but wait. Time is not the same for me as for you.
"Too bad you and Mel can't talk, you have a lot in common right now. He'd probably just tell you all my bad qualities, though." Tasha looksa round, arms folded and head searching the nothingness for something else to say. Talking to Horus is somewhat stressful, it requires both effort and control despite the mask of bravdo and cheek. What's worse, she never quite knows where the balance is -- and there are many emotions and desires that pull her every which way. "If you do need anyting, let me know when I come back. Are you sure you can't get out? You can't even sit with all the other souls and soul-like beings I apparently carry around?"
I am not in your head, Tasha, Horus points out. You must bring your head to me.
"I just meant ... Nevermind!" Tasha waves it off with a hand, then begins loering herself -- and the entire Titan via sinking -- to the ground. "Then I'm off. It will be about two weeks relative time until we reach the Dark Horse. We'll be traveling through the Star Sea, out of Sifran Space, to Caltrop by Titanian dreadnought, and from there the Horse will be notified to meet us."
I will be here when you are ready to contact me again, Horus promises.
Tasha nods to this, now at ground level. She stuffs her hands in to her jacket, eyeing her hooves asthe nod progresses. "Um, well, here I go then. Don't, uh ... " Don't what? Be a stranger? Don't worry? Don't hesitate to mention if you need anything next time? Tasha doesn't know, so she just leaves it hanging. " ... See you later, Horus." And then she's gone.
Logfile from Amelia. (OOC) Log start: d:\logs\fenris\2016-09-22_newsandpreparations.htmlTravelling at maximum speed means doing without certain things - like freshly washed clothes or bodies. Shojo doesn't complain, however, even though he's burdened with a few extra pounds of books from the Storm Keep archives, each with information about ancient Varta and the Vartans. The only real break comes at Abu Dhabi, while Tasha gets them onto a sand trireme heading to Gateway. It's slower than the Titanian rocket-powered sled, but has the advantage of actually being in port and ready to sail.
The pre-prepared special passes get them through to Abaddon at the earliest opportunity, and a quick check with some contacts let Tasha know that the Dainty Mauler left a few days before - meaning they've gone fishing in the Star Sea again, and are likely at Caltrop to sell off most of it. She's gotten used to the relativity of time when it comes to the Star Sea, since the Mauler will always emerge from it at the same instant it entered, regardless of how long it spends fishing. It means she probably has a week to get ready before the Titanians return.
It's still another day of travel back to the Pit, arriving at the rimtop train depot well into the evening. Even Shojo seems worn by then, expressed by a further lack of expression - he's too tired to maintain the illusion of being normal by that point. At least getting down to Elamoore is just a matter of (mostly) gliding, and then trudging that last hundred yards to the door of her room in the Council building.
The door is opened by Liza, of course, who takes one quick look at Tasha and says, "I'll draw a bath for you. Will you need help pealing.. uh.. taking off your clothes?"
"Please," is all Tasha can really manage to say. They're part way through the 'unpeeling' process when she even thinks to add, "Check on Shojo after I'm settled; see if he needs anything. A meal and something to drink wouldn't hurt either." And then she's sinking in to the tub, her brain shutting down for the moment.
Even from the bathroom, Tasha can hear the door open and close as Liza goes to check on Shojo as requested. For the moment, Tasha is alone, and possibly thinking about dinner herself. After so long flying and trudging across Sinai (and Abaddon), this is the first real chance to relax since the Viceroy's party.
Once her subordinate is seen to, Tasha decides it'll be time to see to a meal herself. Whether to call on Liza or go fetch the meal herself remains up in the air as she lays back until just her head is above water. Normally she might be uncomfortable with her wings tucked so tightly beneath her -- and submerged to boot -- but any discomfort is brushed aside by the pure pleasure of letting the muscles soak in warm water. The feathers, well, she'll just have to preen and fan a while.
Now that she's comfortable the inevitable desire to reflect comes. As usual it's reflexive, unbidden, and somewhat unwelcome -- especially now that she's trying to relax. Yet, work never truly vanishes, it just waits patiently (or otherwise) for her to notice it again. I'm free of the pact. Horus will want to know. I need to inform him of what the Source said and decide what to do about the Ogdru-hem. He should know about the Source's warning, too. I need to finish up my introduction and in-or-out speech for the Horse's recruits. A week isn't a long time with travel. It'll be close.
Despite her musings, Tasha hears the door to the room open and close again. The water hasn't even begun to cool yet, so she can't have zoned out for very long. Or else Liza found Shojo passed out.
Despite Shojo's apparent toughness, Tasha worries about the man. There are depths to him she doesn't fully understand, both emotional depths and medical complexities she hasn't learned the limits of. She could have pushed him too far this time; she knows that even among Vartans such lengthy flighs are uncommon, even rare, reserved for special couriers, military scouts, reckless moments and other activities best left to the professional -- or the desperate. Then there's the psycological strain of what they're dealing with. She's learned to endure, and much of that the hard way through brushes with insanity and breakdown, while many of those under her command have yet to reach that point. She can only hope they can weather the storm -- or that her speech will scare away anyone who can't or won't.
There's some more sounds of movement, and then a voice from the door of the bathroom, saying, "First Ones, you really did blow yourself up!" It's a bit dry, but still a Lapi voice.
It makes Tasha reach for her clothes, where her utility knife rests. She doubts someone with ill intentions would announce themselves so loudly, but she doesn't like taking chances either. "Who's there?" She asks as she drapes a towel over the tub, her knife concealed beneath it along with her nakedness.
The intruder clears his throat a bit more, and his voice sounds familiar. "Someone who doesn't care if you're naked, Tasha," Aaron replies, and enters the bathroom fully. He looks a bit grizzled, and has an extremely oversized backpack. Despite the Abaddonian cloak, his face and hands aren't covered. He's looking at Tasha's taloned left hand though, his own black-furred left hand twitching a bit. It's an odd coincidence that the buck's black markings (left eye, hand, ear and foot) match up with Tasha's own Vartan bits. "Your mother didn't really do your new look justice in her description."
Tasha's expression cracks in to a smile in fits and starts, too dry and too tired to manage the change all at once. She isn't exactly sure she's really seeing Aaron or had fallen asleep, dreaming the meeting. Halucination, too, seems equally likely. As with much of her new life, she decides to go with it until circumstance suggest otherwise. "An old lizard tricked me and I fell for it, but at least I passed the test. Failure would have been worse. Hi, Aaron," she greets him. The knife gets dropped beside the tub and then the young woman begins to settle back again.
The buck unstraps his backpack.. which stays in place, floating in the air with the straps dangling down. Aaron ignores it and comes to sit kneel down next to the tub.. and feels over Tasha's transformed hand. "I don't know why I'm so shocked by this," he admits. "I never thought you'd get hurt."
Tasha eyes the floating pack for a moment, mentally cataloguing it away to join the assessments of place, resource, mysteries and biography. The impetus to record all, especially the useful, strange, or unknown is a skill that all explorers eventually develope. With that done, she lowers her gaze to her hand.
"It's a rough business some times." The explaination is casual, tired, but perhaps most startlingly to the older man: unconcerned, boardering on dismissive.
"Just so long as you still try to avoid as much roughness as you can," the Lapi adds in. "Are you happy?" he then asks.
Tasha thinks to comment on the avoiding of roughness, but lets it slide. She doesn't want to worry Aaron any more than he is already and if her hand is enough to startle him then the rest she decides is best left in the dark. She won't lie, but she doesn't have to volunteer either. "Right now?" It's an airy, distant reply.
Tasha knows what he means, faceciousness and exhaustion or no, heading off the counter by answering it first. "I think so, Aaron. The work I do matters. It matters to me and it matters to this world. I have people who love me, I have my friends, my career, I'm even fairly wealthy now." The last coming with a hint of surprise, even Tasha finds it hard to believe. Poverty seems to have been built in to her identity. "So, I think so. I think I'm happy. At least, I feel happy more than I used to. It's not all always that way." And so she wiggles her taloned hand.
"Alright, I suppose that means you're still fairly sane then," Aaron notes with a nod, then leans back after letting go of Tasha's hand. "You haven't asked why I'm here yet. Where you expecting me? Or did you notice me on the train?"
"It seems like a lot of things just happen. The why of it's only important if it is." The young woman reviews her words, finding them lacking but too tired to correct them. She knows Aaron is smart enough to get the gist of it, anyway, and so leaves them be. "Then you saw Shojo too. He's my subordinate." Her head tilts. Did she see the man? No. In hindsight she didn't see much of anything, lost to her thoughts and to the road.
"That other Vartan was with you?" Aaron asks. "A subordinate. I'm not sure how your mother would react to that. She sold the old bar to a Karnor with a peg-leg, by the way. Half of why I'm here: your mother is terrible at letter writing."
"She never really learned to write. Or read." And neither did Tasha. Prior to her contact with Nora's PersoCom and the memory download the hybrid could only partly speak Standard and could barely read and write. Vartan was her only fluently spoken language and even that was run through with accent and dockhand jive. That her mother did caution and relocated comes as welcome news. "Good, I'm glad she left the Fallen Friend behind. I'll miss the old tavern, but I won't miss the danger and the dirt. Mom's tough, but there's Tashly and the baby now. There's no reason to risk it anymore." A pause as she collects her thoughts, then, "Shojo's a good man. I have a whole crew now, Aaron. I own a ship. There's a lot that the papers and the official releases don't go in to, and we like it that way."
"Official releases?" Aaron asks. "I found a 'comic book' in Gateway about you fighting a giant monster. Anyway.. yeah, Tashly showed up at my door one day. My first instinct was to feed her. But she said you gave her my address, and.. a few weeks later, Desdimona is part owner of Pub Science 101, the only bar in the Scholar's Quarter. She still works the bar every so often, even though there are mages that come there to drink. Tashly doesn't get groped as much there either, apparently, but does get bigger tips. They're both house-sitting for me. So.. I'm here to let you know how they're doing now."
"Well.. that's a quarter of the reason I'm here, anyway.." the buck adds.
This makes Tasha smile that much moreand with correspondingly greater effort. She had considered using her newfound wealth and influence to improve their situation outright, but knew the effort was doomed to failure. Her mother would have neither accepted nor understood her daughter's newfound wealth and power -- and if she did there would be a cost in worry. Instead she opted for the Vartan arguement of family while manuvering just enough on her side. If things had gone worse, she'd have pushed harder. She certain there are Abaddonian elements that would love to have a inconspicuous meeting location on Rephidim Sky Island and she knows their benefactors would pay well for the priviledge. "Oh?" Her eyes crack open; she isn't quite sure when they closed.
But then Tasha remembers there were other questions. It seems so easy to let more trivial matters slide when you're tired and have considerably more weighty matters to attend to. "The official releases, government and news. I'm just Pilot-Cadet Argentine to the world and we keep the more sensitive information in the dark. It's necessary. It's good. I like the comic, but I like being Pilot-Cadet Argentine, junior member of a paramilitary multi-national organization and not terribly important more."
"Ah.. so politics and stuff," Aaron says. "I didn't realize the public followed any of that here. But I just got back. I did visit Caroban though on business, and ran into an old friend. We shared what we'd been up to over dinner. Between her interesting friends and mine, you came up. Which is another quarter of the puzzle - that thing." He points to the hovering backpack. "You sent her something to play with, she did something with it, and now I'm bringing it back."
"Ah. The topogoric must be translating. But what?" Tasha sits up, elbow planted on the side of the tub as she rests her head on the hand and examines the backpack. "Mages. Obviously it's pulling from the SPF, either enacted actual power or direct influence. Eli's going to be excited and think of the manfacturing potential."
"I just left it running because the pack was heavy," Aaron notes. "Iona didn't really want other mages transporting it. Something to do with the techniques she used and mage politics. I know they did a lot with gravity manipulation when they were building up Caroban, but I've never seen this sort of enchantment before. If it could scale up.. it'd be a pretty big deal. Maybe too big of a deal though."
"Everything is too big until it isn't," Tasha insists, waving the matter of metaphorical largness of with both hand and word. "The world will adapt and if it can't the application can be specialized until it can. Our ancestors learned to use gravity manipulation technologies and so can these worlds."
"You don't understand Mages Guild politics though," Aaron says. "When airships started using mechanical engines, there was talk about limiting helium to just those ships that used Air Mages. Of course, it turns out that engines need regular enchantment by Chaos Mages, so the Guild didn't execute their plan. Otherwise the airships using combustion engines would be forced to use hydrogen in their gas cells. Engines that might explode if they're being run too close to the surface. So.. magic that can replace the gas cells means a lot of lost Air Mage income, and so on. Mages still have to listen to the Guild. It's also problematical because of the source of Iona's technique.. but, you should get the picture by now. This stuff isn't likely to be used on Sinai."
"That's acceptable." Another wave of the hand. "We're not chartered to share technologies with Sinai, only Abaddon and then only with the Expedition, Confederacy, Celestials and Star Empire. Disruption and influence over Sinaian politics is beyond our scope and -- very frankly -- not something we really want to deal with. We are up to our noses in other matters and we still have our patrons to please as well. Then there are other issues." The young woman sinks a little at other issues. "Anyway, not our or my problem right now. Not that I don't care about Sinai -- I do -- but out interaction is on other levels. Don't worry about us."
"Which brings up quarter number three," Aaron says. "I worry about you. And Hakeber. If you could get yourself hurt, there's no telling what sort of trouble Hakeber could get into. I want to check up on her as well, for my own peace of mind. Are you still in contact with her?"
The young woman's expression darkens at the mention of Hakeber. She notices it too late, too tired to catch her slip, and so leaves it be. "Hake-bear -- Scholar Hakeber -- has agreed to join me on my missions. She has an important role, but there were always risks. There always are risks. I don't like it, but Hake has suffered in her own way. Still, she'll probably be happy to see you, just don't press her on what's happened. She's still recovering." Sitting up again, Tasha lifts her head and barks, "Datapad!" There's a chirp from somewhere outside the bathroom. "Locator mode!" And so the chirp becomes incessant along with a low rumble. Witht that the young woman lowers herself back in to the tub. "Please get my datapad. I'll need it to reach Hake."
Aaron gets to his feet with a groan, and wanders out into the main room. It takes a few moments before he tracks down the pad in the pile of things Tasha shed. "Is it waterproof?" he asks as he brings the device back to Tasha.
"Uh-huh." Tasha holds her hands out, accepting the pad. She places her hand on its surface a moment, then lays it aside to balance on the tub's edge. "My authorization, communication mode. Harmonia relay, Bellerophon, internal network, Hakeber's datapad. Go." There's a beep and she turns to Aaron. "It'll take a little while. Anything else you have on your mind, Aaron?"
"Well.. the fourth quarter," Aaron says, leaning over to watch the screen. Then a window pops up with Hakeber's face in it. "Hey, are you back or waiting for pick up?" the young Karnor asks.
"I'm in the tub back in the Pit being accosted by a dusty bunny," Tasha replies. Hakeber's viw is mostly of the ceiling, though a familiar lapine face hovers to the side and the hybrid is quick to reach over so that Hakeber can see her wave. "He wants to say 'hi.'"
"He?" Hakeber asks, then grins. "Heeeey Aaron! Why are you taking a bath with Tasha? I don't get to do that! Wait.. that means you're in the Pit too! How long are you here for?"
"Technically I'm not taking a bath with her, I'm with her while she takes a bath," Aaron points out. "We've only ever showered together before, and that didn't even involve water. And I'm here.. until I want to go home again. I've got some stuff to.. uh.. work out."
"You gotta bring him to the Citadel, Tasha," Hakeber says. "Riddle's always bugging you about bringing her a buck, after all."
Tasha considers complaining about having to leave the tub but the water has grown cold and there is, as there always is, work to do. "Datapad. Ping Liza and Shojo's datapad, text to Liza: We're returning to the Citadel in ten minutes, please help me get ready. Test to Shojo: Leaving soon, ten minutes." The towel she laid over the bath is grabbed and so the young woman pulls herself out of the tub. "Well Aaron, looks like we're leaving. I'll carry you over."
"Wait, don't I get a bath?" the road-weary rabbit asks. "Or do you think I look more rugged this way?" he then asks. He does look 'rugged' in the sense of a rug that's been walked over a lot.
Tasha gestures at the vacated tub. "It's all yours, be ready in ten minutes." She tehn wraps the towel around herself and walks over to sit on the toilet seat, legs crossed, head on her hands. "Liza will be here in a moment to tend to me, she can get you too if we have time. We'll be bringing the sample with us. The Belle is docked at CItadel."
After looking at the cooled, dusty water.. Aaron goes to the sink instead and focuses on washing his face and ears. "Who is Liza?" he asks. "Another subordinate?"
"My personal assistant, my maid, and my omnipresent reminder I forgot to do something," the Cadet replies. "Right now that reminder is going to be that I didn't eat and I need to take better care of my hair."
Liza does show up in a few minutes, and freezes when she spots the strange Lapi and the floating backpack. "Is there an emergency, Tasha?" she asks. "You haven't eaten or slept yet."
"They want us back on the Belle. I think they're concerned about our time table for departure. That or they want to see if I broke anything. This is Aaron." Tasha gestures to the aforementioned Lapi. "He's, uh, he's like my uncle. You can thank him for how nice I am these days, among other things. We're catching up Hake wants to see him." And then she waves the same hand at the backpack. "And that's a sample we need to bring back. It's, um, you know, magicked."
With the mention of magic Liza actually seems to relax a bit. At least enough to ignore the backpack and go about Tasha's grooming. "Where did you find her?" Aaron has to ask, after doing what he can for his own fur. At least it's white again instead of slightly orange.
"Up north, in Titania. A little village outside the main wreckage site, in beautiful and cozy hotel. I was investigating the Titanic relics." Tasha takes to being groomed with patient -- if somewhat resigned -- comfort. From what Aaron remembers, it's a very different posture than when she had been subject to the same months ago. At the same time she keeps her head on her hand, staring both at and somehow through the man with a gaze that never seems entirely here. That, too, is new. "She did such a wonderful job I knew I had to have her with me and I just couldn't handle everything myself. Liza makes sure my mundane affairs are in order so I can focus on my work."
"Wow," Aaron replies. "That is.. really odd, I admit. You always seemed to enjoy the mundane affairs. It's worrisome that you need that much help. But.. well, probably too late to take the time off and go to charm school yourself."
"Tasha's schedule is both fluid and rigid," Liza comments, and uses some hairpins to quickly manage Tasha's mane. "Do you want your uniform for this?" she then asks her employer.
"Oh, probably," goes Tasha, which isn't entirely an answer so much as a probability of one. Luckily Liza knows that probably may as well be yes. It's a tired yes. "And don't worry about my, uh, refinement. I have Liza and Katie working on that. It's just I'm so busy. PAs and speeches don't come up nearly as much as 'Tasha, go fetch that artifact in the middle of nowhere.'"
"Hey, don't come down on fetching things from the middle of nowhere," Aaron says. "That was most of my life, after all."
Liza goes and fetches the clothing, then clears her throat loudly to get Aaron's attention. "Oh.. right, I'll wait in the room!" the buck says after finally getting the message. He grabs the backpack and pulls it behind him like a very odd balloon.
"He acts more like a brother than an uncle," Liza comments as she helps Tasha get dressed.
"It's most of my life too," Tasha points out. "That and puzzling out ancient mysteries, conspiracies, and ineracting with aliens. You didn't plan this somehow, did you?" Aaron gets a mock-suspicious look, then she sticks her tongue out at him before standing and holding her arms out. "Well, maybe a brother. The important part is that he was there for me when a lot of people wouldn't have given me a second glance except to see just how strange I look. He was willing to believe in me when I didn't believe in myself."
"So this is all his fault?" Liza asks with a smirk as she buttons Tasha up.
"I think so," Tasha agrees, sounding conspiratorial. "I might have been set up." Buttoned and ready to go, the hybrid offers Aaron a salute. "See, I clean up well too, at least when Liza's around. Liza, could you make Aaron more presentable? There are probably reporters lurking around."
"What's wrong with my rugged adventurer look?" Aaron asks, and pats himself down to loosen up more orange dust. "I even made sure to get an armored codpiece this time. Unless you think I need a sword?"
"I don't even use my sword that often," Tasha insists, which isn't much of an answer either. She wanders over to the door and waves people over. "Hokay, if that's it then, lets get going. Liza you're with Shojo, I'll carry Aaron. Gods know I've done it before."
After strapping into the backpack again, Aaron claims, "It will be a lot easier this time at least.."
Somehow, Bellerophon looks bigger in the Winged Citadel hangar than it did back on Tartarus. Mainly because things are a bit closer in the hangar. There's a bit of coughing when Hakeber hugs Tasha and Aaron, due to the buck still having a lot of dust to shake out. "You look like you still have all your original parts," Aaron notes to the Karnor, and actually smiles.
Tasha resists a teasing joke at Hakeber's expense, knowing to the wrong ears it'd come at her expense too -- if it stops there. "Hake has enviably been able to mostly stay away from having to do field work, at least field work that isn't in a place surrounded by books." She then gestures broadly at the Bellerophon, explaining, "We're based here until we have our own building. It puts us closer to a major distribution center, works for the Knights, and keeps us closer to 'the loop.'"
"And keeps Hakeber sober?" Aaron asks.. after sniffing the Karnor. "Huh.. you have a human boyfriend now, Hake?" he then asks.
Wide-eyed, Hakeber shakes her head. "What makes you think that?" she asks.
The Cadet coughs at that, trying very hard to resist grinning. "Wow Hake, I leave for a few weeks and things develope."
"When you live in a city like Rephidim, you learn a lot of scents," Aaron says, and taps his relatively small nose. "But it's not recent, more... a roommate?" He then looks to Tasha, and asks, "Is there a human in your crew now?"
"Some kind of human. Did you know humans have breeds, like Gallee do?" Tasha begins to walk and with that comes the inevitable wave for them to follow. "There's Cadet Celeste is on board, of course. She's nice, I like her."
"So you've actually started recruiting people?" Aaron asks. "What've you been up to that you get stay on the ship now, Hake?"
"Oh.. translations, mostly," the Karnor replies carefully. "I've got all sorts esoteric knowledge that is useless anywhere else."
"Oh sure. I know we're amazing and all, but we can't run everyting ourselves forever. Besides, we need to expand if we hope to make the JEF more robust and to take on new challenges. We're even thinking of expanding in to manfacturing, having a front office, R&D, that sort of thing. Really grow from a handful of people in to a solid organization." Clearly, Tasha has been learning from Katherine again; even Hakeber has never heard her reference to expansion as growing before. "And Hake helps us with strange new finds. Speaking of which, I'll need to detour once we're on board. I need to report to my, uh, co-worker."
"How's the rest of the.. crew?" Aaron asks, with a certain emphasis. "And where do you want this delivered?" He reaches back to pat his backpack to indicate what 'this' is.
"Oh the crew is as well as you'd expect. Lots of adjustments, lots of getting used to things. We had a scare a bit ago, but, uh, we mostly resolved that." Tasha pauses at the ramp, turning to the others. "Hake, take Aaron and grab Eli, won't you? He'll know which bay we're supposed to place the artifact, and probably want to examine it first anyway."
"He's probably down in one of the labs," Hakeber says, and tugs Aaron along. "Do you need me, or should I chaperone them?" Shojo asks.
"I need to review some things with you, so you're with me. If you're not up to anything weighty, though, I won't insist. You could get soem rest instead?" The hybrid replies, knowing she needs to tell the man as both her first Vartan experiment in dealing with Horus and because she's slowly acclimating him for what the future holds. Yet, she doesn't want to push too hard too fast. She's still learning the limits of leadership, both her ability and how far to push.
"I'm fine for now," Shojo claims.
"I can get you both something to eat," Liza notes. "Just tell me where to bring it."
Tasha nods, decidingto take his word for it. "Off we go then. Did you manage to read any of those books, did the elders tell you anything about my previous visits?" The Cadet pauses to exchange words with the sentries that always guard the ramp, returns their salute, then heads on up. "Liza, forward the food to the Titan Bay. We'll be working there. You'll need to get my OK to enter if the bulkhead doors are closed, since we'll be working in private."
The doe nods, and heads back towards the Citadel access areas.
Soon enough they're in the ship, Tasha and Shojo heading one way and Aaron and Hakeber the other. It isn't until Tasha has reached the Titan Bay and the bulkhead has thumped shut that the young woman turns to face Shojo. "Long explaination or short one?" She prompts, knowing they're both tired.
"Can I have both?" Shojo asks.
"Which first then?" Tasha asks with a smirk, knowing one logically would proceed the other.
"Short?" the Vartan suggests.
"I didn't come back from the Hall alone. I've been given a partner for the work that is to come. You know him. We all know him, in a way." The young woman glances back at the machine, then thumbs up at him over her shoulder. "The Melchior doesn't just resemble our maker anymore. Our uplifter. Deep inside, near the core, Horus Progenitor of Vartans and Vril-ya Archon is waiting for me."
"Why?" is the Shojo's eventual reply. It's impossible to tell what the man is actually thinking though, since his expression is fixed.
Thankfully Tasha is used to dealing with expressionless or emotions-challenge beings, or she might find herself struggling to formulate an appropriate response. "Because the universe has a problem. A big one. And because my pact with a being of the dark is complete. It needed to be completed, but Horus seems to have special interest in the results. Horus will also be joining us in space, he and I will be the core of our overall mission and the source of our tasks."
"And you trust him?" Shojo asks, turning to look at Tasha now.
Tasha arches a brow. The matter of trust hadn't occured to her. It's not that she trusts Horus, but rather that she didn't expect another Vartan to jump straight to the matter or trust regarding him. She had expected, on some level, a certain reverence or at least famlial appreciation. "Somewhat," she answers belatedly, having to really think on her answer. "I believe him when he says we -- Vartans -- are the one and only thing he is supremely concerned with. I get the impression he's wasted away and lingered in doubt and resentment for a long time. I think he needed to hear some hope, to see a new way to proceed and maybe to be reminded his children are more than trees in a forest. That his time isn't over, so long as he exists."
"What is his state, precisely?" Shojo asks. "Is he.." and here the Vartan pauses, and looks through the closed bulkhead doors. "Is he like the rest of the crew?" he asks. "Something between alive and a ghost?"
"He's an ember. The remains of a mightier being, but still himself. He is a Vril. The Vril are extra-universal beings that come from a reality very different from ours, a reality made of a kind of energy which he describes as: "The fire of the soul." A kind of burning light, but it's not light, and it's not fire, it's an energy foreign to our reality that can touch other souls, even things like concepts, matter, and other things besides. It can influence our reality and seems to be the source of their extraordinary abilities. But they can't exist as energy freely, it straisn them. They wear stonelike suits -- or maybe more like shiplike suits -- and reside in them. The Archons are like that. They're also beings who can merge and split with each other, losing and gaining individuality. Horus was created from Atum's vril-energy." As she talks, Tasha gestures back at her Titan and wonders if Horus can hear her. Unbound by conventional rules, she can't know the extent of his reach, nor his co
ntrol over the Titan.
"I did not get far into the old books," Shojo says. "There was reference to Nephilim, but I assumed at the time that was a term for the Ogdru-hem creatures, or something unrelated. They bred with Vartans to create giants. But the Archons are also giants."
Tasha blinks at this, it's been some time since she heard the word nephilim. In hindsight, she never was quite certain what it means. Still isn't. "It's probably another word for one of the many cross projects between the powers. Vril-ya, Ogdoad, First, Old, and so on. There's the Star Seeds and the Outsiders too. Anyway, if that's everything I need to fill Horus in, in case we need to change plans."
"What happened in that mountain?" Shojo asks. "Is there something about the completion of your pact that impacts us?"
"I met with a being from outside our reality, but not like the Vril. A dark being. I made a pact with it for the Origin Marker of Vartans and it marked me. It's why I can speak to certain beings, because their touch changes who they touch on a fundamental level. Until my pact was complete the being had some manner of hold over me and my soul. Horus ... Horus didn't want that to interfere." The young woamn straightens, reaching up to ub her neck where the bite had once marked her compact. She glances off, to the Melchior. "See, Shojo, I'd have died back there fighting the Seraph. Killed myself, really, fighting something I thought was a real threat to everyone. To stop it. And if Horus hadn't taken over the Melchior I'd be gone now, and maybe a lot would be worse besides. So he wants something from me and he's going to get it now that the dark being's hold is gone."
"But he doesn't have a pact with you," Shojo clarifies. "You just.. owe Horus for saving you?"
"That's about the whole of it. But I'm here to make this work and not just between Horus and I, or even Horus and Vartans. We must work together to deal with the bigger issue and for that I need his help and he probably needs mine. Besides, he did save me. I do owe him my life. The Progenitors don't interfere lightly," the young woman replies. "Sooo, I don't really know what he wants. But, I'm willing to work it out and give it to him. For everything, for us, and because I owe him."
"When he controlled Melchior," Shojo asks, "did it use up the last of his energy? Is that why he is just an ember, or does he have energy still that can be used?"
"I think he had a bit left, but not much. Not enough to do anything serious like operate a Titan sized Archon suit or ... Remember much. He's not in the best shape right now, but hopefully we can fix that with time. He probably lost much of his energy just existing, but also fighting, traveling, navigating all the dangers. I don't think he destroyed himself like Eve did, but he probably used some of his energy to make his child, Thoth, with Ahriman too." Tasha turns back to Shojo and nods a little. "I know what you're thinking, though. How useful can he be? Is he? I'm still working that out, but Atum thought he could do it, and his information and abilities are not something we can get anywhere else."
"It raises the question of.. well, if you had to, could you use up the last bit of him?" Shojo asks. His expression doesn't change, but there's just enough tremor in his voice and cadence that Tasha can tell the notion is upsetting to the man.
Tasha leans closer to Shojo, then squints. "Are you ... Do you think I'm trying to kill Horus? What for, why would I kill Horus? I didn't give him the big pep talk just to trick him, if that's what you're thinking!"
And then the young woamn leans back, eyes wide. "Is that the kind of person you think I am?"
"No," Shojo says, and even shakes his head. "But what if he asks you to? You said his only concern is for Vartans. Does that mean he would sacrifice what's left of himself for us?"
"I think it is important that you ask him that," the man adds.
"I don't need to." Tasha straightens, looking down at herself and tugging her uniform back in to place in the same way Gabriel tends to, and for similiar reasons. It's the officer's version of stalling for thought while putting on a good example. "I don't sacrifice people if I can help it, Shojo. He's our creator, our uplifter. Whatever else he wants, I'm not beholden to his wishes. I have to think about us, about Vartans, and about me. I've made the choice to throw someone I cared about away for the 'greater good' -- whatever that really is -- and now I wonder if it was the right choice. The best choice. I won't do it again, not if there's any other way. If our crazy old farther wants to do something crazy, then I'm going to darg him right back here and remind him his children don't want to lose him. He needs to understand us."
"He will want us to not need him," Shojo points out. "It is hard for parents to accept when that happens, but is also what they most want from their children I think. My parents don't know if I am still alive, but they were proud when I left on my own to join the Knights Templar. Because I took control of my life. Please keep this in mind when dealing with Horus."
"I told him once he belongs with us. That he can be with us without ever having to do anything. But if he won't believe, I'll just have to yell at him." Tasha reaches up and taps the Vartan side oher face. "Besides 'Grandpa Atum' gave me authority to shepard him. I'm not like the other Vartans, I have Atum's backing. Maybe that will be enough. Besides," the hand falls and she thumbs back at her Titan again, "I can be very pushy -- and nosy."
"I suppose pushiness will have to be enough then," Shojo says, and gives one of his practiced smiles. "What is my part in this? Do you need a sacrifice to contact him?"
"I prefer to sacrifice people who haven't been mentored by me. Otherwise it means more work." Tasha winks, then waves Shojo to follow her as she approaches the Titan, gesturing at it with the same hand later. "I just wanted you to know the score. See, I don't know how other Vartans will handle this if I ever have to reveal his presence and I anted to try with you, first. You're also going to come with me -- you are, aren't you? -- and you need to know how big things have gotten. Most of the crew will only know we're a mysterious ship with mysterious purpose, but for many of the inner circle, you're going to have to face things like this. I'll try and shield you guys, but I can't hide it all. I couldn't for Hake."
"I'm hardly a representative example of how Vartans will react," Shojo notes. "Very few are likely to remember Horus, much less worship him."
Tasha stops before the Titan, craning her next to look up. "But we're all Vartans, and deep down we all feel the tug of families and clans. Whether that makes us hate people like Blackwings did, or try to bring them together like I've done, we all feel it. Kem found his in the Phin, you in your work. It's what brings us together, that same feeling, even if the way we feel it is different. Horus is at the end of that road. It was his love for what we were and could be that made him chose us. Somewhere in Horus is the desire for that. And that is what will connect us to him."
"And you'll yell at him otherwise," Shojo adds.
"Hey, I did get told to by Atum. Well, it's more Atum said to see he completes his mission, but that's close right? Besides, I have his job now. If I'm going to have a god's job I want to have a god's ability to yell at people abd stick my nose in things. Plus extras." Shojo gets a wink, then Tasha waggles towards the bulkhead door. "Liza will be coming sooner or later, let her in will you? Go ahead and eat without me if you're hungry. If something bad happens, notify Remiel and the crew and drag me to sick bay. You know the drill." Shojo gets a pat on his arm, then the young woman is walking away and building speed.
Shojo dutifully goes to wait by the bulkhead door.
Soon Tasha is in the air, such as it is in the Titan Bay. It's a brief but somewhat harrowing flight to the top of the Titan, though the entry is considerably easier with the machine in its flight alignment. After dropping in to the cockpit, she seats herself and awaits the control arm. From there, it's a "Hi Mel," and a menu dive to the hidden place where Ser Heraphel once existed.
The borderless, white 'sea without lees' surrounds Tasha again, and as before she feels alone here, at least for the moment.
Tasha wonders if Horus chose not to meet her to mess with her somehow. She determined they definitely have some sort of power struggle between them, or at the very least a kind of butting of heads or battle of wills, despite their obstentesibly being on the same side with the same goal. It's made for an interesting exchange; the young woman must always be prepared to stand her ground in the face of a once mighty being, her species creator-uplifter no less. Even though the nature of Atum's request made this arrangement predictable, it's another thing to live it.
Tasha takes a moment to adjust her uniform again, then clear her throat. She doesn't want to appear nervous or give the impression that she's waiting on him, as Liza might wait on her. Equals, it must be about equals -- even if they're not. "I've returned," she announces. "I have information. Are you too busy to meet me? I can come back later, when I can spare the time."
What information do you bring? the voiceless voice asks.
"You're doing that 'voice from the sky' thing again. Atum didn't do that," Tasha insists, folding her arms. From the ground her own Titan rises, smoothly and seemlessly rising from the endless white floor until the head cleans and the outstretched hand intersects her feet, lifting her in the air as the Titan rises.
Is it so important that I be manifest? Horus asks. My body is long gone.
"I suppose not, it's just hard to look at nothing. Mel's usually the only voice in my head and even dark beings give me an avatar. We're very visual." But then the young woman shrugs her shoulders, settling down and leaning back against the replicated Melchior's lower thumb, arms behind her head. "But since w're being comfortable this time, hokay, have it your way. I'm going to lay down; I'm exhausted."
After wiggling a bit, inwardly amazed she even has to do that to get comfortable here, the Cadet gets situated and then gets down to business. "Alright. First, the Source said the Ogdoad can be defeated by eliminating their Ogdru-hem. I didn't likt that idea, so I asked if they could be freed. The problem is they're built to do it and will do it whether they're free or not, if the situation is right. And the Ogdoad only need a few."
Many have been destroyed by previous cycles of galactic civilization, Horus relays. However, they have also been used as an excuse for genocide against other starfaring species.
"I really wish that surprised me. It still makes me sick, though. It's even worse then you think the Ogdoad were probably happy with that outcome. Since we'll have to deal with the current Galactics our best option is to rely on my contacts and their contacts and to try and coordinate with Vulcan's children, the Titanians. I'm already considered an 'honorary' Titanian so I have some pull there too. I might be able to, um, leverage having Atum's authroity to get even more Titanian help." Tasha rolls her shoulders. "We'll see how that goes. Um. Lets see. I completed my obligation and the pact is complete. As you can see I wasn't eaten, so I guess we're friends? Strangely the Source gave me a warning before I left: Beware the empty places and the Darkness that Shine Brightly."
Sound advice, Horus claims. It is best that you have no liens on your soul before continuing.
"What does that mean, though? The empty places? Atum warned me about the Null, but all I know is that it's some sort of multi-reality wandering super entity. The god of the Waybuilders. We're supposed to be on the same side, but maybe it's so advanced it wouldn't even notice us?" Tasha unholds a hand to scratch her nose. Even here the dryness haunts her, if only because she must expect it. "And why did you want my soul free? What are you up to?"
The empty places are empty for a reason, and to be avoided, Horus claims. The Shining Darkness, the Null, is not complex, but fundamental to all existence.
Without your soul free, I could not fully trust you.
Tasha resists an eyeroll, not only because it would be rude but because she doesn't truly wish to offend Horus. Rib him, challenge him, perhaps. But not alienate or offend. "So, it's part of all realities then. Fundamental. Not a species that developed beyond the Waybuilders or one of them, but somehow part of everything." That's certainly weighty. She's met beings from other realities, but none one from all of them. It may well be what Katie considers to be a 'true god.'
Tasha considers this as she listen, then nods slowly. "I always wondered if I could trust myself after that, but the Source never pulled a trick on me and in the end didn't chose to devour me either. I know it considered it. I could feel it. I hope it considers us allies, or friends, if it understands what that means." Her head shakes. "Well, it's done. My soul is free, I've told you what I learned, and the advice. So that just leaves what you wanted from me; somethign you couldn't get while I had the pact?"
I wanted you to fulfill your obligation, Horus claims. After all, you are supposed to fulfill mine.
"Oh. Well that's a lot less ominous. And here I thought you wanted something you couldn't get from me otherwise. All that talk about saving my life and owing you. Well!" The Cadet sits up suddenly, stretching. "I guess that's that then!"
For the moment, yes, Horus replies.
"Well, great. Just don't expect me to let you die in some suicidal last stand or something like that. I keep my promises if I can, but I like keeping my family alive more." Tasha rises, reaching over to pat the Melchior's thumb. "You probably have a lot of important pseudo-god things to do, don't you? Unless you want to say 'hi' to Shojo?"
I can only communicate with you, in this place, Horus claims. I have nothing to do but wait. Time is not the same for me as for you.
"Too bad you and Mel can't talk, you have a lot in common right now. He'd probably just tell you all my bad qualities, though." Tasha looksa round, arms folded and head searching the nothingness for something else to say. Talking to Horus is somewhat stressful, it requires both effort and control despite the mask of bravdo and cheek. What's worse, she never quite knows where the balance is -- and there are many emotions and desires that pull her every which way. "If you do need anyting, let me know when I come back. Are you sure you can't get out? You can't even sit with all the other souls and soul-like beings I apparently carry around?"
I am not in your head, Tasha, Horus points out. You must bring your head to me.
"I just meant ... Nevermind!" Tasha waves it off with a hand, then begins loering herself -- and the entire Titan via sinking -- to the ground. "Then I'm off. It will be about two weeks relative time until we reach the Dark Horse. We'll be traveling through the Star Sea, out of Sifran Space, to Caltrop by Titanian dreadnought, and from there the Horse will be notified to meet us."
I will be here when you are ready to contact me again, Horus promises.
Tasha nods to this, now at ground level. She stuffs her hands in to her jacket, eyeing her hooves asthe nod progresses. "Um, well, here I go then. Don't, uh ... " Don't what? Be a stranger? Don't worry? Don't hesitate to mention if you need anything next time? Tasha doesn't know, so she just leaves it hanging. " ... See you later, Horus." And then she's gone.