Tasha probably didn't think she'd be able to get to sleep at all when she returned to the cottage, but once she actually crossed the threshold she felt like she hadn't slept for a week. Only this time she didn't oversleep, so didn't miss breakfast.
"Welcome back to the land of the living and might-as-well-be-living," Katie greets Tasha at the breakfast table. "Are you a changeling this time? I'm going to keep asking that you know. What was the rule, Hakeber?"
"Wuff?" Hakeber grunts, looking up from the pile of food. "Oh.. uh, make her say it three times."
"It, it, it," Tasha repeats three times while searching out a plate. After finding one, she starts piling the plate with pancakes, sausages, and jam, which she rolls in to dogs-in-a-bun, being glad there's only Karnors here or else she'd have to ensure dogs-in-a-bun jokes. She grabs some coffee and pulls up a chair, sitting beside Katherine and shooting her a smile. "Besides, I'm always changing, so what's the difference? And 'who would want my life' anyway?"
"A jealous faerie who saw me or Katie?" Gabriel suggests with a grin.
"Somebody very drunk," Aaron offers.
"The obviously correct answer is a Pirate Space Elf," Sam notes.
"You make a good point," Tasha admits, shrugging a little before she stuffs her face full of food. After eating that, then doing it again a few times, she takes a long sip of coffee and smacks her lips. "I should bring snacks next time. It's hard, tiring work." And then she looks around a moment and perks her ears. "Sooo, anything exciting happen when I was else-universe?"
"We watched a movie," Hakeber says, and grins. "It had lots of singing and dancing and fantastical elements."
"Karnors with warpaint and feathers in their hair dancing naked and howling, mostly," Aaron points out. "So.. much.. howling.."
"Very productive," Tasha approves. She then considers while destroying a wrapped sausage, and says after swallowing, "You could use more howling, Aaron." She is aware of the irony, considering she plugged her ears at it when they arrived. "Well, I'd like to call a meeting back on the ship after we're done and ready. My little club can gather first to give the others more time to get ready. Gabriel, you're free to attend or read the notes later."
"I think I should be there," the big wolf says. "Just so I know you aren't being seduced by faeries."
"Aaron and I were going to visit the Library here," Liza notes. "Not the Galactic one, but one with real books."
"Booooks?" Hakeber asks, tail wagging. "Let me know how it is, I'll want to check it out later."
"The one I meet regularly tries to avoid me now," Tasha admits. "At least, he won't stand too close. I'll send a request to Thoth, too, he'll want to be there." She then nods to Liza. "That sounds like a good use of time, if it looks useful please bring Hake with you next time. How's Shojo and his merry band doing? Not eaten by the forest I hope? I'd hate to have to find a new set of Vartans."
"Lacci returns at night, but Shojo and the new men are still out in the wilderness," Liza reports. "I doubt they've been eaten yet. Not all of them anyway."
"I'm supposed to go stalk them tonight, or something," Aaron grumbles.
"He must be pushing them hard, then, or making them hunt. How's Lacci holding up?" Tasha munches away her third PiaB, ears forward. She certainly seems more energized than she has been, and she's clearly been working hard on something because she's spoken very little before passing out every night."Well I hope you enjoy your stalking. Sam, you and I can introduce them to the scarier side of things when it looks like they're ready. We should plan that later; maybe during our sub-meeting with the club."
"Vartan faces do not betray much," Liza notes, "but I think she's happy to be outdoors. Probably flying a lot."
"You don't think the Lapi will be scary enough?" Sam asks with a grin. He's looking bigger again.
"I see our little space birdie is finally beginning to feel it in her heart. Good. She'll need that." Tasha nods approvingly even as she finishes off the last of her meal. Apparently, she's as hungry as she was sleepy. "Oh I'm sure Aaron is very scary, but they need some exposure to 'outside elements' even more outside than he is. Don't count him out though, I'm sure he can make a good showing of himself. We'll just be there as a final test if they can hack it."
"They have machetes, so.. please don't talk about them hacking it when I'm the 'it' this time?" Aaron jokes.
"You'd better make the calls to the others now then, so everyone has time for their breakfast to settle before we meet at the Horse," Gabriel advises.
"Don't forget the snake can probably eat half of us without much trouble," Tasha adds, pointing at Aaron. She grins, too, and leans back, ears flicking and tail doing a little twirl. "I'll get the calls done then. We'll meet in an hour."
And with that Tasha runs a finger down her sleeve and begins sending messages.
The council room aboard Dark Horse seems too brightly lit. There should probably be candles and incense. Spiders too, probably, that are smaller than the Jotoki, who've had the run of the ship so far (although there are plans to sneak them out to a less inhabited area of the forest). All the same, the Coven is assembled.. with Gabriel being the sole male in attendance.. at least, the sole verifiable one, since Sam and Thoth are rather harder to pin down for gender.
Tasha sits at the head of the table wearing her uniform. She has ideas about the new ones, but for now she'll need to use the old. "Great, I see we're all here. I might as well begin because what I have to report is going to generate a lot of talk, I think. And show being better than tell, take a look at this:"
Reaching out, Tasha extends her hand palm open. With a faint look of concentration and a momentary mile-long stare, she exhales, and then it happens. At first it looks like a almost sickly yellow light boiling from her hand, more and more of it, until it rises up and faster than the eye can track snaps in to the form of a glowing sword of ominous, piercing yellow light. Not bright, but somehow unpleasant to look on, oppressive. It hovers over her hand, then begins to spin in a lazy circle. Upon getting a better look at it, the sword seems more like an idea of a sword; it has all the right dimensions but is vaguely translucent, too-perfect in shape, and while it looks functional, it's also greatly simplified. Notably, it doesn't cast a shadow under the overhead lightning.
"Well, that is new," Samael notes, breaking the silence. "That's not even properly a part of you."
"It's not a hologram?" Lacci asks, looking to the others.
"Magic," Hakeber declares.
Gabriel just hmmms, but doesn't say anything. Thoth also remains silent.
"Can it be used like sword?" Katie asks, once the wonder of it has passed into pragmatism.
"It's magic. A manifestation of my soul; the Yellow part." Tasha stands up to walk around and let everyone see it, thinking the witches and Gabriel will appreciate seeing magic in person, active, and created by one of their number rather than from the obviously supernatural members. "We're still testing that. It's possible it can only injure beings that are memetic or otherwise not entirely local. Faeries, Shadow-beings, maybe Vril'ya, and other such entities. I can create a shield from the Blue, as well. We can try and test the sword now, but that has inherent risks, as I'm sure you all are aware of what it is a manifestation of by now."
"It would be best to test it outside of this spacetime, and away from sentient beings," Thoth advises. "Also mind how you feel. Manifesting something like that could be a drain on you to maintain for an extended period, and the effect it could have on you due to its nature is still unknown."
"It's chaotic, right?" Katie asks.
"Good point, and we'll test it that way." Tasha nods to Thoth, then she takes hold of the sword and stows it over her back; when she brings her hand forward again, it's empty. "And yes, chaotically aligned if it's a manifestation of its originator. I suspect the Blue is orderly."
"Charon did not seem overly orderly," Gabriel notes. "But maybe his mother is?"
"It is likely that Persephone's nature leans towards the protective," Thoth offers. "Which cannot be said of the King in Yellow."
"His mother is very peaceful and calming. She's who I think of. I think Blue may be serenity, or at least focus. It is not suited to offense at any rate, and I think Yellow is not suited to defense. What purposes I can manifest seems to depend greatly on the essential nature of the Color." She then nods to Thoth again. "Yes, Mr. Yellow is decidedly aggressive and subversive. It will take me time and effort to truly know their Colors, which will limit what I can do with them."
"Blue is the color of infinity," Samael claims. "Yellow is.. harder to pin down. It's generally not serene though."
"So, your faerie guide showed you how to do this then?" Hakeber asks. "Mr. Purple?"
"Infinity," Tasha repeats. She looks distant for a moment, as she often gets these days, "'Closer to forever," she whispers, nodding slowly before coming back back to the here-and-now. She blinks. "Oh, yes. Well, no. My new instructor did, but I can't reveal their name, as part of my bargain with them. They also arranged my soul armoring, which Thoth was present for." She inclines her head to him; she does seem to be showing him a lot more respect and difference since she began her trips in to the woods, "As for Yellow, it appears to be Sanity, that knowing of reality without barrier or restraint. Unity. Oneness. Consumption, in a sense. The hunger to know, which is the desire to make outside data part of oneself. To copy, or absorb."
"I can get that way," Hakeber claims. "And no jokes about my appetite! I mean for knowledge."
"I was going to make jokes about you knowledge, too," Tasha admits. She retakes her chair and crosses her legs, leaning back. "But you see what I mean, Hake. It's why Mr. Yellow was interested in me. Sam, Thotep is Black, isn't he?" She looks to the demon.
"Well, yes, or rather he's the absence of light," Sam replies. "He's one of the first ones. The Vril would be the absence of darkness, by comparison, but they aren't all that different otherwise."
"It rather," Sam corrects. "Not the Vril-ya, which are essentially servitor pieces of the Vril."
"I had suspected there was some commonality between them. So Thotep is Darkness and the Vril whatever the word for an absence of Darkness is. I'm not sure if these are considered 'Colors,' however, and attempting ti wield Thotep's Color would be quite dangerous, I'd think." Tasha lays her ears back at the idea. "Vril-energy, or the Color of Vril, might be safer, but I know the Vril'ya have had mixed results both getting mortals to wield it and producing it through mortals."
"It is not particularly compatible with biological life," Thoth notes. "Nor with any form of life other then Vril itself, for the most part. However, it has been used to power machines, of a sort."
"Like your current apparatus?" Tasha reaches up and taps her head; such as the mask. "Is that also alchemy?"
"In a sense, it is the original alchemy, as used by the Vril-ya," Thoth says, and nods slightly. "You saw all of the shells? Those bodies were powered by Vril energy."
"The Progenitors were basically Titan batteries?" Lacci asks, her feathers looking a bit ruffled at the notion.
"They also talked," Thoth is quick to point out.
"I've seen one of the originals. Horus," she nods apologetically to Thoth, " ... showed me what his original form within his shell looked like during the height of his powered. They are like masive stone statues of the same height as my Titan with wings and eyes of orange flame. You can see my rendition of the encounter in one of my art pieces." She looks to Thoth again and asks, "What of the stone itself, it's not of this universe, is it?"
"It is the same matterial as the Markers," Thoth says. "The Vril-ya had issues working with actual matter."
"The opposite of dark matter," Sam suggests.
"I see. I thought the material seemed unusual." Tasha taps the side of her muzzle for a long moment. "Do you still think it's possible for a mortal to produce Vril? If it is a Color, I or another one of us might be able to do it. The Titan pilots such as myself would also see a lot of benefit."
"It is possible, as I have seen it, but it is not necessarily survivable," Thoth explains. "There is only one survivor of Eve's first humans. I assume he is still alive. I have not been keeping track of him since he is unwilling to let me conduct experiments on him."
"Well, I'm willing to take risks, but not risks of near-one-hundred-percent-fatal level of risk. I have my own two Colors to master, so I'll be focusing on those along side anything you and Samael recommend. I will also continue to see if I can attract fairy attention, though my time in the other realm will probably consume much of my energy." Tasha turns to Katie, Hakeber, and Lacci now, with more muzzle tapping. "Making progress, you three? Lacci, have you been up to anything magic-wise? I know you've been spending a lot of time with the soldiers."
"I mainly give Shojo information about what the planet breakers have encountered in the past," Lacci notes. "Then he goes off and does something with the men, leaving me along. So I fly around. It's amazing to be able to fly between giant tree trunks.. or branches. Did you know there isn't any native life that flies here? But sometimes I think something is flying with me that I just can't see."
"I've had something tug on my tail while I was playing," Katie says. "Next time I'm going to bring some booze and leave out."
"I keep forgetting to take breaks and pass out from dancing," Hakeber notes.
"It sounds like someone might be making faerie-friends," Tasha notes, smiling a little. "Just be wary. They can be fun, but their mischief ranges from the harmless to the malicious, and they can be powerful beings. They also don't take kindly to being sought out, so maybe 'forget' your booze instead of leaving it out." She then focuses on Hakeber and frowns. "That brings us to our next major topic. Hake, I've had several beings -- some quite influential -- all comment that you seem to be under some form of inner darkness. I don't know if it's your past or something else, but it's become a cause of real concern. And, I'm not talking about the Ogdru-hem, either. Something older than that."
"Well, not older than me," Hakeber says. "If there was a family curse, I'm sure I'd have uncovered it already. And.. uh.. did Yue say anything? I mean, we were roommates while I was in my really bad period, so if there's anything other than what Katha-hem did to me she should have noticed, right?" Her tail wags nervously.
"Not precisely, but I can ask her. Other beings such as the fae have noted it, however. We've considered bringing you to the Dreamlands to ascertain what it is." Tasha blinks, then looks up from her thoughts. "I've been to the Dreamlands, by the way, and several other locations. A city full of cats with a big temple, and dreamers everywhere. But, yes, there's something Hake. Maybe something you won't even admit t o yourself." She squints now, assessingly. "Want to kill anyone? Your family, friends, me, anyone? Inner rage? A hunger to see the universe collapse? Hatred for a society that believes in lies? Anything like that?"
"Maybe?" Hakeber replies, looking uncertain. "I'm not exactly someone who faces her inner demons, you may have noticed. I was really.. something.. when I was drying out. Unless it's something I brought back from flat space."
"I feel like this is older, but maybe it's more than one thing. Something about you that makes you attractive to beings such as the Ogdru-hem. Perhaps it's because you won't face your inner demons that they have no reason to fear you and can find purchase." Tasha leans back, arms folding. "It may be time you fight your inner demons. We fight demons; we can't allow this oversight to continue, and I don't want your soul armored while such things lurk in you."
"You don't fight me," Sam notes, raising his hand.
"I didn't mean every demon," Tasha remarks, eyes rolling. "You know what I mean. Your quips were more endearing when you were tinier." But she waves it off, focusing on Hakeber. "But we need to deal with this. It's quite possible the fae will take advantage of this weakness; I suspect they're already doing it and enticing you in to dancing so much you harm yourself."
"So.. what's the plan then? Should I avoid the forest or just try to do demon summoning?" Hakeber asks.
"For now I want you to work with Yue to see if she can figure out what it is, and to also ave her work on your self esteem and inner demons. Yue's slated to be our councilor, so time for her to council. I'll expect regular reports from both of you. Until we figure this out, no magical studies or new magical friends." Tasha nods; that's settled. She turns to the others now. "I think that's about it. We should call the others and decide what our next step is."
"I was expecting more naked dancing, feathers and howling," Gabriel claims.
"That's Samael's side of the program," Tasha insists, quite seriously. "But at least you got to see my magic sword and hopefully we'll be able to get Hake sorted out."
In (relatively) short order, everyone available is assembled, including Yue and Mr. Invention. There are also snacks and drinks, because of course Mr. Invention would arrange for that. Moka is present over a secure holo link.
"Welcome everyone. It's time to decide our next move. Hake, Katie, Lacci and I have our studies, but I want to see about tasks for everyone else now, see where we stand, and decide how long we want to remain here before we move on to our target, which will be our first operation against Galactic forces as well as Ogdru-hem forces," Tasha says, not having moved from her chair as everyone assembled but now having a cup of tea in hand.
"Mrs. Teatime is still gathering information on our non-supernatural target," Mr. Invention reports. "Along with more detailed data about the layout of Daltoona Station."
"Good. We'll need that. So, it seems we're not in a hurry, which is good because I think we need at least a week here, maybe two. I see Shojo is still at it, the Lapi are investigating the paper library, and Miss Necessity is likely busy with something useful." Tasha looks across the group, then, after spotting Yue, asks, "You received my request? Gabriel will make it an official position-based request, but either way, I'd like you to look after Hake for a while. This will also be a good chance to try out being the ship's therapist."
"I'm mostly recovered enough now to take it on," Yue notes. "I'll still be an archaeologist first though, if that's alright. It's what my specialty is after all."
"That's fine, and I'm glad to hear you're feeling better. I'm a bit concerned that we had little idea of how to help you, so if possible I'd like you to submit something about how well we helped you and what we could do to help more in the future, to Gabriel, Mr. I, myself, and anyone else like Miss N. who you think could help." Tasha nods, fingers inking together. Her tail points in emphasis. "And we'll still need the archeology side of things. If you can't do both let us know and we can find a proper replacement."
"Most of my recovery is due to being on an actual planet again, with real gravity and real air," Yue notes. "Human beings benefit from exposure to trees, believe it or not."
"It seems that I do, too. My walks have been very refreshing," Tasha remarks, smiling. The smile then goes away almost instantly as she adds, "At some point I'd like you to look at something I found. A sword. I'd like your opinion of it. I can show you it now, but it could be psionically unpleasant."
"I don't have a proper lab set up for studying artifacts yet," Yue notes. "Hint, hint. I need a lab."
"We need a lot of labs," Tasha laments, turning then to Mr. Inves and raising a brow. "Any hopes for labs? Space is tight even with what we have and I've already re-purposed what space we have in the core. Perhaps the lower bay, where the Tadpole had been?"
"We still need to generate income, but if Dr. Sen tells me what her requirements are I will see what can be done to accommodate her," Mr. Invention says. "The ship's spaces are fairly modular, so something should be workable."
"I can arrange more space if needed. We may need to, uh, move on to a more functional aesthetic rather than using a interior design of a certain era," Tasha admits, giving Gabriel and apologetic glance. "I can also sacrifice a large portion of the Owner's Area and Lounge if needed. It should be easy enough to consolidate my needs in to a smaller space."
"If you want to let a bunch of scientists charter you again, we can probably do away with a lounge," Yue notes. "There may still be some unofficial opportunities from the Terragens for clandestine courier work to out of the way places."
"If they don't mind cramped quarters it would be good to ingratiate ourselves with Terragens command. Having favors in high places may be what we need if things go badly." Tasha taps her muzzle again, then nods. "We'll remove the lounge and I'll redesign the Owner's Area to accommodate the relocated individuals. We can probably have living quarters directly off the labs containing their main user or users. Hakeber's research lab, your archeology lab, Thoth's lab, and so on. Everyone else will relocate Aft."
"I'll move the bar and other such services to the Galley," Tasha thinks to add. "We can put another table in, and use the wall display. It'll be a more rough and tumble lounge, but I think we'll manage. Perhaps water access for the Phins."
"The Terragens do pay well," Mr. Invention says. "They are not the only ones that could use an unofficial presence. I speak of course of the Titanians. It's one thing for them to show up on Caltrop, but any other station would immediately open fire on them."
"And they also pay well, if not exactly in credits or shekels. They've also offered to assist us in our work, so it would be very good if we showed cooperation. Losing out honorary status would be very dangerous." And so Tasha grimaces, remembering their previous 'inspection.' "So open lines to both, see who is interested. The Mauler should be reachable through Caltrop, and through them the rest of the Titanian Fleets. Yue can help with the Terragens."
"There are other lucrative sources, but many of those are.. on the darker side of legal," Mr. Invention notes, and spreads his hands. "Interstellar trade laws are complicated, and can lead to large loopholes."
"We'll see how these pan out before we turn to darker source of income. We don't need to become a menace, or at least more of a menace, than we need to be," Tasha says. She reaches up and rubs the base of her ears, thinking. "So that's decided. Can anyone think of something we're missing? I've been a little out of the loop from my training these last few days, I may be missing something."
"These sort of worlds provide interesting networking opportunities," Mr. Invention notes. "Aside from people like Mr. Pharaoh, these resorts are popular for trade talks and heads of state. I may call on any of you to meet with people that whose interests or hobbies intersect yours."
"Miss Batty is currently visiting the Confederate tree to look into some things along those lines," the werewolf says.
Tasha coughs in to her tea at the mention of "people like Mr. Pharaoh." After taking a mount to wipe her muzzle off with a napkin, then handing the napkin to her tail, she clears her throat. "Yes, well, it does seem my hobbies intersect with Mr. Pharaoh's, anyway. We share a fondness for ships. And Sam. And Egyptian-themed associates." She sniffs. "I can't speak for the others, but I'll come if I may. My studies are taking me beyond this universe and they're taxing, but very important."
"And have you been mentioning Dark Horse services to the fae?" Mr. Invention asks. "The unique nature of this ship may be amenable to those of a supernatural nature."
"I hadn't considered it given my relationship with them amounts to one being and an associate of theirs," Tasha admits, ears canting. "I'm hardly someone they're flocking to for assistance. I can put the idea to my non-fae contact and see what they say. Perhaps the being will have some ideas, or I could ask the fae I do know?"
"Ask them both," Mr. Invention says. "I didn't realize one of them wasn't fae."
"It's complicated, but they have a long-standing association with them, and certain other elements I can't speak of for risk of breaking my promise. As they both saw to the armoring of my soul and are training me, to say nothing of what power my bargain may hold, I would prefer not to upset them." Tasha spreads her hands; what can you do. She then turns to Samael and asks, "Speaking of which, Sam, how do I seem to you? I notice you seem to be able to detect me. Yue?" She looks at the woman in turn. "Do I seem different to you, psionically?"
"I haven't been focusing on you," Yue notes. "I don't know if I could right now with so many people around."
"I can see you," Sam notes.
"Hmm," goes Tasha, wondering about what it means that Samael can detect her so easily. "Yue, when you have a chance, focus on me. You don't need my permission, do it whenever you feel like you can." She nods, then turns to the others. "Any other points of business?"
"As a note, I already know you, so hiding from me would not be effective," Samael claims. "You'll have to try with some other entity than myself."
"I'll sneak up on a fae and play a trick on it, they'll never see it coming," Tasha insists, grinning.
"Fae have other quite good senses, and few of them can detect souls," Thoth points out. "They are basically animals and have that level of sensitivity."
"So much for that idea. I'll need to find a stray demon, angel or other being to try it on," laments the group leader. "But at least I should be safer from direct influence against my soul. In time, I'd like all key members to consider receiving the shielding, once they understand the risks. Once I understand the risks."
"The risks are unknown, as are the benefits," Thoth notes. "We only have the suggestion of your would-be mentor that it is useful, but they are presumably better equipped to know that."
"Then we'll see. Until we know more we'll keep it on the table, but not have anyone follow my choice unless they feel they need to. When more is known, others can decide for themselves." Tasha takes a sip, then looks up, exhaling. "And of course you should all keep an eye on me."
"Should I try to attack you?" Samael asks.
"Well, I did have breakfast, so why not?" Tasha stands up, pushing her chair aside. "Yue, you may wish to alert Jonas."
Samael leaps across the meeting table, and.. tries to bap Tasha across the nose with a rolled up piece of paper. "Bad!" he says. "Bad hybrid!"
Tasha's eyes widen, but she's done this sort of thing a while now, even if not exactly this sort of thing. She raises an arm to deflect the paper from her nose, stumbling backwards even as her earsm hackles, and tail all go up. "H-hey!" Tasha tries to swat back, out of reflex. "You know I hate that word!"
"Well, my most devastating attack is still potent then," Samael claims. All of the Karnor also have their hackles up.
Tasha responds to this by trying to grab Samael in a headlock, and then drop him to the ground.
"Oof?" Sam says, once he's down. "Are you going to noogie me?"
"Good idea," Tasha remarks, doing exactly that thanks to Nora's deep insight in to how to torment younger Karnors. "I guess I can't stand by and let demons attack me. Want to try being skewered by sanity swords next?"
"I would prefer it if you found something else to test it on first," Sam admits. "There may special rules, such as intent."
"If you keep using that word I'm sure I could muster the will to destroy you." But Tasha lets Samael go, standing up and brushing herself off before retaking her seat like nothing happened. She folds her hands. "Well, we'll call that 'inconclusive.' Any further business?"
"Katherine should get to her spot in the forest to practice luring faeries," Thoth notes. "I'm sure Samael is still looking for the ideal spot for summoning abominations."
"Then we should adjourn for now. I will spend the day practicing. It would be best if I practiced in isolation, so I will be sealing my Office. Buzz me if you need me. I'll also draft plans to remodel the ship for laboratory space, an advanced Galley, and re-purpose the Owner's Area for expanded quarters." Tasha looks around for a moment, then balls a hand and bumps it to the table top. "Meeting adjourned, save log to file."