Hunter -- Logs

With Devon secure in one of the cabins, the Chimera is making the rounds of the villages, dropping off those who wish to be dropped off with their children, and carrying volunteers to Beth L'Chaim, which the deputy reported as having been hit very hard by Devon's gang. The pillars of smoke can be seen from some distance away as the ship approaches the Beni Menashe village. Solbiort warns the militia and Nigel that things look bad in Beth L'Chaim... then falls silent as she brings the ship in, landing nearby. Nigel acknowledges the warning over the comm and starts getting things set up for triage, muttering about too gorram much excitement.

Raj is moving about the ship, puttering and keeping an eye on the irregulars. When he hears the announcement he pauses a moment, nods, then returns to his task. Elgyn shakes his head, grunting stoically. Their plan was best... but he hopes that it is only property that took the worst of the bandits' frustrations. "Maybe this little get together might have built up a little camaraderie. Folks from other local towns help repair that mess," he murmurs.

The ship lands. Admittedly, the damage looks worse from afar than up close: there are a few fires but most of the town seems intact, and while there are a few casualties being tended to, the streets aren't strewn with bodies. Even so, it's a sobering sight; there was clearly a strong fight put up here. On the ground, the villagers have already begun to triage their wounded in the common hall. The synagogue has been partly firebombed, as have a couple of houses, but the granary and livestock barns have been left alone. Since this is the last stop amongst the villages, Solbiort heads down to help if she can; sometimes able bodies are in great demand after battle. She pops the hatch and hails the village, "Nihao! Haf come to help... who is leading now, ching?"

Nearby the ship a team of villagers is taking down the burned remnants of one of the houses before it collapses. The team leader, a middle-aged woman, is already approaching the ship as it lands. She raises a hand in greeting. "Aavo," she says in Gujarati. "Welcome here. I suppose I'm in charge for the time being. Those godless bastards killed the alderman. I'm Purim, Purim Mahadra. Captain Solbiort, I presume?"

Solbiort puts her palms together and does a short bow, "Ya, this is me. Haf brought rest of militia here; they vish to aid. Also haf excellent doctor viz us, if ve can be of assistance?" Elgyn has come to Solbiort's side in the interim, and quietly listens. He notes the triage grimly, but retains his calm from earlier. After all, they have the bastards, and they'll be punished soon enough. Nigel starts gathering his medical kit together once Solbiort lets him know the villagers are working on triage on their own. He's muttering to himself, but it doesn't sound like he's exactly unhappy. Solbiort murmurs to Elgyn, "Gif Nigel hand if he need it, ya?"

Elgyn grunts. "He'll get help if he needs it or not," he murmurs.

Purim looks relieved. "We can use the help, both the backs and your doctor. We lost a lot of good people in that fight. One of the deputies said you got him?"

Solbiort chuckles quietly at Elgyn's comment, then nods to Purim, "Ya. So, vhere you need us? Here to help." She waves all the militia out, "Volunteers from ozzer villages as vell."

Purim says with almost bland casualness, "Pity. I don't suppose we can just shoot him now?"

Solbiort smiles ruefully, "Neh, shuh-muh. Deputy vould be very angry viz me."

Purim shrugs a little. "It's better, anyway. To wait. That way his punishment will arise from justice and not vengeance."

Solbiort nods, "Exactly. So. Vhere ve can help?"

Nigel emerges from the medbay with his medical kit, heading purposefully toward the makeshift infirmary. Elgyn moves to let Nigel pass. "Call if you need either of us," he says shortly to Solbiort, and then follows in the determined doctor's wake.

Solbiort says, "Sheh-sheh, pretty. Keep di-di Nigel safe, ya?" Elgyn just nods... he's not in a joking mood.

The next several minutes see the militiamen setting down their weapons and helping the Beth L'Chaim villagers work on cleaning up after the fight. Nigel steps in to the triage situation smoothly and does what he can for the wounded villagers, which is actually a lot -- at this point those who are still alive need Nigel's aid, but are also the ones most likely to survive with it. Elgyn is recruited as an ersatz aide for Nigel.

The ship's crew helps in some of the heavy work of making sure the fires are out and making sure that partially collapsed buildings are either taken down or shored up. There is a rather irritable hue and cry when the villagers realize that their Torah has been incinerated in the firebombing, but there's nothing that can be done for that now. Purim says she will try to contact the Jewish community on Bernadette to see if they can get a new one made, a process which could take upwards of a year. Solbiort quietly lets the appropriate folks know they'd be happy to ship it back here, if that would help.

Nigel seems irritated most of the time that he's working on the villagers and likely offends a few of them with his curt manner, but if anyone listens to his muttering, the irritation is pointed firmly at the bandits. Elgyn, not exactly the most urbane spokesman himself, tries to clean up Nigel's verbal gaffes along the way, and does so without ribbing the doctor. Raj finds Solbiort in one of the work groups and draws her aside. "I was thinking it might be a good idea to have someone do a bit of patrol while all this was going on. We can't be sure we got all of Devon's folks, or if someone might think this is a good time to do a bit of looting."

Solbiort straightens, wipes her forehead with the back of one forearm, and nods, "Makes sense." She looks at the group she's with, and asks, "Hey, anyvon here haf horse to spare for patrol?"

Purim looks up. "We've got a couple. You can take your pick. You think that there's still bandits out and about?

Solbiort says, "Am hoping not, but am not still alife just due to hope. Raj here vants horse, ching?" She nods to Raj, "Take rifle, ya? Comm if you need us."

Raj shrugs, "If there's anybody about with a grudge to settle, now would be a good time to take a shot at it." A sliver of a smile appears, and he says, "Paranoia's healthy where I come from."

Solbiort grins, clapping Raj lightly on the shoulder, "Vorks for me, Raj!" She makes sure he's set up with the right folks to get a horse, then goes back to work.

After about an hour Raj returns from his patrol, a bit dusty but none the worse for wear. He spots Solbiort and dismounts near her, saying, "Well, I've been out there for about an hour now and found nothing surprising. If Devon's stragglers were around, they're not making a peep. No local looters, either, which is good."

Solbiort nods, "Fery goot, ya. Vould be surprised if remaining three are anyvhere near, though. Suspect they are heading for ozzer side of planet."

Raj nods, "Seems that way. I'll take care of the beast here, then you want me to meet back at the ship, or are we staying a bit longer?"

Solbiort says, "Neh, leafing soon. From vhat I hear Nigel has done all he can, und ve haf lent goot hand here... so best to get brigands off our nice ship soonest, am thinking."

Looking around at the work crews, Raj says, "I'll be back soon as I can, then. Not much left here for us to do. What they need is time to rebuild."

Solbiort nods silently, then heads back towards Chimera, comming the others to join her there when they can. She also quietly makes sure all the town leaders know she's happy to help when she's around, but she'd really rather they took care of things on their own. She's proud of the stiff resistance the little town put up, and encourages all the little villages to connect more often for mutual trade and protection. The crew take their leave of Beth L'Chaim and the remaining militia, and head to the docks.

A short time later the ship lands, greeted by a team of three really very burly deputies and an armored paddy-mule. There are some people from the hospital also, accompanied by deputies. Solbiort asks Raj to take the hospital folks to Nigel. Raj stands and says, "This way, folks, we've got a few that'll need your attention," and leads the hospital team to the infirmary.

Solbiort herself cheerfully shows the burly deputies to Devon's room, opens the hatch, and stands aside. She's not going to miss Devon at all. She'll escort Liao down herself, though, after Devon's put in the paddy mule. She makes a point of thanking Liao in front of the deputies, since she truly believes they couldn't have done this without his help -- and she'd like him to not get roughed up any more. Elgyn's quiet pensiveness follows him as he accompanies Solbiort both to the meeting, and then to Devon's holding area. He says nothing to the bandit leader, watching him coldly, as if hoping that an icy stare might set him aflame. Solbiort quietly loops an arm around Elgyn, pulling him well back. He can hear the quiet smile in her voice as she murmurs just to him, "Do not think ve haf laser eyes yet, pretty."

"Hope springs eternal," Elgyn replies dryly, not surprised by what his Captain can read from his face. Solbiort chuckles quietly again.

The departure of Devon is remarkably quiet, considering how he came into the lives of the crew. He's smirking a little, but it's pretty clear that it's more a matter of pride than any last-minute plans to escape. Liao is escorted relatively gently and without too much rancor on the part of the deputy assigned to him, while the paddy-mule trundles off through the crowds of the docks. Meanwhile, a couple of hospital mules are pulling up to cart the wounded bandits to the hospital. Nigel meets the hospital team Raj brings him; he's slipped into that no-nonsense Londinium lilt that he uses when talking to other medical personnel, giving a summary of what he's done and what still needs to be done. Once they're off the ship though, he's right back to a drawl.

Solbiort cheerfully announces, once all the 'vermin' are off ship, that she's treating the entire crew to dinner at the finest place this town has to offer! Nigel asks suspiciously if he needs to change clothes. Solbiort grins, "Absolutely, di-di! No blood allowed in restaurant!" Nigel stumps off and puts on something that looks startlingly close to a suit.

Dinner is long, luxurious, and very, very good. While Triumph isn't exactly a stock garden spot -- varieties of local parasites seem to have a particular fondness for bovines -- they can still be raised with the proper (and expensive) veterinary care. Thus steaks for dinner, and fresh greens and freshly-baked bread. Nigel orders his steak bloody, "I ain't lettin' them burn the gorram meat if it's real meat. Loses all the ruttin' flavor if you cook it till it's stiff..."

Solbiort sighs contentedly after the dinner has concluded, leaning back in her chair. She's faintly amused the formal valkyrior clothing she wore is a little loose on her -- probably due to avoiding Molly's cooking -- but this meal certainly made up for it, and then some! She rumbles lazily to the crew, "Eferyvon get enough to eat?"

Elgyn is wearing an outfit only Solbiort has seen so far: a lovely multicolored band that he used to use to tie back his dreadlocks is now a headband, and his casual vest is replaced by one with ornate beadwork. It's the closest he gets to being dressed up, though he did spend some time beforehand shining his svienhross band. "In the days when my ancestors hunted the buffalo, after it was brought low we ate from the heart as a show of respect," he murmurs approvingly to Nigel.

The little doctor arches a brow at Elgyn as he savors the very last bite of the steak, "Damn strange way to show respect. I think I'd be gorram ticked if someone stuck me with a spear and ate my heart." There's an edge of teasing in his voice. Solbiort coughs! -and has another sip of the very fine local ale served with the meal. Then she grins affectionately at her crew, incredibly relieved no one was hurt in this mission.

Elgyn smiles. "We are all part of nature, Doctor. Eventually we die and fertilize the grasses the cows eat. What could be fairer than that? As long as the animals are respected, there is no shame in it."

Nigel nods to Elgyn, "Guess you're right at that." He leans back in his seat and sips a cup of tea, breathing out a gusty sigh, "Haven't eaten that well since... hell, since a long ruttin' time."

Raj seems quite happy with the meal, and muses, "I know it's déclassé to ask for the leftovers, but I think I'll risk it. Anyone else?"

Solbiort laughs! "If there are any left, ya, vhy not?"

As dinner is concluding, a gentry-suited man of curiously indeterminate age and Mandarin heritage appears at the table. He stands politely and rather inconspicuously, to the point where he would look like one of the waiters if he only had an apron on. As it is, he asks quietly in a soft-toned voice, "I beg your pardon. But are you Captain Solbiort Skialdmeyjar and the crew of the Scarlet Chimera?"

Solbiort raises an eyebrow and grins at the man, "Who is asking?" Elgyn wipes his hands on his napkin as he turns to face the man speaking with Solbiort.

The man bows slightly. "My name is David Leong, the local representative of the Office of Calendar and Hours Coordination... but tonight I am here at the request of and on behalf of EXARCH."

Both Nigel's brows go up at that and he continues sipping his tea, actually managing to keep his mouth shut. Solbiort looks faintly intrigued -- she knows EXARCH is the Exodus Archives, based out of Bernadette. Not a government body, but rather a museum and research foundation, they mostly maintain the Exodus Memorial -- an actual ark used in the migration from Earth-That-Was. They're also the single largest collection of pre-Cortex documents and data. "Pleasure to meet you, zen. Haf a seat? Vhat you vant vis us?" Elgyn seems blank at this pronouncement, but a quiet conferral with Raj is most enlightening on the subject.

Leong smiles, slipping into an empty chair. "Thank you, Captain. I have been asked to represent the Exodus Archives because they do not have many, if any, representatives outside the Central Planets. It was recommended I approach you since it is indirectly related to the brigands you apprehended earlier today." Solbiort raises an eyebrow, waving a hand to indicate Leong is welcome to serve himself a drink. Leong pours himself water, after thanking Solbiort, "Amongst the artifacts found in Devon's encampment was an object EXARCH is particularly interested in. They would like to hire you to transport it to Bernadette immediately -- at least within the next few days -- at three times the standard rate."

Solbiort's eyebrows go right up at that! Cautiously she rumbles, "Vhat it is? Veapon? Or somezing else?" She pulls out her current cargo listing, studying it for a few moments, then shakes her head slowly, "Am afraid ve are already contracted for... next month und half at least. Haf cargoes to deliver."

Elgyn looks skeptical. "Don't tell me that the prismlock Devon was reputed to have was a gorram Lassiter..." It appears that Elgyn is starting to pick up on Nigel's slang.

The man shakes his head. "Not a weapon. Or even any sort of active device, as best as we... I was able to determine. It is apparently an alloy insignia or icon, which dates back to the decades before the formal establishment of the Alliance. I have been told that the curator of EXARCH will be more than happy to alleviate your curiosity upon delivery." He adds with apparently uncharacteristic wryness, "Which is more than what he offered me...."

Nigel listens to this with a look of undisguised skepticism. Solbiort looks back up, adding, "If you can vait that long, am happy to haf Cargomaster Raj talk viz you, though."

Leong considers. "A month and a half might be too long. I will have to contact EXARCH and ask them."

Solbiort nods, tucking away her PDA, "Shuh-muh, Leong. Sounds interesting, but cannot simply dump contracts."

Raj clears his throat and says, "When would be a good time to meet, Mr. Leong? Perhaps we can arrange something. Your offer is quite generous, but we will need to review our commitments before we make changes to our itinerary. Is there anything you can tell us about this cargo right now, or would you prefer someplace more private?"

Leong looks at Elgyn, "No, as I said, to the best of my understanding the artifact is no sort of weapon, let alone a Lassiter prismlock." He nods to Solbiort, saying, "I will have to ask them. They seemed very eager to receive the artifact posthaste." He looks to Raj. "There is not much to tell, I'm afraid. It is an insignia or an icon in the shape of an open hand, about seven centimeters long at its longest dimension. In the center of the palm there is a circular lotus or flower. It is not unlike any of a number of Jain holy symbols, but the maker's mark on it does date to before the Alliance. As to when to meet, I am available in my office for most of tomorrow. I have no ships scheduled for inspection."

Solbiort raises a thoughtful eyebrow, having another sip of her ale. Elgyn seems curious, but not that much so. He's with his Captain: if they can help out, all well and good. But every job deserves the same amount of respect, and they do have responsibilities to the folks they already contracted with. Raj nods, "We can review our schedule tonight and give you a call tomorrow morning, then."

Leong nods, smiling a bit as he stands. "Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you soon, as does EXARCH. I will send them a message now and ask them what their timetable is like, and I expect a reply in the morning."

Solbiort nods and smiles to the man, "Sheh-sheh!" Leong departs, thanking the crew for the drink and consideration. Solbiort waits until he's gone to murmur to the others, "Vonder vhat Devon vas doink viz religious symbol? Can't haf been from villages -- they vould have demanded it back."

Nigel says, "Well, I'm bettin' it ain't from any kinda devotion."

Elgyn folds his arms. "Villages are a little distracted what with the hits they took, and the living, breathing folk the bandits took. Might be they're not thinking about material goods."

Solbiort points out, "Zey notice almost immediately holy book vas burnt." She nods amusedly to Nigel, "This I agree viz!"

Elgyn grunts. "A point well struck."

Solbiort says, "Vell, ve shall see tomorrow. For now, ve still celebrate!"

Elgyn ebbs contentment throughout dinner, and on the walk back. Apparently to have the matter with Devon over and done allows him to relax once more and enjoy the company of friends. When he finally returns to the cabin with Solbiort, unlacing his vest, he gets that crinkle on his brow that he always gets whenever he is thinking. Differently from the past, however, the question is not long in coming. "Soli... this lady you court. Is it going well?"

Solbiort grins lazily, her green eyes bright, "Oh, ya. Think so." She sighs happily, adding, "I tell you who she is yet, pretty?" She settles on the bed, pulling her boots off and tossing them aside.

Elgyn nods. "You did..." he murmurs, the crinkle getting deeper. "Soli, being your horse... it is the most important thing I will ever do. I must do it well. But I find myself at a loss on how to proceed with Five Dragons. I want very much... " He grimaces. "Forgive me; it is difficult for me to even know how to frame the question. Whatever final arrangements are made, if there is another to tend to her or not, I want to have her... approval. But I know not how to go about this."

Solbiort nods, lounging back comfortably on her elbows on the bed, "Am sure you vill, pretty." She's silent a moment, studying Elgyn as he undresses... then she asks, "Am not sure vhat you are asking me, pretty?"

Elgyn smiles ruefully, almost shyly sitting on the bed as he puts aside his vest. "There is much uncertainty present. Perhaps pair bonding is not simpler, but it is what I am familiar with. I suppose a starting question would be -- how does it work if a valkyrie has chosen a horse before joining with a valdojer? Would she merely accept it wholesale, or must I... show her I am worthy?"

Solbiort chuckles relaxedly, running a hand along Elgyn's back, "Vill be different no matter vhat, pretty, because Five Dragons is not usual Midgaardian lady. But ordinarily valkyrie chooses horse who vill vork vell vith her... chust as valdojer vill. Usually means if two get along vell, third vill also."

Elgyn nods. "That is my concern as well... that this joining is not typical of her experience. Should I leave it in your hands then, or is there something I can do to smooth the way for her... for us?"

Solbiort smiles, "Can relax, pretty. Accept her for who she is -- she is strong voman vorking hard to fit in. Help her if you can, und ask for help if you think you need it, ya? Think she vould like that -- to be needed is goot feeling."

Elgyn smiles. "I think that is the crux of it, Soli... I wonder what I can offer her that she does not already have for herself. I have always seen her as a most... impressive woman. She carries herself as Musere's soniachan did, with steel in her back and command in her voice."

Solbiort grins, her emerald eyes far away, "That she does, ya! It is vhat attracts me to her. Am not sure vhat von scruffy valkyrior can offer her eizzer, und yet she respond vonderfully to my suit -- is fery exciting!" She grins, clapping Elgyn enthusiastically on the back, "Can't vait to see how goes, pretty!"

Elgyn gives Solbiort an amused look. "How odd, that I see all too clearly what she sees in you. I have lived with it for many years," he murmurs, reaching back to touch her wrist, his dark fingers sliding over it lightly, feeling the blood pulse through it. "She is drawn to the fire in you."

Solbiort snorts amusedly, sitting up and sliding her fingers down the seal on her formal wear, to take it off, "Still not sure vhat you mean by zhat, pretty, but hope you are right -- vould like her to be as attracted to me as I to her." She rises, putting away the beautifully decorated outfit, and grins over her shoulder at Elgyn, "So, if zhere is zis fire vizin me vhich is so easy to see, pretty, vhy you not see anything in yourself equally vunderbar?"

Elgyn tilts his head. "Because there are many warriors, dyami. I and those like me are like the iron in our blades -- strong, serviceable, but also plentiful. You and those like you are gold and platinum and fine jewels, harder to come by and far more inspirational to those that see you. Some are sonia because of age and experience. And some are born to it. You are one of those," he says in all seriousness.

Solbiort was unbraiding her hair as Elgyn speaks, and when he's done she pauses, pushing back the fiery mane and regarding him curiously. After a pensive moment she says, "Vhat 'deeyamee' mean, pretty?"

Elgyn smiles. "'Hawk.' As you very much are. And I also think it a beautiful word, so I decree that it fits you in that vein as well," he asserts.

Solbiort chuckles again, her eyes warm, "Ah, you are sveet boy, pretty." She tosses her equipment on the desk, then settles cross-legged and nude on the bed. She sighs faintly, running a hand lightly over the ordinary spread, "Miss furs. Vill be so nice to haf zem again vhen ve return for marriage." A moment later she pulls her long, fiery red hair forward for brushing, letting it pool in her lap as she considers Elgyn's words -- and then she pauses and grins at Elgyn, "You vant to brush?"

Elgyn, unsurprisingly, already has the brush in his hand, and was busy admiring the line of Solbiort's back when she asked him the question. "If I must," he sighs, affecting melancholy with absolutely no conviction, even as his hand reaches out eagerly to begin his favorite ritual. Several seconds into it though, he queries, "How do you see me?"

Solbiort chuckles again good naturedly at Elgyn's comment, then sighs contentedly and relaxes. At his query she's silent for a while... then smiles. "Vell... to use analogy you gif: pretty, jeweled, und golden handle of no use if blade is not vell honed, strong steel, und tempered. Vhat I see is loyalty, dedication, honesty, und trustvorthiness. May be such things for you are commonplace, but do not seem so to me. Und zis also is vhy I not vorried about lofely valdojer liking my horse. If she lofe me, she vant to know horse I ride is trustvorthy und alvays zhere vhen needed." She grins, twisting around enough to gently tousle Elgyn's hair, "Zhis I zink she vill easily see in you, pretty. She is a perceptive lady."

Elgyn's brow knits and he looks bemused, though his arm does not stop working, his free hand fingering those flaming locks as he brushes. "Do not tell me that these values are rare on Midgaard, and that Hoenir is some sort of social fluke," he murmurs disbelievingly.

Solbiort laughs aloud, tossing her head back, "Ah, pretty, people are all different! Is easy to say to vonself, 'I am loyal' or 'I am honest' -- is sompzing else entirely to live it! Und von boy's terror is anozzer's delight, as old saying goes. Gots to match right horse viz right riders, ya?"

Elgyn is quietly thoughtful for a time. "Are you saying that you were interested in me all this time because I held myself up to a higher standard, a standard that was not meant to impress you but because it is the right way to be?" he finally asks, fingers tracing the line of her back. "Like you?"

Solbiort hmms thoughtfully, lazily curling one fiery strand around a finger as she considers. Finally she says, "At first, no, pretty -- vas curious vhat your trick vas, und vhy you come to me. Eventually though realized vas no trick. You vere doink precisely vhat you say you vish to do." She grins amusedly, "Vas novelty to me... und over time, realized vas dependink on you to be zhere vhen needed... because alvays you vere. Means much to me to know zhat, pretty."

Elgyn turns that over in his head, slowly understanding what she's saying. "My aim was ever to uphold my life's work by serving you. It was not till I saw you like this, in your furs, that I even began to desire more than that from you," he whispers tenderly.

Solbiort smiles, turning around and gently taking the brush from Elgyn's hands to set it aside, "Desire is a goot thing, I am thinking, ya?" She draws him down to lie beside her, chuckling quietly as she adds, "Vould vant to encourage zhat..."

The next morning when Leong is contacted, he sounds like he's had less than an ideal night's sleep. "I have corresponded with EXARCH at length," he says, sounding a little put upon but taking it as best as he can. "They have... pulled a few strings which we had not anticipated. They have instructed this office to hold on to the artifact until you are able to transport it personally to Bernadette. The curator is... anxious that it be you yourselves who deliver it."

Raj pauses only a moment, then asks, "I must say, the requirement that we in particular be responsible for this strikes me as a bit odd. Surely any reputable cargo ship could deliver something like this."

Leong's reply is again disconcertedly wry, "Believe me, it's not unusual for those eccentric -- er, ahem. EXARCH is known to be... eccentric at times. They are humored because they do fill an important, if niche, role." He continues, "I attempted to convince them that there are other ships who are willing to make the journey for that amount of credit or plat immediately, but the curator was... insistent. And emphatic."

With a slight laugh, Raj shakes his head and says, "I've dealt with those gentlemen before, and I think we're in agreement on their eccentricities. I'm sorry to say we have other commitments that we must honor first. We can either take your cargo on-board now and deliver it in approximately five months, or return about that time to take your commission on." He sighs deeply, then continues, "I'm sorry we don't have better terms for you, sir."

Leung sounds exhausted. "No, no, Mr. Daybreak, that's fine. I fully understand. EXARCH has requested we hold on to the artifact for safe keeping until you are ready to deliver it directly, even if it takes five months."

Solbiort is relaxedly stretched out in the pilot's seat as Raj is comm'ing Leong. She idly looks up on the Cortex who this so-eccentric curator is... and discovers he's Maximillian Villanova, better known as 'Curator Maxi.' He's apparently lived and breathed the Archives for most of his adult life, such that social legend has it he was taken on as an intern, and never set foot outside the ark since that day. This is also clearly classified as mostly untrue but amusing -- and actually not too far from the truth! Nigel hasn't mentioned why he's concerned about travel plans and times, but he has been listening in a bit. After a moment his brows draw together and he taps the captain on the shoulder, jerking his head toward the door of the bridge before stepping outside. Solbiort raises an eyebrow at Nigel... then nods and rises, stepping smoothly outside with him, "Vas is, di-di?"

Once outside, Nigel still speaks quietly, "This... is going awful gorram quick. EXARCH must have some awful ruttin' important priority channels to go back an' forth like this. It takes me weeks just to get a bloody letter from Natasha. This just feels weird... feels kinda like secret agent speak for 'I wanna meet these crazy spacers in person.'"

Solbiort leans against a wall, folding her arms as she muses on Nigel's words. She nods slowly, "Is fery goot point, di-di. Am vondering myself -- vhy us? Vould like much to know zat before landing on Bernadette, am thinking." She adds thoughtfully, "Am remembering now... ze boy ve capture from Far T'under? He had fery old pistol vhich EXARCH reqvest. Vonder if some connection there is..." She adds perplexedly, "Und how so fast zey contact Leong?! This is military channel speed, ya?"

Nigel shrugs and snorts, "Gee, captain. We only got messed up in the weirdest ruttin' scandal since the ruttin' Alliance was formed. Why would some gorram history geek want to meet us? My big concern is the speed, though. He ain't no normal history geek to get access to channels like that." He nods, "High ruttin' priority, yeah. It ain't impossible, mind, just weird."

Solbiort grins at Nigel and slaps his shoulder lightly, "Haf goot point, di-di. Vell, ve see. Am thinking ve ask first, before ve accept."

Still on the Bridge, Raj nods and says, "We'll be happy to keep you apprised of our estimated return then, Mr. Leung." A troubled look crosses his face, but Raj continues, "Perhaps my Captain and I could meet with you somewhere near the landing pad to discuss the details, just so we have them squared away well in advance?"

"If you want, Mr. Daybreak. To be honest, I'm already rather fed up with EXARCH's instructions. But if you can't deliver it for five months, that's fine with me. Frankly, it puts a log in the curator's eye, and after the verbal wrestling we've been through with him I'm perfectly happy with that."

Solbiort strolls back onto the bridge, leaning to whisper to Raj, "Am thinking ve need to talk to curator ourselves, or find out vhy us, before ve agree?"

Raj snorts, "Well, I'm happy to be able to help you then, Mr. Leung. I'm sure we can work out the necessary 'fine print' in the meantime. If there's nothing else, we'll be in touch with you soon. Do you think there is any chance we'd be able to discuss this commission with your principal?"

"If I could give you that damnfool- erm. If I could give you the curator's messaging address I would, but I'm not supposed to. Still, if you message EXARCH I'm sure they'll read the origin and know it's from you. I would use common encryption, though -- they seem rather keen on keeping a modicum of privacy for this matter."

Solbiort nods thoughtfully, then leans to whisper to Raj, "Any idea vhy curator vould keep zis man up all night?"

Raj says, "Well, I think we can handle that. We'll contact him soon, then. Feel free to tell him that... or not, as it suits you," and signs off with a small smile. Then he says to the others, "OK. I don't know what's going on here, but I want to know a damn sight more before we go anywhere near Bernadette."

Solbiort nods to Raj, "Ya, I also, Raj. This is vorrying. Ve call him next, ya?"

After their... interesting conversation with the officer of the local Office of Hours and Calendar Coordination, there is nothing else that appears to be 'Verse-shaking, and the crew can proceed with their schedule after their brief interruption of service. Solbiort glances at Raj, "Hokay. Vant to send message to EXARCH head, see if he respond to bait?"

Elgyn's brow crinkles. "Bait?" he queries, clearly not following the metaphor as he sips morning coffee.

Solbiort says, "Ya. He vant us fery bad, und that mean he vant somezing he has not yet told us." She nods towards Nigel, "As di-di noted."

Raj stretches a bit, then says, "Well, this whole bit stinks, and if they really wanted us they would have been more than a bit forthcoming, don't you think? Are you thinking we should call him to see if he explodes?"

Solbiort nods amusedly at Raj, "Ya, und ya." She grins mischievously.

Elgyn considers. "Depends on the man involved, Raj. He certainly sounds rather... imperious and full of himself, if the second hand opinion of him is any indication."

Solbiort says, "Could be also desperate... or upset? Not sure vhy, though. Might be interesting to discover zhat."

Raj shrugs, "If he wanted to get our attention, he should have done his homework. If he thought that simply offering us money was the answer, his intel is downright sad."

Solbiort looks at Raj and grins again, "So... how you vould vord it, hm?" Elgyn looks between the two, seemingly curious himself as to what the answer will be.

Raj says, "How unhappy do you want to make him?"

Solbiort thinks... then shakes her head, "Not at first. Are chust jiggling bait right now. Ve can reflect back to him vhat he gif us after zhat."

Raj stares off for a moment, then says, "I'd send him a text-message with something like: 'We have been apprised of your situation and will be available to take your commission shortly. If there are extenuating circumstances that you feel we need to be aware of, please contact us soonest.'"

Solbiort nods, "Goot. You can make zhis happen, ching?"

Raj turns to a terminal, saying, "Working." After a moment or two, various screens flicking by, he finished his typing. He pauses a moment for review, then presses a final key. He turns back to Solbiort and says, "Done."

Solbiort grins, her eyes alight with mischief, "Excellent!" She rubs her hands together, then cheerfully says to the others, "Vell! Next stop Ulundi, ya? Let's go, crew! Gots cargo to drop off und for Elgyn -- family connections to find!"

Elgyn folds his arms, scratching his chin with the coffee cup. "You know, assuming he has 'intel' at all, I'd point out that our attention is 'gotten.' It's not as if we're just rejecting his proposal out of hand, or ignoring it." He smiles. "Cryptic behavior tends to get most people interested."

Solbiort chuckles at Elgyn, heading out to do a last check on the cargo, "Of course, pretty. Vhy you think ve do it right back?"

Raj thinks for a moment, then says, "We were offered three times the going rate for his little package. I'm guessing he expected we'd jump at the chance, being ignernt Fringies and 'pirates' to boot." Solbiort's amused snort floats back over her shoulder from the hallway leaving the Bridge. Raj ponders, "Dunno. You think I should have misspelled some? Keep up the act?"

Elgyn chuckles into his mug. "If he wants to play the game, then we'll see for ourselves soon enough what his intentions are."

A few hours later a single figure in the off-white tunic and breeches of the Jain is approaching the ship. It's Amodini, and she's walking with the lithe figure of one of the Ste. Franciscan militia captains. Molly calls over the ship's intercom, "We've got guests, Captain. Looks like Amodini and one of the Orangemen."

Solbiort looks up from where she's testing tension on the cargo boxes' binding and nods, "Sheh-sheh, mei-mei." She heads to the airlock door and waves cheerfully, "Nihao, nihao, come on in! Vhat ve can do you for?" Elgyn gets up from where he was doing calisthenics, wiping the sweat from his brow as he looks to the front hatch where Solbiort greets their unexpected visitors, slinging on his vest for propriety's sake.

Amodini smiles quietly, and the Ste. Franciscan doffs his broad black brimmer respectfully. "Captain," Amodini says. "I imagined that you would be departing soon, now that your work here is done. The villages wanted someone to come by as soon as possible before then."

Solbiort raises an eyebrow, leaning against the hatchway with folded arms, "Somezing still wrong?"

Amodini shakes her head. "Not at all. We wanted to formally thank you, and... well, we do not have a lot to give, Captain. But any time you come to Triumph, we would be pleased to pay your berthing fees for you, and give you a place to rest and eat for as long as you need." She pauses, then says with a smile, "And if you wish a more quiet place to land, I have been told the hills near Ste. Francis are not covered by the docks' grid."

Solbiort laughs, clapping the slight woman gently on the shoulder, "Sheh-sheh! Ve appreciate it fery much -- is fery kind of you all! Haf qvick qvestion for you too, ya? You know if Beth L'Chaim order new holy book yet from Bernadette, und if they vant us to bring it next ve sving by this vay?"

Amodini brightens. "Their Torah? They had mentioned they had ordered it. If you want to bring it to them, I think they would be overjoyed and honored."

Elgyn steps quietly to Solbiort's side. And after a moment, he queries in a subdued tone, "The children. How are they?"

Amodini's exuberance fades a little, and the Ste. Franciscan answers. His voice is a lilting, almost musical brogue, that nevertheless carries a note of many different emotions. "The wee ones had a rough time of it, t'say the least. Some were raped, others weren't. So we're still gettin' the full story of what happened to each one." He sighs. "We're givin' 'em the best love we can right now, which is all we can do, makin' 'em more'n welcome and loved at home. We won't know for maybe another six months jus' what kind of hurt was put on their minds."

Solbiort waits until Elgyn is answered, then replies to Amodini, "Vould be several months, definite, but is possible ve might be near Bernadette sometime soon. Vill see vhat ve can do." Elgyn nods in response to the Franciscan fellow, but has no answer to the news, seeming perhaps a little chagrined that his query has tainted their friendly visitation.

Amodini nods, smiling quietly to Solbiort. "Thank you, Captain. That would be wonderful."

Solbiort will cheerfully invite the two elders in for tea and chat, and makes them feel welcome. She's delighted with their offer, and once they've cordially left, she lets the others know the good news. She stretches her arms over her head, rolling her shoulders and twisting her head a bit, then happily adds, "Great chob, crew! Keep eye out for ozzer potential crew, ching, und now... on to Ulundi! Let's get zis cargo delifered!"

Approaching Ulundi, moon of Eclipse Georgia Quadrant

Ulundi hangs like a dun-green-and-blue, untamed jewel in the Eclipse subsystem. Like most Fringe worlds following the War, there is a token Alliance spatial presence in the form of some satellites, a customs frigate, and an orbiting gunship or two. As the ship enters range of the orbital beacons and nodes, their mail catches up to them, and among them is a message from Bernadette:

To the Captain and crew of the Scarlet Chimera
The curator has asked me to inform you of his pleasure that you will be undertaking this commission. He understands that your schedule must be quite busy and that you have prior commitments that you are unable to alter. He would still wish for you to undertake the transport of the artifact from Triumph to Beaumonde at your earliest possible convenience, at the aforementioned fee. If there is anything that this office can do to expedite the delivery of the artefact by your hands, please let us know and we will be happy to make the proper arrangements.
Please feel free to contact this office with any questions you might have. Thank you very much for your time and consideration,
Sincerely,
Susan Wachter
Assistant to the Curator
Exodus Archives, Bernadette

At about that moment they enter the traffic control grid, and the typical stern voice of a space traffic controller 'waves over with an atypical message: "Trans-K class vessel approaching from Triumph corridor, this is Ulundi traffic control. Please state your intent and destination."

Solbiort snorts amusedly at the Bernadette message, then calls to Raj, "Hey, think vould be inappropriate to say 'vould speed things up to know vhy us?!'" She grins, then listens to the traffic controller, answering, "Scarlet Chimera, trader, delifering cargo und native Ulundian." She grins.

Elgyn is staring at wonder at his home... the last time he saw it so was thirteen years ago on an Independent transport, being brought to training grounds out of system. "I've been away too long," he whispers just before the transmission comes in. Solbiort glances over and smiles at Elgyn, then turns her attention back to her boards.

"Understood, Chimera. Will the Ulundian be staying?"

Solbiort says, "Unknown, traffic control. Vould appreciate any assistance he can be gifen, though." Elgyn gives Solbiort a startled look, but doesn't respond while the link is open. Solbiort grins reassuringly at Elgyn, turning off her mic long enough to murmur, "Vant to get you all zhe help you can, pretty. Can tell zhem yourself not staying, ya?"

"You can contact the Office of Ulundi Tribal Affairs in the city. We are 'waving you approach vectors. Do not deviate from them or gunships will respond. Confirm, please, Chimera."

Solbiort raises an eyebrow, turning the mic back on, "Ya, ya, heard you. Bit testy, vhat?"

"Sorry, Chimera, but rules are rules. Problems with smugglers and inciters. Just land in the city docks and all will be taken care of."

Solbiort shrugs, "Hokay, keep shorts on. Chimera confirming!"

Elgyn nods, then puts his hand to his face. "Do not antagonize the nice men with the really large gunship, Captain, please. I'm still practicing with the beam weapon," he mumbles.

Solbiort snorts amusedly at Elgyn, and lays in the approach vectors they're sent, bringing the ship in smoothly. She turns the mic off again, and rumbles thoughtfully, "Smugglers not a surprise... but vhat are inciters inciting, I vonder?"

Elgyn sits in his chair. "From what the surveyor said, I expect anti-Alliance sentiments." He looks sidelong at Solbiort. "I was worried for a moment there, Captain. I didn't ask to wear this because my wrist was cold," he adds, indicating her bracelet.

The ship comes down through atmo without much of any problem. The skies of Ulundi are clear, at least over what traffic control called 'the city.' Though the city itself... in all fairness, Magistrate Xia Zhou insisted the Ulundi city not be a ghetto or slum. To her credit, the city initially succeeded. That much is visible; but the rest of the city looks rather ramshackle, and perhaps a bit less than what you would find on other Fringe worlds that attempt to make major urban centers.

Solbiort grunts noncommittally at the comment about the surveyor, then chuckles at Elgyn's second comment. She powers down the ship after they land, adding "Hokay... let's get zhis rolling! Raj, you got cargo in hand, ya? Nigel, you need anyzhing here? Elgyn, vill contant Office of Tribal vhatefers for you; moment." She shakes her head at the city, but says nothing, simply comming for the local 'wave to reach the Office of Ulundi Tribal Affairs. Elgyn grimaces, but does not explode in a font of rage, staying quiet and calm as he listens curiously for whoever answers the wave to the Tribal Affairs office.

The local Cortex soon brings up the Office of Ulundi Tribal Affairs, and the face which appears on her screen is haggard, worn, Central, but still standing. "Nihao. Office of Tribal Affairs; how can we help?" He isn't young, though he has a roundness to his face which makes him seem a bit younger than he is.

Solbiort says, "Nihao! Captain Solbiort of Scarlet Chimera. Got somevon vants to talk to you." She glances at Elgyn, waving him over, "Come talk, ya?"

Elgyn stands and comes to the panel. "I am Elgyn of Musere," he says to the man, finding himself adopting a formal tone. "I am come to stand before my Elders, and before Kan Kahega and Chan Atana, to tell my tale." If they still live, is his unspoken thought.

The man looks blank for a second, then nods a little, as if finally comprehending. "Ah," he says finally, then rummages about his desk. "Musere... Musere... ah, here we are. Clan Musere, integrated three years ago, city blocks 72 to 85 inclusive... I can give you directions to that location. Unfortunately we do not have the names of the current elders on file here."

Solbiort raises an eyebrow, but stifles the rest of her internal reaction. She just sits, arms folded, and stolidly listens. Elgyn is heartened by this... the idea that there are 'current' elders at least implies something remains of the clan hierarchy. "That will be fine; sheh-sheh." His brow creases. "Perhaps a city map as well."

"We'll pass that on to you. Will you be staying on Ulundi?"

Elgyn doesn't feel like discussing the dynamic of the agreements made when Ulundi's warriors left, with a Central boy. "I suppose that depends on the Elders," he says noncommittally.

"Ah. Well. Please let us know if you'll be staying, then. We'll make the necessary records and forms."

Elgyn nods. "I will. Are there any standing laws I need to be made aware of?"

"Well, the usual social laws and ordnances. Nothing out of the ordinary."

It takes Nigel a while to take inventory, his supplies having been somewhat depleted with the bandit caper. Eventually he gets back to the captain with a list, "I need just about gorram everything."

Solbiort turns her chair so she can talk to Nigel and not disrupt Elgyn's conversation. She chuckles, "Make list, di-di, und ve go shopping. Not much here, am guessing, but at least basics ve can fill, ya?"

Elgyn's arms fold behind his back. "Traffic Control mentioned something about insurgents, sir. Should my Captain be worried?"

The man purses his lips for a moment. "Unless you're joining any groups to incite against the administration, then no, you should have nothing to worry about."

Elgyn looks interested. "Are there sign-in centers? Could you note those on the map too?" he says, seemingly earnest enough that it's hard to tell if he's joking. Solbiort rolls her eyes and turns her attention to incoming messages, to see if a map has been already sent and what Nigel's needs list is.

As the map comes in, the man looks flatly at Elgyn, then finally sets his papers down. "Look. You might not like the Alliance being in your world. You might not like how the war ended, either. That's fine. It's your opinion. You're entitled to it. But this is a fact, not an opinion, and you need to understand it and accept it: This is an Alliance world, now. There is Alliance law, Alliance order, an Alliance magistrate... and Alliance sheriffs. So consider this a warning not to do anything stupid. You aren't the first Ulundi to come back, and if you try to start trouble I can promise you that the Federales won't take it too kindly. Dong le ma?" Without waiting for a reply, he closes the channel.

Solbiort sighs, gets up, and leaves the bridge. "Nigel, vill meet you in cargo." She adds over her shoulder, "Elgyn, do not leaf ship vizout me, ching."

Elgyn sighs, sitting in a chair. "No worries, Captain." As the silence thickens he mutters, "Could have just said no." After a few minutes he peruses the map sent, trying to find the place indicated by the official. Once he does, he returns to his room and changes into the formal wear he wore to the celebratory dinner on Triumph. After considering it, he decides to leave his revolver and shotgun behind, deciding to wear only the trappings of his culture as he did when he first left. And then he burns incense and prays to his ancestors for the calm and stillness he knows he will need in the days ahead.

Solbiort finds Raj in cargo and checks on how the rice unloading is going. Once that's taken care of, she sighs and lets him know Elgyn's not supposed to leave the ship unaccompanied. After that she looks around for Nigel, adding to Raj, "Di-di Nigel und I vere goink shopping for medical supplies. You need anyzing?"

Raj glances up from his paperwork and gives Solbiort a long look, then says, "Unloading is on schedule. No problems yet." He pops a data chip out of the terminal, hands it to Solbiort, and says, "I've got a short list of supplies for you, priorities marked. Most of the minor clean-up and maintenance was done before we left." As Solbiort reads the list on her terminal, Raj asks, "Do you want me to look for contracts, or are we planning on leaving in a hurry?"

Solbiort pauses long enough to roll her eyes in exasperation, then growl, "Don't know now. Vas hopink to stay long enough to pick up good cargo -- not black or gray, so ve had rep as honest so ve could return here easily for Elgyn! Now, though..." she sighs again, drumming her fingers irritatedly against her personal chip-reader, then finally shakes her head once firmly, "Neh, not goink to risk crew or ship for zhis. If you can find cargo for inner vorlds und they can load at vonce, then ya. Ozzervise... don't bother."

Raj nods, "Understood."

Solbiort glances around, then comms, "Nigel, Elgyn, you ready? Goink shopping now." She adds to Raj, "You vant to come too?"

Shaking his head, Raj says, "I've got a few calls to make and some legwork to do if we expect to get anything on short notice."

In his room, Elgyn opens his eyes and reaches out to snuff the smoking ember. "I am ready," he comms back.

Solbiort nods to Raj, "Hokay. Comm if you or mei-mei need us." She calls up the map of the city, plotting out their route as she waits for the two young men to turn up in cargo. Nigel shows up with a list and wearing the clothes he's been using the muck about in the engine. He's been surprisingly quiet over the last couple of days. Elgyn turns up seconds after Nigel, reserved, and smelling nice, as a result of smudging with the incense. Solbiort nods to Nigel, then curiously asks, "You hokay, di-di?"

Nigel shakes his head and smiles somewhat tightly, "Just thinkin' too ruttin' much."

Solbiort nods to Nigel, then murmurs quietly in Midgaardian to Elgyn. Once she's done she waits, watching him silently. Elgyn's eyes find the floor as Solbiort whispers, and he only nods once. Solbiort nods again and turns towards the hatchway, "Hokay, ve go now." She glances at Nigel, adding, "Got list from Raj also. Ve purchase for you both, zen send back to ship viz you, ya?"

Nigel mms and looks over his own list, frowning slightly, "Yeah, works for me. I ain't sure I'm fit company, anyway."

Solbiort snorts amusedly at Nigel and grins, "Hadn't realized anyzing had changed for you, di-di!" She glances over at Elgyn, "Ve visit your people vonce ve send Nigel back to ship."

Nigel rolls his eyes and snorts, "Can't argue that I'm normally fit company, so you got me there." Solbiort chuckles, gently ruffling Nigel's hair. Nigel wrinkles his nose and ducks away, but he doesn't actually growl. It's a step up.

On the ship, Raj finds very little as far as potential exports go. Ulundi is still very much developing. Despite this, he gets hold of a shipment of weaving that an importer on Ariel is looking for, which is about where Bernadette is, roughly. Speaking to the shipper on-screen, Raj says, "...and thank you for your business. Please let me know as soon as you can have the goods ready. Good day," He terminates the call, and leans back in his chair, sighing. He mumbles, "Well, that's what you get when you've got little or no time," and drops a message to Solbiort about the delivery.

Out in the port city so far, the crew hasn't had much problem finding supplies. Prices are a bit higher here but the Alliance is making pains to bring in needed supplies; part of the cost of supplies to spacers goes towards shipping in supplies for the natives. In particular, medicines appear to be at a bit of a premium. Food appears to be locally processed into forms suitable for taking aboard ship. Solbiort grimaces, exasperated, but grimly signs off on the necessary purchases. To Nigel she growls quietly, "Di-di, anyzing you are villing to vait on until Midgaard, ching do so, ya? Vill be cheaper zhere und possibly better quality also." She'll also confirm receipt of Raj's notice, agreeing with the cargo he found, and asking what if anything he can hold off on purchasing until Midgaard.

Nigel nods to the request, "I'll just get the bare essentials here. I can pick up the more expensive stuff elsewhere." Elgyn is good as his word and says nothing... he watches the streets instead, and the people too, quietly bearing witness to what his world has become.

Solbiort says, "Goot -- zhat is relief. Hokay, vonce ve haf everyzing ve must haf, I send it back to ship viz you, ya?" She looks at Elgyn, adding, "Zhen ve go visit your elders." Elgyn nods mutely, watching a girl of about eight that is staring right back at him through the window, her skin as dark as Elgyn's own. The quiet recognition goes on several seconds before her mother tugs her away.

Nigel gets everything as efficiently as possible and with the bare minimum of growling at the clerks, then heads back to the ship, where he immerses himself up to his elbows in the engine again, doing simple maintenance. Solbiort makes sure Nigel's safely on his way back, alerts Raj to expect him, then sighs and looks at Elgyn silently for a few moments. Finally she shakes her head once, then consults her data-reader for directions to... city blocks 72 to 85 inclusive. Then she heads that way, striding purposefully. She walks silently for a while, then quietly murmurs to Elgyn, "So... you haf thought of vhat you vish to say?"

Elgyn follows in Solbiort's wake, keeping pace with her by the time she speaks. Some of that is because he is looking, and listening to the people. "Been planning for this for a while, Captain. Before I even knew I was coming," he murmurs.

Solbiort grunts, "Goot," and falls silent again.

"I wish it wasn't like this, Captain. I wish you could see my home when it was beautiful," he murmurs softly.

Solbiort glances sideways at Elgyn and rumbles, "Cities alvays are not as lofely as nature... but nature alvays not as social or hospitable as cities. Alvays zhere are trade-offs, di-di." She looks back at the road, grumbling under her breath, "Alvays."

This section of the city is run down -- not dirt- and grime-encrusted -- just not put together with great care. If anything, it was thrown together too quickly to last. The residents seem to have put it together (and whatever signage and such) with whatever was at hand rather than according to any manual or orders. Elgyn can see the building tendencies of people more used to uprooting themselves and moving every so often, rather than settling in one place. Unfortunately "settling in one place" is exactly what the people are doing. Despite this, there is freely running water, what looks like a decent sewage system, and power, though the last is sparsely used and the sewage system is probably still being tweaked, considering the reports of dysentery.

The sheriff deputies are (in contrast to those on Triumph) very well-equipped -- and don't look terribly friendly. Only a handful appear to be Ulundian, though with the helmets it's hard to tell. While not infantry "purplebelly" armor, their body armor is not insubstantial, and though not a repeater is in sight, the autolocks and suoshi revolvers they pack mean business.

Solbiort is impossible to hide, and she gets a lot of the steady gazes from the Ulundi. There are strong resemblances to Elgyn in this part of the city too, from everyone: not only in how they look but also their hair styles and tattoos. There isn't, however, any easy way to tell who's in charge. Which makes sense -- to a Central anyway: the government, not the elders, is administrating to and for the people. Solbiort doesn't seem to care unduly at being stared at -- it's nothing new to her, and unless she's around ranking officers, she's always walked like she owned the place. She simply keeps consulting her data reader to find their way, hoping the natives haven't changed their environment so much that the map is out of date.

"Nature is always beautiful, Captain. You just have to be willing to see it," Elgyn replies. "You know that. I saw it in your face when you flew out into the icy winds on Midgaard." His eyes dart from face to face: any sonia, even one not of the elders, is recognizable by specific facial markings added to the Ascension tattoo. He seeks one of those, in the hope they will be able to point him in the direction of an Elder, or the Chan's home.

Solbiort snorts amusedly at Elgyn, "Vas vhat I chust said, pretty." She looks around a bit exasperatedly, "Vhat people here haf against goot signage?!" She double checks -- it looks like they're in the right neighborhood. She nods once, then looks down at Elgyn, "Hokay, ve are in right place. Now vhat? How you contact your elders?"

Elgyn says, "There are signs, Captain. You're just not familiar with them."

Solbiort says, "Ya, is so. So, vhere signs are for sonias?" It takes some walking around, and getting deeper into the neighborhood -- it's starting to feel a little uncomfortable, if not for the occasional sheriff patrol -- but shortly Elgyn thinks he can spot a youngish woman with the markings of a sonia to one side of an open-air market. Solbiort is starting to ponder simply collaring someone and asking them directions, but when Elgyn perks up she looks over inquiringly. "Vhat you find, pretty?"

Elgyn's brow knits as he turns to look Solbiort full in the face. "Do you..." And then he trails off as he sees the woman. "There," he murmurs, striding forward. "<Honored teacher>," he addresses her in that language he has seldom spoke. "Can you offer guidance to a humble warrior of the people?" Solbiort follows behind more slowly, glancing around curiously.

The woman looks to have been a bit too young to have fought in the war, at least to Solbiort; she seems to be a bit older than Molly. She looks at Elgyn quizzically for several long moments, then says slowly, also in Ulundi, "<Elgyn? Is that you?>"

Solbiort smiles, catching the name if not the rest of the language. She folds her arms and leans casually against a nearby awning support to wait. Elgyn's eyes go wide. "You know me?" he breathes, eyes focusing on that face, trying to picture it younger and without her impressive tattoo.

The woman's jaw drops. "Gods! You don't remember me -- of course you don't; I was twelve years old -- I'm Annaka, your cousin!"

Elgyn smiles for the first time since they came into orbit. "'Ka, you little troublemaker... should I check my hip to see if you made off with my blade again?" he half-demands, "Ancestors above, you've grown! Who'd you trick into giving you a sonia's mark?!" he adds with a bark of laughter, enfolding her in an embrace.

Annaka hugs back, though she seems a bit subdued; even so she snorts a laugh, smiling to Elgyn. "Weren't many left who'd take up being a sonia after the Alliance came. Grandmother Eisha nearly had to threaten me... but it seemed the right thing to do at that." She peers over Elgyn's shoulders at Solbiort with eyes of bright, autumnal yellow-brown -- eyes which narrow perhaps a millimeter or two. "Who's your friend?"

Solbiort nods politely, straightening and pacing over with an easy smile. She puts her palms together and bows her head slightly, "Nihao. Captain Solbiort of zhe Scarlet Chimera."

Annaka's expression is mixed, but she nods politely to Solbiort. "Captain. Annaka of Clan Musere." She looks back to Elyn, her expression brightening somewhat. "So what's this 'humble warrior' thing? You're looking to-" she blinks at him. "Oh! The rite of passage!"

Elgyn tsks. "Claws down, 'Ka. She's my sonia of a decade," he informs her. At the mention of the rite he looks wry. "Sort of. Mostly I came back to fulfill the vow I made when I left to fight. She convinced me of it, 'Captain did. And to visit Nuala's resting place." Solbiort smiles faintly, looking down at the slight woman, and says nothing.

Annaka makes a disgruntled noise, folding her arms. "Yeah, I figured... sorry about that," she adds, glancing to Solbiort. "Just... we have mixed feelings about your folks, captain. Wagnerians in gunships shredded what little air-space defense we had, clearing the way for ground troops. At the same time, they refused to do bombing strikes on our villages. So... there's some mixed emotions, but a lot of respect. Just warning you that people won't be quite immediately sure how to react to you."

Solbiort murmurs calmly, "Ve are varriors, but not vizzout heart, lady. Is not first time peoples are unsure. Vill not be last."

Annaka turns back to Elgyn, and nods soberly. "All right. You'll have a heck of a trip to get to Nuala's grave though, Elgyn. It's way, way out of the city limits, and the sheriffs don't take kindly to many people going out there."

Elgyn nods solemnly. "I figured, but maybe I can make nice with them," he replies, suddenly cursing his desire to be cute with the official. "You said it was hard to get folk to take up the mantle of sonia... are there any left of the old Circle? Chan Atana? The Healer?" he queries, suddenly fearing the worst.

Annaka grimaces just a little. "Most of them, yes. Elgyn, a lot of hard decisions had to be made while the Alliance troopships were dropping into the world. A lot of hard, unpopular decisions. But just remember that if the Elders of all the tribes hadn't made the decisions they did, then there'd be no people for you to come back to -- just laughingstocks of Eclipse. We'd not be much better off than the poor folk who fled Shadow."

Solbiort puts one hand on Elgyn's shoulder and murmurs, "He vill understand. He has had hard decisions of his own to make."

Elgyn nods, glancing back at Solbiort. "I'm not here to judge, Annaka. That you are alive and well is more than I hoped for. Didn't expect to find anyone 'was family left. Just here to finish my final duty... maybe see if there's a way I can make up for being gone so long."

Annaka smiles a little and nods, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Okay. Come on -- I'll show you to Chan Atana's house. The others're probably there." Solbiort falls back and lets the other woman lead with Elgyn. She's mostly just watching and sticking with him for just in case.

Elgyn is following Annaka quietly at first. But then he cannot hold in his curiosity. "'Ka... how bad is it? I've heard second hand stories, but... it sounds like Earth-That-Was all over again," he queries softly.

Annaka is quiet for a moment. "Depends on what 'it' is. It's rough, Elgyn, no matter what way you cut it. We're just not used to this city living. The 'Liance said that they set up the city because it was better across the board: better services, education, supplying, medical care, that sort of thing. Some of us think the Alliance just put us all in one place 'cause some of the hotheads tried to bloody their nose for a while after the war."

Elgyn tries to hold back a growl. "Why us, for ancestors' sake. Some places on the Fringe, there's neither hide nor hair of the Alliance... but here, we've got them sticking their noses into everything, drowning us and them in the building irony. Did we seem that barbaric?" he queries rhetorically, sighing. Solbiort coughs pointedly from where she paces silently behind the two Ulundians.

Annaka says a touch wryly, "Well, we were nomadic hunter-gatherers and happy with that until they blackrocked Shadow...."

Solbiort sighs internally and shakes her head... then just continues following silently, mentally changing the subject. She's relieved there's been no issue with her Suoshi autolock from any of the deputies, although not really worried. She's carrying her permit, having planned ahead. Elgyn looks back. "Captain, I'm sorry... I wasn't trying to leave you out of the conversation," he apologizes at the look on her face.

Solbiort ponders her upcoming behavior. Remain silent during the inevitable bad-mouthing of the Alliance? ...or point out they're all in the same boat now? Her emerald eyes study Elgyn calmly as she considers... and then she replies, "Vas not vorried about zhat. Enchoy talking viz your kinsvoman. Has been decade or so, after all."

Elgyn knows there's something going on in Solbiort's head, and can even possibly guess at some of the substance of it. How odd that they've never had this conversation, not once, since she found him under that rock. But now is not the time or the place. He inclines his head and resumes their course. "A surveyor said there were youth gangs along clan lines?" he asks Annaka.

Annaka is looking curiously between Solbiort and Elgyn, but at Elgyn's question she nods, sighing. "The younger hotheads are trying to make an identity for themselves. Instead of trying to make our lot better, and since fighting the Alliance is a repeatedly bad idea, they've broken down along clan lines and have tussles. So far they've only been counting coup on each other, but now and then someone gets hurt."

Solbiort snorts quietly to herself -- she's seen that sort of behavior before. Annoying and messy, until the Vi'sindakona get the idiots back under control and working towards some useful goal. She glances around again, reflexively keeping an alert eye out. Elgyn grimaces. "Musere too? Ah well...the young will be young. As you and I both well know," he murmurs, smiling a little. "Did Coran ever forgive you for cutting a swath of his prized blonde hair off in a reverse mohawk?" he queries, a smile coming to his lips.

Annaka makes a disgruntled sound. "When they had the plains to ride off their emotions and the hunt to sharpen their skills, that was one thing, and we could encourage them to count coup with the youths of other clans. Now though, there's nowhere to be alone with just your thoughts and the world. So everything builds up. The deputies, they try to keep things calm, but there aren't a lot of Ulundi whom the sheriff trusts enough to be a deputy."

Solbiort rumbles quietly behind them, "How often these tussles happen? Likely to stumble across von, or zhey are more cautious?"

Annaka glances behind to Solbiort. "They're cautious about them. Usually they're at night, soon after local sunset, just before the deputies change shifts. And they try to keep the tussles out of sight." Solbiort nods again, continuing to pace along quietly behind the cousins.

Elgyn's brow knits. "Why do they keep all the peoples under such a close rein? It's not like this is Midgaard or Shadow, where the environment is dangerous? Surely even the Alliance could see that some of the old ways have value. And it's not as if we're any real danger to them, with their military machine and sophisticated technology..." he mutters. "Even I eventually saw the wisdom of a slugthrower over a blade during the war."

Solbiort mutters, "Follow zhe plat."

Elgyn looks over his shoulder? "I'm sorry?"

Solbiort says, "Answer to vhy Ulundi reined in so tight -- follow zhe plat. Who benefit financially?" She adds amusedly, "You know zhis already, pretty."

Annaka is about to answer when Solbiort interjects. She nods a little. "Well, the public reason is to stem off Browncoat-incited terrorism. At that, though, we've been trying to 'follow the platinum' without much success. We're only due to have city council elections in two months."

Elgyn's brow knits, looking between Annaka and Solbiort. "Maybe you give me too much credit, Captain. I fail to see why refusing to let people leave the city at will, at least, is of financial benefit to anyone. It's not as if the wild cattle are setting up a marketplace with goods at cheaper prices than in the city."

Solbiort takes a slow breath... then rumbles patiently, "Elgyn, ve suppose zhere is somezing valuable out in vilds... copper, say, ya? Und some unethical corporation vishes to benefit from zhis. Vould be prohibitively expensive to pay various tribes for permits to mine. Easier to pay politicians to herd people off land." She shrugs expressively at Elgyn, "Make sense now?"

Annaka mutters quietly, "It'd be a damn sight tastier. Haven't had real cattle-beef in six years..." She nods as she points down a short alleyway, "Here we are: Chan Atana's house is over here." Solbiort goes quiet again -- this is Elgyn's show, unless there are problems. She simply nods politely to the smaller woman (should Annaka even look at her), and continues following the cousins.

Elgyn's only response is a grimace, looking to the marks Annaka indicates. "The home of the greatest of our people used to be seen prominently, decorated by the finest artists of the clan. Now it is down a back alley," he sighs, taking the lead.

Annaka says, as she heads them down the alley, "The home of the greatest of our people is not the most popular place to be anymore." The shanty is the kind of cargo container used for this sort of thing: a prefab housing unit on short stilts to mitigate any possible flooding. Annaka raps on the door briefly, then opens it at a muffled sound from inside. "Chan Atana! It's me, Annaka. I've brought guests!"

Elgyn finds himself worried at what more he will find. He remembers seeing Kahega and Atana before he boarded the ship... he had never met them personally -- that honor would have been saved for Ascension -- but Atana was the most regal woman he had ever seen, even more than his own mother. And Kahega was a quiet man with lightning in his eyes and his veins, the quickest hand with a bow. But now, with the weight of Annaka's words, he wonders if that has changed.

Solbiort steps up past the stilts and ducks her head to slip in through the small door, moving carefully so she doesn't knock her head on anything in the tiny prefab housing unit. She steps to one side of the door and looks around thoughtfully at those within.

The inside of the prefab shanty is fairly well lit, with windows off one side opposite the door, and skylights that can be shuttered when it rains. Inside the attempt has clearly been made to make this as close to the original housing of the sonias as possible, with the small bed to one side almost buried beneath blankets of elaborate weaving. Against one corner is a bead-weaving loom which has some of the most complex bead design possible being worked on. The center of the shanty is dominated by a rough but neat fire-pit, currently not lit, around which three people are seated. The one directly opposite the door doesn't stand; she seems too frail to attempt that, and is bundled into a large blanket as it is. Though one of her eyes is pale white, the other is bright as a hawk's, and she studies the new arrivals closely.

Solbiort nods politely to the elders present, remaining standing against the wall and to one side of the door. The other two in the room are immediately recognizable to Elgyn: Atana is a tall but heavily weathered woman, with long braids that have long faded to gray. The other is a square-jawed man who has that same lightning in his eyes, though it appears more tamed than subdued.

Elgyn's eyes suddenly fill with tears at the sight of Kahega and Atana. He goes to one knee, head bowed. "I am... Musere. We are Musere," he murmurs, the barely remembered words coming to his lips like it was yesterday. "We are the children of the storm." He takes his krisara and unsheathes it, laying it before them. "You are the thunder," he continues, looking to Atana. "You are the dark cloud," he says to Kahega, as the tears stream down his face. "I am your blade, the lightning that fells the tree. We are one."

Solbiort folds her arms and watches silently, doing nothing to draw attention to herself. There is quiet in the shanty for a few moments, and Kahega and Atana look at one another. Then, almost as one, they stand. "We are Musere," Kahega intones in a voice so deep it seems to shake the prefab down to its stilts, strong and unyielding. "We are the storm that sweeps over the plains, the hooves of our horses being the thunder in the sky."

It is the one Elgyn called Atana who speaks next, and her voice and demeanor is no less confident. "You are the blade, you are the hail, you are the lightning. We are Musere. We are One." It sounds less like a greeting and more like a pronouncement. After a moment Atana's voice grows warmer, and she says, "Now stand, childe Elgyn, and let's have a look at you after all these years."

Elgyn smiles even as the tears crawl down his face. He remembers that voice. "Yes, Chan," he replies, coming to his feet.

Chan Atana is smiling, and puts her hands on Elgyn's shoulders, looking him over. "You've grown to be a fine young man, Elgyn. Welcome home." She looks curiously at his head, and runs her hand over his somewhat-shorn pate. A moment later her expression gains understanding and not some sympathy. "Ah, you've come back for your Ascension!"

Elgyn bows his head. "I have, Chan. I have been away a long time and I would tell you my story, with your blessing," he murmurs, almost seeming to glow in response to the First Lady's approval.

Atana smiles and nods. "Then come, sit down with us and tell us what you may. All of you," she adds, indicating Solbiort, who nods politely to the Sigrvif, settling gracefully cross-legged wherever there's space. Atana looks to Solbiort. "Elgyn, if you would do us the honors of introducing your friend?" Solbiort's lips quirk slightly at the corners. She turns to gaze steadily at Elgyn, waiting.

Elgyn sits the same, his palms resting on his knees. He has been thinking about this moment for many days, and now that it is upon him he is finally sure of what he will say. "I am not ashamed to admit... that I took the defeat of the Independents hard. The defeat of Musere... indeed, of all Ulundi. Cheyvo and Undani, my worthy parents, had fallen in honorable battle, and I was yet alive. We are one, and so I took the brunt of that defeat on myself," he begins. "But this one," he quickly continues, gesturing to Solbiort, "she saved my honor, my body, and my soul. It is with great pleasure that I bring her before you, my sonia of ten years, to meet you. She is called Solbiort Skialdmeyjar, a <flaming warrior hawk> come from Midgaard." He lifts his chin proudly.

Solbiort smiles quietly at Elgyn, then turns and lightly touches her weapon hand to her heart, bowing her head once courteously to the two elder women. She remains silent, unsure what would be proper and not wishing to startle them with a more traditional Midgaardian greeting. Elgyn smiles fondly at Solbiort. "It was she who convinced me to return. Had I not such a thick skull I might have listened to her the first time she said it." Solbiort chuckles quietly.

There are a few thoughtful sounds from the three. Kahega speaks, "The pilots of Vagner -- Midgaard are known to us. They did incredible damage to what defenses the Independents helped us to muster, and yet refused to do bombing runs on the holdout clans. One of your sister pilots even promised to shoot down her entire squadron if they followed through with a bombing run like they threatened. I understand there was very little doubt she would be able to do it too."

Solbiort replies with quietly confident pride, "Vould not surprise me." She adds curiously, "You know perhaps her name?"

Kahega shakes his head. "No, I do not, I am afraid. She was transferred quickly from this theater." Solbiort smiles a touch ruefully, also unsurprised to hear that, and nods to the older man.

Atana indicates the much older woman who has been listening to this opposite the fire pit. "Times have changed for us as well, and not merely because we are all in a single settlement rather than spread upon the prairies. We have needed closer cooperation with the other clans, and it is for this reason that Ella of Clan Kotokora is with us this day."

Solbiort makes the same courteous hand gesture to the oldest woman again once she is introduced. Elgyn blinks, looking to the older woman and inclining his head. "I know of your clan. It pleases me that the alliance that I knew of when I was but a stripling is still strong."

Ella gives a somewhat wide smile. "It has had its ups and downs, young Musere. In particular, the braves of Kotokora were... reluctant to side with any who had favored surrender and life to resistance and extermination." Solbiort's expression gets rather wryly amused. [Silly boys], she thinks indulgently.

Elgyn grimaces. "Annaka had told me. She was worried that I would be angry that our people did not fight to the last man. For myself, I thank our ancestors that our people are still present and strong. I am not the hothead I once was, thanks to <Bright Star>'s wisdom and patience," he replies, referring to Solbiort as her name would be said in Ulundi. "But I would know the whole of the story, 'an you will." Solbiort's expression doesn't change much as she glances affectionately at Elgyn.

All three of the elders present nod approvingly. "The whole of the story is fairly simple, but it would take a great deal of time," Atana says. "It is enough to say when the troopships were landing, and in the days following the establishment of the Alliance world heads, we were given the chance to surrender by the Alliance general. It was worded as such: 'a chance to live,' for she did not want a battle which would kill most of both sides. I spoke with her personally, and I believed her. After a few days it was obvious this was not a battle Ulundi could win. And so we surrendered, and the best we were able to negotiate was the situation we have now. They promised to improve things, and it has gotten better... though very, very slowly."

Solbiort considers, then nods slowly at Atana's words. She remembers -- and greatly approves of -- that particular Alliance officer: the highly decorated General Cai-Zhen Ji. Sadly, she was killed towards the end of the war, when a Browncoat gunship squadron intercepted the intermediate-range protected courier she was using for travel. She murmurs quietly, "General Cai-Zhen vas honorable varrior und goot voman."

Elgyn nods sadly. "It is this way all over the 'Verse, Elders. Those worlds that are of the most value to the Alliance have the most attention. Though I suppose I should be glad that you have access to their resources at all... from how the conditions of the city seem, we clearly need it. I have heard in some cases that the peoples of various clans have left entirely, preferring indentured servitude on some far world rather than the conditions of this... city."

Kahega makes another thoughtful sound. "The Alliance is stretching itself thin," he says.

Atana nods. "And it is having to let other, less idealistic parties have too-great a hand in things. And yes... departure for indentured servitude in other places has gone on." She makes a face. "There are a number of hellholes in the 'Verse. It is sad that some people are choosing to go to them rather than remain here."

Solbiort gives Atana a considering glance... then rumbles quietly, "You haf perhaps particular entities in mind viz phrase 'less idealistic'?"

Kahega shakes his head. "The faces are always changing, and we're not privy to the details of those sorts of 'transactions.' But there are enough so-called 'economic nobles' in the Alliance and on its fringes that are willing to pay to ship cheap labor in to whatever unpleasant places have some resource or another that's handy. And plenty of call for strong backs."

Atana's expression changes. "But you are here for your Ascension ceremony, aren't you, Elgyn? I wish we could do it on the prairie. We knew... hundreds of good caves for it to be in."

Elgyn makes a face. "To be in your presence, Chan, is more than I could have hoped for," he whispers honestly.

Solbiort gives Kahega the same sharp look she'd just given Atana, and murmurs quietly to him, as Atana speaks to Elgyn, "Ve talk later, ching?"

Kahega nods. "Aye. If there's anything you might know, we'd love to compare notes." He says "compare notes" in the same tone of voice that one might say "compare lists of people who must be hurt." Solbiort nods silently, her eyes flashing for just a moment... then she looks back at Elgyn again, her expression calm.

Atana smiles, then looks to Annaka. "Annaka, please make some tea." The young sonia nods, standing and getting a kettle and various cups and jars of leaves. Atana looks to Elgyn solemnly. "We do not have the resources to do it as we once did. We do, however, have two elders -- three, if Ella is willing...."

The old woman grins a bit raggedly. "It's been four years since any of the Kotokora came to me for the Ascension. It would be my pleasure."

Solbiort watches silently, wondering what she should do. She'll remain quiet for now, and trust they'll cue her appropriately. Atana looks to Solbiort, considering. "Elgyn called you sonia, Captain," she says slowly. "So it would be inappropriate to ask you to leave. The ceremony is not a secret, but it is private. So please feel welcome here."

At the same time, Elgyn swallows. "I know it might be considered incorrect... but I would ask that Solbiort be allowed to watch..." he hesitates, then plows on, "But a few weeks past I have offered her my hand, and asked to be forever hers. She has done me the honor of accepting."

Solbiort smiles, looking between the two, and simply nods to Atana, rumbling, "I vould be honored to stay, Sigrvif."

There is a bit of a crash from the cupboard where Annaka has dropped a couple of the bowls and is hurriedly cleaning up the mess. The elders' reactions are more subdued, though arched brows are in evidence. "...indeed..." Atana says, smiling quietly. Kahega looks more quizzical, "A... valkyrie of Vagner?" Ella's only reaction is to look at the other two, then say clearly, "I say Musere could do worse than to have right strong woman's blood like that in it!"

Elgyn holds his head high, not backing down from this. Surely they will understand. "It is an unusual situation, to be sure... the specifics of which are still settling. But Ella speaks true: she is as great a warrior as any Ulundi -- greater, even -- a spirit of fire and air -- and she had won my heart many years before."

Solbiort laughs aloud at Ella's comment, then grins with fierce pride at Elgyn. Atana shakes her head. "I've certainly no objections. Kahega?"

The man still looks a mite bewildered. "I've nothing against it. I had only... well, admittedly it was but rumors as to how Vagne- Midgaardians have families. And of course every rumor contradicts every other rumor. I would ask out of curiosity, but that is for later. I am in agreement with Ella and Atana."

Solbiort nods politely to the two elders as they indicate agreement, and rumbles quietly to the man, "Happy to talk later." Both Solbiort and Elgyn notice that Annaka, when she returns to the fire-pit and begins to prepare it, looks rather flustered still -- and is avoiding looking at anyone else. Only one-eyed Ella seems to also be noticing it. Solbiort raises a thoughtful eyebrow... then glances at Elgyn even more thoughtfully. [Crush on her older cousin, perhaps?]

For himself, Elgyn sees the look but does not understand it. And because he is currently in audience with the Elders, he does not query. "Thank you -- all -- for your blessing," he murmurs fervently.

As Annaka sets out five cups of tea and one rather more ornate bowl, Ella reaches over and takes hold of a small hand-drum, testing the tension on the skin. "Before we begin," Atana intones, "you must be asked: are you here of your own will?"

Solbiort smiles faintly at that, sitting comfortably and watching with interest. Elgyn sits straight, folding his hands on his lap. "I am. I come before you to be judged, to take my place among the People as an adult." Solbiort wonders with a touch of concern if Elgyn's ritually sealing himself to his clan -- that would be awkward.

Atana nods, as Annaka sets up a fire in the pit to bring the water-kettle to boil. "Do you believe in the way of the People?"

Elgyn closes his eyes, breathing slowly. "I do. I defend the people in time of war, and I serve their will in time of peace. Mine is the Warrior's Code of Musere, and I would take my own life before dishonoring it or the People," he breathes.

Atana asks then, "And do you know what it is you are asking?"

"I know that to be of the People is not a prize to be won, but a gift that is given. The responsibilities are many, but I am ready, eager, and willing to embrace them. I will say to all with unflinching conviction that I am Musere," Elgyn breathes. Solbiort's concern grows slightly as she watches Elgyn. He looks almost... drugged or ecstatic...? Elgyn does seem quite caught up in the ritual, his chest heaving as he breathes in the steam that issues forth from the kettle.

Annaka starts to crush leaves with a mortar and pestle. She seems to be making two separate sets from two separate types of leaves, one of which is considerably smaller. Ella begins to tap a slow, quiet rhythm on the drum as Atana speaks in Lingua, "You were a child, Elgyn. You were born and raised a child, and were expected to be no more than a child. The child asks. The child questions. The child explores. The child has no immediate goal. And the child is expected to make mistakes...." Solbiort closes her eyes for a moment, sighing out her concerns. She's not going to interrupt... for now, she's going to be here and supportive for poor Elgyn.

"The time comes when the child has gone as far as they can, has asked all that they can, but still needs to know more. Others cannot give the answers the child needs answered. Others cannot point the way the child must go. The child must go on their own, must walk on their own, and must learn their destination. The adult will never stop learning; but while the child is shown what they must know, the adult must be responsible for that themselves. The child must grow into the adult. This is how the People thrive. This is how the people Live. For you, Elgyn, that time has come." Elgyn is quiet during this part of the ritual, listening to Atana's words and seeing the truth in them -- seeing how long he was content to remain a child. No more. He has a goal, and she sits with him even now.

By now Annaka has finished the crushing of the leaves, and has poured water into the larger bowl. It's into this bowl she puts the smaller selection of crushed leaves, letting the water turn a rather odd shade of translucent ochre. Elgyn blinks curiously at the bowl, but does not ask after it, maintaining his silence till once more bidden to speak. Kahega glances to Solbiort, looks at Elgyn, then gestures quietly to Solbiort, leaning over to her. Solbiort watches Annaka silently, then leans to listen to the older man. Kahega murmurs softly to Solbiort, "Just to allay any worries, the tea is a very mild hypnotic, a weak variant of peyote that managed to take root here on Ulundi. He'll be mildly suggestible for perhaps fifteen minutes, but it has no lasting effects; just a bit of a headache and a dry mouth for a few hours after."

Solbiort nods silently, unworried, and settles back again. She makes a mental note to get water into Elgyn soonest after this, however. Annaka wordlessly sets the bowl in front of Elgyn, starting work on what is presumably more normal tea. Atana continues her intonation, "The passage is never easy, and it is ongoing, sometimes for years. Here and now is the symbol of, if not your adulthood, then your dedication to that. Here and now you will be considered an adult of Clan Musere." She pauses. "Drink of the bowl, Elgyn."

Elgyn reaches for the bowl unhesitatingly, lifting it in both hands, and tips it carefully to his lips, sipping at the tea in slow, measured draughts. Solbiort sighs silently, internally relieved there's been no issue with Elgyn's claim to the ritual of Ascension. Ella's beat on the drum becomes a little more pronounced. For Elgyn, after a few moments, he seems to become hyper-aware of his immediate surroundings. He doesn't seem to notice the light coming in from the skylights, though it's there. The only source of light he does see is the fire.

Atana's voice becomes a little more intoning; it seems to put Elgyn essentially into a mild hypnotic trance. "You have traveled long in the plains, Elgyn, and also in the black. And in every great journey, every hunt, there comes the hour of darkest night, the point where all seems dim. The light fades... and fades... and fades... to nothingness...." Indeed, to Elgyn's perception the fire is going out, casting him into pitch black.

Even as Atana is intoning, Kahega is watching Elgyn very, very attentively and minutely. Every so often, Solbiort notices Atana glancing at Kahega, and Kahega subtly nodding or making some indicator; it seems that Kahega is monitoring Elgyn's status. Solbiort is quietly pleased at the good care the elders are taking. She'd had a few worries about that... no more. She listens silently and attentively.

Elgyn's eyes flare wide, clearly dilated, and his head weaves slightly, but his posture remains erect. "I am... not afraid... of the dark," he murmurs thickly, resolutely, even though to his eyes he is mired in a darkness that swallows him whole.

Atana continues: "But everyone is, Elgyn. This is the dark that encompasses everything. It is the dark of the heart. It is the dark of moonless and worldless night. It is the hour of the wolf. It is the darkness of our loathing, of our jealousy, of everything that we hate and yet which is a part of ourselves. It is all these things... and it is death."

Solbiort raises a thoughtful eyebrow, listening. This sounds somewhat like some of the valkyrior training, oddly enough. Elgyn's breathing quickens... he knows this darkness. He has seen it when he was pinned under the rock. He felt it that day when he gave into despair and rage over Devon. For a moment he weaves in place, then straightens again. "Death... has no power against a life... well lived," he whispers, trying to let the fear pass through him.

As Atana talks, though, the fire goes out completely. There is no light and nothing Elgyn can see, and the only thing he hears is what he thinks is his own heartbeat -- but which is actually Ella's beating of the drum. And even that heartbeat/drumbeat seems to be slowing in this all-encompassing darkness. "Death is life, Elgyn. And life is death. And this darkness is a part of us, even as we travel through it and are a part of it..."

For a moment, as the light dies entirely to Elgyn's eyes, there is a piercing spike of fear, and his hands stiffen into claws that dig into his knees... but as the soothing voice of his Chan speaks, and he hears, he relaxes once more, his head starting to droop. "...yes..." he groans gutturally. Ella's drumbeats slow, and... in time... stop. Annaka is completely silent for many long minutes. Elgyn is utterly silent, his head fallen to where his chin rests on his chest. It's nearly impossible to tell if he is even breathing, but his face certainly looks at peace.

Atana finally asks in almost a whisper, "Who are you?"

"I... am Hotohakandyami." Elgyn's voice slips huskily out of lips that barely move. "I am 'Sings to the Fire Bird'."

Solbiort smiles quietly. Atana continues, saying softly, "What do you seek?" To Elgyn, there seems to be no other sound, even though a gunship flies overhead briefly. Solbiort tilts her head, reflexively checking the engine tone... although her gaze doesn't leave the small, intent group.

"Only to love and to serve this beautiful hawk... to always be at her side," Elgyn murmurs unhesitatingly, his voice surprisingly strong for one that would seem to be breathing so little.

Solbiort regards Elgyn silently, her emerald gaze a quiet mix of affection and rue. Atana then asks, quietly and with her voice deeper, "Do you wish to live?"

"Yes," comes the husky response. "For my journey has only begun..."

There is another long pause... and then Annaka says, "Then live, and let it begin." With that Ella's drumbeats return at an increasingly quicker pace, and Atana's voice becomes a little swifter with each sentence, and the fire seems to be resurging. "Then embrace the life that is around you, that is you, and become one of the People, one with the People. Lead others and lead yourself to where you must go, and become for yourself a whole person. The hunt is now yours, Elgyn of the People, and it is in your hands, the hands of a questing adult, and not the hands of a seeking child, that the bow is carried. Know that you are on the far edge of the Land of the Dead, and your journey to the Great Abode yet continues."

Elgyn's head suddenly lifts, and his eyes shoot open as Atana's voice builds, his chest heaving with deep breaths. "YES..." he gasps almost reverently, lifting his arms slowly skyward as if in awe...

Kahega seems to be reasonably satisfied the peyote-analogue has run its course, though he still watches Elgyn. Annaka (who is finally looking at Elgyn) discreetly takes the bowl away in case his thirst makes him take an idle drink. It takes a few moments for Elgyn to realize he can see again, still a little wild-eyed until his breathing slows once more. "I could feel them. From the Great Abode above. My mother and father looking down on me..." he murmurs, trailing off as his head lowers to look upon Kahega and Atana once more. "I miss them so... but now I see, I feel... they are always with me." His eyes lower then. "It was only words before," he murmurs. Solbiort smiles quietly, still silent.

Both Kahega and Atana take Elgyn's hands, helping ground him as he comes down. "You begin to understand, Elgyn," Atana says quietly. "Adulthood is not a destination, and never is. It is the first real step you take on your own. Your parents, your ancestors, your sonia, everyone in your family... they will watch you, they will help you when they can. But it is upon your feet that you walk."

Elgyn gently squeezes the hands offered him, smiling beatifically. "I will do so gladly," he murmurs, face filled with a kind of simple joy. At Atana's and Kahega's urging, he drinks quite a large amount of water. They then lie him down to sleep off the remaining euphoria of the peyote-analogue.

Solbiort continues to watch silently. Once Elgyn's been safely tucked away in another room, and the others are all back in the room with her, she nods politely to them and murmurs, "Sheh-sheh very much. This means a great deal to him, I know."

Atana smiles quietly. "The Ascension means a great deal to all braves of our clan. There are important lessons in it that he'll be pondering for weeks if not years to come.

Solbiort nods slowly, considering... then studies the Sigrvi- er, the Chan, "So... vould like to know if asking direct qvestions now is permitted?"

The tea for everyone else is by now prepared, and Annaka is pouring it out quietly. Atana nods to Solbiort, taking up her cup. "Certainly, Captain. I'm not sure how things are on Midgaard, but I know that this isn't exactly Central standards...."

Solbiort snorts in gentle amusement, giving Annaka a polite nod of thanks as she accepts her tea. She sighs softly for a moment, enjoying the scent of the tea... then has a small, appreciative sip. Once she's savored the strange, slightly sharp taste (to her, at least) she considers, then murmurs quietly, "Vell now. Vas vondering vhat you could tell me of zhese problems you are havink currently." She glances at Annaka, then back at Atana, and adds, "Also curious -- Annaka here is last of blut family to Elgyn?"

Atana considers. "Annaka is the closest living relative of Elgyn, yes. There are a few other cousins but they are not as closely related to Elgyn as she is. As for the problems...." She lifts her shoulders a little. "You've heard most of it, I'm sure. Without the wilds and plains and the hunt to have our youth focus their attentions, they have turned to hooliganism, trying to prove themselves against the youths of other clans much more frequently and dangerously than they have in the past."

"Beyond that, however, we are steadily losing people. More and more procurers are coming here and presenting offers of employment elsewhere in the 'Verse -- making it much more attractive than remaining here, giving promises of payment which can be sent back to their families here. Or even offering to pay for passage for their family. Most of those who are taken in by these honeyed offers don't take their families, I'm glad to say; they have enough sense not to endanger everyone they hold dear. But those strong enough to work have been trickling off world slowly, steadily, and increasingly."

"Then there are those who are leaving illegally, violating the emigration statutes and smuggling themselves away in hopes of finding a better life elsewhere, where they can earn an honest and well-paid living to alleviate their families here. And finally there are a few die-hard hotheads out in the plains who are evading the Alliance and are determined to resist occupation to the very end. We..." She glances to Kahega, "We don't have much contact with them, but what we've heard points to off-worlders surveying the lands. An army of surveyors."

Solbiort nods silently, listening without surprise and sipping her tea as she listens. When Atana finishes Solbiort just thinks for a while longer. Finally she murmurs, "Vill haf to do some inqviries, am thinkink. As I tell Elgyn on vay here, need to follow plat to get to root of zhis." Her gaze shifts to Kahega, "Think you also had qvestions, ya?" She pulls out her palmpad and makes a few notes on it about the procurers as she waits for Kahega to respond.

Kahega nods, "Indeed, and the platinum follows a very twisted trail. I'm afraid we don't know enough about the Alliance economy yet. It was only a few years ago that the procurers came in numbers that were far too many to pass off as coincidence or as just another Fringe occurrence. The Alliance economy is like a great river cave with many hidden tributaries." He pauses, then nods. "Curiosity, mostly. How is it that one of such a staunchly Alliance people as yourself came to become bonded to one of Ulundi?"

Solbiort glances up at Kahega from under her scarlet bangs and grins, her emerald eyes amused, "Is qvestion I often ask myself also, ya." She glances over at the door to the room Elgyn's in, then adds, "Am not sure is my story to tell, though. Vhat is proper vhen stories are of Oath-bounds?"

Kahega considers. "Mmm. 'Tis better for both the takers of the Oath to be present." He glances at the room, and chuckles softly. "And conscious and in full possession of their wits."

Solbiort looks amused again, "Vell, am guessing he sleep for day or so, ya? Vhen he vake you can tell him is fine viz me zhat he tell you story for us both." She finishes entering notes, then tucks the palmpad away and has another sip of tea. After that she murmurs to Atana, "So... zhese kids, zhey are leafink of own free vill, neh? Any ideas vhere zhey go? Know of at least von ship vhich truly belief zhey are doink favor to smuggle kids out from here, after all."

Kahega chuckles softly, and Atana shakes her head. "Yes, they leave of their own will. All of them, even the ones going with the procurers. The ones who are smuggled out, we don't know too much of where they go. Usually it's other Fringe worlds. The ones hired by procurers -- well, they're all over. We've tried keeping records of their destinations but the procurers don't always say exactly where they go."

Solbiort says, "Can share vhat records you haf?"

Atana nods, "We'll be glad to, certainly. What are you looking for?"

Solbiort growls tersely, "Patterns."

"How so?"

Solbiort explains further, obviously unhappy with the little bits of pattern she's seeing already, "Who go vhere, vhat ships take, und vhen. Tryink to figure out who is bankrolling. So ka?"

Atana considers, nodding. "So ka. I understand. We would appreciate any help you could give, Captain."

Solbiort sighs, then growls quietly, "Am not sure vhas is so valuable out on your plains... but am thinkink must be zhere." She's silent a moment, then grins fiercely, "So, on surveyor's map you can be tellink me vhere is grave of Nuala, Elgyn's sister, for visitink?" She pulls out her palmpad and brings up a planetary map.

Atana arches a brow, then nods. "Yes, I can. Give me a moment. I'm still not used to the way the Alliance used satellite imagery almost completely instead of real maps." Solbiort grins at that, but obligingly waits for Atana to figure the map out. Atana considers, then finally finds the grave of Nuala. To Solbiort's view it's on the same continent, only about two thousand kilometers to the northeast. "These were our clan's lands, or at least the lands we roamed."

Solbiort nods, noting on the map the route they'll need to take. "Hokay. Vill be takink Elgyn zhere if at all possible. Anyzing you all need from zhere?"

They pause, then one by one shake their heads. "Everything we need, we brought with us," Kahega says. "We always traveled light. There are no possessions we need there, though we wish we could have access to our burial grounds."

Solbiort nods again, "Hokay zhen." She's silent for a moment, pondering as she studies her palmpad... then she looks up at the elders, "Is hokay viz you if I leave Elgyn here for veek or so? Think he vould like time to know family und clan again... und vhen ve ship out, may be vhiles before return." She watches reactions carefully at that last comment, checking to see if they'd expected Elgyn and she to stay, or not.

They look a bit surprised. "That's fine, Captain," Atana says. "He may, of course, stay or leave as he wishes, and we would be surprised if he did not want to remain with you."

Solbiort tilts her head consideringly, "You look surprised at my reqvest? Vhy so?"

"Well, I am curious as to why you would not be staying here with him for the following week. I'm sure the rest of the clan would like to meet you."

Solbiort smiles ruefully, "Two reasons. Von, haf vork must be doink for ship. Two," she glances at Annaka, then back at the elders, "suspect some of family vould like to get to know Elgyn better." She grins, adding, "Am qvite avare in some cultures three is a crowd."

Annaka blinks, then shies away, blushing and looking a touch crestfallen. "It would not be proper, Captain," she murmurs.

Solbiort raises an eyebrow at Annaka, but doesn't push the issue -- she simply turns back to the elders, "But might be nice to stop by again tovards end of veek for day or two, neh? Must also make arrangements to visit old stomping grounds."

Atana glances at Annaka with clear understanding, and nods. "Of course, captain. Midgard is rather nearby, isn't it?"

Solbiort says, "Mm, is about two veeks, ya. Von vay, zhat is."

"Oh, I see. So you won't be going there?"

Solbiort says, "Oh, ya -- haf cargo for zhere later. But contracts don't allow to settle chust yet. May make Inner Vorlds run again soon. Vill see."

Atana pauses, her brow furrowing. "I meant... I'm sorry, where will you be for the week that Elgyn stays here?"

Solbiort says, "Oh! Vill be on planet. If you need me, contact ship -- Scarlet Chimera." She tilts her head, "Vhy? Zhere is problem viz leafing Elgyn here?"

"No, not at all. I was just wondering why you would not want to remain with Elgyn."

Solbiort raises an eyebrow at the woman... then patiently repeats, "Haf vork must do for ship. Also vished to give him time alone viz family. Vill return before end of veek." She's silent a moment, considering -- are they trying to hint at something? -then carefully adds, "Is possible to leave food here for him also, if you vish...?"

She shakes her head. "No, not at all, Captain. That won't be necessary. We've enough to feed him while here, I believe. We don't eat well, but we do eat, and what we do eat keeps us in good health."

Solbiort is silent a moment, regarding the older woman and wondering what it is she's missing. Barring any further cues, however, she's going to have to let it go... and ask Elgyn later. She glances between the three elders thoughtfully, giving them a moment to try and hint a bit more broadly at the 'ignorant foreigner' if necessary. Atana says, "I were just wondering why you would not be with him if you are bound to each other, that's all."

Solbiort looks a bit puzzled, then says carefully, "Define 'bound,' ching?"

Atana's brow furrowed. "I'm sorry, our language doesn't translate at all well into Lingua. Uhm... the term is 'to be married eventually,' or 'made oaths to marry.'"

Solbiort nods thoughtfully, "Ve haf somezing similar on Midgaard, but usually is not a problem viz leafing von's, er... partner in care of his family for short time?"

"Ah, I understand now. It is not a problem, Captain. I was only confused."

Solbiort nods, relaxing, "Ching forgif my lack of knowledge of your customs, ya?" She rises, bowing politely to the elders, "Und if any problem zhere is, ching to call Chimera, und I vill come at vonce."

Atana walks Solbiort out, and at the doorway asks questioningly, "Out of curiosity, Captain... Elgyn said that you had convinced him to come back for his Ascension. Why did you?"

Solbiort glances down at Atana for a moment, then murmurs quietly, "Family is life."

Atana nods quietly. "As it is with us. We are very glad he came back for this. We had started to wonder if he would be amongst the number who never returned from the War."

Solbiort nods, looking away, "Cannot stay, Lady, but can make sure he returns periodically."

Atana smiles. "Captain, from what he has said, with you he is with family. Return when you can, and when you can't you are both in our thoughts."

Solbiort stops, studying the older woman for several moments... then she smiles, her face lightening noticeably, "Sheh-sheh, Lady. Is courageous to velcome stranger und former enemy. Am honored." She makes a small, courteous half-bow, then turns and strides swiftly off towards the docks.

Between making sure the ship is suitably stocked, and dealing with any issues Raj, Molly, or Nigel have for her, Solbiort will spend a bit of time reviewing the information she's received from Atana concerning the procurers. She also does the research to discover what she needs to do in order to fly out to Clan Musere's former lands. The rigmarole Solbiort has to go through to go out beyond the city can basically be boiled down to one thing: ask the sheriff's office nicely. It seems to be whim -- and the magistrate's direct approval for certain licensed persons for certain economic entities -- that lets the authorities give permission to head out into the plains. Solbiort heads firmly down to the sheriff's office to ask, then.

The sheriff's office is in the part of the city closest to the fenced-off docks. It is a blocky structure, not designed to be a fortress but still rather intimidating. A tower gives a commanding view of the docks, rivaled only by the landing control center and the magistrate's spire.

Over the next couple days Elgyn is content to walk among his people; though he misses the old lands and the green he used to walk amongst, it is enough to talk with familiar faces and to lend aid where he can with his strong arms and stronger back. One of the first things he has done before all is acquire the facial tattoo that he has now earned, which bears a strong resemblance to fiery wings spreading downward from his eyes over the curve of his face.

Elgyn also tells his story to those who will hear it, Annaka being one of them, as he helps her prepare the mid-day meal. He realizes though that he has been monopolizing the conversation: "'Ka, I'm sorry... here I babble on like a young brave, boasting of my accomplishments with no thought to you. I am sorry," he says immediately. "Please... I would know more of what happened to you after I left. As well as being most curious about what position you have taken... did you take up a craft in my absence?"

In the days after Solbiort departs, Annaka has been increasingly less withdrawn and more as how Elgyn remembers her. At Elgyn's question she considers, smiling a bit. "The war ended," she says slowly, "and so many of our people had been scattered to the winds. Shortly after they laid down arms on Hera, the new magistrate came in and began the program to bring us all into a single urban center. It was around then, when the tribal leaders were least in popularity by most of the people, that Chan Atana asked me to become a sonia. I wasn't sure I wanted to be one -- never did like authority, and I still wasn't sure that I liked the elders' decision to surrender at the time. But I gave it a shot, and between tracking and sleight-of-hand there were a few skills that I could teach those of our braves who were lighter on their feet than heavy in their blows. Atana asked a few others to become sonias, but there were few takers. And the Alliance certainly hasn't promoted being a sonia as very favorable."

Elgyn nods thoughtfully, resting his chin on his hand as he regards her. "Why is that? Wouldn't the Alliance want to encourage stability? Or were they just thinking that respect for authority is fine, as long as it's only their authority..."

Annaka is silent for a few moments, as she works on preparing the meal. "They mean well," she finally says, a touch reluctantly. "I honestly believe that. But I also believe what Kahega says often, that though they mean well, they are stretched far too thin across the 'Verse to be where they need to be, and so other elements slip in. Corrupt or viciously capitalist, or even just imperialist or colonialist or some other -ist. The Alliance can't be everywhere to prevent them. At the same time I think the Alliance doesn't believe in local authority unless it comes from the Alliance itself. Every planet has a governor, every moon a magistrate, from Sihnon and Londinium all the way out to St. Alban's. Every leader is appointed by the Parliament in some way, and there is no law but the Alliance's. That's how they want it, that's how they enforce it."

"But the loss of the sonias' authority isn't the Alliance's fault -- not directly. When we got put into the city with centralized services and education, the sonias and the elders became... well, more traditional than anything. With the lingering animosity for the leaders' decision to surrender, even now, when most people are ambivalent about that decision, there's no real way to go back to how it was."

Elgyn sighs, his hand finding Annaka's and squeezing it. "No, I suppose there is not. It gnaws at me though, that after all our ancestors went through, even to the death of Earth-That-Was, that our values might once more be in danger of vanishing. Perhaps I should at least take comfort that even if the old ways are dying the slow death, our people will yet live." His eyes find hers. "And I am very glad that you have flourished, Annaka. Even though I have no doubt that if it were asked of you, you would have felled many in defense of our people," he utters proudly.

Annaka looks into Elgyn's eyes for several long moments, before looking away quickly. "At least we still have them," she says wanly. "If we hadn't surrendered, it's certain that many of us would die. Though I know it would pain the Alliance soldiers, if every one of us fought then every one of us would die. It was the same way for the myriad peoples on Earth-That-Was. At least we have a chance here to maintain something of our culture."

Elgyn nods slowly, his brow knitting at her expression. "I'd stay if I could. Do what I could to help, make a difference. Being Musere is what sustained me during the war, in unfamiliar lands, and even out among the stars," he tells her. "But I've already got responsibilities. To my crew, and to my Captain. I hope you understand," he says softly.

She makes a quiet sound, still not looking at him entirely. "No, Elgyn. It's fine. There are other ways to maintain our pride. Chan Atana told me that for decades sonias attempted to keep the People from wiping each other out in interclan wars by stressing that to live is more important to die. Even to live in bondage is better than to die and be forgotten. 'For there are no shackles that can be placed upon the mind and heart.'"

Elgyn smiles wide. "Our Chan has a way with words, doesn't she..." he marvels for a moment. "Remembering what the Kan did to win her heart is like the tale of White Star Woman and Great Star Man." As he stirs a pot, he looks sidelong at Annaka. "And how about you, 'Ka? Is there one who has caught your eye yet?" he queries fondly.

Annaka is quiet for a moment. "I'm... not sure. Maybe. It's something I... have to think on." Her tone of voice is a touch edgy, but before any comment can be made of it she picks up the tray she's been working on. "I'll bring this to the tables." And she is gone.

Elgyn's brow knits again. "Was it something I said again?" he asks the pot -- which remains enigmatically silent.

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Last modified: 2006-Mar-04 21:02:19

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