005: In the Presence of True Power

[terrymixon]

“Then I want to do this with you. How do we do that?”

"Pretty much however we decide," Jaelah says with a broad smile that lights up her dusky face. "I'd suggest that we ask for the Princess's blessing, and then we inform everyone else. Typically, a meal is served as part of the celebration, and the couple exchanges weddings rings and makes declarations to each other to formally establish the marriage. You can research marriage customs, and pick out something you think is appropriate."

"Do we need her blessing?" he asked, cocking his head. "I have no objection, but she doesn't know enough about us to make a rational assessment.

"I will absolutely do research, but I believe whatever you want will have more meaning than anything I come up with from a record. We can do that when we get back to the ship. Do you have a preference in ring styles or materials? I can fabricate anything you desire."

He smiled at her. "I like seeing you happy."

[ateno]

He will instruct you to touch one of the teleportals and it is done. "The library is through the leftmost teleportal, across the suite, down the stairs, and through the teleportal at the end of the corridor, Master."

"Thank you, I assume its the same way to return? Everyone, I'll be 3 hours. Any last words?"

Arkar follows directions.

Arkar

[Tiglath]

Interested to learn the destination of the teleportals but cautious that they lead somewhere that requires them to be locked Garvin escorts Metz as he "sciences".

Metz isn't touching anything. He's just looking at the bits and bobs. "I wish I knew what these were. There is no telling what was being worked on."

Garvin continues to shadow Metz content to perform that mundane but, he believes, very necessary task.

"Now, Doc, no wanderin' off on yer own or takin' the short cut through the dark woods".

[terrymixon]

He will instruct you to touch one of the teleportals and it is done. "The library is through the leftmost teleportal, across the suite, down the stairs, and through the teleportal at the end of the corridor, Master."

"Thank you, I assume its the same way to return? Everyone, I'll be 3 hours. Any last words?"

"Simply retrace your steps to return here, Master."

Arkar follows directions.

You step through the teleportal and find yourself in a wide chamber with comfortable seating--human sized--that faces a wide window overlooking a ringed planet. The view is spectacular. Based on the white-colored space, it is indeed in the pocket universe. The room is bigger than the entirety of the new Lost & Found. There are several corridors leading away, but the stairs going down on the other side are in plain sight. Once you go down those, you find yourself in a study or other more intimate space. Only its huge. The leather seats are human sized though there is a robot removing a Droyne sized seat as you arrive. The single corridor leading out has three teleportals on each side and one at the end.

Following the instructions, you find yourself in a room with no windows. It is cramped in comparison to the others you've traveled through, but roomy by normal measures. It is occupied by wood shelving that is tilted toward the viewer. On each shelf are felt-lined boxes filled with multicolored rows of gems the size of the tip of your pinkie. There must the thousands of them in here. There are no books or other things one would associate with a library present.

[terrymixon]

Interested to learn the destination of the teleportals but cautious that they lead somewhere that requires them to be locked Garvin escorts Metz as he "sciences".

Metz isn't touching anything. He's just looking at the bits and bobs. "I wish I knew what these were. There is no telling what was being worked on."

Garvin continues to shadow Metz content to perform that mundane but, he believes, very necessary task.

"Now, Doc, no wanderin' off on yer own or takin' the short cut through the dark woods".

"But the dark woods are so fun," he whined, not looking up from the objects. "Do you think we should give the dead uplift device to Ciencia after we study it? It would be quite the memento."

[Tiglath]

Metz isn't touching anything. He's just looking at the bits and bobs. "I wish I knew what these were. There is no telling what was being worked on."

Garvin continues to shadow Metz content to perform that mundane but, he believes, very necessary task.

"Now, Doc, no wanderin' off on yer own or takin' the short cut through the dark woods".

"But the dark woods are so fun," he whined, not looking up from the objects. "Do you think we should give the dead uplift device to Ciencia after we study it? It would be quite the memento."

Garvin replies "Yeah - I think she'd like that!"

[terrymixon]

Garvin continues to shadow Metz content to perform that mundane but, he believes, very necessary task.

"Now, Doc, no wanderin' off on yer own or takin' the short cut through the dark woods".

"But the dark woods are so fun," he whined, not looking up from the objects. "Do you think we should give the dead uplift device to Ciencia after we study it? It would be quite the memento."

Garvin replies "Yeah - I think she'd like that!"

Metz will open the bag he brought with him, slip on some gloves, and carefully place it inside. "Should we follow Arkar?"

[ateno]

Following the instructions, you find yourself in a room with no windows. It is cramped in comparison to the others you've traveled through, but roomy by normal measures. It is occupied by wood shelving that is tilted toward the viewer. On each shelf are felt-lined boxes filled with multicolored rows of gems the size of the tip of your pinkie. There must the thousands of them in here. There are no books or other things one would associate with a library present.

"Well F."

Arkar did not expect books, but he looks around for something that could be a [reader].


Failing that he will take out a purple gem and hold it between his finger and try to use activate it, hold it against his temple, and see what he can do to activate it.

Ancient Tech [2d6+6]=10+6=16 Psionic Devices [2d6+6]=11+6=17

Is there anything else interesting in the room?

Arkar

[terrymixon]

Following the instructions, you find yourself in a room with no windows. It is cramped in comparison to the others you've traveled through, but roomy by normal measures. It is occupied by wood shelving that is tilted toward the viewer. On each shelf are felt-lined boxes filled with multicolored rows of gems the size of the tip of your pinkie. There must the thousands of them in here. There are no books or other things one would associate with a library present.

"Well F."

Arkar did not expect books, but he looks around for something that could be a [reader].


Failing that he will take out a purple gem and hold it between his finger and try to use activate it, hold it against his temple, and see what he can do to activate it.

Ancient Tech [2d6+6]=10+6=16 Psionic Devices [2d6+6]=11+6=17

Is there anything else interesting in the room?

Arkar

Nothing else of interest.

Your attempt to access the gem is successful and you find yourself floating through what almost seems like a memory or perhaps someone physically present at a location. It is a mountaintop that seems to have been cut flat looking out over a great desert. The wind is hot and blowing against your wings. Wings? You have wings. A look at your body confirms you are now a Droyne. There are others of your kind on the mountain and flying all around.

[helvorn]

"Would you show me? I've wanted to get one, but always held back. I wouldn't even know what to pick.

"Let me see if I can come up with something similar. I memorized the constellations and their component stars visible from Capital when I was five, graduated from the Karbiili School when I was 10, and passed the Scout Service basic training when I was 12. I don't do normal service because of my other duties, but I associate myself with them closely. Some people try to compare me to Arbellatra, but I reject that. I'm gifted, but not to her degree. In fact, it sounds like bragging. Sigh."

She grimaced and put her hand against her stomach. "There goes the nausea again, and my hearing and vision just went wobbly. It's irritating, but I can manage. You say tomorrow is much worse? It looks like I'll be staying here until that is settled since I can't afford to let people see me in that condition. You should go do your exploration. I want to see pictures and hear about it from you when it's done. Aster will keep me company until you get back."

William smiled as he partially unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it aside to show a stark, black tattoo of an abstract and geometric running wolf in profile. The wolf was running to his right away from his heart. "Not much to look at. It's very much a family thing meant to show the wolf running into the world away from my heart." He chuckled slightly. "Think of something fun or meaningful and have a small tattoo done. Give Frederick a real reason to have a cow." William listened intently as she spoke. "It's not bragging when it's the truth. I think it's really neat that you have taken the Scout service under your wings so to speak. The Marines are the armored fist but the Scouts are really out at the cutting edge. I would turn much of this over to them from what I know of their capabilities."

He rose from his seat and patted her hand again. "I stressed you too much when you should be resting. Hopefully we were able to distract you from your discomfort." William bowed formally and then smiled. "Your wish is my command my lady. Not that it's a hard command to obey! I'll come back with stories and pictures and maybe a book from the Ancients if we can find one. Take care of yourself." William gave her hand a last squeeze and departed the state room with one last look over his shoulder.

[ateno]

Your attempt to access the gem is successful and you find yourself floating through what almost seems like a memory or perhaps someone physically present at a location. It is a mountaintop that seems to have been cut flat looking out over a great desert. The wind is hot and blowing against your wings. Wings? You have wings. A look at your body confirms you are now a Droyne. There are others of your kind on the mountain and flying all around.

Arkar tries to fly around a bit, gathering information and flies towards a droyne.

"Quite a feat, how goes it?"

Arkar

[terrymixon]

Your attempt to access the gem is successful and you find yourself floating through what almost seems like a memory or perhaps someone physically present at a location. It is a mountaintop that seems to have been cut flat looking out over a great desert. The wind is hot and blowing against your wings. Wings? You have wings. A look at your body confirms you are now a Droyne. There are others of your kind on the mountain and flying all around.

Arkar tries to fly around a bit, gathering information and flies towards a droyne.

"Quite a feat, how goes it?"

Arkar

While you don’t know how to fly, it seems to work. The Droyne you select doesn’t respond. It doesn’t even seem to see you.

[ateno]

While you don’t know how to fly, it seems to work. The Droyne you select doesn’t respond. It doesn’t even seem to see you.

Gains exp for flying skill to use later...

Arkar looks around for anything happening besides flying droynes and if there are stars or a city.

Arkar

[joertexas]

"Do we need her blessing?" he asked, cocking his head. "I have no objection, but she doesn't know enough about us to make a rational assessment.

"I will absolutely do research, but I believe whatever you want will have more meaning than anything I come up with from a record. We can do that when we get back to the ship. Do you have a preference in ring styles or materials? I can fabricate anything you desire."

He smiled at her. "I like seeing you happy."

"Honestly, I like the plain gold bands that everyone seems to wear, or at least know what they are. It's an ancient tradition, but I like them, anyway. The Princess represents our source of authority, so I think it's proper to ask her. It's more of a formality than a request for permission." Jaelah leans in and carefully plants a kiss on Roscoe's lips. "Thank you. I will do my best to help make you happy."

[terrymixon]

While you don’t know how to fly, it seems to work. The Droyne you select doesn’t respond. It doesn’t even seem to see you.

Gains exp for flying skill to use later...

Arkar looks around for anything happening besides flying droynes and if there are stars or a city.

The only thing of not around the mountain is an absolutely huge crater in the near distance. Only when you get close, you see that its some kind of mine. Lots of beings are working it, though mostly human and Vargr. There are some Droyne, but not as many as the others. You have no idea what they are pulling out, though. It just looks like rocks.

[terrymixon]

"Do we need her blessing?" he asked, cocking his head. "I have no objection, but she doesn't know enough about us to make a rational assessment.

"I will absolutely do research, but I believe whatever you want will have more meaning than anything I come up with from a record. We can do that when we get back to the ship. Do you have a preference in ring styles or materials? I can fabricate anything you desire."

He smiled at her. "I like seeing you happy."

"Honestly, I like the plain gold bands that everyone seems to wear, or at least know what they are. It's an ancient tradition, but I like them, anyway. The Princess represents our source of authority, so I think it's proper to ask her. It's more of a formality than a request for permission." Jaelah leans in and carefully plants a kiss on Roscoe's lips. "Thank you. I will do my best to help make you happy."

He will tentatively kiss you back. He'll need some training and practice. He botches the nose dodge.

"As will I. I thought I knew what the future held, and now I realize I didn't know anything. That's kind of exciting."

He gestures to the meal. "Shall we eat more or simply drink the wine and enjoy the breeze?"

[terrymixon]

"Would you show me? I've wanted to get one, but always held back. I wouldn't even know what to pick.

"Let me see if I can come up with something similar. I memorized the constellations and their component stars visible from Capital when I was five, graduated from the Karbiili School when I was 10, and passed the Scout Service basic training when I was 12. I don't do normal service because of my other duties, but I associate myself with them closely. Some people try to compare me to Arbellatra, but I reject that. I'm gifted, but not to her degree. In fact, it sounds like bragging. Sigh."

She grimaced and put her hand against her stomach. "There goes the nausea again, and my hearing and vision just went wobbly. It's irritating, but I can manage. You say tomorrow is much worse? It looks like I'll be staying here until that is settled since I can't afford to let people see me in that condition. You should go do your exploration. I want to see pictures and hear about it from you when it's done. Aster will keep me company until you get back."

William smiled as he partially unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it aside to show a stark, black tattoo of an abstract and geometric running wolf in profile. The wolf was running to his right away from his heart. "Not much to look at. It's very much a family thing meant to show the wolf running into the world away from my heart." He chuckled slightly. "Think of something fun or meaningful and have a small tattoo done. Give Frederick a real reason to have a cow." William listened intently as she spoke. "It's not bragging when it's the truth. I think it's really neat that you have taken the Scout service under your wings so to speak. The Marines are the armored fist but the Scouts are really out at the cutting edge. I would turn much of this over to them from what I know of their capabilities."

She rubs two soft fingers across the tattoo. "It just feels like skin. I guess I expected it would feel different."

Her touch lingers for a moment or two longer than it probably should have, and then she pulled back. "I love the Scout Service. They will be my eyes and ears exploring the Ancients city."

He rose from his seat and patted her hand again. "I stressed you too much when you should be resting. Hopefully we were able to distract you from your discomfort." William bowed formally and then smiled. "Your wish is my command my lady. Not that it's a hard command to obey! I'll come back with stories and pictures and maybe a book from the Ancients if we can find one. Take care of yourself." William gave her hand a last squeeze and departed the state room with one last look over his shoulder.

She smiles but says nothing, and you're on your way.

[Tiglath]

Metz will open the bag he brought with him, slip on some gloves, and carefully place it inside. "Should we follow Arkar?"

Garvin replies with cheerful candour "There's an argument that says "probably not" but Arkar's likely cleared the route ahead for us. Besides I expect you'll want to discover "that which is best left unknown" an' fiddle with the controls of the universe".

(OOC:
Meanwhile in the far future a tour guide relates "Gentle sophonts all, if you gather round closely you can make out the grip marks that Emperor Strephon Aella Alkhalikoi left on the Iridium Throne when his daughter Grand Princess Ciencia told him all the things she'd got up to on her trip to the Spinward Marches...".

[joertexas]

Metz will open the bag he brought with him, slip on some gloves, and carefully place it inside. "Should we follow Arkar?"

Garvin replies candidly "There's an argument that says "probably not" but Arkar's likely cleared the route ahead for us. Besides I expect you'll want to discover "that which is best left unknown" an' fiddle with the controls of the universe".

(OOC:
Meanwhile in the far future a tour guide relates "Gentle sophonts all, if you gather round closely you can make out the grip marks that Emperor Strephon Aella Alkhalikoi left on the Iridium Throne when his daughter Grand Princess Ciencia told him all the things she'd got up to on her trip to the Spinward Marches...".

Fortunately, Jaelah and Roscoe have this really nice pocket universe they can hole up in...

[terrymixon]

Metz will open the bag he brought with him, slip on some gloves, and carefully place it inside. "Should we follow Arkar?"

Garvin replies candidly "There's an argument that says "probably not" but Arkar's likely cleared the route ahead for us. Besides I expect you'll want to discover "that which is best left unknown" an' fiddle with the controls of the universe".

(OOC:
Meanwhile in the far future a tour guide relates "Gentle sophonts all, if you gather round closely you can make out the grip marks that Emperor Strephon Aella Alkhalikoi left on the Iridium Throne when his daughter Grand Princess Ciencia told him all the things she'd got up to on her trip to the Spinward Marches...".

And that's before someone has to tell him that Garvin Slade seduced and knocked her up.