Chapter 3.2: Old and new friends, old and new enemies

[zuhrovet]

Sasha has distributed flutes of sparkling water and small glasses filled with a clear liquor. She finds a clear place to stand near the edge of the party--Jedao and Alaric are to her left, the cluster of people around the mothlings falls at about 3π/8--and signals the grid to adjust the light so that she is highlighted and the other partygoers are very slightly in shadow. She asks the grid for a ringing sound and waits for people to quiet. Her voice slightly amplified by the grid, she says, "Welcome, everyone. We have a unique combination of expertise, on the Cantata. I'm glad that you are here." (It's a formal situation, so she uses the plural 'you'.) "While we are gathered, let us toast to the success of the rebellion."

Sasha waits for an answering murmur, then raises her own glass and knocks it back. The liquor tastes like snow and homesickness; but these are her people now. A slight gesture of her left hand makes illumination linger on Jedao for a moment, before the room lights return to normal.

Sasha sees Remi trying to explain that shot glasses are not for mothlings, and grins in genuine amusement.

[We have some really fascinating conversations running in the previous move. I don't want to cut them off, but please put new threads here!

Also, an out-of-character public service announcement: Remi is a youthful, apparently non-sociopathic version of Kujen, plucked from an earlier timeline. He has not yet interacted with Jedao.]

Comments

Re: I think I recognize that dress. Maybe. (Paging Seyli)

[kese_seyli]

The stance eases of after a moment as Seyli relaxes a little. "Ah, so is an intelligence...I'm going to say you were an officer, in your timeline something like our foxes?" Why is it always foxes? Still, they have sympathy for disappearing and losing a job that may be a very big part of your identity (even if they chose to disappear themselves). "I'm trained, but no serious practical experience with moth weapons, I was a grunt, moth security with the Kel. I'm the only solider on the moth right now, but I assume several other people know how to handle the weaponry, if the Moth can't do it itself."

Re: I think I recognize that dress. Maybe. (Paging Seyli)

[stormglass]

At ‘officer’, Xiulan nods. It’s matter-of-fact, nothing boastful to it.

“Role-wise, there’s a great deal of overlap between the Shuos and Intelligence Bureau activities from what I’ve picked up. Structure-wise though—“ Her hand makes a small rocking gesture in the air. “Not so much. The Navy’s one entity, with different divisions. Soldiers crewing on ships, weapons support, command staff, Intelligence operatives, all of that: all Navy, just different parts of it.”

She almost leaves it there, but curiosity causes her to study Seyli’s reaction as she adds, “And it’s all military, not government. Navy ultimately reports to the government.”

The news about weapons use is considered before she glances around the room for inspiration about who else might be a candidate. “Jedao?” she guesses, though his presence is notable for its lack rather than the opposite. “And....” With little enough data as yet, that ends up concluding the effort and she waits to see who Seyli may add to the list.

“We should talk to the Cantata too, find out what our full options are. If we need to buy time in getting out of here if there’s an attack on the base, I’m trying to figure out who could handle it. Sasha wants an evacuation plan.”

Re: I think I recognize that dress. Maybe. (Paging Seyli)

[kese_seyli]

Seyli almost asks her rank, but stops themselves. It doesn't matter in the end, it's not like the rebellion uses formation instinct or that it would even work on them if they did. Still, their body settles into a parade rest as their brain accepts Xiulan as an officer asking important questions.

"I have heard of governments, alternative timelines like that. It's weird to imagine. Seems like there is a great deal of room for problems."

And then a face at the mention of Jedao. "I'm sure he's more than capable of using the weapons aboard. Sasha, Reshad, perhaps Sulen although I'm not sure about them. Alaric, perhaps. And this is the first I'm hearing of an evacuation plan." Alarm crosses their face at the idea.

Re: I think I recognize that dress. Maybe. (Paging Seyli)

[stormglass]

Xiulan lifts her brows a little curiously, Seyli’s comment on government encapsulating so much more about the environment the alt grew up in than the words alone show.

“Oh, I’d say every form of government I’ve ever head of - and humanity, where I’m from, has tried out a lot - has its problems; it’s more about picking which ones you want and which you don’t.” The twist of her lips is darkly humorous. “If you can.

“I know what kind I’d term the hexarchate, except it’s a word I’ve yet to find an equivalent to in the High Language. Which I suppose says a lot right there.”

About Jedao: “You don’t like him.” It’s not a question on the surface, but her expression is one that invites comment if Seyli wishes to offer it.

A light shrug, made with her hands, comes in regard to the evacuation plan. “Any base should have one; seemed she was concerned there isn’t one. Which, good, right? But given we’re therefore talking unspecified threat, I was thinking about what our biggest issue would likely be. Whether looking to destroy the base outright or planing a boarding action, the thing to do first would be to take the moths out of the picture. So having people at weapon’s stations ASAP is a top priority. If not enough people can manage it, well, that’s a priority too.” Xiulan grins a sharp sort of grin.

[She notices Seyli’s body language, but doesn’t have the background with Kel formation instinct (or faking it!) to click to what might be going on.]

Re: I think I recognize that dress. Maybe. (Paging Seyli)

[kese_seyli]

"I'm not really the right person to talk about, when it comes to how governments work. I'm just a grunt, a gun now, previously canon fodder." Their education was nothing more than simple propaganda and so much of what they're encountering in the rebellion are things they would have considered out of their pay grade in the past. "But if the Hexarchate doesn't have a word for it, I would assume they really don't like it or are suppressing the idea."

In regards to Jedao, they don't offer much, just an uncomfortable shifting and a pained expression. "And no, ma'am, I don't like Jedao, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a Kel who does in a timeline where he did what he did."

They don't relax as they continue to speak about the evacuation plan. "That's true, we should all be briefed on a plan, there should be one in place. I'm happy to execute whatever part needed." Unspoken, 'but I wouldn't presume I would be a part of the team coming up with the plan.'

Re: I think I recognize that dress. Maybe. (Paging Seyli)

[stormglass]

“Mm. Well, if you’d like to learn more about methods of government sometime, I imagine we’ll have some downtime onboard.” She laughs a little. “Not the most exciting topic, sure, but...well, something has to come after a rebellion.” Xiulan glances around the room speculatively and admits, “I’m not clear what the plan is there. And the hexarchate has some notable considerations, given the calendar.”

Looking back to Seyli, she asks, “I guess the science team is who to talk to about calendar questions?”

“Xiulan is fine, really,” she says at the ‘ma’am’, with a reassuring smile. It’s not something she’s had directed her in years; it feels strange. It also begs a French Revolution joke of some kind, but all that’d get her is a blank look and she’s not in the mood.

The smile swaps for something much more serious and then: “Something I haven’t heard is, why he did it. The Jedao here is from not so long prior to that date, right? Was it already a plan in the works? Or, has he not been asked?”

Which, is difficult to reconcile with how fast the possibility of Remi being this Kujen guy had been pounced on, so she holds hope this isn’t new territory.

The response about an evac plan is as intriguing as this entire conversation has been, as much as in what’s non-verbally communicated as in what is. Xiulan simply smiles and replies, “Great.”

[If you want to wrap this up in the next reply or so and focus on the new Chapter, fine by me either way.]

Re: I think I recognize that dress. Maybe. (Paging Seyli)

[kese_seyli]

Oh how exciting, school work for the rebellion. Seyli might willingly endure Jedao's company over taking government lessons.

"Definitely the science team, not me." Seyli blinks, unaware they even called Xiulan ma'am. "If he's been asked, again, I don't know. I'm maybe the least useful person to talk to about details and specifics. If you want to practice physical training, I'm your alt. Hand-to-hand, weapons, the actual...hm," they struggle for a moment to think of the right way to word it. "Feasibility? of your plans from someone who would be executing them, that's me. Sorry I can't be more informative," they add.

[I think maybe one or two more posts and we can wrap it up, I'm curious to see her reaction to Seyli's comment.]

Re: I think I recognize that dress. Maybe. (Paging Seyli)

[stormglass]

Xiulan continues to pay attention to Seyli’s body language, it proving as informative as the words in this exchange. Her own is relaxed and curious, though her gaze continues its checks of the overall room at intervals.

“Maybe we can spar sometime then,” she says, brightening at mention of practice. “Combat’s one of my specialities, but finding skilled practice partners has been a little...difficult for a while.”

Sorry I can't be more informative.

“Not at all; you’ve been very informative.” A smile and tilt of the head, acknowledging that may sound strange. In the interests of building up team relationships, she explains: “Really. Finding out who does and doesn’t know what, finding out what different people feel they’re best equipped to do, is as important as anything else. And given how resistance cells tend to be organized, it’s not like I can make assumptions about things like that.”

Re: I think I recognize that dress. Maybe. (Paging Seyli)

[kese_seyli]

Seyli gives Xiulan an honest smile. "When I first came out of the rift, I established myself by doing paid fights, I haven't had much of a chance to spar with military types since. I look forward to seeing how we match up."

Seyli nods as Xiulan talks about the team and knowing who is who. "I hope you get a chance to get to know everyone as well as you need to. I still haven't quite gotten a chance to mix with everyone." Which is their own fault, really. "Anyway, it was a good to chat with a fellow solider." And someone who seems so competent and normal. "I look forward to working with you."