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: How about that alcohol (paging Deyna)

[flowersforgraves]

Deyna's shaking her head even before Reshad finishes asking the question. "No, this isn't -- I'm new. Very new. Been here a couple days, and I hadn't gotten to meet even most of the others who came in 'round the same time."

She tips her head back, propping one booted foot against the wall behind her. "Any advice? In terms of who's good at what or people I need to avoid or anything?"

Re: How about that alcohol (paging Deyna)

[hoardingpearls]

"Ah! Well, good that you get the chance now, then." Busyness and shyness, she thinks. Deyna isn't alone in either.

"I wouldn't say you need to avoid anyone.There's a few big personalities aboard, but isn't that the case with any crew?" Reshad makes a quirk of a smile. "We've done all right for ourselves as far as I've seen. And there's certainly plenty to do."

Her personal difficulties notwithstanding. It would be flatly unprofessional to discourage Deyna now.