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)

[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."