Shofet

Mia looked at Eira like the woman had just killed her dog, but she dared not say anything while the teacher was there. She was visibly restraining herself, biting her lip and glaring daggers at Eira. To stop herself from saying anything untoward, Mia grabbed her water bottle and took a long drink until she was certain nothing awful would come out of her mouth if it was unoccupied. She sighed. “Sure,” she said. “Let’s just…” She put her hand on top of the mocking image of Eira, and it began to dissolve into the ether in her hand. Within seconds, it had been annihilated, as sure as it had never existed. She then rubbed her hands together, and tried something different. A new set of sparkles came, and then a flat, wooden version of Eira. On one side was the human, and then the other one the robot. “Duality.”

Mia stared at Eira. “…Okay, cool, yeah, no, okay. I see what you mean. Gotta… experiment creatively,” she said, glaring down at the object she had created. Well, she was planning on playing nice. She was going to try and let things smooth over so they could finally move on and try and be effective teammates. But no. This was not in the cards, because Eira wanted to continue being a huge… OOOOOOO. She glared, and the object began shifting under the sparkles. Before long, the object was now shorter, her midsection far more pronounced, and her skin covered in acne. Additionally, in her hair was now a protrubing bar that said “8 kb RAM” while her eyes were crossed and drool ran from her lips. “There. I think that’s worth an A, don’t you?”

Mia frowned, quirking her mouth to the side. Was this some dark providence that had brought them together? Or was Mia simply rolling constant snake eyes in the great cosmic gamble? Regardless, she was stuck with Eira. She had been dreading something like this, and now it was happening. Okay, Mia, just… don’t… get yourself in trouble. “Soooo, uh… I can just… Like…” she said, generating sparkles in front of her. “Like you’ve seen it.” There was a stylized representation of Eira-as-done-by-Ghibli down on the table, like a collectable anime figurine. In rigid plastic, Eira was forever stuck in an acrobatic pose, glaring at something off in the distance while her left arm seemed to be transitioning into metal. She was wearing the same outfit her real form was, and had the same hairstyle except apparently being blown by wind. “Ta-daaaaa,” Mia said quietly, doing little jazz hands. “Anyway, that’s my side of the project done.” Mia herself was dressed in a sleeveless black hoodie, a black and white stripped long-sleeve shirt, a knee length skirt and opaque black tights beneath. The only splash of colour on her today was the pink hair-clip she was using to keep her bangs out of her face.

Starlok Doctor Ea'Po had stars in her eyes. "Hwell, hwe dunno hwy da Atchpa..." she looked to Starlok again. "Disappeared." "From da Galazee. Dayr planet hwaz dayin, but day seemed t'wanna get az far from da Malky Hway as pozibuh. Ah dunno abow any enamees, dayr records don say anydin abow'em," she said. "Az for defences'n traps... Only bazic security. Defn'ley no traps. Was an ezkep vezel, notta dungeon." Starlok, meanwhile, was more pre-occupied with Dirge. <"It seems as though I was wrong to doubt you. I shall not make the same mistake again,"> she said, sounding pleasant enough. What she didn't realize was that as she spoke to Dirge in GalStandard, Doktor Archeville finally cracked enough of the language to understand what was being said in front of him. So she simply continued. <"At least it seems like the doctor is hitting it off with our guest,"> she said, turning to Ea'Po. <"You almost seem taken with him."> Dr. Ea'Po rolled her eyes. <"It is rude to talk about someone who cannot understand.">

Mia raised an eyebrow at Eira's response to being called "little one". That was something she would remember for later if Eira kept hassling her. For now, though, it would be best to be on her best behaviour. She didn't want to cause any problems for the rest of the class. Or herself. "Good to meetcha, Seresk," Mia said with a pleasant smile and also extended her hand once Davyd was done. "Mia Mustafic-Markov." Mia didn't intend to talk much to anyone during this trip, just be as polite as possible. Instead, she remained content to leave her opinions to herself for now. Things seemed shakier than they were before Eira showed up. Didn't help she was on the verge of tears back in the library. God, she was a dork, getting worked up like that.

Starlok <"The Doktor, based on observations, is a hyper-intellect for his species. He might make observations that pass by even me. Even if not, having an extra person to bounce ideas off of is useful in its own right."> The young doctor giggled, clearly excited at getting to talk to a true Terran. "No, at az from da Atchpa sa-va-la-zaychun. Dey, ah..." she turned to Starlok. <"Disappeared?"> Starlok sighed. "Disappeared." Ea'Po smiled "Diz-ah-beh-rred from da Galazee 1200 yayrs ago. Oh! An af Ah ham bro-nownzin anydayn wron, bleez lemme know!" Starlok smiled patiently, having many flashbacjs to her own learning process with the language. It was a highly unintuitive language, with long words and rules that were constantly in flux, but she would be damned if she pronounced it anything less than perfectly. She would not be the object of ridicule. Ea'Po turned to the others. <"Am I doing well?"> Starlok paused for a moment. She watched the doctor's smile, and for some reason couldn't bear to be harsh with her. <"You're doing your best, and that is what matters."> Before Ea'Po could continue, she gestured to the Doktor. "We were about to head down to the ship. Though..." <"Any chance you could put that chair back where it was? You're going to need to buckle in as we enter its gravity well, weak as it is,"> Starlok said to Dirge.

Starlok "Oh, he's more of a friend or colleague than a bodyguard," Starlok corrected. "But I will let him know." She turned to Dirge, making a downward gesture. <"He's promised to be good and cooperate, and I'm willing to believe him. We'll be allied with him for the time being."> Starlok said, smirking the whole time. Dr. Ea'Po chose to make her appearance then, standing in the doorway to the cargo bay. She waved at Dirge and Starlok, and smiled strangely at Dr. Archeville. Her features were disarming - kind of babyfaced - and she was unarmed, so it was unlikely she would present a threat to Archeville. "Ah, yes, the doctor. This is Ea'Po an archaeologist who will guide us to victory. She specializes in the culture that this ship hailed from," she said. Then she wore a sardonicly tired expression. "It seems I shall be translating for three." Dr. Ea'Po smiled and rushed over. She began speaking in a deeply accented English that sounded something like: "No, az hokeh! Ah spake Aynglaz, an ah bane wantan to praktaz!" Starlok stared at the doctor as though she were a car crash. <"Are you sure? I can easily continue my translation."> "No! Az fahn!"

Mia sighed internally. Well, as long as Judy would keep quiet about it. Maybe without anyone to talk with it about, she would forget or figure out what Mia meant in time. If not, Mia knew that something dumb would follow. "I mean, no, that's all pretty tame stuff, it was just cute is all. I don't really see that a lot from you guys," she said with a smile. "You two make a good couple." She rubbed the back of her neck. "Whaddaya think they're talking about out there?"

Starlok could suddenly feel both pulses in her ears. She stared at Paradigm, not looking angry but despondent. Of course. Once again the Lor had sent her somewhere useless, just to keep her busy. Her eyes flicked to Dirge and to Fa'Rua. She'd essentially been mocked by those bureaucrats. A terrible giggle broke in her throat. "Of course, of course, how foolish of me. The Lor, for all their pretensions of nobility and justice are a great confederation of peoples ruled by cynical cowards and bureaucrats. Of course they would hamstring any good willed organization like yours in their borders. For without misery, how would they gobble up more peoples to pay them their taxes." She rubbed at her temples. "I had not come here looking for someone to do everythingt for me, I came looking for allies. An army awaits me at home, numbering in the tens, if not hundreds of thousands. Starlok is impressive, but even I cannot take on that many soldiers by myself. Not Noktoni soldiers," she said. "They sent me here just to show how alone I am," she said to herself, before looking at them. "I do not blame any of you. I understand the situation you are in. And you..." she said, looking at Dirge. "It seems we have so much in common. I am deeply sorry for your loss." Pinching her brow, she looked at Paradigm. "If it would be alright with you, I would like to continue the tour... And if we could place somewhere with alcohol in our path, it would be most appreciated."

Mia groaned. Judy interpreted it exactly as Mia expected she would, and now any denial was going to look like she was embarrassed. And she was embarrassed! How were those the words that came out of her mouth? It was like her own brain was trying to sabotage her. "Judy, that's not, she's, no. We're fighting," Mia tried to explain. Then she sighed. "Thank you. You look great too." Rubbing her temples, Mia wondered how long until this came back to bite her. She was hoping never, but with her luck it was going to be quick. Unless she made sure... "Okay, so Micah knows, but more importantly, I need you to... Not spread things around, okay? Please?"

I don't want to hand it over just yet, but I did notice that on your sheet. I figure he's probably starting to parse grammatical structures and what type of ordering it is (subject--verb-object, for example).

Starlok Starlok smirked at Dirge's bravado. She had found it grating on CoVic at first, but she couldn't help but find it growing on her somewhat. Still, she had to keep the Fryxian in check. It wouldn't do to gain a reputation as a violator of hospitality. <"I will have you know my height is higher than average for a plurality of the galaxy's sophonts,"> she said in GalStandard, mostly sounding amused. <"As for our guest, he seems friendly enough. Simply follow my lead for now, I will give you the signal if he turns out to be a threat to us."> She turned to the newcomer, and smiled. There was power in having a conversation in front of someone who couldn't understand. But that hadn't been proven yet. It was best to remain polite for now in case he was simply playing dumb. It was a strategy she refused to engage in herself, but the galaxy was full of people who loved to feign ignorance. Switching back to English, she addressed the Doktor. "You are welcome aboard the Pale Rider as my guest, and are subject to the galactic standard of hospitality," she said, affecting a pleasant but firm tone. She eyed him, and her smile grew wider, showing fangs. She circled him, looking at him as though he was a new animal and she was a zoologist. "It truly is astounding how similar our species are externally. Convergent evolution can produce some amazing results," she mused, mostly to herself. "Hmn. You smell better than I expected. Clear skin. Good posture. Handsome facial features. Muscular but hands don't seem be to calloused..." She turned to Dirge. <"I thought he would be uglier in person. I am almost disappointed."> "It seems I was wrong about Terrans. I suppose there's no harm in having you along."

Oh, damnit. Mia sighed. She had kind of hoped that Judy would forget about the entire purpose of this, but this was Judy Cahill. Woah. That was a weird thought. Strange to think of her by that name. But no, it seemed as though she was trapped. She could just let Judy down easily, let her know that she wasn't really compatible with Micah. But then she thought about Judy's sad face, and the quivering lip, and Mia started to feel herself panicking a little bit. "Uh, look, Judy... Micah's great, but like... I mean, he's just not what I'm into and like, I'm kind of focused on other people right now, like Eira and that whole..." she paused, and immediately realized what she just did and how it sounded. Her face turned bright red, and her eyes widened. "UH. WHAT I MEAN IS, No. That's not. I didn't mean it like. Ugh." She pinched her brow. She knew what was coming, immediately. "It's just, Micah, you know? Not for me. That's all."

Starlok Starlok strode purposefully towards the hangar, the Blade of the Blood Drinkers close at hand. She had no idea what to expect of the modern Terran, having so far only met Traveller, a woman several thousand years removed from the Terra of today. The cursory research she had done suggested a primitive worship of their founding ancestors and some sort of eagle cult in the American Empire, which did not instill confidence in her. When she made it there, she nodded to Dirge. "Your protection is appreciated, Dirge," she said simply. She had little doubt she could protect herself in this particular instance, but she had brought the warrior along for a reason. Even if he did damage a family heirloom. 700 years old! For the good Doktor, the hangar was more of a cargo bay, albeit a strange looking one. The interior of the Pale Rider followed a consistent theme of a Gothic castle, and the hangar was no different. The steel walls were covered in electro-candelabras and bas-reliefs of ancient scenes of battle, while the floor seemed to be covered in a carpet made of a red velvet like material that was nevertheless as tough as carbon fibre. Starlok watched the cockpit carefully. "We have arrived to welcome you, Terran," she said in English. "Please, come to meet us."

The Meta-Naut - 4 posts = 1 PP The Kids Aren’t Alright - 1 IC Post Meta-Justice Z - 3 IC Posts Corona - 5 posts = 1 pp Birthday Girl - 3 IC Posts Kingmaker: Checkmate - 2 IC Posts Soliton - 14 posts = 2 pp One by One - 8 IC Posts Shenanigans - 2 IC Posts Wheels Are Turning - 4 IC Posts Starlok - 1 post + 1 extracurricular = 2 PP Toccata and Fugue - 1 IC Post Reputation Table - 1 PP

Starlok Starlok watched in horror as Dirge mutilated one of her chairs, turning it into a weapon. "This ship was my grandmother's! The metalwork was done by Nokton's finest artisans!" she cried, eyes wide. Her tone, for once, was not that of the normally composed countess but instead a very distressed Ori-Bath. She regained her composure quickly, however. "Hold! One of those broadcasts was in English, the tongue of Terra's ruling empire! Before anything happens, allow me to communicate with him. And we shall talk about the chair later!" She quickly flicked on the communicator, switching to speaking English. She spoke with an incredibly refined dialect, sounding most similar to the British royal family or a Shakespearean actor. "Hail. I am Ori-Bath, Countess of Lugo, alias Starlok! You speak in the tongue of the American Empire. I assume this means you are Terran," she said. "I should warn you that there are potentially many dangers unsuited to your species' soft physiology, but should you truly wish to risk yourself..." She looked at the others. "I refuse to ally with anyone I have not parlayed with in person. If you wish to cooperate, you are to approach with hardpoints withdrawn and board. UNARMED. Do I make myself perfectly clear?"

OOC for this thread. @Grumblefloof

Aboard the Pale Rider in the Naraka System Early February, 2020 Evening The Stigmata hung in view on the Pale Rider’s cockpit video screen. A great, cyclopean vessel, it spanned at least two miles in length and almost resembled a greatly displaced ancient Mayan temple in construction. Strange geometric patterns ran across its surface, glowing in what seemed to be a strange equivalent to running lights. Rather than steel, its exterior seemed to be made of some strange, orange ceramic or stone. And around it, there was some sort of aura of portent, as though it were a prophet of ill-omens to come. Moving in front of the screen was a young Lor woman, short but solidly built, dressed for an expedition with a skintight space-suit and a pack full of analytic tools. She was Dr. Ea’Po, an archaeologist specializing in the lost civilizations in the Galaxy, and she was the reason both Starlok and Dirge were there. She smiled at both of them, showing off her perfect white teeth, and gestured. “So, this is the Stigmata. It belonged to the Atchpa civilization, which went extinct some 1200 years ago. Like the Noktoni,” she said, shooting a glance to Starlok, “they looked humanoid but had several key features that separated them.Four-chambered stomachs like most ruminants, flat teeth, a supernumerary eye at the centre of the forehead, and a strange variation on the pineal gland that allowed them to perceive things most sapient species cannot.” “Now, the Stigmata was from the end of their civilization. As we understand it, it was supposed to make a warp to the Andromeda Galaxy to find a new homeland for their species. Their own planet was going through ecological collapse for uncertain reasons and for reasons we don’t know, they seemed to want to get as far away from the Milky Way as they could,” she said. “Instead, it’s ended up here, about 60 000 LY from their home planet and 1200 years later, but definitely not in Andromeda. However, weirdly enough, it seems to be working fine. Life support’s running with specs similar to Lor-Van, so’s anti-gravity, and power’s active at least in portions of the ship. No visible damage on the outside…” Starlok stared from her position in the captain’s chair, legs crossed. All around her were electro-candelabras, her preferred method of lighting, which complemented the steel gothic look that the interior of the ship had. “And how many weapons would you say it has?” Starlok asked. “Oh, plenty,” the doctor said. “We’re talking some potent stuff, too. I’ve identified several class-1 torpedo bays - those could punch a hole even in a state-of-the-art Khanate ship-of-the-line, and at least a hundred laser batteries. They were expecting some pretty serious resistance in Andromeda.” Starlok steepled her fingers. “Excellent,” she said, sounding pleased. The doctor then turned to Dirge. “Now, from what I can tell… None of the ship is metal. It seems to be some kind of… I don’t even know how to explain it. But just in case I am wrong, I need you to not. Destroy. Anything. Everything on that ship is priceless. Once I have a look at what I need to look at, you can do what you want with it, but I need to study this thing.” Starlok tapped her chin. “And we know the ship can still be controlled?” “I mean, everything else is working, and as long as you have me around with you in the control room, I know their tech enough to teach you how to pilot this thing.” Starlok grinned. “Goooood.”

Soliton Soliton watched in horror as the boyfriend of one of her old schoolmates tried to choke a police officer to death. She realized immediately that she wasn't going to be able to envelop Gabe in any of her creations, because that would simply trap the cop with him. Then, she remembered something. She could teleport. Of course. She held her breath, and teleported down, before grabbing onto the cop to yank him out. She teleported again, suddenly heading down the street. "Really don't like your taste in men, Angie!" she said as she held up the officer on her arm. "Alright, Octoman, I got the civilian!" Let's just hope he doesn't go out and hunt for more. Of course, Ben can't really read my lips right now but he's definitely seen me yank this guy outta there. Probably best not to let them know he's deaf. I mean, I dunno what they'd do with that information but like... Maybe make it easier to track him. Focus, Mia. If they could get Gabe into the right position again, she could try trapping him in a big bottle again. Or maybe she could try and disperse him somehow? Would that kill him? She had no idea how turning into gas worked.

GM Gabe shrieked in rage as he watched his girlfriend get pummeled into the ground. "You bastard! LET HER GO!" he cried. He looked for a possible way to free Angela from the grip of the calamitous calamari, when his gaze settled on a police officer that had been hiding in the doorway of a nearby building. He cackled. "Well, what do we have here?" Gabriel said, before rushing towards the police officer. The man tried to escape, but Gabe was on him in a second, surrounded by choking gas. His eyes watered as Gabe enveloped him, the man's skin beginning to blister as he wheezed. He turned to Octoman. "I can hurt people too, buddy, and I think I'm real inclined to do so unless you let Angela go, you got me?" Gabe said as the police officer wheezed, dropping to his knees, clawing at his throat. "You know what? Maybe I just ice him anyway, make you watch, hero-boy. Show you what happens when hero-twerps get involved in stuff isn't any of your goddamned business." Angela, dizzy from the thrashing she had just taken, still had enough in her to be horrified. "Gabe! That guy didn't do anything! We're after Meyer, no one else, remember?" "Angie, people like this pig here'll come after us once we're done with Meyer, I'm just thinning the herd," Gabe said.

Mia let herself be lead into the bathroom, rubbing at her poor behind the whole way. Once she was pulled inside, Judy was already opening up with the questions. She blanched, and brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Ah, it's going fine," Mia said. "I thought I was past the whole 'objects I made disintegrating on me' thing but turns out I can still make myself look like an idiot if I do a rush job. Who knew? Totally wiped out there." "You and Leroy look like you're enjoying yourself," Mia remarked. "And the conversation on old supers was pretty interesting."

Starlok stopped, and stared at the newcomers, giving them a look that could stop a charging army and send it back the other way. She worked her jaw, and then, after a moment, spoke. "I do not know why this entire station seems so intent upon provoking me but I assure you, there are far less painful ways to attempt suicide out there. Now, if you should want to follow, that is your prerogative, but you shall find that my patience for insult and jibe has worn exceptionally thin," she said, her voice low, cold and containing barely restrained rage. She took a second to stop, inhaling and closing her eyes. She reminded herself that she had made an oath to never be like her brother and thus to do the right thing and not act like some terrible engine of vengeance all the time. But so far, so many were making it so difficult. She walked out with Paradigm and the others, trying to think of a more peaceful way to carry on the conversation. She had to remind herself she was a guest here. "I apologize, but I have had a very... Allow me to relay my story and why I have come to you in this hour of need. Perhaps then you shall understand why I am on edge. I am Ori-Bath of House Nos, Countess of Lugo on the Night Moon of Nokton. Not that long ago, I was to ascend to the position of countess in the wake of my father's retirement. But on the day of the confirmation of my rule, my young brother, the TRAITOR VEN-RUTH!" she cried, her voice suddenly raising a few decibels as she clenched her teeth and balled her hands into fists. "LAID SIEGE TO OUR ANCESTRAL HOME WITH HIS ARMY OF VULTURES AND SLEW BOTH OUR PARENTS BEFORE MY EYES, AND ATTEMPTED TO DO THE SAME TO ME!" Suddenly, she got quiet again. "And only by dint of my martial prowess was I able to survive that night, soaked in the blood of people who birthed and raised me from when I held their dying and trembling bodies and make it off planet while bearing the ancient and sacred Panoply of Nos, only to be informed by the Grand Duke that he had no intention of resolving the issue as it would not be politically expedient for him. And so now I am hunted by my own brother's agents as I still bear the Panoply of Nos, and without it, his rule is illegitimate. I am unable to return home lest an entire army descend upon me at once, and am thus forced to live like a vagabond! Yet even after I have explained my situation many times to the Lor government, the most they have offered me, until now, was asylum, and a very hesitant one at that. So I have come to you in the hopes of making future allies against my brother, who made himself a kinslayer and I an orphan." She smoothed back her hair, removing her helmet for a moment to sigh at the sky, and curse whomever might be watching up there in the infinite void. "To put it in more vulgar terms, I have had a very difficult year and I am, I think, understandably a little sore right now."

Mia shot Lulu a tired look. Why yes, the inability to teleport anywhere survivable was a big source of anxiety, though why Lulu had to remind her of that was beyond her. But there was another element, too. This was Eira's domain. Who knew what evil the cyber-Swede could get up to when the Praetorians were there? They'd naturally take Eira's side too if they got into it. The small gesture from Davyd was appreciated, at least. It was good to know that both he and Lulu had her back. Leroy, on the other hand, was being more of a priss than she had expected. He normally seemed so laid back that the behaviour surprised her. She supposed she didn't know him as well as she thought she did. "Thanks, Ms. Velocity," Mia said weakly. Then she looked to Eira. "Guess we get to meet your friends'r family'r whatever."

Ori-Bath’s lip curled, and she prepared to enter another long-winded rant, but she was stopped by the interruption of Traveller. Her head snapped to face the woman, but rather than anything venomous, the pause allowed her to regain control of her senses. Loathe as she was to admit it, she was here to make allies and not to start fights. Rolling back her shoulders, Ori-Bath sighed and resumed a more regal posture. “You are most correct. Starlok is above these petty squabbles,” she said decisively. She looked over at Paradigm, and smiled. “I apologize. I would be most honoured if you would lead me on your tour.” Quickly, she went over a mental rolodex of the Praetorians, and one settled in her mind. They were all impressive in their own way, as the heroes of the Galaxy, but few could command her interest such as this one. “It is known to me that one of your ranks is some sort of… master of cookery” she said, smiling. “An earthling. Those in Lor space seem particularly accommodating to denizens of that planet. I must confess that I have never really had a chance to talk to one. I learned the tongue of their ruling empire in order to seek allies there, but I have been advised it is a particularly… primitive planet and thus have avoided it until now.” “Oh, but look at how I ramble. What I mean to say is that I would be my pleasure to meet all your members.”

The Meta-Naut The Meta-Naut stared, and then the blaster disappeared as she rested her arms on her knees instead. She wasn't really cut out for the whole Rebellion shtick. <"You shot at us first, you dingus. We were just travelling and you started launching lethal crap at us and now you're acting like the victim? I want you to notice something: ALL YOUR FRIENDS ARE STILL ALIVE. I'll even heal'em when this is done, if I don't think you're going to try and murder us again. Although the one I shot in the groin might be annoyed later... Anyway. My question is: why the heck were you shooting at us? Did someone pay you or are you just particularly nasty? Confuse us for someone else?"> She sounded annoyed, to be sure, even with the new language barrier between her and Justice. And she was annoyed. This rock-man here was sassing her after he had the gall to attack them. What a jerk! But now it seemed like this could be a misunderstanding, which maybe losing her cool earlier wasn't the best of all possible choices. <"Can you answer that or are you gonna be a jerk about that too.">