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Character Cantina II

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Gault Laugh and grow dank! from beyond the kingdom Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: P.S. I love you
Laugh and grow dank!
#901: Sep 23rd 2011 at 9:07:42 PM

She sat there, transfixed by the glass pendant for several seconds, before Xavier’s words dawned on her. She looked first to Wesley. That was what he had hidden from her? She had assumed it was some sort of small personal effect or other such thing at the time-and he- this was plainly beyond belief. He was a mercenary! And yet he had used his own money to buy her a trinket? The next thing her eyes spotted was the lack of a dagger tied to his arm. He had given up one of his weapons for a glass pendant that he wasn’t even going to keep!? She stared at him in warm surprise, unable to find the words.

He smiled awkwardly back, apparently at a similar loss for what to say. His hand was rubbing the back of his neck, something that looked to be a habit. Saliha reached over the table and grabbed Wesley in a hug, the misgivings she harbored about the integrity his character left entirely forgotten. He tried resisting at first, but relaxed and accepted it when she made it clear she would not let go.

Settling back at her side of the table, she then faced Xavier and hugged him close too. Remembering the photograph he had given her, she pulled it out of a pocket and held it alongside the pendant. For a moment she seemed overcome with emotion, but then composed herself and looked down at them with a pensive expression.

“Listen, Xavier- do you really love me? Or did you do all that just because I was a lonely, desperate girl in need of help? I know you’re a nice guy and you can’t stand to see people in pain, but I don’t want to be some sort of burden to you. Someone you need to feel guilt for… You don’t deserve that. If you say no, I completely understand- I promise I won’t hold it against you. You’ve given me so much already, more than I could have asked for. What more could I possibly expect from you?”

yey
TeraChimera Since: Oct, 2010
#902: Sep 23rd 2011 at 9:31:29 PM

"That's a complicated question," said Xavier. "First of all, I'm not sure that what we've felt in this short time can be really called love. I can see how it would become love, but I think true love is something that can only develop over a long period of time. But at the same time, I don't think the feelings I have for you would have started if you didn't need someone to help you.

"So, did I do everything I did because of love or because you were a lonely girl? I'd say yes." He grinned. "If that makes any sense."

He glanced over his shoulder to the door. "And I'm sorry to leave you, but I should probably get going. I've been here a while, Vincent might be wondering where I am, and I'm tired." He turned back to her and squeezed her hand. "Okay?"

I'll be gone most of Saturday and the first half of Sunday; this is my way of explaining my absence. I'll be back on Sunday with another character.

KillerClowns Since: Jan, 2001
#903: Sep 23rd 2011 at 9:43:16 PM

Watching the scene between Wesley, Xavier, and Saliha, Avea couldn't help but smile. As strange as the creatures were, they were so... human. So very human. More human than any mage she had ever encountered, and more human than quite a few nobles, officers, and businessmen as well. It was little scenes like this that gave Avea hope for the world.

And then... Xavier announced it was time to leave. Avea quietly took Saliha's other hand and said, "I... I won't pretend to know if you'll see each other again or not. But I hope you do. And if you don't..." she went quiet. She knew how this story went, and she knew white lies wouldn't help here. So she simply squeezed Saliha's hand, eyes distant as she reflected upon some memory of her own. Then she let go, and sighed. "Maybe she's right," she muttered to herself.

edited 23rd Sep '11 9:46:18 PM by KillerClowns

nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#904: Sep 23rd 2011 at 9:51:42 PM

Qrlil turned her head in a human gesture of negation.

"I am not training to be an ambassador to humans, and certainly not your humans. This place is the Cosmic Cantina - it evidently connects multiple realities. I am reasonably certain that we do not come from the same one.

"As far as your other question, it does, though not as you may mean it. The trading of resources is generally pointless in an interstellar economy, but in my reality, humans are the newest species to join the galactic community. Your art, fiction, culture: all are new to us and the other species we are in contact with. And novelty equals value."

She tipped her head sideways wondering what the interest of...

I didn't ask what to call him!

"I apologize for my rudeness," she said. "How do you prefer to be referred to as?"

KillerClowns Since: Jan, 2001
#905: Sep 23rd 2011 at 10:01:02 PM

Sigmund's eyes went narrow, and he looked down at his martini glass as he seemed to calculate how best to take advantage of this. Unfotunately art and corporate culture didn't really go together. Still, he made a mental note to start donating even more generously than he did now to the arts if the SETI folks started yelping in joy. Might help him out — a post-scarcity economy would render his dominance over the global food market worthless, and it'd be nice to have friends among the new movers and shakers. Best case scenario, he convinced people that food grown the old fashioned way was a luxury worth paying a premium for — they'd be stupid enough to believe it, but he'd still find his cash flow going down.

"Oh, right," he said, turning back to Qrlil. "Sorry, got distracted. Name's Sigmund Clark, CEO of Western Amalgamated Agrichemical. And I knew this place connects realities — I was just figuring, if you were working as an ambassador for your universe's humans, it'd make things go smoother. Less chance of me having to explain a quaint Earth metaphor."

Good night.

edited 23rd Sep '11 10:01:31 PM by KillerClowns

TeraChimera Since: Oct, 2010
#906: Sep 24th 2011 at 8:34:44 AM

Xavier gave Saliha a quick hug. "Goodbye." He nodded to Wesley. "See you."

As he walked to the door, he reflected on everything that had happened. If all went well, he might have just helped someone on the way to earning rights in their world. It could cause drastic changes in the political and civil structures, leading to an integrated society.

Not the thing he had expected to do during a simple experiment. He chuckled to himself as he exited the cantina.

Gault Laugh and grow dank! from beyond the kingdom Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: P.S. I love you
Laugh and grow dank!
#907: Sep 24th 2011 at 8:45:08 AM

Saliha looked conflicted, staring at the two items in her hands. After a long while, she nodded once. “Okay.” This was the question she most hoped Xavier would give a straight answer to. The one he had given wasn’t the answer she wanted, but she could live with it. He had given her enough. She supposed that, would they ever meet again, they should talk about it at length. Saliha still wasn’t sure if that would ever happen, but Wesley seemed to know Xavier from before, which meant that the two had previously met. Individuals from two different universes. Hopeful at this knowledge, Saliha smiled and waved goodbye as she watched the chimera who held her affections simply get up and walk out of her life.

The door shut, and Saliha’s hand fell to the table the moment it did.

Wesley said nothing.

yey
chihuahua0 Since: Jul, 2010
#908: Sep 24th 2011 at 2:39:20 PM

[Side Room—Bryan]

Bryan spoke up after a while. "Let's move to another topic, besides music. Does your world have anything like a photograph yet? As in, is there a device on your world that uses light to capture a picture in the real world without paint? How commonplace is it?" He was still gauging the level of technology.

Meanwhile, he tried moving away from the meowing William. He was starting to make him uncomfortable. It brought back...unsettling memories. He kept in mind that it was probably a coping mechanism, and trying to interfere would make things even worst.

edited 24th Sep '11 2:39:52 PM by chihuahua0

nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#909: Sep 24th 2011 at 3:01:12 PM

Bar

"Greetings, Sigmund Clark, CEO of Western Amalgamated Agrichemical," Qrlil said, tipping her head. "I am pleased to meet you."

She paused a moment, then continued.

"While I am not training as an ambassador to humans specifically, I do have experience with your culture. My intended position is that of my species' ambassador to the - in your language - Galactic Council, an organization of different species. Humans are the newest council species, so I have studied your culture in some detail.

"I will admit, though," she attempted a human smile, "that your idioms often elude me."

KillerClowns Since: Jan, 2001
#910: Sep 24th 2011 at 3:09:58 PM

Sigmund mimicked the gesture Qrlil gave and said, "uh... first. I'm getting the impression you're a bit more... no offense... oblivious than I thought." He sighed and said, "OK, for future reference, a quick explanation of all that: Sigmund Clark is my name. 'Sigmund' is my given name, 'Clark' is my family name. Human cultures vary, but where I'm from, just the given name — Sigmund — is generally accepted. If you were my underling, you'd call me Mr. Clark, but you're not." He wasn't quite ready to call her an equal, but best to keep his mouth shut there. "'CEO of Western Amalgamated Agrichemical' is a title. 'CEO' is the title itself, while 'Western Amalgamated Agrichemical' is the company I'm in charge of." He rubbed his forehead and said, "If you didn't catch all that... short version, just call me Sigmund. Sorry if I'm telling you something you've already learned, just gotta be sure."

Then, curious, and a bit nervous, he asked, "which reminds me... do you guys still have for-profit companies around? Y'know, sell stuff, make money, that sort of thing? If I find out the commies won, I'll have to switch from martinis to straight vodka..."

edited 24th Sep '11 3:10:45 PM by KillerClowns

snowfoxofdeath Thou errant flap-dragon! from San Francisco Suburb Since: Apr, 2012
Thou errant flap-dragon!
#911: Sep 24th 2011 at 3:14:14 PM

"Humans have cameras," Bianca says. She and Cyrus have stopped petting William, who seems to have dozed off. "I'm not sure how they work, but they make lots of noise and light. Vespers use magic to draw and paint. It's not something I know much about. Uncle Cyrus?"

He smiles. "I'm not sure how to explain it. Seymour would like to show off, if he was here. He's a master. The end result is almost as sharp as a photograph, but... softer, I think. Subtle, maybe? It has something to do with rearranging sketch lines and wet paint to your liking."

Warm hugs and morally questionable advice given here. Prosey Bitchfest
nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#912: Sep 24th 2011 at 3:23:37 PM

Bar

Qrlil felt mildly embarrassed. Forgetting human nominative protocol was something she had hoped she was past by now. Perhaps she should have left her backup enabled after all.

"Um, yes, I apologize," she said. "Among my people, we do not have surnames as you do - one's title is the same as their name. I should be aware that human conventions are different, but I had forgotten: you are - forgive me - not first among the species I have studied.

"As for your other question, you need not be concerned," she continued. "The humans of my reality do not possess either the technological base or the species psychology to implement a successful communist system. While certain species are exceptions, as a whole, for-profit companies are very much the norm in the known galaxy."

She paused, considering whether it might be rude to ask, then decided to do it.

"If I may ask a question of my own - who exactly was the, um, individual to which you were previously... speaking?"

KillerClowns Since: Jan, 2001
#913: Sep 24th 2011 at 4:05:35 PM

Sigmund was very clearly relieved at the news that intergalactic trade still had room for people like him, breathing a sigh of relief and visibly relaxing when he heard this.

But first, the lizard. He said, "uh... honestly, I didn't even get its name. It started insulting me, I'm guessing because it's got some bone to pick with some other guy in a suit and thinks all us mammals look the same." He shook his head and, warily, explained, "I tried being polite. Didn't help. So I told it to fuck off. Long story short, it responded by kissing me." He grimaced, still reeling from the disgust, then said, "I have no idea why it did that. I just hope I'm not gonna die from poison lizard saliva! Can you imagine!?" Across the bar, he yelled, "another martini, would you kindly!"

Then, hoping to relieve Qrlil, he added, "oh, and don't worry too much about screwing up the name system. Humanity isn't culturally unified... her people," he pointed at Avea, "for instance, are kinda like you. I overheard her name — Avea tel'Nalo — which basically means 'Avea, apprentice of Nalo.' But you don't have to worry about her cultural details. She's biologically human, but not from Earth." Then, as though this reminded him of something, he asked, "just wondering, have you gotten around to intergalatic travel yet, or just the one galaxy?"

edited 24th Sep '11 4:07:02 PM by KillerClowns

chihuahua0 Since: Jul, 2010
#914: Sep 24th 2011 at 4:11:05 PM

The word "human" stood out for Bryan. He was dealing with non-humans that looked human but weren't? How didn't he catch that? The thought bothered him for a moment, but seeing William, the criticizer of Finn, asleep, he was slightly comfort.

"Sorry if this sounds a little ignorant," Bryan said, "but what is the difference between a Vesper and a...human, like me?"

edited 24th Sep '11 4:11:14 PM by chihuahua0

snowfoxofdeath Thou errant flap-dragon! from San Francisco Suburb Since: Apr, 2012
Thou errant flap-dragon!
#915: Sep 24th 2011 at 4:15:08 PM

"Vespers can use magic. And as of late, less fertile. That's about it, really," Bianca says. "We were once all known as humans, but when those involved in Geier's plot were banished, magic users became known as Vespers. The humans now use that word for lunch or dinner. I'm not sure how that that happened."

Warm hugs and morally questionable advice given here. Prosey Bitchfest
chihuahua0 Since: Jul, 2010
#916: Sep 24th 2011 at 4:27:18 PM

Bryan pondered this for a moment. "Let me find an analogy that isn't demeaning...So the difference between Vespers and humans are like a hound dog and a terrier dog, except the hound talks, flies, and lunches fireballs? That makes sense." Bryan placed his hand onto the table. "But from my experience as a psychic, they as a whole don't consider themselves a different race. Most of them, anyways. It's more of a difference in class and ability."

snowfoxofdeath Thou errant flap-dragon! from San Francisco Suburb Since: Apr, 2012
Thou errant flap-dragon!
#917: Sep 24th 2011 at 4:42:27 PM

Cyrus and Bianca exchange confused looks at Bryan's analogy, but say nothing.

"Finn seems to be taking a while in the bathroom," she says. "Do you think you should check on him?"

Warm hugs and morally questionable advice given here. Prosey Bitchfest
nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#918: Sep 24th 2011 at 4:56:08 PM

Bar

Qrlil was mildly amused. She couldn't seem that much more advanced then the human, could she?

"No, we are nowhere near the level of technology it would take to travel between galaxies. I doubt that any species has developed that capability for a very, very long time. Even the Trjql Qrl'k

- the species that uplifted us - most likely did not possess the capability."

She tilted her head to look at the reptilian Sigmund had... encountered.

"So, I am correct in assuming you did not enjoy your encounter with the 'lizard'?"

KillerClowns Since: Jan, 2001
#919: Sep 24th 2011 at 5:06:24 PM

So Qrlil's people — and their uplifers — still hadn't approached the Precursors in terms of technology yet. Given the fate of the Precursors, this was probably for the best. Sigmund quietly filed that fact away for future reference.

Then he responded to Qrlil's question on the reptile. "No," he said bluntly. "I did not enjoy that... thing even touching me. I prefer men of my own species, not... scaly... lizard... things. No offense meant." He grimaced once more and then, suddenly worried, said, "seriously, why are you even asking me about that damn thing? Of all the things in the universe, why do you care whether or not I enjoyed swapping possibly venomous saliva with a lizard?" Was she... probing to see if she could flirt with him? That was... well, she wasn't hideously ugly, but she certainly wasn't attractive in any sense he knew of, either. Wouldn't she feel the same way about him? He hoped so.

edited 24th Sep '11 5:08:39 PM by KillerClowns

chihuahua0 Since: Jul, 2010
#920: Sep 24th 2011 at 5:14:20 PM

Bryan looked at the wall, leaning an arm on the table. "Oh, don't worry. He been doing that lately." He turned back to them and started gesturing. He considered not telling them, but... "Let's say...he's still figuring out how to deal with his emotions. Once, he overreacted to the thought of having to go back to Oxford by having a panic attack." He looked at his hands. "He's probably washing his hands raw."

Have to go for a brief bit, hopefully.

edited 24th Sep '11 5:15:11 PM by chihuahua0

nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#921: Sep 24th 2011 at 5:17:00 PM

I was wondering when he would start getting curious about that.

Bar

Qrlil turned her head slightly.

"If you would allow me to be honest, I was somewhat concerned that you might have enjoyed the experience. My species does not look kindly upon cross-species, um, interaction of that nature, and while I am aware that it does occur, there is a difference between theoretical knowledge and personal interaction."

All of which was entirely true, she reflected. She paused, and turned her head to order a glass of water.

"I also had some interest in the subject," she went on, "because the other reptilian - the winged one - your 'friend' was seated next to appeared to be of the same species as someone I met here last time. His people referred to themselves as "chimeras". I doubt it, but are they native to your reality?"

She thought briefly, then added "In fact, what species have your version of humans encountered?"

snowfoxofdeath Thou errant flap-dragon! from San Francisco Suburb Since: Apr, 2012
Thou errant flap-dragon!
#922: Sep 24th 2011 at 5:26:50 PM

"Like how William pretends to be a cat?" Bianca asks. "He does so everyone goes away. If they don't, he runs. If they follow, they get hurt."

Warm hugs and morally questionable advice given here. Prosey Bitchfest
KillerClowns Since: Jan, 2001
#923: Sep 24th 2011 at 5:35:28 PM

Sigmund considered the question, then quietly warned, "if you've got a thing on inter-species relationships, stay away from a woman named Asayu. She'd probably find you 'interesting'." That said, watching the result would probably be worth a laugh. It also bugged Sigmund that Qrlil was bothered. He didn't enjoy smooching lizards, but so what if he did? The way she spoke of interspecies romance reminded him of the way preachers damned him for his own interests. What gave her the right to moralize about who people could and could not love?

But he decided not to press the subject unless she mentioned it again. It would get far too ugly. So, letting it slide for now, he shook his head and said, "anyways... there's just us and the Precursors. Scratch that, there's just us... the Precursors are extinct. Powerful bunch. Can't say I know much about them. But if you've got the right tools, you can engage in intergalactic travel using a car battery, following the paths they laid. More humans on the other side, I have no idea why. Kinda makes me wonder what wiped out the Precursors, though..."

It was clear from his expression he didn't really want to know. Then he continued, "and I suppose you can count the Eyes and Teeth as its own species... or a force of nature, really. So, that's... two, three if you really stretch your definition, truly sentient species I know of in my universe, humanity included. But one's extinct and the other has only one member... I hope."

Sigmund found himself wondering about Qrlil. She was an ambassador, wasn't she? Always asking questions about other worlds and giving lots of information about hers. A true xenophile, eagerly lapping up every detail about the worlds beyond her own. In fact... "silly question. You a fan of sci-fi, or your local equivalent?"

edited 24th Sep '11 5:42:18 PM by KillerClowns

chihuahua0 Since: Jul, 2010
#924: Sep 24th 2011 at 6:55:05 PM

Took longer than expected.

"I guess some of us need to refine our coping mechanisms." Bryan ignored the snoozing William. He noticed how his glasses were a bit lop-sided. "I'm not sure whatever to check on Finn or not. He may be socially exhausted, considering how long he been at this place. Starting a conversation without prompting—" A smile cracked on his face. "—indicates progress."

He ignored the fact the topic circled back to Finn.

"Say, why does he act like a cat?" Bryan pointed at William. "Does he own one, or does he just find cats appealing?"

snowfoxofdeath Thou errant flap-dragon! from San Francisco Suburb Since: Apr, 2012
Thou errant flap-dragon!
#925: Sep 24th 2011 at 7:39:27 PM

"His family has a cat. He says it feels right to him. Cats." Bianca shrugs.

Warm hugs and morally questionable advice given here. Prosey Bitchfest

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