Post by astrodude55 on Jun 8, 2011 1:31:14 GMT -5
[12:09] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> * Xamar looks to Helen, offering her.. Something. * <Xamar> How much time do you have?
[12:10] <strikedroid> <Helen politely shakes her head, all business.> Until Hex dies, apparently.
[12:16] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> * Xamar inhales slightly, gently smiling. He seems quite pained behind it all, though. * <Xamar> Hex was born some time before Timibel. My son, he is. I had high expectations for him. ..There's never been a case of twins before; war or sickness usually takes care of that. Hex was quite the fighter, heh, to say the least. * Xamar gently sips a glass of water. * ..He was exiled after an armory burnt down, his powers being the cause, and he's hated me ever since. They blamed it on bad wiring, these buildings are older than my Father's Father. ..He threatened to make it public knowledge that he was my Son and Timibel has those powers, too, along with Tiana being a powerful psionic version of Timibel. ..I've told you already that my girls would be killed before our people, like Hex, and I would be beheaded directly after. ..With Gen being dead, the people would be in anarchy and chaos.
[12:17] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> I am fighting for equal rights for Hex and people like him, but.. I'm doing it in secrecy. I hold monthly meetings with the highest people of our goverment- there are higher-ups than I- and we discuss it for hours and hours on end.
[12:18] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> I love Hex, like I love Gen, but I can't have him cripple a nation.
[12:18] <strikedroid> <Helen nods and listens, looking rather surprised at the revelation.>
[12:18] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...He and Tiana are more alike than he realizes...
[12:19] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> Do you not see the similarities between them, Helen? ..How did you not notice before this moment? During his break, he- ..What?
[12:20] <strikedroid> <Helen> No, you just said it. You love them, but they are destructive and you are left wondering how long you can let them endanger everyone in the hopes something will change.>
[12:23] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> I see.. * Xamar continues on. * ..During his break, he argued with me- even threatened my very life- to tell the people what they deserve to know. Hex wants this rushed. I have been fighting for this since Hex was exiled and I will not have it damaged and destroyed because of him. ..You know what I mean, do you not? ..And, I apologize for last night. That is how we keep the psionics at bay. ..All they want is to be a part of our civilization again. They kill, maim, and destroy in an attempt for a revolution.
[12:25] <strikedroid> <Helen> Xamar, I come from a place where there was conflict over superhuman abilities...and let me tell you...that has got to be the worst way of dealing with it I have ever seen.
[12:25] <strikedroid> <Helen> Is it any wonder he would wish for better?
01[12:25] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> * Xamar looks down at his plate, a lone tear dropping onto the steak. * <Xamar> ..I love Hex very much, more than he knows, but I am drawn between telling them prematurely or killing my only son; my only son whom I exiled for being different. * Xamar looks to Helen with a destroyed gaze * ..This is all for him..
[12:30] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...It would seem he doesn't really understand...but that is made much more difficult with displays like last night.
[12:38] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...It would seem he doesn't really understand...but that is made much more difficult with displays like last night.
01[12:39] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> I am fighting for my son, going against everything that's our generations fought for: to keep the psionics from populating with us.. Those of us who are normal. More psionics are showing up every year and more and more are exiled. ..Why? I can't understand it. ..Is this the evolution that science continues to try to explain to us? I know there are people out there, right now, being killed for being different. I know, among those people, are more normal people than the psionics. ..Ever since I was but a boy, my Father- King Xamar Wolventang XV- hated the psionics with a passion; said they were dirty and nasty, said they were a cyst on the rear of our civilization. ..He is the one who instated this law. The simple version of this is, "Any psionic who attempts to, or harms another person or persons of R'Miba is sentenced to die by their peers who do suffer such a disfunction as they." ..I know there are people who disagree with this and this is why I am trying to do: tear down the walls.
01[12:42] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> ( * who do not )
[12:45] <strikedroid> <Helen> It is impossible to walk that sort of path halfway, Xamar. It is insane to torture a group while simultaneously claiming to argue for their freedom.
01[12:51] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> This crown? * He takes his Royal Hat off, throwing it across the room. * [Doesn't mean a DAMN THING TO ME! You claim it is impossible to walk a pseudopath, playing along with the book while fighting against it. I will turn this planet upside-down and those people-] * He points off to the East * [-those people who want nothing more than to be one with society instead of losing thousands a month, those people like Hex, Tiana and Timibel, will have what they want. Whether this is my undoing or my creation as a King is my own consequence and I accept my fate.] * Xamar sits back down. *
01[12:54] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> This crown? * He takes his Royal Hat off, throwing it across the room. * [Doesn't mean a DAMN THING TO ME! You claim it is impossible to walk a pseudopath, playing along with the book while fighting against it. I will turn this planet upside-down and those people-] * He points off to the East * [-those people who want nothing more than to be one with society instead of losing thousands a month, those people like Hex, Tiana and Timibel, will have what they want. Whether this is my undoing or my creation as a King is my own consequence and I accept my fate.] * Xamar sits back down. *
12[12:55] <strikeberry> (also, astro, will need repost--i hope you can log)
01[12:55] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> ( Of Helen? )
[12:55] <strikeberry> (...or not)
[12:59] <strikeberry> -Helen looks at Xamar....-
01[12:59] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> * Xamar looks to Helen, visibly upset by her telling him what is and is not possible. *
[13:07] <strikeberry> (i am going to want a log later if you can...also, keep lines shorter..this thing's buffer is tiny)
01[13:07] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> ( ..Ok.. )
[13:08] <strikeberry> -Helen nods.- ...The only problem I see with this is that...you father did a terrible thing. This...it's up to you to see his wrong undone.-
01[13:09] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> That is what I fight for. Everyday.
[13:13] <strikeberry> -Helen- That show is the single biggest barrier to both getting Hex and the other psionics to stay calm while you do...and allowing everyone else to see them as people, rather than monsters.
01[13:16] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> That is not a show.. All execution events are televised and broadcasted. ..Blame my Father.. I try to fit the role of my Father, as everyone wanted me to be like him, but I work by my own agenda, too.
01[13:18] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> ...It may be a long time, even into Timibel's reign as Queen, before their rights will come.
[13:26] <strikeberry> -Helen- ...It's televised. It's a show.
01[13:27] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> And when I speak to the people, would you call that a show?
[13:47] <strikeberry> -Helen- I don't know. But it seemed pretty clear to me he was mostly goaded into behaving how he did...That sound...it tore at my psyche.-
01[13:48] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> It is designed to keep psionics and their powers at bay. That is how we capture them.
[13:52] <strikeberry> -Helen- Keeping someone at bay and hitting them with a pulse that may drive them insane are two different things. -She shudders.-
01[13:54] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> I imagine it nearly drove you insane? ..I know Hex, he was not being driven insane. You human psionics, maybe, but Hex was in high amounts of pain one he was taken out of his holding cell and he was near crippled because of it after he lit though citizens aflame. I admit that we do deserve it, but Hex doesn't think about the 'what-ifs' of situations. I, myself, was wondering how many of those people were being driven on by their friends or family. ..Hex wasn't. I saw it.
[13:57] <strikeberry> -Helen shakes her head soberly.-
[13:59] <strikeberry> -Helen- Luckily, I've been through worse...but I nearly lost control over my powers. It...would not have ended well.
01[14:00] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> ..Hex will die within the next day to two days. Just because I said he was going to die tonight, does not mean it to be true. ..God, Helen, I'm sorry about that. * Xamar prods his steak. * ..I love Hex, but.. ...If he is going to ruin years of planning and patience then I cannot allow him to live.
[14:13] <strikeberry> -Helen- If I can get him to agree to cease the violence, would we be able to hide him away?
01[14:16] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> What 'violence'? He is going to come out to the people, after taking me hostage, and tell those who are watching about my life and the people in a live, televised broadcast. ....I can see where you are going with this, but Hex knows and Hex will do what he can to let the truth be known for- what he claims is- the greater good of R'miba. You cannot stow him away at your home because they know where Timibel is. If they see Hex.. The people are not stupid, Helen.
[14:17] <strikeberry> -Helen- Know this, though...these...whatever you call what that was...that cannot go on. It endangers both your peoples.
01[14:20] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> I know how it is, Helen. ..The people are not stupid. If I come out and make one subtle change to what has been established, then a war will break out between the people. I know all of them are not like this, like the law of the land, and I cannot have them die. I am not saying thousands of psionics dying a month, due to violent protests, is not terrible enough, but if a planet is in a civil war with itself.. Then..
01[14:20] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> I want the foundation that Timibel is going to rule on to be clean and sturdy.
01[14:20] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> Not only am I doing this for Hex, but I am doing this for Timibel as well.
[14:25] <strikeberry> -Helen- I can share with him my experiences on the matter. As I said, my people have been through this, and I was...well, right in the middle of it.
[14:30] <strikeberry> (switching up for a bit-back to strikedroid)
01[14:31] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> Right here, right now, we have the makings of a civil war and you know this. You just said, not even two moments ago, that you were in the middle of this. Hex is not leading this revolution that people like so deperately want. ..They, themselves, are. Hex is part of this radical group, a group most of them are part of, and he is going to try to force this- knowing well what my plans are- and he will do it as he is one of their top power psionics. He is only rivalled by Tiana, judging from our messages- you and I- and what he has told me.
[14:33] <strikedroid> <Helen> What good is all this if he has to die for you to be able to achieve it? He has to be able to understand that peace is possible here, that it not only *can* happen, it *has* happened.
[14:34] <strikedroid> <Helen> If I can convince him, that in itself helps both of you. If I can't, we will simply be where we were, and nothing would have been lost.
[14:35] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...and if you kill someone who is this closely tied to that group, what makes you think his death doesn't stand a chance of triggering a war for his martyrdom?
01[14:37] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> * Xamar thinks upon this for a second. * <Xamar> ...Your name is 'Racheal Burnside', you are here on offical buisness of the Earthen Space Embassy. You know the Civil War and it is within the best interest of all the plantary senates for you to ensure that this does not happen. You have leads that Hex is leading this. ..You don't know me, are we clear? ..This is what you will say when you go to see Hex.. ..I can make you an I.D. and find fitting clothes for you by mid-day.
[14:38] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...won't he know who I am, though?
01[14:40] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> He will, but no one else will. This will leave you with enough time to convince him. He sees an ally in you, Helen, as Hex has always 'rolled' with the psionic crowd. ..He is charismatic, like my Father.
[14:42] <strikedroid> <Helen> That said...you must find a way to have your people see that the psionics are people. I know that is difficult, but...nothing truly worth having is easy to get.
01[14:46] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> ..Do you not think I am working on this? Little by little I am trying to tide over the oncoming storm. If I can change the mind of R'Miba's higher-ups, I can change the thoughts of the people. They are not all like my Father, Helen, and I classify them as 'Sons' and 'Fathers.' The 'Sons' acting like me, thinking like me and the 'Fathers' thinking like my Father, acting like my Father. R'Miba's higher-ups are all Fathers with the populus of non-psionics being 60% Fathers and 30% being Sons and that last 10% being forced to be one or the other.
[14:47] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...How much pull do you actually have here?
01[14:48] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> What do you mean? How much influence do I have?
15:28] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> What do you mean? How much influence do I have?
[15:29] <strikeberry> -Helen- Is this a parliament or a cabinet you're with, and do you have any control over who holds those positions?
01[15:30] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I do not have control over who they are. They come from the pure-blooded lines of the founding fathers of R'Miba, with my bloodline being the ones to rule as Kings and Queens. This is how it has been for ages.
[15:42] <strikeberry> -Helen gives Xamar a pained expression.
01[15:46] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Why the long face?
[15:51] <strikeberry> -Helen- ...I'd almost take the elected officials over that.
01[15:52] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> It's something you get used to after a while. I grew up with most of them, but I fear Timibel will get the short end of the stick once she picks up the mantle.
[15:59] <strikeberry> -Helen nods.- ...She needs to toughen up...I'm hoping some time in school will help.
01[16:04] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Timibel has always been soft and Gen didn't help, but without Gen we would not have Tiana and if Tiana were not here, then I would not be discussing this with you. ...I do not believe it makes me a bad person for killing Gen, no, but it makes me a monster for taking away Timibel's mother. I know, deep down, that you have been more of a mother to Timibel than Gen has in all of Timibel's years of living. ..It was not always like that, you know. Gen just.. Cracked, one day, and held both of us captive. It had been like that ever since.. Until.. I killed her with my own paws. * Xamar looks at his palms and pawpads. * ( The pads on the bottom of a dog's paws? Yeah, they have those. ) <Xamar> I feel terrible for doing it, but she was a bigger monster than I...
[16:05] <strikeberry> -Helen- ...hmm.
01[16:06] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Not a day goes by that I do not miss her, but Gen would have- eventually- killed you, you know.
01[16:10] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I tided up her side of the room and I found documents, detailed ones, on how to exterminate you. Hex was included in one of these documents and I fear that, if she were around today to enact this, that those whom you love most would be killed and your world left in ruins. This is why I say Gen was not always like this for the simple fact that Hex did not turn out like Timibel. He loved Gen, something he hates me for, and he would do anything if she asked it. ...But, I am glad that I killed her... For Timibel...
[16:26] <strikeberry> -Helen- ...He resents you for Gen?
[16:27] <strikeberry> -Helen wisely declines to comment on *who* would kill *whom.*
01[16:33] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> For a lot of things, you know how children are, but he mostly hates me for exiling him and killing Gen. Heh, that boy and his mother. * Xamar smiles warmly before going back to frowning. * I had always said, ["If I were not his father, I would be his son."] That is how much Hex loved her. He does not understand like you or I do how mentally uncapable Gen was of being a mother, of being a Queen. ..I feel like everything fell apart when Hex was exiled.. ..I ask myself if exiling Hex was the right thing to do for the boy and if Gen would still be here, like she was with Hex, and we would be a family. ...I... * Xamar wipes a tear from his eyes * ...I know you are not into males like a woman should be, Helen, or else I would have asked you to take my side as Queen of R'Miba. ..Tiana told me a lot of things when they came here for your holiday "Christmas" as did Timibel. ..They really loved her, you know, your mate.. ..Did she ever get her present from us?
[16:41] <strikeberry> (Is he talking about Soac?)
01[16:41] <Astro_Ortsa> ( Yes )
[16:42] <strikeberry> -Helen looks away for a bit.- No, she didn't. She's disappeared...
01[16:45] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ...Is it because of themselves, like they said?
01[16:55] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> They explained to me, for Christmas, how they felt very distant from you. ...Tiana told me this is why she was so bad for you because she just wanted to be with her 'Mommy' for a day, without.. So-Ack, was it? Timibel told me that she tried to kill you, which may stem from the violence we were having- at the time- towards same sex couples and relationships. I resolved this issue nearly over night. When Timibel was not present, Tiana told me that Timibel was in love with you like you are with Soac. ( I imagine Helen would have corrected him by this point. ) I am ok with one of them being same sex, based, but both of them is a problem as Tiana would tell me she would joke about with the attractive women at your home. * Xamar sighs. *
[16:56] <strikeberry> -Helen- I don't know. She just left. One day, fine, another, gone.
01[16:56] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> You seem to be getting defensive over the situation.
[16:58] <strikeberry> -Helen- It's just...If something was wrong...wouldn't she tell me?
[16:59] <strikeberry> -Helen- I don't open my heart easily. For her to do this after I did...
01[17:02] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Maybe she did not have the courage to tell you that you were not the one for her? Maybe, once interacting between Timibel and Tiana, the eventually got to her and the thought of her child made her go into a deep depression? There are many 'maybes' I can ask, but we will never know unless your mate comes back to explain herself.
01[17:03] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> There is always a possibilty that she, Soac, did not have the heart to see you hurt and she simply left, thinking actions would speak louder than words.
[17:07] <strikeberry> -Helen- Not knowing why or being able to talk about it is far worse than being told.
01[17:18] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I understand. ..My first love was a psionic. I loved her very much during my years as a Prince. Her name was very unusual for a R'Mibian name, Sam was her name. Sam had fur as red as a flame and eyes to match. Her parents were shot down by my Father- another reason why I am campaigning against his established rules- and her parents soon became human settlers. I met her on a ride into "The Oasis": a large lake formed out in the middle of the desert that seems to be tied to underground streams and resulted from a build-up of various soils - so the scientists say. Her human parents were lovely, knowing me very well - even fans of mine! Haha. Our relationship went very well and she played off being a psionic perfectly, until my Father began to expand his rules out to their parts for the lived near The Oasis. ...I have never heard of her or seen her since... While I think about it, the offchance of humans successfully mating with a R'Mibian citizen is a low 1% in Human-to-R'Mibian relationships and a 5% chance in R'Mibian-to-Human. ..This is why I became enraged over Timibel losing her virginity to that Orion fellow: the offspring lives for an average two weeks after birth, but the genetic differences are so great that they die within that timespan. The record lifespan is a counted two months with medical support. ..Timibel should not know the loss of a child at such a young age. She is becoming quite the young lady and should not experience this at her age.
07[17:22] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...I had Timi practice safe methods. I would be...reluctant to let her carry a child to term right now in any case.
01[17:23] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Penetration is still penetration, is it not, and even with your safe methods the possibility is still there unless you were to remove that factor entirely.. Her birthing parts, that is.
[17:24] <strikedroid> <Helen> That's true. And we have methods to deal with it if she were to concieve.
01[17:26] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I refuse to allow you to destroy the life that my daughter is to carry inside of her, Helen, and that is final. Timibel has had a rough life, I'm sure you know this, and I do not want to make it any harder for her. Adoption, abortion, miscarriage.. None of those will be in effect until she is ready and you know she is not ready, despite how much she says she is.
[17:29] <strikedroid> <Helen> Hmm...fair enough. This will be between you and her, then.
01[17:31] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I see it as this: You are her Mother and I am her Father. For the time being, custody is given to you over the children and I am 'getting my act together' so that they may come back to me. As much as I would enjoy arguing with Timibel and end up having her getting pregnant out of spite, I feel you are better suited for talking this over with her.
[17:34] <strikedroid> <Helen> I have a hard time with this. I feel that the harsher we are about what she does, the higher a risk we have in her simply choosing not to tell us what's happening.
[17:34] <strikedroid> <Helen> I don't think it's right for her to be focused on much beside her studies, though; and that's why I'm assigning her a chaperone, a guardian for her time in my world.
01[17:38] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I feel, that, when she is not studying in your world- science, mechanics, psionics, robotics, Timibel will be great at whatever she may cheese- she should have a little free time. A schedule is most important to a Queen in the making and this schedule should include free time for "All work and no play makes Timibel a dull girl."
01[17:40] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Whether or not she tells is not the biggest issue, but you can read and tap into her mind whenever you may choose. I, personally, would rather know later than to never know at all. Timibel has always been good about telling things when she needs to, even with a little shove involved.
[17:40] <strikedroid> ((CHEESE))
01[17:40] <Astro_Ortsa> ( o.o? Cheese? )
[17:41] <strikedroid> (Great at whatever she may...)
01[17:41] <Astro_Ortsa> ( choose )
[17:42] <strikedroid> <Helen> If I simply make sure she is being safe...and continue to communicate, then I can prevent the thing I would learn about later.
01[17:44] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> And what if the chaperone begins to lose her trust? ..You will still learn about that thing later on, anyway.
[17:53] <strikedroid> <Helen> But I would rather her want to tell me on her own, rather than have to invade her privacy...and you would not like to know the sorts of things that you "find out about afterward" that you would wish to prevent.
01[17:55] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> The relationship with your family, the destruction of various worlds the contain your other selves... *Xamar gets a little bold with this last one* ..Your lover?
07[17:56] <strikedroid> <Helen shrugs> That isn't what I'm talking about. I honestly suspect Timi might have been active before I even met her, frankly. Any possible damage has already been done.
01[17:57] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> What would suggest this?
[17:58] <strikedroid> <Helen> I will not break her confidence further than this, but it's mostly her attutude toward sex in the first place.
01[17:59] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ...What ever do you mean?
[18:00] <strikedroid> <Helen> Remember, *she* was the one who pursued Orion. Not the other way around.
01[18:01] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ..What you are saying is.. ..Timibel be a whore...?
01[18:01] <Astro_Ortsa> ( *may be )
[18:01] <strikedroid> <Helen> I am saying she might know more about sex than you think, and there are likely things in her past on this you don't know about.
01[18:02] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ..We will need to ask her, then.
[18:03] <strikedroid> <Helen leans her elbows on the table.> ...And what do you plan to do with that information?
01[18:04] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Depending if she did or not in the past, she may contracted something and that is always bad news. * Xamar looks to Helen, rubbing his snout. * I plan to use it to find a cure, if she contracted something.
[18:05] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...If she had something, the doctors examining her would have found something when she had allergies.
01[18:05] <Astro_Ortsa> * Xamar may not seem it, but he is a little uncomfortable. * <Xamar> Allergies?
[18:13] <strikedroid> <Helen> Yes. She got severe cold-like symptoms, and we had to formulate an allergy medication for her. It seemed to be something to do with the difference in climate.
01[18:15] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ....Huhn. I did not feel ill when I was there..
07[18:17] <strikedroid> <Helen> You weren't there for months. And perhaps Timi's more susceptible.
01[18:17] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ..I would really have no idea.
[18:29] <strikedroid> <Helen> You may know better than me...I have the findings with me, and at the time we had to make guesses on her physiology.>
01[18:29] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> May I?
[18:31] <strikedroid> <Helen pulls it up on her PDA and shows him>
01[18:35] <Astro_Ortsa> * Xamar looks it over carefully. *
[18:38] <strikedroid> <Helen> The doctors at my team's facility are the best on my planet...and they specialize at identifying and diagnosing...unique. body types.
01[18:39] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Hrm..
01[18:46] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ..May I get a copy of this so that the science team can dot the 'i's and cross the t's, so to speak?
[19:00] <strikedroid> <Helen> Certainly...I'd meant to do it sooner. <She takes out a memory chip and copies the data to it.>
01[19:01] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Thank you. * Xamars nods, lwaning foward a bit. * So.. Helen. I have told you about me.. I would like to know more, if you do not mind.
01[19:02] <Astro_Ortsa> ( *more about you )
[19:02] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...Hm? What in particular?
01[19:04] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> When did you first find out about your psionics? What is your world like? I feel this next question may be a bit too personal, but when did you have your first experience with a woman?
[19:10] <strikedroid> <Helen> Define 'first experience.'
01[19:11] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ..Your first romantic or sexual experience. The thing that made you stick with your own sex.
[19:17] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...Honestly? It was a few weeks after my memories were restored. I'd already propositioned a girl, but...it was more puppy love...from when she was practically the first person who didn't treat me like a thing.
01[19:18] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Who was she?
01[19:18] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Was it Soac?
[19:18] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...It was my version of Cecille...she always went by Fang.
[19:19] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...She...well, she didn't swing that way. So I let her be...and then I went to go and try and forget about it.
01[19:20] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> And then what happened?
[19:20] <strikedroid> <Helen> I had a few partners. I don't even know how I got anyone to stand me at my coldest...but I did.
01[19:22] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> And then?
[19:22] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...It hadn't even occurred to me what my interests were, until her. So I explored it...I don't even remember the girl's name now.
01[19:24] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Why can you not remember her name? Was she not important to you?
[19:26] <strikedroid> <Helen> Not really...she was the end of a series of one night stands. Even then, in that discovery, I wasn't sharing myself with anyone.
01[19:27] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> In what ways?
[19:28] <strikedroid> <Helen> Do you know what a one-night stand is?
01[19:29] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Where you share only feelings of passion and pleasure with someone, not wanting to settle down with them like one would do with their future spouse.
[19:32] <strikedroid> <Helen> That is what I mean. I did not even really lead into it then. I relied solely on my looks.
[19:33] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...But then...my Fang died.
03[19:34] <strikedroid> <Helen> Until Timibel, I didn't let anyone near me after that. And until Soac, I didn't pursue anyone.
01[19:34] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> What will you do now?
[19:35] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...What do you mean?
01[19:36] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> About your love life.. What will you do now?
14[19:38] <strikedroid> <Helen looks puzzled.> ...Er, do you remember when I brought Tiana here to Hex?
[19:38] <strikedroid> <He
[19:38] <strikedroid> <Helen> The girl who was with me?
01[19:38] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Brandedfire is her name, is it not?
[19:39] <strikedroid> <Helen> Firebrand, yes.
[19:39] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...Who...now that I think abourt it, probably resembles your old flame? <She winces at this.>
01[19:41] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> What do you mean? * Xamar blinks at Helen's wincing. *
01[19:46] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> What do you mean? * Xamar blinks at Helen's wincing. *
[19:47] <strikedroid> <Helen> The girl, the psionic you said you dated.
[19:48] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...in any case...well, one, she's not R'mibian, but I bet you knew that.
01[19:51] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Sam? ..Well, heh, I guess I should give more insight. Sam and I did not want a full relationship, for I could not handle bearing a psionic child into this world and with father.. ..At first, Sam and I were always stuck together- inside, outside, under the sheets- like glue and, while the sex was nice, I felt we were getting a bit too crazy- if you know what I mean by this. We- I knew this, yes. She had a different air about her- calmed some and that is when we decided not to "go all the way" anymore. She was the first one I had developed feelings of love and care for, yes, but she was not the first I had slept with...
[20:01] <strikedroid> <Helen> Well, I meant that the form Firebrand took resembled her slightly.
01[20:02] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Oh, did it? ...I did not notice.
[20:08] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...Well, it's not how she normally looks, in any case.
[21:40] <strikedroid> (Hmm.)
01[22:56] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> So, she can change her shape? Did she do that to feel accepted amongst our people?
[22:56] <Avani> <Helen> I believe she did, yes.
01[22:57] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I can understand. * Xamar pushes himself out from his spot, picking his plate up. * I do believe it is time, Helen.
[23:10] <Avani> <Helen> I do have a question though.
01[23:14] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> What is it that you desire to ask?
[23:15] <Avani> <Helen> We've seen the effect of the dampeners on me...are they going to be in effect in Hex's cell?
01[23:24] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I have something for that. Timibel may not remember, but when she was a girl there were riots in the far parts of town. They would come in, the psionics, and our defensives would be to begin to drop a set of antennae that emitted a frequency- in its early stages- very similar to that of Hex' cell device. Just in case Timibel were a psionic, which you've told me she is, I would slip a set of earmuffs over her ears that is designed to block out said frequency.
[23:40] <Avani> <Helen> Hrm. That would be noticeable, don't you think? Is there a smaller version I can use?
01[23:41] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Of course! This was years and years ago. There are smaller versions available.
[23:42] <Avani> <Helen> Excellent.
01[23:52] <Astro_Ortsa> * Xamar tells Helen where they are and he goes to make her fake I.D. to make her seem like she's apart of the Space Embassy. *
[23:26] <Sylvia> <Helen waits.>
01[23:29] <Astro_Ortsa> * Xamar returns, some forty minutes later, with a set of clothes and an I.D. He looks at her for a second.. Then gently kisses her cheek. * <Xamar> That would be from Gen, if she were still here and she were sound-minded. She would thank you for taking such good care of Timibel.
[23:30] <Sylvia> <Helen responds with a wan smile.> Thank you.
01[23:30] <Astro_Ortsa> ( A what type of smile?)
[23:32] <Sylvia> (( Weak. In this case, possibly somewhat unconvincing. ))
01[23:36] <Astro_Ortsa> * Xamar places her I.D. with nametag on the table with a set of clothes beside it. * <Xamar> These may or may not fit you, but I had thought you would need to look convincing and brought down these set of clothes.
[23:37] <Sylvia> <Helen> IF they don't, I can use my fabric shifter to adjust it.
01[23:38] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> There is a bathroom upstairs. It is not hard to find, as all the bathrooms are corner rooms.
[23:39] <Sylvia> <Helen nods and makes her way up to a bathroom to get dressed.>
01[23:44] <Astro_Ortsa> * Once putting them on, Helen will see she looks like quite professional. With those clothes on, she should've tried to be a CEO. *
[23:45] <Sylvia> <Helen recalls having a few outfits like this herself in her closet on Earth for meetings with military.>
01[23:49] <Astro_Ortsa> * Xamar waits for Helen to come downstairs, sipping on a glass of water. *
[23:51] <Sylvia> <Helen dresses and goes back down to meet Xamar.>
01[23:52] <Astro_Ortsa> * Xamar looks to Helen, sipping his water still. * <Xamar> Hello, Miss, I don't believe we've met. * He smiles some, looking to her, trying to make a joke.. *
Session Time: Sat Jun 04 00:00:01 2011
[00:00] <Sylvia> <Helen gives him another one of those sad smiles.> Where's the prisoner?
01[00:02] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> He is in the desert, awaiting execution. You can teleport over there, if you wish, as a sandstorm is likely this time of year.
[00:02] <Sylvia> <Helen> Do they expect the humans to all have powers, then?
01[00:02] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I don't think they even know.
[00:19] <Sylvia> <Helen> ...I should probably keep that to a minimum. Have...have other humans besides me visited here?
01[00:20] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Have other humans visited R'Miba? * Xamar lightly laughs at this. * Though the human population is small, we have quite a few living here. I remember telling you just moments ago, but I cannot blame you for it may have gotten lost amongst everything. Come! Allow me to show you@
[00:23] <Sylvia> <Helen nods and follows Xamar.>
01[00:25] <Astro_Ortsa> * Xamar leads Helen to a bookcase, which he gently knocks on, pulls a book down and a retina scanner comes down. It scans his retina, pulling back the retina scanner and the bookcase slides back. It reveals a passage way and Xamar stands, allowing for Helen to pass! Secret learned: Hidden Passage! *
[00:38] <Sylvia> <Helen> ...Wait, what?
01[00:40] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Just watch.. * Xamar follows the passage, soon standing before a ton of large screen. On each of them are a serious of dots, all a different color, with odd waves under them and a top-perspective view of the layout of the land. By land, I mean the Planet of R'Miba. * <Xamar> Say 'hello' to my people, Helen.
[00:41] <Sylvia> <Helen> What am I looking at here?
01[00:49] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> A top-view of the geography, the land above or below the sea, and all the people. * He walks up to it, pointing and following a moving green dot. * <Xamar> Female, R'Mibian, middle age. * He points and follows a random white dot * <Xamar> Male, R'Mibian, newborn. * He looks for a certa- There it is! He points at a yellow dot! * <Xamar> Female, Human, teenager. All these dots are little chips implanted into the people at birth or as they decide to live on R'Miba. The black dots are our dead. All the dots are all the people, at all times. Usually, there's a team of people watching these monitors, but they left and kept the machines to run themselves. ...And.. * He points a golden blip. * ...that's me. * He points at a grey dot that's quickly fading to black. * ..That female is dying and rather fast.
[00:53] <Sylvia> <Helen> This is...I don't know how to put it.
01[00:53] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> We just use this to keep track of our population.
[00:54] <Sylvia> <Helen> ...It seems like something that could easily be used to spy on someone.
01[00:56] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> These are not spy cameras, Helen. That was several generations ago, when my Great-Great-Grandfather was paranoids about assassination attempts because his father's father had established an annual 'Meet-and-Greet' to meet us, The Royal family, and so we can try to be friends with our people. This was a time when his father's father had damaged the population and messed up our public image.
[00:57] <Sylvia> <Helen looks at him for a moment, trying to keep track of whose father was whose father of whose father.>
01[00:59] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Just know this: generations ago, my family was not publiclly accepted and it took many years to get ourselves back on track.
[01:00] <Sylvia> <Helen> For good reasons or bad reasons?
01[01:00] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Bad reasons. Now, I'm trying to take more bad reasons out of affect so my daughter or son won't have to.
[01:18] <Sylvia> <Helen> That's admirable.
[01:18] <Sylvia> <Helen> So what about the humans?
[01:18] <Sylvia> ((ack, disregard))
01[01:19] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> What about them? ( No, I think this is going good, so far. )
[01:25] <Sylvia> <Helen> Are they treated well here...and has there actually been a human embassy here?
01[01:27] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> The humans are treated quite well. It would seem a lot of them are supporting their own ideas, which is what my ideas are: Equal rights for psionics. Some of them help to lead the revolution, some of them are helping to destroy the psionics. ..You humans are quite the interesting species, you know.
01[01:28] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> And there has been a human embassy. Not here, no, but Earth.. Our earth, you could say, has one. It is not directly on Earth, but there have been humans at galatic embassy meetings.
[01:30] <Sylvia> (( Um, generally, when two land entities are open to each other, there's an embassy in both places for the opposite. ))
01[01:31] <Astro_Ortsa> ( Then, fill in the blanks? )
[01:33] <Sylvia> <Helen> "If there are three humans in a room, there will be six opinions."
01[01:36] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I know this.
[01:37] <Sylvia> (( Not sure what you mean by 'fill in the blanks' ))
01[01:39] <Astro_Ortsa> ( Using your imagination to fill in what needs to be in Xamar's previous statement prior to the last one. )
[01:41] <Sylvia> (( But he explicitly said there wasn't one on R'miba. ))
01[01:42] <Astro_Ortsa> ( Which is what I was getting to. )
01[01:44] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> However, there was one here and it was quite the "happening" place. ..Then, humans hit a roadbump and.. Well, your history here- as a race- has been rough. Just in the recent years, since before I was born, has the human race begun to flourish and bloom.
01[01:44] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I've instructed for one to be rebuilt here, within the Royal City, but land is required and we really do not need to tear down anymore trees.
[01:45] <Sylvia> <Helen> Perhaps you could repurpose another building.
01[01:46] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Prehaps, but I just believe humans would need their own embassy building so it could stand out and cement their place as a race on R'Miba once more.
[01:46] <Sylvia> <Helen nods.>
01[01:46] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> This will come with time, I can say this much.
01[01:56] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I do believe, Helen, that you need to get going. * He points to a golden-red dot on the map. * That is Hex. Can you go to him?
[02:11] <Sylvia> <Helen looks it over.> It's good to know where I'll be, but I think I can trace him by his mental signature as well, since I've not been to that part of the planet.
01[02:11] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ..He'll know you're after him.
[02:13] <Sylvia> <Helen> He'd know who I was anyway.
01[02:14] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I doubt he'll give you any answers if he directly knows you are after him.
[02:16] <Sylvia> <Helen> He would know I was looking for him. And he would know that me coming to personally kill him, to expose myself for it, would be a waste of time when I know he's already slated to die.
01[02:19] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> But, this is why we're here. We're here for answers from Hex, so we can fix Tiana.
14[02:21] <Sylvia> <Helen> You mean you don't want me to try to convince him to soften his methods so you don't have to have him killed? And don't you think that might have something to do with how he treated Tiana?
01[02:21] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ..I mean this, too, Helen, but.. * Xamar seems torn, just by the way he looks at Helen. *
01[02:29] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Please go. * Xamar sits down, placing his face in his paws and shoos Helen away. Should she leave without question, she'll hear him begin to painfully cry. *
[02:44] <Striker> <Helen teleports to the facility where Hex is being held, trying not to be noticed.>
01[02:47] <Astro_Ortsa> * Like Xamar said, Helen is met with an intense sandstorm. She can barely see, but Hex is close. Also, too close. Helen is directly outside the facility and there are two other lifeforms close to her, as well. *
[02:49] <Striker> <Helen resists the urge to shield herself with her telekinesis, and addresses the nearby beings.> ...Hello?
01[02:53] <Astro_Ortsa> * Rushing out into the storm are two heavily armed guards. They resemble the guards that tortured Hex, but very different. Could be the sand colored armor or the Darth Vader-like breathing. * <Left Soldier> Identify yourself! * They stand some feet away from Helen, 'guns' pointed at Helen and ready to fire at a moment's notice. *
[02:55] <Striker> <Helen displays her badge and puts on a businesslike front.> Helen Francisca, Human Embassy. I'd like permission to speak to your prisoner.
01[02:59] <Astro_Ortsa> <Right Soldier> Our apologies! You can't be too careful out here! <Left Soldier> Come in, come in. Get out of this Sandstorm, Miss Francisca! * The left solder goes in before Helen, the right one helping to guide her in. *
[03:01] <Striker> <Helen> Thank you! They didnt' tell me what I was getting into out here. <She allows them to lead her inside.>
01[03:04] <Astro_Ortsa> <Left Soldier> How did you get out here? I didn't see anything that would suggest a ship or something. It was almost as if you appeared out of nowhere. * He slaps his helmet, mumbling something. * ( I just kind of figured they were speaking to her in R'Mibian at first, then switched to English once she began to speak it. ) <Left Soldier> Damned this are always malfunctioning, I tell 'ya. We need some new ones, dammit, or else something bad will happen. <Right Soldier> I just need time off to sleep, visit the wife.. The kids..
[03:07] <Striker> <Helen> There was a transport...it dropped me off and I had to hoof it for a bit.
01[03:09] <Astro_Ortsa> <Right Soldier> Pretty sh*tty, that is. I know from experience, Miss. * The Left soldier pulls out a chair for Helen, offering her some generic R'Mibian coffee. * <Left Soldier> We don't have the cinnamon-honey blend, but this generic sh*t will do the job I'd suppose.
[03:12] <Striker> <Helen> Hmm...I'd love some. Thanks.
01[03:14] <Astro_Ortsa> * The Left Soldier sets a cup down, pouring coffee from an Earth-based coffee pot into the styrofoam cup. Helen will smell... Is that sage and.. Vanilla? Seems a bit odd to have a spice in a coffee, but it might be really good. Heck, Helen may love it. *
01[03:14] <Astro_Ortsa> <Left Soldier> Milk, creamer, black, sugar, caramel cube?
[03:16] <Striker> <Helen> Sugar would be nice.
01[03:18] <Astro_Ortsa> <Left Soldier> Packet or cube?
[03:19] <Striker> <Helen> Hm...I think the packet will do.
01[03:21] <Astro_Ortsa> * The soldier hands Helen the whole box of sugar. * <Right Soldier> A dangerous one, he is, Miss Francisca. Did you get instructions from King Wolventang on how to go about this and, by chance, were you taught the ways of psionic resistance?
[03:23] <Striker> <Helen> Yes, I did, and I have taken measures to protect myself. <Neither of these statements are completely untrue.>
01[03:24] <Astro_Ortsa> <Right Soldier> You do understand you'll have to go through checkpoints after your coffee, in order to ensue the prisoner doesn't escape, correct?
01[03:25] <Astro_Ortsa> ( *ensure )
[03:26] <Striker> <Helen> I understand. <She takes a sip.> Hm...normally, I prefer tea, but this is nice.
01[03:27] <Astro_Ortsa> <Right Soldier> All pressure aside, you may take as long as you need.
[03:29] <Striker> <Helen> All right.
01[03:33] <Astro_Ortsa> * And, so, the two soldiers go about as they would normally: looking at 'certain articles of reading', watching static on an odd television, reading and counting the seconds until their shift ends.. These are done in pairs, the left soldier glacing up from his 'magazine' to the static television and the right humming as a second passes by while reading a book. "How to divide by zero: A book on math." The author's name is "Timibel Wolventang." *
[03:36] <Striker> <Helen makes note of the book, and heads for the checkpoints to see Hex.>
01[03:39] <Astro_Ortsa> * Helen will see the left soldier rise, following her on her left side as she stops before an airport checkpoint with odd cameras positioned on them. The soldier comes over an intercom. * <Left Soldier> This is the beginning and I ask that you stand still, please. You'll be scanned for any weapons and beforehand, I ask that you remove and metal objects off your person. Slide them in the chute to your left- * He looks at her from behind dirtied and fogged glass. * -and I will give them back after you see the prisoner.
[03:43] <Striker> <If there were any metal objects on her person in the costume, she relinquishes them. SHe checks to see if the badge is actually made out of metal, and if so, she puts it away.>
01[03:47] <Astro_Ortsa> * The checkpoint marker scans her, beeping once. * <Left Soldier> Seems in order. Continue onward, please.
[03:49] <Striker> <Helen advances.>
01[03:51] <Astro_Ortsa> * She'll come across the same checkpoint, but with scanners uptop and on the bottom. <Left Soldier> You'll be scanned for any shreds of foreign material on your clothes. Should you have some, everyone always does, I will blow you clean. I ask, again, that you stand perfectly still.
[03:51] <Striker> <Helen stands still.>
01[03:54] <Astro_Ortsa> * She's scanned, hearing the cameras slide to the left and right, up and down of the dinky metal frame. There's a vicious beeping and the left soldier comes out with a large blower-like machine mounted on his back and held by handles in both gauntleted paws. It looks like a giant leaf blower with a backpack. * <Left Soldier> Back up and away from the checkpoint, please, and stand with your arms at your side and your legs spread far, but not too far, apart. *
[03:57] <Striker> <Helen does as asked!>
01[03:58] <Astro_Ortsa> * Helen will find herself nearly knocked over as she's blown down with the blower and all foreign materials being blown away from her and into a small robot that floats and sucks in the materials! The machine is soon turned off and the left soldier gets behind his post again. * <Left Soldier> Once more, please.
[03:59] <Striker> <Helen tries to pass again.>
01[04:00] <Astro_Ortsa> * Helen passes and is told to continue foward! *
[04:01] <Striker> <Helen sallies forth.>
01[04:06] <Astro_Ortsa> * The final checkpoint is a full circled machine with glowing blue lights on the inside. Helen will be reminded of an iron maiden. * <Left Soldier> I apologize for this, but you will need to strip down to your bare skin and climb inside this machine to be scanned once more. It's protocol and some people are twisted enough to hide weapons inside themselves. * A set of curtains close, the window being completely blocked from view. * <Left Soldier> I apologize again for this, but please place your clothes on the cart beside you once you finish. * The cart seems to pull back into a machine that looks like an oven, but with a conveyor belt. *
[04:08] <Striker> <Helen gives the checker an odd look, and willingly strips down for scanning.>
01[04:11] <Astro_Ortsa> * Once she climbs in, the cart pulls back and a loud whirring is heard. Helen is nearly blinded by the light, her feet getting extremely warm from standing on the square of light. A few moments later, the lights shut off and the machine opens, her clothes ready for her! ..They steam some, being extremely warm and ridden of any foreign materials that may have accumulated from them being handled. * <Left Soldier> Everything is in order, Miss Francisca. Please dress and continue onward. The prisoner is straight ahead and to the left. Come out when you finish.
[23:54] <Striker> <Helen heads in to look for Dex.>
01[23:58] <Astro_Ortsa> * Helen will see Hex is turned away from the door, chained to a wall with a muzzle-like mask on, a pair of odd looking gloves and a set of goggles over his face. It would seem as if he can only hear Helen. The left soldier comes over an intercom as a set of extremely bright lights come on. * <Left Soldier> The prisoner is chained up, tight, so he can't hurt anyone. You can still talk to him and he'll respond to you with his telo-kin-eyesis.
Session Time: Sun Jun 05 00:00:00 2011
[00:04] <Striker> <HElen> ...Okay.
01[00:06] <Astro_Ortsa> * It would seem as if Hex is sleeping, standing still and upright. *
[00:09] <Striker> <Helen> ...Hex.
01[00:09] <Astro_Ortsa> <Hex> Zzzzzz.
[00:10] <Striker> <Helen> Hex!
01[00:11] <Astro_Ortsa> * Helen will see Hex jerk his head away from the wall, sniffing loudly. Seems he's trying to see who's there. *
[00:13] <Striker> <Helen> <<I'm here to talk.>>
01[00:13] <Astro_Ortsa> * "...Who are you?" *
[00:15] <Striker> <HElen> <<Someone who wants to try and save your life.>>
01[00:15] <Astro_Ortsa> * "Why would you bother?" *
[00:20] <Striker> <Helen> <<You wish for equality amongst your people, and that is a worthy goal to aim for.>>
01[00:22] <Astro_Ortsa> * "Do you think I'll achieve this? I think not, for if Father kills me then Hell will rain down upon him and his filthy planet. The revolution is at hand, Helen, and we both know the consequences." *
[00:23] <Striker> <Helen> <<Believe me. I do not want that. And I believe it's possible to get what you want with less violence.>>
01[00:26] <Astro_Ortsa> * "A little violence tends to spice things up, you know. Especially against those who choose to stand in the middle of my territory and hold hands, in a large line, as they sing of peace and prosperity." *
[00:32] <Striker> <Helen> <<You would attack unarmed protesters?>>
01[00:35] <Astro_Ortsa> * "I used to, calling them flithy swine and nonbelievers so they would be killed on sight. Not so much anymore, though, as they want to help our cause. ..Father isn't working hard or fast enough and I think what we seek will come faster if I reveal Timibel or Tiana to the public as their true selves. I will be with them if I were to do this." *
[00:37] <Striker> <Helen> <<I do not think you fully appreciate what your father is up against.>>
01[00:41] <Astro_Ortsa> * "No, I don't and nor does he with I." *
[00:43] <Striker> <Helen> <<So what is your side of this?>>
01[00:43] <Astro_Ortsa> * "I do believe Father told you, did he not?" *
[00:56] <Striker> <Helen> <<Some of it. I would like to hear it from you.>>
01[00:57] <Astro_Ortsa> * "Ask and I shall answer." *
[01:02] <Striker> <Helen> <<What makes you think that pushing for this will actually accomplish the goal you are searching for?>>
01[01:04] <Astro_Ortsa> * Hex thinks upon Helen's words for a moment, shaking his head as best as he can. "Your words confuse me." *
03[01:05] <Striker> <Helen> <<If you were to somehow successfully reveal your father's secrets, you would sign all their death warrants, and with him, with Timibel, would die the best possible chance for equality.>>
01[01:07] <Astro_Ortsa> * "...Tiana can live without us, you know that. She needs work, anyways." *
[01:09] <Striker> <Helen> <<...I'm aware, but I'm talking about your planet.>>
01[01:12] <Astro_Ortsa> * "And they kill us, if I reveal ourselves to them. A global war will breakout because the psionics will see this as a major blow to our efforts and the normals will believe Father worked for us: The Psionics. I already know how to defeat their psionic-crippling equipment. Do you not think we have scientists of our own? We even have our own weapons to cripple them without much effort, reducing them to mere vegtables. One side will prevail and I know we'll stand victorious." *
[01:13] <Striker> <Helen> <<...It doesn't have to be that way. I come from a world where those with special abilities and those without are able to coexist despite there being attempts to eradicate them completely.>>
01[01:15] <Astro_Ortsa> * "It doesn't, no, but Father is a fool for thinking he'll achieve his goal by the end of his life. As I said, if he kills me, then the revolution will arise." *
[01:17] <Striker> <Helen> <And as I said, if you reveal it, then you'll all die.>>
01[01:17] <Astro_Ortsa> * "And, like I had said, this whole planet will die." *
[01:18] <Striker> <Helen> <<And what good does that do anyone on this planet if that happens?>>
01[01:19] <Astro_Ortsa> * "One of many things will happen if I die, Helen, and one of many things will happen if I don't. If you've come to save me, then how will you convince an entire mass of people that I don't deserve to die?" *
[01:21] <Striker> <Helen> <<...I'm working on that one.>>
01[01:22] <Astro_Ortsa> * Hex just chuckles beneath his muzzle. "You've come to save me, at this exact moment, but you don't have a plan as to how to convince an entire mass of people out of my death? I'm amused by this, Helen." *
[01:23] <Striker> <Helen> <<I've made miracles out of worse.>>
01[01:24] <Astro_Ortsa> * "So you say." *
[01:32] <Striker> <Helen> <<I'm still working out how to get you out of here without harm, but it would have to be contingent on you not being the one to incite a civil war if I tried.>>
01[01:32] <Astro_Ortsa> * "A Civil War will erupt if I die, you know this." *
[01:33] <Striker> <Helen> <<It will happen in just about any situation but one that has you alive and working with your father instead of against him.>>
01[01:35] <Astro_Ortsa> * "I try to work with him, but our views... If you want peace, then prepare for war. Father wants peace to be brought about over years of hard work and sacrifice. You know how it is, Helen, as peace is always brought about after war." *
[22:41] <Strike[out]> <Helen> <<...War? This isn't war, what you want. This will be the end of one...probably both of these groups entirely.>>
01[22:42] <Astro_Ortsa> * Hex mumbles some beneath his muzzle. *
[22:49] <Strike[out]> <Helen> <<What???
[22:49] <Strike[out]> >>*
01[22:50] <Astro_Ortsa> * Hex mumbles it again, obviously wanting to speak with his physical voice. *
[22:53] <Strike[out]> <Helen> I can't figure out what you're saying.
01[22:54] <Astro_Ortsa> * The left soldier comes over the intercom. * <Left Soldier> Is he trying to speak?
[22:58] <Strike[out]> <Helen> I believe so...
01[22:58] <Astro_Ortsa> <Left Soldier> You may take his muzzle off, but be warned..
[23:03] <Strike[out]> <HElen> <<You had better not be trying to trick me...>> <She cautiously approaches, and moves his muzzle back, just a bit.>
01[23:04] <Astro_Ortsa> <Hex> [Bathroom. Bathroom!]
01[23:04] <Astro_Ortsa> * The left soldier hears this. * <Left Soldier> ..Put it back on, he's got no right here.
01[23:04] <Astro_Ortsa> ( *rights )
[23:06] <Strike[out]> <HElen> The least you could do is allow him the basics. <<I'm serious. You had better not be taking advantage of me.>>
01[23:06] <Astro_Ortsa> <Left Soldier> King Wolventang said to not allow him to leave this room.
[23:07] <Strike[out]> <Helen> Can you provide him with some other method, perhaps?
01[23:07] <Astro_Ortsa> <Left Soldier> There's a spare cup lying around up here...
[23:08] <Strike[out]> <Helen makes a face.>
01[23:09] <Astro_Ortsa> <Left Soldier> ..I'm restricted to allow him to leave the room. ..I could lose my job..
[23:15] <Strike[out]> <HElen> It will have to do.
01[23:17] <Astro_Ortsa> * A cup is brought in to Helen and the Left Guard promptly leaves the room. * <Left Soldier> I'm not going anywhere near him, not without proper equipment.
[23:22] <Strike[out]> <Helen almost breaks her cover and psychokinetically moves the cup over, but instead, hesitantly moves the cup in place by Hex, and very carefully undoing what needs undoing.
01[23:24] <Astro_Ortsa> * There's a fly that needs to be undone, if Helen can get passed the wall and waist shackles. Once done, Hex goes. *
01[23:32] <Astro_Ortsa> * Hex finishes rather quickly. "You're going to need to put it away for me. ..I can't." *
[23:33] <Strike[out]> <Helen lets her expression slip away as she puts him back together.>
01[23:37] <Astro_Ortsa> * "Father and I have never seen eye-to-eye, but we're fighting for the same thing. I'm sure you know this." *
[23:38] <Strike[out]> <HElen> <<I'm also fairly certain that if you could work together, even in secret, you would both make more headway.>>
01[23:40] <Astro_Ortsa> * "The possibility is high, but.. ..We're two kings, Helen. Once I was found out to be Hexen Wolventang, I was tortured until I was proven not to be a spy. I was, then, elected their King. ..Heh, funny isn't it? I was forced into royalty, unlike Father who had proper training." *
03[23:43] <Strike[out]> <Helen> <<Just because he was trained doesn't mean he wasn't forced to some degree. I'm sure Timibel would tell you as much.>>
01[23:44] <Astro_Ortsa> * "The sister who doesn't know I exist. To her, I'm just some stranger who hurt her psionic-sister. ..Yeah, I know. I ready Tiana's mind a lot to get the pieces of puzzle. ..I really want to know my sisters, Helen, but I can't. Much like Father, I work day-and-night for my people." *
[23:46] <Strike[out]> <Helen> <<And your father found a way anyhow.>>
[12:10] <strikedroid> <Helen politely shakes her head, all business.> Until Hex dies, apparently.
[12:16] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> * Xamar inhales slightly, gently smiling. He seems quite pained behind it all, though. * <Xamar> Hex was born some time before Timibel. My son, he is. I had high expectations for him. ..There's never been a case of twins before; war or sickness usually takes care of that. Hex was quite the fighter, heh, to say the least. * Xamar gently sips a glass of water. * ..He was exiled after an armory burnt down, his powers being the cause, and he's hated me ever since. They blamed it on bad wiring, these buildings are older than my Father's Father. ..He threatened to make it public knowledge that he was my Son and Timibel has those powers, too, along with Tiana being a powerful psionic version of Timibel. ..I've told you already that my girls would be killed before our people, like Hex, and I would be beheaded directly after. ..With Gen being dead, the people would be in anarchy and chaos.
[12:17] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> I am fighting for equal rights for Hex and people like him, but.. I'm doing it in secrecy. I hold monthly meetings with the highest people of our goverment- there are higher-ups than I- and we discuss it for hours and hours on end.
[12:18] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> I love Hex, like I love Gen, but I can't have him cripple a nation.
[12:18] <strikedroid> <Helen nods and listens, looking rather surprised at the revelation.>
[12:18] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...He and Tiana are more alike than he realizes...
[12:19] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> Do you not see the similarities between them, Helen? ..How did you not notice before this moment? During his break, he- ..What?
[12:20] <strikedroid> <Helen> No, you just said it. You love them, but they are destructive and you are left wondering how long you can let them endanger everyone in the hopes something will change.>
[12:23] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> I see.. * Xamar continues on. * ..During his break, he argued with me- even threatened my very life- to tell the people what they deserve to know. Hex wants this rushed. I have been fighting for this since Hex was exiled and I will not have it damaged and destroyed because of him. ..You know what I mean, do you not? ..And, I apologize for last night. That is how we keep the psionics at bay. ..All they want is to be a part of our civilization again. They kill, maim, and destroy in an attempt for a revolution.
[12:25] <strikedroid> <Helen> Xamar, I come from a place where there was conflict over superhuman abilities...and let me tell you...that has got to be the worst way of dealing with it I have ever seen.
[12:25] <strikedroid> <Helen> Is it any wonder he would wish for better?
01[12:25] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> * Xamar looks down at his plate, a lone tear dropping onto the steak. * <Xamar> ..I love Hex very much, more than he knows, but I am drawn between telling them prematurely or killing my only son; my only son whom I exiled for being different. * Xamar looks to Helen with a destroyed gaze * ..This is all for him..
[12:30] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...It would seem he doesn't really understand...but that is made much more difficult with displays like last night.
[12:38] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...It would seem he doesn't really understand...but that is made much more difficult with displays like last night.
01[12:39] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> I am fighting for my son, going against everything that's our generations fought for: to keep the psionics from populating with us.. Those of us who are normal. More psionics are showing up every year and more and more are exiled. ..Why? I can't understand it. ..Is this the evolution that science continues to try to explain to us? I know there are people out there, right now, being killed for being different. I know, among those people, are more normal people than the psionics. ..Ever since I was but a boy, my Father- King Xamar Wolventang XV- hated the psionics with a passion; said they were dirty and nasty, said they were a cyst on the rear of our civilization. ..He is the one who instated this law. The simple version of this is, "Any psionic who attempts to, or harms another person or persons of R'Miba is sentenced to die by their peers who do suffer such a disfunction as they." ..I know there are people who disagree with this and this is why I am trying to do: tear down the walls.
01[12:42] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> ( * who do not )
[12:45] <strikedroid> <Helen> It is impossible to walk that sort of path halfway, Xamar. It is insane to torture a group while simultaneously claiming to argue for their freedom.
01[12:51] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> This crown? * He takes his Royal Hat off, throwing it across the room. * [Doesn't mean a DAMN THING TO ME! You claim it is impossible to walk a pseudopath, playing along with the book while fighting against it. I will turn this planet upside-down and those people-] * He points off to the East * [-those people who want nothing more than to be one with society instead of losing thousands a month, those people like Hex, Tiana and Timibel, will have what they want. Whether this is my undoing or my creation as a King is my own consequence and I accept my fate.] * Xamar sits back down. *
01[12:54] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> This crown? * He takes his Royal Hat off, throwing it across the room. * [Doesn't mean a DAMN THING TO ME! You claim it is impossible to walk a pseudopath, playing along with the book while fighting against it. I will turn this planet upside-down and those people-] * He points off to the East * [-those people who want nothing more than to be one with society instead of losing thousands a month, those people like Hex, Tiana and Timibel, will have what they want. Whether this is my undoing or my creation as a King is my own consequence and I accept my fate.] * Xamar sits back down. *
12[12:55] <strikeberry> (also, astro, will need repost--i hope you can log)
01[12:55] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> ( Of Helen? )
[12:55] <strikeberry> (...or not)
[12:59] <strikeberry> -Helen looks at Xamar....-
01[12:59] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> * Xamar looks to Helen, visibly upset by her telling him what is and is not possible. *
[13:07] <strikeberry> (i am going to want a log later if you can...also, keep lines shorter..this thing's buffer is tiny)
01[13:07] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> ( ..Ok.. )
[13:08] <strikeberry> -Helen nods.- ...The only problem I see with this is that...you father did a terrible thing. This...it's up to you to see his wrong undone.-
01[13:09] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> That is what I fight for. Everyday.
[13:13] <strikeberry> -Helen- That show is the single biggest barrier to both getting Hex and the other psionics to stay calm while you do...and allowing everyone else to see them as people, rather than monsters.
01[13:16] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> That is not a show.. All execution events are televised and broadcasted. ..Blame my Father.. I try to fit the role of my Father, as everyone wanted me to be like him, but I work by my own agenda, too.
01[13:18] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> ...It may be a long time, even into Timibel's reign as Queen, before their rights will come.
[13:26] <strikeberry> -Helen- ...It's televised. It's a show.
01[13:27] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> And when I speak to the people, would you call that a show?
[13:47] <strikeberry> -Helen- I don't know. But it seemed pretty clear to me he was mostly goaded into behaving how he did...That sound...it tore at my psyche.-
01[13:48] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> It is designed to keep psionics and their powers at bay. That is how we capture them.
[13:52] <strikeberry> -Helen- Keeping someone at bay and hitting them with a pulse that may drive them insane are two different things. -She shudders.-
01[13:54] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> I imagine it nearly drove you insane? ..I know Hex, he was not being driven insane. You human psionics, maybe, but Hex was in high amounts of pain one he was taken out of his holding cell and he was near crippled because of it after he lit though citizens aflame. I admit that we do deserve it, but Hex doesn't think about the 'what-ifs' of situations. I, myself, was wondering how many of those people were being driven on by their friends or family. ..Hex wasn't. I saw it.
[13:57] <strikeberry> -Helen shakes her head soberly.-
[13:59] <strikeberry> -Helen- Luckily, I've been through worse...but I nearly lost control over my powers. It...would not have ended well.
01[14:00] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> ..Hex will die within the next day to two days. Just because I said he was going to die tonight, does not mean it to be true. ..God, Helen, I'm sorry about that. * Xamar prods his steak. * ..I love Hex, but.. ...If he is going to ruin years of planning and patience then I cannot allow him to live.
[14:13] <strikeberry> -Helen- If I can get him to agree to cease the violence, would we be able to hide him away?
01[14:16] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> What 'violence'? He is going to come out to the people, after taking me hostage, and tell those who are watching about my life and the people in a live, televised broadcast. ....I can see where you are going with this, but Hex knows and Hex will do what he can to let the truth be known for- what he claims is- the greater good of R'miba. You cannot stow him away at your home because they know where Timibel is. If they see Hex.. The people are not stupid, Helen.
[14:17] <strikeberry> -Helen- Know this, though...these...whatever you call what that was...that cannot go on. It endangers both your peoples.
01[14:20] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> I know how it is, Helen. ..The people are not stupid. If I come out and make one subtle change to what has been established, then a war will break out between the people. I know all of them are not like this, like the law of the land, and I cannot have them die. I am not saying thousands of psionics dying a month, due to violent protests, is not terrible enough, but if a planet is in a civil war with itself.. Then..
01[14:20] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> I want the foundation that Timibel is going to rule on to be clean and sturdy.
01[14:20] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> Not only am I doing this for Hex, but I am doing this for Timibel as well.
[14:25] <strikeberry> -Helen- I can share with him my experiences on the matter. As I said, my people have been through this, and I was...well, right in the middle of it.
[14:30] <strikeberry> (switching up for a bit-back to strikedroid)
01[14:31] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> Right here, right now, we have the makings of a civil war and you know this. You just said, not even two moments ago, that you were in the middle of this. Hex is not leading this revolution that people like so deperately want. ..They, themselves, are. Hex is part of this radical group, a group most of them are part of, and he is going to try to force this- knowing well what my plans are- and he will do it as he is one of their top power psionics. He is only rivalled by Tiana, judging from our messages- you and I- and what he has told me.
[14:33] <strikedroid> <Helen> What good is all this if he has to die for you to be able to achieve it? He has to be able to understand that peace is possible here, that it not only *can* happen, it *has* happened.
[14:34] <strikedroid> <Helen> If I can convince him, that in itself helps both of you. If I can't, we will simply be where we were, and nothing would have been lost.
[14:35] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...and if you kill someone who is this closely tied to that group, what makes you think his death doesn't stand a chance of triggering a war for his martyrdom?
01[14:37] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> * Xamar thinks upon this for a second. * <Xamar> ...Your name is 'Racheal Burnside', you are here on offical buisness of the Earthen Space Embassy. You know the Civil War and it is within the best interest of all the plantary senates for you to ensure that this does not happen. You have leads that Hex is leading this. ..You don't know me, are we clear? ..This is what you will say when you go to see Hex.. ..I can make you an I.D. and find fitting clothes for you by mid-day.
[14:38] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...won't he know who I am, though?
01[14:40] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> He will, but no one else will. This will leave you with enough time to convince him. He sees an ally in you, Helen, as Hex has always 'rolled' with the psionic crowd. ..He is charismatic, like my Father.
[14:42] <strikedroid> <Helen> That said...you must find a way to have your people see that the psionics are people. I know that is difficult, but...nothing truly worth having is easy to get.
01[14:46] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> ..Do you not think I am working on this? Little by little I am trying to tide over the oncoming storm. If I can change the mind of R'Miba's higher-ups, I can change the thoughts of the people. They are not all like my Father, Helen, and I classify them as 'Sons' and 'Fathers.' The 'Sons' acting like me, thinking like me and the 'Fathers' thinking like my Father, acting like my Father. R'Miba's higher-ups are all Fathers with the populus of non-psionics being 60% Fathers and 30% being Sons and that last 10% being forced to be one or the other.
[14:47] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...How much pull do you actually have here?
01[14:48] <AnIsleofShutters|Astro> <Xamar> What do you mean? How much influence do I have?
15:28] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> What do you mean? How much influence do I have?
[15:29] <strikeberry> -Helen- Is this a parliament or a cabinet you're with, and do you have any control over who holds those positions?
01[15:30] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I do not have control over who they are. They come from the pure-blooded lines of the founding fathers of R'Miba, with my bloodline being the ones to rule as Kings and Queens. This is how it has been for ages.
[15:42] <strikeberry> -Helen gives Xamar a pained expression.
01[15:46] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Why the long face?
[15:51] <strikeberry> -Helen- ...I'd almost take the elected officials over that.
01[15:52] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> It's something you get used to after a while. I grew up with most of them, but I fear Timibel will get the short end of the stick once she picks up the mantle.
[15:59] <strikeberry> -Helen nods.- ...She needs to toughen up...I'm hoping some time in school will help.
01[16:04] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Timibel has always been soft and Gen didn't help, but without Gen we would not have Tiana and if Tiana were not here, then I would not be discussing this with you. ...I do not believe it makes me a bad person for killing Gen, no, but it makes me a monster for taking away Timibel's mother. I know, deep down, that you have been more of a mother to Timibel than Gen has in all of Timibel's years of living. ..It was not always like that, you know. Gen just.. Cracked, one day, and held both of us captive. It had been like that ever since.. Until.. I killed her with my own paws. * Xamar looks at his palms and pawpads. * ( The pads on the bottom of a dog's paws? Yeah, they have those. ) <Xamar> I feel terrible for doing it, but she was a bigger monster than I...
[16:05] <strikeberry> -Helen- ...hmm.
01[16:06] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Not a day goes by that I do not miss her, but Gen would have- eventually- killed you, you know.
01[16:10] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I tided up her side of the room and I found documents, detailed ones, on how to exterminate you. Hex was included in one of these documents and I fear that, if she were around today to enact this, that those whom you love most would be killed and your world left in ruins. This is why I say Gen was not always like this for the simple fact that Hex did not turn out like Timibel. He loved Gen, something he hates me for, and he would do anything if she asked it. ...But, I am glad that I killed her... For Timibel...
[16:26] <strikeberry> -Helen- ...He resents you for Gen?
[16:27] <strikeberry> -Helen wisely declines to comment on *who* would kill *whom.*
01[16:33] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> For a lot of things, you know how children are, but he mostly hates me for exiling him and killing Gen. Heh, that boy and his mother. * Xamar smiles warmly before going back to frowning. * I had always said, ["If I were not his father, I would be his son."] That is how much Hex loved her. He does not understand like you or I do how mentally uncapable Gen was of being a mother, of being a Queen. ..I feel like everything fell apart when Hex was exiled.. ..I ask myself if exiling Hex was the right thing to do for the boy and if Gen would still be here, like she was with Hex, and we would be a family. ...I... * Xamar wipes a tear from his eyes * ...I know you are not into males like a woman should be, Helen, or else I would have asked you to take my side as Queen of R'Miba. ..Tiana told me a lot of things when they came here for your holiday "Christmas" as did Timibel. ..They really loved her, you know, your mate.. ..Did she ever get her present from us?
[16:41] <strikeberry> (Is he talking about Soac?)
01[16:41] <Astro_Ortsa> ( Yes )
[16:42] <strikeberry> -Helen looks away for a bit.- No, she didn't. She's disappeared...
01[16:45] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ...Is it because of themselves, like they said?
01[16:55] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> They explained to me, for Christmas, how they felt very distant from you. ...Tiana told me this is why she was so bad for you because she just wanted to be with her 'Mommy' for a day, without.. So-Ack, was it? Timibel told me that she tried to kill you, which may stem from the violence we were having- at the time- towards same sex couples and relationships. I resolved this issue nearly over night. When Timibel was not present, Tiana told me that Timibel was in love with you like you are with Soac. ( I imagine Helen would have corrected him by this point. ) I am ok with one of them being same sex, based, but both of them is a problem as Tiana would tell me she would joke about with the attractive women at your home. * Xamar sighs. *
[16:56] <strikeberry> -Helen- I don't know. She just left. One day, fine, another, gone.
01[16:56] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> You seem to be getting defensive over the situation.
[16:58] <strikeberry> -Helen- It's just...If something was wrong...wouldn't she tell me?
[16:59] <strikeberry> -Helen- I don't open my heart easily. For her to do this after I did...
01[17:02] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Maybe she did not have the courage to tell you that you were not the one for her? Maybe, once interacting between Timibel and Tiana, the eventually got to her and the thought of her child made her go into a deep depression? There are many 'maybes' I can ask, but we will never know unless your mate comes back to explain herself.
01[17:03] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> There is always a possibilty that she, Soac, did not have the heart to see you hurt and she simply left, thinking actions would speak louder than words.
[17:07] <strikeberry> -Helen- Not knowing why or being able to talk about it is far worse than being told.
01[17:18] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I understand. ..My first love was a psionic. I loved her very much during my years as a Prince. Her name was very unusual for a R'Mibian name, Sam was her name. Sam had fur as red as a flame and eyes to match. Her parents were shot down by my Father- another reason why I am campaigning against his established rules- and her parents soon became human settlers. I met her on a ride into "The Oasis": a large lake formed out in the middle of the desert that seems to be tied to underground streams and resulted from a build-up of various soils - so the scientists say. Her human parents were lovely, knowing me very well - even fans of mine! Haha. Our relationship went very well and she played off being a psionic perfectly, until my Father began to expand his rules out to their parts for the lived near The Oasis. ...I have never heard of her or seen her since... While I think about it, the offchance of humans successfully mating with a R'Mibian citizen is a low 1% in Human-to-R'Mibian relationships and a 5% chance in R'Mibian-to-Human. ..This is why I became enraged over Timibel losing her virginity to that Orion fellow: the offspring lives for an average two weeks after birth, but the genetic differences are so great that they die within that timespan. The record lifespan is a counted two months with medical support. ..Timibel should not know the loss of a child at such a young age. She is becoming quite the young lady and should not experience this at her age.
07[17:22] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...I had Timi practice safe methods. I would be...reluctant to let her carry a child to term right now in any case.
01[17:23] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Penetration is still penetration, is it not, and even with your safe methods the possibility is still there unless you were to remove that factor entirely.. Her birthing parts, that is.
[17:24] <strikedroid> <Helen> That's true. And we have methods to deal with it if she were to concieve.
01[17:26] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I refuse to allow you to destroy the life that my daughter is to carry inside of her, Helen, and that is final. Timibel has had a rough life, I'm sure you know this, and I do not want to make it any harder for her. Adoption, abortion, miscarriage.. None of those will be in effect until she is ready and you know she is not ready, despite how much she says she is.
[17:29] <strikedroid> <Helen> Hmm...fair enough. This will be between you and her, then.
01[17:31] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I see it as this: You are her Mother and I am her Father. For the time being, custody is given to you over the children and I am 'getting my act together' so that they may come back to me. As much as I would enjoy arguing with Timibel and end up having her getting pregnant out of spite, I feel you are better suited for talking this over with her.
[17:34] <strikedroid> <Helen> I have a hard time with this. I feel that the harsher we are about what she does, the higher a risk we have in her simply choosing not to tell us what's happening.
[17:34] <strikedroid> <Helen> I don't think it's right for her to be focused on much beside her studies, though; and that's why I'm assigning her a chaperone, a guardian for her time in my world.
01[17:38] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I feel, that, when she is not studying in your world- science, mechanics, psionics, robotics, Timibel will be great at whatever she may cheese- she should have a little free time. A schedule is most important to a Queen in the making and this schedule should include free time for "All work and no play makes Timibel a dull girl."
01[17:40] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Whether or not she tells is not the biggest issue, but you can read and tap into her mind whenever you may choose. I, personally, would rather know later than to never know at all. Timibel has always been good about telling things when she needs to, even with a little shove involved.
[17:40] <strikedroid> ((CHEESE))
01[17:40] <Astro_Ortsa> ( o.o? Cheese? )
[17:41] <strikedroid> (Great at whatever she may...)
01[17:41] <Astro_Ortsa> ( choose )
[17:42] <strikedroid> <Helen> If I simply make sure she is being safe...and continue to communicate, then I can prevent the thing I would learn about later.
01[17:44] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> And what if the chaperone begins to lose her trust? ..You will still learn about that thing later on, anyway.
[17:53] <strikedroid> <Helen> But I would rather her want to tell me on her own, rather than have to invade her privacy...and you would not like to know the sorts of things that you "find out about afterward" that you would wish to prevent.
01[17:55] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> The relationship with your family, the destruction of various worlds the contain your other selves... *Xamar gets a little bold with this last one* ..Your lover?
07[17:56] <strikedroid> <Helen shrugs> That isn't what I'm talking about. I honestly suspect Timi might have been active before I even met her, frankly. Any possible damage has already been done.
01[17:57] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> What would suggest this?
[17:58] <strikedroid> <Helen> I will not break her confidence further than this, but it's mostly her attutude toward sex in the first place.
01[17:59] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ...What ever do you mean?
[18:00] <strikedroid> <Helen> Remember, *she* was the one who pursued Orion. Not the other way around.
01[18:01] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ..What you are saying is.. ..Timibel be a whore...?
01[18:01] <Astro_Ortsa> ( *may be )
[18:01] <strikedroid> <Helen> I am saying she might know more about sex than you think, and there are likely things in her past on this you don't know about.
01[18:02] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ..We will need to ask her, then.
[18:03] <strikedroid> <Helen leans her elbows on the table.> ...And what do you plan to do with that information?
01[18:04] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Depending if she did or not in the past, she may contracted something and that is always bad news. * Xamar looks to Helen, rubbing his snout. * I plan to use it to find a cure, if she contracted something.
[18:05] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...If she had something, the doctors examining her would have found something when she had allergies.
01[18:05] <Astro_Ortsa> * Xamar may not seem it, but he is a little uncomfortable. * <Xamar> Allergies?
[18:13] <strikedroid> <Helen> Yes. She got severe cold-like symptoms, and we had to formulate an allergy medication for her. It seemed to be something to do with the difference in climate.
01[18:15] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ....Huhn. I did not feel ill when I was there..
07[18:17] <strikedroid> <Helen> You weren't there for months. And perhaps Timi's more susceptible.
01[18:17] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ..I would really have no idea.
[18:29] <strikedroid> <Helen> You may know better than me...I have the findings with me, and at the time we had to make guesses on her physiology.>
01[18:29] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> May I?
[18:31] <strikedroid> <Helen pulls it up on her PDA and shows him>
01[18:35] <Astro_Ortsa> * Xamar looks it over carefully. *
[18:38] <strikedroid> <Helen> The doctors at my team's facility are the best on my planet...and they specialize at identifying and diagnosing...unique. body types.
01[18:39] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Hrm..
01[18:46] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ..May I get a copy of this so that the science team can dot the 'i's and cross the t's, so to speak?
[19:00] <strikedroid> <Helen> Certainly...I'd meant to do it sooner. <She takes out a memory chip and copies the data to it.>
01[19:01] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Thank you. * Xamars nods, lwaning foward a bit. * So.. Helen. I have told you about me.. I would like to know more, if you do not mind.
01[19:02] <Astro_Ortsa> ( *more about you )
[19:02] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...Hm? What in particular?
01[19:04] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> When did you first find out about your psionics? What is your world like? I feel this next question may be a bit too personal, but when did you have your first experience with a woman?
[19:10] <strikedroid> <Helen> Define 'first experience.'
01[19:11] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ..Your first romantic or sexual experience. The thing that made you stick with your own sex.
[19:17] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...Honestly? It was a few weeks after my memories were restored. I'd already propositioned a girl, but...it was more puppy love...from when she was practically the first person who didn't treat me like a thing.
01[19:18] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Who was she?
01[19:18] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Was it Soac?
[19:18] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...It was my version of Cecille...she always went by Fang.
[19:19] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...She...well, she didn't swing that way. So I let her be...and then I went to go and try and forget about it.
01[19:20] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> And then what happened?
[19:20] <strikedroid> <Helen> I had a few partners. I don't even know how I got anyone to stand me at my coldest...but I did.
01[19:22] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> And then?
[19:22] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...It hadn't even occurred to me what my interests were, until her. So I explored it...I don't even remember the girl's name now.
01[19:24] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Why can you not remember her name? Was she not important to you?
[19:26] <strikedroid> <Helen> Not really...she was the end of a series of one night stands. Even then, in that discovery, I wasn't sharing myself with anyone.
01[19:27] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> In what ways?
[19:28] <strikedroid> <Helen> Do you know what a one-night stand is?
01[19:29] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Where you share only feelings of passion and pleasure with someone, not wanting to settle down with them like one would do with their future spouse.
[19:32] <strikedroid> <Helen> That is what I mean. I did not even really lead into it then. I relied solely on my looks.
[19:33] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...But then...my Fang died.
03[19:34] <strikedroid> <Helen> Until Timibel, I didn't let anyone near me after that. And until Soac, I didn't pursue anyone.
01[19:34] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> What will you do now?
[19:35] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...What do you mean?
01[19:36] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> About your love life.. What will you do now?
14[19:38] <strikedroid> <Helen looks puzzled.> ...Er, do you remember when I brought Tiana here to Hex?
[19:38] <strikedroid> <He
[19:38] <strikedroid> <Helen> The girl who was with me?
01[19:38] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Brandedfire is her name, is it not?
[19:39] <strikedroid> <Helen> Firebrand, yes.
[19:39] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...Who...now that I think abourt it, probably resembles your old flame? <She winces at this.>
01[19:41] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> What do you mean? * Xamar blinks at Helen's wincing. *
01[19:46] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> What do you mean? * Xamar blinks at Helen's wincing. *
[19:47] <strikedroid> <Helen> The girl, the psionic you said you dated.
[19:48] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...in any case...well, one, she's not R'mibian, but I bet you knew that.
01[19:51] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Sam? ..Well, heh, I guess I should give more insight. Sam and I did not want a full relationship, for I could not handle bearing a psionic child into this world and with father.. ..At first, Sam and I were always stuck together- inside, outside, under the sheets- like glue and, while the sex was nice, I felt we were getting a bit too crazy- if you know what I mean by this. We- I knew this, yes. She had a different air about her- calmed some and that is when we decided not to "go all the way" anymore. She was the first one I had developed feelings of love and care for, yes, but she was not the first I had slept with...
[20:01] <strikedroid> <Helen> Well, I meant that the form Firebrand took resembled her slightly.
01[20:02] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Oh, did it? ...I did not notice.
[20:08] <strikedroid> <Helen> ...Well, it's not how she normally looks, in any case.
[21:40] <strikedroid> (Hmm.)
01[22:56] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> So, she can change her shape? Did she do that to feel accepted amongst our people?
[22:56] <Avani> <Helen> I believe she did, yes.
01[22:57] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I can understand. * Xamar pushes himself out from his spot, picking his plate up. * I do believe it is time, Helen.
[23:10] <Avani> <Helen> I do have a question though.
01[23:14] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> What is it that you desire to ask?
[23:15] <Avani> <Helen> We've seen the effect of the dampeners on me...are they going to be in effect in Hex's cell?
01[23:24] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I have something for that. Timibel may not remember, but when she was a girl there were riots in the far parts of town. They would come in, the psionics, and our defensives would be to begin to drop a set of antennae that emitted a frequency- in its early stages- very similar to that of Hex' cell device. Just in case Timibel were a psionic, which you've told me she is, I would slip a set of earmuffs over her ears that is designed to block out said frequency.
[23:40] <Avani> <Helen> Hrm. That would be noticeable, don't you think? Is there a smaller version I can use?
01[23:41] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Of course! This was years and years ago. There are smaller versions available.
[23:42] <Avani> <Helen> Excellent.
01[23:52] <Astro_Ortsa> * Xamar tells Helen where they are and he goes to make her fake I.D. to make her seem like she's apart of the Space Embassy. *
[23:26] <Sylvia> <Helen waits.>
01[23:29] <Astro_Ortsa> * Xamar returns, some forty minutes later, with a set of clothes and an I.D. He looks at her for a second.. Then gently kisses her cheek. * <Xamar> That would be from Gen, if she were still here and she were sound-minded. She would thank you for taking such good care of Timibel.
[23:30] <Sylvia> <Helen responds with a wan smile.> Thank you.
01[23:30] <Astro_Ortsa> ( A what type of smile?)
[23:32] <Sylvia> (( Weak. In this case, possibly somewhat unconvincing. ))
01[23:36] <Astro_Ortsa> * Xamar places her I.D. with nametag on the table with a set of clothes beside it. * <Xamar> These may or may not fit you, but I had thought you would need to look convincing and brought down these set of clothes.
[23:37] <Sylvia> <Helen> IF they don't, I can use my fabric shifter to adjust it.
01[23:38] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> There is a bathroom upstairs. It is not hard to find, as all the bathrooms are corner rooms.
[23:39] <Sylvia> <Helen nods and makes her way up to a bathroom to get dressed.>
01[23:44] <Astro_Ortsa> * Once putting them on, Helen will see she looks like quite professional. With those clothes on, she should've tried to be a CEO. *
[23:45] <Sylvia> <Helen recalls having a few outfits like this herself in her closet on Earth for meetings with military.>
01[23:49] <Astro_Ortsa> * Xamar waits for Helen to come downstairs, sipping on a glass of water. *
[23:51] <Sylvia> <Helen dresses and goes back down to meet Xamar.>
01[23:52] <Astro_Ortsa> * Xamar looks to Helen, sipping his water still. * <Xamar> Hello, Miss, I don't believe we've met. * He smiles some, looking to her, trying to make a joke.. *
Session Time: Sat Jun 04 00:00:01 2011
[00:00] <Sylvia> <Helen gives him another one of those sad smiles.> Where's the prisoner?
01[00:02] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> He is in the desert, awaiting execution. You can teleport over there, if you wish, as a sandstorm is likely this time of year.
[00:02] <Sylvia> <Helen> Do they expect the humans to all have powers, then?
01[00:02] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I don't think they even know.
[00:19] <Sylvia> <Helen> ...I should probably keep that to a minimum. Have...have other humans besides me visited here?
01[00:20] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Have other humans visited R'Miba? * Xamar lightly laughs at this. * Though the human population is small, we have quite a few living here. I remember telling you just moments ago, but I cannot blame you for it may have gotten lost amongst everything. Come! Allow me to show you@
[00:23] <Sylvia> <Helen nods and follows Xamar.>
01[00:25] <Astro_Ortsa> * Xamar leads Helen to a bookcase, which he gently knocks on, pulls a book down and a retina scanner comes down. It scans his retina, pulling back the retina scanner and the bookcase slides back. It reveals a passage way and Xamar stands, allowing for Helen to pass! Secret learned: Hidden Passage! *
[00:38] <Sylvia> <Helen> ...Wait, what?
01[00:40] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Just watch.. * Xamar follows the passage, soon standing before a ton of large screen. On each of them are a serious of dots, all a different color, with odd waves under them and a top-perspective view of the layout of the land. By land, I mean the Planet of R'Miba. * <Xamar> Say 'hello' to my people, Helen.
[00:41] <Sylvia> <Helen> What am I looking at here?
01[00:49] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> A top-view of the geography, the land above or below the sea, and all the people. * He walks up to it, pointing and following a moving green dot. * <Xamar> Female, R'Mibian, middle age. * He points and follows a random white dot * <Xamar> Male, R'Mibian, newborn. * He looks for a certa- There it is! He points at a yellow dot! * <Xamar> Female, Human, teenager. All these dots are little chips implanted into the people at birth or as they decide to live on R'Miba. The black dots are our dead. All the dots are all the people, at all times. Usually, there's a team of people watching these monitors, but they left and kept the machines to run themselves. ...And.. * He points a golden blip. * ...that's me. * He points at a grey dot that's quickly fading to black. * ..That female is dying and rather fast.
[00:53] <Sylvia> <Helen> This is...I don't know how to put it.
01[00:53] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> We just use this to keep track of our population.
[00:54] <Sylvia> <Helen> ...It seems like something that could easily be used to spy on someone.
01[00:56] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> These are not spy cameras, Helen. That was several generations ago, when my Great-Great-Grandfather was paranoids about assassination attempts because his father's father had established an annual 'Meet-and-Greet' to meet us, The Royal family, and so we can try to be friends with our people. This was a time when his father's father had damaged the population and messed up our public image.
[00:57] <Sylvia> <Helen looks at him for a moment, trying to keep track of whose father was whose father of whose father.>
01[00:59] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Just know this: generations ago, my family was not publiclly accepted and it took many years to get ourselves back on track.
[01:00] <Sylvia> <Helen> For good reasons or bad reasons?
01[01:00] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Bad reasons. Now, I'm trying to take more bad reasons out of affect so my daughter or son won't have to.
[01:18] <Sylvia> <Helen> That's admirable.
[01:18] <Sylvia> <Helen> So what about the humans?
[01:18] <Sylvia> ((ack, disregard))
01[01:19] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> What about them? ( No, I think this is going good, so far. )
[01:25] <Sylvia> <Helen> Are they treated well here...and has there actually been a human embassy here?
01[01:27] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> The humans are treated quite well. It would seem a lot of them are supporting their own ideas, which is what my ideas are: Equal rights for psionics. Some of them help to lead the revolution, some of them are helping to destroy the psionics. ..You humans are quite the interesting species, you know.
01[01:28] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> And there has been a human embassy. Not here, no, but Earth.. Our earth, you could say, has one. It is not directly on Earth, but there have been humans at galatic embassy meetings.
[01:30] <Sylvia> (( Um, generally, when two land entities are open to each other, there's an embassy in both places for the opposite. ))
01[01:31] <Astro_Ortsa> ( Then, fill in the blanks? )
[01:33] <Sylvia> <Helen> "If there are three humans in a room, there will be six opinions."
01[01:36] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I know this.
[01:37] <Sylvia> (( Not sure what you mean by 'fill in the blanks' ))
01[01:39] <Astro_Ortsa> ( Using your imagination to fill in what needs to be in Xamar's previous statement prior to the last one. )
[01:41] <Sylvia> (( But he explicitly said there wasn't one on R'miba. ))
01[01:42] <Astro_Ortsa> ( Which is what I was getting to. )
01[01:44] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> However, there was one here and it was quite the "happening" place. ..Then, humans hit a roadbump and.. Well, your history here- as a race- has been rough. Just in the recent years, since before I was born, has the human race begun to flourish and bloom.
01[01:44] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I've instructed for one to be rebuilt here, within the Royal City, but land is required and we really do not need to tear down anymore trees.
[01:45] <Sylvia> <Helen> Perhaps you could repurpose another building.
01[01:46] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Prehaps, but I just believe humans would need their own embassy building so it could stand out and cement their place as a race on R'Miba once more.
[01:46] <Sylvia> <Helen nods.>
01[01:46] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> This will come with time, I can say this much.
01[01:56] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I do believe, Helen, that you need to get going. * He points to a golden-red dot on the map. * That is Hex. Can you go to him?
[02:11] <Sylvia> <Helen looks it over.> It's good to know where I'll be, but I think I can trace him by his mental signature as well, since I've not been to that part of the planet.
01[02:11] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ..He'll know you're after him.
[02:13] <Sylvia> <Helen> He'd know who I was anyway.
01[02:14] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> I doubt he'll give you any answers if he directly knows you are after him.
[02:16] <Sylvia> <Helen> He would know I was looking for him. And he would know that me coming to personally kill him, to expose myself for it, would be a waste of time when I know he's already slated to die.
01[02:19] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> But, this is why we're here. We're here for answers from Hex, so we can fix Tiana.
14[02:21] <Sylvia> <Helen> You mean you don't want me to try to convince him to soften his methods so you don't have to have him killed? And don't you think that might have something to do with how he treated Tiana?
01[02:21] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> ..I mean this, too, Helen, but.. * Xamar seems torn, just by the way he looks at Helen. *
01[02:29] <Astro_Ortsa> <Xamar> Please go. * Xamar sits down, placing his face in his paws and shoos Helen away. Should she leave without question, she'll hear him begin to painfully cry. *
[02:44] <Striker> <Helen teleports to the facility where Hex is being held, trying not to be noticed.>
01[02:47] <Astro_Ortsa> * Like Xamar said, Helen is met with an intense sandstorm. She can barely see, but Hex is close. Also, too close. Helen is directly outside the facility and there are two other lifeforms close to her, as well. *
[02:49] <Striker> <Helen resists the urge to shield herself with her telekinesis, and addresses the nearby beings.> ...Hello?
01[02:53] <Astro_Ortsa> * Rushing out into the storm are two heavily armed guards. They resemble the guards that tortured Hex, but very different. Could be the sand colored armor or the Darth Vader-like breathing. * <Left Soldier> Identify yourself! * They stand some feet away from Helen, 'guns' pointed at Helen and ready to fire at a moment's notice. *
[02:55] <Striker> <Helen displays her badge and puts on a businesslike front.> Helen Francisca, Human Embassy. I'd like permission to speak to your prisoner.
01[02:59] <Astro_Ortsa> <Right Soldier> Our apologies! You can't be too careful out here! <Left Soldier> Come in, come in. Get out of this Sandstorm, Miss Francisca! * The left solder goes in before Helen, the right one helping to guide her in. *
[03:01] <Striker> <Helen> Thank you! They didnt' tell me what I was getting into out here. <She allows them to lead her inside.>
01[03:04] <Astro_Ortsa> <Left Soldier> How did you get out here? I didn't see anything that would suggest a ship or something. It was almost as if you appeared out of nowhere. * He slaps his helmet, mumbling something. * ( I just kind of figured they were speaking to her in R'Mibian at first, then switched to English once she began to speak it. ) <Left Soldier> Damned this are always malfunctioning, I tell 'ya. We need some new ones, dammit, or else something bad will happen. <Right Soldier> I just need time off to sleep, visit the wife.. The kids..
[03:07] <Striker> <Helen> There was a transport...it dropped me off and I had to hoof it for a bit.
01[03:09] <Astro_Ortsa> <Right Soldier> Pretty sh*tty, that is. I know from experience, Miss. * The Left soldier pulls out a chair for Helen, offering her some generic R'Mibian coffee. * <Left Soldier> We don't have the cinnamon-honey blend, but this generic sh*t will do the job I'd suppose.
[03:12] <Striker> <Helen> Hmm...I'd love some. Thanks.
01[03:14] <Astro_Ortsa> * The Left Soldier sets a cup down, pouring coffee from an Earth-based coffee pot into the styrofoam cup. Helen will smell... Is that sage and.. Vanilla? Seems a bit odd to have a spice in a coffee, but it might be really good. Heck, Helen may love it. *
01[03:14] <Astro_Ortsa> <Left Soldier> Milk, creamer, black, sugar, caramel cube?
[03:16] <Striker> <Helen> Sugar would be nice.
01[03:18] <Astro_Ortsa> <Left Soldier> Packet or cube?
[03:19] <Striker> <Helen> Hm...I think the packet will do.
01[03:21] <Astro_Ortsa> * The soldier hands Helen the whole box of sugar. * <Right Soldier> A dangerous one, he is, Miss Francisca. Did you get instructions from King Wolventang on how to go about this and, by chance, were you taught the ways of psionic resistance?
[03:23] <Striker> <Helen> Yes, I did, and I have taken measures to protect myself. <Neither of these statements are completely untrue.>
01[03:24] <Astro_Ortsa> <Right Soldier> You do understand you'll have to go through checkpoints after your coffee, in order to ensue the prisoner doesn't escape, correct?
01[03:25] <Astro_Ortsa> ( *ensure )
[03:26] <Striker> <Helen> I understand. <She takes a sip.> Hm...normally, I prefer tea, but this is nice.
01[03:27] <Astro_Ortsa> <Right Soldier> All pressure aside, you may take as long as you need.
[03:29] <Striker> <Helen> All right.
01[03:33] <Astro_Ortsa> * And, so, the two soldiers go about as they would normally: looking at 'certain articles of reading', watching static on an odd television, reading and counting the seconds until their shift ends.. These are done in pairs, the left soldier glacing up from his 'magazine' to the static television and the right humming as a second passes by while reading a book. "How to divide by zero: A book on math." The author's name is "Timibel Wolventang." *
[03:36] <Striker> <Helen makes note of the book, and heads for the checkpoints to see Hex.>
01[03:39] <Astro_Ortsa> * Helen will see the left soldier rise, following her on her left side as she stops before an airport checkpoint with odd cameras positioned on them. The soldier comes over an intercom. * <Left Soldier> This is the beginning and I ask that you stand still, please. You'll be scanned for any weapons and beforehand, I ask that you remove and metal objects off your person. Slide them in the chute to your left- * He looks at her from behind dirtied and fogged glass. * -and I will give them back after you see the prisoner.
[03:43] <Striker> <If there were any metal objects on her person in the costume, she relinquishes them. SHe checks to see if the badge is actually made out of metal, and if so, she puts it away.>
01[03:47] <Astro_Ortsa> * The checkpoint marker scans her, beeping once. * <Left Soldier> Seems in order. Continue onward, please.
[03:49] <Striker> <Helen advances.>
01[03:51] <Astro_Ortsa> * She'll come across the same checkpoint, but with scanners uptop and on the bottom. <Left Soldier> You'll be scanned for any shreds of foreign material on your clothes. Should you have some, everyone always does, I will blow you clean. I ask, again, that you stand perfectly still.
[03:51] <Striker> <Helen stands still.>
01[03:54] <Astro_Ortsa> * She's scanned, hearing the cameras slide to the left and right, up and down of the dinky metal frame. There's a vicious beeping and the left soldier comes out with a large blower-like machine mounted on his back and held by handles in both gauntleted paws. It looks like a giant leaf blower with a backpack. * <Left Soldier> Back up and away from the checkpoint, please, and stand with your arms at your side and your legs spread far, but not too far, apart. *
[03:57] <Striker> <Helen does as asked!>
01[03:58] <Astro_Ortsa> * Helen will find herself nearly knocked over as she's blown down with the blower and all foreign materials being blown away from her and into a small robot that floats and sucks in the materials! The machine is soon turned off and the left soldier gets behind his post again. * <Left Soldier> Once more, please.
[03:59] <Striker> <Helen tries to pass again.>
01[04:00] <Astro_Ortsa> * Helen passes and is told to continue foward! *
[04:01] <Striker> <Helen sallies forth.>
01[04:06] <Astro_Ortsa> * The final checkpoint is a full circled machine with glowing blue lights on the inside. Helen will be reminded of an iron maiden. * <Left Soldier> I apologize for this, but you will need to strip down to your bare skin and climb inside this machine to be scanned once more. It's protocol and some people are twisted enough to hide weapons inside themselves. * A set of curtains close, the window being completely blocked from view. * <Left Soldier> I apologize again for this, but please place your clothes on the cart beside you once you finish. * The cart seems to pull back into a machine that looks like an oven, but with a conveyor belt. *
[04:08] <Striker> <Helen gives the checker an odd look, and willingly strips down for scanning.>
01[04:11] <Astro_Ortsa> * Once she climbs in, the cart pulls back and a loud whirring is heard. Helen is nearly blinded by the light, her feet getting extremely warm from standing on the square of light. A few moments later, the lights shut off and the machine opens, her clothes ready for her! ..They steam some, being extremely warm and ridden of any foreign materials that may have accumulated from them being handled. * <Left Soldier> Everything is in order, Miss Francisca. Please dress and continue onward. The prisoner is straight ahead and to the left. Come out when you finish.
[23:54] <Striker> <Helen heads in to look for Dex.>
01[23:58] <Astro_Ortsa> * Helen will see Hex is turned away from the door, chained to a wall with a muzzle-like mask on, a pair of odd looking gloves and a set of goggles over his face. It would seem as if he can only hear Helen. The left soldier comes over an intercom as a set of extremely bright lights come on. * <Left Soldier> The prisoner is chained up, tight, so he can't hurt anyone. You can still talk to him and he'll respond to you with his telo-kin-eyesis.
Session Time: Sun Jun 05 00:00:00 2011
[00:04] <Striker> <HElen> ...Okay.
01[00:06] <Astro_Ortsa> * It would seem as if Hex is sleeping, standing still and upright. *
[00:09] <Striker> <Helen> ...Hex.
01[00:09] <Astro_Ortsa> <Hex> Zzzzzz.
[00:10] <Striker> <Helen> Hex!
01[00:11] <Astro_Ortsa> * Helen will see Hex jerk his head away from the wall, sniffing loudly. Seems he's trying to see who's there. *
[00:13] <Striker> <Helen> <<I'm here to talk.>>
01[00:13] <Astro_Ortsa> * "...Who are you?" *
[00:15] <Striker> <HElen> <<Someone who wants to try and save your life.>>
01[00:15] <Astro_Ortsa> * "Why would you bother?" *
[00:20] <Striker> <Helen> <<You wish for equality amongst your people, and that is a worthy goal to aim for.>>
01[00:22] <Astro_Ortsa> * "Do you think I'll achieve this? I think not, for if Father kills me then Hell will rain down upon him and his filthy planet. The revolution is at hand, Helen, and we both know the consequences." *
[00:23] <Striker> <Helen> <<Believe me. I do not want that. And I believe it's possible to get what you want with less violence.>>
01[00:26] <Astro_Ortsa> * "A little violence tends to spice things up, you know. Especially against those who choose to stand in the middle of my territory and hold hands, in a large line, as they sing of peace and prosperity." *
[00:32] <Striker> <Helen> <<You would attack unarmed protesters?>>
01[00:35] <Astro_Ortsa> * "I used to, calling them flithy swine and nonbelievers so they would be killed on sight. Not so much anymore, though, as they want to help our cause. ..Father isn't working hard or fast enough and I think what we seek will come faster if I reveal Timibel or Tiana to the public as their true selves. I will be with them if I were to do this." *
[00:37] <Striker> <Helen> <<I do not think you fully appreciate what your father is up against.>>
01[00:41] <Astro_Ortsa> * "No, I don't and nor does he with I." *
[00:43] <Striker> <Helen> <<So what is your side of this?>>
01[00:43] <Astro_Ortsa> * "I do believe Father told you, did he not?" *
[00:56] <Striker> <Helen> <<Some of it. I would like to hear it from you.>>
01[00:57] <Astro_Ortsa> * "Ask and I shall answer." *
[01:02] <Striker> <Helen> <<What makes you think that pushing for this will actually accomplish the goal you are searching for?>>
01[01:04] <Astro_Ortsa> * Hex thinks upon Helen's words for a moment, shaking his head as best as he can. "Your words confuse me." *
03[01:05] <Striker> <Helen> <<If you were to somehow successfully reveal your father's secrets, you would sign all their death warrants, and with him, with Timibel, would die the best possible chance for equality.>>
01[01:07] <Astro_Ortsa> * "...Tiana can live without us, you know that. She needs work, anyways." *
[01:09] <Striker> <Helen> <<...I'm aware, but I'm talking about your planet.>>
01[01:12] <Astro_Ortsa> * "And they kill us, if I reveal ourselves to them. A global war will breakout because the psionics will see this as a major blow to our efforts and the normals will believe Father worked for us: The Psionics. I already know how to defeat their psionic-crippling equipment. Do you not think we have scientists of our own? We even have our own weapons to cripple them without much effort, reducing them to mere vegtables. One side will prevail and I know we'll stand victorious." *
[01:13] <Striker> <Helen> <<...It doesn't have to be that way. I come from a world where those with special abilities and those without are able to coexist despite there being attempts to eradicate them completely.>>
01[01:15] <Astro_Ortsa> * "It doesn't, no, but Father is a fool for thinking he'll achieve his goal by the end of his life. As I said, if he kills me, then the revolution will arise." *
[01:17] <Striker> <Helen> <And as I said, if you reveal it, then you'll all die.>>
01[01:17] <Astro_Ortsa> * "And, like I had said, this whole planet will die." *
[01:18] <Striker> <Helen> <<And what good does that do anyone on this planet if that happens?>>
01[01:19] <Astro_Ortsa> * "One of many things will happen if I die, Helen, and one of many things will happen if I don't. If you've come to save me, then how will you convince an entire mass of people that I don't deserve to die?" *
[01:21] <Striker> <Helen> <<...I'm working on that one.>>
01[01:22] <Astro_Ortsa> * Hex just chuckles beneath his muzzle. "You've come to save me, at this exact moment, but you don't have a plan as to how to convince an entire mass of people out of my death? I'm amused by this, Helen." *
[01:23] <Striker> <Helen> <<I've made miracles out of worse.>>
01[01:24] <Astro_Ortsa> * "So you say." *
[01:32] <Striker> <Helen> <<I'm still working out how to get you out of here without harm, but it would have to be contingent on you not being the one to incite a civil war if I tried.>>
01[01:32] <Astro_Ortsa> * "A Civil War will erupt if I die, you know this." *
[01:33] <Striker> <Helen> <<It will happen in just about any situation but one that has you alive and working with your father instead of against him.>>
01[01:35] <Astro_Ortsa> * "I try to work with him, but our views... If you want peace, then prepare for war. Father wants peace to be brought about over years of hard work and sacrifice. You know how it is, Helen, as peace is always brought about after war." *
[22:41] <Strike[out]> <Helen> <<...War? This isn't war, what you want. This will be the end of one...probably both of these groups entirely.>>
01[22:42] <Astro_Ortsa> * Hex mumbles some beneath his muzzle. *
[22:49] <Strike[out]> <Helen> <<What???
[22:49] <Strike[out]> >>*
01[22:50] <Astro_Ortsa> * Hex mumbles it again, obviously wanting to speak with his physical voice. *
[22:53] <Strike[out]> <Helen> I can't figure out what you're saying.
01[22:54] <Astro_Ortsa> * The left soldier comes over the intercom. * <Left Soldier> Is he trying to speak?
[22:58] <Strike[out]> <Helen> I believe so...
01[22:58] <Astro_Ortsa> <Left Soldier> You may take his muzzle off, but be warned..
[23:03] <Strike[out]> <HElen> <<You had better not be trying to trick me...>> <She cautiously approaches, and moves his muzzle back, just a bit.>
01[23:04] <Astro_Ortsa> <Hex> [Bathroom. Bathroom!]
01[23:04] <Astro_Ortsa> * The left soldier hears this. * <Left Soldier> ..Put it back on, he's got no right here.
01[23:04] <Astro_Ortsa> ( *rights )
[23:06] <Strike[out]> <HElen> The least you could do is allow him the basics. <<I'm serious. You had better not be taking advantage of me.>>
01[23:06] <Astro_Ortsa> <Left Soldier> King Wolventang said to not allow him to leave this room.
[23:07] <Strike[out]> <Helen> Can you provide him with some other method, perhaps?
01[23:07] <Astro_Ortsa> <Left Soldier> There's a spare cup lying around up here...
[23:08] <Strike[out]> <Helen makes a face.>
01[23:09] <Astro_Ortsa> <Left Soldier> ..I'm restricted to allow him to leave the room. ..I could lose my job..
[23:15] <Strike[out]> <HElen> It will have to do.
01[23:17] <Astro_Ortsa> * A cup is brought in to Helen and the Left Guard promptly leaves the room. * <Left Soldier> I'm not going anywhere near him, not without proper equipment.
[23:22] <Strike[out]> <Helen almost breaks her cover and psychokinetically moves the cup over, but instead, hesitantly moves the cup in place by Hex, and very carefully undoing what needs undoing.
01[23:24] <Astro_Ortsa> * There's a fly that needs to be undone, if Helen can get passed the wall and waist shackles. Once done, Hex goes. *
01[23:32] <Astro_Ortsa> * Hex finishes rather quickly. "You're going to need to put it away for me. ..I can't." *
[23:33] <Strike[out]> <Helen lets her expression slip away as she puts him back together.>
01[23:37] <Astro_Ortsa> * "Father and I have never seen eye-to-eye, but we're fighting for the same thing. I'm sure you know this." *
[23:38] <Strike[out]> <HElen> <<I'm also fairly certain that if you could work together, even in secret, you would both make more headway.>>
01[23:40] <Astro_Ortsa> * "The possibility is high, but.. ..We're two kings, Helen. Once I was found out to be Hexen Wolventang, I was tortured until I was proven not to be a spy. I was, then, elected their King. ..Heh, funny isn't it? I was forced into royalty, unlike Father who had proper training." *
03[23:43] <Strike[out]> <Helen> <<Just because he was trained doesn't mean he wasn't forced to some degree. I'm sure Timibel would tell you as much.>>
01[23:44] <Astro_Ortsa> * "The sister who doesn't know I exist. To her, I'm just some stranger who hurt her psionic-sister. ..Yeah, I know. I ready Tiana's mind a lot to get the pieces of puzzle. ..I really want to know my sisters, Helen, but I can't. Much like Father, I work day-and-night for my people." *
[23:46] <Strike[out]> <Helen> <<And your father found a way anyhow.>>