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Shady Hideouts <Comorro Station>
The mummified innards of the ancient and original Comorro now serve as hovels, huts, and shanties for the less privileged denizens of the Forgotten Quarter. A few average-sized humanoids can dwell (uncomfortably) within a single calcified air sac in the old lungs. The great purple-gray bulge of the antiquated stomach, however, is reserved for the self-proclaimed "Unremembered Regent," the shrewd and calculating Lotorian known as Lord Akazar.
Learner is standing around and is currently in his humanoid form. He wears his plain brown robes instead of his light grey work outfit. Despite the dark surrounding him and the area he is self illuminated but not blinding. He seems to be meandering about aimlessly.
The imposing and standout figure of a Red Eclipse mercenary in red-and-white smartsuit walks among the hovels and huts and is given a wide berth by some of the skulking inhabitants of the Forgotten Quarter. The helmet and visor prevents identification of this particular mercenary as he changes direction to approach the unusual self-lit man in the brown robes.
Learner turns around to face the approaching mercenary and offers a nod that turns into a slight bow causing his darks hair to drop loose from his shoulders. "Good evening Soldier." He offers a greeting to the armored soldier. His voice is a polite monotone but his face wears a friendly smile that doesn't match his tone. "To what honor do I owe the Red Eclipse down here in the dark bowels of Comorro?" His hands are empty and at his sides.
"Wonderin' what you're doin' down here, Learner. This ain't Disneyworld, y'know." The visor lowers, revealing the scruffy, smiling face of James Sterling. "Not a great place fer a fella like you t'be."
"Ah, Mr. Sterling!" Learners eyes widen and his face takes on a more genuine smile, or rather as genuine a smile that a Riftwalker can synthesize. "A 'fella' like myself can offer a great deal to some of the displaced and less fortunate denizens of Comorro that reside here." Learner takes several paces forward till he as at arms length of the soldier and extends an illuminated hand that reaches out from under the robe. "And some of them are even capable of teaching me a few things."
Sterling's booming laugh draws turns the heads of a few passers-by. "You might not wanna learn what all some of 'em wanna teach ya," he says, gripping Learner's hand. "'Course, some of 'em are heaps o'fun. Some of 'em'll get ya killed. And some o'those're the same thing."
Learner nods and withdraws his hand, "And some are casualties of both the former and the latter. The least of these... They are my teachers." Learner looks off in the direction of a local "tavern" more accurately described as a hole in the wall. "Mr. Sterling, should we talk somewhere less public?" Learner gestures towards the Heart of darkness.
Sterling glances toward the tavern. "Sure, mate," he replies, grinning. "You buyin'?"
Learner has already turned on unseen heels and is headed towards the Darkness when he replies with a single word. "Sure" He waves back in Sterlings direction with a becoming hand gesture. At first it seems that his robe has fallen down his arm to reveal "flesh" but in fact his robe appears to shrink. When Learner is already at the entrance to the establishment his attire hugs tightly to his body like something that shrunk in the wash.
Heart of Darkness <Comorro Station>
The door to the Heart of Darkness caps several feet of ancient artery, opening up into the fossilized husk that once served as the great spaceship's circulatory hub. The walls of the fifty-foot round chamber are a deep mottled purple and black, organic material hardened to nigh-stone by age and gouged from many years of brutal mistreatment.
The furniture has been built by some enterprising fellow out of a resource once plentiful in Comorro's Forgotten Quarter- the rockhard shell that protected the smaller Yaralu from the vagaries of space. This material is dark grey, rippled with swirls of ivory and deep red, the tables square and bolted to the floor. A bar of the same is at the very center of the room, circular so its occupant- a dirt-clad, mute Aukami who seems nearly as ancient as his poorly-stocked bar- can keep a constant eye on the goings-on. Chairs of much flimsier stuff are scattered around, mostly fashioned from bits of wood, metal and sometimes bone.
A natural thick wall sections off a smaller portion of the bar, which serves as something of a private discussion area for larger parties who choose to reserve it. This space is dominated by a single lengthy table, gambling markings in Aukam and Hekayan allowing it to serve a double purpose. Both this area's back door and the larger entrance give egress to the Forgotten Quarter's residential district, sparse as it may be.
Sterling glances into the collar of his suit, activating the command that causes his helmet to unfold from around his head and collapse into his suit. He follows Learner's faintly glowing form. "So what'cha been up to, other'n helpin' th'poor unfortunates o'the Forgotten Quarter?"
Learner enters into the bar wearing his dark grey and light khaki work uniform, though it can double nicely for bar clothes. He lowers the amount of light that he emits though he has not gone completely dim and his long hair suddenly appears to be bound back into a single ponytail held in place by a solid black ring. Learner walks up to the bar and holds up two fingers to the bartender. After Learner slides over a few units of currency across the bar the drinks arrive almost instantly. They are both in clear glasses with an equally transparent standard yet potent liquid, both without ice or mixer. He hands Sterling his glass and takes rest on a stool though one could argue that he doesn't really need to. "Have you recently noticed any unexpected deliveries at your headquarters?" His voice is loud enough for James’ ears only.
Sterling smiles slyly as Learner procures drinks for the pair of them. He takes the glass and swirls the liquid around. sniffing at it. "You /have/ been here a while, haven't ya?" He takes a small experimental sip, runs his tongue across his lips, and nods to himself. "Unexpected deliveries? We been gettin' food from the Lyiri's ship, on account o'they're offloadin' their cargo t'everybody so's it don't spoil." He shrugs. "Other'n that, no." He raises an eyebrow. "Why?"
"I've come across random units of fuel just laying." Learner says taking a sip, his speech has changed and adopted a less strict tone with a loose dialect. "Being what I am I had trouble bringing it up. But I've dropped off at least 100 units of starship fuel at the Red Eclipse HQ. I figured if anyone could use it you and your camp could find something useful to use it for. Also, I'm not clear on what Comorro uses for fuel."
Sterling grunts, raising his eyebrows. "A hundred units, eh? Yeah, we scrounged up some last week, t'use on ships that're gonna scout about and see what's what around here. Sure'n we could make use o'some more." He takes a swig of his drink and sets the glass down on the bar. "Couple of us went out an' brought back this weird red moss stuff, a few weeks back, I think. C'morro said she could use that. She don't use fuel, I don't think, so much as she jus' needs t'eat."
Learner takes another sip of his drink, "That makes sense. I've seen some of that moss myself. I'm wasn't quite sure what to make of it. I'm skilled in the sciences but without the proper equipment there wasn't anything I could really do, how ever it was obviously biological and seemed to grow as an organism a part of Comorro herself. It didn't seem to simply be placed there." Learner takes another sip, "Can I refer to you as James? Have you had a chance to accompany a patrol outside the ship? If you could arrange it I would like to join you."
Sterling opens a storage compartment in his armour and takes out a packet. "The red moss? Nah, it didn't come from C'morro -- Xanya an' Joca an' Micky an' me went out in Xanya's ship and got it from a cave in an asteroid nearby." He shakes a cigarette out of the packet and sticks it in the corner of his mouth. "If y'ask me, it'da been easier t'just have C'morro absorb a couple o'the bastards who didn't wanna keep their energy usage down when it was important. She didn't like that idea, though, I guess." He pauses to light the cigarette, adding, "Yeah, you c'n call me James. I dunno when'll be th'next chance t'get out, but I'll put in a word fer ya." He takes a deep drag on the cigarette and holds the breath, closing his eyes.
Learner lifts his shoulders for a moment lifting both hands slightly into the air and drops them managing a shrug "It was what you would call a guess. I suppose it was not a very good one." Learner takes another sip of his drink before setting down the empty glass. "There is a landing dock near here where ships land to avoid Comorro’s usual security. It's a port for smugglers. There are still some stray units of fuel just sitting there on the loading dock. I noticed them not long before you wandered down here. We could bring them up to your HQ if no one bothers to take notice. In all honesty I'm not sure if any of the vagrants that populate the area would miss them." Learner pauses for a moment and watches James inhale. "Did you come down looking for something particular or did you just wander passing the time?"
Sterling releases a smoky breath. When he opens his eyes a moment later, his expression seems far away. "Yeah, this place has a rep fer bein' a place t'get what th'law don't want y't'have." He picks up his glass again. "Can't imagine why someone'd jus' leave fuel sittin' around, even here. No guards, no labels? An' yeah, I jus' thought I'd have a peek around. The Auks're in another universe, so it ain't no more dangerous'n usual." He and Learner are sitting at the bar, drinking some manner of alcohol and talking quietly. James is smoking something that's not quite pure tobacco.
Learner raises an arm and extends one index finger for the bartender to see. He slides over another unit of currency and his drink is refilled. ""Word on the street' is that Auks are bad for my health." The Riftwalker’s proper and strict manner of talking has broken down in favor for a more casual atmosphere. He lifts his glass to James as if to toast and takes a sip.
Jocaira peers in the door. "What, are sere still drinks down 'ere? Who's been 'olding out? Ce n'est pas drole." She lowers her visor as she comes in, saunter only mitigated somewhat by the heavy armor. "Eyyy, darling. And Monsieur Learner, you got your... er. Outside bits back. What is about word on street? I like se Aukami. Sey're -very- pretty. Just... well se moneylending business is not a smart one on sere part, is all." She gives a pointy, insincere smile and heads over to where James is sitting. "Anybody see Mickee's friends?"
Newt slowly, carefully, quietly and carefully makes his way into the HoD. His face has that look of concentration kids get when they're, well, exploring something new. As he moves he's constantly looking around, or at least he was. He spots you guys and stops to observe.
"Auks're bad for a lotta people's health," Sterling replies with a snort. "'Specially if y'owe 'em money." He mirrors Learner's gesture with his glass, peering at him oddly when he fails to actually declare a toast. He shrugs and sips his own drink, turning to grin at Jocaira as she enters. "G'day, boss," he calls. "Yeh, it looks like somebody's got a stash. You lookin' fer Micky's friends?" He glances over toward the newcomer, squinting. "That kid looks familiar..."
"Mr. Newt!" Learner calls out loudly with no sense of discretion. "Come have a drink!" The Riftwalkers humanoid form takes on a few characteristics that are not typical of most humans. His dark hair has gently fallen from it's tied back position, the ring no where to be scene. Hues of purple, blue and a bit of green can be scene phasing in and out of his usually pitch black mane. "Perhaps they have pie!"
"Yeah, sey're supposed to be guarding se fuel supply sat Madame Comorreaux say to put down 'ere?" Joca says, peering first at the arriving Newt and then at the oscillating Learner. "Er... you do know we've been out 'ere for a while and sere's not any fresh -anysing-... so I don't sink you'd want to eat a pie. Only food we found out 'ere so far was moss. I wouldn't eat a moss pie, anyways." She crinkles her nose. "Yeah, sat's a kid."
Newt bites his lower lip, ponders for a bit, pontificates for a while and then heads off towards the bar, "Yeah. Everything's kinda off and stuff. Ration's all that's about I've found." He shrugs a little.
"She's storin' it down 'ere?" Sterling takes another, shorter drag from his cigarette, his gaze on Newt as the kid comes into the bar. "I thought it was bein' kept in th'docking hub." He shrugs. "There's only one place t'get anything that's really food-like any more, and who knows how long that'll last. That Lyiri's ship's been handin' out food on account o'they were s'posed t'ship it someplace an' they got stuck here." He looks toward Joca as she approaches. "Learner's buyin'," he tells her, patting the stool beside him.
A few more currency chips are set on the table, two more of Learners fingers go up and two more clear glasses with the transparent liquor inside appear seconds after the order. Both are served straight. "Ah, yes. I suppose there would be no pie. My apologies Sir Newt, it appears I've not gotten the handle of pastry etiquette or its sensibilities." Learner leaves Jocaira's drink on the table for James to serve while Learner hands the second glass to Newt, lacking all sense of what it means to be a minor.
"Non, weren't you 'ere when we were making a distribute? Se Madame said to put it down 'ere so Monsieur Mickee got 'is friends wis se ships to store it 'ere. I guess if it blows it wouldn't 'urt anysing important." Joca shrugs, and then perks up as the liquor is served. "I 'aven't seen Madame Chat, she 'as probably run out of eiser food or 'ospitality. You know wis all of se yelling."
Newt's eyebrows go up a little at the glass but says naught. Instead he slides up onto a barstool and says, "Thanks. Yeah? I missed all that. Got stuck for /ages/ and only just managed to make my way out. That really sucked."
"I prob'ly was, but I don't remember that bit." Sterling obligingly scoops up the new drink and presents it to Jocaira. He laughs at her mention of the Lyiri. "Hospitality? She don't know th'meanin' o'th'word!" He snorts. "Hospitality." He glances over to Newt. "Hey, yeah, I remember you: th'kid with "NEWT" written on 'is 'ead. How y'doin', kid?"
"Ah yes, perhaps you’re right." Learner sets the extra drink back on the counter. "I don't think my unique physiology allows me to imbibe as other species." He lower his voice and brings his jovial disposition down to a similar level. "What happened Newt? Where were you sequestered? Myself I have been down here learning some things from those displaced in regards to the recent crisis on the station."
Jocaira accepts the drink with a little 'yay' and downs a good portion of it with the incautious enthusiasm of a veteran barrel-tapper. "Anyways whatevair she's got left can't be fresh any more we've been trapped 'ere for long time. Unless it is dry, or freeze-dry, I would no eat it. She probably shed in it anyways." She squints at Newt. "You se kid Mickee leave me a damn note about, sen? Said you were staying wis us, eating our food? Is sat right, Monsieur Petit Lezard?" Learner gets a genuinely sympathetic nod. "But yes, I knew a Madame Maina who was se... poof of light and dust and such like you. She also sadly could not make a drink or smoke do what it is supposed to. It is very sad."
Newt looks over at James and gives him a little wave, "Hey. I'm kinda ok. Exploring and stuff." Sitting back he looks up at Lerner, "Some of Comorro collapsed and I got trapped. Hope she's gonna be ok and stuff. She looks pretty messed up." And then back to Joc, sounding a little worried as he says "Uhh. Yeah. A little. Thanks and stuff." before retreating to put Learner, at least, between him and Joc.
"They got power on their ship, don't they? An' mean as la chatte casse-couille is, she ain't gonna send out spoilt food. Be too easy t'trace it back t'her." Sterling nods to Newt. "C'morro's doin' better'n she was," he tells him, "but we're still stuck out here, wherever we are." He knocks back what remains of his drink and clunks the glass down on the bar.
"I've not tried the smoke myself," Learner says setting down his glass half empty, "But the liquor I can imbibe, only it seems that I lose some control of my corporeal faculties." The Riftwalker gathers his hair into both hands and holds it into a ponytail for less then a second before letting go. The black ring reappears to hold all the strands into place. "Fortunately I can choose the speed of my metabolism with most things that I consume. But sometimes I forget that I have a choice." He gives Newt a quizzical glance for a moment. "Lady Jocaira, if I may talk about something more serious for a moment, I informed James of an extra 100 units of fuel that I was able to acquire. I brought it to your facility in hopes that you could find a use for it. I know of where we can find a bit more."
"Ahn, please do not store sat in my 'eadquartairs," Joca replies, trying to look grateful but it seems that the sensibility of keeping 100 units of what amounts to rocket fuel in her home is a bit of a stretch. She shakes her head. "Se Madame Comorreaux said to put it in se Underbellie where it would not 'urt any important systems if sere were an accident, ne?" She wags a finger at James. "Still doesn't mattair if you got refrigerate, nussing fresh is good for month upon month unless you 'ave frozen it. And many ships did not stay powared during se down time to conserve for se Madame Comorreaux. So, even if she were selfish, which I find believable, and even if she were giving it away before it goes bad... can only last so long." Newt gets another squint. "Yeah you're welcome. Don't go messing about into sings, ehn? A lot of guns and many sings sat are not for shildren, I don't know why Mickee sought to bring you 'ome but I am not going to leave you in an alley." Pause. "Not now anyways." She takes another drink, leaving barely a sip left.
Newt takes a sip of his drink and nods, "That's cool. She's pretty cool and stuff. Would suck for her not to." To Joc, "Thanks. I'll be cool. And it's cos I'm an awesome pilot and stuff."
Sterling raises an eyebrow at Learner but doesn't comment, instead sticking his cigarette back between his lips. He shrugs at Joca and leans back against the bar, resting his elbows on it to prop him up. "Pilot, eh?" He gazes lazily over at Newt. "Yer a kid. How awesome a pilot can y'be?"
"Ohhh..." Learner states in a moment of sudden realization whilst picking up his glass. "So that's where it came from." He mumbles and takes a sip. "I suppose this would not be the most opportune time then, Lady Jocaira, but I was hoping that I could be of some help in the recovery efforts and attempts to get us back to "our" universe. I understand that so far I have not made the best impression with my intent to help. But I do have a basic understanding of the sciences that were all inherent in my conception and tearing into reality. What I lack are the experiences and equipment." Learner sets his empty glass down and requests three more. "It seems apparent that now in our current state of duress that opportunity could be quite present for me."
Jocaira cants her head towards Learner, although her attention is primarily on the ordering of more drinks. "Eehn? Oh, er... unfortunately Monsieur Learner I am not in any way charged wis any of se science, or se getting back to se universe? Mostly we are just getting sings, carrying sings, protecting se people who are getting usser sings. Keeping people from stealing sings. You know, securitie. I am not making a science, and I do not 'ave any science making equipment." She taps the side of her head with an armored finger. "Red Eclipse is not where se smart people go, Monsieur." An eyebrows is raised towards Newt, presumably to see what his answer to James' question is.
Newt takes another sip out of his glass and looks over at James, grinning, "Totally friggin’ awesome, is how awesome."
Sterling takes another drag of his cigarette, pinching it out and replacing it in a storage compartment in his armour. At length he releases the breath, that goofy look coming over his features for a moment or two. "Yeh, th'smart folks, they look down on us muscleheads. Dumb thing t'do, that is. We could break 'em in half if we wanted to." He barks out a laugh at Newt's response. "Reckon I'll need some proof o'that, lad. Met too many adults who talk bigger'n they are, let alone a kid."
"Of course, Security." Three drinks arrive, they are set next to Jocaira, Sterling and Learner. "I was merely hoping perhaps you knew someone working in that department." He picks up his glass and simply holds it but doesn't yet take a sip. "I personally want the both of you two to know, Mr. Sterling and Lady Jocaira, that I have nothing but high esteem for the both of you." He takes a small sip, "Throughout this whole ordeal I've seen high activity from the Red Eclipse and have ran into members of the scientific community here on the Comorro only once. If they are truly so disdainful and unappreciative of what you have done for Comorro than they probably also believe that they could fly her home on their own backs." Learner takes a big gulp.
Jocaira chuckles quietly. "Well, we'll see 'ow sat remains after you've gotten to know us, ne? I do know some working in se department, but unfortunately most of sem disdain me and do sere best to keep me away from se one sat 'as affection for me, ne? Makes me double cranky, being around people who don't like me and can't go to see people who do." She shrugs one shoulder, and finishes her first drink so she can get to merry work on the second. "You won't run into my Doctair; 'e keeps to 'is lab and spent every waking moment to 'eal se Madame Comorreaux. Now 'e must sleep, to make up for all of se sleep 'e went wisout on 'er be'alf. But you are right." She gestures with the new glass. "Se ones I 'ave problem wis? Ohhh, especially sat cranky cat girl? Sink sey can do -everysing- and don't need us brutish fools around. Doesn't matter none to me, but I do know, in a dangerous time, who I'm going to save and who I will let fall. I sink sey mistake us for people who are -required- to 'elp sem." The corners of her mouth turn up sharply. "And we -could- break sem in 'alf. But, we are good -enough-, se Madame wants peace kept and we will keep it. Not like people who go around yelling and making fights. Tch."
Newt snorts, sipping his drink some more, "Well maybe they weren't telling the truth, but I am."
Sterling grins slowly as Learner speaks, claiming the glass that's set by him. "Damn straight," he growls, knocking back a fair portion of his drink. He smiles affectionately at Jocaira and rests a hand on her knee. "We ain't th'slaves o'those bastards," he says with a mischievous glint in his eye. "They better mind their P's an' Q's." He chuckles at Newt. "Okay, kid, okay. Whaddya fly, then? What kinda pilotin' work y'do, eh?"
Newt shrugs a little, "Anything and everything really. Flown small shuttles to big-arse space stations."
Learner nods and sets his half empty glass on the table. "It's easy to assume that you do all the work when you don't bother to see the efforts of others." He stands from the stool he was using and passes a few more currency chips across the table. "My friends, this is where I bid you goodnight." He turns to head towards the door but before leaving he picks the glass back up from the table and lifts it. "Here's to getting Comorro back home." He says, offering a toast.
"A bientot," Joca says, raising her own glass in response to the toast. "To getting 'ome. Goodnight, Monsieur Learner. Travel carefully. It is dark still in many places, and you seem se bright leetle soul." Her response to James is what can only be described as the deliberate, eye-squeezing blink of a contented cat. "Slaves to no one, but yes." That said, she cants her head back to Newt. "Mmhmm. Beeg space estacion, ne? Like what? Olympus? Sanctuarie? Anybody I know?"
"Good point," Sterling says of Learner's comment, glancing to Joca. "Ain't that a good point?" He raises his glass as Learner lifts his. "T'gettin' home," he echoes, and slugs back the rest of the drink. "Watch yerself, Learner," he calls to the Riftwalker. He turns his fuzzy gaze on Newt. "Yeh, how d'ya drive a space station?"
Learner finishes the drink and sets it back down on the counter before bidding everyone one final goodbye. Heading out the door his long sleeve shirt and light grey trouser seem to melt around his form and engulf him until he is sheathed in a large rough fabric. learners hair falls away from the black ring that hold the ponytail in place.
Newt looks back at James, "Very, very carefully."
Jocaira chuffs quietly, and focuses a catty stare at the back of Newt's head before finishing her own drink. "Well, I 'ave bettair sings to do sen 'ang about not drinking wis shildren. Going to go back to 'eadquartairs... Monsieur James if you find Monsieur Learner again before I do, make sure sat fuel gets back to where it goes and not in our living room, ne? Goodnight."
Sterling splutters his way into a snorty sort of laugh at Newt's reply. He slams a fist down on the bar and grins over at the kid. "Hol' up, Joca," he says. "I'll join ya. Keep up that sense o'humour, Newt," he advises, sliding off his barstool.