| I'm Not Saying It's Aliens... But It's Aliens. | ||
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Taking advantage of the crowds, Lee is sitting cross-legged out on the side of the boardwalk. While playing a folk tune on the mouth harp, some thumps of the tail provide percussion. There's a cup nearby that is isn't blowing away, despite not being very full of coins. As people pass, Lee looks up with a smile. Miriya is walking along the boardwalk herself, walking slowly and watching the sea. Coming from the west she's coincidentally on a 90 degree intercept course with Violet. Her warrior's habit of always being aware of her surroundings leads her to pause and wave. Miriya says, "Hello Lt. Commander" Violet raises an eyebrow as she approaches Lee's location on the boardwalk, but as she hears a familiar voice saying her rank she looks over in that direction. "Oh, uh, Hey, Lieutenant!" She glances down at her own uniform with a slight frown. "Actually, I'm off duty, I've just not gotten home to change yet... So... as you were, 'n stuff." Miriya nods and smiles "But you're in uniform now, and besides I'm off duty too. At least for a little while" Lee shifts the right hand to reach down from above, which makes it possible to run each finger over the trigger of the instrument in quick succession and create string of quick notes. Lee looks up in mild surprise on noticing Violet passing. Pinching lips around the instrument, Lee blows a harmonica-like note and frees a left hand to wave to her. Violet shrugs to Miriya. "Yeah, yeah, I'm not sayin' you did anything wrong, just that you don't need to worry about it." As Lee notices her, she waves back to the lizard-man. "Hey, Lee, how is... what'd you call it, huskaring? How is that going for you today?" Miriya notes the Busker now that Violet has spoken to him "I don't believe we have been introduced. I am Miriya. "Hey there," Lee chirps, standing quickly. Their cup still doesn't fall over-- is it glued down? "Busking's been better, but good enough for dinner." Mirya gets a smile. "I'm Lee. Nice t' meetcha." To Violet, Lee remarks, "I'd heard this's a great place for people-watching, from someone in the Usual Restaurant. Wasn't expecting t' actually come across someone I'd seen before!" Miriya says, "It's a nice place to watch the see. I like planetscapes." Violet nods to them both. "Well, in my case, it's on the way home from work, as well... So how's life treatin' the both of ya?" Miriya sighs. "Still filling out forms. In order to get issued the correct forms to ask for the forms." Lee shakes out a 'sleeping' leg while standing on the other foot and counterbalancing with the tail. "Another space person?" Lee guesses. "Gonna have to catch a ride with somebody one of these days. Never been in space." Lee grins at Miriya's complaint. "Not a fan of forms either. I'm managing, though. Even got some free housing forms." Violet twitches slightly at what Miriya says. "I think someone's making form just for the sake of making forms..." She then glances at Lee. "You said you had some sanctuary thing, though?" Miriya says, "Space Person? that's one way to put it I suppose. I'm a meltran which means I was born in space, and pilot so i work in space, unless I'm patrolling the badlands." "Cool," Lee says to Miriya. "Heard some scary stuff about the Badlands, though." "Yep," Lee confirms for Violet. "The Refuge magic leaves behind a weird effect on the light, though, and I didn't want to freak anyone out by leaving it in public. Also can't take a fridge in there with me... I had it parked behind a magic shop last night at the apprentice's suggestion." Violet says, "Frey's place?" She nods. "I know her. She helped retrain me in my powers that I got from my pop." She then glances at Miriya. "It means a heck of a lot more than you were just born in space!" Miriya nods soberly "True but that was the pertinent point. Be a warrior is not relevant to being a 'space person'. " she regards the snake man "refuge?" Lee raises their brow questioningly at Violet's clarification, glancing to Miriya. "Oh, yeah. Refuge magic is where our minds go into something like a dream and bodies go somewhere else. Has a healing effect, 'sides the avoiding-muggers effect." Violet shrugs and shakes her head. "I guess. But you made it sound like that was the defining feature of being a zendraedi. In the last universe I was in, tons of people were born in space that I'd never call zendraedi." She then nods to Lee. "That.... does sound useful. For camping, too." Miriya laughs "It IS the defining feature of being Zentraedi. Being born in a vat is just circumstantial to that. Violet says, "And I would counter that with the defining feature is the whole 'fifty foot tall' thing." Miriya says, "Only to you Microns. For us that was just normality." Violet points a finger at Miriya. "But wasn't being born in space just normality for you, too?" "Sure, pretty handy for unexpected camping," Lee agrees with Violet, grinning. "But you miss out on all the lovely features of the natural world, like ticks and waking up to a freezing cold tent." Lee regards Miriya curiously as she and Violet explain. "Uh-huh..." Lee comments. "Well... I did meet someone yesterday who said she was a shapeshifter and would drive me crazy if she showed it." Miriya says, "Well yes but again he asked if I was a 'space person' I could only answer as best I could." She faces Lee "Ah, well I'm not a shapeshifter per se. Micronization is something done TO one,.. with machines. I don't know the tech parts. I'm not good with tech." Violet scrunches her lips to the side and says, "Hrm." She then nods, conceding the point. "Shapeshifting driving you crazy?" "Actually meant somebody employed in a space-related job," Lee says, "but your version is a heck of a lot more interesting." Lee then nods to Violet. "Yeah, the person eating the noisy sandwich th' other day said I'd go crazy if I saw any of her other forms." Violet says, "Oh, her? I dunno, I think I'd have gone crazy if I'd tried her sandwich." Miriya says, "Noisy sandwich?" Violet sweatdrops and glances at Miriya with a sidelong look. "Trust me. You don't want to know." "Wasn't dead yet," Lee explains. "I dunno. I think I'd probably draw the line at sushi." Miriya says, "Can't be worse than Zentraedi rations. None of us knew how to cook." Violet says, "....No, it probably was worse. Really, I just can't imagine anything worse." Lee shrugs at the evaluation and opens one of the pouches to tuck the mouth harp in. "Hey, maybe her sandwich was really tasty. But I'm not gonna find out." Exploration. Always a good thing. And for Killer Bee, a complete necessity, as this version of Tokyo is so utterly alien to her, that she's not sure anything matches what she knows of 'real world' Tokyo. Or whatever counts for it in her world. KB seems to be more or less just trying to memorize the place. Miriya says, "Hmmmm. That sounds like very bad food." Lee kicks the side of the sandal against the money cup a few times, then bends over to pull it off the boardwalk with a couple hands and a firm tug. That goes in another pouch. When she's close enough to be visible through the crowds, Lee doesn't have any trouble spotting Killer Bee. "Oh! Heya, KB!" Lee calls to her. Violet says, "I'm not gonna find out either, it was... almost obscene." She glances over as Killer Bee shows up, and waves to her. Apparently her frustration with the robot-like woman was short lived." Surprise, surprise! People KB knows. Or at least people who aren't strangers. She returns the wave, though she still considers it an inefficient form of greeting, and heads over to them. "Whatcha been doing, KB?" Lee asks, glancing briefly to Violet. "And did ya get whatever you were talking with Violet about worked out? I wasn't really paying attention, but whatever it was looked rough." Miriya eyes the newcomer and waves politely. "I don't believe we have been introduced" Violet sighs and goes a bit flat in tone, herself. "No... we didn't..." She glances to Miriya. "Miriya, this is Killer Bee, Killer Bee, this is Lt. Miriya Genius." "Confirmed. This unit has yet to encounter you." Killer Bee says to Miriya. She doesn't get to introduce herself though, because Vi beats her to it. But she nods anyway. Lee nods to Violet, then looks on quietly during the introductions. Lee doesn't seem the kind to stand completely still, though, and bounces a little on the feet with balancing tail swishes. Violet looks to Lee again, her voice at a bit of deadpan herself. "As you can see... She's still clearly acting like the robot that she isn't." Miriya hmmms "I see. This one needs more than a song and some protoculture to come to life. "This unit is not mechanical." KB replies to Violet. Then she turns to Miriya in confusion. "Query; Protoculture?" "That's what's bugging you?" Lee asks Violet with a smile. "Fifty-foot-tall people are perfectly normal, but somebody with a little different culture throws ya for a loop?" A beam of flashing blue light descends from the skies and hits the ground. It keeps shinning upon a designated spot until a tall, armored, alien creature materializes from thin air. It is a Protoss, dressed in golden zealot armor. The tall bipedal alien blinks his bright eyes as the beam that transported him here leaves and he begins to look around. "Wait a minute, this isn't Tarsonis." Though he has no mouth, any sentient being nearby would be able to hear him in their mind, much like broadcasted telepathy. "Curse it all, Karaz. Where did you send me this time?" Violet nods to Miriya. "Right. Exactly. Honestly, at this point, I'm suspecting..." Well, that thought went completely unfinished. She boggles slightly at the sudden surprise alien appearing from nowhere. She then looks to Lee and Killer Bee and says, "Welcome to NeoTokyo." There's a soft thump sound as a cardboard box washes up against the shore, carried up against it by the pounding surf. Another wave crashes over it and tips the box over, the top popping open as a man rolls out of it, somersaulting to a crouched position with a drawn gun, a USP by the looks of it. He quickly scans the area with his brown eyes, his orbs darting from one person to the next as the ocean tide tugs at the box and once again pulls it out to the ocean. "Huh..." He takes a moment to let his gaze sweep over a Lifeguard sign, "Japan. Good, Mission Accomplished." He rises to his feet slowly, starting to holster the gun when his attention falls on Artanis. "That's new." The random figure in armor catches KB's attention, and she immediately begins trying to catalog whether or not this is a threat or not. Lee blinks at the flash of light and freezes- tail, too. But it appears to be the telepathy that has Lee more disturbed. Lee rubs one ear hole vigorously while Violet is introducing the city. The man down on the beach, on the other hand, is completely overlooked. Artanis approaches the group and raises his hand in what appears to be an awkward wave, as if done by someone who has not yet mastered the art of waving. "Greetings Terrans, I mean you no harm." This is said in particular to KB and Snake too as Artanis recognizes the Terran firearm. Its hard to tell what sort of emotion the alien is conveying since he has no nose or mouth but he seems pretty amicable. "Neo-Tokyo you say?" He asks to Violet. "I've never heard of that Terran city. In what part of the Korpulu sector am I?" Miriya hmmms "I'm not sure where the Korpulu sector is, but your are on Earth, the human home planet. circling the star Sol. Violet looks back up to Artanis and raises an eyebrow. "Can't say I've heard of Korpulu, either." Snake gazes at Artanis for a few moments, his eyes narrowing slightly in thought as he 'feels' those thoughts more than he 'hears' them. "Telepathy, huh?" He reaches into the pocket of his suit and pulls out what looks like a sealed metal case. He pulls out a single cigarette from it, followed by a lighter. "There was a time I didn't believe in any of that." A spark leaps from the flint as Snake flicks the lighter and lights the cigarette, taking a long drag off of it. As he exhales the curling smoke he gestures towards Artanis. "Didn't really believe in aliens, either." Killer Bee simply takes this all in, watching and waiting to see what happens. "Uhh... Another interdimensional accident?" Lee offers, looking from KB to Violet and then back to the armored person. Miriya hmmms thoughtfully. Violet nods to the humanoid skink. "That's my guess." She offers a glance at the guy who snuck up on them from below. "...Are you new here too, then? Because... We have a space defense fleet for a reason." The Protoss twitches a little as he is told he's in Earth. His method of communication being slightly weird as even though its some sort of telepathy everyone can still hear him grunting and gasping. And he does gasp. "Earth!?" He exclaims looking very distraught. "But that is thousands of years away from Auir!" Artanis tenses up again as he realizes something. "That means that-- oh no." He touches his temple in concentration and then grunts again. "Great, I am out of range of the Spear of Adun. Uggh.." Artanis seems too distracted to notice all the gawking from the people around him, still under the impression that these are the Terrans he is used to and that they are used to seeing a Protoss, even if he does appear to be currently in their homeworld. "Forgive me, there appears to be a mistake in the coordinates of my teleportation. Might I perhaps borrow one of your space ships?" Miriya looks a little non-plussed. "I don't think that's likely" "Not exactly." Comes Snake's reply to Violet over another puff of cigarette smoke, "I know the general situation." He adds after a moment before letting his gaze drift towards Artanis, "Not my call, but I'm sure you can contact the government or private concerns around here for that." "This unit also requires to speak with either the police force or space force in regards to employment." Killer Bee says, just now recalling that. Miriya has been watching the smoking man since he had a gun in his hand. Her own hand strays away from her hip after he puts it away. Turning to him she says "I'm sorry the other arrival had me distracted. I don't think we've been introduced." Lee glances over to Snake, eye widening a little as they drop from his face to the load of weaponry and finally camo pants. Maybe Artanis poses a bit less easily assessed threat. Lee then holds up a hand and looks to Artanis again. "Dunno if a ship'd help *you*, but in the wrong universe here, apparently." Violet glances to Miriya before looking back up to Artanis. "Sorry, mine's still undergoing an overhaul. If you check to the south, cross the bridge, there's a spaceport down there. Maybe you can hire someone on?" she suggests. She's not familiar with the areas thousands of light-years out, so as far as she knows, maybe he is from this universe. Killer Bee's announcement does get her attention. "Oh! You do? Well... I've got no real say with the police, but if you go up north from here, kind of... east and north again, I think... then you go through the scrapyard, ask at the gate about recruitment." Unlike with Alexa, Violet's not going to fully vouch for Killer Bee, as the blonde still makes her a bit uncertain, reminding her a bit too much of her very young self. Snake removes the cigarette from his mouth, focusing his eyes on Miriya for a few moments. He hadn't made any moves for his own weapon even though Miriya's had been hovering on her holster. Better that way, no need to raise any alarms once he'd ascertained that the situation wasn't hostile. "Snake, call me Snake." He replies, nodding his head once as if that's all he really needed to say. There's a slight smirk at the corners of Snake's lips as Lee points out that Artanis is in the wrong universe, "Heh, that's assuming his universe didn't come with him." He flicks the ash off the end of the cigarette, "Or at least part of it." He's been briefed on that situation, too. A short, green figure in a sedge hat suddenly comes making a gentle landing near to the majority of the group here. "Hey there," Caracol greets like he wasn't just dropping in uninvited. "There's a lot of people around, every thing going ok?" KB turns to Vi. "Affirmative. Both were suggested to this unit as viable means of employment. As monetary resources are required both to acquire accommodations as well as to feed and house the kitten which appeared that the restauraunt, seeking employment in organizations likely to encounter combat is logical, as this unit was designed for combat." Miriya nods to Snake "I see Snake, I am Miriya. I am glad to see that you are... friendly." she turns and waves to caracol "Ah Mr. Caracol. greetings. So nice to see someone i know." She looks in askance at Killer Bee "I don't think Min-may and firebomber combined have a enough songs for you." In comparison to the Terran warriors that Artanis is used to dealing with, both Snake and Miriya are very lightly armed. Why, they aren't even wearing armor! That's not to say it makes them less threatening in the eyes of the Protoss Heirarch, he simply think he's not dealing with the army. Miriya shooting down his request for a space ship though makes his eyes narrow though. "Why am I being denied?" He ponders. "Is this about what happened in Braxis? I told your United Earth Directorate that such a battle was a misunderstanding. Had you not interfered in our campaign against the Queen of Blades I--" That's when he glances at Lee. "I'm sorry, did I just hear you say another universe?" This could be a lot worse than Artanis thinks. And sure enough when Caracol appears and Artanis gets a look at him it makes the Protoss confirm a few fears he was having. "You.. you are not a Terran." His shoulders deflate and he rubs his forehead. "This is giving me a headache." And that just draws a blank look from Killer Bee to Miriya. "Query; what do 'songs' have to do with this unit?" Violet nods to Caracol. "Yup! Everything's going okay here, uh... Caracol, right?" She then looks back to Killer Bee. "Well, the fleet is a bit more... mecha centric than personal combat. So maybe the police would be a better match for you?" Snake puts out his cigarette using the sand of the beach, flicking the spent butt into a nearby trashcan, "Easy soldier..." He says to Artanis, "It isn't like that. This place just isn't as simple as you might think. There's different groups at work here, different factions. More are being added every day." He gives a glance towards Caracol for just a moment, that makes the second alien he's seen. Possibly the third if Lee is anything to go by. Lee doesn't seem to notice Caracol's arrival, with the giant telepathic suited figure added to the normal business of the boardwalk. "Err..." Lee answers him. "That's my understanding. Just got here recently and not quite what all is going on." Miriya faces Artanis again "I didn't catch your name Warrior, but I think it unlikely the NTSDF would donate a ship to travel to an unknown destination an unknown distance just because a stranger, which is what you are to us, asks." turning to Killer Bee she just shrugs "I don't think explaining it would help" back to Artanis she says "Yes quite possibly, most of us are from other universes than here." Still confused, Killer Bee turns to Violet. "Query; Why would 'songs' even be brought up in reference to this unit? Addendum; what are 'mecha'?" Caracol nods in reply. "Nice to see you two again too," he says with a smile and wave. However, Artanis' reaction causes a raised, hairless brow from the young namekian. "I'm not sure what a Terran is, but no I'm not. I'm not /from/ here either if that helps?" He nods at Miriya's explanation. "I'm from a different universe myself. And...well it makes sense they wouldn't lend a ship to just anybody. The ships here aren't like those little capsule corp ones that look like they can barely hold one human." Violet says, "Oh, well... let's see... Miriya's people were... kinda similar to you, in a way... kinda all about the fight, little emotion. Buuut when they were exposed to the music and culture of Earth, they kinda... got emotions and stuff?" The question about 'what are mecha' gets a more surprised response from the green haired girl, however. "It's like powered armor... except really big. My personal mecha is over fourteen meters tall." Violet glances around and makes an observation. "I think I might actually be the only person here right now that actually is from this universe." "....Data quantified." Killer Bee says with a nod. Seems there's something akin to mecha in her world, even if it goes by a different name. Then quirks her head to one side. "Query; why would 'music' affect the mentality of beings who are designed for combat?" Although Artanis seems to relax thanks to Snake's reassurance and explanation, he still seems very distraught and shakes his head. "How is this possible?" Asks the Protoss while rubbing the back of his helmeted head. "Never had I encountered such a phenomenon, even in all my centuries traveling the galaxy." Somehow, he sighs, even though he has no mouth everyone will clearly be able to hear what sounds like air being exhaled. "I suppose I have seen stranger. It is folly for me to be surprised of anything considering the circumstances that lead to this event." Now, more relaxed he bows his head to Miriya in understanding. "Then let us be strangers no longer. I am known as Artanis, Heirarch of the Daelam. En Taro Tassadar." He gives his culture's salute. While this is all going on, he can't help but listen to Killer Bee's query of seeking work and that gives him an idea. "I have no Terran currency to speak of, but mayhap I can lend my services in exchange for goods. You all seem like capable fighters. I am thus led to the conclusion that there is need for such in this place." Both Caracol and Violet's statements draw another twitch from Artanis and he scratches his chin in thought. "This will take some time to get used to." Caracol says, "Actually, so far I've only been in three battles here, and only one was honestly an actual concern for me. I think things are still mostly safe for now, but that danger is gathering the more things come here...that or the badlands were just being the bad lands." Violet blinks and looks up at Artanis again as he formally introduces himself. She straightens up in an attempt to look official. "Lieutenant Commander Violet Karrde of the NeoTokyo Space Defense Fleet." She then relaxes a little. "Well, I'm not really sure what's needed, officially, to be honest." "That's one thing the world never runs out of, the need for soldiers." Snake says in response to Artanis' comment about lending his services in exchange for goods. "Soldiers of Fortune, Armies without Borders, Diamond Dogs. Mercenaries have countless names." He leans back against one of the wooden beams that run along the boardwalk. "This city has something of a mercenary guild, if that's the kind of work you're willing to do." Miriya Frowns, trying to find answers for multiple questions. To Killer Bee she says "Because they were people, they still had the full range of emotions and desires of people but their culture gave them no outlet and no understanding there could be an outlet until the were shown an alternative." To Artanis she says "There are two large organisations that employ warriors. The Neotokyo Space Defense Fleet, which is a space navy. And the Neotokyo Police Department, which uses warriors to enforce the law and keep the peace." Caracol says, "And I'm Caracol, from the Time Patrol Agents." Miriya blushes slightly "pardon me I have been rude" she says to Artanis "I'm Lieutenant Miriya Jenius of the NTSDF" Snake nods to Caracol Miriya, Artanis, Violet and Killer Bee, "Snake." "An honor to meet you all." Artanis' telepathic voice is genuine, and though he may appear to be strange in comparison to the others, something about his denouement somewhat pins him as bright eyed and idealist. He probably is a young one for his race. "Truer words have never been spoken, sir." He nods to Snake and his mention of always being the need for soldiers. "Here, there and everywhere. It is always the same. An unfortunate fact of existence, though we must all persevere in the end." Artanis glances at Caracol as he assures him there is little conflict to be done here, however, he seems interested in Miriya's information despite all that. "Nevertheless, I shall seek out these institutions and see what deals can be struck. I am very well versed in both peace keeping and space warfare." "Designation; Killer Bee." Killer Bee introduces herself, still in her usual near-monotone. Then she turns to Miriya. "Illogical. Culture developed around Combat is still a culture in and of itself." Caracol is amusingly, also a young, bright eyed, idealist type that strays a little from the norms of his race. So both aliens are like that... | |
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