Coming out from the Forward Intersection, you emerge into a huge, cylindrical room. You're right in the middle of that cylinder, on a four metre wide glass walkway, segmented and smooth, with repulsive fields and knee-high 'railings' on either side. The room is huge, fourty metres in diameter and a hundred metres long. A slidewalk takes one out to the end of the walkway, where it becomes a circular, unsupported platform approximately ten metres in diameter. The walls of the cylindrical room are mostly smooth, a dark grey metal, with occassional gaps in the paneling revealing large latches and intricate machinery in the walls, where anything in this bay must have interfaced to the rest of the vessel. Large, rectangular diode lamps, subdued and softened, are arranged around the walls in rings along the length of the room.
Now, the end of this room is virtually open to space, the fourty metre wide round hole protected and sealed over with a huge, harder-than-diamond window that looks out onto the universe, the eye of the Orion. The view beyond is spectacular; three galaxies fill the frame with countless more as specks in the distance, billions of lightyears apart. The three filling the frame are a massive bluish-white spiral arm galaxy, and two smaller silver and white cloud galaxies nearby.
All is silent here, distant from the soft hum of the lifesystems and other ship functions, and the view is all encompassing. There are several couches and tables here, the ubiquitous L-divans and blue imipolex tables, all arranged facing outward. The lights can be dimmed to nothingness, as well, with controls on the tables.
Lysette is drifting quietly, gravity free hyena, eyes half opened, illuminating part of the ship with green.
Echo - "You wanted to talk. Talk."
Lysette peeks out quietly, then stretches in mid air.. "Well. What have you concluded about me, and why?" she offers, before bending place in exhausted place. "I know essentially nothing about you, so on that angle, I don't know where to begin, right now."
Echo says, "You are a creature who has travelled from one origin to another, and continued right in from where you left off."
Echo says, "You accepted shelter, then a lover, then claimed ownership of her."
Echo says, "You adventured, rescued, then claimed ownership of one whom I pity (and have since I first saw her plight)."
Echo says, "You ignored the engineered threat and took only the pleasures offered. And then you tried to play games with them. See where you are now."
Echo says, "I call you slave-taker. I call you wilfully ignorant. This is what I have concluded."
Echo adopts a body, that of a mouse, and settles on a couch.
Lysette coos.. "Where did I leave off?" she asks. "I am quite a bit different than when I was before. I didn't believe that there was anyone but me." she nods softly. "I offered her a collar for a day. She returned to me, because I offered her safety to do things she could do with no other, unless the dangerous weapon she possessed should be stolen from her. I gave her possibility within her limitations, and she much the same did that for me. I forced not a thing." she continues. "My lover found sabina, and we saved her from two forced realities. Her owners came to us, and offered her to us. With that, she is secure within her limitations, too, however artificial a contract may be - its still a strong block, to some, and has value in that but not all contexts. If she can overcome them, I have no intention of holding her in an unhappy position - she deserves the best.
She's recovering slowly, as she can, though what context her health will be in the end I don't know. I don't know what lies in her future, but I intend it to be good." she continues, her eyes closing. "I did not ignore a known threat. Nor did I try to play games. I would have stepped back upon knowing what I came to learn, and I did so far as I could. My mate couldn't for a number of reasons, even with the addiction cured, and I could not stop her within my morality, as the resolution for her, in her mind, required her to continue. I would have stepped back if I could, but I do what my mate thinks is best for her self. I really don't force a thing, Echo. I provide a context which can be broken as soon as wanted. To have prevented her, I would have had a real slave, rather than a mate. Together, we're simply two poles of a magnet which make a whole.
In a page-pose to you, Untitled comms, "Lysette?"
Lysette rolls a hand. " To many people, the concept of freedom is only relevant within limitations. In fact, to everyone, as they have to deal with limitations all the time. Here, people can set their limitations to whatever they want. I provide a set of limitations for sabina and Kehari, but only in the understanding that this is what they want, and I am happy to do this for them. If this were ever not the case, if they were not happy having limitations set for them by me, then I won't. They've always had control in that - they're the one's setting their limitations to me. I'm holding it to them because they hold me to it."
You page-pose, "Lysette comms, "Yes Untitled?"" to Untitled
Untitled pages, "I just wanted to check in with you...how you're holding up, whether Plan A is proceeding...and perhaps ask a small favor." to you.
You page-pose, "Lysette sighs.. "I'm tired.." she seems to smile a bit. "Things continue, but I don't know how to judge how well just yet..." she sighs. "What would you like, dear?"" to Untitled
Echo says, "Intellectually, this is supposed to make sense to me. Emotionally, it doesn't."
Echo says, "Essentially, I don't know you. Besax knows what he sees, I know what I hear. We're neither of us truly omniscient."
Untitled pages, "I'm sorry, dear. I'm tired too. This is harder than I expected. I just wanted to ask that you keep me posted as to any important developments you're privy to...and perhaps more importantly, if you would refer me to any sources of information on the Neke that you hear about. I'm working on alternate plans of action in case necessity dictates a need for them, and to that end, I'm researching them. It's been difficult work...they're secretive...but no one with outside contact can maintain a complete data blackout, and I'm picking up nuggets wherever I can." to you.
System comes in from the Forward Intersection.
System has arrived.
Echo continues to address Lysette: "So far, I haven't gotten any sense that I can trust you. Some people, that happens immediately. Others, it takes a while. With you, well... I'm giving you a chance now."
Lysette nods softly, brushing a hand quietly behind her head.. "I understand. I don't expect my emotions to match those around me, necessarily.. consider it in that light, Echo. We've all variations from eachother, we're not all built on the same pattern.." she smiles a bit. "All I can ask is to let time allow you to know me. I can say a lot, but my actions will count, though sometimes words are actions. You beat me pretty hard before with words, but.. you did it without knowing me, or Kehari, or sabina.. that could hurt a lot, in the context that.. those blows may have been unwarranted, and blind without knowing those.."
System walks along the long corridor, bowing with a smile to Echo and Lysette. "Greetings, Echo, Lysette."
Echo looks to System. "Good day." Then back to Lysette. "So tell me. Give me that knowledge, give me better context."
Lysette waves to System as she continues. "I'm asking for time and understanding. I've offered that much to you. I want to think, with what you've said, that you would not see fit to violate me or my loved ones. Consider that you may have done that, unknowingly." she nods softly.
System moves to settle (him)self onto one of the couches, listening.
Echo says, "I can give you no time without understanding."
System looks thoughtful. "May I ask what concerns you, Echo?"
You page, "I've unfortunate developments to offer.. There have been symbiotes implanted in both of them. Unhatched yet, but, eventually, bad things will come of it. Furthermore.. I've reason to believe that the explosives in Kehari won't work in Top, due to the nature of the warp.. which means.. aborting will be hard if this is so.. As for information on the Neke, I'm finding out as much as I can through Kehari. I'll offer you all I can.. Outside of that, though, I'm not sure. There's not much known." to Untitled.
Echo says, "We're discussing that now, System."
System nods slightly. "I had intended to gather more data regarding the context."
Lysette considers. "What do you need to understand?" she asks. "Now I'm a little confused, too. What is your objection, and has what I said gone completely disbelieved? And if so, what are your proofs otherwise, that allow you to think as you do?"
System states quietly, "I have reason to believe Lysette reliable, Echo. I have not been passed bad data by her on any occasion."
Echo says, "I don't disbelieve you, Lysette. I just don't trust you."
Lysette nods softly.. "How can you trust me, if not through time's proof?"
Echo says, "Tell me a story."
System arches (his) eyebrows at this. "In what sense do you not trust her?"
Echo says, "System, a person need not lie to be untrustworthy. One's words can be utterly true and verifiable, yet shaped to serve interests not in the general good."
Untitled pages, "*static* Shit! *clarity* All right. This changes nothing but difficulty, and perhaps time and course. I promised Kehari I would never give her up for lost, and I won't. I understand all too well about the scarcity of Neke data, dear, but I will be grateful for anything you can pass along from Kehari, no matter how irrelevant it might seem. Right now I'm in Reader's library; after I've scoured it, I mean to go hunting for any free-minded exiles of the Neo-Ovon. Most have been captured, I'm sure...but I'd be surprised if no one made it out at all." to you.</i>
System shakes (his) head. "Again, I have no evidence whatsoever to suggest that Lysette engages in any unacceptable behavior."
System states quietly, "I furthermore have evidence that she will act in a manner that will directly support certain of my alpha priorities, which, unfortunately, I cannot divulge at this time for the protection of third parties." Echo says, "And what am I, then? A fourth party?"
Lysette's tail clicks softly.. "There's a lot of stories to tell. What would you prefer? I don't know that I'll be any good at it, at present." she asks. "And what is the general good, here? I tend to think the ultimate freedom of will and choice. And even within the context that I provide Kehari and sabina, I believe their wills to be ultimately inviolate, as I'm an extension of their will." she nods quietly.
System chuckles quietly. "So it could be said."
You page-pose, "Lysette murmurs.. "If you want another direction.. consider the Throne of Elysium, and Jeremy.. I think they have more to do with the Neke than it might seem, so might hold more sway.."" to Untitled Untitled pages, "That's something I didn't know, and a course of action I'd not considered. Consider it added to my list of potential sources. Thank you, dear." to you.
Echo shakes his head. "Tell me the story of who you are, Lysette. Who you are now, and why I should trust you. You say you're an extension of others' will. What does that make you?"
System smiles for just a moment. "Just one question, Echo. How long did it take you to trust me?"
Echo says, "Days, System. Time with contact, and time after contact to reflect. And that trust has been at a very simple level.. you'll carry out your prioritized duties and fulfill what protocols you carry, but I don't know what they all are. I don't know if or when one might betray me, and to bring up the possibility is painful, because it makes me actively doubt you, when I have trusted you before."
System nods briskly. "My alpha priorities are to preserve my own identity and existence, gather data and isolate ordered patterns within that data, and to act in support of the alpha priorities of members of my family present." System states quietly, "Loss of family is painful..."
System drifts off into silence.
Lysette chuffs softly.. "I am a girl that, in her childhood, decided to pursue her dreams. Slowly, she became something different than those around her, and left them in a different context, one she considered alien and not a part of herself. She believed in herself, and because she didn't believe in others being as she was, she had nothing to do with them, neither truly interacting with them or touching on their lives beyond the periphery. Her focus was her focus, and that was and is the slow ascension to a state of something neither biological or electronic, but something new and wonderful to have discovered and been." she starts..
"She sought what she saw as her own particular perfection. But her time here, with Kehari first, she found that she was a person, too, and they wanted to be with each other. Kehari's particular reality did not allow for her to be anything but endlessly willful, she never had a moment to rest. Within that perfect trust formed between the pair, Lysette offered the chance to breathe, the chance to be without fear of losing what she had to protect, and experiencing what she could not elsewhere. And Lysette cared for Kehari, and offered her this safty. They both exchanged their keys, and both can open each other fully - down to the bare basics of the mind, if they want to. Either could do anything to each other, in absolute reality - it is their trust that allows everything."
Echo listens, carefully composed.
System shakes (his) head quietly, and sighs.
Lysette coos softly.. "Within that time, together Kehari and Lysette found someone happy to be held, and happy to have orders which were kind for once, which were for her benefit as the pair's happiness was based on the happiness of others, not their suffering. sabina had struggled through the cruelest of masters, the Architects. And then, even worse, the Neke took her, when she showed concern for a friend lost to them. The extraction from the Neke that Kehari and Lysette decided upon also ended up an extraction from the Architects. And thus, those who would hold her in a cruel state, would not consider her happiness as it didn't matter to them, were removed from her life, seemingly. sabina had been designed to need others, to have them there to hold her in this way.
Whatever ultimately becomes of her noone knows, but here, we've offered her happiness without harm, and we will find out where that goes from there on. sabina asked to be with them, even before the Neke. Even outside of the fear of her current masters. Because they were good to her, as best as they knew to be." she trails.. "sabina's modified biology was attended to. But she could not be modified until the contract from the Architects was acquired, or else we would have violated them. By the time that happened, Lysette and Kehari had long fallen into a trap. Kehari knew that the Neke wanted her weapon, the thing she had to keep safe. And they would not be stopped even if the progression of present events were stopped at the time. So, she felt she needed to in, and end it on her own terms, in so far as she could. Lysette would have to be strong, as she would be her anchor on the outside. If Kehari was ever truly lost, then it was her job to make sure to get her back."
Lysette continues.. "Within this, reality was structured, and drawn to look like fall and conflict. Can I trust both of you to keep an important secret, that will come out eventually?" she asks. "It is an important detail, but its release would put her and I in present danger."
System nods slightly. You can, Lysette."
Echo says, "It's a secret I can keep."
Lysette nods softly. "The event in the Heliquary was an act. There has been no conflict between Kehari and I. Kehari remains herself, though if that should change, I pull the plug on everything, and she is restored from backup, and so would sabina be as well in the action. I am in contact with her always. And the Neke are presently oblivious to our communications and wills."
System nods briskly. "I had intended to ask you what Kehari's current status is, Lysette. What has she undergone? Does she believe she has the opening necessary to act?"
Lysette continues.. "Kehari intends to remove Amanita and Twin from their custody. I don't know if it will or can happen. If not, we take our step back. I would have preferred not to have her involved at all. I want to think of the Neke.. not at all. But they've my other half's attention, so they have mine." Echo says, "I wouldn't put it past them to have an idea that something's going on. You're dealing with a group that has since their beginning had to deal with members wanting to leave... have you ever found the chamber of Neke Seaya?" System speaks calmly, (his) hands folded in (his) lap. "If this does not work, and if they attempt to recover Kehari, I shall insure they fail."
Lysette murmurs.. "We give them a chance to decide outside of the context of the Neke. I don't know what the result would be, but I give them the choice, ultimately. I somehow imagine they know something is going on.." she nods quietly. "She is to be collared by them, System. In preparation for this, she and sabina have had larve introduced to them. When they hatch, it may be too late. They might not, if Kehari's.. weapon, works. They're symbiotic. I can't let them have her weapon, I promised. She can't use it by her own design, but if the Neke know of it, they *can* use it themselves." she sighs softly. "I very much wish I could cut and remove them from my lives. Until they go too far, though, I have to remain as I am, unless Kehari wants me to remove her.." she continues.. "Tell me about Neke Seaya? Its possible we have, though Kehari is presently sleeping, so I can't ask too deeply right now."
System nods grimly. "Understood, Lysette."
Lysette dips down quietly, and wraps her arms around System to give him a hug..
Echo says, "Neke Seaya, the story goes, was to undergo an arranged marriage to which she objected. At some point when she was left alone, she disappeared, and when her chamber was found, her body and backups had been encrypted. This was before the disappearance of Elysium, for temporal context, and the Neke had devoted the majority of their processing power at the time to recovering Seaya. All those processors are still active on the same problem. The instant they have her back, the marriage rituals continue."
System sighs quietly, hugging Lysette back, eyes closed.
Lysette raises her brows quietly.. and nods.. "This can be sought out, yes.. But, then what if we do find her?" she asks, curiously..
Echo says, "The best you can do for Seaya is to leave her as she is. She was and is Neke, and despite her independent streak probably is as dominating as any other suchlike. However, should you encounter her, perhaps it would be better to kill her and return her essence to the Neke mindpool, where others may recieve her ability to resist such dominance as they practice."
Echo says, "However, Seaya is safely out of the way for the present time. She can be ignored, unless you wish to try earning rewards be solving her encryption... but beware what the Neke claim is a reward." Lysette smiles slowly.. "Alright. We have a.. *very* powerful weapon, actually, in that regard.." she whispers.. "More than I dare say, and different than the one Kehari otherwise possesses. Afterall, she can't really use that one to harm.. but this one.."
System chuckles, squeezing at Lysette. "I think you forget the other weapon Kehari has even now, Lysette."
[OOC] Lysette says, "Of course, if you read the recently posted log, Kehari has aquired Sosael's blade. o_o"
Lysette wags just a touch to System.. "Ohh?"
System whispers, "And she has a sample of hyperconcentrated Charmvirus." to you.
Somewhere on the muck, Keharit'ciatn connected.
Lysette grins a little. "There is that, too.."
System chuckles. "You were there when I gave her her other weapon."
Echo says, "Weapons are only as effective as the warrior who wields them."
Lysette nods softly.. "In that much, I have only to trust right now.."
Echo says, "Lysette, I take back what I called you. I still think you're foolish, and Kehari more so, but I trust you more than I did yesterday."
Lysette trails.. "Echo, what do you think now? Did my story.." she trails. "A fool is just a fool in that she has the possibility to be anything yet, but has not reached it.." she smiles softly. "Perhaps I am, but I never proposed to be a master, not in that sense."
System squeezes the floating hyena close, cradling her reassuringly.
System squeezes. "You are watching over her. She will be safe."
Echo says, "So long as Lysette is safe, System. Mutual access."
System smiles slightly. "All the more reason for me to guard this end of the link."