Lysette and the recently freed Kehari? make their way to the Night Gardens in Top Warp to meet with Atcinna after she responded to a Letter? written just prior to the black vixen's release. The question of Symbiotes and the standing of both sides in this formerly feuding group is decided, and both the couple and a faction find themselves, by the end, friends.
Players Involved:
Night Gardens: Gate(#329RLJA)
The vast, linked caverns that make up the Night Gardens are alive with cool breezes and glimmering lights. Phosphorescent, bell-like blooms hang from the arching branches of trees, casting their eerie glow through the mist. Everywhere are pale, mysterious plants and fungi, all slender stalks and fleshy crowns. Small creatures - insects, birds and others - scuttle about the underbrush and flit through the dripping canopy. Fireflies wink as they sail overhead. The air is heavy with moisture, and with the perfumes of a million flowers... and it is thick with music.
A composition in itself, the Gardens resound with the nocturnal songs of its precisely tweaked resident creatures: the buzz and chirp of insects; the sharp, descending whistles of birds; the trills of amphibians matching one another in ever-shifting harmony. Even the plants take part in the symphony. Some have long, rattling seed pods or crystalline leaves that ring when stirred, like wind chimes. Others have hollow trunks which serve as resonating chambers for curious, long-legged birds, or as drums for the complex polyrhythms of woodpeckers.
The entrance to the Gardens is marked by a round arch of mossy stone. From here, steps lead <up> and away into darkened tunnels. Through the arch, a pathway made of broad, flat stones winds <in>ward through the thick foliage.
Atcinna
Long-limbed and pale green. Atcinna's face is slender, and to a chordate, would seem to smile gently. Her antennae wave, curious and graceful, and her arms are likewise in constant, easy motion, like a tree in the wind, like elegantly made clockwork. Her narrow thorax with its impossible waist gives way to a voluptuous abdomen, the segmented curve of which tapers to a delicate point. And as her wings unfurl, they are clear as glass, divided into narrow panes by veins of jet black. Their pattern, merely decorative to an outsider, and the deep ultraviolet fringe at the tips of her wings, signify to her kin a state of mourning.
A net of dark, glittering strands clings to her streamlined form. Dozens of hollow baubles hang in neat rows around her neck, and it is from these that her voice seems to emerge, the chirps and clicks of dozens of tiny insects summed into phonemes. A choir in miniature strung across her flaring shoulders.
Atcinna contemplates a softly glowing spray of flowers, even her antennae still at the moment. She turns as you approach, and bows graciously. "Good evening," she thrums, using Standard rather than her own tongue.
Lysette will, if nothing else stops her of course, be drifting along with Kehari in tow, collar expressed even in the form she's in this time around, a leash hooked to it as she grapples forward. Gravity free hyena drifts elegantly enough. She's dressed much better than her desc would suggest - Grace's gifted dress rests a velvet green on her black and white furred surface, and though simple, is elegant enough. When she's turned to and bowed to, she brings herself and Kehari to a stop, pulling herself to plant feet on the ground, and offering, as best she can, something akin to a full curtsy. "Good evening, and thank you for agreeing to this meeting. I am Lysette Baden Mitza, of course." she offers, black lips drawing back in a slow, easy smile.
Kehari walks along at Lysette's guidance, much as she was when Atcinna saw her last save for the collar now visible around her neck, leash leading back to the hyena's hand. She stops a half-step behind Lysette, at her side, and nods politely to Atcinna. She doesn't think she needs to introduce herself.
Kehari folds her hands in front of her and remains quiet, simply watching.
Atcinna's antennae flicker. "Of course. Neke Atcinna, I am called. We greet you and thank you for the kind invitation to meet." Her hands clasp before her as she bows lightly again. Her head rarely turns, though her round eyes surely examine every inch of both hyena and chitin-vixen.
Lysette's eyes rest a warm green, illuminating her black muzzle with a little sheen. She straightens herself out, her tail clicking slowly. "Though perhaps many of the original intents of my proposed meeting are now moot, there are old questions still, a new ones to boot." she offers, seeming to smile, a hint of white teeth shown, and the gap where one is missing. "First I'd like to say, I and my mate and pet only really want peace. We don't want any argument or bad blood between any of us, like for a while, I'm quite sorry, we've touched on."
Kehari reaches behind her with a lower hand and retrieves a small stasis cylinder from under her wingcase to hold it in front. She bows slightly once more and hisses, o/~I believe I came to a misunderstanding regarding certain of the Neke motivations and took drastic action when none was warranted. For that I am sorry.o/~
Atcinna nods her head slowly at Lysette. "I am gllad to hear it," she says. "We too would like to avoid further conflict. Actions were taken in haste, and we hope they will be forgiven by all." Her head tilts slightly as she looks at Kehari's cylinder, and she listens, one antenna tilted curiously. Somewhere on the muck, Frostbyte disconnected.
Lysette's head bows lightly, smiling. "The Neke have aroused fear, for one reason or another. I wasn't too aware of it before our own incident. We're sorry for interfering outright - we should have tried diplomacy regarding sabina first, but we were encouraged by the Architecture and sabina's own pleas." she offers, her ears laying flat. "But it was not our place, and we've learned just the consequences of misunderstanding rather painfully." she continues, in quiet confession. She gestures back to Kehari, and the cylinder.. "Please, dear, explain our situation in regards to her and that.."
Atcinna's antennae flatten, and she gives a twitter of amusement. "Ah, the Architects, of course. And their exciteable kitten-slave. We understand..."
Kehari nods and raises the cylinder before her. o/~sabina's unique body chemistry is what allows her to survive the ordeals she's put through. It promotes rapid healing along with some other biological functions. Had we not acted in time, her own body would have rejected and likely destroyed her larva.o/~ She holds the cylinder out to Atcinna. o/~This is Neke Xictyn.o/~
Lysette nods to Atcinna, smiling just a bit. Then, glances back to Kehari.. "sabina is, now, under our complete ownership. So we've felt that this was the best short term solution, and acted upon it. We don't quite know much about the larvae, but enough to have successfully separated and left this one in stasis."
A broad-winged bird sails through the trees overhead.
Atcinna nods, stepping closer to accept the cylinder. Her swarm hum softly. "We are very grateful for her safe return. Her implantation was perhaps ill-considered. Our sister is... young and inexperienced, and we regret if her actions caused offense." She bows deeply, her wings folded tightly.
Kehari bows slightly and relinquishes the cylinder to Atcinna's hands. o/~It was understandable under the circumstances. However, this leaves the status of Neke Maygia in the air. I was not able to remove her from myself.o/~ Featureless sky blue eyes look up at Atcinna as she lets the unasked question hang in the air.
Atcinna's antennae skew slightly. She hums softly for a moment, and nods. "By now I fear it may be too late to reverse the implantation. It is difficult to gauge, given the interactions between our separate biologies, but..." She shuffles her wings. Nervously?
Kehari's eyes blink-click and shimmer as she looks at Lysette, lips twisted with thoughtful hesitation.
Lysette's tail softly clicks side to side.. "She was doing as she knew best, I'm sure, Neke Atcinna. Sometimes, one can do everything right and still do wrong, though.." she offers, with a bow to her to her head in response. She watches Atcinna a moment later, and then, Kehari, breathing in slowly with a faint whistle through her broken tooth, inadvertent.. "We don't wish to harm Neke Maygia.. But, nor do I wish my pet and mate, Kehari, harmed.. Perhaps there is a happy medium to be found.." she posits, glancing back curiously.. "I would like to study.. but have refrained from anything invasive, as its not my place just yet, and I wished no harm.. What does this connection entail and mean, though, along the way and ultimately?"
Atcinna flitters. "Our symbiotes have many roles," she says, cautiously. "Our Maygia is primarily a scout, if you will... later in her cycle she is to depart her host and pupate, wherupon she will continue her duties as an adult."
Kehari considers that. She /could/ kill off Maygia if she wanted or needed to, but she doesn't want to fracture what might be a fragile peace... o/~How long can that take, before she pupates?o/~
Lysette nods warmly, gesturing for a moment.. "Perhaps we should sit for a time?" she asks, glancing to Kehari, her tail clicking. There seem to be some suitable tree trunks or rocks or the like, its a well designed garden afterall. She also glances inside, but then back to Atcinna. "That is somewhat of a relief.. though, I'm not sure what it will do to my vixen during that time period.. I would like to know, in general, but being that she's mine, I'll be observing. Is there anything you can explain about the various effects that the symbiosis has? It seems that a link might form.." Somewhere on the muck, Ataxia connected.
Atcinna waves a hand. "Please do," she says, with a nod of her head. "Your vixen will come to no harm, I assure you." Another pause. "Neke Maygia is made to form a connection with her host's nervous system, of course. She is a... a presence, but one hopes not an intrusive one." Kehari murmurs, o/~I cannot feel her yet... If I carry Maygia to term, what sort of care will she need. For that matter, what sort of care will I need?...o/~
A castanet-like rattle echoes in the distance, its source a mystery.
Lysette nods softly.. "I believe you. I'll still keep a close eye on her, but I would regardless of this or not. Neke Maygia cannot simply stay with us, if during this time she is to be learning, or at least learning enough to stand on her own feet after she's birthed.." she continues, her tail clicking slowly.. "Unless I'm mistaken? I don't want to hold what will one day be a full fledged member of the Neke from you during her forming period." She quietly sits, pulling Kehari softly down to sit at her side with a quiet tug to the leash. Mind you, she remains grappled to the ground to do this. "I'd rather like to know all about the process, honestly, and what is normally done, out of curiosity as well, benign I intend."
Kehari moves sideways to Lysette's side, sinking to her knees with hands folded in pairs on her lap.
Atcinna thrums softly. "She must return to us for the emergence. Not as large a body as the young your species bear. And there she will grow and pupate. For now, your vixen's experiences shall feed her..."
Lysette's tail clicks softly.. "She will come to know what my vixen experiences, what she learns?" she asks, curiously.. "There.. is a lot that may happen, that.. would be very sensitive.." she continues. Her hand drops from the leash for the moment and rests on Kehari's thigh, fingers brushing the solid surface. "What happens after such a point where her experiences alone will not suffice?"
Kehari's fingers slowly twine about each other, the chitin ridge over her eyes drawn low by thought.
Atcinna nods. "She will. But she shall keep her secrets. And when they are enough, it will be her time to emerge."
Lysette brushes a hand to her forehead.. "Still. It leaves you quite tied in with us.." she responds. "But, that could be okay.." she continues, smiling slowly. "We're already on friendly terms. Maybe we can be on still better terms in time, if possible.." she continues. Her tail curls around her hip slowly.. "This should help the Neke's image, I think, if we all agree. Kehari could be a good example of how things can work out well."
A swarm of insects takes to the air, their buzzing wings creating a rich, sonorous drone.
Lysette's ears follow the insects, and her eyes dim just a little, so they don't overpower Actinna's vision as she looks to her, and illuminates her to some extent from her seated spot.
Kehari nods slowly, coming to roughly the same conclusion. o/~Neke Atcinna,o/~ she begins, looking up at the Chitin Queen, o/~my quarrel was never with the Neke way of life. My actions were a means to an end to cause the Neke distress, something I later found to be entirely unnecessary. Perhaps by doing this, I can put a better face on the Neke, and perhaps people will see that their own interruptions aren't required.o/~
Atcinna nods, and hums, her voice mingling with the sounds of the gardens. "Indeed," she says thoughtfully. "We... would like to keep our affairs quiet, certainly. It is difficult with so many outsiders concerning themselves with what goes on in our Palace." She tilts her head, gazing at Lysette, then Kehari. "Yes... scout and ambassador, perhaps," she says, with a slightly humorous flicker of antennae.
Lysette nods softly.. "There are those I'm sure who will still think Kehari is somehow doing this against her will. But I can assure them otherwise, and in that, they'll listen to me. Or look at me as a great evil, but I'm long used to being called names." she offers, grinning slowly.
Kehari smiles wanly, grudginly amused. o/~Ah, what of the nectar?o/~ she wonders, antennae arching slightly. o/~Will I need it for Maygia's development? And what of sabina?o/~
Atcinna strokes her chin with a delicate finger. "It might well be useful to us, yes." She bobs her head. "Nectar is good for growing [scout-symbiotes], indeed. It is good and convenient that you have your kitten for that..."
Kehari had a feeling that was the case. She tries to not smirk so much and mostly succeeds. o/~I understand, mistress,o/~ she says quietly with a bob of her head.
Lysette murmurs.. "I think I've been made resistant to most of the more deeply affecting aspects of the nectar.." she comments. "Though, I still do like it quite a bit.." she grins just a bit. "I can make sure my vixen keeps in good health, and Magiya as well.." she continues.. She gestures to Kehari.. "She's not to have any mistresses before me, but, in that context, I can.. give her to you, for what you need, here and there.." she chuffs, glancing to the side at the black vixen.
Kehari's antennae twitter but she remains motionless otherwise, simply watching a small neon yellow bug busy pollenating a group of chartreuse flowers.
Atcinna flutters lightly, and nods. "We would be in your debt, Lyset-ccimx, and Kehar'taiv-bn..." Her tone is respectful, as appropriate in speaking to an allied clan and pet-of-clan.
Kehari whispers, "~*provides translation* Wow, I can't believe things turned around so fast...~" to you.
Lysette smiles warmly. "I am not a harsh debtor, Neke Atcinna. I just want to be happy, ultimately, and I want the same for my vixen." she continues, bowing her head again. "Perhaps you or other members of the Neke would indulge me, speak to me about similar interests such as biology and social structure of master and servant, the complexities of your language. I try at being polite, but I am not trained beyond the physical arts of letter making, which I hoped you enjoyed." she grins just a bit, pleasantly of course. "I would offer own words and services perhaps, in turn. Perhaps the strengthening of a bond will be a debt paid on both sides."
Somewhere in the underbrush, a cricket sings.
You whisper, "~*responds post translation* Misunderstandings.. we've been damaged by this, but its no damage we can't overcome.. perhaps, it can be made to better us, even. I like to think all of this will turn out as these words have suggested they may..~" to Kehari.
Atcinna nods, particularly at mention of the letter, antennae fanning out. She bows deeply. "We will be happy to speak to you of such things, yes. I hope we have much to offer one another."
Kehari whispers, "~Mmm, she's speaking in future terms. I think we're done here...~" to you.
Lysette watches the fanning antennae and smiles brightly. Perhaps if she knew the proper etiquette, she might even enquire if she might touch one. "Thank you, Neke Actinna. If there is nothing left to discuss, we need not impose on you any longer.." she offers, leaning forward to bow her head slowly..
You whisper, "~For now, I suppose we are. But its just begun anew, really.. Better this time..~" to Kehari.
Kehari follows suit, bowing from what passes for her waist.
Atcinna nods, hands folded in pairs before her. "We thank you for this meeting. It has been a pleasure to speak with you. I shall look forward to the next."
Lysette slowly rises, her hand wrapping around Kehari's leash again as she draws her up. She degrapples from the ground, and drifts perhaps a foot upward, offering a hand out to Atcinna, as a gesture - it could be taken, of course, but its mostly laid out before her as she speaks.. "We look forward to any invitations you may have for us.." she chuffs, and smiles warmly/.
Kehari rises to her feet and takes a slow deep breath, relaxing a bit now that the meeting seems to be over and gone well.
Atcinna opens her arms and bows gently. "Yes," she purrs. "Until then, thank you and farewell, [friends-of-the-hive]."
Kehari whispers, "~*translation*~" to you.
Lysette smiles brightly after a moment, and lets her arm drift over. "Thank you, then, too, our friend. Until then, we'll be safe and well, or else we'll let you know, as you too have something invested in us." she responds after a bit of translation through Kehari. She grapples, clicks, and leads her vixen out for the night, at least for now.
Atcinna heads inward toward the centre of the Gardens.
Atcinna has left.
Kehari ripples and changes, her imilexene flowing and reconfiguring into a blue bodysuit with silver plating.
Kehari says, "I... Boy, I never thought it would turn out quite like this..."
Kehari looks down at her belly warily.
Lysette's arm quietly curls over your shoulder as she drifts out with you, letting you do some of the walking as she holds.. She places a hand on your belly, her fingers stroking side to side.. "Well, its almost like you accidentally got knocked up.. But at least there's a 'foster parent' on the way.." she smiles a bit.. "Don't worry. I can't lose you, and I'm not even in danger of needing to try to hold too hard onto you, I think.. it seems like we can let things just.. progress.. You don't have to be so scared as we all were.."
Kehari giggles. "Take me home, ma'am!"