NationStates Jolt Archive

Indgo had been happy to discover that during the week she would be required to live on campus, in a dorm room. "Anything to get away from people fussing over me." Her childhood had in no way accustomed her to the sudden fussing over her she had had to endure the last few months.

"I'd like a chance to really meet my fellow students." She finished putting the last book on the built-in book shelves that made one wall of the suite's living room. The other walls were now hidding behind mock shoji walls, with a handful of exquisite art scrolls hung for decoration. Piles of large pillows had been placed here and there with small low slung table of black laquer among them. The chairs and such that had been there were packed away. The holoscreen was hidden behind one of the mock shoji walls, which would slide aside when needed.

"Might I suggest a dinner?"

"Kai, I have no idea how to cook...and the room isn't big enough for even an informal dinner." She looked around the modest kitchen, and though the dorm suite was the largest size the campus boastes, it was still small.

"A moon viewing party?"

"Oh that's too serious. I don't think that most of the other students would enjoy that" Though Indigo's voice was wistful. Once in her teens there had been no way for the Great Ladies to ingore her existance and she had some limited interaction with others of the Court. The few Moon Viewing parties she had attended had been her favorite sort.

"Then I know just the thing, though it is not Novan at all." Kai explained about the concept of an 'Open House' and Indigo thought that might be perfect "Leave all the arrangement for me to take care of. You just let every one know that it will be tonight" the Wraith advised and vanished.

Nodding, and content to let Kai see to things, Indigo pulled out her padd and called up the list of other students in her classes. To each went out an invitation for the evening

"You are invited to an open house, Dorm suite 5A Blue Rose Hall this evening between six and eleven."

Carefully, Levek considered his options. Socialising would hardly be beneath him. It would be a chance to see what calibre of people this.. Academy brought into it.

His room was a luxurious one as well, but.. why not leave it? Go, meet some new people. He was fairly sure the girl from Nova Nippon was a purebred human, and, as such, quite suitable for him to meet. Perhaps there would be mutants there.. but then again, he could always leave, no?

Star looked at the invitation then wene back to doing her homework on the Battle of Thoth and the year and half war that was started by the attack on the ship her niece was as she listen to Links 2 3 4, by Rammstein

Samantha went into her dorm. It felt so empty, and dull. That wuld be changed very very soon. She pulled out her datapad and began to press keys. As she did various objects transported themselves into the room. As she was working away she recieved an invitation to a dorm party. Her normal clothes would not be suitable for this at all, something said a black suit made from the mixed skins of ones kills didnt fit into the whole situation very well. Samantha changed into some normal clothing from the old world. A thin white sleeved top with a dark grey t-shirt overtop and a pair of small shorts. She headed off pleased with herself.

Pat returned to his "accommodations". He found them to be rather luxurious, seeing as he had lived out in the field for the past two years. He quickly decided that he would not be able to sleep inside the dormitory. Luckily for him he had brought his bedding from his calvary unit. Then he received the invitation to the Dorm party. "Well" he thought to himself "this will conflict with my plan to steal a school vehicle but it is probably much more legal" He RSVP'ed as per the custom of his country. Then he began to work on his homework wile blasting some ancient music from the band ACDC

"An invitation?" Dominic looked away from his book to check his data pad.
"It'd give me a chance to get away from this." He looked at the Homework file of his data pad. "Might as well." He sent back an acceptance and a thanks. He then got back to his book.

Indigo looked up from her padd filled with note from various classes and stretched as Kai returned with a silent flash, surrounded with piles of bags and boxes, that he refused her help with. The Wraith was a being of few words, but a million looks which he used most skillfully to convey all manner of meanings. "Dominic and Patrick have already replied that they shall be here" She informed him with perhaps more excitement than decorum would suggest, but she had never given a party of her own before.

"I think you'd rather hear me sing than bother you with my fumbling help" Indigo laughed as Kai simply nodded. She put on the accompaniment to one of her favorites and let her well trained voice soar forth.

She began the chorus from Night Ride Across the Caucasus (http://www.atddm.com/07nightride.mp3)

"Ride on Through the night Ride on
Ride on Through the night Ride on ...
There are visions, there are memories
There are echoes of thundering hooves
There are fires, there is laughter
There's the sound of a thousand doves..."

As she sang, Kai set about setting out delicacies from the homeworlds of every student in their various classes. Some he had had to go to some trouble to acquire, but nothing he hadn't been able to deal with.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OOC: The song- there's a link to an mp.3 in the title above -it is Lorena McKinnett, Book of Secrets - this song is found in the Movie Soldier - and if you like her music, I'll suggest this YouTube, titled: Dance of Wolves, done to Lorena's Mummers Dance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8C8AVWLhwI)

A teacher burst in tears as the lilting notes drifted out an open window across campus. "It's....it's so beautiful." he sobbed.
OOC: Sorry, I couldn't resist. :D

Pat looked up and turned off his rock and roll. The sound that drifted to his ears was solemn and beautiful, and for some reason all he could think of was all his fallen comrades. A single tear fell down his cheek. Checking himself he brushed the tear away. According to Dynamic Revolution Military traditions the only way to mourn for a fallen comrade was to kill enemies. Finishing his work he went to go hunt down Dominic so they could play pool before the party

"My voice is stretched" Indigo commented with a heartfelt sigh as she finished the song and changing the music cube to something more lively. "But that is too melancholy" With that comment she vanished into her riim, returning a few minutes later clad in something far different than the casual kimono she had changed into after classes.

Kai just shook his head, he'd known when she'd changed the music what she was going to do. Nova Nippon's culture was greatly similar to that of ancient Japan, but it had some twists and turns of it's own. Including a dance style that closely resembled another anciet Terran dance. And in fact once the Novan's and Terrans had met they'd each stolen some of the others moves.

And while technically it was supposed to be reserved for a one's intended - men had their own similar style , no one had ever bothered to tell Indigo this. And once he'd become her Wraith, he didn't want to ruin her innocent fun. To her it was lively exercise and no more.

Gerrak entered his room-his roommate was going to get the bed near the door, so Gerrak could use the window at night if restless, so he hung the three wooden strips that made up a troll calendar near the bed he'd selected and set it for the date. He unpacked carefully, and sat cross-legged on the floor. Placing his spirit-drums on his lap, he began to bless the room, calling the spirits of the night to guard and protect him. When his roommate arrived, they would share the Ritual of Cohabitation, then perhaps go to the party together-it had been a busy day, but socializing was exercise for the soul.

after having a shower Star puts on the Royal Chinese Mini Dress the only thing nice enough for a party she had with her and then place her hand gun in her small handbag

"well K1 and K6 you watch the room" she said to them as she closed the door and head to the party

Failing to find Dominic Pat returned to his dorm to get ready for the party. Deciding to wear his suit and tie. Unfortunately upon further inspection he realized he had no suit. apparently it had been lost during transport. Unfortunately he had to settle for his best polo and a pair of jeans. After putting on his close he left for the party.

Dominic took a shower and then got dressed in a different, but completely the same design, suit. He only had the three of them. He left his room and headed for the open house.

"Now you need to shower" Kai said, speaking for the first time in a couple of hours, and even that much surprized Indigo a bit, as she had heard him speak more today than she had since he had shown up and announced that he was her Wraith.

"Yes, I had better hurry hadn't I!" Then she was dashing for the shower and unsweaty clothes. She was back out very quickly, with her hair down - it fell in thick rolling waves to her knees, a froth of deep sable satin - and wearing a greccan variation of a shadreez, in deep teal with wide legged pants in deep indigo silk. Her perfume was a haunting gardenia and sandalwood.

What a shalreez looks like, greccan variation (http://www.salwarkameez.org.in/_images/indowesternsalwarkameez.jpg)

She checked the chrono, it was just minutes before six...

...and Kai was going tover to open the door so guest could come and go as they pleased. He then made sure that the trays of delicacies wrere spread around on the numerous low tables. He then double checked the counter that divided the kitchen from the living room and covered with coolers filled with a vast assortment of non alcoholic drinks - which, like the finger foods set out, repersented the many cultures of Indigo's fellow students. and that the lighting was just perfect for a not overly wild party.

"There fine foods, much to drink and a beautiful hostess" Kai bowed to Indigo with a smile, and blushing she bowed back, her eyes glowing.

A swirl of silver ran beneath his skin. Illegal augmentations abounded in the Fenarine, forbidden although many were. Nanobots were but one way to improve oneself. It, like all things, came at a cost. Levek had been tweaked whilst he was still in the womb, in the time when T'velya had ruled over the entire Empire. He knew, of course. He could not fail to do so.

He was, of course, within the parameters set by the Church that defined what was truly human. Just. The strains of the song drifted out across the campus, and Levek felt a shiver run down his spine. His highly developed sense of aetheticism was brought into play, and he knew the song, by most palettes, would be considered fairly pretty. He did not.

"Irritating..", he murmured. It was time for his nightly purge, in any case, before he went to the party.

"Purge. Pain.", he stated. His roommate was still out, making this convinient.

His nerves exploded into terrible pain, forcing his hands into strange contortions, clawed and balled, twisting in obvious agony. He could control the rest. Writhing on the bed was not something he wished to do whilst possibly in front of other people.

As suddenly as it had came, the stimulation of his nerves by endless swarms of nanobots disappeared, and the second, more frightening stage, began.

He floated in a sea of darkness, unable to move - unable to see, hear, touch, smell or even taste. Sensory deprivation within his own body. The worst of all tortures. Each second in the hellish state his own beliefs brought him to was like a decade.

It lasted for five seconds. Then it was gone, and he awoke, finding himself in control of his body once more. He slipped off his bed, and showered, putting on a set of clean, suitable underclothes. What to wear? His decision was simple. He was one who stood to inherit the T'velya lordship. To be humble was to disparage his origins, but to be opulent would merely pinpoint his location to the Houses who might wish him dead. His small wardrobe had few options, so he chose a blue shirt, which was, like all his clothes, designed for defence above all, and a pair of white pants.

"As one combats another, to act is to find life. Inaction is death. Thus, to move early and well is to find victory, and indecision serves not the greater mankind."

He recited the catechism by rote, another passage of the books he had studied so closely before coming here. Why not leave now? He would arrive a minute before six o'clock.. even though such a time was an anachronism off Earth.

So inclined, he left, locking the door behind him. His roommate had a key, as well, so he would not be denying them access to the room.

Arriving at Indigo's house, he knocked on the door, and waited. He was sure he had seen the Nova Nippon students before, but he had never talked to them.

The spirits of Darkness filled the room, guarding, protecting. Gerrak was pleased-though not a shaman (yet), he had done passably well blessing his quarters-or perhaps he simply soothed his soul by performing the ritual. Either he was assigned a private room, or his roommate had not arrived yet--at any rate, he did not want to offend either Indigo or Kai by being more than what humans termed "fashionably late", so he set a snare at the door, and headed out the window-this was a party, and he would not come empty-handed.
(Time passes)
Gerrak soon was at the dormroom door, hefting a large sack of birds, some porcupines, hedgehogs, and a couple of badgers he'd brought down in the woods. He would have preferred to have a single, large carcass, but Zong had decreed no large animals would be claimed tonight. Still, it was better than showing up empty-handed, and he believed there'd be enough everyone should have a morsel at least.
When he was greeted at the door by Kai, he bowed and offered the sack.--I apologize, but hunting was scarce.--He looked at the dainty finger foods set out,--well, at least I did as well as any--

Unexpectedly, Sgt. Keela appears behind Gerrak. "I'll need to talk to you for a moment please."
She leads him down the hall aways. "The thing is, see, trophy hunting is not allowed here on Xiscapia. Anywhere. If you eat what you catch, that's fine. Are you intending to eat all that, or will it be distributed?" She points to the sack of dead animals. A gang of people pass, random Xiscapians and Alversians showing up for the party- Most invited, some not.

Gerrak nodded-"Fur pardee-bring fud be gud gest-all eat fud me bring-or bad gest-no trow-fee, Sarj-me bring fur eatz-zee?" he reached in the sack and pulled out a squirrel carcass, which he bit off half of and ate with gusto and much lip-smacking, then held out the remainder for her."Yu eatz tu?"
(OOC:troll etiquette in play-Gerrak brought party snacks, as is meet and proper in troll society. Sadly, the troll taboo on fire means they eat everything raw)

OOC: So do we, although we definitly perfer it cooked.
IC: Keela took the other half of the squirrel and ripped off a chunk. "Thanks. If you're going to eat it, that's fine, and some of the Xiscapians might, but raw meat isn't exactly popular among most of the species here. Remember though: It's the thought that counts, huh?" She finished the meat and licked her lips and fingers. "Anyway, just letting you know." She walked away, turning several passing male heads to stare at her form in the tight military fatigues.

When Lerek T'velya arrived and rapped on the door frame Indigo rose gracefully but swiftly and met him with a half bow. They had Xeno Studies and Nations of the Universe together though they had not been formally introduced or conversed until now

"Lord T'velya? I am so glad that you could come. Please make yourself confortable" She gestured daintily at the carous piles of large confortable floor pillows scttered about the dorm suites spacious living room. "Would you care for something to drink? We have goodies for all over, please feel free to make your selfat hom "She offered, then blushed "I'm Indigo Blue and that is Kai" She laid her hand on Kai's upper arm as he came to stand next to her and welcome their first guest. Standing together one realized how tall he actually was, easily six foot six and broad shouldered in proportion.

http://www.atddm.com/bar3.gif slightly later...

Indigo and Kai had warmly welcomed all of those who appeared, wether they were in the same classes or not.

It was Kai who was greeting people as they arrived when Greeak appeared with a bag in hand. Howver Sergeant Keela appeared hard on his heels and drew Gerrak aside for a bit Kai waited untill Gerrak had returned from the brielf conversation with Sergeant Keela.

.--I apologize, but hunting was scarce, well, at least I did as well as any--

Kai took the sack and smiled as he looked within, and replied in Shadowspeech "Gerrak, you do not know how much I have missed a meal that looks as good as this does. I'll will remove the feathers and hides " he lowered his voice conspiratorily "most here don't realise what are the good parts. I'll save those for you and I. Would you like the badger's claws? They might make a fine toy for a infant relative. Among the thin-skins they have a doughty reputation"

Indigo had a free moment after making sure the latest arrivals had found places to sit and their choice of foods to nibble on. She looked in the sack with interest and her eyes brightened "For the party Gerrak? That is so sweet of you" She started to throw her arms about him and stopped looking uncertain. "Is it permissible to give you a hug Gerrak?"

Gerrak's color deepened, and as he cast nervously about, saw the Xiscapian moon through the window. "Beautious Eye of Xentha/Bouyant Silver Bird/Guide me in my hour of need." he said to the moon. Humans were strange-the request for an embrace was mere affection, as with his huntbrothers, not a prelude to lovemaking. He thanked Xentha for her insight, and addressed Indigo. "Of courz-mor me pleazure den yurs."

Star walks in and founds a shadow to stand in and watch all

Pat went to knock on the door but before he can even touch the wood with his knuckles the door was opened by Kai. Pat bowed to Kai then produced two small bottles of what the people of Dynamic Revolution called Necter for inspection by the host. Necter is well known in Dynamic Revolution for its calming effects, it brings a sense of comradeship to those who drink it together and it is very expensive. It is tradition to have a round of Necter with your squad-mates, and is one of the few non-religious traditions. The feeling passes after roughly an hour but the people involved always seem to speak fondly of the experience. Pat had a sneaking suspicion that Kai knew all this already so he didn't explain.

"Of courz-mor me pleazure den yurs."

With her dimples flashing Indigo hugged Gerrak gently, though it seemed as if she had little expereince hugging "Thank you Gerrak for hunting for us. I am sure that every bit of prey that you brought will be consumed with delight. However I will let Kai prepare it, my poor skills aren't worthy of such" She ushered the Muri in and mentioned "Kai found something that he says is a favored libation on your homeworld. And there is some lotus finn sushi that I think you will enjoy." She made sure that he had a plate of assorted sushi and a over sized tankard of the Murian beverage. "Be welcome to my home Gerrak, you are always welcome with in" She spoke lightly but with a formal undertone. She liked Gerrak and hoped he'd visti often.

However Star's entry had not escaped the hostess's eyes and Indigo excused herself from Gerrak and went over to where Star stood in a shadow. "Star, would you care for something to drink or a tray of nibble foods?" She didn't want her to feel ignored or left out. "Why don't you come sit by Gerrak. I heard that you and he did very well in the sniping class today."

http://www.atddm.com/bar3.gif

Kai had set out a tray of the various meats - fowl, badger, porcupine, and hedgehog - that Gerrak had brought, makeing sure that at least one tray was in easy reach of the Troll. His senses told him that Pat approached and he went to the door.

He returned Pats bow and inspected the small bottles with a delighted look. "Pat this is a gift worthy of a king. I shall serve it to our classmates at once. Come on in and make yourself at home, you are welcome at any time. Now what is your choice of snack food, we've got quite a variety spread about, and a variety of beverages a well." Kai siad as he brought out a tray of small glasses - they hadn't been there before, but they were needed... - and carefully poured the Nectar in them, and began offering them around.

Gerrak wondered at that-food was too sacred to be sold on Pamaltela, and was only given to friends. He sniffed at the tankard--it was Powzie!, fermented mammal blood with an alcohol content so high it was classified a poison on human worlds and banned entirely on at least a dozen. Powzie! was to the Muri what tea was to the British--Kai must have brewed it himself, or simply willed it. Gerrak's fetch was not yet awakened, but he knew the spirits were powerful and capable of much more than they ever showed, and Kai-and Indigo as well-were much more than they seemed.
Indigo was being the dutiful hostess to Star-perhaps she could heal that poor, sad girl-and Kai was greeting Pat at the door. As huntbrothers, Gerrak should share his drink with Pat, but Powzie! would be fatal. He decided it would be best to avoid Pat until he was drinking something less toxic.

Dominic knocked at the door, which was opened by Kai. He bowed, then presented a small basket. Opening it, there were numerous small, green apple-shaped jellies.
"Gel apples. Native to Tor'ath. They taste quite nice, and are known for their calming effects." Noting Star in the corner, he thought, Seems I was right to bring them.

Lerek nodded slowly, seeming to notice Kai for the first time. He bowed his head slightly. A degree of respect, though not deference.

"Greetings, Indigo, if I may call you that. I may ask, though, that you not use the term "Lord". Merely address me as you would any other, if you would be so kind."

There was no more need for greetings, he felt. Well, apart from the others. Some he knew, others he had heard of by reputation.

The troll - an interesting creature, no doubt, he dismissed. Although, in terms of brute strength, it could potentially be useful, all he had managed to find out indicated they were hardly a power among the stars. Their society was not open to their useage as mercenaries and shock troops, so far as he knew, and there was no real point in pursuing friendship with non-humans - not that he disliked such creatures, merely that there was rarely common ground enough to form strong relationships.

Star. The peculiar one, by all accounts. One merely spoke to students, and they found her.. strange. Then again, by the views of many in the school, he would be worse than strange. He filed her name under someone he could potentially use. She seemed too unstable to be a confidant, though, or an ally.

Pat. Friendly, but seemingly harmless. Although Lerek had learned not to rely on first impressions overmuch, the man seemed to lack the raw animal instinct a creature such as the troll would possess, nor the ruthlessness and anger of others. It was doubtful he would be of any use to him. Though, of course, friendship, while secondary to anyone desiring the High Lordship of a clan, it was still enjoyable, while it lasted. Inevitably, friendships crumbled and destroyed under the weight of necessary evils - decisions one had to make, but.. while they lasted.

He looked over at Kai. He was not entirely sure what he was, and so.. well, it seemed best to ask.

He stepped over to Kai, and spoke. "Forgive me if I seem rude, but I am curious - what precisely are you? I mean no offense, and forgive me if I give any, but, nonetheless, you seem capable of things.. most would not."

"Star, would you care for something to drink or a tray of nibble foods?" She didn't want her to feel ignored or left out. "Why don't you come sit by Gerrak. I heard that you and he did very well in the sniping class today."

"no thank you i can only eat food from my Food Replicator right now and i have my own drink and i'am happy standing here waiting for something been sent for you and please i don't want to talk about school as i just finish a 60 page report for class that not apart of the schooling here"

Gerrak left the party, telling Kai--I have a lot of studying for tomorrow, but wanted to pay my respects. Please give my apologies to our hostess.--
He headed back to his dorm room to study--translating the tiny Xiscapian script to Muri knot-writing would be a massive undertaking.

Samantha finally got to the dorm room and knocked. She waited patiently for someone to let her in. In the meantime she rocked back and forth on her heels pondering why the hallways didnt have rounded roofs instead of flat ones. It had always amazed her that humans so much enjoyed their straight lines, the Shakal enjoyed them also, but not for asthetic pruposes, simply for effeciency.

Gel apples. Native to Tor'ath. They taste quite nice, and are known for their calming effects."

"They look delecious Dominic, come on in and I'll trade you those for a glass of Pat's awesome Nectar. I think you'll enjoy it." He handed Dominic one of the small glasses filled with the potent Liquor from Pat's homeworld. He made sure the Gel Apples were laid out decoratively on a tray and passed them around making sure Star had seen them. He hoped that something would help herand ease the sorry she carried so heavily.

"Forgive me if I seem rude, but I am curious - what precisely are you? I mean no offense, and forgive me if I give any, but, nonetheless, you seem capable of things.. most would not."

Indigo had good hearing and the question asked of Kai as he circulated with the gel apples- she was neatly taking small bites and enjoying every delicious morsel - she must remember to thank Dominic for his kindly gift, and Pat for the wonderful Nectar - she was sipping a glass of that as well - but despite the remarkable mellowness the pair combined to produce she froze and looked at Lerek in utter astonishment. "Kai, no" She whispered. Indigo knew some of what a Wraith could do, and that was enough to chill her to the bone, for if he decided to take offense...

'I am many things, but mostly capable of filling my giri." Kai replied lightly " But never consider me, or Indigo, as someone you can use" The tone and the look did not change, but something told Lerek that this was something to be believed with all the force of conviction Lerek could muster. "and no, no offense taken. It is a question many have asked"

--I have a lot of studying for tomorrow, but wanted to pay my respects. Please give my apologies to our hostess.--

Kai turned away from Lerek, to speak with the Muri in Shadow Speech "I am sorry that you can not stay longer Gerrak, I thank you for the sacred gift of food. I hope to become your friend. What food I have is ever yours."

Indigo did not understand what was said between Gerrak and Kai, she could not really hear Shadowspeech, but she saqw him leaving and jumped up to go inquire of him as to why.

However the door had barely closed behind him when some one knocked and Indigo opened it to find Samantha there. "Oh Hello! It's good to seethat you could come Samanth? Is that right I'm sorry that we didn't get introduced earlier, but please come in and make yourself comfortable."

Asd Samantha entered Indigo stepped out to see if she could see Gerrak and speak with him. But her shoulders slumped slightly, the Muri had moved so fast that he was down the stairs and gone already. Saddened that she hadn't moved faster she hid the sadness away and turned to make sure that Samantha was getting settled in and meeting the others.

Pat couldn't help but notice his fireteam/hunt brothers exit, Pat wondered if he was ok and decided to stop by his room to talk to him about it. Pat looked over to Dominic to see if he had also noticed Gerrak's exit.