NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This was spun off from the RP known as "Endless Vacation." (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=534166) To get people up to speed, this thread follows the Abh officer known as Ceilia, who is staying with a host family, the Landers, down on New Dornalia--in particular, Long Beach, CA. So far, they've been at a museum, talked about some stuff, visited a few exhibits--let's see what happens next!

IC:

Ceilia almost lets the matter drop realizing that it is a touchy subject. However, Abriels have a tendency of being a bit persistent in their questioning. "I can understand your fear but just remember. The male species can be just as fidgety around us so their is nothing to truly be afraid of."

With that, the Abriel lets it go to give Lynn her peace while she scans the remaining racks.

Lynn sighed and wiped her brow, shivering slightly from the shock of it all. In some ways, she was glad to have that conversation end. Talking about Roy made her get all tingly inside; not the good kind of tingle when you opened a Christmas present, but the kind of tingle when you're afraid. What if Roy rejected her? I mean, she was kind of reserved, glasses-endowed and he was on the Football team. But then again, he seemed to be friendly enough to her. Maybe she was just afraid? Wait....

"Yes, that's it," she thought. "It's fear! Maybe this lady does know what she is talking about."

She smiled as she milled over Ceilia's observations, and decided to go back to the racks of stuff too. She picked out a few books about aircraft along with a model F-4 Phantom II, and then began going around to see what the others were doing.

As it turned out, Howard was wandering about aimlessly through the store. He wasn't too interested in military gear. He knew the military well enough, but it just wasn't him. As such, he didn't quite understand his sister's obsession with her things. The show of militaria all around him was pretty boring to him to say the least. Then again, she didn't get his love of film and music and things she dubbed "artsy-fartsy." Ah well. People like her who fawned over lumps of plastic wouldn't get real art, like good cinema. Not that medical crap she watched on TV.

Howard rolled his eyes as he leaned up against the wall and could only wonder to himself, "Why am I here? My sister loves this stuff, not me....damnit. I'd better get something good tonight." He then looked at the shelves of movies, and all he saw among the discs and chips were documentaries and war movies. Nothing too outstanding. Although they had The Real Doom, and that was a good movie.

And, they had Purge! Nice. Based on the Warhammer 40,000 universe, it was not a bad movie in terms of plot, but better in terms of action. Ooh, and it was the Uberawesome Collection edition too, with extra footage, director's commentary, essays, accompanying video.....yummy. He picked it off the shelf and decided to watch it tonight, giving The 1,300 Yard Killer a rest.

As he turned from the movie shelf, Howard bumped into Lynn, who said, "Hey, man." Lynn looked at the copy of Purge! in his hands, and said with a frown, "I see we're indulging in obscure, overpriced movies with extras we'll never see."

At that point, Howard replied sternly, "And I see we haven't yet learned to appreciate good cinema." He then walked off, refusing to continue the conversation.

Ceilia watched as Lynn left with more items in hand and disappeared around another aisle. The Abriel had collected a couple of models that would go well in her quarters aboard a starship or just something that would simply please one of the younger Abriels at the royal palace. She also had an action figure of Jacinta the Bold who seemed like an interesting figure in Dornalian history and one that might serve well in the Abh's continual understanding of their allies.

With enough toys and goods to keep her mail service occupied, Ceilia made her way over to a check out counter to put her items down. She had switched over her skuls to the Dornalian currency but the money exchange was still a little fuzzy to her. Hopefully she had not collected too much on the first shopping stop. It would be a little embarassing to spend so much money so soon.

The lady at the checkout counter looked up at Ceilia, and said with a grin, "Hi, and welcome to the National Military Museum's gift shop." If the lady didn't like her job, well, she didn't show it with that grin. She took the goods and ran them through a scanner. As she scanned the Jacinta the Bold action figure, she giggled a little, saying with a sly grin, "I got one of these for my boyfriend the other day. He's into these Cast-Off figures, you know. Naughty naughty...."

Lynn, meanwhile, found her parents sitting down on a bench. Lynn held her goods up and replied, "I'll be at the checkout counter." With that, Mr. Landers only replied, "Alrighty then. I'll be there soon." Turning to the woman next to him, his wife Jane, he mused, "Must be time to get going, eh?" They then got up as Lynn left, wandering to follow her.

Ceilia looked confused when the girl checking her merchandise out suddenly giggled at the Jacinta the Bold figure. Her pointed ears drooped when she heard the term "cast-off". Now completely lost, the Abriel was wondering if her understanding of Galactic Standard was lacking or she just did not understand the Dornalian dialect.

It was rather embarassing to be in the dark about certain customs when visiting a foreign land. She had studied everything she could before departing on her trip, but this apparently new term was missing from her studies. Ceilia scratched the side of her cheek for a moment. "Excuse me, but what is a 'cast-off'?"

Ceilia looked confused when the girl checking her merchandise out suddenly giggled at the Jacinta the Bold figure. Her pointed ears drooped when she heard the term "cast-off". Now completely lost, the Abriel was wondering if her understanding of Galactic Standard was lacking or she just did not understand the Dornalian dialect.

It was rather embarassing to be in the dark about certain customs when visiting a foreign land. She had studied everything she could before departing on her trip, but this apparently new term was missing from her studies. Ceilia scratched the side of her cheek for a moment. "Excuse me, but what is a 'cast-off'?"

OOC: For those of you reading, I didn't make up Cast Offs. The Japanese really did invent these figures. Proof comes from any search on J-List.

IC:

The clerk looked at her and gave a good chuckle. The expression in her eyes suggested surprise, but also good-humored acceptance of Ceilia's ignorance. After all, foreigners weren't necessarily expected to be up to date with Dornalian slang.

She then leaned forward, and looked about. She then whispered into Ceilia's ear, mischeviously, "Between you and me, girl....the Japanese invented Cast Offs, see. Funny bunch of people; they can be quite the innovators and paragons of human society but also quite bizarre. Cast Off action figures basically have predetermined bits of clothing, see, that can be removed by the user. Depending on who's making it, it can either reveal underwear, or hell, bare flesh. Even the bits they normally throw fuzz over on the Holonet programs. This one happens to be the latter, see. Savvy?"

She then leaned back, smiling at her manager, who coughed subtly. She then said, "Hope the person you get it for loves 'er. Total'll be $75."

Ceilia wasn't exactly sure what to do with the figure now as she had not intended on giving it to anyone else. Now it looked like she would be forced to find a male counterpart that might be interesting in it. Hmm. Perhaps Lynn might find it useful for the male she was describing. Terran men seemed to be drawn by such figures, perhaps she could find a use for it.

The Abriel fished around for the appropriate money. Luckily the currency was all marked with a numerical value so there was no problem coming up with the $75. Ceilia thanked the clerk and hurried off to find Lynn and see if she could use the figurine.

Ceilia wasn't exactly sure what to do with the figure now as she had not intended on giving it to anyone else. Now it looked like she would be forced to find a male counterpart that might be interesting in it. Hmm. Perhaps Lynn might find it useful for the male she was describing. Terran men seemed to be drawn by such figures, perhaps she could find a use for it.

The Abriel fished around for the appropriate money. Luckily the currency was all marked with a numerical value so there was no problem coming up with the $75. Ceilia thanked the clerk and hurried off to find Lynn and see if she could use the figurine.

Lynn, as it turned out, was standing in line with her things, mainly the books and model aircraft. Admittedly, they were much more mundane than the Jacinta the Bold cast off figure. The most ribald you could get with a model F-4, after all, was some pin-up nose art. But that was it. Lynn looked at Ceilia with some surprise as the Abh walked up to Lynn with the Cast Off figure in the brown paper museum bag.

Lynn's only reply was to look inside the bag and go, "Oh? You got the Jacinta Cast Off figure, eh? Who's it for?"

"Well when I bought the figure, I had originally thought I would keep it for myself as a means of honoring an important figure in your people's history;however, the clerk was kind enough to inform of me of its true function.

I can't possibly take it back to the Empire now because of all the implications it would raise back at the palace. I did however think someone might find it useful. I thought you might want to give it to that Terran boy you were fond of. The male species seems to be interested in these types of things so he might appreciate it. Could always be a way for you two to communicate."

"Well when I bought the figure, I had originally thought I would keep it for myself as a means of honoring an important figure in your people's history;however, the clerk was kind enough to inform of me of its true function.

I can't possibly take it back to the Empire now because of all the implications it would raise back at the palace. I did however think someone might find it useful. I thought you might want to give it to that Terran boy you were fond of. The male species seems to be interested in these types of things so he might appreciate it. Could always be a way for you two to communicate."

Lynn raised an eyebrow. She was somewhat surprised at Ceilia's reaction, but then again, it wasn't surprising. After all, did she really want Dornalians to be seen as perverts? This was probably one of those times where she regretted being a "nerd." The more male-oriented parts of her hobby could be embarassing, especially at times like this.

She chuckled nervously, saying as she examined the package, "Ah...well....I guess whoever made it--the Doryu Maru Toy Company of Osaka, Japan--thought they were honoring a historical figure in their own way. Hmph. So now I know what my catgirl friend was fretting about." She then took the package, and put it in her bag, saying with a sigh, "Guess I'll take custody of it then. Are men this easily titillated where you come from?"

Ceilia ears drooped a little bit as she crossed her arms. "Well, terran males seem to be concerned about the anatomy of the opposite gender. Abhs are a little different. Complimenting the figure is not as great a compliment as for Abhs as it is for others. Don't get me wrong, it is appreciated, but we look at our bodies differently. Less as objects of attraction and such."

Not surprising when practically every Abh created has always been extremely beautiful.

Ceilia ears drooped a little bit as she crossed her arms. "Well, terran males seem to be concerned about the anatomy of the opposite gender. Abhs are a little different. Complimenting the figure is not as great a compliment as for Abhs as it is for others. Don't get me wrong, it is appreciated, but we look at our bodies differently. Less as objects of attraction and such."

Not surprising when practically every Abh created has always been extremely beautiful.

"Lucky you, then. Glad to see some species aren't as fanatically obsessed with body image as humans can be." Lynn fretted, recalling all the nasty Valley Girl types at her school who seemed to be shallow husks, with brains like cream filling and obsessions with beauty and the occasional eating disorder. The sight made her shudder, and glad she wasn't one of them.

Lynn then turned, and saw a small line formed up, with some indignant customers waiting to check out (and one neckbeard even checking them out, which made Lynn cringe slightly). One of them said, "Hey, you! Some of us wanna get out of here!" Lynn turned to Ceilia and blushed, saying, "I gotta check out." Walking through the line as the man at the counter quietly scanned her goods, sighing at this nerdy little girl who held up the line. Once the transaction was finished in silence, she then said to Ceilia, "Let's go, before they devour us alive."

Ceilia narrowed her eyes at the protesting customers. She hadn't brought her Star Forces pistol with her but that didn't mean she couldn't take a few of them with her bare hands.

"Want me to handle a few of them for you? They don't look so tough."

Ceilia narrowed her eyes at the protesting customers. She hadn't brought her Star Forces pistol with her but that didn't mean she couldn't take a few of them with her bare hands.

"Want me to handle a few of them for you? They don't look so tough."

Lynn was taken aback by Ceilia's proposal to resort to violence. Here? Now? In the Museum Gift Shop? She didn't want to get sued, or shot. Didn't Ceilia know that Dornalians were some of the most heavily armed people in the GFFA!? Jesus, any of them could be Concealed-Carry right now. And not a small caliber, either. "Relax, Lynn...murder is a crime in Los Angeles County...." she thought to herself, as the irate customers wondered why the hell this lady was giving them a hard time. In fact, one of them voiced their opinion, saying, "What the--lady, we just want to check out and go home! Why you getting so violent?!"

Sheepishly, she replied, "Umm....it's not necessary.....really....I thank you for the offer, but it is really not necessary." She held up her bag, saying, "Besides, I'm done."

Celia shrugged and walked off with Lynn. "If you say so. You're shopping centers are rather interesting. The atmosphere is much more quiet back in the Empire."

The princess and Lynn continued to walk on for a moment before Ceilia grew curious again. "Where are we heading to now?"

Celia shrugged and walked off with Lynn. "If you say so. You're shopping centers are rather interesting. The atmosphere is much more quiet back in the Empire."

The princess and Lynn continued to walk on for a moment before Ceilia grew curious again. "Where are we heading to now?"

Lynn replied, again rather sheepishly as they left the gift shop and reentered the main concourse, "Well....not all shopping centers are like this. And it was a particularly busy day. But around here, you don't really stand around at places like checkout lines and chat idly unless you have business to take care of."

She then looked around and said, "As for where we're going...well, I don't really know. We just ended up back in the concourse." Turning to face the shop, she then mumbled, "And it looks like they're still in the shop. Hold on." Pulling out a small cell phone, she hit a few buttons and dialed her parents' phone.

"Hey, its me. Yeah, I'm outside. Yeah, we're done. I'm with Ceilia. An F-4 Phantom and some other stuff. Yeah, we'll be waiting here. Bye." Hanging up the phone, she then said, "Right. As for where we go after wards, I think we were having Korean Barbecue tonight. Dad developed a hankering for it on a business trip, and it never left him."

The meal sounded interesting enough. Abh were typically use to a rounded seafood diet and a few staples from the vegetable and fruit groups. Having lived abroad for sometime though in other nations like Xanthal, Ceilia had developed a tolerance for foreign foods.

"Korean barbecue...I believe it would be safe to say that I have never had that particular meal before. How many times a day does the average person of New Dornalia eat?"

The meal sounded interesting enough. Abh were typically use to a rounded seafood diet and a few staples from the vegetable and fruit groups. Having lived abroad for sometime though in other nations like Xanthal, Ceilia had developed a tolerance for foreign foods.

"Korean barbecue...I believe it would be safe to say that I have never had that particular meal before. How many times a day does the average person of New Dornalia eat?"

"Hmmm.....on average? I know I eat about three times a day. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Then there's snacks. Little meals and nibbles you have in between meals, like cookies and potato chips. That's what I do. I'm guessing that's what the average Dornalian does, though as far as the gamut goes, there's a variety of food cultures here on Earth. We haven't completely homogenized the culture yet, though people do eat three times a day generally. And heck, people eat at different times of the day. Like my Cousin Bob. He's in college, so sometimes he'll sneak in two big meals a day, and snacks. That sorta thing."

That was the best reply Lynn could give. Ceilia's question was pretty obvious, but broad and full of opportunity for different answers. As for the Korean barbecue part, Lynn simply replied with, "Oh. Korean Barbecue is interesting to say the least. You have a grill in the middle of the table, and a bunch of side dishes. You then get servings of meat, which are grilled on the grill in the middle of the table. You pick them up and grill them yourself. It's an odd experience."

Lynn's family came out, and said, "Well, time to go, then."

The eathing habbits were a little different than that of the Abh. Practically the only time an Abh would "snack" was on a war vessel in the middle of a war when there wasn't really time to have a sit down meal. Even then, the Abh were so refined that they made sure that bases were erected in space just for such an occassion. They tended to lean towards the extreme on refinery.

"Then dinner should prove an interesting experience."

When Lynn's family came out saying it was time to go, Ceilia gathered up her things and fell in line with the rest of the family. So far the family seemed to be alright and would suffice as a residents for her to remain at during her stay in New Dornalia though the only person she had socialized much with was Lynn.

The eathing habbits were a little different than that of the Abh. Practically the only time an Abh would "snack" was on a war vessel in the middle of a war when there wasn't really time to have a sit down meal. Even then, the Abh were so refined that they made sure that bases were erected in space just for such an occassion. They tended to lean towards the extreme on refinery.

"Then dinner should prove an interesting experience."

When Lynn's family came out saying it was time to go, Ceilia gathered up her things and fell in line with the rest of the family. So far the family seemed to be alright and would suffice as a residents for her to remain at during her stay in New Dornalia though the only person she had socialized much with was Lynn.

As the Landers family piled onboard their auto and sped off to the Korean BBQ restaurant, Mr. Landers popped open the trunk, and everybody put their stuff in the back. Surprisingly, for such a small car, it held a lot of stuff. And Mr. Landers had bought very large models of the USS Enterprise, both the 20th Century Carrier and the Star Trek version. Mrs. Landers had bought some coats, because she thought the family needed new coats. Howard got his movies, and Lynn her stuff in the back. After piling in, Mr. Landers drove out of the lot, narrowly missing a guy who wasn't looking in a large SUV. Muttering to himself, Mr. Landers entered the harrowing highways of Los Angeles County once more. It was stop-and-go traffic now; flowing stop and go traffic but still stop-and-go nonetheless. It was rush hour, after all.

Eventually, they left the highway and traveled into the suburb of Cerritos. A nice little town, Ceilia would notice signs in English, but also Chinese, Indian, and an odd script that resembled lines and circles.

Lynn then pointed the signs, saying, "That's Hangul. Korean script. A subset of the human species. Korean script was invented by King Sejong to provide his people with an easier language to write with than Chinese characters, which fit Korean rather clumsily."

The Hangul sign she was pointing at read in English above it, "Sejong Barbecue House--Korean BBQ and Asian Cuisine." Turning into the restaurant's lot, Lynn said, "This must be the place."

Oddly the Korean scripts were not so different from the Abh. The original source of Baronh came from a small island off the coast of Japan on the original Earth. Of course, through time it had evolved and become more sophisticated but the original routes were there. In time, Ceilia could possibly find these asian languages easier to interpret than english.

The Abriel still wasn't all that use to this terran driving. She couldn't feel anything outside of the car and wasn't all that sure that the head male was a profeccient driver. When they stopped in the parking lot, she was a little surprised that they had come to a restaurant. Ceilia had assumed they would be eating back at their home.

Undoing her seatbelt and everything, the Abriel got out of the car and followed the Landers inside.

Oddly the Korean scripts were not so different from the Abh. The original source of Baronh came from a small island off the coast of Japan on the original Earth. Of course, through time it had evolved and become more sophisticated but the original routes were there. In time, Ceilia could possibly find these asian languages easier to interpret than english.

The Abriel still wasn't all that use to this terran driving. She couldn't feel anything outside of the car and wasn't all that sure that the head male was a profeccient driver. When they stopped in the parking lot, she was a little surprised that they had come to a restaurant. Ceilia had assumed they would be eating back at their home.

Undoing her seatbelt and everything, the Abriel got out of the car and followed the Landers inside.

The Landers were led inside, where a waitress walked up and asked them, "How many?" Mr. Landers promptly replied, "Five, please, non-smoking." The woman nodded, and led them to their table in a business like manner.

The table was somewhat big, with solid oak chairs and two large burners in the middle of the table which were at present being cleaned by a couple of staff members. When they left, they were seated by the waitress who then asked them what they wanted to drink.

Mr. Landers said, "Beer, please." Mrs. Landers wanted Iced tea. And Howard and Lynn got sodas. When the time came for Ceilia to order her drink, the waitress asked, "For you, ma'am?"

Ceilia looked through the list of drinks. Some were novelties to Dornalia but some things appeared to cross borders without problems. "I'll have a lemonade please."

Finished with putting in her order to drink, Ceilia went about the difficult task of deciding on what she wanted. She leaned over to Lynn. "What do you recommend? I am not familiar with this food."

Ceilia looked through the list of drinks. Some were novelties to Dornalia but some things appeared to cross borders without problems. "I'll have a lemonade please."

Finished with putting in her order to drink, Ceilia went about the difficult task of deciding on what she wanted. She leaned over to Lynn. "What do you recommend? I am not familiar with this food."

The waitress nodded, and then came back with the drinks.

Lynn looked in the menu, poking around until she said, "I know. We'll get the Platter for Four and a Platter for One to even things out. This has beef, pork, chicken, shortribs, all the good stuff. It comes with sides, such as kimchee, a spicy pickled cabbage, raw garlic, bean sprouts, all sorts of fun things. Even hot sauce. This kinda food comes with hot sauce on the side, so you don't have to use it. Oh, and we'll take it table-cooked, which means we'll be using the burners on the table." On the last sentence, she pointed out the grills on the table which had been so recently cleaned. Throughout the procedure, she took care to point out the things she was describing to Ceilia.

Ceilia nodded her understanding as everything was pointed out to her. Lynn's assistance greatly helped the Abriel princess's understanding of everything that was going on and general table rules for the restaurant. She wasn't so sure of the food but if Lynn liked it, that would at least have to mean it was edible.

"Thank you for your help Lynn, but what is kimchee?"

Ceilia nodded her understanding as everything was pointed out to her. Lynn's assistance greatly helped the Abriel princess's understanding of everything that was going on and general table rules for the restaurant. She wasn't so sure of the food but if Lynn liked it, that would at least have to mean it was edible.

"Thank you for your help Lynn, but what is kimchee?"

Lynn paused for a moment, as she couldn't help but wonder why Ceilia asked the question again. "Hmm. Thought I mentioned what it was, but I guess I'll explain it to ya again. Kimchee is a type of Korean pickled cabbage. They mix spices, fish sauce, all sorts of things, and then let it ferment in an earthen jar underground for six months. The process pickles the cabbage, and makes it rather spicy."

The ingredients were quite interesting to this Kimachee stuff. "This tastes good. . .?"

Ceilia looked through the menu some more to study what else went with the meal. Food at this restaurant was a little different than what she was used to so she thought it would be best to study it more in case she ran into other such foods during her stay.

The ingredients were quite interesting to this Kimachee stuff. "This tastes good. . .?"

Ceilia looked through the menu some more to study what else went with the meal. Food at this restaurant was a little different than what she was used to so she thought it would be best to study it more in case she ran into other such foods during her stay.

As Ceilia studied the menu, she would notice a variety of Korean dishes, both authentic and those tempered by the cultural changes wrought by Japanese and American currents. Spareribs, pork, chicken, marinated meats, tablecooked meats on the grills over there, kitchencooked meats out in the kitchen, bim bim bap one pot rice meals, Korean spareribs by themselves, a Korean spin on sushi called "gimbap," the aforementioned Kimchee and all sorts of exotic delicacies popped up.

And as she scanned the menu, the drinks would appear somewhat less interesting, but no less funny, in an unusual way. Soju, a barley liqueur, was for sale, as was beer, whiskey, wine, and soft drinks.

Ceilia ran over the menu some more noticing the variety in meats. Eventually she had seen all there was of the menu then put it aside. She wasn't sure how long it would take for their food to arrive so until then, she thought it best to listen to the conversation between the Landers and be more attentive.

OOC: OMG suspense [/whatwillwedo?4]

OOC: OMG suspense [/whatwillwedo?4]

OOC: :D Not gonna lie. There's not much to do with a Korean restaurant. Gimme a break.....

IC:

The Landers were chatting pleasantly among themselves, having made their order with a waitress soon before. The subjects were many things. House payments involving utilities, the need to eat more vegetables, the weather, the "Goddamn stop-and-go traffic" that had given Mr. Landers a hard time during the drive here.

"Jeez....nobody in this country can drive. I mean, even in the old days of MacIntyre, when you could get a car without waiting in line or having it smuggled through San Pedro, you could count on people obeying the rules of the road. They penalized you for double parking, illegal lane changes, everything. Now look. The streets are so clogged with yuppies in their damn cars, you can barely move. Nobody wants to rely on the public transport anymore, not when you got the money for a car."

Mrs. Landers laughed, and then said, "Honey, I know its true, but you have to relax. Some people just aren't as good as drivers as you are." To that, Mr. Landers simply replied, "Pish. There's a lot of those 'some' drivers...."

It was then that the food came. Heaping plates of sides came first, plopped onto the table in small dishes, laid out all over. Then, came the meat, which the tray was placed off to the side and the pieces placed onto the grill. Lynn then said, "Okay! Let's get flipping..." She then took her chopsticks, split them unevenly with a sigh (apparently offended that the chopsticks split unevenly) and then moved to flip a piece of beef over....

The portions of food sure were on the hefty side in New Dornalia. Typical Abh meals were much smaller in scale though they did contain all courses. Ceilia had never really seen such a large helping of food in one sitting. At least not among a single family.

No stranger to chopsticks, being the instrument of choice back in the Empire, the Abriel princess grabs a bit of beef and tries mimicking what Lynn is doing on the grill. The meat sizzles and pops as she works it over. Most likely it will be the first and only time this princess has ever cooked a meal. And considering what she was doing, cooking, was an exaggeration.

"Is there any certain technique that I should be aware of when doing this?"

The portions of food sure were on the hefty side in New Dornalia. Typical Abh meals were much smaller in scale though they did contain all courses. Ceilia had never really seen such a large helping of food in one sitting. At least not among a single family.

No stranger to chopsticks, being the instrument of choice back in the Empire, the Abriel princess grabs a bit of beef and tries mimicking what Lynn is doing on the grill. The meat sizzles and pops as she works it over. Most likely it will be the first and only time this princess has ever cooked a meal. And considering what she was doing, cooking, was an exaggeration.

"Is there any certain technique that I should be aware of when doing this?"

Lynn then focused on flipping the beef carefully. Her experience with Asian food notwithstanding, her expertise with chopsticks wasn't as good as Ceilia's, so she needed more concentration to get the beef well done without losing it to the grill or letting it break up because the juices got stuck together. All she said to Ceilia as she manipulated the beef with diligence was, "Watch me, Ceilia." After several seconds, she took the beef off carefully, plopping it onto her plate with some rice and beansprouts before mixing the lot together and eating it. She then uttered a slight, "Mmm....." before turning to Ceilia and declaring, "It's like what I did. You have to flip it carefully so it doesn't fall into the grill, and you have to do it fast enough so it doesn't stick. Otherwise, that's about it."

As she was talking to her Abh companion, the rest of the family dug in, doing the same thing. Howard had more dexerity than Lynn did in terms of chopstick control, and so deftly commanded the wooden sticks in a way that would make Ceilia somewhat glad. After all, Abh were not easily excitable people. The older Landers, meanwhile, manipulated the sticks in their own way. Mr. Landers did it the best, uttering to Ceilia as he got himself a portion of kimchee and some spareribs, "I first tried this stuff back a few years ago, on a trip to Korea. See, that was when MacIntyre first opened the economy, and we were being sent to business schools all over the world to learn how to make a profit. So, I won a scholarship to stuy in Korea, and then in Seoul, I visit this place which has these grills on tables. My hosts tell me to try it, guide me through the steps, and I became hooked. Kinda like what you're going through now."

Mrs. Landers, meanwhile, did the worst of them, rather clumsily manipulating her chopsticks. She eventually picked up the fork and knife from the table, and used it to fish out her piece.

Ceilia followed Lynn's instructions and plopped her beef down on the grill. She quickly turned it so that it wouldn't stick to the grill and kept rotating it so it would cook evenly. The Abriel wasn't exactly the best cook, especially since she had never cooked her own meal before. Once it looked like it had been cooked well enough, though a little black on one side and pink on the other, Ceilia plopped it down on some rice along with the kimchee side.

Picking up her mixed meal, she took a bite to see how it had come out. Despite being burnt on one end and a little raw on the other, it wasn't all that bad. "It is. . . a different flavor than what I am used to. It is good though."

Ceilia grabbed a piece of pork and began to cook it as well.

Ceilia followed Lynn's instructions and plopped her beef down on the grill. She quickly turned it so that it wouldn't stick to the grill and kept rotating it so it would cook evenly. The Abriel wasn't exactly the best cook, especially since she had never cooked her own meal before. Once it looked like it had been cooked well enough, though a little black on one side and pink on the other, Ceilia plopped it down on some rice along with the kimchee side.

Picking up her mixed meal, she took a bite to see how it had come out. Despite being burnt on one end and a little raw on the other, it wasn't all that bad. "It is. . . a different flavor than what I am used to. It is good though."

Ceilia grabbed a piece of pork and began to cook it as well.

As this occurred, the family chatted and cooked their meal on into the evening. Lynn and Howard could be seen feuding over controlling various pieces of meat, glaring at one another as they sniped for choice pieces. It would have gotten nastier, but Mr. Landers was looking at them to ensure the competition didn't embarass the family. Duly noting this, the two people kept on working the sides and meat, as Mr. and Mrs. Landers more civilly conducted their business.

Mrs. Landers asked Ceilia, trying to make conversation with the Abh, "So tell me, Ceilia. How are you enjoying yourself so far? What have you learned about our people?"

Ceilia had slowly begun getting the hang of cooking her own meat as she was now cooking it more evenly than before.

"So tell me, Ceilia. How are you enjoying yourself so far? What have you learned about our people?"

She put her chopsticks down for a moment when Mrs. Landers spoke to her. "The trip so far has been enjoyable though a little bit tiring. I still have not gotten use to being on the land for so long despite my time at Mirfak studying the Xanthalian culture. The food here is tasty though different from what is traditionally served in the Empire but it is still good."

The Abriel thought for a moment about what she had learned in a short time about the people of New Dornalia. "The people here are more outgoing than most Abh but I do not find it offensive or startling. This is also the first time for me being among a family unit so it should provide me with a great deal of insight."

The Abriel thought for a moment about what she had learned in a short time about the people of New Dornalia. "The people here are more outgoing than most Abh but I do not find it offensive or startling. This is also the first time for me being among a family unit so it should provide me with a great deal of insight."

Mrs. Landers then sighed with relief, saying, "That's good. I was a bit worried for a moment there that you would be put off by some of our peculiarities." Howard then interjected with, "Mom, please. She's just here to study us and absorb the culture, not judge us. Don't be so worried."

"That is correct. My sole purpose is to study your culture. Regardless of how you or your family act, it will not influence my assumptions of Dornalian cutlure as a whole. I am also under the assumption that I will be representing the Empire's culture while I am here. So I am open to questions as well. A double edged educational experience if you will."

"That is correct. My sole purpose is to study your culture. Regardless of how you or your family act, it will not influence my assumptions of Dornalian cutlure as a whole. I am also under the assumption that I will be representing the Empire's culture while I am here. So I am open to questions as well. A double edged educational experience if you will."

With that, Mrs. Landers asked Ceilia the most obvious question she could think of. "Well, being a Dornalian housewife myself, with a job working at Jensen Design Bureau from 9-5--you know, the Good Socialist Woman Who Can Provide For Home and Nation, as they used to say before Maccy came around--I have a question for you."

Sizing Ceilia up as she asked this, Mrs. Landers asked with some hesitation, "Is it true that Abh are all born good-looking? I mean, I try my best to look as good as I can within my budget, but....I heard this one lady around this office saying she wished she looked as good as an Abh. Is that true, or is that just a stereotype?"

At the same time, the TV began broadcasting the usual Dornalian fare. In this case, another episode of Hong Kong Supercop. This time, the pivotal hero, Inspector Whisky, could be seen leading an epic raid onto a cargo ship full of Triads, who were as usual smuggling drugs. The usual dialogue of "Get him!" and "Stinkin' beggar!" could be heard, as Whisky did an awesome leap into the air before using his dual Berettas to take out two of the sentries before getting into a standoff, with White Doves flying by.

Howard rolled his eyes at the screen and said, "How can anybody watch that stuff? The plot's gone downhill since Season 4, they got bad writers, and let's not get started with the excessive wirefu they've been using." Turning to Ceilia, he said, "Your people don't have to put up with bad TV, right?"

First thing came first and that was tackling Mrs. Landers' question. Ceilia wasn't entirely sure how to answer her. "I would say that statement is based on a general norm observed within the Empire but it mostly comes down to how we are genetically created. Abh can typically withstand more harsh gravitational flunctuations and great accelerations in space due to Abh bodies being leaner than most terrans. I suppose beauty would be in the judgement of such and the body type desired. The rest comes down to genetic pairing and make-up. Since there is freedom in all this, most Abh tend to be born on the more attractive side. There are incidents where a parent has either made their child more attractive or changed features for the sake of trying something new."

Howard's question was much easier to answer and one that required little thought. "I wouldn't know. There isn't much time for watching television in Star Forces and when we do, it is typically news broadcasts. The only other form of television I have viewed was during zaroth or during my stay in the Socialist Republic. I would not be able to provide an educated opinion on the standard of television in the Empire I'm afraid."

First thing came first and that was tackling Mrs. Landers' question. Ceilia wasn't entirely sure how to answer her. "I would say that statement is based on a general norm observed within the Empire but it mostly comes down to how we are genetically created. Abh can typically withstand more harsh gravitational flunctuations and great accelerations in space due to Abh bodies being leaner than most terrans. I suppose beauty would be in the judgement of such and the body type desired. The rest comes down to genetic pairing and make-up. Since there is freedom in all this, most Abh tend to be born on the more attractive side. There are incidents where a parent has either made their child more attractive or changed features for the sake of trying something new."

Howard's question was much easier to answer and one that required little thought. "I wouldn't know. There isn't much time for watching television in Star Forces and when we do, it is typically news broadcasts. The only other form of television I have viewed was during zaroth or during my stay in the Socialist Republic. I would not be able to provide an educated opinion on the standard of television in the Empire I'm afraid."

Mrs. Landers chuckled, summing up Ceilia's words in a possibly glib argument with the words, "So I guess with the Abh, they're born beautiful, but by the choice of their parents. Works for me."

Then, hearing about the state of Television in Abh Society, she replied, "Well, its good you're getting some work done instead of lazing in front of the TV. Lord knows I have to tell these two to get to work, instead of sitting in front of the boob tube." Lynn interjected with a good natured yet dismayed, "Mom! We're not that lazy...." Lynn then pointed to Howard, saying, "He is though."

Howard just grumbled, and to that, Mr. Landers said, "You're not a dog, Howie."

Television was apparently more of a part of Dornalian culture than it was for the Abh. The Abh had entertainment of course but it went beyond television. "How much is television a part of Dornalian culture and how much time does the average Dornalian citizen spend watching it?"

Television was apparently more of a part of Dornalian culture than it was for the Abh. The Abh had entertainment of course but it went beyond television. "How much is television a part of Dornalian culture and how much time does the average Dornalian citizen spend watching it?"

Lynn interjected here, stating, "Well, it's not like TV--which for us is more like fixed HoloNet feeds--is the only thing we watch. We read, of course, and use the HoloNet feeds. But it's one of the primary ways we gain information and entertain ourselves besides read and use the HoloNet. It's also good for video games; most systems need a TV or a Holonet projector to work."

Mrs. Landers then said, as she ate, "Hmm...I read somewhere in the LA Times that there was this study....the average Dornalian adult spends 5-6 hours a day in front of the TV, with usage higher on weekends. Huh. Now you know why I'm concerned." To that, Mr. Landers, who was busy cleaning up the last of the food, said, "Relax, honey. Our kids do a lot of reading. I mean, Lynnie here plays with those little toy soldiers of hers. I can hardly call her a couch potato."

Ceilia took note of the statistics the Landers were throwing at her. With an Abh military mind, it was easy for the Abriel to remember them and even compare it to statistics she had heard about the Empire. "I cannot say that the Abh watch as much television as that but I have heard statistics concerning terrans within the Empire and the numbers seem to be equivalent to that of the Dornalians."

Another thing had Ceilia lost. "Toy soldiers? Like little toys that children play with?"

Ceilia took note of the statistics the Landers were throwing at her. With an Abh military mind, it was easy for the Abriel to remember them and even compare it to statistics she had heard about the Empire. "I cannot say that the Abh watch as much television as that but I have heard statistics concerning terrans within the Empire and the numbers seem to be equivalent to that of the Dornalians."

Another thing had Ceilia lost. "Toy soldiers? Like little toys that children play with?"

Lynn blushed at the mention of that. With an obvious sense of embarassment, she uttered, "Well....Dad has an unusual sense of humor. He means my tabletop miniatures. 28 millimeter scale figurines of soldiers and ships I use to play wargames with. I even build scenery out of packaging foam and paint."

She then began to rattle off her armies, proud of what she had done.

"I'm part of the school's Wargaming Club. Yeah. The game's called Wallhammer Faulty Kai and Modern Naval Wars. For the former, I have the Bluemariners army--they're kinda like those Space Marines you hear about on the HoloNet. I have a relatively medium sized army--you don't need much for Bluemariners, they're a good beginner force--though I need to invest in some Tank Hunters soon.

For the latter, I collect People's Navy and Coredian Republican fleets. PN is good for mass wave and concerted attacks, especially with 5th Edition and the new Mao Zedong Mark IV Battleship; they can bring lots of firepower to bear upon an enemy, though they have difficulty contending with technologically advanced factions such as the Facehuggerians and the Abh Star Forces; Coredian Republicans are good for move-and-shoot combat; they've got fast ships that can hold their own in a fight and powerful Hero Ships. Not too bad, though it can be kinda pricey to do all this stuff."

Howard muttered, "Yeah, that's only because you sponge off of Dad."

Lynn glared and said, "Don't interrupt."

Ceilia might not have understood the whole thing about model building and creating scenery for a game but some of it did make relative sense to her. "So it is strategy that you play with. A war game of sorts like chess. We have something similar to it back in the Empire but we don't build figurines for it. It is mostly done holographically on a battle map by running simulations of what we know about the enemy forces we have fought in the past and then find the most effective strategy against them."

"You say your school has a club like this? What is the school system of New Dornalia like? I have been to a school within the Socialist Republic of Xanthal but I would imagine that yours is some how different."

The Abh had no real elementary education since all of the early education was taken on by their parents. For the Abh, most schooling started at the middle high school level then on to university.

"You say your school has a club like this? What is the school system of New Dornalia like? I have been to a school within the Socialist Republic of Xanthal but I would imagine that yours is some how different."

The Abh had no real elementary education since all of the early education was taken on by their parents. For the Abh, most schooling started at the middle high school level then on to university.

Ceilia said, as she finished up her meal, "Well, let's see."

Tapping her finger on her mouth, she replied, "Ah, yes. I remember going to kindergarten....then I went to elementary school until about sixth grade. Those were fun times. Then I went to Middle School....until eighth grade....ow. Those were tough. Now, I'm in high school; Long Beach Polytechnic High to be exact. Third year."

"Thinking about going to college, studying Economics. Though I'll have to do my National Service term first. Unless I enter the program where I can enter ROTC while in College, so I can keep on studying while serving. I know that the Navy will help pay for the College expenses; fortunately, Dornalians don't have to pay too much for college, just room and board, tuition's covered by the government, including texts."

As the others finshed their food, Mrs. Landers said, "Hmm...would you like to visit Lynn's school, Ceilia? I'm on the local PTA, and I could arrange for a visit."

Ceilia listened as Lynn explained her years of schooling in Dornalia to the Abriel. It was not that different from most terran school systems that she had heard of though had never attended any of them. Dornalian college payments seemed to be remotely similar to that of the Empire though most Imperial citizens served in Star Forces while they attended higher education classes.

The notion of attending another school system was not overly appealing to Ceilia at first but she came to the conclusion that it would be best for her reports if she experienced them first hand.

"That would be suitable. When does she attend?"

Mrs. Landers said simply, "This would be for one day, just to look around the school. She starts from eight in the morning, ends at two thirty in the afternoon. Fridays, she ends at five thirty, because of club."

The time from start to finish did not matter to Ceilia. She would be there as a guest so it was really up to the person she would be trailing. The Abriel looked to Lynn. "What would be the best day for you?"

The time from start to finish did not matter to Ceilia. She would be there as a guest so it was really up to the person she would be trailing. The Abriel looked to Lynn. "What would be the best day for you?"

Lynn shrugged. Her schedule wasn't that packed, except for Fridays. Otherwise, her courseload was relatively light this semester, though Student Council decided to organize a Field Day next Wednesday, which would take up the whole day. She stroked her chin, and said, "Why not next Friday? It is my long day, I go to club after school ends. But I'm sure it'd be an interesting experience."

Ceilia thought about it for a moment then nodded her agreement.

"Alright then. Next Friday sounds acceptable. What classes will I be observing?"

Lynn then said, "Well, you'll be observing Geography, Baronh, then after a break for lunch, Dornalian History II and Gym." She then laughed and said, "You'll like Baronh. Hell, you might get questions on how to conjugate verbs!"

Mrs. Landers then frowned and said, "Lynn....not in front of the guests."

Lynn then said, "Sorry."

By this point in the meal, everybody--at least the Landers--had finished their part of the meal, and it showed as many of them leaned back, stretching out. Mr. Landers called for the check, and it was brought promptly. Mr. Landers took a look at it, and said, "Oh my." He handed it off to Mrs. Landers. Her eyes widened, and she shook her head, saying, "And this is why I don't often do this....who cleans up the damage?"

Mr. Landers then pulled out the credit card and said, "I will. I've got room."

Howard then asked, "How much is the bill?"

Mr. Landers showed the bill to him, and Howard then said, "Wow. That was $150?" Mr. Landers nodded, saying, "Meat isn't cheap."

Mr. Landers then called the waitress over, and she scanned the card through her pricegun, and then she printed out a reciept. The bill thus paid, Mr. Landers then said, "Alright, let's go!"

---------------------------

OOC: Want to move this to next Friday directly?

Ceilia was a bit surprised that Dornalian schools were teaching the language of the Abh. Most societies did not bother with it or did not know enough about it to begin educating their population. The Abh typically did not speak Baronh in front of other races, unless they were saying something about them without being obvious about it.

"That sounds like a fair enough schedule then."

When the bill came, she watched the reactions to all of the Landers. It appeared that the price was somewhat substantial. As they rose from the table, Ceilia walked by Lynn. "Why is beef so expensive here?"

Ceilia was a bit surprised that Dornalian schools were teaching the language of the Abh. Most societies did not bother with it or did not know enough about it to begin educating their population. The Abh typically did not speak Baronh in front of other races, unless they were saying something about them without being obvious about it.

"That sounds like a fair enough schedule then."

When the bill came, she watched the reactions to all of the Landers. It appeared that the price was somewhat substantial. As they rose from the table, Ceilia walked by Lynn. "Why is beef so expensive here?"

Lynn shrugged and said in a rather nonchalant manner, "Taxes, I guess." Mr. Landers and the others sighed, presumably in agreement.

There really wasn't any way to get around it, and Lynn's guess was probably none too far from the truth; Dornalian taxes were notorious for being frequent and high. Agricultural production had entered the Modern Age (FT), with all sorts of wonderful genetic engineering, replication, hydroponics, soil retention and irrigation techniques, an incredible amount of mechanization and technological improvement, and practical FTL to ship all those goods quickly--and yet the law books were not too well touched, not until recently. Yes, it bolstered a system that supported farmers and modern capital-intensive agriculture, but it was a pain for the consumer. Like the Landers family.

Lynn noticed Ceilia's surprise when she mentioned Baronh, and as they headed to the car, she mentioned in an offhand way, "I noticed you got surprised when I mentioned I took Baronh."

The economic aspect of prices was easily accepted by Ceilia being an Abh and familiar with business. She chalked up as any number of possible taxes that could be imposed on any aspect of harvesting beef.

Ceilia walked along with the Landers for a while when Lynn asked her about Baronh. "It was just surprising that the Dornalians are familiar enough with the language to begin to teaching it to others. The Abh traditionally do not use Baronh among other nations, instead use Galactic Standard to communicate in matters such as business and diplomacy."

OOC: Can skip to Friday whenever you are ready.

The economic aspect of prices was easily accepted by Ceilia being an Abh and familiar with business. She chalked up as any number of possible taxes that could be imposed on any aspect of harvesting beef.

Ceilia walked along with the Landers for a while when Lynn asked her about Baronh. "It was just surprising that the Dornalians are familiar enough with the language to begin to teaching it to others. The Abh traditionally do not use Baronh among other nations, instead use Galactic Standard to communicate in matters such as business and diplomacy."

OOC: Can skip to Friday whenever you are ready.

OOC: Gotcha.

IC:

Lynn muttered a simple, "Huh" as she entered the auto.

--------

By Friday, the necessary bureaucratic preparations were made so that Ceilia could visit the school. She got permission to visit from the Principal, now all she needed to do was to pick up a visitor's pass from the office. Naturally that entailed a drive there.

So, Friday morning, Lynn was roused up at 6:30 in the morning, Pacific Time, and sluggishly dragged out of bed to a simple breakfast of cereal and milk, maybe a slice of toast with some jam. Yawn. Along the way to breakfast, she knocked on the guest room door where Ceilia was staying, saying, "Yo, Ceilia! We gotta go!" before commencing to eat. The family was up as well; Mr. Landers was in his suit and tie, and had a small attache case with the name Jensen Design Bureau on it. Mrs. Landers, meanwhile, was in her own business attire, presumably ready to go to work. Howard, meanwhile, was barely up, so Mrs. Landers went to the staircase and screamed, "HOWARD! GET UP! NOW!"

The boy sluggishly went downstairs, as Mrs. Landers mumbled, "Jesus. I swear, you have to stop playing those damn video games." The missus then told Ceilia, "You're going to have to take the bus today; I've got an early interview with the Human Resources people." Lynn nodded appropriately, and when Ceilia got there, she was told of that.

Ceilia was up and ready by the time the first call went up for everyone to get out of bed. Used to a military lifestyle, rising early was hardly a concern for the Abriel princess. She was quickly dressed in an Abh professional business skirt that was seen among most of the nobles. Taking a quick look in the mirror to make sure she was presentable, she placed her decorative golden tiara around her forehead and fixed the dangling green gems behind her pointed ears.

The Abriel glided downstairs in her low heeled shoes then walked off towards the door where Lynn and her mother were waiting. The concept of a bus was about as foreign to Ceilia as the idea of stars were to a fish. She simply assumed that it was a form of transport that was used by common people.

Once they were ready, Ceilia headed out the door with Lynn.

Ceilia was up and ready by the time the first call went up for everyone to get out of bed. Used to a military lifestyle, rising early was hardly a concern for the Abriel princess. She was quickly dressed in an Abh professional business skirt that was seen among most of the nobles. Taking a quick look in the mirror to make sure she was presentable, she placed her decorative golden tiara around her forehead and fixed the dangling green gems behind her pointed ears.

The Abriel glided downstairs in her low heeled shoes then walked off towards the door where Lynn and her mother were waiting. The concept of a bus was about as foreign to Ceilia as the idea of stars were to a fish. She simply assumed that it was a form of transport that was used by common people.

Once they were ready, Ceilia headed out the door with Lynn.

The walk to the bus stop wasn't unpleasant. The neighborhood, a picture perfect model of suburbia, was nice enough and the morning temperatures were comfortable if somewhat chilly. The walk terminated at a street corner, with several other kids of Lynn's age.

They immediately looked at Ceilia like she was from another world--well, she was. So in this case, the stares weren't so bad as Ceilia would expect from a lander; they were more curious than derisive. Dornies were used to foreigners. One of them, a black teenager about seventeen years of age with some "street" clothing but mostly a t-shirt and jeans, said to Lynn, "Hey Lynn--what's with your new friend?"

Lynn then motioned to Ceilia and said, "Oh, that's Ceilia. She's going to be staying with us for a while. Cultural mission to understand how Dornalians live from the Abh Empire."

The student said, suddenly stiffening up rather nervously as if trying to make a really good first impression, "Um, Hello! I am Lawrence Townshend, I am one of Lynn's associates. How are you today?" Lynn then laughed, commenting, "She's not going to bite, Larry. Come on."

Ceilia walked along with Lynn in her professional attire to the bus stop. It was a good scene for the princess to view in order for her to see how humans lived on the planets among the stars.

The stares upon arriving at the bus stop were not unknown to Ceilia as she had felt them many times before growing up in the Empire. Even terrans back in the Empire were sometimes surprised to see Abh royalty. She gave a differential nod to the one named Lawrence or Larry once he intorduced himself.

"I am doing well, thank you."

Once they had walked on, Ceilia mulled over the english term of bus. "A bus is a transport if my Galactic Standard is correct. What sort of transport is this?"

Ceilia walked along with Lynn in her professional attire to the bus stop. It was a good scene for the princess to view in order for her to see how humans lived on the planets among the stars.

The stares upon arriving at the bus stop were not unknown to Ceilia as she had felt them many times before growing up in the Empire. Even terrans back in the Empire were sometimes surprised to see Abh royalty. She gave a differential nod to the one named Lawrence or Larry once he intorduced himself.

"I am doing well, thank you."

Once they had walked on, Ceilia mulled over the english term of bus. "A bus is a transport if my Galactic Standard is correct. What sort of transport is this?"

OOC: Technically, they are at the stop already.

IC:

Lynn answered Ceilia's question, knowing that her people usually didn't do much business with surfacedwellers. To them, the idea of a drive was probably somewhat foreign, though they certainly knew of autos and buses.

"Well, this transport takes us to school. It picks us up from this street corner along with these kids, and then drives along several stops to pick up more kids and then bring us to the school."

Larry's eyes piqued at that.

"School? She's coming to school with us?"

Lynn then said, smiling, "She wants to observe how our education systems are like. I figure she can observe the student body of Poly High, and see us at our best."

Larry then smiled, shaking his head.

"Well hell. She going to be observing Baronh classes with De Klerk? I might need some help with Conjugations, what with that quiz coming up." He then turned to Ceilia, and said with some nervousness, "With your permission, of course, ma'am."

Ceilia's mind took how Lynn explained the bus system and translated it into terms of space travel. The bus, in Ceilia's mind, was no more than a simple transport ferrying them from ship to space port. A simple concept though one relegated to the ground world.

Her attention returned to her surroundings as the discussion began to pick up some more. "If the time allows, then I will see what can be done."

Ceilia's mind took how Lynn explained the bus system and translated it into terms of space travel. The bus, in Ceilia's mind, was no more than a simple transport ferrying them from ship to space port. A simple concept though one relegated to the ground world.

Her attention returned to her surroundings as the discussion began to pick up some more. "If the time allows, then I will see what can be done."

And on cue, the bus showed up. To Ceilia, it would seem like an elongated trucklike machine, with yellow paint, a sign that flipped out to read "Stop" in Standard English and black stripes and the words "Long Beach Unified School District," on the side. To the others, it was a mundane thing. And, as it ground to a halt in front of Ceilia and the assembled, the doors on the side swung open, with a ka-chunk and a whirr sound, produced by the motor inside. The driver himself was a crusty old Chinese man, whom Larry greeted with "Yo, Jose!"

The driver nodded and said, in an aged voice, "Good Morning, Lawrence." He nodded at them perfunctorily, and motioned for the students to get on, which they did with due speed. Some bumping into one another occurred, and Lynn navigated through the seats into the machine.

Ceilia would find the bus somewhat cramped. The seats were in good condition, made of some leatherlike material with personal shielding systems to act as a safety measure in case of an accident. However, there weren't many open seats, as students crammed two to three per seat, putting their bags and for some, musical instruments, on top of their laps. The students were chatting away, listening to music, etc. Things teenagers normally did.

Lynn spotted a seat, unfortunately, somewhere in the middle-rear of the bus. Problem being, that was where the malcontents were. She sighed, and as Lynn sat down and saved the other half for Ceilia, the youths in the back--a relatively overconfident, thuggish lot with presumably more arrogance than sense--began looking at Ceilia and Lynn oddly.

Lynn then whispered to Ceilia, "Yeah, I usually never sit back here. This is where the, um, thuggish kids sit. Bus was full up tho--" One of the other students then called Lynn out, going, "Fuck did you say about me, ****?" Lynn then looked up at the man who spoke; it was a student in a hoodie and some street wear who could best be described as White Trash. She then said curtly, "I'm having a private chat with my friend here. Do you mind?" The student then said, sneeringly, "Bull and shit. You're talking smack about me, you preppy-looking bitch! Besides, you took my fuckin' seat!" He then raised his fist, and Lynn replied with, "This seat didn't have your name on it. I had to sit somewhere!"

Ceilia followed Lynn up into the bus and was dismayed to see how crowded the transport was. What she wouldn't give to be on a space transport with all the luxuries the Empire provided. She wasn't aware of the different street parafinalia or its lingo. The Princess took a seat next to Lynn and kept her belongings on her lap.

The ride was most likely supposed to be uneventful but unfortunatly there were those that did not see fit to be repsectful. Ceilia listened to the derrogatory comments for a moment then grew tired of a witless terran spouting off in her pressence.

The Abriel princess shot an angry glare out of the corner of her eye. "If your hand so much as move an inch, I will kill you where you stand."

She let her hand drop to the edge of her skirt as if she were reaching for a pistol holstered at the hem of her stockings.

The Abriel princess shot an angry glare out of the corner of her eye. "If your hand so much as move an inch, I will kill you where you stand."

She let her hand drop to the edge of her skirt as if she were reaching for a pistol holstered at the hem of her stockings.

The others went "OOH!" with a good deal of sarcasm. The White Trash guy leaned back and looked at Ceilia with a good deal of surprise and indignation. He then blurted out, "Did this pointy-eared blue-lookin' bitch just interrupt me!?" He then raised his voice, and said turning to his friends, "Did she just interrupt me?!" Another chimed in, pumping his fists, "I think she fuckin' interrupted you, man." The others nodded, pumping their fists in their hands and glaring at Ceilia and Lynn with some indignation. Clearly, the Abh had treaded on some toes she didn't intend to, and these toughs, eager to prove their manliness against this outsider, decided to act.

Turning to Ceilia, the White Trash guy said, sternly, "Listen up, bitch. I just wanted to remind your little friend here that that was my seat, and you and her had no fuckin' right to it. Can't a brother get a seat anymore? God and Damn. And now you wanna bring it? Them's fighting words, you painted lookin' ho!"

It didn't help Ceilia dropped her hand to her side, as if reaching for something. The White Trash guy then lunged at her, saying, "Oh hells no!" Lynn then moved to try and keep the man off of Ceilia. The others on the bus saw her hand just fall to her stocking hem, but the gangsters certainly didn't know that and the others were still shocked by the man's sudden assault as a couple tried to break it up. The driver then attempted to pull over, to get the situation under control.

Ceilia wasn't much concerned with the rest of the foolish terrans bolstering the thug's confidence before her. She simply honed in on key spots of the boy's body that she knew were critical. If he reached for her, she would act but there was always the possibility that an enemy would accept your warnings and back down without a fight.

Those times were among the rarest in the universe.

When the thug tried lunging for her, Ceilia allowed his momentum to carry him into contact with her knee which she happily shot it up towards the young man's groin. As a follow through, her hand that was down by the hem of her stockings came up in a punch that was aimed for the thug's nose. It was a quick one-two combination that Ceilia hoped would land and take the youngster out of the fight quickly without further incident.

Ceilia wasn't much concerned with the rest of the foolish terrans bolstering the thug's confidence before her. She simply honed in on key spots of the boy's body that she knew were critical. If he reached for her, she would act but there was always the possibility that an enemy would accept your warnings and back down without a fight.

Those times were among the rarest in the universe.

When the thug tried lunging for her, Ceilia allowed his momentum to carry him into contact with her knee which she happily shot it up towards the young man's groin. As a follow through, her hand that was down by the hem of her stockings came up in a punch that was aimed for the thug's nose. It was a quick one-two combination that Ceilia hoped would land and take the youngster out of the fight quickly without further incident.

The White Trash guy fell back onto one of his buddies, and he winced in pain, clutching his privates with one hand and nursing his potentially broken nose with another. The others asked about him, and one of them turned to Ceilia and went, "You're gonna pay, bitch!"

Just then, the bus pulled over and the bus driver ran to the back. He then folded his arms and sternly went in a loud volume, "What the hell is going on here!?" The thugs turned to the driver, as he said, "Didn't I tell you not to do this earlier?" They began trying to protest and protect themselves, but the driver said, "Forget it. I'm done." He then got back into his seat, and radioed the school, informing them of the need for the Youth Officer to come onboard and sort things out.

The rest of the drive would be uneventful. Lynn grew sheepish, and said to Ceilia, "I'm sorry you had to go through that. Usually, it's not this bad, really. Then again, I'm not usually back here."

When the bus stopped in front of the school, Ceilia would be able to notice Long Beach Polytechnic High School, the school Lynn affectionately dubbed "Poly High" earlier. It was a large, if solidly and simply built, building painted in institutional tan, with rows of windows, a Mediterranean-style roof, some greenery, a fence to keep malcontents out and students from going truant, and a sign flashing the day's events as students walked in. It had recieved a makeover since the MacIntyre era began, and as a result it looked somewhat new as the bus pulled up in front of the school.

And then the Youth Officer came onboard.

"Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Poly High had gone this year without a violent incident, until you just had to do something, didn'tcha O'Malley?"

The one who said this with no small amount of indignation, despite a feeble attempt to hide it, was the large man in a blue uniform with badges marked "Long Beach Police Department" who walked to the back and spotted the White Trash kid and his cohorts, wearing a badge marked "Krupke." He leaned in and said looking around, "Anyone here know who started this?"

Ceilia shrugged at Lynn's apology. "There is no need for an apology. Most Abh can remember times when terrans were even less respectful and have had to defend themselves in similar manners. He wasn't that intimidating and inexperienced in hand-to-hand combat. I could show you some things if self-defense is an issue."

When the youth officer stepped on the bus, she immediately recognized him as a figure of authority. Perhaps a security detail of some kind. The Abriel princess stood up and gave a quick salute.

"Cheüass Abriel of Star Forces. I can give a quick report of the actions aboard this vessel if you wish."

"Bene Lodair Abriel of Star Forces. I can give a quick report of the actions aboard this vessel if you wish."

Krupke looked at Ceilia. Not knowing Abh naming conventions, he called her, "Benny," as he said with some surprise and consternation, "Well, okay, Benny. I wasn't aware this was the military, but I do need to take a report." He then shrugged and said, "Go on then."

Lynn winced; Krupke didn't notice, thankfully, that Lynn had noted he had just called Ceilia by her rank and designation and status, not by her name!

Ceilia recognized the mistake but let it slide as she lowered her hand. "Sos Lynn and myself found this seat as there were none left to occupy aboard the transport. Upon taking our seats, that onyu began insulting Sos Lynn and using derogatory remarks towards her.

The faneb was asked to cease his actions but refused. I was forced to restrain him once he attempted to assault a Rue Lodairl."

Ceilia recognized the mistake but let it slide as she lowered her hand. "Sos Lynn and myself found this seat as there were none left to occupy aboard the transport. Upon taking our seats, that onyu began insulting Sos Lynn and using derogatory remarks towards her.

The faneb was asked to cease his actions but refused. I was forced to restrain him once he attempted to assault a Rue Lodairl."

Krupke looked at Ceilia even more funny now, raising an eyebrow and shaking his head in a flabbergasted manner. He merely replied, sighing, "Dang. And I thought Catgirl Spanish was hard." It was obvious Officer Krupke didn't get half of Ceilia's lines, and certainly not many others did. One of the kids went, "Hey mushmouth! He don't speak freaky-deaky Dutch!"

Krupke then glared at the kid and said, "Mommy and daddy are talking. SHUT IT!"

Lynn then raised her hand and said, "If I may?"

Krupke nodded and said, "Good, someone who can translate. What'd she say?"

Lynn thought for a moment, racking her brain for the Baronh words. She then said, haltingly, "I think....she basically said there wasn't any room on the bus when we came in. We had to take this seat. Then, the idiot--that's her word, not mine--decided to pick a fight with us. So Ceilia here--Ceilia's her name, not Benny--tells him to quit it or she'll kill him. He refuses, so when he tries to attack us, she fights back and takes him down. That's the gist of it."

Krupke frowns, saying, "Kill him?"

Lynn replies, "Well, he was rather insistent on thinking this was his seat. And he threatened us for no good reason."

Krupke then sighed and looked at Ceilia, saying, "Benny, next time someone does that, don't threaten to kill them."

Lynn then said, interjecting, "Actually, she's a visiting student, here on a diplomatic assignment. Anthropological study of our people."

Krupke then said, nodding, "I see." Putting up his PDA and scanning the files, he then said, "Yup. You're clear" to Ceilia. He then said to Lynn, "Thanks, Miss...."

"Landers. Lynn Landers."

Krupke took the notes, and then said perfunctorily, "Right. I'll bring Mr. O'Malley and his little friends to the Principal's Office. No need to keep everyone aboard the bus." He then motioned for the ruffians in back to move, saying, "Let's go! All of you!" He then said to Ceilia, "And no death threats! You're lucky it was self defense and you've diplomatic protection."

They shuffled out, following O'Malley as he glared at Ceilia. Krupke then snapped, "Eyes front, tough guy!" and O'Malley's gaze faced forward again.

Lynn then said, picking up her books, "Right. Well, let's go. And by the way, death threats aren't treated lightly here, though again we're in the clear thanks to self-defense. LA County is rather interested in keeping schools safe. Not that anyone here does anything beyond bullying anymore and the odd act of hazing. But, you know. People don't like 'em anyway."

She then walked off of the bus, motioning for Ceilia to come with.

Ceilia gave a slight shrug at the explanation. "It seems that is a culture difference that we have then. Amongst the Abh, we have a code that allows us to protect ourselves should we ever be threatened. It has at times resulted in the death of others though such is the way of Abh battles."

The Abriel princess walked off the bus next to Lynn and was exposed to her first glimpse of terran high school in New Dornalia. It already appeared to be greatly different than the school systems of Xanthal.

Ceilia gave a slight shrug at the explanation. "It seems that is a culture difference that we have then. Amongst the Abh, we have a code that allows us to protect ourselves should we ever be threatened. It has at times resulted in the death of others though such is the way of Abh battles."

The Abriel princess walked off the bus next to Lynn and was exposed to her first glimpse of terran high school in New Dornalia. It already appeared to be greatly different than the school systems of Xanthal.

Lynn laughed. "Oh, self defense they allow. But death threats are iffy in school life."

The interior of the school would be something else indeed. The entrance would open to the lobby, with a tiled floor with white and black tile, yellow walls with murals on them promoting school spirit, students hustling and bustling about and Officer Krupke keeping watch with a couple of adjutants with bioscanners. Students with packs rushed about, some small, some tall, some Asian, some black, some Latino, some catgirls, etc--a teeming collection of students of all ethnicities. The din was cacophonous, with students chatting up one another as they went on their merry way.

Lynn walked Ceilia and herself to the principal's, and got her a Visitor's Pass, before leading Ceilia to her locker among the students. It was a locker marked 145, with a keypad. She keyed in her security code and then the door opened, whereupon she put in her books and pulled out her Geography and Baronh book. The latter was written in script familiar to Ceilia; she might be able to see the word "Baronh, Level 1" made in the Abh script.

Then, a voice.

"Hiya, chica!"

Lynn turned around, and was greeted by a petite girl, with a pair of pince-nez glasses, a leather jacket covering a t-shirt with the RAF Roundel on it, and jeans, along with the classic cat ears and prehensile tail of a gentegata. She smiled and Lynn said, "Hey! Aminta!" They shook hands, and then did a sort of slap and slide handshake. Lynn then continued with, "How's it hangin?"

Aminta then said, laughing in a rough voice, "Ain't hangin' as best as it could be, girl. I got a test in Pre-Apocalypse Drama. Tennessee Williams, Streetcar Named Desire. Fuck I gotta study some maricon white boy and his crazy sister for?"

Lynn then chuckled, poking her in the head, "Well Aminta, you chose the class. Besides, I liked Streetcar."

Aminta let out a "humph" and said, "Well yeah, you can say that--you're the straight shooter in our group." She then looked at Ceilia and said, "Oh, I never got your name."

Lynn then said, cheerfully pointing out Ceilia with a quick gesture, "This is Ceilia. She's here with us, studying our culture from the Abh Empire."

Aminta laughed and replied, "Ceilia. Not a bad name." Looking her over, she then said, with some though, "Hmm....tall, blue hair....did you get involved in a fight with Tim O'Malley on Lynn's bus today? Word is someone Krupke named Benny kicked his cracker ass." She then made some shadowboxing moves, and went, "POW! On the floor. About time someone did that."

The schools in New Dornalia were already vastly different than those Ceilia had visited in Xanthal where they were much quieter. Dornalian schools appeared to be a hive for youth interaction which was different than those run by the Empire. Most schools of the Empire were filled with terrans that educated them on the culture and language of the Abh. Ceilia could only imagine that the schools on the ground worlds would be similar to the Dornalian version.

Different races filled the school's halls but they were not a shock to Ceilia like they would most likely have been to others. The information on New Dornalia included ethnicities and races like the catgirls. When Aminta showed up near the lockers, Ceilia got her first good look at a catgirl.

Obviously from their interactions, this Aminta and Lynn were good friends. Ceilia's pointed ears drooped a little when the catgirl's questions came at her. "Umm, I'm not really sure of what his name was or that he was made of crackers. I simply restrained him from trying to touch me and insulting Lynn."

Different races filled the school's halls but they were not a shock to Ceilia like they would most likely have been to others. The information on New Dornalia included ethnicities and races like the catgirls. When Aminta showed up near the lockers, Ceilia got her first good look at a catgirl.

Obviously from their interactions, this Aminta and Lynn were good friends. Ceilia's pointed ears drooped a little when the catgirl's questions came at her. "Umm, I'm not really sure of what his name was or that he was made of crackers. I simply restrained him from trying to touch me and insulting Lynn."

Aminta chuckled somewhat, covering her mouth to avoid embarassment. It was obvious she found Ceilia's misinterpretation of the word "cracker," a racial epithet, humorous. She then composed herself a little and said with a proud, toothy grin, "I didn't mean he was made of snacks, sis--although word is you beat him down like he was made of them. Real kung fu type stuff, sis."

Lynn sheepishly grinned, and said, "Um, maybe she doesn't understand the word cracker?"

Aminta looked at her and said, putting her hands to her hips, "Damn, girl! I was just gonna get to that. Give a neechan a minute, eh?" She then turned to Ceilia and said, proudly, "Lemme school you on some street lingo, Sister Ceilia. Around here, we call people like that dude you smacked down-- white boys with no common sense and no money in their damn pockets--crackers." She turned to Lynn and said, "No offense to Lynn here, of course. We just call assholes like the guy you hurt--his name was O'Malley, by the way--crackers."

Lynn said, waving her hand and evidently used to this rough-hewn behavior, "It's fine, Aminta."

The bell rang, and then Aminta said, "Fuck! I gotta get to class. Catcha at lunch." She then scampered off with all due speed, as Lynn closed the locker and said to Ceilia, "She's not that bad. Plays a good game of Bow Bow Footy Kick and she's not bad to hang around with. Let's go."

With that, they approached their first class.

The classroom was a simple affair, with rows of desks, maps on the walls, a bookshelf, pictures of faraway lands and places, and diagrams of geological formations and globes holographic and material. It was an odd mix of high and low tech. The high tech being the teacher's equipment, with a projector, Writable Surface computers, A/V Equipment, Holonet Connections, the Tablet PCs some students seemed to have, etc., the low tech being the texts on paper and the overall other things about the place as well as the simple wood desks, seemingly unchanged after all these years. Lynn sat at hers, and there was an empty seat next to Ceilia's. Ceilia would find her desk mostly pristine, although worn and stenciled in one corner with grafitti.

The teacher himself walked in, and bore a rather uncanny resemblance to Ben Stein in terms of manner and speech, saying in a rather unenthusiastic monotone, "Welcome to today's session of Geography, class. I hope you have your homework finished for today; we've been having a spate of missing assignments as of late. Please turn them in now."

The class then pulled out bundles of paper--obviously some form of essay--and passed them up the aisles to the men in front, where the teacher collected them. One student then raised his hand and asked, "Mr. Studebaker?"

The teacher replied, "Yes, Mr. Kowalski?"

The student then pointed at Ceilia.

"Did she just join the class?"

Mr. Studebaker then said, realizing he had to find a way to introduce Ceilia, "Oh, class, this is Ceilia. She will be observing us today as part of a study of Dornalian culture. Be on your best behavior." The others nodded, used to orders from Mr. Studebaker, who seemed like a rather bored fellow.

He then said to Ceilia, "Do you have anything you'd like to say to the class?"

Being put on the spot all of a sudden, Ceilia didn't have much to say. Instead she figured a simple briefing on her mission should satisfy anymore questions other people had.

"My objective here is to study the interaction of students and teachers as well as any comparisons that can be made from Dornalian schools and others."

Being put on the spot all of a sudden, Ceilia didn't have much to say. Instead she figured a simple briefing on her mission should satisfy anymore questions other people had.

"My objective here is to study the interaction of students and teachers as well as any comparisons that can be made from Dornalian schools and others."

Studebaker nodded in reply and said, "Thank you, ma'am. Now, class, respect Ms. Ceilia as you would another student. Now, let's begin today's activities...."

He then had them open their pages to a part of the book featuring a picture of a Luxembourgian Hive City Crowd. As Studebaker commenced lecturing about the geography of the place, hammering at home the "Five Themes of Geography" and endless buzzwords about "System Processes and Scales," one student simply stared at Ceilia. And stared. And didn't stop staring. The others giggled softly, not enough for Studebaker to notice--for now.

Lynn was worried. Would Ceilia notice?

The thing about the Abh was, no one could move without them noticing. Their biology worked much like a submarine would use SONAR to detect other submerged craft or ocean floor layout. Ceilia's froch allowed her to sense everyone around her and what they were doing. She didn't need to look over to see that someone was staring at her.

But she did anyways. "Is there something you require?"

The thing about the Abh was, no one could move without them noticing. Their biology worked much like a submarine would use SONAR to detect other submerged craft or ocean floor layout. Ceilia's froch allowed her to sense everyone around her and what they were doing. She didn't need to look over to see that someone was staring at her.

But she did anyways. "Is there something you require?"

The student then looked away, pretending not to have looked at her. This being high school and the others not wanting to get Mr. Studebaker's "Speech" on the virtues of paying attention and self-discipline, they looked away too. However, Ceilia would be able to tell, from the beet red blushing, that there was something up with the student.....

Mr. Studebaker, meanwhile, simply said, "Ms. Ceilia, is there a problem?" He turned and looked at the Abh, with a look of incredulity and slight impaitence at what happened in back.

Ceilia looked at the young man and saw that his complex had changed. She wondered if perhaps the boy had medical condition that she should be aware. The notion was quickly dismissed though. It would have been the teacher's job to know of any contagious ailments in his classroom. Surely he would have informed her and the rest of the class if such was the case.

The Abriel looked back up at Mr. Studebaker then over to the student then back up. "No, I guess there is not. Sorry for the interruption."

Ceilia looked at the young man and saw that his complex had changed. She wondered if perhaps the boy had medical condition that she should be aware. The notion was quickly dismissed though. It would have been the teacher's job to know of any contagious ailments in his classroom. Surely he would have informed her and the rest of the class if such was the case.

The Abriel looked back up at Mr. Studebaker then over to the student then back up. "No, I guess there is not. Sorry for the interruption."

Studebaker sighed, and then went back to lecture, expounding on the geographic processes every student (or he felt every student) should know, focusing on economics of a Hive City and how they related to Central Place Theory.

As several minutes passed by, he then eventually said, "Now class, I'm going to put on a little video, here's a sheet to go along with it. I expect it to be filled in."

He then passed around a sheet, and Lynn and Ceilia each got one. He then said to Ceilia, "Ms. Ceilia, I expect you to fill this in too."

After that was said and done, the film began, the room going dark and the holographic projector went on, broadcasting the video onto a screen. A woman with a soft voice went on about the Processes, and systems, and introduced them to Luxembourgia. Clips of life in the Hive City, which involved impossibly tight confines, walkways, trams, motorscooters, segways, apartments, and spaces that looked more like malls appeared on screen, accompanied by a soft, female narrator.

As this occurred, pens began scratching furiously, as students tried to keep up. And as this occurred, Ceilia would no doubt be able to sense that boy staring at her....again......

Ceilia nodded as she was handed the paper, understanding the teacher's instructions. As the film began to roll, the Abriel worked quietly at her sheet. Her work was a little slower than the rest as her fluency in English was a fraction of a second off but the time it took her to mentally translate between her language and that of English, was practically unnoticeable.

Eventually as the film went on and the lights stayed low, the princess could feel the eyes of the same boy staring at her. Ceilia was not willing to get dragged out again and appear a fool simply because the lander found something fascinating about her. Instead, she tore a piece of scratch paper off and scribbled a little message on it.

She held it up for the boy to see but also made sure that the teacher himself could not see it as well. It effectively said, "BOO!"

Eventually as the film went on and the lights stayed low, the princess could feel the eyes of the same boy staring at her. Ceilia was not willing to get dragged out again and appear a fool simply because the lander found something fascinating about her. Instead, she tore a piece of scratch paper off and scribbled a little message on it.

She held it up for the boy to see but also made sure that the teacher himself could not see it as well. It effectively said, "BOO!"

The boy lept back, but that wouldn't end there. Nope, being somewhat on the heavy side--though not grotesquely so--he promptly fell flat on his back in his chair, which slammed the tiled floor with a "clang!" Snickers and a general rumble of laughter could be heard, as Mr. Studebaker said, editing some papers, "Quiet down there."

Lynn knew what had happened; she could see Ceilia's little trick in the dim and dark. She couldn't help but chuckle a little as well. "So the Abh do have a sense of humor!" Lynn thought to herself.

The boy got up and whispered to Ceilia, "That was mean, you know."

As soon as the young man started to fall back in his chair, Ceilia quickly crumbled up the paper and put it away. Disposing of any evidence that she was to blame. Then came the loud whack as he fell onto the floor.

Outwardly, Ceilia was as cool as a cucumber but she inwardly allowed herself a quiet laugh. The Abriel wore a look of complete innocence for the time until the young boy said that she was mean.

Ceilia whispered right back keeping her tone low and even. "And staring is rude. We're even."

Ceilia whispered right back keeping her tone low and even. "And staring is rude. We're even."

The boy then said, stumbling over his words, "But....but....."

He sighed, embarassed at what had occurred. He then whispered to Ceilia, "I'm sorry. I just...just....."

The boy grew beet red, so much so it showed in what light was there. If Ceilia didn't get the hint by now, then she probably wouldn't really get it. Lynn sure did, and so did some of the others nearby.

And Ceilia didn't really get it at all. She was familiar with people staring, or blushing because they were attracted to someone and felt flush in their pressence. But she had never experienced it all in the same instance. Even her own feelings for a certain Abh never caused her to act in such a way.

Confused, Ceilia looked over at Lynn and whispered. "Is there something wrong with him? He keeps staring and now is turning red. I'm afraid he is ill and should visit the school nurse."

And Ceilia didn't really get it at all. She was familiar with people staring, or blushing because they were attracted to someone and felt flush in their pressence. But she had never experienced it all in the same instance. Even her own feelings for a certain Abh never caused her to act in such a way.

Confused, Ceilia looked over at Lynn and whispered. "Is there something wrong with him? He keeps staring and now is turning red. I'm afraid he is ill and should visit the school nurse."

Lynn was surprised that Ceilia didn't get the obvious signs. Then again, things did work differently in the Empire. Perhaps crushes and infatuations were done differently?

She then said, trying to be blunt, "Ceilia, I won't lie. I think he likes you. As in, he has what the brains would call an 'infatuation' with you. Boys tend to stare at people they like, but hide it."

Ceilia's pointed ears drooped as she looked at Lynn. "Really...? Oh...but I don't even know him. How can he possibly like me?"

Obviously, Ceilia was not fluent with the ways of crushes. Even her own crush.

Ceilia's pointed ears drooped as she looked at Lynn. "Really...? Oh...but I don't even know him. How can he possibly like me?"

Obviously, Ceilia was not fluent with the ways of crushes. Even her own crush.

Lynn then whispered, finishing up some questions on the sheet, "Let's face it. You're the best looking person in this room. You've got style, grace, and not to mention the figure of a movie star. You also have that air of nobility, despite not being a princess. So, it's not hard for people to be attracted to you."

The Abriel blushed slightly at the compliment but was still clueless. "What should I do then? I don't want to cause problems in the school or disrupt its normal atmosphere."

The Abriel blushed slightly at the compliment but was still clueless. "What should I do then? I don't want to cause problems in the school or disrupt its normal atmosphere."

Lynn pondered a solution to Ceilia's problem. Yeah, she was good looking alright, but that made her a magnet or attention. That was something Ceilia did not want. Then, an idea popped into her head. She had thought the boy was sick....the Nurse had spare clothes for those who vomited....huh.

She then whispered as the period ended and the teacher recovered their papers, with students shuffling about, "I tell you what. Let's get some clothes from the Nurse after class. I'm on good terms with her, since I helped her daughter pass a major History exam."

Ceilia headed up towards the front of the class with Lynn and handed her paper like everyone else had. The Abriel looked down at her clothes. They were some of the finer royal clothing provided to her family when traveling. A skirt that hugged her hips then stopped just above the knee accompanied with a blue and white blouse with the top two buttons undone.

Ceilia hooked a strand of blue hair behind her pointed ears as she looked over her outfit. "My clothes? What's wrong with what I'm wearing? It's nice isn't it? Not overly informal but enough professionalism for school."

Ceilia headed up towards the front of the class with Lynn and handed her paper like everyone else had. The Abriel looked down at her clothes. They were some of the finer royal clothing provided to her family when traveling. A skirt that hugged her hips then stopped just above the knee accompanied with a blue and white blouse with the top two buttons undone.

Ceilia hooked a strand of blue hair behind her pointed ears as she looked over her outfit. "My clothes? What's wrong with what I'm wearing? It's nice isn't it? Not overly informal but enough professionalism for school."

Lynn then led her outside, scooping up her supplies. Ceilia's complaint was certainly valid, but then again Lynn wasn't going to take any more chances, not afte the morning's brawl and that creepy kid who nearly got Mr. Studebaker to issue "the Speech." Lynn promptly motioned for Ceilia to follow her to the Nurse's Office, and then began moving towards the area. As they went on their journey, Lynn retorted, "The clothing's fine, but...." Lynn then struggled for a moment to find the words, before she said euphemistically, waving her hands as if coaxing the words into being: "....I'd like to make your profile less visible, as it were. The clothes are fine, but, hopefully, we can get people to stare less."

She then led the reluctant Abh to the Nurse, and said to her, "Wait here."

Walking into the Nurse's Office, the Nurse looked up and greeted Lynn. With good cheer and familiar tone, the Nurse got up, tipping her spectacles and saying to the rushed girl, "Hello, Lynn? What's the trouble?"

Lynn replied, matter-of-factly, "Not me, my Abh observer. She's attracting too much attention from outside, and I need some clothing to help her blend in." Lynn then pointed out Ceilia with a jerk of her head, and the Nurse looked at Ceilia through the frosted glass of the entrance to the Office.

All the Nurse did in reply was shrug. Skeptically, she said, "I think she looks great. What's the trouble?" Her expression was enough, and Lynn could get the picture she couldn't see what the fuss was about.

Lynn decided to make it somewhat more urgent--especially as she had to go to class. Speaking a bit more frantically, Lynn added, "She did cause a kid to fall over in class from staring." Looking about for anybody overheard, she then said,, in a hushed tone, "Look, I'll make it worth your while."

The Nurse replied with her own matter-of-fact tone, and a sigh. She spelled out plainly: "Lynn, I dunno....you know those clothes are for the upchuckers and spill victims, yeah? I do clean them, but I'm really not supposed to let them out for this purpose."

Lynn then looked around and said, her eyes brightening, "Here's an idea. Your daughter have any tests coming up?"

The Nurse quickly replied, being acutely aware of her own daughter's academic difficulties, "Well, she does have a History quiz coming up."

Lynn then clapped her hands, rubbed them, and pointed at the Nurse, saying, "Good. I'll help her with that." Lynn also added, sternly, "Also, bear this in mind--do you want be to go without gym clothing?"

The Nurse then thought for a moment, and said quickly, "I'll see what I can do."

She disappeared for a moment, and grabbed a frumpy gray fleece. It wasn't in bad shape, didn't smell and certainly looked rugged and servicable. It just had a rather rough appearance about it. The Nurse showed it to Lynn, who looked at Ceilia, and said, "That'll do. Thanks." She took the fleece, and the Nurse said, "You owe me. Oh, and I'd like that back by the end of today, thanks."

Lynn nodded, and the Nurse knew she'd collect. Lynn then ran up to Ceilia, and draped the fleece around Ceilia, saying, "Put your arms through the holes, let's go."

Ceilia frowned at the grey fleece when Lynn held it up for her to see. It looked in bad shape to the eyes of an Abriel. Her pointed ears drooped a little. "It looks bad."

Perhaps not the most sophisticated response to a piece of clothing but it was all that could come to her mind. In the end, Ceilia reluctantly pulled the sweater over her own blouse and poked her head through the hole. She was about to complain about the feeling but was dragged off as Lynn made her mad dash to her next class.

Ceilia frowned at the grey fleece when Lynn held it up for her to see. It looked in bad shape to the eyes of an Abriel. Her pointed ears drooped a little. "It looks bad."

Perhaps not the most sophisticated response to a piece of clothing but it was all that could come to her mind. In the end, Ceilia reluctantly pulled the sweater over her own blouse and poked her head through the hole. She was about to complain about the feeling but was dragged off as Lynn made her mad dash to her next class.

The next class was in a room similar to the one for Geography, only brighter and cheerier. Given that there was a large window letting in the sun, this was obvious to all. Walls with posters depicting D'hara, and all sorts of lands in the Abh Empire were present on the walls of varying sizes. And, the environment here was much more lively and enthusiastic, with students chatting and talking.

Then, a tall man walked into the room. With his long blond hair, blue eyes, pointy ears and somewhat wiry yet sturdy build, he was definetly an elf. But, what kind?

That would be answered when he began talking to the class, initially in English. He was cheery and bright when he spoke, with that peculiar combo Dutch-German-English accent that betrayed his South African origins.

"Good day, my young charges. Did you do your homework? I bet it was somewhat hard, but that is why I am here. After all, I'm sure it can't be worse than any other class you have, yes?"

The students smiled, knowing his essential truth. Yes, the language was hard, but he did have a way of guiding his students through the nuances of it all. Lynn whispered to Ceilia, "That's Mr. de Klerk. De Klerk's from South Africa, and a fluent speaker."

Sure enough, De Klerk began speaking, saying in fluent, impeccable Baronh, "Now class, let's get into character. Open your workbooks to page 203. Where did we leave off?" As he said this, De Klerk noticed Ceilia's presence in the room,--an Abriel's skin and general look, to those discerning, did peek through the hoodie Lynn gave her. But the teacher did not say anything yet. He would use her when it was time. He did however, make a mental note of her. And suddenly became rather curious...

When Ceilia walked in, she was immediate caught up in all the posters depicting territories within the Abh Empire. She saw planetside scenes that were common representations for the planets. Ceilia saw glimpses of places like D'Hara, Martine, Lakfkallae, Safugnoff, and Wempel. They were all quite impressive pictures and she was surprised that they were in a classroom in New Dornalia.

Moving along she found a seat next to Lynn and continued to take in the room and the different resources. She wasn't even aware someone was speaking Baronh until she realized she wasn't translating. Every word was coming in perfectly clear to her.

Ceilia's ears perked up as Lynn introduced who the teacher was. The Abriel didn't have a workbook of her own so scooted closer to Lynn's side to look off of hers.

When Ceilia walked in, she was immediate caught up in all the posters depicting territories within the Abh Empire. She saw planetside scenes that were common representations for the planets. Ceilia saw glimpses of places like D'Hara, Martine, Lakfkallae, Safugnoff, and Wempel. They were all quite impressive pictures and she was surprised that they were in a classroom in New Dornalia.

Moving along she found a seat next to Lynn and continued to take in the room and the different resources. She wasn't even aware someone was speaking Baronh until she realized she wasn't translating. Every word was coming in perfectly clear to her.

Ceilia's ears perked up as Lynn introduced who the teacher was. The Abriel didn't have a workbook of her own so scooted closer to Lynn's side to look off of hers.

Another student replied more haltingly, "We left off at the genitive, Mr. De Klerk."

"Alright, the genitive we go, my young charges!" De Klerk shouted, with a proud roar. The students ate it up, as he began sketching in Roman letters and Ath, explaining various things about the genitive.

"Now, the genitive denotes posession." He sketched out a sentence and a sample word in Ath and Latin letters, and said in his impeccable Baronh, "As in, this is Rob's ball." All the while, Lynn wrote down notes, and followed along in the workbook. Then, without warning, Mr. De Klerk sauntered over to Ceilia's seat, and then gestured to her, saying, "And, with my apologies--ahem--this is the Abriel's coat."

He then leaned in and said to Ceilia, whispering to her, "Really. I am sorry, Your Excellency."

Ceilia continued to follow along with Lynn in her workbook until she sensed someone walking up on her. She didn't need to move her eyes to know that the teacher had walked from the head of the classroom to a few steps from her seat. Her pointed ears perked up at the words of her native language as De Klerk continued his lesson.

The Abriel simply shrugged at the professor's apology. It mattered little to her if she was being used as a means to instruct others. Ceilia kept her focus on Lynn's workbook and tried to help her with anything she might struggle with.

Ceilia continued to follow along with Lynn in her workbook until she sensed someone walking up on her. She didn't need to move her eyes to know that the teacher had walked from the head of the classroom to a few steps from her seat. Her pointed ears perked up at the words of her native language as De Klerk continued his lesson.

The Abriel simply shrugged at the professor's apology. It mattered little to her if she was being used as a means to instruct others. Ceilia kept her focus on Lynn's workbook and tried to help her with anything she might struggle with.

De Klerk continued to use Ceilia in his lesson, sure enough. He continued with further examples of the genitive, pointing to things that were Ceilia's. "This is the Abriel's colleague; this is her colleague's notebook." Those sorts of things. As he explained things in his lesson though, de Klerk began subtly moving closer, as if trying to examine the subject he was using for an example. He leaned on one hand on the desk where Ceilia was, and looked out of the corner of his eye--again, subtly.

After the lecture portion was over, he then said, "Now, students. It's that time of day again." A sigh from the students erupted, as he continued cheerfully, "Open your books to the next page over. I want you to complete the listening exercises for the genitive clause; today we'll be doing English-to-Baronh translations. When you're done, pass them in and begin the writing section on the page over."

He then pulled up the computer and opened a few sound files. He then activated the listening tapes, and the students, including Lynn, began the moment the tape said, "Hey, Joe! Is this your pencil?!" and instructed them to translate. Lynn began keeping up, though it would prove difficult for her at times. When she was finished with the others, and began the writing exercise, she began asking Ceilia for help, though not too often.

As the class wore on, Ceilia became less and less comfortable with the teacher. Especially his relative close proximity to her. She couldn't quite place it, but she got the distinct impression that he was staring at her with more than a fascination for a different race in his classroom.

Thankfully the subject matter turned elsewhere and she was no longer used as an instrument of instruction. With room to final breathe, Ceilia turned to helping Lynn with her work making minor adjustments to inflections and verb conjugations. The typical fun stuff of learning new languages.

As the class wore on, Ceilia became less and less comfortable with the teacher. Especially his relative close proximity to her. She couldn't quite place it, but she got the distinct impression that he was staring at her with more than a fascination for a different race in his classroom.

Thankfully the subject matter turned elsewhere and she was no longer used as an instrument of instruction. With room to final breathe, Ceilia turned to helping Lynn with her work making minor adjustments to inflections and verb conjugations. The typical fun stuff of learning new languages.

Lynn didn't notice anything about de Klerk's behavior, only that he did get a little close for comfort. Then again, she had mostly been engrossed in her work, trying to finagle those sentences into the proper form of the genitive clause. Now, she had some trouble trying to translate a sentence, marked, "Irwin's ball was taken from him by the teacher, when Irwin refused to put it down." Naturally, she showed Ceilia a copy of the sentence she had so far, and asked, "I dunno. Having trouble putting this all together....which way does word go?"

As she said this, she noticed Ceilia seemed unusually relieved to be doing this, and asked, "What's up, Ceilia? You look....troubled."

Ceilia shook her head for a moment. "It's probably nothing but I just get the impression that he has been staring at me. I don't mean the normal shocked state of seeing royalty or different species for the first time, but the kind of stare that has some sort of meaning to it."

The princess shook her head again. "It's nothing, just forget it."

Looking over the work that Lynn had done so far, Ceilia nodded her head with approval.

Ceilia shook her head for a moment. "It's probably nothing but I just get the impression that he has been staring at me. I don't mean the normal shocked state of seeing royalty or different species for the first time, but the kind of stare that has some sort of meaning to it."

The princess shook her head again. "It's nothing, just forget it."

Looking over the work that Lynn had done so far, Ceilia nodded her head with approval.

Lynn then nodded back, and said, "Thanks, Ceil." Lynn then stopped and held her hand to her mouth, realizing she did what every Dornie usually does. Shorten and nickname people and things. She then giggled nervously, seemingly embarassed by the sudden lapse in form. Lynn then turned to Ceilia and said in a sheepish manner, "My bad, Ceilia. It kinda slipped out....do you have a nickname people call you back home?"

De Klerk, meanwhile, heard the giggles--they were a bit loud, standing out above the usual classroom chatter of asking for help in English (which was met with cries of "In Baronh, please!") and alternatively halting and flowing Baronh, depending on the student. He went to the table where the sound was, and was pleasantly surprised to see it came from Ceilia and Lynn's location.

Picking up the latter part of Lynn's question, he then asked, "Do you? I am rather curious."

Ceilia looked at the workbook for a moment as she picked up on the nickname. The Abriel was to answer her question when the teacher came over to the ask with a new found curiosity. Another wave of uncomfortableness came over her soon after.

"It is rare for anyone to refer to me as anything but her highness or something along that line. Using my first name is considered a nickname I suppose since very few people other than my father call me by my first name."

Ceilia looked at the workbook for a moment as she picked up on the nickname. The Abriel was to answer her question when the teacher came over to the ask with a new found curiosity. Another wave of uncomfortableness came over her soon after.

"It is rare for anyone to refer to me as anything but her highness or something along that line. Using my first name is considered a nickname I suppose since very few people other than my father call me by my first name."

"Ah, but of course," de Klerk replied with a simple, acknowledging nod. "So she is an Abh, and an Abriel too; my initial judgment was correct," thought the teacher. De Klerk sensed Ceilia's unease, and attempted to ease her fears. He began waving his hands and saying, "My apologies, your Highness." Pausing to calculate his next few words, he then said, "It is rather that I had only read about the Abriels in my studies at University; I was wondering if that was really the truth."

Lynn, in the meantime, noticed the tone of Ceilia's reply and her uneasy look; it was obvious Mr. de Klerk was generating a reaction in her, and not one of appreciation. She also noticed that the teacher, though genteel and respectful, was being unusually so in Ceilia's presence--he seemed somewhat agitated under the air of calm, and really, really struck by Ceilia's presence, for sure. She too looked out the corner of her eye as she filled out her work, this time to watch for anything suspicious.

Ceilia relaxed slightly as the teacher gave some distance back to the tense princess. In truth, it had both been the question about what people called her back home as to the presence of the teacher that had made her uncomfortable. Most people were scared of Abriels for their reputations and none dared to become overly friendly with them. It was the silent curse of all Abriels within the Empire but a necessary one.

"No apologies necessary. The hierarchies of an Empire are not always clear to foreign nations. Propriety is strictly upheld within our borders except for the military."

The Abriel took a moment for a deep breath. "I can answer any other questions you might have or are confused about."

Ceilia relaxed slightly as the teacher gave some distance back to the tense princess. In truth, it had both been the question about what people called her back home as to the presence of the teacher that had made her uncomfortable. Most people were scared of Abriels for their reputations and none dared to become overly friendly with them. It was the silent curse of all Abriels within the Empire but a necessary one.

"No apologies necessary. The hierarchies of an Empire are not always clear to foreign nations. Propriety is strictly upheld within our borders except for the military."

The Abriel took a moment for a deep breath. "I can answer any other questions you might have or are confused about."

De Klerk smiled and nodded--as befitting a man of his interest in Abh culture, he knew that though he looked somewhat like an Abh and spoke their tongue in an indistinguishable accent from an Abh, the Boer egalitarian spirit that was part of his people was very foreign to the Abh--not like them at all.

"Ah yes. I had forgotten about that." He then bowed and said, "Your Highness, I had another question." De Klerk looked at the hooded sweatshirt over and over, and asked, "How did you end up in that frumpy coat? Such a sweatshirt is unbefitting for one of your status, especially with those distinctive ears and the markings of your class."

Ceilia's pointed ears drooped slightly as she looked down at the hooded sweatshirt she was wearing. She was slightly embarrassed about the remark though didn't allow any of it to show on her face. "I was told that it would help me blend in with the school atmosphere."

The Abriel looked over to Lynn for some sort of support to her statement.

Ceilia's pointed ears drooped slightly as she looked down at the hooded sweatshirt she was wearing. She was slightly embarrassed about the remark though didn't allow any of it to show on her face. "I was told that it would help me blend in with the school atmosphere."

The Abriel looked over to Lynn for some sort of support to her statement.

Lynn nodded and replied in halting, somewhat stuttery Baronh, "Yes....the Abriel....was attracting...too much attention in Geographhhy class. A man, um, boy, was staring at her with some degree of....infa--love interest? He made a lot of noise. So I elected to reduce the chance of that happening again."

De Klerk replied, "I see. I see," tersely to Lynn, before turning to Ceilia and saying, "I am not surprised that the boy was staring, really. Royal persons, especially those of the Abriel group, with their positive qualities of grace and dignity and decidedly--dare I say it--striking looks, tend to attract attention whereever they go."

Lynn then said, deciding to get de Klerk and his little amateur anthropology mission-cum-character-study focused back on track, said in English, "I'm done."

"Ah yes."

De Klerk then returned to the front of the room, hastily correcting mistakes with clear embarassment at being distracted with Ceilia's presence. Comically, he then turned off the audio, which was by now on Workplace Matters, and then said, "My apologies. Alright, class, here's what you should have," putting up the correct answers on the board.

Ceilia grew more uncomfortable with the increased attention she was receiving by the teacher and was grateful when he headed back up to the front of the room. She looked over at Lynn with doubt on her face.

"Is he normally this personal with his students?"

Ceilia grew more uncomfortable with the increased attention she was receiving by the teacher and was grateful when he headed back up to the front of the room. She looked over at Lynn with doubt on her face.

"Is he normally this personal with his students?"

Lynn then sighed, and shook her head. "Afraid not. He's never usually this formal, flustered, or personal. There's something up, I swear....."

Lynn now began watching de Klerk like a hawk. She never knew him to be like this, and it never bode well whenever someone did something out of character, in novels, RPs and real life. Indeed, the way he seemed eager to get on with the lesson and cram everything in before the final bell, it seemed all the more disturbing. He seemed unshaken enough, though--but still....

"Alright class. Before we go, here's the assignment for tonight. There is a series of exercises in the workbook, page 215, my young charges. All on what we covered today. Do all the parts in the Drills Section--that's all fifteen questions--and Writing Exercise A."

*BBBRRRINNNGGG*

With that, de Klerk said, "Alright! Class dismissed. Have a good day, my charges. Unless you have questions." Lynn then said to Ceilia, "Right. That period moved quickly enough. Let's get moving, shall we? Lunch is up."

Ceilia remained quiet throughout the rest of class as the teacher went on with the rest of the class period. She paid mild attention to the world around her and waited for the bell to ring.

When Lynn said lunch was ready, the Abriel was grateful to get out of the classroom and move on. "That sounds good to me."

Ceilia remained quiet throughout the rest of class as the teacher went on with the rest of the class period. She paid mild attention to the world around her and waited for the bell to ring.

When Lynn said lunch was ready, the Abriel was grateful to get out of the classroom and move on. "That sounds good to me."

Lynn led her out, also glad to be out of that hellhole. Still, she had a sneaking suspicion he'd be back...nah.

Lynn quickly navigated the crush of people moving to and fro in the halls of Long Beach Polytechnic, and then eventually retrievied her lunch. Grabbing it furiously, she quickly slammed her locker shut and rushed the crowds again, making it to the cafeteria.

The cafeteria itself was a massive room, filled to the brim with chatty students and a long line that extended ot the cafeteria area. Cashiers with card readers and cash registers took cash and Student ID, swiping them in as the students left with standard issue food. Burgers, salads, tuna casserole, the usual.

Lynn made it through the crowds to find a table where the catgirl from before was sitting with the black fellow from the bus stop, along with a Chinese guy. Lynn sat down, and said, "Hey." The others went "Hey," only briefly distracted from their food.

"Ceilia, this is Larry and Aminta. You remember them. This here is Bob, too. Bob, Ceilia, Ceilia, Bob." Bob merely said, "Hey." It was clear the food was that good.

Ceilia had only seen controlled chaos like this in a space port. She had no idea that it would apply to a cafeteria full of high school students. It was hard to push through the crowd which resulted in her using elbows to try and move people out of the way.

Finally, she and Lynn made it to a table with some of her classmates though which meant little to Ceilia since she did not know any of them. She gave her greetings as she was introduced to each of them in turn. With introductions aside, Ceilia took a seat next to Lynn.

The food was far from anything Abh royalty would have eaten but having been aboard star ships for long durations, food was food no matter what it looked like or smelled like. "How much time do you have for mess?"

Ceilia had only seen controlled chaos like this in a space port. She had no idea that it would apply to a cafeteria full of high school students. It was hard to push through the crowd which resulted in her using elbows to try and move people out of the way.

Finally, she and Lynn made it to a table with some of her classmates though which meant little to Ceilia since she did not know any of them. She gave her greetings as she was introduced to each of them in turn. With introductions aside, Ceilia took a seat next to Lynn.

The food was far from anything Abh royalty would have eaten but having been aboard star ships for long durations, food was food no matter what it looked like or smelled like. "How much time do you have for mess?"

"We get 45 minutes," Aminta said. She was clearly irritated about something, and repeated various curses about "maricons" and "damn jerkoffs" over and over again. Her face clenched with anger, and it was generating a tense mood over the table.

"Aminta, what happened?" Aminta fumed at Lynn, "My fucking test. That's what happened. Bitch curveballed me with the damn symbolism in Streetcar. The Varsouviana. The bloody meat package. Blah blah fuckin' blah. Gimme a good historia anytime."

Lynn then leaned into Ceilia and explained, "Historias are old, well, think of them as war stories and classical stories."

"You're damn right. That's how we do this shit. None of this symbolism, or sob stories. No, we tell stories of strong women standing up to what fucks with them. Which is what my mom will do to me, since I no doubt bombed this test." Aminta sighs, and her anger is replaced with anxiety.

"Well, don't worry. I'm sure you'll end up okay. Besides, you can ask me, or the teacher," Lynn replies. She tries to comfort her friend, who sighs and says, "Sure. Like Mr. Halloran will listen to me."

"Well, you could always sue," Larry said. Aminta said, "Maybe."

Bob then said, "Well, at least the food's not bad, isn't it?"

A mutual mumbling of "Yeah," cna be heard, and Aminta asks Ceilia, "So Benny, how'd your day go?"

Ceilia listened to the complaints and sour experiences of the local students as they complained about tests and teachers. Most of it was all rather familiar to her having been through Star Forces academy. However the language use between the two worlds were quite different which she assumed to be a cultural difference.

There were no real words of comfort for Ceilia as she had nothing to give not being in any of their classes or from their world. It took her a minute to realize that "Benny" was her dubbed nickname from her Star Forces rank. "Besides the incident on the bus it has been tolerable. I wonder at some of the professors though but otherwise it has been a good impression."

Ceilia listened to the complaints and sour experiences of the local students as they complained about tests and teachers. Most of it was all rather familiar to her having been through Star Forces academy. However the language use between the two worlds were quite different which she assumed to be a cultural difference.

There were no real words of comfort for Ceilia as she had nothing to give not being in any of their classes or from their world. It took her a minute to realize that "Benny" was her dubbed nickname from her Star Forces rank. "Besides the incident on the bus it has been tolerable. I wonder at some of the professors though but otherwise it has been a good impression."

Aminta laughed at that last part. “Studebaker is a bit of a bore, eh?” The others nodded. Bob was as laconic as ever, his face full of food—so he couldn’t talk anyway. Larry then nodded and said, “Mhm. I hear that. Dude taught my Geography class. Boring.”

The others nodded at that last part. It was obvious Studebaker was infamous around the student body for his monotonality and his dull mannerisms. Lynn sighed and said, “Yeah. Though I had to get Ceilia this hoodie. Some creep was staring at her in Geography.”

Aminta then shrugged and said, shaking her head and fretting: “I would’ve kicked him in the balls.”

“You say that about anybody that stares, dontcha?” Larry replied. Aminta laughed; she smirked at Larry and replied with a teasing, “Well, then I wouldn’t be Aminta. Strong, independent Aminta.” Lynn sighed, and then whispered to Ceilia with a sigh, “Here we go. They do this a lot.”

“More like violent, killer Aminta. Chill out girl, you’re gonna kill someone someday with that attitude,” Larry said, returning the favor with his own smirk and sarcastic attitude. With a frown, Aminta only shook her head and said, “Just saying, Ceilia doesn’t have to take that.’ She then stared at Ceilia and said with a grin, enjoying herself, “Remember. The most vulnerable part of a man is his testicles. Also, the hardest part of your hand is the heel, and you can pinch a man's wrists and pull on his upper earlobe--both are pressure points."

"Gee, thanks." Larry laughed. He learned to take Aminta's militaristic rants on womanhood in stride, something which contributed to the duo's banter.

Lynn then said, "Well, she might need those factoids. She swears de Klerk was looking at her."

"De Klerk? The goody-goody nice guy Dutchman?" Aminta couldn't believe it.

"Boer, the term is," Lynn said.

"Whatever, but what?!" Aminta continued....

Ceilia sort of sat back and soaked up the conversation for what it was worth, friends communicating back and forth. She had no real friends of her own back in the Empire. Life in Star Forces had kept relationships short and her rank among the royalty within the Empire always kept others at bay. It was a lifestyle that the Abriels had taken upon themselves to live and rule the Empire as fairly as possible.

When the stares and questions came back at her, she only shrugged her shoulders. "I could not be certain of it but I always had the impression that he was staring at me and trying to be close. He constantly spoke in the language of the Abh as if he was trying to impress me. But perhaps it was simply just me being unfamiliar with the culture."

Ceilia sort of sat back and soaked up the conversation for what it was worth, friends communicating back and forth. She had no real friends of her own back in the Empire. Life in Star Forces had kept relationships short and her rank among the royalty within the Empire always kept others at bay. It was a lifestyle that the Abriels had taken upon themselves to live and rule the Empire as fairly as possible.

When the stares and questions came back at her, she only shrugged her shoulders. "I could not be certain of it but I always had the impression that he was staring at me and trying to be close. He constantly spoke in the language of the Abh as if he was trying to impress me. But perhaps it was simply just me being unfamiliar with the culture."

Aminta and the others looked at her oddly. A collective "Huh" emerged from the group, except for Lynn. Lynn had been there, and knew exactly what she was talking about. She chimed in with, "I wouldn't put it that way, but Mr. de Klerk seemed really fascinated with her. A little too much. I mean, he got distracted and let the tape run over its limit."

The others then looked at each other, and Aminta, being ever the feminist, replied, "Benny, that's not the culture talking, I think." Lynn then goes, "I know but..." Her voice trailed off, as she then finished under Aminta's inquisitive glare with, "Um....that's the thing. Mr. de Klerk's a cool guy otherwise. I can't quite believe that was really him--I hope he was just being fascinated for cultural reasons. Because that would get really wierd."

Aminta then nodded and said, "Ya think?"

Larry then poked Aminta and then said, "Let's go to a happier subject. What are we doing for tonight's session of Strategy Club?"

Aminta, duly distracted, gleamed at the thought of marshaling tiny pewter ships against another's and winning.

"We're doing that campaign, remember? The race to claim Alpharious Six? I get to play you again. I hope you don't use any weakass moves like last week."

Larry's grin betrayed another aspect of their complex relationship; they were not only best friends, but also friendly rivals who enjoyed dueling over this game Lynn had spoken of. He continued with, "Don't worry, I used my reinforcement priveleges and got some new blood in. Besides, can't be the only black dude who plays this game."

Aminta slapped him on the back, and said, "You're on."

Ceilia had no real idea what they were refering to when discussing de Klerk but she assumed none of it was terribly serious. At least none of it would affect her mission overall. The Abriel settled back in her seat and allowed the conversation to flow around her.

Her ears perked up slightly when they began discussing their strategy club. Ceilia leaned in closer to Lynn. "Are you going to this meeting tonight? It sounds like your school military organization."

Ceilia had no real idea what they were refering to when discussing de Klerk but she assumed none of it was terribly serious. At least none of it would affect her mission overall. The Abriel settled back in her seat and allowed the conversation to flow around her.

Her ears perked up slightly when they began discussing their strategy club. Ceilia leaned in closer to Lynn. "Are you going to this meeting tonight? It sounds like your school military organization."

Lynn nodded. Realizing Ceilia was no doubt confused by the name "Strategy Club," Lynn decided to clear things up.

"Well, it's that game I told you about, not so much a military organization. We have a small league we form, and play against other leagues at the local game store."

She then continued to reply to Ceilia's query with a simple, "And yes, I'm going. That's why I said today was going to be long. I got my army over there. Well, more like a Star fleet. It's a New Dornalian Battlefleet, Battlefleet Iron Man. Named after its lead ship, a Mao Zedong Mark IV class named the Iron Man. People's Navy names its flagships after rock songs, so I figured I'd pick a good one."

Aminta laughed. "She also forgot to mention its one of the slowest vessels in the damn game."

Lynn nodded and muttered, "Bitch, please," waving it off.

Finally understanding what Lynn was trying to tell her, realization set into her face. "Oh I see. So it is a sort of war game trial."

She listened to the banter between the two girls over the different ships though was not familiar with how they knew so much about different classes of vessels. "I would like to come along and see how this works."

Finally understanding what Lynn was trying to tell her, realization set into her face. "Oh I see. So it is a sort of war game trial."

She listened to the banter between the two girls over the different ships though was not familiar with how they knew so much about different classes of vessels. "I would like to come along and see how this works."

"Sure. In fact, I did warn you today was going to be one of my long days. This club is the reason." Lynn nodded, and shrugged. Ceilia seemed to have a short memory when it came to these things. She knew the Abh had recreational activities, but they probably did not have much leisure time on their hands.

And frankly, that wasn't the only thing--Ceilia seemed just plain confused. That was addressed with eye contact and a smile, along with words of "And it is a kind of war game, but not so much for military purposes--but more like a sport. I know the concept seems hard to grasp, but don't worry, it'll become clearer once you see it in person. The basics of it are llike I explained at the restaurant. It's a game played with dice, miniatures, and a map of a system, plus adjustable bases for positioning ships above and below the enemy. Relax!"

Ceilia wore a blank expression, masking the disappointment that she had hoped to find something that she could relate to with Lynn's classmates, then slowly nodded her head. "I see. Well it all sounds interesting enough. Perhaps if I learn enough over time, I could try a game out."

The Abriel wasn't entirely sure that she would ever understand the game but she was willing to make the attempt in an order to try and fit in somewhere in Dornalia during her stay.

Ceilia wore a blank expression, masking the disappointment that she had hoped to find something that she could relate to with Lynn's classmates, then slowly nodded her head. "I see. Well it all sounds interesting enough. Perhaps if I learn enough over time, I could try a game out."

The Abriel wasn't entirely sure that she would ever understand the game but she was willing to make the attempt in an order to try and fit in somewhere in Dornalia during her stay.

"Heck, we could let you try a game out." Larry shrugged and replied thusly to Ceilia's blank expression. The collected group around the Abh officer knew that was usually the reaction their hobby got from people who didn't play. Confused, blank stares. Or heckling, but that wasn't the case this time. "We take newbies. Think of it like chess or a strategic wargame, on a board."

Lynn looked at him with a frown, and said, "I think I tried that already to explain it to her as such. You've seen the result."

"Well, I'm sure she'll adapt quickly." He shrugged.

Then, Lynn looked at the table in front of Ceilia and gasped. Admist all the chatting, the confusion, and the awkward reaction afterwards, Ceilia really hadn't been given a chance to eat something. Maybe if she had some food, things would improve. Thus, Lynn tapped her and said, "Ceilia, did you eat anything yet? I'd get something while the lunch hour's still on."

She motioned to the serving area, which was by now sparse, and said, "Now's your chance, go!"

Ceilia was about to say that she was perfectly fine having been used to long stretches aboard starships were meals were stretched out during battles. Still, testing the cuisine of another nation was important to studying the New Dornalia. She wondered how it would compare to Imperial cuisine or if it would be like replicated food served aboard Star Forces vessels.

She started walking towards the lines then stopped. Ceilia started chewing on her lower lip. "Do you mind coming with me? I would like to hear what you have to recommend."

Ceilia was about to say that she was perfectly fine having been used to long stretches aboard starships were meals were stretched out during battles. Still, testing the cuisine of another nation was important to studying the New Dornalia. She wondered how it would compare to Imperial cuisine or if it would be like replicated food served aboard Star Forces vessels.

She started walking towards the lines then stopped. Ceilia started chewing on her lower lip. "Do you mind coming with me? I would like to hear what you have to recommend."

"Sure, I can help you." After that fiasco with the wargame, Lynn decided it would be best to help steer Ceilia through the vagaries of Dornalian culture. THus, they waited in line, and walked over to the food area. Lynn handed Ceilia a tray and then walked her to various stations.

These stations were arranged in a sort of order--or whatever order could be deduced from the needs of dieticians and bureaucrats. The first thing was the Hot Lunch line, where cooks and servers working a buffet line constantly refilled paper trays with food. Today's special was some sort of spaghetti. Edible and actualy tasty? Yeah. Haute cuisine? Not quite. As Ceilia would observe well, it was standard issue cafeteria fare. Tasty yes, but nothing like what mom made. Lunch ladies in the back with hairnets, grim expressions and the looks of experience took frozen, fresh and replicated ingredients, working the cookers and large pots that were simmering marinara sauce and boiling pasta.

The station after that was raw vegetables and salads. Here, a lunch lady distributed packets of dressing, and the salad of the day. A simple assortment of lettuce, tomatoes and other greens arranged roughly but tastefully.

Next was the "Grill" area, marked by a comical sign with a cowboy on top. There, large flat grills hosted sizzling hamburgers and chicken cutlets, and cooks flipped them with great diligence and joylessness, focused on not burning them. Large stacks of buns could be seen, and students picked up sandwiches and hamburgers, with some getting lettuce put on them.

Then came the Dessert and Drink line. Cups of some kind of chocolate pudding intermingled with a variety of water bottles, pastries, sports drinks, fruit juices and milk products of all flavors as students snatched their desired item. At the end of said line was a series of checkout areas, where students swiped IDs or presented cash and change to get their meal.

Lynn then presented Ceilia with some cash, and said, "This will pay for your meal. Not sure if management's decided to let you eat with a free meal for the day, so keep this with you just in case." She then greeted the lunch ladies, and explained that she was just with Ceilia to show her around.

If Ceilia could open up a food replicator and took a look at how it was created before slapped onto a military gray tray, she probably would have gotten a similar picture. Everything looked rather similar to what she received on a war vessel of the Empire though minus the smell and grim looking servers. Nothing looked appealing to the Abriel directly.

Deciding to keep things safe, Ceilia moved towards the salad and got a plates worth along with a number of various greens. Perhaps surprising, she opted for no dressing. Moving onto the drink line, Ceilia nabbed a bottle of water and placed it onto her tray. She thanked Lynn for the money then moved off to the clerk to see whether or not she had been approved for a free lunch or would have to repay Lynn later.

If Ceilia could open up a food replicator and took a look at how it was created before slapped onto a military gray tray, she probably would have gotten a similar picture. Everything looked rather similar to what she received on a war vessel of the Empire though minus the smell and grim looking servers. Nothing looked appealing to the Abriel directly.

Deciding to keep things safe, Ceilia moved towards the salad and got a plates worth along with a number of various greens. Perhaps surprising, she opted for no dressing. Moving onto the drink line, Ceilia nabbed a bottle of water and placed it onto her tray. She thanked Lynn for the money then moved off to the clerk to see whether or not she had been approved for a free lunch or would have to repay Lynn later.

The cashier looked at Ceilia, and then looked at the food. Ringing it up cheerlessly, the lady replied, in a voice that sounded like she'd been smoking too many cigarettes, "That'll be $5.25. Unless you got ID." She then put her arms to the side, only to notice her distinct look and visitor's pass. She then keyed it into the computer, and then was greeted with the message that she was a visitor, with diplomatic immunity. Thus, the lady said, "Okay, you can go. No charge. Enjoy the planet Earth." She then cracked a smile that was both rough and sarcastic, and warm.

Ceilia didn't know what to make of the cashier woman with her gruff voice and sarcastic looks. All that mattered to the Abriel was that the charge was free so it wouldn't cost Lynn any money. Saying her thanks, Ceilia grabbed her tray and water and hurried after Lynn to return to their seat.

"Was their something troubling her?"

Ceilia didn't know what to make of the cashier woman with her gruff voice and sarcastic looks. All that mattered to the Abriel was that the charge was free so it wouldn't cost Lynn any money. Saying her thanks, Ceilia grabbed her tray and water and hurried after Lynn to return to their seat.

"Was their something troubling her?"

"Oh, she smokes too much. Think her name was Sheila, it said so on her nametag." Lynn then paused and thought for a moment, mumbling to herself, "At least I thought it was Sheila....was it Tracy? I don't usually talk to the lunch ladies, except for Amelia, one of the line cooks. As for the sarcasm, well, they're probably from rough backgrounds. After all, I'm sure there's not much reward in working the kitchen."

Ceilia shrugged as she started eating her salad. It tasted fresh enough and without the dressing, it was bland enough to suit the tastebuds of an Abh. As she continued to eat and drink her water, Ceilia looked over to Lynn.

"What is on schedule for the rest of the day?"

Ceilia shrugged as she started eating her salad. It tasted fresh enough and without the dressing, it was bland enough to suit the tastebuds of an Abh. As she continued to eat and drink her water, Ceilia looked over to Lynn.

"What is on schedule for the rest of the day?"

"Dornalian History II....and Gym. And then our club." Lynn said this with the care of someone who knew the schedule as if it were a routine. Which it was, but she assumed it was obvious enough to the Abriel.

"You'll like Gym, I think," Lynn said with a smile. "We do all sorts of drills and runs and marches. It's kinda militaristic. My parents don't object, but I know some do. I find it might be good practice, since I have to do National Service anyway."

"Yes, that." Aminta rolled her eyes and sighed.

Ceilia listened to Lynn's schedule as she listed off the remaining courses. They sound interesting enough though she didn't know how well she would do with gym. Physical activity on a planet for an Abh was not the best since they were created for life in space and zero gravity.

Still, the Abriel would not let the potential problem deter her. She was determined to fit in with the rest of the students as much as possible.

One thing did catch her attention though. She was pleased to hear that New Dornalia had a national service and that Lynn would be a part of it. Ceilia did pick up on something from Aminta though..

"Is there something wrong with National Service in New Dornalia."

Ceilia listened to Lynn's schedule as she listed off the remaining courses. They sound interesting enough though she didn't know how well she would do with gym. Physical activity on a planet for an Abh was not the best since they were created for life in space and zero gravity.

Still, the Abriel would not let the potential problem deter her. She was determined to fit in with the rest of the students as much as possible.

One thing did catch her attention though. She was pleased to hear that New Dornalia had a national service and that Lynn would be a part of it. Ceilia did pick up on something from Aminta though..

"Is there something wrong with National Service in New Dornalia."

"I just wonder why I have to be drafted, is all." Aminta rolled her eyes at the thought, which provoked a reply from Lynn.

"Well, look, it's not like it's exclusively a rich man's war or a poor man's fight. Everybody gets drafted, and there's very little you can do."

"Yeah, but what of the rich boys or those Christfags and Patriotfags who opt out on 'contientious objector' status and get to spend their two years at some munitions plant, or the college boy who gets to automatically become officer because he got to party and get a nice sheet of paper that says he's qualified to talk bullshit about books?" Aminta shot back at her immediately, criticizing the regulations that let the Dornalian citizen opt out of frontline service on religious, moral, medical, or educational grounds.

"Well, lemme say this. You have to go to Officer Candidate School after college and pass the courses to become an officer, even after you do college. I hear they make it an intensive program, and plenty of slackers and partyers are forced to be NCOs or grunts. Also, not all the Christians and Patriotic Church members who apply for contientious objector get it. They subject them to a rigorous exam before a board to ensure they're not lying or shirking." Lynn replied with this much. She seemed convicted in her belief it was necessary.

"And yet people join the People's Militia and the International Brigades and escape that requirement."

Lynn then capped the argument, waving her hand as if to say, "End this, now," "Who said it was only the rich?"

"Fine, fine...whateav. I just wish I could spend two years of my life doing shit I wanna do." Aminta let out a harumph, and turned the other way.

Listening to the debate between Lynn and Aminta, Ceilia saw some of the fundamental differences between how the Empire and New Dornalia conducted military services. If everything was true being said, then both had valid points in their arguments.

"If that's the case, then they should run service enlistments like the Empire does. The higher your status in society, the longer you must serve. It only makes sense that those with more responsibilities should contribute more. I have been in Star Forces for several years now and still no where near serving my term of service."

Listening to the debate between Lynn and Aminta, Ceilia saw some of the fundamental differences between how the Empire and New Dornalia conducted military services. If everything was true being said, then both had valid points in their arguments.

"If that's the case, then they should run service enlistments like the Empire does. The higher your status in society, the longer you must serve. It only makes sense that those with more responsibilities should contribute more. I have been in Star Forces for several years now and still no where near serving my term of service."

Aminta nodded and said, "Now that's an idea. Get those college boys and those idle nouveau riche to do their part and make them work as long as we do." She smiled at Ceilia, indicating her approval of the Abh law. "And no loopholes. None. That means those OCS programs you love so much are gonna hafta truly decide who leads me into battle and who I get to push around."

Lynn then shrugged, and said, "I never objected. I like that. With present OCS standards, it will be easy enough to implement. And, besides, those who want to avoid OCS can go to Naval War College--our main naval academy. No problems with extra-intensive training, just a long series of courses on military training and whatnot, with basic. They even teach you the legendary MacGyverism courses there."

Ceilia seemed to have found her little niche here as she talked with Aminta and Lynn about things pertaining to the military. It was good to be able to contribute to a conversation in a meaningful way.

"MacGyverism? I have never heard of such a technique."

Ceilia seemed to have found her little niche here as she talked with Aminta and Lynn about things pertaining to the military. It was good to be able to contribute to a conversation in a meaningful way.

"MacGyverism? I have never heard of such a technique."

Lynn was floored when she heard the words from Ceilia's mouth. "Wait, what?" Her eyes became the size of dinner plates, and she was thoroughly shocked. "Thought you would have at least heard mumblings of it whilst working with People's Navy."

She then coughed and said "Ah yes. Basically, rumor has it one of the majors at the Naval War College is a career track that leads one to specialize in the field of MacGyverism. Through a series of classes, one learns creative problem solving techniques using high and low technology, as well as applications of chemistry and physics to do amazing things on the fly. Like building a musket out of a tube of bamboo, some charcoal-saltpeter-nitrate mixture, and some rocks. That's for the final exam, I hear. Also, how to use paperclips, a rubberband and a pencil to build a weapon."

Ceilia shook her head for a moment. "I haven't worked alongside any People's Navy during my career."

The Abriel listened to Lynn describe the strange practice that had Ceilia reeling. Not that it wasn't a good idea to train workers in such techniques, it just sound fanciful to her.

"Not that I doubt you, but making a weapon out of a paper clip, rubber band, and a pencil seems hardly possible. Unless you plan on using the rubber band and pencil to shoot the paper clip."

Ceilia shook her head for a moment. "I haven't worked alongside any People's Navy during my career."

The Abriel listened to Lynn describe the strange practice that had Ceilia reeling. Not that it wasn't a good idea to train workers in such techniques, it just sound fanciful to her.

"Not that I doubt you, but making a weapon out of a paper clip, rubber band, and a pencil seems hardly possible. Unless you plan on using the rubber band and pencil to shoot the paper clip."

"Well....they do it in some way that it's actually useful. I don't actually remember how exactly the physics behind it work out. All I know is that they're trained to use materials at hand--be it simple tools or battlefleets--and get creative. It's not like they replace actual tactics and strategy and wargames with MacGyverism, but the Navy I hear finds it improves combat performance by a lot." With a shrug, Lynn finished her sentence with a look that indicaed that she didn't know much more beyond that.

"What did you learn in your Navy, Ceilia?" Lynn continued.

Ceilia decided to let MacGyverism go since Lynn was having difficulty filling in all the details and Ceilia just didn't quite get it all though she understood the basics of the concept. She was sort of caught off guard when Lynn asked her what she learned in her navy school.

"Well, the Abh never fully leave the Academy. We spend five years in school learning naval tactics in officers school as well as the different models of Star Forces ships alongside those of friend and foe. Instructors go into detail laying out the performance and armament differences in each ship.

We receive advanced physics training for travel in Hyperspace and Space-Time to properly navigate both areas while also being able to coup with all spatial distortions. Then there is a series classes dealing with communications, explosive proportions, and electrical engineering that doubles with energy weapon physics."

Ceilia decided to let MacGyverism go since Lynn was having difficulty filling in all the details and Ceilia just didn't quite get it all though she understood the basics of the concept. She was sort of caught off guard when Lynn asked her what she learned in her navy school.

"Well, the Abh never fully leave the Academy. We spend five years in school learning naval tactics in officers school as well as the different models of Star Forces ships alongside those of friend and foe. Instructors go into detail laying out the performance and armament differences in each ship.

We receive advanced physics training for travel in Hyperspace and Space-Time to properly navigate both areas while also being able to coup with all spatial distortions. Then there is a series classes dealing with communications, explosive proportions, and electrical engineering that doubles with energy weapon physics."

Lynn nodded, taking in the whole details. The Star Forces seemed to be like the People's Navy--a professional organization that studied tactics and the capabilities of the foe, to try and deal with them in battle. Only thing was that whilst the PN tried to make well-rounded officers who were learned in various military science skills, Star Forces trained mostly physicists and engineers. At least that's what Lynn got.

Then, Lynn noticed that Ceilia hadn't touched her food. She then said, gesturing to it, "Your food's gonna get cold."

Ceilia gave Lynn a wry grin as she looked down at her food. "It's a salad, Lynn. It shouldn't be warm."

The Abriel went back to her salad and finished it off along with the last bits of her water. Looking around, Ceilia spotted the area where everyone was depositing their trays and trash and walked off to dispose of her own.

Ceilia gave Lynn a wry grin as she looked down at her food. "It's a salad, Lynn. It shouldn't be warm."

The Abriel went back to her salad and finished it off along with the last bits of her water. Looking around, Ceilia spotted the area where everyone was depositing their trays and trash and walked off to dispose of her own.

Just in time too, for the bell went off, signaling it was time to go to history class. Lynn sighed, knowing that as fun as the chat and the long lunch hour was, it was time to go back to the drudgery that was school. She walked up to Ceilia and said, "Come on, Ceilia. Let's go. We have to go to class now."

Leading Ceilia to her locker, Lynn got the history book, a simple volume marked with a red cover and a picture of Mother Dornalia (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/Senor_Nb3/12kingdoms.jpg) (OOC: The woman in the center with the sword.)waving a Red Flag with a Kalashnikov in the other hand. Sheepishly, the Lander said, "Well, some people do object to the violent nature of the cover. But I don't mind." Lynn then went to class with Ceilia, taking a seat.

A somewhat young woman, blonde, then walked into the room. Yawning, the woman then said, smiling, "Okay, class. I hope you did your homework, today's Scavenger Day. This is like, where we talk about the Scavengers, those brave techno-pioneers who went out, scavenging pre-Apocalyptic technology and helped keep the Workers' State alive. I hope you guys in groups one and two brought your presentations today."

Her expression turned demonically evil as she said, "Because remember what I said would happen if you didn't...."

Lynn leaned in and said, "That's Ms. Tedeschi. Nice lady otherwise."

Ceilia hurried off with Lynn so that they wouldn't be late for the next class. She stopped off at Lynn's locker which was an oddity for the Abriel since most schools, at least the ones she went to, did not have lockers. The cover of Lynn's textbook was hardly a concern to an Abh who had spent time in Star Forces and had seen her fair share of battles. Violence while done tastefully was not offensive to an Abh. "I find it a very interesting cover. If it represents your history then why not include it?"

The Abriel took a seat off to the side of Lynn and pulled out a small PDA for her own personal note taking. If she was to be in New Dornalia to study their culture, there was no better way than to study their history. At least it would come in handy when writing up her report.

Ceilia nodded at Lynn's introduction and put a note on the blank glass page noting the teacher's name and the date.

The first group got up, and awkwardly assembled a posterboard with some pictures of rough looking "post-apocalyptic" types on them, with military uniforms and AK47s. Text blurbs were apparent as well on the board, and the four budged and moved about, giggling nervously and fueding over who would go first. The teacher then coughed and said, "I'm waiting, kiddies." She was clearly impaitent, and judging by the coupons for various video games and movies she hid from sight, she was clearly eager to get this done as soon as possible. The woman glared, and one kid moved forward.

"Hello. Today, we're going to begin our presentation on the Scavengers."

Nervous at first, he got braver as he spoke further.

"The Scavengers, officially the Commissariat of Science Exploration and Surveyor Corps, were a group of brave individuals that existed until First Contact. These persons existed because the Worker's State, like many societies after the Apocalypse, was bereft of technologies that many of our pre-Apocalypse ancestors took for granted. Refridgeration, electronics, computers, TV, medical tech...all were in short supply. And, the Workers State couldn't make them all, spare parts or whole units. And given the need to support a viable state in the midst of a chaotic situation, these items were paramount.

So, the solution was to create free-ranging explorers that would both seek sources of valuable technology, trade for spare parts or needed materials to make tech, or even get whole items like trucks or gasoline. The first such team was established by the Commissariat of Science in cooperation with the Red Army, who hired a brave adventurer, Colonel Louis Battacharjee."

The nervous kid then stepped aside, and one of the kids began passing out pictures of a tall Indian man as another spoke.

"Battacharjee was once a professor at the University of Los Angeles. But the need to defend the Workers' State against the threat of enemy raiders led him to join the military, where he did some field service in San Bernardino County, where the Catgirls were. He did alright as a soldier, but his real talent was his meticulous dedication to research and science. This led him to be hired for the first force of what would become the Scavengers.

The man himself was a good scientist, but a Scavenger crew needed more than just brains. It needed brawn and financial sense. So, Battacharjee brought two important individuals who would later train future Scavengers. Lieutenant Mike Tumlinson and Captain Alice Miyanoshita. Tumlinson was known as what most would call a 'bad-ass.'"

At that, the teacher mumbled, "Don't swear," and went back to her notes--and her daydreams on how to beat the Geth using only Chris's shotgun and Nick's unflappable cheesy oneliners in "The Rangers," New Dornalia's hottest RPG.

"I'm sorry, bad-butt." The student certainly didn't look happy to have changed her language, especially as it seemed the teacher was both listening and trying to vanquish a monster in her fancy new RPG modeled after that legendary supergroup, the "Rangers." She then coughed and said, "Anyway, he was a strong fighter, and evidence exists he was more than just propaganda. Miyanoshita, meanwhile, was secretly the daughter of a smuggler, but at the time she didn't tell anybody. Only after her death was that revealed. However, the skills she brought in terms of bartering and trading made it all worthwhile."

Edited.

The next member walked up, and said, "Okay. The Scavengers were instrumental in recovering all sorts of previously lost technology that proved vital to saving the Dornalian state. Their first big coup was finding a cache of computer parts in San Francisco. After that, they were allowed to stay together.

They also found numerous military bases, including Edwards Air Force Base, which had vital military components and technology that survived the Apocalypse, including TOW missiles, stealth technology, aircraft, and all sorts of things. They also found cars and other things worth saving too, like a waste treatment filter that proved vital for repairing the waterworks for the city. And, they also managed to get plans for parts, civil and millitary, that could be used to build whole units of things such as tanks and defibrillators. All in all, historians estimate technological development would have been severely retarded without their work, and the work of the Commissariat of Science.

This did not come easily. Sometimes, tribes refused to trade goods, and conflicts did break out. Thus, Scavenger teams had to be well armed, and staffed with experienced persons who had fought and could survive for months without outside support. They also had to bring trade goods. Gold and silver were prized, as was water, canned food, seeds and gasoline. With all that equipment, it was tough being a Scavenger."

As the students went over their presentation, Ceilia clicked at her little computer. The Abriel took notes on the important parts that they went over like who was the main figure or terms applied to a group of people. She had never really studied Dornalian history she was a little unsure whether or not if they had any of this on file in the Abh Empire.

Ceilia kept her attention focused on the students as they delved into their topic.

The last kid in the group then stepped forth.

"The Scavengers explored a wide geographic range. One team of explorers even made it all the way to the remnants of Chicago in search of working components and plans for a more efficent engine. Often, they went to places such as the Midwest and British Columbia for equipment and parts." The kid then pointed to a map with a large geographic range highlighted in red, covering an area from Baja California and Central Mexico to what seemed like Hudson Bay and sure enough, Chicago.

"This was mainly due to the fact that the Apocalypse left many communities with not many caches of technology and people who understood their use left. For example, they often found techno-cults that worshipped computers, tanks, and aircraft as divine beings, a fate that occurred to many pieces of technology that were being only maintained because their caretakers thought it would bring divine favor in things such as agriculture, marraige and life. This was especially the case in more desperate areas that had been hit especially hit hard by the Apocalypse, such as North Dakota and Montana, that had been agricultural centers beforehand, and among groups such as Catgirl and Elven tribes in the southwest and northwest, respectively.

Isolated communities of scientists that passed down knowledge of technology, often based at what used to be universities and technical schools, proved especially vital."

Ceilia continued to make notes in her little hand held computer as she listened to the presentation. It might not have been the most awe inspiring presentation from a high school student, but the Abriel was still interested in learning about what they had to say. She found these "technocults" very interesting and made special mention of them in her report.

Her only point of questioning for the moment though, was what was this Apocolypse that they kept talking about.

The teacher then said, clapping, "Good job." She did so rather lazily, and with a slight hint of annoyance that it took up time from her video games. She then said, "Next" rather curtly, and another group of kids went up.

"Okay, now, we're discussing how the Scavengers looked, acted, and fought along with their adversaries."

One student stepped up, dressed in the crude hodgepodge of what looked like camoflague jackets, a radiation suit, some sort of harness, a big camping backpack, and a toy gun representing the AK47 that the Dornalians seemed to idolize. The camping backpack seemed stuffed with things of all sorts, almost too much so. And, it was a wonder anyone could fight.

"This was a Scavenger's kit. We couldn't find a Scavenger's typical uniform as there was none. They had a loose code of dress and only had the Red Army symbols and camoflague patterns to make them known. This is one example. He has a radiation suit--the Apocalypse's use of atomic weapons left most of North America, Europe, and Asia scarred with radiation. Thus, a radiation suit would have been prized to keep oneself alive, even in the years long after the Apocalypse, which by then the atomic radiation would have subsided to somewhat livable levels.

There is also the pack stuffed with all sorts of gear. George was glad to model this for us, and will recieve a steak for his pains." A chuckle was then heard, as the student presenting patted the presenter on the back and the student said, "You better" with a sigh. The teacher laughed, and then looked jealously at them, wishing she had the steak.

"Not all Scavengers chose to do this rather clumsy arrangement, though there were plenty who did. Some had load bearing vests, others had different gear sets or even porters and toy wagons. However, the fact was all of them had to carry at least 50-60 pounds of gear, most of it food and ammunition and batteries to survive, as well as some gold and other trade goods." The presenters took them out of the pack and passed them around. The gold turned out to be play money and the tinned food was really boxes marked "food," but the point was delivered. The ammo magazines, meanwhile, resembled those on the AK, though these were from what was a BB gun.

"The Scavenger would have carried a radio to keep in contact with his group. He also would have access, in later years, to night vision goggles and FLIR goggles, though these are crude by modern standards. And, he has the AK47, picked for its rugged reliability and ease of use in battle. Though again, not all Scavengers used the gun--some used old M16 rifles from old US Army stockpiles, or FN FALs from private supplies. There was also a host of other equipment too, such as grenades and tools. Key among these was the Swiss Army Knife and duct tape....which he used well to get things done. It was the origins of the practice known as MacGyverism, as the Scavengers had to improvise solutions to complex problems using weapons, tools, vehicles, and other materials on hand to do something on hand."

The kid in the suit then looked at Ceilia, and then waved only to get a jab in the side from the girl next to him and a jealous look.

Ceilia raised an eyebrow when one of the presentors waved at her. She didn't really know what to make of it as she looked to Lynn for support then shrugged her shoulders.

Thinking it best to ignore the gesture, the Abriel went back to taking notes on her little computer. When the items came her way, she took time to study them. It probably appeared strange to other students in the classroom as she studied them like they were the actual artifacts themselves. She made notes on each of them in her database then finally passed them along.

Ceilia raised an eyebrow when one of the presentors waved at her. She didn't really know what to make of it as she looked to Lynn for support then shrugged her shoulders.

Thinking it best to ignore the gesture, the Abriel went back to taking notes on her little computer. When the items came her way, she took time to study them. It probably appeared strange to other students in the classroom as she studied them like they were the actual artifacts themselves. She made notes on each of them in her database then finally passed them along.

The other students didn't care much; they paid too much attention to taking notes and trying to avoid the wrath of an obviously only mildly caring teacher--who had amazingly begun to fall asleep. She was awoken when the Scavenger Equipment group then continued.

"Besides improv skills like MacGyverism, the tactics a Scavenger used were often flexible--they had to be. Sometimes, trading was the best method and as such men like George here were best because they had heavy equipment. It was the tactic often tried first. When that failed or that wasn't possible, others were engaged in combat.

Open assaults were rarely used unless the Scavengers had the help of local defectors or got sufficent knowledge of the enemy in order to make the attack. Instead of open assaults, guerilla raids, commando raids, and all sorts of missions involving heavy firepower used with speed were preferred.

Using rival tribes for assistance was a bonus. Rival factions could provide necessary intelligence and even soldiers. And, they could sometimes provide motor transport, for people as encumbered as George here."

A chuckle was had. The group then paused and said, "We got anything else?" One man then said, putting a finger up, "Oh, and speaking of encumberance, we'd like to reiterate that equipment was often up to the individual Scavenger. As such, not all were this well equipped. Though a lot of times, bulletproof vests were prized. Either ones that could be scavenged from old Army bases or ones freshly made by the New Dornalian armories after the ability to make synthetic fibers was restored. Also with ammo pouches too, same thing. And, though in the early days Scavengers had to rely on captured equipment, they could later on benefit from access to materials from Dornalian factories and farm--in a way, benefiting from their own success, especially in terms of trade goods to share."

The teacher then said, looking at her watch, "You got two minutes. Say something to finish up."

The group then said, speaking, "Well, in conclusion, that was the tactics of the Scavengers, as well as their uniforms and equipment. Thank you."

"Good enough." The teacher then yawned and said, "Okay, that was our first two groups for today.....give them some applause and remind them that life is worth living, even though things like finding your significant other ran off with your PIN happen...."

Thus, a round of claps occurred......

Ceilia clapped after she had finished putting in the last of her notes. She couldn't quite place it, but this professor seemed odder than the first though at least she didn't gawk. Regardless, the Abriel princess had accumulated enough information for a good size report this day. She stood up with Lynn and a slight smile on her face.

She headed out the door to wherever the next class would be. "Was it just me, or does your professor often make odd remarks?"

Ceilia clapped after she had finished putting in the last of her notes. She couldn't quite place it, but this professor seemed odder than the first though at least she didn't gawk. Regardless, the Abriel princess had accumulated enough information for a good size report this day. She stood up with Lynn and a slight smile on her face.

She headed out the door to wherever the next class would be. "Was it just me, or does your professor often make odd remarks?"

"Umm....she's kinda odd." At that, Lynn merely cracked a smile and chuckled nervously. With a shrug, she continued on. Putting her finger to her chin and tapping, Lynn began reciting a litany of oddities about the woman Ceilia had just seen.

"She gets the job done, and she's nice enough. But she's not there sometimes. 'Teddie,' as we call her, loves video games; I sometimes see her fighting with the clerks at the local arcade over ticket amounts and with college kids over video games. Rumor has it she started a riot over Platinum Edition copies of 'The Rangers' at the local VideoMart. And sleeping. Sometimes, she sleeps in class and has us watch a movie while she does so. Though the principal got very irritated and threatened her with firing if she did that again....

And food. Steaks especially. They say she's antisocial, but I'm not one to judge with no empircal data. It's not like all teachers are like this, but I do think that the changes recently have led to us tolerating a lot more oddballs...."

At that, the two made it to Gym, the Girl's Locker Room. Entering to get changed, Lynn lit up and said, frantically and with concern, "Ceilia, did you bring Gym clothes?!"

Ceilia made note of the oddities that Lynn spoke of. She wasn't exactly sure about the fascination with video games or the reason to start a riot over but the Abriel assumed it was simply part of the professor's eccentrities.

Lynn lead the way to gym where Ceilia followed her into the locker room. She stood off to the side waiting for Lynn to finish up.

"Ceilia, did you bring Gym clothes?!"

The princess looked down at her clothing. "I did not know I would be participating in your physical activities. Is there a pressure suit somewhere I may borrow?"

Ceilia made note of the oddities that Lynn spoke of. She wasn't exactly sure about the fascination with video games or the reason to start a riot over but the Abriel assumed it was simply part of the professor's eccentrities.

Lynn lead the way to gym where Ceilia followed her into the locker room. She stood off to the side waiting for Lynn to finish up.

"Ceilia, did you bring Gym clothes?!"

The princess looked down at her clothing. "I did not know I would be participating in your physical activities. Is there a pressure suit somewhere I may borrow?"

Lynn raised an eyebrow and said as she led the Abh into the locker room, "Pressure suit?" Then, she looked at Ceilia as if she was a deer staring at an oncoming train. "I forgot. The Abh aren't used to extensive terrestrial movement! I'll make sure to tell Coach Heidelmann when we go in. I'm sorry, but as it is, I don't think we have a suit. You may have to tough it out, as the Long Beach Unified School District probably doesn't get many individuals born and raised most of their lives in deep space. I thin--"

"Landers! Let's go!"

The Coach called out to Lynn and she said, frantically, "No time! Here!" Ceilia was then handed a pair of rumpled sweatpants and a white t-shirt, with a note from Mrs. Landers. Sighing, Lynn said, "It's not a pressure suit....but it will have to do. Good luck." The Landers girl then ran off to meet the Coach. In the background, Ceilia could hear Lynn explain the situation to the Coach, and things seemed affirmative.

As this occurred, the other girls in the locker room looked at Ceilia, again with a sort of curiosity that out-of-place or foreign things get when they appear. One girl walked up to the Abriel, and said, chewing some gum, "So...what's with the blue hair?"

Ceilia looked down at the wrinkled clothes with wonder. If she was going to a zero-g gym, then these clothes wouldn't be of much use to her. Despite that, the Abriel had faith that Lynn would help her and keep her from being embarrassed. Ceilia began undressing by removing her itchy hoody and putting on the white t-shirt.

She was about to put her new pants on when one of the girls came walking over to her. Her froch picked up on the movement even before Ceilia looked up to see the girl chewing on bubblegum.

"So...what's with the blue hair?"

Ceilia pulled a strand of her blue hair in front of her eyes and looked at it. Her eyes moved from her hair to the girl. "It's the natural color of my hair. I always thought it was a nice shade of light blue, not nearly grey but still keeping its natural blue hue. Why? You don't like it?"

Ceilia pulled a strand of her blue hair in front of her eyes and looked at it. Her eyes moved from her hair to the girl. "It's the natural color of my hair. I always thought it was a nice shade of light blue, not nearly grey but still keeping its natural blue hue. Why? You don't like it?"

Staring at her with a skeptical look, the girl said, "Hair should not be blue. Unless you're some, like, annie-may character. It should be like brown or black or blonde." It was obvious that "annie-may" or whatever she was referring to wasn't held in regard by this gawker.

"I dunno. I think it matches. Especially her skin tone," said another, a Korean girl. Coming back to change, Lynn nodded and said, "Yeah. Wait, what's going on?"

A chuckle came from all over--except the gawker--and the girl who spoke up in Ceilia's defense said, "Lynn, you just missed Cindy Decker's daily failure at judging high fashion."

Lynn sighed and, quickly changing into her own utilitarian outfit, said, "Well, I don't care either way. I'll leave the judging to you, Miss Dana Kim." The Korean girl smiled. "Well, my dad Mike does know a thing or two about looking snazzy. And he's happily married."

"Mhm," Lynn said, focused on the task at hand and evidently not comfortable with stereotypically "feminine" talks about clothes and hair.

Cindy got back to work changing. As this occurred, she made a feeble attempt to retort to Dana and Lynn's statements with a haughty, "Oh please. Your dad doesn't know shit. I subscribe to all the magazines....all the TV shows....you have no idea how to dress, any of you." Spoken with a tone of disbelief, she sighed and changed. Passing herself off as a genius, she declared, "I am from some status. So I should know."

"Whatever," was Lynn's reply.

"COME ON, GIRLS!"

At that, Dana finished up, as did Lynn, and the two rushed out. Cindy pointed an evil finger at Ceilia as she did so and left, and seemed like she was about to say something. But, try as she might, her lips quivered for want of an insult or challenge, and she stormed out with a huff...

OOC: Say the words "Annie May" fast for a pun on what she's referring to. ;)

Ceilia was unsure of what to make of the conversation. Being from the Abriels, Ceilia was unaccustomed to something as simple as girl talk. She never had anyone around to truly talk about fashion or anything of that nature so she really had no idea how to respond to comments about her hair or fashion in general.

Unfortunately, the Abriel could only stand back and finish changing while the girls debated proper fashion. When the coach poked his head in and screamed, Ceilia finished putting the rest of her clothes on and followed out after the other girls.

She watched as one of the girls pointed at her. Unsure of what she meant by it, other than something told the Abriel that this girl did not like her, Ceilia returned the gesture and pointed back at her. With the exchange between the two girls concluded, Ceilia headed out into the gym with the rest.

Unsure of what to expect, the Abh figured this would be a good opportunity to see how Dornalians traditionally exercised.

The gym class, males and females, assembled outside on what looked like a long oval parade ground of some sort with a field in the middle with safety padding spread out all over. The boys came in from a seperate entrance, the women from the entrance where Ceilia was.

The oval ground was delineated into several equal parts with lines, and a line bisecting it. Numbers marked them as seperate parts for some sort of physical activity. In this case, it would be the Dornalian custom of track and field. The day was warm, the sun high in the sky, and the air dry.

Lynn and the others gathered into the middle of the ground, on the green. At that point, Ceilia would be able to notice a woman and a man in gray shirts and jeans walk out onto the field. Their presence, which would seem to have been intimidating even in the off hours, made the students fall into line, and they stood at the head of the assembled group.

"FALLLL.....IN!!!"

The students stiffened up into ramrod straight postures more akin to a military training camp than a gym class, with stonefaced expressions.

"Good afternoon, class!" the man screamed in a basso profundo voice.

A resounding, "GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. BAINSLEY AND MRS. CHANG!" resounded from the assembled.

It was now possible to get a better view of the man and woman. Mr. Bainsley was a giant of a man. Towering over Ceilia and the others by at least a foot in terms of physical height and muscle mass and by many miles in terms of personality, he stared them all down with a steel eye and a stiff upper lip. The woman, though shorter and somewhat more worn-looking, possessed a no less formidable expression on her face that mirrored her male counterpart.

The woman spoke now. Well, not so much spoke as shouted to her students.

"Listen up! Today, we're going to begin with calisthentics. Then, we go to laps! Then, rifle drill! Finally, free exercises, either with pugil sticks or the dance simulators! Sabe!?"

A reply of, "YES, MRS. CHANG!" was heard.

"NOW! FALL TO READY POSITIONS FOR PUSHUPS!" She then let out a long blast on her whistle.....and the students immediately fell flat onto the ground, assuming the position to begin pushups. Naturally, the more rotund and heavyset students would have troubles....

The fact that their physical was militaristic in nature sat well with Ceilia. She quickly snapped to attention with the rest of the class with her back straight and heels clicked together in standard Star Forces fashion. When the rest of the class shouted back the names of the instructors, the Abriel simply saluted since she did not know any names.

Everything sounded like a day in the life of basic training with the calisthenics and the endurance training. Only one problem would come out of all this. Abhs were use to about half the gravity that humans were use to so physical training on a Terran's world would mean Ceilia would tire out faster than the rest of the class.

Despite this little detail, she was determined not to fall behind and finish the activities. When the call for push-up positions went out, Ceilia hit the ground and prepared for the first exercise.

The fact that their physical was militaristic in nature sat well with Ceilia. She quickly snapped to attention with the rest of the class with her back straight and heels clicked together in standard Star Forces fashion. When the rest of the class shouted back the names of the instructors, the Abriel simply saluted since she did not know any names.

Everything sounded like a day in the life of basic training with the calisthenics and the endurance training. Only one problem would come out of all this. Abhs were use to about half the gravity that humans were use to so physical training on a Terran's world would mean Ceilia would tire out faster than the rest of the class.

Despite this little detail, she was determined not to fall behind and finish the activities. When the call for push-up positions went out, Ceilia hit the ground and prepared for the first exercise.

Mr. Bainsley then called out, "And....GO!"

With that, the students began going up and down. Timed to a numerical beat shouted by the two gym teachers of "ONE! TWO! THREE!" the students went up and down. As predicted, the portlier ones struggled more than the others, along with some of the weaker, scrawnier kids. Ceilia wouldn't be alone in her difficulties.

Mrs. Chang began inspecting the ranks, walking up to some of the flagging ones and exhorting them with cries of, "Come on! Keep up! Are you men or mice!? Put your heart and soul into it!" Lynn especially was a recipient, as she proved a bit ill-at-ease with the whole procedure. When Ceilia began to flag, Chang would inevitably do the same to her, going, "Don't stop now! You're too pretty to be a quitter! Let's go!"

While the bones of the average Abh were harder and stronger than any humans, their muscles lacked the bulkier side of their planet dwelling cousins. Ceilia's arms began to shake with the exertion of the push ups as time wore on. The Abriel gritted her teeth and growled through the force of getting through all the exercises and not wanting to fall behind the rest.

She kept pumping her arms and going up and down with the rest of the class as she did her best to finish all the exercises with the class and get ready for the next ones.

While the bones of the average Abh were harder and stronger than any humans, their muscles lacked the bulkier side of their planet dwelling cousins. Ceilia's arms began to shake with the exertion of the push ups as time wore on. The Abriel gritted her teeth and growled through the force of getting through all the exercises and not wanting to fall behind the rest.

She kept pumping her arms and going up and down with the rest of the class as she did her best to finish all the exercises with the class and get ready for the next ones.

"AAAANNNNDDDD.....STOP!"

With that, the students ceased the pushups, and stood back up into the at ease position. The whole lot of them were feeling the heat now....but the class wasn't done yet.

Bainsley proceeded to bark, "It's time for jumping jacks! Assume the position!"

The students set themselves up into the specified position, with feet locked close together and arms at the sides. Upon a count of three, the students then proceeded to begin jumping into the air a small distance--not but a few inches--above the ground, spreading out their arms and legs as they did so. This would continue for ten times....

....and after all the exercises were finished--which went on for two more sets of drills, including stretches and such-- the two teachers then had every student fall into ranks. Bainsley pointed to a cart full of dummy rifles that was taken up to the area by Mrs. Chang. They were the Kalashnikovs that Ceilia's classmates had referred to, only they had what looked like safety orange tape around the stocks and gaping holes where the recievers should be, indicating they were safe for use in the school.

"Everyone, pick up a rifle. We begin drills!"

The rest of the exercises were relatively easy for Ceilia to do since they did not require much stress from her muscles to perform them. When everything was finished, her breathing was a little heavier than normal and she was sweating a little but otherwise alright.

The introduction of weapons was a peculiar thing. She hadn't expected landers to be using weapons in their physical training though she did not object to it. It was all just a new experience for her.

When the instructors called out for weapons, the Abriel hurried over to get her own and make an inspection of what she had acquired while falling back in line.

"Now! FALL IN! ATTEN-SHUN!"

The students lined up in rows once more, with rifles held across their chests like soldiers in parade, in miniature--though being high-schoolers, these soldiers were still rough around the edges. The two teachers surveyed their ranks, and waited until the right moment.

"Now. DETAIL, RIGHT SHOULDER ARMS!"

The shout of this command by Bainsley led the students to precisely, in time, to make their rifles ramrod straight, and then manuever them over their right shoulder, resting the butt of the AK47 on the right hand and then leaning the whole thing on their right shoulder, the left arm bracing to fix it before returning swiftly to one's side. Inspections were made by Chang, who fixed some students eagerly with rough but effective corrections of rifle placement.

"DETAIL, LEFT HACE!"

With that, the students put their right toe behind their left heel, and quickly turned to the left by scooting, not lifting the feet from the ground.

"DETAIL, LEFT SHOULDER ARMS!"

This command led the students to do what they did when ordered to go to Right SHoulder Arms, but shifting their rifle to the left side.

THen came more commands, such as Port Arms, Present Arms, Order Arms and Sling Arms, and even some parade marches, of which generally the same occurred. Bainsley shouted orders, the students marched however clumsily or dutifully or excellently they did, and those who messed up were corrected by Chang. This would go on for a bit, until the final calls of "DETAIL, HALT!" "DETAIL, PRESENT ARMS!" and "DETAIL, FALL OUT! DIS-MISSED TO EITHER PUGIL STICKS OR DANCE SIMULATORS!"

Those commands would produce a sudden stop, a salute, and then a breakup of the square as they put their drill rifles back and began picking activities.

Ceilia ran through the drills with the best of them as following military orders was second nature to the Abriel. There were some minor differences between the two nations on their marching but it was all fundamentally the same which proved no problem for the princess to adjust.

When it was over, Ceilia headed off to return her weapon when the order was given. Then she was at a stand-still with the two different activities as an option. She had never participated in either one in her life and had no idea what they were.

Figuring better to be safe than sorry, Ceilia found which one Lynn was going to and followed after her.

Ceilia ran through the drills with the best of them as following military orders was second nature to the Abriel. There were some minor differences between the two nations on their marching but it was all fundamentally the same which proved no problem for the princess to adjust.

When it was over, Ceilia headed off to return her weapon when the order was given. Then she was at a stand-still with the two different activities as an option. She had never participated in either one in her life and had no idea what they were.

Figuring better to be safe than sorry, Ceilia found which one Lynn was going to and followed after her.

Lynn decided to get the pugil sticks. Putting on a facemask and padding, she picked up what looked like a stick with two large padded ends. Upon lifting it herself and assuming the equipment, Ceilia would feel the stick would have plenty of heft and the mask and safety equipment would allow her to see, if none too well.

There would then be a little ring, with two persons with the sticks and Mrs. Chang refereeing the match. With the blow of a whistle, the two would go in swinging, jabbing, and parrying one another's blows with furious force and an eagerness to prevail. Even the girls that fought seemed to tap into a reserve of violent spirit, eager to one up their opponent in single combat. Even if it was made safe, it looked very gritty nonetheless.....

Lynn could be seen doing her part. Taking on her opponent, she jabbed, blocked, jabbed, and then smacked her opponent repeatedly, her opposite number doing the same. Then, before long, one fell to the ground....and it was Lynn who was the winner, though she looked quite tired by the endeavor.

Chang yelled, "NEXT!" motining to Ceilia. She was to duel Lynn....

The equipment was heavy for the Abriel on a planet's gravity so she was at a slight disadvantage not to mention her limbs were noticeably thinner than mosts, even for a woman. Regardless, Ceilia liked the combativeness of the exercise and was somewhat eager to try it out even if she knew she was at a disadvantage.

Ceilia watched Lynn win her match with improvement as the girl beat down her own opponent. She walked out into the ring when she was called next with the padded pole at the ready. The only comfort was that Lynn was now tired and probably put the two on even footing.

The equipment was heavy for the Abriel on a planet's gravity so she was at a slight disadvantage not to mention her limbs were noticeably thinner than mosts, even for a woman. Regardless, Ceilia liked the combativeness of the exercise and was somewhat eager to try it out even if she knew she was at a disadvantage.

Ceilia watched Lynn win her match with improvement as the girl beat down her own opponent. She walked out into the ring when she was called next with the padded pole at the ready. The only comfort was that Lynn was now tired and probably put the two on even footing.

And boy, was she tired. With the wieght of the armor and the pugil stick combined with the hot sun, it was evident she was somewhat tuckered out. She wasn't like some kids, who were heaving with exhaustion, but the copious sweat and the breathing made it bare. It seemed only adrenaline kept her going.

A whistle blew...and Lynn charged forward to swing the bottom of the pugil at Ceilia....

Ceilia wasn't sure how she was supposed to take this match. Diplomatically she wasn't sure if it would cause difficulty if she won or if it would be shameful if she didn't try at all. Her Abriel side told her to win no matter what.

It was a mental debate that only took a couple of seconds. In the end, Ceilia decided to go with her Abh side and blocked low with her pugil then answered back with an overhead chop.

Ceilia wasn't sure how she was supposed to take this match. Diplomatically she wasn't sure if it would cause difficulty if she won or if it would be shameful if she didn't try at all. Her Abriel side told her to win no matter what.

It was a mental debate that only took a couple of seconds. In the end, Ceilia decided to go with her Abh side and blocked low with her pugil then answered back with an overhead chop.

Lynn fell back and stumbled some distance. She then stood her ground and assumed a defensive pose. She could tell Ceilia was somewhat hesistant about this; understandable, since any slipups here could be used by the litigious as pretext for something nasty. Still, Ceilia would have to be told it was all in the interest of sport and physical fitness.

Lynn then elected to move forward and make an overhead horizontal swing followed by a series of jabs. She then said as the attacks occurred, "You know, you're--free--to--give--it--all--ya--got! No--one's--gonna--prosecute--you!"

Ceilia moved her stick to block the series of blows and answered back with a few of her own. She was glad Lynn was willing to have fun with the exercise. Matters like these were not always taken so lightly in the Empire where a family's honor were often at stake.

"No getting called for Imperial aggression?" Ceilia managed to jokingly ask in the midst of her series of jabs and a sweep at Lynn's legs.

Ceilia moved her stick to block the series of blows and answered back with a few of her own. She was glad Lynn was willing to have fun with the exercise. Matters like these were not always taken so lightly in the Empire where a family's honor were often at stake.

"No getting called for Imperial aggression?" Ceilia managed to jokingly ask in the midst of her series of jabs and a sweep at Lynn's legs.

Lynn nearly fell over, but regained her footing and blocked Ceilia's blows. Making some more jabs at Ceilia, this time she aimed at the midsection and began thrusting hard. Lynn for her part was glad the Abriel was actually keeping up with it all. She had her doubts about Abh physiology, and whether it could really keep up with the rigors of Dornalian education. Well, she seemed to do well in Physical Education at least.

"Nah. Why--would--we? You hear the--official title--we give--the Abh? 'Glorious Friends of--Socialism.' If--anything--your--aggression--is just--fine for us! Matches our own background--well!"

Lynn managed to slip a blow into Ceilia's midsection though the princess recovered from the strike quickly enough to throw a few of her own back. Ceilia worked the stick high a few times then came back low by reversing the angle of attack on her pugil.

"Then--no wonder--our military--works so--well--together. Strategy--viciousness--dangerous combination."

Lynn managed to slip a blow into Ceilia's midsection though the princess recovered from the strike quickly enough to throw a few of her own back. Ceilia worked the stick high a few times then came back low by reversing the angle of attack on her pugil.

"Then--no wonder--our military--works so--well--together. Strategy--viciousness--dangerous combination."

"Yeah! No--kidding--huh!?"

That series of blows was the one that ended Lynn's chances in the ring. She could take Ceilia's fighting blows that went high, but when it came to the low blow, Lynn began tottering. Normally, one could navigate their way back up in this situation. But, as Lynn's second wind had worn out, she slipped up and fell over.

Gazing into the sky, she then gave Ceilia a thumbs up and smiled. Lynn then spoke to Ceilia, saying after taking a heaving breath, "Good game." Mrs. Chaing then whistled and said, "Let's go! Next one up!"

Lynn then left the field, stumbling to the bench next to the equipment table and resting, opening her helmet and getting a drink of some sort of blue colored beverage.

Ceilia would get a little bit of time to rest herself. But not for long. She would get another opponent. This time, it was that snotty woman from the locker room, who said, "Oh great. Now my day is complete." Through the safety visor, Ceilia would be able to see the woman roll her eyes before assuming her fighting stance and going, "Time to wipe the floor with you, bitch!"

Ceilia watched as Lynn teetered over but was there to quickly help her up and give a congratulations. The rest was much needed as too much physical activity on the planet was tiring. That alone probably would have been enough for the Abriel princess to call it a day, but being called a bitch from the snotty girl brought back an inner fire.

This called for a battle of the bitches. Ceilia gave the girl an Abh smile and put her helmet back on. The cat fight was about to start.

When the instructor blew the whistle to start, Ceilia came out hard with a strong jab at the girl's face mask trying to snap her head back.

Ceilia watched as Lynn teetered over but was there to quickly help her up and give a congratulations. The rest was much needed as too much physical activity on the planet was tiring. That alone probably would have been enough for the Abriel princess to call it a day, but being called a bitch from the snotty girl brought back an inner fire.

This called for a battle of the bitches. Ceilia gave the girl an Abh smile and put her helmet back on. The cat fight was about to start.

When the instructor blew the whistle to start, Ceilia came out hard with a strong jab at the girl's face mask trying to snap her head back.

Naturally, the Snotty Bitch didn't know the Abh Smile in this context was usually issued as a matter of challenge and/or disgust at the opposition.

As she prepped to get into battle, the Bitch was slammed back wildly by Ceilia's violent, angry, wild thrust to her head--one that stunned the audience and led to whispers of, "Jesus. We'd better not mess with her." Obviously taken by surprise, the woman was hit so hard that the effects resembled whiplash, and she staggered back for a few minutes. A few sharp whistles led to a cry of "TIME OUT!" as the gym teachers checked the girl to see if she was injured, moving her arms and legs and poking them to ensure she could still feel. Sure enough, the Snotty Bitch was moaning in pain, and could even be seen to tear up, saying, "GAAH! YOU BITCH!" as she replied "Yes" to the numerous tests the teachers gave.

To Ceilia's relief, the Snotty Bitch was led off to the side, and a cry of "NEXT!" was called. Chaing called out to Ceilia, "Resume combat--but watch yourself!" before escorting the victim to the Nurse.

It was plainly obvious that Ceilia was now respected, or at least feared, for the next opponent came up somewhat bashfully and said, "Please don't kill me!" with an obvious, almost comical quiver in his step and his voice.

Ceilia tilted her head slightly as she regarded the girl being helped off to the side. It seemed that she was a little more bluster than action. Unfortunately for Ceilia, the blast had taken the last of her energy. Now the stick felt like a block of lead and the equipment seemed to suck the life out of her.

The poor kid that was worried about getting killed was about to look like a hero and possibly get a girl out of it all. Ceilia had nothing left but that didn't mean she would surrender.

Ceilia tilted her head slightly as she regarded the girl being helped off to the side. It seemed that she was a little more bluster than action. Unfortunately for Ceilia, the blast had taken the last of her energy. Now the stick felt like a block of lead and the equipment seemed to suck the life out of her.

The poor kid that was worried about getting killed was about to look like a hero and possibly get a girl out of it all. Ceilia had nothing left but that didn't mean she would surrender.

The kid didn't know it. He timidly walked up to Ceilia, and then hesitantly looked around. Gulping, he was greeted with cries of, "Man up!" and "Come on, ya pansy!" The kid then turned to her, bowed and said, "I'm really, really sorry about this."

Then, when the whistle blew, he charged at her and tried to hit her chest with a scream of "GAAAAAAAH!!!!!!"

Ceilia was able to block the straightforward attack easily enough. However, when she moved to reposition herself; her foot slipped and sent her tumbling. From all the energy she had spent on the previous two fights, the Abriel was slow to get back up.

She wasn't quite sure on the rules and didn't know if falling disqualified her from the match but she prepared for another attack. The princess swept her pugel at the boy's legs but her strikes were coming much softer than they had in the past.

Ceilia was able to block the straightforward attack easily enough. However, when she moved to reposition herself; her foot slipped and sent her tumbling. From all the energy she had spent on the previous two fights, the Abriel was slow to get back up.

She wasn't quite sure on the rules and didn't know if falling disqualified her from the match but she prepared for another attack. The princess swept her pugel at the boy's legs but her strikes were coming much softer than they had in the past.

At that point, a flurry of whistles erupted, and Ceilia could see Mrs. Chaing walk up to the arena with hand in the air. She then tapped Ceilia on the shoulder and said with the tone of one who knew she was new at this, "You're done. Once you fall, you're out." After gently leading her out of the ring, Chaing cried out "NEXT!" and motioned for the boy to stay in the ring. "That one's a mulligan," Chaing said as explanation to the boy loudly.

Ceilia could then see the boy fiercely struggling with his next opponent, as she was led to the rest area where Lynn was. Lynn looked up and said with sarcastic but good-natured candor, "Tiring, huh? We gotta do this everyday."

Ceilia blew a heavy sigh when she took a seat by Lynn. It didn't bother her that she had lost, at least not any less than it bothered every Abriel when they lost, simply she had run out of steam.

"Tiring, huh? We gotta do this everyday."

The princess shrugged. "I've played this game before, though in zero gravity. Technically, the body of an Abh is meant for space and not terrans so you had the advantage. Still, I doubt that girl will be bothering us any time soon. I think I might have broken her nose."

Ceilia blew a heavy sigh when she took a seat by Lynn. It didn't bother her that she had lost, at least not any less than it bothered every Abriel when they lost, simply she had run out of steam.

"Tiring, huh? We gotta do this everyday."

The princess shrugged. "I've played this game before, though in zero gravity. Technically, the body of an Abh is meant for space and not terrans so you had the advantage. Still, I doubt that girl will be bothering us any time soon. I think I might have broken her nose."

Lynn reacted to that news with only a chuckle, induced by schadenfruede--that little word to describe joy in another's suffering. "I think you gave her something worse. You broke her pride. About time someone broke her pride; nobody likes a showoff."

Lynn then noticed the Kid was fighting his darndest now against the tide of pugilists. By now, the crowd was focused on them; however, Ceilia earned a few stares. This time, they were increasingly in awe of this newcomer. Some whispers would even be distinctly....respectful. Sure, the Abh seemed weaker than her Terran counterparts, but she had shown up some folks today. And to the Dornalian people, that show of strength was something to respect.

Lynn then poured Ceilia a cup of the blue liquid and asked, "Want some bug juice? May as well get something before you get back into action..."

Ceilia crinkled her nose as Lynn described the drink as 'bug juice.' The Abriel gave it a good wiff though. "I was not aware that the Dornalians drank bugs."

She took another sniff. "It smells very sweet. What kind of bug is it?"

Ceilia crinkled her nose as Lynn described the drink as 'bug juice.' The Abriel gave it a good wiff though. "I was not aware that the Dornalians drank bugs."

She took another sniff. "It smells very sweet. What kind of bug is it?"

"It's not literally made out of bugs," Lynn replied. She immeidately began to stifle a chuckle, and then let it out. Taking some time to breathe in and out to calm down from the childish mistake--put it to sheer exhaustion, perhaps--she said with amazement, "But really, it's not made of bugs. That's just gross. It's just what we call it for some reason. I think it's part of the whole military ethos. And it's supposed to taste like..."

Looking at the drum, she said, "Well, it don't say. But if I had my druthers, I'd call it a 'blueberry flavor.'"

"I see."

Ceilia took another sniff of the liquid and took a small drink. Her face came back soured as she winced slightly.

"It's very sweet."

The Abriel handed the cup back to Lynn with a nod of thanks. Abh taste buds were far more sensitive to most other species. Cooking for the Abh generally involved a complete lack of salt, seasoning, and other spices. What tasted bland to most people, was just right for an Abh.

"How long does gym time last?"

"I see."

Ceilia took another sniff of the liquid and took a small drink. Her face came back soured as she winced slightly.

"It's very sweet."

The Abriel handed the cup back to Lynn with a nod of thanks. Abh taste buds were far more sensitive to most other species. Cooking for the Abh generally involved a complete lack of salt, seasoning, and other spices. What tasted bland to most people, was just right for an Abh.

"No kidding, eh? I find it depends on who's mixing it. If Chaing's mixing it, it's gonna be that way. If the other's mixing it, it's gonna be just right. I saw Johnson mix it, though." She mused for a moment, and replied, "Ah! Yes, it's the Abh tastebuds. I remember now," with an embarassed chuckle.


"How long does gym time last?"

"Well...."

Ceilia's question was answered with a sharp whistle, which caused Lynn to leap up and motion to Ceilia. She called for her to "Get back in line, pronto!" As Lynn did so, the others assembled and formed into their military ranks. Chiang then began dissmissing them by ranks, until she went up to Ceilia's row and said, "Dis-missed!"

The row fell out, and Ceilia and Lynn were free to head to the locker room.

Ceilia quickly set the cup down when the instructors began calling everyone back to their ranks. The Abriel stood at military rigid attention until her line was dismissed. With an Abh salute, Ceilia hurried back to the locker to get changed with Lynn.

It was off with the gym clothes and back to the awkward sweater and the rest of her formal clothes. Once she was dressed, the princess gathered up the rest of her belongings.

"Next class?"

Ceilia quickly set the cup down when the instructors began calling everyone back to their ranks. The Abriel stood at military rigid attention until her line was dismissed. With an Abh salute, Ceilia hurried back to the locker to get changed with Lynn.

It was off with the gym clothes and back to the awkward sweater and the rest of her formal clothes. Once she was dressed, the princess gathered up the rest of her belongings.

"Next class?"

The rush of kids in the halls eagerly running to their lockers and running out the front door of the school immediately answered Ceilia's question. All around her, kids could be heard talking about myriad subjects such as "Ohmigod, there's gonna be an awesome party tonight...." or "Wanna hang out?" or "Shit, I gotta run to the bus!" A sense of activity in the air, marked by a supporting sense of palpative relief, came over the crowd as they all looked happy to go home.

Except for Lynn. Leading Ceilia to her locker, she merely said, "Right. We're going to my club meeting now. I'll have you return that sweater to the nurse, then we go."

Having grabbed her pack and things--including a large fishing tackle box--Lynn then rushed Ceilia to the nurses' office, and had Ceilia surrender the hoodie back to the Nurse. When that process was done, she then took Ceilia to the cafeteria again.

Empty of persons, it was full of kids of various shapes and sizes. With rock and roll t-shirts, jeans, slacks, street style clothing, polo shirts and slacks as well as chatty natures and all sorts of issues, this wouldn't look to Ceilia like a club that wargamed naval battles. Conspiciously, it seemed the teacher was off to the side reading the Los Angeles Times--a Dornalian newspaper, of all things--and it was obvious the club members knew how to handle themselves.

When Lynn entered the room and opened her box, taking out her pieces, it was obvious that this was no ordinary social gathering. After quick exchanges of greetings from the people she had met at the table at lunch to Lynn, they went back to laying out little miniatures that represented all sorts of navies and boasting about their varied strengths.

Lynn merely said, "Don't mind the trash talk, I just play" as she took out her navy, a picture perfect representation of the People's Navy ships Ceilia would likely have read about back home. As she laid them out, she said to Ceilia, "Well, here's my force...you recognize any of these at all?"

Aminta smirked, and said with pride, "You should be able to recognize mine, Benny." Indeed, Aminta had fielded a small Abh battleforce. Not exactly like an actual Star Forces unit, but one that could pass for one in reality--though the color scheme was somewhat unusual.

Having her regular imperial clothes back on was a relief come true. The fine silks felt soothing to her skin instead of the unyielding cottons of the sweater. Now that Ceilia was back in her fineries, she followed Lynn off to the club that had been a topic of some debate earlier during the school day.

Everyone appeared to be of the normal consistency exhibited throughout the day. Only one man seemed to be different from the students and he was most likely the observer for the group. Despite her interest in the club, Ceilia was just grateful to have a seat. The long day on the ground world was taking its toll on her. Sitting down next to Lynn, she studied the pieces that were played out.

"Well, here's my force...you recognize any of these at all?"

Ceilia nodded. "Most of them. A few of the Mao classes and their compliments."

Aminta smirked, and said with pride, "You should be able to recognize mine, Benny."

The Abriel looked to the other ships across from Lynn. Their shapes did look quite familiar but the color schemed appeared to be 'customized'.

"I recognize the ships. Did you color them yourself?"

"I recognize the ships. Did you color them yourself?"

Aminta nodded proudly and said, "Fuck yeah, Benny. I painted these by hand. Horsehair brush, acrylic paint, and lots of time and money. Mixed my paints to create custom shades, even custom ordered new colors when they wouldn't fit." Proudly cradling one close to her, she smiled and said, "It's a labor of love, Ben. My own little war machine."

Lynn laughed and leaned in close to Ceilia, whispering, "Don't mind her. She's just proud of herself."

Aminta then asked, somewhat aggressively, "You sayin' something about me?"

To that, Lynn shook her head and went, "No, no."

Aminta nodded and said, "Right. We gonna play or what?"

"Stop cradling your ship, and then we'll play. What are the rules? Skirmish, or mass engagement?"

"I brought enough for a mass engagement. 2000 points worth."

"Ah. Same here."

The two then lined their ships into perfect formations spaced no more than 12 inches away from the table's edge, and then rolled a die to determine who went first. Aminta won the roll, as she had the highest, and thus set out to manuever her fleet first. Moving the patrol ships out as a screen, she then backed them up with the heavies in the back. Ceilia would be able to see she moved her units in a broad front, measuring delicately her moves to no more than six inches out in front of each ship. Then, Aminta said, "I'm going to see if I can fire those EM Guns."

"Got the range, missy?" Lynn retorted. It was clear she wasn't in the mood for being outgunned.

"Urgh. You're right. I'll just sow some mines for now as a defensive measure. I ain't letting you get in close, like last time." Aminta then pulled out a small machine and then hit a few buttons. Some frantic beeps later, it then printed out a small result sheet, and Aminta said, "Hmm. Looks like most of my mines got out safely. Now, let's roll for failures..."

Pushing some more buttons, she then winced. "Fuck. I lost three patrol vessels. Who makes these fucking mines?" She then took three ships from the line and put them to the side, before putting markers all over the place indicating she had drawn a cordon around herself.

Ceilia watched as Amnita's formation unfolded. The Abriel wondered how much detail the players put into the game and if the space between the ships was actually factored into the game. Figuring that it would be difficult to tell how a few inches reflected on a galactic scale, she figured probably not.

Then came the roll of the die to see how many ships she had lost. This was the part that confused Ceilia the most. In normal military life, it was extremely rare for a ship to be destroyed from a faulty mine deployment. With the data crystals that were in each ship in Star Forces, it just wasn't possible.

"What is the reasoning behind having ships explode from a defensive precaution? It just does not seem plausible to me that a system could fail so easily with our computer systems constantly checking it. Do Dornalian ships explode when they fire their weapons as well?"

Ceilia watched as Amnita's formation unfolded. The Abriel wondered how much detail the players put into the game and if the space between the ships was actually factored into the game. Figuring that it would be difficult to tell how a few inches reflected on a galactic scale, she figured probably not.

Then came the roll of the die to see how many ships she had lost. This was the part that confused Ceilia the most. In normal military life, it was extremely rare for a ship to be destroyed from a faulty mine deployment. With the data crystals that were in each ship in Star Forces, it just wasn't possible.

"What is the reasoning behind having ships explode from a defensive precaution? It just does not seem plausible to me that a system could fail so easily with our computer systems constantly checking it. Do Dornalian ships explode when they fire their weapons as well?"

Aminta replied, "No, its a stupid rule they put in for 'play balance.'" She said the last two words with contempt for the developers.

Lynn nodded. "I have to agree. It's stupid, it lets me win....but I'm betting this doesn't work so much for you in terms of realism. I mean, Dornalian ships are reliable, but they suffer speed bonuses. I mean, look at my Mao Zedong Mark IV."

She motioned to the scale model of the massive ship.

"It's big. It's got some of the most armor in the game. You can only have one per fleet. But, it's damn slow. In fact, I can't move it far, because I have to move it only four inches instead of six. It's considered a "Super Heavy" ship, and so is said to be slower, though in terms of physics, it'd have a mass advantage and would actually be somewhat manueverable. Still, it's not a total loss, it's got some damn good firepower...although you have to wait two turns for the Duplex Drive Demolisher Gun to charge."

Aminta nodded. "Like I say, fucking rules. Anywho, I still gots my others."

It was Lynn's turn to move now. As she indicated, she moved her Mao Zedong Mark IV only four inches, keeping some of her heavy hitters as escorts in what looked like a spearhead, flanked by several groups of drone ships with controllers. Spacing some of the escorts out a little, Lynn then declared, "Right, I'm opening fire on those minefields. Damn fuzzball, look what you made me do."

She then rolled to fire, since she was within range of the outer flank of Aminta's patrol ships. Rolling to hit, she got a relatively good score, taking a couple. However, some of her shots missed as well.

"I see. So it is a game of chance as much as it is of skill."

Ceilia continued to watch the two girls play their game as they each took turns moving their respective pieces. The Abriel had her own biases as to which side should win but she was content in studying the game.

After formations began taking shape, she went back to an original question. She couldn't be sure anymore if the spacing between the game pieces was actually relevant.

"Are the formations and spaces between each ship actually factored into the game and scoring?"

"I see. So it is a game of chance as much as it is of skill."

Ceilia continued to watch the two girls play their game as they each took turns moving their respective pieces. The Abriel had her own biases as to which side should win but she was content in studying the game.

After formations began taking shape, she went back to an original question. She couldn't be sure anymore if the spacing between the game pieces was actually relevant.

"Are the formations and spaces between each ship actually factored into the game and scoring?"

"Nope," Aminta said, as she moved her pieces. "It's just a distance that one can move. You can move up to six inches per turn, unless you're a Super Heavy vessel. Then you can only move four inches. It's done for ease of play, and to keep things fair. Formations...that's another rule. You gotta stay within at least three inches of another vessel, or else you're not counted as being within formation."

Moving her pieces as close as she could without going beyond her minefield, she then began rolling to shoot as well. This time, the patrol ships and the Paryunus took down plenty of enemies, although these were drone ships that, as Lynn replied, "Could be used up easily, like kleenex." Lynn, however, frowned--the minefield would draw the fight into a war of long distance shooting. Unless she tried to force it, and that wasn't usually advised....

It was now Lynn's turn, and moving her own forces close without triggering the mines, she opened fire on the mines and the patrol ships. Rolling dice again, she damaged several more patrol ships and took out three, and eliminated a number of mines.

"Not long now," she mused.

"I see."

Ceilia continued to watch the two girls play and paid attention to the different aspects of the game including the uses for the dice. Considering her own training in the Labule, it appeared to be a lower technological version of war games at the academy. She had to wonder how common this was throughout the rest of New Dornalia.

"Is there any one faction that is superior to the rest? Or do the developers try to keep everything equal?"

"I see."

Ceilia continued to watch the two girls play and paid attention to the different aspects of the game including the uses for the dice. Considering her own training in the Labule, it appeared to be a lower technological version of war games at the academy. She had to wonder how common this was throughout the rest of New Dornalia.

"Is there any one faction that is superior to the rest? Or do the developers try to keep everything equal?"

Lynn replied, "Well, the developers do try to make the game somewhat like reality, though they also try to appeal to specific strategies and a sense of play balance. You could say it's a little of both, as long as you know what you're doing."

Pointing to another table staging a match with Coredian Republican vessels and Huntarian Imperial ships, Lynn said, "For example, the Coredian Republicans possess faster, if less armored vessels with high weapons skill, and generally utilize carriers and fighter screens. Good for guerilla actions and the occasional massed blitzkrieg attack. Those Huntarians, in contrast, have ungodly armor bonuses and firepower, but make for BIG targets and tend to use swarm tactics that can be broken if you manage to stay calm."

She then motioned over the Dornalian fleet she commanded, and Aminta's Abh.

"Likewise, the Dornalian fleet. We're good for medium-long range gunnery, and a strategy that emphasizes ships over fighters in a broad, massed force that uses high tech weapons. We can move fast, but I find my best strategy involves brute force with a bit of trickery, considering the PN composition of a core of big guys mixed with a cushion of drones. Aminta's Abh force...well, it's a mobile force, good firepower with a few tricks up its sleeve that's able to utilize a number of smaller ships with heavy firepower and good defenses to provide players with a number of options. You can deploy lots of ships for a massed Deep Operations style assault, or a more mobile raiding force."

Aminta fumed and muttered, "You gonna talk, or shoot?"

Lynn replied, "It's your turn."

At that, Aminta manuevered some formations of patrol ships, assault ships and Paryunus into spaces clear enough to permit shooting, and then opened fire with EM Rifles and anti-matter mines deployed offensively. The rolls were generally mediocre to moderately successfuly, but the wise massing of forces worked a kind of quality in itself. EM shots hit several groups of drones, and even one or two Lin Biao Drone Controllers. Sure enough, Lynn's drones were so cheap that they were removed in groups of three at a time, such was their building--they were three drone ships to what looked like a black disk, which Lynn dubbed a "base." Six to eight such formations were lost.

Lynn shrugged, and then on her turn, noted the approaches Aminta used, and then promptly began shooting at the mines there. The rolls were generally good, and several mines were gone, widening the passages ever so. Aminta fumed. If she wanted to win, she had to manuever more ships to stop those drones!

Ceilia nodded her understanding both at the game makers' intentions as well as the overall strategy to the game. It was a sound idea to force players to pay attention to strategy instead of simple technological prowess.

The Abriel continued to watch the successive dice tosses though it looked like Lynn was either getting the luckier throws or had an advantage in her plan of attack. Ceilia continued to watch believing that the match was going to come down to the next few turns.

Ceilia nodded her understanding both at the game makers' intentions as well as the overall strategy to the game. It was a sound idea to force players to pay attention to strategy instead of simple technological prowess.

The Abriel continued to watch the successive dice tosses though it looked like Lynn was either getting the luckier throws or had an advantage in her plan of attack. Ceilia continued to watch believing that the match was going to come down to the next few turns.

Sure enough, the game itself would prove a matter of luck--but also of good placement. Aminta moved her ships to the approaches she previously exploited, fortifying them with extra Assault Vessels and Paruyunu Destroyers. Then, she rolled her dice, and made more shots at the Drones and any of their Lin Biao Drone Controllers that got too close. This time, a good number of them hit, resulting in the deaths of many more Drones and damage to one of the Lin Biaos. It seemed that sheer statstics worked in Aminta's favor once more.

However, Lynn was not to be beaten. The next turn, she mused. That Lin Biao, if destroyed, would cause all her Drones attached to that vessel to fail. As such, she opted instead to pull it back, surrounding it with a cordon of Drones. She then began reorganizing her forces, moving them extensively into one long firing line, with the Drone Ships in front, their Drone Controllers in the rear, and the heavier vessels, mainly the Mao Zedong series of battleships and the Prochkhorovka Carriers, backing them up. Lynn then said, "Rolling to deploy fighters." Fighters were deployed from most, though some rolls proved unlucky and thus some screens weren't available that turn.

She then began following up with more shots. This time, they were aimed at the mines, and she was interested in blowing open more holes. It was time for a strategy she had heard about on the HoloNet--using multiple operations at once to break the enemy lines. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_operations) One that would make the Soviets proud.

This time, the rolls weren't as lucky--a number missed, but those that did made their mark, cracking a few. Aminta laughed, but she knew it would be useless to run through the channels. With a line like that, Lynn would be able to trap her.

The Abriel spotted what Lynn was attempting to accomplish against Amnita's forces. While the situation looked good for Amnita, Ceilia could see that the catgirl would need to change her tactics or else suffer more casualties. In the end, Amnita could be forced into a position where she would have to retreat or surrender.

Still, the sign of any great military mind is the ability to change and adapt on the battlefield. While that was common among the Star Forces and other armed forces in the galaxy, it was not necessarily that common among high school students. But at least it would be interesting to see how Amnita reacted to the situation.

Aminta paused and observed the tactical situation she saw herself in. She was now faced with a classic Dornalian Wave Attack, a massed broad front offensive that favored Dornalian strengths. The minefield she had set up was falling apart, and it would be seen now if she could change her strategems. The problem was that the minefield was blocking her from doing much....

......or it didn't, at all. Aminta realized that her ships were Plane Space capable, and that with enough decent rolls, she'd be able to make an end run around Lynn's lines and bring the pain from behind in a flanking run. She didn't see any FTLi systems that Lynn had, and anyway, it wouldn't matter. Aminta's command of Planespace wouldn't permit the total ability to move quickly that Ceilia was used to. But in-game, it was still a strong force, with a 50% reduction in the effectiveness of FTLi projections. Playing her cards right, the catgirl might win.

She thus reacted immediately. Taking her strongest vessels, she then declared, "I'm making a Planespace jump. Hand me the tape measure."

Lynn then raised her eyebrows and said, "Excuse me?"

"Yeah, you heard me. Planespace jump." Aminta said. Insistently, she motioned for the measurer.

"Right." Lynn sighed; she knew she should have brought some FTLi for this job. She then admonished Aminta, "But roll your damn dice. I wanna know this is on the level." It was obvious she did not enjoy Aminta's new move.

With that, Aminta made her moves, and a good portion of her ships were teleported behind Lynn's lines thanks to some good dice rolls. The rest that stayed behind assembled at the approaches and opened up on the enemy along with their newly assembled cousins on the other side, hitting Lynn's vessels and doing damage to several of Lynn's Mao Zedong Mark IIIs, Lin Biaos and Prochkhorovka Carriers, as well as taking out several more waves of drone ships.

Lynn fumed and said, "Ow."

Ceilia watched as Amnita came up with a few lucky dice rolls that allowed half of her forces to circle behind Lynn. An attack from both sides could prove devastating in any battle but it looked like it only caused minor damage here. But by studying Lynn's face, it looked as if more damage had been done that what appeared on the board.

Something must have indicated what a ship could handle and use for attack. "You look as if you know when your ships are going to be destroyed. Is there a point system or something that determines how much damage a ship can deal and absorb?"

Ceilia watched as Amnita came up with a few lucky dice rolls that allowed half of her forces to circle behind Lynn. An attack from both sides could prove devastating in any battle but it looked like it only caused minor damage here. But by studying Lynn's face, it looked as if more damage had been done that what appeared on the board.

Something must have indicated what a ship could handle and use for attack. "You look as if you know when your ships are going to be destroyed. Is there a point system or something that determines how much damage a ship can deal and absorb?"

Lynn replied, "Yeah. We use a system of wounds, shielding, and constitution. Each larger vessel has these three values." Pointing to one of her Lin Biaos, Lynn said, "This Lin Biao has, for example, three points of shielding, two wounds., and a level four constitution. As it sustains hits, each successful hit subtracts first a point of shielding, then a wound point. When it runs out of either, the unit dies. The shielding regenerates at the start of each round, unless there's something there to slow that down. But the wounds stay lost unless you make successful repair rolls using repair ships or Engineering Crews. I'm Dornalian, so I have good engineering crews that can help repairs move quickly. But Lin Biaos tend to die quick without their Drones."

Lynn then began moving her ships, as she said, "Now, ships can do a certain amount of damage. This value is called Force." Pointing to her Mao Zedong Mark IV, she then said, "Now, the Mao Zedong Mark IV is a good example. It has a variety of arms on it. It has EM Cannons, Abh in origin, I believe, which deal a Force Five attack. It also has a variety of torpedoes, though some you have to specially declare for use, and it has Force Seven Demolisher Guns."

Pointing to one of Aminta's Paruynus, she said, "To put that in perspective....let's say I make a roll to attack her Paruynu Destroyer. It has a level five constitution. Seems small, but some ships have worse. I would have to make a roll based on this table"--she then handed Ceilia a copy of a "Roll to hit" table--"of a minimum value to beat her constitution and do damage. Then, when I'm done, Aminta would make a roll using two dice for each affected vessel to determine which ship takes damage and which doesn't. If she gets equal or higher rolls, she survives. She gets a lower roll on each ship than the Strength value of the weapon attacking her, that ship takes damage or dies. (OOC: Assume each person has made their response rolls to each attack, etc. with all previous attacks. That omission was my bad.)"

Having moved her units to the beginnings of a more defensive strategy, Lynn had turned some of her vessels 360 degrees and opened up on Aminta's vessels. Declaring the use of a People's Scythe Singularity Torpedo, she rolled to fire the weapon, and added, "There are special instances, Ceilia, where the process is interrupted. This is one of them. You only can have five in your fleet at once, but People's Scythes are deadly. They can unleash a small vortex that does continuous damage, ensuring that after this series of rolls, the next turn, Aminta has to make another defensive roll. This replicates the nature of the Singularity. However, this effect fades after her turn. The unit that fires can't do anything else in the shooting phase after."

Giving Ceilia a good demonstration of the process, she hit home with the People's Scythe, and Aminta had to roll for damage, ensuring damage upon her units to shielding and some damage to her vessels. Lynn's other ships then opened up, and while she missed some she hit a few others, damaging several vessels and taking out an Assault Ship. Aminta's force was intact, but it got some hits attached to it, a few of them pretty strong.

The forces Aminta had left behind the minefield, meanwhile, were given another volley from the Lin Biaos and the drones. Here, more mines fell, and a few more ships were hit--it wasn't much, but it was something.

The Abriel princess as Lynn instructed her in the ways of the dice game. It was a fairly in depth game with most eventualities factored into its game play. She had to assume that classes of ships were made equal across the board for the sake of fairness and understanding. Ceilia watched the two girls make rolls to see what affect their attacks would have.

It appeared that it was anyone's game right now as they drew into a gridlock of attacks. Something would have to give soon or these two would come out in a draw. Ceilia watched carefully to see who the more clever player was.

It appeared that it was anyone's game right now as they drew into a gridlock of attacks. Something would have to give soon or these two would come out in a draw. Ceilia watched carefully to see who the more clever player was.

Aminta sighed, and rolled for damage on the next turn, losing a Parunyu. She then decided to move in closer. Ceilia would be able to observe she was moving to prevent Lynn from moving any more units to oppose her or doing anymore tricks using things like People's Scythes that would potentially hurt her as much as she hurt Aminta's units. Despite not totally sealing off Lynn, the mines and the movement rules preventing total encirclement in one turn, she had moved pretty quickly to restrict her opponent. Her remaining units had sallied forth from behind the mines to engage the Drones and the Lin Biaos, and her rear assault force had sallied into the mass of heavies.

Knowing the rules generally favored Lynn's ships, owing to their heavier defenses, she opted to focus fire on the littler vessels first, aiming for the Lin Biaos and the Mao Zedongs with concentrated mine and EM Cannon fire. Ripping into her opponent, Lynn's saving throws ensured that a lot of her ships merely had shield failures, but some Maos got wounds and three Lin Biaos were killed, leaving their Drones leaderless.

Lynn sighed. This was not as planned.....

The battle was moving into a decisive moment from Ceilia's perspective as Aminta managed to move her ships in close to Lynn's while effectively encircling her. Still, all was not lost for Lynn. Ceilia was interested in seeing how her friend would manage to pull herself out of the current situation. So far she was still hanging in with lucky saving throws.

With a little more luck, she could perhaps punch a hole through Aminta or destroy enough of her ships to force Aminta to back off.

The battle was moving into a decisive moment from Ceilia's perspective as Aminta managed to move her ships in close to Lynn's while effectively encircling her. Still, all was not lost for Lynn. Ceilia was interested in seeing how her friend would manage to pull herself out of the current situation. So far she was still hanging in with lucky saving throws.

With a little more luck, she could perhaps punch a hole through Aminta or destroy enough of her ships to force Aminta to back off.

Lynn now opted to utilize the Dornalian firepower advantage to begin making Aminta pay for each bloody ship lost. Manuevering some of her ships about into tighter, defensive formations away from Aminta's assault, she then proceeded to open up on Aminta with a flurry of torpedo and railgun shots. Rolling the dice, the shots were only mildly successful, as they caused some shield damage, but stupidly, the dice decided not to cooperate with Lynn today, as only two or three of Aminta's ships sustained serious damage. Lynn could be heard to mutter, "Fucking dice."

Aminta replied, "Don't blame the dice, dear. That's what the game does." Lynn sighed as Aminta manuevered her ships closer to Lynn's to give chase....

Ceilia watched as Lynn huddled her ships closer which was a bold move on her part. In one aspect, it gave her greater defense against missiles and other similar projectiles. Unfortunately that would also mean that they were an easier target to hit, providing more surface area for a shot to punch through.

Though this was all theoretical in actual space combat which was anything but what the game was showing as would soon come to play out. The dice roll was less than satisfactory for Lynn. To an Abh, leaving battle strategies up to chance was irritating and she found it difficult appreciating the dice aspect of the game.

"Can't you re roll the dice?"

Ceilia watched as Lynn huddled her ships closer which was a bold move on her part. In one aspect, it gave her greater defense against missiles and other similar projectiles. Unfortunately that would also mean that they were an easier target to hit, providing more surface area for a shot to punch through.

Though this was all theoretical in actual space combat which was anything but what the game was showing as would soon come to play out. The dice roll was less than satisfactory for Lynn. To an Abh, leaving battle strategies up to chance was irritating and she found it difficult appreciating the dice aspect of the game.

"Can't you re roll the dice?"

Lynn sullenly replied, "As much as we'd both like that, Ceilia, no. If I can do it...she can do it too. Put it to a misplaced sense of fair play."

Aminta merely moved her pieces closer for the kill as Lynn delivered her rant-in-miniature. Moving her heavy ships in from one side and her lighter ships from another side, Aminta did take the opportunity to chime in with a simple, "Well....Benny, you also gotta remember this. It's a game. Not combat."

She then made her rolls, which were definetly better than Lynn's. Although the initial volley missed completely, the successive waves of mines hit Lynn's vessels and caused no small consternation, causing her to lose some more ships and sustain hits.

The Abriel quickly came to the realization that she did not like this game. There was too much left up to chance and Ceilia preferred solid tactics in combat instead of the luck of the dice.

Sitting back, she had to wonder what were the possibilities of bringing Lynn's battle back to a favorable position if Lynn had to depend so heavily on luck.

The Abriel quickly came to the realization that she did not like this game. There was too much left up to chance and Ceilia preferred solid tactics in combat instead of the luck of the dice.

Sitting back, she had to wonder what were the possibilities of bringing Lynn's battle back to a favorable position if Lynn had to depend so heavily on luck.

Of course, Ceilia would eventually see that the game itself revolved not just around luck, but statistics. Lynn noticed her new friend's unease at the game mechanics, and decided to teach her that the dice were deciedly not in charge.

She thus proceeded to attempt a breakout, and moved her units appropriately, facing the Mao IV towards Aminta's dangerous Paryunus and moving units to provide cover. She then proceeded to unleash a torrent of fire using Antimatter torpedoes and the Duplex Drive Demolisher Gun that, by sheer volume focused on that point, damaged several of Aminta's heavies and killed plenty of them, blowing open a gap and making Aminta wince.

The next turn saw Aminta consolidate to try and seal the gap, opening up and causing some damage, as well as moving in with her lighter vessels from the rear. However, Lynn was able to manuever to the weakened spot in Aminta's lines, and blow a gap wide enough to ensure a breakthrough, her Mao IV at the lead.

Ceilia watched as the game turned back to a more favorable way of fighting where the dice did not completely rule the game. Matters started shaping up more realistically with ships doing and taking appropriate amounts of damage.

She watched as her friend managed to break her way out of the surround attack that Amnita had formed. It wasn't quite over yet though. Lynn could simply retreat now that she was free leaving both sides battered or she could stick out to the end.

"What's your next move, Lynn?"

Ceilia watched as the game turned back to a more favorable way of fighting where the dice did not completely rule the game. Matters started shaping up more realistically with ships doing and taking appropriate amounts of damage.

She watched as her friend managed to break her way out of the surround attack that Amnita had formed. It wasn't quite over yet though. Lynn could simply retreat now that she was free leaving both sides battered or she could stick out to the end.

"What's your next move, Lynn?"

Aminta plotted her next move, wryly noting, "I dunno, but this is mine." As she spoke, Aminta began collapsing the circle she had formed previously, moving her heavies and lighter vessels onto the tail of the foe now attempting to exit the trap. Aminta commenced to mass fire upon her quarry. The resulting hail and rolls ensured Aminta did some damage, although the strong shielding of the Mao Zedongs was preventing their demise.

Now, Lynn decided to continue the breakout. Pushing out of the gap made in the circle, she lined up the bulk of her heavy forces into a crude but servicable firing line, and fired into the enemy, dealing damage aplenty upon them. Meanwhile, she brought her lighter ships--the Lin Biaos and the Drones, into a massed wave onto the point that she had fired on before. Opening up, she did enough damage to blow another hole, and open a gap....

The Abriel took stock in her friend's tenacity to not give up and push through the trap. More of Aminta's ships fell to the bust out attack by the drones and smaller vessels.

It looked to Ceilia that Lynn was going to reach her goal of escaping. But it was still possible for Aminta to come back with a counter and force even more pain on Lynn.

The Abriel took stock in her friend's tenacity to not give up and push through the trap. More of Aminta's ships fell to the bust out attack by the drones and smaller vessels.

It looked to Ceilia that Lynn was going to reach her goal of escaping. But it was still possible for Aminta to come back with a counter and force even more pain on Lynn.

The Circle failing, Aminta opted to immediately consolidate her forces and begin massing fire on the other ships that were attempting a breakout. It was clear from her movements that she was panicking now, moving this piece and moving another, firing heavily and rolling all the dice she could. The damage worked--plenty of Drone Ships and three Lin Biaos were lost--but it looked to be not nearly enough to totally blunt the breakout.

Lynn took advantage of this, and continued to pound Aminta, moving her surviving units out of the circle and having all units fire at Aminta's ships. The damages were high, with Aminta losing several key capital ships and damage scored on several more.

The next turn saw Aminta consolidate her remnants, and attempt to engage the bulk of Lynn's fleet. It was clear this was the do-or-die moment. Especially, since a lot of folks gathered around the table now, noting how Lynn had managed a breakout from her encirclement, and was preparing to defend herself against Aminta's three pronged flank strikes.

Ceilia watched patiently as Lynn switched tactics fluidly and prepared to fend off anything that Amnita threw at her. By now a small crowd was gathering around them as the battle progressed to its ultimate conclusion. One of the two girls was going to win in the next few rolls of the dice.

She waited to see who had laid the better strategy and who ultimately had more luck with the dice.

Ceilia watched patiently as Lynn switched tactics fluidly and prepared to fend off anything that Amnita threw at her. By now a small crowd was gathering around them as the battle progressed to its ultimate conclusion. One of the two girls was going to win in the next few rolls of the dice.

She waited to see who had laid the better strategy and who ultimately had more luck with the dice.

The crowd watched and waited with baited breath, as Lynn and Aminta made their rolls. In their minds, the audience members gamed out all the possibilities, they wondered who would crack first, they played all the statistics and lucky dice rolls and outcomes thereof. As good as any Abh, perhaps, they began muttering to one another, wondering how each player could win in the end.

It was becoming clear that both sides were now giving it their all. Lynn opened fire, attempting to break her ranks up and let Aminta's forces slide through harmlessly, all while she opened fire using broadside attacks, and she unleashed People's Hammer antimatter torpedoes into the middle of Aminta's packs. The antimatter torpedoes that hit Aminta's vessels connected, and their incredibly strong killing power took down several big ships, all while Aminta's own vessels were peppered with ludicrious amounts of volley fire.

Aminta's gambit was eventually rewarded somewhat, as though the left and center flanks were weakened by the counterattack, the right was able to close on Lynn's vessels, and open fire with their own weapons, dealing plenty of damage, taking out a couple of Mao Zedong Mark IIIas with concentrated firepower and doing plenty of damage in their own right, thanks to some lucky rolls. The other two flanking strikes, meanwhile, also formed up and assaulted Lynn's vessels, leading to damage on that front as well.

By now, however, the smaller ships Lynn had were closing on the flankers. Aminta, in her haste, had ignored the smaller vessels that had previously broken out, and aggressively moved to kill Lynn's heavies--the core of any Dornalian force yes, and vital--but not when freemoving threats were still about. Lynn had those ships fire on the center flank, and along with more shots, this forced Aminta into a corner, as her counterattack was in danger of stalling. To keep on going or not?

Studying the map, it seemed she was likely to be encircled by Lynn. Despite her resilience, Aminta's ships would likely falter, she knew, if assaulted vigorously in an encirclement.

When Aminta realized this, she decided to retreat quickly. She then declared, "Making a Planespace jump."

The crowd went, "Ooh...."

Lynn handed Aminta the tape measure, made the right rolls, and then moved the bulk of her heavy units quickly out of harm's way. Lynn now faced a setback, and would have to pursue her friend to prevent her from doing much. She had a feeling Aminta would now resort to frequent Planespacing, if only to escape certain death at the hands of the People's Navy.

Thus, Lynn moved her units to attempt to reach Aminta, and the two began to dance around one another, only firing occasional potshots. At one point, Lynn giggled nervously, and said, "Sonofabitch! You like runnin'....."

"Only thing I can do," Aminta said.

Eventually, Lynn extended herself out, and in a near fatal strategy, she manuevered her Mao IIIas and her Mao IV to perform a shortjump, closing with Aminta. The two locked in naval combat, the dice rolls began flying, despite attempts to escape. Finally, when the dust settled, Lynn was the winner, though by the crowd's estimation, Aminta had put in a fine effort, narrowing the gap so that in terms of unit values, Lynn's victory was less dramatic than expected.

The exhausted players sat down, and shook hands, saying, "Good game."

Ceilia watched as the match drew to a conclusion. Amnita was doing everything in her power to avoid defeat while Lynn was tirelessly hounding her down. It had developed into a rather intense game of strategy that would draw the interest of even the most skeptical Abh.

The Abriel nodded with approval when the game reached its final destination. Both had fought well and used practically every option available to them. The only small detail that bothered her was the fact that the Abh ships did not win the engagement.

"Yes, it was a very good game. You two should be happy with your performance."

"Yes, it was a very good game. You two should be happy with your performance."

Leaning back, the two smiled, and then, looked at the clock. It was almost five thirty--and then, someone's cellphone rang. Looking at each other, Lynn rummaged in her pocket and pulled it out. Turning it on, she then said, "Mhm. Yeah. I understand. I know. No, I'm not doing anything with Aminta. Good. Okay, bye."

She then hung up, and said, "Hey, Aminta--your mom gonna pick you up, or what?"

"Nope. She's gotta work late at the plant." Shrugging, Aminta delivered that with a casual look.

"In that case, we'll take you back, then."

As the two proceeded to begin cleaning up, Aminta and Lynn looked at the table. Sure enough, the teacher watching everything put down his newspaper, and as he scanned his domain, glanced over at Aminta and Lynn's table. Aminta and Lynn then immediately began packing up rather quickly.

To their surprise--and dismay--Mr. De Klerk was there.....

Ceilia got to get ready to leave. She had been moving around the planet for quite an extended period of time and was growing quickly tired. Normal levels of gravity had that effect on Abhs, so Ceilia was ready to go home and decided to help clean up the table.

Not aware of the abnormalities that were De Klerk, aside from what she observed in class today, the princess gently elbowed Lynn to get her attention. "One of your teachers...Mr. De Klerk, if I remember correctly, is heading this way. Does he need to sign us out? If so, then I can finish cleaning while you take care of the paper work."

Ceilia's military life and her life of structuring was playing out now as she wasn't full in tune with the way Dornalian schools and people acted. Though it could also be that she did not want to speak with De Klerk and was just trying to side track him.

Aminta shook her head and went, "No, no, he doesn't need to sign us out. However, if you could help us clean up, that would be mightily appreciated, Benny, because well...."

Lynn noted, "You remember that Baronh class?" She shuddered at the memories. They were hours old, but the somewhat offputting behavior made it certain they still remained fresh. "We'd rather not have that happen again."

As the two furiously cleaned up, they then realized one implication of Ceilia's plan. Lynn then said, coughing, "Excuse me. I forgot, I had to ask De Klerk about something."

Walking up to De Klerk, Lynn decided to take the hit and began chatting him up, asking, "So, what did you think?"

"Not a bad strategy, Landers. Though I would have to admit, she had you earlier with the mine wall. Your victory would have been greater if you had taken the initiative and worked at breaking it down quicker. Also...."

As Lynn kept the teacher distracted with strategems, Aminta quipped to Ceilia, "Damn. Now that's friendship."

Celine did remember the Baronh class. It had been slightly uncomfortable but she wasn't quite sure why it would be relevant now. The princess could only assume that the other girls were in a hurry and didn't want to waste time talking to the teacher.

The Abriel looked back to see that Lynn was distracting the teacher while she and Amnita finished cleaning up. "Well then let's not waste the chance and get going."