trans_9 | Work and Play

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Work and Play

Aine panted, holstering her gun in the under the shoulder holster it came with. The Intar she collected from Weapon's storage was working well. Not needing to charge her own power when into the weapon was different though. The lack of bullets did help, and while it was not a killing weapon. Which really was more options than anything, the event with the blood drinkers proved that the ship was hardly a unified front. So having the choice between putting them down, or putting them down and finishing them with her knife was a blessing. Also Stacy wouldn't give her the other weapons she looked at.

She had spent the past hour testing the weapon, giving targets to fight with. Covering range tests, fire rates, accuracy, and a few test fights against AI opponents provided by Stacy. They were simple gunfights, no reason to remove the safety protocols. If you are hit in a gunfight like that, you're dead, healer or not.

Right now, though, she sniffed the air. She was sweaty and tired, and wanted to at least rinse off. She piled up her jacket, weapons, and holsters in the corner, "Give me a stream, clear water, clean. Afternoon sun, and..." She looked down at herself, now that the plantsuit was with her other items, "Something suitable for the water."

She started washing up, her preference would be to wash normally, sans clothes. However she knew this was both not a private location, and that her age seemed to be an issue with many. So she decided this should be a fair compromise if anyone came in. While she was out of that wretched suit, she might as well check her gemstones. That which let her powers flow freely, moving her fingers methodically from one gem to the next, a faint light escaping them as she checked them.

She looked around the fake world she was in, while her fingers checked the gems on her back. It was a very pretty creation, fake, but pretty. "Give me... flowers," several red blooms appeared on a tree and the grass near the stream. "No... blue flowers." All the flowers turned blue. That was neat to play with, this was quite a place.

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Negi was wandering around when he noticed the sensoriums were open again. Intrigued, he walked into the nice place and turned the corner. The young boy mage went three shades of red at the washing girl and stumbled backwards, only to slip on the slick grass and went tumbling head over heels into the clearing.

Aine blinked a few times at the young boy who fell into this illusion made for her practice and now relaxation. He probably wasn't from a world like her's, otherwise nudity wouldn't be that big a deal, let alone this. Ah youth, this might be the first time he saw a girl like this, would explain why he reacted in such a way. Children of other worlds seemed to be so... coddled. She did have this odd feeling, about him, a twinge in her Silver Heart.

She laughed a little at the boy, "You alright there? That was quite an entrance." She went back to examining the gemstones in her palm, wondering about that feeling she had.

Still blushing completely red, he tried to avert his eyes. "I'm fine," stammered Negi. Light take it, what was with him and naked women?! "Just a little startled."

He really hoped she wasn't the type to haul him over and wash him up. He smelled from a lack of washing up.

Aine sniffed the air a moment, "You're rank, kid." She could understand, the ship's air was not that helpful to staying clean, nor was the ship. She definitely didn't like the looks of any of the ways she'd been told you could wash yourself here.

She hopped out of the water, unashamed while not totally naked, and rushed toward him, "Kid, I know this ain't the nicest place, but you need a wash." The look she gave outright shouted she was not giving him a suggestion. Nor was there much way he could talk her out of this.

When she got near however the gems in her body began to glow, slightly. It felt weird, very very weird. It was... different, from any magic she's sensed. Mostly because it felt so strong without any visible effort. This changed her look from the stern mothering figure before, to a very confused person, staring at the gems in her palm, "What are you kid?"

"Meep!" exclaimed Negi in shock. Another girl going to force him to wash up? It was like a running gag! "Well um, I just um..."

Then he noticed her confusion and blinked. "Well um, I'm just a school teacher and... are you sensing my magic?"

So the kid played make believe as a school teacher? What a dull thing to pretend to be, the magic however... that was obviously no game. His Soul burned stronger than anyone she had ever met, magic in his world must be much easier to manifest. She could deal with that after she dealt with the first issue.

"You got two options. Get undressed and get in the water, or I will throw you into the water fully dressed." Smell first, magic causing her gems to glow later. She again had that look of complete seriousness, that she meant every word she said.

"Meep!" repeated Negi in shock. "W-wait, let me get undressed first!"

There was a few things that could put the Fear of God into Negi. One was a strong girl threatening to hurl him into the bath.

Off came his plantsuit and his staff was set to the side with the pactio card. There wasn't much else and he blushed as he eased into the water before she could hurl him bodily into the water.

It was nice when a few things worked out right. She could still cause fear in small children that needed to behave, always a plus. She hopped back into the water, "I expect you to be able to wash yourself." She kept the glaring going, at least for now. Make sure he knew she was serious. She didn't need to mother him, just get him to behave like a proper kid.

"Now then, so your magic must be pretty strong. Since it can cause my gems to react," that was not something that usually happened. Three or four stories exist about warriors strong enough to cause that, never a thing she ran into. Even with a few generals she met. But the gems were attuned to the soul of the owner. For another soul to cause a reaction was rare. "So why pretend to be a school teacher?"

"Right." At least it wasn't completely like Asuna where she'd start scrubbing his head. Splashing water around, he started to wash up.

"But... I am a school teacher," said Negi in confusion. "But yes, my magic is very strong. It's constantly running through my body."

She'd actually been looking around for a Sensorium to meditate in: she felt a little tired, and needed to be alone with her thoughts. Socializing and training was all well and good, but would mean nothing if you didn't concentrate on taming the inner self within, and there were many questions on Katara's mind lately, from instruction with her new teacher to where her brother was these days. She missed him.

When she stepped into the nearest available space, she saw that it was occupied, with someone that was attempting a bath. She was going to turn away when she noted the jewels at her back: for some reason, they kept Katara mesmerized, and she stared at them in wonder. The nudity didn't both her, of course. It was uncommon, but were most things on the ship.

"You know, there should be a fountain back in the city," Katara said, and I know there is a pool in the hotel where me and my buddies stay. Maybe you;d like to try that instead?"

"I was already here," Aine answered, studying one of these false flowers she asked for. The scent, it was very realistic. Did fake flowers produce fake fragrance? How very peculiar detail to pay attention to. Everything else was plenty, but to include scents, that's really something. Most Greys and Oranges didn't bother that far with their Soul.

"I needed to get some target practice," Aine explained, "When I finished I decided to clean up a little before heading back into the ship." She didn't seem to try to hide. While she had a single article of clothing on, thanks to the sensoriums creation, to keep her from being completely naked. It didn't cover one of the main things that could draw a gaze. "Water feels a lot nicer than... the other things in this level for hi-gene. I also didn't want to go anywhere to get cleaned up."

"That makes sense, to a point," Katara commented. "Anyone can walk in on you here though. It's why I thought you might prefer to go down to the city instead. You're less likely to have someone spying on you there. But I've never seen you before, so you're probably new to the ship anyway." She extended her hand, trying to follow the tradition of some of the people on the ship.

"I'm Katara, of the Southern Water Tribe. I'm sorry for staring, but I've never seen anyone with jewels on their back before. They're very pretty. What are they for?"

"If they want to look, that is their concern," Aine shrugged, "Camps didn't generally bother with personal showers, or gender split showers. I'm used to it." She eyed the extended hand, an odd greeting pose. Aine put her hand over the silver heart, the silver plate on her chest, with gems like on her back and arm. She then offered a bow to the other woman.

"White Aine of the Daingein," She considered the people name, of course her first thought is she's a Blue. "Pretty?" Aine looked at her own gems a moment, "They were installed when I was eight, everyone in my people gets them as a part of joining the military. They help amplify my Soul to use my abilities." Nobody ever called the Manastones pretty before, what an odd thing to think.

Katara sighed inwardly. Whenever she bowed, people looked at her strangely, so she started to do the handshake thing, It just figured that it would be the exact opposite effect in this situation. "Not that I'm saying there's anything wrong with that: I mean, the body is the body. People just tend to be, uh, particular about it on the ship, and even in their worlds. I don;t really care."

The gesture was unique though.

Katara tried not to look embarrassed. "I didn't mean to insult you! It's just...I'd never see anything like that before, and I wanted to pay you a compliment. Now I'm just really curious. Your soul has abilities? What can it do?"

"I didn't plan to stop wearing the 'clothes' Stacy provided me," there was a definite distaste in describing the plantsuit as clothes. And, for the record the thought had crossed her mind to just neglect the plantsuit, save the detail it would make carrying her weapons more difficult. She would rather find clothes. "However if after my training I want to relax with a cool bath. I hardly see how they can complain about walking in on me naked."

"Nono, I'm not insulted. Just that they aren't noticed like that. Beauty is saved for features, clothes, nature, and fighting skills." She rarely gained compliments, she was given a few for her calmness in the battlefield, while she was healing one boy he compared her to an angel. The most cliche of compliments a White can get. Aine was calm as she explained, "I'm a White, my soul extends out as a divine power to heal injuries. My guns are with my clothes, they help focus my power."

Katara nodded. "Trust me, I can agree with you on the plant suit. If it were up to me, I would be wearing my water tribe clothing most of the time. I guess the plantsuit is helpful in certain ways, but I really would prefer to wear my own kind of clothes." She could see what the girl was talking about though. "I agree there, its just...people from different places have different hang ups, or wouldn't think twice about looking at you in the bath. People on the ship can be strange like that."

"Oh!" Katara exclaimed. "You can heal injuries too? I can, but I don't need jewels for it, just water. It's a part of my element, and some of us are born with the power of waterbending. It means we can use the water as a weapon, in healing or even as a shield if we need to."

"Again, it is none of my concern who decides to stare at me," Aine lay back on the water to get her hair wet. She wasn't seeing what the big deal was, if they had such hang-ups over nudity they can just leave the area. If they cannot control their eyes it is another weakness that can be exploited. "Still don't see the problem with my activities, if my nudity was a concern for you, you would have left already. For instance."

A Blue with the power of healing? What a strange concept. However... a shield might be a good way to manifest her own Light, "The gems aren't why I heal. White is the Nature of my Soul, the gems simply help to take it from my core and turn it into something tangible. Like turning grain into bread."

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Familiar scenario: Billy poked his nose into a Sensorium that didn't belong to him, intent on viewing some outdoor scenes for field research. The already-occupied setting was familiar too---a clean outdoor area that might've come from a version of Earth. Except...the flowers were blue. He smiled at that, fond of the color himself.

This time, though, he encountered an unexpected obstacle: a bathing woman, unclothed as far as he could tell. It took him a moment to restrain a base reaction of loud embarrassment, then another to turn right around and face the exit. He wished he hadn't been seen by this unfamiliar crew member, but he was almost certain he had been.

"I profusely apologize for the intrusion, ma'am," he said hastily. "Would you like to install a security lock while you're...occupied? No one else should bother you once it's in place."

Aine noticed him, she was good at noticing things like that. Especially at times she felt a tad more vulnerable, she could get to her gun and knife, if need be. But when they are not within arms reach you listen a little more. Just because you are attentive, doesn't mean you mind, "Apologize for what?"

Apologizes were a rare thing at home, as were turning your back on a person. Naked or not. The effects nudity had here seemed stronger than any blade, she wondered how they survived waking up naked. It did make for a simple weapon if she desired to overtake most of the ship, Ciara would be impressively effective here. "I don't see much point, I'll be done soon. Even if I was planning to bathe for hours, why lock the door?"

"For disturbing your bath," he explained with a note of confusion. Billy thought that was obvious. But...wait, why didn't she seem worried? Different cultural standards, maybe?

The next question is somewhat easier to answer. "Most people that I've met have a strong expectation of and preference for privacy while bathing. If that privacy is violated, their reactions are unpredictable and often volatile. You don't seem to fall under that category, though." And that was all right, he thought. It must be nice not to have to worry. He looks over his shoulder and clarifies:

"Not that I've spent time inquiring about everyone's bathing habits, but for the most par we either utilize the plantsuits and head-washing units or the sonic showers." Bathing with real water was a distant luxury, and he'd never dared to try the Sensorium substitute. Too much risk of being disturbed.

"You didn't remove the water or try to kill me," which, to be honest, have both been done during bathing before she woke up on the ship. "Not exactly disturbing me otherwise."

She took heed of his words, and would do her best not to elicit such a response from anyone in the ship. However, if everyone was so fearful it should not be an issue for her walking in on anyone else, "Would you rather I dress? If seeing my form in this way is disruptive to talking, I've finished." She got out of the water anyway and moved toward her personal belongings. She did not feel like fussing with the live suit, so her coat would be covering enough for the moment. Following that she put on the small glasses she had with the items.

"I'm not using one of those creatures," she had no trust for the headwashing units. "The sonic showers are alright, however they were not here when I finished training. I saw no reason to wander to a shower, then bathe, then go on with my day. When I could use this room instead."

"I wouldn't do that," he said unnecessarily, getting the impression that she must come from a far harsher background than he did.

Feeling twinges of guilt, he managed to look at her once she was finally covered. She was young too, and wore glasses like he did. That was about all he could tell---except for a fleeting thought on her attractiveness, which would not be acknowledged.

"That's logical," he conceded. "The problem with the Sensoriums is that almost no one remembers to lock the entrance, and we're constantly interrupting each other." Guilty look. "It took some time, but I've adjusted to the lack of water for bathing. This is a war, and hardship is to be expected."

Though the flowers are beautiful. His gaze drifted down to them for a moment before looking back up at her. "Right, I should introduce myself. I'm Billy Cranston from the Engineering department." A tentative smile is offered to her.

"Well, it is hard to try to kill someone when you can't look at them," Aine retorted, she knew he didn't mean any harm. However she couldn't help but point out the main reason she wasn't worried.

"I didn't know they could lock," Probably a good thing to know for the future... wait, not really, she didn't care. "This level is a center of activity even if the ship is so large." That however was puzzling, lack of water was a hardship? For starters, they didn't lack water, she was just bathing in some. Secondly they hardly seemed to be at war this moment. When moving near enemy territory she there was a different tone and feel compared to deployment defending a supply depot. This was very much the latter, when a crisis arrives they could deal with hardships.

For now, there is no immediate threat, so living a little made sense. "If you want I can watch the door while you bathe? Promise not to peek." Something in her tone said she was mocking him with that last statement.

Aine bowed, palm over her chest, placed directly over where that metal plate exists. Billy might have noticed this detail before he turned away and did his best not to look. "White Aine of the Daingein." She didn't smile exactly, but the look was much kinder than her usual look, even when smiling. "I'm with medical, I think."

When she said it that way, he had to laugh at himself. "That's true, though that was mainly to avoid being 'killed' myself. Stacy blocks real violence in the Sensoriums unless all parties involved agree to it, but there are other ways to harm a person." Far more interesting ways, as he knew all too well.

At her introduction, he raised an eyebrow. "So you're a healer? If it's not too personal to ask, what's your specialty?"

There were so many ways to accomplish the same task with the varied skill sets here. It was fascinating to watch his practical handymen, computer technicians, technomages, and super-geniuses work together. He soon realized his thoughts were drifting and came back to himself---to discover she was offering him a chance to bathe.

Running a hand through his now-greasy hair, he considered it. If she did peek, he would be embarrassed but overcome it. If someone else got past her, he could throw up a wall. If she wanted to leave, he could lock the door. The idea of finally washing with water, even simulated water, was quite tempting. And he did need a bath.

"All right, I accept. Thank you. I promise to finish quickly, since your time is valuable." That said, he crept over to the waters' edge to wait for her reaction.

"I should keep note of that," At least that bit of information was more useful. That even here the ship would not allow harm to each other.

"My Nature is healing," she thought a moment more, "Oh, I heal using the powers of my Soul. Although I was taught to do some field work without it, in case I have exhausted myself."

She smiled when he accepted the offer, "Let me get dressed properly and I will be out of your way." She moved to her belongings and started by removing her coat again. Letting the plantsuit find its place on her body. It was such an unnatural feeling having the thing on, she really would rather not put it on again. Next came her holsters. First the one on her waist, securing both handguns on her belt. Then the holsters on her torso, the one for her knife and the one for her Intar. Then her coat went back on, without closing it this time.

She adjusted her rather useless pair of glasses and sat down, facing away from the water, "My time isn't that valuable right now. Nobody is injured and I've done my training for the day. Take your time if you want."