trans_9 | Left Hanging (open)

The first time Anwei had visited the vehicle bays, she'd been in too much of a hurry to really appreciate the sight. She'd scanned the rows upon rows of machines with a single hungry thought: which of these can I recognize, where is something that can give me a clue about getting out of here?

Now she was more relaxed; she'd had time to consider the situation. She was here for the foreseeable future, and she didn't want to leave without making sure all her debts were paid. That is, if she was going to be leaving here at all.

She was looking for Zouichi's motorcycle and Fuyu, but also taking the time to appreciate the sheer variety of inventory: ground vehicles ranging from treaded tanks the size of her foot to massive haulers that could move a space shuttle, craft designed for land and water and heavy atmosphere transit, and others she couldn't even guess the function of. The roof was high enough that there were no echoes, only a low mutter of reflected sound. There were other people here, striding along with purpose or just strolling as she was.

[[OOC: Anwei's looking for Fuyu, but feel free to stop & chat with her.]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"It sounds like a lot of the things I take as given were not always the case with Horanckk."

"Well, I suppose you could always wait for him to get around to it again, but I think he'll probably be trying his best to avoid you for awhile, or at least until this issue is resolved. He's fairly predictable, in that regard." If Fuyu were human, she might have rolled her eyes.

"He was always very generous at sharing what he knew. When we meet again, I'm sure he would be happy to discuss what skills of his you might like to learn." In fact, the issue would probably be getting him to shut up about his skills.

"I just," she clenched her fingers in front of her for a moment, "I really don't want to risk making things worse. But if in your opinion, he would rather I received the gift now, I will be happy to accept."

"Hmm. I am looking forward to meeting with Horanckk, then. I'm sure we'll have many things to discuss."

Fuyu considered for a moment. "I doubt that it will make much difference whether you receive it now or later, and it would be more expedient to give it to you now."

He'd be embarrassed either way.

[Inside the box is a long, robe-like garment (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56712133@N04/5459954585/) made of silvery material and covered with a simplistic natural pattern that resembles flowering Earth plants. It is lighter in weight than one might expect.]

"He - we - are both advocates of AI self-improvement." In fact, wasn't there a warrant or two in their names, relating to improving AI's to the point of their refusing to take orders? Oh well, that was universes ago.

Anwei opened the box very carefully, and her eyes went huge, irises flaring dark in her face. "Oh my. Oh my! It's beautiful!" She quickly checked her hands, yes they were freshly washed, and then took the garment up, carefully, by the shoulders and held it against her. "Oh, thank you - I mean, thank Zouichi and thank you. Does it - is it daywear or nightwear?" It didn't look like modern Earth attire that she remembered.

Actually, come to think of it, didn't Earth people wear fairly elaborate garments for their weddings?

Fuyu smiled at her.

"I believe yukata are more for casual summer wear. Most people wear them during special occasions, like festivals... but I'm sure you could wear it whenever you please. I can actually send you some instructions on how to wear it, if you like. It's fairly simple once you learn the steps."

"Please, I would appreciate it." With the mercenaries she'd worn elastic tights designed to fit under a spacesuit, and her homeworld's local attire was cumbersome beyond belief. This yukata looked much nicer than either. "I'll save it for a special occasion, though, I think: it seems a shame to wear it when I'm doing nothing but standing at a desk. Perhaps when this, ah, magical inconvenience is over, I could take Zouichi for a walk in Hydroponics.

"You're welcome to come as well, of course. I," she frowned a little, a little crease forming inbetween her brows, "I think the motorcycle will fit on the walkway?"

Fuyu tried to conceal a smile. "Even if it doesn't, it is no problem. I have a projection device that would be perfect for the occasion. Besides, I wouldn't miss that for anything."

She sighed. "I regret that this ship is so... fleshy. It's not very good for tires. I would prefer to be able to accompany Zouichi around the ship more often, but I'm rather reluctant to try and inhabit the shipboard computers."

"I would be happy to invite both of you," Anwei said with a little smile of her own.

"The ship's computers have been damaged in the past, and the crew is still trying to undo it, apparently. And I'm really not certain of the stability of the personality-build of Stacy, overlaid with whatever the ship's original AI was." She had a bright thought. "Has Zouichi introduced you to an AI named Tron? He was recently introduced into the ship's systems, and I believe he would be able to give you a realistic appraisal of how dangerous it might be for you to enter."

"Yes, he mentioned as much. I'm fairly certain of my program's security defenses under ordinary circumstances, but this ship's computing environment is an unknown for me. I'd also rather not risk leaving Zouichi alone to deal with any threats; he can be... impulsive.

Ah, I believe he has. A program that monitors the system, an admirable endeavor."

"These systems are a complete unknown to me as well," Anwei replied, shaking her head. "I've seen ships with organic cores, but never a fully organic ship with an integrated hardware-wetware multi-AI control system. I can completely understand not wanting to dive into it - and I can also understand not wanting to leave your partner alone." She smiled at the description of Zouichi as impulsive; he had impressed her being a very level-headed sentient.

Well, maybe except for the sudden proposal of marriage. But that had been a very gracious impulse, she thought.

"I only hope that Tron can help Stacy. She seems very conflicted in the recordings and messages I have been able to access. Those sorts of conflicts are not good for any sort of sentient. Especially a sentient that I happen to be living inside of."

Zouichi: impulsive, in a level-headed way.

Fuyu agreed with the sentiment, especially after the rumors of a rogue AI that liked to kidnap crew members with false promises of cake. Ah, but now that her task was finished, she should get back to her post. Spot. Whatever.

"At any rate, Anwei, I think I should get going before Zouichi decides to come back. I am glad that you liked the gift."

"Of course, Fuyu. Thank you very much for giving me Zouichi's gift, it's lovely. And tell him - if he asks, tell him that I look forward to seeing him again, when his troubles are cleared up."

She carefully folded the yukata back into its box and took it out of the motorcycle's compartment, holding it flat like a pizza box. At this rate of ravenous acquisitions - a shirt, a hair comb, a sewing kit, a holograph projector AND a yukata - she might have to start looking into choosing quarters for herself.

"Goodbye, and I look forward to talking to you again. Please don't hesitate to send me a message."

"I certainly will. It was very nice meeting you, Anwei." With that, the holographic image disappeared, and the bike resumed its course, presumably back to its original spot in the Vehicle Bay.

Left Hanging (open)

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