trans_9 | Finally some roomie tim-whoops.

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Finally some roomie tim-whoops.

It had been an arduous few days. Between the situation with people losing memories and then the people coming back from the Ohm attack, Kaya had been pretty busy. She hadn't even left the med bay, preferring to sleep here instead of back at the Outsider's hotel. She knew she had already missed quite a bit due to this: sessions with Chase, the upkeep of the hotel, and general having fun time, but priorities were priorities. Now that she had some time to herself though, she was hoping to spent some time helping her roommate decorate and at least have some general fun: Alex, after all, had brought all of those interesting black light things, why not put them to good use?

She walked up the stairs of the hotel, making a beeline straight for the hotel suite. It was one of the good things about not having to be alone: it didn't matter that Alex was a boy, at least he was SOMEONE she could talk to on a daily basis. Besides, she had those sliding doors now, so they could respect each others privacy.

But then she reached the room and opened the door, and saw all of his things were gone, specifically the laptop he prized so much, and she knew he had been podded. She closed her eyes a moment, slowly counting to ten, tears springing to her eyes.
Of course.
She took a breath, then wiped her eyes and closed the door, going back down the steps, and quietly closing the door behind her. She wanted to scream, or cry, or throw a fit at least, but none of these things would bring Alex back. So she just wandered the city park for the moment, looking tired.

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"But that's what I'm still trying to understand," Kaya said. "Why leave you alone at all? I mean, not that I think you didn't still turn out pretty amazing anyway and I wouldn't have you any other way. I just wish I understood that."

Her ears perked up. "Janni? Nightsong?"

A violet eyebrow furrowed at her question. "So that the creatures of the forest would consume me, of course. It would remove their problem and me having to live a very stunted lifetime. I wasn't aware of it until much later but that is the case."

The corners of his lips turned up in a smile when she repeated his words. "Janni was my mentor. I always thought she was some spirit of the forest or some such but it is more likely that she was simply a feral Night Elf. Nightsong was her animal companion. She was a spirit creature, like Fontaine. She is actually his mother."

Kay shook her head, looking troubled by this. "But why? I mean look at you: you're one of the most amazing people on the ship, and I'm not saying that to blindly compliment you. How could anyone thing that would be a good idea to do that to their child?"

Kaya never tried contemplating killing someone, but if they tried to kill a child on the basis that it would make their life easier...

But she at least relaxed here, glad to know that there were people looking out for her friend that lent a hand in making him the way he was. "Feral? How do you mean?"

He laughed at her words and smiled. "I thank you for your compliment but maybe an explanation would better help you understand. I was sickly, weak, spent most of my time in a bed. They did try various methods to cure what ailed me; none of it worked very well. At that time seeing my parents upset about such a thing saddened me. I did not get this way on willpower alone, though. It took much training, learning and a hundred, plus years to get where I am now. We are a long-lived people. If the sickness didn't consume me, I only can assume they thought that it would be better than two-thousand years of never actually living."

Nokosi was quiet, in thought for a moment and then looked back up. "At least what my father may have thought. My mother...well she was very angry when I returned. She would not have anything to do with me."

To her last question he stuck a finger underneath his lip and pulled it up to show off his very long and very sharp fangs, much like a wild cat or dog. "Most Night Elf males have them; we are a feral people by nature, given our affinity to nature. Some, usually druids, go far beyond, taking on animal-like features and generally distancing themselves from society. They live in the wild, for the wild, just like any other animal might. Much like I did though I did not change to such an extent as most do. I still have plenty of feral tendencies, though."

"I think I understand a little better now," Kaya said, although it still made her mind reel a little bit. "In other words, they thought it would be a kinder thing to let you go on your own rather than have you suffer for a very, very long time. Two thousand years of pain and strife is no way of living."

What a painful decision to have to make, though. Even she couldn't imagine doing it. She didn't have children of her won of course, but she could imagine how bad it would be, to have to leave them on their own. "Why was your mother so upset that you came back?"

There was still a lot she wanted to know about Nokosi, and when it came to his way of life and what happened to him, she thought that she should know all the variables involved before she said anything.

"I see what you mean, mostly. As far as going feral, what tendencies do YOU take?"

"I do not think I will live that long anyways," he remarked. "But no, I do not know. She did not want me to even see the siblings I apparently now have. She only responded that I was supposed to have died that day and she would continue acting as if that was so."

He stood up slowly and took two long strides before he was next to her. "I often use my nose to track the scents of other people and so I tend to sniff them. That translates into me having no care for the idea of 'personal space' as being physically close to another is how one would 'get to know' them.

I tend to skulk around and watch people, sometimes for extended periods of time without their knowledge. For a multitude of reasons, the least being observing their weaknesses," he added. "Tracking and hunting animals for food, generally with Fontaine or Giles. I can eat them raw if the situation requires and I sometimes prefer it that way. Territorial for the most part. I understood the Orcs and the Warsong clan's need for lumber and I was fairly passive about it until they begin wanton destruction of Ashenvale, without check. Then I attacked to kill both peon and adventurer with little discerning between the two. If they were there to protect or aid the Warsong Clan destroy my home, then they were there to die as well."

He circled her once, head tilted to the side. "I am predatory in nature. If there is something I want, there is little to stop me from seeking it out until I obtain such things. This goes for both people and objects," he said with a small, if odd, little smile. "It sometimes unnerves people, especially with my persistence to attain what it is I seek. If I perceive such things as being 'taken' from me by a challenger or otherwise, I am inclined to fight tooth and nail to protect such a thing. Like Athena. Or Ronnae," he mentioned.

"I cannot recall ever feeling the pettiness of what one would label as 'jealous' due to those actions but I do remember that I was annoyed, angry. Even if she were not rightfully 'mine' in that sense and we were only friends, I still followed the animalistic line of thought that I was being challenged and without any consent on my part that I would allow Billy to touch her at all. In such a situation one fights to prove superiority, worthiness, most times to the death."

Nokosi brushed his fingers idly over the vine that was wrapped around his wrist which became a bow when necessary. "Of course with my skill set I would not need to fight head on and I had already followed him enough to know his schedule. He probably would not have even known what or who hit him."

He paused for a moment and turned his gaze to her, oblivious to the level of awkwardness or horror that was probably occurring for one so casually mentioning that they once had in mind to injure or kill someone's closest companion. It was horribly truthful, though.

"But my time watching others and in cities has made me just a bit more aware of other's emotions so I was able to correctly read hers and respond in kind. It made that instinct easier to suppress at that time. Other than that I would say I often growl like an animal when I am upset and never hesitate to lash out if I feel threatened in any manner."

That? Was a lot to take in, honestly. A part of her wondered if he was saying this because he wanted her to realize who he was, but just as quickly rebuffed the idea. The truth was Nokosi simply did not lie about who he was, and probably never would. She could also understand, after being left by his parents, how he would have become feral after all that time. Of course, the idea of going after Billy, not realizing he could have taken him out with her not being the wiser, brought a thrill of fear in her: it was, after all, Billy, her Bonded, who she loved o a level that had nothing to do with romantic love.

"I'm starting to understand now," Kaya said, although her voice sounded distinctly muted now. "It isn't easy, not at all, to hear you could have attacked Billy, but that's because hes far more special to me than most people would think."

But as for horror and fear, she could not feel those things with Nokosi. She understood well enough that he had to transcend the feelings he initially felt, and that he had killed before. A part of her warned her, but another part of her saw Nokosi doing what any animal would have done: protected their home.

"I did not think it would be as I am sure that I would be annoyed to hear such a thing from another's mouth but I see no reason to be dishonest, even if it involves simply withholding the truth instead of a flat-out lie.

I am to understand that hostile actions are punishable on the ship but I do not think it would matter too much to me as long as I had the resolve for such things. Pain, death, killing. It is as familiar to an Azerothian adventurer or 'hero' as is waking up to see the sun in the morning."

Because of such things, he often thought it was very odd that most of the 'good' people and the 'heroes' on the ship restrained themselves from killing an enemy, especially the wicked kind and doubly so if it involved a friend. The logic behind such an action evaded him, no matter what angle he tried to view it as.

"And I wouldn't expect you too, although I know that most people would," Kaya said. "I think the first time I heard of you, you were telling Billy about the duties of marrying Ronnae ad taking on the duties of being her husband. I wasn't really sure what to think of you, except that I thought no one should decide either of your fates. "

Just as he wouldn't lie, she would not either. After all, she was only just gathering some of the information she was told.

"I don't know. I mean, you are free to think what you want Nokosi, it is your life, and I'm just another person in it. But if you were to die tomorrow, it would make me very sad, and in that sadness, I would be happy I got to know you. I think Billy and Ronnae would feel the same way too."

He laughed; it was one of those inappropriate moments for the action. "He decided his fate all by himself by marrying Ronnae. He was not forced into it, it was voluntary on both of their parts. There is nothing wrong with reinforcing the effects or consequences of one's actions. Especially since Orcs tend to mate for life; it is not something to take so lightly, even if one perceived it as 'fake'."

Truth be told, that line of thought annoyed him greatly. Even if it wasn't their custom, it was a custom. One where they were bonded in the most sacred of ways in that culture. To have feelings for another and go through such a ceremony then deem it inconsequential because it was 'fake' was not only an insult to their betrothed but it was akin to sullying the feelings behind the actions. He knew how hurt Ronnae would have been by those words and he would not allow that to happen.

There was also her parents to take in mind; he would do right by them, as much as he could for the kindness they'd bestowed on him, even if they thought he was strange. He knew the responsibilities he'd informed Billy of way back when was staggeringly gracious compared to what they might have said or done.

"I..." A smile rose to his face. A genuine, happy, appreciative smile. "I am thankful that you feel that way, Kaya. It is not my intention to simply throw my life away but if you would be happy knowing me, then that is enough to know that my life is meaningful and thus, was worth living."

"I know," Kaya said. "At least, I knew that he was, without thinking about it, already pledging himself to Ronnae. I know that she is more open when it comes to having several partners, but Billy is from a world much like mine: he would be wholly dedicated to Ronnae no matter what. Truthfully, I'm just glad that they both realized it in time. There was a short moment where I thought Billy wouldn't go for it because he was concerned that it was unprofessional, and then saw that concern melt away the moment he lay eyes on his love.

Kaya was starting to understand what that felt like, but she was still troubled: was that HER actually feeling that way, or Katara's? She could never really tell anymore.

"Of course it has meaning!" Kaya said. "how could it not? You've already seen so much, much more than I could imagine. I mean, I have had meaningful experiences too, but I've never truly had to rough it quite like you. I'm envious, honest!"

"That must be nice," the elf said. "At least from what everyone speaks of, it sounds nice." Questioning brows raised at her second comment.

"I suppose I do not see it as 'rough' because it is simply the way things have always been. Having so many conveniences on the ship is nice but the 'rough' lifestyle is good, too."

"I know," Kaya said, realizing that in some ways she was unsure about that herself. Who could really tell what one person thought over another? For all she knew, she might be completely lacking there.

"I didn't mean to insult you. Where I'm from, living off the land as you do, encountering all of your troubles, people would think it something hard they could not adjust to. I want to know what that's like."

"It was not an insult at all. If anything it is a compliment that I would be so easily able to do something that others perceive as 'hard'." There was a pause in which he squinted at the artificial sunlight over the City.

"If you wish to experience some of those things, could you not simply go to the Sensoriums for an extended amount of time? Sometimes Fontaine and I camp there for nostalgia reasons. The sounds of the forest turning in for the night are unparalleled by anything else I have had the chance to listen to."

"I'm glad: I didn't mean for it to be something that I thought people could easily do. But the Sensorium is never the same as actually being able to do it. To be honest, I can hardly see how you both could manage it. The longer I've been on the ship, the more I crave being in a real world with plants and animals."

Nostalgia, after all, could only take you so far. She was glad Toph had been repodded for that reason: she must have hated being in an artificial place that long.

"Hydroponics help some, though it is not truly the same." He sighed heavily. "The city is not really a 'city' and all the things that have been done to replicate that which we would otherwise not have, feel forced at best. It is why shore leave is usually my favorite thing."

After a beat he spoke up again. "You are free to join Fontaine and I in 'roughing it in the wild' on our next shore leave, provided there is actually vegetation on the planet."

"I do like Hydroponics," Kaya said, "as its where I usually go to see Zhin. I try to go a little every day and usually stay for a few hours. But you are right: its not quite the same thing as being on a real planet, where you can feel the life teeming all over, no matter what the weather conditions."

She smiled. "In that case, I should probably take Zhin with me. She'd love the chance to stretch her legs and get to know the layout of somewhere else that isn't the bay or the City."

He clapped his hands together and smiled cheerily. "In that case I will look forward to that! It is rare that any would want to spend time out in the forests. And I am sure Fontaine will be happy to have someone to relate to in your 'Zhin'."

She smiled back. "While I'm normally more likely to be in a place that has my element, I've become fond of anything that has to do with not staying on the ship. I believe Zhin and I would be more than grateful to have a chance to stretch our legs."

"Speaking of the ship," he spoke up, fingers rubbing against the stubble on his chin. "You have been here longer than anyone I know. Is there some point to flying around in the Great Dark Beyond when it seems like we have no real vision or goal to where we are heading or why?"

That was a hard question. If anything, it was a question that Kaya had wondered about herself many a time, plagued by what the answer might be if fighting the Ohm wasn't the true answer.

"Strengthening myself, and others," she finally said. "My ultimate goal is fighting the Ohm, but if that were a lie, if everything I've fought for is for nothing: then I'm going to make sure that I can help these people, make it easier for them."

"Well yes, I understand that defeating the Ohm is the goal. What is the journey, though? The plan entail? It is like..." he waved his hand, trying to think up a suitable analogy even though he wasn't very good at them.

"Hunting. You are trying to catch a deer because you desperately need it to survive. You know you want the deer and you are prepared to do anything you must to catch it but you have no idea where to find it or how to trap it. Instead of finding different items and ways to help you find and catch the deer or recruiting others who might be more knowledgeable to help you kill the deer, you simply walk around in the forest, hoping that you will find the deer or you might fall upon a weapon to use against it."

He tilted his head to the side and rose his hands to his hips. "That is how I understand our current situation, though there might be many things the council just simply do not divulge to the ordinary crew. Is there any benefit to simply flying through the 'bleed'? Are planets so few and far between that we only find one to dock to once every three to four weeks, or are they just deemed inconsequential or a waste of time?"

The were more discussion questions than anything; ones that he wasn't irked to the point where he actually believed they needed to be asked or investigated but rather the type of things that still deserved to be thought about, if only to hear one's opinions about it. His inquisitive nature really knew few bounds.

"It's been a bumpy road," Kaya finally said, thinking of a reply a bit. "From what I've seen. our flying through the bled holds many different purposes. For one, it lets us see the remaining planets, reminding us how important it is to keep our goal in focus. To some people, its easy enough to shrug off the Ohm as a conspiracy, something to take lightly. For me, its knowing my world is gone, and many others would be too if we consider the Ohm a minor threat."

She paused. "I don't know the reasons Stacy has, but I do know we have a lot of missions, most of them involving us trying to solve some sort of problem. In time, I think, its possible these experiences are serving to help is in our final battle. Those we have help will, in their way, lend us their strength."

"I do not think anyone knows the reasons Stacy has. She is mysterious in that way but there is little we can do to oppose her." Not that he really had any plans on.

His eyes darted to her and he smiled cheerily. "You are well now, Kaya?"

"For the time being, until we can figure out more about her," Kaya said. "Sadly, that's pretty much how its always been since I've been on here. Every year we learn a little bit more, but I'm hoping it doesn't stay this way."

She smiled. "Actually, yes. You have a way of putting me in a good mood somehow Nokosi."

Finally some roomie tim-whoops.

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YAY, 300!!!! A new breakthrough!

300! \o/ Also kind of sadfaced that Kaya lost someone else. Poor girl. :<