trans_9 | Anyway, this cake is great/So delicious and moist [Semi-Open]

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Anyway, this cake is great/So delicious and moist [Semi-Open]

The old cherry trees in the courtyard had decided to bloom with impeccable timing, transforming the entrance of the Susono Inn into an explosion of color. Pink petals collected between the stones of the courtyard's walkway, on the overhang of the foyer... oh, and if you got anywhere in a fifty foot radius of the place, you probably got a few on you, too.

The weather was cool and the air slightly crisp beneath the shade of the old trees. There were some wines and sake available for the older guests, and juice for the younger ones (both rescued from the Inn's storehouse). And of course, there was cake.

Mmm, cake.

[Subthreads are A-OK, feel free to threadjack. If you want a super-pathetically detailed map of the Inn for some reason, check here. The invitation post is here. Again, if you've threaded with Allenby/Zouichi a couple of times/are on good terms with them, consider yourself invited! Just ask if unsure]

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"Trouble? No." She sounded amused. The idea that Zouichi had to be in trouble for her to speak to him wasn't exactly that far off. She certainly gave off that impression at times.

"Although I can be alone with my thoughts for a while, I find having no one to speak to wears on me."

The inner garden was quiet, save for the wind rustling through the leaves of the leaves of the decorative maples. A stone path ran along the grass and one edge of the pond, flanked here and there by stone lanterns; flowering aquatic plants covered part of the water's surface.

Zouichi took a seat on the steps leading down to the garden, looking back over his shoulder at her. "I guess I can understand the sentiment. I can tell the people here some details about myself, but there are some things I know they wouldn't be able to relate to. Or appreciate hearing about."

Now this garden reminded her quite a bit more of home. It was not quite up to Eldar standards of gardening, of course, but there was very little in the universe that could match the Eldar for refinement and elegance in the fields of the arts. She followed him down the steps, hands folded into the sleeves of her robes, box safely tucked away for the moment. Maybe she would stay - although, she did tend to avoid large gatherings of humans.

"Yes. I can go for a long time without necessarily needing contact, but I am no ranger, nor am I an emotionless automaton. Conversation soothes the mind. Most of the time, anyway." Her lips quirked into a slightly amused smile.

"You've done rather well. The last time I saw this place, you hadn't even moved in yet."

The compliment is meant in a genuine fashion - surprisingly enough, she's discovered that she's actually fond of Zouichi, for more then just his usefulness.

Zouichi had figured Ildraniath wouldn't be overly eager to rub shoulders with a crowd of crew members -- which was why he'd asked if she'd like to stop by before everyone showed up.

He blinked in surprise. "I... yes. Before I arrived here, I seldom had the chance to talk to people between missions. And I still enjoy having time alone with my thoughts. But it is... pleasant, I guess, to be able to converse with someone else every now and then. ...If you're ever in need of someone to speak with, please consider my door open. Though I can't always promise scintillating conversation."

Zouichi smiled a little. "Well, I had some help. And I don't often need to sleep, so that gave me some extra time to put things in order. There are still areas of this place I haven't been able to get to yet, though -- I have a feeling that whoever built this place was rather fond of secret rooms."

"You're far more intelligent then you give yourself credit for, Zouichi. You tend to ask interesting questions. Far better than any human I've had the displeasure of talking to in the past. Or member of this crew for that matter."

Ildraniath frowned slightly. That was a problem. How was she supposed to do anything if everyone aboard this ship was so idiotic and unable to see past their blighted ideals? Ah well. Not the time or place.

She peered at the surrounding building, curiosity piqued. "Secret rooms... HOw strange. I wonder what their purpose is."

Zouichi tilted his head ever so slightly at her. "Well, I think you'd be in the minority with that opinion, but I certainly appreciate the vote of confidence. You've really never enjoyed a conversation with a single human?"

"I suspect this was a residence before it was converted into a place for guests to stay. Maybe owned by some eccentric. In fact, there are one or two rooms that can't even be accessed by normal means; I ended up discovering them when I moved a chest of drawers the other day.

"So, been up to anything interesting lately?"

"Not especially. They tend to be very shortsighted. Which I suppose is typical for a short-lived species..." Yes, her opinion of humanity remains low.

She puts a hand on the wall, feeling the grain of the wood. A part of her appreciates the aesthetic and the feel. A long time ago, she might've been more interested in it - now, it's merely an interesting little note.

"Not especially. Distracted by own thoughts and considering how I'm going to continue aboard the ship. And what we're going to be thrust into next."

She frowned, "My ability to read the lines of fate is still blinded."

Well... Zouichi can't really argue with Ildraniath on that one. They do tend to be shortsighted. And emotional. And illogical.

...but that makes them sound bad.

"I suppose it is easier to take the long view when you know you've the time. But they're... interesting. Certainly frustrating, sometimes, but unpredictable."

Hmm. "No surprise there, I guess, unless something aboard the ship drastically changes. But I guess if you could see the future, the war would just be too easy, wouldn't it?" He paused. "There's actually something I've been wanting to ask you about."

"Not easy; never easy. I can see events, the keystone that touches them off - that does not mean we will be able to prevent those events or that changing the future is easy. It simply gives us a warning," Ildraniath shrugged. She looked at Zouichi curiously.

"Oh? What is it? I cannot guarantee an answer, but I will do my best."

Some more dry humor.

It had actually been a joke... besides, if it were that easy to manipulate the future, wouldn't the Eldar have already won? But the information was interesting anyway.

"...what was Ulthwe like?"

"...Ulthwe? Large. Probably as large as this ship, or maybe a bit smaller. But a giant artificial world winging its way through the void. It was home. I am not sure I could describe its beauty in words."

She shrugged.

"It was full of life, even if we are a dying race."

Not the most detailed of answers, so he decided to be more specific.

"An artificial world? As in a planet, or a ship like this one? Was it constructed from wraithbone? Was everyone in a military profession, or did they vary? And what type of flora and fauna did it contain?"

"More like a gigantic ship," she shrugged. This information was not harmful in of itself. And it wasn't like Zouichi was in a position to use it. "Our military is usually called up in times of war - those who chose the Path of the Warrior, anyway. All are called on to serve in the militia, should need arise."

She settled herself against the wall and slowly began to relax. "Wraithbone is one of the materials, yes. But I am not a builder. Plants, animals? All sorts. Mostly from the Eldar homeworlds from before our own downfall."

Zouichi wasn't exactly asking because he planned to take on the Eldar; he was just curious. "The Path of the Warrior? What is that, exactly?"

Hmm. That was interesting. While it would be valuable to have plant and animal life aboard a ship that huge, it sounded like the effort to save them had been more systematic. "...So you made a concerted effort to save the plants and animals of your world? Why?"

"Just what it sounds like - there may come a time in an Eldar's life when they have too much anger - either with themselves, with another, with something - that they cannot easily slip into life aboard a craftworld. Their anger and hurt may cause them to lash out - so they may be drawn onto the Path. It serves them, helps them channel their anger, to use it and focus it and then be able to set it aside, as if it were a mask, when it is not needed."

She shrugged. "...it is more complicated, but... it is also rather personal for each Eldar who embraces the path for however long they may. As for our craftworlds...? There were those among us who saw the cataclysm coming and they prepared for it. In a sense, the craftworlds were an effort to save our species before the oncoming storm destroyed us."

He considered this for a moment. The Eldar sounded so... compartmentalized. Structured. "...So what draws someone onto the Path of a Farseer?"

"The craftworlds are a kind of ark, then? If some saw the cataclysm coming, why were they unable to stop it? Were they in the minority?"

The Eldar were incredibly compartmentalized. It was the only thing stopping them from going down that path again. "...that... may be more personal. It is difficult to describe."

She made a soft "hmmm" and flicked her wrist in a small, subtle dismissive gesture. "...very much so, from what I am taught. If they were not, perhaps it might have been prevented."

"I see. Sorry -- since I don't know much about the Eldar, it's hard for me to tell what's too personal to ask and what isn't."

"...and I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, considering. Humanity has a long tradition of not seeing disaster coming until it's already at the door. And after a generation or two, it's the same mistakes all over again." He looked back up at the sky for a moment, thinking.

"Do you hate humans? Or other species?" he asked. The question was rather abrupt.

"Hate? No. Hate is too strong a word. I do not like them. I think they are brutish and primitive. But I do not hate them." Ildraniath shrugged, gaze open, a hint of steel in her eyes.

"Do you hate cattle? Or the insect you crush under your heel?"

That... actually does make it sound like she hates them.

"What exactly do you find 'brutish and primitive' about them, if you don't mind me asking?"

Again, she frowned. "Their language. Their body language. Their technology... They are simply not as refined or advanced. But I do not hate them for it. They are simply... lesser."

Their body language? What was next, their inability to properly coordinate warm and cool colors?

"You know, out of all the flaws I thought you might point out, those were probably the ones I least expected."

Probably. Eldar place a high value on culture and refinement.

"I could continue at length, if you wish," Ildraniath responded dryly.

He held up a gloved hand. "It's all right. I can conjecture from there."

Another pause. "You know, you're not much like the psychics I'm familiar with."

"Oh?" Ildraniath furrowed her brow, "What are the psychics you're familiar with like?"

This would be interesting to learn.

Anyway, this cake is great/So delicious and moist [Semi-Open]

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