Hello, it's me

[perroquet]

CHARACTERS: EVERYONE
WHERE: Hyrypia - The Swept Manor Grounds
WHEN: Morning of day 12
SUMMARY: Rudely calling like 80% of the Nest out for being cagey.
WARNINGS: Will update as necessary.



(Hello! Am I doing this right? Hello!!! Good morning!!)

[ The red sun is hardly up, it's barely after breakfast, some of the members of the nest may still be sleeping - and this one doesn't seem to mind. He noisily floods the network like a one-man-band who just won the lottery, his very thoughts musical and abrasively cheerful. ]

(It's been several long days since my young broodmate and I joined you in this dustbowl, but I have yet to meet all of you properly. I understand we're working covertly, but you're all quite cagey for being connected in the head, you know that?)

[ There's either a slight tone of vindication, as though he believes most have earned this morning call for being so standoffish. Or perhaps he's just being loud because he's inexperienced with the symbiote still. Possibly both. It's hard to tell through the band playing behind every word. ]

(Most of you don't know me yet, but I want to get to know every single one of you. Since we have another day here, I'd like to get started. Here, I'll go first-

My name is Gildor Helyanwe, and I'm a bard from Esterport. How are all of you? Well I hope, not getting too hot, learning to ride those constructs?)

[ The band stops. Crickets chirp, though hopefully not for long. If he's left hanging, he has no qualms over striking up the mental orchestra next. ]

Comments

[perroquet]

[ What she says helps ease his rising anxiety. That the loss of self is apparently by choice and has only happened to one, but that it could happen at all is still reason to be alarmed. While he still doesn't regret his little morning parade through the Nest, he understands better why so many did not respond to the call. ]

(I had expected to change, though perhaps not so severely. I'm relieved to hear it's rare.)

[ He's always had a very strong sense of self, a common trait among most bards. One he'd like to think has been stronger than ever in his long lifetime. ]

(Thank you for telling me this. I suppose I had to hear it sooner or later...) [ The notes of his thoughts pick up again and grow fast and flighty. Not out of fear, but a need to process. He remains committed to open communication, even with this slight new risk. ] (If I hear anything of note, I will be certain to pass it along to you or this Sam, if I can reach him.)

[adamance]

[She knows there's a great deal that she's leaving out, but her own fears weren't unlike his. Lexa still believes what she believed at the beginning. More than anything, that's what matters. The fact that she understands various references, has a more thorough knowledge of how guns work—it doesn't occur to her to mention it as strange. In that, her perception is more unreliable than even she realizes.]

( I have one question in return before we part ways. How was this mission presented to you by those on the Station? ) [She assumes they were told something, at least.]

[perroquet]

[ He doesn't seem bothered by the added question, but he is bothered by how long ago his arrival to the Station feels already. He quickly recalls awakening, meeting with the one called Prince, and his deep voice. ]

(Briefly, basically, and more as an opportunity than something we had a choice in. The glass I was given delivered most of the outline. His Not-Highness was kind enough to explain that this would be different from previous missions, but remained more closed than any of those I've encountered here. If there were others besides Mr. Prince, the two I awoke with, and myself, they did not make themselves known in the short period I was there.)

[adamance]

[So, Cathaway had not been there to greet them. She takes note of that, though it may mean nothing at all. The woman is flighty and unpredictable. At times, she can't even help that she is.]

( And were you warned of the dangers of it being different? )

[She chooses not to bother explaining why Prince is so good at concealing his mind. She trusts that Gildor can put it together.]

[perroquet]

(Yes, of course we were.)

[ It is crucial they remain disguised for the duration of the mission, and that they maintain their cover. The Prince's voice goes over the instructions again in his memory, along with the tinny sounding voice of the data glass. He may not like the rules and certainly doesn't enjoy the all-concealing gloves and scarves and boots, but he's as aware of the risks as any host. ]

(I understand how to dress and act for the duration of our stay here, if that is what you are asking.)

[adamance]

[A hint of amusement finds its way through the link. That he takes offense to her questions is interesting, as it's the last thing she expected. It's also why she wasn't asking.]

( If I were worried about your behavior, I would tell you, Gildor. ) [She can be blunt. Tact doesn't have much use if someone isn't getting the hint.] ( I wanted to know how Prince might have framed it for newcomers. Call it idle curiosity. )

[Though there's a bigger reason behind it, but she knows that those subtleties might be lost on someone new and overwhelmed by the number of unwelcome voices in their heads. It's unfortunate.]

[perroquet]

(Oh, is that all?)

[ Any hint of offense there might have been is lifted away, like music notes on a light breeze. That Lexa doesn't trust the older host back on the station is fine by him - he doesn't either. ]

(For a moment I thought you were asking if I knew how to dress myself or not.)

[ He may be blind, but he's well aware that the Hyrypians aren't. Blame the years or scrutiny he's dealt with. He was almost expecting to be given a lecture on the dangers of dressing incorrectly and exposing the entire mission. Again. ]

[adamance]

( No, I believe anyone who doesn't know how to dress themselves properly was here all along. )

[This is kind of a mean joke/shade toward some of the older hosts.

Kind of.

As in.

Really is.]

[perroquet]

(Oh my.)

[ Though Gildor isn't one for insulting anyone's looks, consider the drift caught. ]

(I'll try not to be the first. Do let me know if I'm wearing any clashing colors.)

[adamance]

( I'll consider that an open invitation. )