• Nobles of Null is a forum based roleplay site where sci-fi and magic collide. Here, Earth remains fractured and divided despite humanity reaching out to the stars. Worse still, the trans-human slaves of one major power have escaped, only to establish their own Empire, seething with resentment at abuses of the past. Even the discovery of aliens, though medieval in development, has failed to rally these squabbling children of Earth together with its far darker implications. Worse still, is the discovery of the impossible - magic. Practiced by the alien locals, nearly depleted and therefore rare, its reality warping abilities remains abstract and distant to the general populace. All the while, unseen in the darkness of space, forces from without threaten to press in. For those with eyes opened by insight, it is clear that an era is about to end, and that a new age will dawn.

IDS Yīnghuā - Log 2.0: "If you are far from the enemy..."

Still upset, but reigning it in, Reina lends a comforting hand to Lady Nimue in a 'there, there,' gesture.

At the Cafe table, Reina props up her head with one of her arms, elbow on the table. She slowly fidgets with a fork, poking it into a small tea cake in front of her, obviously tired and not in a great mood, but still remaining present.

"The grandkid of your first cousin or, alternatively, the first cousin of your grandparent. Not that I see why that's relevant. They're still family and she's upset, and probably a little relieved, at the news regardless. Emotions tend to do weird things to your psyche and composure when mixed like that."

A flicker of excitement shows in her eyes as she looks up to see the marble, but her thoughts bring her back into her current situation.
 
Wen wanted to say something about the worth of familial relationships, especially one this distant, but decided to keep his mouth shut. Even he knew he wasn't an expert in this field, and giving his opinion would only invite unnecessary argument. He nonetheless made a face at Reina's explanation, then returned his attention back to the floating structures.

What currently intrigued him was the Aos Si's use of signal lamps. With everything else they used so far, besides the magic that raised their apparent technology level abnormally high, their regular state seemed to be high-medieval. But the use of signal lamps with complex messages and codes was distinctly industrial, requiring a level of coordination and social development that wasn't possible for a medieval society.

Of course, the Aos Si weren't a medieval society. Their presence on multiple planets, the similar cultures they shared, showed that they not only were once an interstellar civilization, but also had the coordination to properly act like one too. The question was, if they fell from grace, how did they preserve certain technologies, but lost others? How did they preserve signaling technology, but are reduced to riding large fauna for transportation? What was the exact timeline of events that led them to such a state? How could the Empire exploit these events of the past to control the Aos Si, and prevent such a fate for themselves?

Wen stayed quiet during these observations and speculations, but he recorded his thoughts in a public log that others could review and annotate.
 
"Right. Family..." Hoshiko's voice trailed off at Reina's explanation. "Totally know about how family works," she muttered under her breath. "Definitely had a not-dysfunctional family growing up."

"I'll...try and see if I can set up some arrangement for you to talk to her regularly," Hoshiko awkwardly suggested. "Since talking to her directly from this planet's surface needs equipment, we'll have to send you a - " The tiger princess paused for a moment, realizing she needed to pick the right words for things to make sense given their different tech-levels. " - plate that collects energy from sunlight, in addition to the device that lets you see and speak to her directly," she offered.

"Say, Aitana?" Hoshiko pointed her fork at the feathered woman. "You wouldn't be able to beat into Xian's head how her mother actually works, would you?" she asked. "She doesn't have that same arrangement that The Tiger General and The Mother-Empress do, and unless that gets through, she'll keep getting in trouble," the Tiger Princess pointed out, glancing at said trouble-maker for emphasis.

"I apologize for my loss of composure," the Aos'Si rubbed the tears off her dark cheeks before, sweeping stray strands of gold out of her eyes. A soft and gentle hand fell onto the small of Reina's back as thanks. "More importantly, we have a decision to make, and quickly." Outside, Xian could see the massive hulk of marble pulling closer and closer to the cliff side their testudine mount was heading towards. The sparse 'crew' of artisans were more focused on surveying the chunk and its associated 'hat' of jungle strata, so she was certain they hadn't spotted her specifically yet. "Do you want to declare yourselves as passengers to the artisans piloting the marble hulk, or conceal yourselves until arriving at the city?" Lady Nimue asked.

She subconsciously began to rub Reina.

"Ugh." Hoshiko looked at Jun. "If we announce ourselves, you think waving your arms around like a happy bimbo so your tits bounce will persuade them to take us onboard? Otherwise, I'd rather we all cloak again." Looking at the others, her electric blue eyes settled on Reina before glancing down for a moment. "Actually, maybe you too," the princess pondered. "We just have to have our helmets project our faces like I already am, instead of remaining all scary looking."
 
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"I can certainly try, Princesa," Aitana replied with a warm smile. She moved to sit next to Xian, both in reality and VR, then began to thoroughly explain how her mother and the Mother Empress complement each other as leaders of the Empire. The albatross mused on how the Tiger General's keen and ruthless military mind paired with the Empress's savvy diplomacy and political leadership, and how their combined efforts advanced the Empire's position in the galaxy.

"It would be the height of presumption to compare myself to the Mother Empress," she noted. "But I can play the role of diplomat for you. Our soon-to-be friends will be more likely to take me seriously when I have an exemplary Imperial soldier at my side." Hearing Hoshiko's suggestion to Jun, she lowered her voice and continued. "And even now, there is an opportunity to learn. You see, your feminine charms can be a powerful tool when you want something from someone. It is unwise to rely on that, though. While most Daqinren, including yourself, are quite beautiful, there is no guarantee that an opponent will be receptive to your wiles."
 
"Yeah, you don't want to go tits-out all the time. You def don't want to look like you are desperate to upstage your hosts either. When we get back we'll work on your flirting for sure. Also maybe we re-evaluate some of your wardrobe? ALSO lets go to a party that doesn't have as many monsterthings trying to kill us." Jun replied, "... ALSO ALSO. We've got a party to get into right? It'd be easier to sneak in if we pretend we're supposed to be there already. If we look like we're trying to hide its gonna draw everyone's attention.

I've still got the party favors too. Lets just get up there any introduce ourselves already."
 
Reina ignores Wen's silent 'comment,' but winces in response to Hoshiko's rebuttal on her family, "That's not what I... I'm sorry... What I meant to say is that they are important to her regardless. I didn't mean that as a critique of you and yours."

In the real, Reina acknowledges Nimue's comforting touch and straightens a little more, putting effort into not dwelling on the negatives of her situation and trying to stay focused on what they were there for.

--------

In response to Hoshiko's 'bimbo' suggestion, Reina cringes, "I would prefer we didn't. We'd need better first impressions than we had with our present Lady... otherwise, they're bound to share their thoughts about us to other Aos'Si and that could have a negative effect when we try to make our case at the meeting. As to cloaking..."

Reina hears Jun's thoughts on the situation, "I'm unsure. I agree with Jun that hiding doesn't look good, but either option, presenting ourselves or hiding, has benefits and negatives. Being upfront would show our sincerity, but gives up our initial advantage as I'm sure those one the hulk might send word ahead of them. Cloaking would keep that advantage and help us maybe bypass initial problems... but if we are found out, might cause anger and suspicion."
 
"Wen and I can remain wait concealed while the rest of the group faces the enemy." Xian stated, not wanting to sound too eager to get past the discussion of family but being eager to do so all the same. "Any sneaking we need to do will be easier if they think they can see all of us already."
 
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