2007/A Techpriest and a Ninja Walk Into a Bar...

A Techpriest and a Ninja Walk Into a Bar...
Date of Scene:	12 April 2015
Location:	The Citadel - Pleasure Palace
Synopsis:	Yari meets TAro in a bar! Arms and shiki are discussed!
Cast of Characters:	399, 691

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Yari Takane (691) has posed:
After a particularly stressful week, one Yari Takane has finally taken some time off once more. She's all but taken up residence in a small bar in the Pleasure Palace, one definitely catering to a militant crowd; soldiers, warriors, retired officers and barbarian chiefs of many different worlds and times litter the place. Yari herself has pulled up a seat next to a viking warrior, and several others are busy placing bets. A good two dozen mugs sit between them, the two looking wobbly and definitely drunk as hell. Two mugs slam together, hard, and cracks run along them from the impact as the two soldiers war for dominance.

"'Yer goin' down after this lass! Pretty good, but ye can't outlast me!"

"Don't underestimate a Garlean's heart, or our livers!" Comes Yari in return. Sluuuurp.

The viking warrior finally collapses, and Yari leans back in her seat grinning. Soon enough? The poor viking is being slapped awake to pay the tab, and Yari's off in a very erratic, zig-zag pattern back to the bar proper as she counts her earnings from the bet.

Life, for now, is good as she perches on a bar stool. It's down to light beer and sobriety medicine for her now.

Taro (399) has posed:
    A priest walks into the bar. He's a rabbi and minister short of this being a joke.
    One would think he wouldn't frequent such places, and to be truthful Taro is only an occasional patron here. He steps aside to allow an entourage of vikings half leading and half carrying their sodden chief in the direction of the door he just passed through, and then meanders his way through the maze of tables towards the bar proper. Along the way, he's recognized by a few of the longtime veterans, and to their hails and lifted mugs he gives a deep nod and salute.
    As fate would have it, the person who had been sitting to Yari's left pays their tab and leaves. Taro takes the vacated stool, though it means using the footrail as a footstool to climb up to it. Occasionally being so compact can be a disadvantage.
    "Wine, please. Something white."

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
A familiar face! Or at least voice. Yari has the dignity to stand and salute as the drunken chieftain is carted off. Best to be polite to one's allies, after all!

Then she wobbles a bit, catches on Taro's shoulder, and all but shoves herself into a seat. A moment of swallowing meds and beer later, and then Taro's voice comes to her.

Her tail goes ramrod straight in a burst of drunken awkwardness. "...Mister Daisho?" She starts, blinking, then stands up again. She snaps a smart, parade-ground salute not even dulled by enough alcohol to take out a viking.

"I didn't take you for a wine drinker, Sir. Try the Garlean White! You'll get a taste of my country, and a 1523 vintage is particularly good. ...I'd say if you could get a hand on it, but I've yet to be able to /not/ have an order filled here."

Taro (399) has posed:
    Taro finds himself a steadying point for Yari. He makes a quiet sound of surprise, but he does not grouse or otherwise object. Once she's back in her seat, he glances sidelong at her, as if judging her sobriety. Though it looks like she seems to know well enough herself, if the pills she's taking are any indication.
    Then, she's out of her seat again and saluting when she finally recognizes him. While he doesn't smile at the gesture, he sounds alomost amused by it. "I am no longer a General, and you never served under me. No need for that."
    A nod at the suggestion, and he turns back to the 'keep to amend his order. "Make it a Garlean white, if you would."

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
Thankfully techpriests make good standing posts, and soon she's righted. She's half way through a sip, when she notes Taro's words.

"I wouldn't think to disrespect an ally." She comes quite stubbornly, but finally nods.

But then he orders said drink, and the woman calms down. She tilts her head, certainly not sober, but definitely better after the pills.

She sips on her beer for some time, before she finally looks at Taro fully.

"Could I ask why you're no longer a general?"

Taro (399) has posed:
    "Then as an ally, the respect is appreciated." A nod given in return.
    The glass arrives and is set in front of him. It may or may not be a glass of the 1523, but it's a Garlean wine of some vintage. Taro closes his eyes and bows his head just slightly. A silent prayer, most likely, or his gesture of respect to the time and efforts that went into the wine's making. Then, he opens his eyes again, taking the glass and raising it to his lips. An experimental sip, which he swallows a few moments later. "Mm...distinct," is his fist impression.
    He turns his head toward her at the question, regarding both her and her words. "You could, and you have. The abbreviated answer if that I spent three and a half years effectively dead. The fuller answer...that's best left for when you are more sober."

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
Yari soon orders one of her own, sipping gently and pausing as she tilts her head.

Her brow rises, however, at the mention of him being 'dead'.

"Is that common? In your world, being dead for so long and then rising again?" Comes the woman, deftly avoiding the more difficult points of the discussion.

Her legs cross, and she flicks her tail.

"I've never heard of one in my own world rising from the dead so. Is it due to your technology, and 'SHODAN'?"

She leans back her, curious, far less cautious than she usually would be.

Taro (399) has posed:
    Taro has another sip of the wine. It's hard to say from his expression whether he likes it or dislikes it. Alcohol seems to do nothing for his facial expressions or lack thereof...
    "It is in no small part because I am a living machine," he explains, making an open-palmed gesture at his chest with his free hand to indicate himself. "Had I been fully organic or even a cyborg, likely I could not have been saved." There is a certain tone in his voice...it's not casualness, exactly, but of speaking of a past trauma with which he has mostly come to terms. "It is not completely unheard of for AIs to be able to resurrected, but it is exceptionally rare. It speaks of SHODAN's abilities and skill, and of her mercy to consider me worthy of the attempt."

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
Yari rubs her head at the explaination. "No offense, but it's still strange to think of a machine as being alive. In Hydaelyn, they're all ceruleum and metal, no spark of life to them. I guess the Multiverse makes one rethink things." She'd certainly not want to be a machine, she much prefers her organic parts. But the possibility of thinking, living machines is both frightening and yet a potential advantage. Troops that could be brought back from the dead!

She shakes off the thought. "At least it looks like you've been using that second chance. Any new developments?"

Taro (399) has posed:
    "The Multiverse does make one contstantly reassess their understanding of it," Taro agrees. "Even after being here for years, there will always be something new and different to keep one from taking anything for granted." Such as upon his revival discovering that the very fabric of the Multiverse had been unraveled and then rewoven in a new pattern in his absence. That was a challenge to parse.
    He arches a brow slightly ar Yari's next question. " 'New developments'? How do you mean?" He asks in turn.

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
Yari leans back a bit, finishing off her beer. Her tail flicks, soon in her lap as she curiously gazes at Taro. He certainly doesn't /look/ like a machine, but that's not always a good indicator in the Multiverse.

"You're primarily an engineer, aren't you? Any new armors or weapons?" Comes the woman curiously. There might be a few more ears in the crowd leaning in as she clarifies. That tail-tip of hers flicks about, ordering another drink.

Taro (399) has posed:
    Taro does look quite human, doesn't he? It's the little things that tend to give his true nature away - his facial expressions (why -do- humans smile so much anyway?), his far too graceful motions, and for those with a keen sense of smell, his scent. The facial stripes can be easily explained away given how popular tattoos are in many cultures.
    More wine is sipped as she talks, and he mulls over both it and her words. "A few," he says, though he doesn't finish his answer until he's set the glass back on the edge of the bar. "Sir Hellsing has hired me on retainer to develop weapons effective against the phony vampires that keep cropping up on her world. That's been an interesting challenge." He's mindful of the other ears that have turned towards them, and so he does not go into detail. "Also...have you met Harriet yet? She's been given radio access now, though I think she is still a bit uncomfortable when it comes to conversation."

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
Yari tilts her head. "...Vampire?" The woman clearly isn't an expert on the undead. At best, she's punched zombies and skeletons.

"Still, if someone's creating fake monsters to terrorize one's holdings, they should be stopped."

Then she perks up a bit. "I can't say I have. Who is this Hariet? Is she a...relation of yours?" Comes Yari, not quite certain on that bit. Can machine-people even /have/ relations? Is this an adopted daughter? Questions swim in the woman's alcohol-buzzed brain.

"I assume she's one of our allies."

Taro (399) has posed:
    "Those like Field Marshal Vlad Tepes," Taro provides an example, though quickly followed by the caveat of, "though the ones in question are pale imitations of his kind. They act like vampires but are not truly supernatural, from what I understand." This is a new field of study for him, and admittedly he is not an expert.
    "She is a new type of shinki. Another kind of living machine," the android continues, moving into what is for him more familiar territory. "Kari Wolf's master, Zarenna Keras and I collaberated on creating her." Which likely doesn't clear up whether they are related or consider themselves so. "Perhaps you'll meet her soon...like any child, she is learning, and Zarenna would like her to socialze whenever possible."

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
Yari tilts her head here. "Mmm! Copies. Though I suppose it's something natural: those who lack magic will use science to create similar powers." That's Garlea in a nutshell, after all.

Here, she's definitely paying attention. And a little more open than usual. "I'd like to meet her. I'll admit, I've been interested in these 'Shinki' for some time. Studying one may lead to advances in our own technology." The vanguard units aren't /that/ far off, aside from size and purpose.

"...Though I'm not sure how I am with children. I'll be on my best behaviour!" Here, she straightens again, snapping another salute. Seems habits die very hard with this one.

Taro (399) has posed:
    Is the repeated saluting due to or in spite of her current state? For now, Taro simply files it under 'personal quirks, Yari Tagane' and answers it with a deep nod. "What we count as 'childhood' is not exactly as the same as it is for organics. When we first wake, we already have been given a great deal of information, but we lack experience." His half full wineglass has not been forgotten, and he picks it up again. "Showing her good behavior will help, and is appreciated."

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
Yari finally calms down a little, sitting back down and pondering. "So you train to gain the experience rather than experience and knowledge." She frowns lightly. Seems the whole idea is just /strange/ to the woman. She finally just sighs.

"Does she have any skills? Goals? I might be able to teach her, depending." Offers the woman, curiousity getting the better of her.

Taro (399) has posed:
    Something along those lines, yes." Taro nurses his wine while watching Yari try to make sense out of what must be something entirely new to her.
    He also makes a note to make the time to find a wine seller when he's next in the Empire. Perhaps a more proper wine tasting...but later.
    "She's intended to be a combat model," he answers, "though whether she's formed any goals...that is something you'd have to ask her yourself. I do not mind you offering to teach her, so long as Zarenna does not mind either." He pauses then, as he considers something, and then says, "Could I ask a personal question of you?"

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
Yari gives a little nod. "I'll ask her, then. Mmm. To think that I'd end up offering to train a magitek creature...strange, strange times." Ugh. It hurts to think too much. Or maybe that's the oncoming hangover. Yari pops some aspirin.

Leaning forward, head in her hand, she raises a brow. "A personal question. That depends on what it is. Ask." Comes the woman, suddenly a bit more guarded. Seems she's not /that/ drunk. Still, she seems open enough, if cautious.

Taro (399) has posed:
    "Such is the nature of the Multiverse." Philosophy, spoken with mild amusement in a bar filled with patrons from all over the Confederacy's holdings and beyond.
    His tone is more serious as he continues, treating the subject with care. "Why did you choose a magitek arm?" The way he phrases it seems to suggest he's curious about her solution to her loss rather than whatever caused the loss itself. How typical of an engineer.

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
The question he asks actually has Yari relaxing a bit. Seems it's not something she's particularly bothreed by, this line of questioning! She smirks a bit.

"It was an opportunity to field test a new magitek device, so that future soldiers of the Empire can better serve. And convenience as well. It's difficult enough to get armor on, or cook, or a dozen other things when you only have one arm. I've adapted, though; the arm only really works with my armor. But it does make life easier. If we can just get the bugs worked out." Taro might have noticed the twitching of that fake arm every now and then when he saw her in uniform.

Taro (399) has posed:
    Taro has noticed all the hallmarks of a prototype since their first meeting, those little twitches and glitches when she otherwise tries to hold her arm still. "I see...yes, I can understand how the loss of an arm, or of any limb, would make life much more difficult." His gaze shifts downward slightly, from Yari's face toward that arm. "Have they been able to improve it at all, or at least find where those bugs are?" His tone is one of professional curiosity now, since she's unoffended by his questions so far.

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
Yari shakes her head, frowning. "I haven't received any new models recently. They fixed the leaking issue, and it doesn't explode quite as much, but I'm not exactly that high up in command. There are those more worthy of newer models that myself." There's no real humility here, just fact, as Garlean meritocrisy bleeds from Yari's pours.

"But I'd assume they're already fixed in newer models.

Taro (399) has posed:
    Explode? That's mildly disconcerting. Perhaps a bit more disconcerting since the rest of her is organic...
    "Mm. I see." Meritocracy is something he both recognizes and respects - SHODAN's heirachy, her capriciousness aside, shares that philosophy. "Well. Let us hope that your engineers have been learning from the ealier designs and improving them."
    A few more sips, and he sets his now drained glass back upon the bar. "I've enjoyed this chance to talk with you, Ms. Takane," he says in leave-taking tones. A pause. "Are you staying here in HQ, or returning home tonight?"

Yari Takane (691) has posed:
"That'd be nice." Mutters Yari, frowning. Clearly the exploding bit is /not/ a feature she enjoys. She rubs her side. More than a few mishaps, there.

Still, she stands, and offers a final salute. "I'll be in the Citadel. I have eleven hours remaining on leave. Yes, let's talk more Mister Taro. Glory and honor, Sir!" With that? She'll wobble her way back to her quarters on the citadel!