Scene #1815: But is it Art?

Owner	Pose
Taro	An afternoon in Neo Arcadia is a bright and clear one, with not a cloud in the sky. There's a light breeze coming in from the desert, one that's deflected by the city-state's forceshield so as to keep the contaminated sand safely outside its walls. Inside, the air and water are nearly completely safe, certainly safe enough for a couple of visitors for the day. One of the grand bridgelike walkways - more of a plaza, really - that join three of the towers has been given over to a festival of sorts. A new scupture garden is being opened to the public for the enjoyment of all, or at least the enjoyment of those who like this sort of thing. At the center is a two story tall abstract tree sort of thing, or perhaps it's a starburst captured in ceramicrete form. It's hard to say, really, but it's art nonetheless. Other statues of smaller size, ranging from near-realistic to cubist, are scattered around as well, all hemmed in nicely by low fences to keep anyone from touching ot climbing them. Beyond them, closer to the edges of the walkways are a number of stalls and kiosks, selling food and drink and e-crystals and handicrafts of all kinds. Taro is ptting in an appearance here in an offical capacity, as the Bishop Engineer of the city. this means he's wearing his extremely nice cassock with the finely embroidered mantle rather than the everyday one that he honestly prefers. As usual he offers no smiles to those who come to speak with him as he moves through the crowd, but his tone is pleasant enough as he speaks a greeting here and gives a word of advice there. He invited Nine to accompany him, both for his company and to give the Golem a little stimulation that isn't sparring or training.
Kyra Hyral	Although Neo Arcadia was technically a Confederate-aligned city, does that stop the likes from Kyra Hyral from visiting? No! It wasn't like she was invading, right? Kyra wasn't actively looking to cause loads of trouble either. Being just an ally did work in her favor here. However, if given the chance, she would have brought her grenade-launcher-looking CURE-ALL along with her, the large, shiny weapon strapped to her back. If such was allowed, at least, because Kyra would have researched ahead of time on the city's thoughts on obviously 'armed' visitors (even though the Cure-All only healed damage and could not deal it). Her usual street clothes could fit in with any modern society and she quite obviously looks human to the casual observer. Having heard of the sculpture garden opening, naturally, that's the first thing Kyra wants to see despite whatever wait it might have to get in. She stands amongst the crowds, her tablet computer, the mPad, out recording video of her surroundings. She's in a good mood, clearly titilated by the sights around her.
No. 9	Someone is being very good right now and not touching or climbing them. That one would be Nine. He's being VERY good. Mostly by buying and eating food any time he has the urge to climb on something. If he had a tail, it'd totally be lashing right now. Rrrr. The plethora of foods is a welcome distraction, and he studies the sculptures, trying to appreciate their beauty for beauty's sake. Or, something. He's not so good with that sort of thing, but he's actually giving it a real effort. Wow he's an ugly cuss. Bandy, bunchy, strong and hunched and degenerate (and slightly unpleasant smelling) it's a mutant cyborg of some sort, eyes glowing from their stained, dark sockets as he idly noms what he thought was a churro but has some sort of interesting filling. He can't tell if it's sweet or savoury, and while that would normally worry him he's mostly thoughtful right now. Hmm. Nom.
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa was cuyrious she knew it was a confederate city but well she wasn't with the union, right? The AmerRussio alliance had taken guarded stance on the multiverse. It did trade yes but didn't want to get caught up in the never ending wars. Given the last two world wars had cost the world so much could one fault them? So here he was to see out the culture festival. Kotone might have been armed it was hard to tell where she might hide a weapon on or in her body given things, also she had overclock after all right? "This is better than I expected any confederate city to be honestly."
No. 9	There's a momentary look of intense concentration on Nine's face all of a sudden. "...I'll be, ri back. Or, not, so much." The rolling gurgle in his innards is audible. Mitochondria can handle a lot of weird things but a lot of weird things right after waking up? Not the best idea.
Taro	Kyra's weapon would have been inspected, a bright yellow-green sticker placed on it to show that it had been inspected, and Kyra herself would have received a brief but stern lecture on the stiff penalties for non-permitted weapons use within the city, which amounts to any use other than strict self-defense. Then both would have been let inside. Truth be told, art is hardly Taro's area of expertise either. While the things that he crafts are generally elegant and pleasing to the eye, that is a practical application of aesthetics than true 'art'. Still, he knows what he likes, and while the the sculptures he and Nine pass by all receive some quiet praise from him, some are more heartfelt than others. He pauses in at the foot of the centerpiece, tilting his head upward to have a better look at it from this particular perspective. "Hm...the title is 'Uplifted'...A concept I did not think could be captured in physical form. Still, I can see some of the sentiment in it." He then casts a glance back at Nine and begins to ask his opinion...and then nods as Nine has to hurriedly take his leave. His gaze follows, and a bit of silent worry there, but he doesn't voice it right now. As he begins to turn back, the android's gaze catches a pair of young ladies apparently enjoying themselves. One is wearing clothes that aren't entirely out of place here, but the other...well, pompom hoodies are not exactly in fashion. Curious, he moves through the crowd in their direction, not shying from the tablet's camera as he approaches.
Kyra Hyral	Getting lectured almost makes Kyra want to, out of rebellious teenager reflex, want to fire the Cure-All at someone out of spite. It wouldn't actually hurt anyone but it WOULD freak everyone out. Fortunately, Kyra seems to be resisting this temptation for now, the alchemized weapon remaining firmly upon her back. More time spent getting used to its weight was always a bonus at least. As she wanders through the garden, she makes a bit of small talk with Kotone, "I guess the only other Confederate city I've been to was that Borg one. That was...um. Kind of creepy, actually." Though speaking of creepy, a very large, creepy-looking ugly cyborg walks past. He looks, in Kyra's opinion, vaguely ill but he is far gone before she can ask No. 9 if he was going to be alright. The thought of him quickly passes as she assumes that a city this well put together had equally put together healthcare. Only after she's passed does she wish she actually got a picture of the guy. The white mage girl makes her way to the centerpiece, approaching Taro as she does, which does have the side effect of him ending up on the footage she's taking of the festival. He'll likely end up in the resultant Mogtube video she'll post later. "Okay so here's the big exhibit. Looks pretty abstract...reminds me a little of a bird? What do you think, Kotone?"
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa looks with a expression of horror "I ran into them once they didn't eat me because I wasn't with the union that's the only reason." She pauses at the ugly cyborg but she doesn't starre she knows it's rude for all she knows he's froma a world where that's cutting edge and he's be bed ridden otherwise. She looks over to Kyra again and ponders for a moment. "I seem we got some company and yes it is abstract I'm not honestly shore looking at it maybe a bit..."
Taro	It won't be the first time that Taro's been caught on vid, though it may be his first appearance on Mogtube. Once he can better tell just what the woman is filming, he'll veer to one side so as to not entirely disrupt her shot. Also, once he's closer he realizes that he recognizes one of them. There is no smile, merely a small crinkling around his eyes. "Enjoying the exhibition, I hope?" he asks, his tone courteous as he looks from Kotone to her companion with the recording tablet.
Kyra Hyral	Taro has now earned his fifteen minutes of Mogtube fame. There may be curious questions later from Kyra's followers. She doesn't follow Taro as he moves out of frame, her focus clearly on the sculpture itself. She films it for only a few seconds since it IS a sculpture and isn't going anywhere. She'll get a few angles and that's about it. "The Borg would have assimilated me if I had stuck around, I think. Fortunately their Queen showed up and let me go home. The Queen has her own shinki, by the way, she was friendly at least." Kyra tucks her mPad under her arm and looks to the person that's talking to them. Kyra, on the other hand, does smile and she'll smile right at Taro. There is no recognition here. "Hi! Yeah, it's interesting. Abstract, right? I'm not much of a sculpture person but I can tell work went into it. I look forward to checking out all those little stalls too."
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa say "No offence I'm not going near an bit of code that ate it's creators." She is not going near the borg seriously she's not she looks to Taro for a moment and nods for a moment. "It's interesting to get to see art form other worlds honestly and yes just the work that goes into sculpture evne one you might not like has to be given respect, right?"
Taro	An android priest may be something of a curiosity in Kyra's part of the multiverse. Here, it's no longer so unusual. Still, fifteen minutes of fame is fifteen minutes of fame. If he overheard any of the remarks regarding a certain Borg Queen, he does not remark upon it himself. Instead, the main sculpture and the surrounding park remain his focus, and he shifts somewhat so that he can see it on one side and Kotone and Kyra on the other. "Abstract, intended to inspire those who see it, to remind those of the better future to which we all strive." A moment's pause. More conversationally, "Or so the artist has told me that's its intended purpose. Of course, being a work of public art, she could not directly call it a reflection the CyberGoddess, but it could be said that she was so inspired by that faith."
Kyra Hyral	Androids in general are a curiosity to Kyra period. Any hint of such definitely gets the attention of Galiandians that have only heard about other worlds and not yet braved the rest of the multiverse. The more obvious the android the more intense the interest which is why the Neo Arcadia video will definitely get a LOT of views in the future. Kyra cannot wait to get it uploaded. "'Uplifted', then. Well...I don't know, the title of the sculpture itself sounds to be on the religious side. You know, like spiritually uplifting. So while it may not be directly referring to your CyberGoddess, the allusion is definitely there and definitely pretty obvious to anyone who observes this faith." This puts her in a little bit of an odd mood, it seems. "Are all the sculptures here supposed to be religious?"
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa is closer to the androids now than she is human physically. She was curious however about thing she nods to Taro after a moment she looks to Taro again thinking for a moment. "True it is but that sort of art is't my own area of skill still they did nice bit of public." She has no idea about the cybergoddes and doesn't think it's best to ask really. however Kyra does and she admittly a little bit curious.
Taro	Taro gives a small shake of his head. "Hardly. The purpose of this new sculpture garden is to reflect all aspects of our culture, its past and its future. Religion is one component in that, but not its entirety." He shifts his gaze away from her to glance in the direction of some of the other, smaller artworks. "I understand that there is a sculpture of Master X, the city's founder, in the collection." He appears human enough to pass for one, incidentally, the facial markings aide. It's the more subtle things that give away his true nature - his general lack of facial expressions and the too-fluid motion of his gestures and steps. "I think all of the artists put their hearts into their efforts," he agrees, "regardless of the source of their inspiration. It's my hope that both those of us who live here and visitors such as yourselves will enjoy them, or the public park if nothing else."
Kyra Hyral	It's going to be hard to convince her viewership that Taro is a cyborg. Heck, Kyra has a hard time believing it herself-he might just be one of those super awesome humans. Or like Nathan Hall, who had his emotions surgically removed. "Ahh, so just the biggest one is sort of religious." Kyra notes, clearly making some kind of assumption behind the scenes about the religion's prominence here. She grins again, "I'm obviously a visitor and obviously enjoying it so....mission accomplished! You're a local, right? I think. What's the deal with your Cybergoddess anyway? Is she your creator? Just curious."
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa thinks for a moment at the question that has been asked and she shrugs a little bit. "I found cultures that don't have much faith at all tend to get very ... disturbing if you might pardon my words. I seen some very screwed up places." Then there's also staren she'll work with him she'l trust his judgments on say cyberware but man the boy's messed up in the head. He was very much a zealot she mused however this doesn't come up. "I hope it's not a trouble with just coming to explore."
Taro	"So it is." It's not exactly a confirmation of Kyra's assumption, but it certainly is no denial of it. Taro turns his head back toward the pair, answering their questions in a tone closer to that of a parish priest than a stern bishop. "I have found it to be in the nature of most sentients to have a need or a desire to have beliefs. Whether that is a belief in a divine being, in a code of behavior, or a higher ideal depends on the individual. I've met very few who believed in nothing at all, or only in themselves." He makes a small graceful gesture toward himself. "The CyberGoddess did not create me personally, though she did resurrect me from death after I had fallen in battle." A small fact that Union Intel may or may not care about if they're still keeping tabs on him. "She has created many of her followers, but many here chose to convert to the faith after the city was liberated. Blessed SHODAN is not without mercy or uncaring of those who seek her out."
Kyra Hyral	Quite recently there have been some pretty interesting conversations about creators in Kyra's life, part in thanks to the Grid, part in thanks to certain hot-blooded Syndicate leader friend. "Hm. I wonder...you say you've met some people who have believed in nothing at all. What have those people been like? I mean I know some people who aren't into religion but when you put it that way, they do believe in something. The law, honor, the greater good, stuff like that. But...nothing at all? Are they just really self absorbed?" She even sounds slightly...worried. He continues and: "I'm sorry, what's your name? I get the feeling I should at least know one of the CyberGoddesses' representatives." Unlike Kotone, she's never encountered Taro before nor has she come across any recent reports where this guy was mentioned by name. The point about ressurection is still noted though, because ressurection is a damn big deal to her. "Your CyberGoddess sounds very hands-on." Kyra notes, impressed.
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa says "That is true I think, I know even with the discovery of the Ghost on my world it actually bolstered some faiths. Also it at least will let us tell if we ever end up with AI's that are actually aware." No need for a Touring test on her world it seems. She does wonder about the cybergoddess Shodan? she's never heard of the name before. "Nilhists who see no value in anything there's some news briefs about a criminal like that." She thinks for a moment and payses fir a moment "Oh I'm Kotone, Kotone Yamakawa!"
Taro	"Ah. Excuse my lapse in manners." He closes his eyes giving a deep nod that serves in place of a bow. "Taro Daisho, Bishop Engineer of this city. A pleasure." "As for those who have no beliefs," he continues, this time with a smaller, shallower nod to Kotone, "nihilistic would be an accurate description of some of them. They believe that the world lacks meaning, and that their actions ultimately lack meaning. Then there are those who are so narcissistic that they believe that it is only their actions and desires that matter, and that the needs of those around them are irrelevant." Judging by his darker tone of voice, he does not think very well of the latter. "Though the CyberGoddess does not always reveal herself personally to her believers, she is not as remote as some other deities." That she has not revealed herself in months he does not mention at all. "Still, she delegates to her clergy to see to her people's well-being." A pause. "I believe we've met, Miss Yamakawa, albeit in passing?"
Kyra Hyral	"Kyra Hyral. Um. Tourist. Nice to meet you." That name might have come up in Confederate discussion previously, likely from Souji Murasame, if at all. She's certainly not enlisted in the Union, only allied. Kotone's and Taro's combined explanation is illuminating. Kyra looks thoughtful, soaking it all in, understanding flickering in her green eyes, "Huh, I see. Fortunately those extremes don't occur very often, do they? I can say this, though, since I haven't really met either." She shrugs, easygoing in sharp contrast to the darker tone that Taro takes for a few moments. Slowly, she smiles again, "Remote being kind of literal in this case, right?" A frown follows and she looks to Kotone, "Oh, you know him?"
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa says "Yes we have met in passing. Given the multiverse... they are more common than I'd like to be honest." Even if Taro is a fed he's got some standards better to deal with someone with a cause than someone who is like they just talked about. "A curious goddess I admit but better than an neglectful one still she kinda sounds like one even Staren might even not be put off by." Nope she knows not of Citadel, or the FTL colony ship diaster not at all, though this could be hilarious to Taro.
Taro	"Indeed," Taro says with another nod. "As an ascended multinodal AI, she can be anywhere in the multiversal computer network and link to any system that she chooses or desires." A likely exaggeration, since so many networks are protected and defended against any outside intrusions...or is it? This what he says at least. His eyes momentarily turn flinty as Staren's name is mentioned. But the moment passes, and he continues, "Such extreme personalities are not seen often, but they tend to be noticed since their actions fall so far outside the norm." Then, a pause, and while he does not look down at his watch (in fact, he isn't even wearing one) he says, "Ah. I apologize, but I find I will be late for another meeting if I do not take my leave. It was a pleasure to meet with you, Miss Hyral, Miss Kotone. Enjoy the rest of your stay."
Kyra Hyral	"Pfff, Staren is put off by /anything/." Kyra waves a dismissive hand, "At least that's what he makes it sound like on the radio. He's a little different in person." A laugh escapes her before she continues on, staring at Taro for a long moment. "Anywhere? She can get /anywhere/?" Her mind is clearly at work imagining this CyberGoddess on her world's network. "...really? Even onto systems with completely different protocols?" Alas, Taro abruptly states he must leave. "Oh! Uh, another time, niec to meet you, Bishop Engineer Taro."
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa does seem impressed but has to wonder, she does however shift her own systems to autistic mode however, After what's happened can you fault her. She pauses at the mention of Staren for a moment and gets the feeling, Taro's been driven around the bend by them as well. "Do not worry it was good to meet you and hopefully. "It's a powerful ability to be sure."