[5]

[savethedarkness]

[after the frivolity and liveliness of the May Day ball, M's found herself in need of some quiet downtime.... and a need to review all of the information James brought back. she'd read his nightly reports from the expedition, but now that he's back, there's a need for the Big Picture - to look at it all together and see if there's any sort of thread running through it all.

she brings his notes and the others she gleaned from the journals to the library, and is about to settle into a chair with her tea - care of Frodo, who she's been meeting in the kitchen most mornings out of habit and mutual routine - when she notices an orange packet sitting on the table where she was about to set the saucer]

U.N -- wait.

[that looks familiar. she flips open her journal]

[Any Residents Who Belong To The UNSC]

I'm afraid I only know one of you, but there's an envelope here in the library labeled UNSC, and it's sealed. It looks quite confidential, and I'm not about to touch something that's not mine. You can come and collect it, it's in the military section. I'll make sure no one else spirits it away until you arrive.

Comments

This person and UNSC

[lonenoble]

Interesting...

I wonder if it has anything to do with the new arrival in the basement. We haven't been able the open it. I'm on guard duty down here.

Filtered to end

[savethedarkness]

New arrival? .... What on Earth do you mean by that?

Filtered to end

[lonenoble]

A new Spartan was found in the basement in cryosleep. We can't bring them out of it without a code.

[savethedarkness]

Cryo-

Christ, you mean they're frozen?

[lonenoble]

It is completely safe technology.

[savethedarkness]

Must be, if you're so calm about it. But you're from centuries ahead of me, so it's still the stuff of novels and low budget television where I'm from. It surprises me, is all.

Same Filter

[encryptedlock]

You think it might have the code? I can run delivery boy if you're both busy.

Same Filter

[lonenoble]

Seems very convenient that it showed up around the same time as a Spartan in cryofreeze in the basement.

I'd like to see if I'm right.

Same Filter

[encryptedlock]

I'm on it.

[then, addressed to M;]

Ma'am, I'll be right up.

[savethedarkness]

Thank you, Agent York. I'll be here.

[cryogenics. well she'll be damned. at least she's got a moment to process that before he arrives.... though she will still address the others.]

Should I have a medic from the clinic come and be present?

[lonenoble]

I don't believe it will be necessary.

There aren't many here that would be familiar with what to expect.

[savethedarkness]

Alright, then. ... The one I would've trusted most with the job's gone now, anyway. Bloody place sent him back.

this filter

[originalcopy]

I could... oh, never mind. York's got it.

[savethedarkness]

Is it a one-man operation? I'm afraid I don't know much about it at all. I simply recognized the markings and knew it'd be of importance.

[originalcopy]

Is it a really heavy envelope?

[encryptedlock]

You can get it if you want, Church. I want to help Six unlock it, though.

[originalcopy]

I just figured since I'm in the area... but I'm sure Six doesn't want a crowd around.

[Oh well, relay race with the envelope it is.]

I meet you at the basement stairs.

[well M. guess you're getting a Church]

[savethedarkness]

So I'm to be expecting you, then. Agent Church, is it?

/action

[originalcopy]

Just Church... I'm not a Freelancer.

I'll be right there.

[Church arrives a moment later. He really was just around the corner. It takes him a moment to spot her.]

You the one with the envelope?

[savethedarkness]

Emma, yes. [she holds it up] So you're with the UNSC, but you're not a freelance agent, then.

[originalcopy]

[He nods and takes the envelope]

Pretty much.

[savethedarkness]

Well, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'd come along, but I've a feeling I'd only be in the way. I'll check in with you later.

[originalcopy]

I'm sure York will fill you in. Thanks for keeping an eye on things.

[He plans on helping by trying to stay out of Six and York's way.]

[savethedarkness]

I don't think I could stop if I tried. I'm too used to it, at this point. [she gives him a small but genuine smile]

Take care, won't you?

[originalcopy]

[There is something almost disconcerting about how chill you are lady. And the fact that York and Six call you ma'am. But the only person he'd ever called ma'am was his mother.]

Yeah, you too.

[a polite nod is the best you get M. From him, it's as good as a ma'am.]

[savethedarkness]

[she takes polite nods as acceptable respect currency, too, Church. no worries.]

I will, thank you.

filter

[youfallback]

[Well everyone beat her to the punch, but she'd also like to see the new Spartan being released, so she'll answer much as the same as everyone else.]

Thank you, ma'am.

[savethedarkness]

You're quite welcome.

[wishmadeinfire]

<sub>[ The revelry of May Day had done nothing for Ashura, not really. He had tried to enjoy it, but his mind was to full of things to properly appreciate the brightness of the day, its symbolism. He simply wished to be quiet these days, let it all just mull and swirl.

Coming across M in the library, it was oddly nice. Maybe someone else could help distract him from the concerns that had been swirling through his mind. ]</sub>

Did you find something of interest, M?

[savethedarkness]

[Church has come and gone at this point, but she smiles at the sight of a familiar face, all the same]

Ashura. ... I did, yes. An envelope with a sort of code in it, as a matter of fact.

[wishmadeinfire]

Mysteries upon mysteries, in this place.

_{[ He was dressed rather demurely today, his long hair left unbound for once, brushing the floor. His robes are of ebony, like his hair, trimmed in gold, the edges stitched to reflect a bird's feathers.]}

Did you get it figured out?

[savethedarkness]

As a matter of fact, I did. ... Somewhat of a rarity around here, if what I've seen's to be believed. It belonged to a group of soldiers here. One of them's just come and picked it up.

[a pause as she looks him over] How on Earth do you keep from getting that all tangled in everything?

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ There were many soldiers here, though Ashura knew of only one group that had much in common enough to form a 'group'. York's group, though he had not really interacted much with the others besides York himself. ]}

I see. Well, a refreshing change then. Did he tell you what it meant, or was it hush-hush?

_{[ At her next question, he laughed softly. ]}

Many years of practice. It is not so hard, really.

[savethedarkness]

He did, yes, but until I hear otherwise, I'm going to treat it as a private matter. You understand, I hope.

[she echoes his laugh] Ah, that's where my problem would lie, then. As would be rather obvious, I should think. I haven't had long hair since before the Cold War.

[wishmadeinfire]

Of course, though I will not apologize for being curious.

_{[ He cocked his head at her as he took a seat, unconsciously swinging his hair slightly to the side so it flowed down his side and pooled on the floor. ]}

Cold War?

[savethedarkness]

Yes. [she sits down across from him, since it's as good a place as any to have a polite conversation. and it's poor manners to remain standing while the other person is sitting]

They called it that because it was fought for a very long time without a single formal battle waged - most of the fighting was done with secrets and lies, misinformation.

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ His brow creased at that and he shook his head. ]}

A rather cruel way to fight a war, no? It would keep the people in constant fear - fear of nothing and everything.

[savethedarkness]

[she nods, gravely] Yes. The fear was their greatest weapon. It's why we fought them. To try and end the fear... and to keep our countries safe.

[wishmadeinfire]

You do what you must. It is the nature of rulers and those who serve a country.

_{[ He nodded his head, understand entirely. He knew, he knew very well what that meant, even if he was being selfish, he thought, at his end. ]}

[savethedarkness]

You sound as though you speak from experience, yourself. Forgive me, but I wouldn't have taken you for a soldier.

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ He laughed at that, though it was a strained sound, like laughing was difficult for some reason. ]}

I know. I seem to like a doll, but I am a warrior trained and a king by blood. For over two hundred years I have led my men to war every night to face the Yasha clan at the behest of the Castle Before the Moon. I have been called a demon and no doubt could be rightly accused of mass murder for the men I have cut down in the name of defending my people.

_{[ He decided the word cut was nicer than admitting he usually burned them to ash. ]}

_{[ ooc: ALSO, would M respond if Ashura responded to her on his crazy post? /is unsure, lol ]}

[savethedarkness]

So, both, then. [she raises her eyebrows, impressed] You look quite good for your age, I must say.

[wishmadeinfire]

Yes, through necessity rather than want.

_{[ He nodded his head in acceptance of the compliment, one he had heard many times. ]}

My race does not age the same way human's do. I am two hundred and eighty-nine this year, but I am by no means the eldest in the Castle.