[action]

[made_of_science]

[There's something in the lake! Like, other than the usual somethings that are in the lake! It is human-sized and mostly purple, and moves about in a manner unlike driftwood or weather balloons. Also it occasionally pokes up a head to check out the surroundings. Dare you investigate this assuredly supernatural and cryptozoological phenomenon?]

Comments

[persical]

[Claire is here with a basket full of clothes and soap, ready to do some laundry. She blinks, putting the basket down and rubbing her eyes a bit, wondering if she's seeing things.]

[made_of_science]

[!!! NON-HUMAN SPOTTED! The blob of purple moves closer and surfaces, revealing a lady who is assuredly not human.] Oh, good day! I didn't realize there was anybody around now...

[persical]

[the other lady only looks startled for a moment before smiling back as if this is perfectly normal.]

Admittedly, neither did I! I hope I didn't disturb you.

[made_of_science]

[Of course it is perfectly normal!]

Oh, not at all! That is, I was a bit startled to see someone there- Papi doesn't like when I'm seen like this- but I expect that it's all right, since you're not human, either.

[persical]

[this "human" word is close enough to the one she knows that she just mistakes it for a difference in inflection or dialect.]

[she does tilt her head, however, looking a bit concerned. This girl isn't like any Gajuma she's ever seen before--her face is fully Huma-like, for one thing. And she seems to have neither fur nor scales.]

Could it be...miss, I don't mean to be rude, so forgive me, but...are you a Half, by any chance?

[made_of_science]

A half, you say? I suppose one might use that term, inexact as it may be. I was created as a hybrid being of several species. Are you a, er, half?

[persical]

Created? [though she seems curious, there's no hostility there, only genuine interest and perhaps even a little wonder.]

Ah, well--if it's true that all of us gathered here are from different worlds, I should have thought that some things are beyond my experience. [she shakes her head a bit.] I am--

[A Huma, she almost says, then remembers her appearance.]

Where I'm from, I would be called a Gajuma. All people with claws, horns, tails, fur, feathers, wings and scales...they go by that name. Those without are called Huma. Halves are people with one parent from either race, but I've never met one myself before.

[while it might be mistaken for skin from further away, her body is actually covered in short, pale fur, and her slightly oversized hands bear retractable claws. She's had to be very careful learning how to manage those.]

[made_of_science]

Ahh, so you come from a land where such hybridization is natural... How fascinating! [In that "I would like to dissect you" sort of way.] In my own place of origin, I am a triumph of biological science! Before me, the blending of beast and human traits was unheard-of.

[persical]

[Claire doesn't know much about science, so some of Vitalia's words puzzle her, but she just smiles.]

So you're unique, then? That's wonderful.

[made_of_science]

Indeed! Though I suppose one could argue that my sister's existence makes me less unique, but as we're products of differing experiments, I would still believe myself an unparalleled achievement.

I take it you're unhappy to be part of a species?

[persical]

Oh, you have a sister, too?

[she shakes her head.] I wouldn't call myself unhappy. Everyone is unique in their own ways, I think.

[made_of_science]

Yes. I aided a bit in her creation, though of course she is chiefly Papi's work. My own specialties lie more in the realm of flora than fauna.

I had never given much thought to it. To be certain, some stand out more than others.

[persical]

Specialties? [she's not disturbed yet, but she is confused.]

What exactly do you mean?

[made_of_science]

In research and experimentation, of course.

Well, there are certain ladies here who one can't help but notice, and ones who seem to... fade into the background, one might say.

[persical]

Oh, I see... [she doesn't, but she feels like she'd be pestering the poor girl with too many questions if she continued.]

In terms of how outspoken and lively people are, I suppose you have a point. And some do have striking appearances, but I think they're all lovely in their own way.

[made_of_science]

Papi always says that true beauty comes from one's demeanor, not one's exterior.