Returning to Arms

[in_the_cracks]

The Nexus has caught Telrim off-guard for the first time in a while. Rolling with the interruption, she’s seated in front of a table with a small scanner in hand, checking her Dracon beam’s workings with methodical precision. She doesn’t look up as she speaks. “I’m coming to… let’s call it the end of an interlude. It’s likely I’ll be returning to

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[mind_your_elder]

((Sorry I missed your last post. I'd thought Sages more-or-less dead back in June, and only checked back today on a whim.))

I have often found that it is often well to begin by preparing the simple things--seeing that one's tools are all in good repair and arranged for convenience, allowing useful old habits of the task to reawaken--and to conclude with the difficult: the questions.

*The old bird's eyes narrow, skin crinkling around the edges, in a smile.*

I hope you have been well?

[in_the_cracks]

"Is that really your concern?" She's guarded. It's common knowledge in her world, yet... sensitive.

[mind_your_elder]

I am simply curious about the ways of your people, as you are curious about the ways of mine.

[in_the_cracks]

"But your people are much less... vulnerable." It's Natasha who reminds her (with exasperation) that Kian'shar's shown no inclination to make itself their enemy. Quite the reverse. Telrim's not fully convinced. They underestimated the humans: who's to say they haven't misjudged the bird too?

There's a moment of internal debate, won by the fact that it really is well-known, even in the Nexus. The Controller sighs and lowers her voice a little, watching Kian'shar warily. "It's a form of radiation normally generated by the sun of our homeworld. We've yet to find another habitable system with it, so everywhere else we depend on our own generators."

[mind_your_elder]

Are we?

*The old bird listens, nodding in thought.*

And the generators can only be made by those in command.

[in_the_cracks]

"Aren't you?" She raises her eyebrows.

"Well, not personally." Amusing though that would be. "But yes, their issue is tightly controlled. They're much too valuable to entrust lightly."

[mind_your_elder]

All are vulnerable, Telrim. Even stars may weep when stung.

*Black eyes grow distant and thoughtful.*

Then the true fulcrum of your society is not hosts, but the energy which feeds you. Intriguing.

[in_the_cracks]

"What does it take to make a star feel pain?"

A fulcrum. Yes. A weak point their enemies have never shied from using. "It is... important." Her voice softens slightly on that last: the Kandrona's meaning runs too deep to pretend detachment from it. And then almost-gentle turns to pointed. "Though I wouldn't have described it as intriguing."

[mind_your_elder]

The same as most of us; tug on its heartstrings.

*Kian'shar regards the controller-host duo with a long, contemplative look.*

May we, for a moment, be at once quite blunt and entirely hypothetical?

[in_the_cracks]

Telrim draws back, expression closed as she studies the alien bird in turn. "Very well. What hypothetical situation are we considering?"

[mind_your_elder]

Let us imagine for a moment that the radiation you need to sustain you were available, and outside the ability of your people's elite to withhold. Would they still have your loyalty?

[in_the_cracks]

"Yes, of course. They would still be our leaders. They've already proven their worth." Whatever else can be said of them. Which is a lot.

[mind_your_elder]

*The old bird accepts this answer with a nod, eyes contemplative.*

[in_the_cracks]

"...It would be nice, of course. To be rid of that fear." She cocks her head. "Do you think we need to be threatened into loyalty?"

[mind_your_elder]

I hoped, merely, to understand how far the analogy carries.

[in_the_cracks]

"I'm not sure I follow. What analogy?"