[Closed] Little Deuce Coupe

[futureisclear]

Ildraniath didn't spend all of her time plotting. She spent quite a lot of time brooding, as well. Or simply thinking about the situation she'd been thrust into. For someone who's entire goal and purpose in life was to safely read the future and guide her people through it, stumbling blind through the void was a challenge, to say the least. And

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[zouichi]

Sleek, curved lines, elegant form, exquisite composition... now that was a (jet)bike Zouichi could appreciate. He supposed he could see now why Erhart had remarked upon the differences between Eldar craft (or even a Variable Fighter) and the large, flying battering rams the Imperium apparently made use of.

He slipped his way past several X-Wings, making his way toward where Ildraniath was standing and quietly noting the change in her usual expression. "A reminder of home?" he asked.

[zouichi]

"More open space -- and maybe a few less crumbling buildings," he agreed. "Though now that I think of it, a train track or two runs around the explored portion of the City. I wonder..."

"It's not a flying machine, of course," he said of the HDC, "And I'm afraid my work requires me to ask more of it than any vehicle should reasonably be asked to provide. But it's always risen to the occasion. If you'd like, you can always come by the inn sometime. I'll even be sure to prepare additional incentive."

[futureisclear]

"Haven't I always felt free to drop by?" Ildraniath replied with a small laugh, "But I will stop by in the near future. It's been a while since I've seen your inn."

She glanced down at the instrument panel and made a few small adjustments, "I still think any race would be blatantly unfair. But I suppose you can challenge me, if you feel like it. It's not as if we've anything else to do but wait..."

And plan.

[zouichi]

"True. Although now that I think of it, it has been a little while." And they could be much more sure that their conversations would not be monitored in the City than in the Hangar. In any case, Ildraniath's next remark made him raise an eyebrow in response, even as he watched her work at the panel. "'Unfair'? Well, I suppose now I'll have to challenge you. It's the only way to defend my honor."

He paused for a moment, hesitating. "By the way... may I ask you a little more about the nature of the Warp?"

[futureisclear]

The relative freedom from monitoring devices was always a plus, of course. She cocked her head to one side and shrugged, "Defend your honor as much as you like. We'll see how it turns out."

So, Ildraniath was actually contemplating doing something fun. Obviously, she was from the mirror universe.

"The warp? Of course. What would you like to know?"

[zouichi]

He smiled. "I'll do just that."

"According to Alendian, contact with the Warp can somehow 'taint' a living being, irreparably so. But the Eldar navigate it, don't they? And draw upon it. But you don't seem particularly compromised to me."

[futureisclear]

Ildraniath arched a brow and after a moment of consideration, flicked her wrist in that little dismissive gesture she was so fond of, "The warp is dangerous. It holds creatures and demons you could not imagine. Which is why we are very, very cautious and careful. It can cause irreparable damage or corruption, but... the Eldar know what to avoid and how to avoid such things. The humans often do not."

[zouichi]

"Which is why humans require guidance, I'm guessing." From the Emperor when interstellar travel was involved, if he remembered correctly. But something else Ildraniath had said piqued his interest.

"You're saying that a human could avoid the dangers of the Warp, if they knew what to look for? It's not an inborn trait among the Eldar?"

[futureisclear]

"Compared to the Eldar, most humans have little or no potential to be psykers. They have no power. They're blind. The humans that are psykers are horrendously misused and the few that do reach our levels of power are hopelessly inept when dealing with the warp. They've no tradition, no ability at all..."

Ildraniath shrugged, "I suppose they could be taught, but I've no idea if it would actually keep."

[zouichi]

Erhart's distrust did seem to support the idea of psykers being fairly limited in human society, at least when they were talking about the Imperium. And even among the humans that he was accustomed to, few were as preternaturally powerful as someone like Nialdi.

Zouichi considered this, along with what he'd asked Alendian earlier. She seemed reliable, and her skill was undeniable, but if the Warp were truly that dangerous... "What would you say if I asked you to teach me?"

[futureisclear]

Ildraniath's only sign of surprise and shock was a slight raise of her brow. How interesting. What did he expect to learn? Did he even have the potential for it? After a moment she slowly shook her head, "I am not sure I could or should. I have no idea how much potential you truly have or if Eldar methods would work with a human mind. They are... very different."

She frowned slightly, "And there are secrets of the Eldar that I am reluctant to disclose. You understand, do you not?"

[zouichi]

Zouichi nodded. "I understand. And I would not ask you to part with information you feel must be kept secret within the Eldar. However, our current circumstances are... unique. There may be a point in the future when contact with the Warp is required to carry out a mission, or deal with some onboard threat. If that happens, I would rather not be caught completely unprepared."

He hesitated for a moment, then added, "And... perhaps I could be of some assistance to you, if that were to happen. I am sure that you and Alendian are quite capable of handling any reasonable threat. But if what we've faced so far has been any indication, the enemies we confront in the future may not be so reasonable."

[futureisclear]

Ildraniath pursed her lips, her expression one of disapproval, "I will have to think on it. As I said, I have no idea if you'd even be suitable for such a task. I realize you're merely trying to be helpful, but..."

Ildraniath sighed and shook her head, "We have many closely guarded secrets."

[zouichi]

Zouichi inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. "Of course. I do try to make myself useful."

But it was more than that, somehow. He didn't merely wish to help; he wished to help her. If something went wrong in this one area, Ildraniath would have only one other to rely on. That must be it, the reason for his discomfit. He was merely... concerned about her wellbeing.

[futureisclear]

"You already are, Zouichi. Don't think you need to try and grasp the intangible merely for my benefit," Ildraniath smiled her mysterious little smile and then settled back in the jet's seat. Truly, Zouichi seemed to be one of the few (only) people on board who managed to coax something other than cold indifference out of her.

How strange.

"As I said, I'm not sure I could properly teach you in any case."

[zouichi]

"I suppose you're right," he said, smiling slightly in return. He motioned to the jetbike.

"So, are you going to tell me how fast your craft goes? Or will that be a surprise?"