Maoclades (meant for Willis but observers are cool)

[empress_without_a_throne]

[It's the early evening at Alhambra when the one and only Abyss Empress makes her arrival via TSEN.  She's also wearing a more modern and sensible dress than the ones she ends up sporting whenever she invokes the Abyss Sanction.]

So I'm here to pick up my date for the evening... assuming he didn't forget.

[Whee for the aftermath of this thread.  Anyone who wants to tag along in seekrit, discussing stuff with each other is free to do so, as is pre-date discussions!]

Comments

[actuallyselfish]

"Uh...lots of experiences!" Dido says. "And all of them..."

She scratches the back of her head.

"...well, most of them...some of them ended well!"

[empress_without_a_throne]

Right, right.

[Not inspiring confidence here, Dido.]

You just want a free meal out of this too, don't you?

[actuallyselfish]

"We'll, I'll never pass up the chance for a free meal." Dido admits, and frowns. "But are you guys actually going to eat anything? You don't eat Sol-based food, and this guy probably eats nanomachines or something."

[empress_without_a_throne]

I'll manage. Worst comes to worst I'll just order water or get stuff for take-out.

As for him... well, we'll see. Willis has to have something going for him to explain how he survived that kind of abuse.

[actuallyselfish]

"Alright..." Dido says, looking far more nervous than you are. "Be sure to call me if you need any backup, right?"

A thought occurs to her suddenly.

"Do you have any breath freshener with you?"

[empress_without_a_throne]

Dido.

[Time for The Look.]

This is more about getting the truth about the guy than actually liking him that much.

[actuallyselfish]

"Ah. Got it. Sorry for the misunderstanding." Dido babbles, backing up a step. "I'll get out of your way then, and play it cool."

A thought occurs to her. "I don't even think they make breath-mints using non-organic compounds–I'm just running my mouth, aren't I?"

[empress_without_a_throne]

You have been, yes.

But we're both probably heading back to Sakihama. If you want, there's still a few things I was hoping we could discuss.

[actuallyselfish]

Dido smiles a little. "Sounds fine by me."

She sticks her hands in her pockets. "What did you want to talk about?"

[empress_without_a_throne]

Well for one... what do you feel about Sakihama? You weren't around during Solaris's glory days so this is really like, the first time you've ever been at a big operation.

[actuallyselfish]

"Well..." Dido says, frowning in thought. "What really blow me away is how big this...big operation is!"

She waves her hands. "Not just the literal size of the hangers or the larger budgets we've got to work with...but also the sheer diversity of things!"

She chuckles. "Just yesterday I crawled into the gaping hole of a sentient alien robot to fix his innards! I mean, Damn! If this was the sort of stuff Solaris had to deal with in their glory days, I wonder how they kept focused!"

[empress_without_a_throne]

They kept focused by knowing what they were the first line of defense against... that and remembering those among them who'd died during those battles.

[Yeah. Awwwwwkwaaaaaard!]

Most specialized institutions don't survive long after their purpose is fulfilled... Solaris did because of their dedication.

And I can't help but want to repay them for everything they've done.

[actuallyselfish]

Dido...actually looks thoughtful at your words, Mizuki. And a bit troubled.

"You're a good person, Mizuki." She says quietly. "Really good. Just...don't pull anything too reckless, okay? All those dents cost money to fix, you know."

[empress_without_a_throne]

[Awwww... Mizuki beams at the compliments. And regarding the warning...]

Not for the DuskBird!