I wave hello to the researchers as I pass by, careful to hide that anything's wrong. The Applied Development Lab actually holds a few separate krewes, one of which was my own, with some teaching spaces as well. It isn't the biggest lab, but it's prized for its location. As I made my way to my personal station, I don't recognize some of the other krewes. Not surprising, krewes tend to move to new spaces often, to what suits their needs.
My krewe, Pok and Kozzack, are still together, although I left when I joined the Priory. The VOED is a revolutionary breakthrough in ancient arcane energy detection, and there's no way they were going to just dump the project for a new one. This is very common for Statics predominant krewes. We prefer to focus on one or two projects and perfect them, unlike those skittish Synergetics or the Dynamics students who took on way too many projects at once, thinking they could do it all. Pok and Kozzack are thoroughly dedicated to the project, and assured me I could come back when I was ready. Not surprising since I had a heavy hand in its success. You never want to let good talent escape. When I returned, they were true to their word, and gave me all the notes and progress they made in my absence. At the moment, they're analyzing the information they gathered while using the VOED in Orr, giving me time to catch up on what I missed.
I sit at my station, unlocking the various safeguards and measures to keep the sensitive information out of the wrong hands. Unlike Kozzack, I know the value of security measures. Hmm I should probably fix his desk sometime today. Or leave a note at least. Shrieksy isn't around either, and I count myself lucky.
I pull out a mish mash of parts for my project; an arcane reactor, miniature stock golem parts, tools, crystals. My project is integrating a version of the VOED with a miniature golem. The goal is to use them for the Pact, specifically the Priory. I'm tweaking it with Gorr's research on Elder Dragon energy, to alert people if any was detected nearby. Being able to sense when dragon minions are near, AND any useful ancient artifacts would be invaluable in our fight with the Elder Dragons.
I lost track of time as I focus on the golem. This is giving me more trouble than it should. I just can't figure out how to balance power between the intelligence system and primary motor functions, as well as powering the compact VOED. At this point I'd either have enough power for one of the other, but not both in conjunction with the VOED. My only choices are either use a different power supply or overhaul the AI. Sigh. That's the problem when working on something with so many variables. Tying it all together could be a hassle.
"Seems like you're having some trouble there," a voice whispers behind me.
I turn around sharply. "Ah! Batanga!"
Batanga is an asura Order of Whispers Agent, of average height, with white-gray skin and blonde, shoulder length hair. She was wearing the medium armor of her order, as usual. Back when I was deciding which organization I would join of the big three (Priory, Whispers or Vigil), she was my recruitment officer. Although I hadn't joined the Order, the two of us got along very well, and kept in contact. Sometimes I wonder if it's genuine, or if the Order is using her to keep an eye on me.
I get up from my workbench, setting down my tools. "Any news?" I ask. I'm not making any progress with the mini-VOED infused golem, might as well take a break.
Batanga drops by when she has some important information, or something that I might find interesting. Usually though it's just to gossip. A small secret about asura: we're awful gossipers. Everyone wants to know who's working on what, which krewe got funding for their project, which ones dissolved and who's on the verge of a discovery. Even more personal matters, like who failed out their college or is getting married isn't above our interest. Knowledge is power, even if it's from secondhand sources and could be entirely unfounded. Anything to get an edge.
"Why yes! Except I was hoping I could get it from YOU," she says with a smile, "Primary sources are always the most reliable."
From me? What kind of news was there of me?
She notices my confusion and continues. "That date you had with Gixx last night . . .?" she trails off, looking at me eagerly.
Oh no.
"That was NOT a date. Who's saying that?"
"People," she vaguely replies. "And when is going out for dinner NOT a date?"
"When its a meeting between two people in the same organization discussing the best plans for said organization!" I say in frustration.
THAT was why the waitress winked at me this morning! Ugh, and she saw me walk off with Gorr, there were probably rumors of stupid romantic things I just don't want to deal with now.
"Well witnesses say the two of you were rather . . . close," she says suggestively, leaning toward me. I continue to frown. "Going to a lecture together, then dinner. Laughing, holding hands, walking home together . . ." she listed each on her fingers as she says them.
We held hands? Wait. Didn't someone buy us drinks?
"Were you that "friend" who bought us a round of drinks?" I question.
"Oh, did that happen?" she asks innocently.
I sigh. It doesn't really matter.
"I don't remember much from last night," I began, noticing Batanga's eyes widen slightly, "BUT I do remember we did not hold hands." I wrack my brain for details of last night. I do remember having a good time. Laughing, talking about ancient golemancy techniques, Seiran. Wait he DID hold my hand. . .
"It was for a story he was telling me!" I blurt out loudly. It was something about roadmaps on hands? Blegh, it hurt to remember. Batanga smiles at me widely. She's enjoying me squirm over this a bit too much.
"Hmmm protesting a bit too much aren't we?" she says with a wink. "He does have that handsome older asura character that some find attractive. Though I thought you liked Professor Gorr."
Ugh Gorr. Between the embarrassing flirting yesterday and the disastrous run in this morning, I just don't want to think about him.
"That . . . didn't work out very well," I admit.
Batanga frowns. She walks over to my workbench and hoists herself into a sitting position on top of it.
"I heard you went to his lab yesterday, what happened?" she asks.
I relay the events of yesterday, and the run in this morning. She sucks air between her teeth sharply when I get to the part about being rebuffed.
"Ouch. At least you can now explore your options a bit more. Maybe there's a krewemate or someone at the Priory you could get to know better." I'm certain she means Gixx, because as much as I love Kozzack, it's in a big sister kind of way. Also I have the feeling Shrieksy would make it hard for anyone to get romantically involved with him. That raptor is possessive.
"By the way, what are you going to wear tonight?" she asks, switching the subject.
"You mean for the dinner? I-wait I didn't tell you about that."
Batanga smiles again. Of course she knows about the dinner, it's an Agent's job to know things.
I sigh. "No idea. I'll just polish up my armor I guess."
"That mishmash of scrap and metal? This is a party by HUMAN nobles. They're all about superfluous over the top clothing."
"I like mixing and matching armor sets for maximum comfort. And I'm not human," I retort.
"Yes, but it's about impressing them, not about how you feel," she points out. Suddenly she claps her hands together and her ears fly up excitedly. "I know exactly what you can wear!"
"Is it expensive?" I ask. As much as I don't like my fashion sense being insulted, Batanga was right. I could get away with Priory Armor (which I didn't have), but what I wear into battle isn't the best thing to wear to a fancy party. Not even a nice shine and polish could salvage it. I'm also not in the mood to trek all the way out to the Priory just to buy armor.
Batanga leaps off the table and grabs my hand excitedly.
"No no, its my treat!" she says gleefully, "but you have to trust me!"
Trust an Order of Whispers Agent? Well it is a free outfit . . .
"I concede, just let me lock up my workspace."
With that she led me off to the asura gate, chattering away excitedly. This will be fine, right? I kept repeating it to myself, hoping that saying it enough times will make it true.
Author's Note: Short setup chapter where Batanga plays Fairy Godmother. Didn't have room to put it in the story, but I wonder if certain gates have identification checks. In game it seems all gates are open to any asura, but areas within those gates are off limits. I wonder if that goes back to the communal living aspect.