"Nuff, guys. We're having a three-days vacation, since it's Falconfly's time!" Rhaine announced with a hardly concealed laugh. Finally that race for information was over. Now it's up to Matt to use the info available, and if he fails, he fails, Rhaine would simply watch... perhaps. She considered her options. No more, she's done more than enough. Time to realize that these dhoine aren't supposed to have a nursemaid. Especially a nursemaid of her position within the Temple and within the Althos line.

Aquira grinned at her. Leaning back in her container-type-chair she looked at the intertwining translucent textures of the ceiling, away from the scanner.
"Finally remembering that you don't care about them, imGair?" she said acidically, taking off neural interface headset, letting soft golden-red hair flow down freely.
"No, just remembering that I'm supposed to care for my delightful team," Rhaine's tone matched Aquira's. "Keith, when you're done drooling, configure the null-t, will you please?"
"I'm not drooling! I'm admiring! Just don't forget about bringing some local beer, okies? In case you're going to that Inn?"
"Any other orders? Candies? Pastry? Come on, use that chance to push one of Triumvirate around," laughing, Rhaine picked up a jacket to go over her bioprotector suit, and left.

When they arrived at the outpost (the definition had stuck to the warehouse - at least in their company), Keith had already finished configuring the null-t port. Aquira was rummaging through a catalogue of newest Chilian fashions, modeling the looks of them on her using a holo-screen. When Rhaine and Artemus came in, she didn't even bother to switch off the terminal.

No. Aquira was seemingly stunned. She looked from Rhaine to Artemus, and seemed to have trouble finding words. She stared at Artemus as if the man had been a ghost for a few seconds.
"You.. you'd be bringing a local with us?" there seemed to be another word swallowed.
"Why not. It's Falconfly's time, we do have tourists around for that week, don't we?" Rhaine seemed careless.

Next moment Aquira issued a shutdown order to the computer, and flexed.
"Let's get out of this city. Even the air here stinks."
"Hey, what about my beer?" Keith grinned. "You get to have all the fun, why don't I get to have a beer?" As a reply, Rhaine tossed him the cans.

The doorway into the null-port opened.

Meanwhile Keith finished with the terminal and offered to move to several small cabins. "Would you like to instruct our guest, boss?"
Rhaine simply nodded to that and after throwing a fanged grin to Aquira suggested that Artemus entered one of those.
"Now that's easy. Stand and not move for five seconds, until the light inside blinks twice. Pick up the appearing stuff from the tray on the left. It would be precisely your size," she instructed quietly. "Keith is just using my bitch mode, for which he'd get Me Vexed"
Artemus tensed visibly before entering a bit at being in the strange space but followed her words to the letter and just relaxed as best he could. Letting the tech do its job, though he would like to understand it furhter.

The clothes are made of very soft fabric, boots appear to have something in common with leather (but not leather), the color is hematite-black with cyan and silver. Short sleeves were of a lighter color (season's trend), and it all fit ideally. A wide belt was made of some light blue metal, and had a communicator and some other devices on it. This appeared to be some really simple uniform, but at least that wasn't skin-tight light-absorbing thing these three had been wearing before.

"When in Rome...as the saying goes.."
Artemus took up the clothes and let his fingers trail over the material with a raised brow. Though skin tight didn't bother him, even if it would just take some adjusting. He looked at Rhaine curiously, the look moving to something strange then his attention back to the clothes while awaiting the next instruction.
"Just get dressed. It would all fit. You sure don't want to be treated like a
tourist" Rhaine snickered. "Old clothes - I dunno if you need them. If you do, just let me pack them after you put on the new ones"
He shrugged and moved into the little cabin to change. Though he really had no issue doing so in front of the others. Best to just be polite seemed a good idea. A moment later he emerged wearing the new threads, still feeling the material curiously but reminded himself to stop, or he'd be known for a tourist. "They are just clothes Rhaine."

The trio had already been gathered outside. Keith was wearing same uniform thing, and Rhaine and Aquira had similar outfits, but with low v-shaped neckline, "mock turtleneck" and translucent sleeves (which looked awfully good on Aquira's willowy frame, her copper-red hair contrasting against soft hematite fabric). Rhaine seemed a bit displeased with how that all looked on herself.
"Next time don't order the Chilian style, will you please, Keith? You know I prefer looking as simple as possible"

She reached to slip her hand into Art's. "So, we're off to null-port in any case. Aquira, do a report to Councilor Elynne before she starts screaming like a banshee at me. Keith, I hate to ask, but can you please get in touch with Rey Volin? I would love to see Art's face when he tries Rey's latest craft"
He looked at Rhaine in confusion then those words simply because he didn't know if craft referred to a ship, or some other kind of work. A multi-purpose work there if anything else. Though his eyes did look at Aquira a bit longer than probably necessary, though she kept eyeing him like some ghost, or that he had more than one head.
Aquira seemed a bit vexed by that order, but still nodded. "I know you hate the reports because of those you do in the Temple. And you two? Going to wander around like the legendary elves in some forest until the opening of Falconfly's?"
Again that toxin in the woman's voice, but at least "who's that ghost" look remained no more. Aquira did notice that long look, and turned a bit to show off the light in her hair.

"In any case, we're heading in the same direction - towards the atrium. Instead of standing here like four Althos in a Chilian store," Rhaine grinned impishly. "Meaning, like four hi-tech freaks in a state-of-art-fashion place, who don't even have an idea why they're here", she explained to Artemus. This was new territory for him and so would look to Rhaine and follow her lead. His fingers curled around hers reassuringly. He looked forward to this whole trip.
Keith blew a kiss to that cute girl in flowing dress who has finally found something and stared at her own hologram in something airy and aquamarine, Aquira chuckled, and all of them moved out. The walkway led them to the Atrium again - with the spiral escalator, decorative plants, tiny
cafe's. Keith went to some terminal immediately, Aquira chose to fly into the atrium these airy sleeves fluttering like bird wings. Artemus and Rhaine stopped for a while.

"So, anything specific? Or you'd prefer to dig yourself into information about the place?"
"The information I think. Or am I too bumpkin to understand what I learn?" A teasing grin as his arm slipped around her shoulders casually. "Why not a tour so I get the lay out? I don't have a nifty armband for quick access information or a built in HUD system."

The atriums were yet another thing that seemed to surprise shifter.
"If you no longer wish to sit here, we can go to null-port. It's in the basement. So we'll just hop into the atrium. Unless you prefer to stand on the escalator like a landlubber" Rhaine grinned impishly, remembering Azjah's reaction to flying down and up in the huge void. "Atriums are a Psilon thing that has become a local specialty. The Mentar system is really underpopulated. So we can afford being spoilt."

Spoilt rotten. It was one of things popular among local youth, to kiss while falling through atriums, and Artemus seemed to come to the same conclusion without an example to follow. Seeing him against the background of Mentar-2 was a rare treat - so radiant on the background of radiance...

WHAT?! Rhaine blinked, realizing finally it hadn't been her emotional mis-perception. He was brighter than usual when seen with her spectral eyesight. No, she told herself, there would be time for questions later. What did he get himself into?

They finally made it for the null-port. Rhaine decided to start with the Gair Park, or Gair Garden as it was called sometimes. Lush greenery, plants of all shapes and sizes, fountains that clearly ignored gravity, water streams and sprays in insane knots. The park was under an invisible dome, so it must have been somewhere on the Four Moons. Ribbons of walkways went around, up and down, and even turned upside-down sometimes, playing tricks with personal gravity vectors.

"This place is Aquira's creation mainly," vampiress remarked, her fingers caressing the leaves.
"She is a strange bird."
"She is. She isn't a Mentari," the phrase was casual. A non-Mentari Advisor of a sub-line. "She did this when she was learning. She had to adjust to local existence when she.. arrived. Hope you don't have a problem with occasional habit of excessive reverence for me that she has. Old habits die
hard."
That did surpirise Artemus, and so Rhaine went on. "Aquira is from the same place I'm from. Only she is a human from that world in which I was...imprisoned."

That made him look at her curiously. "Does she know about the... alterations..beyond a vampiric appearance?"
"She knows what I am," that was spoken plainly and calmly. "To the extent to which this is known in that world. Though they have this stupid idea that you mentioned once. Without the word "killable"."

Shifter blinked a few times. "I've mentioned several of those. Care to refresh my memory?" A teasing grin as he looked at her curiously. "And, I don't think you're killable, at least not by ordinary means. I'd need a hell-blade."

"Well. You mentioned that once, and my memory keeps every thing you said in my presence. When Alais and I discussed what a life mage was... you said it was a pro-life god that's killable. That was so damn vexing. But back in Aquira's home they do have the foolish reverence for those Bound to their world. To those for whom it's an infinite lab and playground."

It was more than uncomfortable. Chilling. Embarrassing. To be revered and nearly worshipped while remaining a loyal priest of Asmodeus. She felt like an impostor, a fake, a slave disguised as royalty's double. Undeserving. Picking a long blue pod that tasted a bit like starfruit, she
nibbled on it, trying to conceal the embarrasment.
"It's just a controversy I can't avoid. But I needed Aquira here. "
"I take it she does the things you do not like to? Or merely to cut down on your headaches?"
"Sort of. She remains the best genetics designer and engineer of the Mentar System while I keep off public."

Rhaine pulled Artemus towards something that looked like two tentacle-surrounded hemispheres on a strange-looking panel.
"Okies, your hands here. Concentrate, and in your mind speak "activate gateway, destination Mentar-Starport" If you plan to spend more than a few hours on Mentar, learn to use neural interfaces."
In fact, it was sufficient to touch the pad and think of starport, but she used the most distinct and conservative way which had been a hundred years outdated. One had to get used to commanding mentally to surrounding tech devices, a certain degree of concentration was a must. She would prefer not having to use rifts on Mentar. Too close to the wormhole. Way too close.

Reaching to steal a kiss as they came closer to the atrium of Starport (and oh, so many people that could see that, but let them watch and envy!), she directed him towards the rising invert-gravity part of the void.

"We're expected to meet Elynne and Aquira. May I hide behind you when these harpies start screaming together? Lynnie hates it when I behave as if she isn't the leader of Althos Bloodline. I shouldn't have put her in charge, really. She's a control freak," vampiress chuckled.
"Oh I see how it is. I'm just along to be a meat-shield. I'm just here to have fun and see your world. The less I have to do, the better."

Beyond the gabbro direct portal to Althos headquarters there was a huge hall, where a blonde woman looking a lot like Keith paced nervously, and Aquira just relaxed sitting with feline dignity on one of stone-like benches. Artemus seemed to follow her passively, as if on a tour, just looking around.

"There you are. Don't try to switch the subjects, Rhaine, introductions are definitely in order. Have you decided to scheme something again and we caught you unprepared," Elynne grinned. The thin tentacles of neural interface crowned her golden locks. There was some dispute in the Council, possibly - needing attention.
"Scheme? Lynnie, that's not something I actually do here! Especially not during a vacation for Falconfly's," Rhaine replied with such sincerity and innocence, that it was nearly certain that it was precisely what she had been doing. Stepping forward, doing a half-turn on her heels, she assumed a formal pose.
"Artemus, please meet Councilor Elynne Althos-Althos, current head of Althos Bloodline."
There is a momentary pause, as she has little to no idea which reference would be true and won't hurt Artemus in any way. Mate? Well, she knew about the mating issues of shifters, especially about Shandren, that wasn't the best way to describe... Partner? But they weren't partners precisely.
Lover? Sounds rather unofficial... especially with that feline-cut diamond ring on her hand. The pause was becoming way too long. "Elynne, please meet Artemus Kurgen."
She skipped all forms of description altogether, simply absolutely unsure which one to use. Had Elynne had fangs, she would have been showing them off in a grin.
"You finally decided to invite that mysterious mate of yours to Mentar?" she sounded nearly sarcastic.
"Anything wrong with that?" Rhaine blushed and instantly turned defensive. "It's not like any of us is going to steal technology"
"Just surprised you've chosen someone from a medieval world," Elynne looked at Artemus, her grin toxic. "Guess even the best of Psilon students is allowed to have a heart"

Finally, after vampiress fuming for a minute, Artemus managed to look between the two women. "I would not think such a technologly advanced place as this would still harbor base prejudices," he had gotten the words out. Now it was Elynne's turn to grin impishly "So we did manage to get a word out of you! Aquira said you didn't say a phrase in the outpost!"
she pointed a V gesture at Aquira. "You owe me two seconds lead in the race!"

That day Rhaine had to make sure she looked appropriate for the occasion. While Mentari had nearly no etiquette for such events, there were certainly unspoken trends to be used. Using bloodline colors was considered most official and proper. No, she would not follow this trend now, it's time to tell everyone that "Founder Gair is on a vacation, do not disturb". She chose dark sapphire blue with accents of gradients fading off to cerulean, Chilian-designed (and that meant - adequately eloguent without sacrificing convenience). Soft mist-thin flowing fabrics were this season's Chilian favorite it seemed, especially in conjunction with color gradients. Submitting breakfast order through the neural interface, she finally decided to wake up Artemus.

Everyone gathered in the giant cup of stadium long before dawn. Gradually the solemn silence stilled the crowd, and in the thick pre-dawn darkness a voice (obviously a Chilian, a regular human could hardly have such an absolutely vivid voice) rang gently, song rising into the clear air, drawing attention, focusing the audience, accented by soft drumming, rising above the stadium, in a wordless captivating crescendo.

As the sky turned lighter and the song stopped all of a sudden, producing a hypnotized silence, three roaring meteors came from the north, and three from the south, slowing down rapidly, with a scream of air spinning in place. As they stopped moving, their rotational speed became extreme, and all of a sudden they burst in a brilliant cloud of shattering ice, releasing two trio's - spinning vertically downwards, slowing rapidly with the spreading of wings - and fragments of rainbows from the lights.

"Takes one hell of physical strength in addition to auxiliary mechs to do that. And controllable theta-ice capsules are also a form of art," she remarked in a whisper, keeping closer to the shifter.

The trio's went into a complex widening spiral upwards, and spun as one huge disk, right wingtips nearly touching, wings stretched out fully, and around them was a full-blast blaze of holographics by the best of Chilian imagers. From there a cascade of two separate tightly knit groups performing complex aerial evolutions followed. It was nearly impossible to
imagine how did they manage to perform wing to wing and never collide. The performance seemed to be so calculated and ideal... Holograms were used as artifical obstacles and not a single wing "scratched" surfaces of illusions. Going up in trio's, tightly knit, nearly wing to wing, in "boxes" that spiralled around an invisible line. Finally they formed a perfect circle, crowning the illusionary salute.

When did the next trios appear - no one noticed, probably from a low glide. They circled upwards, spiralling to the top, bright colors of wings distinguishing each team. Admiring whispers among the public could have worked as comments even if there were no standard neural interfaces worn.

The initial trio's ("Last year's winners" as she explained) got lost in the brightness of crowded sky. Future participants of competitions took turns in lowering over the stadium and doing what looked like a barrel roll while in a loop.

"That's not bad... the bad part is doing that on a space craft, at the speed used there, not here," finally vampiress decided to look away from the aerial show and introductions. "Shall we remain for the competitions in the evening, or get out before someone decides to bug me?"

"You stay with us? Yay!" Celia floated in the air, despite the artifical gravity of the satellite. Loyso responded with a blast of illusionary fire which she has batted off. Rhaine grinned.
"First. With me, you can use the direct connection when no one else is around."

She opened a connection with the duo. The intensive mental discussion stopped nearly immediately. Loyso looked at Gair, his huge aquamarine eyes innocent.
"The Cat Mage is no longer coming? He don't like us like all others?"
"The Cat Mage has a life of his own," Rhaine replied. She looked at the twins. "You're my responsibility. And while we're at it, Artemus is not the only one who can drink magic, but he's going to make it more painful. So either you behave, or I'll have to invite him again."

The twins exchanged a few quick images over their mental link. Immediately the response appeared in the shared mental space. A response, a comment from the third source. Agreement was reached almost immediately, the twins walked towards the exit, followed by Rhaine.

They went out for a lunch, and vampiress joined the twins in the game hall. It was one of more or less quiet hours, with the mentari children in their classes. Models of spaceships were scattered around a huge planet system simulator - someone had been playing space tactics. Loyso jumped on a troop transport, which rushed down towards the surface of a toy planet. Celia was already on a monitor, beaming with smiles. "You defend Fieras, kkay?" she asked Rhaine via the shared mental space.

"I certainly will," Rhaine nodded. Just as I did a long time ago

They continued a noisy, nearly violent game of replicating the old battle for Fieras, since it was the Fieras system replica. Was it an extension of a history class? Celia and Loyso seemed to be mimicking the actions of enemy fleet and creating illusionary blasts of fire and plasma for attacks. One thing they certainly learned - being careful. Controlling the attack shuttles and huge orbital cruiser with swarms of spacefighters, the duo giggled, laughed and screamed, just like real children. Finally, Rhaine found that it was lasting a bit too long... the kids from classes should have been back to the game hall already.

A request was sent though the shared mental space. Celia blinked innocently, stopping the orbital bombers.

"I thought you knew. We blocked the doors so that we could finish the siege before someone comes."