RP: The Silent Horizon Mission 0.0 - Dream Her Wide Awake

Adrin​

Adrin sat quietly for a moment, his eyes reflecting the dim light as his fingers brushed the edge of the metal cup before him. His expression betrayed a mind lost in thought, weighing Steiner's words with care. Finally, he looked up, his gaze meeting Steiner's with a measured intensity. "Your perspective," he began, his voice thoughtful and steady, "is a stark reminder of how fragile advancement truly is. In Noria, we often told ourselves that our achievements were eternal, that we had reached a pinnacle no disaster could erase. Yet arrogance is a frail shield against time, war, and entropy." His lips tightened briefly before he continued.

"You speak of the Tenants of Iron as a guiding principle for your company ~ a foundation of duty, vigilance, honor, and discipline. To hear such words from a mercenary commander might surprise many. But I wonder..." Adrin leaned forward slightly, his voice softening, "does the code guide the company, or does the company’s survival reshape the code over time? You admit deviations have occurred, so I question whether the Tenants serve as an anchor in the storm, or simply a banner raised and lowered when the winds demand it."

He took a slow sip of his drink, his pale fingers steady as he set the cup down with deliberate care. "And as for the multiverse’s appetite for war... You are right. It is an enduring constant, the fuel of industry and the currency of power. I cannot deny that I’ve benefited from it, as have we all in different ways. But knowing that does not make it taste any less bitter."

Gesturing slightly, Adrin acknowledged the spread of food before them, though his focus remained on Steiner. "Your company walks a dangerous line, as do we, Steiner. Principles may restrain the worst excesses, but you also noted that survival demands compromise. How do you ensure those compromises do not consume the core of what you are? Or perhaps," he added, his tone softening but his gaze remaining sharp, "you believe survival is the only principle worth protecting. Right now I cannot help but to wonder the same."

Leaning back in his chair, Adrin allowed a faint, enigmatic smile to play on his lips. His tone grew lighter, though the undercurrent of his words remained pointed. "Forgive me if I seem to pry. Your hospitality deserves better than scrutiny, and I mean no disrespect it is that guiding Norian Way in me. It’s just that I have seen what happens when ideals are sacrificed for convenience. At first, it seems like a necessity... but it often ends as a way of life."

He let his words linger in the air for a moment before his expression shifted, a touch of warmth entering his features. "Before we continue, allow me to make some introductions." He turned slightly, gesturing to his companions. "This is Atae, my grandson" he said, indicating him with a subtle motion of his hand. "His wisdom and counsel have proven invaluable time and again. His mother is the head of a certain spooky organization we both know."

His gaze shifted to the next, his tone softening further. "Ilae, whose musical talent is purely enchanting. Her clarity often finds the truths I miss."

Finally, his hand moved toward the third, his voice carrying a note of quiet pride. "And Ryllae, my right hand, a steadfast presence and a brilliant mind in her own right. Each of them brings something unique to our endeavors, and I trust them implicitly."

Adrin leaned back once more, his eyes returning to Steiner. "I think you will find their perspectives as intriguing as mine ~ if not more so."

Uaeso​

Uaeso laughed at Naika’s reaction to the rain, a deep and genuine sound that resonated through the misty air. It was rare to see her caught off guard, and the simple joy of the moment made his chest tighten with affection. Reaching out, he gently cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray drop of water clinging to her skin.

“You know,” he began, his voice soft and warm, “I think I’m the luckiest man alive to hear you say that your life is here with Arkos and me. I don’t deserve you, but I’m selfish enough not to let you go, even if I don’t.” His gaze lingered on her face, drinking in the light in her eyes despite the rain, as if nothing could dim the bond they shared. Moments like this, amidst the chaos of their lives, felt like sanctuary.

“I know I’ve dragged you into more than you ever bargained for,” he admitted, his tone turning serious but still laced with tenderness. “But having you by my side ~ knowing we’re building a life for Arkos together ~ it means everything to me.” He hesitated for a moment, as though weighing his next words. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, though. The broadcasts got me thinking. Vespa might be a good place for us to go. They’re going to need skilled UNN officers for colonization efforts in the Kosuke Sector. With so many people pouring in from our home universe, they’ll need all the help they can get to settle and organize the new systems.”

He let the idea settle in the air between them, watching her reaction. “It wouldn’t be easy, but it could give us the chance to shape something better ~ for Arkos and for everyone else. We could help make a place where families like ours can thrive.”

A small smile touched his lips, and he reached out to take her hand, threading his fingers through hers. “But no matter what we do or where we go, Naika, my life is you. You and Arkos. Always.” For a moment, Uaeso tilted his head back again, letting the rain cool his face as the storm continued around them. Then he gave her hand a gentle tug. “Come on,” he teased, his grin widening. “Let’s get out of this rain before you try tasting it again. I want to hear what Steiner and my grandfather have to say.”

Ilae and Auli’i
Ilae smiled as she felt Ryllae’s first vesper “I will! don’t worry, the girl with the ears at the top of her head seems cool!” She vespered back along with her feelings of pleasure and excitement at the prospect of making a new friend. Ilae wasn’t one to seek out trouble, but she knew that sometimes accidents happened she hoped that she didn’t cause one, but never the less she spent some time chatting with Auli’I who was intrigued by her instrument.

Ilae spoke more of it before she felt and heard Ryllae’s second vesper. “oh, looks like dinner is being served.” she said, and followed Auli’I inside to the others, taking note of what they did as she moved to stand beside her brother, as she vespered to him. “I made a friend! the girl with. oh the fox looking girl!” She saw that now that they were inside Auli’I had removed the equipment covering her face.

Auli’I moved to stand by Nara, and whispered to her in Valhallan. “that girl is something different, I’ve never met another like her”

Ilae meanwhile smiled as she was introduced, with a rosy blush on her cheeks. She courtsied to the Grandmaster and those present. “Indeed,” she said as she shifted the Zol’rausir case off her back. “Grandmaster, if it would be alright, I do have my instrument, called the Zol’rausir, after I have finished, may I play it, if it is acceptable of course” Ilae said with a smile on her face.

Njord, Skaditown

Atae quickly vespered amusement back to Ryllae and wisely withheld any suggestion of what other investigations he could perform should he get close enough to inspect her nostrils. He had the strangest feeling that to do so would invite an 'emergency close-combat skills refresher session' once back on the Alyelume and the analyst suspected such would result in a necessary, painful, visit to medical. It might still prove worth it though and he decided to circle back around to the cost/benefit analysis thereof upon a later occasion. Before leaving the shuttle he replied to his sister's vesper with a //"Love you too!"//. Atae also ensured to include feelings of amusement and deep affection alongside the vespered words he sent to Ilae.

Megafauna indeed. He mentally confirmed the intelligence the Alyelume's mindhive had given them earlier upon sighting the automobile-sized beetle. If the insects were that big, Atae wondered what sort of mass the marsupials and rodents could come in at, let alone reptilian or mammalian lifeforms. He idly wondered if the Iron Company exported animal products to food manufacturers as, if he recalled correctly, ground-up insect shells were sometimes used as a food colouring. Atae was sure there were a multitude of other uses out there. They could be sat on a virtual gold mine and the analyst was curious as to whether they had the business acumen to capitalise on such an opportunity.

He tried very hard to ignore the suggestion from the pale beauty with the violet eyes, resisting the urge to shudder at the distasteful thought of kissing an insect - especially one that could probably bite his head off should it so wish. Admittedly - from a metaphorical point of view - Atae had known of several norian women, and a few men too, who according to court rumour were possessed of a similar disposition. He certainly had had less of an issue in picturing kissing some of them though. The analyst was forced to wonder if that made him shallow, or maybe xenophobic. Then again, would any degenerate not experienced with dredging the depths of depravity really judge him for not wanting to kiss an actual, giant insect? Deciding to shelf that piece of internal debate for later, Atae did at least think to obviously bow his head in response to the blonde's welcome.

Atae focused on the conversation between his grandfather and the grandmaster, determined to eke out whatever useful information he could from their interaction. Remembering what Katara had told him when informing him of this assignment, the analyst also planned to use the opportunity to assess Adrin's social and diplomatic aptitudes. After all, he wouldn't be able to properly support his grandfather's overtures if Atae didn't know where to direct his own efforts. Then, before they even got past the opening statements, Steiner annihilated a second giant insect. Which really did the leader of the Iron Company an injustice by underselling the graphic, gory event. If the rest of the company were even half as effective in termination operations, then Atae could understand why Tetsuya had wanted to form a close connection with the barbarians. Fortunately the heavy rain should wash off most of the gore and the presumed malodour before they were inside and the norians were required to remove their helmets and put all their trust in the nasal filters.

At his grandfather's signal, Atae fell in line behind and continued to shamelessly eavesdrop on the conversation between the leaders. He couldn't help but smirk at the way Adrin's phaloam was on full display. It always fascinated the analyst to see how different norian's chose to approach the metacognitive pursuit. Atae also privately wondered how other races perceived the norian drive for wisdom through self reflection and debate. Maybe they just wrote it off as curiosity? The analyst wasn't sure that there were many aliens who could appreciate the subtle beauty of philosophical iterative recursion - or recursive iteration - that so defined the never-ending search for wisdom and understanding that was one of the founding principles that bound the norian people together.

Atae noted with interest as Steiner talked about the degradation of the Iron Company's tech base over the years and wondered if that would provide a vector to improve relations and further wed the Iron Company to the norians. Given the troubles back in Crystalis, maybe they could work a deal through Tsenlan? It was something to think about, at least and the analyst added it to the 'think about later' list he was keeping in his head that was bloating almost uncomfortably fast. The young norian didn't think it would be too terribly difficult to provide the technology and necessary infrastructure to improve upon the archaic, industrial technology base that was prevalent here. Further investigation would be required just in case this was an elaborate ruse to display a lower tech-level than that employed by the Iron Company, all in an effort to cause the enemy to underestimate them.

The analyst stuck with Adrin and Steiner as they moved inside, trusting Ryllae to watch over the inquisitive ball of trouble that he otherwise referred to as his younger sister who seemed to be hard at work befriending the locals. He was also curious about the demonstrable ease with which the norian woman had been juggling her dagger as they walked, but Atae couldn't afford to be distracted when there was important work to do. He also knew that he would be spending more than a moment of his future time in reflecting upon why it was that being dangerous seemingly increased a woman's attractiveness. Was it just him or was there a general agreement that such was a case? Was it restricted to hetero male norian viewpoints, or was it a more universal attractant? With a mental wrench he put a pin in the topic to revisit later.

Now that the party was out of the rain, Atae decided to remove his helmet and attached it to the hardpoint on his hip. The analyst slowly slid into the nearest chair, giving himself time to adjust to the way the environment metaphorically punched him in the face from the first breath. Even with the nasal filters in place and operational, there was a harsh background tang of unwashed people, untamed wilderness and machinery. Although it was to be expected, Atae honestly didn't think he would be able to remain functional without the filtration massively dampening the sensory flow and couldn't even begin to imagine how much the norians who seemingly lived here had suffered. As he attempted to minimise any display of the olfactory distress he found himself in, Atae resolved to harden himself to sensory overstimulation. Like you could build up a tolerance to most poisons by taking a little each day, surely he could likewise increasingly expose himself to intense sensory input until he somewhat immunised himself against it?

The analyst made a mental note to see if he could acquire a copy of these 'Tenets of Iron' for the Alyelume's library - if only to get a better understanding of who the Iron Company were trying to be. Manifestos, creeds and constitutions were useful in learning about the heart and soul of the organisation they referenced. Naturally the reality of the organisation often fell somewhat short of said lofty ideals, but the founding principles were always a good point to work from. While his preference was to investigate financials and asset flows, Atae had done such foundational analysis in the past as it was often easier to identify schisms and potential faction alliances when you could understand the common ground such entities stood upon. It might prove a fun exercise to take these 'Tenets of Iron' and game out how a fictional Iron Company would expand in a new universe using said tenets as its ground rules. Comparing it against the records of the Iron Company since arriving in the Kagami galaxy could prove illuminating.

A quick //"Will do."// with grateful overtones was sent back to Ryllae, although he was privately expecting his sister to find trouble before he did. Fortunately the considerably more worldly first officer would be on hand to deal with any problems before they became such. Or at least, that was his hope and hopefully it wouldn't prove to be a forlorn one. On the other hand, Ilae hadn't had a lot of reasons to smile or laugh since the death of Tetsuya, so maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she metaphorically let her hair down and had some fun. Maybe he should coordinate with Ryllae to make sure they allowed his Moraes to have enough fun to relax, but not enough that it necessitated them organising a rescue mission to track down and retrieve her. For a moment, but only a moment, Atae had to allow that maybe, just maybe, he was a little overprotective of his sister. Naturally, he immediately dismissed that thought as utterly ridiculous.

As his grandfather talked about the nature of the 'Tenets of Iron' and whether they shaped the Iron Company or the Company's nature shaped them instead, Atae took a small helping of the dark bread and some of the fruit. While he knew the odds of finding something he would enjoy as much as Dar-achosash was vanishingly small, the analyst held out hope that he might find them enjoyable. One was an aggregate fruit of some sort, a small cluster of what he guessed were drupelet-type berries and the other was a slice of something large, maybe a multiple fruit, that was pale-orange in colour. Atae figured he would be safe with the bread and fruit but carefully avoided the cheese and, having no desire to spend most of the next day attached to a toilet, was keeping as far as he could from the meat.

He paused nibbling at the food to tilt his head in greeting as Adrin introduced him to Steiner. He found it a point of interest that his grandfather obliquely mentioned Katara but didn't include Atae's connection with the Yaducath Intelligence Agency, but showed no further reaction than a raised eyebrow. The analyst returned to eating, as the others were introduced in turn, finding the fare to be pleasant, albeit strange. He would still make sure to have some digestive medication on standby after he returned to the Alyelume though, just in case.

//"Good for you, Moraes! You could use more friends!"// he teased Ilae affectionately via vesper, glad to see she had been reaching out and connecting with what appeared to be another young woman. //"Maybe you could have a play date or a sleepover! Braid each other's hair and talk about boys!"// Okay, maybe that was taking the teasing a little too far, but hey, as the big brother he was supposed to go too far every now and then. It said so in The Rulebook, after all: 'And thou shall, from time unto time, make thyself burdensome upon thine siblings, lest they hath cause to forget that thou art the eldest'. Still it was imperative that he not stray into 'big brother bully' territory so, once his mouth was empty, he verbally addressed Steiner. "If you can permit it, Grandmaster, I would encourage you to permit such a performance. My sister is quite talented with her chosen instrument and, given recent events, hasn't had much opportunity to play to an audience."

Nara

As the drone's swirled about serving food, Nara's gaze flicked to Alex who had silently bid them to ignore him. Nara placed a few norian friendly items onto her plate, listening to Adrin as he began introductions. Adrin had begun things with the man sitting next to her, Atae. She looked up a moment casting him a small analytical side glance, then went back to her plate as Adrin continued introductions. Atae was rather attractive and seemed quiet, she wondered if he had any books or interesting things to chat about. Ilae seemed interesting, she made Auli'i smile, that was all that really mattered to Nara besides Atae and Ilae being Eitans. Then of course Ryllae she knew, they were sisters.

When Adrin's introductions wrapped up a drone with liquor dispensed some of Nara's favorite non-norian made liquor into her cup. "Oooo yes," she thought quietly to herself as her eyes lit up, her hands reached out to caress the cup as if it were a rare prized book. Then her ears twitched as she heard Atae's voice that was every bit as to her ears as he was to look at. Slowly she took a sip of her drink hoping that he had not caught her looking at him.

Ryllae

Ryllae had put an assortment of food on her plate. Thankfully she had brought some enzyme supplements with her just in case she accidentally ingested some animal proteins. She had just gotten over the uncomfortable ship-mom feeling that Atae's grateful overtones reminded her of when she heard Adrin's compliment. Ryllae looked up towards Steiner, awkwardly nodded, then took a sip of liquor from her cup. She to looked to Atae as he spoke after Ilae about a musical performance, Ryllae wondered to herself what the Grandmaster would have to say about the request.

Naika

Naika's ears twitched happily when she heard Uaeso's genuine laughter, it brought a smile to her face. When he gently cupped her cheek she gently leaned into his touch almost nuzzling his hand as he brushed the stray drop of water away. Before he took his hand away she captured it in-between her hands and gave it a little kiss, then she released his hand back to him.

Uaeso's soft warm voice washed all her worries away, that is until he said he did not deserve her. She jerked to standing up right and looked him right in the eyes. "Uaeso Eitan!" she stomped defiantly in the mud sending bits of it splashing upwards. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You are my best friend. You are a kind and loving partner. You are an amazing father to our son Arkos. I would not trade anything for what we have as a family." Naika's gaze softened, "I am not letting you go, you are stuck with me for eternity. Okay? Okay," she said in a soft voice tinged with a bit of fiery sass as she wound down from him saying he didn't deserve her. With a resounding nod and a slight smirk she patiently waited for him to continue. In those few moments she did not even notice the rain falling on her.

As his tone turned more serious she raised her eyebrow, though her concerns sated by the tenderness laced within his words. Her head tilted curiously, a questioning look in her crystal blue eyes as Uaeso hesitated. Naika let the idea settle, not reacting for a few seconds. She had an idea of what he was going to ask without him outright asking her. A small smile spread across her face when he finished, that last sentence indicated exactly what she had expected. "Then that is what we will do," she said with a resounding nod as the smile on her face grew just a touch.

When he laced his fingers through hers she gave his hand a little squeeze, her eyes looked upon him filled with a boundless love. "You and Arkos will always be my life, my priority. No matter what happens, we are yours." She watched as he tilted his head back again, half-tempted to do it herself just one last time. Then his hand tugged hers, bringing her gaze back to him just in time to prevent it. Naika threw him a teasing look, "I bet it tastes much better on you," she vespered. Without another word she took the lead, tugging his hand gently.

"No need for apologies," Steiner replied, nodding in understanding at Adrin's line of inquiry, "If one spends long enough in the same lines of work as we, I too would be questioning such things were I in your position." He thought back to the recently issued bounty on the Senti and how close they'd come into conflict with the "Galactic Litterbox" as Tacho often called it because of it-honestly it'd make for a far more interesting battle than the conflicts they currently faced-gribblies, the Craethel-it was all the same-gibbering hordes of monstrous creations and slave soldiers mixed in with cores of elite shock units and technological horrors-it'd become a bit stale at times-though battling the latter at least kept things interesting with their combination of magic and technology. Still, musing aside, pissing off major powers seemed to be yet another reoccurring theme in their misadventures. "As for the tenants change and whether its and anchor or a banner to be raised and lowered...that is the question, isn't it?" He leaned back in his chair, lost in thought as he stared at the meal before him.

He had to choose his words carefully, so there be no misunderstandings-perhaps he should have brought the drone.

"Deviations, as stated, have occurred," The grandmaster continued, looking back to the older man, "Circumstances, be they external or internal-be it a battlefield situation or even a simple change in leadership, may result in certain laws being twisted in interpretation-if they ever were interpreted as intended at all-or even ignored outright." A long and storied history before the Schsim and him taking over after had shown that much. "Take for a lesser example one of the tenants dictated that all Company members must hold the truth with every breath should they speak to another," He continued, raising his hand as he spoke, "Whether our own or an outsider." He chuckled, if his voice was heard properly it would be a dark, mocking thing, "Cliche as hell, I believe the Nepleslain I spoke with called it, but that could be easily twisted-speaking the truth is a tricky thing as it is completely subject to interpretation without hard evidence to back it up, not to mention that even if one were to hold true it can be gotten around by simply omission or creatively interpreting the line of questioning-the former something I admit I have been occasionally guilty of at times-not intentionally mind you." Well, most of the time, though the majority of it was simply forgetting some detail or another till after the fact. "I know it may not be much of an example, but it does at least provide an example."

"As for survival...that is the question, is it not?" He lowered his hand before sighing, "When it comes to such a goal-is survival a means to an end, or is it the end goal itself?" He thought back to that city he'd been fighting in and the near miss with the submarine-that had been a hellish campaign that he had no desire to repeat. "The men under my command, and myself even before my internment for that matter have been in situations many a time where simple survival was the end goal-due to the battlefield situation devolving to the point where even basic necessities became hard to come by and men become little better than animals." And that was the point where you had to walk a delicate balancing act between control and ensuring you own made it through and keep a tight leash on your men-how often had tragedy occurred due to despariation? "But how much can one justify in the name of this goal...whether it be simply withdrawing from a bad situation, or sacrificing lives in order to ensure the survival of a greater, or," He added darkly, his monotone taking on a slightly deeper pitch, "Sometimes lesser whole." Nobilty were fond of this on occasion-he recalled the world that Morris had come from-an engagement with beastkin had turned into a bloodbath as the local baron had used several outlying villages as bait so a handful of administrators could be evacuated-they'd done their best to save who and what they could, but so many had died that day...he should have killed the bastard, though the threat of instability had stayed his hand.

The death of their universe had likely seen to his demise-had he had anything to inherit, Revjak likely would've broken contract to take over his father's holdings.

"Some may mistake this for trying to justify actions taken or perhaps cowardice, but the reality is that situations on the ground are not so black and white, or perhaps as I stated, I am justifying things to make them more palatable-that is where rub is; as stated one can easily lose themselves if they continue this practice for too long." He felt tired, so very tired all of a sudden. "I hope this answer is satisfactory."

He looked to the pair, "I am pleased to meet both of you." Giving a slight bow he nodded to the woman."If you wish, a little music would not be remiss."

Despite his abrupt change in subject, the conversation still weighed heavily on him, making him question himself and the company as a whole and their actions up until this point was a sobering thing...

Ilae smiled, her expression warm and serene, as she tucked a stray strand of her hair behind one of her elegantly pointed, elf-like Norian ears. The gesture felt almost ritualistic, a quiet prelude to what was to come. From her back, she carefully removed the Zol’rausir case—a long, slender container crafted from lacquered wood with accents of inlaid metals that shimmered faintly under the light. With a soft clunk, the case opened, revealing its precious contents: an instrument of unparalleled beauty.

The Zol’rausir seemed almost alive in its craftsmanship, its polished wooden frame dark and lustrous, with intricate carvings that depicted Norian symbols of unity, growth, and harmony. These carvings were interwoven with delicate leaf and vine motifs that traced along the instrument’s sides, giving it an organic, almost otherworldly aesthetic. The fine metallic strings stretched tautly across one side of the frame, positioned over a small resonant chamber integrated seamlessly into its design. On the other side, the flute’s airflow path bore precisely arranged holes, their placement as much an art as a science, designed for breath control and tonal intricacy.

Ilae lifted the instrument gently, her hands moving with practiced familiarity. As she placed her lips against the mouthpiece, her fingers found their positions on the strings, resting lightly with the promise of motion. When she began to play, the Zol’rausir seemed to awaken. Its surface emitted a faint iridescence, a soft glow that pulsed gently in time with her breath and the vibrations of the strings. The light was subtle yet captivating, as though the instrument itself resonated with the music it produced.

The sound that filled the air was nothing short of magical. A rich tapestry of tones unfolded, where the ethereal, airy notes of the flute wove seamlessly with the resonant warmth of the strings. Each note shimmered with layered harmonics, creating a soundscape that was both otherworldly and deeply moving. The melody seemed to flow like a river, effortlessly blending the soft whispers of wind with the earthy depth of stringed resonance.

As she played, a subtle shift occurred in the atmosphere. Her vesper activated, an intangible force that radiated from her in waves, carrying with it the essence of her joy and warmth. For those sensitive to the Norian vesper or deeply attuned to emotional energy, the effect was immediate and profound. It was as though Ilae's happiness at meeting new people became their own, spreading like sunlight breaking through clouds. Norians nearby may feel a deep sense of welcome and connection, while others with even the faintest receptivity to such energies experienced an uplifting surge of joy and curiosity.

The melody seemed to dance, capturing not just sound but emotion, weaving an invisible thread of harmony between Ilae and her audience. It wasn’t merely music; it was an expression of her spirit, a gift of connection that transcended words.

Auli'i watched in awe as she listened, while she may have found amusement in the translation of the instruments name, now she was silent as she listened feeling something else.

Adrin​

As Adrin sat contemplating the recent conversation with Steiner, the weight of their discussion pressed heavily upon his shoulders. The talk had stirred the depths of his buried guilt, the what-ifs that came with the hindsight of tragedy. He pondered whether returning sooner from Ayenee could have prevented the cascade of crises now enveloping them. Hindsight, with its merciless clarity, offered no comfort ~ only the stark realization of missed opportunities and delayed reconciliations.

The introduction of his grandchildren and crew, a moment that should have been rich with familial bonding, felt overshadowed by his prolonged absence. Their shared ordeal, a relentless fight for survival, had jump-started their relationships, but it wasn't the foundation he had hoped to build upon. The gap between him and his closer kin, like Tetsuya or Rin, remained a silent chasm filled with unshared experiences and unspoken words.

Adrin sensed a similar impact from their exchange lingering in Steiner's demeanor. War, that merciless arbiter, often demanded harsh choices from the best of men—choices that left indelible marks on their souls. The poignant melodies of Illae’s serenade momentarily soothed the room, easing the tension that had built up around the dinner table. Adrin used this brief respite to serve himself some food and pour a drink, his thoughts momentarily drifting to the potent liquors of Ayenee, whose strength was enough to curl anyone's toes.

As he sipped the foreign alcohol, each taste a sharp reminder of distant lands, Adrin allowed himself a moment to appreciate the small comforts amidst the turmoil. Yet, the serenity of the music and the ritual of the meal did little to quell the undercurrent of his deeper reflections. War had shaped him, as it had shaped Steiner, into figures carved by necessity and survival. Now, as they both faced the echoes of past conflicts and the reality of new ones, Adrin realized the importance of forging connections, not just for the sake of legacy, but for the healing such bonds could bring to their war-torn spirits. Hopefully his grandchildren could stir up some better conversation.

He raised his glass and toasted, "To victories old and new, to the Imperium and the Iron Company and the adventures to come."

//"How are you holding up?"// he vespered Ryllae.

Uaeso​

As Uaeso handed Naika her cup, his eyes reflected a blend of awe and incredulity. The surrealness of their situation—fleeing one universe, emerging into another fraught with its own complexities ~ lingered between them like an unsolvable riddle. He leaned closer to Naika, his voice low and intimate as he vespered, the faint smile still playing on his lips, //"Everything has changed so fast. It's like we're in a completely different world now. I mean we are, but you know I mean..."//

His hand found hers, fingers intertwining as they settled into their seats. The warmth from his touch was meant to reassure, a silent promise that whatever this new reality held, they would face it together. Uaeso glanced around at the gathered individuals, his grandfather among them, a man more myth than mentor in his life thus far. The room buzzed with the energy of new alliances and old ties, a dynamic tapestry of relationships he and Naika were only just beginning to weave themselves into.

He squeezed Naika's hand gently, his attention drifting back to her, grounding himself in the familiarity of her presence. //"No matter how strange things get, I'm just glad we're here together. It makes all the unknowns a little less daunting."// His tone was soft, filled with the deep-seated affection and reliance he placed in their bond.