Mechanical flowers can bloom even in winter

[mecha_eihwaz]

[The other person on the ship that just arrived on White Chalice? Yup, it's Lily.]

Is this on...? Right! Hello again, everyone. I bring good news! The increase in Chaos activity back at Cosmic Ark was stopped, and the council decided it's time to aid Earth! In a few months, our warriors and scientists should arrive, to help you fight both normal enemies and environmental problems. I'm sure they will help find a cure for the Ruin, among other things.

In the meantime, my mission is to survey the current situation. We know very little about Kairos Aspida, after all, especially their stance towards non-human sentient life. I hope they didn't give you too much trouble in the meantime...

It's good to be back. I keep going away from White Chalice and returning, and every time, I feel the same way.

Comments

[space_macgyver]

Hey Lily! Welcome back.

So things are better at your place too? That's great to hear!

[mecha_eihwaz]

It wasn't anything like Kissril, fortunately. Just a usual spike in Chaos attacks; their activity goes up and down with time. Nothing Angel Force couldn't handle.

Kairos Aspida is a bigger problem.

[space_macgyver]

Oh yeah, about that. We're having a Christmas party together with the KA people.

[mecha_eihwaz]

Does that mean Santa Claus will show up?

[space_macgyver]

Huh?

[mecha_eihwaz]

Santa. His presence is an important part of Christmas.

I did my research on Earth's culture.

[space_macgyver]

Oh.

You know he's not real, right?

[mecha_eihwaz]

I...

Anyway, this is a rare and special opportunity that cannot be missed!

1/2

[space_macgyver]

Agreed on that. It'd be nice to talk things over with Kairos Aspida instead of fighting all the time.

2/2

[space_macgyver]

...

[Tick tick tick.

Ding!]

Wait, you mean you really didn't know?!

[mecha_eihwaz]

It's not my fault that most human beliefs are a confusing mixture of fact and fiction!

[space_macgyver]

That's a thing, isn't it? No need to believe in what is real already. But if it's all a lie, that makes it too hard to believe it!

[mecha_eihwaz]

Can we go back to talking about Kairos Aspida...?

[space_macgyver]

Right, right!

[mecha_eihwaz]

So... Did you fight a lot with them? How did it work out?

[space_macgyver]

Quite poor actually. They usually hand us our butts.

There was one time with Biff but I think he was trying to be a jerk rather than fight us for real.

[mecha_eihwaz]

That's... Not promising.

[space_macgyver]

You said it.

It's a good thing they got smarter and want to talk and not just fire guns at us.

[mecha_eihwaz]

I hope this works out. I still don't know what's their stance on Cosmic Ark.

[space_macgyver]

They seem to think all alien races are hostile... or used to be in case of Irgelions.

Good question, that one. Let's ask them when we get the chance.

[mecha_eihwaz]

That's prejudice. Humans are an alien race too! From my point of view, at least.

[space_macgyver]

Between Invaders, Festum and other space horrors, I don't think people will stop liking Kairos Aspida just because they're prejudiced against non-humans.

[mecha_eihwaz]

But most of those are defeated already... Scars really do run deep.

[space_macgyver]

They are in our time. But what about Kairos Aspida's? I know Inspectors came and wrecked their shit pretty badly and no one could stop them, but what about the others?

[mecha_eihwaz]

I wonder did I even arrive on Earth in their timeline...

[space_macgyver]

The way in which you arrived was a bit weird, right? It's been a while, so I don't remember all the details.

[mecha_eihwaz]

Does crashing into a castle wall from orbit count as weird?

[space_macgyver]

... Not by White Chalice standards.

[mecha_eihwaz]

I'm reminded why I missed Earth now.

[sexygodofscienceandwar]

Hey, Lily rain! Long time no see!

[Enter Roads, accompanied by book-loli.]

[mecha_eihwaz]

Hello, Roads! Who's your friend?

[sexygodofscienceandwar]

Oh, that's Eibon. She's-



-his sex slave.

...A consumate liar.

[mecha_eihwaz]

What.

[sexygodofscienceandwar]

EIBON I THOUGHT WE AGREED THIS ROUTINE WASN'T FUNNY AFTER THE THIRD TIME


Master uses me to slake his perverse lusts and warm his bed at night. And when he's in a bad mood, he rips off my clothes and-

[Eibon is quickly shut up by Roads clamping a hand over her mouth.]

Anyways she's a magical book that's older than the english language-

[He stops talking as she bites down on his hand, hard.]
-And has quite...a...mouth...

[mecha_eihwaz]

I can see that...

Are you sure you're trying to make her stop spouting horrible slander and not quiet down the truth? In a way I'm a cop, you know.

[sexygodofscienceandwar]

Yes I am aware that you are a space cop with more firepower on your person than most entire precincts.

But you've known me for what, how long? And my life has been how crazy in that time? So please believe me when I tell you she's actually a 2 and a half million year old magical book I formed a contract with to help defeat cthulhu, and we do not engage in sexual intercourse.

[His hand starts bleeding...]

[mecha_eihwaz]

Yeah, I think you're right. Besides, I doubt White Chalice would suddenly let such things happen on board when I wasn't around!

And you, could you please stop biting him? Roads isn't edible.

[paladin_robot]

Man, its been so long... Good to see you again Lily. Hope things weren't too hectic without us.

[mecha_eihwaz]

It's alright, Mr Richard. Cosmic Ark is filled with all kinds of warriors, including many of my friends! We manage it all just fine on our own.

Now, how hectic things were on Earth in the meantime...

[paladin_robot]

Drop the 'mister' - we're friends, aren't we?

[Richard is pretty much beaming at this encounter, if wincing slightly when she asks how things have been.]

Well... we've lost a few good people. I was almost among them. On the other hand, we've also kept the situation from getting any worse, and hell, I know magic now. Like, properly trained and everything.

[He says, flicking a flame from his finger.]

[mecha_eihwaz]

I guess casualties are unavoidable when you're getting into so many conflicts... At least you're safe.

Is it real magic? Not just an in-built flame thrower?

[paladin_robot]

[Richard pulls back his sleeve, before flicking the flame away. He utters some small words, and then summons the sword he forged under Isaac's tutelage to his hands.]

Real as it gets. Still learning a few things from the tome my Master gave me, but at least it doesn't have to come alive for me to do so.

[mecha_eihwaz]

Hey, that's pretty great! What else can you do? Throw magic missiles? Teleport around? Summon creatures to do your bidding?

[paladin_robot]

Well... in theory, though I probably need to learn those from the book. I can cast all the spells used by Ideigi, but also use a variety of minor charms and spells, plus a few bits of alchemy here or there.

[mecha_eihwaz]

But Ideigi can't do most of the things I just described, can it...

[What's this? Disappointment?]

[paladin_robot]

Yes, but I just said I can do other stuff as well. My spells aren't just from Ideigi anymore.

[And to demonstrate, he pulls a small spanner from his pocket, the kind he's probably got more than a few of. He utters a few small words, and suddenly, metal gives way to planet life, a small bouquet in his hands.]

...Master said I should use this one around women, never could figure out why.

[mecha_eihwaz]

Hey, that's a neat trick! Are they made from metal or plant matter? Do they smell?

[Lily looks at the flowers up close.]

How old is your master, by the way?