Private A Survey of Kindred Souls

[Seren Maeve]

Location: Titan's Point, Illyria
Tag: Asori Soto

Sieur Seren Maeve, elevated after increasing factory efficiency by identifying and correcting various matters such as damaged machinery. Most active in the evening it scarcely surprised those closest to her to learn of her nocturnal heritage, though the Vampirika had not gone so far as to flout it before the townsfolk. Speculation of some natural not typical of other Illyrians were murmured here or there, but so long as no one showed violent tendencies the Sieur found no cause to intervene. Let them say what they will. So long as the rumor did not turn against her, it may even prove useful.

Even so, their Sieur was no absent in the daylight hours. Her dark complexion hid a scientific marvel of her own design. One developed before she had stepped out of the shadows. It was not impervious to the sun's rays, but it forestalled a great deal of the negative effects of its exposure. Seren still continued to wear appropriate attire and wide brim hats to limit exposure. There was no need to tempt fate too reliant upon her invention, after all.

As her town worked to refine the ores produced on Illyria and manufacture goods for its people, the Vampirika sat in study of reports. They were not a wealthy town, but their efforts were vital to Illyria's elevation all the same. It was paramount to spend their limited resources to maximize the gains locally in order to provide those elsewhere. Not an easy task. Especially when other Lords or Ladies were not forthcoming, and Seren had to resort to eyes-and-ears in the shadows.

It would have been easier if the political brinkmanship were not present, but the Sieur did not waste time lamenting what was. Better to work toward what could yet be.

Today, her examination of reports might come in another form. A personal visit from one of Illyria's scientists. There had been a team of them skulking about for quite some time in the surrounding regions. It was about time they had a little chat about their work. After all, Titan's Point was not a wealthy town, but that would not always be so.

Drinks and snacks had been prepared to receive a guest. Seren hoped it would prove fruitful on multiple levels. If nothing else meeting more people of the world could open up new opportunities later, even if they did not do so immediately. As a Vampirika, the Sieur was content to bide her time; but she did have to balance that with the impatience and needs of those whom she led, and whose lives were far shorter.

 

[Asori Soto]

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Location: Titan's Point
Wearing: xxx
Tag: Seren Maeve
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Asori had drawn the short straw, it seemed.

Or, had she?

She was the furthest thing from a proper Illyrian scientist, lacking a royal commission and immigration status for starters, but her instantly-likeable and competent-seeming air allowed her to play with them nonetheless. The science troupe that she had found herself in the company of the days before now had taken her into their fold not as a real colleague but as a pilot instead when their public transport to a study area around Titan's Point was suddenly cancelled. Her child- and teenhood past as a the navigator and sometime flygirl on a hyperspace trading freighter had finally paid off in context of her academic career.

But they were studying metallurgy, a subject that Asori knew admittedly little about. She could apply what she did know about geology, but she was waiting to make that offer until she was very sure it would be well-received. Scientists, including her, were a clique-y, rather secretive lot: they did not appreciate the unsolicited input of strangers on their pet projects, even if those strangers offered a new set of eyes.

And so she took to gracefully biding her time, which included doing whatever they bid. The lead scientist, Dr. Estelle Beaumont, upon hearing of the local Sieur's desire to meet with one of her employees if not them all, she elected to send their valet in their stead.

Asori shuffled up to the meeting hall to which she had been beckoned. Her palms were only slightly clammy. She adjusted her grip on her powered-down datapad, loaded with her best integalactic research. If the good doctor didn't seem receptive to Asori's intellectual prowess, maybe the Sieur would be.

 

[Seren Maeve]

Seren lifted her head to an attendant that had ushered Asori into her home. A slight nod indicated the woman should be shown in after a moment.

The Vampirika's golden gaze fell upon a woman whose face the Sieur was already acquainted with. Not that Asori would have any memory as they had never met in person nor held any sort of call. Seren simply didn't like not knowing whom she would be dealing with and even public records were better than nothing at all. To say Asori was the one the Sieur expected would be greatly overstating matters. Now it was time to see how far the charade would go.

"Welcome. Come in," Seren bid the woman with a warm tone. Slowly the Vampirika rose to her feet and extended a hand toward Asori.

After their initial introduction, the Sieur inquired, "Would you care for a drink?" Her hand then gestured in the direction of a table off to the side with a variety of bottles. Not all were alcoholic, though Asori might want to inquire about those not labeled in some manner.

"I appreciate you taking the time to meet. I'm certain you have people of my station take up much of your time to flout their authority. I assure you that is not the case today. I'm something of an inventor, and can appreciate the hard work of those diligently exploring the makeup of our bodies, our world, or our galaxy." Seren smiled and paused to give the woman a chance to talk. A chance to explain the circumstances of her own presence, and what she hoped to accomplish.

Tag: Asori Soto