Faction Science often spills blood

[Laphisto]

The market square of Bastion was alive in its usual state of ordered chaos. Stonework avenues were choked with stalls and makeshift kiosks, every corner draped in cloth banners of muted colors or strung with glowing strips of light. The din of voices filled the air vendors shouting prices, customers haggling, children darting between carts layered over the mechanical whine of hovercarts carrying crates and the rhythmic clang of tools striking metal.

Scents collided in the air: spiced meats roasting on open braziers, bitter stimulants brewing in copper pots, the tang of machine oil from droid parts stacked in piles, and the dry dust kicked up by so many boots scuffing against the plaza floor. Street performers added their own discordant rhythm, drums and whistles competing against the chatter, while security patrols in teal armor worked their way through the crowd, their presence watchful but not intrusive.

Amidst the press of bodies and sound, one detail stood out from the flow: a crimson lantern hung above a narrow stall near the western edge of the square. Its light flickered faintly, swaying in the breeze, a simple but unmistakable marker. The stall itself blended easily with its neighbors, its goods concealed beneath layered cloths and its keeper half-lost in shadow. Only the lantern gave it distinction, the single sign set out for one who had been sent word beforehand.

The letter delivered to Liin Terallo spoke of opportunity, of records and knowledge long hidden, of a chance to advance research that had stalled against Bastion's guarded walls. It was a message without signature, sealed only with the geometric stamp of the archives. And it had pointed here, to this very square, where the mundane and the clandestine brushed shoulders without ever acknowledging one another. Now, the appointed place waited. The crimson lantern glowed, the crowd surged and swirled, and somewhere within the bustle, answers lay ready for discovery.

 

[Liin Terallo]

The letter had arrived in an unusual fashion. It had been slipped through a tiny gap between the door of my laboratory and it's floor. I was alerted to it's arrival by the speciman that Mr. Usher had given me some time ago. It tapped on it's atrium with it's centipede-like feet to catch my attention, pulling me away from my microscope.

At first I had thought that the letter might of been written by Saul. But the penmanship was too perfect. The content of the letter was curious enough to compel me to investigate.

Another tap on the glass shifted my focus, returning it to the specimen. It's form twisted and reshaping as many of it's legs moved up onto it's back to make it appear as though it was covered in barbed quills. "No, you cannot come with me. It will be too public with too many people. And yes, I know that you can watch over me, but I need you here to guard the laboratory. You need to protect it's secrets." The brave specimen had nearly given up it's life to save me from a Chiss bounty hunter. And so I have rewarded it with plenty of food and a larger atrium to reside in. Some might find it terrifying to look at; but the same could be said about his master Mister Usher as well. Their frightening looks do not make them untrustworthy.

Hours later I found myself in the square designated in the letter. And perhaps even against my better judgement I had sent word for Saul to meet me here. I had not told him about the letter. I carry it within a pocket of my dress, however it's words are memorized. It instructed me to find a crimson lantern. Yet due to my colorblindness; I cannot point it out. But Saul could. I am sure of it.

Now I just waited for him to arrive amongst the sea of folks mingling in an around the square.

Tags: Laphisto Saul Whesai

 

[Saul Whesai]

Saul wasn't sure what to make of Liin's request to walk with her to a crimson lantern meant, and yet he still came. Waving to her as they met a couple of blocks away, she would see him have a holstered VM-19 blaster on his utility belt. Dressed in his casual punk outfit as he walked up to her with a wave. "Glad to see you wanted a second date so soon. Oh here..." He reached out a pair of glasses into her hand. If she tried them on, the custom lenses would allow her to hopefully at least see some colors. They were abit pricey but such an important person like she was was worth investing in.

As they walked, Saul softly whistled to himself as he tried to dare himself to hold her hand but seeing how his last attempt at romancing the scientific queen went, he decided to keep his hands in his pockets. The last thing they needed was to make a scene out in the open. Helping steer her through the crowded market district, he helped her search for her objective.

Stopping them in front of the intended stall's blood red lantern as it blew in the breeze. "Well, here's where you wanted to go..." Given that Liin had only told him where she had wanted to go without giving him any details, he could only hope that they were in the right place and Liin didn't get them both in a trap by bounty hunters that wanted her hide. Either way, he had a grip on his pistol, just in case.

Laphisto , Liin Terallo , Lyssara Thrynn

 

[Liin Terallo]

I give Saul a hint of a smile as he remarks on this being a second date. Does every interaction have to be considered a date? Is that how it works? Or is he merely toying with me? It does not feel like a date. But then again how would I know? I have no experience with these things unlike everyone else.

I raise a curious eyebrow as he gives me the glasses. "Are they a new type of safety goggles?" There is an odd tint to them. I slip them on stand there for a moment in stunned silence. The tints and shades of everything in view of the lenses is different; more distinctive. They could be very beneficial for my work. I remove them and pocket them next to the letter before linking my arm with Saul's as one should do with a proper escort. "Thank you. I am certain that they will be put to good use."

I allow him to lead me through the market. He knows of what I am looking for, yet even I am in the dark as to why I want to be there. The promise of aid in my research is very much a draw. But it could also be a ruse for someons to gain my research. At least I had brought none of it with me.

We had arrived. And Saul had mentioned as much. "Yes, it seems so. Unless there are more crimson lanterns about?" I can only hope that there is not.

Tags: Saul Whesai Laphisto Lyssara Thrynn