Move 3.1 Recap

The Cantata returns to Ashari's base in a very private universe.

Four hours before the party: Ashari and Sasha; meeting with Alaric, Aymad, and Remi

Sasha reports to Ashari. She finds they are distracted and under the influence of a mild intoxicant. They say, "You captured the target? Well, I suppose it's the least of our problems. Did you know that in this base's timeline, there's no heptarchate or hexarchate at all? We've had to bring in all our supplies from other timelines." With false sweetness, Sasha asks, "What is our greatest immediate problem, in your estimation?" Ashari tells her, "We have been listening for any communications from anyone in the galaxy. Nothing. Absolutely zero. Not even old radio communications from the pre-ansible days. Something I could use your help in figuring out, you're technical. If something ate the hexarchate, I want to know what. But never mind that--I have to make some last preparations. You can tell me all about your adventures later."

Ashari leaves before Sasha can ask more questions. She holds a brief meeting with Alaric, Aymad, and Remi, and informs them of the strange lack of communications. She then familiarizes herself with the base's grid, limiting outside signals as best she can.

In the kitchen: Ashari, Dar, Deyna, Sulen, and Shess

Dar and Ashari are arguing about the sequence of food. Dar tells them, "Look, if you insist I have to do it, boss, but if we put that dish of nnongzhing pickle out right now, most of 'em won't be able to smell or taste the rest of the food. The Kel can wait, it'll do 'em good." She asks Deyna to take a tray of stuffed buns out "to the big table", then notices Shess's mochi tarts: "So that's what you were up to. Good. That huge platter is going to be the sweets, but we don't need them out for a while yet."

Sulen enters the kitchen and asks whether anything is vegan. Dar and Deyna bow in greeting. With some dismay, Shess says, "Oh, sorry, the ones I've finished contain honey, but I could probably make the violet ones without. That is, if you don't mind violet." They ask Dar about the ingredients in the other dishes. Dar tells them, "Yeah, yeah, the mushroom buns are vegan-safe, the veg skewers are if you use the bean dip, so are the crispbreads and curry dip coming out later, and for sweets, the glutinous rice balls with jujube filling and the sorbet should be OK, likewise the grilled fruit skewers. I got ya covered, kids." Watching the bustle and sipping a euphoric, Ashari says, "Well, I'm glad that's settled. I suppose the pickles can wait after all."

Deyna rolls her eyes at Dar's back and smiles at Sulen: "I'm going to put labels out. Dar didn't say anything about allergies or anything, so if there's other stuff to know about you should tell me now." Dar says, "I'll have the grid print the ingredients."

Ashari smiles toothily at Sulen, asking, "How was the trip? Sasha told me you recruited the target. You'll have to tell me how that happened, sometime." Shess glances at Ashari, worried. Taking a tentative step toward Ashari, Sulen says, "I would like to. As soon as you have the time. I would be interested in hearing what you've been doing." They remember the joy they used to take in letters from Ashari.

Ashari brushes Sulen off: "I don't want to bore you with the minutiae of running this base. Things have been quite busy. But there will be time enough tomorrow, after the party, to discuss next steps, given that we're all alone." Sulen says, "That's not quite true at this moment." More quietly, they add, "Sasha isn't sure it's true in a larger sense, either." Ashari says, "What's Sasha's analysis? Whisper it in my ear, darling." Sulen stays where they are, speaking even more quietly: "Sasha conversed with the moth. It apparently spoke of predators. Remaining here does not seem a safe course." Closing their eyes, they add, "On a personal level, I would prefer it if you were somewhere safer." Ashari says, "Yes, but on what timescale? I'll talk to her when an opportunity presents itself. Safety is not something any of us are likely to see much of, eh?" Torn between leaving and staying close to Ashari, Sulen says, "Of course. I like the flowers."

Dar warns, "OK, hot stuff coming out." Collecting the now-printed ingredient lists, Deyna says, "I'll set things out? Or I can do dishes." Dar says, "Thank you, sweetheart. Yeah, take out the buns. Good idea about the labels. After that, there's the big mixing bowls. But don't you want to go hang out, have some drinks?" Deyna answers, "The less cleanup afterward the better. My mother used to tell me that cleaning as you go makes the food taste better. I'll get a drink later."

Discomfited by the complex interpersonal dynamics, Shess says, "I, er, think I'll take one of these skewer arrangements out to the party, maybe get a drink?" Deyna hands them a second plate: "Then we should have everything sorted. Thanks." Quietly, she adds, "Get me a drink while I put the placards out?"

notes

Ashari & Sulen

Deyna: Dar has apparently slotted her into some sort of category -- her reactions to Deyna have changed slightly, even if Deyna can't pinpoint why or how. She's fine with that; she knows she comes from a low-prestige world (and presumably Dar's universe holds similar thoughts about her home), and that's a kind of anger she's intimately familiar with. It can sit in her chest for a while longer, until it either deescalates into trust or explodes in a reckless burst.

Shess & Deyna alliance