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.

Sasha and Sulen; messages with the Cantata

As she walks into the ballroom, Sasha messages the Cantata, "This location may have predators. Please stay alert and plan multiple escape routes to the rift." Sulen approaches her at a table and asks, "Have you seen, or spoken to, Ashari?" Sasha says, "We had a short conversation and they gave me some disturbing news. Have they had a chance to brief you?" Sulen says, "I think they've been preoccupied. Did they seem... how did they seem?" Sasha answers, "Distracted. Brittle. Sulen, if what they told me is true, we shouldn't be having a party, we should be evacuating. Will you speak to them?" Sulen says, "They probably haven't told you most of it. I'll speak to them. And I'll be ready for sudden changes of plan." Sasha thanks Sulen, adding "Please tell them, there are creatures in the depths somewhere that prey on moths." She reflects that a creature related to moths might be able to consume radio waves. Sulen says, "I--creatures? Do we know anything else about these predators?"

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. 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." Sulen says, "Uh, thank you." With a half bow, they add, "Allergies are not a concern, to my knowledge." Deyna says, "Great. Thank you." She copies Sulen's half-bow. Dar mutters, "Pardon," discomfited by Sulen's formality.

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?" Shess says, "Sure. And you're welcome. Is there anything in particular you'd like? To drink, I mean. Though I don't know what they have." After a slight pause, Deyna says, "I wouldn't mind something alcoholic, but I don't think I need to get drunk. Just not sober. But if you can't find any booze, don't worry. I don't need it that bad."

At the drinks table: Deyna, Sasha, and Shess

Sasha is filling small glasses with alcohol. She greets Shess by their full name: "We're going to toast, in a minute. There is a glass here for you and one for Caro Deyna--unless you would like to take this tray around? The flutes hold water." Deyna says, "I'll have a drink, if that's all right. I could use it. Zuhrovet, is it? Zuhrovet Sasha?" Giving her a glass, Sasha says, "Just Sasha works, for most purposes. And you are Caro Deyna. Should we toast a round or two with just us, before things get formal?"

Shess apologizes, "Sorry, lost in my own little world there for a moment. I haven't had this liquor before; is it very strong? If there's going to be a lot of toasting, maybe I should use water for some of it." Grinning at Deyna, Sasha says, "It is approximately 80% grain ethanol by volume." Taking the glass from Sasha, Deyna says, "That sounds perfect. This isn't exactly my usual speed, if you couldn't tell. I'm more of a meat and potatoes kind of person, less of the orders. Hors d'oeuvres. Shess, if you want to stay sober, you can take the tray around while we drink? Or I can do it, after I have some of this." She asks Sasha what kind of grain is in the alcohol. Sasha says, "Yeah, I have no idea what the fuck a potato is. This is long-grain rice from some planet with an elaborate network of cultivated traditional wetlands. At least, that's what the label says. To the rebellion?"

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