Move 3.2 Recap

After Sasha calls for a formal toast, Jedao recognizes Remi as Kujen.

A dramatic reaction: Alaric, Jedao, and Seyli; Reshad and Sulen; messages with Sasha

Jedao notices Remi. His face goes white, and he drains his glass of liquor. Seeing his reaction, Reshad asks in Shuos sign, "Status?" Jedao signs ironically, "An old friend."

Seyli approaches Jedao and asks, "Problem with someone?" Jedao tells them, "Pardon me. I need to report to Sasha when she is not occupied. May I ask the name of your scientist with the mothlings?" Disconcerted by Jedao's formality, Seyli says, "You don't have to talk like that to me." They explain that "Nirai Remi" has "been here since before I joined," and ask why he wants to know. Jedao says, "I'll remember that. Remi? How long has he been with the rebellion, do you know? Or is this a question I should address to someone else?" Frowning, Seyli says, "Without a doubt. Sasha, Sulen, Rashad, they were around when he came aboard."

Carrying a plate of pork ribs, Alaric interjects, "We semi-kidnapped him from - no, wait, I'm thinking of the other one. Our first mission, we were sent to retrieve him. He was doing research on the mothlings, which is why we've got that half of our menagerie. He was very concerned about making sure we brought them along." Seyli chokes on a laugh: "I think Jedao knows we kidnapped him, yes." Still watching Remi, Jedao jokes, "You 'liberated' me. Lean into the propaganda." Alaric says, "No, I'm referring to Gerae, who I'm pretty sure we also took from that station and stuffed in a cell for a while. I'll admit I'm a bit unclear about the exact circumstances; I was busy trying to drug and kidnap our own baby fox at the time and only met him after I recovered Fluffy for him. That entire mission didn't really go as planned." Seyli asks, "Have any of our missions gone according to plan?"

Meanwhile, Sulen notices Jedao's distress and approaches Reshad. They ask, "Is everything all right?" Reshad says carefully, "I don't think we're in any imminent danger. You were here before me. Remi came aboard very early in the timeline, did he not?" Sulen confirms, "Yes. Very early. But I’m from the same time as Jedao, and I am not aware of any historical figure with Remi’s name, appearance or background. Personally, I had assumed he originally died or faded into obscurity without our intervention. He is not the kind of person who rises high in the heptarchate." Reshad tells them, "That's good. I'm hoping what we have is a case of mistaken identity."

Meandering toward the buffet table, Reshad signs to Jedao, "Imminent danger?" He signs back, "I require clarification on a point of identity." He takes one of the euphorics. Reshad signs, "Accepted. He's an early timeline moth scientist. What's target identity? Extract?" He replies, "Request opportunity to deliver full report to you and Sasha in a less crowded setting. Please extract." Reshad tells Sulen, "I'm going to try and pull him out of--that. See if it helps to make this a non-incident." Taking a pastry, she moves toward the group with Jedao, calling, "Jedao, have you met Xiulan and Hana yet? Since we're all doing the rounds." He says, "I don't believe I've had the pleasure," following her. Reshad says, "Well, then, now's your opportunity."

Reshad messages Sasha, "Something is up. Jedao requests report. Soonest is probably best." Using Shuos sign, she tells Jedao that the report has been requested: "Retreat to the moth if you need." Sasha receives the message, and instructs the grid to send an acknowledgment to Reshad. She moves in Jedao's direction. On the way, she picks up a samosa and asks the grid to create a private room using variable layout.

A temporary distraction: Hana, Jedao, Reshad, and Xiulan; interruption from Sasha

Reshad tells Hana and Xiulan, "I wasn't sure if you'd met our other new team member," gesturing toward Jedao. She looks significantly toward Jedao, hoping Xiulan will understand she should look after him, then meanders away, pretending this is still an ordinary party.

Xiulan has noticed Jedao's distress and set down her glass. Recognizing Reshad's signal, she greets Jedao, saying, "I'm Xiulan. Sasha was just telling me you’re the one to talk to about some questions I had. But. I'm remembering we're at a party and some people have strong feelings about shop talk at parties." Jedao says, "On the contrary, parties are the best place for shop talk. But I recognize this is a minority opinion. One of the games we used to play in my academy days was to see just how incriminating conversations we could have at parties without getting called on it. What's it like where you're from?" The euphoric does not appear to be having much effect on him. Xiulan says, "Good opinions aren't always widespread. Often quite the opposite. Different place, different Academy. But not so different in some other ways it sounds like. We had to do something to liven things up after all. I'm from a timeline where there isn't a heptarchate or hexarchate - as far as I know. But I've been in timelines that do for a few years now."

Jedao asks, "Do you prefer a world without a heptarchate? Given your presence in this organization. I assume there are as many dystopias without one as there are with." Xiulan answers, "From what I’ve seen so far? Yes. But that isn’t to say - even a little - that things are perfect back home. There’s a hell of a lot that could be improved. Some in massive ways. But...the things that I’ve heard of that go into maintaining the high calendar here? Every time I think I’ve got a handle on it, something else comes up. There isn’t...that. But I realize it’s not as simple as cutting the head off the snake, to do something here. Leave a vacuum and it sounds like there are a myriad of other oppressions that might roll right in."

Feeling the effects of her own euphorics, Hana says to Jedao, "Oh, this is going to sound so weird, but has anyone told you-? You're the spitting image of, of that guy! First the squid babies and now you, what a day. I wonder who else is coming to the party?" Teasing, Jedao says, "I hope I don't resemble your most obnoxious ex-boyfriend, whatever his name was."

Xiulan remarks, "With this mash up of timelines, I wonder how much more mistaken identities happen. Or if anyone’s yet run into another version of themselves." She looks at Jedao, indicating that she's restraining herself around the intoxicated person. With a fractional nod, Jedao says, "Sasha did say she anticipated going up against another version of me. I'm almost looking forward to the experience. How much do versions of people diverge, does anyone know?" Xiulan answers, "I don't know; I haven’t even heard if there’s been a confirmed instance of two different versions of a person encountering one another. I'd think they could diverge quite a lot...but. Thinking about time travel implications spins up a hundred other questions pretty quickly. Including impact to—all of this. So, sounds like we should ask for a primer on what’s known. And then figure out how to fill in the gaps." Jedao tells her, "I look forward to your analysis once our leadership briefs us. I bet there are a lot of obnoxious ex-boyfriend-alikes out there, which could be distressing..."

Hana says, "Oh, I don't have any ex-boyfriends. Half my students believe boys have cooties and honestly, honestly? I'm fairly certain they're correct. No offense!" Shereaches toward Jedao, trying to pat his cheek, and continues, "You'd be awfully cute if it weren't for looking like, oh, what's-his-name, starts with a J, the fox who killed everyone. Iiiiit... was... Jaydo? Anyway, tough luck, friend. What's your name?" Smiling and dodging, Jedao says, "Alas, you're right, we do all have cooties. My name's Garach Jedao."

Hana says, "What the fuck. Why would your parents name you that??" Drawling, Jedao says, "Just my mom, actually. My sire was noncustodial, and if truth be told it was mostly my older brother done raised me. What 'Jedao' means in the language is 'honesty,' which, of course, no one ever believes." Xiulan says, "Honesty? That must have been fun. Mine’s ‘graceful orchid’, which...I had to kick a brother or two over that one. I'm not sure who was behind it; my father, I guess." She nods and adds, "I think Sasha is looking for you."

Sasha, who has heard only the explanation of Xiulan's name, says, "My name is 'planetary conqueror'. I regret the interruption, but I do need to speak to Jedao." Bowing and following her, Jedao says, "Have you ever been tempted to put your name into action?" Sasha jokes, "I prefer 'liberator'."

Hana and Xiulan

As Jedao and Sasha leave, Hana says, unpleasant realization dawning, "Wait wait wait. Wait. That wasn't really - that's not really the Immolation Fox, is it?" Xiulan tells Hana, "Yes and no. He was only called that after Hellspin Fortress, right? That is Jedao, but Sasha said he’s from a timeline before his most famous victory or the massacre. The Cantata team pulled him out before any of that happened. And, it sounds like there’s more to the overall situation than that alone. Anyway, I think some of this ties back to what we were talking about a few minutes ago. Different versions of a person, having made different choices and gone through different experiences. Who knows what we might encounter, jumping around like we are." She offers Hana water.

Hana says, "Okay. I need... I probably need to sit down. And find an antineebranee. An anti-inebrient. A - I should be less drunk." Xiulan approves this plan, suggests a chair, and finds a packet of pills for Hana in the kitchen. Hana sits heavily and apologizes: "Just give me a second, I don't want to be - euphorics help." Xiulan asks sympathetically, "Rough time of it since leaving your timeline?" Hana answers, "Something like that. Don't - don't really wanna be here, when everything stops." She finds herself nauseated, and isn't sure whether the alcohol or the anti-inebriants are to blame. A half-remembered Mwennin curse slips out. Once Hana is somewhat recovered, Xiulan helps her leave the ballroom.

notes

Seyli's confusion about Reshad's arrival