Move 2.1 Recap

Sasha and Sulen; memo to the team

Sasha invites Sulen to a meeting in Communications. They arrive one minute early, their eyes somewhat shadowed; Sasha stands as they enter, and offers tea or brandy, which Sulen refuses, wondering if Sasha is the sort of person to modify the tea. They bow deeply. Sasha asks, "Did you intend to curse our mission? Or are we chalking that up to cultural differences?" She's referring to Sulen's refusal to toast a new leader, at the party Ashari arranged. Scornful of foreign superstitions, Sulen says, "I'm afraid I know very little about curses." Sasha answers, "Right. Then I'll assume you simply dislike me, and next time I offer you a toast you'll take it. Fair?" Sulen replies, "-I insulted you. Of course. I apologize. Actually, I thought you were insulting me." They tell Sasha they weren't angry at her, and promise to "participate in the ritual in future." Sasha tells them, "Look. I'm about to take a team that's designed not to work on an unauthorized mission to the wrong side of a warzone right before a major battle. I wouldn't blame you if you wanted no part of that. And I think, unlike me, you have a choice." If Sulen's not going to transfer away, she continues, she wants them not only to obey her direct commands, but to tell her what she should have requested. Sulen thinks Sasha overestimates their degree of choice, but confirms, "I'm here by my own decisions, and I'll fulfill my responsibilities." They ask what she meant about the warzone. Sasha tells Sulen they are headed to Lanterner space in the ninth century and asks them to "take second in command, in charge of people": "it's either you or one of the foxes." Sulen bows and acquiesces.

Sasha asks Sulen how much to tell the new team members "about the mission responsibilities involving Quill": "I don't think it's practical to keep foxes truly in the dark, but it might be safer for them not to know officially." Sulen advises telling everyone the complete story, to avoid the complications of the last meeting. The exception is Mafyyil: "You might want to give her a simpler version..." Sasha asks Sulen to adapt Ashari's letter into a briefing for the team, "except for the teenagers," and tells them about the meetings she has planned.

Sulen offers Sasha their notes on the other team members, which they have "painstakingly edited" to obscure their Inquisitorial instincts. They ask about her plans for Gerae and Remi, adding, "I'd advise you to be careful with Reshad. She reminds me of Ashari." Sasha notes that Gerae's skill with locks and memorization may be useful later, and comments on Remi's work with the moths. Attempting to appear casual, she asks what similarities Sulen sees between Ashari and Reshad. Sulen says, "Similarly flexible. Good at lying." Avoiding Sasha's eyes, they continue, "I predict she'll be a great asset. But you might have a repeat of the, ah, personality conflict problems." Sasha is surprised that Sulen seems more worried about her than about "the beautiful Shuos operative." She attempts to reassure them, "While we're making comparisons--Ashari reminds me of my mother. It wasn't clear to me, at first, that they believed the obligations of command go both ways. I hope we've reached an understanding." She reflects that allegiance to Ashari is the better bargain, and expresses her intention to look after all the team members, including the former Shuos. Sulen says, "Ah... I've heard that mothers can be difficult." They ask how else they can help, noting their experience with "tedious paperwork". Sasha wonders whether Sulen's mother is "a being of purity and light," but assumes it's more likely that none of their parents are women. She lists a set of tasks, including forming a set of profiles of team members to share internally.

Later, Sasha messages the team, informing them that she is now in command, with Sulen serving as second: "We'll have an all-hands meeting at 19:00. I will be meeting with many of you between now and then. Please familiarize yourself with our destination, and get ready to ship out in two days." She attaches a version of Ashari's letter that omits their personal comments about Sasha; the version sent to Mafyyil and Mikodez also omits some of the suspicious commentary on Quill.

Sasha, Sulen, and Virmad

Virmad is disturbed to learn that the team is returning to the date of Candle Arc and may be in proximity to Jedao. He extracts a Lanterner emblem from his baggage and finds some string for it. He shows up for the meeting in the commander's office (now Sasha's) a minute early, and debates whether to knock. Sulen greets him and says, "I've been given the job of- well, I don't actually know what my job title is, but I'm assisting Sasha with, management? First officer, I suppose, if we really were a ship's crew. So, ah, let me know if you have any ideas or concerns in the future." They observe that the prospect of returning to their own century is "odd". Virmad says, "Yes."

Sasha hears voices outside her office and commands the door to open. Virmad hesitates, then enters, saying, "You wanted to speak to me — to us?" Sasha gestures for the two Rahal to sit. She decides not to offer Virmad brandy, since she expects he will defer to Sulen and she doesn't want to force another argument about toasts, so pours tea for them instead.

Iawa, Ione, and Mafyyil

Sasha messages Ione and Mafyyil, asking them to chat with Iawa about heptarchate norms. To Iawa, she adds, "i owe you"; to Ione, she writes, "pls. make the teenage girl see sense if you can." Ione replies to Sasha, "Her definition of 'sense' and mine may not be the same but so long as she is willing to accept mine for a given value of 'we are following these rules right now' we'll be okay. I just have to convince her I'm not completely insane first." Iawa confirms receipt of Sasha's message, wondering how the change of leadership occurred and whether Sasha has effected a coup, and tells Ione and Mafyyil to come to their room. Cantata helps Ione find the room by singing different tunes for "hot" and "cold". As she arrives, she thanks the ceiling. Cantata responds with a swelling chord.

Meanwhile, Mafyyil becomes lost while looking for Iawa's room. Sulen finds her in the hallway and asks whether they can help. Mafyyil thinks that Sulen is "the rude person" who "was so offended by the kangaroo loss they just ran off!" She attempts to fake a polite response, since she does need help finding Iawa. Sulen asks how she is settling in. Mafyyil responds with overblown enthusiasm, though in fact she is in pain and frustrated that the flowers now attached to her have aphids. She clarifies, "I mean, I think it, um, will be wonderful, as soon as I get the chance to do my duty properly. I'll make good for my failure to be complete, I promise!" She adds that she has written a celebratory poem entitled "tractors in the early morning sun of holy barley fields." Sulen says the poem sounds interesting, but can't quite bring themself to ask for a copy. Mafyyil says that she wrote it "in the hexarchate style", and enthuses about the helpfulness of people (perhaps Virmad?) who shared examples with her. Sulen says, "I'm glad to hear you've had support from the others. I've been made second in command on this mission, so if there's anything you need, let me know." They point out their own door, and Iawa's. Mafyyil says she is honored, then pounds on Iawa's door, saying, "Hellooo? Can you hear me? You wanted to talk?"

Iawa tenses at the noise from the moth's chord and Iawa's pounding, forces themself to relax, and opens the door. Ione lets Mafyyil enter first. Mafyyil says, "Hello! Very honored to meet you again! You wanted to talk to me about alternatively civilized behavior?"

New Combinations and Intercultural Adjustments

general acquiescence to Sasha's leadership, despite her fears and the scene at the party, except Iawa

Naxorian drinking culture

Sasha and Sulen are trying really hard - really, Sulen is working hard in general

Remi and the moths!

Sasha can't deal with women, esp. Reshad

Mafyyil is a problem waiting to happen - kangaroo and Sulen