Galaxy's Edge Space Bar

[Aluminator (Kit)]

'Rose' frowns when Ike and the other man beside him assure her that they're not, in fact, Yeerks at all. Uninfested humans, then. But uninfested humans who know what Yeerks are, judging by their reactions.

"No reason at all," she says to Ike with a halfhearted imitation of her former flirtatious demeanor. What the hell is this place?

When the other man says something about her 'fitting right in,' she shoots him a glare. And what does he mean he could be infested? She's missing something that's going on here, and she intends to find out what that is.

"Wasted wrecks of 'my kind,' is it?" she says, turning icy again. "And what 'kind' is that?"

"That's Temser 2," she says, turning to the Ildari with an air of annoyance. When he flushes, she assumes its because he hadn't realized her rank (Who wouldn't be intimidated by the second Temser? she thinks proudly), and her expression softens. "But it's good to see a friendly face. You got a name, darlin'?"

[Terenia]

The young man hesitates in sipping his beer, recognizing the Yeerkish word. His eyebrows pucker a little at its context, though. It is not uncommon, he has found, for things in this place to be a little off at times.

<<She's probably not even from the same universe,>> he muses to his silent host. Still, she is evidently a Yeerk, which is cause for at least some hope. Thus far his attempts to use this strange place to his advantage have failed miserably.

Hoping to be discreet, he sets his beer back on the table and slides his right hand down to his holster, reaching not for his Dracon, but the small compartment on his opposite hip, where his computer cube, comm link, and bioscanner reside. Taking out the bioscanner he activates a small hologram, keeping it focused beneath the ledge of the bar as he does a wide-range sweep for lifeforms. The technology is not accurate enough to pinpoint exactly who is what -- at least not without a direct scan of an individual -- but it will effectively tell him if there are other lifeforms recognized by the database. He has long since learned that just because it talks like a Yeerk, that does not mean it is a Yeerk.

[Chad32]

"I don't really know what a Temser 2 is." Ike said. "The only thing I really know about Yeerks is you're a sentient race that lives in pools, but can't really do much without hosts. Your people took off into space, looking for hosts, but unfortunately for us your government didn't outlaw slavery. I can understand if it's hard to find enough voluntary people for every Yeerk, but I can't say that's a good excuse to burden a species with slavery because of it."

"Not that it takes a person who requires a host to get the idea to enslave anyone. Human culture has its dark history too. Though you probably know that."

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Rathien smirks and puts his hands out in an "Oh well" gesture.  "Temser 2 or Temser 20, you're still a Temser, Darkness in the Light."  He chuckles to himself at the little inside joke.  And she was apparently a manipulator, although that wasn't terribly surprising, given her affiliation.  Rathien always marveled at all the striking similarities between the Yeerks' Light in the Darkness and the Andalites' Sector Seven.  The two organizations would fit quite well together in bed, and Rathien had gladly accepted contracts from both of them...sometimes against officials of the opposite organization.  He'd even used a contract meeting to achieve the objective of another contract before.  It had been all but comical.

"Hmm...a name.  What's in a name?"  He chuckles at the joke at his own species' expense.  He throws a booted foot up on a nearby table and crosses his other leg over it, turning to face the Yeerk more directly.  "I do have a name, Darkness, but I have a feeling you know it already."  He grins a little wider.  "But what about you?  What name would you prefer I use?  Assuming Darkness isn't suitable to you, that is."  He arches an eyebrow, ****y smirk still plastered on his face.

[Shenmue654]

Mar smirks as if initially forming a typical response, but then suppresses his smile as the conversation between Rathien and the dirt-caked woman took a strange turn. She was something significant in the Yeerk world that Mar did not understand---what did Darkness in the Light mean? He was far out of the loop in this place, and he knew that. Yet it still frustrated him. Nonetheless, Mar laced his hands together and looked at the woman with an offhand smile. She had asked a question.

"This Bar is one of the main Peace Movement haunts in the galaxy," said Mar. "Those are the kind of scum I meant, and you look no cleaner than them. By your kind naturally, I meant Yeerks. The slimy denizens of your Empire. Odd though your outfit may be, I recognize some of its basic contours. You could say I have a few acquaintances in the conflict."

[Aluminator (Kit)]

'Rose' rounds on Ike, fury in her eyes. "Don't you dare compare what we do with what you stupid apes call slavery," she hisses through clenched teeth. "You destroy each other and yourselves in a million different ways and then you decide that that's what we're doing too, just because it makes you feel so self-righteous." She glares at him for a moment, and looks as though she's about to say more, but then she breathes, deeply, and tries to calm herself down.

"Sorry, darlin'" she says, tossing her hair and smiling again. She frowns briefly at the twig that flies out of her curls to land on the bar counter, then continues, "I just feel like you might be assumin' a bit much about us."

She turns to the Ildari with a sigh, flipping through her host's memories to see if she could, indeed, figure out his name. "My name is Elriss Four-Nine-Zero of the Hett Simplat pool, but you may call me Temser, Mr..." wait... there it is... "Rathien d'ilarianiil fen'Mirwindrierien or'Elienal sen'Ildiar." She frowns as she reads the name from within her host's own mind. She raises an eyebrow at him, "You go by somethin' shorter?"

She turns towards the other man, her frown again turning icy. His attitude is atrocious- the lack of respect in this place is going to drive her nuts. She hasn't been this long away from the Light in ages.

"Peace Movement," she scoffs, then looks around and reconsiders what she'd been about to say. If this is truly a Peace Movement hold, she might be in more danger than she'd thought initially. Why does it always seem like those rebels keep popping up again, no matter how often they're eliminated? If she's stumbled onto a Peace Movement stronghold, it might be an opportunity to make them less of a threat to the Empire.

Assuming, that is, that she hasn't already tipped her hand, she thinks, looking down at her uniform, and flushing as she realizes how haphazardly she's been tossing her title around. Hardly good for being undercover.

After several moments, she looks back up at him and manages a shaky smile, "Well, that is why I'm here."

[Chad32]

Ike flinches. If Mar hadn't been sitting on the other side of him, he would have scooted back a seat. "Oh, woah, I didn't mean to offend. You are totally right, I don't know much at all about your people, and didn't mean anything offensive. I only mentioned Human slavery to show that our hands aren't clean either, and if what we did to our own kind is worse than how you treat hosts, then that's all the more proof that we are not ones to throw stones." He was glad she calmed down a bit and apologized. He didn't want to make enemies. "My apologies too. Perhaps time spent here will help me get a better idea of Yeerks."

He had heard that Yeerks sometimes or often treated hosts as property, which would fit the Human definition of slavery, though he hadn't talked personally to any Yeerks about it. Hopefully this would be an informative experience, if he could stay on friendly terms.

[Luke Skywalker (Ossanlin)]

Rathien chuckles and sips from his goblet.  "Hmm...you have the whole of it.  Not that I'm surprised.  Sector Seven would be able to recite that litany as well."  He takes another sip.  "Elriss...not bad for a Yeerk name.  My contract code-name is Windwolf, though I suppose you know that already too.  Rathien will do, if you please.  Usually only my friends call me Rathien, but for a host so attractive as yours..."  He smirks, letting the sentence hang, before gesturing with his goblet.  "So, Elriss...care for a drink?  I guarantee they'll have anything you want."

[Shenmue654]

"If you're here to see the Peace Movement, I don't see any of the usual locals around the Bar," says Mar casually, noting her discomfort with some interest. She had been trying to manipulate everyone here, but it was obvious she had run into the wrong crowd. This group was either too immune to her charms or too entirely uninvolved with Myitt's war. Dearest Precious...he hadn't seen her in some time. "If you're hear to kill the Peace Movement, you can't do it from here. While the rebels frequent the Bar, it isn't technically a base."

Mar takes another sip of his wine, smirking a bit. "...and with that little outburst about slavery out of the way, you're clearly not a rebel. I would dispute the issue--- however well one treats a thrall, you're still subverting another's will for your own. Why bother getting upset about it when you can revel in your absolute power over a life instead?"

[Terenia]

"Stupid apes, I like that," the young man says once he is done frowning at his scanner and has slid it back into his holster. He slides off of his stool, giving Ike and Rathien both a wary glance before settling his gaze on Elriss. His gaze does pass briefly over Mar as well, but it is with the disdain of someone who is too close to someone beneath him.

"Though I must say," he continues, coming to a stop relatively close to the group. "I have not heard the word temser used in such a context before. Are you intending to open a school of sorts?" He smiles pleasantly enough, laughing faintly at his own bad joke before offering Elriss his hand. "Haviss Four-Seven-Seven of the Kal Reditt Pool. You are the first Yeerk I have seen wander in here in quite some time. It's a pleasure."

[Aluminator (Kit)]

"Yeerks have no hands to dirty," Elriss says to Ike with a halfhearted smirk. She looks around the bar, now very much aware of what she perceives to be a "Peace Movement" vibe, and chooses her words carefully. "Some Yeerks are worse than others, just as some humans are worse than others, but a... partnership can only benefit all involved."

<<Bull****, Yeerk,>> says her host. <<He's right. You're nothing more than a slaver.>>

<<I've always been good to you,>> responds Elriss.

<<Except for the part where you won't get the **** out of my head!>> Her host is starting to get angry now, so Elriss ignores Rose, hoping she'll stop fighting so much. Even sharing a head with Rose, she's never quite sure what's going to set her off until she sees it.

Her eyes widen a bit as she turns to Rathien, and she leans towards him, bringing her voice low. "Anything?" she asks with a sly smile. "Buy me a Redin then, Mr. Rathien?" she says, her expression one of practiced innocence. In her mind, she laughs. She hasn't had Redin but once, and there'll be no quicker way to deflate Rathien's ego than to immediately ask for a drink that this bar is sure not to have.

She turns towards the other man and swallows- he's truly infuriating, this one. So far, he's continued to point out that she's definitely Imperial, accused her of being a sadistic slaver, and brought to the forefront that she might be a danger to the Peace Movement.

On the other hand, he did say there are no Peace Movement individuals around here. The thoughts about this man and this place fight with each other in her head, and she opts to respond simply with "Some of us revel less than others." Her host continues to curse and rant in the back of her mind, and she frowns. <<Would you calm down?>>

<<If you let me go home, you awful slaver ****!>> Great. She's added 'slaver' to her list of insults now.

She turns as Haviss approaches. When he gives a Yeerk name, she smiles- this smile is very different from the flirtatious one she's been using; colder, more commanding, though it does waver in annoyance when Haviss doesn't recognize her title. Most Yeerks wouldn't, of course, but lately Elriss has spent so much time around the Light that she's begun to take for granted that being a 'Temser' will carry some weight.

"May the Kandrona shine and strengthen you, brother," she says, shaking his hand. "Pleasure's mine. I'm afraid I'm a little confused," she says, waving a hand to indicate the bar at large. "What kind of place exists where Yeerks and unhosted humans can just... mingle?"

[Shenmue654]

"Oh, there's no doubt of that," says Mar. "It is the same with every race prone to stealing lives out of necessity. Biological or economic. Some merely do what they're required to without a hint of guilt and profess ignorance. Others fall in with the party line. Others object, and still others...enjoy every minute of it."

If this...Temser...were throwing about her seemingly important title so lightly, it meant that whatever effect the Bar had on its patrons was working. It had done a number on Mar himself, once. The woman eventually turns to look at the approaching Yeerk, who seems amiable enough. Mar can't say that he recognizes the Yeerk, so he cannot be sure of the creature's political status. He could be Peace Movement, thus far, and he could not be.

"Mad place, isn't it?" Mar says with a glance at Ike.

[Chad32]

Ike smiles at Elriss' joke to seem more friendly, though obviously not having hands doesn't make you innocent. He wondered what Rose might be saying, and if it was possible for her to convey any resistance past Elriss' control. He glanced at his medallion, wondering if God could give him a sign, and tell him what he should do about this if anything at all. "I'm all for equal partnerships for Yeerks, though I haven't been asked to volunteer. You're really the first Yeerk I've spoken to personally."

The other person gave a Yeerk name too, but he seemed more genuinely friendly. Ike gave a small wave as he came over.

"You were right about this place before, Mar. Should I be excited or afraid when the night group comes in?" He said, knowing bars get much more active at night.

[General Squall Leonhart]

*At the edge of the forest the air began shimmering as if heated. Bright flashes of white light began emanating from the center of the shimmering air and then suddenly a portal made of blue and white light appeared. Through this portal walked out a man of great importance and stature, for in his homeland he was regarded as a Hero for vanquishing the Prime Evil Lords.

As the man began walking towards the Bar a Raven flew out of the portal and landed upon his shoulder. The man grinned and petted his faithful friend. Sunlight reflected off the mans face and highlighted few unique facial scars that seemed to be purposely made and each had different characteristics. The first scar started above his right eye then traveled across and down his face to end below his left eye. This wound was maybe half an inch wide. The second scar started above his left eye and traveled across and down his face to end below his right eye. This scar was perhaps an inch wide. The third and final scar started at the center of his forehead beginning at his hairline and ended at the tip of his nose and was 3/4 of an inch wide.

Another characteristic the sun highlighted was his eyes, which were two different colors. The right eye was a sparkling sapphire and the left was a shimmering emerald. A three and a half foot wooden staff that is adorned by a fist sized ruby is hung from his shoulder by a thin strap of leather that crosses his chest. He wears a vest, pants and boots all made from thick black leather. The man opened the door to the Bar and looked around, noting a few individuals all of them seemingly humanoid.

He walked up to the bartender and as he dug in a satchel proclaimed somewhat loudly "Bartender, a round of drinks all around!!!" With that proclamation he laid down a fistful of gold coins and said "A pint of mead for myself and a bowl of berries for my companion" His Raven hopped down off of his shoulder and perched on the bar as the Bartender got the Mead and berries and put them in front of the newcomers.

[Terenia]

"A place where many of the unhosted humans come from places we have no foothold," Haviss says, glancing at Ike and raising his eyebrows a little at the wave. "The humans here, if uninfested, rarely come from the Earth my host is from, and crossing universes becomes messy quite quickly. It is easier to leave them alone for the time being."

His eyes drift to her hair. "You look as if you had a bit of a rough time getting here. Do you need assistance?"

He looks up at the arrival of a rather bawdy newcomer with a bird, frowning at him briefly but saying nothing. He resolves to keep his eye on him though.