001 | Video

[skeletonenigma]

[To be honest, he would have preferred text, but this is a perfect opportunity to test out the console. The keyboard is self-explanatory. The video function isn't. One of the kedan had offered to show Skulduggery how it worked, but he’d politely declined. He didn’t particularly feel like being saddled with a guide for the entirety of his time here.]

Ah, there we go. Excellent.

[This does, of course, mean that he can now be seen. He was a little concerned about that when all of this was first being explained to him, but then he saw someone walking around in the city with blue skin and two heads. He’s rather less concerned now.

... He doesn't really have anything to ask, though, now that he’s thinking about it.]

Thank you. Carry on.

[Yes, that was a skull talking just then, Irish accent and moving jaw and all. Why do you ask?]

Comments

[skeletonenigma]

[He nods, like he has any idea what she might be talking about.] Of course. How do the solar sails work? The word 'solar' originates from Latin to mean 'of the sun' - at least for me. And unless you're restricted to one solar system, that can't be right for you.

[loquaciouslyfeline]

Solar sails gather the light emitted by the stars in the galaxy to power the functions of the ships. And while I myself am far from a linguistics expert, I don't see why it's a point of contention. Many stars serve as suns to the planets that orbit them.

[There could be one other possibility, though.]

Or perhaps it's simply a quirk of the forces translating our speech, putting terms into words you'd understand.

[skeletonenigma]

[Now she's getting it.]

Is it the job of the Terran Royal Navy to preserve peace in the galaxy? How do you manage, with such a large jurisdiction?

[loquaciouslyfeline]

[A correction is in order here.]

To preserve peace within the boundaries of the Terran Empire, yes. There are other political bodies within the galaxy, but our empire is the largest. [Is that a hint of pride in her voice? Yes it is.]

[skeletonenigma]

Is the empire under attack from other political bodies, or does it have less sapient enemies?

[loquaciouslyfeline]

We have been in a situation of... continuous hostilities with our neighbours for the last five years or so. Territorial disputes, mostly. [It's not war. Not quite yet.]

There is also the threat of piracy, although it's far from an organized body. [Despite the off-handed nature of the comment, there's a darker edge to her voice. She still remembers losing her ship, albeit temporarily, to the likes of pirates, and it's a sore subject.]

[skeletonenigma]

[He nods. Pirates are largely a thing of the past where he's from, but he still remembers when sailors' hearts skipped beats at the sight of an unfamiliar ship on the horizon. It's not hard to imagine piracy in the open expanse of space.]

We're in a similar situation on my world. The disputes have been going on for just over five years, but they're not so much 'territorial' as the jealous demands of bullies who think they can start a war and have a right to claim what's left over.

[Is he happy about that? No. No, he really isn't.]

[loquaciouslyfeline]

[That sounds nearly identical to the current situation with the Procyons.]

War is an undesirable business in any capacity. Were you heavily involved in your own world's conflicts?

[skeletonenigma]

[He chuckles.] You could say that.

[He won't be a leader again, not after the last war. But his position as Prime Detective makes it his job to singlehandedly try and stop hostilities from getting any worse. A near impossible feat, these days.]

[loquaciouslyfeline]

Not a pleasant story, then. [Why yes, that is a little joke of sorts.]

[skeletonenigma]

Not in the least. Sometimes I wonder why anyone relies on me to do anything, when my name is a dead giveaway.

[loquaciouslyfeline]

It is quite an interesting name. Such names are common where you come from?

[skeletonenigma]

In a manner of speaking. Sorcerers generally take their own name, in order to protect themselves from other sorcerers.

[loquaciouslyfeline]

Well then, you certainly gave fair warning to those who would wish to rely upon you. [She doesn't mean it harshly at all; in fact, he seems like the sort she wouldn't be concerned relying upon herself, although only time can tell if that feeling is accurate.]

You are from a world of magic, then? That would explain how you are able to continue living in your current state.

[skeletonenigma]

I keep saying that. People still keep being surprised when I go and do the exact opposite of what they asked.

[That was the main reason he'd been happy with a friend as the Grand Mage. It wasn't because he thought he could get away with things; he always had, and he didn't expect that to change. It was that now, he'd have a direct superior who understood that.]

I am, although most people don't know magic exists. And not all of them are satisfied with a blanket answer of 'magic' when they ask about my state of existence. You'd be amazed how often people ask for specifics.

[loquaciouslyfeline]

[She chuckles at that.] I shall keep that in mind if I ever have need to ask you of anything.

I am quite certain magic does not exist where I am from, but having been here for some time, it's not particularly surprising to me. One would think others would have grown used to it in the time they've been here as well.

[skeletonenigma]

Well, in your case, I'd likely try. [He treats friends, or people he respects, a little differently, and he's never ashamed to admit that.] It never seems to make much of a difference, though.

[He is looking forward to living in a world where he doesn't have to hide, he'll admit. That's not going to stop him from heading home as soon as the first opportunity presents itself, of course.] The kedan certainly didn't give me any second glances.

[loquaciouslyfeline]

I hope you'll find I treat others fairly, given their actions. [She has a code of conduct, after all.]

Nor should they, I'd wager, given they are able to change their form at will. They must find the overwhelmingly large population of human-appearing foreigners strange. [It's still a little jarring for her, admittedly. The kedan provide more diversity of the like she is used to than the foreigners brought here, in spite of the wide range of backgrounds they come from.]

[skeletonenigma]

As do certain foreigners, I'm sure. [He wonders if there's a reason for the discrepancy. Does the Emperor know human worlds better than he does others? Are there more human worlds to choose from? Are humans somehow better adapted to the sort of fighting he wants them to do, or do they have an innate protection from Malicant's power, so long as they don't say the name?

Malicant, Malificent, Mevolent. Why do all-powerful villains always have names starting with M and following some variation of malevolent? It's uncanny.]

[loquaciouslyfeline]

I must admit, it was rather interesting experiencing it when first arriving here. [Even if that wasn't directed at her specifically, she's chosen to take it as such.]

If it's not too bold to ask, what is it that you do? Clearly you've led an interesting life of sorts.

[skeletonenigma]

Not bold at all. I'm a detective. I have been for the past century, and occasionally so even before then.

[loquaciouslyfeline]

A detective does not seem like the sort to be involved in conflicts, though you're far from the standard in several regards already so exceptions are to be made. Pity you didn't arrive earlier; you might have been of use in the hunt for the previous Emperor's murderer, and perhaps the man would have been caught faster with more experienced individuals on the case.

[Skulduggery has managed to leave an impression of competence on her. Lecter certainly would not have eluded capture so long with more people hunting for him, that's for certain.]

[skeletonenigma]

I heard about that. [He won't comment on the part where it's a pity, because to him, it isn't; and the implied competence on his part is an obvious fact. Why should he go out of his way to reinforce what he already knows to be true?]

It's not generally detectives who get involved in conflicts, true. I, however, am an exceptional detective.

[... Okay, so he'll go a little out of his way.]

[loquaciouslyfeline]

Nasty business, it was. [While she certainly didn't have any strong feelings towards Eshai, she could empathize with the kedan. Losing a strong leader was never good for a nation.]

As I can see. [Skeleton detectives certainly are exceptional.] What manner of combat would involve a sorcerous detective such as yourself, Mr. Pleasant?

[skeletonenigma]

Magical combat, of course.

[Do you see the facetious smile? Do you? Well, then he must not be being facetious.]

And you? Space combat?