Copernicus watches his sister Andromeda with some relief while Chimera entertains her. Her body is still not fully recovered, but the two halves of her brain seem to be talking to each other again, along with the higher reasoning centers and memory. He looks back at the communication station where Melora just informed him she's bringing the cubs down to look around. He frowns as he realizes, in his attempt to keep this whole nanite infection thing secret, he's left her out of the loop too.
Andromeda, in a playful kitten like mood that may or may not be abnormal for her age, is chasing Chimera around the field. The contrails from the shuttle are already visible.
Chimera climbs up a tree to see if Andromeda will follow.
Copernicus smirks and giggles as his sister uses all six limbs to climb up after the silly remote. He wonders if he looks as funny when he climbs trees? Probably.
Andromeda churrs, "Surely you don't think you can get away from me that easily?" and then notices the shuttle coming in for a landing and purrrs down, "Who's coming littermate?"
Copernicus shouts back up, "Melora and the cubs." and then closes his mouth as the shuttle kicks up some dirt and wind with it's repulsors.
Chimera sits out on a branch that's far too thin to take Andromeda's weight. "Oooo, cubs! What are cubs?"
Andromeda giggles, "Babies. You really are silly." and starts working her way out onto the branch.
The shuttle powers down, and the hatch opens as Copernicus brushes some dirt from his fur.
Chimera spreads his wings and prepares to jump, as the branch bends downward.
Andromeda uses her legs to launch herself off the trunk of the tree, nabbing Chimera in the midst of her trajectory and carrying him to the ground, padding over to where her brother is watching the shuttle.
Chimera oofs, and looks up at the shuttle as Andromeda drags him over towards it.
No sooner has the hatch opened than a pint-sized Chirr't'tali'nor'conda (try saying that five times fast) cub bounds out and across the field, mewling in delight at the grass and dirt. Quality dirt is so hard to come by up on that mining station, after all...
Tycho bounds right behind his sister, though he seems to be more interested in sniffing all the plants. Then the little cub notices Andromeda carrying Chimera, and bounds over.
Copernicus chuckles and purrrrs, "Hello Chrissa, Tycho. I wonder if Nexus is ready for you two? ;)"
Melora ducks out of the hatchway, a little worse for wear and calls out over the distance, "Chrissa, Tycho, don't be tacklin' em yet you two. We jus got here."
Andromeda puts Chimera down and smiles softly at Tycho, who proceeds to sniff at poor Chimera.
Chimera hunches down to pat Tycho on the head.
Copernicus pads over and snugs Melora, "Greetings Kecharra. How have you been?"
Melora pads down the ramp and over to wrap her arms about Copernicus. "Worn out. They've been faster'n... one of those contraption things, since they woke up. Yer tur....n?" she stops, looking at Andromeda with a worried expression.
Andromeda reacts in a very abnormal reaction for a Chirr'T'Thar when Melora notices her. She suddenly becomes shy. Aware that she's not quite back to normal yet. She leaves Tycho to start pouncing on poor Chimera.
Copernicus purrs, "Andromeda was hurt by something that the slavers left here Melora. She's still healing."
Chimera eefs and tries to crawl away..
Tycho takes that as a challenge and starts stalking the odd dragon like critter. Andromeda pads up and gives Melora a hug, trying to change the subject.
Chimera gets up, now that Andromeda isn't jumping on him. He doesn't notice Tycho..
Melora wraps her arms about Andromeda tightly, "Andromeda... such a long time. Are ye.. well, how are ye, sister?"
Andromeda stiffens slightly at the question. It's the one thing she really doesn't want to talk about, but she finally purrs, "I'm getting better. Coper says I should be able to fly in a few more days."
Copernicus watches Tycho pounce poor Chimera and then heads Chrissa off from joining him. He picks her up and shakes her lightly. Seems she's decided to bring a lot of the dirt back to the station. Sigh. ;)
Chimera oofs again, pinned by the smaller 'taur.
Copernicus purrs to Chimera while Andromeda talks to his mate, "So, how do you like our children Chimera?"
Chimera blinks, "I like them when they aren't sitting me."
Melora nods her head a little then eases back a little, a sympathetic smile to her face. "I don' know too much 'bout what happened... but I wanna offer somethin'. If ya need me, or annathin I c'n do, feel free t'ask. I know what it's like, loosin wings'n fur."
Andromeda nods and gives Melora a deep hug, "Thank you, mate of my brother. He really lucked out to find you. Speaking of which, I need to get something for you two. How would you like to go shopping for some things?"
Chimera tries tickling Tycho to let him back up.
Copernicus meanwhile is losing ground, trying to get Tycho OFF of Chimera, while keeping Chrissa from starting her own little strip mine. Why do children love dirt so much?
Melora pauses and blinks. "Shopping? How woul' ye be moving a shop?" A bit of a pause then she chuckles, "Unless y er movin th'stuff inside. Yes, we coul' use that, I think." She's picking up phrases, it seems.
Copernicus watches Andromeda and Melora plan their outing to town. They decide to wait till later in the afternoon so Andromeda can eat. Melora knows how important food is to a Chirr'T'Thar. The cubs follow their mother, leaving Copernicus and Chimera alone.
Copernicus hmmms as he looks at the dusty, and slightly dirt covered Chimera, "Well, they won't be ready to shop for several hours, and I want to check out the docks. They said some of the last ships carrying summer goods are coming in today. Want to join me? And where is Charon's remote by the way?"
Chimera says, "He's still up on the Mining Station, following Zephyr around."
Copernicus ohs and nods, "What do you think about his amazing resemblance to the Zephyr we knew?"
Chimera says, "The docks are interesting. The people there have a very colorful vernacular."
Chimera hmms, "How do you know all his kind don't look that way?"
Copernicus smirks at Chimera, "That would indicated nearly zero genetic diversity. Which would be either artificial or very unhealthy. He's neither. That, and I remember the old Zephyr talking about his relatives once."
Copernicus gathers a few things and purrs, "Well, while we're on the docks, try NOT to give the workers too many reasons to use their colorful language, ok Chimera?"
Chimera blinks? "It's not good for them to talk much? Does it produce greenhouse gases?"
Copernicus chuckles, "No, but they usually only talk that way when someone has annoyed them somehow."
Copernicus and Chimera land at the far edge of the long docks that line the big Serpent". Copernicus quietly folds his wings as he looks around.
Chimera looks around. He's curious to see how summer is delivered by boat..
The number of ships in the harbor is truly impressive, even if they are mainly sail powered, and a few short range steamers. Many of them are unloading fruits and vegetables, some of the last of the summer. A few smart ones are carrying pickling, canning and preserving supplies, noting that most of the perishables will need to be stocked up for the coming winter, even if it is mild in Haven being so close to the equator.
Chimera says, "Are those the summer goods?"
Copernicus nods, "Yep. The seasons are changing, and this marks the end of the really good growing season."
A small dot of light appears in the solar system, quickly resolving itself into a small ship.
Chimera says, "I didn't think the seasons changed much at this latitude."
An array of what appear to be floating meteors and asteroids pick up the energy signature of the small ship and relay a warning signal to the mining station and ships in the area.
The ship is heavily shielded, but it's weapons are comparatively weak. It turns slightly and heads toward the nearest planet.
Copernicus nods, "Not too much. We're heading into the dry season here. Less rain, less crops."
Copernicus hmms at Chimera, "So what would you like to buy? Do you ever really need anything?"
Chimera rubs his cheek, "You mean to eat?"
The first planet of the system is a barren, icy rock with no atmosphere.
Copernicus purrs, "Well, there is food, clothing, art objects, jewelry, tools, knives and even toys to be bought here. Spices and candles too."
Chimera says, "What would you buy?"
The tiny ship hesitates a moment, scanning the planet, then moves on, as if searching for something.
Copernicus purrs, "Melora doesn't like the mining station much. I figure some canvas for a tent, and some furs to line the floor."
Copernicus starts moving along the docks, where ships are unloading, and various vendors are already hawking their wares.
Chimera says, "You're going to build her a tent on the mining station?"
The next few planets return similar scans. Not really a place you'd want to move to. But the third from this sun looks blue and green, with clouds of water vapor. A potential candidate, except for the orbital station of some sort, a large metal circle, and several larger ships heading towards the visitor.
Copernicus chuckles at Chimera, "No, down here. We're going to spend more time on the surface. Better for the cubs anyhow. I need to arrange to 'buy" a chunk of land for us here."
The small ship pauses, then moves toward the third planet, not straying from it's course in spite of the larger ships.
Chimera says, "Oh. Are you going to build a golf course?"
A gruff voice can be heard over the coarse songs of the sailors, a head of grey fur making its way slowly towards the group.
The large ships move to intercept, shields on full. They attempt to signal the unknown ship.
The ship responds to the signals, a channel opening to the other ships.
A large, feline face appears on the screen. In the background you can see he apparently has wings. The translators purr, "I'm Sirius, first mate of the of the Tail Thrasher. You have entered space that is under protection of the Chirr'T'Thar. Please identify yourself, and your business here."
Copernicus hmms at Chimera, "No, not a golf course here. ;) Why did you think that?"
A somewhat familiar grey wolf comes up beside Copernicus. "Hello there... Cohurpus, was it?"
Copernicus's whiskers droop a bit, but by the time he turns around, his polite "diplomat" face is on, "Copernicus. Yes it is Tylen. To what do I owe the honor of your time?"
Chimera waves to the wolf. "Hi."
Tylen clears his throat. "Well, I was just wondering what brings you by my docks?" Tylen seems polite enough, but his tone implies the strength of 'his' docks.
Copernicus chuckles and wonders if Tylen practices the old version of "territorial behavior"? But gets back to the matter at hand, "Well, I was looking for some goods for a tent for one of my mates. That, and I'm looking for a place well outside of town to settle down for a bit."
Tylen replies, "Tents and land, eh? Harrrm...Well you'd be best to look down south market road for that sort of thing. You'll have to go to the cartographic administration for the land, that's not my department."
Copernicus chuckles, "I was noting the bolts of canvas, along with some of the furs being unloaded here. My mate is very skilled. If I get the supplies, she'll build an excellent shelter."
Tylen's attention is distracted, and he yells off some crude comments at some poor shiphand.
Chimera says, "Why not build it underground instead?"
Copernicus chuckles at Chimera, "She doesn't like being enclosed like that."
Chimera blinks. "But she does okay on the mining station."
Tylen grumbles for a moment, watching that hand, then returns his gruff attention to Chimera, "Build what underground? A basement for the tent?" To Copernicus he says, "That's not my department either. The stuff coming off the ships gets sold in the markets, not here." He thinks for a moment, "Unless you want a whole heaping mountain of something. But you'd have to talk to whoever owns the stuff."
Copernicus shakes his head, "Just barely. And she hangs out in the arboretum a lot. Say Tylen, can you point me to the ships that carry heavy canvas? Or furs?"
Chimera wonders what Copernicus wants with overweight furries now..
Tylen blinks, "Ar, how heavy?"
Copernicus purrs, "Heavy enough to be used in sails?"
An equally feline face, eyes shimmering purple appears in the viewscreen. "I am Crista, my people are the Solu. We are refugees from another world."
Tylen smiles toothily. "Then you'd want the sailwright. THAT I can help you with." He turns and points to a long-ish, squat building right along the wharf. "Go look in there, they can help you. But you might need to wait a time, they're very busy." His chest puffs out a little, proudly, at the implied success of the shop.
A pause, then Sirius responds, "Refugees? Was your race attacked by those raiders that have been after us too?"
Copernicus tries very hard not to giggle at Tylen and nods, "A very well run port Tylen. Coming from a heritage of space trade, I know the value of that. Thank you for your help."
Tylen smiles at the Chirr'T'Thar and makes a little bow before turning and loosing any obvious civility, shouting to people up and down the river port as he walks off into the crowd.
Chimera looks around. The Port doesn't even have legs, so how can it run anywhere?
Crista shakes her head. "We are refugees from a war on our homeworld. Our ship was somewhat damaged when those that you call raiders attacked us."
Copernicus giggles at Chimera and shakes his head, he's tempted to send the little dragon off to buy 50 feet of shoreline. ;)
Sirius nods over the viewscreen, "You're lucky to be alive then. You're looking for a place to stay, is that right?"
Crista nods slowly. "Yes, that is right."
Copernicus pads over to the shop indicated, smelling the mix of cloth and hemp smells.
Sirius purrs, "Give me a minute. We'll talk to the person who's supposed to handle stuff like this."
Chimera rubs his nose. "How do they grow the cloth so it weaves in and out like that?"
Crista's face looks a little relieved. "Thank you."
Copernicus hmmms, "I'm not sure Chimera. We can ask somebody here to explain it to us. Eh?"
Copernicus sighs and taps on the blinking light of his armband. In a matter of moments, he gets a view of Crista, and she of him. "Hello, this is Copernicus Skygazer Talorn. What's your situation?"
Crista's ears flicker a bit. "I am a scout for my people, the Solu. We are refugees seeking asylum. Our ship has been damaged in an attack by some raiders."
Copernicus hmmms as he moves to a corner of the shop to talk more privately, "Well, we have repair facilities at the mining station. We've run into those raiders ourselves. Very nasty. How far away is your main ship?"
Crista's eyes darken a bit.."I'm not an engineer, but the damage to the ship was extensive. We were seeking a world to land on, perhaps to try to repair the ship. If not, then to settle on."
Copernicus nods, "Well, as I said, our orbital station can do repairs if you wish. From our surveys of this planet, a lot of it is open. How many of you are there?"
In the building, people are milling about, talking over the quiet whirring of simple machines braiding fibers and weaving canvas. A knot of havenites on break, it seems, is whispering quietly and making gestures towards the two strangers at the door.
Crista hesitates a moment.."There are 1000 of us, many females, children and the aged. We have provisions for us, " She adds a bit defensively. "And good to trade."
Copernicus chuckles, "Good, we need new trade partners. We're rather new to the area ourselves. I'm supposedly the liaison between 'spacers' and the people of Haven, so if you'd like to land near my location, maybe I can help you set up a place to live here."
One of the whispering workers is practically pushed towards Copernicus and Chimera by his compatriots. A little embarrassed and a little bit scared, he walks the rest of the way on his own.
The worker glances at the crazy one talking into his jewelry and speaks to the other, "Can I help you?"
There is a slight fluttering sound in the background, and Crista nods. "I am authorized by my people to undergo such negotiations."
Copernicus nods at his armband and purrs, "Well, I'll turn on a beacon signal. When you get close, you should see a large river with some wooden sailing vessels on them. Can your ship land on water?"
Crista nods. "Yes, it can. Thank you."
Copernicus nods, "I'll see you shortly then. What is your name by the way?"
Purple eyes shimmer in the shiplight.."My name is Crista."
Chimera blinks at the worker, "I don't know, can you?"
Copernicus purrs, "A very lovely name, for a very lovely lady. See you soon." and turns off the communication, and turns to see what Chimera is up to.
The worker blinks blankly and wriggles his equestrian nose. "Well why did you come in here?"
Chimera points to Copernicus, "I was following him."
Shortly, a small spherical ship follows the beacon and lands, an opening in the side sliding up. A figure appears in the doorway.
The worker nods and looks at Copernicus, waiting for his conversation with his jewelry to end.
Copernicus sighs to Chimera, "I thought you wanted to know how the sail cloth was made? I'm sorry sir. I'm interested in buying some of your toughest cloth and some rope and thread."
The worker nods, "All right..Do you know what dimensions?"
Chimera blinks, "Made? It's not grown like that?"
Outside, the workers on the docks start crowding around, staring at the odd craft floating off shore.
Copernicus purrs, "Oh, I'd say a good 20 meter square piece will do. And about 100 feet of rope."
The crowd forming at one of the docks gets even louder as they see someone come out of the odd craft. One otter gets shoved in the water as they all crowd to look.
Chimera goes over to the doorway to look at the commotion.
The worker replies, "I mean, what size sail? 4 meter by 6 meter? And what size rope? We make some pretty big rope..." He nods off to a huge spool being made, the rope at least half a meter wide.
Crista takes a sudden leap off the edge of the ship, appearing to float in midair for a moment. Light tan wings snap out and catch her just before she hits the water.
Copernicus points to some rope that is only a half inch in diameter and purrs, "That will work better. And if those are typical sail sizes, I'd like four of those 4 meter by 6 meter sails. Hmm? Oh, our new friend must have arrived. Wonder how Tylen is going to like this?"
Chimera ooos at the pretty winged kitty.
The crowd really starts to buzz. It seems every alien around is a flying cat.
Chimera tries to press through the crowd to get closer.
Crista's wings flap slowly and she heads toward the docks.
Some of the workers in the shop are drawn to the windows. The one with Copernicus, however, grabs a book and scribbles in it. "What is your name, sir,?"
Copernicus purrs, "My name is Copernicus Skygazer Talorn. I need to head out though, seems a new race of spacer is dropping by your docks today."
The worker cranes his neck to look out the doorway while remarking, "We've got 2 sails in stock, but will have to make two more...The rope is available...Crap, what is that?" He stares for a moment then turns to Copernicus and says, "The order should be done in 2 weeks." And he promptly hurries off to stare out the door.
Copernicus leaves his order with the startled shop keeper and pads outside to meet Crista. When he asks to be let through, someone turns to tell him off, then quickly backs up and a path starts clearing around the felitaur. He sighs.
Chimera spreads one of his own wings to wave it at Crista.
Crista lands gently, bowing from the waist. "I am Crista, of the Solu."
Chimera steps forward, "Hello, I'm Chimera of Lothrhyn!"
Copernicus pads up to Crista, "Hello m'lady. I'm Copernicus of the Chirr'T'Thar."
Crista nods, bowing in turn to Chimera and Copernicus. "Hello."
Copernicus purrs, "So 1,000 of you hmm? I know we can easily set you up at a distance from Haven, as they don't have claims to the whole planet, but if you want to be close to this city, we'll have to negotiate with the locals. What happened? How did you come to be refugees?"
Chimera stretches to look over the crowd at the egg the pretty alien came out of.
The crowds move in close, murmuring and pointing.
Crista folds her wings in close, moving a bit away from the crowd. "A civil war on my world."
Copernicus hmms, "Oh, a war between your own people? I'm very sorry to hear that. For now, let's try and find a quiet place to talk before the dock master finds us."
Chimera blinks, "I don't understand. How can a war be civil?"
Far off, down the wharf, a familiar gravelly voice can be heard shouting for people to get out of the way. It doesn't sound like he's having much success.
Copernicus notes for once he agrees with Chimera. He's never understood the "civil" part, let alone how a race can split itself in two and war with itself. But he politely says nothing.
Crista's frowns. "I'm sorry, it is a long story."
Copernicus flicks his own wings as he notes Tylen's progress and nods, "Well, regardless, we can see if your ship can be fixed, and if you want, I can probably help set you up with a place for your people."
Chimera quietly asks Copernicus, "More tents then?"
Crista nods. "I would appreciate that very much..a place somewhere slightly away from the town would be best.."
Copernicus sighs at Chimera, "I have no idea what Crista would like to live in Chimera. Well, then we'll have to deal with the Council of Haven. Right now, I'm thinking we could go someplace to talk and eat."
Crista nods. "I am slightly hungry."^
Chimera says, "Do you only eat freshly killed meat, Crista?"
Copernicus wonders how Kainudy could have EVER complained about HIS diplomatic skills, when all her descendants were like Chimera and Charon?
Copernicus hmmms, "Well, I know of a small restaurant near here. Let's move away from the crowds."
Crista blinks slightly. "No, my people cook their food and eat vegetables."
Chimera says, "Oh, that's good! Most folks here do too."
Crista nods, wings fluttering behind her as she walks.
Copernicus wonders, for the billionth time, just who he offended on a cosmic level, but, once again, is just thankful they decided to make his life interesting. He purrs, "Well, my race is a bit odd. Other than the wings, you'll fit in just fine here. Bipeds are the norm."
Crista nods, looking around.
Copernicus leads the alien lady through the quiet walkways of Haven. The simple buildings, and obviously low levels of technology become rather obvious as they near the far end of town, by a small restaurant set near the edge of the forest.
Crista walks quietly, taking in the surroundings.
Chimera trots along behind. Nobody ever bothers him about being alien, luckily.
Crista says, "Are there many different races here?"
The place, "Creature Delights" is one of the more expensive. And Lady Hepzahl, the skunk proprietor, has learned to treat the Chirr'T'Thar with respect. Well, for as long as their money is good. She ushers the three odd aliens to one of the private tables in the woods.
Copernicus nods, "Quite a few. It's a mix of various different races that settled here from space about a millennia ago."
Crista hesitates a moment, letting her eyes adjust to the light in the restaurant. "Similar to my homeworld, then."
Chimera holds a chair out for Crista.
Crista bows slightly to Chimera, sitting down in the chair. "Thank you."
Chimera smiles and pushes the chair in for Crista, then takes one next to her.
Copernicus pours Crista some iced milk flavored with oranges and then pours some for him and Chimera. He notes a squirrel up in the trees above, and enjoys the quiet seclusion of an outdoor restaurant. He purrs, "Why did you and your friends leave? Did the war get too bad?"
Crista sniffs the drink, then sips it hesitantly. "In a manner of speaking. My people are peaceful, we do not interfere in the wars of others."
Copernicus frowns, "I see, you just got caught in the middle. I'm sorry to hear that. So, what do you hope to do when you set up shop here?"
In a rare burst of common sense, Chimera does not mention the space war that is building between the Chirr'T'Thar and the unknown raiders..
Crista says, "My people are traders, we have goods and skills to offer."
Copernicus nods, "Well, there are a lot of raw materials here. So long as you don't destroy the local environment, or the local economy, shouldn't be a problem. And if you want stellar trade, my race does that a lot."
Chimera's attention begins to drift as the talk turns to economics..
Crista nods, sipping her drink. "We have grazing animals, that need fodder. We not a destructive people, I can assure you."
Copernicus nods, "Good to hear. So you were attacked by those raiders too? They've been going after a lot of ships. They've destroyed several of ours, you're lucky to be alive."
Crista nods. "Our ship is equipped with excellent defensive measures."
Crista says, "Still, we barely escaped."
Copernicus hmmmmmmms, "Well, then maybe we can make a trade of technology in return for getting you a good start here. We're afraid the raiders are after more than just a few ships."
Crista blinks a bit. "Oh? What are they after?"
Copernicus sighs, "We think whole planets. They are too well armed, and too large to be just going after ships."
Crista's eyes widen a bit. "Planet killers."
Chimera says, "Colonizers probably."
Copernicus shrugs, "They won't kill the planet. Probably just the residents. They may need the space like Chimera just suggested."
Copernicus turns his attention to the menu, "What would you like to eat?"
Chimera says, "I would like one bite of everything please."
Crista says, "Salad, meat, rare, please."
Copernicus orders some rare spare ribs and sauce for himself, a nice steak and fruit salad for Crista, and a children's sampler plate for Chimera. With a request for a big bib.
Copernicus hmmms, "So what will you do with your ship once you have a place to live here?"
Crista says, "The ship can made into a number of different components.. though that's not really my area."
Copernicus hmms, "Well, as I said, we may be willing to trade for some technology ideas. The locals here have no real concept of high technology, but are very inventive with what they have. You'll have to meet my family someday, just to see what my race is like. Ah, here's our meal. Chimera, I hope you can behave during dinner?"
Crista glances at Chimera, a bit puzzled. "Behave?"
The two young maids politely, but rather quickly, lay out everyones meal, and disappear when Copernicus tells them nothing more is needed.
Chimera blinks at Copernicus?
Chimera picks up the bib. "Why is my napkin bigger than yours?"
Copernicus purrs, "Chimera's race is known for not quite understanding certain social graces, shall we say. And coming from a Chirr'T'Thar, that's saying a lot. Er, well, as you want a bite of everything, it'll help you keep cleaner?""
Crista nods slightly.."I..understand."
Chimera hmms at Copernicus, and checks over his plate. He doesn't want to ask if there are actual children in a children's sampler..
Copernicus smiles, "I'm glad you understand. I usually don't."
Crista says, "There were some such races on my homeworld."
Copernicus tosses a rib into his mouth and crunches away. He still can't figure out why people take the meat off and toss the bones away. He purrs, "Well, don't get me wrong. I really like Chimera, and Charon and the rest. They mean no harm, they just sometimes don't seem to know when to stop asking questions, right Chimera?"
Chimera looks up, but has his mouth full so doesn't say anything.
Copernicus crunches away at his food, eating rather daintily, even if he eats everything but the plate itself.
Crista finishes her salad and begins on the steak.
Chimera finishes his own meal with spilling a single crumb.
Copernicus looks at Chimera and hmms, "It seems I owe you an apology."
Chimera wipes his lips with the bib, and then belches loudly.
Copernicus sighs and shrugs.
Crista raises an eyebrow, chuckling softly.
Chimera blinks, "Excuse me. I'm not used to eating."
Copernicus finishes off his little snack of ten pounds of ribs, the plate looking like it's been washed as he purrs, "So, how far off is your colony ship? Will you need a place to stay tonight?"
Crista says, "I can stay in my ship, thank you. Once we've concluded talks, I'll send word to the parent ship."
Copernicus nods, "Wonderful. If you wanted, we have plenty of space on the mining station. Just realize a certain fellow named Tylen will probably charge you for floating on the river. ;)"
Crista ahs. "I can easily stay on the mining station, then."
Chimera blinks, "I thought bulls were the ones that charged, not wolves?"
Copernicus chuckles softly, "You really have no concept of money do you my friend? Ah well, you're probably better off."
Crista chuckles softly, finishing her meal. "Perhaps he is at that."
Chimera frowns. He'll figure this out someday..
Copernicus hmms, "Well, when you want to go to the station, let me know. I'm sure my mates will invite you to sleep with them in the family pile, but I don't know if you'd like that. We have plenty of separate rooms."
Crista blinks a bit.."I'd prefer a separate room..please."
Copernicus nods, "Not a problem. Ceres snores a bit anyhow. It was good to meet you, and I'll talk to you as soon as I can get a local council meeting held."
Crista nods.."I appreciate your efforts on my people's behalf."
Chimera hmms, hoping those words won't come back to haunt Crista..
Copernicus grins, "No problem. We need some more friends since we've moved, and you seem to be a good group so far."
Crista looks around, "May we have a mutually profitable relationship. I'd like to return to my ship now, if you don't mind..I could use some sleep."
Copernicus leans over and headrubs Crista, "Agreed. And sleep well."
Crista blinks, pulling back in alarm. She jumps up, covering her surprise. "Good night."
Chimera waves to the nice Solu, "G'night Crista!"
Copernicus frowns, "Sorry, it's just a method of greeting for my kind. I didn't mean to upset you. Goodnight."
Crista smiles to Chimera. "Goodnight."
Crista bows to Copernicus. "Not all species greet each other in such..close.. manners. Goodnight."
Crista heads out of the restaurant, and soon is back inside her ship.
Copernicus nods, "Good hunting."
Copernicus hmmms at Chimera, "So, what do you think?"
Chimera smiles to Copernicus. "I saw her first!"
Copernicus hmms, "I don't think that's an issue Chimera. She seems to keep very distant from other races. I wonder if it's just because her kind has had such a rough time?"
Chimera shrugs, "Rough time?"
Copernicus purrs, "They were caught in the middle of someone else's war. That's never nice, and not good for building trust of outsiders either. Ah well, I'll just warn the other Chirr'T'Thar to try and behave calmly around such a beautiful race.""