2024-12-14: A Point of Consideration

• Log: A Point of Consideration
• Cast: Victoria Spectrolite, Iselia Seraphinite
• Where: The Observatory, Side 4
• OOC - IC Date: 0099-12-14
• Summary: Having settled into a refurbished Earth observation post, The Earth-side representatives of the Keepers of Order are primed for future operations. However, one of them is bothered still by lingering sentiments regarding the previous operation...

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<Pose Tracker> Victoria Spectrolite has posed.

The past few weeks have been a busy time for the Keepers of Order. Following their initial scouting venture, there was a lot of bureaucracy to attend to. Which isn't a negative of course, far from it. But it has been kind of tiring. Going back and forth, moving between ships and colonies. Having discussions with the Crossbone Vanguard on behalf of the Balarant Union. Gathering what needs for accommodations aught be met that magic would be ill-suited to provide.

Of course, it was Iselia handling the diplomacy side of things. Victoria's part was more centered around the latter - to inspect what was to be the new base of operations in Side 4, make a thorough inventory of basic requirements to be up to the rigorous standards that would be required to serve in the intended capacity, and then ensure that they are indeed met.

Thankfully, even though Victoria hasn't been privy to much of the details, it seems that negotiations have gone quite well, giving her access to generous assistance from Cosmo Babylonia. Between their resources and her own magical touch-ups, the old abandoned Earth observation post's signs of deterioration have been polished well enough away to make the building not just functional, but quite livable - an important requirement, given its intended shared purpose as regular living quarters.

Victoria, of course, could be counted on to ensure a level of quality that could be a match for the typical Sorcerer's accommodations at one of the Keeper's Temples. Magic has been used liberally to add a touch of otherworldliness - furniture sparkling in unnatural ways, objects glowing and floating where it would be more practical than for them to be resting on a surface, and a ceiling of stars even indoors. The Observatory is coming along nicely.

Of course, she wouldn't dream of presuming Iselia's needs, leaving it up to her mentor to decide on the decoration of her quarters, and how she prefers everything to be laid out in the workshop. Her own quarters, though, has been decked out just the way she likes it. A neatly organized wooden desk. A four-poster bed with a black frame and red sheets. Many large, solid bookcases, leaving plenty of room to expand the collection. And of course, in one corner, her favored instrument: a grand piano.

Having found a moment of free time, Victoria's playing can be heard through the hall outside of the room that is now her quarters. As is common, her playing is high-paced yet melodious, a form of stress relief and emotional expression at the same time - usually, when she plays like this, there's something on her mind that's causing her some manner of vexation.

[OOC] Victoria Spectrolite says, "You can imagine this if you like, since, what else would it be, I'm committed to the bit now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZkg8UMTCI0"

<Pose Tracker> Iselia Seraphinite has posed.

Indeed, it has been a busy time. Iselia has done her part, of course. The Keepers of Order must maintain a comfortable relationship with their allies. This may be a rather disparate group not otherwise inclined to trust and extend a hand, but Order can be achieved by fostering diplomacy and good will. This, Iselia believes.

And the negotiations have certainly awarded them. The Observatory makes for a fine base of operations, a place where they can do their work in peace while keeping an eye on movements in the Earth Sphere. And it feels much more like home, now, thanks to Victoria's hard work and the assistance of those who came with them.

Iselia, indeed, has seen to the arrangement of her own quarters and workshop. Sparse, as always, with only what is needed for her to do what she needs.

But that's something for another time - now, Iselia paces through the halls of the Observatory. She always seems to be doing something, though what that something is is sometimes unclear.

At the moment, however... she comes to a stop outside Victoria's quarters, as she hears the music flowing out of it. She pauses for a moment, listening consideringly.

She has a fine ear for music, herself, and as such, she can detect the intricacies of the melody... and, from them, draw conclusions about Victoria's mindset. It speaks to troubled thoughts... and as one who has been assigned to guide her, she would be remiss if she didn't see what was causing them. She waits, listening...

...and then, once there is a lull in the music, she knocks on the door.

"Victoria." Iselia says, to announce herself.

<Pose Tracker> Victoria Spectrolite has posed.

Victoria would certainly like to know more about Iselia's movements and activities, but would never ask, of course. Everything on a need to know basis - trust that you'll be told all you must know, that is the way of things. Everything is to kept in moderation, including curiosity. It can be a struggle at times, to keep from wanting more.

She has had no complaints about her role in things, however. If she has any frustrations regarding something of that sort, she's shown no indication of it. But there must be something - something that's causing distraction, if nothing else.

Following a pause in her playing, the music does not resume after her name is called. There is some measure of surprise there, but Victoria keeps herself composed.

"Milady Iselia, you've returned. Please, enter."

When the door is opened, Victoria is facing the door, having turned around from where she had been seated during her playing. Or perhaps 'seated' isn't the proper term. She's sitting, cross-legged, but not on any sort of seat, simply remaining in the air at the proper height to reach the keys. That's a notable absence in her room - chairs. Victoria hasn't defaulted to using chairs in years. Not an issue to her, but, as she only now realizes...

"...Forgive me, I have no seat to offer you. I'll rectify this momentarily." A slight pause, before she asks the obvious question, "Is there business to attend to? I stand ready to join you, if needs be."

In a matter of speaking. It takes her a moment longer to actually stand, lowering her legs down to the ground before straightening up.

<Pose Tracker> Iselia Seraphinite has posed.

"Thank you." Iselia replies. She opens the door and steps inside to be greeted by the sight of Victoria sitting on the air next to her piano. That Iselia doesn't react at all to this unusual sight is a sign that she's grown used to it in the time they've been working together.

"It's quite alright." Iselia assures with shake of her head as Victoria apologizes. As for business...

"Not as such, no. I simply overheard your music. I am pleased that our current mission has done nothing to forestall your practice. Your command of the melody is remarkable." Iselia says. Her tone is genuine, at least - but there's something about it that gives the feeling of an upcoming. "However..."

There it is.

"I could not help but notice a certain underlying current to it. The sensation of a mind fixated on something..." Iselia explains. "Is something troubling you, Victoria? If I am mistaken, then all is well... but I believed it prudent to lend an ear."

<Pose Tracker> Victoria Spectrolite has posed.

Victoria can already kind of see the way the wind is blowing as soon as Iselia confirms that this isn't about business. Though she wasn't expecting her music would give away the motivations behind her playing, it's no surprise at all that her mental state would been seen through in such a way. Iselia's talents in uncovering hidden truths were well-known to her long before the current arrangement.

While she would normally offer thanks for praise of her musical skill, the fact that she doesn't do so when given an opening shows that she's seen that dangling 'however' in the air. But there's no aversion of the eyes on her part, suggesting that this may be something that she's wished to talk about.

"Impeccably observed, Milady. There is indeed something that's... continued to vex me for some time now, ever since our combat engagement on the surface of Earth."

She looks about, mildly annoyed now that she can't suggest having a seat. She'll definitely have to do something about that later, but... for now it seems it'll have to be a standing conversation.

"I understand your attention could not be on me the entire time, but judging by what you observed at the time... do you think I made a mistake somewhere?"

Cutting right to the heart of the matter first and foremost, she explains further, "I have given it much consideration, yet I simply... cannot understand their responses. One of my opponents continued to fight past the point where retreat should have been the only reasonable option. The other seemed... irrationally outraged, and sought to protect the first as if expecting I would attack their disabled machine."

That's the issue. She's failing to see the rationality that she seeks in everything, not seeing logical cause and effect. She can only assume the fault lies with her somehow.

"Did I somehow... not make it clear enough that this was merely a test?"

<Pose Tracker> Iselia Seraphinite has posed.

Iselia remains standing, hands clasped in front of her as she listens to Victoria.

"Is that so?" Iselia states, as Victoria explains. It truly must be a troubling matter. All the more reason for her to listen, then. And so she listens quietly, not interrupting Victoria as she explains what's on her mind - relates her experiences in fighting the pilots they encountered on Earth. Iselia's expression grows pensive, as she considers her approach.

"No. The fault does not lie with you." Iselia replies, shaking her head. "But it is a... point of consideration. Though we have seen that there are those who appreciate the value of Order among their number... there are still those who are often ruled by emotion and ideal. It guides their actions - leads them to act outside of reason. Against even Order itself. I knew of this, but I had not appreciated the extent to which they are willing to push themselves."

She paces to the side for a moment, sorting out her thoughts.

"I hope this has not affected you too deeply. That was... quite the ordeal for your first mission in the field. And if you require more time, that is understandable."

<Pose Tracker> Victoria Spectrolite has posed.

To think there would be those who don't consider their every action through logical determination. To the point where they might even doubt a Keeper's words, and act in a disorderly manner. It seems such a foreign concept to one who cannot recall what life outside of the Keepers of Order is like, and was not exposed to it until recently.

Victoria knew to expect some manner of unpredictability, but she had no idea it would be like this - that she could be surprised in such a way. Her hands curl around the hem of her skirt, thinking back to how she felt when spoken to in indignant admonishment. It was an outrage - she was right to be outraged, wasn't she? She would never be able to reach an answer to that without assistance.

Thankfully, Iselia does have an answer for her, as difficult as it is to understand how anyone could live that way. She closes her eyes and takes a breath. "Baffling indeed..." She adjusts her glasses as her eyes reopen. "If I may say so, the records made the matter sound far more cut and dry. Wavering from the cause of Order is tragic, but I thought I understood how it had occurred in this instance... it now feels as if I ultimately understood very little."

She shakes her head, at the notion of needing more time. "That will not be necessary. I was on the wrong mental track, I must correct my way of thinking if I am to be better prepared in the future. Further experience is paramount. I will, of course, give the matter all due consideration in the mean while." Part of that, too, is gathering more information - reason enough to, as an exception, ask Iselia about her side of the work directly. Her head tilts to the side.

"How did you find them, these 'Gaia Sabers'? Did their pilots respond in much the same way? Their Captain Fari seemed more reasonable, from what I picked up... yet now I worry about my interpretation there, as well."

<Pose Tracker> Iselia Seraphinite has posed.

Iselia notes the way Victoria's hands curl around the hem of her skirt. She doesn't comment on it. Some things she must work through herself.

"Indeed." Iselia agrees, and listens. A knowing smile crosses her face, as Victoria remarks on what the records say. "Such is often the case. It is... multi-faceted. One can never quite grasp its full extent until they've experienced it for themselves - and it may be overwhelming, at first. The world is a chaotic, ever-shifting thing - and thus, the need for Order's firm hand to set it right."

And then she nods, as Victoria says that more time will not be necessary - that she needs further experience.

"An admirable approach." Iselia replies, with the faint hint of a smile. "Learn all you can from this - and use it to better prepare yourself."

She pauses, then, as Victoria asks about the Gaia Sabers she fought. She paces again as she thinks, back to where she stood before.

"In a fashion - their response was more measured... and yet, there was a fire concealed within. Had I pushed them further, then perhaps - but their training served them well. They conducted themselves admirably, and the Captain and I had a delightful chat on the matter of law." Iselia replies. Said chat was had while shooting each other, of course - but this barely seems worth mention to her.

<Pose Tracker> Victoria Spectrolite has posed.

Victoria wrinkles her nose, the timing of which showing her vexation at the thought that there might be more chaos than Order in the world. Having so far only seen the Keepers' works where their influence is strongest may have given her the wrong impression of just how much correction is going to be required. She'd never back down from the challenge, but one can practically see the gears turning as she processes this, considering how one's approach might be changed to improve efficiency in their shared mission.

But she can't allow for getting lost in thought in the middle of a conversation. She inclines her head in silent thanks at the appreciation for her diligence. "I will take your words to heart, Milady."

Following Iselia's pacing with her eyes, she doesn't move from her own position, bearing more relaxed from before. It's clear to see how important it is for her to be able to keep her thoughts organized, unburdened by irrational elements. She's yet to grasp how flexibility in one's thinking could be anything but a hindrance. Give it time.

She nods, finding Iselia's point of view easy to latch onto. And, of course, assuming that this 'delightful chat' must have been one of full agreement. She couldn't imagine an argument being at all delightful.

"I see. Their organisation did seem to have potential in that regard. Perhaps, under the correct circumstances, we might find them aiding our side." She rubs her chin. "...At least, until such time as they learn of who else number among our allies. I wonder if such an opportunity will present itself... or could be made to present itself."

<Pose Tracker> Iselia Seraphinite has posed.

Indeed, Iselia can see the realisation as it hits her. Let the gears turn - it is a fine representation of an ordered system, after all. It's a necessary realisation.

"That is all I ask." Iselia replies, briefly inclining her own head in turn. She studies Victoria for a moment further, then, until she makes her observation. Iselia considers that.

"Yes... Perhaps you are correct. They displayed an interest in meeting again outside of the battlefield, on more friendly terms." Iselia agrees. "There is merit to the idea - even if, as you say, the alliance may only be a temporary one."

She nods, then.

"I believe we would have much to gain from such an arrangement - and much to learn."