When We're Rollin Through the Wild Wild West

[geonomy]

Who: Everyone! EVERYONE!
Broadcast: IF YOU WANNA
Action: Everywhere! EVERYWHERE!
When: Mid-September - Mid-October

[How's your ship doing, pardners? Is it still pretty damaged? Is it glitching out hardcore? Well, there is one place to land to take care of all that, and that's on a dusty old moon in front of a planet that no one wants to go to. On this moon, you'll find a civilization that looks a lot like one's stepped into a wild west movie, hardened cowpolk and mutant horses and all. Will you become a vigilante, hunting bounties and stopping gangs from doing their dirty work? Will you go exploring planetside, with a cowboy hat and a stalk of wheat in your mouth to complete the look? Good luck with that; there is no wheat. This town ain't big enough for all you flooters, but make it so! For the ratings!

In other words, it's a planet mingle! Get 'er done!]

[September Planet info here]

Comments

[thezerothlaw]

[Daneel tilts his head, looking at him curiously. He can see the signs of relaxation, and that's... good. He can satisfy his curiosity, find out what he's dealing with.]

You are not a mere animal. I thought initially that you were, but this was an error on my part, for which I beg your pardon. Creatures such as yourself are unknown where I am from.

[And he's... reasonably sure it understands him. At least a little.]

[heresyandlace]

[the sound that it issues then is made up a growl that rolls through its chest and into the ground, curling into an animal hiss and a close-throated catch of voice... but is elaborate and intentional enough to easily imagine that it could be language.

not that the augments will help out with this particular tongue, but it's at least another sign of higher intelligence.]

[thezerothlaw]

[Well. It's something. What to do with this? If he were more experienced he could maybe understand this already, but. Hm.]

If you'll allow me -- I have some mental ability, but I cannot read thoughts. I can sense emotions, however. I do wish to try some form of communication, if we can. I have never met a creature like you, you see.

[Is he being understood? He's not... sure.]

[heresyandlace]

[the dragon tilts its head in something that seems very much like curiosity... and then down it crouches, folding up its limbs and craning its neck down to bring it much closer to the man.

and as it goes peering close, it also reaches with its mind. dragons communicate with each other through easy telepathy, but--every once in a while--they can also communicate with other creatures that have penchants for psychic ability.

might as well give it a shot, right? it starts slow, with a general message of wordless question instead of real words.]

[thezerothlaw]

[This is... different.

Daneel answers the wordless questions with an equally wordless expression of welcome and friendliness. It's mixed with a degree of curiosity. He's not afraid, at least.

Tell him about yourself, dragon.]

[heresyandlace]

[the dragon receives the wordless message, and its eyes narrow to slits while its jaws part in an easy, open-mouthed hiss. it's maybe a bit threatening to watch, but it's actually an expression of approval.

there are words this time--humming and purring through the mental space.]

You can hear me, then?

[thezerothlaw]

[Oh. Oh. This is completely unlike anything Daneel's experienced. Maybe if there'd been a chance with Giskard -- but no, there wasn't time for anything like this. Incredible.]

I understand you. I believed your mind was that of a sapient creature, but I have never been privileged to meet one such as yourself.