driftfleet | (no subject)

Oh, Ragna's not my home world, just where I've made my home. But yes, it is. The Ragnans have gills and fins and webbed hands. They live on land, but can breathe in water and are very agile there.

[Kaname lifts her forearm up to trace a shape in the air from her elbow to mid arm, closer to her wrist.]

Jellyfish is the planet's specialty.

Ah...so you've been to other planets? That's as amazing as the Ragnans, honestly.

[Merlan was so fascinated that she telekinetically wrung her tea bag out and set it on her plate.]

I think I'd love to meet them. They sound like a wonderfully adapted species.

[Merlan, once again, gets carried away with the questions.]

How do they prepare jellyfish? Is it just the cap that's eaten? And how do they deal with the stingers?

[She realises she just fired way too many questions and takes a sip of her tea.] Sorry. Too many questions.

Quite a few. Space travel's as standard as what apparently takes place here. A lot of it was for work, though.

[She blinks in confusion at the telekinesis but doesn't say anything. For all she knows, it might be rude.]

They are. I've got a few good friends among them. [It just causes her to chuckle and shake her head.]

Mm, no apologies necessary. And, pretty much as you would most other meat or fish. The entire thing is edible, and depending on the variety, they might not have stingers.

[Because aliens.]

Ahhh. [If her eyes could sparkle, they totally would have.] All of that is amazing. What sort of work do you do? Living among aliens seems incredibly fascinating just by itself. And no stingers?

...I kind of wish I could go there. [Merlan looks a little embarrassed.] It sounds like a wonderful place to live.

I'm a singer-- part of a group called Walküre. We perform around the galaxy for shows and missions. [And act as undercover operatives and information gathering. It's complicated.] I guess it is, but it's been commonplace for decades now, I'm not used to anything different.

[Kaname shakes her head.] Only on some varieties. And I'm very fond of it. It's turned into home.

Mmn. That, too, sounds fabulous and having a home is such a wonderful thing.

[Merlan nods and smiles.]

I did a little singing myself at a pub a bit ago. Not a big crowd, though I did earn a little money for it. I find it relaxing, really. I'm not sure I could tour or anything like you do. My voice is very, ah, graveled and kind of odd. But it gets spells done, so it must be okay.

[Her expression turns thoughtful.]

If you ever do feel like singing, though, the Iskaulit has a lovely bar or two. [Merlan colours a little.] I know I'd really love to hear you sing.

Edited (ugh tenses) 2017-10-01 03:48 (UTC)

[Her smile's equally met as Kaname takes a small bite of her "food."]

All types of voices can be wonderful if used the right way. Maybe you just need to find your style of music. [She puts her fork down with a small exhale.] Mm, the touring is easy. It's the conditions of some of the performances that might be an issue for a lot of people.

[But she winks with a chuckle.] Don't worry, I don't plan on stopping here.

Mmm. That's wonderful. I absolutely can't wait to hear you! [Her enthusiasm lights up her face before her expression turns reflective.

Merlan nods, thinking Kaname's words over for a good long while. There were so many different ways to use a voice, really.]

I suppose sing mostly for magic. The words just don't feel right if they aren't sung, if you know what I mean. I've heard people not sing them and they work fine but-- [Merlan sighs and takes a long sip of tea, brow wrinkling a little.]

Like. Say you need light. Saying [She holds her hand out away from both of them and cups it.] nananza tal pil ninil may get you what you need...or not. It depends on, well, intent and sometimes ingredients if it's complicated.

[There's a flicker, more of a spark, but nothing really happens.]

But, if you sing it and let yourself shape what you're asking for in your mind, like this...

[She sings out the words this time, her voice a velvety spiral of notes, until she's built a small, shining flower that floats above her hand.]

Ah. See? [She nudges the flower towards Kaname and it floats smoothly, before stopping within reach.] Much better. But I suppose music for pleasure is a bit different, yeah? Or at least it's, ah, a different sort of spell.

[Blue eyes widen as she watches and listens to the process of the flower being born. Hesitating only for a moment, she reaches out to hold the creation.]

It's so pretty... [She smiles, looking back to Merlan.]

It is for pleasure, yes, but so much more than that. We use it to encourage people and make them smile. What we do gives them hope. Our voices are able to cure and prevent the Var, a syndrome that was plaguing the galaxy. The source was eventually discovered and stopped, something we assisted with as well.

[A hum of amusement escapes her.] We're all family. Walkure, the Delta Flight, and the rest of the Elysion crew.

Ah! That's what song is supposed to be used for, at least that's what I've come to believe. If used just at the right moment at just the right frequency... That's pretty brilliant.

[Her face lights up. She's thinking, then, absorbing the other woman's words with little nods and smiles.]

Family is important to have no matter if they're found or blood. Sounds like a wonderful one to me if they help you do such important work.

There's more to it than that, but it can wait for another time.

[A nod.] They are. We've all helped each other in different ways.

[She realizes something before chuckling.] But enough about me.

Mm.

[Merlan smiles warmly.]

It took me awhile to feel settled in. I was Security before and now, suddenly, I'm Engineering. I suppose that's okay, though since I've advanced training in it on my planet. I'm enjoying the new knowledge in my head. I think it's much more my speed.

It's nice that you feel more comfortable with it. I'm personnel, myself, and I won't complain about an office.

[She thinks for a moment.] I think I can see why that might fit.

I'm actually going to see if I can get some sort of hydroponics set up at some point, that way we have fresh food around more often. Goo is...um. Not exactly appetising, if you know what I mean. But it's a project on the back burner, for the moment.

[Merlan will, at some point, write that one down along with a booklet full of other ideas. But it's a good one.]

I'm pretty sure I can build a proper lab. Maybe a test run in my quarters. [She laughs, then, and shakes her head.] Guess that means wherever we land next, I'll have to start stockpiling seeds. Edible as well as the pretty flowering ones.

[She hums as she tilts her chin a little. She'll run it by Sam and Nami, for sure.]

Too much ambition?

I'm not sure there's ever too much, but it does sound like a major undertaking. I can't really say how it might go.

[Speaking of... Kaname takes a bite of hers and grimaces a little.]

However, I won't dissuade you at all.

There we have it, then. Working towards some sort of hydroponics lab is firmly in the to-do column.

[Merlan laughs and tips at her tea for awhile.]

It might taste a bit better with seasoning, though. There's a whole drawerful over there [She points.] if you want to test some out.

Or just something else.

[Despite the lack of appeasement, Kaname does take another bite.]

I thought I had added enough. Clearly not. [Still she doesn't move.] Next time.

I guess it takes awhile to get used to, like most new things. [Merlan hums, thinking, and then rises to rummage through the fridge.]

How's it taste at the moment?

This is definitely a new thing for sure. [She takes another bite, her expression not as severe as before.]

Goopy.

If it's goopy, that means it probably needs...lots of help. [She glances back at Kaname.]

...how would you like it to taste?

So it seems. [She stops to think, not really sure.]

A little more texture would be nice, but as for taste, I'm not picky.