[center][h3]Plasma Can Bloom[/h3][/center]
[i][After the Second Day of the Council of Nikea, Meeting Garden][/i]
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The fauna was of something that the likes of Nodis had rarely seen outside the battlefields that he would be deployed to, yet never would have had enough time to properly enjoy it. The Librarian, still adorned in his power armor, walked through it in a somewhat elegant fashion, stepping as lightly as possible as to not disturb the serene feeling of the location. Water from a nearby fountain could be heard, the warmth of what was essentially a greenhouse touched his face as he smiled and closed his eyes. There was little time to truly bask in what the galaxy had to offer, too much time dedicated to war and the conquest of new Imperial lands. However, now, in a brief time after the Council of Nikea had been temporarily adjourned, Nodis could truly allow his mind to be at ease and his emotion to be one other than dull acceptance of the talking Primarchs that had made him glad that he did not have such rivalries amongst his brothers. Truly, there was no greater time for him to enjoy some private peace, to relax in a manner that he knew that his Gene-Father would disapprove of.

Silent bliss overtook him in that moment, closing his eyes to allow for his mind to focus on the feeling of warmth and the smell of plants that had been untouched by war. Nodis breathed out slowly, entering a meditative state as he contemplated the simple nature of his enjoyment outside of his Gene-Father’s sight. 

“You are unlike the other gene-sires of Usriel and Usriel himself, Chief Librarian Nodis Solallis.” Came a voice to his rear. Seated calmly on a small bench concealed out of the way of easy line of sight sat Ayushmatki, legs crossed in a comfortable position with a book held in her hand. She smiled, examining him and the garden. “I could list the ways in which you differ, yet it might be simpler to list the only ways in which you seem similar. You are loyal to him. You share a goal in humanity’s unification. And you seem to believe in developing to its furthest extent the capabilities of humankind.” She remained seated, but snapped the book shut, fixing him with a curious glance. “So tell me, how does one such as this survive within the Nineteenth Legion?”

Nodis eyes came open, not suddenly out of shock, and turned to face the seated form of Ayushmatki with his own look of curiosity as if he did not recognize her initially. Then the memory came back to him, the representative of the Daughters of Iron from the council was who he now had the pleasure of speaking with. The Librarian clasped his hands together and his face moved to have a soft smile on his face as he stepped towards the one that had addressed him. “The Steel Sentinels are not as coarse as one might think, they are family. We treat each other as such,” Nodis spoke, his voice light and carried by the same tranquility that the garden provided. 

The Librarian continued in his soothing tone, bowing his head to her, “You are Ayushmatki, I am honored to make your acquaintance after having heard you try to smooth over my ideas with Gene-Aunt Nelchitl.”

Ayushmatki nodded to him, “That I am, Chief Librarian. I am glad to have been able to assist in such. The furthering of humanity’s potential, the development of all abilities that could lead to our dominance and security through the stars - such was something I could not permit to be trampled upon. Think nothing of it, it is the duty of any to defend that which they believe in.”

“And yet I will continue to think of it, Ayushmatki. A kindness to me is still something that I must continue to thank you for, after all, we Sentinels do not get much kindness from those outside our legion,” Nodis stated, raising his head to look upon the form of the other. His warm, soft smile permitted as he studied her features, committing them to memory. His gaze did not faulted as he asked in genuine intrigue, “Might I ask what book it is you are reading, fair lady?”

“It is a fictional novel, written by one of the first individuals to step foot upon this world, based upon her initial experiences. It loses its grounding in the facts about a fifth of the way in, and has currently become a rather exciting tale of swashbuckling romance across the stars.” She smiled, raising it in one hand, “You are welcome to it, should you desire, though I do not know if Astartes outside of a small handful of Legions would appreciate it in truth.” After a moment, however, she turned to the original topic. “It is true, unfortunately. Especially between our own primarchs, that there is little love lost between the Nineteenth Legion and many of its comrades. Nevertheless, that is no such reason for it to continue - especially were more of them like their chief librarian.”

“Alas, there is little I can do on such matters,” he said in a warm, albeit disappointed tone, as he stepped closer to Ayushmakti to gingerly take the book. Nodis looked over the cover briefly before looking back at the other, “Though it seems that you may be in such a similar scenario given what my gene-uncles and aunts said to you. If it were my place to apologize for their behavior I would, as such threats should be beneath those who lead us.”

“One would think, yes.” She said, smiling sadly. “Unfortunately it seems the greatest of humanity are often the most cruel and embittered of us all. I confess, I was unprepared for the sheer extent of it when I first arrived. I am accustomed to the sixteenth, and the gulf between her and… most of her kin is alarming, to say the least.” She sighed, “I appreciate your gesture, nevertheless.”

“That said, I still hold out hope for them,” Nodis started with a bit of naivety to him, bringing his hands together as they mirrored each other, “No one is beyond changing their ways, and I guarantee that my aunts and uncles will become better as time passes.” 

Ayushmatki raised an eyebrow, folding one leg over the other as she analyzed the man before her quizzically. “You are a very idealistic individual, especially for one of your Legion. Perhaps more so than I had initially realized.” She remained silent for a time after, simply watching him. “Perhaps this galaxy could do with more like you, however. My primarch was as you, once, but the weight of her experiences has worn her down. I am glad there yet remains such within our Imperium.”

“I have learned a lot during my time as an Astartes and Chief Librarian, Ayushmatki. I am but a product of that time,” Nodis clarified, his smile not faltering even as his gaze seemed to go past the woman before he continued, “I admit, I know little of my gene-aunt Eiohsa, though to know that she was once like myself does bring me a hope that I will find those that share my views.”

A thin, pained smile came across Ayushmatki’s face now as she sighed, “Eiohsa… still shares your views, I believe. She is, I would say without reservation, the most kindhearted and genuinely good of all the Primarchs, perhaps of anyone I have ever known. I have seen many people within my centuries, and none of them have held a candle to her. She bears upon her shoulders a pain I do not know if any of her siblings can truly understand, but she continues to press onwards, motivated solely by her conviction to help guide and protect humanity. She has instilled these same convictions and virtues within her Legion, formerly one of the most brutal and callous of all. She has crafted her domain in the likeness of the dream she holds for the future - learning, compassion, a society where all are equal and prosperous.” 

“Then she may hold more similar qualities in my father than one might realize, for he too bears a great pain that I know all too well for I have lived through it and the legion is instilled with his own convictions and virtues, our virtues being that of family, home, and vigilance,” Nodis stated freely, his own tone not shifting as he continued to look over her features, “It seems the Daughters of Iron is one of kindness, compassion, and, dare I say, one of true humanity.”

Ayushmatki smiled truly now, and nodded. “I suppose that is one way to phrase it, yes. Her belief, and the belief of the Legion as a whole, is that it is the duty of an Astartes to shield humanity from the horrors of the universe, to stand as an unbreakable wall against the darkness that threatens it and to stem the tide, to be, dare I say, like iron in their defense of the Imperium - and more importantly, the people within the Imperium.” After a moment, she added, “I suspect your Primarch views you and those like you with distaste, then. Or at least some amount of disappointment.”

“Perhaps, perhaps not. There must be a reason Father Usriel has not subject me to the hypnomat,” Noids said, his smile faltering but for a moment only to come back as he spoke once more, adding, “Surely, he cannot detest my personality that much should he allow me to continue this trend of mine.”

“It is possible he sees you as one of his sons above all else. The Primarchs are many and varied. Some would as soon execute the Astartes of their legions as tolerate what they might see as insubordination.” Said Ayushmatki, motioning him to take a seat on the bench. “Others might cherish their sons and daughters more dearly than anything else within the galaxy. Primarch Andreth may detest your views, but he may love you even more.”

“If that is so then that is but a single more positive to add to my father,” Nodis said, moving himself to finally sit next to Ayushmakti while still offering a warm smile. His movement was smooth as he sat down next to her, though he allowed his hands to fold into his lap as he did so. The Astartes continued, “I do believe that Father Usriel does truly hold a love for his sons, and even his nieces and nephews. At least, he holds us in higher regard than most others that is.”

“And that, Chief Librarian, is why I am here.” From her coat, Ayushmatki produced a small, neatly folded letter, handing it to him. “Your Primarch and myself are, unfortunately, at odds with each other, and much the same between him and my own leader. I wish to apologize for my antagonizing of him during the Council’s events this day - and more importantly, offer my sincere and heartfelt thanks to him for his defense of me. We do not see eye to eye, and neither do he and Eiohsa - but despite this, he did not allow his own personal animosity or feelings to cloud his judgement or sway him from his beliefs. As such, I would like you to deliver him this letter.”

The librarian seemed to give a look of genuine surprise as Ayushmakti proclaimed her intentions, cocking a singular eyebrow as he looked upon the letter and hesitantly took it within one of his hands. Inquisitively, he asked, “You realize that my father may not even read it if he knew it was from yourself, correct?”

Ayushmatki nodded. “That is why I am asking you to deliver it, Chief Librarian. I would deliver it myself, but I do not wish to provoke his ire further.” She paused, and after a moment, allowed a small smile to break out. “I wish to speak to him to give him - and your legion - a gift.”

“You are odd, yourself, Ayushmakti, for you wish to gift a man who had threatened to kill you and stated he would without hesitation,” Nodis responded, looking over the woman as he tucked the letter into the book. He allowed himself to return his normal, soft smile before speaking once more, “I could count on one hand the amount of times I have witnessed someone attempting to do such acts.”

“I misjudged your Primarch, Chief Librarian. I thought things I now know to be false, and I wish to make amends. I will not pretend we shall become friends, or that we shall even do more than tolerate each other’s existence - but I nevertheless wish to apologize to him, and to thank him. He may wish me dead - but more importantly than that, he did not allow his hatred of me to cloud his thinking, and he stood by me against the Primarchs of the Seventh and Twelfth. He is a man of integrity and he holds to his principles like iron - or perhaps, steel might be a better comparison.” She smiled, nodding her head. “Perhaps I am a strange one after all. But nevertheless, I wish it done, if you would be willing.”

“It shall be done, for I believe that this could be but a simple step into alleviating the great rift that has come between the Daughters of Iron and the Steel Sentinels,” Nodis stated, his smile not faltering as his words rode the air. The librarian arose from his seat before reaching over to pluck a flower from a nearby plant, presenting it to Ayushmakti and saying, “A token of my gratitude for the time we spent.”

With those parting words, Nodis walked away from the human.

Ayushmatki held the flower, her eyebrow raised as she studied it in her hand. She did not understand [i]why[/i] Nodis had handed it to her - she was, after all, perfectly capable of plucking a flower herself if she wished to, for some reason. She briefly entertained the notion of it being a traditional parting from his homeworld - but just as briefly recalled the Steel Sentinels hailed from the forge world of Vion 5 and no such plant life would exist upon it. Despite her confusion, she did not dispose of the flower, instead examining it for several minutes more. She allowed herself to simply relax in the idyllic garden for a time before she returned to her duties, the flower to remain resting on her desk while she decided what to do with it.
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[center][h3]Plasma Makes the Craftworld Light Up[/h3][/center]
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A set of footsteps echoed down the halls of Nikea, heralding three figures as they made their steady progress towards their destination. The state room of the Primarch of the Nineteenth Legion, Usriel Andreth, loomed ahead. Ayushmatki and her guards from the Daughters of Iron, Kumari and Devaki, approached the guards of Usriel cautiously, Ayushmatki bowing to them before she spoke. “I am answering the summons of your Primarch, honored Astartes of the Nineteenth. May I pass?”

The two honor guards silently looked upon Ayushmakti, clear that words were going between them but they were unable to be heard by the mortal and the other two Astartes. After a few moments one spoke, a cruel tone that only befit a member of the Steel Sentinels washed over them, “You may enter, mortal. Cousins, you shall wait out here with us.”

Ayushmatki nodded to them, then to her guards. “Of course, honored Astartes. They will remain behind, I would expect no less.” After a moment’s hesitation, she stepped through the door, entering into Usriel’s state room. Her first thoughts were that it was not what she had expected - but then, she had not really known what to expect. Usriel loomed within the dimly lit room, and Ayushmatki bowed low to him. “Honored Primarch, thank you for agreeing to speak with me.”

The Primarch, standing in front of the conference table meant for him and his siblings, arms crossed behind his back, had his red gaze down upon the woman. It was clear what his emotion was even if it was concealed by the helmet that he had yet to be seen by most without. His voice cut through the tense air, a cold tone overtaking the air, “You realize the two other Primarchs wish you dead at this present moment, mortal. You are bold to come to me seeking to mend this long standing rift without the aid of your Primarch.”

Silence reigned for a moment as Ayushmatki weighed her next words carefully. “It is true, yes.” She said simply, “And it is true you as well would end me if you could. And yet the reason I stand before you is that, in spite of this - in spite of your animosity to my Primarch, her Legion, and myself… you defended me within the Council. Even though my words were those that enraged you, yourself, you defended me. You held to your principles above your personal dislike for me. That means… it means everything. I misjudged you, Honored Primarch, and I wish to apologize. I hold no pretenses that I may mend the divide in full - but if you will humor me, I would seek… tolerance of each other.” She held his gaze, a part of her mind demanding she crouch low and beg his mercy, one she had wrestled with since the Council had begun. “Honored Primarch, I wish to apologize, sincerely and in the deepest terms, for my actions and my perception of you. Eiohsa is… willful, is perhaps the most polite way of putting it - but I assure you, she will stand by everything I say now.”

Usriel was silent for a moment, perhaps contemplating the words of Ayushmakti or perhaps just allowing the offer to hang for a moment. Nonetheless his tone remained similar, stating with a nod, “Very well, mortal. You will not be ended by my own actions or words for this time. However, I expect a proper apology befitting your place as a the mortal you are.”

Ayushmatki raised an eyebrow at Usriel’s words, a slight frown appearing on her features. “Honored Primarch, I understand what you say - but I remain the Equerry of the Sixteenth Primarch. You are above me it is true, the gulf between us is so great it cannot properly be expressed in words. But I will not debase myself before you or any other. I represent not only my Primarch, not only the legion, but the pride of nearly eight hundred worlds. I will bow to you, I will defer to you, and I will offer you my sincerest, most humble apologies. I beg your forgiveness of my personal transgressions, but I will not disgrace myself upon the whim of any. Strike me down if you would - perhaps I would deserve it.” She looked him in the eyes - or at least, the visor. It was different now. She spoke not as the official delegate to a council - but a single woman standing before a man who transcended the very concept of such. 

Perhaps, if he decided to end her, she could resist for a time, but it was a sobering feeling to stand in the presence of a being who not only could wipe her from existence but might choose to do so on a whim. She was without the protection of the Emperor and Sigillite in this chamber, and she felt keenly vulnerable. But even so she stood strong, refusing to back down. She bowed low to him, but she did not prostrate herself, her eyes keenly trained on him throughout. If she was to die by his hand, she would at least assure herself the dignity of seeing it coming. 

And there was a thick silence, a silence with an intent of murder as it hung over the vulnerable form of Ayushmakti who continued to gaze upon the form of Usriel. It was a silence that would not last, a near snarl coming from the Primarch,  “Ever rebellious you Saravati are, or perhaps just you being afforded the confidence of your post as Equerry. I suppose such an apology will be the best I will get from the likes of you, mortal.” His words did not mask his dissatisfaction, clearly wishing to have seen Ayushmakti know the place that any other mortal would have afforded when apologizing to the likes of Usriel. 

“At least you know your place,” he added, his words coming colder and colder as he continued, “Nonetheless, I shall accept your apology, human. If only to avoid furthering the divide between Eiohsa and myself.”

Ayushmatki nodded to him. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Honored Primarch. I do not come bearing words alone, please, rest assured.” She stood upright once more, no longer bowing to him. “I wish to offer you a gift, if you would be so inclined to accept it. A token of not only my gratitude, but that of the Legion. I would not be so presumptuous as to merely request your forgiveness and offer nothing in exchange.” She allowed a hint of a smile, “That is, again, if you wish to hear what I may offer?”

“A gift?” Usriel inquired, allowing a moment of genuine shock to reverberate through his voice before spoke once more, commanding, “Speak.”

Ayushmatki’s smile broadened. “You know of the master artifice of Eiohsa, yes? The wondrous creations wrought by her hand, unequalled by any. Your Legion’s love of plasma based ordnance is well known, Honored Primarch. If you would permit, I have the authority to redirect one of Eiohsa’s finest pieces of plasma weaponry ever conceived by her mind. An enormous piece of ordnance that any Legion would dream to have. It is currently employed by the First Battle Group of the Legion. I would transfer ownership of this fearsome weapon to your Legion, Honored Primarch, as a gift and as thanks.” She smiled, “Of course, there are numerous smaller individual and vehicle mounted weapons if you would prefer such instead, each of them no less beautiful and masterfully created.”

“Very well,” Usriel said simply with a nod, adding, “Such weaponry is ill-suited to the likes of those outside of my own legion. Eiohsa may have crafted it, she may even think herself a genius for its design, but it is me and my sons who truly know how to bring out the power of plasma weaponry. I shall accept this gift.”

A slight chuckle escaped Ayushmatki at this. “I’m sure she might disagree with you on that, Honored Primarch, but she would not deny your mastery of such engines of war. I am sure it will be put to a most beneficial use. Eiohsa can craft more - she is skilled at such things, if nothing else.” She nodded to him. “Once more, Honored Primarch, I thank you. We are not friends, and we likely never will be - but I hope we can respect one another, as we serve the Emperor in accordance to our own principles, to the best of our own abilities. And even if our principles may not align, a man who adheres so doggedly to his own, even in spite of personal distaste, is a man I must respect.”

“Most mortals I encounter are unworthy of my or my sons respect, your ilk is cut of a lesser cloth. Yet, those that do earn my respect, such as the Sigilite do occasionally come to my attention,” Usriel stated coldly, looking down upon Ayushmakti. His head inclined as if to look past her momentarily as he continued, “Yet, you shall be among one of them. Take this praise, mortal, I do not give it often.”

Ayushmatki nodded to him. “I thank you then, Honored Primarch.”

[b][...End Log.][/b]
[b][...Terminating.][/b]
[b][Imperial Thought for the Day: The only foe that may stop humanity is humanity itself.][/b]