[center][h2][color=mediumpurple]Rhylaen[/color][/h2][/center] The Tevranian pilot was surprised that the assigned skirmish was to be between two teams of pilots, and not against a simulated Cruxi force. And she was stuck with Griff on her team? [i]Wonderful[/i]. Still, at least she’d have Elora and Logic Diver on her side, which would make her far more effective. Aurora immediately took charge, which was unexpected given what Rhylaen had seen of her the day before. The redhead hadn’t seemed like the leading type, but then again, she’d not seen her in this sort of circumstance before.... [hr] [center][h2]A Walk in the Garden[/h2] [sub][i]a collab between [@Shifter_Master] and [@shylarah][/i][/sub][/center] Rhylaen eventually made her way from the rows of the hydroponics farm to a more traditionally arranged greenhouse area. There, instead of neatly cultivated rows, the plants were set up more like a garden to walk through. The smell of dirt and growing things was immensely reassuring. She’d calmed down most of the way since seeing the video of the Cruxi. The screams no longer echoed in her head, at least, and that was a major improvement. Aurora was also roaming through the green house, clearly looking much better than she had when she left the lesson earlier. She didn’t really have a destination in mind, she was just walking around soaking up the imitation sunlight. There was soft music playing from her pad, a classical piano ballad of some sort. Her uniform top was folded in her arms, leaving her pilot suit visible and she was humming along to the music as she walked along the pathways. Rhylaen turned as the sound of soft music and humming reached her ears, to see the bespectacled pilot with the red hair...Aurora, she thought her name was. They’d talked a little in the showers the other day, but she still didn’t know the woman well. She approached with a wave. [color=mediumpurple]“Aurora. Music nice. You like?”[/color] [color=6ecff6]“Hello there.”[/color] She would greet back with a wave of her own. She recognized Rhylaen more readily than any of the other Pilots so far. But that was for the simple fact she hadn't met a Tervrain before. [color=6ecff6]“This symphony is one of my favorites. And the garden area is good too. Much better than my last deployment.”[/color] She would answer with a smile. [color=6ecff6]“Did you come here for some relaxation as well?”[/color] [color=mediumpurple]“Yes. Remind me of home,”[/color] Rhylaen responded. [color=mediumpurple]“Ships...most no have green like this.”[/color] She paused, gaze turning distant. [color=mediumpurple]“Tevran, lots of green. Even cities! Earth have less.”[/color] [color=6ecff6]“It's a shame they don't. Though I understand that space is usually very limited.”[/color] Aurora would commiserate. [color=6ecff6]“And Tevran sounds beautiful.”[/color] [color=6ecff6]“Though, if I may ask. Why have you decided to forego using the Translators?”[/color] She would ask, giving the shorter woman an inquisitive look. It was no small feat in her estimation. [color=mediumpurple]“I want my words be my real words,”[/color] Rhylaen replied. [color=mediumpurple]“And Tevranians...use more than words for talking.”[/color] She tapped her temple. [color=mediumpurple]“Humans no use. So I maybe forget, if speak Tevranian.”[/color] She frowned. [color=mediumpurple]“No worry -- for fight, I use translator.”[/color] [color=6ecff6]“A telepathic component?”[/color] Aurora would murmur for a moment as she pondered over that particular note. [color=6ecff6]“Oh Galactic Standard must seem very dull in comparison.”[/color] She would say after a moment. Internally likening it to listening to a song with only half the accompanying instruments. Still artistic, but lacking when you are used to more. [color=6ecff6]“And I had no worries. You’ve learned a whole language that lacks what I can only imagine is a vital part of your culture. That shows a resilience and adaptability that is rare. In the field you’d have found some way to overcome the communications issues one way or the other I’m sure.”[/color] She would postulate with an easy smile. [color=6ecff6]“Was it difficult to adjust?”[/color] She would go on to ask. [color=6ecff6]“And I apologize if I ask too many questions. I’ve never had a chance to speak to a Tevranian.”[/color] Rhylaen blinked in surprise at the compliment, then smiled. [color=mediumpurple]“Maybe I try,”[/color] she mused. She greatly preferred not using a translator, but had always worried that field work would be too complicated for her limited grammar. [color=mediumpurple]“Adjust...yes, it hard. Humans say lies more. And directions! Tevranians just show. Humans say. Very different.”[/color] She shook her head at Aurora’s apology. [color=mediumpurple]“No worry. Questions good thing. I can answer.”[/color] A frown flickered across her face. [color=mediumpurple]“People who no have questions no want learn. Like Griff.”[/color] [color=6ecff6]“Oh my, I’ll have to keep that in mind for when I end up meeting them.”[/color] Aurora would say with a shake of her head. [color=6ecff6]“I’m curious about a lot of things, though normally it’s Framewerks that have most of my attention.”[/color] She would explain as she adjusted her glasses. [color=6ecff6]“Like Electric Dragonfly, which I presume is yours. She is a lovely machine from what I’ve been able to glean.”[/color] Aurora would smile, her mind softly whirring with more ideas about the Tevranian inspired frame. But she didn’t get lost in those thoughts, as her curiosity was still focused on a different topic. [color=6ecff6]“Would it be possible for a human to learn your native language? I imagine there would be something we wouldn’t be capable of communicating correctly, due to the lack of telepathy, but beyond that?”[/color] Rhylaen nodded -- the Electric Dragonfly was indeed her frame. [color=mediumpurple]“We do jamming. Not fight so much,”[/color] she explained. Aurora’s next question made the Tevranian’s already wide eyes go even wider. [color=mediumpurple]“You want learn? Words no hard for learning. I think yes, you could.”[/color] She grinned. [color=mediumpurple]“I teach, maybe?”[/color] [color=6ecff6]“You’d be willing to teach me?”[/color] Aurora would ask back, clearly delighted at the prospect. [color=6ecff6]“Yes. I’d love to learn if you’d be willing to-”[/color] Rather abruptly the music coming from Aurora’s pad would cut off, and be swiftly replaced by a ringing alarm. She was quick to silence it. But that didn’t stop the crestfallen expression on Aurora’s face. [color=6ecff6]“I’m sorry. But I have to get going. A prior engagement is due soon.”[/color] She would explain, clearly disappointed. [color=6ecff6]“Do you have any plans for after the exercise tomorrow? We could start then, assuming that it doesn't last too long.”[/color] [color=mediumpurple]“No, no plans. See you then!”[/color] [hr] Rhylaen was about to head towards Aurora, Arrish, and Elora when the newest of the pilots, the cyborg whose name she thought was Stella, grabbed Elora in a tight hug. As she did, another pilot -- Astolfo? -- called her an “old clanker”. Rhylaen wasn’t particularly familiar with the term, but it sounded rude. A closer look at the speaker, however, and she saw he was trembling, just a little. Nervous about the upcoming fight? Maybe he was just taking out his nerves on someone else. She’d let it go for the moment, she supposed. The taller of the two brothers approached her. It seemed he, like Aurora, was interested in Tevranian culture. Rhylaen responded with a bright smile, but didn’t fall in beside him just yet. She wanted to make sure that the issue with Elora was settled before heading out -- after all, it would be rude to leave a member of the team behind.