AngellTheNinth

[Namespace] of the Rose

Kota grows a bit uncomfortable upon being questioned about Lucine more.

"She isn't dead if that's what you're asking, I just... can't see her as much anymore. She has other duties, things more important. I understand that... I should understand that perfectly because duty and devotion must come before all else but a selfish part of me still wants to see her you know? It's not even that I can't, its that I don't know how I should act around her when I do, or how I'm allowed to act. She's higher above me so I should show the upmost respect, at the same time she's someone dear to me." She looks at Secunda, almost expecting her to give some sort of emotional advice before remembering that they're not quite the same. She shouldn't expect that level of comfort or understanding, much less from a stranger.

With a sigh she runs her hand through her hair, a small frown forming on her lips as she does so.

"Look, I don't know if you've ever had someone like that, but I don't exactly feel its fair that I'm the only one bearing my heart out to you. Besides now you might have a levrege on me, if you need one. Not that I don't trust you, or rather I have no choice, but how about giving me an even playing field."

[Namespace] of the Rose

As soon as Kota hears the sounds, the unfamiliar voice inside her head she steels herself against it, muttering near silent prayer to the Emperor. "A story? You want to know something about my life? Huh, it's not often I hear that."

She contemplates for a few moments. She could tell a lie, but she doesn't want to run that risk, especially if it means learning of things she shouldn't. When it comes to near Heretical behavior she doesn't exactly have the cleanest record, at least not as far as she's aware. As far as others know, she's odd but always faithful.

"Alright, alright, lets see. How about something that won't get me in too much trouble. I'll tell you about the first friend I've ever had in the Order. One wouldn't think it'd be difficult, I'm a bit of a people person you see, I love making friends, I love making people happy. But when you're part of the Sororitas that's not what's expected of you, you're not supposed to be... like me. I found it hard to fit in even though I knew I was meant to serve the Emperor until my life comes to an end. For the most part I was alone, I went through my training alone, ate alone, studied alone and it sucked. I hated it. Then I met her, Lucine." Kota sighs as she smiles and reaches into her armor, taking out a necklace with a locket. She doesn't open it, merely looks at it.

After a moment of calm she keeps talking. "I didn't know what to make of her at first, she was so different from me, much more deserving of being in the Sororitas, but she was the first one to not be annoyed by me, by the talking, the stories and the jokes. She was something of a favorite, famous, dependable, strong, devoted. She was easy to admire, easy to like. To this day I still don't know what she saw in me or why she stuck by me for so long, but we were almost inseparable. Even on the battlefield we could always find our way to each other. I could always sleep a little easier knowing she's got my back, and I'll always have hers. When she's there I feel... more alive, if that's even possible, I didn't know... it shouldn't be possible to feel like this, but I do."

Kota places the locket back into her armor, where it's safe.

(Spending 1 point of Forbidden Lore to avoid Vergil Hawr knowledge)

[Namespace] of the Rose

Kota grimaced at the insinuation of her Sisters being used in political games. It wouldn't be the first time it's happened but it never sat well with her, even when she was settled with some Sisters that didn't like her much.

She tried really hard not to get too attached to the people she met.

But that was never her personality, even after all the training and battles she's been through. Some of the other Sisters see it as her weakness, the attachment, the constant happiness and smiles, she wouldn't change it though. After all could she be a Sister if she changed everything about herself, could she serve the Emperor as best as she can if she denied every aspect of herself? Yes, some did just that, some encouraged it in fact, but not Kota.

It was something she could never do.

If this was an opportunity to get deeper into her Order's political games but spare others the pain then she'll take it gladly.

Going to war always seemed inevitable it was what they were made for after all, she'll never run from that. But she also won't turn her back on others when they're in need of help. That being said she didn't like the idea of someone taking control of the Church for a gain of their own, she hated it. The Church, the Sororitas serve the Emperor, none other.

While she herself has engaged in what even she would deem blasphemy she would never give her faith to anyone but the Emperor himself.

"A good friend of mine recently became a Preceptor. Lucine, and I were always close so if we were in real trouble I could call in a favor. As for where we go from here the scene of the crime might be a good place to start, that is, if they let us inspect it. They could also be too paranoid at this point, judging from what we know. But I'd rather see things for myself than have second-hand information."

[Namespace] of the Rose

"Ugh, I hate the idea of being a guinea pig, but one thing I hate more is going down without a good fight. If they're looking for more test subjects to kill I don't think they'll find them in me. I'd very much like to find the puppeteer, see how they'd stack up against me in person." She grins as she punches her fist into her open palm. "But I wouldn't mind having more people in my corner, that's for sure."

So far this hunt has taken turns she never expected. But if anything it just got got her more excited to see this through to the end.

"And if we get into big trouble, while I'd prefer not to as this is my own mission, I have a... friend I can contact for help. Although getting more of us involved here might cause more panic, which is something I'd like to avoid. We should solve this as quickly as possible so it doesn't get too out of hand." Not that it already hasn't in Kota's opinion.

She took a deep, calming breath, silently praying to the Emperor to guide her on this new direction her mission has taken. "Do you have anything you want to take from here? Something you think would be useful to us in the future? Or maybe something that was important to you personally?"

[Namespace] of the Rose

"If it would make you feel any better I only use my weapon when I need to, and doubt 'll turn it on you without a really good reason." Kota was being as honest as could be. She'd fought side by side with many, mostly her Sisters, but she'd never let a member of her team die if she could help it.

"I haven't accidentally killed a comrade since... well it's been some years and he definately earned it given how he was behaving and making things a whole lot more dangerous for all of us." Honestly just remembering that made her happier. Not the asshole soldier, killing him. "And now that we know a bit more about the murder I feel like things are gonna go over a lot smoother. Maybe I won't even have to shoot anyone... which is very unlikely and a lot more boring if you ask me."

She wasn't looking forward to a boring mission. But given that the orks seemed to be involved she doubted it'd stay boring for long.

"Fighting orks and living to tell the tale, that gonna look pretty nice for me. If nothing else I know that the Emperor will be pleased if I clean up as many of them as I can on my way out. As for dealing with the Mechanicus, I'll leave most of that tech-heavy stuff to you. It seems to be your area of expertise more than mine." Kota was well aware that this wouldn't do anything but she still flexed her muscles under her suit, "You can leave the heavy lifting and the killing to me."

[Namespace] of the Rose

Her eyes scan over the various forms of drugs on the shelves. While she likely wouldn't need them herself she can sell them for a good amount. She never really saw herself in such a business but if it could help people in need then she'll be more than happy to do the work. While humming she picks up the bottles, quickly reading over the instructions of each and storing them away.

"This is gonna be a great pay day, if I can find the right buyers." She whispers to herself, voice slightly more cheerful than one would expect of a Sister of Battle.

She has heard of some Sisters making a whole business of selling these, even in active war zones and making a fortune. Kota herself doesn't ever see herself living a life of luxury but that doesn't mean she can't make some poor soul's life a little better from the money she makes here. And... she might keep a small part for herself. Who knows, maybe she can talk Lucine into going with her for a little getaway.

With a grin and newfound resolve she turns back to Secunda, "I think I've got everything I need from here. See you're already looking over the... scene that I left. Sorry about that but fights like these, especially with unknown Beasts, tend to turn messy very fast. Better them than me. Found anything useful?"

[Namespace] of the Rose

Kota turns to Secunda, "At this point even being acquainted seems like a bonus for us. I don't know how to handle this murder case any more than you do. But I feel like in order to maximize our chances we could use any help we can get."

She'd look around the lab for anything she could pick up that would be useful, although some of this tech might be unfamiliar to her. While she's looking around she's gonna be careful not to touch anything since she doesn't want to damage anything in the lab any more than it's already been damaged.

In her head she's thinking. "This was supposed to be a simple hunting mission. Go out, catch the target, capture or kill it. But of course not! How the hell did I get myself mixed up in a Magos murder case?!"

[Namespace] of the Rose

"Green flashing grey gizmo... hmph, don't talk to me like I'm stupid." Kota just barely stopped herself from grumbling out more words as she reached for the sampling tube. "And I'll have you know that if my aim wasn't as good as it was this whole place would have been trashed. Now thanks to me we have plenty of sample material."

She grinned as she handed Secunda the tube.

"My point is, the situation could have been a lot worse, for both of us. And now your lab has power again, that's good, no?"

[Namespace] of the Rose

"No offense but I wouldn't want to take over your line of work. Just thinking about what you do gives me a headache and then some." She joked, obviously happy that her offer was accepted with grace. It might not be much power but it'll be enough for now.

She frowned as the various messages popped up, frantically looking for anything that could be useful for any of her, now two, missions.

"Some of this information seems to be a bit old. Wonder how long it's been since this system has been updated." Kota glanced at Secunda, with a bit of a side-eye. "We'll have to make due with what we have for now. I'm sure we'll find something here that we can use, and get our hands on more up to date information once we leave."

"Inquisitor Iconium, I'm not looking forward to talking with her if she's involved. We might luck out and not have to interact with her much, because you specifically," she looks at Secunda again, "would be in an even worse position than me. Other than that I don't think anything from those messages would be very useful to me. Thank you for your help, Marshall November."

[Namespace] of the Rose

"I understand that you don't have many resources to spare and you're in some very deep shit, but if you want our help to be as effective as can be I urge you to let my new partner here power up her laboratory. There can be things here we can use to help the investigation." Kota gave November what she hoped was a reassuring grin.

She walked up to one of the cabinets and dragged her hand across it, lifting up a layer of dust. She pretended to inspect it closely.

"What I'm asking might seem like a lot, but can you really put a price on solving this case with as few casualties, and headaches, as possible? You can try but it'll be tough." She says as she makes her way over to a different cabinet, doing the same thing as the first one. "She," Kota points to Secunda, "was able to keep this place somewhat in shape even when it was powered down. Seems like a shame to let everything here go to waste no?"

Kota walked back to Secunda and stood next to her and clapped her hands together, her grin wider.

"I will personally see to it that no power and resources go to waste. And anything you do give us, I'll pay you back the best I can. You have my word, Marshal November, from one soldier to another." From the front she moved her hands behind her back and straightened up, putting on a serious face to go with her promise.

(-1 Negotiation, with the combined Reassurance from Secunda and this I can't think of anything more that will sway her)