First Video

[crazyoldbat.livejournal.com]

[The video is side ways, and the women shown in it is peering down into the camera as if it might jump out and eat her.]

Is this blasted thing even on? What's it doing? I think it's doing something.

[She turns, screen careening to the sky.]

You. You there! Would you help me work this contraption? Better yet, tell me where on God's green earth I am?

[There's a boy's voice answering her for a second, and then the sound of someone running off after a short, rather primal shout.]

Where in the hell is Prospero? I bet one of those little brats did this. Just wait until I get back there. I'll have them in detention until they have kids.

[The video is now mostly obscured by dark, checker print cloth. She's holding the device to her hip.]

Honestly, how rude can those kids be to a little old lady?

Comments

[crazyoldbat.livejournal.com]

Augmentation. Your people allow themselves to be experimented on?

[greyerrant.livejournal.com]

Not at all. The process is rather standardized at this point, actually.

The Imperial Astartes have existed for over 200 years as the Emperor's Sword.

[crazyoldbat.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid that sounds like a horrible life to me. Where I'm from such a process being standardized is the worst fear of our people.

[greyerrant.livejournal.com]

Humanity needs protectors. We're willing to give up much to shield them.

[crazyoldbat.livejournal.com]

I won't argue with that. It seems our cultures are quite different on what's appropriate for protection.

[greyerrant.livejournal.com]

Possibly. But here, in this time, in this place, it matters little for either of us. We're both here either by cosmic accident or at the behest of some hidden master. We should probably try our best to find out what is going on.

[crazyoldbat.livejournal.com]

Now that I can agree on. [She straightens, waving a hand to herself somewhat dramatically.] I should introduce myself properly. My name is Ingrid Barnes.

[greyerrant.livejournal.com]

My name is Garviel Loken. I apologize for not giving my name to you before, it was rude, but the conversation was intriguing. [ He gives her a slight smile. ]

While my brothers and I are all warriors born, I find learning to be enjoyable and interesting, when not warring, and you have already presented some intriguing concepts to me.

[crazyoldbat.livejournal.com]

No need to apologize, Mr. Loken. Very understandable given the circumstances.

I'm always glad to meet someone interested in educating themselves. It's the teacher in me, I'm sure. I am always open to intellectual debates whenever anyone is willing. [She trails off in an expectant manner, tone implying she would enjoy further discusses if the chance arose.]

[greyerrant.livejournal.com]

[ Garviel just smiles at her, remembering his old mentor Kyril Sindermann. ]

You were a teacher then? I was also a teacher, of a sort, anyway.

[crazyoldbat.livejournal.com]

Yes. I taught the sciences at a bordering school for meta children. What sort of subject was your specialty?

[greyerrant.livejournal.com]

Stealth, Infiltration, and basic close combat.

[ And therein lies the differences of their cultures. ]

[crazyoldbat.livejournal.com]

Ah. Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised with that.

[greyerrant.livejournal.com]

The sciences are interesting. Were you more on the theoretical or practical side of teaching, in general?

[crazyoldbat.livejournal.com]

Mostly theoretical. I was working with teenagers who couldn't control their often destructive powers. Practical work could be disastrous with those kids.

[greyerrant.livejournal.com]

Quite so.

I thought you might be teaching them how to dissect frogs or the like. I understand that is what children mostly learn in science class.

[crazyoldbat.livejournal.com]

We've done the dissections a few times. But you get a child who can change forms into small animals like that and the whole place gets into an uproar over whether continuing the practice is ethical.

[greyerrant.livejournal.com]

I would imagine that would certainly cause them [ garviel looks mildly amused by the row that must have provoked. ]

[crazyoldbat.livejournal.com]

Believe me, nothing is easy when dealing with super powered youngsters. I have a thousand stories on the hardships of being their teacher. And being a mother of one.

[greyerrant.livejournal.com]

I can sympathize better than you know, I suspect.

Hm.... what is parenthood like? Family ties of this nature are unknown among the Legiones Astartes.

[crazyoldbat.livejournal.com]

That sounds like an interesting tale to be told.

Both the most amazing and the most frustrating thing I have every experienced. [She looks off, chuckling to herself.]

[greyerrant.livejournal.com]

I taught young gene-hanced warriors to deal with their transhuman abilities and bodies. I suppose the battles they fought in are specifically of some interest, but it was first and foremost a job of instruction.

[ Garviel considers that. ] I wonder if the Emperor and my Gene-sire Horus Lupercal would say much the same thing about their ties... [ His face darkens. ]

I suspect... not anymore.

[crazyoldbat.livejournal.com]

We had trainers of a similar sort at the school. They didn't get them ready for any battles, we weren't in need of soldiers, but they did teach them how to most effectively harness their powers.

Some bad blood come between them?

[greyerrant.livejournal.com]

That is one way of putting it, yes. I would call it treachery and a war that split the galaxy asunder.

[crazyoldbat.livejournal.com]

Those things will certainly tear a family apart. I'm sorry that the results of their fighting have caused such a lasting, and I am assuming that it was lasting, effect on your people.