[FancyCyclops]

In the Badlands, then to the Arena...
6/9/342

Black Swan's Initiative
[spoiler]Today, I suppose not a lot happened in the grand scheme of things. Well, save a recruitment initiative, and a discovery.
I jumped through the portal to Cellsvich (not literally, of course; jumping would complicate the teleportation process) and landed straight in a somewhat confusing situation.
Confusing to me, anyhow. I was possibly hallucinating it, but I saw two familiar people in a familiar hat. Another was in disguise.
Of course, I also spotted a familiar knight whose name I have trouble forgetting; Tosseau. I asked him for explanation, but it seems that he had nothing.

With that in mind, and with an awkward situation out of the way, I made my way back to the stall, as the chain lich peddled squid.

Tosseau marked it off his (mental) list, as the act continued. A more casual topic was brought up; what he was up to, to which he responded with what he was, indeed, up to. One of those being recruitment. He was finalizing everything; promoting, getting a command structure, running tests on seige weaponry, building medical wards, officers and arranging furniture, making for quite the stacked tower of preparations for the siege on Mallus.

Among the men required, doctors and general medical staff were still required.
I, of course, offered to take up the position (If needed, of course,), also being told of a familiar-sounding person joining him
in that same span of time. A demolitionist asked what was going on, to which Tosseau replied with the goal of his organization.

The Lich, demonstrating something of an innocence, was rather enthusiastic, like a green adventurer hearing of a Black Door trip.
The demolitionist mentioned that they were in fact an expert in the field of demolition. (Hence the title.)

There was a warning of course; that it was in fact a siege, and not a simple trip to the local Black Door. Death, or extreme injury, was a given.
However, this shook their resolve not. Pricing was negotiated, pins were passed and new recruits joined the Black Swan.
Something was still put into question, however; the fact that demolition could turn the city of Mallus into a crater.
Cleared up, of course, as Falset (the demolitionist) seemed to be only slightly annoyed by the fact she can't blow the place up.
Thankfully, she also has medicinal skill, lightening the load somewhat on my shoulders, but still, I was on the list for physician in chief.

Then came the Lich, who in all his questionable intelligence and thinking, managed to be ominous as he, too, became part of the Black Swan.

The square soon returned to usual square activity, everyone dispersed, and I eventually followed Tosseau (and Lux) to the arena.

Unforeseen Discovery

I entered the arena, legs well-worked. In an attempt to test my memory, I decided to greet everyone I knew by name.
(I only got Tosseau and Winter on the first try.)
In the middle of a rather awkward conversation, of course. Thankfully, it went to a more wholesome topic as I went to take my seat.
Wholesome being an ensuing spar and better books. But this shift only came after I mistook the talk of Onigan Comics for Imperial Customs.
Yakin, of course, rode on in, on his steed. With his presence came the revelation that he had a taste in literature. Not truly a revelation,
but, another came when the Chain Lich, after fumbling a bit with his words, brought up a book of dystopian nature; one with book burning.

Yakin then talked about a novel that I wish I had read. Or if I did read it, I remembered.
It was, put shortly, about a world where people are destined from birth and designed from birth for the roles they will take, controlled
with chemicals and drugs that reduce them to base desires. Where Love, even as a concept, isn't, where Marriage is merely a thing of the past, where everyone calms down and takes their drugs. (Quiet down, Robin, drink some Tea...) Where the first protagonist gets sent to a colony in Lordwain so "free-thinkers" stay to develop technology for the society, the other becoming disillusioned with society to the point of isolation, eventually, after twists and turns, gathers a following that soon gets involved in an exhibition of flagellation and self-harm.
He then kills himself out of disgust.

Courageous new land, isn't it just grand. Hopefully it isn't our future.

After continuing to discuss the piece of very Lispoolian literature, a strange verbalization sounded out.
Of course, nobody understood. I pondered alternate means as the cause acted aggressively. By the power of vague body language (and overpreperation), I stopped a sign used to communicate from getting stolen. Unfortunately, it was not enough to get over the language barrier, as writing proved that there was indeed one. A white-horned man obliged her on their then-unknown request to spar.
I then kept my eyes on the spar that they appeared to have wanted; thankfully that was understood.

The duel ended rather quickly. The fumbling, did not. Thankfully, though, my first efforts did help, as I was thanked. (in Onigan.)
On initiative, she also used the power of Laplace to communicate. In return, I was also able to communicate. So began a conversation that broke down the barrier, even just a little bit. I had my questions about them, but for the sake of friendly conversation, I kept them to myself.
(And also paranoia. What would happen if certain people were to find out her nature?)
Speaking of breaking down the barrier, I tried my hand at tutoring her; mostly by teaching Hello, Goodbye and in desperate cases;
I can't speak Common. The words were garbled, but they were at least understandable. Then came listening, which was at a time where the conversation was currently at its most wordy, causing a brief case of a fever-like state. After continued conversation passing by, she departed with a garbled goodbye, and I returned it as well.
In dire need of rest, I made my way home as well, a thought brewing in my head.

Had I made a new discovery, or was this simply an oddity among a known race?

[/spoiler]