idolpro | Paloma Heart (#1)

[ the two look—a little startled, to find a Stealth Youth hanging about. the woman makes a rocking motion with her hand. ]

Well, in the temple here, which is the water for the city, so, yeah, basically.

[ she speaks... way more casually than like anyone else here, though she still has what seems to be the Martian accent. the man speaks up: ]

Ute was just saying to me that it'll be difficult to fix, though, because the priest here won't acknowledge the problem.

Well... how do you fix it?

Well, if I or anyone not a priest fix it the priest will probably explode, or something. Unless we don't get caught. Raachna's controversial, but she could fix it, maybe, since she's actually a priest and could probably do this in her sleep.

I don't suppose we could trouble you for some assistance, young man.

I mean... the city needs water, right?

I'm in. All we gotta do's not get caught.

[ the man looks at you, appraisingly. ]

How do you feel about distractions? Either that, or I don't suppose you happen to be a scientist or an engineer.

You need some stuff fixed, I'm your guy.

I done some engineering work before.

Well, listen, canal work's not like any old work that you do on an airship or anything like that, it's all real delicate—but I can probably supervise and we can get it going together. That person over there offered to be a distraction, so the priest won't see.

So we're all set. Where we doing this?

[ she gestures along the canal, glancing back at the class to make sure no one's noticed the two of you with Persephone running interference. Along the side of the canal are a number of delicate mechanisms of metal and glass, that look like gauges or switches or levers. ]

We've gotta make some adjustments to these. I think it shouldn't be that hard, but they don't let me work on the canals outside of Maozooni territory.

[ she passes you some tools—they're very delicate versions of ordinary ones, for doing fine work and adjustments. ]

[Takes the tools and looks them over, then approaches the mechanisms.]

Sure. I can do adjustments.

[ the two of you work together, while Persephone asks 8000000 ethics questions and the man keeps a lookout. you make short work of the problem by making tiny adjustments under the woman's instructions.

you find yourself with the following influence:

3x "No one's faith is as passionate as a heretic's"

the man looks quite pleased. ]

I don't suppose you have any influence to lend in the sphere of engineering or science? You clearly know a thing or two, and we've got a few more projects.

Sure. I got some engineering influence.

In that case, how about a trade? I think I may have some things that may benefit you, too.

Yeah? What kinda stuff?

But, uh... should we maybe, like. Not stand right by this thing? He's gonna run out of questions, sometime.

Yes, yes, let's go watch the rest of the class, shall we?

[ he walks alongside you, and gives you, in 1:1 exchange for the engineering influence you offer, "Knowledge is Power" influence. ]

[He'll trade away three of them, then, and sit until the class is done.]

[Any new words? Any more information?]

[ you overhear the following questions and answers, which help increase your martian vocabulary.

You receive 3x knowledge is power influence. ]

...thanks, dude. You got a name?

[ he inclines his head. ]

I am First-Keeper of Haatt, Nooramaan Ziimamaan. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. What is your name, young man?

Hurricane. Uh.

I don't got a fancy title.

[ he smiles. ]

Hurricane's a fine enough name, for a Terran, and humility's never a bad thing to recall.

But you did good work, so do remember not to sell yourself short, either, hm.

What, like make up a title or something?

You don't need a title to have distinction, my young friend. The best among all of us is a junior priest who left the priesthood for marriage and yet carries on.

Hasn't someone told you not to self-deprecate?

Ah - yeah. I guess so.

[Hesitates.]

Is this, like. That thing? Are you her, too?

[ Nooramaan shrugs, and grins good-naturedly. ]

An excellent question, isn't it?

Paloma Heart (#1)

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