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 Posted: Fri May 16, 2025 2:19 pm
There had been much to see at the battle against the Calamitous Hollow. Much of Elkurud's attention had been on the beast, and on Amateru, but it would have been impossible to miss the shield above them--and the thistle-uniformed group around it. They weren't anyone Elkurud recognized, but that wasn't entirely impossible. It wasn't as if he'd known everyone or every world.
And, in any case, if what he'd seen had been correct, they'd seemed to use magical crystals to power the shield...helpful, because magical crystals were part of the functioning of his courier's bag, which no longer seemed to want to allow him to access any of its contents and hadn't for quite some time.
Annoying. He should have done more digging. But alas, here he was.
So he kept an eye out for those familiar thistle uniforms, and when he spotted one, he jogged up to the person wearing it, and hoped that they were chatty.
"Ah, hello," Elkurud said, as he approached. "I apologize if this is rude, but I noticed at the great battle that your people seemed to be quite adept with crystal tech--I have a broken piece of such, and I was wondering if you might be able to take a look at it? Or if you might point me to someone with expertise?"
Perhaps this particular one wouldn't be able to help him, but there was no sense in not asking.
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2025 6:43 pm
Looking closely at the small figure of the senshi that was running toward her, Rhysi determined that they were not a child. Accordingly, she pulled out her short bow. Sadly, there appeared to be no need to use it, as they were seeking technical ability and understanding. Were they simple very lucky, or did they have a magical sense for expertise? "I am." Putting away her weapon, Rhysi held out her hand.
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2025 6:58 pm
Direct and to the point. Elkurud could respect that.
He extended his hand as well, taking hers to shake.
"Sailor Elkurud. I appreciate your assistance," he said, simply, and he pulled his bag off his shoulder--he'd gotten back in the habit of carrying it, rather than keeping it tucked away--and opening it so she could see the crystals worked into the lining. "I used to use this for courier work. Designed to hold mail and packages, but only let them be accessible for the intended recipient--and it hasn't been working for quite some time."
Hopefully, she might see something that he simply didn't. Never had he more wished that he'd paid more attention to how the bags were supposed to work, back when he'd had access to the artisans who made them...
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2025 7:20 pm
Seeing that the hand they held out to her was empty, Rhysi pulled hers away with a mildly impatient look. Before she could demand that they give her the piece of crystal tech, Rhysi was being shown a bag that carried a unique crystal installation. "Bespoke subspace?" Her eyes lit up, mood clearly jumping from barely tolerant to excited. In a few swift gestures a holographic screen appeared in the air beside them. "Scanning." Rhysi helpfully explained. After a moment, she asked, "How long?" Quite some time could be weeks or, if they were one of the long lived non-Earth senshi, centuries.
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2025 8:04 pm
"Of a sort," Elkurud acknowledged. "Not as versatile as ordinary subspace, since it can only accept mail in the process of being delivered. But exactly what our couriers needed, back in the days of old Elkurud."
So long ago. It felt strange to speak of it that way.
"It's...difficult to pinpoint when it broke," Elkurud said, "but at least a few centuries. Honestly, if I was less sentimental, I ought to have tried to recover a newer one, but there are things in there still to be delivered, and if I can get them to...well, as close to their intended recipients as I can, I'd like to."
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2025 9:06 am
Limitations in general use were simply the cost of having a highly specialized and unique piece of tech. Rhysi assumed it was related to the world the senshi came from, couriers must be quite important to merit this type of equipment. Simply lasting for centuries spoke a great deal to the craftsmanship required, particularly if the people of Elkurud were among the shorter lived races, like Earth's humans. Looking at the data scrolling across the screen, she profusely began to compliment the tech, "Well made." As the scanning stopped, prematurely to Rhysi's eyes, her mouth pursed in a small frown. "Empty." She tapped a crystal. "Re-charge it." If there was anything else wrong with its function, they'd need it to have enough energy to be functional first.
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2025 12:01 pm
"Thank you," Elkurud said, and if he puffed up a little at the praise of his people's work, well. They'd been fine couriers, once, and he was the only one left to appreciate any compliments.
And yet, her finding seemed so simple and so obvious. No other bag had been in service nearly as long as his; usually, he'd have traded it out at some point or another. But of course the workings had a limit.
"Thank you," he said, pinching the bridge of his nose and sighing. "I feel like a fool for not thinking of it myself." He'd have to find a way to recharge them, or perhaps transplant them--which would require a trip back to his world, and an exploration of headquarters there.
"Is there something I can offer to repay you for your aid?" He asked. "I don't have much, my world is..." He shook his head. "Dead, for the most part. But if I can offer myself and my aid, I'd be glad to."
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2025 12:22 pm
Gauging their reaction, Rhysi nodded solemnly. Yes it was foolish, but it was a foolishness prevalent among those who were not technological geniuses, and thus not to be taken as a personal shortcoming. She would not judge Elkurud for not being as capable as herself, but rather thought the better of them for knowing that they needed help, and for recognizing that she was a technological genius. The issue of repayment was also brought up, another point in their favor. In anticipation of such situations, Rhysi had taken the Commodore's advice into consideration and was completely prepared. Pulling out a pen and a business card, Rhysi scribbled on the card for a moment before handing it to Elkurud. Quote: I, ᴇʟᴋᴜʀᴜᴅ, owe Rhysi:
ᴏɴᴇ ʀᴏᴜɴᴅᴛʀɪᴘ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ
Rhysi may be contacted via knight messaging
or by leaving a note under the light cover at 5th and Vine Remembering that Lyndin seemed to want them to be friendly about it, she added a diplomatic, "Acceptable?"
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2025 12:28 pm
Elkurud blinked, taking the card and taking a moment to examine it. Well, this one certainly seemed...prepared. And professional. He certainly couldn't fault professionalism.
"Acceptable," he agreed, easily. He had already told her his world was dead; if she wanted to see it regardless, that was her choice. There was likely little danger; the plague that had torn his world apart had passed from person to person, and it had never touched him. And the storms sohuld be gone with the re-imprisonment of the Calamitous Hollow.
"I'll provide you with a time as soon as I can," he said. He'd have to make a visit back himself to recover a replacement bag, and to ensure he was correct and would be bringing any visitors somewhere relatively safe. But that was details. He could handle details.
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2025 12:45 pm
"Excellent." For friendly, but not too friendly, emphasis, she also gave them a single thumb's up before turning and walking away. Exactly what sort of resources would be found on a world of couriers? What if their main resource was said courier service? Would Elkurud be found in a Velencian historical database? Sight unseen, Elkurud's world was already being weighed and measured as a potential Vanguard... ally?
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