>>5383887"The Island is likely a temporary arrangement. It's stable but the fleshscape around it isn't, and so it's eventually going to drift out of the No-Man's Land on a wave of expanding tumors.” You admit with a resigned shrug. “As such, I'm not particularly worried about its long-term stability. If we can keep people from killing each other here in the short term, that's as good as it needs to be."
Iris utters a noncommittal ‘hm’, though her glance doesn’t leave your features as you continue. "Now, if we do eventually make a more stable structure, then we'll need to staff it, yes. I'm not too worried about it. I've got my swarmlings, my Tenno, and allies who would be willing to assist. And the knowledge that I'd be very unhappy with anyone who caused trouble. I think we can keep people from getting out of line…and, barring that, I wouldn't put it past the idea that there would be other big shots who'd want my attention and would like to keep this place intact and peaceful...for good or for bad."
“Oh, I’ve no doubt. You’ve accumulated a rogue’s gallery to rival even your rather…eclectic family.” Iris comments with a sideways smirk, and you decide to ignore her comment in favor of bringing up an intriguing possibility. "On the other hand, this place's nature as a floating island means may be able to be moved or anchored. if it’s in people's interests and ability to make it happen.”
“You seem to have a great deal of faith in the goodwill of the teeming masses.” The girl beside you muses, her smirk curling into the suggestion of a sneer.
“Innocent, until proven guilty.” You fire back…and she’s about to retort when a crackle of chitinous static flares to life in your right ear, giving way to Orwell’s frantically taut voice.
“Shu, I….*fuck*, I was so careful. I don’t know how I could’ve shit the bed like this, I’m so fucking-!“
“Woah woah woah, slow down. What’s happened?”
The sounds of some sort of struggle pop and snap across the line, Orwell’s complaints fading into the distance as an older voice sighs on the other end of the line. “Zahira, can you please deal with all…that? Just for a moment. Defiant, are you still there?”
“Yes, and I’m waiting on an answer.” You reply a little more tersely than you’d like.
“The trafficker reached out via proxy. Orwell thinks that she’s personally responsible for tipping our hand, but in my professional opinion, she just needs a nap and a food source that isn’t fawning adoration.” Yurei explains irritably. “The note was delivered straight to the Dragon’s Roost by the usual—a fresh faced girl with no idea what’s going on—but there’s no indication as to if she and her lot have actually caught on to us.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Because the note’s an invitation.” The other woman continues. “For you and she to meet, one-on-one…and she says she wants to ‘apologize’.”
(Continued)
