WIP Discussion (Part 1!)

[Mr Bojangles]

They're opening the Ark of the Covenant.

Alex really ought to know better than to look at it, then...

[raistlin34]

I wonder if it would be inappropriate to ask Beryl if she can think of any reason the Loroi might want to destroy "humaniti" in the foreseeable future, before Alex stars pointing at star systems.

Well, as far we know humanity currently lacks the numbers, resources and technology to present any credible threat to the Loroi.
This said, the Umiak would be very interested in the human inherent, perfect Lotai. And that would be a very good reason for the telepathic space elves for, at the very least, turn Earth into a vassal world before the Shells do.

[Krulle]

The handshake was also a sign of equalness.
You did not shake hands with persons of a status below yours, neither did you get to shake hands with those of higher levels (you bowed to them).

Sure you can. When you do you do it as a way to show respect to that person despite the difference is status. Ever done this with your boss? Presidents and kings LOVE to shake hands wit lowly commoners in official photo shoots etc. To initiate an handshake to a higher status person is a way to demand respect. This is very useful when refusing the handshake would mean loosing face.

I'm thinking far more back in time than the current semi-equalness of men.
Kings had the ring on their finger kissed.

Ahandshakes changed their meaning considerably since the big industrial revolution....

[Dahak]

They're opening the Ark of the Covenant.

Or watching classic Star Trek. Talon's asking what the Loroi with jaundice is doing.

[Luge]

On a professional level, Beryl and Tempo would see Alexander Jardin as a porential asset. Be it for insights into an alien science and biology on Beryl's side or intelligence on Tempo's side. And on personal level... well, it does look like a bout of jealousy on Beryl's part. After all, Talon seemingly got an easy rapport to Alex only a minute after her meeting him where Beryl had to work herself into his graces for a longer time...

There's an old quotation or concept that "many isolated agents, working in awkward conditions a long way from their superiors, realise that they have more in common with their immediate opponents than their remote allies".

Soldiers are all soldiers, and pilots are all pilots. Talon and Spiral aren't thinking of Alex as a strategic resource or a science project like Tempo and Beryl are. Alex is probably relieved to talk to an alien that isn't trying to bully him, interrogate him or just plain milk him for information for the last month.

To them, just talking about star charts, drinking caffeine and shooting the breeze sounds like a good time. Preferably away from those diplomatic types and the senior officers. And now you mention it, have you ever heard of a game called "cards"...?

A.

[harlequin2262]

Arioch DID mention that loroi!Chess would make an appearance soon.

[novius]

Soldiers are all soldiers, and pilots are all pilots. Talon and Spiral aren't thinking of Alex as a strategic resource or a science project like Tempo and Beryl are. Alex is probably relieved to talk to an alien that isn't trying to bully him, interrogate him or just plain milk him for information for the last month.

To them, just talking about star charts, drinking caffeine and shooting the breeze sounds like a good time. Preferably away from those diplomatic types and the senior officers. And now you mention it, have you ever heard of a game called "cards"...?

A.

That thought crossed my mind too. Especially since Alex felt the need to set things right with his actual rank rather than the one which simply defaulted to him because he had been the sole survivor of this ship and its mission.

Yup, Talon and maybe Spiral are the proverbial grunts and Alex would bond much more easily to them rather than the brass which is represented by Tempo and to an extent Beryl. Fireblade is a wholly different matter, she'd be just plain scary...

[novius]

Arioch DID mention that loroi!Chess would make an appearance soon.

I think chess and something like that would be what Beryl herself might suggest. Or Tempo. To gauge his mental capabilities, strategic thinking and his approach to difficult situations.

With Talon, she or rather Alex himself would come up with an easygoing game of chance.

I just imagine it:

Alex: "Name of the game is five card stud."
Talon: "I am sorry, I seem not to understand. What would have males to do with this particular game? Or is your gender an essential part of it?"
Alex: "Uh..."

[icekatze]

hi hi

Speaking of watching Star Trek, one of the things that always impressed me when I was little, was the dramatic lighting they used in some of their movies.

SpoilerShow

I get the feeling Alex has the brains for Loroichess, the question though is how fast he'll pick it up. First game upset, or a few weeks of waiting in his cell?

[harlequin2262]

I think chess and something like that would be what Beryl herself might suggest. Or Tempo. To gauge his mental capabilities, strategic thinking and his approach to difficult situations.

With Talon, she or rather Alex himself would come up with an easygoing game of chance.

I just imagine it:

Alex: "Name of the game is five card stud."
Talon: "I am sorry, I seem not to understand. What would have males to do with this particular game? Or is your gender an essential part of it?"
Alex: "Uh..."

Well that's just screaming for a strip poker joke.

[novius]

I get the feeling Alex has the brains for Loroichess, the question though is how fast he'll pick it up. First game upset, or a few weeks of waiting in his cell?

Of course he has. First, everyone on the crew is trained and authorized to initate First Contact to an extent... though having an Ensign do it would need extreme circumstances which they actually are... and Earth would definitely want to send its finest.

Second, it would take serious gray matter to match up to Beryl (pg. 107). So yes, I'd agree that he might have the brains...

[novius]

I just imagine it:

Alex: "Name of the game is five card stud."
Talon: "I am sorry, I seem not to understand. What would have males to do with this particular game? Or is your gender an essential part of it?"
Alex: "Uh..."

Well that's just screaming for a strip poker joke.

I was tempted. But planning to keep that one for another time. Though with their gender ratio being 1:8 and encounters between their genders sort of formalized I'm not sure that Loroi would get the full implications of the game. But I'd dearly like for Alex to have it spell out to them...

Maybe the "not-getting" part may lead him to being roped into such a game and the Loroi use their telepathy to trounce him...

[elorran]

So I was bored... "just one more turn"

[CF2]

Maybe the "not-getting" part may lead him to being roped into such a game and the Loroi use their telepathy to trounce him...

He should definitely be wary of any 1 on 1 challenges.

Alex: "Okay, I'm putting a ban on spectators watching from my side of the table when we play."
Tempo: "Only if we play without a table that obstructs the view next time. Now did you have any garments left or...?"
Talon: "Nothing in that absurd orange."
Beryl: "There is the other sock, and then only the last piece, and then..."
Alex: "I can locate what I'm wearing without everyone's help, thanks!"

[icekatze]

hi hi

The use of telepathy does bring up an important notion that I hadn't really considered, with regards to Loroichess. If the Loroi are accustomed to using their telepathy to pick up hints from their opponent, his resistance to that might give him an edge even as a beginner.

[novius]

hi hi

The use of telepathy does bring up an important notion that I hadn't really considered, with regards to Loroichess. If the Loroi are accustomed to using their telepathy to pick up hints from their opponent, his resistance to that might give him an edge even as a beginner.

Interesting point. Same would go for poker. What would be the point in bluffing if the other players could read the own intentions? Hmmm. Could it be that such games act as a training to hide from each other, too? Loroi have their own internal rivalries and conflict, too, so even if it's frowned upon in polite society, they would see the merits of such an ability.

[GabrielGABFonseca]

Never mind all this silly talk about "Chess" or "Poker"! We all know what human game the Loroi will really get into...

SpoilerShow

[Overkill Engine]

Just don't tell them about Monopoly. No need to give them any more reasons to scourge Humanity from existence.

[boldilocks]

Just don't tell them about Monopoly. No need to give them any more reasons to scourge Humanity from existence.

Never ever let loroi play the bank.

[Whale]

So... spiders? Lovercraftian reveal regarding the nav data? She remembered she left the oven on?