Dead surprised by Blue Cherry's entrance, April is distracted for a moment - watching Cherry wander off to Neil.

Then, remembering herself, she turns back to the Totem, saying, "... Um, sorry. My name's April Rice. I was helping Sakurako set up over the last couple days, but I guess I never really ran into you. Well, obviously, I guess ... I'd remember, right?"

Realizing that she's babbling inanely (He's really big ...), she grins and adds, "And I love mythological animals. Why do you ask?"

"It helps to know who likes you and who doesn't." Totem answers April as he keeps his eyes on the blue haired woman. "Sorry I haven't been around I guess I should have been helping you and Sakurako. I was just a bit... Preoccupied."

"Neil. Please do not try to electrocute any guest here. Blue if you could try to be a little less cryptic and ominous and a bit more open that would also be appreciated."

This is bothering him and he knows it. He feels it clawing at the back of his eyes. Wanting to roar and rage. Just what he fucking needs right now is to lose it again. At least Codex was around.... There he went relying on others to pull his feathered ass out of the fire. He shook his head and stood up. Taking a few laps of the pitcher of milk he had been drinking from he turned and looked over the others. "Hey I think I am gonna go get ready. The ceremony starts in about thirty and I have a section of the stands set aside for you if you want them." With that he tucks folders given to him into his mouth drops onto all fours and starts to slink out of the dome.

Sakurako is half tempted to say take it outside, but she trusts the intelligence of those involved.

"Totem, I'll see you after the ceremony. I wouldn't want to add any undue stress. You've been busy."

She then turned back to Franklin.

"Yeah, it took some time. I had to find just the right materials for the wall envelopes so that they could take some punishment from the elements. Also, since these domes are held up by the pressure in the walls, not by internal pressure, I wanted to make sure it'd stay up. The chambered design of the walls facilitate that. I did have to consider the sheer number of people taht pass through. An internal pressure dome wouldn't work out if all the air kept escaping when someone opened the door, so I thought why not let the walls be the envelope not the common area the people are in. It helps with ventilation too."

She smiles, not really getting into herself, but mroe of admiring the time and effort she put into the designs.

"It's sort of a modified version of the pressure domes I'm thinking of submitting to Daedalus. But, I think these domes would work out for more down to earth reasons, too."

As Totem leaves Templar touches down onto the groundand backs up to one end of the tent.

After waiting for about five minutes he suddenly becomes visible and grabs a plate looking as if nothing had happened.

A generous helping later he walks over calmly to a table across from the other novas and begins to eat quietly.

Leaving his car parked on the edge of the lot Leonard picks up his case and slings it across his shoulder and starts walking briskly towards the smell of food. The five minute walk stretches to fifteen as he stops and chats with children along the way, picking up the occasional adventurous rough-houser and tossing him into the air with a playful laugh. An almost palpable aura of happiness exudes off of him and the tendency of parents to worry at the presence of a stranger so close to their children evaporates. Each time he bids the throng of children adieu with promises to be around for awhile only to gather another group not fifty yards further along.

Finally he arrives at his destination and gets in line to collect some food. Noting a jar with a note declaring it for donations to assist with the cost of food for the less fortunate at the Pow Wow he smiles and casually drops a large wad of cash into it.

He stops and looks around for a place to sit...

Codex waves to Totem. "See you later, hon," she calls out to him before turning to Sakurako. "Thanks, sweetheart," she says softly. She falls silent, looking at the ground for a moment.

"My bad," Neil quips as Totem head out. "It wasn't electricity, it was ..." and his voice trails off.

He shakes his head at Blue Cherry and then just heads away from her. Spying Sakurako and Codex, Neil turns toward her and approaches.
"Hey, Captain!"
He attempts to give her a big hug. He then looks over at Codex and offers her a hug, too.
"It's good to see you again, Regan."
His voice is softer and full of sympathy.

"Interesting, this would make amazing fast and portable relief structures or smaller versions would serve well as tents," Singularity says with interest, his attention less divided with Totem departing and Neil leaving Blue Cherry. "If it is possible, I would enjoy seeing your basic designs for Daedalus. Alchemist seemed to awaken an engineer in me after my visit to his lab."

He notes Codex's withdrawn response to Sakurako and Neil's following approach, staying an unobtrusive shadow introducing himself to Neil.

"Hey Neil, good to see you too, hon," Regan says, returning the hug.

"Sweet, Frank, we should. I was thinking of emergency structures, but I hadn't really been able to get my foot into that particular door. If ther is one thing I'll bend over for, is disaster relief and rescue equipment. I'm going to be talking to a person in Chicago to see if I can get into things along that channel. He's been interested in being a rescue-capable nova. I've been interested in that line of work myself..."

Neil sneaks a hug after hugging Codex.

"...Guh! Neil, you've been lifting weights!"

She realizes Codex has been quiet, but it is understandible. Neil all of a sudden greating his "captain" is a nice little thing she always likes to hear.

"This almost feels like a reunion... Too bad Walker and Hammerhead missed out..."

Feathers shifted to match his mood. Black as night mixing with the dusty earth that he walked upon as he came out of the dome. He felt like a royal dick leaving everyone inside like he did. But what was he going to say. 'Oh I am sorry I am about to freak out please pardon me.' He shook his mane as he held the folders he was given.

Well he should have been getting ready anyway. He was sure they where worried about him being a no show and he wasn't gonna let them down. He stopped as he saw granddad giving him a stern look from the bed of his truck. Every eye that mattered to him would be watching him today. In a way that made it far worse than the XWF match.

Soon he made his way back into the tents where Tina looked most relieved to see him. Immediatly a few of the girls started brushing his coat out and he let them without complaint.

"Are you sure you have all you moves down?"

"Yes Tina."

"Okay now about the sun pole is everything the way you wanted it."

"Yup everything is there."

Tina smiled. "You'll do fine Totem. Oh and be sure to change your feathers back to the colors we discussed before you go out." She rubbed her hand across his beak and went to help the others putting on their masks, arranging feathers that werent really theirs', unlike his own.

He peaked out of the tent and sniffed the air. He couldn't smell her, he wondered if she was around. She was beyond an expert and she could be anywhere she wanted and no one would know. She could be lurking in his own shadow. He smiled at that. For some reason it gave him a little comfort to think she was so close to him. He wondered how many people on earth would gain comfort in thinking Apep was close enough to touch them anytime she felt like it. He laid down on the dirt floor to wait out the few minutes remaining and daydream about things he couldn't have.

Didn't want to wander in uninvited. I really haven't met most of the novas who expressed interest in showing up. Especially Endeavor, and I don't want to go barching into her dome without her knowing I'm coming. Bad manners, and all. Besides, some of those people might be the ones who gave me some serious flack for saying what I did and I don't want to cause trouble by showing up.

I ended up wandering around the grounds, learning the geography and getting familiar with the place.

Hmm. Bored now.

Bad news was always hard to swallow.It didn't bother her,She wasn't trying to make friends. Frankly to her most of these novas were lost in their own little world.The sad part was that was a good thing.To show the whole world to most people would cause to much pain.The truth, wasn't always beauty,and most people didn't want to see it.

"Neil, I hope you don't judge me whole on the bad first impresstion.I am horrid at giving bad news, .I just figured you would rather rather know of the storm coming before it breaks on you.If you want to know what the news is, all you have to do is Ask of me?And I am Blue Cherry."

Turning to Codex, in a soft voice.

"Codex, if you had died and she had lived, would you wish her to spend time feeling sorry and sad over an event she could not stop or change? I know, I would rather have my friends remember the good times,and things we shared in life.When, a friend of mine died, he left me a letter,that changed me.To some it up, it said "I know this hurts.know you feel cheated.But what about me?You know I hate it when you are sad.You know I love seeing you have fun,and being happy, so go on out and part like we did."So, please think things over, think of what she would want."

Replying to Sakurako,
"Yeah. Have you heard from them recently?"

To Codex,
"So, were is this elite you have been 'chaperoning' recently? Did you bring him?"

Then, when Blue Cherry comes up and speaks,
"I apologize, Blue Cherry. I am touchy about bad news concerning my father. He was ... ill recently, and I just got him back."
"I agree that your delivery could do with some work, though," he adds with a hint of joviality.
Neil still seems to be the kind of guy whose face should have a smile on it.

Bastian watched the third girl crawl out of the tent muttering something about water. Personally, a night of indulgences had left him awake and refresh. Certainly, what these women had lacked in training and skill, they had made up in raw frenzy and experimentation. Even the native drugs had been exciting, even if he had to taste them vicariously.

The open tent-flap let in the sunlight, reminding him of the coming festivities. He reached into the mind of another of the women ... the plump one, mother to the one who had crawled outside, and forced her mind open. He examined himself through her perceptions and was pleased.

He looked nearly too perfect. The epitome of the Souix warrior brave, with a lean, solid physique and long, black hair. The clothing he had opted for was authentic early-19th century Plains attire.

He walked outside into the morning light and drank in the atmosphere. He felt out the minds of those closest to him and from there, absorbed their senstations of smell and taste, sight and sound. Almost as an afterthought, he told his companions to get something to eat, then take a nap. When they awoke, they were to forget his ever being there.

Bastian wander off in the vague direction of the HinoDome, then spotted someone familiar, wandering somewhat aimlessly.
He supressed the desire to sneak up and do a guess who. She probably wouldn't appreciate him doing that. Instead, he came around to her front and approached with his arms at his side, palms facing her. He waited until he caught her eye, then smiled a friendly smile and said,
"Greetings, Sister. Funny to meet you again so soon, non?" The last word in his familiar Swiss-French accent.

Preston blinked into the sunrise, and let a faint smile cross his faith. The few people who shared the hillside with him gave him some curious looks, but were not freaked out by his sudden appearence. One of them commented,
"Isn't he hot?"
It was Preston's ever-present trenchcoat they were refering to.

Preston turned back the the heart of the gathering. He 'sensed' out into the crowd, listening for his son. Instead, he saw a knot of reporters and the celebrity they were following,
Ms. D'Aronique. He scowled, then said softly,
"Well, its on my way."

He began walking downslope with enough grim determination to make most people get out of his way.

Codex gestures to the silver-eyed nova behind her. "Neil, meet Franklin 'Singularity' Alden. Frank, meet Neil."

After Codex introduces Neil to Frank...

"I haven't heard from Mr. Shark and Mr. Orange for a while... I sorta liked talking to them..."

Sakurako returns to her meal.

Singularity nods as Sakurako describes her plans, "Yes, I am interested to see what you and Interceptor create and how it works out. The legal issues might be a problem but I think the two of you will be able to accomplish a lot together."

Upon being introduced to Neil, Singularity extends his hand to the healer, "Good to meet you, Neil. I had a chance to meet your father and I am glad to get a chance to meet you as well."

She did notice Preston,and thought that a middleman was unneeded now and ,the company was unwise.Taking small time looking the crowd over, she flexed her hands, drawing her efuiber gloves into her sleave.Her hands were tattooed,on the left in fine printing it had "Vini,vini, vicci", and on the right was a fine set of spider webs.

She moved to Preston,with a slow pase.Making her way around the "V".Not even trying to hide that fact from the world.When she was close to Preston, she offered her right hand out towards him.

"I am Blue Cherry, if you want you can call me Blue or Chery.As for you should I call you, officer Preston,detective Preston, Mister Preston, or just Preston?"

Neil takes Franklin's hand and shakes it warmly.
"Good to meet you, too. So, how is Codex working out as a school marm?"
There is a hint of a mischievous grin.

"Well, Ms. Cherry, you can call me whichever one you are most comfortable with."

"Nice paint," he says, giving a nod to her tattoos.

"What brings you hear, and what can I do for you?"

The bronzed, blonde-haired man walks up Templar as if nothing is going on. With a plate in hand, he also takes a few bites then starts to chat.

"Templar, isn't it? So, what brings you down from the mountain, so to speak?"

The shadows in the tent dance and flicker as if giving warning of her arrival. From Totems own shadow, Apep rises to join the occasion. She's dressed as she is usally seen, in her simple haremesque stylings. What is unusual is the colors. Instead of the dark greens and black, today she wears white and light green. She smiles at Totem with an affection that seems almost unnatural with her yellow eyes. Her gold bangle bracelts chime slightly as she pets his feathers. "I told you I would be here. Are you ready?"

Hackles would have once raised on him as the shadows bent to her whim. But instead he almost purred in response. Her scent carried over to him the second before he saw her and it was near intoxication to him. A weight lifted and he settled himself, Muscles relaxed and yet as she appeared he still looked nervous.

The beast flicked his tail from side to side as he leaned toward the beautiful Terat. Perhaps betraying more of his animal nature than he normally allowed. Licking her hand as she drew near.

"Thank you for coming." He manages to say finally. "I.. missed you." Slightly embarassed he turns away, some feathers tinge red before settling back to his normal browns and whites. "I just have to braid some of these into my fur." He holds up some bright strips of cloth and leather. "Otherwise I am ready as I am gonna be. Still nervous as hell though. There so many people here and so many Novas. I've never been around so many of us and I am slightly jumpy."

"Ink, not paint.Preston, you should know the devil is in the details, and that is why I am here. Details.You see, fear of novas like most fears change the wya the world works.In this case, the wise men in DeeCee, want to how we live,and when and where our abilties are legal. What does this mean,I don't know. I do know that it may mean your abilties may become a liablity to your carier. It may means nothing to you."

Giving a half smile, she pulled her hand back.

"But that is why i am talking to you, not why I am here.I came here to give Totem a birthday gift..I am talking to you about the details. I know most people would consider that one and the same reason,but like I said the devil is in the details"

Preston stops and looks at Blue Cherry with a slight smile upon his face. His eyes flare and he looks hard at her.

"Who are you?"

Preston's voice rings out with power.

With a slow,drawn out breath.

"Who am I?I told you who I am.Any more than that I will not say in this crowd.You as officer of the peace should know that citizens of this nation love their privacy.By the way, do you take that tone with everyone who offers a news update?Besides,I am not out to get you."

Preston's eyes flash strongly for a few seconds, the air fills with sounds and voices raised up in cheers and sobs, then it fades.
"Well, Ms. Cherry, you can tell me more about yourself and what your warnings mean, or, you can float there and I will take another shot, starting off with how you know about this, or you can get out of my way and let me get about relaxing."
Lowering his glasses so he can look over his sunglasses,
"I'm not on the job. I'm here to spend some time with my son. You are not who I thought you were, nor with the people I thought you might be with, so I'm satisfied."
"Again, no cryptic crap. If there is something specific you want to tell me about, do it. Do not waste my time, young lady, because my time is limited."
Preston's tone is more bored than threatening, and he looks like someone who wants to be somewhere else.

"Congress woman Madison owes me a few favors.That is how I know about this.As for stoping you from relaxing.I would never dream of that."

Snappinger fingers and then opening her hand to reviel a disk.Offering it to him, with a smile.

"I know you know more than you will say, I don't know how much, but that doesn't mater.But let's just say, I always thought you did a good thing,and looked up to you for a long time.This disk has the law,and a notes on what the law could mean. Why don't we make a deal, I'll give you this disk,stop talking in a cryptic way,and we can enjoy pleasant day together?"

Singularity grins slyly at Neil's question, "There have been some bumps and surprises, but she has done an excellent job teaching this old dog new tricks." His shoulders shake from a silent chuckle, "But she still has not waved her finger to scold me. I guess I am doing something right. How has everything been treating you?"

She cocks her head to the side smiling as Totem licks her hand. "I missed you a little." She laughs. "You'll do fine. I'm sure of it. Well, I'll let you get on with your preparations, I just wanted you to know I made it." She walks over to the tent flaps, "I'll be watching" and she exits the tent.

Stepping out into the bright morning sun, Apep takes a deep breath, collecting the scents and sounds of the area. Her scales shift to the whites and oranges of an albino python. She looks back at the tent smiling, and then walks off to explore the fairgrounds.

Getting the strange feeling that thinge are about to get... interesting... Sakurako gets up after hurredly eating the last bit of her meal, and grabs her laptop and starts heading out...

"Sorry, everyone, but I gotta check my other domes to make sure they're functioning within comfortable parameters. Wouldn't want any heat stroke now, right?"

She sheepishly laughs. She knows that right now people are getting involved elsewhere, and her attempted interruption would be almost rude... She starts slowly making for an exit.

"See everyone later... I wouldn't want to miss any events today..."

I shouldn't be as surprised as I am to see him here. No reason for him not to be, after all, I think all the Terats of N!Prime will be here for whatever reasons they think they should be.

Still, his speech momentarily makes me pause, that whole sense of familiarity his words carry. Like we're friends or something.

"Hello, Bastian," I end up saying back. "And yeah, I didn't expect to see you again so soon, either."

ronin sits, impassively, without passion, simply enjoying his coffee and watching all the name-givers ("name-givers" had been ronin's catch-all term for sentient life for as long as he could remember, which was not saying all that much in and of itself) as they went about their various scraps of business.
One might be inclined to assume, from his point of view on the role of novas in the world, that ronin disliked or simply disregarded baseline humanity, seeing them as the inconsequential extras in an ongoing black comedy of which novas were the only stars. The truth was far from the given assumption. For as much time as the nova who called himself 'ronin' spent with baselines throughout his many and varied lifetimes, if he truly removed baselines from the equation entirely, he would have been very, very lonely (which he sometimes was). In truth, ronin viewed most baselines the way adults would view children, or even teenagers. And while ronin had seen every extreme of the human condition and (quite sadly, he would muse to himself) there was nothing a baseline was capable of that could surprise him anymore. He had seen it all scores of times before.
Still. He enjoyed the spectacle. In much the same way that adults enjoy watching children play. Enjoy it while you have it, he would tell them, had he felt it would matter. Enjoy the simple beauty of your lives, as complicated and hard as you might see it. Enjoy what beauty you have.

From his vantage point on a bench leaning against one of the tents adjacent to the grub tent, he would see people moving this way and that, and became creepingly aware of a congregation of novas forming around the mutual need for food. He knew Sakurako and Totem were already inside, of course, and shortly thereafter they were joined by a lovely blonde woman being faithfully followed by an astute young man with eyes that ronin likened to gunmetal.