maskormenace | [audio] - USING ALIAS TANITH PONTA

Oh? I'd be grateful for that. Thank you.

[Cinders mentally shakes herself out of her growing funk. It's not like self pity will really help her at this point.]

I can't even imagine what your world's technology would be like.

The Porters are a bit beyond our technology, actually, but given that no one here seems to be able to explain them, either, I haven't given them much thought outside of that.

These .. communicators, for example. Rather simplistic in their abilities, easily taken apart and modified, hacked into for whatever purpose. I'm used to holos - holograms, holovids, et cetera. There doesn't seem to be any of that here.

Most notably, I suppose, is that we had the ability for interplanetary space travel. We also had access to hyperdrive - or the ability to travel at faster-than-light speeds so as to get from one area of the galaxy to another in shorter amounts of time. It still sometimes took days at a time, depending on the distance.

[Cinders understands... maybe less than half of that. Nevertheless, she's dutifully nodding along (and making a mental note to look all this up in a dictionary later, or perhaps the creation that is inexplicably called Boogle or whatever it is. Why give it such a silly name? Never mind).]

That sounds... wonderful. [And it does, even if she doesn't quite get what it all means.]

[Jyn lets out a bit of a laugh; she recognizes that sort of glazed-over, confused sound when she hears it.] Perhaps I could better explain in person?

That would be welcome. I confess that I'm not at all used to hearing about this sort of thing, but I would love to learn more.

As long as you won't go comatose with boredom.

You said were in Nonah, yes? I've not been there yet. Perhaps I could come to you.

[A laugh.] Oh, I don't think I'm in danger of that any time soon.

A visit sounds lovely. Do you like tea?

[Please don't tell her you like that horrible bean juice people around her are all about.]

[Her tone is much more pleasant; not that it's been unpleasant thus far, but it's certainly lighter than before.]

Duly noted.

I've not indulged in it all that often. Where I could, I usually got caf - or, ehm. What's it called here? Coffee, I think. But tea would be a nice change.

[The result is rather contagious; Cinders' own smile grows brighter, and can be heard in her voice.]

I think it's called coffee. Luckily for me, I was able to get my hands on some tea.

[Proper tea, not that weird stuff they keep in bags.]

Is it hard to find here? -- You know, actually, hang onto that thought. Probably should save some topics of conversation on reserve, just in case I can't think of anything to talk about. [Mostly joking.

Sort of.

People aren't really Jyn's .. Thing. But she's trying, at least.]

It's a seven-minute walk from work to the Porter here in De Chima; I'll be through to Nonah shortly.

That's a good idea. [She's also mostly joking; Cinders might be better-ish at conversation, but she's still in the "awkward newbie" phase.]

Wonderful. I can meet you at the Porter in Nonah.

See your shortly.

[Jyn slips the communicator back into her pocket and hightails it out of the dreadfully boring office. She makes the seven-minute walk to the Porter and walks out on the other side in what she presumes to be Nonah. She glances around, realizing now that she has no idea what this Cinders person looks like.]

[Luckily for Jyn, Cinders came out to meet her. Upon seeing a woman step purposefully out of the Porter, she puts two and two together.]

Hello. Are you looking for me, by any chance?

Do you happen to be in possession of some good quality tea? [Easier (and safer) than asking for Cinders by name; old habits of using aliases and flying under the radar are hard to break.]

As a matter of fact, I do. I believe you were promised some.

[Loose leaf 5ever, not even sorry. But something about the woman tells Cinders that she's used to being careful.]

[That's all the confirmation Jyn needs.

She smiles a bit and nods.] I was. Seems you are the one I'm looking for. [She debates whether to introduce herself using her actual name; for now, she'll stick with Tanith. She extends a hand in greeting.]

[Cinders (sort of) recognizes the gesture, having been friends with a businessman since childhood. She takes the other woman's hand.]

Shall we?

[Jyn offers a small but firm handshake, then retracts her own into her pocket. She nods and flicks her chin in Cinders' direction.] Absolutely. Lead the way.

[And Cinders does, moving through the crowd and opening the door for Tsnith when they arrive.]

I'll get the tea. Please, make yourself at home.

[Jyn nods, appreciative, before letting her gaze sweep across her surroundings - quick, visual recon. The basic set-up is similar to her own house,
with notable differences. She eventually finds her way over to a chair,
where she sits - not entirely relaxed, but not board-straight-back rigid,
either..]

Are you here alone? Or do you have housemates?

[Cinders busies herself with the tea tray, arranging the kettle and the teacups and such on it before bringing it over, complete with biscuits.]

I have housemates... I just haven't met them yet.

[Jyn keeps her gaze mostly to herself, not wanting to visually intrude on anything. Cinders story is similar to the one she'd experienced when she first arrived. She offers a faint smile as she gives the tea and small cookies a happy glance.]

I'd had the same when I arrived. Then the housemates I was supposed to have .. weren't .. there? I'm not sure if they left or .. moved out before I arrived and the system hadn't udpated yet .. but then my actual house mates arrived. We've four people in our house now, myself included.

[Cinders doesn't mind if the other woman looks - it's what she'd do after all. Of course, she doesn't know what "Tanitha" is thinking.]

Really? Do you like them?

[She pours some tea for her guest, then herself, offering some milk and sugar. That strange, cold box she found in the kitchen is a marvel - not to mention the stove... once she'd figured it out.]

[The corner of Jyn's lip twitches with something like a smile at the question. She takes the tea gratefully, but declines milk and sugar.]

Two of them I know from - my home galaxy. We fought alongside each other. They know each other from many years back, but I'd only really known them a couple of days before - [Her smile falters for a split second.] We ended up here. The third is a girl none of us knew, but she seems decent enough.

[She catches Cinders thoughts about the cold box and stove. She knows enough now not to blurt out whatever thoughts she catches, seeing as it's been rather off-putting for most people, but offers her a sort of sympathetic nod all the same.]

[Cinders takes a thoughtful sip of her tea as she listens. She catches the look on the other woman's face, but wisely says nothing. She's not been here long - but it's been long enough to know that not all stories are good ones.]

I'm glad you know some people here. It's nice not to be alone.

[Must be nice, she privately amends... but being lonely is nothing new to her.]

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(assuming they're at Cinders' house? will edit if not!)

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ugh idk why my comments keep putting random linebreaks at commas, sorry

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