taxonomites | 003. (visual) a list of the qualities a good girl lacks

"Hello, Taxon."

Leila greets anyone paying attention out there with a small smile, seated as she is on a grassy section in the forest, several paces away from the greenhouse Sol (and now Ambrose) has occupied, though it's not quite in view, thus making her location more difficult to distinguish. She's sleeveless, today, which means much of her white ink clockwork tattoo is exposed; she's proud of it, so she sees no reason not to show it off.

"So," she begins, "I've been wondering a few things: why do you think so many people here come from the same world? It's overwhelmingly dominated by people from Earth, and it seems to primarily be modern-day Earth, at that.

"Many of us seem to speak the same common language- our captors' idea of convenience, possibly? English isn't my first language, but I'm fluent enough in it. The relatively low level of apparent ethnic diversity can be rationalized, but if we're really all abducted by aliens, they certainly seem to have their preferences when it comes to targets, don't they? I don't have any answers here, but I'm certain I'm not the only one still asking questions. Maybe between us some sort of conclusion can be reached, eventually, and with data we can make progress- I'm aware by now I'm not the only scientist present, but if anyone else I have yet to meet happens to fall into the same profession, please introduce yourselves. I'm listening."

She's not going to admit she's the youngest researcher in her group at home and probably here, too, and thus knows the expertise of others is necessary, but she is aware, at least. This is followed by a careful, considering pause; Leila's been very detachedly amiable up to this point, and avoided being too technical, by her own standards, but now her tone changes to something cooler and more controlled, which in her is generally a tough-skinned cover for guardedness.

"Oh. One more thing. These glitches that people experience. How long do they usually last?"

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"It is strange and I know that while I can talk to my neighbours, I cannot read their language. Also, I had previously attempted to make a list of all the worlds we have represented here; unfortunately, the majority of residents were not as forthcoming as I had hoped."

"I wonder how prevalent that issue is," she murmurs, half-to herself. Hmm.

"Were they hostile, or just not especially interested in trying? I think a lot of people here have started to settle, in a way- they've made lives here and are hoping they're released instead of actively striving to escape. Quite understandably, since our captors have made it seem futile." Emphasis on 'seem'.

"No one was hostile, but few were interested. I framed my inquiry by saying that I was trying to create a document to be given to new arrivals. For those of us not from Earth, this place is unsettling." To say the least. At this point, it might be worth mentioning that behind Doul it's possible to see an assortment of odd plants. "I have been slowly learning to read 'English' and have made some progress."

"You've acclimated quite well, then," she says, sincerely, "but if you ever need a hand continuing that, I'd be happy to help. I imagine any other new arrivals unfamiliar with this sort of terrain will feel a bit lost."

"I've been press-ganged before, although not quite like this." He pauses and debates about revealing more information. "Once, long before the first time I was forced to adjust to a wholly new paradigm, I was a scientist."

"Oh, I see." She can sort of see it--as carefully well-spoken as Doul is for a warrior, after all, it rather goes against the stereotype.

"What was your field of study?"

"The Ghosthead Empire and more generally, probability." He knows that his response means very little to anyone from Earth, but it's the only real answer he has to give. "And you?"

003. (visual) a list of the qualities a good girl lacks

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