milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Mardi Gras was two days ago. Yet Bob is still in his Hendrix costume.

Why? Because he likes it. Duh.

He's over in the corner, playing something that sounds like a bunch of random notes, but upon lengthy inspection will prove to be a psychedelic version of "O Canada."

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"Hm. I took harmonica lessons when I was a two-tail, but hated most anything to do with music 'til I discovered keyboards and sound morphing programs." She waggles her eyebrows, looking him over.

"Outfit's cool too."

"You like it?" Bob smiles. "Bar dressed me up like this a couple days ago, and I decided to keep it."

"Very groovy." She nods, then smiles serenely.

"Has Dot seen it?"

"Yup. And she was dressed up too." Bob's expression suggests that he liked her costume even more than his own. "Dot said it was related to some User holiday, but I don't know which one."

"Hmm. Early spring, not April... " She ponders for a moment, then blinks.

"Dammit, I missed Marti Gras!" Laini sighs, ears dropping.

"So that's what it's called. What do people do on Mardi Gras, other than dress up in weird costumes?"

Cue Laini, now dressed in something bright and very, very colorful, still perched on the back of a chair.

"Its a religious holiday, in the way that it isn't? Its based on what happens in a religion, though isn't official." She shakes her head, (bells on headdress chiming), amused.

"The first sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox, Catholics celebrate the resurrection of the son of their God. There's a whole period of time set before that day, for fasting, prayers and general repentance. So, before it all starts?" She waves a sparkly hand in the air.

"They have a lot of partying and have their fun before they give it up. And perhaps to have things to repent for."

Bob blinks as he tries to process this new information.

"Okay, I'm still new to this whole 'religion' thing, but that just sounds weird and needlessly complicated."

"Not so much if you look at it as a good example of human nature. If you're giving stuff up for a period of time, you rather indulge in it right before its gone." She grins. "Then it rather makes sense."

"Then why give it up to begin with?"

"Because humans are odd." She rolls her eyes, shaking her head.

"Certain things that feel good must be bad and sinful, so they must be made up for, apparently. Though, that still doesn't stop them from doing such things, even if they keep feeling guilty afterwards."

"Like I said. Needlessly complicated." Bob sits down and sets his guitar aside. "So, what have you been up to lately? I haven't seen you since the puppet thing."

"Never said they weren't." She chuckles, and rests her elbows on her knees.

"Work at home- I sent a rather snotty group of pointy-eared diplomats off on a fun 'adventure'. We have bets going on how long 'til one of them accidently marries one of the natives." Laini snickers.

"And, here, I'm going to be teaching Whistler and Suzi some magi-tech tricks."

"What kind of tricks?"

She waves her fingers in the air, complete with special effect sparkles.

"Magi-tech. As much as they can learn- I've yet to figure if either one has any aptitude for magic, yet. But, that's not to say some knowlege and common sense can't go a far way in that area, even without it. I've known totally normal humans that have been able to survive in Underhill without any magic whatsoever."

"Yeah, but what, specifically, could you do with it? Like... could someone do transformation magic like that?"

"Do with which-what exactly?" She tilts her head, looking at Bob.

"Magi-tech? Physical transformations, no. But there are lesser spirits that aren't ever corporeal, who inhabit computers and other tech-things, that can be changed and influenced."

"Oh." Bob looks a little disappointed. He'd hoped he might have found another sprite-to-human avenue. On the other hand... "Influenced how?"

"Changed, inhanced, so on." She blinks, then smiles faintly.

"The ones I work with want that, and I don't do it unless they're cool with it."

Bob falls silent, pondering this. Spirits that inhabit computers...

"These spirits... what are they like? What do they do?"

"Depends on what they are?" She tilts her head, thinking.

"Unfortunately I don't have any with me at the moment. I have a couple of net-spiders that are good for going and looking for things. Give them the proper search perameters, and they can sort through data until they find what they're looking for. Cute little buggers too." Laini chuckles.

"Then, on the other end of the spectrum, you have gremlins. Those are much more magi-tech, and they're widespread enough that even humans on Earthside who wouldn't believe in magic or spirits know of them, and rightfully blame them for messing things up."

"Huh. I wonder what they'd look like on my end?"

"-I'm not quite sure." One ear flattens back, thoughtfully. Laini cups her hands together, and- well, illusion or hologram, you take your pick-

There is an image of a digitalized spider in her hands, made of metal and with large flashing lights for eyes.

"Here's how they usually look, but I'm working on a different point of view from you guys."

Bob studies it curiously. "Looks kind of like a security drone. They're strong, but not very bright."

"These aren't so much strong-" Laini wiggles her fingers, and the legs on one side of the image wave-

"But quick. Not so much smart either, but focused on their areas."