The five Xunari talked late into the evening, helping Kukimbia get caught up on the happenings in the wider world. The remoteness of the area had kept her isolated, and while she had heard rumors of strange events from other passing natives, nothing concrete reached her ears until now. Despite their somewhat rough introduction, Kukimbia seemed fascinated by Lambent, gazing up at her with wide eyes. Chase knew the most about the diplomatic changes brought by the tark'ee's arrival, but Sea and Rubus were eager to talk about the scientific discoveries. Lambent, for her part, couldn't say much. She was born at Wayward Station and had never visited the bunkers her kind had emerged from, nor did she know anything about the old world the tark'ee elders spoke of. The native Xunari was eager to hear about all of it. Her ears perked at every new piece of information and she asked many questions, tail twitching back and forth as she absorbed what she learned.

Eventually Kukimbia rose and stretched, announcing that she had to return home, and the team bid her good night. She trotted off into the night, her steps even and confident despite the darkness and loose stones.

The next morning, work returned to normal. Sea and Rubus studied their samples while Chase took notes on their encounter with Kukimbia. Lambent patrolled outside, shaking her head in annoyance every time the wind blew dust and sand into her eyes. It was cooler than yesterday, with a breeze that helped chase away the unforgiving heat of the two suns. Lambent was returning from checking the far side of the perimeter when she saw a figure at the edge of camp: one with rounded ears and spots that helped her blend in. She trotted over to Kukimbia. "You're back," she said, though her tone was not unfriendly.

Kukimbia scraped the ground with her front claws, nervous. "Well, you talked about so many fascinating things. I wanted to learn more," she replied.

The edges of Lambent's beak turned up in a smile. "I'll go get Chase, she's better at explaining things than me," she said, and turned toward the main work tent. Kukimbia followed as the tark'ee stuck her head through the entrance, calling out, "Hey, Chase! Our visitor's back! Said she wants to learn more about us."

Chase soon stepped outside into the baking sunlight, her head tilted curiously. "Hello again, dear," she said. "What was it you wanted to know?"

As it turned out, Kukimbia wanted to learn about colony life. Chase led her and Lambent back inside, to the far side of the tent where their conversation would not bother Sea and Rubus. It was much cooler inside, with a rotating fan that emulated the outside breeze- albeit while throwing up much less dust. There was a break area in one corner, with pillows and low tables, and this is where Chase sat. She told Kukimbia about the general colony structure: how DPIP organized researchers to help manage colonies, and how they might be assigned projects to research the planet and its inhabitants. Kukimbia was shocked to learn that Wayward Station was based in Mireh, not Issiq.

Sea came over to the break area when she heard research being discussed, eager to give a breakdown of the Station's current science projects. Chase had to shoo her away after a few moments, seeing that Kukimbia was beginning to look a bit overwhelmed. She explained that the Station was large, with multiple labs. Not every member was expected to participate in research, either- she pointed out Rubus, who was primarily a physician and was only helping Sea because he liked to study as well. He waved from his spot by sample storage. Lambent and Chase herself had different roles, too. Colonists were free to pursue their interests, though there were some general divisions for labor to keep things organized.

Kukimbia listened with keen interest. Chase spoke the most, but Lambent occasionally chimed in, and eventually Sea and Rubus took a break from their work to come over and describe aspects of the Station that the other two weren't as familiar with. Before they knew it, it was time for lunch, and they discussed how the Station got its food while they ate. Kukimbia nodded along, asking questions. As they talked, Chase got the sense that the other tsabhua was a bit lonely, and was here just as much to be around others as she was to satiate her curiosity. She wouldn't say it out loud, but she wondered if perhaps the Station would find itself with a new member soon.

Total Wordcount: 771
1 to 200
The five Xunari talked late into the evening, helping Kukimbia get caught up on the happenings in the wider world. The remoteness of the area had kept her isolated, and while she had heard rumors of strange events from other passing natives, nothing concrete reached her ears until now. Despite their somewhat rough introduction, Kukimbia seemed fascinated by Lambent, gazing up at her with wide eyes. Chase knew the most about the diplomatic changes brought by the tark'ee's arrival, but Sea and Rubus were eager to talk about the scientific discoveries. Lambent, for her part, couldn't say much. She was born at Wayward Station and had never visited the bunkers her kind had emerged from, nor did she know anything about the old world the tark'ee elders spoke of. The native Xunari was eager to hear about all of it. Her ears perked at every new piece of information and she asked many questions, tail twitching back and forth as she absorbed what she learned. Eventually Kukimbia rose and stretched, announcing that she had to return home, and the team bid her good night. ((She trotted off into the night, her steps even and confident despite the darkness and loose
Mention Counter
Kukimbia: 3 mentions
Chaser of the Sunrise: 1 mentions
Rubus: 1 mentions
Sea's Call: 1 mentions
Lambent: 2 mentions

201 to 400
stones.)) The next morning, work returned to normal. Sea and Rubus studied their samples while Chase took notes on their encounter with Kukimbia. Lambent patrolled outside, shaking her head in annoyance every time the wind blew dust and sand into her eyes. It was cooler than yesterday, with a breeze that helped chase away the unforgiving heat of the two suns. Lambent was returning from checking the far side of the perimeter when she saw a figure at the edge of camp: one with rounded ears and spots that helped her blend in. She trotted over to Kukimbia. "You're back," she said, though her tone was not unfriendly. Kukimbia scraped the ground with her front claws, nervous. "Well, you talked about so many fascinating things. I wanted to learn more," she replied. The edges of Lambent's beak turned up in a smile. "I'll go get Chase, she's better at explaining things than me," she said, and turned toward the main work tent. Kukimbia followed as the tark'ee stuck her head through the entrance, calling out, "Hey, Chase! Our visitor's back! Said she wants to learn more about us." Chase soon stepped outside into the baking sunlight, her head tilted curiously.
Mention Counter
Kukimbia: 4 mentions
Chaser of the Sunrise: 4 mentions
Rubus: 1 mentions
Sea's Call: 1 mentions
Lambent: 3 mentions

401 to 600
"Hello again, dear," she said. "What was it you wanted to know?" As it turned out, Kukimbia wanted to learn about colony life. Chase led her and Lambent back inside, to the far side of the tent where their conversation would not bother Sea and Rubus. It was much cooler inside, with a rotating fan that emulated the outside breeze- albeit while throwing up much less dust. There was a break area in one corner, with pillows and low tables, and this is where Chase sat. She told Kukimbia about the general colony structure: how DPIP organized researchers to help manage colonies, and how they might be assigned projects to research the planet and its inhabitants. Kukimbia was shocked to learn that Wayward Station was based in Mireh, not Issiq. Sea came over to the break area when she heard research being discussed, eager to give a breakdown of the Station's current science projects. Chase had to shoo her away after a few moments, seeing that Kukimbia was beginning to look a bit overwhelmed. She explained that the Station was large, with multiple labs. Not every member was expected to participate in research, either- she pointed out Rubus, who was
Mention Counter
Kukimbia: 4 mentions
Chaser of the Sunrise: 3 mentions
Rubus: 2 mentions
Sea's Call: 2 mentions
Lambent: 1 mentions

601 to 771
primarily a physician and was only helping Sea because he liked to study as well. He waved from his spot by sample storage. Lambent and Chase herself had different roles, too. Colonists were free to pursue their interests, though there were some general divisions for labor to keep things organized. Kukimbia listened with keen interest. Chase spoke the most, but Lambent occasionally chimed in, and eventually Sea and Rubus took a break from their work to come over and describe aspects of the Station that the other two weren't as familiar with. Before they knew it, it was time for lunch, and they discussed how the Station got its food while they ate. Kukimbia nodded along, asking questions. As they talked, Chase got the sense that the other tsabhua was a bit lonely, and was here just as much to be around others as she was to satiate her curiosity. She wouldn't say it out loud, but she wondered if perhaps the Station would find itself with a new member soon.
Mention Counter
Kukimbia: 2 mentions
Chaser of the Sunrise: 3 mentions
Rubus: 1 mentions
Sea's Call: 2 mentions
Lambent: 2 mentions
Kukimbia is in 4 chunks
Chaser of the Sunrise is in 4 chunks
Rubus is in 4 chunks
Sea's Call is in 4 chunks
Lambent is in 4 chunks
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A Curious Character

In Diplomacy ・ By Wayward Station ・ 0 Favourites ・ 0 Comments

Kukimbia returns to the Wayward Station research camp, interested in learning more about these Xunari that are visiting her home.


Submitted By Wayward Station for Woo a Native ・ Location: Issiq (B'Av)
Submitted 2 weeks ago ・ Last Updated 2 weeks ago
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[A Curious Character by Wayward Station (Literature)](https://www.xiun.us/gallery/view/2011)
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