Bianca was contemplating about her encounter with the rather talkative Nomad. She didn't think there could be non-hostile Nomads and as a result she doesn't know how to interact with them, if its possible, nor does she know if they're fundamentally different. Letting out a deep sigh, she looked at the time displayed on her neural net interface.
"It is time I go greet my guest. Mari must've brought Nina here by now."
She gets up from her chair and walks towards a cabinet which was on the left side of the back entrance to the Inner Sanctum. She takes out a pair of wine glasses and a bottle of fine Gallic Wine which was gifted to her by a traveling Gallia Merchant she met on Planet Manhattan. She had an incling that Nina wouldn't object to a glass of wine while they get acquainted. As she enters the Inner Sanctum she noticed Nina sitting on the sofa.
"Good to see you're up and about. You had a serious concussion when I spoke to you first. Was the tour with Mari enjoyable?"
Bianca gestures to Nina to sit with her at the table in the centre of the room where she then pours them each a glass of wine.
"I thought a bottle of fine wine would go well for our first proper meeting. I'll introduce myself once more."
Bianca takes a bow before Nina
"I am the High Priestess Bianca Ataegina of the Axiom Congressional Services. I serve as its leader and as well as commanding officer of the Axiom herself. I am also responsible for and in charge of the Temple of the Light's daily operations."
After introducing herself she takes a seat at the table and patiently waits for Nina to make her way towards her.
It took a moment before the high priestess shows up. When the Bianca appeared, Nina observed her. She saw that she had two glasses and a bottle of wine. Nina was not the wine type but she felt that she will need to accompany the priestess. When the said person showed the seat, Nina stood up and walked toward the table to take place. As Mari said, the corsair did not feel any hostility or hatred coming from the other woman. She was surprised.
After she sat at the seat that Bianca pointed, Nina did not really know how to start the conversation. But she, at least, said something than just looking at her host. ''I must admit, looking at you in person is more a pleasure than via el camera. That being said, Mari told me that you have an interest in me. Why?'' She said with neutrality and curiosity. She asked this question first because the young woman needed to know why Bianca Ataegina was interested in her.
Bianca studied Nina for a bit before answering her.
"Mari truly is a sharp child. Her intuition is scary. But there's no need to be alarmed. My interest comes from the fact that you're the first Corsair to cross through these halls, the first Corsair to hear our story, and the first Corsair to accompany me to an unfamiliar star system. Its the fact that you're curious about us, that is why I am interested in you."
She took a sip of her wine before continuing.
"I guess my position would be, why are you so interested in us? As a steadfast Corsair I doubt you'll be willing to join our congregation, your allies on Crete would never allow it. Not that I don't welcome your curiosity. Since it could lead to a mutually beneficial friendship between us."
Bianca put the glass of wine down on the table before sitting back in the chair, crossing her legs and resting her head on her left hand against the chair's arm rest.
Nina Rodriguez studied the priestess before her. She listened and pay attention to her gestures.
When Bianca asked the question why Nina was interested in them, the corsair was out of words. ''Actually, I was curious to know more about you and your... sect. As you could know, we, corsairs will not allow anyone or any ship to enter in our spaces. Especially Omicron Gamma...'' Said Nina. As the high priestess could see, Nina did not took a sip of her glass.
When Bianca Ataegina redressed herself on the chair, Nina observed her. But her pride was stronger and turned her head to look elsewhere. She finally won against her pride and looked into the woman's eyes. ''Again, it's my job to do this. I am ready to put myself in danger. Only for the empire. I still don't know if I could be in danger here or not.''
Bianca sat up straight and looked directly into Nina's eyes.
"Personally I believe this goes beyond your duty, but if you wish to use your duty to justify your actions, then that's fine."
Bianca got up from the chair and walked over to a cabinet. She opened it and took out an object wrapped in cloth. She unwrapped it and the object hidden within was revealed.
"As a Corsair you're exposed to things like the Relics left behind by the Nomad's ancient masters and the Nomads themselves. I am of the opinion your standard occupation is more dangerous than you being here on the Axiom. Rest assured as we are not violent and don't hurt people."
She turned around and held in her hand an object that was obviously of alien origin.
"Have you perhaps seen an object that looks like this? Or does it seem familiar? My family has held onto this for generations and it is a rather secret heirloom. When you leave this room please forget you have seen it here. I am trying to track down its origins and how it came to my family's possession."
Bianca looked at Nina. Her eyes became cold when she gave her the warning, cold but serious. Bianca knew she was taking a gamble. And she knew the consequences that would come towards the Axiom if she were to silence the Corsair woman in front of her. Inside her heart she was hoping that Nina would understand the severity of the situation in front of her.
The corsair observed what the priestess was doing and listened carefuly. When she revealed an alien origin object, Nina Rodriguez was shocked. At first, she thought that Bianca took it from Planet Knossos but it was not the case. As she explained, it was a secret heirloom from generation to generation. Questions came in her head. Did her family was in relation with nomads? Or is her 'religion' hid more than what it appears? It was the main questions she asked to herself.
Only silence was between the women. And when Bianca said to Nina to act like if she knew nothing, Nina did not accept it. Of course her gesture did not betray her. When she looked into Bianca's eyes, Nina saw her coldness and her seriousness. ''So... In short you want me to shut my mouth about your 'heirloom' ? You know hermana, you just rised my suspicion toward your religion thing.'' Nina was still on the chair starring at the high priestess.
''To be honest, it will depend of your behavior if I will or not break the silence about your object. And if you want nobody to tell that you have such object, why did you show it to me?''
"I was curious. Curiosity often leads to actions one would deem nonsensical. I also have a feeling that I can trust you. Although whether or not that's true will remain to be seen once you have returned to Crete."
Bianca walked over to Nina with the object and put it down on the table.
"I hope you're aware, but I am not just going on these pilgrimages to the far reaches of the Sector just to sing to people. I am also doing it to track down and understand the source of my ability to receive these songs, understand them and sing them with the effect they have. I'll admit it hasn't been the most peaceful path and I've had to do things I still regret to this day."
Having said that, she sat down on the chair once more and studied the Corsair intently, waiting for her next response. Still hoping this would lead to a long lasting friendship, as unlikely as it seems.
The corsair sighed. 'Fine. I will not talk about it. But in exchange, I would like to hear what you did that you regret and in the possibility I am not welcomed within the empire of corsair, you welcome me aboard of your ship.'' To the corsair, it was a fair deal but she added something else. ''And I will talk about me a bit more. Question to be fair to each other.''
On those words, Nina took a sip of the wine and by her face, the high priestess could see that Nina Rodriguez disliked wines. At her turn, Nina observed Bianca. Also at her turn, she hopped that Bianca would agree.
Having received a favourable answer; Bianca takes a seat and takes another sip from her wine.
"The Axiom will never turn away anyone. But your identity will change. This is to prevent the Axiom from falling into poor relations with any violent factions. We've accepted multiple people from fugitives to military deserters, having given them new identities and lives. They now help spread our influence as well as are in the process of seeking out an appropriate place to build a new and better temple, one capable of maintaining the Axiom and will provide a permanent residence as well as refuge for those seeking salvation and change."
Taking another sip from her wine, she sat back on her chair.
"Once you experience one of my performances, you will see what I mean. But for now, there's still matters that need to be discussed."
Nina Rodriguez listened to the high priestess Bianca Ataegina carefuly. ''But your identity will change'' was what caught the attention of Nina. She thought something like as if she will have a brainwash. It sounded like this to Nina. She crosses her legs and thinks about what her host said. In a way, she was curious to see what it would be if she decides to follow this path but she preferred to keep the corsair's path.
''I won't lie but I would like to hear one of your performance. In private or not, I don't mind. In any case, what do you want to discuss? Knowing about my person?'' Her eyes met Bianca's.
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