Post by Maya on Apr 19, 2015 2:22:40 GMT -5
A dull purple haze illuminated the compact room for one, its size was hardly enough to actually be considered an actual living space but with a personal bed and coffee table Maya managed to 'live' as well as any other person inside the palace. Long hours it had spent laying on her back gazing up a the faceless ceiling, her mind had been in a lock for some time, all of her thoughts, everything that mattered had been put on pause. It had been a week since... well... up to this point Maya herself wasn't very sure of what had happened within the confines of the simulator, all the factors had been looked over multiple times, even the data files themselves yet nothing... nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The pain, the experience of it for the first time was one thing which the machine seemed to be able to simulate was easy enough to understand though ever wishing to feel it again was far from a reality but it was... it was the scythe that created the most discomfort and at the same time wonderment.
Clinched tightly to her body the blacker than night weapon lay stretched out across the width of the bed, balancing on her flat stomach Maya's face was but a few inches away from the razor edge of the weapon, her gleaming purple eyes reflection off the reflectiveness of its given material, whatever it was constructed of; after countless tests nothing of known materials had been a match with the heavy blade. Everything was still a mesh of confusion; how was it that a part from a simulation came to be a reality, nothing from those worlds was real and yet resting on her chest bore a weapon from a land that had no real home in space and time, it was but a figment of a place with in the codes of a machine. When her eyes laid on the shinning blade after stepping from the simulation it was the breaking point as though everything frozen within the world around her, the walls had been tore down and rebuilt but not nearly in time for it to slip through. Maya dare not touch it at first, as if it was cursed she backed away and waited, though for what she wasn't sure; looking back at the event now it seemed foolish as she lay in bed with it almost like it was a stuffed animal. Before long curiosity had called out to her, to explore, seek through its depths and understand what it was but more importantly how it came to be in this world.
Already Maya was working with various theories, all of which bent the laws of space and time to such a degree that clear signs of such doings would have been quickly noticed by Maya's mechanical mind; something must have gone unnoticed or went around everything that Maya knew of... such forces did exist out there in the vast expanse that was their universe but to see it first hand... it was truly able to put a being in a state of awe. Recently in the passing days Maya's thoughts had been fixated solely on what had happened, its curious nature demanded answers to things of the unknown, hours even days were spent back to back with thinking, constant thinking; other assignments around the palace were slacking due to Maya distracted incompetence but the Empire had run just fine without Maya before and it could continue for awhile longer without Maya's presence guiding it.
With such a extensive wealth of free time Maya set up a numerous sequence of tests in order to determine anything of use from the simulator experience; everything from the raw data of the machine and its own processors had been collected and physical tests from the scythe were under taken. Time was no factor in the matter but a wasted second was one which Maya could never get back, everything was rushed without any slip ups, she needed to know the answers but the test results were nothing to write home about.
Inconclusive.
Inconclusive,
Inconclusive.
Inconclu-
Maya's hand slammed down on the counter before she could take control of herself once again, anger was not her strong suit and hardly was it ever shown to anyone but the lack of results had started to eat at her passive nature. Nothing was as it should be, there had been no evidence that aided in discovery of how the object managed to appear in the chamber with her; the only evidence of substance that had taken root within Maya's search was... most disturbing... yet it did not explain much. Running over the camera's which Maya had secretly installed within the chamber for reasons of observation, the events of the day had unfold before Maya; entering the chamber, exchanging thoughts of woe and eventually entering the simulation. Everything from the attack from the beast to its defeat could be seen on Maya's body as she moved and flinched with each passing movement and damage to her person; it was only when she fell from the depths of the simulation that her eyes widened, as in a flash the scythe lay there next to her body, it had not similar dropped, or been thrust into the spot by any known forces but... just appeared as if it had been laying there the whole time, but unseen. Watching the recording over and over again Maya witness the same event, nothing changed, no answer was given, just confusion, more than what had been resting inside her than before.
Opening her eyes slowly Maya knew what should come next, what would come next, and she wasn't fond of the idea at all.
----
"Hmm.... Oi! Is ya awake?"
As if a towering giant spoke in her ears Maya trembled under the force of the mans voice as her eyes shot open; quickly trying to sit up a flush of pain flooded through out her body. Vision flashing with red for a moment Maya let a groan out before a bony hand eased her backwards till her head rested upon something puffy. Fighting the stabbing pains from her body Maya gasped for air, anything to take focus off the swelling injuries that lined her body; pain was not something Maya knew well or had a great sense over, rather she must preferred it was left to those that had lived with it for years.
"Easy lass, easy...."
The man's cooing voice rested against Maya's ears as she lay there, breath coming in rapid short waves Maya could do little else than lay there in agony. Obeying other people than Akassa was not in Maya's nature but given the searing pain that struck through every angle of her body she wasn't about to move any more than need be; regardless the voice next to her didn't seem to want her to move anyway.
Eyes shut to focus away from the pain she laid there trying her best to take records of her surroundings without the usage of her vision, the light through her eyes lids seemed more than enough to pierce knives into her mind; why did she have to come back, this place was only suffering to this fragile form she found herself in. Ticking in the background Maya could make out what appeared to be a clock of sorts, either that or a bomb but given the fact that she was not alone she doubted the latter. Already Maya had figured out from the texture of the slab she laid on she currently was laying in a bed, it was unlike the ones back in the palace however; firm to her backside and felt as though filled with something rough and lumpy, whatever it was Maya cared little, it could have been on bag of rocks for all it cared at least it wasn't stuck in the swamp any more... wait... the swamp!
Eyes tearing open Maya looked around the room, this time around Maya noticed the lack of light that had once burned holes in her brain, now there was a dim glow from a nearby candle however looking directly at it caused her brain to throb till she had to look away from its intensity.
"Reminder... don't look at that."
Not wanting to cause any more discomfort like before Maya kept her movements to minimum, there didn't seem to be much to do beyond laying there however... but where was the man from before? Only having a limited range to see all that could be currently viewed was the ceiling above and a wooden wall to Maya's right giving her little idea of what else might lay in the room. Off in the distance the slow rhythmic ticks of the clock were the only breaks within the silence of the room, the flickering of the candle; it was very peaceful to the pains that riddled her body but no comforts could fill the questioning void in her mind. This was not where she last was, there was no swamp, at least not nearby; the air here was still damp, it clung to her skin leaving feeling as though sweat would never leave her body but it was considerably lighter than what she had experienced back in the depths of the biome from before... she was close, not directly in the swamp but perhaps nearby, on the out skirts? Without any physical means to stand on her own there would be no clear evidence of where it was she now found herself, and with no one nearby to provide such answers all she could do was lay in wait, hoping that someone would come along soon enough.
Minutes turned into hours as Maya slipped in and out of conscience, while her wounds were mending the amount of blood coupled with the various wounds she encountered her body needed time to recover. Even as she slipped into a sleep state Maya did not understand much of the world that her body transferred over to; it was strange, as if time flew by with her eyes closed, every time she awoke less and less of the candle remained: would it burn all night? Was it still night? Sleep... sleep was interesting but the effects on her person where only physical in nature, healing took place but Maya's mind took no benefits from it; the simulation was so surreal yet only some much could be separated between the two worlds, a link had been formed between something that she was and something she was not. Her flesh, her real body had no skin, no blood, pain was not a thing but here- here it was, if she was real, a living breathing entity, not a mass of goo that could take another form. So far Maya thought little of having a "real body", to much that was unnecessary was involved; pain, and the blood! There was so much of it, how she had even made it this fair without dying was beyond her, how much of the stuff did people need to survive? Of course with her access to the realms of information now severed searching for such an answer would prove impossible, soon enough she would know everything of importance.
"Aye, is wez awake?"
Maya turned her head slowly at the coming voice. For so long the room had held a low hum from the various objects nearby but the change of pace was a nice one from the growing separation.
"Yes."
Maya stated the obvious to the man as her eyes fell upon him, already he was hovering over here as if she was a display in a zoo exhibit; Maya wished to tell him to move but she was in no position to ask of any such demands.
"Good! Dudn't think ye 'ake it to be onest. In all ma years I'd never 'een anyone loose as 'uch blood as ya."
His voice ended with a raspy chuckle as he scooted away from her side to a part of the room which her eyes could not follow; it was a minor annoyance to have the man always disappearing from her vision with no clear way to tell just what he was doing.
He was an odd fellow, not just from his speech pattern but his overall appearance. Scraggy; it was the best way Maya could define him, wrinkled, age displayed greatly on his hands and face, snowy beard, and mangled clothes to match. So far there was no reason not to trust him but at the same time there was no reason to; having been conscience at the time of her arrival there was no idea of what happened from point to point, for all she knew this man killed her real savior and took her as a prize... though from a man of his age and size it was doubtful of an idea but so much was different here than back where she had come from. For now Maya would keep what few defenses she had up, without her arsenal of tools at her side it was difficult to manage any type of force to ward others away even without the condition she was currently in but she wouldn't give up on trying.
"Not 'uch of a talker? That's 'ine, thought I wouldn't 'et ya to shut up."
The raspy chuckle came once again as Maya lay there listening. There was much to be asked... but was she asking the right person, for all she knew this man was no friend of her's but by circumstance came across her; whether enemy or friend traveling lightly here would be best; friends could often turn into enemies if certain discoveries were leaked.
"I have questions."
Maya spoke quietly but gave no other indication that she was about to follow up with her statement, rather she waited, waited to see if he would take the bait or simply let the words slide by.
Off from the corner where the man stood Maya could make out a series of clicks, not anything like weaponry but of glass, cups, vials? Without being able to glance upwards Maya was blind to what he was doing, without cause as of yet there was no reason to panic, however much had been learned of organics and while they seemed friendly enough on the surface, demon lay just beneath the skin.
"Hmmm... 'ike what?"
Maya nodded knowing that he taken the bait but now it was a game; it was all possible that he was indeed just here to help her, a straight shooter but she would find out one way or another if what he was going to speak was truth.
"Where am I?"
The simplest of questions that could be asked when given her situation, there needed to be a set group of questions to help Maya establish a line of truth with the man; earlier Maya in her sleep state overheard someone, a crier of sorts, often he yelled of import details of the town in including various names of places within the region, and the town was one of them.
"A once quaint place called Ender's rest. Interesting 'ittle name, with a 'ittle interesting story."
"At least he hasn't lied yet. Still no reason to place full faith in him."
As always Maya thought the worst of people, it was hard to gain the robots affection let alone trust, whether this man meant the best for Maya had yet to be known but all would come clear soon enough; truth could only hide in the shadows for so long.
Foot steeps creaked on the wooden boards below as the man approached once more, in his worn wrinkled hands was a small vital of a substance that Maya knew nothing of, but from the look in his eyes the intent was for it to be consumed by her. Turning her head away from the vial Maya refused the offering without knowing anything of it, for all she knew it was something to sedate her and gods knew what would come from that point after.
"Not one fer taken' ye meds?"
Shaking his head he placed it next to the candle on the nearby night stand, its blueish tint seemed to glow brighter in the presence of light.
"'Ine, 'ine but soon enough ye gonna wish you had."
Walking away on the ominous note Maya rose a eyebrow in question of what he had meant but did not linger towards the vial; help was not something Maya sought out unless circumstances were dire and all options were exhausted.
"Stubborn one, ma mum was just like ya; never cared fe her meds... shame too. T'was one of those dark and cold-"
"How did you find me?"
Maya broke into the story before he could continue any further than he had; from the droning tone of his voice Maya could tell the story would last longer than he had left to live.
"And rude ta boot!"
The man huffed like a ox before he leveled off; such actions were something he had only seen in children that went up to his knees not from a full grown woman.
"I apologize. Time gaps leave me... unstable. I require information of how I was found."
A light scratching noise caught Maya attention but it only came from the man as he brushed his fingers through his wiry beard; either he was thinking in depth or had forgotten were he was at.
"Ya a funny one."
He stated with a lofty sigh.
Scrapping of an object made its way across the room as soon the man placed a low worn chair next to the bedside; slowly he positioned himself in the chair but not before the cracking and moaning of his joints made Maya very clear of his age.
"'Ine, I'lls tell ye but first I ge' ta ask ya something. Since I already answer ya one I get one; back in forth till ye good and filled or I fall asleep."
Maya was quick to open her mouth in protest but as he explained himself Maya fell mute, it was only fair she thought, and she had no leverage in this once so ever, so answer she would... at least to the best of ability and within reason. There was no real reason to lie to the man, after all if he sense doubt or lies there was no tell just what lengths he would go to in order to extract information.
"Agreed, what is that you want to know? And no, that doesn't count as a question."
Maya caught herself before the man could speak as she could tell from the birth of a grin that he was about to bring that to a point and gain an additional answer from her.
"A shoot, almost 'ad ya. Hmmm... What! Is your name?"
He seemed to lean inwards towards Maya as he spoke, it was not much closer than he had been previously but none the less made her a tad more weary than before.
"My name... why would that matter?"
She questioned herself but there was no harm in tell him such a thing, after all so very few called her by it, at least those that held her in high regard.
"Maya. Now answer my question if you will."
Maya commanded from the bed making the older man chuckle under his breath.
"Alright 'en Maya!"
She took note in the way he seemed to put extra force behind her name as if he had won by finding it out; was this all a game to him or did he often find himself without company?
"Yous were fighting that big bolk. Followed fer a while, but see, I'm sneaky, never noticed me one bit. I'z saw most of it, lots of blood every! But then, ya sliced that thing to p'eces!"
He made a gesture with his arms that resembled the hacking motion Maya had used on the beast from before but made no physical indication of amusement or inquiry.
"Then, I'z fixed ya up, and took ya back 'ere. Ye welcome by the way."
Maya cared little of giving thanks or accepting it, either she did her job or she did not, thanks should not be given if one does what is expected of them. Aside from that Maya took notice of something strange about the story, the man was feeble in body, his joints were swollen with age and his physic was lacking, it would have been impossible to think he carried her all the way... to wherever this town was located.
"You didn't carry me."
The man recoiled slightly expecting a debt of gratitude from Maya but found nothing of the sort; grumbling slightly with his arms crossed one other the other he shook his head from side to side.
"No, T'wasn't I'z. But Hir'ros."
The man pointed over his shoulder with an extended thumb but without being able to sit up her view was blocked from her chest; figures though, the few things this new body brought and it would be the mountains of mush on her chest to block her sight. Sighing Maya relaxed as much as she could into her bed, it was one thing to though to be trapped with a crazed old man but for him to have a younger complacence was another.
"My turn!"
The man chuckled to himself like a child about to receive a gift; the action caused Maya to roll her eyes but said nothing of it to the man.
"Hmm... from whats left of ye clothes, and tha way ye speak-"
"Is this going some where?"
Maya interrupted once again not wishing to waste more time than need be on another pointless question.
"Rude! Rude, ya youngings don't respect yer elders anymore."
He grumbled once more leaving Maya to turn her head to face the wall as she closed her eyes; it was proving to much work to both listen and stay in a conscience state.
"'Ine, my question is; where are ya from?"
The tone in his voice was drastic to change to a more serious tone perking Maya's attention though she did not show it with her head now facing away.
"Some place far away."
In truth it was correct though it was no specific to exactly where and she could tell from the slight scoff in the man's voice that it was not the answer he was looking for. If for chance she did tell him there was no way that he would believe her and from the wooden walls and candles for lighting she was sure that telling of such a tale would land her in the stockades or better yet burned at a stake.
"Who is Hir'ros?"
Maya spoke before the man had time to rebuttal her answer; Maya was adamant not to fully answer the question but only for a sample of it to be given. In time a full fledged answer may have been given but only as her condition were to improve, for now her body was just to weak to protect herself even from the bony old man.
"Hir'ros... he's a person."
Maya swore that she could hear laughter in his voice at his answer; toying with her as she had blocked him from a fulfilling answer. Maya of course was not one to give up on just that as her head turned towards the man as her face showed the disapproval on her face, like rays of light he could sense her eyes a blaze with fire.
"'Ine, geez, can't even play around anymore. Hir'ros is a close 'riend... he's not human, but hes not a creature... hard to say just what he is."
The man stroked his beard gently, eyes glancing off into the distance it almost seemed as though his memories had taken a hold of him, taking him away from where he sat.
"Question? And no, that was not a question but a remark."
Maya spoke as it broke him from the trance like state.
"Huh?"
He spoke with a hint of confusion in his voice as if he had forgotten just what was happening.
"I believe it was your turn, unless you are done. Then I shall return to sleep as I am done with asking."
Maya turned her head once again to find a position of comfort but not before the man spoke up.
"Hold on 'ere! Not done just 'et! Give me a second.... How was it you killed that thing?"
Maya shrugged her shoulders with the question at hand.
"You saw everything, you should know. I sliced it in half and- AHH!"
Maya bent forward onto the bed into a fetal position as a surge of pain seemed to burst from within her, though pain had been present before it was dull like a fading sound but now it hacked away at her body like a jackhammer.
"I told ya, ya needed it."
The man shook his head from side to side as he picked on the nearby vial and tried to get Maya to shallow the substance but with the way she trashed about in pain it proved difficult. After a few attempts and spilling the vial Maya was finally able to down the concoction, time was still needed before its effects would kick in, soon enough Maya found herself slipping into another sleep and awaking on the floor on the simulator once again.
Rather than getting up from the floor Maya laid there for quite some time; it was odd coming coming back to this place... everything felt... so fake.
Things, her questions, at some of them had been filled but she was no closer to discovery the mysteries of the world she had come to; so much was still nestled in a vale that would made black holes blush with envy. Soon she would need to return but not while her strength was drained as it was. Time between the two worlds seemed... fluid enough given her rate of healing but without knowing how long she had been sleeping for it was impossible to make a correct guess. For now, she would take her leave of the new world and focus her studies here; in time her other body would heal and more could be taken from the world... but there had been something she noted before she slipped back. There was a pull, like a force trying to pin her down, not wanting her to leave... had she simply taken it as the old man holding her down... or was something else watching.... Paranoia was not something Maya would consider herself to have but something had been there... she would need to be prepared next time she went back for she might not be able to come back here.
Standing from the floor Maya left the simulation chamber behind in her thoughts, to many things were on her mind already; a break was needed to uncloud her mind. Changing her directions in the hallway Maya made her way towards Akassa's chambers though the woman was most likely busy her presence held to easy Maya's thoughts.
Clinched tightly to her body the blacker than night weapon lay stretched out across the width of the bed, balancing on her flat stomach Maya's face was but a few inches away from the razor edge of the weapon, her gleaming purple eyes reflection off the reflectiveness of its given material, whatever it was constructed of; after countless tests nothing of known materials had been a match with the heavy blade. Everything was still a mesh of confusion; how was it that a part from a simulation came to be a reality, nothing from those worlds was real and yet resting on her chest bore a weapon from a land that had no real home in space and time, it was but a figment of a place with in the codes of a machine. When her eyes laid on the shinning blade after stepping from the simulation it was the breaking point as though everything frozen within the world around her, the walls had been tore down and rebuilt but not nearly in time for it to slip through. Maya dare not touch it at first, as if it was cursed she backed away and waited, though for what she wasn't sure; looking back at the event now it seemed foolish as she lay in bed with it almost like it was a stuffed animal. Before long curiosity had called out to her, to explore, seek through its depths and understand what it was but more importantly how it came to be in this world.
Already Maya was working with various theories, all of which bent the laws of space and time to such a degree that clear signs of such doings would have been quickly noticed by Maya's mechanical mind; something must have gone unnoticed or went around everything that Maya knew of... such forces did exist out there in the vast expanse that was their universe but to see it first hand... it was truly able to put a being in a state of awe. Recently in the passing days Maya's thoughts had been fixated solely on what had happened, its curious nature demanded answers to things of the unknown, hours even days were spent back to back with thinking, constant thinking; other assignments around the palace were slacking due to Maya distracted incompetence but the Empire had run just fine without Maya before and it could continue for awhile longer without Maya's presence guiding it.
With such a extensive wealth of free time Maya set up a numerous sequence of tests in order to determine anything of use from the simulator experience; everything from the raw data of the machine and its own processors had been collected and physical tests from the scythe were under taken. Time was no factor in the matter but a wasted second was one which Maya could never get back, everything was rushed without any slip ups, she needed to know the answers but the test results were nothing to write home about.
Inconclusive.
Inconclusive,
Inconclusive.
Inconclu-
Maya's hand slammed down on the counter before she could take control of herself once again, anger was not her strong suit and hardly was it ever shown to anyone but the lack of results had started to eat at her passive nature. Nothing was as it should be, there had been no evidence that aided in discovery of how the object managed to appear in the chamber with her; the only evidence of substance that had taken root within Maya's search was... most disturbing... yet it did not explain much. Running over the camera's which Maya had secretly installed within the chamber for reasons of observation, the events of the day had unfold before Maya; entering the chamber, exchanging thoughts of woe and eventually entering the simulation. Everything from the attack from the beast to its defeat could be seen on Maya's body as she moved and flinched with each passing movement and damage to her person; it was only when she fell from the depths of the simulation that her eyes widened, as in a flash the scythe lay there next to her body, it had not similar dropped, or been thrust into the spot by any known forces but... just appeared as if it had been laying there the whole time, but unseen. Watching the recording over and over again Maya witness the same event, nothing changed, no answer was given, just confusion, more than what had been resting inside her than before.
Opening her eyes slowly Maya knew what should come next, what would come next, and she wasn't fond of the idea at all.
----
"Hmm.... Oi! Is ya awake?"
As if a towering giant spoke in her ears Maya trembled under the force of the mans voice as her eyes shot open; quickly trying to sit up a flush of pain flooded through out her body. Vision flashing with red for a moment Maya let a groan out before a bony hand eased her backwards till her head rested upon something puffy. Fighting the stabbing pains from her body Maya gasped for air, anything to take focus off the swelling injuries that lined her body; pain was not something Maya knew well or had a great sense over, rather she must preferred it was left to those that had lived with it for years.
"Easy lass, easy...."
The man's cooing voice rested against Maya's ears as she lay there, breath coming in rapid short waves Maya could do little else than lay there in agony. Obeying other people than Akassa was not in Maya's nature but given the searing pain that struck through every angle of her body she wasn't about to move any more than need be; regardless the voice next to her didn't seem to want her to move anyway.
Eyes shut to focus away from the pain she laid there trying her best to take records of her surroundings without the usage of her vision, the light through her eyes lids seemed more than enough to pierce knives into her mind; why did she have to come back, this place was only suffering to this fragile form she found herself in. Ticking in the background Maya could make out what appeared to be a clock of sorts, either that or a bomb but given the fact that she was not alone she doubted the latter. Already Maya had figured out from the texture of the slab she laid on she currently was laying in a bed, it was unlike the ones back in the palace however; firm to her backside and felt as though filled with something rough and lumpy, whatever it was Maya cared little, it could have been on bag of rocks for all it cared at least it wasn't stuck in the swamp any more... wait... the swamp!
Eyes tearing open Maya looked around the room, this time around Maya noticed the lack of light that had once burned holes in her brain, now there was a dim glow from a nearby candle however looking directly at it caused her brain to throb till she had to look away from its intensity.
"Reminder... don't look at that."
Not wanting to cause any more discomfort like before Maya kept her movements to minimum, there didn't seem to be much to do beyond laying there however... but where was the man from before? Only having a limited range to see all that could be currently viewed was the ceiling above and a wooden wall to Maya's right giving her little idea of what else might lay in the room. Off in the distance the slow rhythmic ticks of the clock were the only breaks within the silence of the room, the flickering of the candle; it was very peaceful to the pains that riddled her body but no comforts could fill the questioning void in her mind. This was not where she last was, there was no swamp, at least not nearby; the air here was still damp, it clung to her skin leaving feeling as though sweat would never leave her body but it was considerably lighter than what she had experienced back in the depths of the biome from before... she was close, not directly in the swamp but perhaps nearby, on the out skirts? Without any physical means to stand on her own there would be no clear evidence of where it was she now found herself, and with no one nearby to provide such answers all she could do was lay in wait, hoping that someone would come along soon enough.
Minutes turned into hours as Maya slipped in and out of conscience, while her wounds were mending the amount of blood coupled with the various wounds she encountered her body needed time to recover. Even as she slipped into a sleep state Maya did not understand much of the world that her body transferred over to; it was strange, as if time flew by with her eyes closed, every time she awoke less and less of the candle remained: would it burn all night? Was it still night? Sleep... sleep was interesting but the effects on her person where only physical in nature, healing took place but Maya's mind took no benefits from it; the simulation was so surreal yet only some much could be separated between the two worlds, a link had been formed between something that she was and something she was not. Her flesh, her real body had no skin, no blood, pain was not a thing but here- here it was, if she was real, a living breathing entity, not a mass of goo that could take another form. So far Maya thought little of having a "real body", to much that was unnecessary was involved; pain, and the blood! There was so much of it, how she had even made it this fair without dying was beyond her, how much of the stuff did people need to survive? Of course with her access to the realms of information now severed searching for such an answer would prove impossible, soon enough she would know everything of importance.
"Aye, is wez awake?"
Maya turned her head slowly at the coming voice. For so long the room had held a low hum from the various objects nearby but the change of pace was a nice one from the growing separation.
"Yes."
Maya stated the obvious to the man as her eyes fell upon him, already he was hovering over here as if she was a display in a zoo exhibit; Maya wished to tell him to move but she was in no position to ask of any such demands.
"Good! Dudn't think ye 'ake it to be onest. In all ma years I'd never 'een anyone loose as 'uch blood as ya."
His voice ended with a raspy chuckle as he scooted away from her side to a part of the room which her eyes could not follow; it was a minor annoyance to have the man always disappearing from her vision with no clear way to tell just what he was doing.
He was an odd fellow, not just from his speech pattern but his overall appearance. Scraggy; it was the best way Maya could define him, wrinkled, age displayed greatly on his hands and face, snowy beard, and mangled clothes to match. So far there was no reason not to trust him but at the same time there was no reason to; having been conscience at the time of her arrival there was no idea of what happened from point to point, for all she knew this man killed her real savior and took her as a prize... though from a man of his age and size it was doubtful of an idea but so much was different here than back where she had come from. For now Maya would keep what few defenses she had up, without her arsenal of tools at her side it was difficult to manage any type of force to ward others away even without the condition she was currently in but she wouldn't give up on trying.
"Not 'uch of a talker? That's 'ine, thought I wouldn't 'et ya to shut up."
The raspy chuckle came once again as Maya lay there listening. There was much to be asked... but was she asking the right person, for all she knew this man was no friend of her's but by circumstance came across her; whether enemy or friend traveling lightly here would be best; friends could often turn into enemies if certain discoveries were leaked.
"I have questions."
Maya spoke quietly but gave no other indication that she was about to follow up with her statement, rather she waited, waited to see if he would take the bait or simply let the words slide by.
Off from the corner where the man stood Maya could make out a series of clicks, not anything like weaponry but of glass, cups, vials? Without being able to glance upwards Maya was blind to what he was doing, without cause as of yet there was no reason to panic, however much had been learned of organics and while they seemed friendly enough on the surface, demon lay just beneath the skin.
"Hmmm... 'ike what?"
Maya nodded knowing that he taken the bait but now it was a game; it was all possible that he was indeed just here to help her, a straight shooter but she would find out one way or another if what he was going to speak was truth.
"Where am I?"
The simplest of questions that could be asked when given her situation, there needed to be a set group of questions to help Maya establish a line of truth with the man; earlier Maya in her sleep state overheard someone, a crier of sorts, often he yelled of import details of the town in including various names of places within the region, and the town was one of them.
"A once quaint place called Ender's rest. Interesting 'ittle name, with a 'ittle interesting story."
"At least he hasn't lied yet. Still no reason to place full faith in him."
As always Maya thought the worst of people, it was hard to gain the robots affection let alone trust, whether this man meant the best for Maya had yet to be known but all would come clear soon enough; truth could only hide in the shadows for so long.
Foot steeps creaked on the wooden boards below as the man approached once more, in his worn wrinkled hands was a small vital of a substance that Maya knew nothing of, but from the look in his eyes the intent was for it to be consumed by her. Turning her head away from the vial Maya refused the offering without knowing anything of it, for all she knew it was something to sedate her and gods knew what would come from that point after.
"Not one fer taken' ye meds?"
Shaking his head he placed it next to the candle on the nearby night stand, its blueish tint seemed to glow brighter in the presence of light.
"'Ine, 'ine but soon enough ye gonna wish you had."
Walking away on the ominous note Maya rose a eyebrow in question of what he had meant but did not linger towards the vial; help was not something Maya sought out unless circumstances were dire and all options were exhausted.
"Stubborn one, ma mum was just like ya; never cared fe her meds... shame too. T'was one of those dark and cold-"
"How did you find me?"
Maya broke into the story before he could continue any further than he had; from the droning tone of his voice Maya could tell the story would last longer than he had left to live.
"And rude ta boot!"
The man huffed like a ox before he leveled off; such actions were something he had only seen in children that went up to his knees not from a full grown woman.
"I apologize. Time gaps leave me... unstable. I require information of how I was found."
A light scratching noise caught Maya attention but it only came from the man as he brushed his fingers through his wiry beard; either he was thinking in depth or had forgotten were he was at.
"Ya a funny one."
He stated with a lofty sigh.
Scrapping of an object made its way across the room as soon the man placed a low worn chair next to the bedside; slowly he positioned himself in the chair but not before the cracking and moaning of his joints made Maya very clear of his age.
"'Ine, I'lls tell ye but first I ge' ta ask ya something. Since I already answer ya one I get one; back in forth till ye good and filled or I fall asleep."
Maya was quick to open her mouth in protest but as he explained himself Maya fell mute, it was only fair she thought, and she had no leverage in this once so ever, so answer she would... at least to the best of ability and within reason. There was no real reason to lie to the man, after all if he sense doubt or lies there was no tell just what lengths he would go to in order to extract information.
"Agreed, what is that you want to know? And no, that doesn't count as a question."
Maya caught herself before the man could speak as she could tell from the birth of a grin that he was about to bring that to a point and gain an additional answer from her.
"A shoot, almost 'ad ya. Hmmm... What! Is your name?"
He seemed to lean inwards towards Maya as he spoke, it was not much closer than he had been previously but none the less made her a tad more weary than before.
"My name... why would that matter?"
She questioned herself but there was no harm in tell him such a thing, after all so very few called her by it, at least those that held her in high regard.
"Maya. Now answer my question if you will."
Maya commanded from the bed making the older man chuckle under his breath.
"Alright 'en Maya!"
She took note in the way he seemed to put extra force behind her name as if he had won by finding it out; was this all a game to him or did he often find himself without company?
"Yous were fighting that big bolk. Followed fer a while, but see, I'm sneaky, never noticed me one bit. I'z saw most of it, lots of blood every! But then, ya sliced that thing to p'eces!"
He made a gesture with his arms that resembled the hacking motion Maya had used on the beast from before but made no physical indication of amusement or inquiry.
"Then, I'z fixed ya up, and took ya back 'ere. Ye welcome by the way."
Maya cared little of giving thanks or accepting it, either she did her job or she did not, thanks should not be given if one does what is expected of them. Aside from that Maya took notice of something strange about the story, the man was feeble in body, his joints were swollen with age and his physic was lacking, it would have been impossible to think he carried her all the way... to wherever this town was located.
"You didn't carry me."
The man recoiled slightly expecting a debt of gratitude from Maya but found nothing of the sort; grumbling slightly with his arms crossed one other the other he shook his head from side to side.
"No, T'wasn't I'z. But Hir'ros."
The man pointed over his shoulder with an extended thumb but without being able to sit up her view was blocked from her chest; figures though, the few things this new body brought and it would be the mountains of mush on her chest to block her sight. Sighing Maya relaxed as much as she could into her bed, it was one thing to though to be trapped with a crazed old man but for him to have a younger complacence was another.
"My turn!"
The man chuckled to himself like a child about to receive a gift; the action caused Maya to roll her eyes but said nothing of it to the man.
"Hmm... from whats left of ye clothes, and tha way ye speak-"
"Is this going some where?"
Maya interrupted once again not wishing to waste more time than need be on another pointless question.
"Rude! Rude, ya youngings don't respect yer elders anymore."
He grumbled once more leaving Maya to turn her head to face the wall as she closed her eyes; it was proving to much work to both listen and stay in a conscience state.
"'Ine, my question is; where are ya from?"
The tone in his voice was drastic to change to a more serious tone perking Maya's attention though she did not show it with her head now facing away.
"Some place far away."
In truth it was correct though it was no specific to exactly where and she could tell from the slight scoff in the man's voice that it was not the answer he was looking for. If for chance she did tell him there was no way that he would believe her and from the wooden walls and candles for lighting she was sure that telling of such a tale would land her in the stockades or better yet burned at a stake.
"Who is Hir'ros?"
Maya spoke before the man had time to rebuttal her answer; Maya was adamant not to fully answer the question but only for a sample of it to be given. In time a full fledged answer may have been given but only as her condition were to improve, for now her body was just to weak to protect herself even from the bony old man.
"Hir'ros... he's a person."
Maya swore that she could hear laughter in his voice at his answer; toying with her as she had blocked him from a fulfilling answer. Maya of course was not one to give up on just that as her head turned towards the man as her face showed the disapproval on her face, like rays of light he could sense her eyes a blaze with fire.
"'Ine, geez, can't even play around anymore. Hir'ros is a close 'riend... he's not human, but hes not a creature... hard to say just what he is."
The man stroked his beard gently, eyes glancing off into the distance it almost seemed as though his memories had taken a hold of him, taking him away from where he sat.
"Question? And no, that was not a question but a remark."
Maya spoke as it broke him from the trance like state.
"Huh?"
He spoke with a hint of confusion in his voice as if he had forgotten just what was happening.
"I believe it was your turn, unless you are done. Then I shall return to sleep as I am done with asking."
Maya turned her head once again to find a position of comfort but not before the man spoke up.
"Hold on 'ere! Not done just 'et! Give me a second.... How was it you killed that thing?"
Maya shrugged her shoulders with the question at hand.
"You saw everything, you should know. I sliced it in half and- AHH!"
Maya bent forward onto the bed into a fetal position as a surge of pain seemed to burst from within her, though pain had been present before it was dull like a fading sound but now it hacked away at her body like a jackhammer.
"I told ya, ya needed it."
The man shook his head from side to side as he picked on the nearby vial and tried to get Maya to shallow the substance but with the way she trashed about in pain it proved difficult. After a few attempts and spilling the vial Maya was finally able to down the concoction, time was still needed before its effects would kick in, soon enough Maya found herself slipping into another sleep and awaking on the floor on the simulator once again.
Rather than getting up from the floor Maya laid there for quite some time; it was odd coming coming back to this place... everything felt... so fake.
Things, her questions, at some of them had been filled but she was no closer to discovery the mysteries of the world she had come to; so much was still nestled in a vale that would made black holes blush with envy. Soon she would need to return but not while her strength was drained as it was. Time between the two worlds seemed... fluid enough given her rate of healing but without knowing how long she had been sleeping for it was impossible to make a correct guess. For now, she would take her leave of the new world and focus her studies here; in time her other body would heal and more could be taken from the world... but there had been something she noted before she slipped back. There was a pull, like a force trying to pin her down, not wanting her to leave... had she simply taken it as the old man holding her down... or was something else watching.... Paranoia was not something Maya would consider herself to have but something had been there... she would need to be prepared next time she went back for she might not be able to come back here.
Standing from the floor Maya left the simulation chamber behind in her thoughts, to many things were on her mind already; a break was needed to uncloud her mind. Changing her directions in the hallway Maya made her way towards Akassa's chambers though the woman was most likely busy her presence held to easy Maya's thoughts.