stykera | A Temple, Somewhere in the Uncharteds

Another planet and finally, some information. Apparently the tales of a command carrier destroyed by a leviathan were more true than Stark had suspected. Not that this helped now. It had happened ages ago. Monens, at least. This had left another shipmate dead, along with a ship. After hearing the news and then a short while later having it confirmed, Stark had found himself a temple, where he now sat, talking quietly to one higher power or another. He regretted the deaths, and not just those of the ship and its captain. He regretted not being able to attend them almost as much. That was what he was supposed to do, he was supposed to be there to help whoever needed it to the Other Side.

He knew where his shipmates had been. Now he only needed to find out where they were now. Asking questions wasn't always the safest way to find out information, but Stark had to make do with the opportunities he had.

"I didn't think anyone let their Baniks out this late. And certainly not a Stykera. Too valuable for that."

Stark had thought he was alone. He turned quickly towards the voice, teeth bared in a snarl. "I am not anyone's Banik. And I'm not valuable." Actually, he was. He knew that. Had known it since he was very small and first being told he was someone's possession. No one had been able to say that to him for cycles, but the words still stung.

"A free Stykera?" The man smiled. Stark took an instant dislike to that smile, as well as to the man who wore it. "I meant no offense. You are simply a rare sight."

Perhaps, Stark thought to himself, he should have stayed in his room. Too late now. He just glared at the man, trying to decide how best to get away.

"Forgive me," the man said, still smiling. "I've been rude. My name is Yoti. I truly meant no offense."

"I'm not property," Stark said flatly.

"Of course not. I should not have assumed otherwise. But you must admit it's only natural. I've never seen one of you running free before."

"Not an animal either." Stark was now wondering if the man was deliberately trying to provoke.

"May I start over?" Yoti asked. He continued smoothly without waiting for a response. "Excuse me. My name is Yoti. A game designer. Perhaps you've experienced one of my games?"

That was better, at least. Stark was still sure he did not want to be talking to this man at all, but as there was nowhere to run to at the moment it seemed best to humor him. "I'm Stark," he said, after a pause. "And no. Never. But then I'm a Banik. When would I have had the opportunity? We're slaves."

Something that might have been a flicker of recognition crossed Yoti's face when Stark said his name, but was gone too quickly for him to be sure. "Well, Stark," Yoti said, inclining his head slightly, "I am pleased to meet you." The look on his face now had Stark very nervous. "Could we talk for a while?"

Stark was suspicious of people who claimed to be pleased to meet him. That reaction had lessened while he was in Fandom but was now back. Unfortunately, the man was blocking the only exit from the temple. So he nodded. That seemed the safest thing to do, for now. "We could talk," he allowed. "But why? You're not dying."

Yoti still wore that same disturbing smile on his face. "No. Not dying at all. I have a proposal to make you. And information to offer. I heard you were looking for a leviathan. Come, we'll talk." He stepped to the side and motioned towards the door. "Then you can return to your prayers for the dead."

There was a voice in Stark's mind insisting this was a terrible idea, that this man was not to be trusted, and that he ought to just stay in the temple until morning. He chose, this time, not to listen. Unfortunately for Stark, this was not the right time to ignore one of the voices in his head.

[This is totally all a setup to make "John Quixote" bother me less. Hopefully.]