In diesen heil'gen Hallen

[collector]

[Braxiatel appears, immaculate as ever, with a table of food – a fish dinner (Hulzarrian carp, for those in the know) of multiple courses, complete with Angel Delight for dessert. His expression is vacant for a moment, lingering on the main course, but then he remembers himself and puts lids over the dishes.]

[When Braxiatel speaks, he speaks with the clear calmness of ringing bells or water still enough to reflect the sky.]

I have a... general inquiry to make to anyone with a knowledge of history. History of the Gamatra sector, very early 27th century. Specifically, I'd like information on the history of the Fifth Axis expansion through the Vega System... and on its occupation of the planetoid designated KS-159, formerly Cappa Nine Seven under the Earth Empire, originally Delfus-Orestes.

[Through a supreme effort of will, he does not let his voice waver as he says the last words. He even conjures up a smile now, the sort of smile that is laughing at someone else's cosmic joke.]

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

[collector]

Technology has quite moved on from your year, Mr Suou. So yes, really, a hologram.

[half-amused] Then it's a deal.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

I guess it would have to! But I'd like to see that. I'd like it a lot!

Yes, a deal!

Have you ever visited Japan, Braxiatel-sama?

[collector]

Oh, a few times. Let's see... 5th century, 29th century, and a handful of visits in the early 22nd.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

Is that when you acquired the statue?

[collector]

No, actually. It came to me some time after. But I first saw it then.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

It must have been a very happy and surprising reunion when you found it again.

[collector]

Very much so. It's a fine piece. [thoughtfully] Would you like something to drink? I'm sure Marshal Anson won't miss a glass or two of wine.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

Is the wine from Hulzarr Prime as well?

[collector]

It is, in fact! From a vineyard just off the Red Coast.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

And your friend enjoys, ah [pauses, taking a stab at what word to use, it almost comes out as a question] Hulzarrian cuisine?

[collector]

[he smiles at Tamaki for trying to get the right adjective - and succeeding] Yes, Marshal Anson has a major interest in Hulzarrian culture.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[he smiles, proud of himself for getting it right] That's very good that you know him well enough to cater to his interests. Is Marshal Anson Hulzarrian? [and now he says the word with a certain enjoyment that comes with knowing a new word]

[collector]

[he can't help himself; he laughs] No, no, the Marshal is completely human. Lovely people, Hulzarrians. Purple skin and fantastic operas.

[Presently, some part of him snaps: Hulzarr's cities burned, its culture assaulted, its people enslaved. That was not meant to have happened. All that destruction... He stops himself from saying anything, but his right hand tightens its grip on hits left.]

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[the smallest of pauses as he watches Brax]

They sound lovely.

[studies the contents of the table]

If your friend wouldn't mind, then maybe just a glass. It's not very often one gets to sample alien wine, and it would be a waste to say no to something new.

[collector]

Certainly, Mr Suou! You have a wonderful way of looking at things.

[It occurs to Braxiatel that he just sabotaged himself - if you're having trouble holding it together, don't offer to do something that forces you to stand and pour drinks - but he shows no hesitation. He pours each of them a glass without his hands shaking, and he even goes so far as to hold Tamaki's drink out to him.

Breathe, smile. Be calm, be safe, be Brax.]

You must tell me how you like it.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[he smiles as he takes the wine, though a quieter type of smile.]

Thank you, Braxiatel-sama

[He doesn't drink yet though, but merely peeks into the glass before looking back up at Brax]

Is there any proper Hulzarrian etiquette we need to recognize before drinking?

[collector]

Not in the period the wine is from, no. You simply enjoy the drink.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

And in other time periods?

[collector]

[voice mild] In some time periods, drinking wine is punishable by death.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[his eyes widen, staring down at the wine now as if it were toxic, before looking back up at Brax]

Death? Isn't that just a little extreme?

[collector]

Every population has an extremist phase every once in a while. No species is immune to it.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

I guess not. [puts the wine down without drinking any] But I'm sure that lapse of judgment at least taught them to be more tolerant about such trivial things.

[leans forward to peek under one of the food trays.]

What else did you bring?

[collector]

[putting a hand on the lid to clearly, but with a patient smile, indicate that this is off-limits]

The rest of the dinner, that's all.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[his hand still lingers where it is, curiously looking up at Brax]

Why bring it here if you want to keep it out of bounds?

[collector]

Absent-mindedness, I'm afraid. And I just... haven't broken through inertia to bring it back.