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Glad to see my bar didn't burn down while I was gone. How we all doing here? What exciting mysteries have we dug up in the mines? New additions? Subtractions?

[By the blue-greenish ambient light and the dark countertop he sits at, Cayde's probably at the bar he speaks of. He holds a mug of coffee in one hand, his other free to gesticulate.]

Aaand for those of you that might not have noticed your favorite Exo being absent- sorry Felwinter- well, I've been out at the other city this past...wait, how long's it been anyway? I counted enough sunrises to be at least a few weeks, give or take. I mean, did we ever figure out how Agrii weeks and months work around here? Or is everything just reeeally long?

Anyway, I digress- I...promised Kyle I'd make a report or something but it looks like the Graq connections have been made already. For those of you not in the know, they're some...squatty dog-bear-looking people that we ran across on a particular space adventure. That story gets complicated so you want details, you come find me.

Now- circling back, there's a lotta evidence out in that other city suggesting that these Graq lived there. Structures. Melted rock. Of course there's some other stuff that don't make sense but if it did then it'd all be too easy, right?

[He waves his free hand dismissively.]

I'm not one to info dump but if anyone wants to share or whatever, I'll probably be around for a while to catch up on things around here.

Saw the new additions to the tank. [He nods off to the side somewhere, flashing a smile.] That your doing, 'berto? Thanks.

Oh yeah, kid? Um- right. Can't just.... too many dang kids around these days- Helmet's kid? Drop by when you can, hole's ready for you to work your magic.

And Billy? Lemmee know when you're free, kid.

That it? All right then.

[He points at the camera, finger and thumb poised like a cocked gun.]

Cayde, out.

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[ He enjoys food plenty when he actually finds it, yup. In the past, sometimes it had been difficult to get by, which is mainly the reason why he devours food this quickly. That and because he's at the age where growing boys are always hungry. ]

She's so tall and big and blue! She's very pretty...but it gives her trouble. Being big, I mean, not blue. Blue's a great color.

[ Cayde's blue too and Alberto likes him a lot. Underwater levels won't really give him any trouble per se, but working would be tricky. And he would have to explain in the first place what if he's doing underwater in the first place, of course. ]

First floors, then, I'm really not picky. I lived in a ruined tower back home. [ At the question, Alberto just grins and gives Cayde puppy eyes while making grabby hands. ] Now, please.

[Cayde absently slides over another pack of cookies as he listens to the kid, nodding. Oh, he can agree that blue is a great color.]

You sure? I don't know how habitable it is. Probably all moldy and stuff. Wet. But hey, if you want a fixer-upper, I'm not stoppin' you.

[He grins lopsidedly at those hands, pouring the coffee before walking it over to Alberto.] You want sugar or something with that?

Grazie! Alberto will happily dispose of those cookies, and he makes a mental not to bring Cayde something in return. Do Exos like sponge cake? Or maybe he can find him some of those shiny rocks that can be found in the mines.

I don't mind wet, but mold would be a problem. If people visit, they wouldn't be comfortable. Then I guess that rules out the first floors too. [ Ugh that means more stairs in the future, but he will deal with it in favor of a nice workshop to work at. Alberto gives Cayde a once-over and then grins as he's handed the coffee. ]

You don't rust, do you? [ He's not sure off how Exo bodies work but this time he's pulling Cayde's leg on purpose. ] Nah, this is fine, thanks. I like it black.

[ Does this kid need more sugar in him? Probably not. ]

[Cayde does love shinies...]

It hasn't been maintained in a long while. I think some of the rooms on the floor just above it might be a better bet though, but we'll have a look, yeah?

[He pours himself a little more coffee, scowling a bit at the kid then.The Exo snorts, taking a sip of his coffee before he throws Alberto a grin and a wink.]

Rust isn't the problem. Metal just doesn't swim very well. That's why you won't catch me taking any dips in the lake or the sea. Well, not on purpose anyway. If there's a way across that don't involve swimming, I'll take it.

[ He will see what he can find the next time he visits the mines, or he will bring Cayde some sort of pretty sea shell from the deep ocean. If anything, he can use it to decorate the tanks. ]

You know about it more than I do. [ Which is never something easy for Alberto to admit but he trusts Cayde and will defer to his advice. The Exo has lived in the building for some time, he's the expert here.

The snort makes Alberto grin but then he looks understanding when Cayde explains that he sinks in water. ]

Water can be pretty dangerous, more so if you're heavy. Are all Exos like you? With so much metal?

[He might appreciate a pretty shell. That's definitely not something he's had much opportunity to see or gather.]

Heh! I am an excellent scout, anyway.

Exos, pretty much. Well, generally we're all built the same, but size and form differ a bit. It's like with people, even if there might be a typical baseline for us. But we were built to last. Metal and ceramic insides- I think ceramic's a part of it? I really couldn't tell you the details kid, even us Exos don't know how we're structured.

[ Alberto will bring more sea shells once he notices Cayde likes them. The Exo deserves more pretty things. Perhaps he can find one with a blue shine that matches Cayde's eyes and metal accents. ]

Could you teach me how to be one too? I want to be skilled like you.

[ The boy sips his coffee as he listens to Exo, and it's one of the rare moments in which he consumes something at a relatively normal pace. Coffee is something he likes to enjoy, and he also knows of the disadvantages of drinking it too quickly. ]

Ceramics? [ Like bowls and sculptures? He seemed a bit confused by the new information because ceramics were kind of fragile, while Cayde looks as solid and strong as one could be. He gives a smile after a moment. ] So you're a work of art, eh. That's the only thing that should be important. And, uhm...

[ Alberto eyes the water tanks nearby and then back at Cayde, thinking about what Moonshade told him about secrets and how they can weaken a community. How telling people the truth about yourself might have the opposite effect. ]

You don't mind people being different, then? [ He spares Cayde's hand cannon an uncertain look, biting his lower lip, before meeting his eyes. His voice is more cautious than before, hands fidgeting with the cup of coffee. ]Back home, I...well, I had this friend, Luca, and we were very close. But...but we were not like everyone else, and some people got really mad about that when they figured it out. Especially the adults.

How to be a scout? Well, you got the curiosity and like to explore new things. That's pretty much the basis. I wouldn't mind giving a few pointers.

[He grins, and then at being called a work of art he absolutely preens.]

Well I am good looking...

[Setting his mug down on the counter, he rests his arm there as he arches a brow at Alberto, detecting the shift in seriousness. That glance at his weapon isn't something he misses, and there's just the slightest pang in thinking the kid's worried he'd use it on him.]

I don't shoot friends, kid. And people being different is what makes people, people.

[But he can understand the concern. He's had a few looks from people unfamiliar with an Exo, or more familiar with something else that he reminded them of. What's Alberto saying, though?]

Look, people got this weird mentality that they're rooted in- they don't like change, which is funny because all our survival's been about change, right? Anyway- things take getting used to for some people. Me? I like different. Spice of life. How different we talking about?

I'll tell you now, I'd sneak off to the Tangled Shore and hang out with all sorts of different. Rough folk out there- the Awoken, the Eliksni, more than a few who'd probably love my head on a pike.

[Even with that admission he holds his grin.]

I just want to be cool like you! [ He's learned that word recently, 'cool', and it seems like a fitting description for what Cayde is. The kid giggles a little at the preening, hiding his smile behind a ship of coffee, and takes notice of the fact the Exo likes it. It was an honest compliment too. Some little fun before things turn serious and his smile vanishes. ]

Sorry... [ So much for trying to be sneaky. It would be nice to say that his worries are unfounded but people had tried to harpoon him before and he even has a scar on his left arm to prove it. Alberto is cautious because he likes Cayde and he doesn't want to ruin their friendships like he almost did with Giulia. He's relieved to see that Cayde's views are what he was hoping for, understanding and kind. It fits what he knows about him. ]

That's a good point. The change thing, I mean. I also like to talk and hang out with anyone, life more fun that way, and you meet really great people. It's just...being different, like this, it wasn't safe in the little town back home, they were scared and people got violent. I don't think there's anybody like me here, I... [ Alberto's gaze wander towards the nearby tank, eyebrows creased both in worry and in thought, but he seems to come to a decision after a moment. ] I could...I could show you. Just don't get mad, please.

[ Leaving the drink on the table, he drags a chair towards the tank and and moves to stand on it. Some of the fish swimming there move away from the glass, probably worried that he's going to do the same things Grogu does when he gets this close: fish for dinner. Alberto looks over at Cayde, takes a deep breath, and tries to put on a brave face. He can do this, he's done it before! But it went...so-so, if he's onest.

Here goes nothing.

Alberto puts his hands into the tank until the water reaches his elbow. The moment it touches him skin, the skin changes color from tan to light purle. Shiny scales appear all over his forearm, two fingers of his hand fuse, leaving him with four instead of five, the tips sharp with claws. There's also a darker purple fin now running on the side of his arm. ]

This is how different we're talking about... [ The look he's giving Cayde is almost shy now, trying to gauge the Exo's reaction. ]

Alberto, you haven't done anything for me to get mad about. I don't see how showing me what you wanna show me is gonna do it.

[He debates on following the kid over to the tank, unsure if he was meant to or not. But with Alberto's reaction earlier, he decides maybe he'll feel better if Cayde stayed behind the counter where he was for now.

He lifts his head a little more, waiting because he really isn't sure what all Alberto means to show him. And then the contact with water is made, and for all Cayde knows, it's magic that happens next. His metal brow lifts.]

Whoa! How- [He cuts himself off as he tries to work out what he's seeing.] -you...change in water? Wait, so is... you're not human?

[ He trusts Cayde, but it's true that the extra distance gives him a little more reassurance at first. ]

My people have never really hurt a human, back in my world, but they still hate us and try to kill us on sight because they're scared of us. [ Cayde doesn't seem like someone who's afraid of anything, so that helps. Alberto doesn't realize that he has been holding his breath until Exo reacts what he hopes is a favorable way, and his shoulders relax. ]

Y-yeah. Any liquid will trigger the chance. And no, I'm a sea monster, we all look human when our skin dries. If I were totally soaked, I'll have a large tail with fins as well. That's how I got you these with ease. [ He moves his finger in a small circle around the fishes in the tank, more playful than anything because he doesn't want to scare them. He looks up at Cayde next, a small smile on his face that makes it clear he can get closer and take a better look if he wants.]

Seems like a thing hardwired into people, you know? Fear what they don't understand. Or sometimes it's just one bad experience that ruins it for everyone else.

[The Exo leans casually against the bar again, looking intrigued at Alberto's further explanation. A sea monster??]

I dunno that sea monster is a fitting descriptor. There are plenty of things back in my 'verse that I'd call monster and you wouldn't be one of 'em.

[He brightens as Alberto seems to relax though, and pushing away from the counter he steps around it to walk over and join the kid by the tank.]

Your people don't have a more formal name than sea monster?

Sometimes it's not even a real experience. People will make up scary stories that are not true about someone, and then everyone starts to believe them.

[ Perhaps years ago Sea monsters attacked humans, yet Alberto can't really remember any of that ever happening. He might not have lived in an underwater village like the rest of his people, but he knew their history well enough. He smiles shyly at Cayde's reply, relieved that his friend doesn't seem to see him as a real monster. ]

Thank you, Cayde. [ When the Exo moves closer, Alberto lifts his arm and holds up the purple, clawed hand for him to inspect or touch if he wants. ] We've been called that for so long that it feels like it is what we are...but it wasn't like that originally. We're sea serpents. Mostly, we just address each other by name and that's all.

That's true too... But at least there are some people who will give what they don't understand a chance.

[When Alberto extends his hand, Cayde reaches over to turn it palm outwards so he can give him a high-five. He's got nothing to inspect, here.]

Sea serpents, huh? You did say something about a tail though... Well, I guess there's no need getting overly complicated about things. You're Alberto, we'll leave at that.

[He grins.]

I'm guessing that's how you caught all the fancy fish?

There are. I'm lucky for that. [ People like Massimo and Giulia tried to understand, even if at first they had been startled and angry too. And there were people here he could trust fully as well, Alberto is starting to realize that.

The boy blinks as Cayde gives him a hi-five and then lets out a delighted giggle before he can control himself, no longer afraid. Albertoshakes his arm after that, to dry it, and shows Cayde how the scales and fin recede. In a matter of seconds, he's back to looking fully human, five digits on each hand. ]

If you come to the beach with me one day, I can show you my full form. I have a really long tail, and I'm a very good swimmer. [ Unlike Luca, who is also a decent swimmer but mostly stuck close to the reef, Alberto is used to open waters and strong currents. ] I like that. Being just me. And yes, that's why fishing is so easy. There's also a type of sponge that tastes sweet like cake, I should bring you some. I haven't explored everything yet because some fishes here are really weird looking and the underwater caves really dark.

[Cayde watches, fascinated at the change. If Alberto weren't already being uneasy about things earlier, he would have splashed water from the tank on him just to see the kid change again. But at least Alberto's got that behind him, and the Exo relishes the laugh. Kids shouldn't be nearly so concerned about how people might see them as.

Cayde ruffles his fluffy hair with a hand.]

Oh yeah, let's do that. Beach day! There must be a ton of interesting things out in the sea. [He's not so sure what to think of sponge that tastes like cake but he'd probably give it a chance.]

Be careful out there. Given I don't think anyone else has gone swimming as far as you might be able to, we don't know what else is out there. I heard there's some dangerous fish in the lake out that way by my clocktower, couple of my pals went diving there one time and found out the hard way.

Now that he's sure Cayde won't freak out, he won't mind playful teasing or the Exo getting him wet on purpose. If it's the two of them, or if it happens in front of the other kids who already know what he is, Alberto is fine with it. He looks happy as a clam after the hair ruffling because it's something he's always enjoyed.

"There are! We should take advantage of the good weather before it starts to get cold. I don't know if the seasons here are like the ones on Earth."

He never questioned it until now, but different planets have different rules, right? Maybe summers last all years long in Agra 10, that would be awesome.

"You're not the first one to tell me that. I'm cautious, promise. And I don't like swimming in the lake, anyway. It's fresh water, and it'd make me feel sick if I breathed it for a long time."

He's a sea creature, lakes and rivers don't have nearly enough salt concentration in the water for him to live there properly. "Did they get hurt?"

That's a good point. We were off-world for a good chunk of time that we might've missed if things shifted around here. Only seems like it got warmer and that's about the only real weather shift I've seen so far, not counting the last big storm that hit.

[His optics narrow slightly at the recollection, but he shakes his head.]

Oh yeah? Guess that makes sense. Well, we don't want you getting sick, that's for sure. I think they had a run in with some mildly poisonous fish-things. Caused paralysis wherever they stung you. Least they got back safely.

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