Fortuna Verto

17-Surprise Exchange

After a quick rest, the two of them were already active once again, planning productive uses for their time. Coincidentally, each believed the other to actually still be resting, that this was just an opportunity to get stuff done in the interim.

Kori's first priority was to repay a certain outstanding debt. That circlet was still such a precious gift, and she needed something to return the kindness. She actually touched her cortex, quite honestly already missing the enhanced vision despite having her glasses on. Technically, she was even skilled enough to emulate most of the same things with her nanite's help, but that really wasn't the same thing. The fact that it was where her cortex usually sat was such an appreciated gesture too. In that light, recognizing that Rosa in turn was left with rather unfamiliar ears, she considered what might be possible in that area. Enhanced hearing could be a thing, but it wasn't quite as special, especially because she wasn't exactly good with such a thing. Her fortitude was with her nanites.. and maybe the holo tech that Fiona left behind. Conferring with her nanites, they reported upon quite the novelty of an idea. Dual ODISF Defensive Relay Emitters projecting from behind her ears. Such a deployable barrier could in turn protect her from an assortment of things, although none of them physical. A kinetic barrier would be very impractical, far more intrusive, especially since she couldn't move while it was active. However, shielding could protect her from the elements, to help her endure the intense colds far longer. Such was in fact her own personal advantage, having it as an enhanced shield could actually achieve far better endurance than even she herself had. Sure, she could have a DRE also made for herself, but the shielding would have an impact on the ionization in her arm, making it much less reasonable. Unfortunately, the process would possibly be a fair bit painful too, she would have to literally append the device to Rosa's head, forming a cone around her ears to stick out with them in a suitably high enough location that remained on both sides while still blending in with her physique. Most people would additionally feel it weird that it would look like they then had pointed ears, but that she knew would not be a concern for Rosa. Either way, Rosa would still thus have to approve the blueprint herself, being the one skilled enough at assembling such stuff anyway. Once her blueprint was done, she went to track where Rosa might be resting.. only to find Rosa not resting either.

"Oh, Kori, hey, you up then?" "I've been up for a while. You.. seem to have been busy too. What is this, anyway?" "Oh, certainly, I should make sure you're both reintroduced. Kori, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Haei." "Hey-e?" Rosa was actually only having problems with pronunciations, leaving Kori confused. This in turn left Rosa convinced that Kori might have had the right idea, learning accents and maybe even writing for this world.. that might be a really smart idea. However, for now, Rosa had a bit of support in her efforts at getting the accent right. "Hello Kori. Miss Rosa is trying to say 'Holi', a bit of a nickname she had tried to form for me while working like this." "Yeah, about that. Did you just make a holo of what looks honest to goodness like an artificial person?" "Miss Rosa was saying that you had developed an interest in artificial people of another nature, and stated that there would be value in a bit of a direct presentation. Since then, she had been working hard at all the visual assets involved. Was this incorrect?" "My word, so you tried to make my nanites like an ersatz? That's.. that's genius. No kinetic factor, but this is a work of art. In turn, I may have a gift for you. Take a look at this." Holi just waited as Rosa turned to look at the plans for the DREs. Of course, those silly nanites wouldn't have just been restricted to one location, the bloody things had been watching over them both without spoiling either surprise. Rosa quickly rushed off again with the plan, leaving Kori to look over her own prize. This wasn't fair, she kept falling behind in these exchanges.

This specific accomplishment was actually impressive. Looking rationally ethereal, Holi looked like an actual person otherwise. Her extremely long hair hid any sign of ears, making it impossible to tell if her design there was elven or otherwise, but her long bangs made it impossible to determine if she was actually based on a conduit either. The vibrant jade hair with mint highlights was another thing completely, a color that itself would be naturally impossible, she looked more like a plant person. Her skin was at least normal enough, but the array of browns in her dress really made the whole plant look hit home. At about 168cm, Holi was about as average between Rosa and Kori as possible. The only concern Kori had was in how plain the dress was. Of course, having visited Sophie's place countlessly, she could come up with a much better style. Pulling out their catalogue, she picked out an outfit that Kori felt would handle things much better. Discarding the browns for whites and rose, she turned the tree into an outright flower. Going for a much more small and casual dress, the skirt flaring like a blossoming flower over the slender long boots while the top cut the striking presence quite literally with its complex weave diagraphed with distinct cuts as it layered over her shoulders unevenly. Beyond the outfit overhaul, she had nothing else she wanted to touch, Holi being a sublime work of art in all accounts. Kori was surprised to discover that this might imply that Rosa might actually have quite the artistic side that hadn't been very expressed yet. It was clearly something to consider.