𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥

Noting the presence of another, she pauses.

"Can I help you Human?"

If he's familiar, it almost sounds like a slower and lower version of Seikilos epitaph.

Humming as she works.

"There is not," she agrees unabashedly. "But, it is all far from what it once was."

- range of the [rings]. How little harm that did to us is rather subjective."

There was nothing pleasant about a seemingly empty galaxy.

- known to you, if you are familiar with the Didact."

She didn't feel the need to expand further. While a Cryptum had somewhat played a part, it was by no means her primary method of ensuring she could observe.

"Those who were not upon the Ark recieved their end with all that lived within -

Her head tilts as she presses the cube firmly into her palm. Exorbitant, and in part her, both begin to rifle through the contents. Although much of her attention remains on the Human.

"You are curious as to how I have lived this long? There are various means at my disposal. One I'm sure is -

- during the activation. We had a responsibility to see life flourish afterwards."

"For now," she clarifies with another drag of her fingers. This time the light lingered before spreading across the cube in a soft blue glow.

Good.

"If you must know, I was on the Ark during the activation. As were many others."

It is not a time she recalls fondly.

"Not all of us died -

- contained, she did not yet know.

Especially as it taunted her with amber once more.

"So that I may peruse what lays within."

"Demands will not get you far," she chides softly.

It wasn't much of a demand, not really. A simple curiosity, perhaps. But, these things could not be allowed to slide.

"I am attempting to unlock it," she offers in answer to what she sees as a more acceptable inquiry. What the cube -

- orders are of no consequence to me, nor do you own the inherent right to access every piece of our technology."

Regardless of the Librarian's favour.

"You may certainly try," she hums flatly.

Her attention returns to the cube, and with some direction from her Ancilla she traces a pattern over its faces.

"A warning, there would be no lasting harm to your companion."

Amber flickers across the cube, and so she tries another pattern.

"Your -

- actions," her head tilts in his direction as he peers at the cube.

"Otherwise you may find your AI unresponsive."

"I do not expect a Human to understand the meaning of our namings."

There is more arrogance to her words than anything as she runs a finger along the other side.

"What might your name be, Human?" She asks, as the cube's hardlight shimmers once more.

"I would recommend that you cease your -

- nicknames.

"Master Juridical is acceptable."

"Aya."

She runs her fingers along the side of the cube, humming as a trail of light follows.

"All Forerunners have a name and I am no exception. Luminous-Truth-Pursues-Broken-Verdicts, is my name," she offers simply, refraining from a sigh at his suggestion.

Humans and their -

- now sits in her palm.

"I handle all legal matters."

Handled may have been the more appropriate word, but there were still those that required her attention.

"Investigation. Imprisonment. Conviction. Sentencing. And, a few other duties."

Returning to be her full height, she stares down at the small cube that -

She doesn't turn from what she's looking at, reaching forward her fingers curl around something that's barely illuminated by the hardlight.

"I am a Juridical. The Master Juridical."

I understand your position. However, you can engage with us without the assumption that we will mirror the Didact.

Idly perusing through some records.

- vastly different.”

Rather than comment further on her commings and goings, she simply offers a small smile. As if they could stop her.

- that needed to change. And this arrangement would need to work.

“Perhaps, we may come to some arrangement regarding your research? Or, some many of celebrations you entertain? I have observed some, but in person attendance is often -

- technology, after all.

Her head tilts in acknowledgement, “that is understandable. I have no intention of seeking your people out, so it is unlikely that they will need to fear me roaming their streets often.”

Having grown used to it, she much preferred solitude. But it was something -

“I may answer questions where necessary.”

She wouldn’t commit to answering everything. It was better for them to learn and understand what they could without another holding their hand. The Librarian had already given them enough of an advantage when it came to accessing their -

@spartan088.bsky.social

"I am busy, Human."

@find-the-gene.bsky.social

"Does your search progress well?"

"You do not see all those places as 'cool'?" she queries. Forerunner construction and design were unparalleled, but surely her home could not be considered so dull in comparison.

These places were nothing without their people.

"Places such as these are not what they once were."