"And to think," she adds with a scowl, "that some time lords treat their timeships as appliances, as mere conveyances that have no say in the story being told. How could they demean the experience like that?"

Maya leans a bit further into the table, blushing and nodding. She's never had her whole species defended like this before.

"What do you think it feels like? The connection? The bond?"

She shouldn't be this eager, already. She shouldn't be this excited about one person. She should be careful, keep exploring longer.

"What could be better, what could be truer, than to feel the mental presence of someone who chose to travel time and space with you? Who chose to help you tell a story, and to let you help them? I have no idea what it will feel like, but I can already tell I'm going to love it."

A small, nervous frown crosses her face.

"Well, if I find a timeship who actually wants to bond with me, anyway."

Quietly, almost tenderly, Maya replies, "Somehow, I do not think that will be your problem."

She thinks back to the advice she was given.

The Old General set his hands against the podium — armored fingers curled around the edges with a steady firmness as he stared down the crowd, firm features set in a neutral stare 'til the chatter quieted down. 

"I trust that you've overviewed the mission briefing. I'm sure that you understand the scope of your assignment, here, in practicalities, but that is not the purpose of this meeting. Because it's more than that, to you, to us." 

There's a slow, ponderous pause as he shifts, his hands loosening up a little before pressing back down in place. 

"Still. That doesn't excuse any lack of judgement — think of it as the most important requisition decision in your life, for the surest sidearm for you to wield, as the most important personnel decision, for creating an effective team to take on your challenges. Step outside yourself and look at what you are creating with thought and care. Your time lord will be your proxy, in many things — there are many places where even with your skills and features, it will simply not be possible for you to follow them, so they will be acting in your stead. They will be extending something of the same trust to you — for your capabilities in some areas will far exceed theirs, and you will be acting in their place, then." 

He pulls his hand back to his side, straightening, focusing. 

"Don't trust your first impressions. This is an intelligence mission, and you need to corroborate your sources. Find out what they've built, find how they feel, by your side and by other's sides. Find how they treat their tools, their weapons, their partners, for you will be the foremost of all of those, to your bondmate. Gather information, think, and remember that they have their own designs, and their own skills in the technical and mental spheres. Be mindful, and ready to treat it as a hostile environment, with all that it entails." 

He softens, slightly, running his hand gently along the podium. 

"And take your time. Make a report on your candidates. Take a night to consider your feelings and options. Deciding in the moment won't gain you anything, but can lose you much.

"Take care."

He pauses, closes his eyes, and exhales quietly.

"That will be all."

Maya exhales slowly as she recalls the advice the General gave.

She will not be hasty.

No matter how sweet and perfect this girl seems at first glance, she will check.

"You really think so?", Sabella says. "Awfully sweet of you to say."

"Can I get you something, by the way? Soup? Fish and chips? A drink?"

"I'd love a spiced tomato soup," she replies with a smile.

"Sure! I'll go place the order and be right back."

She gets up, grinning to herself, and steps lightly over to the bar.

Maya watches the exchange thoughtfully. Sabella seems to be warm to everyone she meets, so far.

A few more pages of notes appear on a desk in her internal space, describing what she's seen so far.

"Should be just a few minutes," Sabella says as she sits back down. She has a sip of her drink. "So, what panel are you most looking forward to?"

"Aside from the convergent biology panel?" She taps her lips a moment and hums. "I suppose the temporal neuropsychology panel."

"Ooh, I was thinking about meeting a friend at that one. Maybe all three of us could go?"

"That sounds lovely."

See how she treats friends, check. Now what about her tools? Can she treat her tools well, but not take herself too seriously?

"I think there's also a show-and-tell for custom personal tools in a bit. Would you like to go see it?"

"Goodness yes," she replies eagerly. "Sharing what I've learned with my designs, learning from others, finding new ways to care for my tools? Sounds like a great time."