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Captain Laynia Petrovna is already at the Baxter's Building's meeting room. More specifically, the ACT-F's designated meeting room. She had set a private meeting with Forge so she can see the man in person, seeing how he's eluded the meetings she attended thus far. She arrived a bit earlier, with militaristic percision. As one might expect, seeing her standing there in her Soviet Officer's uniform, medals and decorations showing why she's been appointed the USSR's representative on this task force. She's not sitting, rather she's standing, facing the door and waiting for Forge to arrive. Her hair neatly set in a bun, and her officer's cap covering most of it.
*
Forge is late; although not excessively so, it takes several minutes for the doorknob to creak and turn. Pushing inside is the distinctive Cheyenne man, trenchcoat carefully shrugged off into an arm and then hanged upon the nearest thing adjacent. It's immediately apparent there's nothing set up for it, so it's an awkward few moments longer before he turns back towards Petrovna. Yet then he stands at attention, wearing a long sleeved shirt, dress slacks, and black leather gloves. "Captain Petrovna." he offers in fluent Russian. "I apologize we've never got to meet before." He extends his good hand forward. "The work of the Soviets was vital in the war. Let us hope that this mutual taskforce can ensure there is no future ones…" One of the perks of having a photographic memory due to his mutancy is easy learning of foreign languages!
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Laynia has a rather stern look on her visage, as if she was judging Forge's late arrival even if she says nothing. Albeit once he greets her in fluent Russian she does seem to mellow a bit. Being away from her homeland clearly is a bit of a rough or rather alien experience for her, and she appreciates being able to talk her native tongue. "Ah…Russian, you are full of surprises, Mr. Forge." She extends her hand for a firm handshake with Forge, nodding at the sentiment he offers, "that is the goal. Working together makes us stronger." It's only then that she asks, "Forge, are you not of the Cheyenne? How does a Cheyenne come to learn Russian, if you don't mind me asking?"
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Forge. Indeed, that appears to be his name. No record exists of his birth one, although the one he uses is thoroughly not of his homeland outside fitting the conventions. His squeeze is strong, but not confident. He lets go first. He moves his way towards the conference table to sit himself down, running his fingers through his hair with a distant expression. "I am born Cheyenne, but I have not culturally embraced it for many decades." He picks his words carefully, in the manner of one discussing a difficult subject. "I am very interested in the political situation between America and the Soviet Union. I taught myself to better be informed of the world." Which is true. More convenient languages for America, such as Spanish, he hasn't bothered with. "So why did you wish to meet? To get to know one another professionally?"
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Laynia waits for Forge to pull away first before breaking the handshake, moving to take a seat across from Forge as he sits at the table. "Are you not proud of your heritage?" Laynia asks curiously, "the Americans have a dark history with the natives of this land, does that have anything to do with it?" Idle questions, seemingly, but she is looking for more than a random stranger might. "Correct. We are both members of this task force, it is only right we know each other from a meeting, no?"
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Forge's eyes are down on the table as she continues with those rather direct questions. "I had some conflicts with my culture when I was young. That is different than a lack of pride, however. I am just happy my people are beginning to heal." He doesn't touch the issues with the past and the U.S. Government. He's not been so directly assailed by his origins in a long time, back when the Army was wondering why a full-blooded Cheyenne decided to throw everything behind to suit up. "I suppose you are correct. I've nothing to hide, per se. What of you, then? How did you come to work for the military?"
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"True, conflicts do not mean lack of pride, sometimes conflicts arise from pride," Laynia gives Forge his point, noting how he seems uncomfortable discussing his heritage and so she doesn't prolong discussion of the issue. When he in turn asks a question of her, Laynia smiles, "I was gifted. We had a sharpshooting competition at my school. I beat the boys, finished top of marksman. Military was impressed, I was offered to develop my gift, I wanted it." She stops there, not quite sharing the experience and just how welcoming it was for a woman.
*
"…yes, exactly." Forge murmurs, when Darkstar hits the nail right on the proverbial head. Although the somewhat simplicity of her entry into the field is — not excessively surprising, really. "I see. I entered on the front lines, early in the war. I distinguished myself enough to lead a platoon. …After my accident, my talent with inventions lead me to Research work. I've been doing it ever since. Recently I've branched out into public contracts, though." He doesn't ask anything further, though. He's anything but social these days, and long fell out of the nuances of military encounters.
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"So we both have the military experience, unlike most on this task force, you would understand. Good." Laynia doesn't describe what it is, but it is likely one soldier does carry a worldview that only another soldier could relate to. Words need not describe. War changes people. There's no doubt about that. "So you started infantry, then became scientist because of gifts, mmm? Funny how gifts often dictate our paths in life…do you think there is such thing as destiny, Forge?"
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"I have been on all sides of the military equation. Front lines, front line leadership, and command. I would like to think I understand it well." Forge offers, scratching lightly at the side of his beard. He does not go into the deeper nuances of the statement, but it's likely that he also does not have to. "Yes… I already knew I could have become a scientist even without joining. But I was young. I wanted to make a direct difference. I wanted to beat back the Germans." And he wanted to get out a lot of rage, to be fair. None of that ended well, but. "Destiny? I think we are all given a path to walk, yes. But I also believe, although it is hard, and although it is painful, you can change that path. If you are willing to sacrifice enough."
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"These are the words of a man who should be on this task force," Laynia concludes when she hears what Forge has to say, offering him a salute now that she knows of his military past as well. "We will sacrifice what we have to in order to beat these aliens and gods and whatever comes for us…good day, Forge, I'm glad you're with us."
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