Oh, quite the story for sure

"Imagine if you will", Valiant began. "There was a time before humans, even before the Elvin ventured across stars, there was an advance race of aliens who not only traversed the known universe, but discovered another universe inside the known universe. Both the aliens and the new universe have gone by many names from many times and cultures such as the Elders, Progeniters, Genesis, Starlights, or, the Void, the Warp, and the Looking glass to name a few. But we of the White Hole, as you two know us to be, simply identify them as the Forefathers and Inner Space respectively.

Well this is turning out to be quite a start. You weren't sure what you were expecting to hear, but this certainly wasn't it. At this point, Vali's story is bringing more questions then answers, but your sure that this is leading somewhere, so you just let him go on.

"Now to make a long story short, the Forefathers discovered the most natural way into inner space is to make it through the other side of a black hole, and the natural way out is going through a white hole. With their advance technology and incredible ingenuity, they constructed the technology that combines singularity physics with wormhole mechanics, that enabled them to create artificial black holes and white holes that would allow them to travel between outer space and inner space. They also discovered this allowed them to travel fast distances of space greater in even less time then any faster then light engine that has ever or ever will be built, provided they met the right conditions anyway."

Now this getting more and more bizzare, if a bit intriguing at the possibilities of what you can do with this ability. You noticed Rin was beside herself in shock, clearly curious but too flabergasted to utter any question. Val just smiled as he paused in his story for a moment.

"Now I'm sure our pilot can imagine the power of having a fleet of ships capable of near instantaneous travel across the known universe and beyond is quite the source of power, and for the Forefather it was. They were able to map uncharted space both outer and inner and were able to build the greatest galactic Coalition ever known. Unfortunatly it all came to end when war broke out against an unknown enemy that seemed hellbent on destroying everything in thier path. The Forefathers were able to drive them off but at great cost to themselves, and to inner space.

"As it turned out Inner was more then just a space within space. It was a space that resonated with outer space on a metaphysical level. Every thought and emotion from outer space became became a source of power in Inner space, every metaphor becomes literal meaning which makes navigating Inner space these days a bit more challenging and even dangerous these days then in the past, but our ancestors found ways to subvert that a bit, but I'm getting ahead of myself."

Ah now it's getting more closer to relevant part that just might answer your initial questions. You unconcoinsinely lean in towards him to pay extra attention and your sure Rin was doing the same.

"Now let's take a break from the ancient history lesson, and delve a little further into Inner space and it's unique properties. As I said, inside inner space thought and emotion is a power source that we empower, and with the right amount of focus and attunnement, it in turns empowers us. That's how I, and others are able to use abilities that the primitive societiy would call magic, while the a more modern society would call it genetic mutation, we just call them Cosmic Psionic Empathy, or CPE for short. Oh and the abilities granted from this source don't just extend those of the mind, but from the heart and soul, even the power to alter reality can be at your fingertips. Granted, the use of such power can be extemely dangerous, to others and the user which is why we take honing and training of such abilities very seriously. Believe me, it was quite the ordeal to master my abilities to the way you have seen me demonstrated and that was only scratching the surface of my capabilities."

Well now that is interesting, if a bit frightening. Still you can't help but be eagerly intrigue, especially the part of others learning this unique abilities.

"How exactly does one qualify to use such power?" you asked, finally breaking your silence.

"Ah, I knew that would get your attention", he said with a knowing look. "Like I said every living thing with thoughts and emotions resonate with inner space, and some people are blessed with the genetic gift to resonate with inner space as well, drawing on the same power that inner space does which allows them to do all kinds of neat tricks. Although some have better chances of resonating with inner space then others. For example Elvin have the highest chances of resonating inner space, thus more lilkley to resonate with it, while humans are more of an average resonance, with few exceptions depending on the person and their own nature. For a hybrid such as your self, I'd say an above average chance, maybe more depending on your character, although a more experienced practisioner can help unlock or discover them if there was no prior experience. If your really interested we can set up meeting to determine just how you resonate."

"What about you, I mean all of you, are you remnants of the old order of the Forefathers?" Rin said joining in on the questioning.

"Good guess, but not exactly", Val admitted. "We are merely the decendants of those who rediscovered inner space after it was cordoned off by the Forefathers.

"To make another long story short", he continued while noticing your respective confusions. "As I said before, the war was costly not only in lives, but all the negative emotions and thoughts resonated with inner space to the point of bursting out of control and bleeding into outer space, which in turn caused all kinds of cosmic anomalies that defy any law of physics. Nearly wiping out all known life in the process.

"The Storm of Stars?!", Rin interjected in alarm. You heard about that too, some legend of how the stars themsleves unleashed a storm that it looked like heaven was breaking down from the sky.

"Yeah, same phenomon, just a more romantic term", Vali replied. "Anyway the Forefathres did whatever they could to seal of inner space and redirect the output, at the expense of themselves. They were never seen or heard from again afterwards, we're still trying to figure that detail out. Anyway after it was cordoned off many of the other races had to make do on thier own since mostly on account without the Forefathers to hold them together, their unity fell apart rather easily which lead to where things are now in modern times. Back to us specifically, we are decendents of those who never gave up looking for inner space as well as those who believed they were searching for some lost empire or treasure trove, all very true in some way shape and form, or just some poor souls that managed to get sucked through a black hole and survive long enough to make it to the other side. Over time the many different groups rediscovered the secret as well as the local residents that came to be as a result of the Storm of Stars as you call it, but more of them later. Ultimately all the people within inner space divided into different factions based on the patron resident. My crew fleet are a member of one such factions, the typical agendas for each faction in outer space is gather supplies and resources and of course new recruits, usually people that wouldn't be missed like slaves, but those we are gifted are of priority which in fact is what led us to you."

Well this has been quite illuminating to say the least, if you believe him that is, on the other hand, you can't detect any trace of deception about him either. So far most of your questions have been answered to a point. Though you are interested in what he means regarding factions and patrons, but your not blind to the fact that he's avoiding that subject. Best to play by ear for the time being. Besides, you and Rin are no doubt still trying to process everything else you've been told, and my oh my, it's quit a charming tale, a world within the world you knew just waiting for you to explore and pick apart with your skilled hands. The interesting people your sure to make would make a nice bonus if present company is anything to go by.

"Your highness, I hate to interrupt, but your needed on the bridge", said a human crewman who just popped in.

"Oh dear me, is it that time already?", he responded in surprise, then turns his attentinon back to you and Rin. "Forgive me it seems I have to cut this a bit, duty calls and all that. I'll leave Morah with you and she'll ensure your properly taken care of as fellow guest aboard my ship. We'll finish this conversation at breakfast tomarrow morning, have a good night"

He gave both you and Rin a kiss on your respective hands and left, leaving you both at the table with Morah, who was bearing a shit-eating grin.

"Well now that we got most of the boring explanation out of the way, maybe you'd like to visit some of our more fun parts of the ship, or maybe you want me to show you to your room so I can tuck you in?", she asked suggestively

Well, considering the day you've had, some good old fashion recreation would be nice, on the other hand it has been a long day and maybe a some rest on a good may be just as good. Then again, you could take this Elven-Orc women's offer and do both.