Katla Totsidottir(Viking turned Avalonian noble)

(This is from my Quest. The Heaven's call on Questionable Questing:https://forum.questionablequesting.com/threads/the-heavens-call-original-sci-fi-navy.10272/

Thus this chain is done in third person rather than second)

Katla found herself at the room's sole window. It wasn't a conscious movement but dealing with all those fucking peacocks was already starting to get on her nerves. She much preferred to enjoy the view while waiting for the meeting to start. Beyond the clearly not glass a single ship was remaining stationary, it took her a moment to realize what it actually was, the design seeming so much... less polished than a modern vessel.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" A voice asked, causing the Viking to turn around quickly. Katla could tell at a glance that the girl had Authority somewhere in her ancestry, in more ways than just national. The pointed ears told her that she was at least second generation, for a moment Katla almost considered that she was someone like her, hired from another nation to fill up a spot the Avalonians needed, then she realized that the dark haired almost silver-eyed woman was far too comfortable in her uniform to be new to it. "Mind if I join you?"

Katla realized she'd been staring a bit and stood to the side, letting her take up a spot by the window before replying.

"That's one way to describe it." Katla mused, "Another is damn old. The thing looks like it could have fought in the Great War." She mentally cursed herself after she finished, the vessel was clearly of some importance, before she could further put her foot in her mouth talking about how it was probably a nice ship her guest laughed, catching her off guard. From what she'd seen so far Katla had assumed these folks had some kind of ban on that practice. Forbidding all but a polite hand covering the mouth as they amused themselves at the 'simple foreigner's' expense as she committed various faux passes.

"It did." The girl finally explained as she finished. "The Kings Bow is the oldest vessel still in service with any navy beyond the UCS Constitution. Unlike her however he is still an active carrier. Old, yes, harmless? Never. Though there have been talks of replacing him over the years. There are only so many refits one can do to a hull before it can't keep up any longer."

Katla had to admit the pronoun threw her for a bit of a loop, she hadn't heard it used since History class and even the teacher had seemed to struggle with it. "Him?" She asked, sounding out the unfamiliar word which had come so naturally to the other woman.

"The vessel was commissioned while we still had a King rather than Queens. At the time His Majesty's Navy used such means to refer to their ships. It would dishonor the service of those who died upon him and alongside him to change that after the rest of them were gone. Worry not, he is an exception to the rest." The girl explained, making Katla feel a bit better, most of the others would have just laug- well, hand in front of faced, her instead of bothering to explain. She realized that she hadn't even introduced herself yet. As if reading her mind the woman extended a hand. "Where have my manners gone. My name is Semiramis."

The name didn't ring any bells but that was still pretty common, Katla hadn't had a chance to meet many people yet. It was only after she took the woman's hand that she realized something funny. Usually these people couldn't help but spout off their titles when making introductions. "Katla."

"Yes, you've been quite the talk of the room, alongside Lady Artemesia." That was a name Katla recognized, she'd never met her personally but she knew someone else who had gotten the opportunity. Plus the twins that had resulted from that meeting.

"All nice things?" Katla asked hopefully.

"I'm afraid not. But don't take it personally. The Navy is very set in its ways and to see an outsider, no matter how skilled, brought in has offended their sense of decency. I for one am happy to have you with us. The reports of your action against the Directorate were nothing short of astounding." Katla could tell that she was being buttered up. In light of how everyone else had been treating her like an Jilot with a sore tooth however she was willing to be the bread in this occasion. Just as she was about to reply however someone else burst in to the room, their eyes locking on Semiramis. A lightly caramel skinned woman who was trying to look like she'd just casually stumbled upon them and failing miserably.

"Princess! There you are. We've been left adrift like a lone sail fluttering in the breeze without you." Wait. Princess?

"I suppose I must come right the ship then. Please excuse me." The apparent royal said, taking her leave, leaving the Viking feeling more confused than ever.