raiamods: (Default)
raiamods ([personal profile] raiamods) wrote in [community profile] ethyraia2021-05-21 04:56 pm
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◣ OPEN ◢ HATCHING LOG 001

WHO: All PCs
WHAT: New characters arrive on Ethyraia, get interrogated, and settle in at the basecamp.
WHEN: May 21 onward
WHERE: Basecamp Leviathan
NOTES/WARNINGS: Potential character nudity, violence, trypophobia (images) as well as light mentions of gore, alcohol and drug-use, light aphrodisiac effects (optional), and references to mass death.


HATCHING LOG 001 ❀
CONTENT WARNINGS: potential character nudity, violence, trypophobia (images) as well as light mentions of gore, alcohol and drug-use, light aphrodisiac effects (optional), and references to mass death.

Players who participated in our TDM are welcome to keep their CR and the content of those threads. Please make sure to chat this out on the OOC intro & CR meme before making assumptions. Please take your time reading the hatching and basecamp bullets, as some items have been altered or expanded.

❀ HATCHING


Congrats, you've woken up in an egg. I'm sure this is exactly how you wanted to spend your Saturday, right? There's no time to get curious and check out the other egg sacs. By the time you've fought your way out of the membranous sac, spilled electric blue goop everywhere, wiped it out of your eyes and sundry other orifices to get your bearings, you have a spear (or a gun) leveled at your face, throat, or other vital organs. Even if you might be inclined to fight, you can barely lift your arms to protest being grabbed and dragged off. Before you can even get a word in edgewise, you've been thrown into a holding cell.

Characters will not have a chance to retrieve their items at the time of the first hatching, and may not even know there is anything left in the remaining eggs.

The holding cell stinks of something sour and acidic, like rotted citrus, but you are not alone. Several other detainees sit in similar squalid confusion, dressed strangely and equally gooey. Time to make nice, ask questions... figure out what the hell is going on, and maybe do something about all that slime?

Over the next few days, a few things become clear. Despite the alien greeting, your captors speak a language that you understand, and the unpleasant circumstances are revealed to be a matter of necessity, not choice. Supplies are low, but they ensure that the new arrivals' time imprisoned is as painless as can be — they offer hot communal showers of less than three minutes, some strange starchy meal-replacement, and medical treatment to those in need. You might strike up a conversation with your new best friend in the shower over a low soap dispenser or when you realize you might need to share towels.

The cost of these luxuries comes in the form of touch-and-go interrogation by the security officers keeping tabs on the cells and supervising the shower time.

A few notes:
Your character may get pulled away for interrogation at some point. No torture, no drugs; just questioning. If you would like to thread this out, please reply to CAPT CHILDE'S top level comment! A caveat: threads will not go beyond (TEN) NPC replies, and new tag-ins will not be responded to after MAY 24.

☆ Locals will be stopping by outside the freestanding holding cells to ogle or ask questions. Are you really going to be mean to that little kid staring at you with wide eyes?

☆ Characters will be let out for bio breaks. No one has to pee in a bucket, that's just inhumane!

Attempts to escape will probably get you tasered. If your character composes a genius jailbreak, you are welcome to submit it in the MOD QUESTION comment to work out how that might go with the NPCs!

❀ EXPLORE THE BASECAMP

On the heels of a little benign interrogation, a medical inspection, and a stern talking to by Captain Childe, the survivors at Basecamp Leviathan determine one thing: you don't appear to be an active threat.

Released from the detention center after three days, you are given the run-down by the locals — you're on a planet called Ethyraia, and the people around you are survivors of the catastrophic crash of the UCSS Adamant several years prior. You, in fact, showed up on the third anniversary of the crash. Weird coincidence, huh?

The first order of the day is having a proper meal at the mess hall — some of the Adamant's survivors will be friendlier than others. They've been stranded here for years, remember? Some of them will be so desperate to talk to someone who has news of other places, and some will be giving you the cold shoulder.

You'll be fed the same as the rest of them. A plastic plate of crumbled protein of unidentifiable origin and gravy over rice with a single wilted stalk of broccoli and a cup of the worst coffee you've ever had. Maybe somebody bumps into you and spills said coffee, maybe you make it all the way to one of the long tables set out for communal eating.

Time to strike up a chat with your neighbor — maybe ask them to pass the salt?

(What do you mean, there's no salt!?)

During this time, characters will be able to return to the Central Chrysalis where they hatched. While there are no clues as to how they got there, they might find items — their own, or someone else's. Everyone is strapped for supplies, but try not to snatch up anything that isn't yours. The security officers don't look kindly on people chasing one other down the hall, trying to get back their dirty magazines.

A few notes:
☆ Feel free to help out anywhere. Every little bit of assistance you offer to the locals will raise their estimation of you. You could easily help clean dishes after the meal, help fix leaky piping or repair hammocks. You could stop by the aid station and assist with the wounded. You'll be watched closely and some of the survivors will be warier than others, but most will appreciate the opportunity to have a 'break'.

☆ If your character leaves the basecamp and wanders outside the Leviathan, they may begin to notice that what they perhaps took as a giant cave is actually an enormous dragon. Everything that seems human-made will look varying levels of worn down, patched, repaired and patched again. This is not a place of prosperity and happiness. Many people are recently injured, or have new scars or missing limbs.

☆ PCs will be warned about the acid rain and inhospitable wildlife that they'll face if they venture beyond the shade of the dragon's wings.

❀ RECRUITMENT FAIR



You've been here for a week, had a chance to show your mettle. Maybe you've demonstrated a propensity for fixing gadgets (or plumbing!) or you have the command of a natural leader and the ability to wield a gun (or a tire iron!) to great effect. Either way, the Adamant's survivors are eager to put you to work so they can have their first real 'days off' in three years! Survivors have set up their various areas in the hopes of catching your attention and (possibly!) bolster their numbers! Feel free to wander around, talk to other PCs, and get the lay of the land.

ENGINEERING CORPS

Thorkil has welded a sign to a post out front, cheerfully painted by a gaggle of children to say "WELCOME!" The children are crowded around the area, and Thorkil is telling them stories about one of his many tattoos as you approach — he has a magnificent eagle tattooed on his arm, and in a hush he is explaining how it landed on him and tried to bite him like a mosquito, and how he slapped it and it just splattered right there on his arm and he's never been able to wash it off!

The children seem mesmerized by the story (maybe you are too?) and will scatter at the story's conclusion, tugging you over to the various areas, pointing things out excitedly. What is an Ehlers-Chau sublight engine? You're about to find out whether you like it or not! Or maybe you can teach them a thing or two. Those who seem to know their stuff will be eagerly invited on board by Thorkil.

The Engineering division has salvaged its tools and scrap from the Adamant’s wreckage, so it has all of the essentials from metal mills to CNC routers to circuitry tools. A holo projector throws schematics on the wall — a drill, a few potential shelter ideas for long-term settlement, and a new communications tower.

SECURITY DIVISION

Rémi has barely deigned to participate — and seems to have done so only at the request of some of his companions. He's sitting at an unadorned table and he is cleaning a variety of weapons. He will scowl if approached, and seems openly mistrustful of your intentions should you speak to him. Questions about how a conversation with Rémi might go may be posted to the MOD QUESTIONS thread. (Note: We will not be threading Rémi, so these questions will be handwaved!)

Characters who make a positive impression on him will open up the avenue to work for the Security Division later, but he will not be extending any offers now — please allow for a realistic period of development here!

Feel free to lean into another PC's space and comment on how frosty that dude seems! You can also survey the various weapons stored in racks, help out with building spears, the usual suspects.

THEATRE

The theatre doubles as a childcare center, and many of the NPCs bustling about seem very excited and eager for the chance to talk to anyone who ventures in to visit. The theatre is bright and cheerful, paintings have been done on the walls of scenes from children's stories featuring colorful characters.

The thespians will not only try to recruit you (for acting in a play, for teaching, for script writing, for drawing on the walls or caring for children) but they will actively put you to work if they see you standing idle longer than a moment! Your character may find themselves with a paintbrush in hand, or taking part in a recital for a play (you're free to invent one, or put a new spin on an old classic! Romeo and Julio, anyone?) or building a set piece for one of the many local productions.

The Theatre doubles as the protective hub in times of need, so beyond arts education and babysitting, your character may also be tasked with shoring up those defenses, helping to fortify the walls, or other such tasks. And who knows, they may be paired off with someone else rather unexpectedly!

AID STATION

Sunya Hyacinth is the local medical doctor, fueled by coffee and spite. She doesn't have the time to recruit personally — she's flitting about the aid station seeing to the injured.

If you follow her, she will put you to work. Hold this stent, articulate this dislocation, take this blood pressure reading. If anyone appears to have a proficiency for this sort of work, she may inquire after credentials — and anyone who seems to have medical experience is going to immediately be handed the medic's armband, a white band with a blue cross emblazoned on it. This armband will grant any PC an extra amount of respect and trust from the Adamant's survivors — but you'd better be able to live up to it!

Feel free to treat any injured PCs, converse with other 'recruits', help pin that white and blue arm-band on... you know, anything under the sun. Some of the patients in the medical bay seem to be suffering from the adverse effects of some of the local flora — itching hives or burning pustules. One unfortunate soul seems only able to speak in limericks, which the medical staff will admit is one of the odder things they’ve seen.

SANITATION

CONTENT WARNING: DRUG REFERENCES

It's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it! There are always latrines to be dug, pipes to be repaired, general maintenance to be done on the various sanitation systems.

A nervous-looking janitor will approach your character almost shyly, and ask if you wouldn't mind giving her a hand. If you are willing to help her (fix a pipe, dig a hole, etc), she will gradually warm up to you and seem more animated and lively and very, very grateful. Won't you please consider working with the Sanitation crew? Sure, it's not as glamorous as some of the other duties, but they're the backbone of the Basecamp and they could really use the help!

She'll even let you in on a little secret if you really butter her up or show an interest — the Sanitation Crew? Totally has a little underground greenhouse where they're growing marijuana. They're totally willing to share...

Feel free to dig latrines alongside your fellow PCs, or maybe even share a joint. It's a way to pass the time, right? PCs serving in sanitation will also have an easier time overhearing the gossip that spreads around the base, since no one looks twice at them.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

CONTENT WARNING: REFERENCES TO MASS DEATH

During their first two weeks in the basecamp, any character who stops by one of the various houses of worship (in addition to a church, a synagogue, and a mosque, there is a temple with small statues to fifteen different unfamiliar deities, many of whom seem to be from different faiths), the gymnasium, or the mess hall will come across a stand that hosts a dozen or so packages.

Wrapped in the black emergency blankets that many bring with them to and from the bunks, these packages are about one cubic foot and contain folded clothes in roughly the same sizes. The styles are all different and highly individualized. Some are luxe, some are basic, and some are clearly the undershirt (but not the proper outerwear) for uniforms of the Adamant’s crew. Warm-faced folks eagerly give out a single package to each new hatchling. Along with the clothing and blanket, hatchlings will receive basic packages containing basic toiletries — bar soap, a toothbrush, a straight razor, etc.

Come by at the wrong time, and you might see a fight break out. A young person, red-faced, shouts at the volunteers working these stands, “Those were our people! Our families! We should be the one to decide what’s done with what they left behind.”

In hushed tones, clearly trying to keep this from becoming a conflict, the lead volunteer insists, “Take it up with Captain Childe.”


A few notes:
Feel free to have your character sign on to help out with any of the listed divisions, with the exception of security.

☆ Characters may collect one (1) care package from the community outreach program. If your character intends to come back for more, please let us know in the Mod Questions thread.

☆ Feel free to ask for light NPC interactions in the MOD QUESTIONS header; we can give you a general idea of how a conversation might go! Like with the Captain Childe threads, none of these threads will be lengthy, and new tag-ins will not be responded to after MAY 24.

❀ THE DREAMING

You are standing at the edge of an immense, underground lake. Water laps at the shore, echoing in the cavern. There is a sense of peace and warmth and — welcome.

A creature emerges from the lake and approaches you. Its gills flutter, its eyes are a faint bioluminescent glow in the darkness. It reaches out to touch you — one long, elegant finger presses against your chest. It feels as if it might crack your sternum open and ferret beneath your bones as if looking, looking for something. Yet, there is no malice from it, and you feel no fear.

But the creature relents. It backs up. Bows to you once, and then turns and walks back into the water.

You stay for some time at the edge of the lake. Eventually, it seems as if another person is here with you, or perhaps they simply came into focus after being here just as long as you. Should you speak with them?

A few notes:
PCs may interact with one another in the dreams. They will be in a semi-conscious state, not wholly aware they are dreaming and not wholly under the impression of its normalcy.

☆ Your character will wake up naturally from the Dreaming, they will feel peaceful and refreshed.
The lake, if they choose to swim in it while dreaming, would be perceived as the perfect ambient temperature for them — some characters may prefer it to be warmer or colder!

☆ If they duck below the water, they will see far-off glittering city lights, but no matter how they try to swim towards them they will never get any closer!

☆ If your character tries to drink the water, they might notice that for a few minutes after they wake they can hear little snippets of NPC thoughts. Weird!

☆ Every character will have a small, pale lilac mark where they were touched on the chest. It will fade over the next few days.

❀ FETCH QUEST

CONTENT WARNING: REFERENCES TO LIGHT APHRODISIAC EFFECTS

A small, perky woman corrals you somewhere near the latrines. "Hey!" she says insistently, pushing her hat back and sending a spill of inky curls askew from her forehead. "We need a hand. There's this plant we get for Sunya — the Doc? You met her yet? — it's a painkiller. Go through a shitload of that, which I'm sure is quite surprising," she says all this in a single breath, and her expression is sour despite her cheery tone.

"You any good at botany? We need another round of Starspire root. Can't harvest the ones we've got in camp, they've been a little cranky lately. You'll have to go about four kilometers due west, towards the old Adamant wreck. Just watch them — if they start to sweat, you'll need to get under cover, means the acid rain is coming. I'll upload the specs to your Comm."

Seems like you're being partnered with somebody else for the run — another person looking perhaps about as equally haggard as you, and at least as equally voluntold. Hopefully you won't run into any difficulties — how hard can retrieving one plant be?

A few notes:
☆ Feel free to have random monster encounters along the way! Don’t forget to wait for approvals on bestiary submissions before incorporating them into threads.

☆ The plants are at a high elevation, so they will exist on rocky outcroppings along a cliff-face. The landscape here is mostly high desert, which means it is full of thin, calf-high grasses, scrub plants, and non arable land polluted by dense, alkaline soil and rocks. Be creative in how you get there!

☆ Somebody gets hurt? Here, chew this root! They said it was a painkiller, right? What's the worst that could happen? (People can get a little ... flirtatious, shall we say.)

☆ Or you could go one step further and try exploring portions of the Adamant! Remember, the ship itself was built to house seventy thousand people — it's the size of a city, and it cannot be adequately explored in an afternoon! If you'd like anything specific to come of this, or if you’d like to know specifics about the Adamant’s layout, please consider submitting a plot request!.

neversmall: (Default)

[personal profile] neversmall 2021-05-30 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ Nina nods, smiling a little -- yes, good call on the not losing a kid bit, Trish. ]

Oh, I'm helping with the sets. What about you? Can we count on a repeat performance?
fossils: (pic#14141717)

[personal profile] fossils 2021-05-30 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
[ The world doesn't need more super-soldiers, but it could use more men like Sam Wilson.

He catches the shield again at the tail-end of admiring Sam's fluid motion, swinging it back in a gentler arc this time. Signaling the cool down of their game. Both eyebrows raise curiously at the statement, then draw together again. ]


Forty or so more new mouths to feed against several thousands already established— we all pull our weight and we should manage until we find our way back.

[ It's not like ten thousand reappeared on top of the established ten thousand. He knows what Sam's getting at, but it's not exactly comparable. Which — ]

You wanna talk about it?

[ The Blip. He'd already had Sam fill him in about his family. Knows at the time he was told mostly about the good parts: reunions and the like. ]
Edited 2021-05-30 02:12 (UTC)
trassel: (52.)

[personal profile] trassel 2021-05-30 02:16 am (UTC)(link)
[ She smiles before she always finds cause to. It's a lovely sight, and close on its heels he hopes for a laugh along with it. Soon. ]

So of course you used them at once.

[ She took what was unfamiliar and made it friendly and useful to her. An admirable feat. ]

[ Quietly, ]

I'm not sure I will get used to it.

[ Not to be outdone, sure, but this thing is so confusing. ]
dissemblance: (pic#8938040)

[personal profile] dissemblance 2021-05-30 02:26 am (UTC)(link)
You think I'd risk my hair in this humidity?

she's got one of the camp shields covered in dragon hide slung over her shoulder. she's armed, she's ready for action.

she's giving steve a sideways look as they walk, and then she leans into her space and bumps her shoulder into his arm.


How you holding up, Spangles?
neversmall: (037)

[personal profile] neversmall 2021-05-30 02:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ ...he doesn't try to make her feel small.

He hasn't since he hadn't let her fall.

She takes a step closer to him, not reaching out to touch him, but her eyes speak volumes, they shine. ]


You don't have to. But I know you will. [ Then, suddenly, grinning at him. ] They're too silly for you to not enjoy.

[ After all, he enjoyed her ridiculousness. He'd enjoy this too. ]
fossils: (pic#8212145)

[personal profile] fossils 2021-05-30 02:29 am (UTC)(link)
[ Uh huh. Sounds ridiculous, right?

He pulls in a breath and shakes his head, lets out a puff of air that might have some vestiges of humor somewhere, that dissipates just as quickly as it arrived. ]


Look, I shouldn't've come at you about Sam.

[ Maybe he's right. Got no clue what he's stepping into there, and Sam's doesn't need a blind defender.

It's just that he's already done this song and dance once before. Lost everything he had and started over. And even if this time he's meant to go back to gain something in exchange, get people back, Peggy, you for Christ's sake, if he's going back he better at least make that right — there's too much that makes no sense.

And if you need to be mad at him for a while — well, just don't expect much space for it.

Who's the selfish one here? ]
Edited 2021-05-30 02:30 (UTC)
fortyforged: (order's ready)

[personal profile] fortyforged 2021-05-30 02:34 am (UTC)(link)
Banshee hesitates visibly at that before he shakes his head. "Never was good at dates," he admits. "Memory's bad. Been a few years since the Red War, I think." How long had these people been here? He forgets the numbers, if anyone had mentioned.

"Centuries since the Golden Age and the Collapse." He throws out the biggest events that were common knowledge enough to refer to, at least from home anyway.

"This happen a lot?" He figures asking his own questions can't hurt, and it's only fair. "People arriving here from nowhere?" No jumpships, no transmats. He's not sure what to make of however they got here.
capt_childe: (NEUTRAL - PROFILE)

[personal profile] capt_childe 2021-05-30 02:39 am (UTC)(link)
She stops dead, and just looks at him. Her patience has been frayed since long before the Hatchlings arrived, and he's needling at all the soft, vulnerable parts that she's tried not to show. The guilt and the fear and the questions she asks herself over whether or not she's really making the right choices. With her mouth twisted into a frown, she says, "Yes, actually, I'm hoping to evolve spontaneous teleportation any day now so we can pop back to Earth in time for tea. It's going to be quite a trick."

If they had anywhere else to go, and any way to get there she would have tried long before now. She's never wanted to be trapped on this shitty little planet in the middle of nowhere. "Do you have an actual point to anything you're trying to say or are you just being snide?"
capt_childe: (NEUTRAL)

[personal profile] capt_childe 2021-05-30 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
"English. It's one of the main trade languages on Earth." Not the only one, and not as widely spoken as some of the others, but she grew up in Iowa. "We think it's something to do with the Chrysalis, you're not the first person to ask that question. There's something that's allowing us to understand you, and you us. I don't have any more of an explanation for you than that."
capt_childe: (Default)

[personal profile] capt_childe 2021-05-30 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
This is one of the stranger conversations she's had so far, and Childe gives the woman a slightly wary look. "What exactly does your 'help' entail in this instance?"
freightcars: (bucky-104-00090)

[personal profile] freightcars 2021-05-30 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
( Despite the fact that they both know it's not really possible, he still seems a little tired as he heads back over to the place they sit to eat. He settles on it heavily, fingers curling around the edge, head shaking immediately, dismissively. )

It's fine. Listen—

( Slow and weary, lips tucking into one cheek for a second. )

It's— he figures it out. Leave him alone about it.

( Like that somehow un-says it. He's already feeling a sharp spike of guilt for spilling it at all, it only came out in the first place to use as fuel toward justifying his anger.

Christ. Can't seem to go a day without doing something wrong, what the hell's the matter with him?
)

It's just a...

( Personal, complicated, touchy-- )

Thing. It's between me and him. Neither of us need you mediating it, Captain.

( As in— you're not their leader right now, it's not your responsibility to butt in and boss them into conflict resolution. He loves you buddy, but respectfully and with all the fondness in his heart, mind your own goddamn business. )
Edited 2021-05-30 02:54 (UTC)
swordjock: (182)

[personal profile] swordjock 2021-05-30 02:56 am (UTC)(link)
"A few days," she repeats, trying not to sound doubtful. She doesn't have a ton of reasons to trust Childe, but she doesn't have any firm ones not to, either, and she wants to trust her. The soldier in her recognizes authority, needs its approval to feel secure in herself. "Okay, I can live with that. Thank you."

It's still not ideal, but it's a timeframe. Something she can hold the other woman to. In exchange, she decides to offer at least some of the information Childe's looking for, as she lowers her hand back to the table.

"My name's Adora. I'm from the planet Etheria, but I wasn't there before all of this happened." She sighs. "I don't know the name of the planet I was on, or if it even has one, just that there wasn't anything in our ship's database. We were there to refuel so we could finish our mission. A lot of people are depending on me — on us — so I understand your position. I'm a leader, too. Or was. It's complicated."

No mention of Prime, or the fact that said mission gained a new level of personal importance recently. The former is something she'll have to address eventually, but the latter is for her to agonize over in private. Just like everything to do with Catra in the past three years.
trassel: (51.)

[personal profile] trassel 2021-05-30 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ Anyone only has an advantage depending on which way the wind is blowing. Trassel hasn't sniffed out anyone within two miles, but them. ]

No.

[ He didn't expect to, but makes a note what has claws, and how deep the impressions are, how far apart. So far they haven't met any predators, they may not come close to the Adamant, but the people have given him no end of warning about what is out here. ]

Except that people do not come out here that often.
trassel: (42.)

[personal profile] trassel 2021-05-30 03:09 am (UTC)(link)
[ How can so much be said with so little. The compression increases the force of it, as though she had indeed, put on something very alluring and was walking towards him with some very outrageous intentions. Matthias ducks his head away, mouth pulling, heart taking a skip and a jump forward. ]

They are too silly.

[ How dare you insinuate Fun. This is so bizarre, and unexpected, it can't possibly be so. (She's right. And she likes it, so at the very least, his enjoyment will be vicarious.) ]

Later, you will show me how you got the waffles? And any flowers that are there.
trassel: (30.)

[personal profile] trassel 2021-05-30 03:21 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you.

[ ... What are dibs? Does it mean he climbs up first? Matthias doesn't have much of an objection to that, nor any shyness or shame about simply accepting his help up. His grip is firm, and he finds his own handhold quickly, intending to keep pace even though he can feel his muscles burning. Not unusual in itself, but surely his companion would be showing some signs of fatigue by now. Or just slowed down a little. ]
neversmall: (091)

[personal profile] neversmall 2021-05-30 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ Nina beams up at him, not leaning into his space but looking very much as if she wants to. ]

After dinner? I'm hungry enough that the "protein mix" might taste good if I close my eyes and think about waffles.
trassel: (27.)

[personal profile] trassel 2021-05-30 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
[ One day, he is going to learn what is so delightful about them. She'd been about to tell him, and he's sorry that was interrupted — he has no doubt it would have been a very pleasant meal. Matthias has since shared several with her, so he speaks from experience. ]

After dinner. That is a promise.

[ Gently, he starts to herd Trassel to walking a little ahead of them, so he can still selfishly be at Nina's side. ]

fossils: (pic#8212223)

[personal profile] fossils 2021-05-30 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
Well, I do more falling outta the skies than reaching...

[ He gives the other man a wry look. ]

So deserts and skies, but nothing about the seas?

[ Might have to explain a bit more what kinda pirate you are. ]
freightcars: (214)

[personal profile] freightcars 2021-05-30 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
( Doesn't make either of them feel any better, and he's cottoned on to the fact that there's no real walking this back. Can't think of anything else to do or say that's gonna fix it here and now, which is a frustratingly familiar feeling.

His eyes flicker to the bottle as Sam puts it away — too invested in this, frankly, to notice the offering. He gets a little single-minded, which Sam is well familiar with by now.
)

Said to give you a break.

( Which is more a murmur than anything, a little vocal concession in there — like he said, Steve had a point. )

Said a few more things, but I just learned a lesson in keeping my damn mouth shut, so...

( This is him, keeping his mouth shut so he doesn't say anything else that's gonna bite him in the ass later. Don't talk to Steve about Sam. Don't talk to Sam about Steve. Don't talk to anybody about any of it, because this dynamic is a goddamn powder keg and he refuses to strike any more matches that might set it off. )
neversmall: (025)

[personal profile] neversmall 2021-05-30 03:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ He didn't have to go and make it so serious and precious on her, that's just Rude when she can't even reach out to hold his hand. So, revenge is clearly in order. ]

It might take some time. We'll have to sit close together so I can show you them on the watch. Our shoulders might touch.
usurpurr: ([s4] pic#14751597)

[personal profile] usurpurr 2021-05-30 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
So what you're telling me is that a jacket's fine, but a stick's too hard for you. [She's about as impressed with his explanation, and his skills, as a wet sock. If people have to have magic, why can't it ever be useful for her? Just for once.] It's not exactly like they're operating with a genius level of tech over here.

[Mostly, she's just just grumpy because she doesn't like being wrong.]
trassel: (06.)

[personal profile] trassel 2021-05-30 04:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ This is how Nina creates a scandal her very first week here. Handholding!! The NERVE!! ]

Is that a promise?

[ Heh. She circles, but she's always coming near, so near, to a place where she gets to be held. As long as her approach is announced, it's welcome. ]

[ It's a short walk to the mess hall, and Trass has stopped by the door as Matthias opens it for all of them, as the wolf bounds off to find them seats. ]
neversmall: (008)

[personal profile] neversmall 2021-05-30 04:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ Nina doesn't miss that slip of expression, perhaps subconsciously cued in by Dorothea's heartbeat. Ah. Perhaps not so different after all.

And so many people always think they're right. Does Nina think she's right? ...mostly, but when you're fighting for the right to exist and the rest of the world tells you it is wrong that you do, what's right... well, isn't something she feels comfortable to ascribe to, for either of them, after having just met.

But it's a nice thought. ]


Oh, I'm not so righteous, [ Nina leans forward, confiding. There's a wryness about her sincerity. ] What I believe is right is my right to exist, and the right of others like me to exist. I'd say my motivations are at least 90 percent selfish, rather than being devoted to an ideal. But I'm sorry to hear that things were not so simple for your world as I initially believed.
wittingly: (Hᴏʟᴅ ᴍᴇ ᴅᴀʀʟɪɴɢ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴀ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ)

[personal profile] wittingly 2021-05-30 04:13 am (UTC)(link)
Stick, no. I could make the fuck out of some sticks.

( And he sounds genuinely stoked about the concept — but in that really restrained stoner way, where even enthusiasm is a bit muted under a dense layer of chill. )

Miniature rail guns, on the other hand... I'm gonna have to make those by hand, which is gonna take a lot longer than it took me to walk over and give somebody back a shirt that seemed really important to them. I figured the manual weapons engineering could probably wait a couple hours. Unless you're aware of an impending war I don't know about?
Edited 2021-05-30 04:13 (UTC)
neversmall: (031)

[personal profile] neversmall 2021-05-30 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
[ If ONLY. She is still being very respectful and walking along side him. Alas, no hands were held that day.

Make way for the wolf! Nina almost wants to shout, but people are growing... somewhat accustomed to Trassel now. It's dangerous; he is still wild and dangerous, but he won't attack without Matthias' letting him go. ]


It could be. It would be a small, very easily fulfilled promise if it was - promising that something might happen.

[ He'd made a joke - a low key almost flirtation, in fact. She is THRILLED and beaming up at him and will reach out now to lightly take his arm and bump into him before letting him go and moving to smile a greeting at an Adament crew member as she picked up a plate. ]