★ first. (video)

[brightsides]

( It could be worse. That's how she reassures herself, turning the device over for a final time for snapping it on, eyeing it with a seriousness that, if you know her outside her rank as officer, might be a little surprising. She doesn't speak right away, but the hand that isn't holding the device flexes, desperate to fiddle with her dog tags and relieve some of the lurking anxieties.

When she speaks, it's clear spoken, and surprisingly polished. Very English, really, which might not be especially unusual here, but is a little odd almost anywhere but the capital, back home. )

This is Starling. Repeat: this is Starling, Kapetan Grumley of the Asgardreid igsb-3. Any members of the Midgard Corps should report to me immediately.

( Carefully enunciated, and bluntly delivered, and that's all she'll release, for now, giving the device another look and her mouth quirking a little before she snaps it off. There's more information to be picked off other posts to this device without exposing her confusion, because seriously. Seriously, you guys. )

Comments

video;

[coarse]

[The video is on but his features are hard to make out. He's in a dark place, the only source of light directly behind him.]

What's that? [beat.] Midgard Corps.

Re: video;

[brightsides]

( Hah, well. It's always tricky to try and explain something that's so familiar, so she pauses, tilting her head. )

It's a non-governmental human agency. Other aliens have their own groups, typically, but some work alongside or within Midgard. ( A little tangent, and she clears her throat, mentally getting herself back on track. ) Midgard Corps is essentially responsible for our navy, authorisation of extensive human military units wasn't a possibility without it being independent of government agencies.

( It's weird, explaining something so big and familiar, and she lapses into silence before carefully observing the person before her, or what she can make out. ) I'm Starling.

( By way of introduction. )

[coarse]

[Very informative, Kapetan, thank you, but needless to say one particular aspect of this answer has his attention more than the rest.]

Did you say aliens?

[He doesn't sound particularly boggled, for what it's worth.]

[brightsides]

I did, yes. Galactic peoples, really, "aliens" is more like jargon. Galactics or aliens. Aliens has more of a, um-- denoting a different galactic group from your own, I suppose, some call "humans" aliens, too, so I suppose it's all relative. The meanings get a bit mushed together.

( She stops short. Rambling is a bad habit, not befitting an officer, and yet she still has to catch herself. )

Does that answer your question?

[coarse]

[Well. The arched brows should be visible enough.]

... You learn something new every day.

I'm Bass.

[brightsides]

Bass?

( Like the fish? The delicious, tasty fish? She visibly pauses, and shakes her head. ) We have a wonderful theme of wildlife in our names. Well done us!

( You know, she's really glad none of her superiors are here. Maybe she needs a bit more time to collect herself. )

[coarse]

[Bass eats people, not the other way around, Starling. 8|

i mean]

I had my mind on music at the time, but that works.

[And it manages to pull a small smirk from him. Magic.]

[brightsides]

Oh, of course. ( She knows nothing about music, so she's nodding as if she understands, but really? Nope. )

Mine is because I talk too much.

( HARD TO BELIEVE )

[coarse]

[Pff.]

It wasn't your pick?