ataraxion | ★ first. (video)

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★ first. (video)

( 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. )

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[ Have a very polished British voice chiming in in a very mild monotone. ]

It is unlikely your corps will be reporting, unless a selection of them made the jump with you. In which case, they would be within the medbay with you presently.

( Huh.

The automatic thought is of her home city, but even just a few hours or so of getting her head around this place and trying to find out this and that is making her... shaky, about her assumptions. The hesitation comes before she goes to reply, fortunately. )

Understood. It seemed worth a shot, with the talk of previous jumps that I heard.

( Not that it makes her any happier, because that means she's in a foreign, and seemingly hostile environment, no matter how helpful the people might be. Still, she tries to inject a little levity as she continues. Even if things are grin, isn't her thing looking on the bright side? ) Oh well. I suppose if they're not here, then they're safe at home.

( And then, for the sake of curiousity: ) Do you mind if I ask whereabouts you're from, Mister...?

[ The monotone continues matter-of-factly. ] All crew are gathered in the medbay for jumps to be put into gravity couches for their safety during the process. Should acquaintances be present, you would have the opportunity to locate them there. [ But he won't be completely pessimistic about it, so he adds this: ] However, the area experiences a high level of traffic during these periods. It is possible you merely missed them.

[ There's a pause at the question, as if considering how it should be answered. ]

The server I was previously installed to is located in Malibu. [ Hi, you're talking to an AI. ]

"High traffic" is definitely right. ( Not to mention, she was seriously disoriented after first waking up, and then found herself faced with a face-twin, which didn't do much for making her any calmer or clear-minded. Still, she doesn't let that on, because even she is still pretty tense, at the moment.

She's silent for a few moments, just letting all that sink in. Malibu didn't sound familiar, but she'd be hard pressed to even try and name all the cities and settlements on Earthrise. Being "installed to a server" at least sounds somewhat familiar, even if she can't be confident about the details. ) I don't suppose Malibu might happen to be on Earthrise, if you're unfamiliar with the Midgard Corps?

( Wishful thinking. ) And when you say "server"... ( She trails off, questioning. )

Many get lost in the confusion. [ It took him a long while to find Tony and he ended up meeting several more before he did - its understandable he could have completely missed him.

There's a slight pause as he considers it. ] 'Earth', yes. 'Earthrise', no, it is not a location I am familiar with, nor is your corps, I'm sorry to inform you.

[ The explanation is given clinically, a straight definition: ] The computer on which that program runs that provides a specific kind of service to client software running on the same computer or other computers on a network. Though I have recently become remotely operational.

I wouldn't blame them. The conditions aren't really conducive to keeping a cool, level head.

( She's pauses, head tilting, even if he can't see it. ) Wow. The Exodus was a good-- Gosh, fifty? I think fifty years ago. My grandparents lived on Earth, but I've only seen pictures.

( And that's certainly something to think about. She doesn't talk about Earth much, her parents had always said it was rude, callous to poke and prod about these things, and much as she wants to, there is that whole computer program issue. She's curious, but doesn't sound too overwhelmingly shocked: ) You're an advanced AI?

( Something like that wasn't massively common, but there were military units with spectacular AI units, and some other galatic civilisations had the most spectacular technology, even by ~~silly sci-fi~~ Earthrise's standards. She sounds a bit awestruck, and then laughs at her own silliness. ) Sorry. I've not really-- I mean, well, there are some advanced simulation programmes run with the most amazing AI, but I'm much more a "sit in the cockpit and fly around and shoot" type of officer, rather than an "interact with advanced technology sort." Although, I mean, our birds really are spectacular, not to say they aren't, but not quite--

( Ah. She's talking too much. Another bad habit that emerges when she's out of her element, and distinctly unofficer like. ) I'm Starling, by the way. Or uh, I suppose I... said that already. What should I call you?

The Exodus? [ No clue what you're talking about, dear, but interested regardless. He's settled with the alternate dimensions concept, so it's entire;y possible this Exodus doesn't exist in his world and won't. But it's still valuable information. ]

I am, yes, constructed by Tony Stark of Stark Industries. [ also probably not something shared between the universes. ] It is understandable - no need for apologies. Is your military career very extensive? How long have you been in the service?

[ The computer is mildly amused by your rambling, lady, which may show a little in his inflection, but not by much. ] I am referred to as JARVIS. It is a pleasure to meet you, Starling.

Mmm. ( How to explain? ) I suppose the long and the short of it is that the Earth started to destabilise and the majority of Earth's population evacuated on vessels to find new settlements. That's certainly the short of it, at least. Earthrise is the homeplanet for most humans, now, although some are helping establish colonies on other planets or reside in other galactic states. I always hear such amazing things about Earth, though.

Tony Stark... the name doesn't ring a bell, but I'm hardly the most knowledgeable person out there.
( Ah, well. Now there's a question, and she hums a little before answering. ) I've been in for about eleven years, actually. Somehow or other. I've been with the Asgardreid for most of it, aside from the academy, and so on. ( She laughs quietly, because she isn't quite sure how else to deal with the lingering shock. ) When I get home hopefully I still will be.

( When, not if. The power of optimism. )

JARVIS! Excellent. Lovely to make your acquaintance.

I see. That's most unfortunate, though the explanation and exploration is a happy side effect. I take it humanity has now traveled beyond the Sol solar system?

It would not - his business resides in a universe still thriving on Earth. [ It's possibly she's simply from a future of their world, but not likely, as Iron Man would have been marked in history. ] Asgardried? I recognize the mythological derivative, but beyond that I'm unfamiliar. [ He won't comment on 'home', because he has nothing too positive to say about it. ]

I think we're a few solar systems past that, now. ( Although, if she were totally honest, she was never the best at things like science and astronomy. Unless dodging meteor fields counts as astronomy, she's pretty decent at that. ) I'm not the most... historically minded person, though. If I could get my brother here, he could give you the most in-depth explanation and history of everything you could ever think of.

( She's the muscle, he's the brains, or that's how she tends to break it up. )

Of all the things to be amazed by, considering that we're both... here, talking about things going on back on Earth probably shouldn't be that amazing, but-- ( Well, she's a little mindblown.

Oh, but her ship! She can talk about her ship. ) Asgardreid interGalactic Space Battalion-3. It's amazing - one of the only ships that has lots of different galactics serving on it, instead of just humans or any one group.

Your technology is likely far further advanced then ours. You are from a possible future of my world. [ Which is an interesting concept - a future, but not a future from Tony Stark's world. Was he in the world to begin with and Stark Industries was not? Strange. ]

Your brother. Was he in the military as well? [ From the sound of it no, but he'd ask anyway.

The mention of the ship catches him, interested. ] Galactics. You mean extraterrestrials?

Yes, exactly. 'Galactics' is a bit more neutral, I suppose. Humans are galactics, too. More all-encompassing, less "them" and "us" as separate categories.

( But, hmm, she mulls over the idea. )

Possibly. There have been huge leaps and bounds, especially with contact with different galactics and so on, but... you still have human limitations.

( Which is an odd comment, perhaps, but she means it less in terms of technology. ) In the sense of how people think, I mean. Technology can change and progress but at the same times things don't necessarily progress as fast as you think they might. If that makes sense?

( She wonders, sometimes, just how good at expressing herself she is when it isn't down to orders and drills. )

Freddie's a doctor. He's a military doctor, that's what he signed up for - life-saving surgeries and all that. ( She's very proud of him. Perhaps it shows in her voice. ) I'm more run of the mill.

I see. A movement to avoid segregation. It's wise for galactic social harmony.

'Limitations'? Please clarify. [ He's aware of several things that could be called limitations in the sense of human form, but not so much on the intellectual front, not being aware of other species. ]

Ah. You must be very proud. Doctors would be very helpful in this situation, yet you wouldn't want a family member trapped the same as you. [ He's practical about it, but Jarvis has been programmed to recognize human sentiment, so he can appreciate that. ]

[ Though he switches immediately to video there is something of an awkward pause before he speaks, staring blankly forwards at the painfully familiar face and the equally familiar voice. The only problem is that she's speaking incredibly unfamiliar words, but she said Grumley. Oxford has a sinking feeling in his chest before he even speaks. ]

Grumley, did you say?

( Sadly for Oxo, there's no spark of recognition in Jules' face. She's not his PR and drinking buddy; she's Starling, and perhaps just a bit more inclined to punching people in the jaw than his good friend, though he will unlikely ever bear the brunt of that.

The accent registers, and with her family's prominence back home, the conclusion clicks together without seeming too unreasonably optimistic. ~~If only she knew~~. )

That's right. My father's Walter Grumley. ( As if that might mean something, spark something further. ) You're from Earthrise?

( Hopeful. Soooo hopeful, enough that her fingers run along the chain around her neck, play over the smooth flat of her dog tags before she reminds herself to drop her hand to her lap. )

Earthrise? I haven't heard of that, I'm afraid, it just seemed to be a familiar name. [ He smiles, faintly. ] But it already seems that we might be from very different backgrounds.

[ He stops, mouth a little open for a moment before he goes on. ]

My apologies. I don't seem to be making a very helpful contribution to the welcome party.

[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.

( 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. )

[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.]

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?

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

... You learn something new every day.

I'm Bass.

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. )

[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.]

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 )

[Pff.]

It wasn't your pick?

[ Hotspur was never much of a giving-up-hope kinda guy but seven months of being a lone Earthrise warrior had delivered a severe beating to his dream that a jump might one day deliver a familiar face to him. It's not like he had ever been a particularly dependent person either; in fact, Hotspur operated pretty damn well amongst strangers for someone who had always held his friends so dearly to his heart. But having an old friend - or even just someone from his own world - join him on board the Tranquility was something he had started to think might not actually ever happen.

Until Starling's transmission.

For Hotspur it was a case of literally dropping what he was doing and punching the buttons on his comms device until he was breathlessly whooping in delight and beaming at the video feed. ]

Starling, this is Hotspur. [ A few brief words of military due process before he shakes his head in amazement. ] By the gods, it's good to see you here, ma'am.

( Never let it said that Starling isn't a hopeful person. Maybe unrealistically so, at times. No matter how illogical it was starting to be, hoping that someone from home was around, especially in light of comments here and there, picking up on just how bizarre this place was? She was sure there'd be someone, and even with the doubts starting to seep in, the reality checks, part of her was clinging to that.

She almost fumbles with the device, a relived grin breaking as she spots him. ) Hotspur.

( No "Hotcakes" this time. For once. ) Likewise. How are you?

( But maybe she should get serious. ) Hotspur, is there somewhere we could meet?

[ How are you?

Tired. Consumed by guilt. Quietly falling deeper and deeper in to a strange crisis of faith. Those were the real answers to the captain's questions but all they outwardly translate to is a small, wry smile that doesn't actually seem to possess much in the way of an actual smile. But it was a close approximation of one, at least. ]

Good, ma'am. [ And that's as much as he'll divulge for now. The full story can wait. ] Take the first purple elevator you come across - it'll bring you right down to the cargo and shuttle decks. I've got myself a real nice little set up down here - [ The quiet moment of pain is gone and Hotspur's back to being his usual gently cheerful self. ] - it's a home from home.

( She's familiar enough with her crew to catch that there's something else, another element to that almost-smile, but doesn't comment. Not right away, and not here. Instead, she simply holds his gaze for a moment and nods. ) Right you are. I'll be right there.

( And literally, too, because she cuts off the feed and immediately goes to head his way. Elevator, check, cargo deck, check. She's back in her flight suit from the Asgardreid, if only for the sake of familiarity, fingers smoothing over her locket before she pushes it back into her shirt. No time for that, right now, not as she steps out of the elevator. ) Hotspur?

[ From across the cargo bay Hotspur leans out of the passenger section of a gutted shuttle, stripped of its panelling right down to the metal skeleton, and waves. It's the work of a few moments to swing out of the bare cage of the shuttle's body and land heavily on both booted feet before he hurries towards her and quickly closes the distance. He's grinning - beaming more like - and as he approaches there's only the briefest of awkward moments as he opens his arms and briefly realises that lieutenants normally shouldn't hug their superior officers.

But then none of this is particularly normal, so GRATUITOUS BEAR HUG IT IS. ]

( She can't help a relieved grin of her own, because even though they spoke that didn't feel quite real, not yet. It wasn't something solid and tangible, just an image, but now--

now there was a lieutenant hugging her, and she can honestly say she's glad for it. Hugs are great. Hugs are good and fantastic and great. If ever there was a day she needed a hug? Yes. Her arms wrap around him, as well, and she is shamelessly enjoying that he's there, holding her silence.

For a few moments, at least, because she does pull back a little, giving him something of a lopsided smile. ) It's very good to see you, Hotcakes.

[ He grins in to her hair, unashamedly delighted - as she was - to finally have someone tangible from home to have near. Sure, he had his datapad and all the little trinkets and amulets that seemed to have mysteriously appeared in his lockers from home ever now and again but none of it was anywhere near as cathartic as this. There's a low, keening pang of homesickness - a feeling he hadn't even allowed himself to entertain before now - but it's sharply quelled by the fact that here was the kapetan and all the little bits of home that came with her just being here. ]

You too, ma'am. [ He grins down at her and, not quite prepared to drop the contact just yet, he draws her over towards a nearby upturned cargo trunk to sit down. ]

I'm guessing you'll want a full situation report on what's going on here, yeah?

Ideally, yes.

( But she's troubled, by more than the obvious displacement. "Full situation report." That certainly made it sound like he'd been here a while, knew a lot more than her - enough to report. And he was entrenched down here, had a "real nice set up," he said. "A home away from home."

But... ) I only saw you yesterday, you know. ( She grins, brief, but bright. ) Actually, I was giving you a manicure. ( Subjecting him to one, more like. ) Buttercup, too. ( How these men put up with her as their kapetan is a mystery for the ages. The smile has faded as quick as it arrived. ) Everything you've said, though, it doesn't-- you can't have just been here since this morning.

( Dread, Hotcakes. The dread. She's calm, holding it together because she has to, she's an officer and they're trainer to keep it together, but she'd really like to curl up in a ball with her Emilia, right about now. )

[hahaha, he did not understand a word of that. But hey. Woman.]

Sorry, luv. What?

( You know, last time she encountered pirates there were explosions and all sorts of chaotic things. But those were space pirates. )

Sorry. ( She's becoming a little accustomed, albeit unwillingly, to people not knowing what the Asgardreid or Midgard Corps are. ) I was just trying to ascertain if any of my crew were on board.

( A slightly weary smile, and she shrugs. ) The 'Starling' part is me, though.

Edited 2012-05-19 21:41 (UTC)

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★ first. (video)

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audio; BAH sorry, I had to leave for work when I got your tag :'|

audio; no worries! <3

audio ; :')

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audio ; and then I forgot to press "post comment" I'm on such a roll!

audio ; apfff i do that all the time ;; /holds

audio ; yay us ;; /holds also

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audio ; apoliogies again, it's final assignment time at my uni :'|

audio ; no worries at all! XD I'm a super slowpoke, so I don't mind at all :3

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video; RUNS TOWARD

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[ video ]

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[ video AND AKSHUN awww yiss]

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perma-action foreverrrrr (also omg hugs this is perfect)

DONE and also yes it is delicious

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BAH I am so sorry, school was totally kicking my ass :'|