ataraxion | 001 ☼ video

[ The video feed clicks on to reveal Robert Capa — a man in his mid-thirties with shaggy hair (still damp from the tube where he awoke) and a five o'clock shadow and narrow shoulders covered by the ship's uniform he found in the locker marked with his identifying number. His eyes, bright blue, are particularly striking in that they are wholly calm, despite the latest series of events. The rest of his face is calm as well, the muscles of which never really rearrange themselves much to convey this emotion or that. When he speaks his voice is measured and even, though there is a certain start-stop to the cadence.

His words are prefaced with an inhale. It seems to steady him. ]

I guess I should start with the obvious question. We can figure out where to go from there, depending how the answers trend. [ Capa rubs his chin; the scrape of his stubble is audible. ] Is anyone here part of the ship's natural crew?

[ He pauses, letting that inquiry and whatever implications it may carry set in. There's a vague flicker of emotion, maybe worry, in the set of his mouth but it's as understated as the rest of him. ] And maybe, more importantly: can anyone recall how they got here?

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[ Chase notes the tone in his voice and nods slight--she doesn't have much experience with people outside of the winged Prise, her 'father' of sorts and her brother, but she likes the way it sounds. Warm, almost. ]

I can figure things out. Usually, anyway. I just need a few days to wrap my head around this. [ Aaaand try to see what the Writing Writer is up to, but let's keep that on the down-low for now, Chase. ]

[ A prodigy of some kind. Capa can only imagine. ]

You're gifted, then. [ He feels after a moment he should say more and then, awkwardly tacks on a: ] That's good.

[ He gives a brief, uncertain smile. ] Good for you.

[ After a while he thinks to ask. ] Any particular field you excel at?

[ An unreadable look matches the uncertain smile, unsure of what to think about the compliments. Clearly, she's not too used to them. ]

Battle. I've been bred for insight and battle. [ The truth comes out in a small voice: ] I like the insight part, better.

[ Great! They can be socially awkward and not used to compliments together. That smile grows a little more uncertain and then dissolves completely, though he nods. ]

Insight. So: scenario assessment, inference, predicted outcomes. [ He avoids the word 'battle' completely. ]

Predicted outcomes.

[ That's the best way to put it she's heard of yet. ]

A lot of people, they don't look at the big picture. And they don't realize how big that picture actually is...

[ It should be strange, being able to relate so much to what a small, arguably unsettlingly bright little girl has to say about big pictures. Shouldn't it? ]

It usually takes something extreme to force the perspective.

[ A nod. Does Chase ever understand--oooh yes, does she ever. ]

Something like a big star going out?

[ Capa doesn't say anything for a long moment, just looks at Chase's image on his communicator and then eventually nods in return. ]

Big stars go out all the time. In fact, there's one going out right now. A dozen, ten thousand. In a potentially infinite universe, there's potentially an infinite number of them dying as we speak.

But when it's yours—

It's different.

[ She allows the other to quietly reflect. ]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say you didn't have multiple stars to keep you warm.

[ He's not surprised that her guess is right. ]

Just the one. Stellar spectral classification GV. A yellow dwarf.

It looks like that's the least of your worries now. [ A vague motion to the world around them. ]

[ He shakes his head, shortly. His mouth sets to something more determinate than it has been yet. ] The mission's still primary. What happens here— it's a means to an end.

[ Chase has an odd look on her face, now--face pulled taught, eyes staring straight at Capa's. ]

Of course your mission is still primary. As is mine. But I'm also concerned about figuring out what's going on here so we have a better chance of returning to our respective lines of work, Capa.

[ If Capa's surprised or unsettled by the shift in the landscape of Chase's face, he doesn't show it. Just stares a beat longer than usual. His voice is as even as always, and all he says is a simple: ]

Of course.

[ Knowing what happened would tell them how, and knowing how would help them find a way to reverse engineer the incident. ]

I'm sure we'll meet again. I'll let you know if anything happens.

[ She doesn't feel the need to say anything else, but she takes note of Capa and knows damn well they'll probably meet again. With everyone floundering? It's only a matter of time. ]

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