oo1 | video.

[motioned]

[The video turns on to a rather up close view of someone's face.]

Is it on? How do I tell if it's... Oh, no, I think I got it!

[She brings the camera away to reveal more than just her nose, then. She's sitting on the bed with a nervous grin, trying not to show just how frightened she is about being here.]

Hi! Um, my name's Ahiru, and I just got here a little while ago. I still don't understand everything about this place, but I wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped me when I first showed up. My head feels a lot better!

[She giggles before continuing on, though it's halfhearted.]

Um, anyways, I know we haven't found a way out yet, but I want to help in any way I can. So, if anybody has an idea on what I could do to be able to get us all home faster, I'd be really grateful. I'm not very good at very many things, but Miles said I might be able to help take care of some of the little kids here, reading to them and stuff.

B-But, if there's anything more important I could do, I'd definitely be willing! I mean, I have to go home soon, it's really more important than anything else to me, so I would do almost anything if it meant there was a chance we could leave faster, because this place really isn't where I need to be, and I won't know what to do if—

[And then she gets overexcited, leaning forward so far that she promptly tips off her bed, falling to the ground with a thud. The communicator hits the ground, too, switching off.]

Comments

[allucinator]

Smokin', not eatin'. A cigarette. Not somethin' you'd wanna try, I think.

[He hands her the piece of paper with a little grin.]

So remember, this is from Miles, really.

[motioned]

Why's it in your mouth if you're not eating it? I mean, what's a cigarette? Why wouldn't I want to try it?

[She takes the piece of paper from him, blinking in surprise at the drawing.]

Oh, wow, it's... You did a really good job.

[allucinator]

[He shrugs a little, embarrassed but pleased.]

He thought it might cheer you up. Er-- anyway, but a cigarette is somethin' to smoke. It gives off smoke and I inhale it and exhale it. And cuz girls your age don't usually like it. I mean, you can if you want, just-- you probably won't like it.

[motioned]

Yeah, um, it's really amazing! I'll have to find a place to put it up.

[She pauses, her nose wrinkling slightly.]

You swallow the smoke? Isn't it kind of gross?

[allucinator]

[He grins. In response to that, he sucks in a breath-- and then, carefully, lets out a smoke ring. As it lazily floats toward the ceiling, he adds:]

So how you doin'?

[motioned]

[She watches it rise up, momentarily mystified, before she realizes he's asked something.]

What? Oh, I... I guess I'm okay. [It's not particularly enthusiastic, though.]

[allucinator]

Yeah?

[He doesn't look down at her; instead he keeps watching his smoke ring.]

I know I was miserable my first few days.

[motioned]

Well, it must be even worse for you! I mean, being here even longer.

[allucinator]

Well, yeah, but . . . it's real hard, bein' away from home and all that.

[motioned]

I know, but... As long as we go right back from the moment we came like Miles said, it'll be okay.

[allucinator]

He-- wait, what?

[Wow, Ahiru, way to break his cool-aloof-but-still-comforting expression. Jack glances down at her, honestly baffled.]

[motioned]

What? That's what he told me!

[allucinator]

Yeah, well, it's more than he told me. Are you sure?

[motioned]

Well, yeah! I mean, that's what he said!

[allucinator]

Well. I hope he's right, cuz that'd make thin's a hell o' a lot easier. Jesus.

[motioned]

Why wouldn't he be right? I mean, he wouldn't have said it otherwise, right?

[allucinator]

No-- no, no, he's right, kid. He usually is, he's a damn genius. I'm just surprised, that's all.

[motioned]

A genius? Really?

[allucinator]

Well-- really smart, anyway. Went to school an' all.

[motioned]

Just going to school makes you really smart?

[allucinator]

If you go to a university, yeah. Just goin' to school just means you're rich enough to not have to work. Anyway-- so yeah, he's probably right about the time and all.

[motioned]

Yeah. If he is, I'd be really glad. What about you?

[allucinator]

What about me?

[motioned]

Are you glad?

[allucinator]

I-- oh. Yeah, I-- yeah. I mean, who wouldn't be, right? Plus, I, uh, I got a lotta stuff goin' for me at home right now. I'd hate to lose it all just cuz I'm stuck on this ship.