ataraxion | video

[Annie is neat and calm, at least to start with. She brushed her hair neatly and wove two tiny braids in it that frame her face to help her get calm before they broadcasy. She's going to have a large audience and she has to be less shaken than the woman they heard on audio.]

Hello, everyone. I was talking to Nathan Petrelli about ways to help around the ship, and we came up with the idea of group meals. At least dinner and breakfast, I think. The gardens have plenty of fresh vegetables but I understand not everyone knows how to cook them. Some of the stored food is eaten less than the rest, because it's more complicated.

So I was wondering if there are other cooks aboard that might want to help. Or anyone who wants to, we can teach you. We'll also need--

[Annie checks her notes, pursing her lips.] To take a full inventory of the supplies on the occupied decks, at least, as well as the gardens, so we can plan menus accordingly.

Since I know some people will still want to eat alone, I'll need a headcount of who's interested. And if you have special dietary needs like allergies we can put you on a list for special meals.

I think--that's everything. Hi, I'm Annie Cresta.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Larger than cities, but I didn't know another word.

[Annie wonders what she'd be with choices. But she still would have been Reaped. So it doesn't matter. Her talent is nets. Does that count?] The Crestas always make nets. [No. Doesn't count.] Didn't it scare you, choosing?

A little. There's always the worry that you won't do well, or you won't be able to find a job. But I love doing it, and that made it worth it.

If I ever have children...I want them to have that. Even if it's frightening. Is your father proud of you?

[Oh Annie.]

If you ever have children, I hope they will.

[ There's a pause -- a long one, long enough to be telling. Betty dips her head slightly, brushes some hair back behind one ear. ]

He's... We don't talk much anymore.

[That look reminds her of Niall--I don't know what he wants, but it's not me. Annie aches.]

I'm sorry.

He's robbing himself, then.

[ She knows what he wants. A son, a soldier -- not a daughter who feels too much, who looks like her dead mother. ]

He cares more about his career than much else. I'm used to it.

[Annie could say that's not fair. But Elizabeth knows,, and the world is full of unfairness.]

Where I'm from, if our families don't work...we build new ones. So I hope that happens for you. Or has.

It has, in a way. [ Save for her father making Bruce run, making him a fugitive. ] More so here.

[Annie nods. It makes sense to her.]

The ship gave me Finnick back. I thought--he was gone forever.

He was doing something very dangerous before. He's my...I love him.

It did the same for me. Bruce -- Dr. Banner -- he was gone, and I didn't know where. But he's here.

I love him, too.

[Bruce Banner. She'll remember that, feeling even more kinship with Elizabeth now than before. Widows and then not.]

It's why I can't be too upset. At least we have them. I think with Finnick okay I could do anything.

[ Almost, at least. She and Bruce haven't gotten married and he hasn't died, but for five years, Betty didn't know where she was. He could have been, for all she knew. And now she has him back and despite the hardships on this ship... she's happy. ]

Same. He got sick last month and I was... terrified.

[Annie looks horrified.]

Oh--Elizabeth. That must have been so awful, I'm so sorry.

It was. But... he got better. They came back with the cure, and it worked, and he's okay now.

[ Pause. ] You can call me Betty, if you'd like.

I'm glad.

[She can imagine perfectly well how it felt.]

My whole name is Annwyn, Betty.

We got--very serious.

That's a beautiful name.

[ There's a laugh, sheepish but genuine. ]

I suppose we did.

Thank you.

[Annie laughs too, twirling a braid.]

It happens. We could be a lot worse. But I was thinking we should--try to make dinner fun.

Definitely. I mean, we shouldn't force people into anything, but I know there are a few musicians or people with music players on the ship -- maybe if they got involved, for a start?

Perfect. We want people to want to come, and--everyone is so sad.

[That's what Annie sees. Sad, lonely people away from home.] We can make it better for them.

Edited 2012-07-15 23:40 (UTC)

We can. I think home-cooked food will do a lot on its own, but we can really go all out.

And we'll have fun. I promise. This could be very good for everyone.

We will, absolutely.

We should take stock of the kitchens and maybe try a few things out in smaller portions, make sure any variations won't throw off the taste too much.

Experiments?

[She says it like a foreign tongue, careful and uncertain.]

That sounds like a good idea. Between the two of us we have enough people to test on, right?

Yes, experiments. Especially with any of the space-specific foods.

[ Betty smiles at her. You're fine, Annie. ]

I would think so.

[Alas poor Panemites--wait this is amazing. Annie beams at Betty, although still a little shy.]

Is this my first science lesson?

video;

soothing - 2012-07-16 02:17 (UTC) - Expand

maredementis - 2012-07-16 08:37 (UTC) - Expand

soothing - 2012-07-16 15:38 (UTC) - Expand

maredementis - 2012-07-16 15:50 (UTC) - Expand

soothing - 2012-07-16 15:57 (UTC) - Expand

maredementis - 2012-07-16 16:27 (UTC) - Expand

soothing - 2012-07-16 16:36 (UTC) - Expand

maredementis - 2012-07-16 17:07 (UTC) - Expand

soothing - 2012-07-16 17:08 (UTC) - Expand

maredementis - 2012-07-16 17:10 (UTC) - Expand

soothing - 2012-07-16 17:24 (UTC) - Expand

maredementis - 2012-07-16 17:28 (UTC) - Expand

soothing - 2012-07-16 17:34 (UTC) - Expand

maredementis - 2012-07-16 17:46 (UTC) - Expand

soothing - 2012-07-16 18:07 (UTC) - Expand

maredementis - 2012-07-17 17:56 (UTC) - Expand

soothing - 2012-07-17 18:06 (UTC) - Expand

maredementis - 2012-07-17 19:01 (UTC) - Expand

soothing - 2012-07-17 19:12 (UTC) - Expand

maredementis - 2012-07-18 01:26 (UTC) - Expand

soothing - 2012-07-18 01:42 (UTC) - Expand

maredementis - 2012-07-18 03:12 (UTC) - Expand

soothing - 2012-07-18 19:22 (UTC) - Expand

maredementis - 2012-07-18 19:51 (UTC) - Expand