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[The feed clicks on just in time to show Thane placing down the comm-device, which was propped on something from behind. The Drell was sitting at a table under the sterile glare of a light, his guns glittering in in front of him.

The sniper rifle was more or less in one piece, but the submachine gun had been taken apart. Thane was inspecting the pieces, cleaning them with an off-white cloth as he spoke.]

This message is directed primarily towards the ship's medical staff. I have been informed that re-entry into the stasis pods is more or less inevitable, assuming I'd like to keep safe and alive.

I would. However, the first time I exited, I experienced difficulty in keeping my focus on present happenings. Drell slip so easily into memory, though it is not something I commonly have issue with.

[By now he's pieced together the machine gun, and takes a moment to glance at the camera before beginning to disassemble the rifle.]

I would like to request that a member of the medical staff be present for roughly twenty four hours after my second experience within the stasis pods. I am not certain if I will again slip into solipsism, but in the case that I do, I would like to be prepared.

Likely, I will need help to my room. Perhaps the company will help me focus on the present.

I am unsure what I can offer s compensation, though that can be discussed.

Thank you.

[Placing down the pieces of his rifle mid-clean, Thane reaches towards the comm-device, and the feed cuts off.]

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[Annie debates saying a word. Breathing a thing. But it's too familiar, so the feed flickers onto a green-eyed and lightly mussed young woman curled up on her bed. The blanket is wrapped around her shoulders, although she isn't cold.]

It's called solipsism?

Edited 2012-07-19 20:03 (UTC)

That is one way to refer to it, yes.

[He looks strange. But the Capitol has people like this, so she has no reason to suspect--and even if so, she doesn't care. She tucks her hair back, hesitantly.]

That happened to me too. Solipsism.

Indeed? And how did you manage to escape it?

My partner Finnick, he--found me. And brought me back.

[Annie draws her blanket tighter.]

I hurt someone. Did you?

How fortunate.

I have hurt many people, though never when trapped in my own memories-- my solipsism. I was unaware other species could suffer the same condition.

Other--oh.

[Well. It doesn't matter. Annie cares for a girl with wings and anyone else who needs it. She doesn't discriminate. They're all the same here.]

Yes. I do. Or--like that. I forget--when I am. Or where. Both. My name is Annie.

I am fortunate enough to be able to control when my memories emerge, though I seem to struggle in the hours after exiting the stasis pod. Do you often struggle to maintain focus on what is real?

My name is Thane Krios.

Yes.

And my whole name is--Annie Cresta. It's good to meet you.

[She wants to vanish into her blanket.]

I'm sick. Are you sick?

It must be difficult; I struggle for the few hours it takes to recover, and return to a more or less stable state.

[a strange question to ask, Thane thinks at first.]

I... yes, though it had nothing to do with losing myself in memory; that is merely a trait of my species.

I am sick... I am dying.

[Annie flinches, quite visibly.]

Oh--oh, I'm sorry--

I'm not sick like that. Just--in my head, I didn't mean to--

[She is clearly and utterly lost.]

Your apologies are unneeded. I have known about my illness for quite some time. I am at peace with my impending demise.

Please, do not fret over it.

How am I not supposed to? We're crew. I have to take care of you. That's how a ship works.

[Annie is obviously upset.]

Can the medbay help? Have they?

[Thane places his next words carefully.]

I... appreciate your concern, though I had no intention of seriously upsetting you. It is not your duty to fix me Annie; you needn't shoulder responsibility for something impossible.

The medbay (as well as my own room) is equip with oxygen masks; it helps me get through the worst of it. As far as I know, there is no cure for Kepral's syndrome.

[Thane's lids cross his eyes both ways. He shifts, folds his hands together.]

How can you care so for someone you've just met?

[Annie--blinks. It strikes her as a strange question, because she's strange on her way.]

You're here and you're alive. You didn't hurt anyone. We need our crew.

And--how could I not care?

[That's it, in the end. How does she not care?]

I've hurt many people. Not all of them deserved it.

You do not know who I am, the things I have done.

You needn't waste your care... though, it is... not entirely unpleasant to think of someone worrying over me.

[Annie's barked laughter is almost a sob, muffled in her blanket.]

You're not the only one.

I care anyway.

[A long pause.]

The drell have a somewhat unique view of the interaction between body and soul. We believe they exist separately, but need to work together to create a Whole.

When the body and soul do not cooperate, it creates a Disconnection. Often, when the body is required to preform tasks with which the mind does not agree, one fall asleep (though not in human terms).

Battlesleep occurs when the body has been trained to fight, for example. It moves based on reflex and instinct. However, it is not a result of conscious choice of the mind.

We accept that our bodies may be required to preform tasks with which we do not agree. We try to forgive ourselves for these actions.

Something for you to consider.

[Yeah, he hacked your other 5% encryption, sorry about that.]

[Annie does consider it.

The center taught her to move on instinct. Niall said she was a selkie, supple and changing. And it was on instinct she survived and she wished--she wished she could believe in Thane. But she was in her body, always. No sleep. Only screaming.

But she never agreed. Never wanted--she doesn't know what to think.]

I could have just died. Instead. Sent someone better home.

The past is just that; it may be difficult, but try to focus on the present. You are alive now; it is something to be cherished.

[Annie breathes. No tears. No outbursts. And she's proud of that.]

I told ny friend the same thing. Always hardest to follow your own advice, I guess.

What does drell mean?

[Pinging another alien with a fantastic memory, hmm...]

Not medical. But-- solipsism? Just how does that work?

[That's a pretty normal sized head for the memory clarity he suggests... but then maybe his brain's just more efficient or differently wired or... something.]

Mm, perhaps the term isn't a perfect fit. Solipsism being the belief that the self is the only real thing in existence. Drell memory functions in such a way that it is possible to become lost in one's recollections. The memory we experience feels as valid as reality, so at times it can be difficult to discern them.

Thus the self (and the self's memories) becomes the only thing of any importance.

Is that a fair explanation?

Yes, very.

[Swapping this up to his personal encryption, thank you very much.]

My people-- well, as far as I'm aware-- myself, at least-- we do not forget. I do not... relive memories quite like you describe, but... we forget nothing.

Is that what you allude to? This-- potent recollection?

[Oh, why not. Not everyone appreciates having the details of their species out in the open.]

Fascinating. I have yet to encounter another species with photographic memory.

Indeed. I usually experience no difficulty with it, however something about the after effects of the stasis pods seems to distort my control. It is... disorientating.

Indeed

[Oh, he knows.]

Drell is the name of my species.

Oh. You're not human?

[Then she winces at her own foolishness.]

Sorry. That sounded--wrong. I don't--you're still a person.

Fascinating. If the medical team has no answers-- well, I'd be glad to sit with you a time after the next jump... if just to see how it works. How we differ.

[Because seriously, he's never known anyone else even close to what he can do.]

[ quinn still isn't used to their being ...non-humans, she can't bring herself to use the word alien because it sounds rude. so she waits a few minutes before replying, because well... she doesn't want to stare.

also he has a gun. ]

Solipsism? You mean like Descartes?

[a pause.]

Did my appearance not give it away?

I understand, Annie.

[a flicker of a smile.]

I've yet to receive another offer of assistance; I would appreciate your help. I admit, I enjoy learning of new species.

If you are especially curious, I would be willing to meet prior to the next jump.

Indeed. He was one of the more interesting human philosophers I've studied. Have you studied him as well?

I could arrange that. I-- [well, he doesn't have as much time filled with Libby anymore, what with her-- sudden time away.] Well, I've got slightly more time on my hands lately.

It will be nice to have a little time to get to know you before you will likely have to drag me stumbling to my room.

Would you like to meet somewhere in particular?

[ooc: Log? Action spam? :D ]

I'm on the second floor - though, ah, I'm a first jump arrival. [He's just stripped his room down to panels and wires and made it mostly unlivable setting up the lair he no longer uses in engineering.] What floor are you on? I can meet you at one of the living areas or kitchens on your floor.

Only a little. I was going to study philosophy in general more at university ...but I ended up here first.

I thought you just--

[Her hand rises and flutters.]

Had yourself altered.

[Another alien. Well. He was getting used to them. A little. Or at least getting used to the fact they don't take the shape of Necromorphs.]

I had a similar experience when I first arrived, thinking I was somewhere else. Though I doubt it bears much similarity to what you go through, other than that.

[Stats is going to assume what you call "solipsism" is somewhat related to what most people mean by it, and is the result of stasis sickness in your species.]

Hello. I would be willing to help you.

I have, though with no procedure you are likely to visually observe.

Do humans alter themselves thusly where you come from?

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