o01 ♫ video + text

[mikelo]

[At first there's just a soft, momentary shuffling of a rusty orange messenger-bag as its set aside, an old pair of in-line skates tied to one of the grommets. There's the corner of what might be a small white-board at the bottom right of the screen, with a pen sitting next to it. The camera shifts.

Then, finally, a youthful, almost feminine looking boy. His lightly kinked and roughly dirty strawberry blonde/ginger hair partially falls over a pair of hazel eyes, gaze steady (maybe frustrated), however there's a near-obvious gleam of uncertainty that settles within the way he focuses on the screen. An unusual display of such an emotion, perhaps, as he tends to prefer to keep those feelings to himself.

That same gaze then shifts a little, brows knitting as he types.]

So. This is space, huh? Like the movies?

[There's a slight quirk to the corner of his lips. ("Man, this is nuts. . .", is all he can think) It reads only partially of entertainment, however. He's far more spooked than he's letting on. —Still far more disturbed by what he had just experienced, with the gravity couch and that tube down his throat, and every little moment that understandably comes along with such a situation. Mikelo chews at his lower lip as he begins typing again.]

How about someone talk to me? Clearly there are others out there and can see this, so. . . let me know you're there, yeah? And since I might as well —

[He juts a thumb in towards his chest, then waves as a greeting. A more pronounced and purposeful grin dances across his youthful face before he adds: ]

My name is Mikelo. Nice to meet you guys, I suppose. Also, I have read that guide that's floating around, but if there's any other info out there, that any of you think a newcomer like me should know, I'd definitely appreciate it. ☼

[A beat or so passes before he remembers something. He wags a finger at the camera, then taps at his throat with a shake of his head.]

Before anyone asks, I'm mute. Got it? [brow-lift —then, a thumbs up] Good.

[At that, he ends the feed.]

Comments

[voice]

[lacksgrace]

[ Okay, so. He's pretty impressed that it actually hasn't taken him years to figure out how to work this stupid thing. At one point, he had thought he'd broken it. Bells thinks he might be a genius. But only somewhat because he can't do the video function just yet.

...and what do you know? There's a cute boy writing things at him. Wow. He seriously hates reading. ]

Miiiik— How do you even say that word? Someone really had it out for you when they were naming you, huh?

[video+text]

[mikelo]

[OH, HAHA. —And damnit, the nice assistant at the orphanage came up with that name. He's very content with it!]

Like the word "nickel" with an "Oh" at the end.

[Sticking his tongue out at him, now. :P ]

[voice]

[lacksgrace]

Nickel. [ He's so deadpan about it because seriously? Weird name for a weird kid in an even weirder place. ] Can I just call you Mike? Or Mickey? [ And then there's a really long pause. ]

Oh yeah. You can call me Bells.

text;

[insufferableprick]

so the ship lets its silence kink out of the bag and starts collecting people who cant talk huh
at least you can read/write so youve got a leg up on the other mute person on board
sup newbie howre you liking your new space crib

text;

[mikelo]

!! There's another mute here? (」゜ロ゜)」

[the mere idea of it delights him! He's never met another mute.]

It's very curious! [despite being somewhat on the frightened side, still. . .] I feel like I'm in a movie or something.

permatext!

[insufferableprick]

at least one other mute girl yeah
shes got wings you cant miss her
also wtf is that kirby face you just made at me
is it offering to blow me or trying to eat me
on a scale of 1 to 10 how offended should i feel

feel free to think of it like a movie but remember theres no script and youre in it
and its a horror movie in space
i hope youre a good ad libber

text;

[astrogate]

Basically: Don't go snooping around. Don't trust people to hold your hand. And if you think this is like a movie, it's not.

text;

[mikelo]

I see. Thank you. . . . Is it dangerous here, then?

text;

[astrogate]

It's space. Nothings safe about space.

Where you from?

text;

[leaps]

what 003.158 said.
she knows what she's talking about.

text;

[mikelo]

It does seem like good advice, yes.

Are there many others here?

text;

[leaps]

there's a lot of us.
unless you mean people like me and starbuck.
because there's less of that.

perma. text; excuse his rant.

[kringlefuck]

Salutations new arrival and welcome aboard the tranquility!!!!
I can assure you this isnt anything like any sort of movie unfortunately ole chap. It was my very thought whence i first arrived here approximate four weeks ago.
Alas it is nothing like the star wars series, which is absolutely smashing btw, even with the cgi effects taking over the puppets in some scenes but that is just my personal preference because there really isnt nothing like the genuine artistry of puppeteering like that in the labyrinth and dark crystal! But yeah no peeks of princess leia in that eyepopper metal bikini either.
Harhar.
And no it isnt like ridley scotts movie alien, which is also a bloody brilliant movie if i can dare say so myself and i really think its the suspense that make up for it being such a fantastic movie, but it should be closer to that considering how dangerous this ship perceives itself. As far as i know you dont have to worry about aliens exploding out of your body or any of that sort of nature!!!!

Man, that scene was so *awesome.*

My biggest advice to you is to be readily prepared for anything and be especially cautious should you make the choice to venture of the craft at a station. If you have a weapon keep it with you at all times and get your hands on at least five computers and back up ammo.
Good luck with that btw. :D
Im having a horrendous time coming across those things for myself but hopefully you wont have the same fate as i.

[mikelo]

[he's all too amused, in spite of how serious he feels these circumstances are. It's a bit consoling in its own way, though— after all, he himself does usually like to stay positive.

Cutting to the chase, he is a bit curious about some of those latter remarks.]

Being prepared. I can do that.

[He's very glad to have his butterfly knife with him as well. It may not be anything special, but it still might come in handy, right?]

What'd you mean by "five computers," though? I do have a netbook with me.

[kringlefuck]

Ha ha! Isnt five the typical amount of computers one should have on their person???? :P

Or is that not enough readiness???
Oh fuck. Im really really not prepared if thats the case.

Do you have yourself any sort of object that could be use should you have to defend yourself from anything? The passengers on this ship are from every sort of world and species so you never really know who you might cross paths with.
I havent really run into anybody hostile of nature yet besides those that were on the station that i explored on, and then there is the mysterious individual that we shouldnt really talk about over the network so i fret i cannot expound more on him.

Apologies for that my good gent.

text;

[chaineddog]

[Heine would have ignored the feed like he had so many others, but there's something else about it that makes him pause. Maybe it's the fact that the kid is mute or maybe it's because he reminds him a little of Nill the way his face is so expressive - whatever the reason he types out a short reply back.]

Should go without saying but don't do anything stupid.

text;

[mikelo]

Stupidity is relative

[some people think his love for dancing is stupid, for example.]

—But yes, of course.

text.

[ironsights]

Stay calm. Don't do anything thoughtless.

What else do you want to talk about.

text.

[mikelo]

So says numerous people I've come across so far. I will definitely be mindful of things.

Oh, I don't know. σ(・・?) What's your name? Have you been here long?

permatext

[omigosh]

it seems like everyone else gave you awesome advice so i don't think i can really add anything useful other than to like stay safe and stuff and that the kitchens are constantly open if you ever get hungry.

it's nice to meet you, mikelo. i'm knives chau and i like your bag. :)

[mikelo]

They have, yep, but news about the kitchens is also awesome! Is everything here really free?

[Because, c'mon. To a kid who sometimes resorts to pick-pocketing just to insure a meal for himself? News that there's food available for all is kind of amazing.]

Likewise, Knives, and thanks. :D

[voice]

[testgasm]

You, friend, are in luck. I happen to be an expert when it comes to those of the ah, silent persuasion. And you type, even, the last one I knew wouldn't even do that. So you're already ahead of the game, where that's concerned.

You are actually mute, right? There has been at least one instance of faking, and it was--it was not appreciated.

[text]

[mikelo]

Well, yes, of course I type, and write as well. I like being a part of the conversation, and having my "voice" heard.

I am. I was born this way.

Text

[still_alive]

Oh great. Another mute. Well, let's hope you're not as much of a lunatic as the last one.

Text

[mikelo]

Well I personally like to pride myself in being adaptable, and just your average teen, so. Definitely not a lunatic.