This ship has a really fucking funny way of keeping us entertained.

I have no idea if someone has an updated manifest of the passengers, but with or without, I think this is a good time for a sound off. Just say your name or number, type it, ping this post, say hi, whatever you prefer to let people know you're alive and still present. Private or public, your choice.

If someone hasn't responded within 24 hours, I'll try to ping their communicator. If someone you know hasn't come back, sound the alarm. If anyone's missing, we should set up search parties. We can't take for granted that they just disappeared this time; they could still be stuck in the fog.

[ooc: You're welcome to handwave your character responding if you want, or assume they got pinged and they registered as present. Obviously the only characters who will end up wholly unresponsive are characters who were recently dropped. Otherwise, feel free to use this post as a way for characters to check in on each other.]

I have to say, as cavernous as this place is usually, having it even more devoid of people really exacerbates the effect. I'm glad to see you've all returned, or at least started returning, however these things work.

[Adopting a vaguely nonchalant tone to try and cover over the concern he'd started feeling for the absent people and for how alone he'd started feeling, but his brow is still pinched slightly. He glances away from the camera.]

I did my best to care for the animals in the oxygen gardens in everyone's absence, and I believe Dr. Ross was looking after a pack of dogs she found. Clearly whatever trips you went on didn't require animal companionship.

Is it too soon to ask if anyone knows what the hell happened? There was some talk of fog, but I didn't see any of that. [A pause.] Please tell me I didn't miss out on something interesting.

[The video clicks on to reveal James. This time he isn’t looking pissed or annoyed or like any other teenaged brat going through an identity crisis. This time there’s a hardness to his eyes, a set to his jaw, his shoulders squared in determination. He’s wearing his uniform from back home, the black fabric broken with the half of a star stitched in red across his chest, his dad’s shield not slung on his back like it normally is, but instead clutched tight in his left hand, held proudly out in front of him.

Francis pops up behind him a moment later, still wearing the Tranquility-issued uniform, though he has his bow drawn, arrow notched loosely. his expression isn’t quite so severe as James’, but it’s not the carefree, smarmy sort of look he tends to wear, either. he gives James a nod, and it’s clear he’s letting the red-headed boy take lead]

Back home, the people who used to save the world are dead. Heroes, the group that people used to look up to, are gone. And because of it, humanity lives in fear. [He glances to the side, quickly, as if looking for back-up, even if there’s more of... an apology in his expression. Francis’ jaw sets a moment, a dark expression crossing his face, but it’s gone almost as quickly as it came, and he shrugs, motioning for James to continue] I spent twelve years not able to help anyone, even though I knew they needed it. And I’m not going to do that again.

[Francis rolls his eyes, stepping closer and elbowing James in the side]

I wouldn’t let you even if you wanted to. We’ve got more important things to do than hide.

[there’s a fondness there, though. a deference, and a moment later Francis steps back again, giving James the lead he’s meant to take

James grins, just slightly, almost seems to relax a bit as soon as he realizes that yeah, Francis has his back, and addresses the camera again]

People need heroes. They need a group of people who they can look up to, they need a group to depend on, people that can handle situations that are beyond the scope of normal and I know that most everything is here. But that’s not the point. The point is there are people, here, that I look up to. People I always wanted to see in action, but until they can act... [He trails off for just a moment, shifting almost awkwardly. He hates giving speeches. He’s no good at it. He never even talks this much, normally.] Back home my team, my family, and I saved the world from the thing that killed our parents, took away the heroes. We lived in a world that had no one to save it, and even though we’re young, even though we didn’t really know what we were doing, we had to try. Because if no one ever tries... nothing will change.

People get hurt, here. I’ve seen people die. We all have. And I might be young, and I might not have been here as long as a lot of you, but I’m willing to try.

Back home, my teammates and I took up a name. I don’t know how much this name will mean to a lot of you, but it’s something we’re proud of. Something we were born into and something we carry. [Deep breath, James. Face the camera, be your father’s son.

His jaw clenches, and he raises his shield up above his head, a pose that might be familiar to some of the people here.]

We’re the Avengers. And if anyone ever needs help, if anyone ever wants to help. We’re here.


[ooc: red is James and purple is Francis!]

Hey. I, uh... I know things went fucking crazy for a while there.

[Well, this isn't an easy post. But then... He knows he's gotta at least throw it out there. Heather's missing (god, please don't be dead, please don't be dead), and Murphy's hurt and Anne's probably freaking out for his well-being. So. He's gonna just get it over with. Sure, he'll probably get some pretty bad replies, but honestly? He's already fucked up anyway. Got some nasty injuries from some of those fights and he's not planning on leaving the room until the jump happens. Or at least, he'll try not to leave the room. We'll see how that pans out.

He runs a hand through his hair. If Heather had caused this, then... Keeping everyone focused elsewhere would be good. And if it's not her? Then hell, it probably is him, or something. He did piss off two whole towns in one swoop.

His voice is raw, hoarse from the miserable time the last week's unleashed.]

Listen.

The place you were at—I've been there before. Back home. It's was a bunch of supernatural bullshit that might be from a place called Silent Hill. I... used to live next door to it, in the neighboring town. Came back home after a few years and walked right into an empty Shepherd's Glen and some secret cult and their weird mystic shit... Almost didn't make it out of there myself. A pact broken with my town caused everything there to turn into what you just went through now. The otherworlds, the monsters, the puzzles, everything.

... I don't know how it got here. I don't honestly know. Hell, I don't even know most of what happened to where I used to live. But I do know that it was from my world, right the fuck next door, wherever the hell my world is supposed to be out in space. There's nothing I can do to change that, and I'm sorry. I wish I knew how all of this even went the way it did. But if there's anything I can tell you about it, I'll do my best. There's not a lot I even understand, but you deserve at least that much.

[A breath. His chest feels tight. What else can he even do? He drops his face in his hands, sighing.]

... Being in the dark wouldn't be fair to any of you. I'm—

I'm really sorry.

( because everyone's my friend in New York City and everything looks beautiful when you're young and pretty the streets are paved with diamonds and there's just so much to see but the best thing about New York City is you and me | pre-post narrative )

[ V I D E O ]

Turn that shit off, Caffrey.

[ there's a clunk, a clink of glass against glass and the feed shakes a moment before settling on keller, who looks less than pleased, frowning at neal over the rim of his glass.]

No, no, you kept complaining. 'Culture, Neal'. [ his imitation of keller's accent is still spot on while drunk, thank you kindly.

...not that he's drunk. no, he's... mildly inebriated.

(he’s drunk. as shit, to be specific. to the point of mussed hair.) ] 'Nobody's got any goddamn culture on this boat,' you said.

So we’re gonna give them culture, your face isn't that special. Hide and seek is over.

[ it’s probably a sin to snort into wine this good, but keller does it anyway, which neal seems to take as a challenge. ]

It was the schooner Hesperus that sailed the wintery sea; and the skipper--

Longfellow? That's what you're opening with? [ to be fair, keller would have said this about anything neal picked. ] Loosen up, Caffrey. Go with something more like--

There was a young man from Peru
Who fell asleep in his canoe
While dreaming of Venus
He whipped out his penis
And woke up with a handful of goo.

[ smug, thy name is keller. who reaches over the comm to get at the bottle of wine, clearly assuming victory is his. ]

...You're disgusting, you know that? [ neal wrinkles his nose and takes a drink right from his newly grabbed back bottle of much too good for this treatment wine, his sober self is wincing somewhere inside. ] This is why rich women like me better and you know too many strippers. I'm only saying, one of us landed a princess and the other one only got to help him run away from her nice babysitters with guns.

[ seriously you two what the hell. there are probably kids watching what would edgeworth say.

...oh. oh. actually-- what would edgeworth say?

neal grins, a little mischievously, and slings a conspiratorial arm around keller's shoulders then takes a long, fortifying swallow of wine. ]

Here, I’ll show you how to do it. Observe.

[ he clears his throat, because at heart neal is two things: an actor, true born, and a total douchebag, equally true born. ]

I believe in you my soul, the other I am must not abase itself to you, and you must not be abased to the other. [ it doesn't sound like a recitation; more a conversation, slightly sing-song and clearly long-memorized. ] Loafe with me on the grass, loose the stop from your throat, not words-- not music or rhyme I want, not custom or lecture, not even the best.

[ he pauses, swallowing a little and taking a breath. ] Only the lull I like, the hum of your valved voice. I mind how once we lay such a transparent summer morning-- how you settled your head athwart my hips and gently turned over upon me and parted the shirt from my bosom-bone; and plunged your tongue to my bare-stript heart, and reached till you felt my beard, and reached till you held my feet.

[ AND WITH A SEATED BOW FROM THE DISNEY PRINCE LOOKING JERK, CAFFREY AND KELLER IN THE MORNING EVENING MOTHERFUCKING OUT. ]



( ooc | blue is neal; grey keller. replies can come from either of them, etc. )

[His voice is breaking in places, rattled by nerves and anger. Someone is glad to be alive, but that doesn't mean he has to be happy about this.

Nope.]

Fuck you, you fucking little dog-shit eatin' bastards, I hope they light a fuckin' pike on fire and ram it so far up your arse you'll be shitting coal! You pricks! What the fuck was that?! We almost died out there! I mean - what the fuck was that?!

Never fucking do it again, you cock sniffing motherfuckers! You hear me?!

Fuck off!

[This message brought to you by teenagers are awesome. ALSO SEE THE OPT-OUT POST HERE because... Miles will be Miles.]

[ Even though Ianto has already put out his own call to the ship's residents, there are a few people feels like she needs to check on personally. She's put it off longer than she should, but part of her has been a little worried about what she might find out.

Nonetheless, she gets a grip on her fears and turns on the video feed. Her hair is damp and hangs straight around her face, and she's dressed in one of the ship-standard jumpsuits. Sitting on her bed, she has her knees pulled up and her arms wrapped around them, the communicator apparently sitting propped on a pillow. ]

I hope everyone is...well I can't expect 'all right', but I can hope for it. So I hope everyone is all right. If there's anyone who needs...help, maybe? For yourself, or for someone else. I'm great at providing support services in a crisis.


Tagged to Bucky Barnes, Public Filter, No Encryption.
Does anyone out there know Bucky Barnes? Have you seen him? Can you tell me if he- how he is?


Tagged to Howard Stark, Private Filter, No Encryption.
Howard, I'd really like to talk to you.


[OOC: Anyone can reply to the main transmission or the portion tagged for Bucky, if they want. Howard's portion is private but not encrypted, so if you're the nosy type it's there to be seen, though please pay attention if the thread ends up encrypted later.]

[ The video clicks on and there's Chase--smiling, if gently. She looks like nothing at all has happened to her, asides from maybe going on a pleasant stroll through the oxygen gardens. ]

Those that have come out of the fog, congratulations. I trust you're all back safe, if emotionally harmed. Please seek assistance from the designated persons aboard this ship if this is your case.

Furthermore--be it the mist or rust, please be aware that it's the least of our problems. The endgame, as it were, is still to try to figure out why we're here. God may have willed it, but there's always need for a further explanation. Please keep this in mind while investigating the ship, if you so wish to do so.

And, lastly, if anyone has some chalk, I'd like it. [ A beat. ] I want to learn how to play hopscotch.

Heheh... hahahaha...

[It's been a long while, since LB last made a call to the network, but from her lengthy laugh, it should be pretty telling that all wasn't quite right, in her mind. A sharp intake of breath is heard. calming her giggling down before she begins to speak.]

I think - I think I speak for all of us when I say what the fuck happened, huh?

[The tone is odd in that sentence, obviously an attempt at halfhearted humor.]

But... it wasn't all bad. Eeheehee -- I got to kill the group of people I always fantasized about killing -- something I never even dreamed was possible. And it felt good -- hahaha -- so good.

[Her prideful tone then falters.]

Or at least it did, at the time. I had always thought that if I could just get the chance to kill them, it would fix everything and everything would be okay again. Ahahaha -- but nothing... nothing's changed. [Hesitantly, she adds:] I'm still laughing.

It's - it's just because the whole thing was - different, right? Sort of like a passing nightmare? It would be different if it were real, wouldn't it? If it were a situation I was more familiar with?

[LB speaks hopefully, genuinely believing that she could be happy again if she could just kill the right person.]

I guess what I really want to know is if anyone has ever managed to kill someone that really caused problems for them. Heeheeheehee... and more importantly, did it make you feel good?

[A heavy sigh passes.] That's all... thanks.