ataraxion | 01 ( video ) ✂ ICE TO MEET YOU

[WOW THIS POST IS SO EXCITING no, psych. it's an average man, holding his communicator in such a way as to just film his average face and average neck and the average background behind him. yawn. he appears to be wearing some kind of red t-shirt, and his expression falls somewhere between neutral and friendly.]

You know, most every kid dreams about going to space at some point, but I gotta say this isn't exactly what I pictured after seeing Star Wars for the first time. No stars, for one thing--you'd figure that would be one of the perks. A whole lot of walls, though. I'd ask about the resident status of little green men, but that might actually be offensive. [SHRUG. his smile is easy, if a little self-deprecating.] I've always been a Xena guy, myself. Funny how things work out.

Okay, okay--I did have a question when I started this, I swear. As a special bonus, it won't even start an ethics debate. This is an open network, right? Like one big interstellar Craigslist, internet arguments and all. I've already done some of the recommended reading--very informative, by the way--but in my experience there's not much an FAQ can do to replace real... experience. So. What's one thing you wish someone had told you when you first showed up here? Anything at all, doesn't matter what. [one corner of his mouth twists up for a moment, as if to say well, what can you do?] Not sure how much I can offer in return right off the bat, but hey, give me a few weeks. I'll owe you one.

[he pauses, looking at the camera with a wry edge to his otherwise still friendly grin.]

Also. Has anyone been able to figure how we end up with the stuff in our lockers? I mean, the--selection process. Because I for one would love to know the reasoning behind this. [he lowers the camera slightly to reveal that he is, in fact, wearing this.] Not disputing the logo, by the way. Just curious.

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I'm guessing that if you give it enough time here, they start looking the same. Still -- gotta keep the spirits up somehow.

You do. Otherwise, you just let this place get the better of you and that's not a good idea. Been here long enough to realise that.

That's another thing that's been on my mind. This -- the whole jumping thing -- happens every month, doesn't it?

It does. Around the same time without fail. If we don't stay in the pod things during the jump we die.

And the first numbers on our arm tattoos correspond to our jump. I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, but that means some of you must be pushing a year.

You're not wrong. There are people on board who have been here close to a year without going home.

That's a hell of a lot to look forward to.

Maybe you'll go home before you hit your anniversary on board.

I'll drink to that. As long as I'm not missing out on any cake.

Maybe you can convince someone to bake you one.

I can be convincing. [he smiles; like most of his expressions, it's both apparently genuine and extremely well-practiced.] But let's hope it doesn't come to that. In the meantime, you've got... what, five months til the big day? Better start saving up the candles.

Yeah? Not everyone is capable of that. [There's a knowing smile because yes, Bela is very good at convincing people when she has to,] I'm holding onto the hope that I will be home by then. Don't want to be here for much longer if I can help it.

Well, you're in good company.

[he looks down, his expression taking on a slightly less goodnatured cast that's vanished by the time he's gazing at the camera, and Bela, again. it's the cold fury he's been feeling run under his skin since he got here, diluted a thousand times over and metamorphosed into human, publicly acceptable regret.]

To be honest, I'm not exactly thrilled about it myself -- I was kind of in the middle of something important. But here's hoping, right?

I'll keep that in mind.

[she doesn't think anything suspicious of the way he looked down, believing that he just needed a moment to reflect on the situation. Bela has done it countless times herself. one thing to note about her was just how good she was at keeping up a façade to protect herself.]

It's my understanding that a lot of people here were in the middle of something important before they were dragged on board without warning. Giving up seems pointless.

[even if she felt like it sometimes.]

I hear that. No point in being a downer when we're all in the same boat. [his friendly face is firmly back in place by now, reassuring and tinged with a little humor.] So, from a veteran to a newbie -- do the tubes ever get less weird?

If you enjoy being covered in goo and tossed from a tube whilst feeling nauseous, I suppose it wouldn't be weird. [she smirks, clearly amused.] I really hate those tubes.

You just described my average Saturday night. [he raises his eyebrows and pulls a face, very obviously not serious.] I guess we've all just got to adjust.

Clearly, you've expanded your horizons already. [she's going along with the joke because well, lightening the mood is fine by her.] Or drink. It can sometimes help.

Can't argue with that. Where is that on the ship, anyway? I'd kill for a beer right now.

There's a bar around here, a few kitchens. You should be able to find a beer there no problem.

Space booze, but no chocolate. Somebody here knew how to party.

I miss chocolate. [She searched!] But yeah, suppose they had their priorities.

01 ( video ) ✂ ICE TO MEET YOU

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