[video; open]

[51stcentury]

[Viewers are greeted by a charmingly dashing white smile, easy and confident without being cocky, shining blue eyes and the face of a 1950's matinee idol. He's dressed in his customary outfit of braces and greatcoat, his very presence commanding your attention]

Hey there, kids. So it's come to my attention that there are some of us a little more used to this whole traveling in space thing, am I right? I mean. There are some of us on here who have literally never even heard of the idea, which. Is charming, really it is. But that means that this whole Tranquility thing has gotta be more than a bit of a shock. So here's where I'm going to be taking a poll.

How many of you are familiar with travel in space? How many of you have heard of it, but never dreamed you'd do it yourself? How many of haven't even dreamed of traveling the stars?

I figure if we cover that much at least, we'll be able to determine how many of us need a bit more explanation than the fact that we seem to be on some sort of large passenger vessel traveling through some undetermined part of some unknown galaxy. Vague, I know, but I haven't exactly found a viewing screen yet, have you? That's where the rest of us come in. Maybe, with your help, we can figure this all out.

[He goes to reach forward to turn off the video feed, before a thought comes to him and he stops, a more mysterious look in his eyes as he does] I don't suppose that any of you are familiar with time travel...?

Comments

[gofortheoptics]

Nobody here seems familiar with people from other universes, so I think being offended would be silly.

[She tips her helmet to the side.]

Quarian. If you've heard any rumors about us, I can assure you they're likely untrue.

[51stcentury]

Can't say that I have heard any, no. [He gestures to himself] 51st century human. I could say the same of myself.

If I'm allowed to ask questions, then, why the helmet?

[gofortheoptics]

Quarians have an extremely depressed immune system, so being exposed to airborne pathogens that are normally harmless to others is often enough to cause a massive allergic reaction that can lead to hospitalization or death.

[51stcentury]

Mmm, yeah, alright. Good reason to wear a helmet. I'm guessing you've got some sort of air filtration system going on with that, then? Inside the helmet, that is.

[gofortheoptics]

That would be correct, yes.

[51stcentury]

Fascinating.

I'll stop asking the questions, I'm sure they can get tiresome. I take it that you're dealing well with this whole space travel on the Tranquility thing, then, given the circumstances.

[gofortheoptics]

Yes, it's something that I've been doing all my life -- space travel, I mean.

[She shakes her head.]

Nothing so sturdy as this for most of that time, though.

[51stcentury]

How d'you mean?

[gofortheoptics]

Most of the ships from the flotilla were things we purchased because they were -- junkers. We fixed them up, of course, but they don't run the greatest.

[51stcentury]

I suppose that we do have some things going for us, then, yeah. I mean. This ship's gorgeous, perfect for what it is. Which is good, considering how little crew there is and how few people on here know the slightest thing about ship maintenance.

[gofortheoptics]

[She laughs.]

Yes, it's a blessing that we haven't had any major engine malfunctions. There's always the risk of that during jumps.

[51stcentury]

Oh, I know, it's perfect. The time when we're all the least prepared to help out should something go wrong is the most risk-prone time of all.

[gofortheoptics]

Funny how that seems to happen.

[51stcentury]

Hillarious.

So. Tali'zorah, huh? D'you usually go by that, or d'you have some sort of nickname? Awful lot of syllables for me to butcher. [Like he may or may not have just done]

[gofortheoptics]

Tali is just fine if you'd rather.

[She's surprisingly used to humans butchering the name anyway, Jack. Don't worry.]

[51stcentury]

Tali'd probably work a lot better for me, yeah.

[gofortheoptics]

Then Tali it is.

[51stcentury]

You can call me Jack too, if you like. I certainly wouldn't mind. [wink]

[gofortheoptics]

[Ahh, what is flirting. Tali brings a hand up to tug at the hem of her headscarf and lets out a slightly nervous laugh.]

I'll -- ah, keep that in mind.

[51stcentury]

[Oh dear, Tali, there's nothing that Jack enjoys more than knowing he's flustered someone. He smiles and gives her a small nod]

Please do.

[gofortheoptics]

[To be fair, she's one of the easier people to fluster. Work has always been her focus, so she has less practice than you'd think at 'normal' things like this.

Which would be why, instead of responding further, she just clicks the camera off.]