ataraxion | 009 video; PSA

[ Nathan (~~the hotter one~~) appears in the video feed looking, despite the last month, surprisingly better. There's exasperation in his tone, but warmth in his eyes. It's nice to have things vaguely back to normal. There is a long pause before he speaks. ]

To newcomers I would like to say welcome, to those of you who spent the last month sleeping while we were working our asses off out here, welcome back. Time for an update: as you may have heard, many of you have spent the duration of jump thirteen in the stasis pods. We are presently on jump fourteen, and spent the last thirty days with a malfunctioning network. Though certain childish individuals may want to make light of our situation, I feel myself tasked to inform you that Comms was not responsible for bringing the network back online, nor are any of us responsible for any of you waking up, though there was some discussion as to whether or not it was safe to enter the stasis pods at all.

Just last week we received a message through the emergency network. Now most of you will know that I'm not one to spread hysteria, and I'd appreciate it if any speculation on the matter was discreet, with attention to the fact that we are all confined here no matter our fears. We are stronger together. As usual, I would like to remind everyone not to go wandering off into unexplored corners of the ship, unlike certain people.

[ Now for a second Nathan just rubs at his eyes. The mask drops, and it's clear underneath it he's exhausted, but he slips back into his serious face before he speaks again. ]

Comms is down to almost nobody again. We need help down here, so if you feel like you could maybe lend a hand, report to 001. You'll find a sign up sheet on the door, that's how desperate things have gotten. People with skills in computers are the most useful down here, whether you were a hacker or created Facebook, whatever. But you know what? I didn't have a lick of skill with the things when I got here, and now I'm quite capable. If you want to learn something new, want to make your own encryptions or just spent a month or two getting to know the ship more intimately, then just show up.

In regard to learning something new, we've also once again lost our proposed teacher, so I'm drawing the line under all the debate over it. Starting tomorrow, and therefore three days of every week, I'll be running classes for kids under fifteen. We'll meet in the chapel in the oxygen gardens at 10am, and work things out from there. If anyone wants to offer their expertise, show up at the same time, interact with the kids, and we'll see how it goes from there.

So let me say that again: If you're under fifteen, you have the option of coming to classes three days a week. We'll be working on life skills, visiting the different areas of the ship, learning how to use the communicators, maybe even talking about self defense--and anything else you guys want to learn about.

Alright. I got one more question. [ A pause. ] Pet food. Who makes it?

[ Nathan disappears for a moment, but a second later he makes a quick addendum to this post. ]

Just reminding people that we have an electronic message board here that lets people know what's going on around here. I also, during the last month, had an opportunity to put a memorial book down in the chapel for people to leave messages to those who've been and gone. Feel free to fill either out if you have something to add.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Hold on Nathan, there's a bit of a squeal. She can't help the way she lights up, okay? ]

Tyke might be better for dogs specifically, since she's got so many, but I can definitely help too. They've got to go in the gravity couches -- though I'm guessing you've figured that much out.

[ They may be getting somewhere. Wait till she actually meets Izzie. She's like an extra chip of pure charm on Nathan's shoulder. Cute dogs can make any crazy look like a decent sort of guy. ]

Wait--they've got to go in those things? Does the same go for the horse and the uh...dinosaur? How does that work?

[ It wouldn't be the first time Jaye started liking someone more because of their animals. ]

Yeah. They're all too big to get through the jump, unlike the bugs. Some of the animals have to be sedated if they're too panicky or really don't want to go in, sometimes you can just kind of make them settle in there and then the hardest part is the tube, really.

[ Nathan grimaces. It must be madness...and probably all done and dusted by the time he shows up five minutes before the jump, strips off and climbs in. This time, though, he's clearly going to have to be a bit more aware of the process. ]

You think you could walk me through it when we come round to next time? I wouldn't want to lose her just cause I made some sort of stupid mistake.

Sure. I won't let you fuck it up, don't worry.

That's reassuring, thank you.

And you know that thing about people wandering off--it doesn't apply to you. I'm pretty sure you can look after yourself.

I like animals. [ Understatement.

Also oh dear god Nathan don't help her cockiness. ] Yeah? Thanks. Because I can.

Never questioned it. But it's a warning we gotta give newcomers. You know that, too.

Yeah, I know. Not just the newcomers, though. [ Because for fuck's sake, Neal. ]

Hah. Well if they still haven't learned not to, it's hard to believe they're gonna listen. At least you stand a chance if you get in early.

Getting lost happens, though. And I went with two newcomers -- better than letting them go alone.

Better than it, but none of you shoulda been going out there at all.

What happens if you get killed out there? Who takes care of your animals?

What if I disappear? Same problem -- that's how I got half of mine.

Mason was looking after them for me, though.

But you go making that more likely, it's like you don't care.

My best friend was locked in one of the gravity couches. I wasn't going to sit and wait if there was a possibility I could help, if something out there could help.