001: Video

[but_civilization]

[The video switches on, but, unfortunately, it's not pointing at Combeferre's face but outward to his room. Anyone watching this will get a good view of the edge of his bed and the wall it's up against mostly.]

I am told that I'm connected to the entire ship now?

[Like in the messages he'd gotten on this thing earlier, right? He's tried to learn what he can about the ship and he's been reading the "links" sent via the mass message, but actually using the communication box is obviously harder to figure out than it looks. And the view anyone will get right now is the wall and bed slowly moving, turning nearly sideways as Combeferre is trying to adjust things properly.]


I...suppose this is a good time as any to introduce myself to all of you.

[Unfortunately the view now is mostly Combeferre's hand as he's turning the device around again, shakily, and then his face comes into view. In extremely unflattering close up of one of his spectacle lenses which is probably very...glinty.]

I...feel like a complete fool with this, I'm sorry. Can everyone see me now?

[Well, sort of, Combeferre? They can see a lens and an eyebrow anyway? It's...something. ]

At any rate, because I WILL learn how this device works, properly, I'll simply introduce myself for now, all right?


[And this time, again, the view zooms out a little, shaky but...there's his face anyway. And his spectacles are half dangling off one side of his face by a very loose arm, but his smile is extremely sincere.]

My name is Michel Combeferre and I am told that I have missed a great many things from the time that I left Paris and when I woke here. I was a doctor, or was studying to be, and I would very much like to be of help in that capacity again but I will clearly need a lot of study, and some practice, not to mention more knowledge of this world before I dare attempt helping somebody here.

[And he pauses, and he's rubbing his temple and the hand is blocking the camera again for a moment.]

Is there anyone here who would be willing to take on an apprentice of sorts? I am not sure how I can pay you but I am willing to attempt to try at least, if you would be so good.

And on another note?

[He looks a little embarrassed here, somehow.]

Might someone tell me where I can find headache powders? I've had one that I cannot shake...

[And he realizes he should end this properly, but does he address it as a letter, or a conversation? He's really not sure of the proper forms himself. But he settles for another smile.]

Thank you, and goodbye?

[But he kind of doesn't manage to shut off the camera, though the device is set down on his bed and he can be heard softly talking himself through the process of shutting it off. Sorry for the seasickness, everyone?]

Comments

action;?

[untamedantinous]

[Here, then, is Enjolras -- having caught the last vestiges of Combeferre's transmission. He's been sticking close since the other's arrival, and now is no exception. There's a light rap at the door, the little set of knocks they devised a while ago that means 'Enjolras'.]

May I come in?

Action!

[but_civilization]

[Combeferre blinks, a little startled since he's been absorbed in messing with the thing but of course Enjolras is always welcome.]

Please do!

[And he looks a little embarrassed as he's messing around with the device actually, but Enjolras gets a smile anyway.]

Action!

[untamedantinous]

[He smiles back and moves to sit on the edge of the bed.]

I may be able to help with --these things, if you have tired of trying to figure them out yourself.

Re: Action!

[but_civilization]

[And he's sliding his legs around so he's sitting upright and actually next to Enjolras, cocking his head at him a little, sort of absently. ]

That may be a good idea. A bit more time and I might be forced to ask you. I DO think it might be easier if I knew exactly HOW these things worked.

[There's a sort of gleam there in his eye, not exactly maniacal, but well, he looks like he's raring to go to get ahold of one and strip it or something. Or at least considering it.]

Action!

[untamedantinous]

Well, you have figured out the video function perfectly well, though you would do well to aim it at your face. [He looks amused. He had the same troubles when he arrived, though he didn't end up posting them to the network.]

You might also send messages by voice, and text as well. It is, I suppose, a more efficient way than post.

video!!

[assumedposition]

[ A smiling young boy of about sixteen or seventeen pops up on your screen! ]

Well met, Monsieur Combeferre! I am Albert. [ He says it in the French way, without the t. ]

Don't worry too much about the tech. It's really quite easy once you get the hang of it!

Video!

[but_civilization]

[Is he wearing...what? The first thing that comes to Combeferre's mind is that Jehan would probably LOVE this kid. AND a countryman on top of that part? He's intrigued, clearly. And he's managing to activate the video again, sort of. He still can't get the AIMING or angle thing right but...]

Thank you. It's good to meet you as well. Have you been here long yourself then, or are you from a time where all of...this...[And he's obviously vaguely pointing at his device, look there's a finger!] Is more common?

[Enjolras DID mention finding out about some futures, beginning with his mention of the republic, so Combeferre is at least aware that time seems to have gone ON in many cases and quite passed him by. He's not certain what he THINKS of that but he HAS accepted the idea as a fact at least.]

Re: Video!

[assumedposition]

Ah-- it's the latter. I only just found myself here a few days ago, but the time I come from, I suspect, is probably not so dissimilar to the one this ship originated from. And what of yourself, if I may ask? Just out of curiousity; you don't have to answer if you don't wish it.

Re: Video!

[but_civilization]

THAT is oddly fascinating; learning how many people there are who are from worlds and places so different from mine. It was 1832 when I left Paris and woke here, strange as that is.

video;

[undercovergirl]

[ jesus christ, are they collecting dead french boys now? ]

Hi, Michel. Don't worry too much about appearing foolish. You're doing just fine. [ she smiles. ] As for your questions, your best bet for a medical apprenticeship and something for headaches is the Medbay, although the Science Department might be worth investigating for the former, too.

Video:

[but_civilization]

[Yes, yes they are! For...Science. Or something. He would probably like it if it WAS for science anyway. Or at least part of him would.]

Thank you. I...this is all so foreign. I feel as though I'd woken up in something out of Swift of all things much of the time here.

Then the Medbay. I will make an effort to drop by there. [And that's a smile crossing his face at the mention of the Science Department too.]

I do confess to an interest in biology as well. That may be a good resource.

video:

[undercovergirl]

You're not alone. Most people aren't veterans of the final frontier.

Just don't jump in too quickly, all right? You can only be officially affiliated with one department. [ she rolls up her left sleeve and adjusts the camera so that he can see her nanite tattoo. SEC » 012 » 111 ] The "SEC" stands for security, which is the department I chose. Because the nanites on your arm can only contain one department abbreviation, you have to limit yourself to one offcial affiliation.

[ she moves the camera again, refocusing it on her face. ] Not to mention, when things go south, you're supposed to report to your department, and doubling up could set off a lot of false alarms.

Video:

[but_civilization]

Nanites...

[Clearly he's not familiar with the word beyond what he has heard they do here. That's another thing to look into but for now he's glancing at the markings, intrigued.]

So the tattooing for this works in the same way as we got the initial ones or...what exactly?

Ah yes, that does make sense. I pursued all sorts of things at home but one specialty under these circumstances...I do see the necessity.

[jilt]

Speak to Simon Tam in medical. He'll have something to sort those headaches for you, Michel.

[but_civilization]

Thank you. You've been quite the help so far, Madame.

[jilt]

I do try. I know how strange it can be, arriving in such a place.

[but_civilization]

Have you been here for very long yourself then? I don't believe I've asked that yet.

[Video]

[vivelavenir]

[Something Jehan has decided: he does not quite like this device (it's both a little too impersonal and a little too unnatural), but it is useful.

He's not quite gotten the hang of turning it off yet either, but he can get it to go on and look at the network. So when he sees Combeferre's bulletin, he vaguely wonders if it isn't a little ironic that this is the 'moth's eye view' that they're getting; very, very close.]

Good evening-- [Started, because. Well. It was odd to just reply mid-conversation, without actually starting a conversation.

...And there was no sunlight, obviously, so saying 'Good morning' sounded daft, and 'hello' was for when you were actually with someone and not staring at a screenshot of their glasses.]

--has anyone told you where to find the medical ward yet?

There are kitchens and music rooms. I'd be surprised if there wasn't an infirmary.

[Video]

[but_civilization]

[It IS pretty useful, considering how many people one can reach. Combeferre can definitely see the applications in an emergency or even when you are trying to find someone in a crowd and need to know EXACTLY where they are. Or could if it wasn't FOR that moth's eye view, which, perfect description of it there, M.le Poete. Have a look at his eyebrow now, for your troubles. At least he isn't doing anything with it just now?]

Jehan, hello. [That part of things DID seem a bit odd, really. The etiquette of using this was...different.]

Not as of yet though I will need to get the directions soon I think. I'm TOLD that there is one, of course. How have you been since we last spoke?

[Video]

[vivelavenir]

[He's not sure he's done anything so offensive as to deserve your eyebrow, monsieur, but all right. At least it isn't feeling arch, at the moment.]

I'm not certain where they are myself, or I'd direct you. The ship is vast; I've yet to manage to wander the entire thing even once.

[Which is very serious, as he takes to wandering like it's an occupation. ...But also a good thing, as it means it will be difficult to bore of the scenery too quickly.

He's especially looking forward to seeing the shuttle bay which he still assumes is an actual bay.]

I've been well, otherwise. And you?

[This is why he doesn't appreciate the device; he's just casually enquired as to your eyebrow's state of health. It feels a little silly, even for him.]

Re: [Video]

[but_civilization]

[The eyebrow is just sitting there, not actively being EYEBROWY or anything. And then see, there's the rim of the glasses. So it's not AS bad as it could have been. Really. Well, until Jehan mentions wandering. That's when it goes up.]

Have you been wandering then, Jehan?

[And Jehan might not be able to see all of his face right now, but he's frowning and sounds...disapproving there.]

There was a message that said wandering is dangerous unless you take the right precautions. Please tell me you've been careful and have gone with someone. I don't mean to alarm you into staying put and I mean to find places here myself but have you been taking someone with you or checking in from time to time? The messages mentioned...incidents in the past.

[voice]

[doc_pompous]

If you need headache medication, you can come to Medbay. Someone will be happy to give you an examination and see what we can do.

[voice]

[but_civilization]

Thank you very much. I will likely be doing that soon.

[doc_pompous]

The blue lifts will take you right to us. We've got someone on call most hours of the day. Is this a chronic problem, for you, or something that's only started since you arrived?

Voice

[but_civilization]

Ah good. Something I actually KNOW the location of.

I am rather prone to them, I fear. Occasionally they are severe. This one has been coming on and off since my arrival, but I am no stranger to it. I should be on my way down then.