( 007 ) voice

[romanticism]

Recently it seems that some of us have had our origins and experiences on our mind. If there is anything I have learned from my time here, it is that we do not often suffer a dull day, and that we are all abundant with stories. Stories of ourselves, of the lives we've lived at home, and the lives that we've lived here. We've all arrived here from different circumstances, with a vast array of varying experiences between that, and I think that sometimes we do not allow ourselves time to appreciate that. We have an opportunity to learn so much from each other. [ Oxford pauses, calmly, taking a level breath as he goes on. ] Of course, I don't mean to say this is somehow a priority over the general task of surviving, but I feel that while we keep ourselves and our histories as fresh as we can in our minds, perhaps it could serve us some purpose to keep record of it.

[ Even though he has decided to stick to an audio post, Oxford can't help making habitual, sweeping hand gestures as he speaks. ]

I would like to propose beginning a ship-wide archive, to include whatever information that fellow passengers are willing to share of their lives and worlds, as well as a timeline of events since the first jump. First hand accounts of matters we have tackled, [ with a vague amount of strain, said very soberly ] and a memorial to those we lost. As I've said, this is by no means any kind of priority, just... well, to be quite honest, I like the idea of having a project. Though I would not necessarily say no if anyone was willing to join me in maintaining this proposed archive, I know that we all have our own personal worries and jobs to attend to, thus I am quite glad to take up mantle on my own.

All I really aim to do is to put experiences into words. I'm quite certain that many of you have some extraordinary stories to tell, whether they are from your home or from here, and all I would want is for these things to be shared amongst us. You never know what we might find out each other. [ A vague, mirthless smile is audible in his words. ] I only hope they're relatively good things, of course.

The information volunteered to this archive would be exactly that - voluntary. I won't be hounding everyone on the ship for interviews, because that would be incredibly time consuming and as annoying as conducting door to door sales. Anyone who would like to contribute is advised to come to me - in person or across the network, whichever suits you best. If it happens that I hear of someone's actions through another person's contribution, then I may follow that up.

[ He laughs, mildly. ]

Of course, I might have wasted all this time talking and wasting your time only to have no response. Always a possibility. [ For a moment, he sounds a bit warmer and less business-like. ] Good day to you all.

Comments

[romanticism]

Any that suits you best; I have a reasonably open schedule at the moment.

[chuffle]

Meet me at the Oxygen Gardens? We can head over to the unfortunately named Space Babylon together.

[romanticism]

An excellent plan - and I wholeheartedly agree regarding the name. It's all a bit too early nineties to me, and while that is not always a bad thing, in this case, it isn't very good.

[chuffle]

When you get there, look up.

[romanticism]

Look up? [ Curiouser and curiouser. ] As you wish.

[chuffle]

[PLEASED. She disconnects, but when he gets there, she's in a tree. She's almost always in a tree.]

[romanticism]

[ It takes Oxford a moment to spot her when he reaches the gardens, but when he does, he can't help a grin, lifting his hand to give her a polite wave of greeting. ]

I do hope you'll be joining me on the ground, I was never the sort to climbs trees, even as a child. [ He raises a brow. ] Though if the effort is required, I will certainly oblige.

[chuffle]

And make you rip your clothes? I don't think so.

[She comes down, and when she's firmly on the ground she reaches out a hand.]

Pleased to meet you in person, finally.

[romanticism]

Considering that I've completely abandoned all my previous principles in terms of clothes and grooming, [ he says, running a hand through his decidedly shaggy hair, ] I don't think it would have troubled me all that much.

[ He takes the offered hand, giving it a warm, firm shake. ]

Likewise. I feel the sheer convenience of the network has been making me a little lazy about socialising recently, so it's lovely to break the trend.

[chuffle]

I'm told there are these devices, like two knives held together by a joint, that can cut hair!

And some people even know how to use them to make you stylish.

[It's a good shake, and she stretches and starts walking with that attitude of ready to be followed]

[romanticism]

[ Oxford lifts a finger, grinning. ]

Use of such mystical items and great talents requires a desire to cut and style the hair in the first place. I'm enjoying the sheer reckless abandon of looking more like a sheepdog than a man.

[ And follow her he does, quite gladly. ]

[chuffle]

You just want something that gives people a hold, don't you?

[Teasing! Teasing!]

[romanticism]

[ He looks thoughtful for a moment, as if he hasn't thought about it before (which, let's be honest, he absolutely has), ]

Well, when you put it like that, it's seems a fairly sound reason.

[chuffle]

Well.

[She looks him over, as if judging, and maybe she is, a little]

It's always good to have something to grip. Gives a girl better control.

[Yes, she really did just say that]

But in a fight, it's not always the best thing.

[romanticism]

I've nothing bad to say about giving a girl control, certainly.

[ Oh Daphne, you know all the right things to say. ]

Perhaps I should take a leaf out of David Beckham's books and invest in an alice-band to keep it out of the way. Otherwise work on ducking, maybe.

[chuffle]

No, no no no, please cut your hair before that happens.

You have lovely bone structure, to be sure, but guys with ponytails always look like jerks.

[romanticism]

Hold on now, no one said anything about ponytails! I think that might be a step too far in the length department - you've no need to worry about it coming to that. [ Pause. ] My bone structure is gratified by your compliment, however.

[chuffle]

So pleased I can take care of your bone structure's ego, Oxford.

[She says that with all the care in the world.]

[romanticism]

[ Touching his jaw gingerly, ] A bit of a swollen ego as it is, to be honest.

[chuffle]

[She reaches and her fingers brush just there.]

Well, we all have our failings.

[romanticism]

That we do. [ He smiles, languidly, eyes following the movement of her hands. ] Is it up to me to deduce one or two of yours, now?

[chuffle]

Deduce my failings?

[She's amused]

Go on, mar my perfection.

[romanticism]

I didn't say I could do so instantly. Besides, I gave you mine freely, and they aren't always so easy to spot just like that.

[chuffle]

[She considers it for a moment.]

I have an anger management problem.

[Putting it mildly]

[romanticism]

[ He arches his brows. ]

My first reaction upon hearing that is "interesting", but I don't wish to sound rude. Is that a long standing matter or a more recent development?