ataraxion | 005

[ John's dressed down for once, shirt missing and all. The Grim Reaper tattoo on his inner arm is visible, scythe and all, where most people's nanites are -- his are visible on the other arm. One hand is beneath his head and the other is holding the camera at a bit of an odd angle; he's laying down, apparently in bed. Despite that, he doesn't look like he's gotten a lot of sleep. ]

So. [ He starts, stops; clears his throat to make himself sound a little more awake. ] This place is hell, but we manage to relax sometimes. How do you all do it? [ There's a pause, considering, and he adds: ] Other than getting drunk.

[ That's not going to help him, considering he can't anymore. At the end of the day, what John needs is for nightmares of dead teammates and monsters in the dark to stop haunting him, of the dead on the ship that he could have (should have) been able to help. But for now... he'll take what he can get. Not that he necessarily wants everyone knowing he can't relax. ]

Call me curious, I guess. I would've bet on more nervous breakdowns.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Fair enough. [ She glances off screen for a moment, scratching her jaw as she tries to think of a couple other options. ] You could try doing some laps in the pool. [ Her gaze shifts back to her comm. ] I think it's usually pretty quiet in there.

I think I might, actually. [ Swimming's been the best suggestion so far overall. ] It's probably warmer than the ocean was, at least.

[ Her brow furrows a little. ] I thought the ocean was supposed to be warm unless you were in New England?

Depends, really. I never really got a chance to go during the day.

Why not? Are you allergic to the sun? [ Or a vampire? ]

I'm a Marine -- they like to keep us busy.

[ She nods. ] That makes way more sense. Also kind of explains why you don't know how to relax. [ She's teasing, Reaper. Promise. ]

[ There's a slight snort. ] I was supposed to have leave before I showed up here. Ended up on a mission instead, then the ship.

Tough luck. [ At least you're not dead she considers adding but fuck that. She can only half-ass joke about that with some people and since she doesn't know him at all, Reaper's not lucky enough to be one of those. ] Where were you headed for leave?

[ He's not, but his entire unit is because of that last mission. Oops. ] Just out in town for me.

[ That's almost as sucky... ] Hopefully it was at least a decent town with plenty to do. Not that it matters, I guess.

Wasn't too bad. Better places were in driving distance.

Unlike here, where you get wall, wall, and more wall. Though I hear the holodecks are supposed to be pretty cool. [ Even after being here as long as she has, October still hasn't checked them out.

Though really, can anyone blame her considering what happened with that stupid video game? ]

I've heard that too. But I'd rather not... lose myself in them, I guess.

[ She nods. ] I get that. I haven't even gone to check them out and I've been here a really fucking long time. [ Not as long as some, but long enough that it's grinding on her. ]

Honestly, I'm not even sure what I'd program them to look like.

I think most people would go with the beach or something. It's supposed to be relaxing, and it's not like we're going to see it up here anytime soon.

[ There's a slight laugh. ] Yeah, I guess that's true. Wonder if they have space beaches programmed in. Multiple moons and weird colors and shit.

You know, that might almost be worth checking on. [ And that's a huge almost. ] It'd break up the monotony of the ship pretty goddamn well, too.

Yeah, it would be. Horrors or waiting for horrors around here; we could use something shiny.

[ She nods. ] Since you're looking for something to help you relax, you wanna check it out? [ Never mind that this is the first time they've ever spoken... ]

[ how do social skills ]

Yeah, sure. Might as well.

When do you wanna go?

I've got somewhere to be in a bit -- maybe tomorrow?

Sounds good to me. Just lemme know whenever you're free.

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