Video

[enlistments]

[It starts with a close-up of his face. But he remembers such things from once before; namely, how he doesn't need to be so close to be heard. So he leans back, jaw clenching before he speaks.]

My name is Ichabod Crane. I have been - remiss in introducing myself, and for that I am truly sorry.

[More sorry that he's still here at month #2. He sits with a thin makeshift bandage wrapped around the knuckles of his hand and a broken mirror behind him. His patience with the ship wore thin for a moment. But then he's still concerned by thoughts of the Apocalypse and the fact that his wife still sits in Purgatory.

But for the moment, he's collected.]

I have a query, queries, if you will, for my fellow passengers. Do you believe that we are brought aboard this ship in some indiscriminate fashion? Or are we chosen, our fates intertwined for some greater...perhaps sinister purpose? Was anyone on a mission of utmost urgency only to have it suddenly interrupted?

[And, while not the most important, there is one other thing that he'd like to know:]

And does anyone find themselves missing Starbuck's coffee? Given the size of this vessel, there should be no less than five on board.

[Ichabod shifts his gaze, almost abashed about it.

But damn, those baked goods.]

Comments

[wolfchild]

is it better?

[ yeah, she's gonna focus on the coffee. ]

[enlistments]

It is overpriced. But I'm willing to admit that in this instance, one might get what they pay for.

[Unlike bottled water.]

[redheaded_rock]

God, what I wouldn't give for a Starbucks right now. [Maybe the bar will do?] But yeah. To answer your question, I wasn't on any mission of utmost urgency or anything.

Not that I know of, at any rate.

[enlistments]

Perhaps you just hadn't been made aware of it yet. Such things often take trials and time, I've found.

[uncurse]

You make a good point. I think everyone would be a little readier to handle this place with two pumps of espresso under their belt.

[enlistments]

Perhaps in the near future, one of us will find one of their diligent employees in our locker.

[dashhole]

[He'd totally call you out on being the Headless Horseman guy if that was actually a thing he knew about.

Instead, they have the Horseless Headless Horseman. Because why would you need a horse in a graveyard?

So he'd going to ignore all questions and go after the most interesting thing you said, Crane.]

What's a "starbucks"?

[enlistments]

[It's a good call, tbh.]

It's an establishment that specializes in hot beverages - namely coffee and tea. They're quite...prevalent where I'm from.

( video )

[sleuthtastic]

[ Miming a giant golden sun (because that's worshipful, right): ]

Oh, ye gods of Aztec deliciousness, how I miss thee.

( video )

[enlistments]

[nailed it!]

I take it you're a fan? Of just the coffee or also of their hot cocoa beverages?

text;

[vindictam]

What is Starbucks? Why should their be so many?

text;

[enlistments]

[Okay, let's give the texting thing a try. You can do it Icky!]

An excellent question indeed. I thought there should be law. But after coming to rely on their goods to get me through many late nights and early mornings, I had a change of heart.

1/3

[boogiewoogiebugleboy]

I'm sorry-

[boogiewoogiebugleboy]

You said your name is-

video

[fatespoken]

Things happen for a reason, but that doesn't mean it has to be a good reason. In fact, it could be perfectly mundane. [ He shrugs. ] But then again, Fate's always been a sneaky bitch.

video

[enlistments]

Indeed it does not have to be a good reason. [And that's what worries him.] Might I ask why you feel that way?

[skjalf]

[ if it isn't a fellow countryman! ]

We are well-met, sir. I am Elizabeth Plantagenet.

[ she offers a slight dip of her head, because hey, he has introduced himself first and courtly manners dictate that it is rude not to reciprocate.

lizzie looks pensive, and then ends up shrugging delicately. ]

I have wondered this myself. I am not particularly skilled in anything whoever runs this ship would find useful. Yet I am here. There does not seem to be a reason behind it.

I was not on a quest, either. I am a woman. War did loom on the horizon for the men, however.

[ her blank stare speaks for itself. ] Starbucks? What is that?

[ he also appears to be wounded, and she finishes by asking: ]

Sir, that wound.. is it healing well?

[enlistments]

Perhaps it is a reason that will reveal itself in time, my lady. And you needn't worry yourself, it's little more than a scratch.

[Ichabod glances down to his bandaged hand and up again. She asked him a question, and it would likewise be rude of him to ignore it. But...]

I beg pardon, did you say your name is Elizabeth Plantagenet?

[A name not unheard of by a former Oxford history professor.]

( video. )

[overthought]

[the name is familiar, perhaps an ode to american literature. either way, if it's a chance to ramble statistics, you have a friend in cortana.]

Given the variety of people on the ship, and the number of people in departments, you could make the argument that we were chosen at random or that we were picked specifically for our backgrounds, talents and skill sets. I don't know if it makes people feel better that they've been chosen at random rather than specifically.

[a pause.] I don't think we have an official beverage merchant, but there are kitchens available.

( video. )

[enlistments]

[Now that is...an interesting appearance. But he's getting used to such things.]

My partner informed me that there are nearly seven billion people on our planet alone, and yet the both of us have ended up here. That doesn't strike you as a little unlikely?

[And now it's his turn to pause.]

Yes, I am mastering the appliances of the kitchen one at a time.

[woodlander]

[ Starbucks makes no sense to her. But then, she's an Elf hailing from a land that most likely even Ichabod would think belonged in the distant past. Or perhaps merely in the realm of fantasy. ]

Too many here hail from the same world as I for our presence to be a coincidence. I do not believe our coming was indiscriminate, though as to the reason, I have been unable to discern it.

But what you speak of, a mission of urgency - yes, I was engaged in that way. I do not believe that is the case for all.

[enlistments]

On that, you and I are in agreement.

[And he's pleased to have found someone who thinks the same way, even if there are still any number of unanswered questions.]

There are those who claim to have had a rather mundane experience. It's very curious.

[andblockbuster]

Ren Faire and Starbucks. The gift that keeps on giving.

[enlistments]

Ren Faire

video

[bearwitness]

The lack of Starbucks doesn't mean you're incapable of using a coffee machine.

[Abbie briefly glances at his bandaged hand and raises a brow.]

Do you need to explain that to me?

video

[enlistments]

Yes, I believe I remember how to work it from the notes that you left me, lieutenant.

[Ichabod hesitates, suddenly looks even more sheepish than before.]

I grew weary of seeing things in the mirror.

voice;

[humanistic]

Starbucks. You know people will still judge you for bein' a yuppie in space, right?

voice;

[enlistments]

What is a yuppie?

[Hey, at least you wouldn't catch him dead in skinny jeans, people have tried.]

text;

[deagle]

Can't it be both sinister and indiscriminate?

text;

[enlistments]

It could indeed. More sinister, in fact.

text.

[culver]

We are here for a reason. We just do not know what it is yet.

[enlistments]

I'm inclined to believe that most things happen for a reason. I can only hope that it's for a good one.

[voice]

[jurisimpudent]

There is no question, sir: it was not remotely indiscriminate.

[voice]

[enlistments]

And what is it that has lead you to this conclusion?

voice;

[afraidofthe]

[Sorry, you lost Bigby at the introduction, because--]

Ichabod Crane?

[He is doing his best to ignore the AUTOMATIC DISLIKE at the very association of the name, for the sake of giving this man the benefit of the doubt. But. It's probably still audible.]

voice;

[enlistments]

Yes?

[And Ichabod hears it in his voice, bring equal parts confusion and guard.]

And might I have your name in return, Sir?

video;

[lacksgrace]

I think you're thinking about all this too hard.

video;

[enlistments]

Oh, I much prefer action, but one should know where they stand first.

[slipperysoul]

Well obviously we were chosen for some reason.

[enlistments]

Agreed. How long have you been on board this ship yourself?

video

[straddles]

You're worried about Starbuck's in this shithole?

video

[enlistments]

My apologies. It is a bit...alarming how quickly one gets used to modern conveniences.

[briefly]

Some people are more worried about the lack of proper tea, sir.

[enlistments]

A concern that I can also understand, Madam. How long have you suffered?

permavoice

[onetouch]

Starbucks is not an odd thing to miss, at all. It's something that speaks of comfort and, home. [ just like pie, don't say it ned. people will think you're a broken record. ]

I've never been much of a -- coffee person myself, but they do have a wonderfully large selection of teas. And hot chocolates. Everyone at least tolerates chocolate.

[enlistments]

Yes, I suppose that's it.

[And it's bittersweet; it wasn't a part of his first home, but now it feels a part of his second.]

I do enjoy their teas as well. Especially their chai.

[grayleader]

No. I was just done with a mission to save people.

And why would you need that much coffee on a single ship?

[enlistments]

So you completed your mission?

I'm afraid I haven't the slightest idea. It just seems that people need as much on a single block back home.

text.

[bitchcrafting]

and here i was thinking most of us were dead.

text.

[enlistments]

You think this is Purgatory?