ataraxion | 001 ( video )

[ Oh dear. That's rather a grumpy face on the other end of the feed. It's the face of a telepath with a pounding headache - not nearly as bad as he would have imagined, given the circumstances, but still rather bothersome, all the same. There is a great deal of exasperation in his voice as he speaks, as if he's a parent reprimanding an errant child that keeps making the same mistake over and over again. ]

I would like to state for the record that this "jumpsuit" is an absolute travesty. I have no intention of wearing it for extended periods of time- [ the bare shoulders visible in shot should be some indication of this ] -and God knows I am incredibly hopeful that in time it might be possible to find some alternative clothing that isn't nearly as criminal as this. I'm practically offended.

[ A brief pause, another faint wince as the headache throbs. ]

In any case, I suppose it was about time to make proper use of this little device. Good day, fellow captives, I hope you're all as delighted as I am by your existence upon this ship. My name is John Buchanan, but you may call me Oxford instead - it doesn't sound nearly quite as dull. [ He smiles, just a tad, and it's unclear why. Maybe at his little jab at his given name, maybe at something else. ]

Finally, a small request; if anyone has some ibuprofen, I'd be much obliged and indebted if they could perhaps share it before my skull cracks in half.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ And somehow Oxford's headache already seems to be improving. Who'd have thought it. ]

You do? In that case, Miss Sommers, you and I are now even. [ He smiles, broadly and easily. ] I provide the alcohol, you provide the painkillers.

[ what can she say, they're some nice shoulders; jenna's gotta give credit where credit is due. ]

Jenna, please. I'm not old enough for last name lady status. [ jenna's grin in return is a little self-depreciating; she's the living cliche, deal with it. ] Sounds like a fair trade to me. That or a party.

And I certainly didn't mean to imply otherwise. [ The response is smooth and genuine, doesn't miss a beat. ] A party? This ship could do with a little fun, in my opinion, but at the same time the thought is making something in my head throb awfully.

Oooh, good save. I give it nine and a half out of ten stars. [ seriously, oxford. booze AND flirting? you're a bro and a half. ] Right now, any partying would be lowkey. Finals week Monday night collapse on the couch and drink party, not finals are over and there's a donkey in the yard party.

[ jenna may possibly be a party expert. ]

I try my best. [ He shrugs, grinning. ] I've hardly the licence to - very accidentally - suggest you are old when I barely remember the last party I had that involved a donkey in the garden. I've long since been deposited in the realm of "drinks parties", sadly.

[ Mind you most of them end with a fun night in the bedroom, so Oxford can't complain. Not really. ]

I was impressed. And ignore the Russian judge, he's just a hardass. [ jenna's grin goes wry, here. ] It's been a while since my last real party. About... oh, a year, four months and two days. Give or take.

[ being a parent-- even a surrogate one to teenagers-- kind of ends the whole kegger thing. ]

My sympathies. Perhaps in time we ought to sample both the former and the latter options for parties - we'll know we're doing it right if by some great fortune we happen across a donkey in the process.

Sounds like a deal, Oxford.

[ There's something terribly satisfying about being called by his codename - one that he prefers almost infinitely to his actual name - and it's more the reason behind Oxford's smile right now than anything else. ]

I consider it rather a success, being here for less than a day and already making plans. [ He tilts his head to one side, expression relaxing. ] It puts quite a lovely shine to an otherwise questionable situation.

See, that gets ten out of ten.

Why, thank you. I like to think I'm a quick learner.

I'll keep it in mind.