( text )

[darkart]

The xenobiology and genetics department would like to note that should anyone find themselves struggling after contact (of any kind) with what would be considered dark magic, that we are equipped to offer you help.

In the interests of cataloging ship-induced phenomenon, we would like to know if any passengers experienced either of the following:

a) A desire to return to the Tranquility while on the Arima colony, contrary to personal expectation of such desire or otherwise

b) Any out of the ordinary emotion or incident while on board the Tranquility while others were on the Arima colony

The information will be used to further such activities as sitting around and thinking about it, given lack of other options.

[ If this sounds slightly friendlier and more sedate than usual coming from this ID#, it's because Charles and Nuala are both hovering over his shoulder, attempting to ensure Severus doesn't act like a total jerk to people while speaking on behalf of the department. (Despite this, he may have adlibbed that last line and gotten away with it.) It is unavoidably logical for the staff member fluent in dark magic to helm an offer concerning it, or somebody else would be making this missive. ]

Comments

[uncurse]

Re: A

I was planning on staying and hitching a ride out of there, and then suddenly I wasn't.

[darkart]

Did it make you feel at all anxious?

[uncurse]

Not really. Countdown on the shuttles made me nervous, and knowing we probably wouldn't get a second chance to make the choice comes with a healthy dose of anxiety, but I wouldn't say anything out of the ordinary.

Why? What are you thinking happened?

[darkart]

Out of the ordinary besides spontaneously changing your mind?

Personally, I felt a need to return before I knew about the countdown, and I'd overheard similar chatter from others. A few people were acting with extreme intensity about it. [ CHARLES. :| ] It's struck me as potentially unnatural.

text. private. 75% encryption.

[forgodssake]

Swan's change of heart was not entirely a TQ anomaly
I'll sort it

text.

[c24]

[ Xenobiology department? ... Really? ]

Just how big is this department? How many people?

text. private. 75% encryption.

[darkart]

[ oh for fuck's.. ]

Brilliant.

I'll be using a back room in the old labs for something potentially hazardous. There will be a note up where the wards start, but all the same don't go poking at it.

text. private. 75% encryption.

[forgodssake]

There was influence, but she was fending it off
and alright

[ 3, 2, 1...]

text.

[darkart]

[ Is this going to be another SCIENCE muggle freakout? ]

A truly staggering five.

I believe physical science may have two.

text. private. 75% encryption.

[forgodssake]

what is the potentially hazardous something?

text;

[peckish4action]

Okay, I think I've got a friend who'd be really interested in the fact that you're doing magic queries while working for the *xenobiology and genetics* department. And that's a good thing. Though he's not here, so I'll just be here cheering from the sidelines.

text. private. 75% encryption.

[darkart]

A something I've not received permission to share with others due to privacy concerns.

text. private. 75% encryption.

[forgodssake]

very well.

text.

[c24]

[ WOW MAYBE? Get off your high horse, blacky! Ever since he became an alien he's trying to be more tolerant, but it takes time, okay? Gosh. ]

Wow. Very.

So since when have they been handing out doctorates in alien biology? Or is this more of a club than a research department?

[ HE'S SIMPLY ASKING! Don't get offended. Or do, but don't expect sympathy. ]

text;

[darkart]

[ He types out 'if you must' but is forced to delete it, unfairly. ]

Magic is an active part of the lives of many people on board. It would be an oversight not to involve it.

text.

[darkart]

What doctorate are you referring to?

text;

[peckish4action]

Fair enough, yeah. So, as somebody who obviously has some ideas about it to a newbie, just what should I expect, when it comes to magic? Like, are most people here with some sort of magic, are there magical fights or something...? Just curious.

text;

[darkart]

It is quite rare and significantly outnumbered by altercations that do not involve magic.

text.

[c24]

Hell, anyone that qualifies five people to conduct a xenobiology department.

[ Yeah, he's not picky anymore. Just real damn curious. ]

text;

[peckish4action]

Okay, yeah, that *is* good to know, thanks.

And sorry I can't really contribute to the survey, I wasn't here yet for the... 'did you want to come back to Tranquility' thing. But if you're doing research, I can keep note of things, in case there are similar questionnaires in the future.

text.

[darkart]

Both geneticists in the department have the appropriate qualifications for their field. The rest of us do not come from cultures where degrees like that have any use or meaning.

text;

[darkart]

We are always doing research.

If you're looking for work, I'm obligated to suggest you seek out one of the departments that deals with critical functions of the ship before you volunteer for one such as this.

text;

[peckish4action]

Thanks, I'm trying for Communications, actually, I'm gonna guess that's pretty critical. But that doesn't mean I can't be helpful, right?

[ Sorry, Snape, Robin can be this obnoxiously chipper. He does mean to help. ]

text.

[c24]

Fair enough.

And as a department [ of ragtag persons with cultural differences. ] what's your main focus? Besides all that dark magic surveying.

text;

[darkart]

Communications is indeed critical, and they are shorthanded. If you'd like to spend time in xenogen as well, it should be after all duties in comms are covered.

[ Severus shall endure. ]