text.

[ex_varnish905]

This isn't the most pleasant of welcomes, is it? Symptoms seem to reflect impaired circulation to the brain. I'm no doctor, but I would suggest everybody increase their salt intake, orally or intravenously, and perhaps the ship-wide oxygen levels should be tested — independently of the regular instruments, if possible.

I have several questions:

Is it true that the higher floors are currently uninhabitable, and for what reason?

If I were looking to trade potentially valuable possessions or my artistic talents for some personal items I require, is there some sort of market or bartering system?

Is there any organized news system or newsletter circulated among ship residents or does blogging suffice? Is this network monitored? Censored?

Is there an agreed upon legal code or list of established rights of sapience (human or otherwise) that Security personnel enforce?

Thank you for your time.

Comments

[ex_varnish905]

I do endeavor to be a help.

Say I wanted some sewing done. Is there a list of services offered beyond the tasks implied implicitly by people's affiliation with official departments?

[treasonista]

Not to my knowledge. There was a survey going around last cycle inquiring as to people's previous occupations, but that doesn't guarantee an exhaustive set of skills.

If sewing wasn't simply hypothetical, I can sew. Nothing elaborate, but if you need something altered or repaired, I may be able to help. If it's beyond my skill level, I believe some of those who make their home in the oxygen gardens may be able to help. [ Elves. She means elves. ]

[ex_varnish905]

Indeed: as you yourself are proving, unless you made your occupation as a seamstress.

There are people who live in the Oxygen Gardens?

[ why would you even. ]

[treasonista]

I'm a geneticist, but also a surgeon, so I've some need for a steady hand with needle and thread.

Scandalous, isn't it?

[ Elves. ]

[ex_varnish905]

[ A SURGEON oh how interesting. but she's tabling that for a moment to disapprove of the elvish lifestyle. ]

Unsanitary, uncomfortable, and unnecessary. Do they have tents?

[treasonista]

[ Right? Just throwing that out there for you to make use of later, lady. ]

I've seen some. I believe there may be more permanent structures as well. I'm given to believe the provided rooms are too austere for some.

[ex_varnish905]

I don't see how camping is any better. I suppose it's not the real outdoors, so maybe there's less insects. Where did you study? Surgery, I mean, obviously. Or genetics.

[treasonista]

There's less wildlife overall, certainly.

[ Though, conspicuously, not a complete absence of it. Which is curious. ]

Texas, and New York. I'm going to assume you're familiar. You'd be surprised how many in this place aren't.

[ex_varnish905]

With both. But I did get the impression not everyone is from quite the same place. Fairy eye-opening, actually.

[treasonista]

I find it fascinating.

[ To be fair, if she didn't, she'd probably be curled up in a ball and crying in some corner somewhere. Taking an interest in something shitty makes it more tolerable somehow. ]

Where are you from then?

[ex_varnish905]

Most recently I've been working for Agnew's in London, but I grew up in the US. This is my first trip to space.

[treasonista]

So you aren't an astronaut, then.

I've never been to London. Always wanted to.

[ex_varnish905]

You should, it's lovely. Although obviously the opportunity hardly presents itself in our current situation. But optimistically, one day, perhaps.

[treasonista]

Who knows? Maybe the next jump is the jump that takes us home.