001. video

[servator]

[ If you’ve never seen someone who’s very close to death, you have now. The image broadcast is of a wearied-looking soldier who is fairly torn up, sporting dozens of gashes to the face and badly-cracked military-grade armor. The woman in question looks tired, yes, but there’s something almost relieved about her expression, about the way she sighs long and deep before speaking, taking her time in sending out a message. ]

Never thought being dead would look and feel just like living. [ Does that sound too unamused? Ah, well. She pauses, considers what to say; it’s difficult when you’ve recently been more or less dissolved into atoms and then woke up in a gooey pod. Among... other things. ]

This is Command-- [ The woman cuts off, brows knit as she reconsiders. ] ... This is Shepard, formerly Commander of the SSV Normandy, Alliance Navy. I don’t know where this is, exactly, but I think I know what it’s supposed to be.

[ Do the specifics of the afterlife matter so much once you're dead, though? Shepard smiles distantly, voice surprisingly easy despite all the unknown factors. ]

I need to find the bar. Promised someone I’d be there.

Comments

[seidhr]

[An accurate appraisal.]

Indeed. You've some impressive shoes to fill, Former-Commander Shepard; fortunately, they happen to be your size. Unless that's changed along with your looks.

[servator]

If they're my size, then they'll fit. [ An adequate metaphor for everything that's happening. ] Let me guess; you knew the "other Shepard," too?

[seidhr]

Not personally; I merely beheld her deeds, as did so many others here.

Doubtless all will be explained to you before long. Popularity has its privileges.

[servator]

I've got enough explanation for one day. I don't need anyone else telling me I'm not the person I am.

[seidhr]

As you say.

[A smile has crept through his voice, there and gone again by the next word.]

For what it's worth, commander, I believe you.

[servator]

Oh, yeah? And why is that? No one else seems to.

[ Except, it seems, a few very random, very overtly-friendly strangers. It's all pretty strange, but she isn't discounting any piece of advice, any gesture that isn't steeped in bitterness and grief. Even those she can't let go of... if anything, she keeps them closer to her chest, so to speak. ]

[seidhr]

Sentiment makes them suspicious; they fear whatever game this ship may next decide to play.

[At least he's an honest dick? ...Right now, anyway.]

However, despite what all this fuss might suggest, you are not the first to come aboard in your own stead.

[servator]

I can understand that. [ If it were one of her friends... she tries to imagine it, feels a hot lick of anger at the effort, and shakes her head. ] I'd probably react the same way.

[ She shifts, arms crossed. ]

Yeah, I've seen some of the records. I'm still not sure what to think about all this.

[seidhr]

Neither are your shipmates. There—see? You've already begun to fit in.

[servator]

Point taken. [ Her lip curls briefly; she can appreciate the gesture, at least. ] Been on the ship long, yourself?

[seidhr]

Several cycles now... as was the me before me. And the one before him.

[His voice lowers, seems to move a bit closer to the receiver: conspiracy!]

I'm the charming one.

[servator]

Uh-huh. [ She chuckles, cracking a slightly larger smile. ] So, what's it like, being here and not remembering it later?

[seidhr]

No different than going anywhere for the first time. None aboard seem bothered by it, if indeed they noticed the change at all.

[Reading back through the network archive—before the server reboot—had been strange, but informative too. He's also thankful the ship hasn't left any live animals in his locker. What a pain in the arse that would be. ANYWAY...]

Not at all like this reception here.

[servator]

No, guess not. [ She sighs, though it's more tired and frustrated than anything more negative. If what they're saying is true, then she can't really blame them for how they reacted. ] I've come back from the dead before, but I remembered it. This is... pretty different.

[ To say the least. ]