ataraxion | audio;

This... is kinda not my usual thing to talk about, but since they've been here for a long time and lots of people know them...

I believe both Bran and Arya are gone from Tranquility, as per this jump.

Which reminded me again. For those who've only been here for a little while, but've lost people, there's a memorial wall in the Oxygen gardens. You can... put up names there for people to remember.

For the new arrivals? Sorry the first thing over the network to be like that. It's not all bad or morose or anything! We had Space Christmas last jump, so, really. Not all bad. If you've got questions, people here'll try to answer them as well as we can. If you're looking for stuff to do, departments are usually recruiting, something'll be found!

Oh, also, if you guys see direwolves or a dragon, be careful. They might be missing their people kind of a lot. But they're likely to leave you alone if you don't pester them. I'm not sure they haven't been sent back home as well, but - just in case.

That's it. Robin out.

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[She's not even sure why she's replying to this. Maybe because she's at least talked to this person before, maybe because she needs to make sure? Because she wants him to be wrong?]

Bran is gone?

When you say a dragon... do you really mean like a full-sized fire-breathing village-destroying thing? Where the hell has that been hiding?

Yeah. His device isn't responding, as with all who're gone. I'm sorry.

Not exactly on either fire-breathing or size. He was kind of small when I saw him, but that was a few jumps back, so that might've changed. I'm not an expert on dragons, but I think he's kind of young.

Oh....

[Small pause.]

He was a kind person. I hope....he is somewhere better.

I am saddened to see them depart. There are many names I believe I must add to that wall.

( her mother, chiefmost among them. but also ellie, aramis, porthos, athos, her granddaughter, corvo, and so very many others. she takes a small breath, and feels her heart grow heavy in her chest. )

Lucrezia Borgia has also departed, along with her husband. They were as family to me.

( the loss if difficult to describe. but then, it is not her own pain she worries for as she speaks these words, but of cesare's. his sister's loss will cut deeply. )

Yeah, me too. Saddened, I mean.

[ Adding names, too, obviously, but. Robin is quiet for a moment, then. ]

Would you like company, going to do that? Or would you rather be alone?

Yeah, me too.

[ Though, as far as Dick can tell, their home isn't exactly a friendly, nice place... and he wouldn't have his mechanical legs, there. Ugh. ]

You okay?

I would most certainly appreciate an escort, sir. I have already mourned the loss of many a person alone and in silence at home.

( and enough of that. she is part of this community, and these are her people. they should grieve together, even as they live together. )

[ A tiny pause, because Dick is really, really not used to being called sir. ]

I'm Robin. And - just tell me where to pick you up from, and then? I'll be there.

[ He doesn't mind. Either the company or being somebody's company. ]

We are well-met Robin, though would that the circumstances were brighter in nature. You may call me Elizabeth.

( she hesitates only a heartbeat before responding with: )

The first floor lift will do nicely. I thank you for your company, it is most appreciated.

Good to meet you too, Elizabeth. And it's - this place.

Now?

I'm....fine.

[Only she's not because she liked him and it hurts and this is why she isn't supposed to have emotions.]

[she already knows by the time she sees this post that bran is gone. it had been a feeling in her gut when she'd first awakened from stasis. a search of his usual haunts had given her no answers, and her hope had diminished with each passing hour. she hadn't had the heart to message him, knowing that it would be fruitless.

she sets her comm aside after the first few sentences of the post play.

nill sits on her bed, knees pulled up to her chest with her arms wrapped around them. heine left, and now bran has. she can't count the number of others she's known that have left, but these two, she thinks, hurt the most. she presses her face into her knees and does her best not to cry, even though there isn't anyone to see.]

[Flatly:] That dragon will grow into a beast which is responsible for countless deaths in my own world, including those of several of my kinsman. At this time, I feel it only appropriate to repeat my suggestion that it would be best for all involved were we to slay the creature now.

I agree with Artanis. That thing will become more trouble than it is worth.

...

Hold on, hold on, but he's just a small little thing and how can you even think about kicking him, let alone killing him?

[ You get a pout, Galadriel, even if you at least don't have to see it. ]

Though I'm not even sure he's still here, I don't think anyone's reported being attacked by a dragon and Arya's room is unlocked and empty.

... it'll take a very long time, though, won't it? Long after we probably won't be on this ship anymore?

Should we not deal with the matter now rather than leave it to those who come after? It will only become more and more dangerous the longer it is left to live.

I was... actually thinking if, if he's still here, letting him deal with the ship. Destroying it, when he's big enough.

[Your pout has little effect.] He is, or he will be, Glaurung the Deceiver, the Father of Dragons. A small thing he may be now, but I do not know how long that will last, nor do I know how long it will take for him to come into his full power. I would prefer not to take the risk.

If he is not here, of course, the matter is resolved for us.

[ Only because you can't see it, lady. ]

Maybe he will, maybe he'll be stuck here forever.

[ And, a little quieter. ] We don't kill.

But I guess if you, or security if you alert them, come across him first, it's not like there would be anything I could do to stop you. [ He just sounds. Miserable about that. He understands her point, he does, but. No killing is pretty deeply ingrained in his fourteen-year-old psyche. ]

You do not kill. Not all of us have been afforded the luxury of clean hands. [But she can hear the misery in his voice and her tone softens.]

It is not something I relish. I seek, in the end, to avoid more death and injury, either here or in my own world; I hope you may understand that.

It is cursed and a most foul place, I agree most heartily.

If it is convenient for you at the moment, yes, please.

[ If Robin knew somebody was there, being sad in silence and alone, he'd go - to keep them company, to maybe try to cheer them up. To find out how things could go better for them, even in this place. ]

[ But he can't, so he's just the bearer of bad news and warning. ]

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oh, break my heart, why don't you.