ataraxion | video; backdated to jump day

[the woman on the video has a smile on that's attempting to be confident, but seems just a touch wobbly. Her hair is brown with a vivid red streak on one side, and she seems to have coordinated the rest of her outfit with said streak, down to the ribbon trim on her white bowler hat, which, while clean, has definitely seen better years. given what she's discovered about the size and history of the ship, she's decided that she might be better served not coming out swinging with her normal confidence. this wasn't pandora, after all, and it seemed like people often actually helped a girl in need. weird.]

Hey, so, I bet you all get this a lot, but I'm looking for some people. They're kinda important--well, at least one of them is--and I ended up here with some really, really awkward timing. So, Sash, if you're listening to this, call me already, wouldja?

Guess I should introduce myself, huh? I'm Fiona, and I'd say I'm fresh off the boat except for how I'm actually fresh on the boat. So to speak.

[that had sounded better in her head.]

Yeah.

Anyway, if anybody has the latest ECHOcast newsfeed, catching up on current events would be great. Or any idea where I could take a room that's maybe near some people? That would be cool too.

[there's a moment of silence where she seems to be contemplating turning off the feed, but then she snaps her fingers, as though remembering something.]

Oh, right, Rhys and Vaughn, if you're around you should give me a call too. Don't ask me how, but I've still got the thing.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Uh...

[That's a lot of information to take in at once. Rhys rubs at his eyes with his human hand, trying to make sense of everything- though, the question of whether or not he wants to make sense of everything sort of arises somewhere in there, because whatever it is that happened, it doesn't sound good.

Fuck. Things just keep getting better and better, don't they?]

So- your solution to saving my friend and your sister was to... blow us both up?

We had what they wanted. The idea was to not have to blow us up. People start reconsidering where they're pointing their guns when you endanger their priceless artifacts in exchange. If they hurt Sasha, hell yes I'd take Gortys down with me.

[seriously, rhys, don't you get this loyalty thing? nah, probably not, considering hyperion. she sighs, and her voice comes out small.]

It's not just Sash. Your Hyperion option must really suck, cause Vasquez was real specific about wanting you alive. Somehow I don't think it's for your stunning personality.

So, you were hoping that they wouldn't call your bluff.

[Dangerous, Fiona, Rhys isn't sure if he approves. But the comment about Vasquez, about wanting him alive- well, he doesn't know how to take that. He doesn't think that the idiot would need to sate some sort of torturous inclination, so maybe he'd just want to kill him in some sort of special way?

Not that that's really any better. Ugh.]

You'd take Gortys and me down with you, you mean. And probably Vaughn too, if we're dead. [Which he doesn't like at all. Still, though-]

You said that I hacked the robots?

I wasn't bluffing, but yeah, that's the idea. And if they didn't care enough to stop me, what do you think Vaughn's life was worth to them anyway?

[she sighs. sometimes the big bluffs are all there is left. but then rhys had really, really one-upped her.]

Sort of. You kinda said you weren't, really, but it was definitely your arm doing something, and your eye went weird and gold.

Well, that fills me with confidence about our mutual future together.

[He sighs.]

So, we're probably all dead then. Okay. [There's a pause, while Rhys thinks.] I guess that means we try to stay here for as long as possible. On this ship, in this universe, and pray that Sasha and Vaughn find their way here too. We have the Gortys... whatever, it might still be useful.

You were controlling the robots. Or your arm was, whatever. And also...there, so...yeah, I'd say things are getting a little weird even for Pandora.

[she sighs, shaking her head.]

I wouldn't count us dead yet. Something's going on with...I don't even know, but you've been here and I know you were with us there, and you've still got your piece even though we put it together, and it's not like you disappeared after the last thing you remember...

[sasha had always said she was the optimistic one, usually with a sarcastic sort of smile. this seemed like a shit time to stop.]

Figuring out the science-y stuff isn't my gig. But I think you're right about the rest. Sit tight, hope they show up, and try to figure out what the hell is so valuable about this thing. Not like we can just ask nicely to go home anyway.

Science isn't exactly my gig either, you know.

[He sighs, but yeah optimism is gonna be needed if they're going to get anywhere.]

Something weird is going on. But at least it's you. [Pause. Wait, was that too sappy? Rhys gives an awkward cough.] -I mean, it could have been Vasquez or that September guy in that pod, but you've gone like.... almost a full day since your last attempt on my life, so I'm counting that as a win.

Yeah, I know. But I don't think Vaughn or Sasha would have any better ideas, so let's go with 'everything is weird, must be Tuesday.'

[she gives him a cocky little grin she doesn't quite feel, but it's a good imitation.]

It's okay, Hyperion, you're allowed to like me a little. Not like we're alone on a crazy spaceship out in who the hell knows where or anything.

[despite the insulting nickname, fiona sounds kind of...fond. things are definitely weird.]

Damn right you're lucky I'm not Vasquez or August. Vasquez wears way too much eau d'douchebag and August eats cute little guys like you for breakfast.

You don't think I could take him? I could totally take him.

[He offers her a look, as if daring her to size him up. And then... deflates a little.]

...no, you're right, he'd kick my ass. It would be embarrassing. Let's not talk about that anymore.

Hey, you might be able to get the jump on Vasquez. Just not August.

[it has obviously been a day, because fiona reaches out and pats him on the shoulder reassuringly, and then, with endless mercy, changes the subject.]

So, how does a girl get a room around here? I got the memo that we're not supposed to live where we're...supposed to live, but what's the deal?

Yeah, you pretty much just claim whatever isn't locked.

[He shrugs, but sort of looks at her hand when she pats him on the shoulder, like he's not quite sure what to do with it. Okay...]

You should get one on this floor. It's a pretty good floor. Bar's right above us and there's not a ton of people around.

That's...deceptively simple. So this is a good floor, huh? I like the sound of close bar access. Maybe I'll grab the one next door. Or a couple down. Whatever.

Eh, make it a couple.

[He makes a face. Sorry Fi, in Rhys-world you're still not really friends yet.]

Don't want anyone getting the wrong idea.

Slow down there, cowboy. What kind of idea is there even to get about two people from the same place rooming next to each other? It's not like we're sharing.

[is she a tiny, wee, squidgy bit insulted? yep, so she'll just toss it back at him along with an eyeroll.]

As if, anyway.

Yeah, well, you know.

[Defensively!!! He folds his arms across his chest with a sigh.]

Just do what you want, I guess. But don't- [There's a pause there, a weakness that he doesn't really want to show.] -don't go too far. I mean, just- weird shit happens here. I don't want to get separated if something goes down.

video; backdated to jump day

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