A girl wandered the ship, and not the outpost. She knows there were cruel things there. Evil things. [Because more than anything else, a girl listens and watches.]

A girl would ask a question of everyone, to distract from those things. She hopes all may answer, for there are a great many foreign things to her here.

What city, country, planet [yes, she remembers these strange but important words] do the people of Tranquility call home? Where do they come from, if they have no home? What are their names?

A girl regrets that she cannot answer well. A girl is of the Faceless Men, and so she has no name, no face. Her only home is in Braavos, Essos, on a planet that has no name, like the girl.

[Maybe it's a warning, in the end, now that she knows the kingslayer is to gain a hand: she knows that the only people who will really understand what the Faceless Men are, are few on the ship; but there are others, she thinks, who will interpret the words she does not say.]

A girl will listen to true and false answers alike, if she must. She only asks for answers.

[Thus far, Anders has met one mage who calls himself a wizard, and that's all. He's also talked to a girl who does magic and refuses to name it magic, insisting it's all science and DNA and things. And he's given a demonstration of healing magic to a skeptical but open-minded warrior who's promised to teach him about space.

He's fairly certain Carver is probably going to tell everyone he's an abomination, or something, sooner or later, if not by design than by blurting it out.

He decides he'd better get some sort of handle on the ship's general opinion of magic and mages. Edgeworth used the communicator to pose a general question to everybody, Anders has seen, so he thinks that should be something he can do as well, rather than try messaging everyone individually. Recalling Ros' complaints, he doesn't use text, but for once he'll keep his face to himself. Voice it is.]

Good morning. [And, sotto voce, to himself but audible enough for the communicator to catch?] Is this morning? I think that's what that means --

[He clears his throat unobtrusively.]

Just out of curiosity -- do you believe in magic?

--No, no, okay. Theeeeeeeeeeere it-- it's on.

[ jenna slumps triumphantly back on the bed, landing in a not terribly graceful heap. it takes some serious hardcore dedication to boozing to get a vampire hammered, so while there's only one bottle in sight, more are out of range and spectacularly empty, with a few extras waiting in the wings.

she starts talking with the particular drunken air of someone continuing a conversation. ]

So, okay. We don't have movies-- not the right movies. There is not a single copy of Bridget Jones in there, I looked. Twice. [ she holds up two fingers, wiggling them a little. ] And no Titanic, which is required viewing for cliche emo nights, because-- hang on.

[ she stops, lifting up the bottle in her hand and draining almost all of the rest of it. impending sobering up is not something she wants to deal with right now.

and now on an entirely different thought. ]

Anyway. We should just make our own. 'I'll be back.' [ well, that was the worst arnold impression ever. ] Or 'I think we're gonna need a bigger boat'-- added benefit of irony because oh wow, do we not need that. Smaller would be better, here. A lot smaller.

You know what else we need? Doritos. Ranch ones. Or oh my god, Nacho cheese Doritos with nacho cheese glop and jalapenos. And Ben and Jerry's. And a barbecue place, while we're at it. [ beat. ] All right, who do I have to sell my soul to if I want say-- a vat of pulled pork and fixings?

...Right, and since I'm torturing myself. [ brb draining the end of that bottle. ] Any particular food cravings you're having? Don't skimp on details, I'm in a very masochistic place right now.

[ faith looks exceedingly pleased with herself when she grins down at her communicator and keys it on. she also looks bruised up, but that's part of the fun. for once, the ever-present lighter is tucked away.

she holds up three fingers. ]

I got three basic needs.

[ down goes everything but the index finger. ]

Get some quality ass kicking time in, done. And Muscles said I wasn't gonna get to kill anything.

[ now she adds her middle finger, turned around so it's not quite a peace sign for your benefit wesley. (this is her playful face.) ]

Second thing? Food. I'm not talking whatever we got going down from the gardens, I run hot. Anybody wants to make a chick a burger, I'll make it worth your while.

[ ring finger, now, too. ]

Three's more of an audience participation deal. Plus, you know. Screwing. [ d e l i c a t e. ] I'd take a place to party first too, but whatever. Might as well cut out the middle man if nobody's got a finger in that pie yet.

[ ...yeah, that's about it. with a grin that's a little bit more predatory than friendly, faith out. ]

So hey, I'm going to make this pretty short, since I know a lot of people are still trying to get back on their feet - myself included. I heard there was talk of 'hellbeasts' in the newly rediscovered science lab.

Well, being a man of... let's say 'applied sciences'. I'm willing to head over there in the next couple days and clean out as much as I can. I've done this type of thing before, so it isn't exactly new to me. If anyone wants to accompany me to get these things taken care of, you either need to be really good at fighting, or be armed in some way, but I'm willing to take anyone who needs to vent at these things.

All you experimental types who want a sample of these things, speak now or forever hold your peace. This kind of work is pretty notably messy, so if you want someone to drag one of these things back, it's likely going to be at least missing a limb or two and not exactly be moving.

Once I know who all's planning to come with me, I can figure out a good time for us to head out there and clean out the lab so people can actually use it.

Clarke out.

[he knows he can't stop anyone from going, which is fifty percent of the reason he makes this a public broadcast instead of filtered. his transmissions starts with a file transfer. it comes with a photo pulled of the subnetwork, and detailing how to get to the start of the maze, located next to the Oxygen Garden. he'd rather people be informed than go wandering about, after all.]

{file transfer::// START.jpg}

Alright people, whatever we've caught is lethal. We need people in fit condition [or as close to it] to be assisting in the search. Anyone heading into the maze, do not go alone, do not go unarmed, and be careful.


Enterprise, we leave at 16:00 hours.



[ooc; feel free to use this post as IC coordination for heading into the maze/forming groups if you want! also this is pinging anyone Jim might not have talked to about going into the maze with him, ie: Asato, Godric, Todd, Jane Sheppard, Jack, etc.]

[ It's the third day that passengers aboard the Tranquility have shown up in medbay with symptoms of some kind of illness. Taken individually, none of them have appeared life-threatening -- physical weakness, loss of coordination, nausea and a mild fever, some ringing in the ears. Things that could be attributed to any number of minor ailments.

When they started presenting with a blue tint to the eyes, lips and nails, that got the medical staff more worried. When someone put it all together and realized that the symptoms all seemed to be linked...well that has the earmarks of an epidemic.

How McCoy ended up with the task of making a general announcement he's not certain, but maybe everyone figures his general doom-and-gloom attitude when it comes to space travel will convey the sense that it's probably not as bad as it sounds, more so than if it came from someone less prone to pronouncements about how they're all likely to die out here.

When the video begins transmitting, it shows him in his blue Starfleet uniform, the wall of the medbay behind him. He isn't smiling, but he isn't looking too worried either. Those who've served with him, however, might recognize that he's wearing his 'CMO' demeanor. ]

I'd like your attention, please. My name is Dr. Leonard McCoy, and I'm one of your medical staff. It's come to our attention down here that there may be some kind of virus makin' the rounds. Before you all start to panic, it doesn't look serious, but it would help us come up with a treatment if anyone exhibiting the following symptoms would kindly stop by for a check-up.

The symptoms are a general weakness or loss of coordination, nausea, fever, ringing in your ears. You may notice a blue tint to your lips, eyes, or fingernails. If you find you have any of these symptoms, get yourself down to the medbay. Could turn out to be nothing, but better safe than sorry.



[ The public transmission ends, but it's followed by two filtered transmissions. ]

( Filter to Medical Staff + Betty Ross + Sue Storm + Aragorn | MED Filter 80% )

( Filter to Enterprise | McCoy Encryption 80% )



[OOC NOTES: Any of the people currently listed as being on medical staff are more than welcome to threadjack here. At this point, although there may be suspicions and conjecture on the part of the medbay staff, no one has pinpointed a specific cause of the symptoms.

Medical Types: If you're not on the medical staff list or specifically named by McCoy, but you have medical/science skills you want to contribute, please feel free to respond to the general transmission and make an offer. He'll add you to the filter.

Enterprise Crew: Feel free to up Bones' encryption if your skills are better, which most of them probably are. ;) ]

[She's blinking. This was definitely not Bon Tempes. This wasn't even close. And what was worse was she needed to feed. But in a place like this? The humans well... they didn't see too keen on the idea. Jessica awkwardly smiled and pulled a long strand of red hair back.]

So, I got this problem, see. I sort'a need somethin' to live, and it ain't really available here, not like home. Well it is, but... I just really need it. [Her eyes go wide for a moment, the idea of blood possessing her. She has to calm herself.]

I ain't exactly sure how to go about it. But it's who I am. Things are just different here, all y'all's worlds are so different. [She looks down for a moment. She'd probably think most of the people out there were lucky. They didn't have to rip someone's throat open to feed. Jess visably cringes.]

I ain't been here long, so some of ya might not even know me. I'm Jessica. [She leaves out the vampire part for now. It wasn't that she wasn't going to admit what she was, but this wasn't like one of those meetings where you stood up, announced your name and what you were.]

Guess this was sort'a pointless.

[Godric is not usually one to involve himself in games. He prefers the direct approach when dealing with threats. However, that hasn't been an option with the most recent problem, so he's been vigilant with monitoring the network and the subnetwork. It isn't as if he doesn't have the time. Today, something has changed.]

It isn't my intention to alarm anyone, but I thought it best to note the files our smiling friend gave us on the subnetwork have changed. We have something new to contemplate.

[ The video comes on to show a... wall. It's a nice wall. One of the passenger room walls, pretty plain. Then Aragorn turns it around.

He's sitting at the edge of the bed and almost literally covered in blood. It's even more obvious because his shirt is gone - the top half of his jumpsuit is torn into pieces, and blood covers the left side of his chest. Half of the shredded rags from his jumpsuit are in his handss, and he's wrapping them slowly around his shoulder. That's where all the blood is coming from. It looks to be slowing down, though.

The other half is bound around the wrists and ankles of the man on the bed. Those who have met him when he first came would recognise Errol Partridge, dressed in his heavy Cleric's uniform. He's unconscious, but it's not an easy sleep - his head shifts from side to side, and half-formed words escape his lips.

Aragorn is entirely calm as he fixes his eyes on the camera. ]

I need athelas. In the Common Tongue of my world, it is named kingsfoil. It is a small shrub with dark green leaves and white flowers. The oxygen garden is too dangerous to enter right now, but if there are any who have a few leaves, I will be grateful.

[ He inclines his head towards the camera. ]

Thank you. [ He grabs hold of one of his makeshift bandages with his teeth and pulls it tight around his shoulder before he reaches out and switches off the video. ]

[ Elena's laughing when the camera turns on, and she's fussing with her comm, trying to get it to stay upright in front of her on the bed while she sits cross-legged in front of the view. Her hair is still wet from her shower, but otherwise she looks pretty damn happy, considering... everything that just happened.

Jenna stands behind her, combing her hair out and looking a little overwhelmed, but happy herself. ]

Is this right? --It's like face-time, right? No, c'mon don't laugh at me I don't wanna mess this up.

Think of it like... Skype in space. Same general principle-- which means stop talking to me and address your adoring public.

[ and then Elena waves once at the camera, like she's just remembered it's on and broadcasting, and Jenna just laughs and continues brushing. ]

Um, hey. I'm Elena and I'm new here-

[ another burst of laughter from her before she keeps going ]

Sorry, I'm really bad at talking to a camera, um. I'm actually looking for my friends, if any of you guys are around. [ She sobers up a bit, not liking the idea of them being all split up, even if she does have Aunt Jenna right here with her. ] Bonnie and Caroline, if you're here let me know. [ weird quirk of a smile at this; ] I don't wanna be in space without you guys.

-- Stefan and Damon too.

[ Jenna, visible in the background, rolls her eyes at the second name but doesn't comment, letting Elena have her moment. (SORRY, ELDER SALVATORE. YOU TOUCHED HER UNDERAGE NIECE, YOU GET ALL THE EYEROLL.) ] You better be okay, if you're here. And Jeremy! Check in, please. You can't hide from us forever! [ more laughing again. ]


( ooc | FOR SAKE OF EASE dialogue in purple is Jenna, reddish is Elena. replies will come from both! )

I noticed that there seem to be a lot of you, lately, that feel the need to explain who - or what - you are to the rest of us stuck here with you. It makes sense. We need to band together, after all. Like that neurotic man shouting about his cube said, honesty is the best policy here. If we are all wandering about aimlessly, the least we can do for each other is announce anything we might do that could possibly cause damage to others.

[Wow, that sentence got away from him. Whatever, he presses on.] At the very least, all of these announcements not pertaining to the very real threat of demons aboard the ship have convinced me that I, too, have to admit something about myself that could be a problem for you, later on.

[He tries really hard to sound like this admission is taking it out of him. God, it's just so hard, so difficult, to admit that...]

I'm afraid that I'm exceptionally fantastic, and if I'm left unchecked, I will continue to be far too good at too many things. It's a burden that I must bear alone, but I hope that you all will understand and, in time, come to accept this curse of mine.

[WHEW that's a weight off his chest. He turns off the recording - then quickly snaps it back on to add,] Ah, yes, also - I'm a skeleton. I suppose that one's important too. So don't faint if you see me wandering about. Right. Good. [THERE now he's done.]

[The boy on the screen looks physically no more than nineteen or twenty, perhaps even younger. It's the perceptible aura of power that surrounds him, cool and confident, that gives the lie to his appearance. He's too still by far, too pale and too collected to be nothing more than a lost young man. The more perceptive people on the ship may note that there's also no attempt to hide it. He speaks softly, but nonetheless somehow commands immediate and direct attention. His accent is completely unplaceable.]

If I am to understand correctly, this ship docks on occasion. I would like to know what our next destination might be and when we might arrive there, if such information is known.

[He pauses, thoughtful, not yet done speaking but in no apparent rush to continue.]

I would also like to know how our lockers come to hold our possessions, and how those possessions might be chosen or acquired.

[He does not say thank you, but he doesn't have to. Something in his mannerisms says it for him, unfailingly polite by tone and body language alone.]