[The video comes to life in a flourish of black feathers.

There's the caw of a raven, and when the device is adjusted better so that its audience can see the broadcaster, Loki can be seen standing with his arm extended. The aforementioned raven sits on his forearm, head cocked to the side and seeming to look into the feed with something akin to curiosity.

Another ruffle of feathers, and a second raven sits seated on Loki's left shoulder. The sight would be almost comical if not for the fact that there is something oddly imposing about the birds -- large in size, to be certain, but something about their demeanor exhibits a certain cleverness of thought that most ravens would not possess.

Loki smiles. Anyone who has met him before may notice that his hair is a bit longer, but other than that he appears the same. The backdrop is those of the oxygen gardens.]

I've returned to the ship, and yet I've not been gone that long at all, have I? Strange how time is twisted into something incomprehensible in an instance such as this -- but I hardly have a right to complain. Asgard was a reprieve, even in confinement. Svartalfheim was... [He trails off, choosing the right words.] Well. Lacking in a certain glory, but the dark elves were never ones for gilded appearances. I suppose it's a fitting enough battlefield for a glorious death.

I'd like to call it that, at least. Sacrificial. [A twist of his lips, irony escaping his mouth.] Mother would have been proud. Perhaps Odin, as well.

But I digress. [Both ravens then caw loudly, as if on cue.] It seems that despite everything, I've been granted a couple of friends from home. Meet Huginn and Muninn, the King's ravens. Huginn is the one with the annoyed look in his gaze, and Muninn is the one without it. Say hello, the both of you.

[And then (as if also on cue), both birds simply fly off to make their perch in a nearby tree. Loki only laughs, as if this was to be expected.]

Ah. Well. There is always room for improvement, as they say.

[private to mcu!Thor; not really encrypted at all because lol Asgardians encrypting things]

I take it you're still here. In which case I think we may have things we wish to discuss.

This last jump left me with a pretty good collection of books and I was just wondering if anyone's been to update the library booklist since Claudius left us? Also, if there's no one running the library anymore, maybe we could get a volunteer?

And, well, I suppose to make it easier for them, if people want to reply here with the books they've gotten, that would be great.

Or, umm, if you have a look at the list I'm attaching and think there's one I ought to start with reading first, because you liked it, I'd like to know that too? I've had the textbooks for a while and gone through them a couple times.

( Harry's Collection )

[There's the drumming of fingers in apparent boredom and the video is slightly off centre, looking over Tony's shoulder instead.]

I take it there's three different events circulating around right now. One apparently rather benign and the other two of the same event, but from different perspectives. If we're lucky, the events that occurred won't be repeated, but since when were we ever that lucky?

So far two options appear to be either hallucinate jawdropping monsters and there's something out there that eats the bodies you gun down or turn into one yourself, but remain unaware of it. [His hands pause and his gaze moves to a point past the video.] In the interests of self-preservation I ask no one try eat me if the latter is true. I'm already dying, there's no need to speed it up and I'm sure cancer makes the flesh taste horrid.

[He continues on cheerfully, his hands resuming their drumming. Now the lack of eye contact makes him look thoughtful rather than avoidant.]

And if it seems relevant to anyone I've always associated the name Schue with a tv show with singing in it. Although there was definitely no singing from what I remember, just getting shot.

[ooc: and if anyone with death related powers wants to call him out on it... he will actually die a little bit further down his canon.]

[ When the video flickers into focus, Bells' face is relatively well-lit compared to some of the other times he's used the network. His expression is a bit lax. ]

Hey, so. Uh. Been a while, I guess. Name's Bells in case anyone was wondering. [ Probably not, so he moves on pretty quick. ] I get that a lot of shit's happened recently, and yeah, it sucks. But it's not like we have control over that kinda stuff, right? I mean, we can't really order around the guys who think they're running this boat. We just take it, and bitch about it after it's all over.

...here's the thing though. [ And the feed draws in a little closer toward him when he moves it, mouth twisted down into a frown. ] There are some things we can.

Like, uh, I dunno. The fact that some of us aren't human and some of you are. Didn't think it was a thing until-- [ He shrugs. ] Point is, we don't have to do this whole trust, no-trust thing. We're supposed to help each other, not try to kill someone because they're different or you're too damn stubborn to ask for help when you've got a problem you can't figure out on your own.

Is that what friends do for each other? [ The frown is deeper now, and he's quiet for a while, dropping his gaze to the side for a second as he tries to figure out what else it is he wants to say. ]

Anyway. This place's bad enough without all that. Hiding what you are is just gonna lead to a lot more problems than coming clean. So, if you need something, don't be shy. Someone's gonna listen, and if they don't, fuck 'em. You'll find someone who will.

[ This has been a passive-aggressive announcement by one pissed off angel. He rolls his eyes and adds a bit more before ending it there: ] Think about it.

[ Angel isn’t excited to be facing the camera - especially considering this is his first ever appearance on the network, he doesn’t look like he’s doing this for the potential shits and giggles. Though it’s… not as if he ever looks like he’s having that good of a time, facing the entire network with a painfully somber expression, it mostly looks like he’s been wrangled into this confession of his. ]

I’m not gonna beat around the bush, at this point there isn’t any reason to. We’ve all got memories we’re batting around, and none of them are the feel good family picture kind. Unless you managed to get the one where I saved a puppy, in which case-- [ -- you didn’t get the one where he’s nailing them to objects. probably a good thing. back to the serious topic at hand. ]

Anything else you get from me? Isn’t gonna be warm and fuzzy, and I already know that a few of you got the worst of it. My past used to be the kind of thing I bragged about and it isn’t anymore-- it’s not who I am now but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s still mine. It’s still who I was, and if you want to know more? I’d rather have you ask than let it sit in the back of your head like it does in mine.

[ He knows you guys are out there, he knows. And he’s not going to hunt you down because that just makes it a hell of a lot creepier. But he will fold his arms over his chest and look put off by his own existence. ]

I don’t want anyone’s forgiveness, that’s not why i’m asking you to listen. I’m not trying to make anyone understand the things that I did. But if you want an explanation? If you ended up with memories from someone they called Angelus, spending time in Europe killing more people than you could count- torturing the rest just because you wanted to? Maybe getting cursed with a soul? [ this face he’s making means that he really could go on for awhile. ]

Then those were more than likely mine, and if you want to avoid it, that’s fine. So do I. I’ve done everything I can to try and redeem myself, and I can tell you i’m not the same person I used to be. That doesn’t mean you have to believe it. But you should hear it from me instead of wondering if there’s one more monster on board the ship.

[ When the feed first begins, the crown-wearing woman on the other end takes a second to turn the device every which way. Despite looking quite exhausted, she still manages to look regal. Finally, upon deciding that she is doing this correctly, she smiles. Oh, yes, she is quite pleased with herself even she is still wary of this technology. If nothing else, it's at least helpful. ]

I have yet to become accustom to.. [ A pause, as she glances around. ] .. this, but I am certainly grateful that those who dwell here alongside me have been helpful. It is because of this that I feel I should apologize, even knowing I cannot help what I see. These glimpses and fragments of memories that are not my own..

[ And now she has to wonder what others may have glimpsed from her own mind. Her smile suddenly turns apologetic. ] Not all are pleasant, and I am sorry for that, but it is not my place to divulge the contents of them. I can only hope those memories are not a constant in their lives.

Are we meant to deal with such invasive happenings often?

Sorry this is both late and... not updated. For the new arrivals, the situation last month involved a solid month of being unable to get more than an hour or two of sleep at a time, so I very selfishly took the opportunity to sleep the entire day away after the jump.

Now that I'm caught up on blissful, wonderful rest, I'll update the timeline and add a couple new sections as soon as I can.

HELLO You're probably confused. Take some time to read this over. We do our best to keep it up to date, and it should answer most of your questions. THE RUNDOWN » What happened, where you are, what to do REFERENCE » Basic facts about the ship and solar system A TIMELINE OF EVENTS » This will take time to read thoroughly, but we strongly recommend it. FAQ » Please read this before asking a question on the network HEADCOUNT » Our current numbers SPACE TRAINING » If this is your first time aboard a space ship, please watch these helpful videos COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD » For all your wants and needs

[Connor's voice is soft and thoughtful. Actually, it sounds distinctly more like he's monologuing to himself than talking to his little glowing box. In fact, if he hadn't heard other voices coming out of it (and seen words on the glass front that disappeared when he touched it), monologuing would be exactly what he's doing, but he did hear voices so he suspects maybe his voice will come out of other glowing boxes somehow.

He's still pretty monotone, though.]

I find myself in need of a teacher. The...machines here are strange to me. Everything here is strange to me. In the absence of things familiar, I will need... allies-- [Not friends. Not yet, anyway.] --who are willing to help me.

[A brief silence and then:] There is a light on here. How is that made?

you will want to be careful opening your lockers after the jump

[ she did her nice deed. now she can be a brat for the rest of the day. ]

 
[Netherlands is out of commission, and really, it makes Takeshi very unsure if he should even say anything. Because he needs his space dad for moral support, y'know! But Heather's there -- no literally, she's in the background, and she may or may not be messing with paper and scissors and scrounged up materials from around the ship working fervently. Is that a curled up colored paper being turned into a party hat for Takeshi? Maybe. Anyway, as she's got her back turned, Takeshi's addressing the camera, muttering 'right now?' before smiling into the video feed. Nederlands, be proud of him while you're knocked out, because Takeshi is announcing shit. Heeee will tell you about said shit when you're not snoring in comaland and dreaming about weed and fancy scarves.]

Hi!! I'm Takeshi, and -- I'm inviting people to my birthday party!

I mean, it's not... I don't have a special day I knowed that I was born on, and -- space is really weird and we don't got normal days, but Heder and Nederlands said it's okay to have one that's special here. 'Cuz I showed up more than one whole year ago, [Check it out I'm holding up one solitary finger like one is such an intense number] -- so that definitely means I'm allowed to be six now! My space tattoo says so. I didn't know if I wanted a pool party or if I wanted a garden party 'cus I love them both, like, a lot. And I've been learning how to swim! So I don't ever drown.

[Tactful.]

So -- uhhhh.

[Heather speaks up in the back, holding up two fingers in-between scissors: '2 days after the jump!']

Oh!! Two days after the jump, it's gonna be in the pool room! On the second floor, and you should come. We'll make food! I dunno what, but I think we can do it. 

[Confidence A+

Heather also speaks up over her shoulder: 'Ask for lots of cool stuff!']

If you want -- to bring... presents... that's really cool...

[................

He leans in, very serious.]

I just really want to sing happy birthday and eat cake. [Do we even have cake here...] So you don't have to. But if you want to. You can bring something.

... And maybe... help Heder cut things out.... She's getting mad at the paper....

((ooc: and of course as a note, beware threadjacks or replies from ms. freckleface mcgee))

[ THIS IS FORWARD DATED spike would usually do this up on video but given the chaos and just how shitty he looks-- oh, yeah, if you haven't seen spike in a bit there's a reason for it. he looks like death. literally. skinny, sallow, low-energy. he's not even quipping like he should be. he's scarcely been here ninety days, but without blood, he's not healing like he should. these demons are giving him the go around and he doesn't like it. so have a raspy english voice, sounding much tireder than usual, which really everyone should expect given the theme around here. ]

I'll tell you all, I've seen an apocalypse or two in my day. And this? This is a bloody disaster.

Floor 22, Room 17. I've got some weapons and hiding spots, but that's not what I'm on about. I'll see you all in the trenches anyway. [ he takes a breath, he might be smoking. ]

...This blood situation, yeah? For us vamps. [ pauuuuuse ] It's wrong, and I'll tell you why it's wrong. This might be a bloody big ship, but it's going to start seeming a whole hell of a lot smaller if we keep handing over human to them--us. To us.

I don't drink human blood, it's a life choice. Let's use an analogy. Now, I talked to an expert on the subject so let's call 'blood' ... 'heroin.' And let's call bagged blood something they call 'methadone.' That's a drug used to bring someone down off scag, if you didn't know. But it doesn't work, and neither does this. Drinking it from a bag? Well. Just makes someone want the real thing.

Over on the Cyllene, guy name of Jayne told me to look for Dr. Tam up in the med bay? But I'm sorry, doc, and anyone else who might have a hand in that concoction -- I don't trust it. Don't ruddy well trust anyone with a beaker and I've got good reason.

There's got to be another way.

[ he hangs up rather abruptly, it takes a lot to get a rise out of him like this. it took the perfect cocktail of starvation, sleeplessness, nightmares and demons from his homeworld but now he's here and he's mad. and yeah, no that's basically it. ]

[ here's the thing: sleep deprivation makes idle whims seem like fantastic ideas-- and neal's not full up on self-control as it is, so two weeks of barely any sleep just raises great idea to best idea on his personal scale.

as such he's leaning against the wall behind his bed, pupils slightly blown. what is an intro he can't even. ]

Not we, my dear, you. I'm leaving you here.

You're what? Rhett, where are you going?

I'm going, my dear, to join the army.

[ his posture changes between; other than a few flat vowels slipping in as rhett, pushing for the accent seems a little too much and posture is good enough to convey the suggestion of gender, if you're careful. ]

Oh, you're joking. I could kill you for scaring me so.

I'm very serious, Scarlett. I'm going to join up with our brave lads in gray.

But they're running away.

Oh, no, they'll turn and make a last stand, if I know anything about them. And when they do, I'll be with them. I'm a little late, but better late than--

[ it's tricky to overlap your own voice, and his grimaces a little and shrugs as if apologizing for the lack of actual interruption in the scene. ( sleep deprivation or pretentiousness: the world may never know. ) ]

Rhett, you must be joking.

Selfish to the end, aren't you? Thinking of your own precious hide with never a thought for the noble cause. [ he yawns widely, skipping scarlett's line in the process. ] Why? Maybe it's because I've always had a weakness for lost causes, once they're really lost. Or maybe, maybe I'm ashamed of myself. Who knows?

[ he pauses, body language returning abruptly to his usual. ] I missed something, there. Anyway-- [ and back to the show. ]

You should die of shame to leave me here alone and helpless.

You, helpless? Heaven help the Yankees if they capture you. Now climb down here. I want to say goodbye.

[ that makes him pause, one that extends out into another jaw-cracking yawn and neal slumps down even more, almost prone now. ]

There's more, but it's really better with someone else.

[ and he's out. ]

[Like the rest of you, this woman looks sleep deprived and possibly a little bit deranged. Her eyes are glassy, she seems a little fidgety, as though she's anxiously awaiting something. Anything. A few deep breaths, and she finally stops staring blankly forward and speaks.]

I have a very important question. Very. I'd appreciate any help you can provide.

[Another pause.]

What does "love" mean to you? And what does it feel like? Rapturous? Terrifying? It's a concept to me, nothing more. I've been curious, though. And now that we're all half-incapacitated and sharing things...

[Her attention span seems to weaken for a moment, and she looks away at the wall...]

Also, if anyone knows how to cook something manly, I'd like your help with that, as well.

[ This is a face that hasn't appeared on the network for some time. The video comes on and Charles looks rather... Tired. He's propped the camera part of his desk. He has dark circles around his eyes. He has been fighting when dealing with it. He still looks very well put together, despite the obvious bags under his eyes. His hair is combed, he's clean. He isn't quiet for long once the video is on. He spins a black knight from his chess set in his fingers. ]

Loss - it is a complicated thing, isn't it? I've found myself losing track of time with the loss of sleep. Days keep...blending together.

It's left me plenty of time to think. I truly do miss Raven. I'm certain that she is doing something great back at home, whatever it may be.

[ He knows better than that, and his voice implies he does. It's a lot harder to maintain a mask when you haven't slept. He closes his eyes for a moment, there's something else he almost says, but he snaps his jaw shut. ]

I know it has been awhile since I've been on the network. For those who are newer, and those whom I haven't met - I'm Charles Xavier. I work in the Science Department.

It's been some time since I've made an offer for alcohol and a visit, so -- if anyone would like to stop by, let me know.

[ When she flicks the device on, she's pulling away, like she very obviously set it onto something so she could look slightly down at it. When she pulls away, the camera gives a sight of a woman who looks like she's in her mid-thirties. She's dressed in, well, something close to a black catsuit, and she folds her arms over her chest while she looks at the item. If anything, she looks a touch annoyed, but that's the last of the emotion on her face, and when she speaks, her voice is painfully level. The most important thing to note is that at her hip, there's a flash of metal that could just be a rather sophisticated, cylyndrical weapon. ]

I've done my research, so I don't need the basics. I'm looking for details, or specs, if you have them. I've figured out that whoever took me has to be an idiot for giving me an opportunity to talk over these things, and leave me with my weapons.

[ A quirk of an eyebrow. ]

It's messy.

So, has anyone met them? Has anyone said why, or are they just idiots? If not, then I guess there's at least some mystery to whatever it is I've stepped into this time. I don't suppose it's too much to ask about who's on here, is it? Getting a scope of the field will help out more than anything else.

[ Good space evening, Tranquility! Did you say you wanted two exasperated, vaguely concerned doctors this evening? Yes? Good! Because there are two of them. Simon and Bones are broadcasting from the familiar backdrop of the Medbay, and it's clear that what they're about to say is very important. Simon speaks first, rubbing the bridge of his nose between two fingers before addressing the camera. ]

If the recent network posts have been any indication, it seems that many of you have been experiencing insomnia. We're not sure if it's a result of the most recent jump, but Doctor McCoy and I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone that we do have treatment available in the Medbay for anyone who’s been having trouble sleeping.

[ There's a moment when Bones looks at Simon to make sure he's done mentioning the insomnia and the fact that there is the sleeping aids available from them. Unlike the other remedies from everyone's various homes, Bones thinks they may be more effective at combating the issue. He ends up rubbing at his eyes and picks up where Simon had left off. ]

We'd start you off at the smallest doses, of course, and if that doesn't work, tell us and we'll work up from there. In addition, there's been a rash of several of you all coming in with bloody noses, ears and occasional burst vessel in your eye or eyes. Or if you're supremely unlucky, you may have been caught on camera suddenly bleeding. Chances that all of you who've had those issues are coming into Medbay is slim to none, but both Doctor Tam and I are wondering just how many of you all— [ Not us, because clearly neither of them have dealt with it, really. ] have had that happen at least once or twice since this past jump. And if it's happened, how many times, as well as, where. Meaning your actual location and the place you were bleeding from.

We can't stress enough how important it is for you to come to Medbay if you think you're ill. Burst blood vessels in the eye will usually heal on their own, but a checkup never hurts.

[ Well, except when they do, but that's obviously not the point he’s trying to make. ]

[ But Simon, a little suffering is good for the soul! Except fine, valid point to make, even if Bones ends up giving him a bit of a look. ]

And if it actually does, then wouldn't you know it, we can fix that. [ But right, yes, they got what they needed to say out and someone's gotta end this feed with something better than that so as Bones is reaching over to cut the feed, he does say one thing as if to say goodbye. ]

At the off chance you're ill and you don't come by and I find out, I'm not above coming to find you and dragging you down here for that check-up.

[ And then the screen goes black. ]


( Green for Simon, Blue for Bones! )

[There is an orange-skinned girl on the feed with white facial tattoos. Please do not adjust your communication devices, she is actually orange. Since her arrival she's shed her many layers of clothes and right now she appears to be in the lift.]

I'm Padawan Ahsoka Tano. For those of you who are wondering, I am an alien. A species called a Togruta. I'm also a Jedi apprentice and helping out in the shuttlebay.

[She hasn't been sleeping well for the last six days but that shouldn't give her hallucinations already. Which means what she saw was real. Plus hallucinations don't try to lock her in her room.]

Master Kenobi, Skyguy. We've got a bit of a problem. There's this droid, an R3 unit that's sort of out to get us on board the ship. He's a Sep spy and a stubby, little back-stabber. I can catch him but I don't have the skills to reprogram him.

Everyone else should be on the lookout for a gold and black droid - he looks exactly like Artooie except for the color. Don't let him near anything he can sabotage. If you see him electric shocks work best to put him out of commission. Try not to shoot him or slice him in half. Stubby can be a big help once he's not working against us.