[Liara had taken her time to get familiar with the most immediate areas of the ship before deciding to ask questions, choosing to get her bearings and do some firsthand investigation first and foremost. She hadn’t gone terribly far, not yet, but so far it had become clear to her that wherever this ship was bound, no one she’d spoken to seemed terribly familiar with any of the planets, galaxies or major trade routes she had mentioned, nor had anyone but Shepard shown any knowledge of mass effect relays. That alone raised countless questions, even more than had already come to mind since she’d awakened in the medical bay.

First things first. She needed to find a niche here, a way to be useful, play to her strengths.]

Pardon the intrusion-- my name is Dr. Liara T’soni, though I’m certain that this place sees so many new arrivals, committing names and faces to memory must be quite an undertaking.

[She smiles faintly. She can only imagine how exhausting it must be, seeing so many people come and go.]

I’m interested in speaking to someone about assisting in the science department, particularly xenobiotics and genetics, though I’m uncertain of who, precisely, I should contact.

[The communicator is quite different from the omni-tool interface she’s become so accustomed to over the course of decades, and juggling everything on a tiny screen as opposted to projections is more trying than she’d like to admit.]

Aside from that, if there is anything that anyone on board would be willing to share with me about planets they may have visited during their time with the Tranquility, I would greatly appreciate it. I’m curious to see if I might be able to draw parallels or find some kind of connection between these worlds and the systems I’m familiar with. Thank you for your time, should you choose to give it.

[That said, she gives another smile, warmer than the first, and the feed ends.]

[ For perhaps the first time over the network, Elizabeth doesn't exactly look chipper. She's fidgeting, pulling at bits of her hair and moving as she talks. ]

Hello. I... I was hoping that I could ask you all your opinions, based on your own experiences. I realize that what I'm asking is situational and... well, really, private, but I really do need advice.

... When you have to kill, or... had to, before, what was it that allowed you to reason through it? Even if the act is for the greater good, it's still the taking of a life. Someone told me once that it was a necessity, though a terrible one, and I know now that he was right. Still, though, if it wasn't for survival-- for your own survival-- [ She pauses, reconsiders. ] If someone else was in danger--an innocent--is it any easier?

[ Clearly, she's never killed anyone before. Elizabeth chews on her lip, very much agitated. ]

Oh! This isn't about anyone on the ship, not at all. I'm only wondering for when I return to Columbia.

[Dean's been around a while now, long enough to get settled in and learn how to work the stove, so he figures it's about the right time to give the Tranquility a formal greeting. Video feed opens up to Dean clearly trying to keep himself in frame, chin ducking once he's sure everything's set up and running.]

For anyone I haven't met yet, which... I'm sure is probably most of you, my name's Dean Winchester.

[It sounds a little rehearsed. He's run it through his head a few times, and it drags on a little as the words spill out.]

I'm, uh... well, apparently I'm not exactly new here, but for all intents and purposes, let's just go with that. If I knew you any more than, say, a month ago, I hate to break it to you, but all that's pretty much gone now. Blank slate. Sorry.

[He doesn't seem all that perturbed by it, but he's been through it too often to really put a lot of heart in the sentiment. He does offer up a tight sort of grimace in apology, but a second later he plows on. His eyes duck down for a second, and then they're back on the camera.]

I've got a couple of questions for anyone who thinks they can answer them. First of all- has anyone ever been anywhere before this? I'm not talking about back home on Earth, or... wherever it is you're from originally. I mean, has anyone ever been bounced to another dimension, or universe, or... something like this ship, but different? Possibly 80% less Star Trek?

[There's a sort of awkward pause there, and it looks like he wants to extrapolate on that. His lips twitch, and then he shakes his head, evidently changing his mind.]

Second off, does anyone know anything about tech crap? See, I got this...

[The camera jiggles a little as his head ducks, he searches through his pockets to find another phone. It isn't a ship-designated communicator, but it looks similar. He holds it up irreverently, flipping it back and forth to display it.]

This other thing, but it's... [He gives it a floppy shake] dead as a doornail, and I can't exactly pick up a charger from the nearest Apple store, so. If anyone has any ideas on how to give it some juice, I'd appreciate it. I'd like to get some crap off of it.

[It's shoved absently back into his jacket pocket.]

Oh, and uh- one last thing. Any word on why some people aren't popping out of the space womb tube things? Is there an ETA on that, or is it step one to getting shipped back home? What's the deal with that?

[It's asked with a sort of consternated, displeased expression. Obviously his phone isn't going to answer him, so after a weird second, he shrugs it off. Scratches awkwardly at his cheek.]

That's pretty much it. Anything you got for me would just be... awesome. Over and out.

[The camera gets a lovely second of vertigo wherein he shifts the view from his face to his boots before he can finally cut the feed.]

[ It's the holiday season, and everyone knows what that means.

Time to set up a blind date!

Wait, that isn't the reason for the season? It's very unfortunate for one Benny Lafitte that Caroline has decided that, for him, it is.

It's not like she's out to find his One True Love or anything, but he needs to get out and socialize a lot more than he has been. It's entirely possible he won't be too happy about her efforts, but she's going to keep his name a secret.

Unless someone figures it out and asks. She's a terrible liar.

The video starts with her smiling brightly, full of holiday cheer and such things. ]

So, I've got a friend. Let's call him...Huggy Bear. [ It's appropriate. Benny's totally a bear, and it's cutesy enough that it has her smile turning a little more mischievous.

No, she is not aware of a certain character from Starsky and Hutch also called Huggy Bear, but moving on. ] It's the time of year where everyone needs a little company, and I think my friend could use some of the dating variety.

Who's up for a blind date? [ It might be silly, but they're all so far away from home, and the holidays have her homesick something fierce so this has been her project to keep her distracted. One she definitely did not okay with the topic of her post. ] He's a great cook, so dinner wouldn't even be a problem. He's super sweet and very mature. [ In that 'immortal being who has been alive for a while' type of way. ] Not only that, but he's a great friend to have, even if it doesn't work out. Added bonus: he's got a killer accent. Who doesn't love accents?

Contact me if you're interested! [ And with a cheery little wave she ends the transmission. Then she proceeds to sit and stare at her communicator, because there has to be someone out there for her buddy Benny. She has his best interests in mind, after all. ]

For those who knew him, Tyler Lockwood is gone from the ship. [ caroline will be in her bunk. for unfun crying alone reasons.] 

[ private to her mystic falls friends ]

Klaus is gone too.

Provided we don't have some sort of space-ship- slash-world-ending-catastrophe, we're having a pool party after the next jump. Two days after. That's right, you heard me, a pool party. There will be snacks, music, and of course, swimming. [ she gives her usual chipper-i'm-in-a-party-planning-monster-mode smile. its charming, i promise.] We all need a little fun, I think.

If anyone wants to volunteer to help setup or has ideas or anything... I'm open to hear about them. [ mostly.]


[Private to Elena and Bonnie]
[ NEWS TEAM ASSEMBLE ] So... I know I didn't discuss but I figured you'd want to help me? It'll be something to do. [ something that doesn't involve the deeper drama going on the ship and their lives.]

does anybody have knitting needles i can use or know where i can get some?





... anyone actually know how to knit, for that matter?

[really stiles? the first thing you actually choose to post to the network and it's this. you're impossible. you're also not helping jason's nickname for you right now.]

[ at first there's a bit of static before the image gets clear and look! its caroline forbes. and she looks annoyed and completely, uncharacteristically disheveled. ah but she looks characteristically and justifiably annoyed.]

Finally, this stupid thing is working. I mean, seriously? Why doesn't it have a GPS or something, you make one wrong turn and-- [ she looks suddenly over her shoulder, still feeling the residual paranoia that comes with getting lost in the hallways. then she's back!]

How long was I gone? What's going on?

[ Warning, Tranquility, but two more than slightly inebriated teenagers have pushed the wrong button on Caroline Forbes' device. That's right, here, before you is a grinning Caroline. Behind her, stands Bonnie, leaning her head in. Caroline may have given Bonnie the grand tour, and by grand tour, the narration means she was led to the bar. Which is where they are currently. ]

Elena Gilbert. Answer your phone. We’ve called you, like, a thoooousand times. [ Okay, so twice.] Come to the space bar. We’re having space drinks. [ Bonnie interjects with--] Pretty awful space drinks. But, drinks, Elena. Get your butt down here! Up here? [ She looks at Caroline.]  Are we up?

I don’t know and the drinks are not awful. [ Caroline takes a swig of her drink before] And Elena if you don’t come, I can’t promise we won’t dance on the bar and-- [ Its now that she figures out this message is not private.] Whoops. We’re on the network, Bon, so.... Anyone else who wants to drink with us, should! [ And Bonnie chimes in too--] Yes! Bonus points if you're cute and not trying to kill us! Did I just say that out loud?

[ And Caroline is going to butt in with--] Yeeeep. And no Klauses allowed.[ and she mouths, drunkenly ‘Hi Tyler” to the camera before cutting it off.]


[ ooc: caroline is purple, bonnie is blue. one or both might reply to commnts. also action is possible/encouraged!]

[ The comms device is on for a few moments, the picture bouncing around one of the rooms like a merry go round, before it finally it settles on a messy long-haired young man. His eyes squinting at the device for a few moments. Not in confusion, more in annoyance. The camera shifts again as he lowers the camera enough to rest on surface before he’s leaning forward.]

First of all. Fuck this place. And fuck whatever bought us here.

Because while wondering around in space sounds like a fun idea. It’s less appealing in practice.

[ His voice is slow and careful, there’s almost held back humour at the whole situation. Because of course this would fucking happen to him. There’s a lull in conversation there, as if he expects someone to answer him. With no answer he continues.]

Fine. Does anyone have a beer at least? Because this shit isn't exactly the easiest to swallow.

Out of curiosity, if someone were to have a certain...affliction. Does anyone have any idea what this fun little ship would do to it?

[ caroline's more than a little bit alarmed and she just got a goodbye message from elena, sort of. so cue a desperate friend pleading to the network after watching all the messages from people trapped in the bridge.]

Can't anyone do something? They're dying in there. The jump is soon and if they're trapped... [ they're going to die. like actually die.] Please there has to be something we can do.

09:07
Bridge is ours. No resistance encountered.

09:12
Doors locked. Not opening from the inside. Attempting manual release. Request assistance.

[Eric really isn't the type for posting to the networks himself, but he has a need. A very specific one. With all of this temperature fluctuation, he needs to keep his body temperature more stable, since for some ungodly reason the changes in temperature actually bother him this semester. And that means regular feedings. Normally his smaller collection of donors is more than sufficient each month. This month, however, is far, far from normal.

When Eric turns on the camera he sits very still, legs crossed, hands folded in his lap. He's trying hard not to look as miserable as he feels, with all of this hot and cold that he's not supposed to be able to feel. And he's putting up a rather impressive front, at that. Behind him, Godric stands, just as still and straight himself, although a soft smile graces his own features.]

Ladies. Gentlemen. [The corner of his mouth quirks slightly, a show for the camera.] And the rest of you, whatever you are.

We're looking for volunteers. Donors, if you must be specific about it. Some of you might remember a similar request a while ago. Unfortunately, Captain Kirk is no longer here to speak on our behalf. That does not mean that we are asking you to blindly offer yourselves up. There are those on the ship that can vouch for our character in his stead. [He won't name names specifically on such a public forum, but they know who they are, and they should know that they're called to account, here with these words.]

I'll give you the Sparknotes version. Godric and I are Vampire. We drink blood, it is how we survive. Without it, we starve. [His eyes are fiercely blue.] Or freeze, as the case may be. As it stands, we need more than usual to make ends meet this month, thanks to the ship fucking around with its temperature changes, and deciding we need to share in the same effects. And that is where you come in.

[It is Godric's turn to speak up now, sensing that his progeny's temper is getting the better of him for the moment.] We have regular volunteers who donate to us, and their contributions are usually more than enough. But this is an usual situation, and we do not wish to overburden them. We're asking for temporary volunteers to supplement what we already receive. And any form of donation will do; if you have your blood drawn in the medical bay, they can set it aside for us at your request.

[Eric shifts in his seat, leaning against one of the arms of the chair.] Donors may remain anonymous, should you decide to take us up on this request. [He brings a hand up to rest his chin his hand. He sounds slightly bored with the spiel, and rehearsed as well, as though this sort of announcement and public speaking in general really isn't new to him at all.] Questions?

((ooc: Blue is Eric and green is Godric! There will be a log for this up shortly as well so keep an eye out for that!))

[ caroline is in full wedding planning mode. okay, so maybe ric, the groom, is in stasis but so is caroline's boyfriend, so now's the time for distraction. and what's a better distraction then planning a big event? a wedding shaped event.]

At the risk of this sounding like a setup of a cheesy joke... I need a priest or a captain or someone who has the power to do a marriage ceremony. Step right up if you qualify. I need your services.


[private to jenna sommers]

We need to discuss colors so I can start on the invitations. Oh, and food. Also ceremony stuff, like the wedding party.

You know what? This is really silly.

And I'm really sick and tired of all this hiding and lying to people; I'm not even that good at it. And for what? On the off chance that, out of all the people dragged here from all over the multiverse from different planets and points in time, one of them is going to be a religious nutjob with the intent to kill me?

No. You know what? I'm more powerful that some guy who believe's he's doing "God's work" by killing innocent teenagers. I don't need to live in fear of-- of someone finding out, of all these memory shenanigans, of... bigots.

Peeps of the Tranquility:

My name is Cassie Blake, and I'm a witch. A full-blooded, hundred-percent witch. [The corner of her mouth tweaks upwards, like she finds something about that sentence funny.]

I like to think I'm a pretty peaceful person, you know? I don't like fighting. But if there's anyone here who has a problem with my evil witchiness, well, you can find me on level 20, room 5. Bring it.

Otherwise, peace out.

[ when the feed first comes on, it’s just of jo, sitting at a bar that should be recognizable to anyone who has ventured into the space bar at all in the last couple of months. jo seems fairly relaxed, sitting at one of the bar stools with one leg crossed over the other, her elbow leaning on the counter. she’s watching something off to her side for a brief moment before she turns back to the feed and smiles. ]

Guess this would be a good time to say welcome to the Tranquility to all the newbies. It sucks, so get used to that. I’m Jo, and I help run the Space Bar. All the free alcohol you could ever want, thanks to the lockers.

[ Wichita’s been fussing with a few bottles behind the bar, back to the camera, mostly just rearranging them for no reason, like it matters what order they’re in or whatever. but maybe it does, because it’s not just Generic Shitty Space Booze anymore. like hey, check out the space bar, suddenly looking very legit. not that it’s all out in the open, no. they’re not dumb. her hands rest on her hips as she steps back to take a look, only vaguely aware that Jo’s been recording, but.. they did decide to make this little announcement, so. okay. she’ll turn around and give the comm a nod, even though she’s not sure that she’s even in the frame until she moves to stand next to Jo’s seat. her arms cross on the bar as she leans on it, shaking her bangs out of her face to give it a good looking-over, like she can see every single person that’s watching the feed right now. ]

I’m Wichita, and basically if you ever have plans of getting drunk somewhere that isn’t all alone in some depressingly boring part of the ship, we’re your new best friends. And don’t listen to anybody that tells you the booze sucks and music sucks, it’s not that bad. The booze we get each jump isn’t high-end Earth stuff, and the music is just- reminiscent of a much happier, weirder time.

[ … YOOOO I’LL TELL YOU WHAT I WANT WHAT I REALLY REALLY WANT blares from the speakers and she doesn’t even flinch. ]

And for those of you who don’t know, last jump we took a little joyride over to a ship called the Cyllene. Got out before the ship went murderous, thank god, and didn’t leave empty handed. [ the grin on jo’s face is more than just a little cocky. they made bank from their pirating, after all, and by bank she means all the new bottles plus some unopened boxes behind the bar. ] This shit ain’t free, though. [ she turns it back around to face her and wichita, back to business. ] We’re up for trades, favors, and manual labor of the shirtless-and-attractive variety.

[ Wichita snorts a laugh and nods ] Seconding the shirtless-and-attractive variety. Though if you want, you’re free to harass the current bartenders for shirtless-and-attractive service too. [ a beat ] Not us, but the guys. [ trollololol ]

Oh- [ jo takes the communicator back, turning back to her. ] And just to throw it out there, if anyone has any REO Speedwagon- CDs or iPods or whatever- I’ll do anything short of… [ she trails off, thinking, before shaking her head. ] Actually, no, I’ll do just about anything for some Kevin Cronin. So if you have some- trade?

Crappy alcohol is all still free. As is the incredible service and a chance to not be totally antisocial. But ask for Jo or Wichita if you want any of the good stuff. And- [ jo’s eyes will suddenly get very dark and very intimidating. ] if anyone even tries to touch our loot, you’ll wish you didn’t.

[ and then she just smiles, all threatening looks gone. ] See y’all later, then. [ have a two-fingered salute, a peace sign from wichita, and then the feed ends. ]




[ ooc: it's pretty obvious, but just in case, wichita is in navy and jo's in black, and both are open to respond to this post! we're also going to be putting up an open log for the space bar! ]