[ the number's a 022, but there's no questions about where they are or when they get to go home. will doesn't even really want to be making this post, but people are talking about animal bones, human remains, blood. and that's kind of his gig. ]

I'm not a trained forensic analyst, but if we've got the equipment to do so, I'd be willing to try and take a look at the organic tissue people found in their lockers. I got meat. Anyone else?

[Eponine's holding the video upside down. Not that she's aware of that. Actually, she's only just managed to get the thing on and working without a barrage of messages about jumps and vampires and some sort of Smiley. Coupled with men who claim to be dead, no matter how nice they might be, and a woman who hands out silk shifts as if they were dresses - and food - Eponine's just a little bit overwhelmed.]

I cannot be dreaming. It has gone on too long - it is too lovely to be a dream. And it feels too real to be in my mind. But... but only, how can it be true? How can any of this be true? Such things where we can see one another when we are not face to face? And... and the man speaking of a vampire and blood - how can it be? Is it magic? Is magic real?

[Godric is sitting, slumped casually in a chair in one of the common areas when he turns on the video feed. When he speaks, his tone is soft but clear, and he remains thoughtful as he speaks unhurriedly. This isn't a speech he's had planned out, but he knows what he wants to say.]

With every jump, we receive a variety of new passengers from a variety of different worlds. To some, this ship is not so dissimilar to what they are accustomed to. To others, it is the most foreign thing they have ever known. The worlds we come from vary like grains of sand, and although the welcome guide offers a rudimentary introduction into the unknown, and an invaluable insight into what has already come to pass here, it can only do so much to ease the culture shock.

As our worlds are different, so too are there differences in the types of people we are accustomed to, and how we react to those people. Some of you have vampires in your world, or werewolves, or shapeshifters. For others of you, these are merely fictional stories. But this ship acts as a nexus, and the first thing that any of us must understand is that all things are possible here, and not all things are as you might expect them.

I am a vampire, and not the only one aboard this ship. There are a few of us, but we are as varied as our worlds. Where some of us may have no reflection or cannot be recorded, for example, [he smiles here, the humor obvious] my kind certainly can. We have different cultures and different sleeping habits, and indeed, different eating habits, which is the thing that naturally concerns most newcomers.

While all vampires feed on human blood -- the sole thing we all have in common -- it can affect us differently according to our natures. Some of us, it seems, choose to refrain entirely from its consumption and come to no harm for it. Some of us can eat food and survive on that alone, the same as any human. And for those of us for whom this is not an option, there are synthetic options provided by medical, as well as many kind and generous people aboard who have willingly donated their blood so that we will not starve.

I tell you all this to reassure anyone who has recently come aboard, and found themselves alarmed by our presence. While I cannot vouch for all of us any more than a single human can vouch for all his species, I can say that most of us mean no harm, and wish only to live as peacefully as we can here. I tell you this also so that any vampire new to this ship can understand we are not in hiding, and that aggression is not welcome. And while I cannot speak for any other supernatural species aboard, I hope you will all understand that you have friends here.

[He leaves off there, but leaves the feed open for questions.]

[All right. Well. He has somehow made it through the process of being shuffled along to gather his clothes, which smell like prison, and Carton's, which smell like whiskey, and Charles is hardly sure which is worse, though he takes a certain perverse comfort in the latter, or he would if he had some idea of what was really going on. When the feed opens, he is starring into it, taking a few moments to gather his thoughts. He realizes it is on, but...as far as what to say...The expression in his eyes is particularly shell shocked at first, and he is ducking his head after about a minute of this.]

I...forgive me. We have nothing like this where I am from, and men have never even heard of... I'm certain I'll adjust in time if all of you will just bear with me as I...

[Charles is pausing again, appears to be considering what to say, and then laughs, trying his best to be friendly, and to put a brave face on things.]

Well! In other situations like this, I found myself quite alone. It's been a while since I've been around people and I think I'm out of practice. If this ship IS to be my new home, and all of you my new neighbors, I suppose we ought to get to know each other.

[Here is a moment Charles has not considered before. The matter of his name and which to use now. Does he invoke his family's sins and own them, and what's happened to him? Does he lie? Cease to make things an issue?

Among the Frenchmen here, it's hard to say how one Marquis who wanted to escape it ought to fare, and it's been some time since he has even remotely liked the marquis or wanted to be him, but is it lying to conceal the truth? Well, no more lying than he's done before at any rate, and his tentative smile grows a little as he looks straight into the camera, taking a deep breath.]

My name is Charles Darnay. Is there somewhere less awkward I can speak to those of you who might like to meet in person?

Good morning, children! Did you have a nice jump? No, me either. Anyone else feel like they were being watched this time, or I am being especially paranoid?

Here's your regular information dissemination. New arrivals should find it especially informative, though there are a few of you who've been here much too long without reading this.

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