[ All right, here is an effort in futility. She takes in a deep breath before turning it to video and giving a very thin smile. ]

Hi there. I'm pretty sure that I'm not going to get any new answers, but I thought I would try. I'm Specialist Samantha Traynor of the Systems Alliance, currently under Commander Shepard of the Normandy. Does that... mean anything to anyone here?

[ Shepard and the Normandy are well-known, galaxy wide. But she could see some people not knowing... If they are blind, deaf, or dumb. Regardless, the Systems Alliance at least should get some raised hands--she hoped. Hoped in the bland way of not really expecting anything but open to being surprised. ]

Otherwise. Thanks... to the people who have put together some explanations. It doesn't answer all of my questions, but it's a start.

Something happened.

[there's a moment's pause. It's taking a lot to make this post. More than he thinks he's capable of. But after all that happened with dean--]

During the recent…invasion.

[okay. Right. He needs to just get it out and deal with the fallout afterwards. His voice sounds more certain when he continues. As though he's simply reciting a few facts as opposed to potentially gaining a ship full of enemies.]

Those who have been here for some time are likely aware of the existence of a creature from my world called a Hellhound. They are invisible beasts capable or tearing souls from the bodies of the living in order take them to Hell.

A number of them arrived during the recent invasion. But without passage to Hell available to them, they deposited those souls in a place they considered safe. Here, that meant the room assigned to me.

[and that's…where it gets difficult again.]

Souls are one of the strongest sources of power in existence, and my Grace had been depleting for some time. I didn't…think. I—

[okay. Let's try this again.]

There are those here who people may have noticed have been behaving differently since the invasion. They may not be sleeping as much, or they may be capable of pushing their bodies further than they should. They may be less empathetic than they once were.

There is a possibility that they are a victim of this. If that is the case, their souls are with me.

I need to return them.

[another pause, and a final--]

…I'm sorry.

[ There is still a steely leanness to Caprica's -- Natasi's -- bony features, after her ordeal in the corridors months ago, but there's a restored vibrancy. A brightness, a smile, an ease and softness.

The natural-like lighting casting her hair bright platinum implies the Oxygen Gardens. ]

There's a chapel here, where they used to hold services. They wrote the names of those that have passed on the wall. These are different rituals of faith than I'm used to, but.

[ But. Her head tips. ]

Faith is universal. Galactic. I'm inviting you to visit the chapel in the Oxygen Gardens once every week, if you'd like the company, starting today. We can discuss the shape of faith in your worlds. The twining paths of fate. The face of god. Prayer, meditation, peace.

The flowers that decorate this place could always use replacing, if you favour more practical gestures.

Even if you don't believe, you're still welcome to join us. I would only ask you to keep an open mind [ a delicate, shaped eyebrow raises ] about faith, and the diversity of the people around you.

[ Humans. ]

So say we all.

I heard-

[There is a nervous, jittery pause. Actually, if anyone is listening closely, those first two words? They were pretty nervous and jittery, too. Clearly something has rattled Annie, something that she is not saying.]

-I heard-

[Try again, try again.]

I heard something. In the darkened corridors, well, not precisely in them, because I don't go in there, but it sounded like something moving-

Someone, please say, I'm not going mad. I went to look and I saw some lights begin to come on, and then I left, because-

Well.

I think everyone here knows why.

[ so that was...some shit, huh?

in light of just how grim everything had gotten, it seems the perfect time to roll out a little something to lighten the mood, and river has been rehearsing for at least half an hour prior to actually addressing the network.

(it needs to be perfect, okay? delivery is everything in comedy) ]

I have a joke. ..More than one, but one for now. We're all very tired.

[ she clears her throat a little - bless she's actually kinda nervous - before continuing, a little rustling following as she even sits up straighter. ]

How many existentialists does it take to screw in a light bulb? [ pause for effect ] Two - one to change the light bulb, and one to observe how it symbolizes an incandescent beacon of subjectivity in netherworld of cosmic nothingness!

[ ok you can all laugh now ]

Okay, so ignoring the fact that this has probably come up before I don't actually know what the answer is. But the pods - them not opening is pretty weird. I know everyone's concerned, especially if someone you know gets stuck in one.

( She's not experienced that side of it yet but she has been stuck in one now )

Why don't they open sometimes? Is the ship that broken and we're going to be permanently stuck one day or is it something else? Going in and out of them every jump is a bad enough experience without wondering what else you missed or what could have happened.

Has anyone died in one? Or had it never reopen? Other than when people disappear. Is there anything we can do for people stuck in pods? Other than give them a really good re-welcome when they get out.

Are we okay stuck in there or should I be worried about losing something? I know I'm at least picking a different pod next month. Just in case.

( She's not getting stuck in one again )

( ALLISON ARGENT + GWEN STACY )

I better not have missed movie night. Is there another?

[ 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. ]

Hi, I'm Annie Sawyer with-

Well, not with anyone, really, I just was hoping that someone could just, if you could, if you have a bit of extra rope, and maybe something heavy that you're not using, I would be very happy to take it off your hands.

And also, be careful, of course.

Mostly, please be careful.

Oh, also, does anyone know, if we lose powers, do doors still lock?

where's josh?

[ that's it that's the post. normally, she would make the obvious assumption, but since the jump was like 500% more freaky this time it seems to bear asking. ]

[ Simon comes into view unsmiling and still, standing framed by one of the unadorned walls of his room. ]

Those of you who aren't human. Or are more than only human. If you lie low, or pass, or hide—why? [ He's quiet, with an Irish accent and a cadence that's steady verging on mumbly, and intently focused. He's not uncomfortable, not fidgety or uncertain, but he isn't quite at ease, either, in front of a camera. He's only using video to make a display of his bloodless face and white eyes. ] Has something happened to you here? Or is it a habit you've carried from home?

We may not be in the minority, altogether.

[ That's less threatening than we could outnumber them, right? Right.

That's also the end of what he'd planned to say ahead of time; he shifts back from the screen, looks aside, and nearly disconnects before more occurs to him. ]

If you want to talk and don't trust this to stay private, I'm in room two hundred on the third floor. You can... [ Leave a note, he almost said, but he's yet to see paper or pens. He raises his eyebrows like a shrug. ] Paint your answer on the wall.

Or knock. I'll be here.

[ The camera is met with an angry-looking Kate, one angle of her jaw flexing as teeth clench. Her forearms are folded on the tabletop in front of her and she leans her weight onto them. The way she launches right in gives the impression she's been holding back this bad mood for a while before giving in. ]

Okay, so first of all, whoever stole my bow at the jump: bring it back. It's a cheap piece of crap anyway and it's not like we have arrows laying around but it's the only one I have here and there aren't any more in the armory and it's not exactly an inconspicuous weapon so what are you even going to do with it without me finding you?? Seriously, just bring it back before you damage it somehow and I promise I won't hit you with it no matter how tempted I am.

And speaking of people around here being total assholes [ Because whatever, she's started now and trying to make her no-hitting promise sincere just has the frustration shunting off into another topic, ], is someone turning people into animals seriously allowed now? That's just a thing we're cool with, going to let that slide on by, no brig time involved? [ She's not generally a very animated speaker but her hands twist off the table into the air into a 'seriously?' gesture. ] FYI never annoy this Gold guy because I guess he can just turn you into a cat if he feels like it and nobody will ever do anything. If I disappear after posting this be on the look-out for new pets wandering around or something. On second thought maybe that'd be a nice change from this place's bullshit for a while. Gold, if you're watching, just make it a dog or a bird or something, alright? Cool.

[ It's hard to make a dramatic exit on a touch-screen device but she pushes the STOP button as abruptly as she can anyway. Hawkeye out. Nope, wait, spoke too soon. It starts up again after a second just long enough for her to shout: ]

And bring me back my god damn bow!

[ Okay, now it's done. ]

Did the shuttle that went missing, er, did it ever, well...come back?

Er.

That is.

We might have seen the shuttle that went missing? Maybe? Back on the little colony. And I was just...wondering! if it had been found and brought back to the ship? Possibly?

Yes?

All right, thank you!

Since everyone's all about hiring on help these days-- I've got a few things that need doing if there are any bored volunteers. Also a few things on a shopping list if there's anyone that recently arrived with a decent stash

Shopping list is easy: tea, more tea, spices, decent bacon, cigarettes, movies that aren't space knock offs. Watched almost all of those sixteen thousand times each. Though I recommend space Titanic, which is weirdly better than the Leoardo DiCaprio version.

Things that need doing: someone to move something seriously heavy, someone else to make a delivery and pickup.


You'll be paid in space beer or space risotto. Space beer and space risotto is also what we have to trade with for the stuff on the shopping list. And all of it's semi important, especially the tasks. Only slightly less important than the tasks is the cigarettes. [A pause.] And maybe the tea.

Thanks.



[ooc ps - there is totally not a sneaky vampire plot embedded in here, don't worry!!! but if you volunteer for the delivery & pickup it will entail a rifle drop off and maybe some (lots of) lying. be warned.]