[First it’s just darkness, thick darkness, like inside a pocket or closed in a hand. Well, darkness and laughter, there’s a lot of laughter, and then the device swings around, and there’s--

Well, it’s James Potter, probably. James Potter, his head bowed a little under the set of stag antlers that have sprouted from his hair. It’s very natural-looking if you don’t know that he is usually a young antlerless wizard, and he doesn’t look very bothered. He actually seems to be the one doing a good amount of the laughing, his hands holding the base of each antler before he lifts his head back up, the tips just nearly scraping at the ceiling of the room.]

If I could get the hang of this it wouldn- [He tries to let go of the antlers, to balance under them, which only lasts for all of two seconds before his laughter throws him off-balance and he has to grab at them again to keep his head up-right.

If anyone’s paying close enough attention, they might notice a few things buzzing around in the background. They look almost like fireworks, but a closer inspection would show that they are actually miniature chinese dragons - about five of them - chasing their way around the room, setting off sparks as they go.]

Ooh, mate-- that’s a good look for you, that is, very-- dashing, noble-- you were born to be a stag--

[And Sirius turns his device around on himself, with a grin. His body modification is simple: violently pink hair, and he’s quite pleased with it, given the way he keeps reaching up to touch it, almost as if to make sure it’s really there.]

If anyone else is very bored with themselves--and you should be, you are all boring--we are happy to help with your appearance at least. Personalities, you’ll have to fix those for yourselves, good luck there, but we can at least improve your looks with-- pig’s snouts, or blue hair, if you don’t fancy pink--meant to be red, but--

[There’s a crash somewhere in the background and James’ laughter can be heard again - much louder than before, before a few whistles go off. Just your average background noise, of course.]

I mean, there’s no law that says don’t do magic under the influence of-- sleep, sleep deprivation, haha-- see, we were setting traps, Remus traps, so actually maybe don’t come up this way. Highly dangerous. [Not that he’s said just where up this way is, it could be anywhere.] Actually, I think we might have set off all of the traps ourselves--

Watch it!

[Sirius’ reflexes just happen to be perfectly timed, because right as he ducks a very large and possibly-on-fire object goes flying by his head and crashes into the wall behind him with a very loud smack. It sounds almost like what a pie would sound like, smashing up against the wall at very high speeds.]

Merlin’s-- [But the exclamation is cut off by a burst of renewed laughter from both of them, helpless and hysterical, as the device falls on the floor. This is definitely the point of the metaphorical sleepover where everyone is so tired everything becomes hilarious, and it’s amid all this chaos that the sound of a door sliding open breaks in… and Remus sighs. You don’t get the privilege of seeing him, you just get to hear his voice.]

Oh, hell.

[And the video cuts off.]


[this magic under the influence is brought to you by James & Sirius, with a very small guest appearance by Remus. expect replies and enchantments from any of the above!]

[ the thing is, ric knows this is perhaps timed badly, that between everything this might be the least of their worries, but this jump, how it's so twisted with that broadcast of a man who's been dead for almost enough jumps to where only a handful of people even remember him from any broadcast that wasn't from the past. ric remembers him, faintly, in the sort of way you tend to remember the people you see around on the ship more than once or twice. ric likes to call it the small town effect, the ship may be bigger than boston or a number of cities that the various people on the ship are from, but their number is just like a very tiny town. and everyone knows that everyone knows everyone in those places and if they don't, they will soon enough.

seeing the broadcast and seeing some of the other broadcasts had made one singular question pop up into ric's head that he— feels is necessary to ask. if only to learn more about everyone ( that's what a good neighbor does, right ) and their opinions on the entire thing. ]

Bad timing, I know, but figured if I didn't try now I'd manage to forget it the next time it actually was a good time to ask. But anyway, how many of you here believe in ghosts? [ a pause, and a huffed out laugh as he shakes his head. ] I'd say have you seen them, but different worlds, universes, mine is not yours, I'm not assuming the supernatural exists in yours and you don't have to call me crazy for it maybe existing in mine or anyone else's.

But, I'm just a little curious to see if any of you believe in them given— this ship and a lot of things that happen on it. How things are just— fucked up here to where that almost seems sane compared to some things.

-- Hi. [ she's still so not used to using this thing.. ] So I have noticed there are a fair amount of passengers offering different services for trade as of late, and seeing as I've been really meaning to offer for some time now- [ especially after they were boarded by pirates, but she doesn't want to mention it since it's obviously a sensitive subject. ]

First thing, in the simplest terms, I'm a witch. In my world, magic is very real, and while only a small number of the world's population has magic in their blood, it's very powerful, and rather useful. I'm still only a student of magic, but there are certain spells I can cast that I feel could be used here for any number of things, so.. right now, I would like to offer my assistance with protection spells. They're used to guard things as small as a deck of cards, to a whole room, if you'd like. They're non-lethal, more like a barrier than anything else, but strong against most disruptions, and they can be layered with different types of wards. I'm not limited to protection spells, but considering recent events.. I thought some of you might like the comfort of knowing your things are a little better guarded. I can't promise they'll work long-term, because magic is a little different here than it is at home, but I'd be willing to refresh the charms as needed.

As I said, there are actually spells for a wide range of normal, everyday needs, so the trade is up for negotiation. Which sounds so formal, Godric. [ her nose scrunches up a little bit, but then she waves it off ] I just mean I'm willing to use different spells to help you with whatever you need.

If you have any interest in that sort of thing, I was actually hoping to trade it for a few lessons in how to better use these communicators, and some of the other technology found around the ship. I can't use magic to protect the conversations on here, for instance, and I'd like to learn how to do that. The wizarding world is very, very far behind on technological advances in the world- [ plus she's from the 1970s... ] -so I would be extremely grateful to anyone that would be willing to help me fill in the gaps there, so to speak. Thank you!

-- Oh, and just- a small note. If anyone catches sight of James Potter, Sirius Black, or Remus Lupin, tell them to send a text my way, please.

[ the video feed flickers on, showing a face peering way, way too close into the camera, squinting at it curiously. it takes jion a moment to realize that it's recording and pull back, gingerly moving his hands away from where he's set the device down on a table and sitting back in his chair. he smiles at the camera, but his smile has the distinct edge of something nervous and awkward about it. ]

Uh. Hi! It seemed like saying somewhere here was the proper thing to do, so I thought I should do it. Um -- [ a pause as he looks off to the side, as if he's been taking notes on what to say. ] I'm Jion. I'm a combat medic, though I was on leave right before I ended up here. So, I guess that was pretty funny timing?

[ a somewhat nervous laugh before he continues. ]

But uh, I'm pretty boring.

And I was more interested in -- . Like, I heard we're in space, and this is a spaceship and all, and I heard that there're othe -- uh, that there's people here who aren't just normal humans?

[ he sounds a little more excited now, sitting forward to look into the camera with great anticipation. he almost seems jittery at the prospect of non-humans being here. ]

An' I think that's so cool! I don't want to be rude or anything, but I really wanna know more about that. Uh, if anyone wants to talk about it, I mean! I'd appreciate that a lot.

[ so when the feed first comes on, it's mostly of the ceiling and possibly the top half of a very messy head of hair. black hair, ruffled around a little more than necessary, but hey. what'cha gonna do when there aren't any brooms to get on? I mean really.

the audio picks up what sounds like the ends of a conversation-- ]

I'm going-- of course it's a good idea, Moony! Why wouldn't-- oh, whoops.

[ and then the camera moves around a little, shifting and changing until eventually it's picking up the face of one (1) james potter. he looks quite similar to a certain harry, if you've met the boy, but a little younger. a little less war-scarred. more specifically lacking one certain forehead scar. ]

Guess I turned this on. [ have a sheepish little grin here, tranquility. ] This muggle techy-nology still confuses me. [ and then his eyes move over the camera, where a different voice can be heard. though not really loud enough to be made out, and james just laughs. ] No, I still-- I'm not going to send everyone a ruddy smile, Pads.

[ and then he's back. ]

Anyway, 'ello Tranquility. Name's James Potter. I'm not really new - came on last month - but we had a few... difficulties. [ pirates, learning you’re going to die in three years, meeting your son, etc etc etc. ] Couldn't properly introduce myself.

Though that isn’t the only reason for this message, as delightful as I might--

James, watch it--!

[and that’s Sirius, from somewhere off-screen, and the camera is really in for it now, because Sirius throws himself forward, knocking James flat with a yelp--there’s this weird garbled growling sound; they have just dodged some sort of flying object. like maybe someone has enchanted a very heavy ball-shaped something to try to kill them. badly enchanted.

more shaking, more movement--really no one should be worried because they’re laughing, or at least James and Sirius are--but after a few moments, the picture (and James) straightens back out. in another corner of the room. ]

Right! As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, I’ve figured out what the problem is with this ship. [ dramatic pause. ] We’re all bloody bored. Out of our minds.

Back home we have this sport - called it Quidditch. Granted, it requires a few supplies; balls, hoops, brooms and the like, but it is brilliant. Requires strategy, skill, everything you could think of.

Now, most non-wizarding folk probably don’t know about Quidditch. Which is fine, really, it’s not too difficult to teach. Just so happens I’m a great teacher when it comes to these things, so you lot are in luck. [ have another grin, tranquility. just because. ] Won’t be for everyone, also, but if anyone’s interested we could try and set something up. We’ll have to change the rules around a bit - we’re severely lacking brooms, for one - but I’m sure we can figure something out.

Let me know! You can just...message me. On this? Yeah? [ and he’s looking up again, as if he’s checking with someone else in the room. ] Okay. Yes-- no, I know how to, Sirius I swear if you--

[ the device is dropped. or set down very quickly, either way it's recording the ceiling while there is more commotion and more laughter in the background until someone in the room has the decency to pick it back up again. ]

Right, excuse me--

[As James and Sirius bicker, Remus grabs the communicator.]

Before you all go clamoring to join, let me tell you all that Quidditch is extremely dangerous. And considering we don’t have-- we don’t have magical ways to heal, you two, now stop fussing-- I think a warning should be issued.

Quidditch consists of, among other things, two balls magically flying and doing their best to break every bone in your body. You won’t be flying, thank god, but broken arms, skulls, jaws, etc, have been known to occur. People have lost bones and had to regrow them. People have-- well, died. Frankly.

That being said: James, nor Sirius, nor I, will be actively trying to hurt you. Obviously. And I’ll be standing by, ready to help anyone who gets hurt. But you really need to be quite tough to play this game-- and don’t take that as some macho challenge, please, just-- be careful. It would be better if no one played at all, to be frank, it would be better if we found some other game to play--

[ more wrestling of the feed goes here, and james once again returns triumphant. ]

Also! Before I forget, could Miss Raven-- [ there’s a pause, where james realizes he doesn’t know her last name and just shakes his head. ] You know who you are! You’re the one dating my mate over here. Anyways, it has come to my attention that we have not yet been acquainted. Which, and I’m not sure about you, but I find this to be a travesty. That should be fixed. As soon as possible, really.

So let me know when you’d like to meet, yeah?

[ and there goes the feed. ]


[ ooc: and fair warning, your message may be answered by any of our three marauders here: James, Sirius and/or Remus. though your chances of it being all three are also very high. who knows, you might get lucky. ]

[ she did not often use this device. it is distasteful still, no matter how long she's been here now. no matter how long she will be here.

but she is aware that certain things needed to be said. there's a tremor to her hands that no one will be able to see, but she feels and it's enough to unnerve and unsettle.

aithusa was here. she was here. her ally, her friend. and it brought excitement. and pain.

the feed pans to the gardens, before stopping on morgana. her hair is in disarray as usual, black dress and pale skin. but normally tired eyes have a sharpness to them again, and fix the device with a hard stare. ] This place does little to cease its torments, it has no right -

[ there's a rumble, throaty and slight, beside her, off screen. she glances briefly down. she was glad to see the creature, but she was just as equally angry. this ship had no right. if she was subjected to its whims, it did not mean this poor, deformed dragon had to be, as well. she straightens though, composure unwavering whilst on display. ]

I will say this once. In the Gardens, there is a dragon. She is my ally - [ there's an emphasis to the word. ] - And is not to be touched. Not to be harmed.

You will not want to know what will follow if my words are not listened to. [ it's a threat, and she doesn't care how subtle - or otherwise - it sounds. in her world, where she should still be, morgana would have thought hard before announcing such. but here…well, the gardens were only so big. sooner or later aithusa would be noticed.

best all who listen be aware of it now. ] I trust I am understood.

[ authority, unquestionable and final, and the feed ends. ]

[ action; if anyone would like, she is in the gardens, found with this dragon. ]

Once upon a time in a faraway spaceship.

Do continue the tale according to your own imagination and while you think, however long that will take -

What do you know of magic? aside for fairy dust and happily ever after.

[ this post is 95% sarcasm. ]

--ell it’s not as if we have radios like this back home, Muggle technology isn’t anywhere near this level of complexity just yet.

[ someone ( Miss Lily Evans ) is fussing with Remus’ communicator. no, not her own, because he was showing her how it works, but her curiosity and maybepossibly mild impatience made her reach out to take his, already pushing different icons on the screen to see if she could figure out how to use it on her own. naturally, all she did was turn a video recording without realizing it right away. the view is blurry at best, because she keeps turning it over in her hands, squinting at it before pressing the screen a few more times. but then she’s looking up from it to ask him another question, though she just ends up sighing and maybe kinda smiling but really she’s doing her best to look stern here. ]

Pardon me. You teach me, then I’ll teach you, remember? It’s not as if my textbooks are leaving anytime soon. And neither am I, so-

[ so she’s holding up the communicator between them, turning her hand this way and that, hellooo, completely in the dark here- ]

Oh, what’s that little light for-?

Well, now you’ve turned it on. See? That means it’s recording. Which means you and I are broadcasting to the ship right now--

[He gives the camera a vague sort of grin, brief, before turning back to her to add:]

And they might not be leaving, no, but I’m dying to see them-- it’s been ages, Lily, and there’s nothing about magic in the library--

But in any case. Hello, all. This is my friend Lily Evans-- obviously from my world-- who, ah, is-- in sixth year, you said? Right. Sixth year, which makes her about a year from where I am-- only we’re the same age now, which is terribly confusing.

Anything you’d like to say, Lils?

Oh! Yes, that's right, sixth year, but- Wow. Hi.

[ she never really thought she was camera shy before this moment, but a live video feed is a little different than posing for a snapshot. so her cheeks might be a little pink, but otherwise she's just sitting up straighter, like someone who cares veryveryvery much about making a good first impression. which might also be why she's wearing her Hogwarts uniform. ..either that or she just feels more comfortable in her robes than that jumpsuit. awfully tight, isn't it? anyway- ]

As Remus said, my name's Lily. I'm still learning the dos and don'ts of the ship, but I'm hoping it won't be too long before I'm helping out around here in some capacity. How much do you all know about magi-

[ hmm maybe she should direct this at Remus ]

How much do they know about our world? Magic, I mean.

Quite a bit.

[His expression turns slightly uncomfortable for a second.]

Perhaps I should fill you in off-screen, hm?

Of course, yeah.

[ squinting at that expression!! but in a considerate way ( if that’s even possible ), and it’s only brief, because then she’s turning back to the camera. and she looks a little, tiny bit confused, but otherwise she’s managed to save face ]

We’ll... be back later. Maybe. Can’t wait to meet you all!