first statement } audio; un: archivist

[aparticularlyhollowlaugh]

[oho, what’s this? a new voice on the network?]

Erm … I suppose it’s customary in a situation like this to introduce myself. [he lightly clears his throat before continuing:] My name is Jonathan - erm, Jon. Sims. [and he really has to bite down on the impulse to add the archivist after that.] I am somewhat new here and have yet to meet many of you. [which is intentional, on jon’s part.] But I - I actually just have a question, seeing as - if I understand the situation correctly - we are all from different places.

[jon hesitates for a moment and takes a deep breath to steady his nerves. public speaking is so much less comfortable than reading statements into a tape recorder.]

Have any of you heard of something called The Vast?

Comments

[albatrossomen]

A reasonable assessment. Your doubts and concerns are certainly with merit.

[Of course it's always difficult to convince someone they're not hallucinating when they have such good reason to be unsure. This isn't exactly Murmur's area of expertise.

He nods, thoughtfully, at Jon's assessment, despite the fact the man absolutely cannot see an audio nod. As for the dreams, Murmur isn't yet aware of the specifics of them, so can only offer what he can surmise with the information given. Technology does make his usual modes of conversation more difficult, though it does add a degree of novelty he's unaccustomed to. Being uncertain really is a thrilling experience!]

Of course, one would expect anyone in your position to react much the same. Is there any way I might assist in setting your concerns to rest?

[After all, he's pretty sure if they were in a Fear based hellscape he'd know. Bit of an expert on hellscapes.]

[aparticularlyhollowlaugh]

I don't think so. But, erm - thank you all the same.

[either way, it's really out of his control, at the moment. all jon can do is wait and watch.]

Have you been on this ... voyage for long?

[albatrossomen]

Understood, my pleasure.

[It is, out of all of their control. Frustratingly.]

Some few months I believe, time gets a little fuzzy to track without consistent day-night cycles. I arrived with the first wave of this current group.

[aparticularlyhollowlaugh]

Months ...

[jon sighs loudly. he already hates that he’s here and doesn’t know what exactly happened at home. every day without that knowledge is going to be torture.]

And I don’t suppose there’s any real way to estimate how long it will be before we’re returned?

[albatrossomen]

By my best estimate this will not be a swift voyage, if that is what you were hoping to hear.

[Sorry, Jon, you're a bit stuck right now. Everyone is. And while Murmur has the patience born of immortality, he is well versed with the urgency by which humans live their lives. Even more so when something pressing is afoot.]

Navi would be the one to ask, but I expect there are too many variables at play to have an exact estimation.

[aparticularlyhollowlaugh]

No, I - I think I know better than to hope for something like that.

[that's just how his life has been for the past few years. fun times!]

This ... traveling in space is all a bit new for me. I wouldn't even really know how to ask something like that.

[albatrossomen]

Wise.

[Better not to set high expectations, then you're disappointed less. Murmur might be something of a cynic on occasion, in retrospect.]

It would appear to be a similar case for most on board, myself included. Only Navi would have a strong grasp, being designed for the purpose.