event } i always feel like somebody's watching me

[seeingyou]

WHO: Open to all passengers!
WHAT: A visit to Hama Vorcia, and your 15 minutes of fame.
WHERE: Anywhere on the megastation Hama Vorcia, or Navi.
WHEN: April 11 through May 2
WARNINGS: Add these to your comment subject lines as needed! And if you end up going too hard on one of those extreme challenge shows, please record deaths on the death page.

Hello, passengers! Hope you're all ready for an announcement, 'cause Navi's voice is getting beamed into your head right about ... now:

Attention, passengers.
We'll be docking soon at the megastation Hama Vorcia, where we will remain for approximately three weeks, local time.
Please stand by.

The notable lack of turbulence this time is probably a refreshing change, eh?

Upon docking and disembarking, passengers will find a bank counter just past the terminal, where your new windfall of Navigems can be exchanged for credits (the universal currency). Try not to spend it all in one place!

After that … the megastation’s ceiling is the limit. Have as much fun as you can cram into the next few weeks! Just make sure to pace yourselves - you wouldn’t want to get sidelined by muscle cramps, right?

Comments

Simon Reese | OTA

[bilocates]

This would be Simon's first visit to anywhere that wasn't Earth, and it wasn't even a planet this time! The whole thing was incredibly science fiction, and once again for more times than he could count he had to wonder if he hadn't just cracked and gone completely insane.

For the beginning he wasn't entirely willing to risk the cameras, it took a lot of work to stay hidden the way he liked so he spent a fair amount of time on the ship. Mostly hiding out and recovering from his injuries, occasionally slinking to the kitchen for a bite to eat. Eventually he'll have to leave and get himself some new clothes, but he's going to put that off as long as he possibly can. It's not like he's embarrassed to be caught in one of Alex's shirts.


[[OOC; IDK man hit me.]]

Re: Simon Reese | OTA

[imarealistnotacynic]

Shopping relaxes Richard.

Not that he will admit that to Alex, or anyone else, but he has a number of bags and several books to at least make himself feel better, to release the tension of the growing headaches in his head.

He doesn't collide with Simon so much as slam into him. There are people looking at him and it's exhausting being around people like this. Whatever abilities he's developed - or had smashed down - hurt.

[bilocates]

Simon does not like shopping. Maybe because he has no real experience, maybe because he doesn't usually have money. Or maybe it's just because of the people, the endlessly noisy people and overwhelming crowds. Add to that the cameras and...

You know he expected Richard might stop, evidently the man was feeling blind today. Simon definitely stumbles, doesn't quite end up on the ground but damn if Richard didn't nearly bowl him completely over. Simon was tall, sure, but the gangly malnourished type not exactly heavy nor sturdy. Strand was sturdy. He hissed a breath through his teeth, annoyed as he squared off against the man.

"Wake up, Dr. Strand." Come on, Richard, be the adult here would you.

[imarealistnotacynic]

"I'm awake."

Richard shifts his bags. He has a headache, a pounding headache that runs from his forehead down to the nape of his neck being around all these people. An eyebrow is raised, "Did I startle you? I was thinking. It's something people do upon occasion. Walk and think."

That said the young man does look knocked over, "...I didn't mean to knock you over. I apologize."

[bilocates]

Simon just gave him a look, one that clearly said 'are you?' He'd grabbed a snack somewhere along the way, some kind of food bar, and chewed on that thoughtfully. Not letting that strange unblinking gaze of his leave Richard.

He really shouldn't look that close the man was giving him a headache just looking at him.

"You ran into me," He pointed out. Startle wasn't exactly the reaction there. And yes, he is still absolutely wearing one of Alex's shirts. It doesn't quite fit right but it's getting the job done. As for the apology he studies Richard for a few moments, not saying anything, before nodding to himself and turning as if he's just going to leave. It's not a refuse apology, necessarily, Simon just doesn't think they're on especially friendly terms.

[imarealistnotacynic]

Alex died apparently. No she did. He could feel that and Simon was apparently in her good graces and so - time for the best that he could do.

"...How are you feeling after that attack?"

Is he going to just walk with him? Yes. Like he belongs? Yes. Because he does belong. they're from the same world and he has to stick with them so he can save them if needed. And it is needed.

[bilocates]

Alex's death was without question, how she came back was the real question. One Simon suspected had something to do with their current situation. The details were still uncertain, he'll figure it eventually.

Right now the more pressing matter was Richard following him like they're friends. Simon just cast him a wary look. What was he up to now?

"How do you think?" He countered, after Strand demonstrated his poor self control Simon wasn't quick to trust. Alex was the one he protected, he'd protect her from Richard just as quick as anyone else.

"How long have you been on this voyage, Dr. Strand?"

[imarealistnotacynic]

"A few months."

There's no pause, "I...apologize for my haste in applying the medical supplies. I was unsure and I did not want you to be hurt."

Until later. He shakes his head and focuses on him, "Are you enjoying shopping?"

[bilocates]

Not as long as Alex, still more 'awake' then he had been. Interesting. Probably still denying everything as usual.

Simon just leveled another look at him. "That's not the part you should be apologizing for." The fact Richard burned him with intent was the slight, not his panic. Still... Richard did save his life, so he'll play slightly nicer.

Simon turned to regard a camera, frowning. "Not really. But I need clothes." So he'll just suck it up.

[ungodlily]

It took Sharon some time to gather the courage to get off the ship herself, mostly out of an abundance of caution, and explore. At first, it was kind of fascinating. She felt like she was in some cheesy sci-fi film that just happened to have high production values. But it quickly became overwhelming. She tried to find her way back to the ship but in her mental fugue, she was too turned around.

Luckily, she recognized Simon. She'd seen him on the ship, though she'd never bothered to approach. This time, however, she waved him down, "Hey? You think you can point me back to Navi?"

[bilocates]

It was still surreal, like living in a dream. But walls were solid, physics still more or less worked the way it was supposed to and people were still people with all their noisy thoughts and obliviousness. If it wasn't reality Simon couldn't tell the difference.

This place, in particular, was easy to become disoriented. Everything was too close, too loud, with too many eyes. Fortunately Simon had taken a few ventures out, enough to find his way back without becoming horribly lost anymore. Not like this woman, whose name he didn't know but who he also recognized from the ship. Spotting her wave he paused, turning to meander over.

"I can take you." He offered instead, because pointing probably wouldn't help that much. There were still a lot of twists and turns and no real ability to orient themselves in this place with only the unfamiliar space station around them.

[ungodlily]

The offer seemed to have been unexpected but Sharon wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. She was pretty adept at adapting to new environments but those environments often were familiar--new city but the same planet. Even if he'd pointed her in the right direction, she knew she'd likely get turned around. Maybe even panic; she's never been this far from home before.

"I'd, uh, appreciate that, honestly," She admitted with a nervous chuckle, teeth peeking out from behind pink lips, a touch embarrassed at how easily lost she'd become, "I'm Sharon, by the way. Sharon da Silva." She doesn't offer her hand.

"I probably should have said hi back on the ship but I'm..." She trails off. Awkward. Not a people person. Still adjusting.

[bilocates]

Likely few of them could admit to being this far from home. An unknowable distance across the universe, or an entirely different universe altogether. Expecting to know their way around in a situation this vastly different from familiar would be absurd. As for how Simon managed to navigate without struggling with becoming too lost, well... He had a few tricks up his sleeve.

He nods, gesturing for her to follow. It wasn't like he was doing anything particularly important right now anyway. "Simon Reese," He did have the decency to offer that much in return. Though Sharon had found the one person on the ship with likely far worse social skills than her own. Her comment, and unspoken finish to her thought only earned a faint shrug from Simon as if to point out that he had also not taken the initiative to say hello or introduce himself.

"How long have you been part of this?" Instead he'd move the topic away from being awkward.

[ungodlily]

Sharon appreciates Simon's apathy towards her awkwardness and it further cements what she was already aware of: she couldn't treat this like home or the people like strangers from home. It'd be easier that way and she'd honestly prefer it but it just won't work.

"A couple of weeks, maybe two months," Enough that she's swallowed down the panic and denial of the whole situation but not quite enough to really deal deal with it, just stuff it back in the closet, "A goose snuck into my room and stole my shit."

[bilocates]

For better or worse they were all in this strange adventure together. Bonded by their shared experience, they might as well make the best of it. Or at the very least not make the situation more unpleasant.

Time is hard to track. "You're new, like me." The comment about the goose earned something of a quiet huff. "I had an... incident with that goose." Not a goose, he was tempted to say, but he has no stance to defend at the moment so he leaves it out.

[ungodlily]

Sharon was used to being 'new' at this point in her life, though she had hoped the last place she'd moved to was going to be her last time being new, at least for a time. Instead of a new city and a new identity to match, she was out on a space cruise that liked to make pitstops at places familiar enough to not totally throw her off but not familiar enough to provide any sense of comfort.

It kind of sucked.

"Color me curious." She said as she gave him a sideglance. Jack had mentioned that other people were dealing with the thieving space Not!goose, "What happened?"

jon } ota

[aparticularlyhollowlaugh]

Something about being around so many cameras feels both unsettling and captivating for Jon - no real surprise, being an Avatar of The Eye. Maybe it's just his imagination, but Jon thinks he can sense Beholding's presence here. It's ... not entirely pleasant, actually.

Jon limits his time on the station to a few shopping excursions, searching out different types of tea. Earth standards take some effort to find, but alien varieties are plentiful. The real question is whether he should try drinking something he can't even pronounce.

He spends the rest of his time on the ship, drinking said tea purchases or reading a book in quiet common areas - the kitchen, the observation deck, one of the lounges.

[albatrossomen]

Murmur is accustomed to doing the observing, so being under such close scrutiny has been... unsettling. He has spent most of his time on the ship, unless otherwise pulled out by someone else. Never has he been so social in all his existence.

Upon one of Jon's excursions out into the observation deck, Murmur was also out there already enjoying some of his own tea. He was bold, glad to try the alien varieties. It wasn't as though any could possibly be toxic to him as an entity technically lacking in biology, after all, so he had far more room to be daring.

He knows Jon's there, and offers him a polite nod of greeting. Pretending that it's not at least a little awkward given the whole... soulmates on Xanadu and attempted murder thing. And the blood glaciers. That whole thing was a mess. At least he doesn't seem inclined to launch into violence anymore.

[aparticularlyhollowlaugh]

Murmur may not seem inclined to choose violence, but Jon's inclined to remain cautious all the same. Once he recognizes Murmur, Jon stops in his tracks and regards his former faux-soulmate warily for a pointed moment.

"You're not going to attack me again, are you?"

Just. Putting that out there.

[albatrossomen]

It's a fair concern and one Murmur can't exactly hold against Jon given their first (second?) official meeting had been quite violent. Murmur didn't appear bothered by the question, only sipping his tea passively.

"No, our period of forced cohabitation has presented me with the opportunity to acclimate myself to your presence. I do apologize for that initial misstep. Join me?"

If he wants, Murmur won't force him.

[aparticularlyhollowlaugh]

Jon holds his wary expression for another moment longer, then nods and takes a nearby seat. It seems like something is trying to kill him most of the time, and at least with Murmur, Jon's fairly certain he could Compel him to stop again, if it were necessary.

He's hopeful it won't come to that.

"A shame Georgie wasn't here for all that," he remarks, and takes a sip of his tea. "She always said it was a wonder I never got punched. I'm sure she'd be quite amused to know I was nearly smited."

[albatrossomen]

Oh, Jon would be unwise to make such an assumption. If Murmur truly wanted to eradicate him he'd find a way to prevent Jon from successfully compelling him. Especially now that he knew about it. But, Murmur wasn't going to point out as much. He did so enjoy the element of surprise and being underestimated. It has long worked in his favor.

Still, he'd rather it not come to that as well.

"Oh? A friend, or foe?" Could go either way, from what little he understood of human relational interactions. They were strange creatures. "It may come as a surprise to learn a personal smiting is a rare event, quite prestigious in fact. Typically it's a simpler matter to let nature take its course." You know, bear attacks and floods and such.

[imarealistnotacynic]

When Jon makes his way to one of the lounges he'll find Richard there, wringing his hands with his own cup of tea long since cooled. There's discontent stirring beneath the surface. Richard's emotions are a tornado of activity.

His tea makes Richard sniff, "That smells good."

[aparticularlyhollowlaugh]

Ah, drat. Jon was hoping to find the place empty. But he's been spotted, so he can't exactly turn around and walk out. That would be awkward.

"I should hope so," he says, "it was billed as the customer favorite in the shop."

[imarealistnotacynic]

"I can never peg how the...local flavors are supposed to taste. Are you sure it's not going to turn you into something?"

Teasing or mocking? It's hard to tell.

Richard pauses, gesturing, "May I join you?" He could use a distraction from the way things are going.